Low-Cost Ways I Like to Self-Care
I am so happy about the self-care revolution that has exploded online to teach us how to be more attuned to what it is that we need and, most importantly, not feel guilty about resting and addressing what our bodies, minds, or spirit need. On the other end of that it can be tempting to fall into a consumer culture of self-care, believing that you need to purchase this one thing to even have a well established self-care routine for yourself.
Whatever the product or experience may be I am sure they are amazing in their own right but self-care doesn’t have to cost us much or anything at all! Check-out my list of ways I like to self-care that are either free or are low cost. There is no one right way to self-care. I hope these ideas spark a reminder that you’re already doing the damn thing or gets your mind flowing on small ways you can incorporate a more low-cost self-care routine.
If you have any fun low-cost self-care activities that you carve out for yourself, please do share in the comments or tag me on IG and share your experiences.
Mind
- Journal at least once a week
- Write down my wins for today or keep a gratitude list
- Reading for fun
- Learning a new skill
- Exploring a new hobby or simply dedicating time to by hobby
- Keeping a budget and knowing where my expenses are going
- Listening to a podcast and plugging into a virtual community that inspires me
- Donate items that I am keeping out of guilt or have served their purpose in my life
- Immersing myself in creative spaces– live poetry, visiting a museum or art exhibit
Adventure
- Camping– in your living room with your kids, backyard, or reserve a spot at your local campsite.
- side note- do your research to make sure a campsite if your vibe!
- Switching up the routine– Trying something I would typically reserve for the weekend during the weekday
- Create new memories with family–
- Try and new park, hang outdoors, and play new games
- Dates with friends–
- About once a month I try and schedule a coffee shop date with someone that I enjoy spending time with. New coffee shops and conversations over coffee is one of my favorite appointments to set up.
- About once a quarter I like to try new places that are popular local spots. Some months, a friend and I will meet in the middle, explore and catch up together.
Physical
- Take a few mins a day to prioritize the basics: drink plenty of water, vitamins, and a consistent skincare routine
- Incorporate more fruits or veggies throughout the day
- Focus on moving your body for 30 mins a day
- Getting outdoors and seeing daylight hours
- 15 min walk on days you find yourself preoccupied or overworked
- Yoga practice on YouTube
- If you don’t have a yoga mat, you can sit on a pillow or blanket and practice breathing exercises
- Because I work in an office, I like to go for sequences that focus on hip-openers or heart-openers to balance the sitting and hunching over a keyboard
- If you’re in a pinch- there are 10-min, even 5-min, yoga videos to fit your time needs
- Wear a nice outfit that makes me feel great just because
- Waking up to no alarm clock at least once week
- Dance it out to some music
- Do something for someone else
- Once a week face mask
- take a bath once a week
Spiritual
- Keep a prayer list and committing to prayer once a day
- Listening to a spiritual message online or podcast
- Work on letting go at least one limiting belief at a time
- Create an environment or space that fuels your soul and inspires you to be the best version of you
- Spending time in nature without my phone
- Early mornings walks without my phone
1 Comment
I love this! I’ve definitely fallen into the consumer culture before. After a while, i learned to look at what I already own and make the most of it. I may not have *that particular $50 mud mask* but I do have a $10 one that I never opened, or a sample that I never used! Or maybe I don’t have a $100 lotion, but I can be more mindful and appreciative during application. Or make a boring dish super bougie with just plating, I’m looking at that $8 yogurt parfait when I eat out when I can make an equally pretty one, with my favorite bowl at home! Or juice in a wine glass ♀️ Self-care doesn’t need to cost extra money. In today’s age of over consumption, everyone probably already has some things that they bought aspirationally and never used to its’ full potential!