What If Real Self-Care Starts With Taking Your Fitbit Off?

And why does something that’s supposed to nourish you sometimes leave you feeling… guilty, pressured, or just plain tired?

You light the candle. You open the journal. You try to care for yourself—but it feels like just one more thing to do.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

For a long time, I felt like self-care was a chore. I was constantly checking my Fitbit, counting steps, and chasing goals I didn’t even enjoy. And when I didn’t meet them? Cue the guilt spiral.

Eventually, I took it off. Packed it up. Decided to just be.

Journaling was another one. I thought it was supposed to be this calming, reflective ritual—but to me, it felt like homework. I thought I had to say certain mantras, write certain things, follow a certain script.

It took me a long time to realize: self-care isn’t about doing it the “right” way. It’s about doing it your way.

Traditional Self-Care Was Rooted in Nature and Simplicity

When I need to reset, I go outside.

I water my garden. I check on my herbs. I pull weeds, prune leaves, and talk to my plants. (Yes, out loud. They don’t mind.)

There’s something about that rhythm—calm, grounded, forgiving—that brings me back to myself.

Our ancestors didn’t have Fitbits or journals or skincare fridges. They had their hands, their land, and their instincts. And that was enough.

That’s the kind of self-care I come back to. Quiet. Honest. Connected.

What Real Self-Care Looks Like

You don’t need a color-coded morning routine. You don’t need to meditate for 30 minutes or manifest under a full moon (unless you want to).

You need something that feels like you.

So try this instead:

• Unplug for 30 minutes—not because you “should,” but because your mind needs quiet.
• Breathe deeply while watering your plants. Let your nervous system soften.
• Move your body in a way that feels good—not punishing.
• Use skincare not as a task, but as a sensory ritual. Softness matters.
• Say no without guilt. Rest is productive, too.

Let it be simple. Let it be yours.

💬 “Self-care isn’t another thing to master. It’s a soft place to land."

You Don’t Have to Earn It

Plants don’t hustle. Rain doesn’t ask permission to fall. And your healing doesn’t need to be fast, perfect, or visible.

It’s okay if some things don’t stick. Self-care isn’t a trend—it’s a relationship. And just like any relationship, it evolves.

Let your practices shift with the seasons. Let your rituals be small. Let your effort be enough.

You don’t have to do more. You just have to come home to yourself.

What’s your version of real self-care?

What helps you reconnect—your garden, your bath, your favorite playlist? Leave a comment or reply—I’d love to hear what works for you.