Prioritizing yourself is the foundation of self-care. Think of it as taking care of yourself the way a loving parent would—making sure your space is clean, your body is nourished, and your mind is supported. These simple acts send a powerful message to yourself: I am worthy of care.

Ways to practice self-prioritization:

✔️ Cleaning your space – decluttering, deep cleaning, organizing, or rearranging your room for a fresh perspective.

✔️ Caring for your body – taking warm showers/baths, washing your hair, stretching, exercising, and eating meals that nourish and satisfy you.

✔️ Establishing healthy routines – setting sleep schedules, meal prepping, or even laying out clothes for the next day to ease your mornings.

✔️ Practicing personal hygiene – skincare, oral care, moisturizing your skin, and wearing comfortable, clean clothes.

Taking time to prioritize yourself is a core part of self-love. It reminds you that you deserve to exist in a space that feels good and a body that feels cared for.

Whether or not you believe in a higher power, spiritual self-care is about finding balance, grounding yourself, and taking care of your mental well-being. Spiritual care can mean structured practices like meditation or simply allowing your mind to breathe by spending time in nature. .

Ways to practice spiritual care:

🧘‍♂️ Meditation & mindfulness – guided meditations, journaling, or moments of stillness.

🌿 Spending time in nature – hiking, walking barefoot on grass, cloud-watching, or even just opening a window to let in fresh air.

💨 Breathwork – deep breathing exercises to regulate emotions and reduce stress.

🌞 Sunbathing – letting natural light hit your skin for an instant mood boost.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Energy recharging – spending quality time with loved ones, taking naps, or indulging in solo time to restore your energy.

A calm, balanced mind allows you to show up fully in your daily life, making spiritual self-care a crucial part of your routine.

Recreational self-care is all about fun—allowing yourself to enjoy life without guilt. While this is the type of self-care most people associate with luxury, it doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s about indulging in things that bring you happiness, whether that’s a trip abroad or a simple solo picnic at a local park.

Ways to practice recreational self-care:

🎨 Engaging in hobbies – painting, singing, dancing, writing, gaming, or anything you love doing.

🎁 Treating yourself – buying yourself flowers, a small gift, or making your favorite meal.

💅 Pampering yourself – DIY facials, getting your nails done, or wearing an outfit that makes you feel amazing.

🎟️ Planning special moments – taking yourself on a date, going to a concert, or having a cozy movie night at home.

You deserve to enjoy life, and this type of self-care reminds you that pleasure is an essential part of well-being.

The best time for self-care isn’t just when you’re overwhelmed or burnt out—it’s every day. Small daily habits help prevent stress from piling up, making it easier to maintain a healthy balance.

If you feel like you don’t have time for self-care, consider this: how many hours do you spend scrolling through social media? A few minutes each day, spent on intentional self-care instead, can make a significant difference in your well-being.

Start small. Take 5-10 minutes before scrolling to do something for yourself—stretch, drink water, step outside, or simply breathe deeply. These small moments of self-care can help reset your mind and body, making a big impact over time.

One of the most powerful self-care habits I started was simply making my bed every morning. It might not seem like much, but after a long, stressful day, coming home to a made bed always gave me a sense of comfort.

Life is unpredictable. Some days, everything seems to go wrong—work stress, bad news, unexpected problems—but even in the chaos, having small acts of self-care to fall back on can provide moments of peace.

By prioritizing yourself in small ways, you send the message:

💜 I matter.

💜 I deserve to be taken care of.

💜 I am worthy of love—especially from myself.

Once self-prioritization becomes a habit, other forms of self-care will come naturally. You’ll begin to listen to yourself more, recognize your needs, and treat yourself with the love and kindness you truly deserve.