20 Self Care Ideas to Rebrand Yourself in 2025

Tired of the same old self care ideas that feel more like a to-do list than actual rest? Let’s ditch the clichés and talk about real self-care—the kind that makes you feel good, not just look good on Instagram.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about self-care, it’s that it’s never just about bubble baths and face masks. Don’t get me wrong—I love a long soak with a ridiculous amount of Epsom salts and a book I’ll never finish, but real self-care? It’s deeper. It’s about creating small, intentional moments that remind you to slow down, take up space, and actually live in the life you’re building.

And the truth is, as we get into the colder months—the cozy, candle-lit, soup-stirring months—self-care becomes even more important. Whether you’re thriving in the crisp air or struggling to drag yourself out of bed when the sun disappears at 4 p.m., taking care of yourself isn’t just a luxury. It’s how you make it through without burning out.

So, if you need a little nudge (or a full-blown shove) to embrace self-care this year, consider this your sign. Because I don’t care if you’ve heard these things before. Sometimes you just need someone to say them again in the right way at the right time.

Let’s get into these self care ideas.

Reclaiming Joy in the Little Things

I don’t know when it happened, but at some point, adulthood convinced us that playfulness was reserved for kids. We got caught up in responsibilities, schedules, and the never-ending to-do list that seems to refill itself overnight. But the truth is, joy isn’t just something that happens to us—it’s something we create.

And sometimes, that means building a blanket fort in your living room like you’re seven again. Yes, really.

I used to think I was too old for this kind of thing, but one night, after an exhausting week, I grabbed every blanket and pillow I could find and set up a fort in my living room. I strung up fairy lights, carefully placed some candles (because adulthood does come with fire safety awareness, after all), and threw on a nostalgic movie. And you know what? It was magical.

There’s something about creating a cozy, enclosed space that makes the world feel a little smaller and a lot safer. It forces you to be present, to shut out the chaos, and to just exist in a space you made for yourself. Whether you do it alone or invite your friends, partner, or kids to join, it’s a simple way to reclaim the kind of joy we often forget about.

And a tip from experience? Pick the movie beforehand. If you wait until the moment to decide, you’ll end up scrolling for an hour, questioning every option, and eventually giving up to watch an episode of something you’ve already seen 20 times. Just pick it, set it up, and immerse yourself in the moment.

Prioritizing Rest and Rituals

Rest isn’t just about collapsing into bed at the end of the day. It’s about creating intentional moments that allow you to breathe, reset, and reconnect with yourself. And for me? That starts with a hot bath.

There’s something undeniably therapeutic about sinking into warm water, letting the stress melt off your body while your mind finally slows down. But the key isn’t just the bath—it’s how you set it up.

Candles? Absolutely.

A book or an audiobook? Non-negotiable.

A cup of tea, a glass of wine, or a ridiculous amount of sparkling water? Essential.

Lush bath bomb that turns the water an unnatural shade of purple? Obviously.

And if a full bath feels like too much effort (because I get it—sometimes the thought of prepping a bath feels like another task), a foot soak is an underrated alternative. Just grab a bucket, fill it with warm water, toss in some Epsom salts, and let your feet soak while you read, journal, or just sit in silence.

It’s a simple way to remind yourself that your body deserves care, too. We walk around on these feet all day, forcing them through long commutes, uncomfortable shoes, and endless errands. Giving them a moment to rest? That’s self-care.

Feeding Yourself Like You Deserve It

Cooking has always been one of my favorite forms of self-care, but I know it’s not that way for everyone. Sometimes, making food feels like a chore—another obligation in a never-ending list of things we need to do just to function.

But hear me out: making soup is different.

There’s something about chopping up vegetables, stirring a pot, and watching simple ingredients transform into something warm and comforting that feels almost meditative. It’s a slow, grounding process—one that forces you to be present, to take your time, to appreciate the act of creating something nourishing for yourself.

And if you’re not a soup person (I get it, I used to feel the same way), I encourage you to at least give it a shot. There’s a certain kind of satisfaction that comes with a homemade bowl of soup, especially on a cold day when the wind is howling outside.

Also, if you really can’t get behind soup, at least find one meal that feels like home to you—something you can make without much effort that makes you feel cared for. Whether it’s a grilled cheese sandwich, a big bowl of pasta, or the exact brand of cereal you loved as a kid, feeding yourself well is one of the most underrated forms of self-care.

Creating a Cozy Nook Just for You

I used to think I needed a picture-perfect, Pinterest-worthy reading nook to truly enjoy a cozy moment. But then I realized—the coziness is in the intention, not the aesthetics.

So, I made my own version.

It’s not a perfectly curated space; it’s just a cozy seat by the window that feels like mine. A stack of books, a soft throw blanket and some cushions, a warm drink in hand—it’s enough. And that’s the key to self-care: it doesn’t have to be extravagant, it just has to be intentional.

If you can, carve out a little space just for you. It doesn’t have to be a whole room—it can be a corner of your couch, a section of your bed, or even just a chair you dedicate to your alone time. The point is to create a ritual around it. When you sit there, you’re off-duty. It’s your moment to disconnect, unwind, and be present.

And if you don’t know what to do in your cozy nook? Read, crochet, play a game, listen to music, or just stare out the window and breathe. Give yourself permission to just be.

Finding Light in the Darkest Months

Winter can be tough. The shorter days, the colder nights, the lack of sunlight—it takes a toll. And if you’re someone who feels the weight of seasonal changes, you’re not alone.

One of the best things I ever did for myself was investing in a sunlamp. I used to think they were a gimmick, but let me tell you—they work. Just sitting near one in the morning for 20 minutes helps regulate your mood, wake you up, and keep that seasonal slump from hitting too hard.

But beyond that, winter is the perfect time to lean into coziness instead of resisting it. Instead of longing for summer, I started embracing the things that make this season special:

Slow mornings with warm drinks

Early evenings wrapped in a blanket with a book

Long walks bundled up in layers, appreciating the crisp air

Instead of fighting the season, I started working with it. And suddenly, winter felt less like something to survive and more like something to savor.

Get Into the Habit of Journaling

I love a good face mask, but no amount of skincare will fix what’s going on inside if you’re not taking care of your mind. That’s where journaling comes in.

I know—it sounds like extra work. But the thing is, journaling doesn’t have to be a formal, structured thing. Sometimes, it’s just a voice note to yourself. Sometimes, it’s a few messy sentences in your Notes app. The point isn’t to write perfectly—it’s to let your thoughts breathe.

Try this: write a letter to yourself one year from now. Tell them what you hope for, what you’re working on, and what you’re excited about. Then, next year, read it and see how far you’ve come.

Because self-care isn’t just about the moment—it’s about building a life that takes care of you in the long run.

Walking With a Purpose (Even If You Hate Walking)

I have a confession: I am not a “walk for fun” person. If I’m walking, it’s because I need to get somewhere. There has to be a destination—a coffee shop, a grocery store, literally anything. A walk with no purpose? It just doesn’t click for me.

But then I found a loophole: the I Spy Walk.

Instead of just mindlessly walking, I started treating my walks like a game. I’d pick something to “spy” along the way—every dog I see, every interesting sign, every house with twinkly lights still up from Christmas. It made me more present. It forced me to actually notice the world around me instead of just counting down the steps until I could go back inside.

And if you’re a fellow “why am I doing this” walker, try it. It turns the whole experience into a low-stakes mindfulness exercise, and suddenly, the walk doesn’t feel so pointless.

For those of you who already love walking? I envy you. You’re onto something.

Scheduling an Intentional Lazy Day

We’re always told to be productive—to make the most of our time, to hustle, to cross things off our never-ending to-do lists. But real self-care? It means giving yourself permission to do absolutely nothing without guilt.

That’s why I’m a big believer in scheduling a full, unapologetic, lazy day.

Not a “kind of lazy but still checking emails” day. Not a “relaxing but also running errands” day. A real lazy day. One where you fully commit to the art of doing nothing.

For me, that means:

• Watching an entire season of a comfort show without guilt.
• Staying in pajamas all day.
• Ordering takeout instead of cooking.
• Ignoring texts if I don’t feel like responding.

It’s about resting on purpose—not because you’ve hit burnout and have no other choice, but because you deserve rest simply for existing.

And if your brain struggles with guilt over being “unproductive,” let me remind you: rest is productive. A well-rested version of you is better at literally everything. So schedule that day. Honor it. Treat it as sacred.

Nostalgia as a Self-Care Tool

Nostalgia is weird. Sometimes it hits you out of nowhere—like when you hear an old song or stumble upon a childhood toy. And suddenly, you’re transported back to a different time, feeling things you forgot you ever felt.

And while nostalgia can sometimes be bittersweet, it can also be a powerful self-care tool.

One of my favorite things to do when I need comfort is to look through old photos. Not just the ones from last year, but deep in the archives—the ones that remind me of different versions of myself, different chapters of my life. It’s grounding. It reminds me of how much I’ve grown, how much I’ve survived, and how many beautiful moments I’ve already lived through.

Another trick? Rewatching or rereading something that made you feel safe as a kid. A childhood movie, a book you loved, even a silly song from the early 2000s that instantly transports you back to middle school.

Sometimes self-care is just giving yourself a moment to reconnect with the parts of you that time hasn’t erased.

At the end of the day, self care ideas aren’t about aesthetic routines. They’re not about perfectly curated mornings or expensive wellness products. They’re about how you show up for yourself every day.