I should start this out by saying that about 5 years ago, I thought this idea of self-care was absolute bullsh*t 🙈🙉🙊. As a professional, I would roll my eyes anytime I heard mention of the term self-care because I didn’t have time for it. I had a to-do list 4 pages long and that was only the stuff I could remember! If I am being honest (which you know I typically am), I thought self-care was for lazy, weak people who just couldn’t cut it.
Oh my, I cringe typing that now!! I think about the thoughts that entered my mind when I heard self-care, and I am wondering if you can hear yourself saying any of these:
“I’m tougher than that”
“I don’t need the break or to take care of myself”
“This self-care is for wimps”
Well, turns out your body can only take so much before it starts to shut down. I can speak from experience when I say that self-care isn’t for wimps and taking care of your self is the smartest thing you can do. I have experienced life with and without self-care and let me tell you: a life with self-care ROCKS 🙌!
Since I am being honest, I will also admit that I thought self-care was luxurious, extremely time-consuming and expensive. (Think spa days with massages 💆♀️, pedicures 💅 and facials) Turns out, self-care is so easy and does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. I still do think self-care is luxurious, but that is only because my idea of luxury has changed in 5 years, thanks to my 2 adorable sons 🤣! Now, sitting with a (brace yourself) hot cup of coffee ☕ in the quiet is pretty luxurious to me! Now, others will disagree and believe that considering something that we should have everyday (like a shower or even a hot cup of coffee) as self-care is ridiculous but in my opinion, it’s all about what you like. If a hot cup of coffee isn’t speaking to you, then girl – you find that thing does!
So, how do you partake in this luxurious (or not so much) self-care I speak of? Let me provide you with lots of little ideas to get started:
- Drink a nice HOT cup of coffee/tea
- Drink a tall glass of water
- Take a walk
- Exercise
- Listen to a podcast
- Listen to music
- Hide in the pantry and eat a snack (no shame in this game!)
- Light a candle
- Take a bubble bath (or sans bubbles if they aren’t your thing 😉)
- Take a shower
- Read a book
- Listen to an audiobook
- Paint your nails
- Get a manicure
- Get a pedicure
- Get a massage
- Get a facial
- Use a facial mask or scrub
- Journal
- Snuggle with your significant other
- Snuggle with your kids
- Snuggle with your pet
- Date night
- Girls night
- Call a friend
- Change your sheets
- Diffuse essential oils
- Buy yourself flowers
- Positive affirmations
- Deep breathing
- Listen to a comedian
- Read some jokes
- Take a nap
- Watch your favorite TV show
- Watch a movie
- Declutter
- Play a game on your phone (or Xbox, if that’s how you roll!)
- Meditate
- Take a drive
- Take the long way home and enjoy the quiet
- Go for a hike
- Try a new hobby or get back into something you love
- Do a puzzle
- Color in an adult coloring book (no, not porn!)
- Get dinner delivered so you don’t have to cook
- Hire a housekeeper
- Use a curbside or delivery service for groceries (this is totally my jam!!)
- Spend some time scrolling your favorite social media profiles (that don’t stress you out)
- Go get your hair done
- Go to bed early
What are your favorite self-care activities? Comment below 👇!
