21. Most of us are counting down the days or years until we reach that magical number in our lives where we finally feel like real adults. Not to mention handing over our IDs with pride at that cool bar that all of our older friends go to. So, I am ecstatic to say Iâve officially become part of the â21 clubâ this past week! Are my wrinkles showing yet?
Getting older, going to college and leaving home to live in a new city far away from home can be stressful. Iâve grown up and gone through big changes in my life, such as transferring colleges, losing best friends, dealing with family issues or, most recently, the stress of finals week. I know I am not the only one either. Each of us deals with our own struggles every day. It is important to take care of yourself through all of this so you can maintain your mental, emotional and physical health. Doing so will help you be your best self every day.
Luckily, now that Iâm a ~wise~ 21-year-old, I have a few self-care tips I can share that I learned along the way!
1. Love Your Body
This can be interpreted in multiple ways! Whether itâs loving the imperfections that make you you, or treating your stubborn skin with top-notch skincare, appreciating your body should be a top priority. Through experience, Iâve learned a lot of things. One, donât buy a smaller size expecting that youâll lose the weight and fit in it, enjoy it now in a size that actually fits perfectly! Two, the Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial will do wonders for your skin!
Courtesy: Instagram
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2. Enjoy the Little Things
We often find ourselves waiting for the next big chapter in our lives or counting down the days âtill the weekend. This prevents us from living in the present. So, take a moment and focus on what brings joy to your day. Whether itâs the feeling of warm sheets from the dryer or watching the rain, try to always appreciate the little things.
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3. Learn Something New
Getting stuck in a routine can make your life feel stagnant. Switch it up occasionally and do something new! Learn something you havenât before, for me, this meant baking a cake from scratch. It can be easy and inexpensive and hopefully, youâll leave feeling refreshed and ready to accomplish whatever you put your mind to!
4. Schedule âMe Timeâ
After a long week, or letâs be honest, Monday, sometimes you canât help but feel burnt out. This is when itâs important to carve out âmeâ time. Stay at home, put your comfy sweats on, light your favorite Target candle, and curl up with Netflix and a glass of wine. Itâs called self-care yâall.
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5. Find a hobby
All that time you spend doing schoolwork or working at a job can definitely be rewarding. However, it is so beneficial to do something simply because you enjoy it. Whether itâs dusting off that old guitar and singing out of key or making photo collages, you donât have to be good at it, just have fun because thatâs what hobbies are for!
6. Practice Being Environmentally Friendly
Helping the environment is helping yourself and our future generations. Feel good about the choices you make even if theyâre small. Turn your lights off when you leave, look up your carbon footprint, and stop using plastic water bottles!!! This reusable bottle is my fav. You can be stylish and eco-friendly!
Courtesy: World Market
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7. Splurge on Yourself
Self-care is #treatingyoself. You desperately want that gift you bought for your friend? Itâs okay to buy it for yourself. Get those shoes youâve been eyeing all semester; they wonât be in stock forever. Occasionally youâve got to live your best Carrie Bradshaw life. I support it.
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8. Laugh
Laughing is the best medicine. Yes, that sounded super clichĂ©, I know. But seriously, when youâre feeling grouchy laughing can totally fix your mood. Luckily YouTube and Netflix exist. My favorite thing is to sit back and watch John Mulaney or scroll through funny vine compilations or cat videos online.
Courtesy: Instagram
9. Stay Inspired
Remember that feeling when you were a little kid and everything seemed magical? Donât let go of that. Your imagination is vital to staying young and is the best defense against cynicism. Go out and look at the stars on a clear night or let those New Yearâs fireworks amaze your inner child. Stay inspired, itâs important.
10. Love Your Loved Ones
This is simple. Hug your family, hug your friends. Remind those who mean the most to you that you love them. If you were looking for a sign, here it is. No, this is not a sign to text your ex. Text your mom. Life is short and youâll never regret spending time with your loved ones.
11. Get Fresh Air
Nothing is better than the feeling of warm sunlight on your skin after a long cold and rainy week. Donât stay cooped up inside all the time. Walk to class instead of driving. When youâre home, go to the beach and look for seashells, or enjoy the way the sun melts the snow in your front yard.
12. Fake it âtill You Make It
When youâre feeling gross and like you donât have all your sh*t together sometimes you gotta pretend. Put some Taylor Swift on, apply that makeup, get your cute outfit ready, and act like youâre not intimidated by anything because guess what? You arenât. Go out there and rule the world.
All gifs courtesy of giphy.
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