Self-care is such a buzzword right now. Everyone is telling you to take a bubble bath nightly and the only way to drink coffee is leisurely on a sunny patio while a bird chirps nearby. Self-care is innately unique and personal to each person, and what works for one person may feel draining to someone else. An easy way to incorporate some self-care in your life is by taking some time to identify what works for you and creating a personalized self-care menu that you can easily reference when you are feeling down.
What if bubble baths and leisurely sipping coffee just do not resonate with you? I like my coffee, but usually, it is gulped down while I am frantically running between tasks. I am more likely to terrify any bird that dares to approach than I am to sit quietly and listen to it chirp. So what does that mean for me? Do I need to change my likes and needs to fit the “self-care” definition? Not at all! You just need to find what speaks to you and keep those ideas easily accessible so you can incorporate them simply into your daily routine.
Below I will share the personalized Self-Care menu that I created for myself a couple of years ago. You can organize yours in any way that works for you! I found that I wanted it broken down by approximate times/energy investment so I could easily find quick things that I could incorporate in my lunch break from work vs an involved activity that needs a dedicated part of a weekend. But you could sort your list by type of activity, solo vs group, exciting vs relaxing, etc. The opportunities are endless!
I keep this as a note on my phone so that I can easily access them anywhere anytime I may need a little self-love!
Short:
- 15 minutes of yoga using a saved youtube yoga video from my favorite teacher
- Sunshine- walk around the block or stand with my face in the sun for 5 minutes
- Indulge in a hot or cold beverage
- Light a candle and take a moment to breath
- Make a list of what I am thankful for in this moment (gratitude list)
- Close my eyes and rest to clear my mind for 5 or 10 minutes (coupled with deep breathing)
- List out what is bothering me/worrying
- Nap (This may be a medium-length activity too!)
- Stand up and move (calf raises, folded stretch, legs up the wall, whatever feels good)
Medium
- Read a novel guilt-free (bonus points if it is on my porch in the sun or cozy in my bed)
- Schedule a massage or haircut
- Get cozy- make a nest of pillows and fuzzy blankets on the couch or in bed and nest
- Give myself a manicure or pedicure (including hand/foot massage)
- Bake a special treat I have been craving like this pie
- Rearrange the furniture/decor in my home to freshen it up
- Make a super healthy fruit/veggie-filled meal
- Listen to an inspiring and encouraging podcast
Long:
- Create something (art, craft, color, garden)
- Do a small house project that brings me joy/pride in my home
- Date with a friend for coffee or drinks
- Anything near or on the water/lake/ocean/river.
- Explore a nearby town or park for an afternoon
Special:
- Weekend trip with a friend
- Do a large home improvement/organization project that will bring me joy in the finished product
- Learn a new skill you have always wanted to learn. Learning photography was an inspiring and fun skill to learn during COVID lockdown periods.
- Plan a vacation (or maybe just a dream vacation)
As I have tried and quit many self-care ideas over the years. Sometimes, they just don’t fit for you or don’t fit the moment. The main obstacle I find is my own self. In the past, I would approach self-care as an activity to avoid the things I didn’t want to do. I would feel guilty about it (right ladies!) which would take away the enjoyment and rejuvenation from the self-care activity. I have worked really hard at allowing myself defined self-care time to do these things, where I do not guilt or shame myself about taking care of myself. The to-do list will wait. This time is just for me to do what I want, carefree!
Each week I will be sending a Self Care Sunday email out to all of my subscribers. It will include a self-care tip and provide some encouragement and support for you to set aside some time on Sunday (or when it works with your schedule) to allow yourself some guilt-free self-care regularly! Having this personalized self-care menu prepared ahead of time will make choosing a self-care activity (or two) much simpler each week.
Share with us!
If you need more self-care ideas, check out my list of 75 self-care ideas to spark your own personal list! I know all of you have your favorite self-care ideas. Share them with us all in the comments below! I would love to hear them!
One of my favorites is going out to breakfast, either with a friend or on my own. It feels so indulgent!
That is a great idea!
What a great way to prioritize your self-care when you’re always busy! 🙂
Such helpful and practical tips! Definitely need these as a SAHM!
these are all great ideas! I love doing yoga too especially on days Im not running breathing and meditation really helps me to be calm. Self care is super important.
Self care is so important! Thanks for reminding us of that! Yoga is my favorite currently!
I love the way you set this up. Great ideas!
Self vare is so important. Love this post!
I like your list. I like listening to a podcast the best. Self-care is so important .
My current favorite podcast is Armchair Expert with Dax Sheppard! So interesting and funny! What are you listening to currently?
Loving all these ideas! It’s really cool how majority of them include either a healthful treat or a physical activity. Oftentimes when we feel tired or down, we just want to grab something sweet and fatty and fried and sink into a sofa to binge tv, but there are so many other options to energize oneself and feel better by practicing real self-care
Yes! Doing something healthy and nice for your body is the best kind of self-care!
Great Ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Great list of self care ideas. I would probably organize a kitchen shelf or my pantry for some self care. It would be relaxing and also bring me pleasure. 🙂
Organizing is self-care for me too!
I love the special ones, and I need them more often in my life! Excellent ideas to take into consideration and give ourselves a break every now and then!:)