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Life can be messy. In fact, I can confidently say that life IS messy. But it’s also so beautiful.  We put so much effort into being there for others, fixing life’s messes, working and planning our next steps. That we can sometimes forget to practise self-care. We forget to look at our roots, instead of only tending to our leaves.

Self-care days should be to be impactful. For example, if you have decided to spend your Sunday doing your self-care routine. You would want to reap the benefits of that day throughout your week and thank your past self for it. You want to feel relief. 

Now I do not believe that self-care is only a physical activity. It can be much deeper than that.  It is much more than doing face masks, dressing up or getting your nails done. It is also about unveiling parts of yourself that you do not always explore. It is about being honest with yourself and feeling present. 

Now, I love doing beauty treatments. Such as getting a manicure or getting my hair braided. So it is unfair and incorrect to say that physical beauty activities cannot be part of your self-care day. 

Before going deeper into how to perfect your self-care day. It is important to understand this balance. Doing fun things to get your mind off your problems and then addressing these problems. These are two different things. It is good to recognise which one you are doing on your self-care day.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is self-care. 

By understanding  this, it will be easier to decide what you’d like to do on your self-care day. 

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1. Write down what you want to feel

Before doing anything that is part of your self-care routine. I always tell my friends and family to write down what they want to feel that day. Think of it as a goal of the day. 

Journalling is an amazing self-care idea. It helps you get in touch with yourself, understand yourself and practise gratitude. So, by writing down your self-care goals for the day, you can actually have a self-care day that works for you only. 

Doing the work to achieve that feeling.  

If you are not a fan of journaling, or you do not have the time to journal. Then, writing a list of what you want to feel on your self-care day is an amazing way of planning your day. 

This is an amazing way of perfecting your self-care day. For example, if  your goal of the day is to feel at peace. Then you could incorporate meditation and journaling. Or whatever activity that personally brings you peace. 

Or if for that day you want to feel happy. Blast music out loud and dance away.

If doing your nails, chatting with your friends or spending time with family is what bring you happiness. Then do it. 

A perfect self-care day is a day you do things for yourself. This does not look the same for everyone. 

2. Tidy your surroundings

I’m sure that this is something that we can all agree with. A clear space is a clear mind. Taking care of your surrounding is also part of what helps to perfect your self-care day. 

I like to put on a face and hair mask while I tidy my room. Sometimes I burn incense after I’m finished cleaning and listen to music. This works for me, you have to find what works for you.  

3. Deal with what you have been avoiding 

There are very few things in life that feel as good as finally addressing what you have avoided. The feeling of relief you get once you finish a task that you have been procrastinating is amazing. 

This is a way of you showing up for yourself. 

Maybe you’re busy working, taking care of others or prioritising resting. These are all valid things that are part of life. But taking an hour or two to deal with your personal admin is self-care. 

This can be anything. Such as doing your laundry, personal admin or finally responding back to a friend.

4. Give yourself time 

There is no such thing as a perfect self-care day. There is only what works for you. But knowing what works for you, and what you consider as personal self-care takes exploration. 

Exploration of the self, and exploration of ways that you can show up for yourself. Whether that is to write down your feelings, clearing your home or finally doing the personal tasks you have been avoiding. 

To some this takes time. We can be so caught up in our day-to-day lives, that we may sometimes forget to check up on ourselves. Or doing the things that bring us joy. If that is getting your hair done or doing a 15-minute yoga… then do it. 

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