35 Self-Care Ideas

For the past several years I have struggled with various levels of burn out, I've talked a bit about it from time to time. (Here, for example.) Once I became aware of my burn out, I began my search for a solution, and that's when I learned about the importance of self-care. Self-care is something I've struggled with since I first began to implement it in my life, sometimes doing better and other times letting it slip. I know I feel better when I take time for myself and get a break from the sometimes mundane and repetitious day-to-day of motherhood, but struggle to be consistent with it.

While talking with my sister yesterday, I realized how little I've been taking care of myself lately, something I know is detrimental to me and everyone around me. Being a mother is incredibly rewarding, but that doesn't mean it isn't also extremely overwhelming. When I am frazzled and burnt out I am not at my best (duh). I'm snappy and irritable, I'm more likely to be impatient, more likely to stick the kids in front of the TV for hours, and I frequently end up checking out by staring at my phone for way longer than anyone needs to. 

As we spoke, my sister challenged me to make a list of self-care ideas to be able to choose from when I need a break. As I wrote, I thought to myself that I am definitely not the only person who needs this. I know the whole self-care idea isn't new, it's one of those topics that I hear brought up frequently in church and among moms that I know or that I follow on social media. We hear over and over how important it is, but I think a lot of us still struggle to make it a priority, which is why we're still talking about it. So I decided to share my list with you and to encourage you to make your own list if mine doesn't resonate with you.

35 Self-Care Ideas:

1. Create something.

2. Start or work on a knitting project.

3. Paint something.

4. Make a collage of things that make you happy.

5. Start/work on an art journal.

6. Draw a page of doodles.

7. Write a short story.

8. Color in a coloring book.

9. Get dressed for the day.

10. Paint your nails.

11. Do your hair and make-up.

12. Stretch for 5 minutes.

13. Hydrate yourself.

14. Get outside.

15. Watch the sunrise/sunset.

16. Ride a bike.

17. Look at the sky, be still, breathe.

18. Take a walk.

19. Feel the sun on your face.

20. Turn on some music and dance.

21. Go for a drive.

22. Go on a photo walk/adventure.

23. Blow bubbles.

24. Eat a tasty treat.

25. Go to the temple.

26. Study scriptures/gospel literature.

27. Make a gratitude list.

28. Write a love note to yourself.

29. Buy fresh flowers.

30. Read a good book.

31. Organize something.

32. Put your phone down.

33. Go out on a girls night.

34. Write a letter to a friend.

35. List the things you love about yourself.

Is self-care something that comes easy to you, or do you struggle like I do? Let's all make a goal to take some time this week to do something for ourselves. Tell me in the comments what you plan to do!