6 Tips for Self-Care

📷’s by  Luba Kochubey Portraits

Jacket: Loft (similar) | Blouse: J.Crew on sale! (another option here) | Jeans: Banana Republic (similar) | Jewelry: Rocksbox (use code laceandpearlsblogxoxo at checkout to receive your first month free) | Sandals: Josef Seibel |Lipstick: Bite Beauty (no longer available but similar)

This past month has been crazy, I guess that is normal for this time of year. I’m finding it hard to remember day-to-day conversations and can barely recall what I’ve done. Now is a better time than ever for some self-care.

You wouldn’t think that taking a break would get you further along, but it does help and I’m here to tell you why. Instead of forcing yourself to be innovative, find inspiration in a non-related task. It’s kinda like procrastinating in a strategic way.

6 Tips for Self-Care

Take a walk. Getting some fresh air and your heart rate up can benefit you in more ways than one, especially when you’re seeking mental clarity. Sometimes when I walk, I go with a coworker and other times I’ll give my mom a call. Having someone to vent to is the best form of therapy. On the flip side, walking in silence and taking in your surroundings can be super rejuvenating.

Listen to a podcast. Sometimes changing things up is just what I need to find motivation on a current project or goal. Getting up early is hard enough since day-light savings; I hate waking in the dark and coming home in the dark. But when I listen to a fun podcast and open my mind to something new I can find motivation. It’s like the equivalent of reading a good book or watching tv.  Pick a topic and I guarantee you can find a podcast on the subject.

Hang out with a friend. Good conversation with a close friend can work wonders. Taking your mind off yourself and hearing about someone else’s life for a change can benefit you in multiple ways.

Read a good book. Lately, I haven’t been able to find any books that motivate me. I primarily like fiction but struggled to find something that draws me in. Any good book recommendations? I’d love to hear them. My favorite author is Sophie Kinsella and I also enjoy series like Twilight, Hunger Games, and Fifty Shades of Gray. I’m trying to read Girl on the Train but I am struggling to get through it. I just started reading Heartless by Marissa Meyer, which is pretty fun.

Massage your worries away. I recently started getting a monthly massage (doctors orders). At first, I found that I needed a massage from my massage. The first session was brutal. I hurt for a week. The next time, I requested a feel good massage, rather than working out the knots. This made a world of a difference.

Get a pet/spend time with your furry friend. Having a pet means unconditional love and laughs. Jason and I have had our two kittens for three months now and it has changed our lives in the best ways.

Self-care is so important. It can really make a difference on how you function and interact with others. It will allow you to feel less irritable and be capable of taking on even the most mundane task when you put yourself first. So be more intentional with making time for yourself and I guarantee you’ll be better for it!