These days, self-care has become almost synonymous with bath bombs, retail therapy, and colouring books — and while those are great ways to look after yourself (no one's knocking a good bath), they don't encapsulate what it means to take care of yourself.
For some people, self-care is about getting through a to-do list, or finally doing laundry, or actually texting a friend back. The ways we define self-care are vast and myriad, and change throughout our lives. They don't always involve money, but the one thing that remains constant is how important it is to take time to focus on your mental and emotional health.
Ahead, 13 people share the no-frills rituals they use to practice self-care.
"Taking my medication, eating right, and going to bed on time. Taking time to meditate and self-reflect. There are no glamorous self-care rituals for me, it’s simply treating myself with the care I hope for from those around me. I can’t expect people to care for me if I don’t care for myself first." — Anne, 30
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"Trying a new restaurant or whole new cuisine (usually a counter-service type place, or take out), going for a walk along the lake to watch the waves, putting my feet in the sand, and petting other people's dogs. The classic face mask and Netflix." — Lauren, 25
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"I spend one Saturday out of every month doing things I wouldn't normally do. I forget about all my responsibilities (grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, meal prepping, etc.) and go do something I enjoy, by myself. I've gone thrifting, to a museum, etc." — Caitlin, 27
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"Re-organising and decluttering my room. There’s almost a high that comes from physically using your hands and brain to create a new space where you will feel good in." — Jasmin, 24
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"I wander around crafts stores, sometimes for over an hour. I usually don't even buy anything, but just thinking about being creative puts me in a meditative state and clears my head." — ETPlants, 19
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"I’ve struggled with self-image and eating disorders since I was a very young. To aide my recovery, something I do at least once a week is a physical activity to make me feel in tune with my body — but I do it naked.
"This is usually just some form of stretching or variations of yoga. This really helps me see, feel, and accept my body in its natural form. It helps me appreciate what my body does for me every day and I am so thankful to have one that gives me so much!" — Rebecca, 25
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"Do at least ONE thing I enjoy: Watch an episode of my favourite show, play guitar, paint my nails, pick up my favourite dessert — any one small thing that makes me happy." — Brittney, 23
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"Reading fiction. Getting lost in another world to escape the one I’m in. Going for a walk by a beach also helps. Feeling calm with the wind and the sand." — Natalie, 28
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"Braiding my hair in different styles after taking a shower — it's something creative to focus on that keeps my mind and hands active but free of stress." — Valeria OC, 21
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"I paint my nails as a form of self-care! I don’t even go the whole nine yards of a manicure with hand lotions etc, but taking the time to file my nails, carefully paint them, and let them dry kind of forces me to slow down and relax." — Tina, 24
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"When I need a mental pick-me-up, my favourite thing to do is go outside and be as physically present as possible: Feel the dirt under my toes, inhale the smells of an oncoming rainstorm or a nearby flowering tree, observe the moving wildlife around me such as lizards bobbing their heads, birds singing in the branches above, the patterns on the weeds sprouting next to my house.
"No phone, no worries, just breathing it all in. I find this to be a true and lovely form of mindfulness that puts me in touch with the earth. It helps me set my stresses aside for a moment and remind myself that everything will be okay, because I'm alive and the world is simply a beautiful gift. And the best part? It costs nothing!" — Sarah J, 26
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"My go-to is a five minute dance party with the music blasting. But if I can’t do that, I like to organise my closet or makeup drawers, and that rejuvenates my energy and helps me get focused." — Sharika, 22
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"Take at least 15 minutes at the end of the day to regroup on what I accomplished today and what I want to accomplish tomorrow!" — Emily, 23
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