30 Little Acts that Prove Your Self-Care Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy to Be Worth It

Honor The Self-Care You Do Every Day

Newsflash: Brushing your teeth is self-care. So is sitting in your car for a few moments of quiet away from your family.

This episode is for every mom who thinks she isn’t doing enough—when really, she’s nailing the tiny wins (even if that ‘win’ is aggressively scrubbing the shower floor and admiring your handiwork)."

Blog graphic with text about self-care tips. Includes an open floral notebook and a hand holding a sticker sheet with cozy designs. — Use the stickers, Mama.

What You Get From This Episode

"Basic" tasks count, too
Pleasantries = self-care
Unpleasant but necessary tasks are self-care
Why you should use the damn stickers

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Count Every Little Act of Self-Care

Self-care has become such a buzzword in recent years that we often miss the forest for the trees. IMO, the term "self-care" has been hijacked by Instagram influencers peddling $50 face masks and sunrise yoga retreats. But here’s the truth—self-care isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up for yourself in ways that actually matter. And guess what? You’re probably already doing little acts of self-care without even realizing it.

The Invisible Self-Care Wins

Some of the most powerful acts of self-care are the ones we dismiss as "just adulting":

Getting out of bed when every cell in your body protests
Brushing your teeth (yes, even if it’s just a 30-second scrub)
Eating something—anything—when you’d rather skip meals
Taking meds (physical or mental health—no shame in either)

If you did any of these today when you couldn’t yesterday, that’s a win. Throw confetti. Do a victory lap. You’re nailing this.

The Little "Pleasantries" That Actually Fill Your Cup

Self-care isn’t all bubble baths and scented candles (though those are nice too). It’s the little things that spark joy:

Crocheting a lopsided Snoopy hat (Caitlin’s win for the week) because perfection is overrated
An "everything shower" where you actually wash your hair and shave your legs
Sitting in your car to finish a podcast episode without tiny humans screaming
Google Arts & Culture deep dives—museum hopping from your couch
Eating Taco Bell off grandma’s silver (because why not?)

Pro tip: If it feels like a treat to you, it counts. Even if it’s a simple as black coffee in your "Powered by Spite" mug.

The Unpleasant (But Necessary) Stuff

Future-you will high-five present-you for:

Changing the bedding (hate the process, love the fresh-sheet payoff)
Meal prepping PB&Js and jar salads like it’s your job
Making that phone call you’ve avoided for 3 months
Scanning tax documents instead of pretending they’ll organize themselves

As one wise Redditor put it: "Real self-care isn’t about escaping responsibilities—it’s about making them less chaotic to carry."

Use the Damn Stickers

Here’s your permission slip: Burn the fancy candles. Wear the jewelry. Eat off the good plates. Life’s too short to save things for "special occasions." (Fun fact: Ariella’s cats now dine on Mikasa china daily. No regrets.)

What’s your unfanciest form of self-care? Tag us @CKandGKPodcast with your #TinySelfCareWin!

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Make good choices,

Caitlin & Jenny