Whenever I’m stressed, I find myself wondering: who actually has time for self care? Sharing personal routines to minimize stress has become a trend on social media, and like most things online, these routines are highly unattainable. From using egregiously expensive skin care products to spending an hour taking a candle-lit bubble bath, this is unrealistic (especially if you’re a broke and busy college student like me).
Taking these posts at face value, I found myself feeling inadequate. I kept telling myself that one day I will be able to take care of myself; I just needed to have more money, be less busy, and be perfect like the women on my screen. It wasn’t until I started rethinking self care that I finally was able to mitigate the stress in my life and take more time for myself.
Self care isn’t fancy. Sure, it can be (if you’re a twenty-something influencer who posts content for a living), but for the rest of us normal people, it can be whatever we want. Personally, I thought about the things I enjoy doing and made a conscious effort to incorporate them into my daily life. I like to cook, spend time outdoors, and write. So, every day I make an effort to make dinner myself (even if it’s just boiling pasta), walk to classes instead of driving, and write one page in my journal.
Once I realized that self care could be whatever I wanted it to be, I felt empowered in my choices and less pressured to follow a set routine. Self care isn’t bubble baths and face masks; it’s whatever makes you feel good throughout the day. Whether it’s as simple as grabbing a coffee or rewatching your favorite show, you’ll find confidence in knowing that there are millions of ways to take care of yourself and feel good.
If you’re in need of some ideas, here are some of my favorite forms of self care:
- Picking up a new plant or a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store
- Taking an extra long shower (if I have time)
- Hitting snooze one more time in the morning
- Calling a friend or family member to catch up
- Putting on my favorite outfit
- Listening to my favorite music
- Spending a little extra time on my makeup
- Trying a new recipe
- Rewatching one of my favorite shows (right now it’s Gilmore Girls)
- Making sure I’m fueling my body throughout the day
- Going for a walk (even if it’s just across the street)