Self-Care and “Airport Rules”
We haven't had a good self-care thread in a while, so let's discuss — what are your favorite ways to relax and indulge in a little self-care? If you're trying to “be gentle with yourself,” what do you do? In stressful periods, do you have any rituals to help yourself get through the day? Is it similar or different from things like “airport rules,” i.e., long travel days or stressful periods at work?
I saw someone post on social media about how, with the election looming, the next 24 hours are “airport rules,” noting that calories and money don't matter, and joking that you could start drinking at 10 AM and no one would question it.
(I don't advise drinking at 10 AM at work!)
I've definitely joked with friends about “airport rules,” especially when traveling with small kids — all the screentime is A-OK at the airport, right?
To me I guess they do mean different things — if I'm trying to be gentle with myself I'll choose yoga instead of a more strenuous workout, or just do stretching (or even better, get a massage). I'll try to pick meals that are tasty but good for me, even if they're basic or repetitive. I might reread a favorite book.
Meanwhile, for airport rules, I can definitely get behind the idea that calories and money don't matter, and a drink at any time of the day is fine. (And allll the screentime.) But I'm a lot more likely to get greasy, sugary things at the airport than I am if I'm being “gentle with myself,” when I'll probably happily buy a $25 salad.
In my younger days I'm not sure there was a big difference — I distinctly remember driving through McDonalds before an LSAT test to get a huge bacon and egg sandwich, and there was a really stressful work period where I ate candy for breakfast for like two weeks straight. (Hi-Chews for the win!)
Readers, what about you — do you recognize “airport rules,” and are they the same or different than self-care/being gentle with yourself type actions? Has there been a change for you over the years in how you considered the two things?
Stock photo via Stencil.
I have a Zoom meeting at 3 p.m. today, otherwise I would definitely be tempted to indulge in a little day drinking! As it is, I’m alternating between doom scrolling and playing Bubble Shooter to keep the anxiety at bayt!
Amazing, I loved it!
Airport rules for me means no drinking and being very careful about what I eat so I don’t get airsick! Definitely not a time for indulgence.
Haha, same. Never ever drink in airports or in planes and usually pack my own food because not eating makes me queasy but I can’t count on having time to buy food, which isn’t usually appealing anyway.
I’m not particularly careful about what I eat, but definitely no drinking for me in airport lounges or on airplanes. The alcohol combined with the dehydration from the altitude and dry air is a really bad combo.
I’m working in a voter protection legal boiler room in a red state today, have been on duty since 5:30 am. No alcohol, but all other airport rules apply – on the big snack table here, the chocolate bars and chips are going a lot faster than the carrots and apples.
The tweet (I saw it, too) referred to us living in a metaphorical airport LOUNGE until Wednesday, which is a slightly different tone than general “airport” rules, but implies a similar not-real-lfe quality. Yes, nobody bats an eye if you drink a beer at 10 am in an airport lounge, because who are we to say what time zone you’re coming from? And because the buffet is free of charge, you can have a salad and a piece of cake and a sandwich and chips and go back for more! I’m picking up a couple of pizzas this evening to settle in at a small watch party; that’s as much indulging as I can stand for today.