Having a self-care routine is essential for any woman living in her best era!

There is a self-care activity for every budget! In order to figure out which one works for you, you have to test to the waters.

So let’s get started, shall we!

2 Easy Ways People Build a Self Care Routine:

1: Build a morning or bedtime routine

It tends to be easier to make more time in our day in the beginning (i.e. waking up 30 mins earlier) or end (i.e. go to bed 30 minutes later) of the day.

So it’s not surprising that these are ideal times to build a self-care routine. After all, I personal love my bedtime journaling, it really helps me get better sleep. So I have a bedtime self-care routine. Shower (or bath if I am feeling extra saucy), moisturize, full body stretch, teeth, journal sesh, bed! That’s the order and it hasn’t failed me yet!

Remember, consistency is key, and the best way to stay consistent is to start small. Maybe make a routine of only 1 or 2 items, then build to it as you grow.

Basically, you want to feel better at the end of it, not stressed about trying to maintain it.

2: Attach a self care activity to something you’re already doing

When I started getting older I realized my skin was getting dry much more, especially in the summer. So I bought lotion to help. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t remember to put it on regularly so my skin continued to get feel dry. Sometimes even cracking, and always at the worst spots like in between my fingers or on my elbow. It was the worst.

Now, everytime I get out of the shower, something I do every day no question – I put lotion on before I put my robe on. Evidently I added some self care (moisturizing my skin) to a routine I already do. I highly recommend this because our brains THRIVE at associations so after a while I started grabbing my lotion automatically after my shower! This process is called habit stacking and it’s a great way to work with your subconscious.

Your Challenge

The best way to build a powerful self-care routine is to know which activities to put into it. For this purpose I am presenting you with this 30 day challenge!

Your mission for the next 30 days is to try a new self-care activity each day and write about it in your journal. Firstly, give the activity an overall rating, then explain whether it’s worthy enough of being included in your self-care routine. Be as detailed as possible during these daily reflections, future you will be grateful for it.

Once you hit day 30 you will review all the activities and call out the ones you like most. Then, you will use those activities to build your own routine. Use the next 30 days to challenge yourself to stick to it or if you need to change it up. Repeat as many times as it takes to find your perfect self-care routine!

Extra Resources for your challenge:

If you don’t know yet, I have a freebie journal that happens to be a Self-Care Planner. I highly recommend downloading it and using it for this challenge!

Above all, it’s a great FREE resource you can use to make the most of this challenge so you come out of it feeling refreshed, recharged, and revitalized!

Self Care Inspiration For This Challenge

Now to the most important part of this challenge, the self-care activities! To emphasize, I have included a list of tons of self care activities to inspire your self-care journey during this challenge, you are free to try anything your heart desires!

1. Take a warm bubble bath with candles and soothing music.
2. Make a cup of tea or coffee and read a good book.
3. Do a face mask or give yourself a facial (this is also fun to do with your friends via zoom).
4. Go for a walk in nature (I take my journal with me and go for a journal walk, it’s as insightful as it is beautiful).
5. Listen to a guided meditation or relaxation exercise.
6. Write in a journal or practice gratitude (and you know I got a great journal for gratitude – Gratitude Growth Journal).
7. Take a nap or get a good night’s sleep (I am not a morning person but now I have to wake up at 5AM, you know I’m sleeping by 9PM lol).
8. Create a vision board or do some visualization exercises (I used one of these vision board templates, printed it, framed it and put it on my desk – Vision Board Worksheet Pack).
9. Practice yoga or do some stretching exercises.
10. Cook a healthy and delicious meal.
11. Watch a funny movie or TV show.
12. Listen to your favorite music and dance (for some reason doing this in the morning helps me stay awake and not go back to sleep, is that just me?).
13. Treat yourself to a massage or spa day (I don’t do this often but when I do I feel like a whole new person, ISTG).
14. Paint, draw, or do some other form of creative expression (This is actually how I started making my own journals, it has always been a creativity outlet for me).
15. Practice mindfulness or breathwork.
16. Declutter your living space or organize your belongings.
17. Take a social media break.
18. Take a technology detox for a day or weekend.
19. Practice self-compassion and positive self-talk (This one I kind of forced myself to do because I struggled with this majorly, it’s why I made these affirmations – Self Talk Word Swap Affirmations).
20. Take a day trip or weekend getaway.
21. Go on a picnic or have a BBQ with friends or family.
22. Practice a hobby or learn a new skill.
23. Go to a museum or art exhibit.
24. Attend a concert or live performance.
25. Do some gardening or spend time in nature.
26. Take a hot shower and use essential oils (This really feels good when you’re sick, can really clear out your sinuses and it smells amazing).
27. Write a letter to a loved one or pen pal (This is so slept on these days, it’s sad. Getting a handwritten letter just hits different).
28. Take a warm bath with Epsom salt and essential oils (Great for my workout girlies with sore muscles).
29. Take a day off work or schedule a mental health day.
30. Attend a fitness class or workout at home.
31. Treat yourself to a favorite dessert or meal (and save the recipe and moment for later. I use this journal for that – Mindful Eating Affirmations. It really helped me not feel guilty for enjoying food).
32. Go for a bike ride or hike.
33. Practice deep breathing exercises.
34. Spend time with pets or animals (I can’t be the only one that talks to my pet, it’s a form of journaling that is fun because you have a living being interacting with you without knowing what you’re saying).
35. Take a break from social obligations and obligations in general.
36. Read inspirational quotes or affirmations.
37. Take a nap in a hammock or by the beach (I mean have you seen a Corona commercial, enough said lol).
38. Listen to a podcast or audio book.
39. Go to a farmers market or local vendor.
40. Connect with a loved one or friend.
41. Take a mental health assessment to learn more about yourself.
42. Get a manicure, pedicure, or do your nails at home.
43. Spend time doing something you love without distractions.
44. Practice self-care through aromatherapy.
45. Go to a spa or have an at-home spa day.
46. Take a relaxing bath with herbs and oils.
47. Get a facial at a spa, just because.
48. Soak in the sunshine by sitting in the sun.
49. Attend a class or workshop on something you enjoy.
50. Practice self-reflection and introspection (This is so powerful, I reflect on my day every night and it has really helped quiet my mind before bed. I use this baby for that – Bedtime Reflections Journal).

Remember this…

Self-care is about taking care of yourself in whatever way works for you. In fact, only choose the activities that make you feel good and prioritize them in your daily routine.

Hence why this list is just to be used as inspiration. I don’t want you to try one, hate it, and think “self-care isn’t for me”. Surely that is robbing you of adding time into your day to recharge and feel good, even if it is for just a moment. You deserve that moment!

So take this as a trial and error and share below which ones have worked well for you! With this in mind, please share your experience! Or a self-care activity you know deserves to be on this list! I want to hear it all!

Lastly, you’re not on this journey alone anymore! You’ve got your journal fam! We’re in this together!

NOW GO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!