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Some people will describe spirituality as a feeling and not want to confuse it with religion. I believe that an individual’s idea of spirituality to them, is just that, what they envision it to be. For me, my spirituality is rooted in my faith, which represents the love I have for Jesus. Take some time to think about what spirituality means to you. While we are in this change of season, consider how you can refresh your spirituality. What does that look like to you?
September is Self Care Awareness month and I believe this is especially fitting for the upcoming change in the season. As we are all switching gears from the warm sunny days to falling leaves and windier days, what better time to check in with ourselves? It is important to take care of ourselves because we tend to have the habit of putting others first, consistently. If we neglect to take care of ourselves, we really won’t be much good to those that we do want to help and take care of. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in a routine where we are constantly moving, but it is imperative to carve out that “me time” and show yourself some love.
So what are some ways that we can practice self care? The answer to that can vary of course, depending on the person. We all have different ideas of what it may look like to put our needs first and that could include, sitting on the couch uninterrupted for a bit and binge watching your your favorite Netflix show. Maybe you want to check out a yoga class, or try a new restaurant by yourself. There is not wrong or right answer to what self care looks like to you, as long as you are willing to prioritize making it happen.
Another avenue of self care appears in the form of therapy, which can be beneficial to your mental health. While doing things that make you happy is important, there may also be times that that just isn’t enough. Consulting with a licensed therapist or counselor, may also be in your best interest. The resources are endless and doing the work in therapy is worth it. Many times people do not know where to start when looking for a therapist, luckily in this age of technology, that obstacle is a thing of the past.
I have personally attended therapy sessions off and on since I was in college. My first experience with a counselor was during my Freshman year, following a bad breakup and learning about my father having cancer. When I look back on this time, I am very proud of myself for seeking the help that I desperately needed. As time went on, I became a mother, worked full time and focusing on myself was not a priority.
Last year I lost 2 jobs within months of each other and I was certain God was telling me that I need to pause, take care of me and trust in Him. Instead of applying for more jobs, I filed for unemployment, enrolled into school and searched for a therapist. I really wanted to maximize on my time that I was not working by doing things that would be beneficial to my growth, spiritually and mentally. Completing my degree has been on my “to do list” for years and it was nearly impossible to make happen. Not working for a few months allowed me to put myself in a position where I was my own priority.
Searching for a therapist was not challenging, but finding someone who was right for me is where I had to be realistic. My non-negotiable was that my therapist had to look like me because I would not feel comfortable otherwise. There are great resources such as TalkSpace.com, that allows you to find a therapist that you would communicate with through live videos, text and even audio messages. Websites such as TherapyForBlackGirls.com, has an entire directory of black women that are therapists! Lastly, PsychologyToday.com can also show you therapists in your area and even includes a photo.
In my opinion self care aligns with mental health and spirituality and we can only benefit by being aware of all three.
September is Self Care Awareness month and I believe this is especially fitting for the upcoming change in the season. As we are all switching gears from the warm sunny days to falling leaves and windier days, what better time to check in with ourselves? It is important to take care of ourselves because we tend to have the habit of putting others first, consistently. If we neglect to take care of ourselves, we really won’t be much good to those that we do want to help and take care of. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in a routine where we are constantly moving, but it is imperative to carve out that “me time” and show yourself some love.
So what are some ways that we can practice self care? The answer to that can vary of course, depending on the person. We all have different ideas of what it may look like to put our needs first and that could include, sitting on the couch uninterrupted for a bit and binge watching your your favorite Netflix show. Maybe you want to check out a yoga class, or try a new restaurant by yourself. There is not wrong or right answer to what self care looks like to you, as long as you are willing to prioritize making it happen.
Another avenue of self care appears in the form of therapy, which can be beneficial to your mental health. While doing things that make you happy is important, there may also be times that that just isn’t enough. Consulting with a licensed therapist or counselor, may also be in your best interest. The resources are endless and doing the work in therapy is worth it. Many times people do not know where to start when looking for a therapist, luckily in this age of technology, that obstacle is a thing of the past.
I have personally attended therapy sessions off and on since I was in college. My first experience with a counselor was during my Freshman year, following a bad breakup and learning about my father having cancer. When I look back on this time, I am very proud of myself for seeking the help that I desperately needed. As time went on, I became a mother, worked full time and focusing on myself was not a priority.
Last year I lost 2 jobs within months of each other and I was certain God was telling me that I need to pause, take care of me and trust in Him. Instead of applying for more jobs, I filed for unemployment, enrolled into school and searched for a therapist. I really wanted to maximize on my time that I was not working by doing things that would be beneficial to my growth, spiritually and mentally. Completing my degree has been on my “to do list” for years and it was nearly impossible to make happen. Not working for a few months allowed me to put myself in a position where I was my own priority.
Searching for a therapist was not challenging, but finding someone who was right for me is where I had to be realistic. My non-negotiable was that my therapist had to look like me because I would not feel comfortable otherwise. There are great resources such as TalkSpace.com, that allows you to find a therapist that you would communicate with through live videos, text and even audio messages. Websites such as TherapyForBlackGirls.com, has an entire directory of black women that are therapists! Lastly, PsychologyToday.com can also show you therapists in your area and even includes a photo.
In my opinion self care aligns with mental health and spirituality and we can only benefit by being aware of all three.
*******
Romney Donald is a single parent to an incredible 7 year old, named Nia Sarai. She enjoys spending quality time with her daughter and she strives to ensure that Nia is exposed to endless opportunities. At the moment, Romney is completing her Bachelor's Degree in General Studies with a Social Science concentration. Her expected graduation date is December 2018 and she plans to continue this educational journey to pursue a Master's Degree in Counseling. Follow Romney's journey on instagram @momtonia.
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