Minimize Burnout: This Is What Self-Care Looks Like For The xoNecole Staff

Ashleigh

As a Social Media Manager, you can just imagine how busy and chaotic my life can be. On any given day, either y'all President tweeted something ridiculous for the billionth time or Beyonce is breaking the internet and coming for everybody's wigs. Which is why taking time out for myself is critical; even though I feel like there's not enough hours in a day. Due to my hectic schedule, I've dedicated Sunday mornings to sort of unplug from the internet and truly enjoy me time.

I've started using Sundays to sleep in and get the rest that I need.

I make sure my phone alarms aren't set so that nothing is waking me up earlier that I want. This has reduced my stress levels so that I'm energized and I don't go into the new week still stressed out from the week before. Once I wake up, I take roughly 10 minutes to lay in silence and thank God for my blessings. I've found that this helps me get rid of any negative thoughts I've accumulated. Positive vibes only!

The last thing I do before kicking my Sunday off is log in to YouTube and listen to a church sermon, preferably by One LA. This is the highlight of my day because I can usually always relate to the message and it puts me in better spirits. I've recently re-started my spiritual journey and I've found that until I can find a church that I'm happy with; the word is still the word no matter how I receive it. My favorites lately have been from Toure Roberts. - Ashleigh Hardin-Jones, Social Media Manager

Gynai

When it comes to self-care for me, it'll sometimes be a moment, or it can end up being a whole day, depending on how my energy is.

The most important part of doing self-care for me is solitude. My phone goes on Do Not Disturb and Sage and Palo Santo gets lit so I can clear any and every bad vibe from my space. Then music is played, and that'll be my R&B Vibes playlist or my Good Vibes playlist, which is a combination of R&B and ratchetry, because who doesn't need a good ratchet song to make them feel good?

A very hot and steamy shower is brought into the self-care mix as well, which includes exfoliating everything, 'cause in that moment, I'm picturing me exfoliating my entire life. After moisturizing with my favorite body butter skin BUTTR. My favorite scent is the strawberry coco one. Omg. It will have you walking around smelling like an entire snack. I'll throw on an oversized hoodie, continue to play my music, and journal for a bit. - Gynai Kristol, Video Editor

Sheriden

I'm a creature of habit by nature, but typically my day to day involves a lot of pulling myself outside of my areas of comfort. It's necessary, it grows me, and also makes me stronger.

And to reward myself for that stretching, my self-care looks like practices that are routine and pour back into me.

One day out of the week, typically Sundays, I allow myself to wake up naturally (No 6:30 here, bih), I reflect through gratitude journaling, I do a mask, light a candle, read a book, wash my hair, dancing to music while I make a hearty meal. It's very much grounded in taking my time and doing things that make me feel good. Because I have more time on my self-care days, actions that get abbreviated throughout the week are extended and I can relax into each practice and not be concerned about the world. I am reminded that I am my world and I return home in that effort of oneness.

Some of the tools in my current self-care routine include The Seat of The Soul by Gary Zukav. Truly for-pleasure reading is hard to come by throughout the week due to the nature of my work so I savor the pages of whatever book I'm able to lose myself in. Peel & Glow 2 Step Mask by Soo'Ae has been blessing my melanin with an even brighter glow. And last but not least, Carol's Daughter green tea-infused Green Supreme Trio has been quenching my hair's thirst lately. It's all so simple, but effective. - Sheriden Chanel, Managing Editor

Taylor

My self-care consists of some hardcore mental, physical, and spiritual alignment.

I can't get out of bed without my own special combination of Starbucks French Roast and Butter Pecan International Coffee Creamer. You can get a month's worth for $10 from your local grocery store. About two years ago, I stumbled across an exercise called The Miracle Morning, which includes six essential steps, summarized by the acronym SAVERS: Silence, Affirmations, Visualizations, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing.

After my miracle morning routine, I use St. Ives Apricot exfoliating scrub and witch hazel to make me feel fresh, beautiful, and ready to conquer the day. To finish off my self-care practices, my cousin recently gave me a bundle of white sage that I burn to cleanse my space of any negative energy or thoughts. - Taylor Honore, Daily Writer

Fontaine

Self-love and self-care for me is something that is closely linked to my spirituality and divine femininity.

I've been forced to be strong and responsible for others all my life, so the thing that keeps me grounded when I'm hurting or feeling weak is expressing my vulnerability. I do this through dance, as I embrace my creativity and feminine power - especially when I'm going through some kind of setback, heartbreak, or rejection from a guy; I love to pretend like I'm Beyonce! It isn't always pretty, sometimes it's filled with pain, but it's through the release, that it It works like a charm!

I'm also a tarot and holistic healing girl, so nothing is more "self-caring" than connecting to your higher self for guidance. Doing tarot helps me get to the root of any blockages within myself, and helps me get clear on how to heal them and move on. In order to get in the zone, I use daily meditation and affirmation rituals to connect with my "big self," and spirit guides. Being able to tap into stillness requires you to control your energy and upper chakras. You don't reach this level of oneness without self-care first.

Finally, nothing gets my self-care more together than getting my nails and my toes done. Especially when I've waited too long, and them acrylics, and them toes especially, need some heavy duty work! Keeping up with my appearance is an extension of my divine femininity. Respecting myself enough to maintain my own beauty standards is my self-care too. - Fontaine Felisha Foxworth, Wellness & Horoscope Writer

Jame

My self-care routine is rooted in ensuring that I always center myself.

One of the biggest changes I made that has changed my life around entirely is waiting till after 10 A.M. to check social media and emails. I won't even open the apps. Instead, I use the beginning of my morning to set my intentions for the day, to speak positive affirmations over myself, to pray, and to be one with my own thoughts before jumping into a busy day.

While I do a lot of beauty regimes as part of my self-care, another huge one I love to do is cleaning my room on Sundays. Growing up, I was taught not to work on the Lord's day, but there's just something about getting everything together right before you go to bed and waking up the next day ready to start your week. And lastly, another huge component of my self-care routine involves sleep!

Entrepreneurs and creatives are pushed to live a "no sleep" life to achieve their dreams, but I realized as soon as I began honoring my body with how I needed to decompress before sleep, how many hours I needed, and when it was time to tune out the world, I saw a world of difference that has now become a non-negotiable in my life. - Jame Jackson, Fashion & Beauty Writer

Joce

For me, self-care is all about cherishing moments.

It's so easy to get overwhelmed by the duties and responsibilities of life. Whenever I can just pause to appreciate the important things in life, I relish in those moments.

For example, every Sunday, I buy myself flowers; they remind me of joy, strength, and resilience. I am a firm believer in doing things that make you happy. I love a good meal and a good trip so I try to treat myself as much as I can. Then, there are the moments I spend with my tribes. They keep me grounded and lord knows they keep me sane. My tribes have helped me appreciate nature more especially now that I am living in Colorado. I am truly amazed by God's work in nature.

I also find solace in supporting causes that warm my heart. Along those lines, I try to work on projects that are making the world a better place in a real, genuine way. Above all, my faith is my truest form of self-care. From my morning ritual of a mini praise and worship session to my church home, there's nothing like my relationship with God. He's the only constant in my life. - Joce Blake, Style & Human Interest Writer