Let me start by saying something I’ve learned the hard way. Taking care of yourself doesn’t always feel easy, even when everyone online says you should “just take a bubble bath” or “treat yourself.” I mean, yes, that stuff can help. But not always. And definitely not when your brain feels like a tangled ball of yarn. That’s why I’ve been looking for self care day ideas that actually work, not just look cute on Instagram.
So lately, I’ve been exploring ideas that feel real. Not fancy, not Instagram-perfect, but truly comforting and doable. Things that make me want to do them again, not just once. Because what’s the point of a self care day if it feels like a chore or like it’s trying to be too perfect?
If you’re trying to be more mindful, reconnect with yourself, and also have a little fun (without spending all your paycheck), I got you.
This post was all about self care day ideas.
Here are my personal favorite self care ideas, tested by me, my friends, my sister, even my old roommate who now lives in Iceland. You can mix and match, pick one or two, or turn this into a whole weekend. It’s really up to you.
Start With a Slow, Guilt-Free Morning
Honestly, the best thing you can do for yourself on a self care day is not rushing. I used to jump out of bed and instantly scroll through messages and emails. Big mistake. Now, when I can, I take my time. Like, real slow.
One Sunday I stayed in bed until 10 am just reading an old book I found in my closet. It felt like being a teenager again, in the best way.
Here are some little things you can try in the morning:
- Make your favorite breakfast and eat it slowly (I like toast with peanut butter, banana and cinnamon)
- Open a window and just sit there for a bit, listening to the world outside
- Write three things you’re grateful for in a notebook
- Light a candle and stretch like a sleepy cat
It sets the mood for the whole day. Very cozy. Very peaceful.
Make a Mini Home Spa (Without Buying Anything Fancy)
Look, I love a good spa day. But those places are expensive, and sometimes you don’t want to talk to anyone or go anywhere. So I started doing my own spa thing at home.
One time I made a honey and oatmeal face mask from a TikTok recipe and it made my skin so soft. I also wrapped my feet in warm towels and sat on the floor while watching old romcoms.
If you want ideas for your DIY spa:
- Put some Epsom salt and lavender oil in a bowl for a relaxing foot soak
- Use cold spoons on your eyes (very refreshing, I promise)
- Play soft music and sit still with a face mask (store-bought or homemade, both are good)
- Wear your comfiest robe or hoodie and pretend you’re in a luxury hotel
My sister and I sometimes do this together, and we just sit in silence drinking mint tea. Very nice bonding moment.
Go Outside and Let Nature Hug You
Okay, this one sounds a bit dramatic but trust me, it helps. I think that being in nature is like a reset button for your brain.
Try one of these:
- Walk around your block and actually look at the flowers or trees
- Take a book to the park and read for a bit
- Sit outside and let the sun touch your face
Nature doesn’t ask anything from you. It just welcomes you.
Do Something Creative Just Because
Sometimes self care means being a little mental self care. Do something that positively feeds your mind with good and calming things. I enjoy puzzles, crosswords, and word searches so much that I actually started making my own with themes. I know that sounds a bit nerdy, but people really enjoy them when I bring them to small gatherings.
My cousin told me last month she framed one I made because it had inside jokes from our childhood. I almost cried, not even joking.
You could try:
- Doodling or painting with no goal, just for fun
- Making friendship bracelets or those silly beaded rings
- Baking something simple and decorating it like a kid would
- Writing a short poem or even a fake ad for something ridiculous
If you like, I can share some of my custom crosswords with you. They are fun to do while having a tea or just lying on the couch.
Reach Out to Someone Who Feels Like Home
Self care doesn’t always mean being alone. Sometimes it’s about connection. A few weekends ago, I called my grandma and we ended up talking about her favorite soups for one hour. It was the most peaceful moment of my week.
You don’t need to plan anything big. Try:
- Sending a voice note to a friend
- FaceTiming someone you miss
- Watching a movie together online while chatting
One of my friends and I have a thing called “Nail talk” where we both do our nails and just sit on Zoom talking about life for 30 minutes. It’s silly, but it makes me feel seen.
Make Your Space Feel Like a Hug
This doesn’t mean deep-cleaning your whole apartment. I mean, unless that makes you feel good. For me, it’s more about adding little soft touches that make me feel cozy.
I like to change pillowcases, light a candle (currently obsessed with the vanilla bean one), and put on my “rainy day” playlist. I also have fairy lights that I turn on during the day just because they make me happy.
Here are some soft upgrades you can do fast:
- Put on fresh sheets or make your bed
- Diffuse some essential oils (or even cook something that smells nice)
- Add a blanket to your chair or couch
- Organize your bookshelf by color (yes, it looks very pretty)
Last time I did this, I even put on lipstick just for fun. No one saw me, but I felt like a main character.
Eat Something Delicious and Nourishing
I am a big fan of snacks, but on a self care day I try to make food feel like an experience, not just something quick in front of my laptop. One Saturday, my friend and I made a tiny picnic on the living room floor with whatever we had in the fridge. Grapes, cheese, some crackers, olives, even a chocolate bar we found hiding in the pantry. We sat on a blanket, talked about life, and laughed over nothing. It was weirdly perfect.
You could try something like that, too. Nothing fancy, just something a little extra to make it feel intentional:
- Make a smoothie bowl and decorate it with fruit or granola
- Cook something from your childhood that feels nostalgic
- Have a picnic outside or even indoors with someone you love
- Try a new recipe and listen to music while you chop things slowly
And also, drink water. It’s boring advice, I know, but it always makes me feel better. Sometimes I add lemon or mint to just make it extra refreshing.
Make Something With Your Hands (Even If It’s Messy)
Okay so just hear me out, sometimes, your brain just needs a break from being the main character, and your hands are the best understudy. When I’m feeling mentally foggy or overstimulated (or both, love that combo), doing something small and tactile helps me feel more… here.
It doesn’t have to be “creative” in the Pinterest sense. I’ve folded paper into random shapes while watching a show and felt weirdly calm afterward. Last month, I made a very lumpy candle. One time I baked cookies just so I could play with dough. My friend crochets the same 5 rows of yarn over and over when she’s overwhelmed, and that’s the whole point. It’s not the final thing. It’s the doing.
Here are a few very chill ideas you can try with your hands:
- Bake something small, like banana bread or scones (I always feel cozy with the smell of freshly baked treats.)
- Try finger painting or doodling (this one can be a bit messy, but it is fun, so welcome)
- Tear paper and collage it in a notebook
- Make your own natural scrub lotion.
- Repot a plant or play with soil for a few minutes, or create a terrarium.
There’s something about doing things slowly, one touch at a time, that brings you into your body without pushing too hard. It also helps me stay present.
Final Thoughts: Self Care Should Feel Like a Gift, Not a Task
If you take only one thing from this, let it be this. The best self care day ideas are not the ones that are the most perfect or the most expensive. They are the ones that feel like tiny love letters to yourself.
Whether it’s making a crossword puzzle, drinking tea in your robe, sitting in the sun, or calling someone you love, let your self care routine feel personal. Let it be full of joy, not pressure.
Make it something you look forward to. Something that feels like, yes, you.
Because you deserve to feel good. You deserve to rest. And most of all, you deserve to feel at home in your own skin.
Now go be soft with yourself. Try one of these, or two. Or invent your own. And if you want that crossword puzzle, you can find Summer and Affirmation crossword and word search puzzles in those pages.
Did you like this post? I really hope you did. And if so, go ahead and check the SELF CARE page for more self care posts and goodies.
