When was the last time you actually slowed down and had a selfcare day? When you bought yourself something nice or sat in a café and just enjoyed life? Barely even remember, right? I know that you’re busy. So today, we are discovering some simple selfcare ideas that will help you glow up and get your spark back.
Today, as I was sitting in a café, sipping my daily iced americano while enjoying a chocolate cake, those were exactly my thoughts. When was the last time I’d taken care of myself? Because yeah, living in Seoul is all cool and exciting—life never stops here. But to be honest, sometimes we all need to slow down. I had a day off today, so I decided that I’d do things I love to do.
This meant that I started my day with a morning run to Namsan, then had a nice poké bowl at SlowCali, finishing off with some coffee and dessert at Sogak (I recently discovered this place, and there’s a 99% chance it will become a favorite of mine). I nearly spent an hour at Sogak, just zoning out of my head and watching the traffic.
By the end of the day, I realized that I had created the perfect selfcare day for myself.
If you’re ready to take your summer self-care to the next level, I’ve created a 6-week glow-up guide filled with affirmations, rituals, and mindset shifts to help you reconnect with your highest self. It’s the kind of support I wish I had during my own glow-up season.
Why selfcare is important?
I’m sure that sometimes you, too, have felt like you’ve lost your spark—that nothing excites you anymore, and you’re just living day-by-day, the same, not feeling like yourself.
In today’s culture, where hustle is glorified and burnout is often mistaken for ambition, women face so many unique pressures. We, women, often carry the emotional weight in relationships, households, and workplaces. From remembering birthdays to managing family schedules, while being successful in our careers, it can be exhausting and often undervalued. Society expects us to be everything at once: the high achiever, the nurturing partner, the fitness enthusiast, the beauty icon.
Here’s where selfcare comes into the picture. I don’t know any better option to start feeling better than doing little selfcare rituals. The rise of the glow up and selfcare aesthetic often centers on outward appearance, but true glow-ups happen inside. Because selfcare isn’t just about dry brushing and putting on some sheet masks—it’s about boundaries, healing, and self-worth.
The glow up aesthetic: more than just looks
Think about the words glow up for a minute.
Done?
What were your thoughts? Glowing skin, toned body, nice hair and nails? I’m 100% sure you thought mostly about outward things. But believe me, true glow up starts from the inside. It’s the quiet, powerful shift within you.
A week ago, a very powerful quote came across my Pinterest feed:
“You need to stop acting like you’re afraid of your own potential. Start showing up as your highest self, completely and unapologetically.”
That just hit me hard. I set this quote as my wallpaper on my phone, so every time I pick up my phone, this quote helps remind me who I am.We often doubt ourselves and set unconscious boundaries just to feel safe. How many times has it happened that you thought, “Oh, I can’t have that”? But who says you can’t? Who stops you from reaching your fullest potential? You yourself, no one else.
So step one: let go of your toxic habits. For me, journaling really helped. First, identify the root. Ask yourself: What am I avoiding, numbing, or controlling through this behavior? Try to answer as detailed as possible. When you catch yourself engaging in the habit, don’t aim for instant elimination. Try micro-interruptions, like taking three deep breaths before reacting.
Number two is to protect your energy! Boundaries are not walls—they’re doors with locks you control. You don’t have to agree with everything or say yes to everything. Stop explaining yourself to people who aren’t invested in your healing.
The third most important thing is to allow yourself to slow down and rest. When you give yourself permission to slow down, you begin to recharge in ways hustle never could.
How to plan a selfcare day
Let’s dive now into the exciting part, where I’ll guide you through how to plan a perfect selfcare day. First things first, it begins the night before. Take an “everything” shower with your favorite shower gel, use a body scrub, then moisturize with a good-smelling body lotion. I’m a Rituals of Sakura girl, so I use their foaming shower gel and the same scented body cream. After this little ritual, you already smell good and maybe start to feel better.
Then comes skincare. When if not now is the perfect time to exfoliate and use face masks? Bonus points if you have a Gua Sha or a Jade roller. I love to wash my hair, too, so I go to sleep with everything fresh and smelling good. Of course, you can do this little ritual on the actual selfcare day—it’s just how I prefer doing it.
I also like to do everything in my life with music, so I always set a theme song for these selfcare days. It also aligns with what I need most that day. Because you always clarify first what you need: a rest day? Healing? Or going out?
So, you have your intention for the day—let’s start it. A nourishing morning is your foundation, and on a selfcare day, it sets the emotional tone for everything that follows. We often rush through our mornings, skipping breakfast and just going out with a cup of coffee because where else can we cut time but breakfast? Am I right? It’s hard to admit, but I often do that too. So let’s start our selfcare day in peace, eating a nourishing breakfast and drinking our coffee mindfully. Much better, isn’t it?
Did you know that the first 20–30 minutes after you wake up are when your brain is most suggestible? That means what you think = what you believe, what you hear = what you absorb, what you feel = what you carry all day. So how about avoiding your phone in these 20–30 minutes? I know it’s hard, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Begin with a few minutes of gentle stretching or breathwork to reconnect with your body and ease into the day with calm presence. Say a few morning affirmations out loud or silently. Something as simple as “Today I choose peace over pressure” can powerfully shape your mindset for the rest of the day. I recently downloaded an app called Mantra, which sends me morning affirmations daily.
Next is movement. If you already exercise regularly, then I know what I mean. If you’re only planning to start, then this is your sign to do it. Nothing gives you more confidence than completing a workout. It not only helps clear your mind but also shapes your body.
Then plan a healthy, nourishing meal full of veggies for lunch to fill your body with vitamins.
Sometimes, selfcare is about quiet introspection and returning to your inner world. This is especially important if you’re feeling overstimulated, emotionally raw, or energetically drained. So know when it’s time to retreat. Journaling your thoughts and meditating can be tools for that. But if you’re craving going outward, take yourself on a solo date or meet up with a friend.For going out ideas check out our latest post about Summer Bucket Lists 🙂 This reminds you that you’re alive, connected, and allowed to take up space in the world.
Then we arrive at the end of our selfcare day. Let’s close it. It’s something to complete, to honor, and to seal—like closing a sacred circle. It helps your brain register that something meaningful happened and signals your nervous system that it’s safe to relax fully. So reflect on how you felt that day. What part of today helped you feel most like yourself? What did I let go of?
Selfcare Bingo Card
I’ve mentioned a plenty of things before so it can be a bit hard to choose from.That’s why I made a little Selfcare Bingo for you if you feel stuck.Because sometimes the most healing thing you can do is play—especially when you’re re-learning how to prioritize yourself without guilt.
So hope this will be your daily reminder that selfcare isn’t selfish. It’s not a luxury or an escape. It’s a radical act of remembering that you are human, worthy, and allowed to choose softness in a world that often demands the opposite.
Before you close this tab, ask yourself:
“What’s one small thing I can do for myself today?”
Then do it. Make it yours. Let it be enough.
