
Nina Thistlethwaite
The practice of meeting myself every day, even just for a moment. It doesn’t have to take long — sometimes it’s just 5-10 minutes to breathe consciously, meditate, be still, contemplate, give thanks, and jot down a few words in my journal. This simple practice truly changes the entire trajectory of my day.
There are times when I resist it, convincing myself there’s something else I “should” be doing instead. But after all these years of daily practice, I’ve never once regretted taking that time for myself. When I make space for this, everything that follows feels easier. I am more grounded, and I approach whatever comes my way with a clearer, calmer mindset.
Over time, I’ve learned to prioritize my wellbeing — because I know that everything feels better when I first take a moment to check in with myself and acknowledge how I’m feeling.
This month, see if you can make a promise to yourself to carve out a small moment each day to be quiet and bring your awareness inward. And if you don’t know where to start, reach out to a teacher to guide you. It’s truly the greatest act of self-love.
Sara Benitez
My self-care practices change slightly with the seasons. For me, Winter is about going slow and having more space for rest, having a gentle movement practice (Yin Yoga is my favourite, especially this time of year!), getting more sleep, booking a massage when I can, and using warming herbs & spices like cardemon, ginger, cinnamon, clove and cayenne.
Other things I enjoy doing throughout the year, as an act of love to myself, are using Ayurvedic oils on my hair/scalp before bed (about once a week) and giving myself a short head massage, and also mindfully massaging oils into my womb (especially during menstruation). One of my absolute favourite, daily self-care rituals, is having slow mornings with ceremonial cacao and a long meditation.
Self-care for me isn’t something “extra” or something that needs to be earned, it’s just a necessary part of my day-to-day life; to make sure that I feel cared for, because from that nurtured space is where I’m able to give to others more wholeheartedly.
Mayra Ganzinotti
One of the most powerful self-love practices I embrace is simply asking myself a few simple questions and truly listening, to my body, my mind, and my spirit. The action of deep listening, taking a moment of pause for me is the first step to mindfulness, a way of tuning in to what I need in the present moment.
Another practice I really enjoy is creating space on the floor, lying down, and allowing my body to stretch and move intuitively. Sometimes, I play soft music if it feels right. In days I don’t want to move I simply focus on the motions of my breath. I find this deeply calming, nurturing and helps me to shift stagnant energy.
Playing my Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls for myself intuitively and maybe singing with them, exploring different sounds and meditating with them.
A warm bath with Epsom salts, essential oils, and a candle or incense is another ritual I love doing, I find water very grounding. I love the grounding and heart based scents of Myrrh, Vetiver, and Rose, it supports me in decompressing and finding space.
Spending time in nature, taking a slow walk, breathing in the fresh air, and feeling the earth beneath my feet, exploring flowers, always brings me joy and back to centre.
Another strange one is allowing time to go through or getting lost in a bookshop or crystal shop and exploring books and crystals that perhaps I never noticed or haven’t seen before.
Each of these practices reminds me to slow down, be present, and care for myself with kindness.
Jess Francis
I dedicate at least one evening a week to a self-massage ritual, using sweet almond oil to massage my shoulders, neck and chest. I love massaging my womb and belly with castor oil and leaving the oil on for an hour whilst watching a movie.
On occasion, I soak my feet in warm-hot water infused with rosemary. After soaking, I coat my feet with an oil and give them a soothing massage, to stimulate the reflexology points.
Every couple of weeks I book myself into a class at Seven Lion Yard to fill my cup and feel nourished.
Sarah Weatherby
To me, self-care is dropping in to and connecting with my body, tuning in to the sensations within. It’s a moment of pause – closing my eyes, taking a slow, full breath and asking myself what I truly need in that given moment. It’s not a luxury nor should it feel complicated.
One practice I integrate into my daily routine is breathwork and pranayama, which brings me back to the present moment and grounds me. Starting the day with something small for myself feels like an act of self-compassion, providing a reset that allows me to show up more fully for myself and others. When I am feeling overwhelmed, two of my favourite breathwork techniques I incorporate are Humming Bee breath (or Brahmari Pranayama) and Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodana), which balance my energy and cultivate a sense of calm by stimulating my parasympathetic nervous system.
This type of self-care helps me release unwanted tension, slow down and approach my day with clarity and intention, enabling me to respond to life instead of reacting.
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