The Self-Care You Actually Need This Summer
The Self-Care You Actually Need This Summer
The phrase *self-care* has been tossed around so often that it's easy to forget what it really means. It’s been dressed up in rose gold packaging and marketed as a luxury escape—spa days, face masks, scented candles. And while those things can be beautiful and beneficial, they’re just one piece of the picture.
True self-care isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it’s drawing boundaries. Sometimes it’s saying no. And often, it’s showing up for yourself when it’s the last thing you feel like doing.
So what does real, whole-hearted self-care actually look like? Let’s redefine it together.
Self-Care is Maintenance, Not Just a Reward
Self-care isn’t something you *earn* after burnout. It’s the daily maintenance of your mind, body, and spirit. It’s brushing your teeth and feeding yourself real meals. It’s managing your screen time and getting enough sleep. It’s making the doctor’s appointment you’ve been avoiding.
It's also keeping promises to yourself—even the small ones, like journaling for five minutes or doing that Sunday planner reset.
When you care for yourself as a habit (not a reward), you build resilience. You build trust in yourself. And that’s powerful.
Self-Care is Boundaries, Not Just Breaks
While breaks are important, true self-care often shows up as boundaries.
That might look like:
- Saying “no” to social plans when your body is asking for rest
- Logging off work at the time you said you would
- Unfollowing accounts that make you feel “less than”
- Giving yourself permission to stop overexplaining your decisions
Boundaries protect your energy so you can use it for the things that matter most.
Self-Care is Emotional Hygiene
We all understand the importance of physical hygiene—but what about emotional hygiene?
Taking care of your mental health means checking in with your feelings, even when they’re uncomfortable. It’s allowing yourself to cry when you need to. To journal about the hard stuff. To call a friend instead of bottling things up.
When you tend to your inner world, you build emotional fluency—and with that comes more peace, clarity, and compassion.
Self-Care is Creating Space for What You Love
Sometimes self-care is about adding in—not just taking away. Add what fills you. Add what makes you feel alive.
- Make space for creativity, even if no one sees it
- Plan time for solitude, joy, play
- Reconnect with your vision board and dreams
- Track your habits to see what actually energizes you
This kind of care is proactive—it nurtures who you're becoming.
Final Thoughts
Self-care isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about *honoring* yourself. Every day, in every season.
And yes, take the bath. Light the candle. But also sit with your feelings, stand by your boundaries, and follow through on your goals. That’s the kind of care that changes everything.
Need support creating a self-care practice that lasts? Our Fitness planner and Habit Tracker are filled with prompts, tools, and gentle guidance to help you build a life that feels as good as it looks.
Photo Credit: Matildadjerf
