Having a self-care kit, which is like your own little arsenal of go-to tools for self-care, has really helped me to easily integrate self-care into my life.
In this article I'm going to share my favorite items that I keep in my self-care kit that I reach for on a daily basis.
What is a self-care kit?
A self-care toolkit is simply a collection of tools that help ground, recharge and inspire you. They might not all fit into an actual physical kit or basket, but they are familiar, everyday go-to's that help to make self-care consistent.
For me it depends on the time of day (morning versus evening) and what kind of mood I'm in. If I'm feeling really good, the things I pull out of my self-care kit are going to be different than if I'm feeling frustrated, burnt out, or some other low-vibe energy.
What should I put in a self-care kit?
The easiest way to know what to put in your kit is to ask yourself, "What really helps to bring me back in balance?" For some people it's keeping a journal on hand, for another it's a certain book or some kind of aromatherapy.
Start there, and as you get better and better at noticing what soothes you, you'll begin to build your own DIY self-care kit that's tailored to YOUR soul.
Here's everything I keep in my personal self-care kit.
1. Aromatherapy
No matter what time of day or mood I'm in, one thing that's super relaxing and calming to me is scent. I love anything from incense to lightly scented candles. This incense brand and particular scent is my absolute favorite because it's so subtle and doesn't bother anyone in the house.
It's all called aromatherapy for a reason. Scents can de-stress us and make our spaces feel more relaxed. It's such a small thing that makes a big difference.
During my morning self-care routine, I usually always light some incense and I do the same in the evenings for my nightly self-care routine.
Anytime is a good time for a space that smells cozy or relaxed. It instantly transforms the feel of a space.
2. Clothes that make me feel good
Some people might not realize how this could relate to self-care, but wearing clothes that feel good on the body and that also make you feel good are so important!
For a long time, I didn't spend much thought on pajamas or "house clothes" because no one saw me in them. When I had a baby, I was wearing worn out yoga pants and old tops because they were just going to be spit up on anyway and no one saw us all day, but I didn't realize how bad it was making me feel.
I love having a simple wardrobe of my favorite types of clothes, but speaking specifically about what's in my self-care kit, I definitely consider pretty, soft "at home" clothes a must-have.
They make me feel good physically and they enhance my mood more than I ever realized was possible.
Instead of going crazy with a whole wardrobe overall, I simply pick up an item here and there when I'm at the store. Before you know it, you have a lot of cute options to choose from.
So simple but such a mood-changer.
3. My morning self-care trio
My current morning self-care routine consists of these three items.
I wake up, start the coffee, light some incense and then sit down with a self-care morning worksheet, a journal, and the Simple Abundance daybook.
I have two kids in the house, so this isn't all peaceful and quiet by any means, but while they're occupied with something else I take time for self-care.
1. Morning journal sheets
Self-care journal worksheets have really transformed my level of self-care because they are quick to fill out but so powerful. All of the bundles in my shop come with a morning journal sheet and can be printed or used digitally.
A self-care journal sheet is a focused way to reflect, plan, and be deliberate about the vibration you want to manifest for your day.
I especially love this morning sheet from The Moon Ritual Bundle because it follows the rhythm of the moon, meaning that you touch on all aspects of self-care throughout the month.
My favorite phase is the waning moon because it reminds me to get still and go inward in a world that is constantly celebrating productivity and action.
2. Journal
I go through phases where I journal more frequently and other times when I don't. But what I find with journaling is that it really helps me to untangle the thoughts in my head, and it doesn't take me that long to even do it.
Simply getting the thoughts out of your head and onto paper is incredibly easy and instantly soothing. If there's something specific I feel stuck with, I'll just write on the paper that I feel stuck, how I feel about it, and then move towards how I want to start feeling.
That simple journal entry can provide me with the next level of clarity that I needed around whatever the issue is.
3. Simple Abundance
I love this daily book because it's just a page of reading that's always inspiring and uplifting. It's a really great way to start your day with some higher perspective.
4. My current favorite hobby
That thing we like to do and can get lost in because it has all of our attention.
Whether it's a newfound interest in cooking or something we've done on and off for years...a hobby is a great self-care tool to reach for.
This blog a form of self-care for me because it allows me to express myself and to be creative. I know it will be continually evolving as I evolve and grow, but it's the place where I can come to write, share and have something that's just mine, separate from my other roles in life.
Self-care is taking care of yourself. It's allowing yourself to be authentic and following the bliss of your heart. Doing things that light you up and get you excited should definitely be a part of your self-care toolkit.
5. Healing and inspiring books
I think that inside every self-care kit should be books that heal and inspire you. They can be such a phenomenal way to re-adjust your mindset and bring you out of fear or anxiety.
I love to highlight my favorite passages the first time I read a book and then go back over those passages at other times. Sometimes we don't have time to read, but we can scan over a few powerful passages from books we've already read.
This is an excellent way to remember the magic that you've found in previous books and parts of your life.
You can also check out my posts for my all-time favorite books–I have one for my favorite self-care books and one for my favorite inspirational books.
6. A cleaning routine
Satisfying before and after dinner kitchen cleanup from the other night. This is self-care, because tomorrow morning when I come into the kitchen to start my day, I will feel so much more clear and calm.
I've never been a neat freak, but I've come to really enjoy keeping a cleaning routine because everything feels so much more peaceful. There are a ton of cleaning routines on Pinterest, and I also love TikTok cleaning videos for inspiration (sounds so odd but man, it works like a charm)!
My favorite thing to do while cleaning is listening to an audio book or my favorite music. Total mood changer which means double the self-care!
7. Inspirational notes and quotes
When I was first learning about the law of attraction and self-care a few years ago, my mind was blown. I took a lot of notes from books I was reading and podcasts I was listening to. I was in a really difficult place in my life so there was a bunch of fear and uncertainty that was present in my reality.
I've kept these papers for the last several years because every time I read them, they remind me of how powerful I am and how magical our universe is.
Take notes when you're reading a book you love or listening to a podcast where others are talking about inspiring, magical things, and then read over these notes anytime you're feeling scared, discouraged, or frustrated.
I don't read over these notes all the time, but like I said, when I'm feeling like life is happening to me, I re-read these notes before I go to sleep at night. I also keep these in the back of my moon self-care binder.
This kind of binder is amazing because it's portable and easy to keep anywhere around your house. Instant self-care!
8. Pinterest vision board
One thing I do for a very easy pick-me-up before going to sleep some nights is going through a vision board I've created on Pinterest.
I create a board and fill it up with anything that I'm currently desiring, or with quotes and affirmations that powerfully speak to me.
Sometimes I'll scroll through new content and just pin it to my board and other nights I'll simply scroll through my vision board.
This is a great self-care tool for those nights when you're just too beat to be any kind of intentional.
When I was in that scary place a few years ago and was at rock-bottom, I would go through my quotes on Pinterest most nights to get me out of that bad feeling place.
So simple and yet so powerful.
9. Guided meditations
I wrote an entire post about my favorite guided meditations. My favorite is the one above, the 6 Phase Guided Meditation. It touches on everything needed to manifest a beautiful, peaceful life. It's also free on YouTube!
Meditation will seriously transform your life in so many ways. It has helped me to have more inner peace, more manifestations and a higher perspective.
10. A peaceful, sacred space
I wanted to quickly share that I believe creating a sacred space is part of my self-care kit. This goes along with #1 and how scent transforms a space; little-to-no clutter and soft lighting are really helpful for me.
I purchased a few sets of LED string lights off of Amazon and can't recommend them enough. I have them around my bed and lamp bases and they create the softest, most beautiful glow.
It's also good to keep your space decluttered and simplistic. Energy can move and flow better when there isn't clutter.
You feel like you can just breathe better, as well as do everything else better within that space. You can click here to see my favorite sacred space finds on Amazon.
What do you keep in your self-care kit? I'd love to know in the comments below.
To receive my weekly, self-care focused email that inspires you to go deeper inside the magic that is you, sign up for the Self-Care Sunday emails.
With love,
Jessica
Jessica Dimas is the author of Sacred Self-Care for Your Chakras.
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Moonsparkle (ZM)
Great post! I especially like Nos 2, 4, 5 and 7. And I love Pinterest. 🙂
I like candles, I tend to buy the small Yankee Candle ones from garden centres (samplers). One of the things I like to do is smell candles in the shop or try perfume samples! lol.
I read self help and LOA books and blogs to inspire me. I like re-reading Boni Lonnsburry's The Map and Wayne Dyer's The Power of Intention and Eazy Breezy Miracle by Emmanuel Dagher is good as well. Another self care thing I do is soak my feet. Lately I use Epsom salts but I like bubble bath too.
Jessica Dimas
Oh my gosh, yes, I totally do the same with re-reading the LOA books. Boni's book was so, so good. I haven't read The Power of Intention or Eazy Breezy Miracle (that title really catches my attention), I will have to check those out. I usually re-read my highlighted sections in Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley and E-Squared by Pam Grout. I also am a huge fan of Epsom salts, I love the way it makes your skin so soft and is such a great, natural detox for your body. Thank you for your comment, hope you're having a great week! xo
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles
I love this! I have recently been trying to get into journaling because I used to love it and I just have been lazy about it. I also love the idea of doing some self-care in the morning and in the evening because it can really help you start your day off and end it right. Just whatever inspires me and makes me want to do and become more is something I would consider great for my self-care kit!! Also, comfy clothes are the best when they also make you feel cute!
Jessica Dimas
Journaling is great! It really helps me let go of worries if I can just write them out and get to the bottom of whatever it is I'm feeling. Yes, I love how you worded that: "whatever inspires me and makes me want to do more and become something more is something I would consider great for my self-care kit"- that's exactly it. Thank you for your comment! xo
Nedalee Thomas
Thank you, Jessica Dimas! I relly live reading some of your articles.
Nicole
Thank you for sharing this great information. I appreciate the LED lighting suggestion because I also dislike harsh artificial lighting. I have a Himalayan salt lamp next to my bed that puts out a nice glow, but I might try the LED lighting in the bathroom..
For self care I like to walk in nature, but that can be a challenge in the desert heat. I'm looking forward to November!
I've recently discovered your blog and find it very inspirational. Thank you!
Jessica Dimas
Those lights are GREAT. I've had them for several months now and they work just great. Plus there's like 10 different levels of brightness on the remote so I really like that. I've been wanting to try a Himalayan salt lamp because I've heard how good they are for you, I need to get one of those. I'm in a desert too, so I know your challenge! Definitely looking forward to November! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, I'm glad you stumbled across my blog xo
Laura Swan
Ahhhh Jessica - I LOVE your approach and your writing! Self-care is a huge priority for me and if I don't fill up my cup then I really struggle to keep everything going, and be there for my bubbas (two boys, 1 and 3!!). I simply adore Simple Abundance - I credit Sarah Ban Beathnach with setting me free on my spiritual journey of self-care and have a battered copy that is coming up for 20 years old... it now has lots of inspirational quotes, postcards and print-outs stuffed amongst the pages! It's always by my bedside! My self-care has to involve a couple of bathing rituals (bath or shower) each week - normally at night-time when the boys are not trying to get in them with me(!). I use a beautiful natural body scrub and listen to an inspirational audiobook, podcast, webinar, or just some gorgeous relaxing tunes from spotify. And then I make sure to give myself an 'aromatic dressing' (you can youtube this for a vid!) with essential oil and a carrier oil to thank my body for all that it does for me.
I also find, just sitting for 5 minutes to have a hot cup of tea - lady or earl grey or a lovely herbal, in a beautiful cup (with a saucer) - helps me reclaim a bit of myself amidst all the crazy.
Thanks for all that you do for us mamas!
Sending you love and light,
Laura xxx
Jessica Dimas
Laura!! I looooove the sound of your bathing ritual! That sounds so re-centering and de-stressing. I will definitely youtube the aromatic dressing, that sounds divine. I also love that your copy of Simple Abundance is lovingly battered and filled with your own personal bits of inspiration. Our boys are the same ages apart, 1 and 3 was definitely a rigorous period for me as a mom, both needed me so much and I felt stretched very thin...I'm glad you have such a great self-care routine in place. Thank you for your inspiring comment! xo Jessica
Jess
Great post! I'm going on Amazon right now & purchasing some LED lights for my bedroom. My bedroom is where all my relaxing & reading happens & I love the look of the lights. So beautiful. I can't wait to get my own "self-care toolkit" together. I just started my own self-care journey & this info has been so helpful!
Jessica Dimas
Those lights are AMAZING. I'm so obsessed with them, I have them on right now as I'm typing this! They create such a soft glow and I love the remote that comes with them for the different light settings. So happy to hear that you've started a self-care journey, it's one of the most healing experiences I've ever had and continue to have. Thank you for your comment!
Amanda
This is great! As a new mom, I've been struggling with finding time and ways to really focus and take care of myself. This is a great starting point. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jessica Dimas
The new mom stage can be so draining and taxing, little daily self-care activities can make such a difference. Glad you found this post and congratulations on new motherhood 🙂
Marah Elizabeth
Hi Jessica,
I just found your blog through a Pinterest group board, and I am so happy I did! Although I am not a mother, I still appreciate and value this post so much! I have been unemployed for almost 4 months (hopefully getting a job offer by the end of the week, fingers crossed!) and have been working on my self-care toolkit. I actually just got an essential oil diffuser in the mail today. I'm going to try the Youtube meditation video you recommended as soon as I take a shower and hop into bed. Thank you for writing great content! I'll be back 🙂
Jessica Dimas
My fingers are crossed for you! The YouTube meditation video has been so amazing for me, I hope you find it equally as helpful and powerful. It's the small things that really make the entire day just flow and feel better. Hope you have a great rest of the week! xo
Bitoey Nathanan
I love your blog so much! Very inspiring❤️️
Jessica Dimas
Thank you so much Bitoey!
Teo
Loved the article! I also do the 6 Phase Meditation, it's amazing, by the end of it I feel better even if I didn't wake up quite well, and before it I do yoga - it really helps me to focus better. The pinterest board is a good idea, I will make one! 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Yes, the 6 Phase Meditation is my favorite, it's so good. I like that you do yoga before it! That's a good idea, especially since you're in a nice, relaxed state of mind after doing yoga. I'm gonna try doing that!
Nícia Cruz
thank you for the wonderful blog post! as i was reading i made a list of my own self-care toolkit and here it is:
- candles/incense/essential oils
- a book, a blanket and a hot beverage
- journaling
- writing poetry
- meditation
- drawing mandalas
- doing reiki
- listening to music
i want to make space for my sacred place for a long time and i will work on it, starting now. i also loved your views on clothes. i'm a mother of an almost two year old and i don't feel really beautiful on the clothes i'm wearing. it's time to change that!
also can i ask you to share your story in my blog? you're such an inspiring read! (this is the first post i read from you and i'm already a follower, can't wait to read your newsletter)
keep the magic rolling,
nícia
Jessica Dimas
I love everything in your self-care tool kit! I've wanted to try reiki for a long time, I've heard amazing things about it. And yes on the clothes, they really can make all the difference in how we feel during the day. I'd be flattered if you shared my story on your blog, thank you for asking! Hope you have an magical 2017 xo
Anna
I happened on your post on Pinterest and I just love that you added Bella Grace, it's in my self care too!
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Anna, yes that magazine is seriously my favorite! I never miss an issue 🙂
Kate
This is a great post on self-care! In my arsenal are personal development books and audios which help me build and maintain my strong mindset, crochet as a creative outlet and music also. Ive taken a few of your songs too!
Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Dimas
I think personal development books and audio are worth their weight in gold...and I love how easy it is to listen to inspiring audio too. I've heard crochet is a great way to relax and I've always wanted to try it, I'll have to look into that! Thank you for commenting, xo
Whimsy
I love all of these ideas, especially the vision board! Great job!
Jessica Dimas
Thanks, yeah a vision board is so helpful in bringing about those feelings of having it already!
Rebecca Welch
where can you buy the book: Bella Grace? I think I would like to get it.
Fiorenza Rossini
Hi Jessica,
I really loved reading this blog post and all the little things you shared about your own self-care routine. Thank you so much for sharing your playlist! I love it!
Much Love and positive vibes,
Fiorenza
Jessica Dimas
Thanks so much for your feedback Fiorenza! (Love your beautiful name!) I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment, lots of love to you! <3
Alexis
Wow, I absolutely loved this blog post. I love to journal and meditate as well. One thing that you mentioned in this post that truly stuck with me is the Heal Your Body book. Where'd you purchase that from? I would love to read it.
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Alexis! Yeah I just got that book off of Amazon, it's one of those books that you'll always keep on hand to flip through anytime you've got an ailment or illness. It's truly fascinating how it's all connected.
Ashley
It’s true, what we wear, smell, see around us and listen to all affect the way we feel. Love these self care tool kit tips! ?
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Ashley! I'm glad you enjoyed the post <3
Ana
I've read this post 2 or 3 times and it's always been like the first time as I always find new things.
After getting into the LOA and finding your blog I finally understood that self care is really important. I always did it although I didn't call it that way but in different ways: I used crafts to have some quiet time, reading and writing a lot. In fact I do like to have alone time, be with me for 1 or 2 hours. The end result is always good even if the day hasn't been as smooth as we liked it would be.
Another thing I learned with you, which I'm really thankful re-reading things that inspire you. I go through your Anything Can Be book lots of times to feel grounded and get some kind of support. It really works!
I can not thank you enough for the small changes I've been making in my life!
Jessica Dimas
Thank you SO much for that feedback, Ana! It really means so much to me to hear this, I'm so honored I've been able to be apart of your path <3 So much love to you!
Emily
Love this. Especially the pinterest vision board! I think most of us can relate to that! I love going on pinterest for life inspiration, especially on bad days when I need a little reminder of what I'm working towards. Thanks for sharing!
Emily Aagaard // https://www.emilyaagaard.com
Chelsea Lynn
I love this post so much, because it opens up my eyes to stuff I normally do and I did not think that could be considered self-care. Thank you!
Keith
What Book would you recommend for someone that hates to READ? And yes I can read actually very well. It's so boring to me I don't know help please, I am surrounded by Self Help. I saw Dwayne Dyer on a post I loved him RIP 🙁
Jessica Dimas
So sorry to just now be responding, I went on a little writing hiatus. I would suggest getting books on audible if you don't enjoy reading them. I do that all the time, myself. It even makes it easier to consume the content that way since you listen in the shower, when you're driving, playing video games, etc 🙂