Ok so self-care is one of those things everyone talks about on Instagram like it’s super easy and glamorous but honestly it’s not, like at all. Everyone’s posting their bath bombs and green juices and I’m just over here trying to not spill coffee on myself, so yeah, self-care needs to be realistic.
Start small, really really small
Biggest mistake people do is like “I’m gonna wake up at 5 am, meditate, journal, run 10 miles, drink kale juice, and cook a perfect breakfast” like calm down, you’re not a superhero, you’re just a human trying to survive Monday. Tiny things count, like making your bed, even though I sometimes just throw the blanket over like a lump and call it a day, it still feels like an adult win.
Move your body but don’t make it torture
Everyone says exercise is self-care, yeah ok but the gym isn’t fun for everyone and honestly burpees are the devil. Do what’s fun, like dance to TikTok songs in your room, walk your dog, or stretch while watching Netflix. I read somewhere like 10 mins of light movement boosts mood, and that’s it, 10 mins, I can handle that, probably while eating chips.
Sleep like your life depends on it
Sleep is underrated, like HUGE. You can’t function without it, your brain is like “hello? where’s my fuel” and suddenly you’re snapping at everyone and crying at ads. And don’t believe the hacks on social media that say “sleep 4 hours and drink magic tea” no, just no. Sleep is basically free therapy. Even Apple and big tech people agree on that so, yeah. Blackout curtains, put the phone away 30 mins before bed, or just toss it across the room, works fine.
Food isn’t the enemy
Self-care doesn’t mean kale only. Eat stuff that makes you happy, not guilty. One day I ate ice cream for breakfast lunch and dinner, and honestly it was kinda therapeutic, don’t judge. Balance is good though, like pizza sometimes, salad sometimes. Dark chocolate is basically medicine, legit. Science says so, endorphins and all that.
Digital detox without dying
Scrolling social media is like candy but also poison sometimes. You don’t have to delete everything but maybe mute the accounts that make you feel bad, or take an hour a day off your phone. I did it for a weekend once and wow, I realized I wasted like 5 hours a day just watching dumb videos. Brain thanks you.
Tiny self-care moments matter
Not all self-care needs to be big. Brushing teeth while enjoying the mint, sipping tea without checking your phone, five minute walks outside, even staring at the sky counts. Those add up. Trust me. It’s easier than trying to do a spa day every weekend which is exhausting.
Humans need humans
Talk to someone, even just a friend online, or meme-chat. Laughter is basically therapy, cheaper too. Studies say people who talk to friends are less stressed, more satisfied. I mean, memes count too, right?
Make your space nicer
Your room or desk affects your brain more than you think. I moved my desk next to window once and suddenly life felt better? Idk why, maybe sunlight magic. Even adding a plant helps. Tiny stuff.
Mental health stuff
Therapy isn’t just for crises, journaling helps, even if you write nonsense. Just spilling your brain onto paper is like a release. Don’t overthink it, just do it.
Make fun mandatory
Watch dumb shows, sing off-key, bake cookies and burn half, paint badly, whatever makes you happy. Self-care should be enjoyable, not like some Pinterest perfection nightmare.
Consistency > perfection
Secret: don’t worry about doing it perfectly. 5 mins a day counts. Little things like watering a plant, not drowning it once a month. Your brain notices, slowly but it does.
Self-care is flexible
Self-care is personal, what works for me might not work for you. Some days it’s meditation, some days it’s binge watching random series, some days it’s ordering pizza instead of cooking. That’s ok, it’s all ok. Just show up for yourself.