I just celebrated my 38th trip around the sun and with the coming and going of each birthday, I challenge myself to think about the lessons I take into the year ahead. In thinking about the lessons of this last year, one concept was at the forefront of my mind and that was one of “self-care”. More than ever this past year has been one of self-love, self-care and the art of rejuvenation. Aside from losing a great deal of weight over the past year, I’ve been really focusing on the things that I do in life that promote me being my best self and what I’ve discovered is, is that a lot of the time what I thought was me taking care of myself, really wasn’t. For instance, having a glass of wine at the end of a work day for me was my idea of self-care but in actuality it wasn’t because I couldn’t stop at just one glass, and before I knew it I was downing a whole bottle and wasting the rest of what could have been a productive evening. Or, getting caught in those trash reality TV marathons initially felt like relaxation but when I got finished watching I was often times left feeling anxious and annoyed. So, that’s kind of the thing about self-care: you have to define what it means for you personally. Because, while some of us can have one glass of wine and call it a night, or can watch trash TV and not internalize it, some of us (*raises hand slowly) down the whole bottle of wine and internalize negativity.

This list is one that helps to rejuvenate me, and really that’s how you define self-care! It should rejuvenate you, it should make you feel like you can tackle whatever the day brings forth with a bit more CHUTZPA! I wanted to share with the hopes that some (if not all) can help rejuvenate you, or at least get you to thinking about what does.

50 Idea’s for Self-Care

Set up a gym routine and change it or alter it monthly so as not to get bored or plateau
Tune out the people who like to tell you who and what you are
Make a list of 5 things you love doing and do them frequently
Stop comparing yourself to others, other than to say “if they did it I can too.”
Nurture your dreams
Sign up for a class
Go to bed early and get up early one night and morning each week
Write yourself a love letter
Take a nice, hot relaxing bath
Stay away from people who add drama to your life
Go to a coffee shop by yourself and read for a few hours or just people watch
Practice “mindful eating”
Buy yourself flowers
Go to the spa alone
Take a dance class
Burn scented oils, candles or incense
Get up early and make yourself a nice breakfast
Go for a long slow walk and observe the world around you
Take a break from your phone and social media
Go to a museum or art gallery
Have a solo dance party
Listen to “songs to heal depression”
Listen to “songs to heal anxiety”
Try a guided meditation
Create and say positive affirmations daily
De-clutter 3 spaces in your home
Write in a journal
Color in a coloring book
Go to an outdoor concert
Drink plenty of water
Pick a guilty pleasure and indulge occasionally
Visit your local park
Have a “no screen” night
Cook yourself your favorite meal
Eat by candlelight
Buy crisp new linen and make your bed with it
Put your PJs’ in the dryer for 5 min before you put them on for bed
Bake
Do some painting
Plant some flowers
Organize your work space
Write a list of the good things that have happened to you throughout the day
Create a relaxing playlist
Set yourself an attainable challenge for the next day
Go on a picnic
Buy some extra comfy slippers
Hold hands with a loved one
Go on a spontaneous adventure
Browse around a bookstore
Create a Pinterest board dedicated to self-care

Writing this post was such a practice in self-care! I tell everyone that I know that they should blog because I feel we all have wisdom to impart to one another, so make #51 BLOG!

So tell me, how do you practice self-care? I’d love to know in the comments below!