Self-Care Doesn't Have to Cost That Much Money or Energy
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the idea that self-care can only be achieved by throwing a ton of money at different products is absolutely false.
Self-care also doesn't have to require all the energy you currently have.
So often, people don't pursue self-care in any form because they feel it will be too expensive, or take up too much time, or be too draining.
I wanted to share a few low-cost and low-energy self-care ideas so that you could see that isn't the case.
Why Are Low Energy Self-Care Practices Important?
What does the energy level of a practice have to do with anything?
In my post on self-care being a spectrum, I talked about how you can have level 1 days and level 10 days, and how even when you're practicing self-care daily, things can still suck.
Well, on level 1 days, you aren't going to have the energy you might have on a level 10 day.
One of the most important parts of self-care is knowing your limits and your abilities, and knowing what you can do day to day to care for yourself.
Therefore, on a level 1 day, you'll need to practice self-care in a way that requires less energy because you will have less energy. Make sense? I hope the following ideas can help you on those days.
IMAGE BY @alex_AnDREWS
1. Get Outside
Take a blanket, a chair, or just yourself (and some SPF!) and get thee outside, friend. You can sit in your yard, go to the park or walk through your neighborhood, depending on your energy level. Let that Vitamin D do its thing.
2. Listen to Music or Other Soothing Sounds
Turn on your favorite music and just check out while you listen. Search YouTube for ocean or forest sounds. You can also find videos and podcasts devoted to ASMR. Soothe that brain, boo.
3. Doodle
My friend, Molly, of The Darling Revolution, hosts "Doodle Jams" over on her Instagram, and has reminded me over the last few months of the importance of letting yourself doodle with abandon.
Doodling, drawing, or any other form of creative expression (again, depending on your energy level), helps so much in helping to process feelings, letting yourself relax, and getting into a meditative space. All you need is a pen and some paper.
4. Nap
Let's talk about what I mean when I say nap. I don't mean lie in bed looking at your phone. I don't mean lie in bed and watch TV. I mean, find a great comfy spot, get your favorite sleep items (blanket, pillow, eye cover, lavendar spray, pup companion, etc.) and close your eyes.
Yes, it may be hard for you to fall asleep, and yes, after 15 minutes of nothing doing I encourage you to sit up and do a SILENT, non-tech activity (such as reading) and see if you might fall asleep doing that.
A nap is a NAP. It's not "resting." They are different. They are both valid self-care tools. They serve different purposes.
5. Get a Library Card
I didn't have a card to my local library for a very long time. I don't know what I thought I was doing.
The great thing about having a library card is that it lets you check things out, yes, BUT, if your local library has an app or online system (which most, if not all, of them do), it allows you to check out e-books, watch some movies, and gain access to other resources without leaving the house.
On days when you have very little energy but still want to do something, your local library app can be just the ticket to entertainment and learning, and all you have to do is turn on your smart device.
Self-Care Can Be Easy(ish) and Inexpensive
A lot of humans, myself included, try to make self-care way harder than it needs to be when they start out. They also try to do all the things all the time, even when they're having a day or week or month of very low-energy days.
Self-care does not have to be draining. It also doesn't have to cost a lot. You can care for yourself well and still maintain your energy levels and your bank account balance.
The most important things, as always, is that whatever you are doing for self-care needs to be working for YOU. When you can find things that work for you, and balance them with your energy levels, you'll have practices that you can use day in and day out.
Self-care is never easy, but it can be easier when you have balance.
For other ideas of ways to self-care without spending a lot of money or energy, download my 10 Beginner Steps to Self-Care here.