“It’s up to us to establish healthy relationships with technology”- Darrel Kennedy, Content creator & Influencer
The months of staying home, staying safe and staying distant have altered day-to-day life in almost every way. Yet as we are adjusting to this new normal, it’s hard to envision what life would’ve been had the world not given us the time to slow down. Ahead we spoke to 5 women creatives to see just how quarantine has affected their routines, rituals, and daily relationship with self-care.
Darrel Kennedy @thedarrelkennedy
Darrel is a content creator and influencer using her voice to inspire others. She is dedicated to providing new approaches to media that transform digital content into a unifying tool to uplift and build her followers.
photo courtesy of Aspen Cierra @aspencierraphoto
What does your day-to-day self-care routine look like?
My personal routine has fluctuated depending on how I am feeling that day as well as what may be needed of me. As of recently, I've allowed myself to focus on the "why" and be very intentional about what I do during my me time. This time may require some necessary skincare, or an emergency deep conditioning depending on the state of my body. This time can also come up in the spur of the moment, requiring some interpersonal accountability on my end when engaging with someone I love. Though each day is like a different box of wonders, I do my best to maintain consistency during these times by ensuring that I experience these five things before the day is over.
First, I ensure I am consuming enough water. Access to water is such a privilege and blessing that anyone who has it should fully appreciate it. Another priority of mine is getting my heart rate up at least once in the day, an activity that is not limited to "working out". I'm the kind of person who feels limited when approaching my physical health as a drill that must be completed. I was in my best shape as a kid, and have taken a more child-like approach to fitness, seeking new ways to get my heart rate up and pump myself with natural energy.
Vitamins have also been a huge part of my self-care routine. In fact, my little pill organizer is how I keep track of the days of the week these days. Similar to working out, I've gotten creative and found more ways to make cooking at home fun. It has become a crucial part of my self-care consistency. Lastly, I do my best to read whenever I can. Yes, audiobooks do count. Reading keeps my mind sharp and allows me a fresh perspective when I am feeling hopeless or lost.
How has your practice changed since being in quarantine?
Typically, in the "real world" my hectic schedule between two jobs and being a fulltime student had no room for self-reflection. Slowing things down in my regular life oftentimes resulted in a nap, simply because sleeping was the only time my body was accustomed to a pace of the sort. The stillness and solitude that comes with quarantine have really allowed me the space to reflect on non-material areas of growth in my life. This entire shift in routine has supported a home environment focused on accountability.
Looking back on how the past few months have been spent, I would be lying if I said I've been the "best" version of myself. In fact, I've learned that the "best" version of myself isn't a one-dimensional being with a completed checklist of productivity. But rather, a version that prioritizes me and doesn't feel guilty about it. In response to this realization of a deeply rooted fear of selfishness, I realized how neglecting to establish a care routine had more of a negative impact on the things I loved than whatever I was fearing to begin with.
Being an influencer/content creator, what is your relationship with self-care like?
Self-care is a huge part of mindful media consumption. Often times we turn to screens to distract ourselves from larger issues in our lives or fill voids we may be otherwise ignoring. When we learn how to use big tech to our benefit, we minimize points of stress in our lives and create more opportunity for ourselves to actually be present. It’s up to us to establish healthy relationships with the technology we rely on day in and day out, as it has become an extension of our daily lives.
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