Self Care Ideas That Help When Life Feels Heavy

Self-care is often sold as bubble baths and early mornings. But when you’re overwhelmed, heartbroken or trying to rebuild your life, that version of self-care can feel completely out of touch. This guide is different. These are simple, realistic self-care ideas for women who are tired, stretched thin or starting over. It’s a companion piece to help you along on those days you feel deflated, or need a little pep talk.

Start Here if you are…

Feeling unsettled → What To Do When You’re Feeling Unsettled

Going through a breakup  Surviving the First 3 Days After a Breakup

Dealing with disappointment → Dealing with Disappointment

Looking to lower stress → Undoing Stress: How I Learned to Make Time to Unwind

Quick Self-Care Ideas You Can Do Today

Sometimes you need a reminder to go back to the basics. Here’s a list you can reference whenever you need it:

Drink a glass of water before coffee | Step outside for 5 minutes of fresh air | Put your phone on silent for 30 minutes | Write down everything stressing you out | Take a proper shower without rushing | Eat something with actual nutrients | Go to bed 30 minutes earlier | Say no to one thing today | Message someone who feels safe | Sit in silence for a few minutes

Do one of these today to start your habit of self-care. xx

Self-Care, Friendships, and Community

Tending to the relationship with yourself also involves managing your friendships and place in the community. Our sense of connection is a huge part of wellbeing. Here are a few articles that touch on building community, maintaining friendships and learning to uphold your boundaries.

Getting Back Into Dating After Divorce

  • A happy couple together in the kitchen

    Not Settling: Deciding You Deserve Better In Your Relationships

    Have you ever settled for something in your life? Maybe you were aware of what you were doing and resigned yourself..

    Deciding You Deserve Better in a Relationship >

  • Woman looking sadly at the window

    Your Guide to Surviving the First 3 Days of a Breakup

    Whether you’re the one who initiated the split, or the one wo received the news, the emotional turmoil of a breakup can be overwhelming.

    Start Your Breakup Recovery >

  • A woman with glasses, long dark hair, and a smile holds a smartphone in one hand and a notebook in the other, walking outdoors among green plants and trees.

    A 3-Month Strategy to Dating Apps

    Being someone who is good at managing different accounts, I always found managing the different personalities on dating apps to be a fun exercise. But the fun wears off really quick…

    How I Learned to Deal with Dating Apps >

Protecting Your Time, Energy, and Mental Health

Dating after divorce can quickly become draining if you’re not clear on your boundaries. It’s easy to invest too much time in the wrong situations. This section focuses on protecting your time, energy, and mental health while dating so you don’t lose yourself in the process.

Breakups and Healing

I very strongly believe that friendships form the bedrock of our most important personal relationships. These include more than the connections we have with our ‘bestie’s but also those with romantic partners and ourselves. At its core, friendship embodies understanding, empathy and mutual respect. Through friendship we learn to trust, confide in and support one another through life's triumphs and tribulations. My intent here is to explore these topics through my own observations and I hope that they will spark ideas that will be helpful for you.

Friendship as the Foundation for Romantic Love

Building Healthier Relationships