Self-care is not a luxury. Self-care involves taking care of our mental, physical, and emotional self by doing activities that make us feel taken care of. But what activities are there to do on a low budget, I hear you ask? Worry not, take a deep breath, and remember everyone deserves to take care of themselves, not just those who can 'afford' to do it.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of your personal self-care needs, learn how to manage your money to not get that sinking feeling of ‘I’ve spent too much money, now what do I do?!’, and have access to a bunch of budget-friendly self-care ideas.
Listen to Your Needs
Do you allow yourself to sit down and work out what activities and practices make you feel that scrummy ‘oh yeah’ feeling? Maybe you struggle with finding time to prioritise self-care, or perhaps you feel guilty spending money on yourself. Or perhaps, like me, you feel like the ever crushing expectation that you fill your time with productivity as much as you can means you can’t afford to just take a little me time? Whatever the case may be, please know that you are entitled to do whatever makes your mind, body, and soul less busy and stressed. And, lucky for us, self-care can be cheap.
By setting achievable goals and assessing these stomach-knotting barriers to self-care, you can develop a self-care plan that is both sustainable and effective.
The 3 M’s: Mindful Money Management
Let’s talk money. Or rather, how to better save your money to self-care like a boss.
Creating a budget can help you identify areas where you can cut back on expenses and allocate funds towards activities and practices that promote your well-being. And, happily, there are several free or low-cost self-care options for you to get excited by.
Start by making intentional choices about where you spend your money. Instead of paying for a gym membership, you could try an at-home workout or, if you want to get out of the house, take a jog in your local park or around the neighbourhood. If you want to relax for your self-care, try taking a bath or practicing mindfulness.
Bank-Friendly Self-Care Ideas
There are many budget-friendly self-care ideas that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Yes, daily. Self-care should happen every day, so let’s work together on finding the best activity for you.
- Take a deep breath. There are many breathing exercises online to follow, but sometimes just being aware of your breath, feeling how it changes you body, can help ground you in the moment.
- Get flexible. Do some stretching. Getting your body to work so that yummy stretch feeling you get in your muscles entirely fills your mind can help bring you back to the present.
- Practice gratitude. Not just for others, but for yourself. Reminding yourself of the happy and fun things you have in your life and being grateful you have them can help bring you out of a slump.
- Get outside. Unless you are especially averse to rain, get outside whenever you can. Try getting out to nature, such as your local park or anywhere with a bit of green.
- Read a book. You could go to your local library and borrow a book from your favourite series, or even try something entirely new. Or perhaps you have a bookcase full of books you’ve been meaning to read.
- Listen to music. I would suggest something calming, but honestly anything that fills you with joy and can clear your busy mind will work.
- At-home spa. You could take a relaxing bath (and if you’re careful, bring a book or calming music with you). You could also make a DIY facial with skin-friendly ingredients from your kitchen.
- Exercise. Yes, the thing that can make you breathless and sweaty. The great thing about exercise is you can tailor it to suit your needs. If you don’t want to get home feeling worse than you did when you started, try walking 10,000 steps a day. Or grab a yoga mat and get limber with some beginner’s yoga.
With a little creativity, the possibilities for budget-friendly self-care ideas are endless! The key is to find activities that make you feel good and prioritise them in your routine. You could also ask a friend or family member to get involved in your self-care routine, but keep in mind self-care is about you and your needs. Sometimes a little alone time is actually good for you. Remember, self-care is about taking care of your mind, body, and soul, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to do so.
Investing in Yourself
This is all about gaining new skills, learning new things about yourself, considering going to therapy, or reading a few books on self-improvement. There is always time to learn something new.
From taking free online courses to reading self-improvement books from the library, there are countless resources available to help you grow and develop on a budget. Investing in yourself can also involve taking care of your physical and mental health, such as through regular exercise, mindfulness practices, or seeking out affordable therapy options. Whatever route you choose, the important thing is to prioritise your personal growth and well-being. Self-care is not about being selfish, it’s about spending quality time where you are the centre of attention.
Overcoming Self-Care Barriers
A busy schedule, financial constraints, or feeling guilty about taking time for ourselves are some of the main barriers in doing self-care. But, as we now know, self-care isn’t a luxury, but a necessity.
One way to overcome these barriers is to start small and gentle by incorporating simple self-care practices into your daily routine. This could include taking a few minutes to meditate or stretch in the morning, or enjoying a warm relaxing bath or reading session before bed. Another strategy is to get creative with your self-care activities, such as by trying out new hobbies or exploring different ways to de-stress that don’t cost a lot of money.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming self-care barriers is to prioritise you own well-being and remind yourself that taking care of yourself is essential for your physical and mental health. So, if you feel guilty about taking some me time, remember that your mental, emotional, and physical self-matters. And know that it will be okay.
The Grand Conclusion
The final take is that you don’t have to break the bank to self-care. Our personal growth and well-being can flourish by incorporating simple self-care practices into our daily life, and you won’t have to worry about ‘wasting time’. From taking advantage of free resources to getting creative, there are countless ways to make self-care a part of our lives on a budget. You can take it easy, start small, and focus on what makes you feel good. Stop feeling guilty, stop your mind from being too busy, and start making time for you… without spending too much money!
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