Putting the guilt aside and realizing that you need self-care, especially when you are grieving.
I feel as if the whole phrase “self-care” has become such a buzz word lately.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, in my opinion…
Because I discovered how the art of self-care was vital after losing my sister by suicide.
As you might have known already, my sister passed away the day before my birthday in 2019.
So yes, that was a crappy birthday to say the least.
But it wasn’t until all the dust settled that it hit me
like a ton of bricks
that I desperately needed self-care in my life.
Why?
Because what I didn’t know was…
That when someone is grieving, like I was, that is when practicing self-care is vital to the healing process.
And it is also often the first thing “to go”
You stop exercising. (My experience 🙂
Bring on the junk food 24/7
Water?
What’s that?
Is that the stuff you get out of the ground?
Does soda count?
I bet it does!
It has water in it
Any form of caffeine becomes a new discovered “food group”
That apparently the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) failed to include on the improved My Plate Dietary Guidelines for Americans
www.choosemyplate.gov
All joking aside, I quickly realized that when I was implementing self-care as a daily habit and practice, I felt better.
And not just physically either.
My emotional state began to morph from constant sadness to improved happiness over time.
On a mental level- I could process things and think more clearly.
A common symptom after a loss is “brain fog,” finally began to go away.
My memory started coming back.
Which was a good thing. But it was a negative too.
Why do I say both “good” and “negative”?
Because I started remembering happy memories of my sister.
But with the good memories, also came the painful ones.
I don’t want to trigger you if you are reading this, so I’ll spare you the painful ones.
Lord knows, you already have your own memories that you want to forget if you could.
So do I.
I hope as you are reading this,
that you are understanding that the art of self-care truly is something that shouldn’t be “let go”,
Especially,
when you are grieving the loss of a loved one.
If you are wanting more ways of practicing self-care, please reach out to me on social media.
You can find me at scattering.hope on Instagram
AND if you have a self-care practice that is working for you, I want to know about it!
It’s like a good book that everyone should read, you just have to share it!
I can’t wait to read your responses to how you practice self-care!
And who knows?
You just might find another one that you would like to try for yourself.
Love,
Crystal
© 2022 Crystal Partney