Reclaiming My Life Through Self-Care: Part I
The Beginning
It was a muggy Monday afternoon in early July when my phone rang. The number that flashed on the screen was a familiar one. It came from the hospital my dad worked at for 35+ years... only this time he was the patient, not the physician.
What happened next would change my life.
I'll spare you the details, because this isn't a sob story.
Here's all you need to know: shortly after receiving this phone call, I experienced a nervous breakdown. This phone call would serve as the straw that finally broke the camel's back.
Later that evening, while in a stressed and highly emotional state, I quit my job. One I had manifested for 3+ years, btw.
I've been told throughout my life by friends, teachers, and bosses that I'm a strong, intelligent, and professional person. I know better than to make a big decision while in a highly emotional state. Why, then, did I do such a reckless thing?
Because I'd been neglecting myself for months.
The opposite of care is neglect. If you’re not practicing self-care, you’re practicing self-neglect.
For the last several months, I’d been self-neglecting by:
- Working straight through the day without any meals
- Not pursuing new hobbies out of fear or laziness
- Isolating myself from friends and family
- Seeking instant gratification through irresponsible purchases
- Barely sleeping due to chronic anxiety
I didn't like the person I was becoming, but I wasn't doing anything about it. It wasn't until I hit rock bottom that I realized it was time to make a change.
What's Next
As a longtime lover of the Savor Beauty Planner, I can vouch for its transformative powers. It truly helps me manage stress, reduce anxiety, and inspires me to create a life of self-love, joy, and balance.
It's a journal, a dream board, a self-care tracker, and a planner all in one.
The section that's been helping me get back on track is the Manifest Wheel, which helps to make sure that you're practicing self-care in all areas of life.
For a long time, I truly thought I was living a self-love lifestyle. I've always been religious about my skincare, keeping my apartment spotless, and moving my body daily. I'm open with myself about my feelings, and journal daily.
While these are all healthy habits, they're not enough. I wasn't paying attention to all 6 sections of the manifest wheel, which represent my whole being.
By self-isolating, I was neglecting the "Social". I was not maintaining and cultivating meaningful relationships that are so crucial to human happiness.
By not pursuing the activities I had been wanting to try for so long (drum lessons, jewelry making, and kickboxing), I was squandering my full potential and neglecting my dreams and aspirations, under "Success".
What's Next
On Monday, I filled out my color-coded week, making sure to write down my regularly-scheduled meditation and physical exercise sessions. The simple act of outlining my week made me feel organized and in control.
Now it's the weekend, and I'm excited for a fresh start. I vow to live a balanced self-love lifestyle, pouring myself into each section of the Manifest Wheel.
In my next post, I'll share with you my new and improved manifest wheel, and how I plan to implement change into my life.
Don't forget - it's never too late to make a change.
My life is my story to write, and the next chapter's going to be a good one.