You Have Permission to Not Do All the Self-Care Things

Every day we’re shown a never-ending stream of self-care ideas: morning routines, elaborate journaling prompts, supplements, workouts, meditation challenges, cold plunges, skincare, steps goals, affirmations, sound baths, detox teas… the list expands every time you open your phone.

And while all of these practices can be wonderful, something happens when we try to do all of them.

They stop being nurturing.

They become a checklist.

A “to-do list” version of self-care is no longer self-care - it's another source of pressure, another standard to meet, another way to feel like you aren’t doing enough. And that is the opposite of what you deserve.

So here’s your permission slip:

You do not need to do every self-care practice you see online.
You only need to choose the one that supports who you are and what you need right now.

Real self-care is not a performance. It’s responsiveness.

It’s noticing your internal state, and choosing what genuinely helps - not what racks up the most boxes on a list.

Self-Care That Meets You Where You Are

Think of self-care as a toolbox. You don’t grab every tool at once, rather you grab the one that fits the job.

Here are a few examples of pairing what you feel with what actually helps:

When you're frustrated or filled with restless, negative energy:

Get some fresh air. Step outside. Change your environment. Let the outdoors regulate your nervous system. Even five minutes works.

When stress or emotion has built up in your body:

Move. Exercise, stretch, shake out your hands, dance in your kitchen - anything that releases the physical tension your body is holding.

When your mind won’t slow down:

Meditation or a sound bath can help shift you from mental overdrive into a calmer, more grounded state.

When anxiety rises and your breath gets tight:

Breathwork is one of the most effective and immediate tools to reset your system. Slow the breath, lengthen the exhale, and let your body settle.

When you feel stuck or unsure of your path:

Journaling gives your thoughts a place to land. It helps you translate your intuition into clarity.

Choose What Helps, Not What “Should” Help

You don’t need to earn rest.
You don’t need to achieve self-care.
You don’t need to follow a routine that wasn’t made for you.

You are allowed to choose the small, simple thing that actually supports you.
You are allowed to skip everything else.
And you are allowed to change what you need from day to day.

Real self-care is not about doing more, it’s about choosing better.