During any time of anticipated recovery – I love the aids that allow me to cope, and that keep me grounded through the healing process. It’s empowering to remember and to know feeling safe and comfortable through rough transitions or hard changes are possible and within reach.
Rituals in my daily routines through postpartum that have been keeping my senses engaged are:
Chill mixtapes. I have a baby that loves to dance and have house parties with me. But opposite of their lively side, I’ve been going deeper into what specific things Polaris is really into while drifting off. So far, a variety of ambient, jazz and folk with origins from all over the world. I do feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to strengthen our relationship, and bond by sharing artists and musicians that have carried me through. I am very proud and open to admitting that sharing mixed tapes is definitely a love language.
The Gentle RPG (Roleplay Game) Animal Crossing New Horizons.
While the baby is asleep and I have the ability, terraforming, getting to meet new neighbors, and meeting in game foraging or neighbor support goals on my island have been relaxing and extremely fulfilling. I’m hooked on the soft and sweet graphics and infinitely stimulated by the range of customization you can have with everything about your character, home and island. Recently I’ve accomplished building my Record Shop where I have made a custom record crate graphic, rotate out albums at the vendor stalls and D.J. K.K. Slider songs on my turntables.
Soothing Showers with a moisturizing scrub. Some days you cannot estimate how long you’ll have to wash up. Other days, regardless of what kind of time you have, it can be about the energy you have to do so.
One similar issue I came across in bouts of depression with postpartum is being able to have energy to moisturize after showering. So I made a moisturizing salt scrub to be applied directly after showering or bathing. It’s infused shea butter, beeswax, ginger and orange infused olive oil with sweet orange and bergamot essential oil. It’s given a lot of ease to me for freshening up, leaves my skin feeling polished and smelling of citrus.
Round the block adventures. Unless it’s considered dangerous, I go out for at least / minimum 10 minutes a day with the baby. This is typically separate from when I’m walking the dog, and it’s our own little excursion. I like allowing us both the chance to get fresh air, greet neighbors, talk to them about the details of what I see around us and the weather conditions.
On a slow pedestrian day, I will do a thrift store browsing trip with them. I will always try to look for all kinds of Children’s literature books and cute vintage 90’s outfits for Polaris. One of my favorite clothing articles I’ve found with them is this cute colorblock Gymboree onesie that’s extremely similar to what my parents put me in when I was their age.
Lamb’s Ear 