A Corona Gets It's Lime

Ok so I wanted to make a post about self care for a long time now, but never found the right time. And then, BOOM…. a pandemic. What the heck better time, being that there is an international quarantine taking place at the moment?  Also, we Americans like our space so I am not sure how we in particular got here. 

Anyway, this year has been the actual basurisimo and its only March, guys. Send help. My mom was hospitalized for the first 3 weeks of the year, Kobe Bryant died in a fiery helicopter wreck, the series premier of Love is Blind on Netflix... But we can’t avoid the big, yellow beer bottle in the room. Everyone is so bored inside their homes due to this Coronavirus quarantine, but at least some fire memes are coming out of it. And I get to look at those memes in between assays at work, because I am still AT work WHILE EVERYONE IS BINGE WATCHING NETFLIX AND EATING ICE CREAM. I’m not salty at all, though.

Self-care is more than relaxing in soft pants for the evening. It is more than just getting a pedicure or going shopping or eating a whole box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. It’s not an “every so often” or “whenever I get some down time” event. In my personal opinion, self-care is so much more than that. Self care is self productivity.

Mental:

·     Take up a hobby. They always say that you should invest time in things that will make you money, keep you active physically, and is something that you enjoy doing. Really get to know yourself and figure out what you like. It took me many years to realize I love writing, and using that writing to story tell and ultimately encourage and inspire others. You are going to need an outlet at some point, and a hobby could be both constructive and satisfying.

·     Create boundaries for and around yourself. Really evaluate who has access to you. What type of energies are you allowing in your space? You are responsible for who and what you let in; be it social media, or what you watch, listen to, read, etc.

·     Go to therapy and stop playing yourself. I can’t wait to find a suitable therapist, because I am so excited about addressing my demons and finding out why I am the way I am. A lot of this I can’t do on my own, and I need to know what I may be doing that could change the trajectory of my life in the best way possible. But finding the right one is like searching for a wedding dress. When you know, you just know… and you will probably cry. A lot. Not that I know anything about either, but I cry for the ladies on Say Yes to the Dress so I know I will cry with my own.

·     Learn something new. If there is ever a thing that you were curious about in the least, maybe a new language, or how to finally work Microsoft Excel so you can stop lying on your resume; there is no reason for us not to learn everything EVER. That was one of my New Year’s resolutions. I want to learn make up, and I want to learn everything I can about neuroscience. Some colleges like MIT offer free online courses if you’re seeking to further your education (unofficially—nobody cares about actual degrees anyway). We live in such a unique time in history that we have access to just about anything you can imagine, so there is absolutely NO reason you should still struggle with knowing the difference between “your” and “you’re”. Why don’t you feel confident in having political discussions about whom you should have voted for in the Primaries last week? Make some homemade hand sanitizer since there is a global shortage! Do you even know about the Tilikum the orca, and why you should boycott Sea World? Google that shit! No, seriously—it’s heartbreaking.

Spiritually:

·     Spend time with your Creator or whomever you worship. Meditate/pray regularly. He has literally stripped everything away from you during this time. Practice gratitude each day. This experience that the world is living through right now has truly given me not only a realization of how frequently I touch my face, but more importantly a sense of gratefulness toward my job. I had a rough couple of weeks there following our evaluations and merit increases (of course, because I know my worth, I struggled with the mediocrity that they thought of me… especially with how frequently I am there and the odd hours I have to put in). But looking around me, I see people on quarantine leave with no pay, or was indirectly and indefinitely laid off due to uncertainty of reopening their employment establishments, people with kids and mortgages. There is real stress in the world; so I went from being upset I physically couldn’t do my job away from the laboratory (so no work = no pay), to being upset that I had to work at all while a lot of the world stays home and naps all day, to being glad that I have a job at all. I don’t know what will come of this but I do know that right now, I don’t have to worry where my next meal is coming from.

·     Spend time with yourself. I know so many people who walk through life and don’t know themselves at all, yet expect others to understand them; these people are so uncomfortable just being alone. I love spending time with me. I am for sure the dopest chick I know. 

·     Work on your emotions. I saw an IG post that said “Mastering your emotions doesn’t mean controlling your emotions, it means not being controlled by them.” That hit me in my soul.

·     Serve. There is something so fulfilling about helping others and spreading love, especially in this time. Offer your help to the elderly and at-risk, send money to someone who is struggling without work, feed the homeless, give up one of your 638 rolls of toilet paper that you’re hoarding for your anticipated, recurring, explosive diarrhea…?

Physical:

·     Go touch the ground. Get in the elements. At the risk of sounding like a hippie, there is such a thing as “grounding” where you place your bare feet on the earth and let the natural electricity change your body chemistry. It’s pretty incredible, actually.

·     Get active. You already know how I feel about this one. Move your body for a change. I won’t say more. 

·     Eat clean. This can change the energy that you have throughout the day. It also helps with all other body functions and processes. You owe it to your body to take good care of it. Don’t skip out on your pineapples either. ;)

·     Stretch; your 30-something year old lower back will thank you. 

·     Take your vitamins and supplements. Right now vitamin C, elderberry, and your probiotics for gut health may be a win.

·     GET DECENT REST! Those bags ain’t cute.

·     Hydrate. Do as I say. Not as I do.

The world doesn’t realize that Floridians are so used to this panic state thanks to hurricane season. It is so interesting to see everyone around the entire world stuck inside for a change, rushing to buy supplies for survival, or coming together during tough times. It is so beautiful (aside from the first week where everyone was starring in WorldStar videos while they shopped).  Children are actually out in the streets and parks playing! Parents spending actual time with their kids and, hell, maybe even getting to know them a little bit! There is the most beautiful weather of life outside! people are watching the sunset, and taking walks. Its truly a special time.

The biggest take away from this whole debacle is that now is everyone’s chance to slow down and really connect to their inner self. Do things you’ve always wanted to do but never made the time, which can include doing nothing at all! Get to know who you are and what you like to do. 

Appreciate. Heal.