Self-Care MasterMind Class Monday, May 13 at BPL- Party of One: How to Date Yourself

C.J. Wade will lead a Self-Care Mastermind Class at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13 at the Central Library downtown called "Party of One: How to Date Yourself." 

Self-Care MasterMind instructor C.J. Wade

What: The Self Care MasterMind - a group wellness coaching series

Where: Central Library, 1st Floor Grand Commons

Dates: 2nd Monday of each month, September 2023–June 2024 Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m. 

Remaining Program Details: Monday, May 13, 2024 | Party of One: How to Date Yourself 

 Monday, June 17, 2024 | Journaling For Life

Birmingham, Ala. - Did you know that feeling good about yourself - whether single, dating or married - plays an important role in staying healthy? If you need help, make plans now to be at the Central Library at 5:30 p.m. this Monday, May 13, for "Party of One: How to Date Yourself," the next session of the Birmingham Public Library's 10-class Self-Care Mastermind series. 

Health care expert/instructor Christina "C.J." Wade will share tips on how to navigate being single today. 

The Self-Care MasterMind series began last September and concludes in June. Classes are held every second Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham. 

Wade is a licensed massage therapist and certified health coach. She has owned and operated her own private practice, You Matter Massage and Wellness, in Mountain Brook since 2018. 

 Click here to learn more about C.J. Wade 's Self-Care Mastermind Class Series.

 In a Q&A with BPL Public Relations Director Roy Williams, Wade talked about why self-happiness is essential for today's single lifestyle - and how even married or dating couples need to make "me time" a priority.

BPL: The Monday, May 13 Self-Care MasterMind title, "Party of One: How to Date Yourself," is powerful. How did you come up with this topic.

C.J. Wade: Once upon a time, I was highly uncomfortable eating out by myself. I felt like everyone was focused on my solo meal time (which they were not).  I had an epiphany one day during my lunch hour and it generated this confidence to enjoy my mean and my own company. This bloomed into other ways I enjoyed solitude as self-care and here we are decades later, still enjoying.  

BPL: For those out there are who are single, how can one "date yourself"?

C.J. Wade: The first step is knowing what you like and do not like. Most people don't take the time to truly discover themselves and what they enjoy. What lights you up? What event have you been wanting to attend? These questions require patience to learn who you are and how that affects the joy you share with someone else.

BPL: I have been married almost 33 years and one way we have lasted so long is by giving each space to do things that we like to do alone - such as shopping or going to the nail shop (my wife) or relaxing by watching my favorite football or basketball game (me as husband). Talk of importance of "me time" for couples who are married or dating.

C.J. Wade: This is imperative and I'm so glad to hear you and your wife do this!. Happy 33 years!. I've heard many say they lost themselves in their romantic relationship or marriage. This creates unwarranted emotional weight and could lead to a depressive state. 

There is something in you that attracted your significant other. Your spouse married you because they saw and felt something that made them strongly profess an eternal commitment. When we lose ourselves, our lack of identity prevents us from enjoying healthy relationships. It deprives the ones we love from experiencing the essence of us. 

BPL: What can attendees expect at the Party of One: How to Date Yourself" on Monday?

C.J. Wade: Attendees an expect to learn the significance of knowing who you are as a date and what you bring to the table. We will explore a range of public self-care activities and combat fear associated with doing these things alone. Participants will also be challenged to crate their self-care date and put it on their calendar.

BPL: What are the keys to navigating life being single today?

C.J. Wade: One major key is knowing that you are amazing as a solitary person. Whether you join another amazing person or not, you deserve to live in that truth.  

BPL: Anything else to add?

C.J. Wade:  It's the next-to-last class and I'm excited about this session as the others because everyone can learn how to love themselves better. That's what the Self-Care MasterMind is all about!  

NOTE: BPL is looking at bringing back the Self-Care MasterMind Series next year. Share your thoughts on this program by sending an email to Jim Murray,  Librarian at the Central Library, at Jim.murray@cobpl.org or calling Jim at (205) 226-3640.   

Readers, check out these resources available at BPL on the flyer below.