#helpful suggestions

Second: As someone who has sensory issues and struggles with executive function (and who struggled with depression for most of my life), I discovered a method for self-care that has actually made everything quite pleasant, and figured it would help a lot of people. Disclaimer that these tips won’t work for everyone. Please understand I have good intentions and am trying to use what has helped me to help others. For reference, I am a mostly able-bodied neurodivergent person (system, autism, adhd), so I don’t have much personal experience with mobility issues or severe chronic pain/other related issues. Feel free to add suggestions with those perspectives. And so, here’s a post with tips for Self-Care™️ for anyone with sensory/executive function issues:

Sensory issues: My main issue was that everything had too many steps, and that many sensations were too unpleasant, almost to the point of causing physical pain. After I tried out a brush for exfoliating (they’re hard to describe, but it’s an exfoliating device for your face), I found the sensation of it with the gel to be really really nice. I’d start looking forward to it as the center point of motivation for my skincare routine. So I realized the trick is to instead try and create or focus on new and more pleasant sensations. Get toothpaste for sensitive teeth, in a flavor that you can stand (I realized I can only do peppermint or I feel sick). Instead of focusing on the obligation of brushing, focus on how it feels to run your tongue over smooth teeth (sounds weird but I promise it helps). For showers, focus on how nice it feels when you’re clean. If you have body dysphoria, try showering with the lights off (this helped me a LOT). Try getting a nice fluffy bathrobe and good quality towels, small things can be really nice. They add a lot of motivation, which for me goes something like “Showering means I can put on the fluffy robe! Good texture!” A good bathmat also works wonders, especially ones with thick fibers like terry cloth that absorb water so you don’t have to endure a wet bathmat when you get out. Also, slippers!! Not having to touch a cold bathroom tile is nice!!! Soon you’ll be able to focus on those much more pleasant sensations, rather than the harsh ones that made everything difficult.

Executive function: First, you have to reframe your thinking. Instead of beating yourself down with trying to force yourself to do something, realize that you deserve to be clean. You’re trying as hard as you can, and you deserve a judgement free zone. And this goes for most things, but for self-care in particular there are way more steps than a lot of people (esp. neurotypical) consider. It really helps to write/break down all the steps for something like showering or a skincare routine, and focus on completing each one. For example: taking a shower is framed as having three steps (turn on water, get in and shower, and get out), when in fact is actually can be broken down into many more:

1. Prepare clothes

2. Prepare towels

3. Prepare hair care products (if using)

4. Undress

5. Put on bathrobe

4. Go into bathroom

5. Hang clothes on rack

6. Turn on water

7. Test temperature

8. Put hair care products near bathtub/shower (if using)

9. Get into shower

10. Use soap

11. Exfoliate/do whatever in the shower to be clean

12. Use hair care products (if using)

13. Turn water off

14. Use towel to dry off

15. Put on bathrobe

16. Get dressed

You may not have even realized how many steps those are, and are shaming yourself for not being able to do 16 tasks when you may feel like you barely have the capacity to do one! Hopefully seeing it framed like this helps 🫶

This was for Blood, I used it as a image and eyedropped areas I was looking for. Top half is fresh blood, bottom is died along with the top right corner.

This is for infected wounds, scars, etc! I'd do the exact same things it always worked.

So for me it’s been like 6+ months since my body did ovulation on its own so I’ve forgotten what a normal period is like. Apparently my body factory reset and I’m literally dying, I know like normal things;

> Lots of water. Hydration is best

> No coffee or alcohol

> Midol is gold...