It’s getting to be that point in the semester where everything feels like it’s going slow, yet simultaneously speeding up. Weeks are feeling longer, but we’re all aware that within a few weeks, finals are going to hit everyone like a truck — right back into reality!
That might not be something that you even want to begin to fathom, so I’m sorry if I was a little too real there. But at some point, you’ll need to focus on the big prize: passing all of your classes. The only way that you can do that is by taking care of yourself.
I think that we often forget how easy it is to get caught up in other responsibilities so much that we don’t put ourselves first. The truth is that without energy for yourself, your energy for other things will slowly deplete as these responsibilities catch up to you. If this happens, you might experience such low energy, and maybe even burnout, that it will be time to be intentional when it comes to your self-care.
Many of us go through the motions — sleep, wake up, shower, brush our teeth, get dressed…just the basics, whatever that might sound like for you. Maybe it’s because I’m high maintenance, but doing these basic things every day of my life simply isn’t enough for me. Something I’ve been doing for quite some time is dedicating a night-in for myself at some point over the weekend. It’s just me and some good old TLC.
I’m sure that a self care night sounds appealing, but you might be a little lost on where to start. That’s why, to give you some inspo, I’m going to walk you through my night-in routine that, for me, feels like a hug!
- Take an “everything shower”
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Let’s be honest, if an “everything shower” was a human reincarnation, she’d be the best friend that we all wish we could hang out with every day, but we get so busy that it’s impossible! That’s why, for something that I rarely do every day (and it makes me feel so refreshed), it is a need to include it in my self-care routine. Break out all of your shower items, including things you might not get to use every day, whether it’s your razor, a hair mask, body scrubs, or scented body wash. You’ll want to go overboard for this so that you can step out of the shower feeling refreshed and smelling amazing.
- wear something comfy
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Once I get out of the shower, I know that it’s time to dress like I love myself! This might look different depending on what the mood of the night is, but it’s typically an oversized hoodie or t-shirt with some comfy pants. If I’m feeling really crazy, I break out the fuzzy socks. The bottom line is to dress however you feel is special to you. If you have silk pajamas or a matching lounge set, consider putting those on!
- Set the mood
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A special night like this is incomplete without the right music or ambiance. This is one of my favorite parts. I love putting on my favorite music, which changes on a week-by-week basis, but if you’re looking for a certain vibe, anything works! I usually like to queue up certain songs or shuffle a playlist, but my other suggestions are cozy lo-fi beats, instrumental jazz, or rainy-day sounds.
- Skincare and self-maintenance
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Now that the vibe is set, it’s time to get into the most important portion of your night: purposefully taking care of yourself. I see this as a sort of extension of the “everything shower.” There is never such a thing as being too clean or feeling too good! I like to put on an eye or face mask, then put on some face lotion or hydrating cream. After that, I trim my nails, and if I’m feeling up to it, I paint them. Just like the “everything shower”, you’ll want to break out every self-care item you have–body lotion, cuticle oil, tweezers if you want to pluck the brows, or a jade roller (if you have these on hand). There is no right or wrong for this; do what feels good!
- Grab Your Favorite Snack
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A sweet treat is absolutely essential for a night-in. There’s nothing like a little extra nourishment. Whether you already have a little snack every night or this is an occasional thing, your body will end up feeling so good that it will thank you. On a night-in, I like to grab a fun drink, like a soda or sparkling water, in addition to my snacks. Right now, my current obsession is dessert bowls — I grab a small bowl and all of my favorite treats, and then I put a little bit of each snack in the bowl. If that’s too much for you, some simpler options are cookies, popcorn, or candy!
- Watch Something (Or Don’t)
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This isn’t something that I incorporated into my night-in routine until recently, so I totally get it if you don’t want to watch anything! I have some alternatives below. But watching something as part of my self-care night always gives me a healthy mental escape, a mood boost, and an addition to my cozy factor. It’s totally up to you what to watch, whether it’s a comfort rewatch, something new that you’ve been putting off, or a show you’ve been binging. Another fun option is falling down a YouTube rabbit hole, with intention, of course.
- Alternative Activities
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Maybe you aren’t feeling up for watching anything and you’d rather choose a different mentally stimulating activity. I’m big on creative outlets like coloring or journaling, but you can also draw, paint, or scrapbook! Some other options are reading if you’re a big book person or other mental hobbies that you might enjoy, like puzzles, LEGO sets, or embroidery. Any activity that clears mental clutter will be perfect.
- Tidy Space, Tidy Mind
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I don’t know about you, but I can never be fully content if my living space isn’t clean. Before bed on my nights in, I like to do a quick 10-minute tidy. This means vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, putting anything away that might have been lying out for longer than it should have, and reorganizing things, as needed. A little bonus is fluffing those pillows — it’s almost time for bed, of course!
- Tech Wind-Down
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Now that we’re getting closer to bedtime, it’s important to start putting away life’s biggest distraction: the phone. About thirty minutes to an hour before bed, I turn off my notifications, put my phone in a place where I won’t be able to reach it from my bed and switch on Do Not Disturb. You’ll fall asleep so much easier if you avoid looking at electronics before going to sleep. If you’re still watching something by this point, put on blue light filters or night mode on your screen, if accessible.
- Sleep Intentionally
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The good thing is, by putting electronics away, you’ll be halfway to a comfortable sleep already. Make sure that you are allocating time from your night to get in bed earlier than you normally would. In addition, do whatever you need to sleep well — cuddle up with a stuffed animal or extra blanket, or turn on white noise if you need it. I always turn my fan on, because I can’t sleep in silence and I don’t like to wake up sweating. Since this night-in is supposed to be a weekly reset, it won’t work if you don’t end it right, so do whatever you need to sleep well!
No matter what this night-in ends up looking like for you, all that matters is that you’ve invested time in yourself. In my book, that’s an accomplishment in and of itself. You’ve started your week off correctly by nourishing the most important relationship you’ll ever have: the one you have with you.
The love that you can give to yourself will always be greater, richer, and more dependable than anything that comes from outside of you. You’re so special that you’ll never be able to replicate the kind of energy you give, so don’t be afraid to give it all right back to yourself, even if it’s just for a night.
This isn’t about doing the “perfect” self-care routine. It’s about giving yourself space to exist without external pressure or performance. It’s about feeling safe and seen, even if only by you. And honestly? That’s enough. That’s more than enough.
So go romanticize the heck out of your Saturday night. Make your room feel like a spa, a Pinterest board, or a dream you’ve been too tired to dream of lately. You deserve rest. You deserve stillness. You deserve the love you keep trying to give to everyone else. You deserve you. Always.