Although I am a personal development blogger by profession, I am in no way a mental health professional. See my disclaimer for more info.
Looking for some self care activities to enjoy? These are some of my top favorite self care activities to indulge in when I have some free time!
Are you looking for some new self care activities to try?
I started this blog as a way to share my personal growth journey and help people like myself throughout the whole process. During this journey, one thing I love doing the most is researching and educating myself on all things self improvement. That includes staying on a constant hunt for different self care activities to try.
So far, I’ve discovered quite a lot of activities you can indulge in, and today I want to share some of those with you. There’s all kinds — ones you can do at one, ones you can do with others, free ones… the list goes on and on!
So, if you’re like me and you’re on the lookout for some self care activities to enjoy during your free time, you’re in the right place. Keep on reading to discover some of my favorite things I like to do to foster self-care.
THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT SELF CARE ACTIVITIES.
What does self care really mean?
Before we get to the good stuff, it’s important to discuss what self-care really is. I personally used to think self-care was all about taking baths, enjoying hobbies, and doing things to uplift your mood.
But over time, I’ve realized that self-care is much more all-encompassing than that. Self care, at its core, is all about doing things that fulfill every aspect of your life and staying healthy.
Practicing self care should be something that you always look forward to doing.
And not only that, but you should aim to fit in as much self care into your daily schedule as possible.
Why? Because if you don’t take care of yourself (mentally, financially, physically, socially, etc.), then you can’t thrive in life. And I’m sure you want to thrive!
You might’ve heard the phrase, “Self care isn’t selfish” — and it’s true! In order to maintain healthy relationships in your life, you must work on your most important relationship: the one you have with yourself.
Alright, now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to get into these self care activities.
Oh, and before we move on, I must warn you that this post is quite long. So, grab your drink and snacks, and bundle up!
FREE SELF CARE ACTIVITIES LIST
Would you like a free self care activities list?
I know it can be difficult to think of different self care ideas, so I did the work for you! I created a FREE list of 81 self care activities that you can enjoy.
To get the list, simply click here.
Self Care Activities:
1. Make your bed
Making your bed is one the best actvities to add to your morning routine. It makes your space look clean and it motivates you to get your day started. Not to mention, it’s a habit that many successful people have!
I won’t lie — some mornings, I simply don’t feel like making my bed, but I have to remind myself that it only takes a small amount of time.
2. Take your medicine & vitamins
Sure, doing something as seemingly simple doesn’t sound very self care-ish. But, when you really think about it, taking your medicine and vitamins is actually quite an overlooked self care activity.
Staying consistent with this proves that you care enough about your health to keep up with it!
3. Work on your skincare routine
Ah, one of my favorite topics: skincare! I just started taking my skincare routine serious during the pandemic. So, it was definitely a good few years ago, but since then, I’ve been continuously working on making my skincare regimen work for me.
And let me say, it’s VERY worth it to invest in your skincare routine — from a financial, time, and energy perspective.
RELATED POST:3-Step Simple Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
4. Order your favorite takeout meal for dinner
I love a good takeout meal. If anything, I spend WAY too much money on DoorDash, but let’s just save that conversation for another day and another blog post.
Not only is takeout delicious, but it also saves you a trip to the restaurant and gives you time to do more things on this list! It’s a win-win situation! We love those around here.
5. Go for a morning or afternoon walk
Back when I was more fit, I used to go on walks pretty often. Nothing comes close to a nice outdoor walk. And it doesn’t have to be long, either.
Just give yourself 30 minutes of outdoor walking and I promise you’ll want to do it more often!
6. Do a Sunday reset (or on any day of your choice)
I love a good Sunday reset. I made sure to suggest that you can do your weekly reset on any day of your choice because I know you might have different responsibilites on different days.
Even I myself prefer to do my weekly resets on Satuday’s instead of Sunday’s. But that’s besides the point, haha!
Sunday resets are great because they act as a dedicated day to get nice and productive. Plus, they help you set the tone for a successful week ahead. What are you waiting for? Try it (and let me know what you think in the comments)!
RELATED POST:22 Productive Sunday Reset Routine Ideas to Kickstart Your Week
FREE SUNDAY RESET CHECKLIST
Want to get ahead for the week? This Sunday reset checklist is perfect to help you get productive so you can have a successful week.
Click here to get the checklist.
7. Do your laundry
I know, I know — laundry isn’t exactly the most fun thing to do. It surely is one of my LEAST favorite chores. But, that’s what the problem is: I usually consider it a chore rather than a luxury. I know you’re probably like:
“What?! Doing laundry is a luxury? That’s amusing!”
I want you to hear me out, okay? Laundry, along with a plethora of other things, is one of those tasks that we fail to realize is a blessing.
I mean, what would you do if you didn’t have the convenience of washing and trying your clothes at home?
8. Listen to your favorite music with headphones or a speaker
My fellow music fans, this one’s for you. Spend some time listening to some of your favorite music. I personally love pop, R&B, and alternative music. I don’t know if I could survive without music, so I play it all the time.
But I especially love doing it during my free time. I could quite literally go hours listening to music and not even notice the time going by.
Yes, it’s a serious kind of love that I’m not at all embarrassed by. Here’s a link to my current playlist if you want to check it out! It may or may not be over 160 songs and 8 hours long — don’t judge me.
Feel free to share your go-to playlist in the comments.
9. Take a good, long nap with a cozy blanket
Now, I’m not too avid of a napper. If I go to sleep, it’s my normal nighttime sleep, not an hour-long nap. But, every now and then, I find myself dosing off while watching something.
And let just say, those few minutes of shut-eye are the exact rejuvenation I need to get me through the remainder of the day!
10. Respond to a journal prompt
Another one of my absolute favorite topics: journaling! Whether you’re new to journaling, you’re having a hard time thinking of what to write about, or you want to try a new journaling technique — I always recommend responding to a journal prompt.
Sometimes, it can be a bit difficult for even myself to just open up my journal and start writing. When times like these come around, I like to look for a handy-dandy prompt.
I’ll usually start by directly answering the question and then end up going on a rather long tangent.
But I love it, so I keep doing it, haha.
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY: 84 Powerful Journal Prompts for Mental Health
11. Write a letter to yourself
I definitely don’t do this as often as I used to, but I still love writing letters to myself. Now that I’m saying this, I actually might write one pretty soon!
This is a great spiritual activity that’s super easy and fun to do. If you need help writing a letter to yourself, you can check out this post, where I walk you through the entire process!
12. Take a long, hot bath
I haven’t taken a good bath in SO long. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I enjoyed a bath. But what I must say is, baths feel really relaxing — especially after a long day.
So grab yourself a few bath accessories like bubble bath and a fancy bath bomb and enjoy a nice, hot bath!
13. Drink some ice water in a fancy cup
To go along with your bath, pour yourself some water with lots of ice in a fancy cup. When I say “fancy cup,” that could mean anything, from a wine glass to your favorite mug. By all means, use what makes you feel happy!
14. Call your BFF or favorite family member(s)
I always love a good conversation with a friend or family member. I don’t really have much free time these days, so I really appreciate any time I get to call up my cousin.
15. Listen to a motivational podcast
Even if you don’t usually listen to podcasts, I encourage you to listen to a motivational podcast every now and then. Sometimes you could really benefit from a little motivation. I know I do!
16. Binge-watch your favorite Netflix series (or look for a new one!)
So, I have quite a few series that I enjoy watching. Some include:
- Grey’s Anatomy (currently at the end of season 7!)
- Ginny & Georgia
- Abbott Elementary
- Bel-Air
- XO, Kitty
Those are just a few in case you need some ideas. Like I said, I don’t have much leisure time, so I make sure that I spend any that I DO have quite wisely.
And by that, I mean that I only do things that I enjoy doing — one of which happens to be binge-watching dang near a whole season of my favorite show!
I’m slowly but surely getting back into reading and, let me just say, I LOVE reading. It allows me to put my imagination to the max and use my time productively.
No matter how many pages I read in one sitting, I always feel so good after I put a book (or my Kindle in some cases) down.
That said, the last book I read was The Housemaid Freida McFadden and I think that book solidified my love for psychological thrillers. Romance? We don’t know her anymore.
I’ve got to read more thriller books — they’re such page-turners! What kinds of books do you like to read? Tell me in the comments!
18. Spend time in your favorite childhood park
Do you have a favorite childhood park?
I remember this one specific park that my parents took my younger siblings and I to almost every day. I would always look forward going there. We’d end up staying for hours and were almost always the last ones to leave.
Gee, I miss those days! We still visit that park every now and then, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of going there. It’s such a staple in my childhood.
19. Host a movie night
How about you host a movie night? Invite a friend or two over and watch a movie. Don’t forget the essentials, like snacks, drinks, and blankets!
20. Cuddle with your pet(s)
If you’ve got yourself a furry babies, spend some time cuddling with them. Whenever I spend time with my 2 Goldendoodles, my mood always lifts. There’s just something about them that makes me feel better.
I just love ’em so much!
21. Treat yourself to your favorite Starbucks drink
If you have a favorite Starbucks drink, go out and treat yourself to one. And while you’re at it, get a venti or trenta size to really get the full experience.
In case you were wondering, my go-to drink is a Venti Iced Matcha Tea Latte, substitute oat milk, add 3 pumps of brown sugar syrup, and top off with vanilla sweet cream cold foam.
I know that’s a mouthfull but trust me, it’s DELICIOUS. It’s definitely more of a fall-time drink, but I enjoy it throughout the whole year.
I had a phase where I was obsessed with the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino, and then another where I loved the Mango Dragonfruit Refresher (with lemonade, of course). But one day, I came across a TikTok with someone sharing the recipe for my new favorite drink and I’ve been hooked since.
22. Scroll on TikTok
Okay, this may or may not be considered self-care (or scrolling on any social media platform, for that matter). But, if you know how to use it in a way that doesn’t negatively affect you, then yes, it can be considered self-care.
Thankfully, I’ve learned to use social media in a healthy way, so I enjoy scrolling on TikTok.
23. Play iMessage games with someone
Let me tell you: I used to RELIGIOUSLY play iMessage games with my cousin Kiara. We’d play a good 20+ games a day, no joke. I definitely miss those days, but we’re busy practically all the time.
Sometimes we can still fit a small amount of time to play a few games (one of which is always Darts). This is one of my favorite things to do when I have free time.
24. Try a new recipe from Pinterest
Pinterest is probably one of the best (if not, THE BEST) places to get food and dessert recipes, along with inspiration for many other things. There are so many recipes on recipe, the options are practically limitless.
No matter whether you’re on a keto, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, or pescatarian diet, I know you can find a recipe that fits your lifestyle.
25. Follow a workout on YouTube
If you’ve never checked them out, YouTube has some pretty great workouts. I’ve followed a few of them in the past and I enjoyed them.
I encourage you to do the same! Get yourself a good 30 minutes of physical activity in. I promise you’ll feel good afterward.
26. Make a vision board on Pinterest or Canva
When I’m writing this, it’s still the first week of January. So, it’s prime time to make a vision board. Spend some time creating a vision board so you can stay motivated to work on and achieve your goals.
I suggest making a digital one and making it the wallpaper on your laptop so you see it constantly. That’s what I did last year and it worked!
27. Start on your birthday or Christmas wishlist
Depending on the time of the year, it may be too early to start on your birthday or Christmas wishlist. You’re probably also thinking, “A wishlist?! I’m too told for that!”
Well, I’m 19 and I still make wishlists. I don’t think anyone is too old to make a list of things they’d like. So, go ahead and make the dang list!
28. Plan your next birthday celebration
Along with your birthday wishlist, you should go ahead and plan what you want to do for your birthday also.
Do you want to spend it alone? Do you want to include your friends and loved ones? Are you interested in going on a mini vacation? What kind of food do you want to go? Do you want to celebrate the whole month?
When it comes to planning a birthday, lots of money, time, and energy can be involved. So it’s better to start sooner than later.
And if you’re a fellow Type-A person who MUST have everything little detail planned, I know you relate and understand.
29. Practice your communication skills
Good, effective communication is one of the best, most important, most life-changing skills you have have. It definitely takes time to become a good communicator, but it’s worth the effort.
You can work on improving this skill by practicing active listening and processing your emotions.
30. De-clutter your environment
If you were to see underneath my bed right now, your jaw would drop. I treat the area under my bed as if it’s a second closet. There’s all kinds of stuff under there, from Apple boxes to notebooks, and even medicine.
So, needless to say, I could de-clutter that area. It’ll get done eventually… I promise!
31. Organize your closet
As I’m wriitng this paragraph, I’m just thinking about how messy and cluttered my closet currently is. I usually don’t allow it to get to this point, but I guess I’ve gotten a little lazy recently.
Oops!
I’m definitely going to take the time to make it look nice and clean again!
32. Do something you’ve been procrastinating
What’ve you been procrastinating?
Cleaning your room? Filling out some important paperwork (I may or may not relate to this one)? Unboxing some packages? Going to the grocery store?
Whatever it is, try to work up the courage to finally tackle that task. Even if you only get 30% done, that’s still progress toward the final thing!
RELATED POST: How to Stop Procrastinating: 15 Must-Know Tips to Get Things Done
33. Cancel upcoming free trials
I know you’ve got a few free trials you recently signed up for and have already forgotten about. Don’t worry — I still forget to cancel a few free trials every now and then. And then, when I really need the money, it’s all of a sudden just GONE.
Worst. Feeling. Ever!
To keep yourself from experiencing this, take a second to cancel any free trials that are soon set to convert to paid recurring subscriptions — especially if you only wanted the free trial.
And for future reference, you can make a list to make sure you don’t forget to cancel them!
34. Catch up on videos from your favorite YouTuber(s)
My Watch Later playlist on YouTube stays full all the time. What’ll happen is, I’ll get a notification saying one of my favorite creators uploaded a video and I’ll immediately go and save the video to my playlist.
And before I know it, I’ve got a Watch Later playlist full of about 30 videos — only one of which I watch at a time. So I definitely use the heck out of that playlist.
35. Take a stroll through your favorite store
I must admit, I love Target. It’s the (almost) perfect one-stop shop. You can get everything you need from there, from groceries to electronics, and even tools and puppy toys.
The only thing I don’t love is the prices, but I think it’s worth going there over some other store that I won’t mention.
36. Try a DIY project
Get into your DIY bag and try a DIY project! I recommend looking on TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, or a DIY blog for inspiration.
38. Create a playlist based on your current mood
If you’re a playlist person, I know you’ll love this one. Whatever your mood is right now — whether you’re excited, grateful, sad, or happy — put those emotions into a playlist.
And if you don’t feel like creating one, Spotify is a great place for niche playlists. I’m sure you can find one to fit your mood.
39. Update your most listened-to playlist(s)
More on the topic of playlists, I encourage you to update the playlists that you listen to the most. Like I mentioned earlier, I have a playlist full of 160+ songs that I update quite frequently.
40. Start a garden
I’ve always wanted to start a garden and, though I still haven’t gotten around to doing so, I just love the idea of having the big responsibility that is taking care of a garden.
Plus, I’m sure it feels pretty good to be able to grow fruits and vegetables right in your backyard!
I mean, how awesome is that?
RELATED POST: 67 Stress-Free Hobbies for Adults to Enjoy During Your Free Time
41. Hug your significant other, family member, or friend
Sometimes you just need a good hug. And you may not even realize it until you finally enjoy a big, warm hug from someone you’re close to.
42. Educate yourself on a topic you’re interested in
I don’t care what anyone says; I’m forever a student. I’ll never stop educating myself on things I’m interested in. Depending on what era I’m in, that research might be focused on adulthood, finances, fun facts about random things, or a plethora of other topics.
I make sure that I don’t take my education for granted. It’s one of our biggest assets!
43. Listen to nostalgic songs from your childhood
I promise I’ll stop talking about music eventually. I just love it so much!
I have SO many songs from my younger years that I still like to listen to. I feel like the quality of music was much better back then (as if it was really THAT long ago… but I digress!).
I’m talking about artists like Katy Perry, Khalid, Pitbull, Lorde, Soulja Boy, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars — the list goes on! I actually have a playlist full of songs from my childhood that make me feel nostalgic.
Whenever I’m tired of today’s music, I like to visit that playlist. If you want to check it out, here’s a link. Let me know what you think of my song selections. They’re quite exquisite if I must say so myself!
44. Get an ice cream cone from a local ice cream shop
In our last house, we had an ice cream shop right down the street. It was literally walking distance from us. And now, we have another ice cream place down the street again.
We even had one close to one of my childhood homes. I guess we just have a thing for houses that are close to ice cream shops!
That said, I can’t say no to a Nutella crepe or a cup of vanilla ice cream. It hits the spot every time!
45. Change your study/work environment
Most of the time, I do my blogging and school tasks at my desk in my bedroom. It’s definitely my favorite spot to work because sitting at a desk makes me feel productive.
But I do like to switch it up and work in the living room or even the dining room. Sometimes that change of environment and scenery gives me that small boost of motivation that I need.
BRAIN BREAK: What’s your favorite place to work and study? Tell me in the comments!
46. Visit someone you don’t see often
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. And I believe that statement. Sadly, a lot of my relatives live states away from us, so we don’t get to see each other too often.
In fact, we really only reunite for significant family events like funerals, holidays, or, well, plain-old family reunions.
But I think that’s what makes me so excited to see them when we DO get a chance to reunite.
47. Give yourself a manicure/pedicure
Giving yourself a manicure and/or pedicure is a fun self care activity that you can do a budget.
48. Book an hour-long massage
When was the last time you had a massage? If it was forever ago or you simply can’t remember at all, I’d say that a good sign it’s time to book yourself a nice hour-long massage.
49. Watch the sunset/sunrise
Something about watching the sunset/sunrise is so grounding. I love it. It’s really one of the things that is most worth living for and looking forward to.
50. Be one with nature
While we’re already talking about nature, go outside and be one with Mother Nature. Smell the grass, admire the sky, enjoy the clean air — all of it!
51. Have a goal-planning session
I love a good goal-planning session. When I lock in, I can make some pretty good goals that I look forward to achieving.
If you’ve been spending way too much time on social media or have been feeling like it has too much of a negative impact on your life, consider going on a social media cleanse.
A social media cleanse is, as you’d assume, a temporary break from all social media platforms, including TikTok, Twitter (X), Instagram, Facebook, and even YouTube and Pinterest if you consider those social media.
I believe we could all use a few social media cleanses throughout the year, quite frankly!
If you’d like a full step-by-step gudie on how to do a a social media cleanse and not feel like you’re bored out of your mind the whole time, check out the post below.
YOU MIGHT LIKE:Ultimate Guide: How to Do a Social Media Cleanse (And Not Feel Bored) in 10 Easy Steps
53. Play your favorite board game
So many things are digital now, but a traditional board game will never go out of style. Even though it takes forever, Monopoly is quite high on my list of favorite board games.
54. Light your favorite candle
I don’t necessarily have a favorite candle, but I love practically any Yanklee candle. Not only do they smell great and last a while, but the jars are aesthetic, which I love.
55. Romanticize a “normal” day in your life
Life can get a bit boring and mundane at times. To fix that, try to start romanticizing “normal” days in your life. There are so many ways to romanticize your life, like:
- Taking things slow
- Taking an everything shower
- Saying an affirmation in the mirror
- Wearing a nice outfit
- Going on a morning walk
RELATED POST: How to Romanticize Your Life: 15 Easy Ways to Become the Main Character
56. Have a beach day
Sadly I don’t live near a beach so I can’t just impulsively plan a beach day. I totally would if I could. BUT, if you happen to live near a beach, take that to your advantage and enjoy a nice day at the beach!
57. Conceptualize your dream trip
I don’t know if I have a dream trip per se, but I definitely have a few destinations I’d love to visit in this lifetime. I like spending time planning vacations during my free time.
And I get down to the nitty gritty, like the hotel I want to stay in and the activities I want to indulge in during the trip.
58. Attend a concert
Concerts are some the best experiences you can invest in (that is, if you’re a music fan, of course).
They can get quite pricey — especially if you’re seeing more popular artists like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and The Weeknd.
In my opinion, it’s totally worth it. If you’re not trying to shell out $200+ for a ticket, though, there’s lots of smaller local concerts that are just as fun.
59. Visit a pet store or animal shelter
Visit a local pet store or animal shelter and spend some time with the animals! They’ll be really happy to see and interact with you.
60. Say some affirmations
An affirmation is a statement that you say aloud or in your head to affirm something positive in your life. I’ve been getting into affirmations lately and I like the concept of them.
Here’s a post full of them if you need some ideas.
61. Ride your bike
Bike-riding is a cheap, fun activity to indulge in. Not to mention, it’s a great way to get some physical activity in. If I could, I’d go ride my bike right now but Illinois is in the trenches in terms of weather.
(Snow, snow go away, please come back another day!)
62. Practice gratitude
As I grow older and wiser, I learn more about the importance of gratitude. I like practicing gratitude because it allows me to appreciate what I have now instead of constantly longing for what I don’t have.
63. Try a new makeup look
Feeling a bit bored? Try a new makeup look!
64. Host a girls’ or boys’ night in
Call up a few of your girlfriends/pals and plan a night in together. Get some good food, some games, and maybe even a nostalgic movie and have a fun night!
65. Figure out how to fix your sleep schedule
Not matter what you may think, your sleep is important. Getting a good night’s rest improves your mental health, physique, productivity, and so much more.
Read the post linked below if you need help fixing your sleep schedule.
RELATED POST:21 Best Tips for Better Sleep: Ultimate Guide for a Restful Night
66. Plan a new diet
I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel like I want to change my diet all the time. I remember I used to be a pescatarian for a small amount of time and I’d actually enjoy revisiting that diet.
When planning a new diet, keep in mind that a diet doesn’t have to mean cutting out certain foods. I don’t think you should do that unless specific foods are negatively impacting your health. Otherwise, just try to balance different kinds of foods and drinks.
A good diet is all about balance. And if you can do that successfully, then you’re on track to living a healthy lifetyle.
67. Learn how to stop procrastinating
Procrastination could be your worst enemy if you allow it to happen. I don’t want that to happen to you because the feeling of wanting/needing to do something important but constantly putting it off gets old really fast.
So, if you’re struggling with procrastination, spend some time learning how to procrastinate less.
RELATED POST:How to Stop Procrastinating: 15 Must-Know Tips to Get Things Done
68. Color in a coloring book
I know we’re adults now, but who doesn’t love coloring in a coloring book? It’s a calming, therapeutic process that, not to mention, is very affordable.
I mean, you can literally visit your local Dollar Tree and get one for just a dollar and some change!
69. Learn how to play an instrument
I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the flute, so I’m eventually going to set aside some time to buy myself one and teach myself how to play it. It’s one of my favorite instruments and I think I’d love being able to play it.
70. Sharpen up a skill
What’s a skill that you want to sharpen?
It is writing? Is it coding? Is it website design? Whatever it is, invest in sharpening that skill and becoming better at it!
71. Schedule important appointments
I know you have a few appointments you need to schedule. Go ahead and schedule them to get that weight off your shoulder!
72. Jump at an indoor trampoline park
I love a good indoor trampoline park. Buy yourself an hour-long pass and jump away!
73. Spend the night in a hotel room
Have a day off from work? Spend the night in a hotel room. You don’t have to break the bank; just find a nice hotel near you and book a room for the night.
Stay in and enjoy the night to yourself. Order room service, watch your favorite TV show, and all of the above!
74. Try a new face mask
Face masks are fun to do and there’s tons to choose from!
75. Try a Pinterest-inspired hairstyle
Bored of your usual hairstyle(s)? Look on Pinterest for some new ones to try! There are some for all hair textures, so I’m sure you’ll find one you like.
76. Plan your dream wedding
If you want to get married, you can spend some time planning your dream wedding. Think about all the details, like the cake, the aesthetic, the attire — everything!
77. Join a nearby workout class
There’s all kinds of workout classes you can try, like zoomba, yoga, pilates, bike-riding, and so much more. I encourage you to try some out to see what you like best.
78. Buy yourself a boquet of flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries
It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day for you to deserve some beautiful flowers and delicious chocolate-covered strawberries. Go out and treat yourself to some today! Don’t wait on anyone else to get them for you.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 21 Brilliant Solo Date Ideas for Your Self-Love Journey
79. Attend a therapy session
Attend a therapy session to talk to someone about things that may have been on your mind for a while.
80. Buy a nice outfit
I’m not the most fashionable person, but I love a nice outfit. I rotate through the same handful of outfits every week, so I could probably use a few new outfits myself!
81. Go for early-morning or late-night drive
Early-morning and late-night drives are great for clearing your mind and embracing time with yourself.
82. Plan and go on a mini staycation
Pack a bag or 2 and enjoy yourself a mini staycation! You can either rent an AirBnB, book a hotel for a few nights, or even stay at a family member or friend’s house.
Plan a few activities to indulge in during your vacation also to make sure you enjoy every second of your time.
83. Step out your comfort zone
I know staying in your comfort zone is, well, comfortable and all, but as I’m sure you know, you can’t exactly grow by staying in your comfort zone. So, I encourage you to do one thing — even if it’s small — out of your comfort zone!
84. Diffuse some essential oils
This is a great example of environmental self care, which is the type of self care that focuses on creating and living in a healthy environment.
I used to have an essential oil diffuser and I used it every single day. It added a nice, fresh aroma to my room and I was obsessed with it. I don’t know why I stopped using it… I should definitely get a new one!
85. Give to the less fortunate
You can do this in many ways, from donating online to giving a homeless person on the street a few dollars, and even donating to a local food pantry.
Remember, positive energy is contagious, so make sure you spread it to those around you!
86. Practice mindfulness
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed and stressed lately, you should practice mindfulness. My favorite way to practice mindfulness is by journaling which, if you’ve been here for a while, I’m sure you already know.
87. Take an infamous ‘Everything Shower’
Ah, the infamous weekly hour-and-a-half long shower that involves shaving, shampooing, conditioning, body scrubbing, exfoliating, singing your heart out, suffering from piping hot water, rethinking your life decisions, reaching for your phone to change the song every 15 minutes, washing your body 3 times, and about a million other things you could imagine.
That was a bit of an exaggeration. But not really.
I don’t take them that often, but I LOVE everything showers. They take a while, but once you’re done, you feel unbelievably fresh and clean.
That feeling is simply unmatched and totally worth going through everything I just listed above.
88. Take a trip to the mall
Sometimes all you need is a nice trip to the mall. And you really don’t even have to buy much to make the trip fun. In fact, half the time, I just visit Hollister and grab an item or two, and get myself some pretzels from Auntie Anne’s.
That may sound boring, but it’s actually quite enjoyable. The trick is to not do it too often. I like to wait a few months before I make another trip to the mall.
Not only does that make it more exciting, but it also allows me to save some money for my next one.
89. Join a book club
If you’re an avid reader, join a book club! It’s a fun way to chat all things books with other people who love reading as well. You can go the traditional route and join an in-person one or even consider looking for some online.
90. Make a ‘Wants List’
I’m sure you can relate to this: you finally get a decent amount of spending money and you have no idea what to buy.
Sure, that could be your inner self telling you that there’s no need to spend that money, but it could also mean that you need to create what I call a ‘Wants List.’
As the name implies, you add everything you want to this list. You’d ideally add different things to it throughout the year and then buy things from it when you have some extra money.
91. Do a hard reset on your phone
If there’s one thing I’m guaranteed to do every few months, it’s resetting my phone. I get bored very quickly and I have to change things up all the time. And that’s no different for my phone.
Sure, I change my wallpaper every few weeks, but I like to do a full factory reset on my phone after a few months. It feels nice to start from scratch and I love it because it feels like I have a brand-new phone.
THINK: When was the last time you did a full reset on your phone? Tell me in the comments!
92. Rearrange your bedroom
Another thing I used to do all the time was rearrange my bedroom. I don’t know how the heck my parents didn’t get tired of my mattress, TV, nightstand temporarily being in the living room every other month.
Sadly, I can’t rearrange my room anymore due to the design of my bed and the structure of my room, but believe me: I totally would if I could. Just like with my phone, it feels like I have a new room.
93. Update your TBR
In case you didn’t know, a TBR (to be read) is a list of books that you want to read in the future.
I have one and it’s quite long. I actually haven’t visited it in MONTHS and I feel bad… That poor thing is just collecting dust. Now that I’m getting back into reading, this would definitely be a great time to update it.
And if you have one, I suggest that you do the same!
94. Update your TBW
If you’re unfamiliar with the term ‘TBW,’ don’t worry; I totally just made it up. It simply means, ‘to be watched.’ I actually have one myself that I haven’t updated in a good year or so.
Maybe I should check up on it and see if anything on it is worth binging!
95. Have an indoor picnic
I know picnics are usually held outdoors, like at a park, but I hosted an indoor picnic when I was in Virginia for my summer vacations a few summers ago. And let me just say, it was just as fun as an outdoor picnic.
It was definitely nice not worrying about mosquitos and other insanely annoying bugs trying to eat our homemade turkey sandwiches and Doritos!
96. Plan your dream life
This is something that I do all the time. My dream life consists of being happy, financially secure, in a healthy relationship, being physically fit, and having a career that I love.
I may not know you personally, but I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to assume your dream life might look a little like mine. Am I right?!
97. Enroll in a short online course
Like I said earlier, I’ll never stop investing in education. Short online courses are a great way to learn some information or a skill without having to commit too much time.
There are online courses that cover just about every topic imaginable, from cooking to starting a business and MUCH, much more. The selection is unlimited, so go and look for a course to enroll in!
98. Revitalize your entire online presence
I don’t know what it is, but I sometimes I just get the urge to completely change my online presence. And I mean EVERYTHING: usernames, profile photos, bios, the people I follow, etc.
It’s actually kind of funny because there’s really no need to get so extreme but I definitely like the thought of it.
99. Perform a concert in your bedroom
I admit, I like to perform concerts in my bedroom as if I’m Beyonce or somebody. Sure, my throat might hurt after my hour-long performance because I have absolutely ZERO vocal training, but I still do it anyway.
100. Make a budget
I know, I know; finances aren’t exactly the most exciting topic. But, we’re adults and we have to take responsibility.
I’m still very early in my finance journey and I continually make mistakes that I may or may not be learning from, but one thing I always do without fail is make a budget for each of my paychecks.
These allow me to plan every single expected expense and know how much extra spending money I have after I pay my bills.
101. Do a random act of kindness
paying it forward, holding the door, complimenting someone, be a helping hand, have a convo with someone/being empathetic, pick up litter, help someone cross the street, let someone cut you in line, smiling
102. Allow yourself a ‘Do Nothing Day’
I make sure to allow myself one ‘Do Nothing Day’ each week.
Why? Because I’m a fairly busy person and if I don’t allow myself to do nothing all day, I just might crash out. I’m still learning to not feel so guilty about giving myself this pleasure, though.
The Type-A/always-feeling-the-need-do-something/workaholic/business-minded trait in me doesn’t exactly love the idea of not doing anything all day but, like I said, it’s necessary.
Actually, it’s VERY necessary and, dare I say, non-negotiable.
103. Update your TBL
I admit; this another acronym that I made up. This one means, ‘to be listened,’ which refers to music. Like I said earlier, I absolutely LOVE music and it’s a big part of my life.
I’m always looking for new songs, albums, and artists to fall in love with. That being said, my TBL is ever-changing and has all types of music and artists on it.
104. Visit a bookstore or library
I love a good bookstore/library. The introvert trait in me can’t get enough of the quiet environment. It’s the perfect space to study, do homework, write, journal, create, de-stress, and, of course, read!
105. Read some positive, inspiring quotes
I just recently became more fond of quotes — especially clichés. Yes, I know some people don’t love them, but I feel like they’re popular for a reason: they’re true and universal! I mean, you can’t be mad at that!
Anywho, I’ve been running into different quotes quite a bit lately, and they always find their way to lift me up, even if I didn’t realize I was feeling down.
106. Make a ’30 by 30′ list
Similar to a bucket list, a ’30 by 30′ list is a list of things you want to do and goals you want to accomplish by the time you reach the age of 30. It’s a pretty neat concept if you ask me.
I made one a few years back and, umm, it’s probably a good time to update it because I am NOT the same person I was in 2022.
If you want to check it out, it’s one of the chapters in my dear demarcus ebook, which is a compilation of blog posts from my old blog.
107. Change up your skincare routine
When I’m taking my stroll through Target, I can’t help but to visit the skincare section. I don’t ALWAYS grab a new product, but I’d be lying to say I never do.
Even though I have a great skincare regimen that I’ve been faithful to for the last few years, I’m not shy to try new products.
Who knows? I might try something new, fall in love with it, and add it to my routine. Heck, that’s what happened with my current La Roche-Posay products.
RELATED POST:19 Best Skin Care Products That Will Make You Smell Like Heaven
108. Check up on your favorite teacher
Let’s end this LONG post on a sweet note. My favorite teacher is my 5th grade teacher (if you’re reading this post, hi, Mrs. Garland!). She was always so kind and supportive.
I still send her emails to update her about my life and to see what she’s got going on to this day. It’s quite a special relationship!
Let’s recap!
We made it to the end of the post!
Today, we talked about self care activities.
I believe that self-care is very important. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t thrive. I hope you enjoyed this list of self care activities, and decide to do some of them!
Please remember to take time to take care of yourself!
I know, in this economy, it can be hard to find free things to do that are fun. That’s why I put together a list of 7 free self care activities to enjoy today!
In the midst of chaos, don’t forget to smile,
DeMarcus – your self care buddy
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