“You can’t pour from an empty cup”

I have found that I am a better mom, wife, and overall human when my cup is full, and filling that up looks different for everyone! When I am only parenting and doing chores, I get burned out super quick, so I have learned to make self care a priority as well as manage my time better and schedule in my self care.

Self care isn’t selfish – in fact, when mom is happy, everyone is happier!

It also doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. In this blog post I will share some self care ideas (free and paid) to fill your cup. I have divided them by category. Think about what buckets need to be filled in your own life so you are balanced! Everyone has different ideas of what energizes and restores their soul.

I included some collages I made of things that I like! Make your own, or pin some ideas on Pinterest if that helps you!

SOCIAL

Relationships, friendships, community

• Grab coffee with a girlfriend
• Make a charcuterie board & wine (invite a friend!)
• Send an encouraging text
• Write and mail a letter
• Mom’s night out
• Join a Bible study
• Call someone on the phone
• Have a play date with another mom
• Date night

SPIRITUAL

• Do a daily devotional
• Read the Bible
• Read a faith based book (here are some of my favorites)
• Pray
• Listen to a faith based podcast
• Volunteer
• Listen to worship music
• Get new highlighters for your Bible
• Watch a sermon on YouTube – I love Passion City Church DC
• Give generously to your church or an organization you support, or to a friend or family in need

PHYSICAL

Health & wellness – move your body!

• Go for a walk
• Go to a class – pilates, cycle, barre, yoga
• Lift weights
• Dance
• Therapy (Get 1 week free)
• Try a YouTube workout
• Buy whole foods
• Try a new healthy recipe
• Make a smoothie
• Go to the gym
• Make a gym playlist
• Swim
• Drink water – buy a cute water bottle
• Buy a cute workout outfit
• Buy new athletic shoes

FUN

• Mini golf
• Trampoline park
• See a movie
• Play pickleball
• Go country dancing
• Shopping
• Get a coffee
• Listen to music
• Go to a concert
• Build a fort
• Go to a sporting event

REST

• Get a massage
• Have a drink on the back porch at the end of the work day
• Take a bubble bath
• Have a glass of wine
• Light a candle
• Snuggle with a pet
• Read a book
• Get a cute new pajama set
• Watch your favorite TV show or movie (my comfort shows are Legally Blonde, The Office, Friends, Schitts Creek, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days, and I’m a sucker for reality TV)

NATURE

• Go on a walk in nature
• Hike
• Swim
• Take a trip
• Sit on the porch with a fun drink
• Visit a local park
• Take a solo trip to the beach or mountains

BEAUTY

• Get botox
• Get a manicure
• Get a pedicure
• Try lip fillers
• Get your hair done
• Self tan or get a spray tan
• Try a new makeup look

CREATIVITY

• Make a fun cocktail or mocktail
• Organize a drawer
• Learn something on YouTube
• Paint
• Color
• Diamond painting 
• Read a book
• Have a tech free evening
• Do a house project
• Play a musical instrument

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR LOCAL AREA

• Workout in the rec room
• Try a new coffee shop
• Take your kids to the park
• Go to the pool
• Visit a local lake or pond
• Splash pad 
• Grill by the pool
• Take a walk
• Stroller walk
• Hike trails
• Go fishing
• Play ball on the lawn
• Picnic

All images are from Pexels, Pinterest, or are my own. I made the collages myself in Canva.

I hope you got some new ideas of how to fill your cup! Have another idea to add? Leave me a comment below!