Self-care
Letters from a Lesbian…
Dear World,
Recently, I’ve needed to practice a lot of self-care. I battled a migraine that would not cease, despite multiple treatments. It’s finally in remission now, but it wasn’t easy getting here.
With these now uncertain times ahead of us, self-care may be of the utmost importance for us and our community. Hispanics and LGBTs are facing some potentially issues. I know that I, myself, am nervous. I want to be wrong. I would love nothing more than for my fears to be unfounded. I want to be called over-reactive or over-dramatic. Unfortunately, only time will tell whether or not my concerns are legitimate.
So as we face this new era of uncertainty, we need to take care of ourselves, just as I needed to take care of myself while dealing with a monster of a migraine, so must we take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually while walking through these dark times.
Rest. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress and anxiety of the news. It is imperative that we disconnect and make sure that we are getting adequate sleep. Sleep boosts our immune system, recharges our mind, and clears our soul. It may sound silly, but sleep is of the utmost importance. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. It’s good for you, and those around you.
Balance. Life is all about balance. Ying and yang. Black and white. So, we must find balance in our lives. Just as we balance our work lives and our personal lives, so must we find balance between our political lives and our non-political lives. We need to create time and space for things that feed us emotionally and spiritually. We must surround ourselves with people who lift us up. We must also find time for solitude and quiet. By giving ourselves these gifts and this balance, we will find that we feel and function much better.
Focus. Now this one is much easier said than done, but it is necessary. Especially in today’s world of news bombardment and technology, it’s easy to get distracted. We need to focus on the moment. We must be present in the here and now. What is happening right in front of us is what needs our attention. Be present in the present.
Find outlets to express yourself. It’s very important that you allow yourself to feel. It’s also important that you allow yourself some time to express yourself. Paint, write, draw, dance, sing: find creative outlets to not only express your emotions, but to help take your mind off of things. I recently discovered wood burning as new art medium, and it has been incredibly therapeutic for me. I highly recommend finding any kind of outlet that will help you.
Find a spiritual home. I personally believe that everyone should believe that which they want to. Spirituality is very personal. I respect each and every person’s personal belief system. Regardless of your spiritual path, finding a place be it a church, temple, group, or even just spending time in nature, can be very rewarding and healing. Find something that speaks to you.
Self-care is important at all times, but especially right now. We need to be at our best for ourselves, and those around us. So please take the time to take care of yourself in as many ways as you possibly can.
Live life in your own special way,
Lauren