How to Make the Most of Your Free Friday: Self-Care Ideas and Activities

A few years ago, I came up with this concept of "Free Fridays." Free Friday's started as a way to celebrate making it through another week, to pour into yourself after a week of work or school, and to spread some joy.

I have been doing a lot of reflection, and I am always reminded of what Nina Simone said about what freedom means to her. She said that it meant no fear. One of my top 20 movies is Akeelah and the Bee, and this scene has always resonated with me and my mommy, who often recite the poem, "Our Deepest Fear" by Marianne Williamson, and it just gets to the core of what we all struggle with... a fear, a doubt that we just may be as great as we truly believe we are. I am guilty of often shrinking myself to fit in or to make other people comfortable, whether it's toning down my outfits, or biting my tongue in conversations, this Black girl with A Lot to Say struggles with speaking up for herself, especially in her interpersonal and close relationships.

Over the years, I have lost and damaged so many relationships because of my inability to be an effective communicator. Things as simple as verbally expressing how something made me feel or speaking up when I am uncomfortable is hard for me. I am often thinking about how people will see and think of me or prioritizing someone else's comfort over my own. Now, I am taking a page out of my own book, literally, and choosing myself. Being free requires me to do my own self-work and by doing so, I intentionally set Friday's as the day to choose and prioritize freedom. As Toni Morrison so eloquently put it, "If you want to fly, you gotta give up the shit that weighs you down." Here are a few of my go-to self-care ideas and activities.

Here are some Self-Care Ideas and Activities to make the most of your #FreeFriday:

1. Enjoy some fresh air

2. Eat a good meal

3. Schedule time for rest (nap, lounging, reading, etc.)

4. Listen to a playlist of your favorite songs

5. Move your body (dance, workout, stretch)

6. Spend some time in your community (service, events, etc.)

7. Get crafty (painting, crocheting, organizing, etc.)

8. Unplug for an hour (minimum)

9. Make a list of things that bring you joy

10. Speak positively to yourself, recite and write down some of the affirmations in my book.

Let me know in the comments, how are you getting free today?

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Happy #FreeFriday,