(Because Chocolate for Dinner Isn’t a Long-Term Strategy)
Hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes…oh my!
If you’re familiar with Asheville, you know we’ve been through it lately. First in September, Hurricane Helene pummeled our region. Then came the wildfires, freak hailstorms, and now? A 4.1 earthquake that literally shook the house while I was reading on the couch. (Even the deer in my backyard looked confused—like, “Was that you?!”)
Add economic instability, political tension, and the general chaos of modern life, and it’s safe to say: our collective nervous systems are fried.
So let me say this as clearly as possible:
Self-care is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Not just pedicures and bubble baths (though yes, feel free to indulge in those too). I’m talking about the deeper stuff: regulating your nervous system, tending to your heart, creating rituals, and surrounding yourself with the right people.
You probably already have a few tools in your Self-Care Toolbox—but if it’s feeling a little rusty or outdated, maybe it’s time for an upgrade.
Here’s a peek at how I’ve been leveling up my own self-care practice lately. Maybe there’s something here you want to try too?
Old Toolbox vs. Upgraded Toolbox
- Drinks with friends → Hiking with friends (with snacks, of course).
- Zoning out to TV → Reading a good book and actually going to bed on time.
- Crystals scattered everywhere → Intentional crystal placement = vibe upgrade.
- Daily chocolate at home → Save sweets for special outings. Make it a treat again.
- Throw-on jewelry → Intentional adornment to reflect how I want to feel.
- Couch chats with friends → Walk-and-talks. Moving my body connects my heart.
- Mindless scrolling → Set a timer and sticking to it!
- Overscheduling social time → Solitude dates with myself = sacred.
- Hurrying from one thing to the next → Simple rituals to ease transitions like lighting a candle or pausing to take 3 deep breaths.
- Chocolate on repeat (yep, again) → Yogurt with berries and nuts. Still delicious. Way more nourishing.
These small swaps may not stop the next earthquake, but they can help you and me feel steadier when the ground starts to shake—literally or figuratively.
So go ahead: take time to audit your self-care toolbox. Clear out what’s not serving you. Polish up the practices that do. And remember, upgrading your self-care isn’t selfish—it’s how you stay grounded, resilient, and ready for whatever unexpected curveball life throws you next.