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With 2021 approaching, it’s now the season of New Year’s Resolutions, many of which include some form of self-improvement. However, not all advice of “take baths, deep clean your room, only eat healthy food” is practical (or accessible). Here are some ideas for realistic, everyday self-care you can incorporate into your daily routine.
- Keep a planner or journal
It’s easy to be overwhelmed when you have things to do, especially if you work or study from home, so it’s important to stay organized and make sure you know what’s ahead. There are plenty of premade planners available in stores, or you could use any cheap notebook instead. You may find inspiration in the bullet journal method, which is a quick, simple way to track responsibilities and events – if you’re crafty, you can make more complex spreads and lists with cute stationery and doodles. Traditional reflective journaling is an excellent way to express your emotions and see how you’ve grown since you wrote them.
- Try your best with hygiene
If you’re dealing with something like depression or chronic illness, you may have trouble keeping up with showers, brushing your hair/teeth, etc. Don’t beat yourself up if you experience this – instead, find ways to turn personal care into something you look forward to. Some ideas are using scented shower gels and listening to your favorite song while you brush your teeth. If you keep a journal, make notes of things like when you last showered and washed your hair so you can keep yourself on track.
- Progressively tidy your space
Cleaning marathons can be satisfying, but doing them too often can make you burn out and dread your next cleaning session. Instead, take some time each day to work on a certain aspect of your home, whether it’s 5 minutes clearing off your nightstand or 20 minutes organizing a cabinet. If you do want to work on multiple projects in one day, try pacing yourself with something like the Pomodoro Technique, which groups every 25 minutes of focused work with a 5-minute break.
- Go easy on yourself
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of self-care is not giving in to the negative thoughts you may encounter. If you slip up, the only thing you can do is strive to do better. Avoid comparing yourself to others – in the words of Taylor Swift, “never compare [yourself] to other people. It is comparing [your] behind-the-scenes to their highlight reel.” If you’re having trouble with self-esteem, make a list of things you like about yourself or accomplishments you’re proud of. Remember, you have a whole new year to conquer and make your own!
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