September 27, 2025
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Diving in
Happy Saturday! This morning I woke up and felt like cleaning so that’s exactly what I did. I cleaned for about three hours before realizing that I hadn’t eaten anything or drank even a sip water yet. I hadn’t showered yet, the only thing I’d done so far was brush my teeth and even that was ruched before I was so focused on cleaning the house.
Now here I am at 2pm and I’ve JUST finished getting ready for the day because I didn’t take the time to get myself ready first.
This leads me to today’s hot topic- self care.
Today’s hot topic
Self care (and where to start)
Self care ties in with my post from Thursday- the importance of self-love and self-worth, so if you haven’t read that yet, I highly recommend you do so.
I notice that most of the time when I don’t take care of my needs first, they get forgotten about altogether because I’m so focused on getting other things done. And sure, sometimes things can’t wait, but most of the time you have a couple minutes to do yourself a service, you just don’t realize it because you’re not in the habit yet.
I’ve noticed that most people that practice self care have a very structured routine of some sort. Whether that’s a morning or night routine, a skincare routine, or some sort of schedule they live by to make things more organized for themselves. Some just have some sort of ritual they do once or twice a day- I like to make my bed every morning when I wake up. One small thing like making your bed every day or waking up 20 minutes earlier to make yourself breakfast can make all the difference in your motivation and self-care for the day. My favorite forms of self care are the quick & easy simple things that make my day a little better. Putting on a little lip gloss (I linked my favorite one below), keeping candies in my purse to have one every now any then, drinking some lemon water in the morning, or spraying a little bit of perfume so I can smell good, are some of my favorite things to do throughout my day to brighten my mood.
I hate to be that girl- but self care isn’t just about how you treat yourself, it’s also about how you take care of your body. It’s about what you do to help yourself feel more confident and comfortable in your skin, so I’ve linked some products I use on a DAILY basis to feel confident and comfortable (and of course my purse candies that just make my day better). If you would like to see how I use these products, follow me on TikTok @Julia._.Boling and send me a message or leave a comment telling me what product you would like to see me use!
If you are trying to start your self care journey, the first thing I would recommend doing is building a routine and actually following it. I would start with the morning routine, because that is arguably the most important- it’s how you start your day.
Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you build a healthy, energizing morning routine:
Do’s:
Wake up at a consistent time – your body thrives on rhythm and predictability.
Hydrate first thing – a glass of water kickstarts your system after hours of no fluids.
Get sunlight or fresh air – natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm and boosts mood.
Move your body – stretch, walk, or do light exercise to wake up your muscles and circulation.
Eat something nourishing – protein, fiber, or fruit can stabilize your energy for the day.
Practice mindfulness – journaling, prayer, or a few minutes of meditation can center you.
Don’ts:
Don’t hit snooze repeatedly – it confuses your body and leaves you groggier.
Don’t start with your phone – avoid scrolling social media or email; it hijacks your attention before you’ve set your own tone. I’ve noticed it makes me more prone to reach for my phone throughout the day as well.
Don’t overload your routine – keep it realistic; 3–5 solid habits are more sustainable than 10.
Don’t skip fuel – running on caffeine alone can cause energy crashes later. Make sure to eat something even if it’s small.
Don’t rush constantly – always being late creates stress that bleeds into the rest of your day.
Don’t compare your routine to others – what works for someone else might not fit your energy, goals, or lifestyle.
If you would rather start with your night routine, here are some do’s and don’ts for that:
Do’s:
Create a consistent bedtime – going to sleep around the same time each night helps your body learn when to wind down.
Dim the lights 1–2 hours before bed – softer lighting signals to your brain that it’s time for rest.
Do a calming activity – reading, journaling, light stretching, prayer, or meditation can help you transition.
Prep for tomorrow – lay out clothes, prep breakfast/lunch, or jot down your to-do list to ease morning stress.
Practice good sleep hygiene – keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
Hydrate lightly – a small glass of water if you’re thirsty.
Don’ts:
Don’t scroll your phone in bed – blue light and endless scrolling keep your brain alert.
Don’t drink caffeine or heavy meals close to bedtime – they disrupt sleep quality.
Don’t have long emotional talks or stressful planning sessions right before sleep – save them for earlier in the day.
Don’t exercise intensely too late at night – it can spike energy and body temperature.
Don’t fall asleep with the TV on – it fragments your rest and overstimulates your mind.
Don’t ignore your wind-down – skipping it leads to tossing, turning, or racing thoughts in bed.
You’ll notice that most of this is just based around really tuning into your body and listening to your body’s needs. Self care becomes so much easier when you follow through with seriously paying attention to signals your body is giving you. If you’re hungry, eat. If you’re thirsty, drink water. If you get tired earlier than normal, go to bed early. Self care is simple once you get the hang of it.
Self care products I love:
Werther’s original purse candies
Gratitude journal (unfortunately mine got discontinued, but this one is the closest I can find to mine)
(If you would like to see how I use these products, follow me on TikTok @Julia._.Boling and send me a message or leave a comment telling me what product you would like to see me use!)
link details:
All links on this page are Amazon Affiliate links.
Song of the day
Gold Dust Woman – Fleetwood Mac
This is my confidence songggg!! I love it so much, it’s absolutely one of my favorites ever. It’s been stuck in my head all morning so I hope you love it as much as I do!
Julia Boling
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