We’ve all heard of Self-Care Sunday right? A guilt free day (or couple of hours) dedicated to spending some much needed quality time with yourself. The point of SCS is to do an activity that clears your mind, relaxes, and recharges you for the week ahead. Some of my favorite activities include:
- Treating myself to a new pair of shoes (or a new outfit)
- Spending a day at the beach (or by the pool if I don’t feel like fighting the LA traffic)
- Mani/pedi (and maybe a facial depending on how much fun money I have set aside)
- Movie on the couch complete with a face mask and glass of wine (popcorn and chocolate also included)
While it is awesome to set aside a day for ourselves to do one or two big activities, imagine what would happen if we prioritized self-care on a daily basis. Making room for our mental and physical wellbeing on a weekday…collective gasp!
Below is a list of small routine changes that have significantly impacted my overall mood and productivity. In fact, they have made me feel so good that I now refer to these as my “Self-Care Non-Negotiables”. Everyone’s list is going to look different, you can add and subtract as needed. The main goal here is to curate a list of non-negotiables that will incorporate self-care into your everyday life.
Self-Care Non-Negotiables:
1. A daily walk (30-45 minutes)
This sounds like a big commitment at first, but getting in these extra steps has literally helped me drop a whole pant size! It also allows me to clear my head after a long day (my walks usually take place in the evening). Put on a good podcast or listen to some great music, I promise the time will fly by.
2. The “I Am” App
If you love a good affirmation then this app is for you. Everyday I get notifications with positive sayings such as “I deserve all the good that comes to me” and “My imperfections make me unique and special”. This is a free app that will send you consistent affirmations and has been known to take my mood from stressed to blessed real quick.
3. Having fresh flowers around the house
You may have seen my recent TikTok about Fresh Flower Fridays. This has been something really fun to look forward to at the end of the week. However, you do not have to wait until Friday to get your flowers. Pick a day that works best for you and add it to the calendar. Bringing this color into your home will brighten up the entire space, and even make you feel a little fancy. I also started taking a few flowers to work in a small jar so I can have some on my desk. They just add a little extra joy to the day!
4. Making my bed in the morning
Remember people, this is a judgment free zone. Yes, I am just now at the age of 28 beginning to consistently make my bed in the morning. And I will admit it has been a game changer. My bed recipe is super simple so doing this before I leave my apartment takes all of 2 minutes. The impact it has when I get home is totally worth taking the time. It just feels like everything is put together so I can focus on writing a blog post, going on my walk, or just relaxing with some Gilmore Girls.
Self-care is not selfish.
5. Tidying up my apartment before going to bed
I get it, at the end of the night we barely have enough energy to take off our makeup let alone clean the entire house. But I’m not talking about a full deep clean, I’m talking about small things like making sure all the dishes are done and putting your dirty clothes into the laundry basket. Waking up to a nice, tidy home makes me feel way more energized in the morning. At first I had to force myself to do this, but now I can’t fall asleep without knowing everything is back in its place.
6. Before bed skin care
If you do not have a nightly skin care routine I highly recommend you begin implementing one. It doesn’t have to be a 17 step program with a ton of expensive products. Sometimes less is more. My routine consists of the steps below. It is very simple and takes me about 15 minutes at most to complete. This makes me feel all fresh and clean so I can get some good sleep.
- Removing all my makeup (DO NOT use the wipes, I would suggest micellar water and washable cleansing eco pads)
- Cleansing my face (1-2 times per week I will exfoliate right after)
- Taking a quick body shower (I do not wash my hair at night)
- Moisturizing my face and body (don’t forget your neck and feet)
- Applying Vitamin-C oil to my face after the lotion has had a chance to set in
Your homework for this weekend readers is to come up with your own list of self-care items. Aim for at least 1-2 things that you can add to your daily routine that will nourish your mental and physical health. Always remember that small changes will add up to big results. I can’t wait to see your list!
