We’ve all been there—exhausted, stressed out, and drained. That moment of recognition when the weight of life finally gets you and you realize you haven’t taken a deep breath in days. That’s when the mention of “self care” starts to ring less like a buzzword on Instagram and more like a lifeline.

But what is self care, anyway? Is it bubbly bath bombs and fancy spa treatments? Or something else?

The Real Deal About Self Care

Self care has nothing to do with treating yourself (although, sure, that’s part of it!). At its core, self care is about making choices that nurture your physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s the stuff that fills your cup when life just keeps draining it.

Think of self care as regular maintenance for your well-being—like changing the oil in your car before the engine light comes on. It’s preventative, not just reactive.

Building Your Self Care Toolkit

Everyone’s self care needs look different, but here are some tried-and-true ideas to kickstart your personal self care checklist:

For your body:

• Get enough sleep (your future self will thank you)
• Move your body in ways that feel good
• Hydrate like you’re getting a paycheck
• Eat foods that energize you, not weigh you down

For your mind:

• Set work and social media boundaries
• Experiment with mindfulness or meditation (5 minutes is great too!)
• Learn to say “no” guilt-free
• Make time for hobbies that have zero to do with getting things done

For your soul:

• Go outside and get some nature time
• Have people in your life who are there for you
• Find time for creativity
• Practice gratitude

The Self Care Journal Revolution

One of the most helpful self care tools I’ve discovered is the self care bullet journal. Unlike standard planners, a self care journal is adaptable to your needs and helps track what actually boosts your mood.

To start your own:

1. Create a mood tracker to see patterns
2. Develop a self care checklist for daily, weekly, and monthly practices
3. Make lists of go-to activities for each mood
4. Track habits that lead to your well-being
5. Add inspiring self care quotes for tough days

The amazing thing about a self care journal is that it becomes a personalized map to your well-being. On the most challenging days, when you can barely remember your name, your journal reminds you exactly what gets you through it.

Self Care Day: More Than Spa Treatments

When did you last spend a whole day to yourself? If you can’t even remember, chances are it’s time to organize a self care day.

Your perfect self care day look isn’t Instagram-worthy bubble baths (unless that floats your boat). It’s taking the time on purpose to structure around what recharges YOU.

Maybe your ideal self care day is one day that involves:

• Waking up late without an alarm
• A rambling morning with your favorite coffee
• Time outside of your phone
• Reading a book for pleasure
• Preparing a meal that nourishes your body
• Spending time with someone who gets you

The magic happens when you customize your self care day to activities that feel like a deep breath for your specific life circumstance.

Night Routines: The Secret Weapon of Self Care

While morning routines get all the applause, a good self care night routine may be just as essential. What you do tonight will make you feel tomorrow.

A calming self care night atmosphere might entail:

• Putting your phone away an hour before bed
• Spending a minute or two actually washing your face
• Smelling your self care products (aromatherapy is potent!)
• Reading something light or uplifting
• Writing down three good things about your day
• Preparing what you need the next day

These small actions signal your body and mind that it’s time to relax and unwind.

Self Care Products That Make a Difference

Although self care is not about buying things, some self care products can definitely enhance your routines. It’s about choosing products that really do improve your sense of well-being, not just products that look nice on your shelf.

Prioritize self care hygiene and comfort products that:

• Make daily routines more enjoyable
• Have scents that lift your mood
• Keep life simple rather than complex
• Align with sustainable practices when available

Whether it’s a weighted blanket, a journal whose paper is wonderful to write on, or hygiene products that make you feel clean and confident, choose things that do something beyond the fact that they are pretty.

Self Care Apps: Technology That Helps, Not Hurts

In a world where screens have a way of sucking the life out of us, self care apps can be some of the good guys in the battle for well-being. The right apps can help you breathe, walk you through meditation, track your mood, or even pair you up with mental health clinicians.

Look for apps that:

• Feature minimalist interfaces that aren’t overwhelming
• Offer genuine value without bombardment by alerts
• Share your specific goals for self care
• Can be used offline when needed

The Self Care Lifestyle: Going Beyond Trends

Ultimately, self care isn’t trendy—it’s a way of life. It’s choosing yourself, again and again, in a world that so many times tells you to give yourself up. It’s realizing that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

As my favorite self care quote for life reminds me: “Self care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”

Building a self care lifestyle entails:

• Your needs are valid
• Honesty with your boundaries
• Making little, consistent decisions that care for you
• Focusing your self care routines as your life changes

Creating Your Self Care Basket

One creative way to celebrate regular self care is to create a physical self care basket. Fill it with the items that soothe your senses and encourage you to pause:

• A soft throw blanket
• Your hot cocoa or favorite tea
• Your favorite notebook and pen
• Candles or essential oils
• A collection of poetry or short stories
• Fuzzy slippers or an eye mask
• Treatments for yourself that you find helpful

Place your basket on a shelf in plain view to remind you caring for yourself is not a nice-to-do—you have to do it.

Your Turn

Self care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. With a world constantly asking for so much more of us, opting to look after yourself isn’t polite, it’s revolutionary.

How does your self care present itself today? Maybe it’s finally starting that self care diary, booking yourself a well-needed self care day, or perhaps just taking a few minutes to breathe.

No matter what, your future self thanks you.