I hope you choose to have that hot bath instead of doing the laundry one night. I hope you find that five dollars in your jeans and go get that donut, that melts your heart, at the coffee shop on the corner. I hope you light that candle, put on some music and get out that colouring book that you haven’t had a chance to use yet. I hope you don’t think it’s selfish to practice self care.
To be honest, I never truly understood the importance of self care until I became a wife and a mother because that’s when I stopped putting a priority on it. Truly, you have to be selfless in relationships and give of yourself in every way…which is a hard but beautiful thing. It’s easy though, to forget that you need to be able to rejuvenate. Though, over time, the well-intentioned selflessness will turn into resentment and feel like a chore because you are so tired and so empty.
I have learned that I cannot show my husband the love and care he needs if I haven’t spent time with myself. I have learned that I cannot be the mother I want to be to my boys if mommy is too tired to play or even to discipline. For my family + I, self care is essential.
Taking care of ourselves, not just in hygiene but in our soul and sanity, is essential when fostering relationships with others, because, in order to be the best you can be and give to others, you need to be able to have something to give. So, here is a list I continue to go back to, to purposely spend time caring for myself – which isn’t selfish, but at the end of the day, actually essential and makes me a better wife and a better mother.
30 Ways to Practice Self-Care
Re-read a favourite book
Diffuse essential oils
Take a walk
Take a bath with your favourite bubble bath + epsom salts
Light a scented candle a let it fill your home
Make a homemade body scrub & exfoliate
Colour or write in a journal
Listen to your favourite album growing up
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Make a hot drink in your favourite mug with all the fixins
Get into bed early
Bake something
Read inspiring quotes
Organize your makeup
Cozy up in a few blankets
Buy yourself flowers
Turn off your phone for a few hours
Say no
Do your nails or go get a manicure/pedicure
Sit in the sunshine
Pray/Meditate
Treat yourself to your favourite dessert
Play with your pet
Do yoga
Do a DIY project
Deep condition your hair
Plan a stay-cation
Start a gratitude journal
Watch the sunset
Exercise
Watch one of your favourite movies
I love this list! My favorites are sitting in the sunshine and watching the sunset (or sunrise!). Recently I have also been enjoying meditation!
Yes! I can’t wait for Spring to come and enjoy the sun again! xx
I will be sure to try a few of these out. I love reading books, so I’ll probably start by re-reading a favorite. Thanks for the wonderful advice.
I love re-reading my favourites! I always pick up new things in it each time and fall in love all over again! xx
I love this post so much and find that working on the whole “self care” has been such an important part of my day lately. It’s been a goal of mine to incorporate more ME time into my daily routine and I’ve been pretty good about it most days! You gave me some new ideas to try for sure!!!
This is an AMAZING list! I struggle with this, but I’m excited to make time for a few of these this week 🙂
Pinned this post! And have to say…haven’t been on your site in a bit and loooove the new look. Very pretty.
These are so awesome! It’s SO important to make sure you take care of yourself, the most important thing you can do!
I love reading these types of posts, they inspire and encourage me to practice self care inn different ways!
Fabulous list! Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I started doing yoga this year and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I am kicking myself for not trying it sooner.
The key is to take time or make time to do something you enjoy doing. Somedays that means a 30 minute power nap for me and that is okay. So many great ways you have listed to get some me time and take care of yourself.
This is a great list, and I love how everything is easily attainable for even the busiest of moms. I also like that most of these things cost little to nothing, which make them that much more appealing to me.
You have a lot of great ideas here. The one I really want to do is take an Epson salt bath! I think that would make me feel a lot better. I love to relax in a nice hot tub.
I love your tips! Can’t wait to try some of them out. I walk daily and have a at home weekly spa day.
I love your list of ways to take care of one’s self. It’s so easy to get lost in taking care of others, and yet this is so important for one’s happiness and sanity.
You have some great ideas on this list. A hot drink in my favorite mug with a good book is one of my favorite ways to get in some me time.
This is a great list of ideas for self care! I love the epsom salt soaks. The oils help a lot too.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I love all these ideas and am going to make a list to hang in my closet. Thank you! I love it!
You have some good suggestions in that list. Self Care is something I’m guilty of not practicing enough of at times.
I don’t do hot bath really, I used to do that when I was pregnant but not anymore. I must admit, it’s quite relaxing.
Who wouldn’t want to take better care of themselves! I think these are all brilliant ways on how to do that. It’s definitely nice to take the time and help yourself relax and feel refreshed especially after a stressful week.
These are such great ideas for self care. It’s so important to make yourself a priority in life.
I so needed this. With three little boys, while time is scarce, it’s become so important to carve out a little time for myself. That’s why I blog 🙂 Awesome ideas.
Yes! Love all of these. Self care is oh so important. It’s something I am trying to do for myself more and more, as I do find I put everyone else ahead of me and my needs. It’s time I think about me too.
That is a great list. Self care really is so important. I try to have a lot of quiet time in the mornings to de stress and refocus. If I miss it, I bake.
These are all great ways to make yourself feel refreshed. I always feel amazing after I organize. It could be my kitchen drawers, office or makeup – it’s like a new you when you have something big tackled!
These are some of my favorite ways to practice self-care as well! I love taking a walk and then a nice, HOT bubble bath!!