Hello Ladies! Today we are discussing self-care. Join me in welcoming a new month and hopefully a new mindset for many of you.
Personally I’ve always viewed September as an amazing transition month. September is when we say farewell to Summer and hello to Fall. But what about October? October is when we truly feel the impact of the seasons changing. It is the perfect month to introduce new goals and create a solid game plan for the fall season. But it is also a great month to be intentional with self-care practices so that you can enter this fall season with the best mindset possible.
As the seasons change, and the temperature begins to drop, some may experience a bout of seasonal depression. So if you find yourself suffering from seasonal depression year in and year out, give yourself a fighting chance by starting Fall off on a strong note!
Self-Care is Customizable!
Now remember, how you take care of yourself is going to look different compared to someone else. A lot of the time, self-care is described as bubble baths and face masks (which I personally love both), but what if you don’t find those activities enjoyable? Maybe self care for you means spending an hour away from your children and going on a target run, perhaps self care is taking on a fun DIY home project with your favorite music playing in the background, or maybe you love photography.
Self-care can look differently depending on what you personally need and what season you’re in. My point is, customize your self care October to your liking. I am going to share what I plan on doing for the month of October, and you’re more than welcome to join me! The purpose of self- care October is to have a personal reset, regain focus as we enter a new season while mentally and physically setting yourself up for success. Let’s explore what that may look like for you!
I suggest that you use this month to completely elevate yourself, and in the women’s wellness corner world that means, addressing your mind, body, and spirit. So let’s pull out that calendar and commit to doing something to improve yourself on a daily basis for at least a month! The easiest way to do that is splitting up the weeks of September according to the different areas of focus. Let me help you:
Week One: October 1-7, Mind
The first week we’re going to start with improving your mindset because without a strong mindset, you’ll find yourself struggling in the other areas of improvement. This includes finding quiet moments in your day to journal. Journaling helps to get all your big and small ideas out, filter through your emotions, and ultimately clear your mind. I suggest you start off by writing down your goals for the month. Try not to overdo it, pick 3 goals you would like to accomplish by the end of the month.
Next we’re going to write a journal entry entitled “Becoming Her”, this is where we can express how you envision your future self. Who do you want to become? How does your future self walk into a room? What are her daily activities? What does she do for fun? Who does she surround herself with? What job does she have? What does her home look like? And the list goes on.
I suggest you have fun with this activity, the sky is truly the limit! The purpose of this journal entry is to gain clarity of your vision so that you can begin to take steps in that direction. The rest of the week, I suggest you partake in activities such as affirmations, meditation, limit screen time, and incorporate self help books or podcasts. All of these activities are going to enhance your mind and strengthen the relationship you have with yourself.
Week Two: October 8-14, Body
After we address our mind, we’re going to focus on our physical health. Don’t worry, we’re going to start off small by taking morning walks. While you walk, I encourage you to walk for the first 10-15 minutes without any distractions. This means no music, audiobooks, or podcasts for at least 10-15 minutes. Tune into the nature or city sounds, and try to be present. After that 15 minutes, take note of how you feel. I also encourage you to do yoga, stretch, lift weights, cardio, or any other movement you favor. Take a peek at the calendar to see what I suggest, but everyone is different so make sure to customize it to your liking.
Week Three: October 15-21, Spirit
Now that we addressed the mind and body, let’s address the spirit. This week, we are not going to just skim the surface, we want to dive into our soul. What does this mean? This means self reflection journal entries, longer meditations, practicing mindfulness and being present daily. This is also a week to strengthen relationships, including the one you have with yourself. The calendar includes an intentional solo date, calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, and a dinner date with someone you love whether that be a friend, family or spouse. Lastly I suggest you go on a nature hike which is one of my favorite ways to tap into my soul and spirit. Like I said everyone is different so if hiking isn’t your thing, skip it and do something enjoyable for you!
Week Four: October 22-31, Freestyle
So after we address the mind, body, and spirit, we are going to focus on other areas. I suggest you work on improving your home environment, assess your finances, take a bath, plan a massage, and establish a morning and night routine if you don’t already have one. Lastly, reflect on the last month and pick out activities that you truly enjoyed and want to incorporate into your routine going forward.
Pour into You!
As we enter a new month, let’s place self care at the forefront of our minds. I hope you utilize this Self-Care October calendar to do just that. Remember to always pour into yourself before pouring into others. I know it’s been said many times before, but you simply cannot pour from an empty cup. Continue to nourish yourself in the efforts to truly take care of YOU! I wish each and every one of you an amazing and fulfilling October month.
