It’s a new year, and thus begins the annual tradition of everyone and their mother telling you how you should take care of yourself. But what if you’re depressed? What if you’re disabled, or sick, or otherwise feeling low?
When I have bad days, I reeeeaaaaally don’t have the energy to use a sheet mask, or a bath bomb, or whatever else our buzzword-addled society keeps trying to associate with self improvement. I just can’t. But the fortunate thing about battling depression, anxiety, and chronic migraines since I was a kid is that I have amassed my very own self care toolkit! If you’ve ever been in a similar boat, but didn’t know how to start feeling better, this one’s for you. <3
(Please keep in mind that I am not a health professional- I’m just somebody with a website. Please seek medical intervention if you feel the situation calls for it.)
When I am at my lowest, sickest, and most tired; when the premise of going through the motions feels insurmountable, here’s what I do: I pretend I’m a house plant. 🌱
I’m serious.
I pretend I’m a plant and I take care of myself as such.
And in case this advice could help you, Dear Reader, here’s how I go about it:
😮💨 1: Embrace stillness. 😮💨
Breathe. Forgive yourself for not moving as much as you would like to. You’ll move when you’re ready. For now, just breathe and remain.
💧 2: Drink some water. 💧
House plants need water. Even if all you can do is drink straight out of the faucet like a cat because you don’t have any clean cups. Just get some water into you.
☀️ 3: Get some sun. ☀️
Ideally, go outside and face the sky. You can also just open a curtain and remain nearby (this one even works at night, with a little patience- get to bed, and as the sun rises the next morning, let it recharge your imaginary chloroplasts).
🍏 4: Eat something nutritious. 🍎
Even if it’s just a single bite of an apple. Plants need food, and so do you.
🌱 Bonus: Name something you’re grateful for. 🌱
Okay, I’m pretty sure plants don’t do this one. But if I’m in a space where I’m feeling low, this practice can really help. Start by naming one thing you’re grateful for, even if it feels stupid. It can be literally anything.
I’ll go first, if it helps: I’m really grateful for my glow-in-the-dark miniature rubber chicken, Jeremy. He was a gift from a novelty shop, and I love him dearly.
See? It doesn’t have to be something ultra-serious. Now it’s your turn; just go with the first thing that comes to mind, then keep going if you can.
🌼 Final bit. 🌸
I hope this might help somebody out there. Obviously, if you need medication or other interventions, seek those out (I know I have). But speaking from experience, it helps me to go Plant Mode every once in awhile. It’s a good reminder that I need to take care of the basics before I worry about anything extra, because, just like plants, I need to put down roots before I can begin to bloom.
Best fishes,
Robin ✌🏻