How to Practice Self-Care When You're Busy

When time feels scarce, self-care is often the first thing to be sacrificed. We just keep on moving trying to get all the things done and never taking a moment for ourselves.

This is where making self-care a priority comes into play.

Make Mornings A Moment of Sanity

Take 5 minutes in the morning and just STOP! Breathe. Grab a piece of paper and a pencil and jot down all the things that need to get done.

Then walk away for a moment and get your favorite morning beverage. Grab the list o’ things and go sit outside with your drink. If you can’t go outside, open a window and sit by it. You want some fresh air surrounding you.

Put the list down and sip your drink. Close your eyes and listen to your surroundings. Are the cars driving by? Are the animals and birds making noises? Lean into the rumble of the earth as it wakes up from its slumber. Breathe once more.

Now that you’ve gotten centered and in tune with your surroundings and had a sip of your favorite drink, take a look at the list.

Pick the top three things that are most important to get done today. Put stars by them. Pick the easiest one (or the most convenient one) of those starred items and put #1 by it. Then pick the next one and put a #2 by it. Then put #3 by the last one.

If your list includes things outside of your home or on a specific timeline, look for ways to weave them into the day. How can they naturally flow from one to another? But remember, they’re NOT your most important items.

Pause Between Priorities

When you’ve completed one of your important items, TAKE 5 MINUTES and breathe, grab your favorite daytime drink, and step outside or near an open window. Breathe. Close your eyes and congratulate yourself for getting it done. Maybe even do a 10-Second Bootie Wiggle™. Do something that makes you smile.

Repeat this exercise after each important item on your list. By the end of the day you’ll have taken 20 minutes for yourself to center and take care of your sanity. 

Close Your Day with Intention

When you’re back home and settling in for the evening, take 10 minutes to stop. Grab your favorite evening drink and go sit outside or near an open window. BREATHE. Reminisce about your day and congratulate yourself on just how much you got done.

By making a little plan of how your day will go as you’re settled and centered in the morning, you’ll be amazed at all you can accomplish in a day. You’ll find that you have some extra time that shows up to stop in that flower shop, pick up some ice cream, or just stop and sit next to a tree in the parking lot.

You might even find that your day goes a little smoother than normal. 😎

Keep Your Center When Things Go Slideways

But even if there are some unexpected bumps in the road, don’t just jump into the whirlwind headfirst. Take a moment to breathe and evaluate the situation before stepping into the drama. This gives you a chance to look at it objectively and come up with some semblance of a solution that doesn’t add to the drama. 😉

You don’t need hours to reset your energy or feel grounded. A few intentional minutes throughout the day can help you breathe, think clearly, and actually enjoy life again. If you’re looking for a gentle structure to keep track of your progress and celebrate what you accomplish (even if it’s just showing up), download the Accomplishment Record Template. It’s a simple, flexible tool to help you reflect on what you’ve done, recognize your wins, and move forward with clarity and calm.