Self-Love Saturdays | 20 Ways to Love on Yourself This Weekend

Some Saturdays are more eventful than others. Some Saturdays are filled with loads of fun and social activity to stimulate us on all levels. These Saturdays fuel us, filling our proverbial cups with the warmth, love, comradery, and excitement we need to sustain us. Then there are other Saturdays. The Saturdays in which we'd rather be left to our own devices. The week has drained us and we find ourselves depleted mentally, emotionally, physically, and maybe even spiritually. Maybe that Saturday feels like today for you.

Perhaps this week has been a rough one for you. Disappointment has hit you like a ton of bricks one too many times. Almost feels like the last blow made all the hurt flow in, nearly drowning you emotionally. It is times like these when we have to dial up our self-care so that we are able to love on ourselves a little more.

What is self-care?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, self-care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health. The keyword here is "practice," meaning it's something we must continuously and consistently do for our overall health. That includes mentally, spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally. 

But what is self-love, then? 

Self-love is a positive regard for yourself and a way to treat yourself with the same kindness and empathy you would show someone close to you. In short, it's the positive attitude towards self you must embody in order to practice self-care in the best way.

This is why self-care and self-love go hand in hand.

So how do we apply these things realistically?

While I try to make a habit to practice a bit of self-love each week, I sometimes forget. Life gets in the way. Deadlines take precedence. Items on the social calendar become obligations. And more often than I'd like to admit, and I'm sure others can agree, I forget to add myself to my to-do list. 

So, if you've found yourself at the bottom of your to-do list more times than you'd like lately, this post is for you. It's easy to experience burnout before we realize we haven't been pouring into ourselves. But all is not lost. If you're looking for ways to practice self-care today or this weekend (and beyond), look no further.

Below is a list of 20 practical ways one can show themselves a bit of love and appreciation.

Recommended Reading | Da Baddest by Katrina Taylor

As a huge fan of Trina, diving head first into Trina's memoir, Da Baddest, was a non-negotiable. I've loved Trina since I heard her rap that feature on Trick Daddy's Nann in 1998, much to my mother's chagrin. In my early teens, I admired Trina's beauty, confidence, assertiveness, and style. And while I usually had to sneak to listen to so much of her music at the time, Trina left an indelible mark on my friends and I (Silver Dollars, Dime Status Dames, y'all remember?). And over the years, my love for the Diamond Princess has only grown in admiration. 

Recommended Reading | The Chronicles of DOOM by S. H. Fernando

 "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."  -Albert Camus

The Chronicles of DOOM is one of the most well-written bios I've ever read. It has easily become a favorite rap biography for me. The author handles the man, the myth, and the legend that is MF DOOM with such admirable care & consideration.

Well-researched, The Chronicles of DOOM gives readers a course study in MF DOOM, complete with insider info from all who came to witness his musical genius. S.H. "Shiz" Fernando meticulously walks us through each project and collaboration of our time's most elusive rapper with such great detail. He shares his influences and inspirations, as well as his quirks and habits. While many of us fans know MF DOOM by his villain-like rap persona, The Chronicles of DOOM humanizes him in such a beautiful and absolute way.

For fans of MF DOOM and fans of the rap genre in general-- The Chronicles of DOOM is a must-read. Please add it to your reading list if you haven't already. Pull out your DOOM albums, queue up your playlists, and enjoy the ride that is this amazing book. It hit shelves this past Tuesday and is now available everywhere books are sold!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Many thanks to Astra House, Netgalley, and the author for my digital + physical copies of The Chronicles of DOOM. Through you all, I was able to get an early glimpse of this GEM that further immortalizes one of my favorite rappers of all time. You are most appreciated 📚❤

WILL YOU BE ADDING THE CHRONICLES OF DOOM 

TO YOUR READING LIST?

15 Things I'm Looking Forward To This Fall

FALL IS FINALLY HERE! Are you as excited about the changing seasons as I am? While it hasn't completely cooled off here in North Carolina, remnants of summer are slowly slipping away. Leaves are falling from the trees and nature is beginning to show off her most cool and rustic hues. 

Seeing nature transform right under my feet reminds me of the things I love the most about fall--sweater weather, festivals, family gatherings, and all the cozy hobbies I enjoy at my leisure.  It is the one season I enjoy spending time in the cool outdoor temps and indoors wrapped up because of the cool temps. I can show up for the world around me by day and cozy up in my favorite blanket with my warm beverages and get lost in a good read by night. Honestly, what's not to love about the fall season? 

While updating upcoming posts about beauty, fashion, reading, music and upcoming events, I thought it would be cool to once again share a list of the things I'm most looking forward to this season. Read after the jump to check out the 15 things I'm most hype about.

Recommended Reading | All The Black Girls Are Activists by EbonyJanice Moore

 All The Black Girls Are Activists by EbonyJanice Moore is a MUST-READ! This book is necessary for black women looking to make change in today's social and political climate. We are not our grandmothers or even our mothers, but we are equipped with their tools and a new wave of feminism. Often, when we discuss creating change we look to the older generations for answers and leadership. This book reminds me that there are women my age out here in the trenches making waves NOW. When we speak of activism, today's journalists, with the likes of EbonyJanice, should be mentioned loudly!

Night Drive | A Mixtape

When is the last time you took a night drive with no destination in sight? Did you do so to clear your head? To relieve stress? Or just to get away from your current location or current state of mind?

No matter your reason for venturing away for a spell, adding music to the mix always enhances the experience of late-night driving without aim. It can be a form of distraction when you need to clear your mind. It can also be mood-altering if you're looking for a pick-me-up. Perhaps you're like me and the melodic tunes illuminate the settings all around you while traveling. In this case, curating the right songs can make the ride seem magical. Others can stimulate your senses in a way to keep you up and alert, anticipating your next stop. And some songs make you think of your special someone, especially if your night drive could eventually lead you to that person.

What would your night drive list sound like? The key to creating this particular playlist would be choosing songs that match your mood and your destination. If driving to clear your mind, you might want to create an experience that is the opposite of the stressful situations you are driving away from.

For the smooth tunes + r&b lovers like myself, here's the last night drive playlist I created a while back. I hope you enjoy!

QUEUE THE "Night Drive" PLAYLIST:  This is for those late nights when you wanna vibe while riding out for a few with no particular place to go.  Click the image above to open the playlist up in a new window.

   

Loving these Spotify playlists? Let me know in the comments if you want more here on the blog. And be sure to give me a follow if you're on Spotify, too. I love making mixtapes and sharing music with my good boos over there.

ARE YOU AN R&B MUSIC FAN?

WHAT'S ON YOUR "NIGHT DRIVE" PLAYLIST?