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INTERIOR LOVE AFFAIR

An easy to follow self care routine
Self Care•Self Love & Self Care•Wellness

My (Easy-to-Follow) Self-Care Routine!

Hello again friends! I am all about self care over here. So much so, that when I fall off of my self care routine, I really notice it. I start to feel run-down, drained, and even depressed.

Because of the impact it is has on me and my life, I am learning to put caring for myself on the top of my priority list. I have a two young boys, and a husband who rely on me for a lot. And I wouldn’t have it any other way! However, I feel I can’t really give the people I love the best of me, if I am running on an empty tank, so to speak. I find when I make myself a priority, I fill myself up, and as a result, I have more to give to my family, and I feel so much happier! So basically self care is a win-win 😉

For me, self care and self love are very interrelated, so this post covers what I typically do to take care of myself, physically, mentally, and emotionally ♥.

I hope this helps you with your own self care and happiness. I do want to say that whatever you are doing, make sure you are listening to yourself, and not following a rigid regimen. That is the opposite of self care. I have put together this post as a guide, not as strict routine. I worked my way up to this point, over time, not overnight.  If you listen to yourself, and do things for yourself out of love, you will feel better than if you act like your own drill sergeant (yikes!). Self care and self love are not all-or-nothing process. Whatever you can do each day, or each week, it’s a start, and it’ll add up! Overtime you will look back and see the benefits and your own growth, and with that, you will want to do more for yourself, and that’s how the positive cycle begins!

(scroll down for a summary of my self care routine)

An easy to follow self care routine

 

 

Benefits of Self-Care

Overtime I have noticed how much better my life has been since I’ve prioritized my self care.

  • I have less anxiety.
  • I am more loving with others
  • I am more satisfied with my day, my week, my month, etc.
  • I do not feel like I am lacking anything. I feel fortunate.
  • My relationships are more meaningful, deeper.
  • I am content with myself.
  • I am more confident.
  • I have lost weight.
  • I have learned to listen to myself, instead of others expectations or societal pressures.

Now is this all from my self care routine? Maybe, or maybe not. My self care has allowed some of these other factors to come into play.  I think it’s all related, and good self care helps other areas in your life improve. Kind of like a snowball effect, but in a positive way ?.


Daily:

Before I even get out of bed and let the day run me, I try to get into a good, positive feeling, so that I feel like I am running my day, and overall my own life. The worst feeling for me is when I feel like I am just a slave to my own life, that I am just going through the motions, with no real joy or time to myself. I want to feel good and enjoy my life. I want to truly live my best life. And right now, I feel like I am! Yay :D.  This self care routine plays a huge roll in that.

Before I even get out of bed and let the day run me, I try to get into a good, positive feeling, so that I feel like I am running my day.

So, before I even get out of bed I will practice gratitude and visualization:

Gratitude

I feel thankful for:

  1. Something I’m doing well
  2. The people I love and who love me
  3. My current living situation/how fortunate I am.

 

Visualization

I envision where I want my day to go, how I want to feel overall, what I want to accomplish , and how I will feel when I have done that.

After I feel I have mentally set myself up for a good day, I get out of bed and head to the kitchen to start up my coffee.

Coffee

I truly savour my first cup of coffee each morning. I give myself time to do this. I also pull out my journal at this time, and often I will turn on my Daily Calm app and listen to some soothing nature sounds while I journal.

Journal

I let what’s on my mind pour out. It’s not about good writing, in fact I often don’t even go back and read it. I sort through things here. I write down what I want to improve about myself, I write down what I am doing well, I write down something that is hurting me. This allows me to process things, heal my hurts, envision my future, let go of things I don’t need anymore,  and most importantly, to grow!

Then I get dressed and ready for the day.

Appearance

When I look in the mirror I try to focus on something I like about myself. I put on make up and do my hair; I try to dress nicely.

This always pays off. I feel more confident throughout the day, and over time I’ve internalized that I like how I look, and that makes me feel good. (self confidence was a battle for me, but overtime I got there!)

I get my kids fed and ready, drop them off, or some days my hubby does that, and I head over to work.

Positive thinking

I try my best to stay positive throughout out the day, but I’ve learned that no one can be positive or happy all the time.

I’ve noticed when I am tired, I am not so positive. I try not to think of big things like life, or how I am doing with life at these times; that’s just negative self talk. I do not give too much weight to that. I give more weight to my positive thoughts. (to learn how to be kinder to yourself, read this post.)

Meditation

I meditate , but it’s nothing fancy, I really just focus on my breathing, in and out, while listening to some ocean waves or rain sounds. I use the daily calm app, and I couldn’t do without it!

I sometimes put it on as I drive home from work. I have noisy days at work, so I need some quiet before I get home to more noise. (:D)

Dedicated Self-Care Time 

I give myself some time each night that’s just for self care. I usually need  about an hour at least – sometimes its to work out ( I like to run, or if it’s raining, I get on my elliptical), sometimes it’s to read, sometimes its to watch my favourite show, and sometimes I just take a long hot bath and then vegetate on my bed. It doesn’t have to be the same thing each night.

I really am not a fan of sticking to a strict schedule with anything in my life. I can’t maintain that. I more so aim to do things to better myself because I want to.  I want to take care of myself, so I try my best to plan for that, and set myself up for success. Please don’t take this routine and then be harsh with yourself for not following it. That would be awful! That is the opposite effect I want this post to have on you. If you can’t do all of these things , that’s totally ok! Start with one thing. Once you have gotten used to that, maybe add another one, then one more,etc. I didn’t get to feeling this good and happy overnight, nor did I force any of this on myself. I eventually incorporated all of these things over time. And I did that because they made me feel good, not because someone told me to and I listened to them over myself.


Other Things I Do To Take Care of Myself

As much as I love binge watching on Netflix, and trust me, I do my fair share of this…I try to limit this to once a week. During school holidays, I let myself go all out,and binge watch like crazy..but during my regular life, I know that lack of sleep is what ruins my self care, and sets me into a negative cycle, where I feel tired, grumpy, and then I make poor choices, like eating badly, drinking more, staying up later each night, etc.

Social Media

I have noticed when I browse social media, even if I don’t mean to, I end up comparing myself to others. I had to learn to make a conscious effort to stop doing that, and even still, that is not so easy.

So what I really try to do is  use social media for inspiration and motivation. I limit my time and keep track of how I am feeling. If I feel my energy is dipping toward the negative, then I just exit.

I also do not go on social media right before bed or first thing in the morning. I am conscious of what I am telling myself, and more often than not, when I am on social media , I notice the messages I am telling myself are that I am not good enough or I need to be more like so and so; and that does not lead to happiness! So, I save my social media time for when I have already mentally set myself up for the day, and I almost have an armour against those messages.

For my blog and business posts, I am learning to schedule my posts as much as possible, so when I want them to go out first thing in the morning, or late at night, then I don’t have to think about it, I just let the scheduler prompt me and I hit the post button. (I use Tailwind to schedule my Instagram posts).

 

Learn To Say No

I don’t say yes to every invitation I receive, and I plan my nights out with my friends for when it works for me. Right now I notice I feel balanced (and not overwhelmed) if I have one night out on a Friday night, and the rest of the weekend, I get to be home with my family. I am a bit of a home-body, so that might not work for you! 🙂

Get Organized 

I am using a planner (shout out to the fabulous planner community!), and wow it has changed my life!  I feel that now I am not carrying so much around in my head. Currently I am using the Happy Planner. It is awesome! I love the vertical layout, and the stickers that come with it.

Take Responsibility For Yourself

I am taking responsibility for my health, wealth, and happiness. No one else is going to make me happy, healthy, or wealthy. That is all on me. That’s why it’s so important to do this or yourself. Take care of yourself, for you. You deserve the life you have always dreamed of, and it’s entirely possible. Go out there and get it!

Feel All The Feels

I allow myself to feel all my feelings; the good, the bad, and the ugly! Thinking positive does not mean ignoring or battling your darker side. Every feeling is yours, own them and learn from them. What are they trying to tell you? If I am fixating on something “negative”, and I don’t initially know why, I usually work through it in my journal. I might ask myself:

  • What happened?
  • Why is it bothering me?
  • What do I wish had happened instead?
  • What am I going to do differently moving forward?

I take stock of whatever the issue was. Clearly it was important enough to me for me to get all worked up over it, so I need to pay attention to that. (this is a key part of personal growth 🙂 )

Inspirational Quotes

I read inspirational quotes at least a few times a week. If you are looking for people to follow, I really suggest @Vexking and @Idillionare. Reading their words always helps me with my mindset, and with dealing with difficult things in my life. Also, Pinterest is a great place to find inspirational quotes! Once you have saved a few quotes that you like, similar quotes will automatically show up in your feed. It’s awesome! You can check out my board for inspirational quotes here. I am adding to it daily :).


Things I Am Not Doing

I am not eating my feelings. If I am sad, anxious, or depressed, I am not eating them away. I used to do this. Instead I m journaling, running, or mediating. This has been a game changer!

I am not drinking a glass of wine each day. I know this is societally normal! I had my phase of doing this. But for me, It didn’t put me in a better state overall. Alcohol is a depressant. It lowers your energy and your state of being. You need more to feel the same level of normal the next day. Instead of a glass of wine as a mood lifter, I am working out, and listening to my favourite tunes.

And finally, I am not punishing myself for not being perfect. I am looking at what went well each day,and trying to be happy with the progress I have made over time. We are often our own worst enemies, because we expect so much from ourselves. Give yourself a break, and applaud yourself for the little things you are doing each day that are just for you.

 

I really hope all of this was helpful! Stay tuned for more posts on self care in the future. Until next time lovelies,

An easy to follow self care routine

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  1. Simi says

    January 20, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    I love this so much! Going to print it out and place it in my vanity. Thank you?

    Reply

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  1. Create Your Own Self Care Spot - INTERIOR LOVE AFFAIR says:
    June 25, 2021 at 12:12 pm

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Hello! I’m Pavan

Welcome to my blog, Interior Love Affair! I'm here to help you with everything Self Love & Self Care. I'm a certified Life Coach, writer & blogger. Check out my tips on self love & home office styling. I hope you stay a while!

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You don’t have to keep giving your peace and pow You don’t have to keep giving your peace and power away, just because you once did. 

You’re allowed to change. 
You’re allowed to grow.

You are in charge of who and what you allow in and what you give away.

You don’t have to give your power away any more.
You can keep it for yourself.
It’s OK.
It’s OK if you no longer agree to things you once agreed to.
It’s OK if you no longer allow certain behaviour or treatment even though you once did.

You’re allowed to change.
You’re allowed to grow.

It’s actually more natural to evolve than it is to stay the same.

No one should hold you to who you once were if you no longer resonate with that version of you.

People who want you to stay the same are thinking of what they need from you, and what you provide them.

You don’t owe anyone your self improvement or your inner peace.

The people in your life should want you to grow and be the happiest version of yourself. 

You don’t have to give your power away anymore. You can keep it for yourself. It’s OK. It’s time.
You ARE ready for your next level, if you weren’ You ARE ready for your next level, if you weren’t, there would be no discomfort and you would be content where you are. 
The discomfort is the clash between the new version of you that your highest self has already become, and the old version of you that your physical self is still holding on to. 

It’s like a software update has been installed but you’re refusing to use it, still clinging on to the old version. 

Allow yourself to step into your upgrade. It’s already occurred, just stop fighting it and let it in. Give yourself permission to enjoy this uplevelled version of yourself. 💕
Sometimes we need to give ourselves a reality chec Sometimes we need to give ourselves a reality check and ask who is taking care of me?

It should be you lovely. 💕
You’re suffering because you think you should be You’re suffering because you think you should be further along than you are. But that’s now how it works, and that’s only causing you more pain. 
You are where you are and there’s beauty in every season in every part of your journey. 

You will get to where you want to be. There is no other choice.

Stop beating yourself up for not already being there.

You’re growing into the version of you that matches what you want.

This takes time.

This takes learning, and more importantly unlearning of the limiting beliefs and destructive habits that have kept you from being there already. 

You WILL get to where you’re going. 
Be easy on yourself along the way. Give yourself the kindness you deserve. 
You’re doing great. 
I’m proud of you lovely 💕
We can blame others all we want, but we are just a We can blame others all we want, but we are just as much a part of any relational dynamic we are in, as the other person. 
If the relationship matters to you, there is no shame in putting your ego aside and adjusting your mindset about this person. 
Sure you have every right and every valid reason for staying mad at this person or keeping them at a distance from you. 
But you’re only harming yourself. Because the truth of the matter is you clearly have love for this person, otherwise you would not give a care about them or what they were doing or not doing. The very fact it bothers you means there’s still something there and it would serve your best  interest if you were to accept that and align with the love that you feel in your heart. It would serve your best interest to shed the ego. Shed the “I’m right and you’re wrong”. That is a fool’s game. 
The truth is, you want peace. You want love. You want joy. 
Start letting that in. 
The way you treat and perceive the people who matter to you plays a big role in your happiness. 
Even if they are not at your level, you can still be the bigger person and give your love freely. That doesn’t just let them off the hook, it lets YOU off the hook. It sets you free. Resentment and anger are hurting you just as much, if not more, then they are hurting them. Allow yourself to forgive. So you can feel the love that’s in your heart, and so you can express it once again. Not expressing love hurts. Turning away from your heart hurts. Adjust your view of this person FOR you, for YOUR benefit. So you can finally be at peace with the situation and with yourself. ✨💕
Excerpt from my latest blog post. The fear you fee Excerpt from my latest blog post. The fear you feel surrounding your goals or desires is not evidence that you can’t get there. It’s just faulty thinking, an outdated mindset, that can be recognized, released and replaced. Read the rest of my blog post to get started on recognizing the faulty thinking that holds you back. ✨✨
You are worthy of everything you desire. Whether i You are worthy of everything you desire. Whether it’s a lifestyle change, a career, a relationship, or anything in between. The very fact that you want it means it exists for you. That it’s possible. Your work is to align with that version of yourself that feels worthy of it, that feels good having it. Your work is to become that version of yourself within your energy and your vibration. To only speak words that support you in your vision. To choose the thoughts that line up with your goal, and to ignore anything else that stands in your way. 
Keep focusing on the positive feelings and results you are already experiencing. That is the route to your goals. 
Check out my latest blog post “why you haven’t reached your goals” for more. Link in bio 💕✨
After the struggle and the storm comes the beautif After the struggle and the storm comes the beautiful new you who has accepted a hard truth, faced something difficult, or let go of something harmful that you had been holding on to for sometime. 

After the breakdown of the old you, comes the breakthrough of the new you.

It’s everything you’ve been waiting for. You just had to go through that storm to get here. 

If you’re still in the storm right now.
It’s OK. When you’re ready to let go of whatever you have a tight grip on, when you’re ready to see that you are still safe, that you are still loved, that you are still going to make it, you will let go. You will let go of the coping mechanisms that once kept you safe, but now only hinder you and your growth. You will let go and allow yourself to step into the evolution of who you have become, closer to who you really are, closer to your truth. You will let go and the storm will no longer be your downfall, it will be your uprising. Instead of fearing the fire, you will become the fire. 
When you are ready to let go, you will. ✨
Instead of what someone says to me or gives I car Instead of what someone says to me or gives 
I care about what they intend for me
Do they wish me well?
Do they want what’s best for me?
Do they care about my wellbeing?
About my happiness? About my heart?
That matters more to me then anything else.
If you’re in someone’s heart, you can feel it, taste it, smell it and touch it. 

And when you’re not, it’s quite evident, even when someone’s words may say otherwise. 

There’s something only energy can communicate. 

Pay attention to the vibes you get from people. That shit’s real.
Starting a self care routine is one thing, and lea Starting a self care routine is one thing, and learning to protect that time you make for yourself is another. 

Your self care time is sacred. 

And in this episode, I help you with how to set boundaries around your self care time so you can set yourself up for success, as well as specific phrases you can say to the people in your life who may want your time and energy at the same time when you need to care for yourself. 

I also discuss how the toxic relationships in your life will not be able to exist once your boundaries go up & it’s ok to not only prioritize your time with yourself but to expect the people in your life to support you in your wellness. 

Come have a listen! 

Available on Spotify & iTunes (link in bio).

#selflovepodcast #selflovejourney❤️ #selflovery #selflovejunkie #selfcaretipsandtricks #selfcarecoach #selfcarepodcast #selflovecoach #lifecoachforwomen #healthyboundaries #boundariesarebeautiful
No matter what is going on currently for you, you No matter what is going on currently for you, you can take some control back by taking charge of how your body feels. 

Every mood, every stressful experience we encounter all boils down to one thing, how our body reacts to it. 

When we are stressed, our body tenses up.

When we are calm, our body relaxes.

When we are facing extreme stress or fear, we can take some control over our experience by intentionally calming our bodies and thus calming our nervous system.

We mistakenly focus so much on the external and physical problem at hand, thinking that we have to solve it, or get rid of it in order to feel better. 

The reason you want to solve it so badly is so you can feel better. That is the end goal of any desire in life. In the having of it, you will better, the stress will diminish, and your body will relax.

So, if you can relax your body now, in this moment, you are way ahead of the problem, and very close to solving it, and likely with a much more effective solution then one you thought of while in a stressful state. 

How do you relax your body?

Put one hand on your belly, the other on your chest. 
Take slow, deep breaths, in through your nose (count to 4), hold for 4, and exhale through your mouth for 4.  Do this 6x and you will be in a completely different state. Try it it works! ✨
Set yourself free. You don’t owe anyone your hea Set yourself free. You don’t owe anyone your health, wealth, or wellness. 

Loving yourself and being happy with where you are in life, or working towards where you want to be, is an inside job. No one can do that for you, nor should you expect them to. Likewise, you cannot be expected to do that for another. 

We are all whole and need to come back in tune with our own wholeness to be satisfied with ourselves and our lives. 

Allow yourself to be happy and free. There is no guilt necessary. The people who truly care for you will want you to and support you the entire time.

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