Self-care is something that many of us don’t do enough of. I’ll admit that I have been slacking in the self-care department recently. I am going to work on that and now that this mega-list of ideas and activities is out there, I am hoping you can also work on your self-care.

Not every activity or idea is going to be for everyone. Pick and choose what you want. You do not have to do them all.

• Watch your favorite movie
• Go for a walk without your phone
• Turn off your phone for a few hours
• Take a bath or bubble bath
• Do something you’ve always wanted to do for the first time
• Read a good book
• Take a nap
• Get into some comfy clothes
• Binge watch your favorite show on Netflix
• Spend time with a friend or family member
• Write down a list of things you are thankful for
• Take time to be alone, away from other people
• List 10 things you are grateful for
• Unfollow negative people on social media
• Write in a journal
• Color in a coloring book
• Play a board game
• Get a mani/pedi
• Go braless!
• Call someone and check in
• Create positive affirmations for yourself
• Write yourself a love letter
• Do something you love
• Listen to music
• Buy yourself something
• Write a thank you letter or note to someone
• Do some deep breathing
• Write down 5 things you love about yourself
• De-clutter something
• Buy yourself flowers
• Take a class for fun
• Do a fun craft
• Set up a boundary list for people in your life
• Plan a mini staycation
• Create a self-love jar or box
• Go on a date – either with yourself or someone else
• Watch the sunset or sunrise
• Write down some things you have learned about yourself the past year
• Plan a movie night
• Sleep in on the weekend
• Organize your closet
• Try a new recipe
• Do something that you’ve been putting off for a while
• Slow down and be present
• Treat yourself to your favorite dessert
• Go to a museum
• Watch a stand-up comedy show
• Make a playlist of your favorite songs at the moment
• Go to your favorite coffee shop and get your favorite kind
• Spend some time in the sun
• Get your hair done
• Play with a pet (obviously if you have one)
• Have a spa day
• Play a sport
• Go to a sporting event
• Go for a long drive
• Paint something
• Bake something
• Shop for a new outfit
• Engage in a complete random act of kindness
• Get a massage
• Order your favorite takeout food
• Go swimming
• Write a poem
• Watch the stars at night
• Go to the library
• Go to the park
• Ride a bike
• Read a self-improvement book
• Listen to a new podcast
• Create a bucket list
• Visit somewhere new, anywhere!
• Read inspirational quotes
• Complete a simple reflection of your life
• Unplug from social media
• Make future plans for an event or something you’re excited about
• Do yoga
• No feeling guilty for turning down plans
• Remind yourself that this too shall pass
• Visit your favorite place around you
• Identify and write down activities and things that you enjoy
• Do not force yourself to do anything you don’t want to do
• Take a day off of work if you need to
• Go on a hike
• Start a home improvement project
• Do breathing exercises
• Take a new fitness class
• Go to see live music
• Have a picnic
• Say no to something
• Go dancing!
• Participate in guided meditation
• Browse a bookstore
• Go out and get some ice cream
• Try a new craft beer
• Volunteer at a place by you
• Take a long shower
• Look at pictures and reminisce about the good memories
• Visit a winery
• Buy a small gift for someone
• Make a list of what makes you happy
• Burn your favorite scented candle
• Go to the beach
• Pick a guilty pleasure and indulge it every so often
• Visit an art gallery
• Close your eyes for 5-10 minutes
• Get dressed up for no reason
• Take a walk in the forest
• Give yourself a pep talk
• Make a present for a friend
• Make funny faces
• Run outside when it’s raining
• Re-purpose some old clothes
• Set a realistic challenge for yourself for the next day
• Rearrange some furniture
• Have a candlelit dinner
• Put your feet up for a night
• Organize your workspace
• Start a spare piggy pank
• Be mindful of current feelings and emotions
• Create a new Pinterest board
• Sell some second hand stuff online
• Pop some bubble wrap
• Literally stop and smell the flowers
• End a toxic relationship
• Hire/get a life coach
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Drive around and sing in the car
• Say “I love you” to yourself in the mirror
• Forgive yourself
• Give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing
• Have a good cry (we all need a good cry every once in a while)
• Play with stickers
• Get your favorite stuffed animal or cuddle buddy and snuggle
• Read some pick me up blogs
• Write or type a short story
• Do a crossword puzzle or some other puzzle type game
• Start a blog
• Cancel some subscriptions you are no longer using
• Make a list of at least 10 things you want to do by the time the year is over
• Take some pictures of anything your heart desires
• Say “fuck it” to anything that is not contributing to your self-care
• Watch funny videos on YouTube
• Look at funny memes
• Get a personal growth tarot reading
• Get your groceries delivered
• Eat cake for breakfast
• Diffuse essential oils
• Go through a stretching routine
• Go on a retreat
• Replace every negative thought with a positive one
• Go to the ballet, theatre or comedy show
• Celebrate a small achievement
• Host a charity or something related fundraiser
• Slow down
• Go to a petting zoo or farm

There you have it ladies and gentleman! These are activities that should be recurrent whether it’s once a month or once a week. Some of the ideas and activities more than others, obviously. I truly believe that if you engage in just a little self-care, your overall mood and happiness will increase. I’m willing to try any challenges readers may have or if they just need someone to check in with!