selfcare

The Sacred Sound of Silence

I’ve learned that silence is golden. I’m not saying that to sound cliché — it’s truly, deeply golden. The world demands movement, noise, and attention. For me, silence has become a sacred and precious space. It’s in the quiet moments that I reflect and really feel my emotions fully. I’m allowed to simply exist — without judgment, without fixing, and without rushing to move past them.

When the Mind Won’t Slow Down

I have scattered thoughts that run miles a minute. My brain doesn’t like to stay still for too long, so I seize any opportunity to stop it from spinning. I crave those moments of calm. I long for peace that soothes both a loud world and a loud mind. Because truthfully, it gets exhausting trying to keep up with everyone and everything.

Choosing Isolation as a Reset, Not an Escape

For me, isolation isn’t loneliness. It’s how I reset. I’m not avoiding life; I’m slowing down and listening inward. I enjoy retreating into silence. It’s a profound experience, being able to sit and be still. It doesn’t happen often, but as a form of self-care, I try to implement it as much as possible. It helps me recenter and stabilize my mind. In those moments, I allow myself to simply be.

Ways to Embrace Stillness

Stillness isn’t always easy — especially when your mind is loud, or the world around you won’t quiet down. But like any self-care practice, it starts small and builds over time. Here are a few gentle ways to invite more silence and stillness into your life:

Recognize what is loud:

Becoming aware of environmental noise, like constant notifications, background TV, or even loud conversations, can help you intentionally carve out more peaceful space. “Tune in to what is going on around you so that you can become aware of ways to reduce unnecessary sounds that may be causing stress.” —(North Star)

Become friends with your thoughts and feelings:

It can be uncomfortable at first, but this awareness is often where healing begins. “One of the reasons we steer clear of quiet is that it means we may become aware of our thoughts and what is happening inside of us in those quiet moments.” —(North Star)

Focus on one thing at a time:

This practice brings your attention to the present, reducing mental stress and increasing calm. “Choose one thing at a time and be intentional to focus on one task. Choose quiet music while you work on it to help you focus or find a silent space.” —(North Star)

Practice meditation:

Starting with even a few minutes a day can help you feel more centered and connected. “You can use guided meditations with apps such as Headspace to help you get started, as it can feel difficult to try this out on your own right away. You may feel silly, but know that this is important for your well-being and it is worth it.” —(North Star)

The Healing Power of Gentle Activities

Taking time to do the things you enjoy is a necessary form of self-care. For me, it’s coloring, journaling, cooking — any activity that gently distracts my mind from the mental noise. Time seems to pass faster when you’re in the process of healing.

Redefining Productivity and Worth

I don’t need to be productive all the time to feel valuable. I deserve to treat myself, and for me, that means doing things that are stimulating yet relaxing. Sitting in silence is comfortable. I don’t need to be loud to be heard. Sometimes, the most powerful thing I can do is pause — and just let myself feel it all.

Learning to Sit With My Emotions

For a long time, I suppressed my feelings. I preferred numbness over confronting stressful, persistent, or intrusive thoughts. My mind meanders all over the place, and sometimes it’s difficult and exhausting to keep up with. But I’m learning to take each emotion as it comes. I’m trying to sit in the stillness — to let myself heal emotionally and physically.

“Sometimes the most powerful thing I can do is pause — and simply let myself feel it all.”

Nicole Greco

*Sources: North Star Counseling Center– The Self Care of Silence: Tips for finding quiet moments in ...

#MentalHealth #Mindfulness #selfcare

After going through a really tough time mentally, I can finally say I’m feeling much better. The heaviness has lifted, my thoughts are clearer, and I feel more like myself again. It took time, patience, and small steps, but I’ve come a long way.

I'm focusing now on building healthier habits, staying present, and appreciating the calm after the storm. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about feeling okay, and that feels like a huge win.

If you're in the middle of your struggle, just know that things can change. Healing happens in quiet moments, and one day, you might look up and realize you're doing better than you thought.

#mentalhealthrecovery #healingjourney #feelingbetter #Hope #selfcare #progress

They always talk about "self care"...

"Make sure to make time to use your charcoal face mask and teeth whitener!"

But what if self care... was simply... staying alive?

For me personally, lupus and anti-phospholipid syndrome wreak havoc on my body. I'm tired all the time, hungry all the time. Everything hurts all the time.

So I'll be the first to raise my hand and say... I suck at taking showers. There's just barely any time that I'm not in pain or feeling well enough to drag myself into the shower.

So self care?

What that looks like for me?

It looks like brushing my teeth - and sometimes using mouth wash- and flossing.

It looks like washing my face with gentle cleanser because of my butterfly rash that comes along with lupus. Don't forget to moisturize.

It looks like the simplest task of taking my contacts out and putting my glasses on for the night. And trust me, if you had the option to see me in those glasses, you'd opt out.

It looks like taking 15 different pills and medications each night and each morning. Sometimes I wonder if I even need them...

But that's it. And sometimes that has to be enough. Unfortunately some of us don't have the luxury of charcoal face masks every night and cucumbers on the eyes.

But every day you're on this side of the dirt, it's a million dollar day.

So maybe your self care is just brushing your teeth, and your hair?

That's okay.

Maybe you do have time for self care... or maybe you are simply staying alive. Either way, I am so proud of you for where you stand today.

Keep climbing even when your legs hurt. The view is always better at the top.

I love you, and I'll see you soon.

#Lupus #AntiphospholipidSyndrome #self #Bipolar1 #selfcare #MentalHealth

Day Three: Listen to your favourite music for 15 minutes.

I listened to Dido today. It still makes me happy, and I still can't believe how beautiful some things in this world are. Her voice is gorgeous.

#52 SmallThings #selfcare #challenge

As I reflect on my journey of marriage, I’m reminded of the delicate balance between unity and individuality. My husband and I bonded over our shared passion for art, and our artsy romance blossomed into a beautiful marriage. However, as we grew together, I found myself losing touch with my own identity.

It wasn’t until I sought therapy, watched TED Talks, and took mental health classes that I began to rediscover myself. This three-year journey of self-discovery taught me the importance of self-care, intentional living, and embracing my unique qualities.

Today, I’m proud to say that I’ve found a harmonious balance between being a loving wife and nurturing my individuality. I’ve learned to recognize my triggers for depression, approach disagreements with empathy, and communicate my feelings on a mature level.

In my twenties, I was solely focused on being a wife, neglecting my own growth. But now, I celebrate my independence and make time for solo self-care dates, whether that’s getting a facial or relaxing in a therapeutic wellness pod.

My journey has taught me that marriage doesn’t mean losing oneself; it means growing together while embracing your unique identity. By prioritizing individuality, we can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.

#MentalHealth #selfcare #DissociativeIdentityDisorder #Addiction #MightyTogether