So, you’re in between careers, newly graduated college or are at a transitional phase in your life, in general. These stages can be the most stressful. You are full of uncertainty, usually looking for a new path to follow and you are uneasy about all of the options presented to you. While it is important to move forward in your career and in you schooling, try slowing down your #girlboss pace and make self-care your full-time job.
Now, I know that you are probably thinking, “Here goes another wannabe wellness guru trying to force me to eat more plants and meditate for hours on end.” While this might be your path to self-care, there are easier ways that you can incorporate it into your life. Here are a few simple ways to prioritize self-care:
Find a fitness class.
Working out is a great way to kick-start your self-care journey. It will boost endorphins and increase your energy, making your body feel better from the start. Instead of just working out on your own, finding a fitness class is a great way to increase your accountability. You may even find a fitness squad to go on this new journey with you. You don’t need to take any specific kind of fitness class, just find something that you enjoy and that gets you moving.
Learn to cook (healthy foods).
Cooking can benefit your wellbeing in a ton of different ways. It can be relaxing (once you get the hang of it) and it can give you a sense of accomplishment. Another benefit, you will be eating out less, which will improve your health. You can learn to cook foods that are not only delicious, but that are also good for your body.
Take a break from social media.
I can’t stress this enough. When you are transitioning and feeling a bit lost, social media can be a real b****. Seeing all of your friends and former classmates killing it in their lives can bring a serious case of rivalry, which is not good for your mental state. When deciding what direction to take your life in, lay lower on social media and remember that everyone on your newsfeed is going through their own struggles, so you can’t hate them for having a seemingly perfect life.
Hygge your space.
Hygge, the Danish art of coziness, is not just for winter. While winter is the season it thrives in, you can find hygge throughout the entire year. This could mean anything from designing and implementing a new reading nook in an unused corner of your apartment to hosting a lowkey dinner party and board game night with some of your favorite people. Discovering hygge can revive your soul and give you a new outlook on life.
Journal.
Write your thoughts. Write your goals. Write your to do lists. Just write and get anything in your head down on paper. This way, you can really see what direction you should be going in and you can more easily make decisions in your life. Writing down what’s in your head is an easy way to release stress and get everything out of your system.
Plan the ultimate self-care field trip.
You can take this as far as you would like to. It can be anything from a weekend in the mountains to a month-long search for hygge (see above) in Denmark. This obviously depends on your financial situation and the amount of time you can take off, but separating from your normal surroundings and spending some time alone can be the perfect way to realize what your body and soul really needs.
When you are making the transition in your life, it is the perfect time to really learn about yourself and check your wellbeing. Your health needs to be a priority in your life, and when changing career path, we tend to overlook it. Whether it’s for a week or a few months, take some time for yourself and prioritize self-care. This will make it easier for you to continue self-care practices once you settle into a new path.
