Photo: Me posing for a photo outside my apartment on a weekend after work. Photo taken by my boyfriend. Sep. 2020
I would be lying if I said self care came easily to me. I’ve never been the best at taking care of myself or knowing when to stop and take a deep breath to calm down.
I am a college student and a grocery store cashier – and that doesn’t really sound like a lot. Maybe it isn’t. But I have struggled with mental health my entire life, and I have a sinking suspicion that it contributes to my stress level when trying to balance everything I have going on.
To cope with being human, we are (allegedly) supposed to practice ‘self-care.’ From what I’ve gathered from videos, tv shows and social media, I’m very bad at it.
A piece of artwork painted in my sketchbook after moving into my apartment. The piece is based on a tutorial by Bob Ross. Sep. 2020
I struggle to work up the motivation to exercise or eat healthier foods, but among all the self-care failure there are a few successes. I love to draw and paint, so I try to carve out time for myself during the week to paint something now and then. Painting, drinking tea and lighting a candle or two is a guaranteed stress reliever.
My three-year-old succulent, enjoying the fading light from the apartment window. The plant has moved with me since I bought it in 2017.
Collecting plants has oddly been another very therapeutic activity for me. Taking time to water and care for plants (no matter how easy they are to keep alive) fills me with a tiny sense of pride. I’m proud of my older plants that have lasted a few years – it makes me feel like a good plant parent. It feels good to keep something alive and green.
Painting and taking care of plants is not much, but to me it’s special and it keeps me sane. Maybe not all my days are good days, but painting a little or looking after a tiny cactus does elevate some of those non-good days to at least decent. Not exactly youtube video-worthy self care, but it’s something – and I’m proud to stick to it.
Sidney Richardson: Blog 