Self-Care Journey Month 9

 

 

Is anyone else as excited as I am to get to October? I love fall. The nip in the air, pumpkin spice candles, pumpkin pie, sweater weather, blankets to huddle in outside while sitting by a fire. Being on the Texas Gulf Coast, we don’t ever get much of a fall. We might get a few cool mornings, maybe a nice fall day here or there, but usually the temps are back in the upper 80s. There’s no leaves turning colors. Ours go from green to decaying brow, then fall off. But I won’t grip too much, because I’m not a cold-weather gal at all. I can usually be found with a light jacket on inside my house all year round because everyone else would sweat to death if I kept the AC where I wanted it.

How have you been doing on the self-care? I had to double down my efforts for September just to get through each day. I used to feel guilty when I’d take time for myself, but not anymore. We’re wired as women to take care of others. Our spouses/significant others, children, parents, house, pets, etc, etc, etc. Why the don’t we take care of ourselves? We are, in fact, the last thing we do anything special for, and that’s wrong. So very wrong. We should be the first. I’ve said this before, but I had to remind myself this past month, so I thought maybe you might need to read it again as well.

We need to be first, because unless we have everything we need for ourselves, we can’t be what everyone else needs/wants us to be.

So, take that bath, drink that glass of champagne or wine or whatever you like, read for another hour, hide out in the closet and cry, buy that face mask you’ve been eyeing for months, get that haircut, get that manicure/pedicure, or spend those extra minutes tending to your flowers or garden. Whatever it is that you do that puts a smile on your face, recenters you, or makes you breath easier, do it. Every. Single. Day. Do it. Because your family and friends will appreciate it in the end.

As I do every month, I’ll talk about a few new things I’ve tried.

You might have heard me mention my love for Seal the Deal from Apothekary.co in the past. I take it every morning either in a smoothie or in my tea. I don’t go a day without it. However, over the past months, I’ve added a couple other signature blends to my daily routine, and I have to say, I highly recommend them.

First up, You Dew You. From their site: Basically skin food, this adaptogenic Hibiscus Chaga blend helps to reduce redness, promote gut health and give skin that elasticity and vibrant glow all-year round. If you’re looking for vibrant skin, this blend is for you.

I suffer from rosacea, and while I have cream to put on my face when I get red, it’s nice to have something that is working daily to combat it as well. But this is for more than just reducing redness. That glow it talks about? Yeah, I’ve got it. And it’s pretty wonderful! Again, I put it in every day in my morning smoothie.

 

Along with You Dew You is my other new favorite – Glow Getter. From their site: One of the major factors in rapid aging and the deterioration of our skin is inflammation. While the sun in small doses is healthy (#vitamind), too much can wreak havoc on our skin. Glow Getter’s unique anti-inflammatory combination of cooling yin properties will cater to your complexion’s warm-weather needs.

This anti-inflammatory + anti-aging combo is all it says it is. It has Gogi berry, which has been called the world’s most powerful anti-aging food. With all the other amazing ingredients, adding this to my routine was a no-brainer. Combined with You Dew You, I’ve seen so much difference in my skin over the past month.

Have you tried something new that you love? Please share. I’m always looking to see what other things I can incorporate into my life.

Life can kick us when we’re down. A multitude of stressors can slam into us all at once, and we carry on, because we must. But remember: You aren’t alone. You don’t have to carry the weight of everything yourself. You’re stronger than you know, and there are others who are around if you need them. Please, please, take time for yourself.

 

XOXOX
DG

 

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no trouble, noise, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” ~ Unknown

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2 Comments

  1. Aurrora St. James on October 14, 2020 at 6:26 pm

    Donna, I really appreciate your blogs on self care this year. In August last year, I started suffering from severe fatigue and brain fog. I had to quit driving, I couldn’t string two thoughts together, and even quit writing books. I couldn’t take care of my home, my hubby, my pets… anything. And the guilt I suffered from not being able to do those things, especially write and put out new books for my readers (and myself), was crippling on top of the illness. I literally looked like a zombie and I didn’t know why. I still don’t know why. But your monthly self care newsletters remind me that not only is it okay to take time to care for myself, but that I have to in order to be able to give to others. Isn’t it sad how much we can beat ourselves up when we can’t care for others but don’t spend a thought on the care we need? I’ve gotten better since June (although I don’t know why). Not completely well, but enough that I don’t look like I dressed for Halloween early. I’m fighting the guilt all the time and trying to get back to writing. For myself as much as my readers. And I’m thankful to you for your encouragement. Please know that your words are helping at least one person – me. I also tried out Chill the F*** Out by Apothikary, which you suggested last month and it’s made a HUGE difference in the amount of anxiety I have. A shocking difference actually. So thank you for that also. I wish you all the best in your journey towards health and self care. Thanks for taking care of yourself and the positive reminders that we should do the same. It was long past time for me.

    • Donna on October 15, 2020 at 8:56 am

      First, I’m so so sorry that you’ve been suffering and haven’t found the caused, but I’m so glad that you’re doing the self-care. It is amazing how much guilt we, as women, feel for taking care of ourselves. We really need to get past that. 🙂 It’s something I’m working toward. Second, I’m so very glad that the monthly blogs have helped. You’re very welcome, sweetie! Here’s to our journeys of self-care!!

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