Let’s Talk // Habits That Have Changed My Life
Therapy + medication combo that works: Let’s get the easy ones out of the way. Let me tell yall something, Wellbutrin is one hell of a drug, brother. The right cocktail of meds and therapy with a therapist that I could genuinely see being my friend if I wasn’t her client is why I’m still kickin’.
Meditation: I meditate daily. I invest in a couple different apps so I kinda trick myself into prioritizing meditation so I don’t feel like I’m wasting money. But actually learning how to sit and be comfortable feeling through the discomfort of existing with myself and only myself has made every single aspect of my life better and healthier. I can honestly say I know who I am now.
Actively practicing positive self talk: I try my hardest to catch myself and not put myself down in any way. That’s easier said than done. I’ve sat in a little ball IN my sink and stared at myself in the mirror and sobbed while saying positive things about myself. I have done that over and over. And now, I can say that I no longer sob when I do that. I finally believe the words coming out of my mouth. Also, I have four alarms on my phone that go off every single day and their purpose is for me to stop and say something nice to myself. In fact, one of those alarms goes off every single Saturday during a class that I teach. I ended up telling my students what the alarm was for. Now every single week when the alarm goes off they all shout things they love about me and oh boy it makes me emotional.
Listening to my goddamn intuition: Not living my life seeking validation and approval from others and truly trusting myself has been a process. We as a society are taught that we aren’t supposed to do this. At the end of the day though, YOU know who you are, YOU know what you want, and YOU are the only one who can make that happen.
Learning that “no” is a full sentence and NO I do NOT need a PowerPoint presentation to explain why: Again that constant need for external validation man. It runs deep. If for any reason I feel inclined to say no to something, I try to first understand why and second if it really is a no then just respecting the boundary that my mind and body are clearly setting. A phrase I live by from my Lush days is “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no” and I stand by that.
Self care is more than bubble baths and face masks: Even though we do admittedly love those around here. However, another quote I live by is “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” -Audre Lorde. And I believe that sums it all up.
Sound off in the comments any habits that have changed your life 🖤