Creating a Space for Self-Care in Your Everyday Routine

May 5, 2025 digitalgithub@gmail.com 0 Comments

The Morning It All Changed

It wasn’t a loud awakening.

There was no dramatic thunderstorm, no screaming fight, no earth-shattering moment. It was just one quiet morning, sitting in front of my mirror with puffy eyes, wondering why I felt so drained even after eight hours of sleep.

And that was it. The question hit harder than any alarm clock ever could:

“When did I stop taking care of myself?”

I used to dance to my favorite songs while brushing my teeth, make silly faces in the mirror, journal about dreams and doodles. Now, I was rushing to meet deadlines, skipping meals, and calling five minutes in the shower “me time.”

Sound familiar?

If yes, then this blog is for you. From one overwhelmed woman to another — here’s how I learned to make space for self-care in my everyday routine… and how you can too.

What Self-Care Really Means (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Bubble Baths)

Let’s start by clearing the air.

Self-care isn’t about spa days, expensive candles, or quitting your job to meditate in Bali (though I mean, hey… if that’s your thing, go for it).

Self-care is daily maintenance of your inner and outer world. It’s how you water your soul so you don’t run on empty.

It’s boundaries.

It’s breath.

It’s being kind to yourself on the days when you’re not your best.

It’s discipline and joy and saying “no” without guilt.

And it’s something we all need — but forget to make room for.

Why We Don’t Make Time for Ourselves (and Why That Needs to Change)

Here’s what I used to tell myself:

“I don’t have time.”
“I’ll rest after this project.”
“I’m fine.”

Lies. All of them.

We don’t find time for self-care. We have to make time.

The truth? Life doesn’t pause. There will always be deadlines, dishes, and distractions. Waiting for the “right” time to take care of yourself is like waiting for a traffic-free Monday. It’s not coming.

So let’s stop waiting. Let’s build it in. Let’s make self-care a non-negotiable part of your everyday routine.

Let’s start right now.

Step 1: Rethink What “Routine” Means

We tend to think of routines as rigid schedules. Wake at 6. Work out at 7. Meditate at 7:45. Coffee at 8.

But guess what?

Self-care doesn’t need a stopwatch. It needs intentionality.

Instead of setting a routine based on hours, try anchoring your self-care to daily habits that already exist.

Here’s how I started:

After brushing my teeth → I say one thing I’m grateful for in the mirror.
While waiting for coffee to brew → I do a one-minute breathing exercise.
Before bed → I write down one thing I did right today.

It’s subtle. But powerful. Because your brain starts to associate self-care with everyday moments.

Step 2: The Morning Magic (Even if You Hate Mornings)

I was not a morning person. At all.

But I realized the way I started my day set the tone for everything else. So I made one tiny change: waking up just 15 minutes earlier.

Here’s my gentle, doable morning self-care ritual:

Stretch in bed — Literally. Before even standing up. I wiggle my fingers, stretch my toes, do a quick neck roll. It’s a body wake-up call.
Lemon water — Hydration is self-respect. I keep a glass ready by my bedside or in the kitchen.
Two-minute journal — No pressure. Just a scribble. A dream I had. A word. A goal. A feeling.
Open the blinds — Letting in sunlight does something to your soul. Try it. You’ll feel it.

No yoga. No green smoothie (unless you want it). Just softness. Simplicity. Sanity.

That’s the magic of a mindful morning.

Step 3: Protect Your Energy Throughout the Day

Self-care isn’t just a thing you do at the beginning or end of your day. It’s also how you protect your peace in the middle of the chaos.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Boundaries are a form of love — for others and for yourself. Say “no” to that extra task if you’re running on fumes.
Take real breaks — Scrolling isn’t a break. Go outside. Breathe fresh air. Touch a leaf.
Check in with your body — Are your shoulders tense? Are you hungry? Are you clenching your jaw?
Say it out loud — When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I whisper: “I am safe. I am allowed to pause.”

Make these check-ins a ritual. Set reminders if needed. Your body is talking. Are you listening?

Step 4: Add Micro-Doses of Joy

Not every day can be a vacation. But every day can hold a tiny pocket of joy.

Self-care thrives in micro-moments. You just have to notice them.

Here are my go-to joy doses:

A funny meme from a friend.
Lighting a candle during work hours — not just at night.
Dancing to a 90s song while folding laundry.
Wearing perfume even if I’m not going out.
Sending myself a love note. (Yes, literally.)

Joy doesn’t ask for permission. It asks for presence.

Step 5: Build an Evening Wind-Down That Doesn’t Drain You

Evenings can be tricky. They often become a mindless blur of scrolling, eating, or zoning out.

So I created a self-care-friendly night ritual.

Here’s mine (feel free to remix it):

No phone in bed — This was hard. But now, my phone sleeps on my desk, not next to me.
Warm shower or face routine — It signals my brain to slow down.
Five-minute tidy-up — Not for perfection. Just peace. A clean surface = calmer mind.
Digital detox ritual — I read a chapter from a book, write a “thank you” from the day, or sip chamomile tea.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s transition.

Step 6: Build a Self-Care Toolkit (That’s Uniquely Yours)

Think of a self-care toolkit like a “mood medicine cabinet” — filled with things that soothe you.

Here’s what’s in mine:

My favorite playlist (called “Soul Soothers”)
A journal and my favorite pen
Essential oils (lavender is my go-to)
Photos of my favorite memories
A list of 10 things that calm me

Your toolkit could be digital, physical, or a mix. The key? Make it yours. Not Instagram’s. Not Pinterest’s. Yours.

Step 7: Rewrite the Rules of Productivity

We live in a world that worships hustle.

But here’s what no one tells you: Rest is productive too.

You do not have to earn rest. You do not have to apologize for pausing.

I now use a simple trick called “Compassionate Planning.” I list my priorities — but always leave room for:

Unexpected feelings
Mini joy breaks
Time to just be

I no longer measure success by how much I crossed off my to-do list. I measure it by how I felt at the end of the day.

That’s real productivity.

Step 8: Turn Self-Care Into a Love Language (Especially With Yourself)

We’re often so generous to others. We text back. We check in. We forgive.

So why are we so harsh to ourselves?

Self-care is also:

Speaking to yourself kindly.
Noticing your needs without guilt.
Forgiving yourself when you mess up.
Praising your progress (even if it’s invisible to others).

I now write letters to myself on tough days. I light a candle and read them out loud.

Try it. You’ll be surprised how healing your own voice can be.

Step 9: Learn to Rest Without Shame

You are allowed to rest before you’re exhausted.

That was a lesson I learned the hard way.

I used to only rest when I was sick or broken down. Now, I rest proactively. Preventively. Proudly.

Sometimes, self-care is watching a comfort show with no guilt.

Sometimes, it’s doing nothing — and resisting the urge to “make it productive.”

Sometimes, it’s saying, “I did enough today.”

That’s enough.

Step 10: Keep Evolving Your Self-Care

Your needs will change. So should your self-care.

What worked in college might not work in your 30s. What helped during heartbreak may not be what you need during healing.

Revisit your routine every few months.

Ask:

What’s working?
What’s missing?
What am I craving?

Then adjust. Grow. Stretch. Experiment.

That’s how self-care stays alive.

Final Words From One Woman to Another

If you’ve read this far, you already care.

That’s the first step — deciding you’re worthy of your own attention.

So here’s my final whisper to you, the girl balancing it all, giving so much, forgetting herself sometimes:

You deserve mornings that aren’t rushed.

You deserve evenings that feel gentle.

You deserve to be loved — by you — daily.

So go ahead. Create that space. Take that breath. Say “yes” to yourself, even if it’s just for five minutes.

Because this world needs more women who are well-rested, well-loved, and wildly at peace with themselves.

And that begins with a single moment of care.

What to Do Next: Your 7-Day Self-Care Integration Plan

Let’s make it real. Try this:

Day	Self-Care Habit
Monday	Write down 3 things you’re grateful for.
Tuesday	Do a 5-minute stretch in the morning.
Wednesday	Say “no” to one unnecessary task.
Thursday	Listen to one song just to feel.
Friday	Go screen-free for one hour.
Saturday	Do one thing purely for joy.
Sunday	Reflect. What helped? What didn’t?