As a recent college graduate and now a woman in my 20’s I am all too familiar with having to keep to a certain budget.
Honestly have been plenty of times I’ve had about $50 to last way too long…
But that doesn’t mean my self care had to go out the window during these times.
In fact, when I was stressing about keeping to a budget is when I needed self care activities the most.
WHY?
Because self care is an act of self love that impacts the way I show up for myself and others, money should never get in the way of that.
So throughout the years, I’ve experimented and mastered with different self care on a budget activities that are not only simple enough to stick into a busy routine, but also extremely cheap .
THE LIST:
- Wear an outfit that makes you feel confident
- Create an artsy gratitude & manifestation journal
- Get inspired for new recipes by watching $10, $15, & $20 grocery shop video hauls
- Seek out free training / webinars related to your career / passion
- Experiment with different types of meditation ( mantra, visualization, loving-kindness, etc.)
- Make your space a cozy & peaceful environment ( candles, incense, plants, thrift store finds)
- Spend (at least ) 30 minutes in nature
- 5 minute daily clean up
- Create a playlist that reminds you of good memories
- Volunteer
- Follow accounts that only make you feel inspired
- Take a walk & listen to a podcast / ted talk
- Write letters to past self / loved ones
- Practice mindful drinking
- Allow yourself to take 3-5 minute breaks, esp. If sitting in the office
- Turn off devices an hour before bed
- Buy bluelight glasses ( I got mine for under $10)
- Daily breathing exercises for stress / anxiety relief
- Find a support network / like minded community
- Quiet time for daily self-reflection ( what went good today / what needs improvement? )
- Make time to connect with your inner child ( whether that be through, creativity / play, journaling, etc.)
- The art of saying no / setting boundaries in daily life ( “When you say ‘yes’ to others make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.”— Paulo Coelho)
- Take a goddess bath ( candles, essential oils, lights!)
- Read at least 30 minutes before bed
- Do something that makes you laugh
- Reconnect with family/friends
- Dance it out!
- Adult coloring book
- Watch the sunrise/sunset with a nice cup of ( your choice)
- Write negative thoughts & replace them with positive ones
“Self-care is your fuel … Whatever the road ahead or the path you’ve taken, self-care is what keeps your motor running and your wheels turning.”
Melissa Steginus
THE TAKEAWAY:
Self care isn’t only for those who can afford expensive treatments and trips.
It’s actually an act of self love to nourish your mind, body and soul (so you can show up as the best version to yourself and others!)
Simple acts like writing a healing letter to your past self, or watching the sunset/sunrise with your favorite drink can be equally as soothing and liberating as anything that costs a lot of money. For me, these activities got me through the harder seasons life because I was able to make the small moments feel luxurious ( like #23 goddess bath), connect with my inner child ( like #28 adult coloring book), and make time for self reflection ( like #5 experiment with different types of meditation.)