We've made it to Day 3: Emotional self care! This is one that I, personally, can't stress to you enough! Make the time for emotional self care!
Many things can fall under emotional self care. Find a hobby that brings you joy. Finding something that you know you can do that brings you joy can help any low moods or anxious feelings. It gets your mind off of everything else, and engrosses you in its intricacies. And at the end, you usually feel some sense of accomplishment. Win, win!
Community engagement is another example given on the Wheel. This involves researching different types of communities that share your interests. Perhaps a writing group, a choir, a CrossFit community. It doesn't have to be the community you physically live in. Just a group of people that come together for a common reason. Emphasis on researching though, as you don't want to end up in some sort of cult or extremist group. Let's stay away from those, for everyone's sake.
Practising self love. How often do you do this? How often do you compliment yourself? How often do you pick out all the things you like about yourself? Do it. Start simple. Maybe it's the colour of your eyes. Maybe it's your sense of humor, or the way you laugh. Pick one or two things - and remind yourself of them everyday for a week. Then see how easy it is to add in one more. And then after another week, add one more. And keep doing this, and soon you will find it easier and easier to pick out things you like about yourself.
And finally...feel your emotions. Positive or negative - allow those emotions to flow. Angry? Scream in an empty room, or scribble as hard as you can on a note book, just let it out. Feel the tears welling up....let them out! Excited - jump up and down, cheer, dance! It's okay to feel whatever you are feeling. It's not okay to be mean to others, physically hurt others or yourself - but it is okay to feel the feelings. Partner being an ass....it's okay to think that, and okay to be angry at them. Feel it. Write it down, cry about it, talk to a trusted friend, tell your partner you're upset with them - just watch your words and actions towards them. So often we tell people they have no right to be upset, or they shouldn't cry. We may not see any reason for it, or may be able to see it from another perspective; but that doesn't discredit how someone else's mind and body reacts to the situation. If you allow yourself to feel the feelings (especially the negative ones) they pass more quickly than trying to push them away. And the more often you do this, the easier and quicker you will roll through those emotions.
So comment below - what are you going to do today to practice emotional self care? Find 2 things you like about yourself and write them down, then look in the mirror and tell yourself what they are. Feel your emotions. Find a supportive community (hint, hint!).
Wishing kindness into your day,
Melanie