11 Reasons Self Care Feels Like A Chore and How To Fix It
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I know the feeling of self-care feels like a chore all too well.
Self-care is so critical, but it can be so hard! I know this as much as the next person, but I still get in my own way and make self care seem like a much bigger deal than it can be!
In this post, we are going to talk all about how to make self care a little easier for you and how to overcome some of your barriers to self-care!
This post is all about self care feels like a chore!
Self Care Is Important
We all know that self-care is essential for our mental and physical well-being, but many times self-care feels like a chore. There are many reasons for that and we will go through some of those reasons and ways to fix it so your personal growth can skyrocket.
Why Self Care Feels Like A Chore
Reason 1: Lack of Time
Time management and work-life balance can get overwhelming. When you don’t have enough time, you will notice that you are more stressed, and self-care will feel like a chore.
A way to fix this is to find small ways to incorporate self-care. This could mean taking a moment to walk around the office or checking in with a family member. Try to set boundaries with your boss. Here is a post about the importance of boundaries and how to start setting them. Incorporate family and personal time into your schedule at least once a week.
Have a time when you meet up with friends for coffee or have dinner at your house once a month. Little things like this can help you find ways to cut back and figure out where it is essential to prioritize your time.
My Recommendations:
- Delegate some of your tasks out to other people, this will help you to be more productive in your self-care routine!
- Find ways to make time, so when you are watching tv, try to journal as well!
Reason 2: Feeling Guilty
Self-care guilt is a real issue in many people’s lives. This is when self-care feels like a chore. Overcoming guilt can be hard because you may feel like taking time for yourself is selfish and somehow taking time away from others.
To overcome feelings of self-care guilt, it is important to recognize moments when you may have neglected your own needs, resulting in negative consequences. You are worth it. Every time you put time into yourself, you are betting on yourself and building your confidence.
My Recommendations:
- Check out my amazon storefront to find some cheap products that you can indulge in. This will help you curve your guilt and make you feel a little more worthy!
Reason 3: Limited Resources
I have a whole blog post about this already up if you’d like to read it. Here’s a quick summary: There are many affordable self-care options out there. This could be a bath, walk, or even a sheet mask if you’re feeling fancy. Pull together a few things for a self-care kit and have it available to you at any moment.
If you want some ideas on some things you could buy, here is a post I wrote all about that!
Here’s an idea of a self-care kit to keep in your purse: comfy socks for your ride home, a granola bar to snack on, and a reusable water bottle. Having some basic items on you can make it easy to find time for self-care.
Reason 4: Overwhelmed by Choices
Being overwhelmed by all the choices of self-care you’ll never get to doing it. To make this easier, write a short list (4-5 things) of self-care activities you enjoy. Simplifying choices will make it easier to choose from. Not everyone likes going on walks outside or feels unsafe doing so. Thus, you could choose a bath or eat a comfort food.
If you are looking for a bath, this is my absolute favorite bath salts. They smell amazing, and you only need a few tablespoons to make your bath look and smell beautiful. I have so many posts mentioning this product because it is so amazing!
Reason 5: Unrealistic Expectations
Setting attainable self-care goals can help you not get bored by self-care. If you think that self-care will fix most, if not all, of your problems in one day, then you’re sadly mistaken.
Setting realistic expectations, like taking 5 minutes to sit alone with no technology or writing ten things you are grateful for, are some accessible and attainable goals.
Reason 6: Lack of Motivation
Finding motivation for self-care is a difficult one to overcome, but realizing that you are worth it has changed my view on self-care. Looking for motivation could be that you find a little moment that you take to breathe in bed before you get out of bed and work from there.
Finding little moments where you are motivated and using them can also help. It is like with school: if you aren’t in the mood to do your Biology homework that is due in a few days, but you are motivated to do your Spanish homework that is due next week, then go ahead and do your Spanish homework. That is much better than not doing any homework at all.
Reason 7: Social Pressure
Overcoming your social pressure to have the perfect self-care routine can take some time. Talk to your friends about their self-care and picture yourself doing the same. Don’t think of self-care as glamorous and all about beauty treatments (like Cassie waking up at 5 AM to get ready for Nate Jacobs, who never notices her.)
Self-care feels like a chore when you expect to wake up looking like Cassie but feeling like Lexi.
Reason 8: Fear of Change
Being afraid of change can prevent you from creating change in yourself. Sometimes, knowing your failures or feelings and staying consistent can make you feel safe. Remember that embracing change will help prepare you for the future and help create a better you.
Feelings of anxiety or depression can almost feel like a safety blanket, and you could be afraid to get rid of them altogether. So, working on yourself can cause more anxiety at the moment, but know that self-care will improve your well-being.
Reason 9: Perfectionism
Perfectionism in your life can lead to many challenges. You have to start letting go of your expectations of self-care.
Self-care feels like a chore when you expect it to be a perfect routine that you can’t mess up. Let yourself have days where you can’t put the effort in or a day where you can put all the effort in the world into yourself.
Let there be some inconsistency and imperfections. Don’t try to create a routine if perfectionism is in your way, but find little moments to take care of yourself in other ways.
Reason 10: Negative Self-Talk
This could be a whole blog post because it can take much time to work through. Therapy has helped me see the negative train of self-talk in my mind and how to stop it early on.
Try to speak to yourself like you were your best friend or a sibling. Be nicer to yourself and control your negative self-talk in its tracks by questioning the validity of your thoughts and why you think that. Keep asking why to yourself and figure out the root of your thoughts.
Reason 11: Lack of Support
Build a support network for yourself to find time to support yourself. My favorite way is going to Church. Even if you aren’t very religious, a Church can be a great place to find support (look for a bigger church that has more liberal views and find people in them who aren’t trying to change you). A church isn’t for everyone, so look for support from friends, family, or coworkers to have someone to lean on during hard times.
Look for ways to get time to yourself if there are other options for you in this phase of your life. Even in the shower or bath, take a few minutes to sit in the hot water to relax and breathe.
Well, There You Go!
This post was all about why self care feels like a chore!
Prioritizing self-care feels like a chore, but taking some time, even a minute at a time can make a huge difference in your mental health.
Remember that you should be constantly working on yourself, and you are never “finished” working on yourself. Self-care feels like a chore when we make it too complicated. Find little moments to love yourself!
