We all know that time for yourself is important. Yet, self-care is easily neglected. You start the day with good intentions, but before you know it, you're busy with work, study, appointments, groceries, and everything else on your to-do list.
And that's precisely why a daily planner can be so useful. Not to add even more things to your day, but to consciously make space for yourself.
After all, a self-care routine doesn't have to be complicated at all. Sometimes it starts with ten minutes of reading, a leisurely breakfast, or simply putting away your phone.
What is a self-care routine?
A self-care routine consists of small habits with which you regularly give attention to yourself. This can be related to your body, but also to your mental peace or simply to things that make you happy.
Think, for example, of:
-
calmly planning your day in the morning;
-
drinking enough water;
-
going outside for a bit;
-
taking a short walk;
-
reading a few pages before bed;
-
making time for a hobby;
-
putting your phone away for a while;
-
going to bed on time.
So, it absolutely doesn't have to be an elaborate hour-long morning routine. It's precisely small moments that you can actually stick to that make a routine easier.
Why is a self-care routine so difficult to maintain?
You can be so enthusiastic in the evening about taking more time for yourself tomorrow. But as soon as the next day begins, other things already demand your attention.
An appointment, a deadline, a full inbox, or household chores that still need to be done. Self-care then quickly feels like something you'll "do later."
Planning can help with that.
By actually putting a moment for yourself in your daily planner, you give it the same attention as the other things you don't want to forget. It's not an obligation to execute everything perfectly, but a small reminder not to constantly put yourself at the bottom of your list.
How to build a self-care routine with a daily planner?
You don't have to turn your whole life upside down right away. Instead, start with a few small moments that fit your day.
Step 1: Choose three small self-care moments
Look at your morning, afternoon, and evening. What could provide a little extra peace at each moment of the day?
Morning:
For example, start with a glass of water, five minutes of quiet sitting, or filling in your daily plan before starting your tasks.
Afternoon:
Plan a short break. Take a walk, calmly drink a cup of tea, or have lunch without looking at your phone at the same time.
Evening:
Turn your evening into a moment to unwind. Read a few pages, put your phone away, or write down what you want to do tomorrow.
The most important thing is to start small. A routine that is achievable is much more valuable than a perfect routine that you give up after three days.
Step 2: Write down your self-care moments
An idea in your head is easy to forget. So, write it down in your planner.
Our Daily Planner Notebook - Self Care Theme is designed to help you plan your day clearly and make space for yourself. You have room for your to-do list, mood, goals, and notes.
The notebook has 50 pages and is printed on sturdy 120 gsm paper.
Price: €7.99
📋 Ready to bring more calm into your day?
View the Daily Planner Self Care Theme →
Step 3: Track how you feel
A nice addition to your daily planning is tracking your mood.
This doesn't have to be extensive at all. For example, give your day a rating from 1 to 10 or choose a word that describes how you feel.
After a while, you can look back and perhaps recognize certain patterns. Maybe you'll notice that you feel better on days when you've been outside, slept enough, or made time to read.
Don't see your planner as a place where everything has to be perfect. It's primarily a way to get to know yourself better.
Step 4: Look back at the end of the week
At the end of the week, take a few minutes to grab your planner.
Which moments energized you? When did you feel the need for more rest? And were there things you had planned but actually didn't find necessary at all?
You don't have to give yourself points for how "well" you did. Instead, use your answers to better tailor the next week to yourself.
Self-care and reading: a wonderful moment for yourself
For many book lovers, reading is, of course, already a form of relaxation.
Reading a few pages before bed can be a nice transition moment between a busy day and your evening. No emails, deadlines, or endless scrolling, just you and your book.
And the beautiful thing is: you hardly need anything for it.
A book, a nice bookmark, and perhaps a cup of tea or iced coffee. 📚
🔖 Make reading a regular moment for yourself
Discover our romance bookmarks, fantasy bookmarks, and coquette bookmarks.
View all bookmarks →
No idea what book to read?
Sometimes you want to read, but you have no idea what book to choose. You stare at your TBR and suddenly feel like you have to choose from hundreds of books.
Then a Blind Date Book can be just fun.
With our Blind Date Book Self Care Edition, you don't have to make a choice yourself. You don't know beforehand which book you'll get, giving your reading moment an immediate surprising twist.
Perfect for a quiet evening when you just want to start reading without first scrolling through your TBR for an hour.
Self-care routine for students
As a student, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. Lectures, deadlines, exams, work, and social appointments can cause your own moments of rest to recede into the background.
A daily planner can help keep track. Plan not only your studies and appointments, but also your breaks and moments when you don't have to do anything.
Our Daily Planner Cafe Theme - That Girl Challenge combines productive planning with a fun, motivating appearance.
Because being productive doesn't mean you have to fill every minute of the day.
Also keep track of your reading routine
Self-care can also mean making time for the things you're passionate about.
Are you an avid reader? Then it's fun to keep track of your reading year. Which books have you read? Which was your favorite? And how many stars did you ultimately give?
With our Reading Log Book Tracker (€1.99), you can track, among other things, the title, start date, end date, and rating per book.
Small, clear, and above all fun to browse through later.
Make self-care something you look forward to
A self-care routine doesn't have to look the same every day.
One day you might feel like reading. Another day you might prefer walking, watching a movie, or just going to bed early.
Therefore, don't see your daily planner as a list of things you *must* check off. Use it as a place to consciously choose what you need that day.
A calm morning. A coffee break. A few chapters of your current book. Or simply an evening without plans.
These are also valuable moments.
A few DopaminePrintsVibe favorites for your self-care routine
Want to make your self-care moment extra enjoyable? Then these are a few of our favorite bookish essentials:
-
Daily Planner Self Care Theme (€7.99) — for your daily planning and self-care moments
Daily Planner Cafe Theme - That Girl Challenge (€7.99) — for productive yet fun planning -
Blind Date Book Self Care Edition — for a surprising reading moment
-
Bookmarks — for your daily reading moment
-
Reading Log Book Tracker (€1.99) — to track your read books
-
Glass Can — for your favorite iced coffee, matcha, or other drink during your self-care moment
→ View the complete DopaminePrintsVibe shop
Self-care routine: frequently asked questions
What is a self-care routine?
A self-care routine consists of small habits with which you regularly give yourself time and attention. This can be something simple like reading, walking, having a calm breakfast, or planning your day.
How do I start a self-care routine?
Start small. For example, choose three moments a day when you consciously do something for yourself. By writing these moments in your daily planner, it becomes easier not to forget them.
Why does a daily planner help with self-care?
A daily planner provides an overview and makes it easier to consciously reserve space for yourself. This way, you not only see what you need to do, but also when you have time for rest and relaxation.
Which daily planner is suitable for a self-care routine?
The Daily Planner Self Care Theme is specifically designed to combine daily planning with self-care. You have room for your to-do list, mood, goals, and notes.
Is reading a form of self-care?
For many people, reading is a pleasant way to relax and momentarily distance themselves from the hustle and bustle of the day. Reading a few pages can therefore be a wonderful part of your evening routine.
What is the difference between the Daily Planner Self Care and the That Girl Challenge variant?
The Daily Planner Self Care Theme primarily has a calm self-care focus. The That Girl Challenge variant focuses more on planning, productivity, and achieving your daily goals.
You don't have to take perfect care of yourself every day. Sometimes self-care is just taking a break, grabbing your favorite book, and doing absolutely nothing else for ten minutes.
And perhaps that's exactly what you need today. 🌸📚