Mental Health Day

 

    I haven't done anything else new recently but I did manage to take some time for some self-care. I was already scheduled to not work that day so no work or other adult responsibilities were neglected for my sanity. I don't think I've mentioned it before but I have issues with anxiety and depression. I've struggled with it for as long as I can remember. But I've only recently started seeking professional help for it. Which I highly recommend if you are feeling out of sorts. If nothing else, therapy is a safe place for me to just talk about anything and everything and get a third-person point of view. 

    So after my therapy appointment, I decided I was long overdue to get my nails done. I love myself a good Mani/Pedi. I used to never think I would be one of those girls that always keeps her nails done because working on a farm is rough on the hands, even when wearing gloves. It seems like a waste of time and money to get my nails done if my nails were just going to get chipped and scuffed anyway. But I don't go for my physical appearance. I go because it makes me feel good. I go because there is nothing more relaxing than getting a massage and feeling like I am being pampered. The pretty nails, in the end, are just a bonus. 

    And the timing worked out perfectly because as soon as I sat down the guy who runs the salon started turning away other walk-ins. They had too many appointments in the book to accommodate any other walk-ins. I always try to do walk-ins because I have a bad habit of forgetting my appointments. Or the days of the appointment I just don't have the energy to go and be touched. Yeah, anxiety is weird like that. I have to be in just the right mood to go get my nails done otherwise I just feel an overwhelming sense of guilt for doing something that seems so frivolous, never mind how good it makes me feel. 

    Another thing that I have to be in the right mindset for is getting my hair done. The last time I got it cut was back in September and all I had the lady do was cut off about six inches. After my fingers and toes were pretty again I walked next door to the hair salon and got a wash and cut with layers and bangs. I've always felt like my forehead is too big for my face. So, I finally worked up the courage to get bangs to cover it up. And at first, I didn't like it. I felt like I belonged in an 80's boyband or something. It was truly hard to like but after a few days of training my bangs into place and enhancing my curls, I finally started to get used to the new hair and liked it quite a bit. The layers make it lighter and give me volume and the bangs do as I need them to and hide my forehead.

Before

After

    

    Believe it or not, I have never dyed my hair. I am naturally a dirty blond and over the years it has continued to slowly darken. But the curls and soft texture remain. Growing up, it was a rule that we weren't allowed to dye our hair until we turned 18 after that I just never really had the desire to dye it. I worry about what the dye will do to my hair. Not to mention I can't decide what color I should dye it or if I should just go with highlights or something. What do you think? Should I dye my hair or leave it be? Let me know what you think in the comments. 

    Even though it took some time I felt so much better at the end of the day. And to me, that is the whole point of self-care and a mental health day. To feel better and to recharge your metaphorical batteries. If you're anything like me you need them quite often because you learned too late what it means to take care of yourself.  

    Another cheaper thing that I will do for myself is going outside. My animals are a big part of that. Sometimes at my lowest, they are the only reason that I get out of bed. The pigs have to eat even if I don't feel like eating myself. I also like to go for walks and sometimes run- I am a very slow runner. There are some great greenways with beautiful views that I like to use in my town. And if I don't have the energy I will sit outside and read. This one has been hard for me to do lately not only because the mosquitos have gotten pretty bad at my house but also because the more I get my anxiety under control the more or louder my ADHD symptoms get and I can't focus long enough to read a sentence. Off and on through the years, I have also picked up writing. As a way to help whether it's a journal, a letter, or a fictional story that I can't get out of my head. So tell me, what do you like to do to take time for yourself?