There’s no right way to “do” self-care, but sometimes it can be overwhelming figuring out what self-care means to you. And oftentimes we overlook the little things that make us happy! So here is a little list to remind you that self-care can be anything/everything that makes you happy (and can be inexpensive or entirely free)! And these are just perfect for the chilly autumn days ahead of us.
Waking up late on your days off work/school. Waking up naturally and not by an alarm is such a great feeling!
Waking up early on your free days if that’s your thing too! Staying with a routine can be just as relaxing
Put on your comfiest pj’s and drink some hot coco. (French vanilla hot chocolate is amazing and I highly recommend it!)
Put on something comfy and snuggle under a bunch of blankets. Be it by yourself or with a significant other
Watch Halloweentown (and the sequels of course)! And every other fun Halloween movie for that matter.
Watch something scary if your into that!
Build a bonfire/start your fireplace and just sit and absorb the warmth. And if you don’t have a fireplace or can’t make a fire (safely) just pop a pic of one on your computer and enjoy the aesthetic!
Turn off all electronics and just listen to the rain or the leaves in the breeze (for however long you’re comfortable with)
Find/create a pile of leaves (or have someone else do it lol) and jump in it! Roll around and listen to the crunch. Just be a kid again!
Find a comfy corner - in your home, library, park, or wherever! - to read a book in
Cook your favorite food/desert
Cook something you’ve never made before! (Lots of pumpkin recipes out there I plan on trying this season)
Cook something in the microwave if you aren’t feeling up to standing in the kitchen for more than two minutes. This is what mug recipes were made for!
Have a cup of calming tea. I like chai tea in the fall! It makes me feel all warm n toasty!
Draw some autumn inspired doodles or do a fall inspired painting. Even if you don’t think you can draw, try it out! You never know, you might find out it’s your calling!
Eat some soup because soup is awesome! (Sorry if I offend anyone who doesn’t like soup)
Make sure you’re drinking enough water! Make an autumn infusion by adding some apples, plums, and/or pears to a pitcher of ice water. Stay hydrated while also staying within the season!
Go to Starbucks and order a PSL if that’s your thing (not necessarily mine, but I know a lot of people enjoy it)!
Put clean sheets on the bed and just roll around in the crispness! Bonus points if you have a fall scented fabric/essential oil spray
Take a shower because being all fresh and clean can do wonders for your mindset
Clean if that clears your mind. I know it does mine! If you’ve never cleaned to relax before, give it a try! This could be your new go-to relaxing act and you never knew. Plus, you kill two birds with one stone by making your space tidy and taking care of yourself in the process!
Lay in bed all day if that’s all you feel like doing. Or just chill on the couch. That works too
Do your skincare routine - even if that’s just putting on chapstick
Write! Write a story or just about your day. Heck! Even if you just write out the alphabet, that’s still something!
Go back to bed if that’s all you’re feeling that day. (Although if this becomes a frequent act, it could be a sign that something else is going on and you might consider talking to a professional)
Make a gratitude journal! It’s a great way to lift your mood and can actually make you live longer! Just write down five things you’re grateful for. You can do this everyday or every month or once a year, whatever works for you!
Go to a friend’s house or invite them over. Even simply talking to them on the phone can be cathartic. Speaking to someone can help you get through any negative thoughts you may be having.
Go to the movies! You can even make this a regular event. Something to look forward to every week or month.
Bring the movies to you! Stop by a redbox and have a little movie night - by yourself or with friends. A gold star for those of you who can figure out how to project the film on the wall!
Create a spread in your bullet journal. I know I create random pages in mine all the time - pen swatches, shows I want to watch, habit trackers, etc. And if you don’t bullet journal maybe research it and see if it’ll work for you!
I think I’ll end it there for today. I know this isn’t a long list, so feel free to add to it all you want!
I hope this inspires you all to go and find out what makes you happy/relaxes you. Just do whatever makes you happy! Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to practice self-care.