I am a big believer in self-care.
Today, on International Self Care Day, it’s more important than ever to do what makes us feel good.
The conversation around self-care exploded over the last few years but it’s something we desperately need in these days where emotional, mental and physical stress are rampant.
Our culture also romanticizes being overworked. Coming in early and staying late. Never taking a day off. Filling every spare second with activity. “I worked a 60-hour work week. hahahaha I’m only existing on iced coffee. What is sleep? LOLz”
While it’s a funny tweet, it’s super toxic and unhealthy — not to mention dangerous.
It’s OK to take time for yourself. I’d even go as far as to say it’s medically necessary to take some time to focus on you, your feelings and doing something to make yourself happy.
There is not a “one-size-fits-all” for self-care. Sometimes it means getting your finances in order or cutting a toxic person out of your life. Sometimes it means getting into therapy (if it’s financially viable.) Other times, taking care of yourself is doing a face mask. It’s going for a long hike. It’s eating a Krispy Kreme doughnut.
(One thing is for certain: shaming another person’s method of how they make themselves feel good is a shitty thing to do. Let people enjoy things.)
You have to take care of yourself. Do something for yourself today of all days. Maybe you can even try to incorporate it into your everyday life. It’s not selfish — it’s necessary. It means you are important to you and, when it all comes down to it, you’re all you’ve got.
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT
