A Self-Care List

creativity, planners | 26 comments

Today, a very important topic.

That one we hear about everywhere, ya know?

Yep! That one:

SELF-CARE

I know, right?
“Enough already, what’s up with people that keep bringing this up? I am fine!”

Yes, you are, I have no doubt you are fine but remember that things can always be better. And that melt down from last month? Yep, could have been avoided.

Seriously.

Talking from experience by the way. Recovering Melt-Down-Queen over here, gladly letting go of the crown.

Now let’s focus on the task at hand.

**Why is it so hard to take care of ourselves?**

‘Cause we learned that way? ‘Cause “you gotta do what you gotta do” to get through the day? ‘Cause “this is just how things are”? Or {my all time favorite} “I have no time for this?”

I understand all that, because I used to use all those excuses myself.
There, I said it! E.x.c.u.s.e.s. And you know what?

Things didn't get any better when I hid behind those excuses.

Things were pretty darn stressful and suffocating.

Until I decided to make little things for my self.
Little treats.
Baby-steps to nurture inside.

My first act of self-care was to connect more with nature.

One day, right after a dreadful 8 hrs desk work I popped out of the building and realized right there in front of me a whole parking lot covered with grass.
Off with those annoying heels!
And there I was giving myself 2 mins of refreshing nurturing nature touch. You can read about it here.

No time? Well, I already had to walk from the building to the parking lot. Time was always there I just found a way to make a better use of it.

That quickly became the highlight of my 9-5 job {Yeah, depressing, I know! Only a few minutes a day were the highlight of my day}.

Soon I was carving out even more time for little things that I enjoyed – doodling half hour a day, reading children’s books over the weekend, journaling, sitting outside and so on.

Did I have to give up things to add new fun ones into my schedule? Of course!
Was it hard? Not at all!
That mindless TV watching will never be missed, neither the pointless social media obsessive checking. Who has time for them anyways? 😀

The point is…

We *can* find time for little things that make us happy.

We can dig and replace time-wasters with truly meaningful things for us.

Even if it is for 2 mins a day while you walk to your car.

And you will feel the difference. Those around you will feel the difference. Things will get lighter, easier and happier. Trust me.

Give it a try for yourself!

Let’s find some itty-bits of time to do things that light you up! Shall we?

And OF COURSE, I made an illustrated printable to help with that 😉

 

FREE Self-Care Printable // Limetreefruits.com

 

Here it is how it works:

First, brainstorm three, lovely things that light you up:

 

LimeTreeFruits.com // My Self-Care List

I know that part is not as easy as it seems.

Sometimes we are so into the “doing” that we forget the “feeling”. You may blank out on this first section. I know because I used to. I wasn’t sure what lit me up either. Until I just started doing stuff, experimenting and figuring out what worked and what didn’t. So go ahead and write down anything that comes up. You can totally change your mind or add more to the list later on. 🙂

Second, the darn honest inner check-in. How often am I doing those things? HONESTLY!

 

LimeTreeFruits.com // My Self-Care List

 

And the ideal scenario, how would that be?

 

LimeTreeFruits.com // My Self-Care List

 

The revealing part: HOW to make it happen?

 

LimeTreeFruits.com // My Self-Care List

Depending on your routine and schedule, you may need to get really creative to carve out some time to do your self-care list.  Sometimes no fancy moves are required, just a “go and do it” kind of thing.

Wherever that is, make it happen!

It is not selfish, it is not over the top, it is necessary for your happiness. YOUR happiness influences those around you. YOUR happiness influences your family.

 

Oh, and make it real! Put it down on your calendar!
You will look at it and remind yourself every week of that commitment with yourself. Even if it is for just 15min.

 

LimeTreeFruits.com // My Self-Care List

 

Now let’s do this!
Download your Self-Care List now. Just click the pink button below:

 

LimeTreeFruits.com // Download Printable

 

Take time to work on your self-care today, sweets.
You are totally worth it. ♥

Smooches,

 

 

 

Hello! I'm Raine.👋🏼

Artist, designer and believer that ✨joy & fun✨ are a MUST in our lives. My hope is that my posts will bring you a giggle, a smile, and also remind you {when you happen to have forgotten} of the importance of your own happiness – to yourself and to those around you.

Cheers to this delicious truth! 🥂✨

26 Comments

  1. Chris Boyd

    Taking time for simple pleasures is something easy to overlook in our fast-paced world. I agree that is a key to sustained fulfillment.

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      I know, huh? Can’t live without it 🙂

      Reply
  2. Janice Croskey

    This is just what I needed (I’m sure that’s common) to remember to recharge my own batteries. As a woman who has so much on her plate, it is easy to get bogged down with responsibilities and lose myself in the deluge. Thank you so much for the inspiration, Raine. I think you’re great!

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      Hey Janice, funny thing is that I think this REALLY was meant to come out today because people really needed it. I got a lot of emails saying the same thing. SO glad we are all here connected that way 🙂
      YOU are great Janice! ♥

      Reply
  3. Anita Lim

    Spooky timing as I’ve just been creating a self-care list in my filofax, but your’s is so much prettier 🙂

    In the past, I haven’t allowed myself to do stuff I enjoy that I consider non-productive (e.g. playing games) because I didn’t think I deserved it. Crazy, eh? Now I understand that allowing myself the down time means I ultimately get more done & am happier…

    By the way, your site is looking awesome!

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      Thank you Anita! Good to see you again! 🙂
      I totally understand the “non-deserving” mind-set. Baby-steps in self-care can cure this for good. We need it!

      Reply
  4. Beth

    So glad I clicked over…self-care is a passion of mine! And also something that, with a non-sleeping 8 month old at home, I’m finding very, very hard to carve out time for. But like you said — baby steps! Happy PPF!

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      Love it Beth! Baby-steps add up quickly before we even realize it 🙂
      Smooches and hugs to you and your sweet little baby ♥

      Reply
  5. Corrine

    Marvelous self care card. As women we often forget to care for ourselves. Thanks for the reminder. xox

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      Yes!!! you are so right Corrine!
      Women tend to focus on giving and giving. We forget that to have good healthy relationship with the outside world we need to start within 🙂

      Reply
  6. Mary C. Nasser

    Great post and list! Thank you!!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      Thank you Mary! Happy PPF 🙂

      Reply
    • LimeTree

      Thank you Annette! Happy PPF to you too 🙂

      Reply
  7. Linda K

    AMEN girl!! I decided to take an online class which lasts the whole year and is very much like what you are speaking of. It came serendipitously just when I needed it and am so glad. My post this week has a bit about it if you’re interested. Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts and art. Happy PPF!

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      That is so great Linda! I am glad you found the list right when you needed it 🙂 Happy PPF!

      Reply
  8. Artist in LA LA Land

    That is such a great idea. Thanks for making this. I hope everyone is taking better care of him & herself with this pretty worksheet!

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      Thank yoooou!!! I sure hope it is helping peeps as well 🙂

      Reply
  9. JAINE

    Im going too do this most definitely, and, im starting a new buisness so im excited for once thanks beautiful xoxoxo ♥ ♥

    Reply
    • LimeTree

      Aren’t all those possibilities just awesome! What kind of biz are you starting?
      Thanks for commenting Jaine 🙂

      Reply
  10. manon

    Lovely post and Happy paper Saturdays.
    ManonX

    Reply
  11. Karen Smithey

    You are so right about how important it is to take care of ourselves. In general, I am pretty good at this, but when I start to get really busy and start to ignore myself, wow, does it ever get obvious! The good thing is, at this point, my kids can see a meltdown coming and say, “Why don’t you go down to the studio for awhile, Mom? Go paint something!”

    And I know it’s time to leave!

    Reply
  12. Ayala Art

    I think the part I like best is the “pointless social media obsessive checking” :o) I gained so much more creative time just by reducing that! I started about 2 years ago, and like it a lot.

    Reply
  13. Missy

    Thank You SOOO much for sharing with us. I absolutely LOVE your stuff. I don’t like a boring planner but I’ve never had time to “decorate” it. This way the pages are already beautifully decorated and inspirational. Again, Thank you! You are wonderful!

    Reply
  14. Lynne

    I feel like you have either peeked into my life, are my secret long lost twin (I *really* don’t have one) or what I’m not alone in what I’m looking for. You’re printable are hitting every single thing I’m wanting in a planner and can’t locate or can’t afford them.

    THANK YOU for all of this. I can see *some* of my stress leaving just by taking control of my daily life!

    **snuggles**

    Reply
  15. ana

    I´m like….Woow!! Love your printables, you´re such a talented person, congrats! and Thank you for sharing. I live in a country were finding refills for my old planner it´s almost imposible. Thank You!!! It will be awesome if you could have one for us mom of kids and dogs to keep vaccines/deworming records at hand. I haven´t found any printable anywere that helps me with that 😉

    Reply

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  1. 3 ways you might be sabotaging your goals (and what to do about it) | Kirsten Rosetti - […] Check out the gorgeous Lime Tree Fruits website for a super cute and oh-so-useful self-care worksheet. […]

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