A day of self-care
If you’re in bed and haven’t gotten up in a long time, GET UP. Move. Stretch your tired muscles. If it hurts too much go take a shower. Hot or cold, it doesn’t matter, just go shower. Don’t even wash yourself. Just sit and let the water run over you. Cry in there if you need too! Even if it doesn’t hurt, go shower! Trust me.
If you can’t get up, if it’s too much for now, just move your limbs, stretch them a little. 10% is better than 0%. Trust me, okay? Move.
Again! Showering! The best thing if you can’t make yourself better any other way. Just go shower. Try hot. If that doesn’t work, try cold. Whatever wakes you up best. I promise it’s worth it.
Now that you’re awake! Don’t get back into bed, not just yet. I know it sounds bad, but cancel all your plans for the day. You weren’t going to get there anyway. You need a little me-time. So cancel the plans. All of them. You have zero expectations for today, okay? Zero. If you have to go, absolutely have to, take it easy. Don’t do anything you don’t have to. Go easy on yourself for once, k?
No plans now, right? None. Now go sort through your clothes and put on something that makes you feel good! Change your underwear, get out of your pj’s, change your shirt and shorts.
Now you’re gonna need to check yourself. When did you last eat? I know it might be hard, I know maybe you want to be thin, I know eating seems like the worst thing, but you need to eat. If you can’t stomach much, just go nibble on a cracker. I know it’s hard, but you can do it. You’re not going to feel better until you have food in you. It might hurt at first, maybe you’ll be hard on yourself, but not eating won’t make you healthy. Eat something that doesn’t need preparation. Grab some fruit. Yoghurt. Chocolate. Go eat it outside, or if you can’t do that, sit by an open window. Not working? Go inside, eat.
When did you last drink? Go grab a glass of water. Cold water- as cold as you can make it. It’ll wake you up, I promise. Finish the water, and grab a refill. You don’t have to drink that one yet, just have it ready.
All those assignments and responsibilities? Forget them, just for today. You’re not going to do them today. If they’re due tomorrow, then do them before you turn them in. If they’re late, then let it go. Today is a day for you.
Pull up your text messages. Pick one person- a friend, family, someone you love. Tell them you appreciate them. Turn off your phone, set it down.
Now I need you to go cover all the mirrors. Today, we’re not going to worry about looking good. Feeling good is our aim, k? Can’t cover the mirrors?- just stay away from them, alright? It’ll make a world of difference.
Put in some earbuds, and turn your favourite song up! Dance around your room, dance until you’ve got nothing left, dance like nobody’s watching. If you can’t dance well, do it anyway. If nobody’s around, scream the lyrics. Scream them anyway if people are there, because who cares what they think? If you care too much, just keep dancing. Dance until that song is annoying, and when it is, put the headphones down.
Are you tired? Go sit down, drink some water (remember that refill glass?) and just look around you. Pick something, a random item, and name everything good about it. For example, an ugly brown cardigan. Pick it up, remember how cozy it feels when it’s wrapped around your shoulders. Remember how it kept you warm last winter when you found it in the back of the car and you had nothing else. Remember ripping it off at your friend’s party and throwing it because nothing mattered in that moment. Maybe it’s ugly to you, maybe it’s not the warmest, but there are so many memories it’s carrying. Just like you. You might not think you’re beautiful, but the memories you have are undeniably beautiful, aren’t they?
Now you’re feeling better, get back up, move a bit. Don’t stay in one spot for too long because then you won’t get back up, and that’s not good for you. Stretch a little, crack your back, take a walk around the house.
What do you like to do? Draw, write, paint- choose something creative, and try it. If you’re a writer, abandon your current stories and write something random. Artist? Draw and paint something new, something you’ve never tried before. Defy the expectations you’ve set for yourself. If it turns out screwy, don’t get mad at yourself. Nod and move on.
You’ve done a lot of stuff today, I know. You deserve a break. But you’re not going to take one, because first we’re going to clean. I know- it sucks, it’s not necessary, and you don’t want to do it. But get up and tidy your room. Even if you just clear all the rubbish away, or put away your books, organise it a little more. Don’t do a lot, just enough to make a difference. Listen to some music while you’re doing it.
If you’re tired, take a nap. When you wake up, you’ll notice the difference you cleaned away. When you wake up, don’t stay in bed because then you won’t get up. If you’re not tired, that’s good, keep going!
Are you anxious? Worried? Resentful? Grab some paper, write it down. Address letters to every person you need to speak to. Seal them in envelopes and tuck them out of sight- those people might not never see the letters, but now the words are out in the world. I hope some weight lifted off your shoulders.
Go outside if it’s nice weather, and just sit. Observe things. Maybe get out a book, and read. Every time worries try to sneak up on you, write them down, and file them away for later. Today is your day, and you’re going to deal with everything tomorrow, when you’re in a better state of mind.
Go back inside, and maybe do some more dancing. Pick another song and dance. Don’t want to do that? Walk around the house, take a nature walk if you can. Tire yourself out again.
The day is done, and you did so well. You’re so brave, and I care about you. Maybe you didn’t do everything on my list, but that’s okay. You did amazingly, and you survived today. Go sleep, or rest. I promise you’ll get through tomorrow. Take your time and use any of these list tips when you need them. Figure out what works best for you. Goodnight- I’ll be here for you if you need it <3
I hope this helps! I really took a lot of time to do this, and put a lot of effort in. Remember that I care <3 let me know if this works for you <3