Celebrating International Self-Care Day: Simple Ways to Take Care of Yourself

July 24 is International Self-Care Day, a perfect reminder to prioritize your well-being and take care of yourself. Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming; sometimes, the simplest acts can have the most profound impact. Here’s how I like to keep my self-care routine simple and effective, focusing on feeling good inside and out, making others feel good, and maintaining a welcoming home filled with good food and laughter.

a woman in a bathtub

Self-care is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s about taking the time to nurture yourself, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being. On International Self-Care Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can incorporate simple self-care practices into our daily lives.

Simple Self-Care Practices for July 24

Here are some ways you can participate in self-care today:

**1. Feel Good Inside and Out

Start your day with activities that make you feel good both physically and mentally. This could be a morning stretch, a short workout, or simply spending a few moments in meditation. Nourish your body with a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Remember, self-care is about listening to your body and giving it what it needs to thrive.

**2. Make Others Feel Good

Self-care also involves spreading positivity to those around you. Compliment a friend, help a neighbor, or spend quality time with your family. Making others feel good can boost your own happiness and create a positive ripple effect in your community.

**3. Maintain a Clutter-Free, Inviting Home

A clutter-free, pleasant-smelling home can do wonders for your mental state. Take some time today to tidy up your space. Light a scented candle or use essential oils to create a calming atmosphere. A clean, organized home can be a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation.

**4. Enjoy Good Food

Prepare a delicious meal for yourself and your loved ones. Cooking can be a therapeutic activity, and sharing a meal can strengthen bonds. Choose recipes that are both nutritious and enjoyable, and savor the experience of eating together.

**5. Embrace Laughter

Laughter is a powerful form of self-care. Watch a funny movie, share jokes with friends, or play a game that brings joy to your household. Laughter reduces stress, boosts your immune system, and can improve your mood instantly.

How I Celebrate Self-Care

On International Self-Care Day, I like to keep my routine simple yet fulfilling:

Morning Routine: I start my day with a skincare routine that makes me feel good. Taking my time going through my routine gives me the couple minutes of “me time” needed before giving myself to my family for the day. This sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.

Spreading Positivity: I make it a point to have a moment of silence to ensure I’m emotionally present. Spend time in prayer and meditation. Listening to my usual motivational videos during breakfast to provide some nuggets of inspiration throughout the day.

Home Atmosphere: I will spend my usual hour a day cleaning and doing laundry . Giving myself a time of an hour a day allows me to not get too deep into a project, maintain the daily clutter, and refresh the home to keep our safe space serene.

Healthy Meals: My daily plan will continue in eating as nutritious as possible. Ensuring I’m eating all the colors of the rainbow. Having a healthy protein and fiber intake. Not to mention keeping up with my daily water intake.

Evening Laughter: To end the day, get in some good laughter. Find something funny or interesting to keep you engaged and not take things too seriously.

International Self-Care Day is a wonderful opportunity to prioritize your well-being and incorporate simple, meaningful practices into your routine. By focusing on feeling good inside and out, making others feel good, maintaining a clutter-free home, enjoying good food, and embracing laughter, you can enhance your overall quality of life. Remember, self-care isn’t just for today—make it a regular part of your life and enjoy the lasting benefits.

How will you participate in self-care today? Happy International Self-Care Day!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

WHY BUYING THINGS YOU DON’T NEED ISN’T SELF CARE

We are living in a time where overconsumption and consumerism has easily equated self care to buying the latest gadgets, trendy clothing, and other non-essential items. Yes, a little retail therapy can provide an instant gratification that lasts just as long as a TikTok video. But genuine self care is nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing and this cannot be achieved by acquiring more stuff.

close up shot of scrabble tiles on a white surface

Retail therapy provides the illusion of self care. It’s touted as a quick fix to stress or anxiety when in actuality it leads to more stress and anxiety. Once the instant gratification wears off, the process of finding the next thing to buy to give us that high begins. When true self care is figuring out why the material needs are there to provide happiness. Find out how to be happy without. Retail therapy provides you with debt, empty happiness, and too much meaningless stuff taking up space. The debt, mental and emotional clutter from the stuff, counteract the intended purpose. Your peace has been shattered by stuff.

”Buying things you don’t need and can’t afford isn’t self care.”

True self care is about the simple things in life. Focus on your diet, strengthen your muscles, getting outside, laughing more, getting your check ups done, and healing your insecurities by going to the source of them. Healing whatever pain and trauma you may have to ensure you are better for the relationships you have in life. True self care is being financially informed, aware of your spending habits, and making good choices. You can practice great self care by creating an environment of calm and peace. Keeping your mind and physical space decluttered.

Yes, taking a bath or shower is an instant mood booster. But you don’t need an overly priced body wash to take your daily shower. Purchasing a new gym outfit isn’t going to help you shed the pounds faster. Find something in your closet that’s old and can get sweaty. A $40 water bottle is unnecessary. As long as you wash and moisturize you don’t need a 20 step skin care routine. Take it from a self proclaimed beauty junkie. In fact, the more simple my routine became the better my skin health became. 3 SELF CARE MOMENTS FROM LAST WEEK

Self care is free. Self care is simple. Self care is finding a deeper connection with yourself. As you prepare for the warmer months focus on having experiences and not things. Get outside. Enjoy nature, music, people, food, and good conversation. When you go home be grateful for the moments, and prepare to do it all over again.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

AFFORDABLE SELF CARE ON A BUDGET

My self care is a non negotiable. I have mastered taking time for myself without feeling guilty. Taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing requires intentional effort. However, I quickly had to learn how to get creative and resourceful to indulge in self care without breaking the bank. Let’s explore some of my affordable self care practices.

woman in white long sleeved shirt holding a pen writing on a paper

Free Therapists On Rotation
Let’s be honest, therapy cost. If you have insurance then you probably can get to a therapist. But I found following therapist on social media has been the most helpful. I can get useful advice, information, understanding, tools, and clarity at my fingertips. Current fave is Dr. Shante Holley, Certified Life Coach, Podcaster, and Trauma Informed Ambassador. Follow her @drshantesays.

Sheet Masks
Skin care is my jam. Treat yourself to an at home pampering session with my favorite By Nature Vitamin C & Collagen Sheet mask. https://amzn.to/3RYmGSy Moisture, dewy, and plump skin is what you get. I do my normal double cleanse and then put this on while soaking in my hot lavender oil infused bath. Less than $3 for one is a great way to rejuvenate yourself.

Clean, Fresh Sheets
After a long day, climbing in bed to clean fresh sheets is an exhale moment. Part of my Sunday Reset routine is changing linen. It’s a recharge that helps you unwind and have a good night sleep. Comfort and relaxation is a part of your self care. SELF CARE IS A LIFESTYLE

New Water Bottle
I found the cutest water bottle on clearance for $4.99. https://amzn.to/3S1jIww This is my new toy to keep me motivated and on track for my water intake. Drinking sufficient amount of water daily can help eliminate mental and emotional distress. Yes it keeps me motivated, but I have another cute accessory.

Perfume Samples
One of my favorite ways to boost my mood is perfume. Purchasing testers and samplers has given me the opportunity to diversify my collection for different purposes. I save money, smell good, and enhance my knowledge in learning how to compliment different notes and layer. A bonus is you can travel or put it in your purse on the go if needed to.

Bar Soap
As a family of five, we go through a ton of body wash. But I started purchasing bar soap to give me a variety of scents, different formulation options, and suits my sensitive skin. https://amzn.to/4aBnyDZ Also the bar soap allows me to keep something for myself. And it lasts longer than body wash.

Press On Nails
My daughter and I have been loving our press on nails these last couple months. We definitely get a return on our investment and we receive many compliments on them. I get such a rush at finding out how to do my own beauty treatments. So far my favorites are https://amzn.to/3S0F1yp KISS press on nails and Glamnetic. https://amzn.to/3GZkRP5 I have endless opportunities to explore my personality.

Self care doesn’t have to be expensive or reserved for those with deep pockets. In fact, free or inexpensive self care practices are more enjoyable and effective. Prioritizing your routine without straining your budget is a win win. Self care is essential and it’s all about the little things that makes a good bit of difference.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

FINDING JOY IN THE LITTLE THINGS

I saw this video where this girl discussed her pleasure and joy in having a Starbucks drink. How do you find joy in the little things. This young woman explained after having less than $2 in her bank account for a week, she decided on payday to get her a drink at Starbucks. Her Caption: “After surviving a week with $1.23 in my bank I decided to treat myself to a starbies drink.” As she took big gulps you can see the exhale and relief the drink was providing. As she sat in her car, gazing out the window, you can feel her joy and pleasure with the zen moment she was having.

shallow focus photo of coffee in a starbucks cup

5 Little Things I Enjoy

-Sheet Mask
-Going For A Walk
-Watching Football with my husband
-Listening to music
-Having a good cup of coffee

She had a mixed response. Some went the route of saying purchasing that coffee is the reason why she only had a dollar and change. She’s keeping herself broke while buying those kind of drinks. They have lots of calories anyway. While others understood her point, finding joy in the most simple things in life can bring you peace and comfort. It wasn’t about the money. After having an intense emotional rollercoaster of a week, she needed something to pickup herself up. She found it in a drink. It could have been found in something else worse.

But isn’t that what self care is about. When tough times approach you, how do you self soothe. What is the one thing you can do that gives you that instant boost of energy, courage, and motivation to tackle on the next week. The truth is we all have our vices. 10 DAILY SIMPLE SELF CARE ACTIVITIES THAT WORK

So often we look for the big house, Paris vacation, nice car, large diamonds, large closets, and more stuff to bring us joy and peace. When, if we paused for a moment it’s the most simple pleasures in life that brings the greatest amount joy. Finding joy in the smallest things will give you meaning, purpose, encouragement, inspiration, joy, happiness, confidence, and self worth.

Finding joy in the simple things allows you to experience the happiness guilt free. It doesn’t have any attachments. We’re in the month of November. Gratitude is the attitude. What are some simple things in life that brings you joy and happiness?

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

GENTLE REMINDER ABOUT SELF CARE

So I thought I’d pop on here real quick and remind everyone self care doesn’t absolve you of pain, hurt, anger, frustration, insecurities, and more. It gives you a foundation, balance, and practical ways to address and adapt to life as it comes. Practicing self care will evolve as you grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Your needs, wants, desires, likes, dis likes, level of tolerance, and so on will forever change. Remember your self care is for you.

woman watering the plants

What do you need on a daily to feel encouraged, supported, loved, and free to be you? Listen to your body when you’re feeling uneasy. YOUR MIND AND BODY GIVES YOU ALL THE ANSWERS YOU NEED How can you tap into yourself to soothe, heal, and grow through the distress. When feeling “Un”, what is it that has triggered you? Unloved, unattractive, unwanted, unappreciated, unhelpful, unworthy, unproductive, untrustworthy, unbalanced, and any un feeling you may encounter.

”Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”- Mark Black

Self love and self care is prioritizing you so you can be at your best in the midst of happiness and sadness. Loving you is giving yourself permission to evolve, grow, heal, be better, do better, and live your life not live how others think you should. Practicing self care provides emotional riches for you to pull from in times of need and even in joy. Remember when you have a great day, moment, or event; celebrate it!!!!

In this time before the holiday season begin, give yourself time and permission to take care of you. It’s going to look different from time to time. And that is normal and ok. It will feel awkward and uncomfortable. It supposed to. At times you’re going to feel alone and lonely. That is normal and supposed to happen. Thoughts of confusion, feeling misunderstood, and giving up will creep in, that is normal. Remember your why.

Self care is a journey. You’re unlearning, to relearn. Challenging every thing you thought was right or what was taught. Going against the grain. Give yourself permission. Patience. Time. Enjoy your day!!!!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

5 LUXURY SELF CARE TIPS ON A BUDGET

How can you have luxury self care on a budget? Focus on what you do best and nurture it. Listen to your body, mind, and heart to help you focus on what you need to soothe yourself. Any self care you do is a luxury to you. However, here are a couple of tips and tricks I use to mix things up and use my resources.

a woman sitting on the armchair while reading

-Walk. Simple. Easy. Can be done in your neighborhood, treadmill, trail, or park. Lately, as the weather gets cooler and daylight becomes limited, I’ve explored walking the mall. That has been fulfilling, engaging, and fresh. I’ll go the last hour before it closes, and get a 3 mile walk in.

-Word search. One of my favorite hobbies or past times. Word search keeps me engaged, thinking, focused, and off my phone or television. Usually when I go to the dollar store I’ll grab 2 or 3. Again, affordable, great for your brain, concentration, and can be done anywhere. Keep one in your purse so while you’re in a waiting room, you can word search instead of scrolling.

”Caring for your body, mind, and spirit is your greatest and grandest responsibility. It’s about listening to the needs of your soul and then honoring them.”-Kristi Ling

-By Nature Vitamin C +Collagen Face Mask. Whenever I want to spend some extra TLC on my skin I’ll purchase a sheet mask. I love By Nature sheet masks because they fit my entire face including the big forehead. I actually see plumped, moisturized, and smooth skin after the 20 minutes. Because the sheet masks are extra soiled, I have enough serum left in the package to use the next day. One runs $2.49 or 4 pack on Amazon for $7.99. Doesn’t break the bank, have glowing skin, and spent quality time with yourself. SELF CARE IS A LIFESTYLE

-Press On Nails. I’ve always enjoyed doing my own hair and nails. About 2 months ago I decided to give press on nails a try, and never looked back. My manicures weren’t lasting too long. Redoing the mani throughout the week was becoming time consuming with my schedule and kids. Yes, I’ve tried long wearing, gel polish, instant dry, nail dry spray, and no matter what with my daily life it wasn’t lasting. With press ons, they don’t chip, last 2 weeks, give me a boost in my femininity, gives me more creativity, and something my daughter and I do together. Finally they are so good, people think I’ve spent money going to the nail salon. Depending on the brand we spend $10-$15 on a pack. We both get a set for 2 weeks and can rotate them out.

-Creating new recipes. Currently I’m loving my Coffee Mate Cinnamon Vanilla Creamer. Adding a drop of caramel sugar free syrup gives me a great cup of coffee or latte. Couple that with my cream cheese croissants makes my Saturday morning a chefs kiss. Other recipes I’ve been enjoying are homemade bowls. Why Chipotle when I can do that at home. Lastly, Mediterranean salad recipes. This gives me variety, lots of flavor, fulfilling, healthy, and easy meals. It’s literally using what you already have in the kitchen.

Those are a couple of examples of luxury self care. Focus on what you want to experience. How do you want to feel. What aren’t you getting. Expand your idea of self care. It’s yours. Have a great day!!!!!!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.