<![CDATA[RESILIENTISTA - BLOG]]>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 23:42:08 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[RESILIENTISTA 48 HOUR JUMP START SELF CARE PLAN:]]>Sun, 26 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.resilientista.com/blog/resilientista-48-hour-jump-start-self-care-plan
Picture
O​ver the years when I've been at the bottom of my priority list or not on it all (because life happens), I have found that taking a weekend for myself to de-stress and refocus on me is the perfect jump start to getting back on my self care daily practice, especially after a stressful time. Of course you don't have to do it just on the weekend - if two days during the week work best for you, that works too!
“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel “burnout” setting in, if you feel  demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is  to have a long-term perspective.” ~ Dalai Lama
Block off 2 days in your planner for YOU time. Yes all 48 hours - just for you!!
​
Take this time to relax, recharge your mind, body and soul. 
​
1. A few days prior:
Make a plan for how and where (ideally in your home - but see below for some options) you will spend your 48 hours of de-stressing and focusing on you.

Suggestions: eating whole foods, meditation, journaling, stretching and/or yoga, drinking lots of water, napping, reading, colouring, listening to calming music, knitting, baking, DIY spa teatments.

1. Ensure you have all the things you will need for your plan - so there will be no need to leave your home. Let your friends/family know that you will be on "self care vacation" and will get back to them afterwards. - Yes! this time is to be with YOU!!!

2. The day before:
Book yourself a massage as close to the end of the day as possible. Once you are home unplug from social media,- no internet, no phones. An hour or two prior to your bedtime, turn off the television - light some candles, pour yourself a warm beverage and curl up with a book, or indulge your inner child with colouring, or perhaps a long soothing bath (my fav). Whatever you decide make sure it's not over stimulating and is calming.

3. Enjoy your 48 hours of de-stressing and refocusing on YOU!! 
Allow yourself to wake up naturally (no alarm clock). Stretch before getting out of bed, start your day with a glass of warm lemon water. Shower or not ... but change out of your pjs - whether into another pj or lounging wear AND make your bed. Do your morning skincare BUT do not apply any make up - give your face a chance to breath. Ease into your day according to your relaxation plan.​

​​Sometimes, when you have others living with you, it can be challenging to block off 48 hours without disruption.
But, if you are creative it can be done. Some gals have arranged sleepovers for their little ones, with family or friends; and spouses have had a weekend with their friends. For some spending their 48 hours at a hotel has been a solution. Whether you need to do your 48 hours at a hotel or chose to - below are a couple of options:
​
The Splurge: Spending your 48 hours at a hotel in your city ... taking advantage of room service, book spa amenities and treatments. All you have to plan is to show up with a couple of pjs, and lounging wear and whatever you plan to do between spa treatments, using spa amenities and the hotel gym. Often after the holidays and during slow travel months many hotels offer reduce rates and specials on their spa services, so be sure to shop around. And check out apps like Groupon.

The Splurge on a budget: (perfect solution if you have others who live in your home and it's less chaos if you go to a hotel) You can enjoy a hotel stay without breaking the bank ... bring the items you will need to create a DIY spa experience (same as you would for at home experience) in your hotel bathroom; bring your yoga mat; and other items that will help transform your hotel room into your personal relaxation oasis.

A 48 hour jump start is just the beginning, practicing self care on the daily will help keep you feeling your best throughout the year - and better equipped to deal with stressful situations. Below are some ideas you can easily incorporate into your day and create your own self care rituals:
  • Weekly meal planning.
  • Start you day with warm lemon water.
  • Meditate/pray , morning and/or evening.
  • Spend an hour or two before bed doing quiet  things,  reading, enjoying a bath.
  • Unplug from technology an hour prior going to bed.
  • Listen to relaxing calming music in the evening.
  • Get at least 7-9 hours sleep, this is the recommended amount according to the experts.
]]><![CDATA[life direction recalculating]]>Fri, 22 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.resilientista.com/blog/life-direction-recalculating
Picture
When you are driving along, and the GPS begins to say "Recalculating" it's often because you have taken a different path than originally mapped or perhaps an unexpected event(s) occurred ahead - and the GPS is directing you towards a more efficient route to reach your destination. The Universe is like GPS for life ... if we are straying from where we are suppose to be, events will occur to help steer us back. Unfortunately these events may not always happen in the form of a joyous occasion, most often they are gut wrenching, WTF kinda of events.
Your first reaction, may be to want to stay on the path you know, even if you sense it could be chaos, overwhelming or dangerous to your well being (emotional, mental and/or physical health). A long time ago I recall someone saying to me ... "when something happens to us, it is good to wait at least 48 hours - this way you will be acting on what has happened instead of reacting." After all what happened will not change, but how you see it and respond to it may". I recently found myself practicing this advice, and I have to say my initial response, and how I now view a recent life changing event has changed drastically from my initial ego and fear driven thoughts. 

I'm not going to sugar coat it lovelies, it is not easy choosing to take action vs reacting, and in all honesty when my heart was pulled out and stomped on like it never had in all my 50 years; not allowing ego and fear to take over was like trying to give a bath to a cat -who hates water!  The days, and weeks that followed became filled with more questions than answers. "This" became one of those moments where I realized nothing would ever be the same. I think actively practicing regular self care and love has given me the wisdom and sound foundation to examine "this" with a clarity that may not have otherwise existed; and I also knew that I was not going to let "this" destroy me. ​​​

5 Tips to Adjust to "This": 
​1. Take TIME: When you are feeling betrayed or hurt, it is instinct to reach out to people who care about us - but in the next few hours, days - try to allow yourself time to process what has become your "new reality". While well intended, friends and loved ones will go into protective mode of  you - and you can easily take on their thoughts on the
 situation. Give yourself time to figure out how YOU really are feeling about the situation.

2. TALK to someone: If you are needing to talk - reach out to a psychologist, or other professional who can remain objective and help you through the initial processing of what has occurred. I am a firm believer that we should all have a psychologist on retainer and on speed dial.

3. Be SELECTIVE: When you are hurting, your need to feel loved, protected and connected can leave you vulnerable to blurting out your personal life to anyone who will listen. Seriously, the sales lady does not need to know your business. Limit your discussion to a handful of friends/loved ones - this is what your besties (see below) are for. 

4. KNOW your besties: While your besties have your back ... in the days following the avalanche of your life - you will have days when you need the bestie, who will snap you into reality - no sugar coating tough love; other days you need the one who will hold your hand and draw on her experiences to help you process; and yet other days the one who just listens without interruption, judgement or I told you so. Of course they will all be ready with bubbly, a cup of tea, chocolate and ice cream - because you have the best BESTIES!!

5. Allow yourself time to GRIEVE: No matter what "this" was whether it was for the best or whether it really doesn't make sense, it's important to grieve the loss of what once was your life. Ensure you take off the rose coloured & bitter glasses, reflect on the good, the bad, the ugly, and the WTFs. But don't linger too long .... accept what has happened and start looking forward.
​Bonus Tip: 

FORGIVENESS - what has happened cannot be changed, life will never be the same, you will never be the same, BUT ... when you forgive (be it yourself or another) you release the hold the past has on you ... and when this happens, the magic of new beginnings emerge ... and oh what a beautiful life you have ahead of you!! ( you just may not know it or be able to see it yet).

Lovelies remember, when the life you ordered has been discontinued - look at it as an opportunity to recalculate and set a new course for you and your life.

* original image credit: Google Images
**this article originally appeared on the blog  High Heeled Life August 2017
]]><![CDATA[7 Ways To Celebrate You this Valentine's Day]]>Tue, 23 Jan 2024 16:50:44 GMThttps://www.resilientista.com/blog/7-ways-to-celebrate-you-this-valentines-day
​Valentine's day is about showing the person in your life how special they are to you. Well, lovelies you are the person in your life and you should be showing yourself just how special you are to YOU!

1. Watch A Movie
Take yourself on date to a film you have been wanting to see. Not ready to go to a movie theatre solo (yet) ... plan a date in with yourself and Netflix:
Some Resilientista favourite movie picks: 
​- Girls Trip
- Eat Pray Love
- Under The Tuscan Sun
- Sex and The City binge (maybe one of my fav things to do)
The Longest Relationship you will ever have is with yourself.

Make it AMAZING!
​
​2. Flowers
Yes, you can buy yourself flowers ! (thank you Miley - for the reminder). Splurge on a luxurious bouquet  from a florist (you are worth it!). On a budget - pick up some flowers from your local grocery store or neighbourhood flower market.
​One of my favourite flower markets are the floral shops on Avenue Road at Davenport, I've spent as little as $7.99 for a few stems , and $39.99 for a lovely bouquet that lasts up two weeks. Tell the florist it's a gift for a very special person - and they will wrap it up nicely. 

3. Go for a Stroll - explore a new neighbourhood
There are many areas of the city that are perfect for walking around - Yorkville, Distillery District , The Brick Works, Queen West or go for a walk along the waterfront to list a few. Walking not only is good for your physical health it helps clear your mind. And is also a great way to practice being in the moment as you take in the sights, sounds, smells around you.

4. Gift Yourself
Yes! after all if you were in a relationship with someone else you would be spending money on a gift for them. So TREAT yourself to something you have been putting off buying, or doing. It could be an outfit; an accessory; dinner at restaurant you have been wanting to try; something for your home.

5. Self Maintenance
Book the hair, nail appointment you have  been putting off;  before you know it there will be an unexpected warm day and you will want to break out the open toe shoes - make sure your toes are ready. Some other Self Maintenance reminders;
- massage
- dental cleaning
- chiropractor
- work on your self care planner
- update your inspiration board - note action steps to take to achieve a specific goal
​
6. Bubble Bath 
If you have been a follower of Resilientista you know a Bubble Bath is our favourite way to practice self care. Play your favourite music, pour your self some bubbly (sparkly water counts as bubbly); and enjoy some time with yourself. 
​
7. Enjoy a Meal on Your Own
Taking yourself out for a meal to your favourite restaurant or a new one you have been wanting to try, is a great way to practice both self care and self love, but if you are not ready to go solo to a restaurant here are some suggestions:
- make that new recipe you have been wanting to try
- cook yourself your favourite dish
- order in or pick up some ready made options from your local market ; BUT don't just eat out of the containers PLATE IT! use the good plates , cutlery, linen napkins - light candles play some soft music. 
BONUS TIP on how to celebrate you - pick 2 or more items from the list above and make your day extra special.
And remember when someone asks "how did you spend Valentine's - respond:  "with the most amazing person I know" ... smile, wink and walk away ... ​
]]>