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Happy #PRIDE from the #COLAGEBoston chapter! #bostonpride #QueerspawnUNITE (at Boston, Massachusetts)

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Self-Care

For the past few months, I’ve been struggling.  The time from the election to the inauguration was an emotional roller coaster: concern for my family, worry about my friends who are part of even more marginalized groups, hope that it wouldn’t be as bad as I feared.  Then inauguration, the Women’s March and the last two weeks of Executive Orders, misinformation, and outright lies.

I’ve found myself exhausted and we’re only a few weeks in.  So I’ve started to realize that it’s going to be a long four years and that I’m not going to have the energy to keep up the resistance if I don’t also make self-care a priority.

Here are a few things that I’ve starting doing to help me manage:

Cut down on Facebook and the news.  I used to check it several times a day but found I would get sucked into the negativity.  I want to stay informed but I also need to take a break and remind myself what’s good in the world.  I now restrict myself to checking 2-3 times a day and have started setting time limits as well.

Taking time to move.  I spend my work breaks walking 10-15 minutes twice a day.  It’s still too cold in my state to go outside and breathe in the fresh air.  But even just stepping away from everything to enjoy some peace and quiet has a way of calming and re-energizing me.

Taking time to laugh.  I have a couple websites that I like to go to when I’m feeling down just to read jokes or watch funny animal videos and have a good chuckle.  Every couple of days I try to take a half an hour to peruse these and laugh until I’m out of breath.  

Step back from toxic relationships.  I’ve made the difficult decision to stop hanging out with some people who don’t see the world the same way I do.  I’m an activist and spend much of my time fighting for equality.  When I’m finally able to be social with friends, I want to be around people who don’t question how I spend my time.

A friend of mine ends each day by posting what she’s grateful for on Facebook. For the past two weeks, I’ve found myself reading it every night before bed and reflecting on what I’m thankful for in my own life.  When it comes to self-care, find what works for you and make time for it.  It’s ok to make yourself and your physical, emotional and mental well-being a priority in life.

Natalie (pronouns she/her) Family Structure: Two dads/One mom Adult COLAGE Guest Writer