Self-care is more than bubble baths and face masks (although I love a good face mask). For me, self-care is soul care. It’s choosing more of what makes me feel good from the inside out. Before we dive into 30 Self-Care Ideas for September, I want you to define what self-care means to you.
Journal prompt: What does self-care mean to you?
Grow Your Self-Care Garden
When discussing self-care with my clients, I often use the analogy of growing a self-care garden. Just as a farmer plants a variety of seeds for crops, it’s important to plant a variety of seeds in your self-care garden. Therefore, when it’s harvest time, you’ll have an abundance of self-care options to choose from.
Think about it: If your only self-care tool is taking a hot bubble bath, but you need a moment of self-care when you’re out running earrings, how’s that going to work?
By giving ourselves a variety of self-care options, we make self-care more realistic and accessible. Also, it takes the pressure off one self-care tool needing to perform at 100 percent all the time. Self-care can be a seamless part of your daily and weekly routines!
Journal prompt: What seeds are already planted in your self-care garden? In other words, how do you already participate in self-care?
30 Self-Care Ideas for September
Self-care can take many shapes and forms. These ideas are meant to highlight the various ways in which you can practice self-care. Take the ideas that resonate with you most, and leave the rest.
Routine self-care
Think of your daily routines as part of your self-care garden.
- Treat yourself to a soothing skin-care routine, morning and night.
- Go to bed and wake up close to the same time every day.
- Enjoy at least 3 nourishing meals and drink water throughout the day.
- Create a high-vibe living and work-space: light candles, clear your desktop of any clutter and bring in fresh flowers or plants.
- Map out your daily “get” to-do list, limiting it to the 3 most important tasks of the day.
Quiet self-care
When craving quiet time, draw from these self-care ideas.
- Turn off your phone or set it on airplane mode.
- Watch your favorite guilty pleasure show on Netflix.
- Make a warm drink and put on your comfiest PJs an hour before you usually do.
- Take a nap in the middle of the afternoon.
- Turn on an instrumental playlist, read, or journal.
Social self-care
Tap into your support systems and social connections as part of your self-care.
- FaceTime or call a loved one.
- Set a virtual happy hour with your gal pals.
- Schedule a walk and talk with your BFF.
- Cuddle with your partner or pet.
- Write a letter to a loved one and send it via snail mail.
Physical self-care
Use movement to shift your energy and awaken your spirit.
- Go for a walk as a part of your energizing morning or evening wind-down routine.
- If sitting for a desk job, set your alarm to stand up and stretch at least once every hour.
- Try a new workout class (online or in-person): Pilates, kickboxing, yoga, dance, etc.
- Practice an energizing breathing technique, like alternate nostril breathing.
- Get outside and enjoy fresh air: try hiking, biking, or visiting a nearby park.
Creative self-care
Tap into your creativity with these self-care ideas.
- Write a blog post to share with your community or keep it personal with a journal entry.
- Break recipe guidelines and take a creative approach to cooking in the kitchen.
- Invest in new watercolors, pens, or oil pastels to make art at home.
- Take an online class on a subject that interests you or a new skill you want to learn.
- Buy fresh flowers and design your own arrangement.
Spiritual self-care
Spiritual self-care doesn’t need to be religious, although it may be related for some people. Focus on practices that lift your spirit, inspire inner peace, and connect you to a greater sense of purpose.
- Spend time in meditation or prayer.
- Write daily affirmations – see related post on Body Respect Affirmations.
- Start a gratitude journal, showing appreciation for what you have.
- Read a daily devotional in alignment with your faith.
- Spend time giving back, whether it be a charity, local volunteer group, or a simple act of kindness.
Food For Thought
Journal Prompt: What are 3-5 ways that you can expand your self-care garden?
If self-care still feels unrealistic to you, I’d love to connect with you on a 30-Minute Everglow Discovery Call. We can chat about where you feel stuck and unbalanced, and map out a plan for balanced nutrition and self-care. Schedule a call here with me today as there is limited availability for this 1:1 support.