One Thing I Highly Recommend Doing That's Helped Me Through The Last Few Days Is Creating A "self-care

one thing I highly recommend doing that's helped me through the last few days is creating a "self-care menu." the idea is to create a ready-to-go list of things that brighten your spirits or occupy your mind. on bad days, when you can't remember the things that cheer you up or can't muster the energy to make a decision, it's invaluable.

i've got mine divided into three sections: appetizers, entrees, and takeout. appetizers are small things that cheer me up quick (petting my cats, making my favorite tea, playing a favorite song). entrees are activities that take a little longer (rereading a favorite fanfic, tending to my stardew valley farm, taking a bath). takeout is things that get me OUT of the house (going for a walk, going to a coffee shop, getting a bouquet from the grocery store).

sometimes when i'm so drained of energy and joy that it's paralyzing, i pick an item off the appetizers list, then that gives me the energy to think and choose one of the entrees as well. sometimes i close my eyes and point to something at random and do that. sometimes just reading the list reminds me of all the small things that make me happy.