Self-Care Sunday is here and I’m finally partaking in it after a very long hiatus. As you may know, self-care is more than a fancy bubble bath or shower. It’s caring for yourself IN ALL WAYS. Today, I focused on caring for my soul. I consider it to be spiritual self-care. I was focused on healing, feeling and letting go. And one of my absolute favorite ways to heal my soul is through listening to music. Admittedly, this isn’t a permanent healing solution for all my pains but, it’s certainly effective.
If you follow me on my social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, you probably know that I’ve been going through a tremendously difficult time. My brother passed away unexpectedly in March 2023 and it was the most heartbreaking thing I’ve experienced in a long time. A few months later in October 2023, I lost my oldest nephew and learned that that in fact was the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever experienced. And just a week or so ago I lost my Uncle Nate. So, on that front –losing people you love I’m down bad.
When you lose people it’s hard. Dealing with death takes time to process and move through the stages of grief. I feel like I haven’t moved very far through any of the stages of grief before I start all over again grieving something else. It’s been rough especially given that a lot of other things have been lost during this time. Thinking about it all makes me want to scream and cry but, most times I just cry.
Self-Care Sunday
Most days I sway between anger, bargaining and depression. But, I try to find ways to not fall under the weight of my emotions. Today, I’m doing that through music. Particularly through listening to every Cage The Elephant album.
Cage The Elephant is my favorite band. In 2011 after my Grandma Lena died I heard the song “flow” and immediately was a fan. Their music carried me through that time and plenty other difficult stages of life. That’s probably why today I felt the need to have my own listening party, because I’m feeling way too much but not letting it all move through and out of me. I think listening to the music helps me process things without directly approaching them. If that makes sense to you. I think that’s why today listening to them is boosting my spirits. It’s because I’m processing a lot of things I’ve been letting sit and ignoring.
But, beside trying to work through my emotions in the softest and easiest way possible, I’m also taking the opportunity to learn more about myself. I’m paying attention to everything, what songs I like, what parts I like, what I don’t like, or what it makes me think of. It’s also fun to see how the number of plays increases with the newer albums and songs. I’m surprised by the number of plays some songs have that others don’t. Seeing how some of my favorite songs are the least played is weird. In a way it makes me feel exclusive though, like “only real fans know about this” kind of thing. BIG EYE ROLL but, it is what it is.
Usually I don’t do this…
Usually, I don’t get so personal with my posts but, I recently made a decision to live. To do what I want to do, say what I want to say and not fear expressing things. All my life I’ve tucked myself in and I’m so tired, I have too much going on inside to even pretend. I’m not sure what the kids on TikTok would call this era maybe the “finding yourself” era? Well, whatever era it is I’m here and I’m finna explore and search for the things I’ve been missing.
Physical Self-care Sunday Activities
Although I did spend my entire morning listening to Cage The Elephant and focusing on my spiritual health, I did take some take to care for my body. I took an almost everything shower and sung my heart out. A few weeks ago I picked up a body scrub and face scrub from Target but, I rarely get to use them how I’d like. Which by the way is alone in the shower without kids banging down the door. However, today I only had Scootabot because the older girls at with their grandma. So, I took advantage of that. I exfoliated everything, shaved and washed my face. I don’t remember the last time I felt so refreshed.
There wasn’t enough time or proper products to do everything though. If I could have I would have washed and conditioned my hair. I’m still trying to get it back to it’s healthy state and long length. But, that’s really all I didn’t do. Of course, I moisturized with some Moroccan Argan Oil. Honestly, I feel really good. Like a whole new person. This whole morning was genuinely therapy!
Check Out the products I used. I really love the scent of this watermelon scrub and think you might too
Anyways, thanks for reading, I’ll check back in soon with another self-care Sunday update.