When you hear the words self-care or self-love, what comes to mind?
For a lot of people, it's images of spa treatments, expensive wellness retreats, or loving yourself fully every single day. And while those things can be nice, they are not the full picture of what it means to be caring for yourself.
This July, I’m diving into a blog series focused on what self-care and self-love really mean. The series will dive into how to care for yourself in ways that are sustainable, affordable, and deeply meaningful. You’ll see that self-love isn’t about always feeling great about yourself, and self-care isn’t something that has to be a luxury in nature.
Let’s start with a simple truth: self-care doesn’t have to cost a thing.
Why We Need to Rethink Self-Care
The wellness industry has done a good job of convincing us that taking care of ourselves requires clicking an item and adding it to your cart. But true self-care is less about what you buy and more about what you consistently do to support your physical, mental, and emotional health.
It's brushing your teeth and going to bed on time.
It's saying no to something that drains you.
It's going for a walk when your body feels stiff.
It's packing a lunch instead of skipping meals.
These aren't flashy. They're not Instagrammable. But they matter.
Low-Cost (or Free!) Self-Care That Actually Helps
Here are just a few forms of self-care that don’t require a credit card:
- Moving your body in a way that feels good—stretching, walking, dancing in your kitchen
- Drinking water and fueling your body with whole foods
- Getting enough sleep, or at least making it a priority when you can
- Setting boundaries around your time and energy
- Taking a screen break and sitting outside for five minutes
- Keeping promises to yourself, like showing up for a morning routine or daily walk
The Real Goal of Self-Care
At its core, self-care is about honoring yourself as someone who deserves care. It's not about “fixing” yourself or earning worthiness. It’s about recognizing that the body you are in is the only one you get—and acting like it, over and over again.
So if you’ve ever felt like self-care is out of reach because your schedule is packed or your budget is tight, I want you to know this:
You don’t need a spa day to take care of yourself.
You just need a little intention—and the belief that you’re worth the effort.
👣 Next Up in This Series
In next week’s post, we’re diving into self-love—and what it really means to care about yourself even when you don’t feel 100% every day.
