I posted this as an Instagram post a few months ago, but I think it's a message we all need reminding of from time to time – especially me.
Self care has become such a 'thing' hasn't it? Mostly sponsored by Lush bubble baths and getting your hair and nails done, but those are really privileges a lot of us don't have and not always really what the meaning of 'self care' truly is.
A lot of it is dictated by circumstance. Some of us are able to use some spare cash to do something luxurious, some of us don't find that quite so simple. Some of us have family and friends who can pitch in and help us get an hour kid free, some of us aren't even able to poo in peace. Whether short on alone time or cash, we don't all have the ability to spend a few hours on ourselves, and that's not really the meaning of self care to me anyway. When I asked a while ago on Instagram what people do for themselves when they are having a low day, the responses were really interesting. The act of being kind to yourself obviously means so many different things to different people, and it seems to me that it's essential that you discover exactly what fills your cup.
music your neighbours will put up with.
I often say I hate cringey quotes but one I do live by is 'You can't pour from an empty cup', which is actually less wanky quote and more absolute fact. If your cup isn't full, if you are emotionally or physically drained, you can't give your best to the people who really need you. So whether you fill your cup with a new hair cut and a Lush bath, a walk in the woods or hiding in the bathroom for 5 minutes with one of the kid's chocolate bars – I truly hope you find some time to fill your cup today.