#selfcarechallenge

Hey all! This challenge is aimed specifically towards my friends who are taking finals around now. And really, high school gets pretty busy before the holidays too.

So your challenge for today comes in a few different parts, but it basically is a reminder to take care of yourself even when you’re busy.

Take a shower. You can afford the 20 minute shower, and you can take that time and refuse to think about any tests or papers.

Go to sleep at a decent time. Do not stay up before the exam and cram. Your memory will be better if you sleep. (It’s psychology, their are studies about it)

Eat breakfast. Even if it’s light. Get food in your stomach before those tests.

Take breaks!! Not so many that you aren’t productive, but give your brain time to rest.

Don’t drink too much coffee. I’m guilty of this at times, but seriously don’t. You’ll regret it latet when you can’t sleep.

Trust yourself! You’ve spent months learning this. You know what you are doing.

Forgive yourself. You are not perfect. You won’t do perfectly. That is okay. It is not the end of your future. Forgive yourself.

So wake up, kick butt, take care of yourself. Repeat.

Today's challenge is to set a goal for yourself, which you can achieve later today.

This doesn't need to be big; it can be something small and simple.

Getting out of bed

Brushing your teeth

Taking your meds

Taking a shower

Doing laundry

Going for a walk

Working out

Sometimes getting out of bed is a struggle. Some people hated brushing their teeth as kids and now have to try to make brushing them a habit. Some people just need to do some clothes, and others need or want to go for a walk.

Don't overload yourself but give yourself time something to celebrate.

Today’s challenge is to find a place where you can relax, let go, and be vulnerable.

So this idea came about because I passed the on-campus chapel this evening, and I decided to pop in. I just wanted to sit in the sanctuary, because it is very peaceful to me. During this time, I realized that I had been expecting too much of myself, that I was aiming for perfection rather than something realistic.

I want you to find somewhere that you can let everything go, ignore all of your to do lists, let yourself (or make yourself) stop worrying about something you did 5 years ago, and just be in the moment. Check in with yourself. I realized that I have been aiming for perfection, that I’ve been expecting too much from myself.

So find your place. Maybe it's somewhere religious or spiritual (church, synagogue, temple, etc.), maybe it is somewhere in nature (hiking trail no one knows about, a hidden corner of the beach), or somewhere in your city that you love (or just live in).