When Self-Care Feels Like a Chore: 5 Simple Shifts That Actually Work

We all know self-care is important. We see it everywhere—on social media, in magazines, even in casual conversation. But if you’ve ever rolled your eyes at the idea of taking a bubble bath to cure burnout, you’re not alone.



At Creative Counseling Center, we meet clients who feel overwhelmed by even the thought of “doing one more thing”, even if that thing is supposed to help. If self-care feels like another item on your to-do list, it might be time to redefine what it means for you.

 

Here are five small shifts to make self-care feel more authentic and doable:

 

1.    Start with permission, not perfection.
Self-care doesn’t need to be a perfectly planned spa day. Sometimes, it’s giving yourself permission to take a deep breath, say “no,” or ask for help.

2.    Reframe “me time.”
It doesn’t have to mean being alone. Maybe it’s turning off notifications, spending time with someone who brings you peace, or simply choosing silence over stimulation.

3.    Micro-moments matter.
Think in minutes, not hours. Sip your coffee slowly. Step outside and feel the sun. Listen to your favorite song with your full attention.

4.    Forget the trends.
Self-care isn’t what’s trending on TikTok - it’s what genuinely helps you feel grounded. For some, that’s journaling. For others, it’s watering plants or walking the dog.

5.    Check in with yourself.
Ask, “What do I need right now?” The answer might surprise you, and that’s okay. Let that guide your next step.

Quieting the noise will allow peace and clarity to move in.

 

Real self-care is not about indulgence - it’s about honoring your needs in the moment. If you’re struggling to connect with what those needs are, therapy can help. Together, we can quiet the noise and focus on what brings you clarity and peace.

Understanding Anxiety: How to Recognize It, Manage It, and Feel Like Yourself Again

By Helen Murray • May 30, 2025
Anxiety is a buzzword we hear often, but what does it really look like in everyday life? For some, it’s racing thoughts and panic attacks. For others, it’s a constant sense of unease or overthinking every decision. Anxiety wears many faces and often hides behind a smile.  At Creative Counseling Center, we help clients peel back the layers of anxiety, so they can better understand it, manage it, and reconnect with their inner calm.
Woman sitting alone meditating and spending time with herself. Self-care.

First, Love Yourself

By Helen Murray • March 28, 2025
How can anyone love you if you don’t love yourself first? It is trite, it is a cliché, and it is annoying when someone says it to you. If someone you respect and trust says this to you, take pause and listen to what they have to say. They have made this statement for a reason. Thoughts are real. Thoughts are things. What we think about ourselves comes across to others without us realizing it. Another oft quoted phrase, as a man thinks, so is he. That is why it is important to take a personal inventory one’s feelings before setting out to accomplish tasks, achieve goals or start a relationship. When we don’t love ourselves, it is an indicator of low self-esteem. When our self-esteem is low, we don’t care for ourselves properly, we don’t interact with others in a confident manner, we allow others to mistreat us. We enter a downward, negative spiral and get so low, we don’t know how to recover.
Couple in love sitting together on the sofa enjoying spending time together and talking.

Independent Together

By Helen Murray • March 28, 2025
When you meet that person and then they become your person, it is such a wonderful experience. The honeymoon period is filled with moments of excitement, romance, and bliss. The newness of everything can be quite intoxicating and all-encompassing. As your relationship develops, you continue to share more, trust more and your connection deepens. Before you know it, you and your person are like two peas in a blissful pod. There is nothing wrong with this and quite natural and necessary for relationships to blossom into sustainable, healthy relationships.