STARS: How I Get In Self-Care Free or Nearly Free

DISCLAIMER: while many of the mentioned activities do not have extra costs, there are some like gas and perhaps time.

Self care is paramount to remaining in a healthy headspace and being ready to face life's various challenges. 

One doesn't always need to spend a ton of money or any money to achieve this peace of mind either. 

I have several outlets I use right from my home. Bear in mind I live in the country but this works also for the suburbs or city limits. I take naps, read, write, watch inspirational TV and movies, take a warm bath in grape juice (don't knock it, it's better than Epsom salts), take walks, go hiking, do various sorts of exercise including yoga, declutter and purge areas of my home, listen to good, soothing music, podcasts, record my own podcast  #imjustdrew, do yard work, play with my animals, visit neighbors, call/text/video chat with friends and family, attend church or spiritual services, coffee shop (cost a little bit but not enough to break the bank), look at old photos and memorabila from yesteryear, take photos of anything outside or inside, sit in the dark and mediate and focus, practice regular mantras, and look at sunrises, sunsets and the different moons.

These are just a few I have in rotation but the total cost is often $0.00 to do these activities and I am a much more refreshed and recharged person..

STARS: How I Got My #ImJustDrew Podcast Started

I have honestly wanted to do radio and/or a podcast for years. I became fascinated in college and shortly thereafter watching my close friend The Mario Washington and his success in radio and such. 

It seemed for a while you needed all of this fancy equipment, a studio and a certain time frame to be able to do it all. Thanks to technology advancements, I finally got my own off the ground without all of that. 

I have watched podcasting literally explode the past five years. There are so many people that have a voice, content and a microphone. I like to be practical when I choose a hobby also. 

I watched two local podcasters "Gping Places With Camden and Daniel" and "Be Great Today" with Coach Josh Batchler. I appeared on the Going Places podcast in late July and learned about Anchor FM. Anchor is awesome for starting a podcast, distributing, recording and producing. It's also free. 

I bought a microphone off of Amazon, created a logo from Canta and started recording. I am now 2 and a half episodes in with episode 3 set to record this week. I plan to do one per week as my schedule allows and it's been awesome so far. 

I have 15 views and 2 subscribers, small numbers to start. It's better than zero where I did start. I'm glad this is finally live and I look forward to having guests and even recording some episodes in studios I have access to opposed to my home.