This time of year we are typically faced with many factors going on in life, we have gotten into a good motion with school being back in, work is at a steady pace before the holiday season begin but with all this busyness going on in of our daily lives, it's easy to forget one crucial aspect: taking care of ourselves. Self-care often takes a backseat, however, practicing self-care isn't just a luxury; it's a vital component of a healthy and fulfilling life.
So join us for during the month of September as celebrate self-care. Starting here as we delve into the art of self-care and explore why it's essential to prioritize your well-being.
What is Self-Care: Beyond Bubble Baths
Self-care isn't just about soaking in a luxurious bubble bath, although that can be a wonderful part of it. It's about intentionally nurturing your physical, emotional, and mental health. It's recognizing that you deserve the same care and attention that you readily extend to others. Self-care encompasses a wide range of activities, from getting a massage and practicing mindfulness to engaging in hobbies you love, maintaining a balanced diet and accepting and actually getting to know yourself, your true self.
Why Self-Care Matters: The Benefits
Reduced Stress: Engaging in self-care activities helps lower stress levels, improving your overall sense of well-being. Stress can take a toll on your body and mind, leading to a variety of health issues. By dedicating time to self-care, you're effectively managing stress before it takes over.
Enhanced Mental Health: Self-care plays a crucial role in maintaining good mental health. Taking moments to relax, practice meditation, or simply do something you enjoy can contribute to better emotional resilience and increased positivity.
Improved Physical Health: From regular exercise to nourishing your body with nutritious food, self-care positively impacts your physical health. Prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, and engaging in relaxation techniques can also boost your immune system and energy levels.
Boosted Productivity: Paradoxically, taking breaks and caring for yourself can actually improve your productivity. When you're well-rested and emotionally balanced, you're more focused and efficient in your tasks.
Elevated Self-Esteem: Engaging in self-care communicates the message that you value yourself. Over time, this practice can lead to higher self-esteem and greater self-confidence.
Incorporating Self-Care into Your Routine
Start Small: Incorporating self-care into your routine doesn't have to be overwhelming. Begin with small, manageable steps, such as setting aside 10 minutes each morning for meditation or taking a short walk during your lunch break.
Prioritize What Works for You: Self-care is a personal journey. Discover activities that resonate with you and bring you joy. Whether it's practicing yoga, painting, or reading a book, find what nourishes your soul.
Create Rituals: Establish daily or weekly rituals that focus on self-care. It could be a Sunday spa day at home, a midweek meditation session, or a monthly massage appointment.
Set Boundaries: Say no when necessary and set healthy boundaries to prevent burnout. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish—it's a prerequisite for being able to care for others effectively.
Seek Professional Help: If you're struggling with your mental health, seeking support from a mental health professional is an essential form of self-care.
Conclusion: You Deserve It
In a world that never stops, taking time for yourself might feel like a luxury. However, it's not just a luxury; it's a necessity. Prioritizing self-care is an act of self-love that can have a profound impact on every aspect of your life. Remember, you deserve to be well, happy, and healthy. So, go ahead and make self-care a non-negotiable part of your journey to a fulfilled life.
Affirmations are common in self development however I believe that affirmations speak to what you wish to be true so to add power to my words I have confessions! Words that I know to be true even if they don’t appear to be true yet! Here are 31 confessions to speak more love over, about, and into your life.
1. I am an amazing human being
2. I am beautiful
3. I love my body, every curve and every imperfection as it is uniquely mine and if I’m displeased I lovingly work towards improvement
4. I am worthy of all good things
5. I am enough just being me
6. I deserve to live life unlimited and unafraid
7. My skin is beautiful
8. I have a right to change my mind at any moment and that is ok
9. I love myself
10. I am important to me
11. I forgive myself
12. I respect myself and I require respect from others
13. I honor and celebrate myself in the small wins
14. I am not my mistakes or my sins, God has forgiven me
15. I forgive others even if they have not apologized to me
16. I do not compare myself to anyone for I know that comparison is the thief of joy
17, I love, honor, obey, and fear God as God alone is the source of my life, leading me and guiding me and having a relationship with God is the ultimate self love
18. I do not have to be perfect I just have to do my best
19. What is for me will always find me and I will always put myself in position to be found
20. I am thankful and grateful at all times
21. I am worthy of love
22. I deserve happiness and I do not have to settle
23. I am whole, healed and complete by myself my companion is whole, healed, and complete by themselves as well
24. I respect when my body tells me what it needs by listening
25. I am worthy of the compliments I receive
26. I allow myself to acknowledge the pain, feel the hurt and actually heal
27. I am a blessing to those I come in contact with
28. I am a whole vibe and my life is a whole blessing
29. I do not get caught up in reaching for the goals that I forget to live in the moment
30. I do not need the approval of anyone but my own!!!
31. I love and respect my life and I will live each day as if it’s the most important day
These are 31 truths and confessions that you can take with you on your journey in life and any time you need a pick me up come back to them and encourage yourself and others.
- Tanya S. Kelker
• Want more on becoming a better person through self development read my book The Lies of Becoming here https://amzn.to/3kUavs5
• Also visit my online shop for your skincare needs www.prettykittyclub.com
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Having a discharge is a very normal thing if you have a vagina; a normal and healthy discharge is typically thin and odorless and clear to milky or white in color. This is actually your body's way of keeping the vaginal canal clean. But just incase your discharge looks a little different, I have listed some possibilities and if it is a cause for concern.
Types of Discharge:
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Sniff sniff, hmmm is that me? Am I ok? Is this normal??
Heyyy girl, we have all had that random whiff of a smell that came from down below. More than likely the smell is totally normal and you are fine but unfortunately this subject is so taboo, we don't always know for sure what we should smell like and when something is off. So lets clear the air, ALL vaginas have a smell!!!! There I said it and there is no shame in it. One thing we must all do is be able to recognize and love our unique signature scent or scents. Trust, chances are your partners will love your fragrant, delicious, sweet, musky taste and scent, too. It’s a part of who you are. And actually the smell is for good reason too, our bodies produce bacteria (the good kind) that helps keep us healthy. A healthy vagina is usually at a pH between 3.8 and 4.5 (very acidic). However, the things we do to and put into our bodies highly effect the smell. Think about it, certain foods we eat, the way we cleanse or lack there of for hygiene purposes, our monthly cycles, sex and even sex toys. These variables can change the smells and the strength and your vagina still be very healthy.
Here are a few smell variations that are healthy
Here are a few smell variations that are not so healthy
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CLEANSE the skin with a non toxic cleanser or soap specifically for you down there. This step is very important because it allows you to get rid of any dirt and oil on the skin that may clog your pores and/or throw your ph off. This step should be done daily at least. To do this you can use a wash cloth, your hand, or a bar directly on your skin. This is for external use only please do not insert or push product inside of you as you may cause unnecessary irritation
* Our suggestion would be Intimate Cleansing Bar from Body Party Studios
EXFOLIATE the skin. Ok so this has been so controversial as to how this should be done and how often. Exfoliating is such a big deal especially down below if you do any type of hair removal. Exfoliating allows you to remove dead skin cells that get stuck and aid in clogging your pores. It should be done a couple times a week if you are using a scrub and can be done daily if using an exfoliating towel. However if you use both, use the towel or cloth daily and scrub weekly. Also, I want to say is DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT over exfoliate!!
* Our suggestion would be the Pretty Kitty Club Exfoliating cloth and the Intimate Skin Exfoliator AKA the Pretty Kitty Scrub by Body Party Studios
MASQUE the Kitty! When you think of masks you most definitely do not think about down there. But masques or masks are excellent if you have dark marks from ingrown hairs and/or razor burn, and uneven complexion. There is no need to do this step too often, when you first start you may want to use a mask weekly until you reach your desired results and then once or twice a month going forward.
* Our suggestion would be The Pretty Kitty Club Masque by Body Party Studios
MOISTURIZE this skin should be moisturized to keep the skin soft and supple as well as an extra step to help eliminate the hairs from being too hard around the follicles. It’s a good idea to moisturize every time your wash the skin. Please be sure to use products And oils that won’t Clog your pores.
* Our suggestion would be the ingrown hair inhibitor serum by Body Party Studios
TREAT, yes some time you may have some problem areas down there that need extra attention, such as ingrown hairs and histamine reactions. Serums are a great way to help with this.
*Our suggestion would be the Ingrown Hair Inhibitor Serum by Body Party Studios
Hair Removal yes of course we are going to touch on this and shaving not using things like Nair or Veet are NOT the way to go, there are wayyyy better things out there that are better for your skin. Such as waxing (our preference is absolutely Hard Wax but others are fine too), Sugaring, and laser. These techniques don’t require you to have them done as frequently as shaving which could have you slaving away daily or a couple times a week.
Now that you know what your skin care routine below should consist of go get started with the proper products, “She” deserves it. How many of these were you already doing?