5 Ways to Get Started with Intentional Self-Care

This post was updated on 27/02/23

We have all been there; the day is crazy busy and you look at your watch and you don’t know where the time has gone. It is so easy to let the day run away with you and before you know it, it’s the end of the day and all you want to do is crawl into bed. How do you feel when that happens? Frustrated, out of control, annoyed with yourself?  Okay so I’m hoping that most of you carry out self-care and maybe that’s every day. Let’s take that up a level; let’s get started with intentional self-care. By making sure that you carve out time for you every single day. You start becoming more aware of what self-care activities to do when. How to look after your mind, body and soul in ways that work and make sense for you. So how do we do that when we’re already busy?

Plan the time in your calendar

If your calendar already looks a jumbled mess and there’s not a spare 5 minutes to make yourself a cup of coffee or a gin and tonic (in the evening of course!) then its time to cut some things from your calendar and create some white space. Look at each of your commitments and assess if it is really you that should be doing it, if not delegate or delete. In other words, simplify and get back to the essentials. Then learn to say no to anything (or anyone) taking away that time.

Keep Self-Care Simple

If you over-complicate it, you are less likely to stick to it. So just like any change you make to your life, start small. Simple activities that only need take between 10-30 minutes will still make such a difference to the way you feel.

Journal

This will help you connect to the true you. Get to know your hopes, dreams and wishes. This is about creating a life that you love. Really set the atmosphere by finding somewhere quiet and warm and perhaps light a candle. Then you could either just take a deep breath and write as the thoughts flow or you could journal prompts.

Use Resources Available

Learn the various forms of self-care. There are lots of blog posts available as well as ebooks. You can read about the types of self-care, ideas for activities and how to start making them a part of your life. I’ve created an ebooks on this very subject! The Simply Shine Mind Body and Soul guide is available to buy from this link 

Just Get Started

I’m a recovering perfectionist. I know all about putting things off until they are just right. However that’s literally not going to get you anywhere. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. To change your routine if you need to. To realise a certain hobby or activity isn’t the best fit. Explore different ideas and see what works for you. Intentional self-care is all about purposeful activities to help you feel rested and recharged. So just get started!