My self-care routine starts the moment I wake up.

As I get ready for the day, I put my headphones on and listen to my guideposts via voice memo. I prefer doing this instead of reciting them to myself in the mirror because, well let’s be honest, who enjoys doing that?

Next, I sit down to read my daily devotional and fill in the morning portion of my five minute journal. After that, I do a brain dump. Because I often wake up feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, this step is usually necessary before I can get into doing anything productive. Sometimes I use my Trello app, other times I use an actual journal.

Planning for the day ahead

Only after I’m done emotionally dumping do I check my emails, texts, and calendar. I go over all the meetings I need to prepare for and create my to-do lists for the day. I separate my to-dos into two lists; “now” and “next”. In order not to overwhelm myself, I try to limit each list to 3-5 items, focusing only on the most pressing upcoming priorities.

Once my day is mapped out, I check my bank account balance and record it at the top of my calendar so I know what my spending limit is for that day. If the budget permits, now it’s time for coffee. If it doesn’t, then I’m making my way to the kitchen to brew my favorite tea at home instead.

Setting up for success with self-care

By this time, it’s time to drop my son off at daycare. After his teacher pries him out of my arms kicking and screaming and I have a good mom-guilt cry session to get over it, I start the trek back home. On my way, I stop at one of my favorite local coffee shops for a caffeinated pick-me-up and (depending on my daily spending budget) a little breakfast snack. When I’m back at home, I dive into my day, working my way through meetings and to-do tasks.

Around lunchtime, I break for food and a quick stretch or living room YouTube yoga session. Then I jump back into my work until it’s time to pick up my son.

The wind-down

The afternoons are when I prefer to take care of housekeeping tasks like cleaning, doing the dishes, laundry, grocery shopping, or running other household errands. Next, I cook (or if I’m keeping myself honest, order) dinner and start winding down for the night with a good book. When I feel nice and relaxed, I give myself and my baby baths and hop in bed to read to him. This is one of my absolute favorite parts of the day that brings me immeasurable joy and serves as a pillar of my self-care routine. By now we’re both sleepy, so it’s lights out until tomorrow morning when it’s time to wake up and do it all over again.

Comment below to share your favorite ways to work self-care into your daily routine.

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