Self-care and you - Taking care of yourself no matter what gender or autism you are

[Splinters RCVD ✞]

My general principle for self-care is both for myself and my home, I seek to take decent care of myself all the time, but not necessarily making everything squeaky, pristine clean always, as that is too much effort. Decent cleanings routinely, big cleanings on occasion, as things warrant it.

 

[Shidoen]

Find a big rock and throw it, if you make a big enough splash jump in the water and retrieve the rock.

 

[Optavia Sales Rep]

When I feel mentally blah, I just disconnect from everything and cuddle/brush my dog. She loves it, it focuses me on a simple task, and the bonus is there will be less dog hair to sweep up tomorrow.

 

[Forgetful Gynn]

I drive 110 on the freeway while listening to stan bush.

 

[Nonconsentual Pronouns]

I get most of my self care by caring for others.

Taking care of loved ones especially makes me happy and gives a feeling of fulfilment, so there's that from muh mentals perspective.

I can hardly be bothered to do anything just for me outside of stuff like hygiene. If I keep a clean house for my family, then I'm cleaning my living space too. If I cook a good meal, then I've got something good to eat too. Just keep me in a living space with people I have fondness for, and I'll be pretty well off. Take that away, and I'd be eating frozen and canned trash passed off as food while the dirty laundry piles up.

 

[AMHOLIO]

I'm glas to hear most of the responses to the thread so far, I like seeing people go the extra mile for themselves.

I wipe my own ass.

Literally cannot ask for anything more.

...except deodorant.

Find a big rock and throw it, if you make a big enough splash jump in the water and retrieve the rock.

Even the chimp part of the brain needs some lovin'.

When I feel mentally blah, I just disconnect from everything and cuddle/brush my dog. She loves it, it focuses me on a simple task, and the bonus is there will be less dog hair to sweep up tomorrow.

This is so sweet, I'm so glad you and your pupper have a good time. My poor dog passed last year so hearing people love their pooch and their pooch loving them back melts my heart. Mutually beneficial relationships dogs are.

I get most of my self care by caring for others.

Taking care of loved ones especially makes me happy and gives a feeling of fulfilment, so there's that from muh mentals perspective.

I can hardly be bothered to do anything just for me outside of stuff like hygiene. If I keep a clean house for my family, then I'm cleaning my living space too. If I cook a good meal, then I've got something good to eat too. Just keep me in a living space with people I have fondness for, and I'll be pretty well off. Take that away, and I'd be eating frozen and canned trash passed off as food while the dirty laundry piles up.

It's a weird balance of "Why go extra whe I only need the minimum" vs "at least eat a fucking vegetable" when you take care of yourself. It's hard to remember to treat yourself a little better if the only person in the room is you. Humans really are social creatures.

I like taking care of people but I make sure I treat myself well so I can treat them well in return (which is what you do too if I'm reading it right). If I promise to bring someone to the doctor, I make sure I got that 8 hours sleep plus some food and water if need be so I can make sure I'm not too tired or grouchy when I bring them to the office. Feeling like you're making a difference for others is fun. Make sure you apply that to yourself too: your friends and family would like it too. :,)

 

[BelUwUga]

What do you do for self care? Do you have routines set? Do you clean your house or room often, or have a maid come and clean up your place every few weeks due to being busy? Do you do a skin care routine? Do you have designated days for doing important things versus relaxation? Discuss!

I will answer first in general and then address each point:

Do you have routines set?

Lol. Lmao. If anyone can see the logs they can confirm how far into NO territory I am.

Do you clean your house or room often, or have a maid come and clean up your place every few weeks due to being busy?

I'm fastidious about keeping where I stay sanitary, IDGAF about clutter though. Unfortunately I haven't stayed at my house since September 2022 and I still have to clean the place when I get home.

Do you do a skin care routine?

Cheap (but not like sketchy cheap) face wash. On the fingertips, light, small circles. No rags/rubbing. Hair conditioner is also beard conditioner (bird oil is mostly for taking care of the underlying skin) and shaving cream if/as needed. I have those brillo gloves and a people-sanding-block for exfolliation- GoJo Soap is also the bee's knees for this. I noticed you didn't mention haircare and I understand if you'll discount my opinion as a dude, that said my sister is a ladybarber and I have a gay uncle: above like $20/ea you really start to see diminishing (wtf I typed dimensioning the first time) returns on spending more money (If you are on a budget I recommend stealing your sister's products). If you scoffed you're good to go to the next question, you care/know a lot more than me. Use enough shampoo and work it in with your hands to the point that it lightly lathers, rinse immediately. It should remedy greasy hair it shouldn't leave you with dry straw-y hair. Apply conditioner but hold off on rinsing. I usually apply it, wash my body, and then rinse everything. Don't be stingy but you should be able to run a comb through it without tons dripping. (trust me idgaf about my hair, but every single girl who has ever touched it has lost their god damned minds over how nice it apparently is)

Do you have designated days for doing important things versus relaxation?

Personally just imagine the above image in the fetal position and rocking back and forth and that's how I am like 99% of the time I am awake. That said in my Ladies classes at business schools I learned a lot about the theory of healthy time management at least. There's good reason 5/8 or 4/10 is a normal split for a full time job. It's enough that it is fulfilling, but you have enough time for hobbies or things you have to do. Compare this to the 6/6/9 grind in China where they have flipping bugs all over the place.

P.S. Do any of you ladies know why the little spell-check squiggles disappear after a few seconds for me? I know it's a feminine thing to admit to but I'm like anal-retentive about my spelling/grammer. Thank you!

 

[Welsh Catgirl Enjoyer]

I figured this out a few years back when I was getting super stressed all the time.

I usually just lie back, earphones in, concentrate on having a slow, rhythmic breathing pattern, try not to focus on anything in particular, and just lie down while listening to the music with my eyes closed.

I'm normally into more energetic tracks, but for this, I tend to go for something far more mellow with a lot of pianos, and often related to something I like or some good time. Stuff like the Journey OST or the intro theme to Xenoblade works really well for me.

Can work really well as just a general relaxation thing, kinda like meditation, but also works wonders if you're about to freak out with stress or something.