If you’d label yourself as being sensitive ✅, introverted ✅, or empathetic ✅, I would bet you are due for a self-care date. 🙃
Why? Because you feel deeper than most people, and in this wild period of history where everyone is feeling , you are the one that is feeling very very deeply.
(Side Note: Does anyone else have a water sign in their Astro Big 3? 🙋🏻♀️)
So without further ado, let’s get into 20 ways you can love on your cute self with a little tender loving care, from my sensitive heart to yours. 💌
SELF CARE PRACTICE #1: GIVE YOURSELF SOME TIME TO BE UNPRODUCTIVE
For whatever reason, our culture seriously glorifies “busy-ness”. We want to do all the things and now.
We think of rest as lazy, so we shame ourselves away from it.
Honestly, I’m as goal-driven as the next girl, but the honest truth is that people who never rest usually don’t end up going as far anyway.
So let’s write ourselves a big ol’ permission slip to PAUSE. Let’s recharge those batteries. 🔋
The ironic part? We might actually be more productive afterwards.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #2: TRIAGE MODE ONLY DAY
Step 1️⃣: Grab your to-do list
Step 2️⃣: Throw it away.
Today, we are in triage mode. Basically “putting out fires only” mode.
Something ultra-urgent? Ok, attend to it 🔥 Everything else? That’s future you’s problem. 🙅🏻♀️
A huge tip that I use is to tell myself “that’s future Bri’s problem”.
It works for me because I trust myself enough to get things done later. But not now.
If you are in nervous system overload or are extremely exhausted, I can’t stress this self care practice enough.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #3: TAKE A HANDFUL OF GOALS OFF YOUR PLATE FOR GOOD
I think I remember reading this tip in Arianna Huffington’s book Thrive . Basically she said she had piled up goals onto herself “learn this, improve that” and trying to improve herself in all the areas was burning her out.
I get shiny object syndrome and I want to do all the things and learn all the skills.
At one point I wanted to
- learn knitting,
- learn Spanish,
- learn Italian,
- homeschool my kids,
- train for a half marathon,
- work as a CPA.
And it was killing me.
All of my free time was taken by one of my “hobbies” that was turning me into a productivity slave. ❌
What can you take off your plate? What can you save for another chapter in life?
You can’t over-schedule yourself endlessly without it taking a toll on your physical and mental health.
So let’s do less! 💪🏻
SELF CARE PRACTICE #4: TURN OFF YOUR PHONE FOR SEVERAL HOURS
Oh my god. This is an act of PURE REBELLION. 🤘🏻
But what if there’s an emergency? ➡️There won’t be.
What if there’s a huge news alert and I miss it? ➡️ Whatever.
Turn your phone off, hide it in your room, and ignore it.
And watch the world not burn to the ground. 🔥
The phone is this ball and chain that we all carry around, and society makes us feel like we have to. But we really don’t.
As a radical act of self care, spend some hours without your phone and see how free you feel.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #5: FILL YOUR SPACE WITH LIT CANDLES
I love candles (hence the Candlelight Collective 🕯️). Our ancestors used candles for thousands of years to illuminate their homes, light their books, and soften their spaces.
And then we invented electricity and we stopped leaning into the magic of candlelight.
My absolute favorite candles are made from beeswax. They’re healthier to breathe, throw warm light, and smell divine – like honey.
Candlelit dinner? Yes please! Candlelit Kindle reading session? YES! 🕯️
SELF CARE PRACTICE #6: DIFFUSE LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OILS
Lavender oil is a powerhouse for emotional regulation. Sticking some in a diffuser is a sure way to practice self-care.
You could also:
🪻add a few drops to your palms and inhale it
🪻rub some onto your temples
🪻add some drops to a damp washcloth and then place it with your blankets in the dryer
✨ PURE MAGIC.
I’ve diffused lavender in my daughter’s nurseries when they were sick, teething, or stressed out.
It’s probably my all time favorite herb and oil.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #7: PAINT YOUR NAILS A FUN COLOR
This one is silly, but it gets you in touch with your inner child. 🌈
My favorite nail polish growing up was midnight blue. I still love it tbh. Did you have a favorite?
As an act of self-care, paint your nails some absurd and awesome color, even if you plan to take it off before heading back to reality.
Neon pink? Yeah!
Polka dots? Cute!
Stickers? Do it!
This is an act to amplify joy, not one to make sense. Do you!
SELF CARE PRACTICE #8: DELETE SOCIAL MEDIA APPS FROM YOUR PHONE
I remember the first time I deleted instagram from my phone.
I thought I would start misunderstanding social references or miss the daily inspiration from my favorite accounts.
But the truth is…I didn’t miss anything.
And the peace I felt mentally without the anxiety-inducing scroll of endless content? FREEING.
You can still check instagram from a laptop, I do occasionally. But taking social media off your phone is so stinkin’ liberating.
You immediately start passing your time in different ways – hopefully ones that feel good – and your nervous system doesn’t have to protect itself from the fast-moving world of social media. 😌
SELF CARE PRACTICE #9: READ A FAVORITE BOOK FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD
Remember Judy Bloom? Beverly Cleary?
If there was a book that really changed your life as a kid, rent it from the library or buy it from a bookstore and dive into it again as an adult.
Harry Potter, the Series of Unfortunate Events, the Chronicles of Narnia…
As a sensitive introvert, I sometimes need to escape reality. I need to jump into a world where good always conquers evil and happy endings are real.
Of course, any act of escapism should be eyed with suspicion if over-used.
But in my personal opinion, reading is Self Care 101 and as my boy Stephen King put it “Books are uniquely portable magic.” 🪄
(Side Note: Stephen King’s books are amazing and not as scary as you think they are).
Don’t sleep on Mr. King. 👑
SELF CARE PRACTICE #10: PAINT SOME HOME-MADE GREETING CARDS
This one is easy! Let’s do some crafting. Zero art skill needed.
Pick up some watercolors (or a different medium) and literally just mix colors on the page.
You don’t have to draw forms or scenes, just add various colors to a piece of paper and let them mix and do all the work for you.
After they dry, write “Happy Birthday” or “Congratulations” on them and save them in a draw for upcoming celebrations. 🎉
Congratulations, you created something!
And honestly, who wouldn’t want to receive a handmade card instead of a $10 card made by a-hole greeting card companies that capitalize on cultural customs? 🙋🏽♀️
SELF CARE PRACTICE #11: SNUGGLE UP WITH A CUP OF HONEY-SWEETENED TEA
There is something insanely magical about a cup of tea with a scoop of honey. 🐝
We’ve got:
🫖chamomile to calm
🫖lavender tea for tummy aches
🫖raspberry leaf tea if you’re on your cycle
💫 and thousands more
Stir in some yummy honey and let the herbs heal you with their subtle magic. 🪄
SELF CARE PRACTICE #12: STAY IN PAJAMAS ALL DAY AND DO NO CHORES
It’s true that getting out of pajamas and getting changed for the day kickstarts our productivity.
But… we’re doing the opposite.
So leave those babies on all day long. Be cozy. Be lazy.
You deserve extra rest sometimes and nothing signals rest to our bodies like cozy PJs.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #13: DANCE LIKE A CRAZY PERSON IN YOUR ROOM
This one is seriously magical. You might feel super silly at first, but the release of energy is worth it.
💃🏻Lock yourself in your room,
💃🏻turn on a high energy song, and then
💃🏻 flail your arms/shake your hips/stomp your feet aka dance like no one’s watching.
_____________________________________________________
Story time🙈:
One time I had a relative visit my house who seriously pissed me off.
As soon as they left, I put on some music (I think it was Tool??) and danced around ANGRILY, stomping…it was a whole vibe and I looked like a LUNATIC.
But afterwards? I felt so amazing that I started laughing my head off. All the anger left my body in the course of 3 minutes of dancing.
_____________________________________________________
It’s a sure way to transfer energy out of your body and you will be buzzing afterwards.
Do not sleep on this self-care hack.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #14: SEND MESSAGES TO YOUR LOVED ONES
This one will especially speak to my “Words of Affirmation” love language girlies.
Send a text (or a snail mail letter, maybe on the watercolor card you made in Tip 10!) and tell them you love them, and maybe even why.
💌“I just wanted to send you a random message to say I’m so happy you are in my life and I love you so much”💌
💌“This is super random, but I was thinking about you and I’m so grateful for doing life alongside you!” 💌
Imagine receiving a message like that?
ALSO, we get back what we put out, so why not throw out positivity like this into the universe? It’ll inevitably come back to you, amplified. So it’s a win-win.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #15: TAKE A LONG, LUXURIOUS SHOWER
God bless the Shower. 🚿
Can we have a moment of silence for all of our ancestors who lived before the invention of running water and showers? Can you imagine?
When I’m in a big funk, and I take a 10 minute shower to shampoo, condition, exfoliate, and shave I exit the bathroom a new woman.
Water is cleansing, both literally and energetically. 💦
Wash off that grime along with any negative energy you’ve accumulated. You won’t regret it.
Short on time? Wash your face. I swear washing my face alone can pull me out of a bad mood.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #16: GIVE YOURSELF AN OIL MASSAGE
My absolutely favorite brand of skin oil is a local California brand called Harji.
No affiliation here, I just genuinely am obsessed with their family-made products.
But whether you buy from Harji or use your own, massage oil into your arms, legs, and body. It’s warming and nourishing and it will leave you feeling grounded and cozy.
SELF CARE PRACTICE #17: CREATE A GRATITUDE LIST
We all know the power of gratitude. But how many blessings do you have around you that you forget to notice? 🔍
An easy way to feel less hopeless is to realize the goodness already around you.
List the blessings you’re grateful for and watch your heart chakra explode with gratitude. 💓
And not only that, energy flows where our focus goes.
🌱So if we focus on lack, it grows.
🌱If we focus on abundance, that grows. Which one do you prefer?
SELF CARE PRACTICE #18: MAKE A VISION BOARD OUT OF MAGAZINE CLIPPINGS
Like we did in the early 2000s: vision board collages using magazines.
Sure you could print pictures of Pinterest (I also love doing this).
But if you’re going for an analog experience because you need a break from your phone, pick up some magazines and glue sticks and go to town.
It’s so fun and creative, you can even do it with friends over snacks with some music in the background.
Self-Care 101!
SELF CARE PRACTICE #19: ORDER YOUR FAVORITE MEAL FOR TAKE-OUT
If you are a foodie, there’s nothing like your favorite meal, especially if someone else makes it.
Yes, it’s a splurge. But every once in a while it’s ok, especially if you are in need of a break. 🍝
Enjoy that meal, savor its deliciousness, and send out that “thank you” to the universe for the money to pay for the meal.
Buon appetito!
SELF CARE PRACTICE #20: WATCH A SENTIMENTAL ROM-COM WITH POPCORN AND/OR ICE CREAM
This one is a classic. Who doesn’t like Rom-Coms?
Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You, Clueless, It’s Complicated, Pride & Prejudice
What is your favorite comfort movie?
If you want to believe the world is good, that love is real, and that there is hope – watch a movie with those themes.
Yes, they’re fiction. But they’re timeless! And the themes are real – they just cut out the painful moments of life ✨.
THAT WRAPS UP OUR LIST OF 20 SELF CARE PRACTICES💗
BOTTOM LINE: you deserve self care, baby girl!
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Life is beautiful, but life makes us feel all the things: good and bad. And taking extra care of yourself when you’re overwhelmed by the hard feelings is a radical act of responsibility for your life.
❌Don’t keep pushing yourself when you’re struggling.
✅Do pause, and care for yourself.
You have my permission, and I know what I’m talking about because I’m a mom 😉
Oh and by the way, if you’re into journaling practices, I made this magical morning journal challenge just for you 😍
xx Bri