Self-Care That’s Free

I love “looking closely!”

I love saying hello to every dog or cat I cross on the street

Love this, but naturally it differs for each person. For me, there is nothing like stroking a cat (we have 2) and hearing and feeling them purr. My blood pressure lowers and my breathing slows down. It is absolute pleasure.

I love these! I went on a walk the other day and said hi to a stranger and met her service dog, 16 year old Pumpkin, who was so sweet! Taking that walk, saying hi, petting the dog, smelling the flowers….it was pure serotonin! I recently required surgery for a broken ankle and this walk was my first solo walk since February, and every ONE of these things have gained so much more importance and meaning since then. I’ve never felt so happy to take part in these simple pleasures. <3

I joined a wonderful group called the Lovely Letters Community, and every month we get matched with a new penpal and a theme for our letters. It’s such fun. I particularly loved writing to one person so we’ve been writing for many months now and I love the routine of sitting to write to an elderly lady who tells me about her piano playing and her life as a widow in a small town. We’re becoming really close. I ask her for advice now too. There’s something deeply calming about writing to a stranger who then isn’t one.

I would add to this list:
Reading poetry
Listening to Bach
Smelling lilacs or whatever flower is in bloom where you are
Cooking for your loved ones while listening to Bach and smelling the lilacs
Baths!!!

I love looking closely! Always surprisingly relaxing when you really take the time to appreciate something.

I love going to farmer’s markets to see how many dogs I can pet :)

All I can say is LOVE.

If you dont want me to touch your dog, stay inside- I’m coming at all of y’all animals with full body hugs.

This might be my favorite Friday comic so far. My husband and I got a puppy in April and she just got her last round of shots, so she can finally go on walks and meet other dogs. We’ve had the best time walking in our D.C. neighborhood and stopping to let her interact with other dogs while we chat with their owners. I can’t stress enough how healing it has been after the past year of isolation — Talking to other humans! Seeing my puppy make friends! Feeling more like a full human rather than a shell of myself! Ahh. Grateful.