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Self Care Sunday- Positive thinking and safeguarding your mental health
Don’t let anyone or anything to dull your sparkle.”
― Pradeepa Pandiyan
Self care can be more than taking care of your skin or your body. It also can be about taking care of your mental health and wellbeing. Today I want to talk about following your own path and not letting negativity affect you and bring you down. I had a lesson in that today when I was told that a number of people still talk about me behind my back a lot. (Also, the fact that a few people still think I am transgender for some reason.)
My initial reaction is to wonder what I’m doing wrong and what about how I present myself makes people question me. I want to add that I don’t think there is anything wrong with being transgender or that being called that is negative or a slur in some way. It’s just puzzling because I was assigned female at birth and have presented that way my whole life. I start wanting to second guess things and throw out possibilities like the way I dress (more feminine than most women I see), or the fact that I have short hair, short nails, and small breasts.
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It’s frustrating because one person could be chalked up to some bias or quirk of perception. Multiple people thinking it makes me wonder if it could be something about me. I try to keep in mind that it is about them and that there is nothing wrong with me. God doesn’t make garbage. I am me and I should celebrate that. It’s hard to silence the voice of doubt but I do it. I remind myself that those people really don’t matter. I am unique. I am special. I am living according to my values and trying to make the world a better place. I am me and I am enough. (That doesn’t mean I still don’t wonder and want to ask people why they think what they do.)
It also helps to pamper myself a bit. Listen to some favorite music. Watch a show I like. Watch cat and dog videos on YouTube or TikTok. Go for a walk. Try a new lip color or nail polish.
One of the ways I took care of myself today was to try a new spring nail color. I usually stick with my tried and true favorites like red, black, wine, etc. Sometimes though it’s nice to take a break from the tried and true and wear something new.
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This is Lagune from the new Chanel spring 2024 makeup collection. (The highlighter in the picture is also from that collection.) I like how pearly the blue looks and how the sparkles show up in the sunlight. I also like how this blue matches a number of dresses and tops I have.
Finally, here are a few songs I like when I need something to pump me up and improve my mood:
I am what I am from “La Cage aux Folles”- I particularly like John Barrowman’s version.
This is me from “The Greatest Show”
I want to be around by Tony Bennett- This is more of a breakup song but I feel it fits when. You’re annoyed at people too.
I will survive by Gloria Gaynor
invincible by Pat Benatar
Stronger by Kelly Clarkson (I also like Kanye West’s version)
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