“I wake up at sunrise, walk four miles to my local coffee shop, go to my 9 am pilates class, get my nails done, come back home and start my 9 step self-care routine with products that are all ethically sourced and each over $30.” This “self-care routine,” in some variation or another, has been flooding my TikTok and Instagram feed lately. Influencers display the highlights of their self-care days, making their lives look perfect and effortless. While I’m sure that this is merely just a highlight reel of their lives, I still sit in my twin bed in my tiny dorm room envying the lives that these influencers portray. The reality is, self-care has been made to look unattainable by seeming too expensive and too time consuming.
Self-care does not have to be a five mile walk for a $9 coffee. It can be cheap, it can be easy, and it can be quick. Whether you’re living at home with your parents for the semester, or just need a break from the monotonous days of Zoom classes, everyone could benefit from some accessible and affordable self-care added to their routine. Here is a list of 5 ways to practice self-care on a budget:
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Journaling
You don’t need to be an expert writer (or even a good one!) to start journaling. All you need is a pen and paper. There are no rules to journaling either, just write down whatever thoughts come to your mind at that moment and I can guarantee you will feel a little relief when it’s all over.
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Meditating
People are often intimidated by meditating in fear that they will “do it wrong”. But there is no wrong way to meditate. Goodful’s “10 Minute Meditiation for Beginners” YouTube video is a perfect place to start. There are plenty of other free and short videos like this on YouTube that will guide you through the mediation process. All you have to do is sit, listen, and breathe for a couple of minutes.
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Beauty products
A good face mask and a new manicure is a guaranteed way to make yourself feel refreshed and rejuvenated for a new day. Not all skincare routines have to be 10 steps and $50. Here is a list of some clean skincare brands that won’t make too big of a dent in your wallet: Cocokind, Versed, SheaMoisture, Ethique, Bliss, Botanics, Derma-E, E.l.f, Formula 10.0.6, Pacifica Beauty.
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Spend time outside
As college students, we often get stuck in a rut of spending our entire days inside doing work. With the warm weather finally starting to kick in and the seasonal depression lifting, it is finally time to get outside in the sun and soak in the healthy benefits of Vitamin D. Going on a short walk with friends or even doing some studying outside are all great ways to increase your time outside and take care of yourself.
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Facetime a friend
It’s easy to get into our own routines and forget about the world around us. Especially during the pandemic, these routines can feel isolating. One of the best ways to boost your mood and feel a little more grounded is by calling family or friends. It’s simple, it’s free, but it is something that we could all do a little more to take care of ourselves better.