Resolutions for Self-Care

I resolve to do my best to respect and care for myself more. This could mean learning to say “no” more often. It could also mean learning to say “yes” more often. My best friend invites me for drinks, and the isolation monster attacks my mind causing me to doubt the fact that I would have a good time if I went out. I will try to say yes anyways. I feel the fear and anxiety as painful shards of glass spreading throughout my veins at the thought of trying something new, whether it’s food or a person or an experience. It’s okay to say no if I feel overwhelmed, but it’s also okay to take the chance and say yes, it’s worth the risk!

I resolve to do my best to love myself more. I can say one positive thing that I love about myself each day and forgive myself for each day that I cannot think of anything. I can give myself that day off from full, conscious self-love and try again the next day. It’s okay for me to use the same compliment each day if I so choose, because that wonderful quality of mine did not disappear overnight and I have the right to still be proud of myself for it.

I resolve to reward and treat myself regularly. I am allowed to eat a piece of cake without worrying about tomorrow’s weight. I am allowed to take a nap if I am tired, without worrying about not being productive or not being able to sleep well later. I am allowed to take a vacation to the beach without worrying about if it will cut into my retirement savings. When I am on vacation, I am allowed to have days during which I do absolutely nothing. I do not need to worry about “making the most” of a vacation and I do not need to stress about planning every minute of every day. I am allowed to do nice things without constantly worrying about if I deserve them or not.

I resolve to let myself feel my feelings, whatever they may be. I am allowed to feel sadness in times of joy, and I am allowed to find moments of rapture amidst times of tragedy. If I want to laugh to myself for no reason, I will do it. If I want to excuse myself and cry in the bathroom, I will do it. If I want to scream into a pillow, I will do it. I will seek out the comfort and comradery of those that love me in both the good times and the bad times. I will ask for help when I need it. I will spread my joy with others when I have it.

I resolve to pursue the things in life that make me happy. I want to cook and to bake and to fill my home with delicious smells and fill my mouth with delicious tastes. I want to write more: words that inspire, words that terrify, words that cause laughter, words that cause tears. I want to create wonderous worlds and I want to create beloved (and hated!) characters. I want to take my camera to amazing places and forever capture the beauty of the world around me. I want to feel the heat of the dessert and the cold wet of the ocean. I want to spend more time with people who know how to make me chuckle, spend more time with people that make me think, more time with people that make me feel alive.

I resolve to do the best I can and forgive myself on days that I am less. Please everyone, remember that whenever you have the choice, choose to be kind.