Consistent Self-Care: How to Build a Routine That Sticks

Is self-care just a fantasy?

It’s a calm Saturday morning…

Cue the whimsical music.

Dim the lights.

Smell the Bath & Body Works candle aroma.

You’re preparing yourself for a one-hour deep tissue massage.

Free cucumber water is flowing by the gallon at a luxury spa in the middle of a peaceful forest.


Bump! Another shopping cart hits yours.

Reality check: you’re actually standing in the middle of a supermarket aisle, looking a step above disheveled in your joggers and that old hoodie with holes in the pockets. It’s your “day off,” yet here you are: running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to tackle a never-ending to-do list. The self-care you crave feels like an unreachable fantasy reserved for the Real Housewives of Orange County.

Between working (and/or schooling), trying not to slip into full hermit mode, and simply trying to adult, the idea of spa-style self-care is laughable. Who has the time or the money to do that consistently? Unless, of course, you are a famous housewife.

Like many other wellness trends, we’ve boxed self-care into expensive skincare routines, Pinterest boards full of fluffy headbands, and two-hour Pilates sessions. None of those things are bad, but they’re hardly realistic for most people on a daily or even weekly basis.

Yet the research is clear: consistent self-care leads to higher energy levels, better concentration, less relationship strain, fewer chronic health issues, improved mood, and increased resilience. Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a skill, one that equips us to navigate life well.

And that leads us to the question we’re all wondering:

“How do we actually make this happen?”

Simple.

You keep it real… literally.

Behold: the fantasy ca become reality (and honestly, it must!)

Many of us don’t have a whole weekend to relax, but that’s no excuse to neglect ourselves. Keeping your routine realistic is the key to consistency. If you do have a rare free day, go ahead and pamper yourself! But if you only have 15 minutes before bed or a 30-minute break at work, an hour-long bath isn’t happening.

Thankfully, it doesn’t need to. Even small, consistent acts of self-care can be game-changing. So here are some simple, doable suggestions that we at Wholistic Living love:

  • Take a warm 15-minute shower with your favourite shower steamer.
  • Decompress with a short walk during lunch or after work.
  • Do a few minutes of gratitude journaling before bed.
  • Call someone in your close circle just to connect.
  • Curl up with your favourite hot drink and a podcast you enjoy.
  • Spend time in prayer or read the Bible (for our fellow Christ-followers!).
  • Read a chapter of a book you love—before bed or on your commute.
  • Stretch for 10 minutes before bed.
  • Send an encouraging text to someone (lifting others lifts you too!).
  • Treat yourself to your favourite snack (moderation is key!).
  • Watch one episode of a show you actually enjoy.
  • Spend 15–30 minutes on your favourite hobby.
  • Release tension by taking 5 deep, intentional breaths during a stressful moment.
  • Join a neighbour, friend, or family member for a walk or an active hangout.
  • Set consistent times to take your medications or vitamins (routine = results).

And finally—and we cannot emphasize this enough:

EAT REGULARLY AND EAT WELL.

Eating consistently helps regulate mood, reduce fatigue, and provide the steady energy your body needs to handle the demands of daily life. Even when you’re lying on the couch, your body is burning energy to keep you alive. Food is not optional; it’s foundational.

We’ll talk more about nutrition and meal planning in another post. But for now, remember: all the food groups matter—even if TikTok says otherwise.

Wrapping it up…

Let’s circle back. Self-care is not optional, it’s a necessary part of being human. It may not look glamorous for you, but it still has a place in your life. And here’s the gentle truth we want to leave you with today: our consistency with self-care often reflects how we view ourselves.

Sometimes the reason we neglect ourselves isn’t time—it’s guilt, shame, or low self-esteem. If you struggle to take care of yourself because you don’t feel you deserve the same care you give others, we want to speak to that.

You do deserve it.

You are valuable.

Just as valuable as every other person on this planet.

Self-care isn’t selfish. You can’t support others, serve well, or live out your purpose if you are running on empty. So here’s our challenge (yes… even for us): Choose one self-care practice to commit to this week. Tell us in the comments so we can cheer you on!

Question time!

What’s the biggest obstacle to consistent self-care for you right now? And did you think of any suggestions we didn’t include?Share your thoughts below!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 Things Wellness Isn’t: Misconceptions You Should Know

    Defining Wellness….      Wellness is a word we hear everywhere — in schools, clinics, workplaces, mental health organizations, and all over social media. But what does it actually mean? At Wholistic Living, we define it as the sum of all the components of a person’s life, and the degree to which they align with both clinical standards and the individual’s personal values. In other words, wellness is about pursuing balance and living in a way that’s healthy and true to who you are (we’ll unpack this more later!).      Of course, having a definition is one thing — but what does that look like in real life? Because wellness touches every area of life, trying to cover it all would be way too overwhelming. So instead, we’ll start simple by looking at what wellness isn’t. Like a multiple-choice question, sometimes the process of elimination brings the clearest answer — and some of these might surprise you! 1. Wellness isn’t an aesthetic  ...
Read more

The Science of Forgiveness: A Key to Better Health and Happiness

To forgive or not forgive?     Forgiveness. We love to receive it…but why do we hesitate to give it? Maybe because it feels risky. Letting go can seem like putting ourselves in danger of being hurt again. We feel vulnerable. Or maybe it’s because forgiveness forces us to face our pain. And if there’s one thing humans like to do, it’s shove our hurt into a dark box under our emotional beds. Now, forgiveness isn’t always a mountain to climb. For example, forgiving a co-worker for eating the sandwich we left in the staff fridge is usually not a big deal (well, most of the time). But forgiving someone for breaking our heart or treating us without dignity? That’s a completely different ballpark. Let’s be real—sometimes we feel justified in holding a grudge, especially when we’re dealing with repeat offenders. “I forgave them once and they did it again. If I forgive them again, they’ll just keep doing it.” “I have the right to be mad! They really hurt me.” “They didn’t forgive...
Read more