Self-care has become a part of everyone’s vocabulary recently. But just a few years ago, this act was a revolutionary idea that very few dabbled in – or dared to even indulge in and brag about!
People than ever are prioritizing activities and routines that promote health, happiness, relaxation and excitement now more than ever, though for many people, their preferred self care activity was travel.
Circumstances have obviously changed right now, and for most people travel is off the table. Even after borders re-open the economic impact of the pandemic means travel might be off the cards for a while.
So what are some self-care activities you can practice when you’re not traveling? Things you can do to ignite your energy again, just as travel would usually do?
We’ve got you.
Ways to Practice Self-Care When You’re Not Traveling
Reinvigorate Your Wardrobe
One of the exciting parts of travel is reinvigorating your wardrobe – whether it’s because you need a new swimsuit for Greece, or a new pair of hiking boots because you’re about to trek with African Gorillas.
And while this form of excitement is more about what the clothing represents, as opposed to the actual material, reinvigorating your wardrobe can still make you feel fresh, even if there’s no travel attached.
Ultimately, when you look good, you feel good!
That’s a fact.
Self-care is supposed to replenish your energy and confidence so that you can tackle whatever your day to day has in store. The clothes you wear play a huge part in your confidence and energy, and when you’re not feeling inspired by your wardrobe, other areas of your life begin to suffer.
Even if you are unable to travel, dress for the occasion anyway! Maybe you have a cuban hat you bought in Havana. Wear it out grocery shopping. Maybe you have a scarf you bought in Iran. Wear it to the park.
There’s a great power in the clothes you wear to trigger memories and take you back to the moment you wore or bought something, so use this as a way to reminisce until you can actually travel again.
Tips for reinvigorating your wardrobe:
➤ Take Inventory. Spend a couple of hours or a couple of days to go through your closet and journal or color coordinate clothing so that you know exactly what you have and know where to look when you’re getting dressed every day.
➤ Make a List. Are there certain pieces of clothing that you need to buy to complete a wardrobe that makes you excited? If so, make a list of clothing you’d like to invest in.
➤ Do Some Research. We all have those pieces of clothing in our closet that we don’t wear because we don’t know how to style them. For example, most women have leggings in their closet, but they can be tricky to pair with everyday attire. Research how to wear leggings so that you can fully embrace the clothes that don’t get enough attention.
Try Something New
Travel is exciting because you’re constantly being met with something new – new sights, new sounds, new smells – everything foreign is being thrust upon you!
You can still get that sense of excitement at home, even if it’s a bit more challenging. Excitement simply happens when you step out of your everyday routine and observe yourself in unfamiliar settings.
If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, head to a show where you can dance and sing like you would in a nightclub in Berlin. Even if concerts aren’t your thing, try something new to unlock more excitement in your life.
Pro tip: If you’re feeling nervous about stepping outside your comfort zone, look into outfits to wear to a concert so that you feel and look your best.
You might be surprised at how much there is within your hometown which you haven’t yet experienced – especially if you look at it through the eyes of a tourist. This can also be a great way to support your local economy.
Think about trails you haven’t walked, viewpoints you haven’t seen, classes you haven’t taken – why not fill your bathtub with rose petals and pretend you’re in a villa in Bali?!
Declutter Your Space
Where do you spend most of your time? Is it at home, the office or in a specific room of your home? If you’re ever finding yourself unable to unplug or unwind, take a look around your environment.
When our favorite place is cluttered or messy, it can seriously interfere with our peace. Practice self-care by cleaning up – and the upside is you can tell yourself the space is for future travel souvenirs!
Is there a pile of mail cluttering up your kitchen table or miscellaneous files scattered on your desk? Block out time during your day to sift through and organize.
And then go full Mari Kondo and discard it!
After you’ve organized things that are important to you, look around and identify things you may not need or that don’t serve a purpose and dispose of or donate them. Removing unnecessary objects, documents and other things can make you feel refreshed and give your space a new dynamic.
Then it’s time to infuse the room with magic. If there are certain objects, decorations or scents that would make you feel at peace, add them to your space and watch your inspiration take off.
Related: How To Design A World Travel Theme For Your Bedroom
Create a List…for Anything and Everything
Do you ever feel your thoughts swirling around in your head as you struggle to grasp them? We’re constantly thinking about our goals and endless to-do lists, but this can contribute to anxiety and burn out.
Instead of letting your thoughts escape you, make a list of your top concerns. Trust me – it feels good to get your thoughts out on paper, and it may even help you stay on task.
When you’re rushing through your busy day, some of your to-do tasks may escape you, and that itself can produce anxiety. Keep your list on your phone so you can periodically check it to make sure you aren’t missing anything.
And make your list a pillar of your home. If your list is made up of more long-term goals or mantras you want to keep top of mind, place it on a whiteboard in a room you frequent the most.
Seeing these goals will remind you of where you want to be and what you want to accomplish.
While these self-care activities are far from applying a face mask or meditating, these tasks set your mental and spiritual health on the right track to keep you going day-to-day.
And that’s what self-care should really be about. Self-care doesn’t always have to be glamorous! But hey, if you want to do all of these activities with a sheet mask on, we won’t judge!
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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.
Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.
2 Comments
Great tips!
Thankyou! Glad it was helpful for you :)