Single mom here! That means everything I do is on a budget. Travel, shopping, dining, all of it. When it comes to loving myself and nurturing my mind and body, self-care on a budget is where it’s at.
With the rise of mental health issues among women and strained finances, there is an increased interest in self-care on a budget. The problem is that many women spend so much time focusing on others that their own needs and mental health take a back seat until it’s too late.
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself. While you may not be buying Louis Vuitton bags and shoes and get daily facials at a luxurious spa, there are simple things you can do daily that will improve your mental health and contribute to your self-care needs.
Ideas for Self-care On a Budget
Take an E-Course
My first idea for self-care on a budget is to learn something new. This can help you expand your hobbies, find self-fulfillment, and even gain skills for your career. Learn anything from music to art to a foreign language to a new software program all online and all in your own time.
There are many affordable places to find e-courses. Your local library might offer options. You can find affordable options on LinkedIn Learning and on Udemy and other online course marketplaces.
Taking the time to learn something new can help challenge you and show you that you can do hard things. No one can take this sense of satisfaction from you.
Enjoy Your Favorites at Home
My favorite and most executed self-care on a budget tip is to do all the things you love at home. Going to restaurants and coffee shops all the time can cost you big money. But staying away from them all the time for budgetary reasons can feel restrictive and depressing.
The cool thing is that there are plenty of ways to create your favorite cold brew coffee drinks and restaurant recipes in your kitchen. Enjoying delicious food and drinks, even from home can make life feel more relaxed.
Everyone has their favorite restaurant dish and preparing them at home can add little bits of joy when your budget is a concern.
Eat Nutritious Foods
Eating healthy may not always feel like self-care when all you want are donuts and cookies. But, eating nutritious food helps you feel more energetic and focused than eating unhealthy delights. And it’s also a great way to practice self-care on a budget.
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