to survive bad times when unwell (mental health or otherwise), by an amateur struggling
Keep going, I believe in you โค๏ธ
when unable to wash your face โ wipes/micellar water
when unable to shower โ wipes
when unable to do your laundry and you need something quick to wear โ spray
alcohol where you've sweat, leave it overnight or 15-ish minutes
when you do not have the strength to iron โ put it on a hanger immediately after getting out of the washing machine, or place it with you in the bathroom so the steam from the shower 'irons' (steams) it + if it gets wetter, use a hairdryer to dry it
when unable to brush your teeth โ even 10-15 seconds of washing them is better than none
if unable to wash for 10-15s โ use a mouthwash only/a thread/a gum for 10/15 minutes (whichever feels easiest in the moment)
when unable to eat โ water + smth sweet (a chocolate bar, candy, anything to get your sugar up) so you hopefully get the energy
*carry a toothbrush (suggesting one that can fold/travel size if possible) with you everywhere, by your bed/in your car
*wipes everywhere, there are smaller packs you can carry with you
*a small bottle of 70% ethanol, do not use too much for armpits as it can damage your lymphatic system (or so I've been told, don't quote me, NOT a medic, just trynna survive w/o messing up myself more!) โ dilute the alcohol with water if need be
*put a bit of the soap in a spray bottle so you can pair it with wipes instead of alcohol (am yet to try it myself tho!)
as someone laying in my bed, exhausted beyond belief, having eaten to sustain my body, barely, not having an appetite, questioning if drinking water is worth it โ it's all worth it.
I deserve to feel clean and as physically well as I can provide in this moment in time.
Just because this is a different, more unconventional way of taking care of myself, doesn't mean it's wrong.
Remember: We're here, alive, and still fighting. Depression is struggling with us. And, if this is what we need to do to feel cleaner and hopefully gets us going, give us enough of a boost during hard time to motivate us to take care of ourselves โ that's okay.
Most of us are surviving, and this proves we're persistent. It's not disgusting. It's life.
Any hate is NOT welcome on this post. We're here to spread love and kindness, even and especially in our roughest times of life.
*if able to set step outside, even stinky, do so
*if able to open the window, do so
*if able to open the folds, do so
*if able to soak up the sun, do so
making yourself move will get your blood flowing and, though I personally find it easier to doom scroll the day away, it actually makes me feel better to put my phone down, and step outside
with a heavy heart, I admit how bad tech is for me; yes, I'm unwell and it's unhealthy
(if in a flat, go to the balcony's door, if no balcony, walk around the complex/quart/building/street, yes, even in pjs or shitty clothes, better any movement than no movement โ or open the windows and walk around your flat)
if smth doesn't make sense: I'm exhausted, English is not my 1st language, I'm emotionally drained and sleepy โ too much of everything to care for spelling or grammar, though I'm open to corrections
p.s. not a professional, just someone trying to survive and take care of myself even when it's hard to do so (pls be kind, i'm sensitive)