You need a self care kit because times when you really NEED self-care tools are exactly the times when it's the hardest to find them!
I'm doing something new - recording videos straight to YouTube instead of editing. With anything new, there's a bit of a learning curve, I lost the first 20 seconds and it's a little weird/wavy - not like my usual videos.
The best time to make a self-care kit for yourself is when you're NOT in crisis.
Because when things are rough it's harder to know how to take care of yourself.
But... I am editing this post in 2020 during a global crisis... if things are already rough for you - just do your best. Every bit of self care you do helps you get to a bit of a better place where you can do a bit of a better job of taking care of yourself... and so on and so on.
You can do this.
Your self care kit should be with you and accessible at all times.
I keep mine in my bag with my wallet. Those days when I don't take my bag with me, when I grab my wallet I also grab my self care kit.
It's in a handwoven zipper case, the same size as a pencil case. It's easy to have on me.
As I've gotten older, my self care kit has gotten more boring, lol!
This is for two reasons:
- my body needs more attention to feel good
- I know myself better so I can do better than aromatherapy, affirmation cards and little chocolate treats, which is what my self care kit used to be full of when I was in my 30s.
An ongoing commitment to self care over time WILL teach you what YOU need in your self care kit.
A question to ask while you're building your self care kit: What would be helpful, now?
Asking it at different times of day, in different places, in different situations, gives you different answers which give you different ideas for what to keep in your self care kit.
For example, in peri-menopause I can't always predict my menstrual cycle like I used to, so keeping Advil in my self care kit is helpful.
I have allergies to pollen and to some dogs. Having allergy meds in my kit is a must.
Some of the items in your self care kit should be boring! Just basic "how to take good care of my body" stuff that can help stop anxiety or overwhelm from spiralling.
Here's what's in my self-care kit right now:
- ear plugs (I am super sensitive to noise)
- Advil
- allergy meds
- a few packs of Emergen-C (a dose of vitamin C and electrolytes that feels good when I am overwhelmed)
- ear buds (I usually have headphones with me, but for those days when I forget them, having the earbuds saves the day)
- multiple playlists of brainwave music for different moods, like calm + focus (technically not in my kit, but I keep them on my phone)
- favourite aromatherapy blends in small bottles (also convenient for days if I forget deodorant can use some EO instead and not feel self conscious - this is a small thing, but every uncomfortable feeling you've got going on adds a new layer of discomfort, so the more of them you can take care of, the better)
- Kleenex in a tiny pack
- Journal with paint pens and a huge assortment of ultra thin markers (also not in my self care zipper pouch, but I keep it in a separate zipper pouch, also always with me)
Other ideas for your self care kit:
- chocolate
- inspiration card or helpful affirmation/mantra written on a piece of paper
- a meditation or visualization that works well for you, written down on a sheet of paper (it's easy to forget to use tools we know about, so this is a way to include them in the kit)
- lip balm
- moisturizer, bonus points if it smells like something that makes you feel happy
- water bottle
This will help you create your self care kit:
The Self Care for the Pandemic e-course is free, you can get the whole thing right here.
It's five days of videos and journaling sheets, to really dig in and explore what kind of self care you need right now.
