Munch Notes/Agenda - Selfcare – Covid style - 26th November 2020

[PixieDust]

Munch Notes/Agenda –  Selfcare – Covid style – 26th November 2020

Host: @Shenna

Contributors @PixieDust @lil-monster @Shenna

 

Welcome one and all, as this is Self-care month, we thought what better way to celebrate than having a whole Munch on the topic.  Given that many of us are still in lockdown we thought we would tackle selfcare in times of covid.

 

1.     Given this is a second lockdown for many, how are you feeling?

 

2.     Have you taken on any new self-care rituals during lockdown that you hadn’t done previously? Will you continue these in a “life after covid”?

 

• Take up yoga or Tai Chi
• Started up running
• Walking more
• Walking the dog more
• Created a homemade gym, exercising more
• More home cooking
• Reading more
• Writing more perhaps taken up writing in a journal
• Pamper sessions – facials, nails, makeup, soak in the tub
• Listening to more music
• Restoration – house, car, bike – something that you could lose yourself in

 

3.     For many out there, this has been a time of being on their own, how are you coping with being alone? Do you feel lonely? How are you replacing that lonely feeling or that need for human touch?

 

• Replacing touch with conversation
• Cuddling a toy, a piece of clothing – something that brings you comfort
• Connecting via phone calls or video calls as an alternative
• Listening to music
• Reaching out and making new friends online
• Did you purchase a pet as a companion? Or did you seek more company with the pets that you already had?

 

4.     If you are an essential worker, how are you looking after your selfcare needs?

 

• Are you making sure you getting rest?
• Are you taking time for you?
• Are you eating properly?

 

5.     Have you picked up any bad habits during covid that has taken away from your selfcare?

 

• Not going to bed
• Drinking more
• Smoking more
• Eating poorly, living on takeaway
• Not doing housework chores
• Generally, more lazy
• Avoiding reality

 

6.     Have you spent more time on Fetish.com as a way of selfcare?

 

7.     How has your physical health been during lockdown? Are you being kind to yourself?

 

• Have you lost weight or has your weight ballooned?
• Have you made sure you have kept your nutrition in check?
• Have you supplemented with vitamins to improve your health?
• Are you making sure you are getting a good night’s sleep?
• Are you keeping hydrated and keeping your water intake regular?
• Are you making sure you are exercising?

 

8.     Physical health is very important but equally mental health is just as important, how is your mental health? Have you become stronger or are you really struggling? 

 

• For example, emotionally – are you crying more and laughing less
• Stress/Anxiety – are you more stressed and anxious
• Have you reached out to others to help with your emotions and the stress?
• Have you considered seeking professional assistance by way of consulting someone who deals in mental health issues such as a Psychologist?
• Or is covid helping your mental health by giving you a break from everyday life?
• How do you think your selfcare and mental health will cope with going back to normal everyday life? Have you considered reaching out to medical professionals or friends for coping strategies with return to work for example?

 

9.     What is the biggest thing you have noticed towards others during covid? Have you changed on how you treat people on an emotional level?  Do you find yourself more caring /more nurturing in nature or the opposite?

 

• Happier/Angrier
• Lonely/Sad
• More caring/less caring
• New level of enlightenment
• Have you learnt new skills through others?

 

10. How about the selfcare of others? Have you checked on others, whether it be family or for example other members who have been absent from the site? How far do you go with a wellness check?

 

• Have they said something out of character, something out of the normal that gives you concern?
• Is their behaviour erratic?
• Are there tell tale signs in their conversation with you?
  • Conversation is scattered
  • Not making sense
  • Over the top energy
• If you are really concerned do you call the police?
• Some may just want to be left alone, how do you tell the difference?

 

11. How about your own selfcare, are you letting others drain the life out of you which is compromising your own self care?

 

• Co-dependency – the constant need for you to be there for them, they are unable to cope on their own.
• Coercive behaviour – allowing others to manipulate you for their own needs
• Are they insensitive to your own situation, their situation is always more dire than yours?
• Are they guilting you into helping them?
• Doing more for others but forgetting on your own self-care needs

 

12. For those in a D/s dynamic, do you find as a sub you are looking after your Dom/me on a more emotional level? Or as a Dom/me are you finding your sub needs more support?

 

• Are you making sure your lines of communication are open?
• Are you remembering to also look after your own self care by taking time out for you?

 

13. How have you kept your D/s going strong during this time?

 

• Has your contact increased or decreased?
• Are you setting tasks that are more relevant to being stuck at home?
• Are you doing more video calls or phone calls?
• What other selfcare ideas have you implemented?

 

14. Without prejudice, have you broken rules during covid, for example, seen your partner as way of maintaining your selfcare needs? Was it worth it?

 

15. Alternatively, did you move in with your partner during covid to optimise your selfcare needs? Are you enjoying the living situation or are you regretting the move?

 

16. Have you discovered any new kinks during lockdown that has contributed to your selfcare needs?

 

• Self-Bondage
• Self-Discipline
• Toy play

 

17. Have you found your sensations have increased or decreased during covid?  Have you tried to recreate the sensations as a way of self-care?

 

18. Are newbies putting their own self-care at risk by jumping into a D/s dynamic too soon?

 

• Are they missing the warning signs, red flags?
• Is their need to feel wanted a danger to them?
• Are they arranging meets with limited knowledge, experience?

 

19. As we are running out of time, do you have any final thoughts on selfcare? If you had to go into another lockdown would you do things differently again to improve your selfcare?

 

Thank you to everyone for attending and joining in the discussion.  Remember selfcare is important, so please be kind to yourself and stay safe.

[Th****]

Great notes thank you @PixieDust , greatly appreciated.