
On days that I feel blue things can seem pretty dark even with the bright Arizona sun shining in my windows. Depression usually gives me no warning, but I am getting much better with how I deal with it. Something I use often from my self care tool box is what I call my Top 100 List.
A dear friend and Life Coach Reggie Adams recommended this years ago and I’ve been building on it ever since. It’s a list of things I can do to love and pamper myself. I think she meant for me to look at this list before depression hits, but it doesn’t always work that way.
“The greatest gift that you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.”
Anthony J. D’Angelo
Here is my list, which is still a work in progress. Make your own list to remind you of how lovable you are and start pampering yourself. I’d love to hear what’s on your list. I need a few more to reach 100.
- Buy Yourself Flowers
- Do Yoga (even if you only have time for 10 minutes of sun salutations)
- Eat a Healthy Snack (make it pretty and sit down to enjoy it)
- Read a Book (curled up on the couch in your fuzzy red socks)
- Scrapbook (enjoy your photos)
- Write a Letter (maybe even to yourself) then mail it
- Sing Loud and Proud in the Shower or Car
- Take a Long Hot Bath
- Get a manicure/pedicure
- Go for a walk
- Meditate
- Eat dinner/lunch/breakfast with your good china
- Go swimming and get your hair wet
- Go for coffee with a friend
- Call a friend
- Take yourself out to lunch
- Go to lunch with a friend
- Go shopping
- Watch a favorite TV show by yourself
- Listen to Your favorite Playlist
- Write in your favorite journal
- Watch a Movie or go to a movie by yourself
- Find a dog or cat to pet
- Go to a beach
- Get a facial or give yourself one
- Write a poem
- Read Poetry
- Hula-hoop
- Dance like nobody’s watching
- Attend a Retreat
- Get outside and get some fresh air
- Cut pictures from magazine and make a collage
- Paint/draw a picture – get crayons out and have fun
- Go to a gallery and enjoy art
- Buy some bubbles and blow to your heart’s content
- Take a nap
- Make a list of all you are grateful for
- Explore a museum virtually at artsy.net
- Look at your wedding/baby/school album
- Update your screen saver with current photos so you can see them more often
- Cook a comfort meal like pot roast in the crock pot
- Bake some chocolate chip cookies
- Attend a church service
- Buy a new plant for your favorite space in your home
- Add lemon to your water and drink it from a crystal glass
- Play your favorite childhood card game (Go Fish anyone)?
- Read a favorite blog or find one you like
- Make a cup of tea and enjoy it in your favorite cup
- People Watch from your porch or on Main Street USA
- Watch a TED Talk
- Watch old home videos
- Volunteer at a local shelter or Hospice
- Go to the Library
- Put together a puzzle
- Rearrange your furniture
- Diffuse your favorite essential oil
- Put your favorite essential oil on your wrists or the back of your neck or just breathe it in
- Doodle
- Listen to the birds
- Walk a labyrinth
- Make SoulCollage cards
- Read SoulCollage cards
- Write yourself a permission slip to do something you want or be something you desire or to not do something you don’t want to do
- Put on your favorite lipstick
Find out more about Reggie Adams, Life Coach Extraordinaire at Reggie Adams Coaching Academy
Find more ideas for self care at Fuzzy Red Socks
Comments 2
I am just enjoying the following ideas inspired by this blog:
1) that there can actually be an ongoing list like this (becauae the “not worthy” voice likes to tell me otherwise!)
2) that it’s okay (good!) for me to compile this list (who else could better direct what I need than me)
3) that I am the one in charge of this list (no more expectation needed for other people or situations to be responsible for my own happiness)
4) that freedom lies in self-care and taking time to note specific actions makes it easier to actually complete them
Thank you Carole, for your continued practical ideas…I am always inspired when I visit here!💕
Author
Ahhh, yes. The freedom that comes with loving ourselves. Sounds like you get it, Janelle. Thanks for stopping by.