A Cup of Catherine

Boring Self-Care

by

I recently (as in yesterday) discovered a new Instagram account called makedaisychains and the hashtag #boringselfcare.

boring self-care

images via makedaisychains

I actually love boring self-care!

When we read self-care books or blogs, we’re often provided with extravagant examples of pampering—full body massages, day trips to the beach, fancy 4-course meals, and monthly mani-pedi appointments complete with champagne.

But sometimes, self-care is kind of boring. When you’re stuck in a rut or so depressed you can barely get out of bed, the simple acts of life—brushing our teeth, washing our clothes, eating 3 full meals, and the like—are difficult and worthy of “celebrating.”

And, face it, a lot of us don’t have the money and/or free time to truly pamper ourselves.

Well, I’m here to tell you that self-care doesn’t have to be extravagant. In fact, most of the ways you care of yourself are probably automatic, but that doesn’t mean those actions are any less important.

This month in particular, I challenge you to practice more “boring self-care” and be mindful of the gratification, balance, and purpose those things bring to your life.

Some ways I’ve recently practiced boring self-care…

Made my bed

Took my prescribed medication along with my multivitamin, B-12, and vitamin D before heading to work

Savored my morning coffee

boring self-care

Took a brisk walk outside

Remembered to wash off my makeup before bed

Took the stairs instead of the elevator

Ate my sugary yogurt + sugary granola + blueberries instead of a more nutritious breakfast because it’s what I wanted

Cuddled my sweet dog, Iggy

Wrote down my goals and appointments in my planner

boring self-care

Read some of a book instead of scrolling through Facebook and Instagram

Met my hydration goal for the day

Stretched before bed

These are just some of the ways I practice self-care daily; most days they are easy tasks, and they’re always important.

How do you practice #boringselfcare? #TOL #mentalhealthawarenessmonth @namicommunicate Share on X

[thanks for letting me think out loud]

So tell me…

  • How do you define self-care?
  • In what way(s) did you practice “boring self-care” today?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. I really love this! I totally agree – just the idea of trying to schedule a full massage right now stresses me out. In terms of boring self care, I’m really trying to work on wearing sunscreen this month! I am so bad about it and I live in Texas and spend a lot of time outside, so it is seriously important. Great post!

    2. I love this! You’re so right about the extravagant expectations of “self-care”. For me, it’s taking a walk to get a coffee or pastry at the nearby bakery, watching my favorite show in my pajamas, or a fresh set of sheets on the bed!

    3. This is so good. It makes self care easier. It makes it doable by doing little things that really help mental and emotional and physical health. I’ve realized that self care can be as easy as just laying on the couch for 5-10 minutes, reading a favorite book, putting away the phone and talking to my family, talking to a friend on the phone, or even just baking some cookies. 🙂 I love that hashtag #boringselfcare. 🙂

    4. I.. love…this. These are things that I – and most of us – don’t tend to acknowledge or give ourselves credit for. Those seemingly “everyday” things are still worthy of recognizing or celebrating, esPECIALLY on those days we feel like just staying in bed with our heads under our pillow. Self care to me is most often just letting myself zone out for an hour at a coffee shop… not making myself tick things off to do lists or be productive, but rather just read and sit and savor my coffee. Or flossing in the morning. 🙂

    6. I love the idea of boring self care. That is just so relatable. My boring self care most often would be stuff like going for walks, reading before bed, resting when I need it and not feeling guilty about it.

    7. this is so important- sometimes people think self care has to be taking a bubble bath or getting your nails done… but it can be as simple as savoring your coffee or just taking your makeup off! love this catherine