It's Time to Pull it All Together
Over the past three weeks we've talked about self-care, hobbies, and boundaries, both our own and those that our favorite characters deploy for their own well-being. Now it's time to put it all together into a routine.
A few things to keep in mind before you begin working on your routine. First, keep in mind the 4 self-care zones: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. As you create your own routine, you may choose to start on one zone or do a little in each. One thing's for sure: START SMALL. Making too many changes too often leads to giving up on your goal.
Psychologist Matthew Sacco, PhD also suggests using the S-M-A-R-T approach:
- Specific: Identify the details about your goals.
- Measurable: Decide how progress will be measured.
- Achievable: Set realistic goals.
- Relevant: The change will make a difference.
- Time-bound: Set a realistic timeframe.
Read some more on beginning a self-care routine here.
Video Essay: The X-Files | A Box of Memories Ripped Out My Guts
One aspect of a self-care routine that we haven't talked much about, but that we all, in fandom, need is our comfort media. There is something so soothing about a nostalgic show or movie that you've watched so many times. You know the outcomes of every story, and there's power in that certainty.
So don't be afraid to go full Goblin Mode when you need to. Grab your snacks, get comfy under a blanket on the couch, and watch your favorite show.
"I guess that, even while I still had be-trousered, picnicking bunnies on my curtains, I was growing surprised at how blithely people accepted the collectively agreed-upon version of reality as the only one that is 'sane'."
Molly Flatt – A Box of Memories Ripped Out My Guts
