November Self-Care Challenge
PKM0515
Posts: 3,089 Member
I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes by starting this thread, but I need some inspiration. 
Personally, I want to think about three forms of self-care daily:
Personally, I want to think about three forms of self-care daily:
- Something for the body.
- Something for the mind.
- Something for the spirit.
6
Replies
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Self-care for the body: bought a new, soothing facial cleanser instead of the soap I've used "forever".
Self-care for the mind: read a chapter in a novel; did some "scary" paperwork that I have been procrastinating on and agonizing over for MONTHS.
Self-care for the spirit: started the day reading three devotionals, all of which hit home; stopped outside in the early morning and really noticed the beauty of this autumn day.
I feel like I need to be more "intentional" about self-care and my life in general.
Looking forward to reading everyone else's wonderful ideas!4 -
Hi! I’d like to join 🙂
Self Care for the Mind/Spirit It’s rainy and cold outside today so I made myself a cup of honey chamomile tea and started my gratitude journal today (it’s my goal to write down two things I’m grateful for every day of November/December). I feel like this works for both mind/spirit.
Self Care for the Body I bought a new moisturizer for my face because my skin is really dried out. I’m also planning on getting a run in tonight after dinner.5 -
I've been using MFP for 3 and half years, and thanks to learning lots from it, I have my weight, logging, eating, and exercising sorted.
I've been alcohol-free for the past 9 months, and that plus this thread has helped my creativity such as writing and drawing.
Very happy, and want this to continue!
November 2018
Goal 1: A 30 km run.
Goal 2: 2 blog posts.
Goal 3: No shopping for myself. (No Spend November.)
Goal 4: Handstands/stretching daily.
Goal 5: Draw every day.
Thought I'd try a No Spend November. These are my rules:
No-Spend November:
1. Spend no money on clothes.
2. Stay out of Target; no browsing.
3. No online shopping for myself.
4. Remember Buyer’s Remorse when tempted to buy, and remember my decluttered space.
I figure with Christmas coming up, I want to have a frugal month so that I can afford Chrimbo in December.3 -
lizcarpenter146 wrote: »Hi! I’d like to join 🙂
Self Care for the Mind/Spirit It’s rainy and cold outside today so I made myself a cup of honey chamomile tea and started my gratitude journal today (it’s my goal to write down two things I’m grateful for every day of November/December). I feel like this works for both mind/spirit.
Self Care for the Body I bought a new moisturizer for my face because my skin is really dried out. I’m also planning on getting a run in tonight after dinner.
Love yours!
I squeezed in a 20-minute, late afternoon walk just to enjoy the beautiful afternoon and the joy of movement.2 -
@Orphia, you're an inspiration to us all!
@SaraKim17 Thanks very much, sweetie, and thank you for starting the November thread!2 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »My self care has been 3 times a day physical therapy exercises at home & walking daily to keep my spirits up.
@MadisonMolly2017 Quoting and tagging you in the new thread so your post from October doesn't get ignored.
Well done for coping with your broken arm. Hugs.
How long since the injury? What's the prognosis now? Is it painful?1 -
These are my self-care ideas for anyone joining and wanting ideas:
Here are some ideas that are not all about spa treatments or makeup.- Tidy a space – a table, a drawer, a cupboard.
- Discuss an insight from your day with a loved one, without gossiping.
- Watch a TED talk or YouTube instructional video about something you wondered about recently.
- Go outside for a walk or a bike ride.
- Enjoy your time on social media without feeling guilty or rushed. Use it as downtime and as a treat.
- When scrolling on Facebook and you see something or someone that always annoys you, let it go and unfollow them.
- Smile.
- Edit a photo, draw a picture, write about your thoughts.
- Breathe in for 3 seconds, hold for 2, then out for 3 seconds, hold for 2. Do this 10 times.
- Try a new recipe.
- Stretch.
- Say no to something without feeling guilty.
- Go to bed on time.
- Give someone a compliment.
- Go for a walk at lunch instead of sitting or shopping.
- Put some money in your retirement fund, even if it’s only a small amount.
And I'll repost the maintenance list for the days we struggle to get by.
These ones below are from: https://themighty.com/2018/08/realistic-self-care-ideas/- Get out of bed.
- Brush your teeth.
- Wash your face.
- Shower, even if you just get in and rinse off! The water might feel amazing for you.
- Eat something. Even if it’s just a cracker or some bread. Just get something in your belly!
- Walk out onto your back porch. Stand there for 10 seconds and then if you want, go back inside. Great job, you made it outside! If you feel like it, take a short walk. Get some sunshine!
- Put on your favorite TV show or movie.
- Check your email and clear your inbox. Respond to anything that is important.
- Change your sheets.
- Check your actual mail.
- Stay hydrated. Fill up a water bottle and keep it close by.
- Take your medication.
- Stretch. This can be a small quick stretch on the couch or some yoga.
- Check your text messages and answer those from people who are important or worried about you.
- Pay any bills you might have to avoid late fees.
- Change your clothes if you didn’t when you first got out of bed.
- If you have a pet, make sure they are good on their food and water. Nothing feels worse than your pet having an empty water or food bowl and you not being aware of it!
- Do a creative hobby that you like.
- Open up the blinds to let the light come into your house.
- Watch a funny video. Laugh.
6 -
I took a nice, long bath. So relaxing and warm...
3 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »My self care has been 3 times a day physical therapy exercises at home & walking daily to keep my spirits up.
@MadisonMolly2017 Quoting and tagging you in the new thread so your post from October doesn't get ignored.
Well done for coping with your broken arm. Hugs.
How long since the injury? What's the prognosis now? Is it painful?
@Orphia Thank you!
Almost 6 weeks since injury, 4 weeks today from surgery.
Prognosis: I think full or close to full range of motion. Passive only motion for 3 more weeks minimum. X-ray then & surgeons decides if I can do active motion physical therapy at that point. Probably back tonpilates in February. It’s a tough injury, but I’m doing everything they say I should. You kind of have to push into the pain to get full range of motion, it appears. Ice packs help & Tylenol.
Yes, it’s been quite painful, but less so in the past couple of days!!! It’s a mental game, for sure.
TY again.3 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »My self care has been 3 times a day physical therapy exercises at home & walking daily to keep my spirits up.
@MadisonMolly2017 Quoting and tagging you in the new thread so your post from October doesn't get ignored.
Well done for coping with your broken arm. Hugs.
How long since the injury? What's the prognosis now? Is it painful?
@Orphia Thank you!
Almost 6 weeks since injury, 4 weeks today from surgery.
Prognosis: I think full or close to full range of motion. Passive only motion for 3 more weeks minimum. X-ray then & surgeons decides if I can do active motion physical therapy at that point. Probably back tonpilates in February. It’s a tough injury, but I’m doing everything they say I should. You kind of have to push into the pain to get full range of motion, it appears. Ice packs help & Tylenol.
Yes, it’s been quite painful, but less so in the past couple of days!!! It’s a mental game, for sure.
TY again.
Are you able to go for walks?0 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »My self care has been 3 times a day physical therapy exercises at home & walking daily to keep my spirits up.
@MadisonMolly2017 Quoting and tagging you in the new thread so your post from October doesn't get ignored.
Well done for coping with your broken arm. Hugs.
How long since the injury? What's the prognosis now? Is it painful?
@Orphia Thank you!
Almost 6 weeks since injury, 4 weeks today from surgery.
Prognosis: I think full or close to full range of motion. Passive only motion for 3 more weeks minimum. X-ray then & surgeons decides if I can do active motion physical therapy at that point. Probably back tonpilates in February. It’s a tough injury, but I’m doing everything they say I should. You kind of have to push into the pain to get full range of motion, it appears. Ice packs help & Tylenol.
Yes, it’s been quite painful, but less so in the past couple of days!!! It’s a mental game, for sure.
TY again.
So sorry to hear about your broken arm! (Somehow I managed to miss this.)
I'm sure this must be so frustrating, not to mention painful. 😞0 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »My self care has been 3 times a day physical therapy exercises at home & walking daily to keep my spirits up.
@MadisonMolly2017 Quoting and tagging you in the new thread so your post from October doesn't get ignored.
Well done for coping with your broken arm. Hugs.
How long since the injury? What's the prognosis now? Is it painful?
@Orphia Thank you!
Almost 6 weeks since injury, 4 weeks today from surgery.
Prognosis: I think full or close to full range of motion. Passive only motion for 3 more weeks minimum. X-ray then & surgeons decides if I can do active motion physical therapy at that point. Probably back tonpilates in February. It’s a tough injury, but I’m doing everything they say I should. You kind of have to push into the pain to get full range of motion, it appears. Ice packs help & Tylenol.
Yes, it’s been quite painful, but less so in the past couple of days!!! It’s a mental game, for sure.
TY again.
Are you able to go for walks?
@Orphia
Yes, I walk every day in nature except my surgery date when they wouldn’t let me. Lol
Avg12K steps daily now
My walks are helping my body & spirit - invaluably so
@SaraKim17 I also started reading chapters for my mind!
I also need to do more self care in each day.
I listen to relaxation tapes too
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November 1
- Something for the body. Did some Tai Chi before breakfast. And walked after dinner
- Something for the mind. Sorted out some of my poetry.
- Something for the spirit. Did a mindfulness meditation when I woke up. Worked on a sunrise watercolour painting I started last week. Painting always relaxes me.
November 2- Something for the body. 20 mins of lower body circuits before breakfast. Went for a walk in the town park after Latin, and for a short stroll along the coast near my home. .
- Something for the mind. Went to my Latin Study group this morning. It helps to keep my mind active.
- Something for the spirit. Started the day with a yoga routine, and finished the practice with several rounds of Salute to the Sun and deep breathing.
1 -
Self Care for Mind Found a new podcast to listen to today! I listened to it on my commute home today.
Self Care for Body Took my dog for an exta long walk today. I start my 10K training plan next week so I’m giving myself the next couple days off.
Self-Care got Spirit Gratitude journal day number two. I feel like this is going to be such a great habit for me 1 -
Self-care for the body: this is a tough one today, but I did sleep quite well.
Self-care for the mind: had meeting re scary, long-procrastinated paperwork. (I called and arranged the meeting yesterday.)
Self-care for the spirit: started the day with three devotionals.
Unfortunately, I'm binging on Halloween treats at the moment.
2 -
Body: Did my daily 5 minutes stretching & handstands. Walked 8 km including parkrun 5 km with a friend who uses MFP and we had a geeky chat.
Mind: My daily 5 minutes minimum on Duolingo. Finally did a one line drawing of my friend and her husband at their wedding I was happy with after 12 tries over recent days. Sorted my finances spreadsheet.
I'm not religious, and I have philosophical objections to describing anything "spiritual" about myself, but I do love how completing things for the body and mind make me go all Zenmode and happy. 2 -
Yesterday I made sure to do some yoga. November in really trying to hit all of my goals and one of them is getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night. Hot it both nights so far. Today I took an extra session at the gym to not only work through some aggression, but to also work on my roundhouses. I am also enjoying the way my bullet journal and my health collection for the month are visually appealing to me. Today I also say down and write for the first time in years. I've been trying to get back to it and it felt good.2
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Body, mind and spirit all rolled into one : I tackled my mess of a backyard, got rid of all the junk (removed some old, broken down planter boxes, tossed a bunch of broken bricks, construction debris, dead branches, weeds, fallen leaves, etc...
This is something I've needed to do for a long time, but I have been putting it off forever. (I get stuck sometimes.) It wasn't a horrendous mess (only took a couple of hours to tidy up), but it was shabby and cluttered, and looking out the window I was getting a daily reminder of my failure to get this thing done.
What a weight off my mind! Overcoming inertia and actually getting things done always feels so uplifting. And it looks pretty good out there now. It's actually pleasant to sit outside again and watch the birds at the feeders.
2 -
Nov 1
Self Care for my Body: Walking & PT times 3. Ice packs. Spent time decluttering, labeling, re-arranging furniture- much nicer now! Relaxed in evening.
Self-Care for my Mind: Read an article of where cats first were domesticated in the world & why they became connected to humans!
Self-Care for my Spirit: Expressed my deep gratitude & thanks for excellent medical news!! Vastly relieved. The necklace I made (see below) reminded me that I am loved!
Self-Care for my Creative Self: Made a necklace when I woke up using beads & pretty ribbons. Wore it all day!
3 -
I'm not religious, and I have philosophical objections to describing anything "spiritual" about myself, but I do love how completing things for the body and mind make me go all Zenmode and happy.
@orphia, I hope I didn't offend. By "spirit" I meant anything that feeds the "soul", be it religious, philosophical, mindfulness, enjoying the beauty of nature, etc.
Also, I hope no one feels they have to do all three "categories". These were really meant for me. The last 3 1/2 years have been very difficult, but I feel like I'm finally starting to "re-surface" and realizing that I need to pay more attention to a number of areas in my life.2 -
Yesterday I made sure to do some yoga. November in really trying to hit all of my goals and one of them is getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night. Hot it both nights so far. Today I took an extra session at the gym to not only work through some aggression, but to also work on my roundhouses. I am also enjoying the way my bullet journal and my health collection for the month are visually appealing to me. Today I also say down and write for the first time in years. I've been trying to get back to it and it felt good.
@skram, I'd love to see some of your bullet journal pages, if you feel like sharing. 0 -
@MadisonMolly2017, I'm amazed at everything you're doing with a badly broken arm! So glad for your positive medical news.
I would love to see a photo of your necklace, if you feel like sharing one. I am "artistically-challenged", so I have to live vicariously.
1 -
November 3
- Something for the body. Over 3 hours out walking with my daughter.
- Something for the mind. Planned my Creative Writing piece for Monday's autumn theme. I am working on a poem.
- Something for the spirit. Spent time with my younger daughter. We always have a great time.
1 -
Self Care for the Body I ate a lot of veggies today, a large kale Caesar salad which was delicious
Self Care for the Spirit I got to hold my new baby niece for the first time today!
Self Care for the Mind I saw The Lion King on Broadway...maybe that also counts for the spirit? Idk...it was amazing though!
I forgot my bullet journal at home this weekend which is a bummer, I will have to catch up on my daily gratitude when I get back home.2 -
@SaraKim17 Hugs!
Today I did a half marathon race (21.1 km / 13.1 miles). I did it in under my goal time, so I'm very happy.
Had a lovely trip there and back with a good running friend.
Helped my husband with shopping and dinner.
3 -
Body & Soul- lovely hike with gorgeous mountain & ocean vistas, hawk, multiple deer including 2 adorable fawns, sunset light warming mountains; overcoming fear of falling again-slowly but surely; phys therapy x 2
Creativity - began working with an image that I’ve been meaning to sketch /paint for 4-6 weeks!
Mind - discussed local city issues with a candidate for city council
- went to see an inspiring movie, learned a lot about extreme rock climbing
3 -
I only have one for yesterday. Met for lunch with two current friends/co-workers and one who has retired. We met at a really nice restaurant and had a long, relaxing lunch with plenty of good conversation. Decided to make it a monthly occasion.
The restaurant was a bit of a drive and it's located in a more "country-like" area, so I got to view some beautiful, autumnal scenery.2 -
Lots of much-needed stuff around the house, devotional reading, chapter in book, lunch with a friend.
I'm not doing very well with the "body" component lately although I went up and down the stairs a LOT with my housework. I hope I can get back on track tomorrow.2
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