My journey towards self-care didn’t start with a single epiphany but a series of small, seemingly unrelated decisions that, over time, began to shape a healthier and more mindful lifestyle. Looking back, I now realize that one of my earliest acts of self-care began in 2009 when I decided to cut out soda from my diet. I switched to drinking mostly water and trained myself to enjoy unsweetened tea, along with my morning cup of coffee.

At the time, I didn’t recognize this as as a form of self-care; it just felt like a healthier choice. However, these small decisions were the first steps toward a more mindful approach to my health.

Fast forward to 2016, there was a single piece of advice going around on social media that took place at a Commencement Day speech in 2014. This simple piece of advice might be what started it all: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”, Admiral William H. McRaven.

I don’t know about you, but I was raised to make my bed every day. Did I always? no! And when you get out on your own, you intentionally (or sometimes unintentionally) rebel. That was me. I would go through spurts with following through each morning, but more often than not there were excuses. I lived by excuses. Plain and simple: I was lazy. But hearing that part of Admiral McRaven’s speech sparked something in me. I guess I needed to hear THAT advice at THAT time. You see, it’s a lesson in discipline, consistency, and the power of small actions. Starting your day with a small accomplishment sets the tone for everything that follows.

Around the same time, I read about the benefits of staying hydrated particularly first thing in the morning. I learned that our bodies are often dehydrated when we wake up, so I began drinking water before having my morning coffee. And soon after, I discovered that warm lemon water could aid digestion, so I adopted this as part of my morning routine.

Now, each morning, I start my day with 16 ounces of warm lemon water. This has become a cherished moment of self-care, where I spend quiet time with. myself, journaling, or simply enjoying the stillness before the rest of the house wakes up. I began to pay attention to my daily habits. Making my bed was a first step. It made me feel accomplished each morning. This simple daily habit led to others.

Eventually, I began to focus on my skincare. Until then, I barely took the time to cleanse and moisturize my face properly. My mom always told me to take care of my skin or I would see the affects of not doing so when I got older. Well, as usual, she was correct. I would go to bed with makeup on, telling myself I was too tired to remove it and it would all be ok anyway because I would take it off in the shower the next morning. But, I decided to to commit to a simple routine of cleansing and moisturizing every morning and every night. This small act of self care became a ritual. Now don’t get me wrong, these habits are not perfection, I still have my days just as we all do where life happens. Or circumstances are beyond our control. But above all, These habits are cemented in my daily routine and they are a part of me now.

Reflecting on these early steps, it’s clear that the foundation of my journey was built on small, consistent habits. From making my bed each morning to establishing a daily skincare routine, these actions may have seemed minor at the time, but now I know they were acts of dedication to myself that slowly transformed my mindset. And these baby steps set with consistency, discipline, and determination set the stage for larger changes that I didn’t yet know were coming.

Stay tuned for those…

With all my love,

Mindy