![Everything I keep in my self-care toolkit](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Cover_zpsqfr0sppj.jpg)
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
![self-care kit](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dwell-in-magic-scents-2.jpg)
2. Clothes that make me feel good
![Comfortable clothes that you feel good boosts your mood](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ComfyClothes_zpsk83oqlgi.jpg)
3. My morning self-care trio
![I keep these three self-care items in my self-care kit](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Morning_zps9azhogxu.jpg)
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.![](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ACS_0049.jpg)
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
![Simple abundance morning ritual book](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/simple-abundance.jpg)
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.![self care kit passion](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/self-care-kit-1.jpg)
5. Healing and inspiring books
![](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/spiritual-books.jpg)
6. A cleaning routine
![](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Cleaning-routine-2.png)
7. Inspirational notes and quotes
![Inspirational quotes to keep in self-care kit](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Quotes_zpswehvavej.jpg)
8. Pinterest vision board
9. Guided meditations
![Guided meditations are easy to find on Youtube and are apart of my self-care kit](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Meditation_zpsjuvsqgit.jpg)
10. A peaceful, sacred space
![How I set up my self-care space #selfcarespace #selfcarealtar #meditationspace #witchythings #selfcareblogger #selfcareblog #selfcaretips #sacredselfcare #dwellinmagic #altar #sacredspace #sacredspaceideas #selfcareideas](https://jessicadimas.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/self-care-space-22.jpg)
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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 🙂