If you’ve been keeping track of the SU’s #30DaysofSelfCare, part of our mental health campaign, you might have noticed that I kind of stopped around day 6/7 (or maybe 8/9, I haven’t actually kept count). I could have just put it down to being busy, having so much to think about and do that I haven’t had time to spend on me, and just kept on posting. But I’m asking you to get involved in something with me, so I wanted to tell you why I stopped.

At the end of the day, I just haven’t been taking care of myself.

Not that I’ve been actively doing things that are bad for me, but I’ve been up and down over the last week (as people often get) and doing any “self-care” really slipped my mind. I’ve been thinking about it and I didn’t even really know what self-care is.

Now I’ve actually thought about it before running head first into something (which I never do ever), I think there’s two types of self-care: necessities and bonuses. Basically if you shower before your lecture when you really couldn’t be bothered that’s absolutely self-care because you’ll feel better for the rest of the day and you’re going to have to have a shower at some point, so it’s a necessity. If you wait until your lectures are over and go in the bath for ages with a lush bath bomb that’s more of a bonus to your day, because it feels super good and you wouldn’t do it all the time.

I think you probably need a healthy balance of the two to make sure you’re feeling good, but if you have next to no time like me I’d definitely try and do the necessary things that will set you up all day! Here’s a few of the things I’m planning to do:

Grace’s Necessary Self-Care List

• Actually finishing doing all the washing
• Replace the popped light bulbs in the house
• Stock up on medication on time
• Sorting out food for the week
• Starting a budget plan (help I don’t want to be an adult)

Grace’s Bonus Self-Care List

• Making a cake in a mug
• Practice the ukulele (it’s actually easier than I thought so it’s going well!)
• Doing cheap/free things with other people that I like (London is always a good shout!)
• Learn how to do magic tricks (maybe, I think I just like knowing I can do it if I want to)
• Start (casually) learning another language (or continue I guess, I’m going to pick up French again!)

I’m 100% going to do all my necessary stuff in #30DaysofSelfCare and if I get the time, I’m going to try out my bonuses as well. If you want to join me keep up with the hashtag, and check up on your friends if you think they aren’t taking care of themselves: you might be just the person they need to talk to, especially since you’re the one who has noticed.