How to Start a Self-Care Routine : A Guide for Beginners

As a beginner starting a self-care routine sounds simple, right? A little “me-time” here, a quick face mask there. But if you're like I was, it can feel daunting trying to figure out where to even start.

I remember not having any idea what self-care meant. I thought it was about spa days, but it’s so much more. Self-care is about taking care of you, in all the ways that matter - emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. So, let’s break down how you can get started, and I promise, by the end, you’ll feel ready to make it happen.

Why A Self-Care Routine for Beginners Is Essential for Your Well-Being 

If you’re anything like me, you might’ve put self-care on the back burner for a long time. I was constantly busy—work, friends, chores, rinse, repeat. I was working full time and caring for my disabled husband at the time. I had this idea that I didn’t have time for self-care, or worse, that it wasn’t that important. But the truth? You can’t pour from an empty cup. 

I remember my first real wake-up call—after months of feeling exhausted, moody, and snapping at everyone for no reason, I realised something had to give. And guess what? It was my lack of self-care. I wasn’t sleeping enough, wasn’t eating well, and I wasn’t making time for anything that brought me joy. So when I finally took a step back and made myself a priority, things did start to shift. My energy started to come back. I felt less overwhelmed. I was more productive, and honestly? Happier. 

Taking care of yourself is essential. It’s not selfish, and it’s not something to feel guilty about. Think about it like maintaining a car—if you don’t get regular oil changes, that engine's going to give out. Your body and mind work the same way. And the best part? Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It’s the little things, done consistently, that make all the difference. 

Assessing Your Current Self-Care Needs 

Now, before you start throwing a bunch of self-care activities at the wall to see what sticks, let’s take a minute to assess where you’re at. One of the mistakes I made early on was trying to do it all at once—yoga, journaling, reading, the whole nine yards. I ended up more stressed than I was to begin with. Don’t do that to yourself! 

Start by figuring out what areas of your life need the most attention. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you moving your body at all? How’s your mental health - feeling anxious or overwhelmed? Grab a notebook (or just mentally check in) and make a list of areas where you feel depleted. Maybe your body needs more rest. Maybe your mind is craving a creative outlet. Whatever it is, identifying the problem areas will help you figure out where to focus your self-care efforts. 

For me, it was emotional and mental self-care that were seriously lacking. I was constantly caring, working and worrying, but I wasn’t doing anything to nurture my mind. Once I identified that, I knew I needed to start incorporating more mindfulness and reflection into my routine. If you don’t take a moment to assess your needs, it’s easy to end up throwing time and energy at things that don’t actually help. 

Building Your Personalised Self-Care Routine 

When it comes to self-care, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Your routine needs to fit your life, your needs, and your preferences. And honestly? It’s about starting small and building from there. The key is picking one or two things that feel doable and adding them into your day. 

For me, that first step was meditation. I started with just five minutes in the morning. Literally, five minutes of sitting quietly and focusing on my breath. That was it. And even though it was small, I noticed a shift almost immediately. I felt more grounded, less reactive. That little window of calm set the tone for the rest of my day. 

Maybe for you, it's taking a walk after lunch. Or doing a 10-minute yoga routine before bed. The trick is finding something that works for you and fits into your schedule. And remember, self-care isn’t supposed to be a chore- it should be something you want to do. If you hate yoga, skip it. If journaling feels tedious, find another way to express yourself. This is your routine, and it needs to feel good for you. 

The 5 Pillars of Self-Care 

When I think about self-care, I like to break it down into five main categories: physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual. You don’t have to tackle them all at once - trust me, you’ll overwhelm yourself if you try - but aiming to touch on each one, even just a little, can really round out your routine. 

1. Physical Self-Care: This is the most obvious one, right? It’s about taking care of your body. For me, this started with making sure I got enough sleep. I used to skimp on sleep constantly, thinking I could function on 5 or 6 hours. Now, I set a strict bedtime (even if that means missing out on another episode of my favourite show) and prioritise rest. Other physical self-care practices could be drinking enough water, exercising, or eating nourishing foods. 

2. Emotional Self-Care: This is about tuning into your emotions and allowing yourself to feel. I started journaling as part of my emotional self-care routine, and it’s been such a game-changer. Getting my feelings out on paper helps me process them, instead of bottling them up. It can also be about setting boundaries with people who drain you or learning to say “no” more often. 

3. Mental Self-Care: Think of this as keeping your mind sharp. For me, mental self-care means making time to read books or listen to podcasts that make me think. It can also mean tackling a new hobby, learning a skill, or just doing something that stretches your brain. The key here is to keep your mind active in a way that feels rewarding, not exhausting. 

4. Social Self-Care: Okay, I’ll admit it - I’m an introvert. So I used to think I didn’t need social self-care. But humans are social creatures, and even the most introverted of us need connection. For me, this looks like catching up with a close friend once a week. It doesn’t have to be a big thing - even a quick text exchange can make me feel more grounded and connected. 

5. Spiritual Self-Care: No, this doesn’t have to mean religion. For me, it’s about connecting with something bigger than myself. Whether that’s taking a walk in nature, practising gratitude, or meditating, spiritual self-care is about nurturing your soul. It’s that quiet, reflective time where you just be.  This has become much more important to me since losing my husband.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Self-Care 

If you’ve ever tried to start a self-care routine, you know that sticking to it can be the hardest part. I’ve fallen off the wagon more times than I care to admit. Life gets busy, things come up, and before you know it, you haven’t done anything remotely self-care-related in weeks. It happens! 

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is guilt. I’d feel guilty for taking time for myself when there were a million other things I “should” be doing. But here’s the thing: self-care is necessary. You can’t be your best self for others if you’re running on empty. So ditch the guilt and give yourself permission to take care of you.

Another challenge? Consistency. Some days, it’s tough to find the time or energy for self-care. But I’ve found that making it as easy as possible helps. I have a stack of books by my bed so I can read a few pages before I fall asleep. The key is making self-care as accessible as possible, so it doesn’t feel like another thing on your to-do list. 

Self-Care Tools and Resources for Beginners 

Let’s talk tools. You don’t need fancy gadgets to practice self-care, but there are a few things that can make it easier. One of my favourite self-care tools is my health tracker app. I use it to check off my self-care activities each day, and there’s something so satisfying about seeing that little tick. It’s a small thing, but it helps keep me accountable. 

Another great tool? A journal. You don’t have to write a novel—just jotting down a few thoughts each day can help you process your emotions and clear your mind. I also love using YouTube for free workout videos. There’s something for everyone—whether you’re into yoga, Pilates, dance or strength training. And if you’re on a budget, DIY self-care is the way to go. I’ve started making my own face masks using ingredients I already have in my kitchen, like honey and oatmeal. It’s simple, fun, and feels like a little luxury. 

If you’re more into mental self-care, audio books and podcasts are great resources. I love listening to podcasts while I’m cooking or going for a walk—it’s a great way to learn something new or get inspired without having to sit down and read. 

Start Small, Stay Consistent 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about self-care, it’s that it’s not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about doing something. Start small. Maybe today, you take five minutes to meditate or stretch. Maybe tomorrow, you go for a walk after lunch. The important thing is that you’re taking care of you. 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to have the perfect self-care routine, but the truth is, there’s no such thing. What matters is that you’re showing up for yourself, consistently. And over time, those small actions will add up to big changes in how you feel-physically, emotionally, and mentally. 

So, what’s your first step? Go ahead, pick something. Your future self will thank you for it. 

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