Defining Self-Care For Yourself

Finding the value of its importance and implementing it into your routine

My Attempt At Self-Care

Alright so let's start off with some definitions of what exactly "Self-care" is:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Definition of self-care

: care for oneself

Well said, Merriam-Webster.

Now, what do the streets define as self-care...

Urban Dictionary:

Definition of Self-care

: Self-care is an umbrella term that Twitter/Tumblr SJWs use to excuse their poor financial decisions. Why spend money on things like rent/bills when you can buy coloring books from Whole Foods?

Ex. I’m six months behind on rent, my phone got shut off and my cars getting repo’d. I’m going to a $400 spa though because self care.

Alright, well I'd say those are both pretty accurate and slightly the same but different forms of self-care. I'd just suggest if you can't pay your bills definitely don't chose the expensive forms of self-care just yet. But I know there are plenty of financially savvy and creative ways to indulge in self-care. For example during the early stages of COVID quarantine last year I was looking for all sorts of at-home spa treatments so I could relax during very stressful uncertain times. As you can see in my above photo I attempted to make my own hair mask!

Here is the super basic recipe:

- Lavender - Young Living Essential Oils (Find out about some of the best oils to get here)

- Virgin Coconut Oil - Shea Moisture (Check out all the benefits of Coconut Oil)

- Honey - Ambrosia Honey Co. - ( Honey and all its glory)

Use ingredients by handcraft and eye ballin' based on your own hair lengths and types. I used this hair mask to hydrate my very dry and damaged hair.

This is just one of my personal examples of self-care but there are various ways to perform or partake in self-care ways.

Fast forward to last week and the form of self-care I partook in was going to the gym early and then being done but still up early enough to watch the sunrise on the beach. While I was there watching the beautiful colors rise from the ocean herself I enjoyed the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore. I also practice a few positive affirmations such as the following:

Sara's January Positive Affirmations:

"I am open to all the universe has to offer me"

"I am love"

"I am happiness"

"I am successful"

I then followed with giving my gratitude and continuing to share this beautiful moment with myself in nature.

My point and realization being is that whatever form of self-care it might be make sure to make time for YOU.

Positive Vibes,

Sara Maya

Please check out my podcast episode on self-care here and follow me on Instagram @Misssaramaya :)

New Week's blog post and the episode will be on Relationships/Friendships.

Waking Up Before Dawn

Kind of like Dawn Of The Dead but more like Dawn Of The Living

Dusk Is Upon Us

Today I woke up consensually for the first time ever on my own at 5:26 AM. This is pretty historic for me since usually my happy spot for waking up naturally is between 7:00 - 7:30 AM. As a part of my new habit and structure development of 2021 I've been trying to wake up earlier to be able to make it to the gym and have more time for my morning routine and awakening.

I would like to state I'm not normally a morning person. I really don't like having any interactions with anyone until about an hour or two after waking up. But that literally doesn't sound like getting up on the right foot.. I'd previously read that if you want to start waking up earlier to ease yourself into it. Therefore if you regularly wake up at 7:30 AM do not just try and make an attempt at starting to wake up at 5:00 AM.. So I did just what the experts recommended and I eased myself in by starting to wake up at 6:45 AM, 6:40 AM, 6:00 AM, and then yes almost 5:30 AM.

It was a very smooth #transition if I might say so myself. But I'd like to also discuss why it was so smooth. Usually my bedtimes in the past were between 11:30 to about 12:30 AM. When I was waking up at 6:45 AM my bedtime was about 10:30ish. Specifically yesterday I actually went to bed at 8:30 PM.. Which I will admit was a tad bit too early. But I felt tired therefore I did what my body asked me and rested. But I believe this is why I naturally woke up at 5:26 AM.

Here is how I felt today and what I experienced waking up while it's still dark... I felt no anxiety or rush to to get somewhere or to need to respond to someone... Why? Well I assume because most of the other people in the world aren't exactly functioning yet either and plus 5:30 AM isn't a #professional hour for anyone to correspond with one another unless of course there is a time difference.

I then got to my gym at about 6:00 AM on the dot and I walked in and was greeted with such support and positivity by the front desk staff. She gave me a huge compliment and encouragement of how impressed she was that I was there everyday so far during the week for almost two weeks now and that it has gotten earlier and earlier. Needless to say that gave me such a positivity high and fueled my workout! I don't know if it was the invigorating support or waking up at 5:26 AM but I truly have felt more energized and productive today then any of the other day that I woke up after 6:00 AM. Today was the first time too that I worked out past one hour.

After all that dawn was just barely starting to crack on the horizon. I couldn't believe it. I was heading home at the time I was usually heading to the #gym. So far my day has been filled with lots of positivity, productivity, and confidence. I'm really enjoying this rising before dawn lifestyle.

Let me know what your thoughts are behind waking up early! Are you an early bird or a night owl? When do you usually feel your most intense spurts of energy?

Positive Vibes,

Sara Maya

Please follow me on Instagram @MissSaraMaya and Follow me on Spotify "Thought Liberation With Sara Maya"

Thank you guys and I can't wait to hear back from your guys experiences in the comments.