5 Steps to Create Your Personal Self-care bag or Toolkit
Picture this: you're having a rough day and you need something to boost your mood, soothe your wounds, or comfort you. You reach into your self-care bag and pull out a collection of items specifically chosen by you to help you calm yourself and regulate your emotions. That's what a self-care kit is all about - having everything you need right at your fingertips when you need it most. It won’t be a miracle cure for your problems, that isn’t its purpose. Survivors tend to neglect their self care when depressed, anxious, or angry. Please consider making your kit and keep it close by. When I worked outside of my home, I had a self-care bag in my office too!
Step 1
Please note that you can spend no money, a little money, or a great deal of money creating your Self-Care bag or kit. I recommend that you treat yourself to a fancy bag if possible. If you are on a tight budget, any bag in your home will do. A container or a drawer also work fine. Maybe ask a loved one to treat you to a bag during the next special event or holiday. That is how I get most of my “wants” or upgrades!
Step 2
Make a detailed list of items that nurture, calm or soothe you. Don’t forget to consider pictures, special small gifts, music, movies, and books.
Step 3
Look around your home. What items do you already own? You can always upgrade later. For example, I don’t like my lips to be dry, especially if I am upset. So, I added a plain old chapstick to my bag. When I could upgrade, I purchased an expensive Hawaiin lip balm that is extra soothing. A special treat and it lasts a long time.
Step 4
For items on your list that are too big (weighted blanket) or digital (music on our phones or movies on netflix) just list your favorites on index cards and place the cards into your bag as reminders.
Step 5
Go shopping! Treat yourself where you can and don’t worry if you can’t get everything now. It is perfectly fine to upgrade your self care items in the weeks and months ahead. You deserve nice things, and you deserve to feel better!
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