How do you spend your self-care time? Most of us would agree that self-care is an essential aspect of our lives today. Some women like the relaxation and indulgence of massages and manicures, while some choose to self-reflect and heal from trauma through journaling.
These SuperWomen have decided to think outside the box in their self-care practices.
They have chosen activities that challenge the mind and body and serve others. I interviewed them about their self care practices and here’s what they had to say!
Alicia – Poetry
What activities or images come to mind when you think of self care?
When I think of self-care, I think of writing poetry, exercising, taking a shower and putting on a pair of fresh clean clothes, journaling, cooking a delicious healthy meal, and doing something that will help bring peace and relaxation into my life.
What feeling do you associate with your self care practice of writing/performing poetry?
The feelings that I associate with my self-care practice of writing and performing poetry is freedom, peace, and happiness.
How often do you engage in writing/performing poetry ?
I write and perform as often as I can. My schedule fluctuates depending on how busy I am or if I’ve set time aside to do it. Lately, I have been writing at least 2 to 3 times a week. As far as performing, it’s been about a month.
What made you decide to start writing/performing poetry?
What made me decide to start writing and performing poetry was when I was younger, I was encouraged to write or journal as a way to cope with grieving my mother’s death. Growing up, I always loved nursery rhymes and poetry, so naturally, I began creating my own poems. As far as performing, my husband was the one who first encouraged me to get out in front of an audience and perform. I didn’t want to at first because I’m sensitive about my work, but once I hit the stage, I felt right at home and haven’t looked back since.
How do you manage your time to make sure you get in your activity on a regular basis?
Lately, I’ve been managing my time by doing it early in the morning. Getting up early allows me to write before I start my day.
On a scale of 1-5, one being easy and five being challenging, how do you rate your activity?
Three
Lisa – Painting
What activities or images come to mind when you think of self care?
Reading, painting, Kayaking and walking. Not necessarily in that order.
What feeling do you associate with your self care practice of painting?
Calm, peaceful, concentration.
How often do you engage in painting ?
I try to paint every day. I was told to get better, I need to paint daily. Also there is kind of an endorphin release when I paint.
What made you decide to start painting?
Tik-Tok made me do it!😂😂😂 Truly. I saw this beautiful redhead painting and I stopped and watched it. I was mesmerized. She teaches in such a way that made me feel I could do it.
How do you manage your time to make sure you get in your activity on a regular basis?
I paint for 15-45 minutes daily, Monday through Friday, usually after dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, I paint whenever I feel like it. Because I can do it from home, it makes it easy. Also, setting up a space to paint has helped.
On a scale of 1-5, one being easy and five being challenging, how do you rate your activity?
Hmmm… that is tricky. Sometimes it can be a 1 and sometimes a 5. It depends on the picture I’m trying to paint. I’ve been challenging myself lately, so I would say a 4-5.
Estell – Cooking for Others
What activities or images come to mind when you think of self care?
Something that helps my mind come at ease. I enjoy activities that help you find a place of peace, and certain activities can be a form of meditation.
What feeling do you associate with your self care practice of cooking for others?
Happiness: It feels good when people like something that you’ve created.
How often do you cook for others?
I cook for my family almost everyday. We have potlucks at work regularly, and I get requests from my coworkers. This Thanksgiving, my family asked me to cook a dessert for each family member.
What made you decide to start cooking for others?
I realized that I was really good at it, and people enjoyed it. It just comes naturally. Watching my mom cook growing up brings me good memories. My kids also associate my food with good memories. I have made many people convert and start enjoying meals that they said they didn’t like.
How do you manage your time to make sure you get in your activity on a regular basis?
We all have to eat, so it’s really easy to fit in cooking for my family. I cook for others outside of my family when it’s requested.
I just get to enjoy the process. It’s a time of decompression. I also get to do it for others outside of my family.
On a scale of 1-5, one being easy and five being challenging, how do you rate your activity?
I would say a 2 because I get to zone out and do my thing. I just get to enjoy the process. No one bothers me in the kitchen because they know if they do, it will slow me down. It’s my time for decompression.
Amber -CrossFit
What activities or images come to mind when you think of self-care?
Eating well, exercising (walking, jogging, lifting weights), sleeping, reading.
What feeling do you associate with your self-care practice of CrossFit?
Relief
How often do you do CrossFit?
2-4 days a week
What made you decide to start CrossFit?
When I finished playing softball in college, I knew I needed a competitive hobby to take the place of softball.
How do you manage your time to make sure you get in your activity on a regular basis?
I prioritize getting it done. A CrossFit workout is anywhere from 3-20 minutes, so it’s hardly an excuse to say I don’t have 3-20 minutes.
On a scale of 1-5, one being easy and five being challenging, how do you rate your activity?
Five!
Tina – Going Back To School
What activities or images come to mind when you think of self-care?
Going back to school
What feeling do you associate with your self-care practice of going back to school?
Challenge & pride
How often do you take up learning new things?
I try to educate myself in other subjects a few times a week. It helps with keeping your mind sharp.
What made you decide to go back to school?
I went back to school to improve and further my education. A goal I have had for myself for at least 20 years was to have a bachelor’s degree. Plus, I thought, why not? What do I have to lose? Nothing!
How do you manage your time to make sure you get in your activity on a regular basis?
I went to school online so it was a self-paced program. It made me learn time-management, to be more discipline, and a sense of…okay, let’s get the sucker done. 🤣 Plus, assignments had due dates so I had no choice but to get it done. I was also determined and motivated to get good grades. When I was younger, good grades weren’t something that I got often. However, being older with more experience of the world, that has made me appreciate and strive for being better and doing better than what I ever gave myself credit for.
On a scale of 1-5, one being easy and five being challenging, how do you rate your activity?
Five. It wasn’t easy. I had to learn how to learn dealing with my reading issues.
Erica – Comedy and Poetry
What activities or images come to mind when you think of self-care?
When I think of self-care, I think of writing to release. I see images of relaxation and invisible weight lifted off of visibly heavy shoulders while at an all-white spa in an all-white towel, laying on the softest white sheet and getting a massage. I see laughter replacing crying. I see doing activities that bring joy into my atmosphere and that make me happy. I also envision thinking positively as a mental self-care activity.
What feeling do you associate with your self-care writing/performing comedy?
I associate the feeling of joy. The feeling of optimism in knowing that I bring joy to others through laughter. The feeling of being fulfilled with walking in my purpose and also the feeling of being heard.
How often do you write/perform comedy?
I try to create and write every day, but life be life’n – LOL 🤣. So we will say every other day. As far as performing, whenever duty calls. I just started consistently performing this year, and I had a goal of doing at least two shows a week; however, here, more recently, I’ve had to pump the brakes as my special needs angel just got out of the hospital, and mommy duty calls! I’ll still be creating content, though, just not as much as before, and I won’t be taking many outside bookings for a while. Always make time for your dreams and aspirations, even if it’s just a few minutes of the day. Give your gifts, talents, and crafts some of your time and build them up! 💯
What made you decide to start writing/performing comedy?
Well, as you know, I’m a poet as well. One day, I came across a post of someone looking for poets to be a part of an event, and I reached out. the curator said that they were booked for poets but needed one comedian. I had thought about doing comedy before, and I saw it as a sign and blessing, and I was like, you know what, sign me up! I got on that stage and got a couple of hee-hees and ha-has, and the rest was history! I started going hard with it, and it actually helped me get through the heartbreak I was going through. It also gave me an amazing feeling as people came up to me, saying they needed that laugh and that I was funny! Their laughter gave me an adrenaline rush and a sense of belonging like, yep, this is what I’m destined to do, and here I am really doing it!
How do you manage your time to make sure you get in your activity on a regular basis?
I make time for it. It makes it even better that I love doing it so I’m always anxious to create and I’m always thinking of something new to create and do. I strive to do something different and innovative and not like the rest so I’m constantly thinking of ways to do so.
On a scale of 1-5, one being easy and five being challenging, how do you rate your activity?
I will say a 2.5 lol simply because it comes naturally for me, but at the same time, you have to be extremely talented to pull it off and make others laugh. You also have to find the balance between being natural and being yourself and adapting to the audience. You also have to trust the guidance of where GOD is taking you, do your part, and trust GOD to do the rest. Walk into rooms knowing GOD opened the doors for you to be there, and the rest will follow. That’s the other 2.5!
Make time for you!
I would like to thank these beautiful ladies for sharing with me how they pour into themselves. No matter what you do for your self-care practice, please just make sure you’re doing something to make time for yourself 🫶🏾!
