The Truth About Self-Care: It’s Not About Facials or Bubble Baths
It’s about taking intentional actions—ones that truly nourish you, inside and out.
When most people hear the term self-care, they picture bubble baths, scented candles, or maybe a spa day. And sure, those things can be nice. But real self-care? It’s not just about pampering yourself. It’s about taking intentional actions—ones that truly nourish you, inside and out. It’s about making choices that help you feel better each day, so you have more room and energy to enjoy your life.
Because of my past, I’ve always focused on self-care, but in the last year I’ve stepped up my game and I can feel a significant difference. I’m less likely to snap at someone. I feel more calm even when I do feel anxiety. I’m lighter and I’m happier.
Distraction Isn’t Self-Care
A lot of us mistake distraction for self-care. When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to sink into mindless scrolling, binge-watch an entire season of a show, or lose hours in a video game. And hey, sometimes you need to check out for a bit—that’s human. But if you find yourself reaching for these things automatically, just to numb out or escape, that’s not care. That’s killing time.
True self-care helps us process our life, not avoid it. It makes you feel lighter, freer, and more like yourself. Watching TV can be self-care—if it’s intentional. Like, if you’re curling up with a favorite show after a tough day because it brings you comfort? That’s care. But if you’re watching just to shut off your brain and it leaves you feeling drained? That’s distraction.
The key difference?
Self-care asks: What do I need to feel supported right now?
Distraction asks: What will make me forget or disappear for a while?
Why Intentionality Matters
At its core, self-care is about being intentional with your time and energy. It’s not just about what you’re doing—it’s about why.
For example, taking a walk on the beach isn’t just about movement. It’s about grounding yourself, breathing deeply, and feeling connected to the world around you. Journaling isn’t just putting words on a page—it’s creating space to hear yourself think and follow where it takes you. Even something as simple as playing a song that lifts your mood? That’s self-care when it’s done on purpose.
A good check-in is to ask yourself:
Am I just killing time? Or am I doing something that supports my mind or body?
Do I feel worse or the same after this? Or do I feel more at peace, more refreshed?
Was I lost during this activity? Or was I present and experiencing it?
When you bring intention into the things you do, self-care stops being a chore or something you "should" do—it becomes something that naturally fits into your life. A way to take care of yourself in small, meaningful ways every single day.
What Does Self-Care Look Like?
Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. It’s not about more things to add to your to-do list. It’s about choosing things that fill you up instead of draining you.
Some examples:
Physical care → Going for a walk, stretching, making a meal that nourishes you.
Emotional care → Writing in a journal, reaching out to a friend, listening to music that helps you process your feelings.
Mental care → Meditating, reading, doing a puzzle to engage your mind.
Spiritual care → Spending time in nature, practicing gratitude, reflecting on what brings you meaning.
The key isn’t what you do—it’s making sure it’s something you truly need.
Start Today, Start Now
Too often, we let time slip away instead of choosing how to spend it. Self-care is about being here, being present, and making your time count in ways that truly support you.
So, what’s one small, intentional act of self-care you can do today? Maybe it’s taking a deep breath, stepping outside for a minute, or writing down one thing you’re grateful for. Maybe it’s something bigger. Whatever it is, start now.
You don’t have to overhaul your life to take care of yourself. You just have to start. One small choice, one intentional moment at a time. And those moments? They add up. They change things for the better.