Self-care is so important.

Like, really, really important.

I always seem to be forgetting about myself while I’m blazing through life just trying to scrape by, barely keeping one hand on the life raft, hanging on somehow even though I’m bitterly unhappy.

I rarely take time to check on myself to see how I’m are functioning emotionally, spiritually, and physically. More often than not, I judge my wellbeing based on my test scores or homework proficiency, and while these things are important, they fail to even scratch the surface of my actual person.

I need to stop doing this. I need to stop checking my email for assignment updates more often than I check my own thoughts. I need to be present and invested enough in my own wellbeing to defend myself against my inner self-deprecation.

I need to take care of myself the way I would take care of someone I love.

This means more than bath bombs and indulgent snacks. Self-care is more than that. It isn’t just about drinking a full fat latte or eating a second piece of pie or not doing something because you’re already stressed out.

Self-care is literally taking care of yourself.

For me, this has many forms. For example, here are some ways I self-care:

I hit the gym not because I feel like I hate my body or I need to lose 20 pounds, but because my body is awesome and deserves to do more than just couch surf.

I eat eggs instead of ice cream for breakfast because I know I’ll feel better and do better on my tests.

I make appointments with my professors when I need help because it pushes me out of my comfort zone and keeps me humble.

I buy a full fat latte — but most importantly, I don’t beat myself up about drinking it and loving it.

I journal, even when I feel like I don’t have anything important to say because, as it turns out, I always have more to process than I think.

I draw/paint/collage because art is where I find joy.

I attack my homework pile with an attitude of excitement to learn. Really, this makes reading Biology and The Torah so much more fun.

I attend morning or evening prayer and church once a week. This one is important. One of the easiest ways I slip into feeling downtrodden and discouraged is by neglecting my spiritual life.

I also push myself out of my comfort spiritually by attending churches or meetings of different denominations. This isn’t something I always look forward to. It’s really hard for me, but I do it because I know my future self will thank me for stretching my mind and pursuing greater truths.

These are some of the ways I care for myself, but it looks totally different for everyone. Currently, I am trying to take better care of myself by drinking tea and drawing in my sketchbook.

What are you doing to take care of yourself? Whatever self-care looks like to you, take time to do it. Take time to do something today that your future self will thank you for.