Self Care, An alien concept

 Dear you,
yes you, if you are someone who doesn't value yourself, put everything aside and read this.

We live in a world where Self Care is a very alien concept. Right now I know you're probably thinking, "what is she saying? I know what self care is". So no, I don't mean the self care you see on social media. I don't mean the one day you take out of your week or the daily routine you've made for yourself to do a face mask, get your hair and nails done and/or go shopping, nothing of that sort. I don't mean the superficial things we do to make ourselves look and feel better temporarily.

We live in a world where doing all that seems like what self care is. We're sitting here in this roller coaster called life and most of the time we're living for the temporary. This world, it eats us up. We deal with so many problems and issues and most of the time, we ignore them, run away from them or deny them because we don't know what to do about them. We don't know how to deal with them. So we decide to wake up, put on a good outfit and a fresh face of make up and pretend everything is okay.

Sunrise / Mask on / Pretty face / Quick replies / Sunset / Mask off/ Lonely flat / Blotched face / Echoing silence

So I am going to put out my perceptions and views out here and if it helps you, I'll be more than happy.

First off, you need to put yourself first. It's okay to be selfish sometimes, to be your first priority. You need to know yourself and your needs before you try to understand something or someone else. Listen to yourself, your feelings and your emotions. Let your emotions run its course. Don't shun them. Take care of yourself, do things for yourself. Keep your chin up and be proud of who you are. You don't need to keep getting makeovers every now and then, update your cosmetics, your wardrobe. Be yourself in the rawest way possible and be fierce. You need to like yourself first so start with small baby steps.

 

Accept
Accept where you are and how you are. You're here in this moment and in this situation because of everything that has led up to now. Everything happens for a reason. The sooner you realize this, the easier it is. Accept change. Sometimes change creeps up on us slowly over a period of time and sometimes it's sudden and engulfs us all at once and leaves us wondering what just happened. Either way, easier said than done I know but accept it.

Choose
Choose to be yourself, choose to be happy, choose to be free. God knows no one likes nor enjoys anything that's forced. Do what you want to, any little thing that makes you happy. Lock your room and bust out some moves, write and put down your thoughts in your diary, paint, sing your heart out, do anything at all that brings you happiness. Find your escape, exploit it to the best. Again, this too is temporary but it genuinely helps.

Nothing remains the same for ever. Things keeps changing so this too shall pass. The worst storms are followed by the clearest skies.

Learn to let go and forgive, its not worth it. Learn to forgive yourself too, be kind and thoughtful to yourself. Give yourself a chance. Give your dreams a chance and believe in yourself.

We all think we know what will make us happy but once we reach there, our destinations change and that's an endless cycle. So live in the moment.

People
Most importantly, find your people. Be it family or friends. Surround yourself with positivity, people who make you feel nice about yourself in a good way. People who will come what may, standup and support you. People you trust.

Dear you,
You are amazing so be YOU. You're unique and be proud of that. The world would truly be a boring place if everyone were to be like another.The next time you think otherwise or the next time you look at yourself in the mirror, smile. Smile and acknowledge yourself for everything that you are. You are capable of lighting up the darkest skies. All your imperfections are what make you, YOU. So lastly, fly little birdie, fly high.

Signing off,
T Kinjala