When is the last time you practiced self care? It could have been going for a run, getting your nails done, putting on makeup or even getting a full night’s sleep. Chances are you haven’t done any of these things in a while because life has distracted you. As young adults we are expected to balance working, socializing, sleeping, exercising, relaxing and anything else you can possibly think of. For many of us that is hard because life gets in the way and we tend to put the needs of others before our own. While you might think that you are being nice, the reality is that you are sacrificing your own mental and physical health.
You should be your number one priority and it is up to you to practice self care regimens that are going to make you feel empowered. Netflix’s “Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness is constantly preaching about the importance of self care. I decided to gather some of his most inspiring quotes about self care because it is important for all of us and sometimes we just need a little push to get started.
If you are constantly struggling with putting your own needs first, talking to a therapist may be helpful because they can help you put into perspective the importance of self care in a way that family and friends cannot.
1. “To me, self-care isn’t really shallow. Showing up for yourself, putting on a little moisturizer, can inspire so many different parts of your life.”
On “Queer Eye,” Jonathan is known for his grooming skills and his ability to transform people from the inside out. Jonathan practices self care by engaging in daily grooming and hygiene activities. Brushing your hair, putting on some makeup, using beard oil and rubbing moisturizer on your hands are just a few of the ways Jonathan has encouraged people to practice self care on a daily basis. The action doesn’t have to be large, but it is a small act of kindness towards yourself that can change how you feel for the rest of the day!
2. “How you take care of yourself is how the world sees you.”
This is a phrase that I think about when I don’t have the motivation to get ready in the morning. While looks aren’t the most important thing in the world, they do make a big difference in how people perceive you. If you take the time to take care of yourself whether it be going for a hair blowout or a night out with friends, people around you will notice a difference. You will have a different glow after doing something nice for yourself. Sometimes it is hard to even get up out of bed when you are depressed, but doing one thing at a time is the key.
3. “Self-care is the non-negotiable.
That’s the thing that you have to do. And beauty is the thing that can be the benefit of the self-care. Beauty is not the point. Beauty is just a cute side-effect from self-care.”
Self care has almost turned into this buzz word that people use to describe any type of enjoyment on social media. Self care runs deeper than going out for drinks, but instead it means to be kind to yourself. The days that I practice more self care whether it be wearing a dress or putting on makeup, I do feel more beautiful. I don’t practice self care to be beautiful, but in order to feel happy with myself on both the inside and outside.
4. “You have to create little pockets of joy in your life to take care of yourself.”
This is something that I find difficult to achieve when daily life takes up most of my time. Sometimes if I am late for work, I will skip breakfast just to make sure I clock in on time or I will work all day long in order to please those around me. As Jonathan said, it is important to create little pockets of joy throughout your days whether it is listening to your favorite Broadway soundtrack on the way to work or treating yourself to a new lipstick shade.
5. “I want to show straight men and gay men alike that self care and grooming isn’t mutually exclusive with, like, femininity or masculinity.”
One of the most common misconceptions with self care is that it is feminine and will diminish a man’s masculinity. That is not the case, I think it makes you even more masculine to realize that you are a priority and to treat yourself as such. Taking care of yourself doesn’t have a gender because everyone needs to feel good in their own skin.
Tell us how you practice self care by tagging us on Instagram @Faviana and Twitter @FavianaNY.
Xo,
Faviana Team
