Self-Care Ideas For 2021
2020 may have snuck out the back door with a whimper but 2021 has rushed in with a roar. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the heat and could use some new self-care ideas for 2021.
I’m joining my friends Cindy and Tania to share a few self-nurturing rituals that are on our radar right now.
Self-care ideas for 2021
Clutter of all kind stresses me out so here are a few things I’m doing:
Clear out technical clutter
- go through email and unsubscribe from lists you’re no longer interested in
- remove unused apps from your mobile device to cut down on visual clutter
- leave Facebook groups that no longer provide you value
- go through phone contacts and remove those you no longer need
Related – Self Care: It’s Your Time
Simplify your wardrobe
As often as I think I’ve cleared out my wardrobe, I’m always surprised to come across things I no longer wear, like, or need.
- be realistic about what your new lifestyle requires. Yes, we’ll hopefully get back to a new normal, but give the clothes that work for you now, the most up-front rod space.
- add more of the things you do need. I’ve spent more time wearing slippers in the past ten months than shoes so I’ve added a few to my collection.
Create a cozy spot
Whether to read, knit, chat on the phone, or just daydream…a cozy spot that feels soothing is always welcome. Add a candle, soft textures, and inspiring images.
Related –Self Care At Home
Get Outside
Getting outside is enormously healing…even if it’s just to your own porch. The air is just different and with luck, there are trees to see. We’ve found our Sunday drives to be a sanity saver and it’s some of the most therapeutic self-care I do all week.
Last Sunday we drove up to see Lake Oroville. There were no people around, and the place looked like a wasteland, but we enjoyed ourselves just the same. The long drive over country roads, through tiny towns, left us feeling like we’d really gotten away.
I’m also finding the gratitude alarm an invaluable tool for self-care.
Please head over to Cindy Hattersley Design and 50 Is Not Old to see how these ladies are practicing self-care in 2021.
New to your blog. I was so surprised to see you mention Lake Oroville.
My family settled there and had a mine in Cherokee. Our family home is on Montgomery Street
Go to the Chinese Temple in Oroville if you have never been. It would be an interesting outing
To learn more of the local history. If you are a
A history buff. Many objects were sent over from the Emperor of China
That sounds very cool.
FYI – Hi Jennifer, This is my first time visiting your blog. I enjoyed it and when the time allows I will read more of your posts – thank you. Also, maybe its just me & my computer – but I had difficulties saving this self care post on Pinterest. The best I can describe it – I couldn’t select the Pinterest button … after some time I finally managed to select pinterest and it saved the post hurray.
Love those slippers! Thanks for the ideas to help motivate me to declutter. I went through all of my cookbooks yesterday and now I have a trunkful for our local donation center. It felt great, once it was finished!
Our Minnesota weather has been awesome for getting outdoors and walking, which really helps us to not feel as confined with the Covid restrictions. A recommendation to share – if you haven’t watched the BeeGee documentary on Netflix, it’s fantastic.
Thanks for your recommendation!
I loved the tech clean up. I started doing this with work email and am overwhelmed with my personal email and Dropbox files. I have the last 11 years of my professional life in Dropbox. New meaning to clutter! You wrote about warmth with candles in a blog and my living room has been transformed. I love how it feels and try to spend time here every night enjoying my space. And, I’m an outdoor girl at heart. I also open my window up every day (even when it’s 20 degrees) to clean the air. I’m going to start incorporating the Sunday drive. I’ve hardly left my city limits and I’m surrounded by cute small towns I’ve never visited. Your blog is a break in my day and I can’t express how much I appreciate it especially as I started back teaching college students. I’m pausing, reading this, and enjoy a nice cup of coffee.
I’m so glad, Tina! Enjoy yourself drives. We love ours.
Thanks for this great post. I am working on cleaning up the computer today, with so many political ones, my unread emails need my attention. I have worked on my closet, some items still need to go to my favorite donation center so someone can use them for the colder weather. Today, we needed postage stamps and went to the little post office about seven miles from our home. We needed to go to another city and saw a sign we had ignored before, but it was where we wanted to go, so we took a ride through a beautiful part of our local area that we had not traveled, so much fun! Blessings to you.
It sounds lovely!
Such great ideas. I REALLY need to go through my closets. There are clothes everywhere! Taking a long drive where you feel like you are going somewhere is also a fabulous idea. Hey those slippers look pretty darn comfy! Always enjoy these little edits even though we both struggled with this one!!
You are so right about clearing out the technical stuff. I’m doing that right now. Unsubscribing etc. Great idea.
This was really timely for me. I will get in my car and drive through a couple of the small pretty towns near me.
I tried decluttering clothes yesterday. Only got rid of a couple of things. Nancy’s comment to keep what you love has me going back to the closet and dresser that are neat, organized but hold too many things I wasn’t wearing before COVID. So as a nod to a hopefully more social future, I’m going through my things with an Eye to what I actually like as opposed to what I just have because it fit. No more !
Bravo
I’ve sorted my closet in the fall so only those pieces that fit and I wear during these times are front and centre. I have nothing left to declutter as I did that at the beginning of the pandemic to keep myself occupied. The office is the only space that needs to be done annually, when I shred papers.
I’ve been walking a lot. We are fortunate to live in a small town with lots of parks, beaches and the boardwalk. It’s easy to get out and avoid crowds. We also go for aimless drives. It’s a strange time but we are making the best of it and trying to stay positive which can be hard at times.
Is The Chanel Sisters a good read and factual?
Joanna, just my two cents worth, but I love the Chanel Sisters, and there is actually a section in the back with historical notes and timelines that the author used. She did her homework, but of course the dialogue is fiction since we were not there to listen in. Recomend.
I’m ordering it now! Thank you for the recommendation.
It’s a novel, I just started and it looks good so far. I love reading anything about Chanel so I had to try this.
Speaking of outside, I’m spending a lot more time outside, walking, exercising, and gardening, than ever. I have worn out multiple sneakers, from all the walking. I have trouble keeping warm so any helpful ideas on warm clothes, warm socks, and waterproof shoes would be great! Currently I’m wearing down coats, merino and cashmere sweaters, silk and wool socks. The shoes are harder to find, and I’m experimenting with different hats and gloves, any ideas? Thanks😊
Hope you don’t mind me jumping in here Jennifer, but here are a few suggestions that Eileen might be interested in trying :
Disposable Hand Warmer Heat Packets – reasonably priced / oxygen activated when package is opened, some lasting 5 to 11 hours depending upon brand, lightweight
Scotchgard Fabric & Upholstery Protector – or similar brand (like Kiwi made especially for footwear), water and stain resistant, ideal for various fabric types
Knitted Leg Warmers- that will fit over most style of pant legs, one size normally fits all, gives an extra layer of warmth, easy to remove compared to under-lays like tights/thermal underwear
-Brenda-
I’m actually wearing out my favorite slippers. I don’t think I’ve ever worn out a pair before. Love those you have on.
I’m decluttering a lot these days not just my closet. I’m getting rid of things I shouldn’t have bought in the first place. I’ve been given time to think about what I really need and realize I’m buying too much of things I don’t need or use. 2020 was a year of discovery for me.
I love Walmart’s new fresh, grocery delivery to the door! Grocery stores did this in the fifties. Mama had ours delivered once a week.
In the last week I’ve deleted apps from my phone and have unsubscribed from quite a few email senders. I left FB last year and never looked back. Instagram has become a nuisance with too many vile posts that take over the few I was following. I don’t want to be uninformed so I’m limiting my news to a half hour in the morning and in the evening. Adding more devotionals to my daily walks has helped my anxiety. My two 8 year old granddaughters stayed with us for a few days and we watched Little House on the Prairie. Talk about calming! Such a joy to watch something with them that didn’t have screaming music or graphic overload.
That sounds delightful to watch. Good, clean, wholesome TV
I know we all have our own type of scenery, but that water and boats looks so inviting. Ice this morning is keeping me indoors but I try to get a walk in every day. That cosy spot you mention is where I read every day or evening, pictures on the walls I love and a chair and throw that fit me. I see you have gotten into the book, and don’t forget the historical notes section after. I was fascinated by it all. I have done a couple clear outs in the closet but really need to do more, and will put them in boxes I can’t see into until able to donate. I think I should take some time to go through all the Christmas items that I did not use and box them up for donations next year. Great ideas today.
I edited my Christmas items as I boxed them up this year too. I just have too many and I only want the special ones
Decluttering my tech ‘life’ is an ongoing process. Isn’t it amazing how out of control it can get! Yesterday I drove to a medical appointment. It was a short drive but I sure did enjoy being behind the wheel by myself. It had been awhile! Thanks for the post.
The technical overload dos have a life of its own!
Love today’s blog- especially about taking drives to new places, changes in scenery and as you mention, the air is different! It certainly is! Love taking in the ocean waves, the woodsy feel at-a few out of the way parks. It’s so nice and helps after these stay home orders. Very few people are out so that’s what we do. Despite the cold I walk two to three times a day. I choose a different area and just go! I too have new slippers! Yours are prettier!
I love the sound of your area, Paulette!! Happy Tuesday
The events of 2020 and last week make me more resolute than ever to treasure the people and activities that so sadly, I may have taken for granted.
Your suggestions to declutter and get outside really strike a note with me. Both of these activities help to clear my mind and also promote a more positive, forward looking attitude.
I hope you continue with this venue.
I almost feel like 2020 will be an awakening for me in so many ways. I am resolute to value each day like it’s the last day of my life. Each person that I love and treasure will know without any doubt how I feel about them.
So, I want to thank you Jennifer, for helping me navigate through last year and bring a beacon of light to this new year!
Jennifer,
I concur with you about clutter. It is anxiety provoking. As to the closet, I’m finding less is more. Too many choices only makes it worse for me. Keep what you love.
Great post.
Happy Tuesday, Nancy