Self-care Sundays... Nah, Self-care EVERYDAY
Currently listening to All Falls Down by Kanye West. I think we all miss the old Kanye. The reality is, we have no idea what he is going through. I have always been an Advocate for Ye and I still am. I don’t agree with his recent comments about our late beloved Queen Harriet along with a host of other things he’s said in the past, but we all have to understand that Mental Health is real. My motivation for this post comes from the current climate of our economy, Kanye’s comments and some personal issues that I’ve dealt with in the past. All three of these subjects have pushed me to discuss the importance of our Mental Health and how imperative it is to take care of ourselves first #Selfcare. With this post being centered on self-care, you have to know that I’m indulging in my favorite wine, Meiomi after a nice hot shower and skincare routine… cheers.
July has been recognized as “Minority Mental Health Month”, so remember to take a deep breath and break from the madness. It’s difficult to watch the news and see the death rates rising day by day. It will honestly drive us all mad. Trust, I’ve had my breakdown already (actually a couple). In hopes to provide some methods of relief, I’ve listed some affordable yet relaxing practices that I partake in, especially during periods of stress.
SKIN & BODYCARE Having healthy skin has always been a priority of mine. Having a healthy skin care routine is key. As I continue to age, I’m realizing the importance of maintaining a quality skincare regime. I’ve listed my favorite and a comparable option if you have a littler extra to splurge on skincare:
Facewash - I LOVE Cerave. You can normally find this in drugstores such as target, Walgreens, CVS for anywhere between $10 - $12. I personally think this product is comparable to Kiehl’s which depending on the formula you prefer could run anywhere between $21 - $30. Ladies and Gentlemen, after washing you face it’s crucial that we use an eye cream. The skin around our eyes are very delicate and it’s one of the first areas where signs of again develops. Using eye cream helps to fight puffiness, sagging, and wrinkles. I’ve been using eye cream for nearly 3 years now and my favorite thus far has been this one. It’s on the higher side, but the way I look at it is you only get one epidermis- lets take good care of it. Thank me later.
Deodorant - I don’t know about y’all, but ever since I’ve hit 30, I’ve been going through major body changes. To the point that I even had to switch up deodorants that I’ve used for YEARS! For decades, I have worn dove, but for some odd reason Dove wasn’t working well for me anymore. Now I use NATIVE. It’s free of aluminum, parabens & sulfates and actually works!
Face Scrub - I use a scrub bi-monthly and it one of my favorite routines. You get to have an extra look at your pours provide that extra bit of love your face deserves. The face scrub that I love right now is Summer Fridays R+R. It’s not harsh on your skin and it leaves an amazing glow after rinsing it away. I get through my rough weeks with this stuff. Literally an instant spa.
THERAPY I’ve scheduled my first session for Therapy this Friday and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s important that we don’t bottle our feelings and not talk about them. You may not have someone in your life who you can share anything with and not feel judged. Or maybe you need advice on handling a difficult situation. Either way, Therapy is perfect for that.
The black community has come a LONG way from holding a stigma towards Therapy when personally, I feel we need it the most. There are dramatic moments that we endure and just live life everyday without addressing. That’s hard! It’s okay to attend therapy and I encourage all my subscribers to see a therapist. One of my favorite podcasts that I listen to during the workday is Therapy for Black Girls. It’s a must, so please check them out. Dr. Joy Bradford has so many great resources. It’s actually how I found my current Therapist!
SAYING NO IS OKAY I call myself a people pleaser by nature unfortunately. Saying no is a weakness I’ve dealt with for most of my adult life and it’s something that I’m still dealing with. I’ve realized that saying yes to everything adds unnecessary stress! Whether it’s in my personal or professional life, don’t take on extra things if you don’t have the time. What I’m getting better with in my professional life is asking for deadlines if a favor is asked of me. That way you’re able to plan accordingly. It helps!
With COVID-19 changing how we all socialize, saying no to gatherings have left me feeling somewhat guilty. If you aren’t comfortable socializing in small groups yet, be forthright and trust that your friends will understand.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN AUGUST
Stimulus Package Washington has until August 7th to reach a deal on another stimulus package. The Republican-backed HEALS Act and the Democratic Heroes Act plans largely follow the monetary guidelines of the first stimulus check, which sent up to $1,200 and $500 for dependents, but far more people would qualify for payments in the Democratic plan. More to come after August 7th.
100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment is August 18th. The 19 Amendment granted women the right to vote, and reads: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” Let’s celebrate this historic day! If you want to know more, please click here.
Unemployment Benefits The $600 unemployment boosts are set to expire July 31st (today!). This could mean thousands of individuals won’t be able to afford basic life essentials like food and rent. Democrats would like to extend the $600 benefit (CARES Act) while republicans would like to see a dramatic decrease to $200 in additional support a week (HEALS Act). Their argument is that some individuals are making more than what they made while working. Which could mean some workers are not in a rush to get back to work. There still hasn’t been a final decision on this yet, but more to come very soon.
I wanted to end my post with remembering the late and great John Lewis. The Civil Rights Leaders who fought for change for most of his life. The New York Times has shared an essay that John Lewis wrote shortly before his departure on July 17th. Please read when you have a moment. Until next time Namaste.