Nidhi Gorai is the Brand & Comms Lead at Block Earner, a blockchain-powered fintech on a mission to provide a user-friendly interface for everyday Australians.
What does self-care mean to you?
To me, self-care is my personal ‘power-up’. It’s not just an on-and-off luxury but a daily ritual that keeps me tuned into my body’s needs and rhythms. Especially, given the fast-paced nature of working in startup land, self-awareness and care allow to me bring my A-game to work.
How do you know when you’re feeling stressed or burnt out?
I can sense stress or burnout creeping in when my mind starts to race a thousand miles an hour and I struggle to sleep. It’s when I feel constantly on edge and start going out of my way to keep myself busy or feel the need to make impulsive purchases in a misguided attempt at relief. These are my red flags, signalling that it’s time to face what’s truly stirring beneath the surface.
Do you have a regular self-care routine? If so, what does it look like?
Absolutely, I’ve got a rock-solid self-care routine that I do my best to stick to. A few years ago, I was wrestling with terrible insomnia and I found adding some structure to my personal life literally saved my sanity. During the week there are a couple of non-negotiables for me — phone on DND by 9 pm and no alcohol!
Bedtime? Without fail at 9:30 pm. I’m up at 4:45 am every morning, this is my sacred time. It’s me, my meditative moments, and a long walk with my dog Peanut. I also try really hard not to touch my phone before 8 am to avoid starting my day by scrolling Tik Tok and Instagram / reading emails. I also like to keep my weekdays alcohol-free, and while this can definitely be a challenge, the payoff is SO worth it.
Despite being someone that loves to socialise and gets serious FOMO, I don’t shy away from saying no to things when I need to recharge. I value spending quality time with myself and am more than happy to get lost in a good read or cook a warm, hearty meal and chill out with Peanut on a Friday night.
At the end of the day, life is all about maintaining balance and following a routine shouldn’t be about surviving, it should be about thriving. This is what happens to work for me!
What bumps you off your self-care routine and how do you get back on course?
Life’s unpredictability can occasionally throw a spanner in the works. But this is when I remind myself to be gentle, acknowledging that it’s okay to stray from the routine sometimes. I refocus by going back to the basics — rest, good food, even better company and a solid workout. This sincere reminder is usually all I need to get back on track, no matter how chaotic things get.
Where do you go for inspiration, ideas or tools for self-care?
I don’t need to look far for self-care inspiration and support — I’m incredibly fortunate to have some brilliant friends, colleagues and a younger but wiser sister who’s more Yoda than sibling in my corner. They’re not just my cheer squad, but also a mirror, showing me perspectives I may not see on my own. They’re the ones pushing me forward, helping me see my own strength and light.
As for my go-to self-care tools? There’s nothing quite like letting your hair down and having a little boogie whether it’s a night out on the town with the girls or a dance in my living room in my PJs — busting some moves to shake off the stress is like a mini vacation for the mind, body, and spirit — liberating and surprisingly therapeutic.
Trust me, if you’ve never let loose to some 90s classics at 2 am, you’re missing out on prime self-care action!
What do you think you need to improve in terms of your self-care practice?
I’m learning to treat myself with kindness rather than guilt. Life doesn’t always play by the rules, and that’s okay. The important part is bouncing back.
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