#self-care

#self-care

The cultural narrative is familiar: Set ambitious goals, push past discomfort, and emerge transformed. For some people, this framing feels energizing and hopeful. For others, it feels out of sync—especially if their nervous systems are already working hard just to keep things steady. Before committing to New Year's resolutions, it may be worth asking a quieter, but often more clinically meaningful question: Is this a year for bold reinvention, or is it a year for gentle reflection?

On a rainy afternoon last weekend, plans got cancelled and I found myself at a loose end. Given that I'm someone who likes to have backup plans for my backup plans, my initial response was panic. Now what? I wandered aimlessly from room to room, grumpily tidying away random items. Noticing for the first time in weeks that most of my houseplants were critically ill, I decided to give them a spa day.

Every year, I leave my home - and my kids - behind for a short time to travel to Japan alone. The distance, both geographic and cultural, gives me enough space and time to live authentically: to be the curious explorer, the immersion-based language learner, and the person I am apart from being "Mom." As an introverted parent, these solo trips aren't just a luxury - they're fundamental to my well-being and actually help me be a better mother.

The moon enters steady and sensual Taurus, inviting a slow start to your morning. Don't rush through your skin care, stretches, or breakfast. Take care of yourself by investing time in your routine. By mid-morning, the moon clashes with Pluto, and trying to force everything to go according to plan could raise your frustration. Stay calm and composed under pressure. Disruptions aren't life's way of punishing you - they're there to highlight what you care about.

It's easy to fall prey to recency bias, focusing on the last few weeks and forgetting earlier events. We also tend to fixate on where we fell short—goals unrealized, tasks unfinished, issues unresolved. These linger in our minds precisely because they remain incomplete. What we often overlook, though, is what we've already achieved. To get a more accurate picture, use your phone's camera roll, online calendar, journals, work self-evaluations, and social media accounts to reacquaint yourself with the full year.

Nota bene: All products in this article are independently selected and vetted by InsideHook editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. It's been a year. Now that the holidays are over, whether you're planning your New Year's resolutions or not, we hope you're taking some time for self-care, now and into 2026. When we find ourselves in dire need of R&R, there's one place that never lets us down: the beloved Los Angeles apothecary, Flamingo Estate.

There is great irony in the fact that we tend to associate the winter holiday season with busyness, stress, and overwhelm. While we are rushing and doing, the natural world around us is in a completely oppositional state-resting, slowing down, cooling, hibernating, restoring itself.

I get a lot of calls for that topic at this time of year. Sadly, whichever way you cut the demographic mustard-men, women, younger, older, LGBTQ, BAME/BIPOC, neurodivergent, disabled-more and more people report feeling lonely some or most of the time. Sadly, those feelings can be compounded by Christmas, making the festive period difficult for many, for a variety of reasons. The solution lies in being more than a little self-indulgent. It's a call to be selfish, but with good reason.

There's something about walking into our childhood home that can make many of us feel like we're 13 again. We arrive as capable adults with our own lives, and 10 minutes later find ourselves defending choices we made years ago or falling into arguments we swore we would never have again. It can be hard to watch ourselves from the outside and think, I don't act like this anywhere else, so why do I do it here?

Think of all the pretty things you've squirreled away for a special occasion: the nice plates you only bring out on holidays, the fancy dress in the back of your closet, the pricy perfume you refuse to spritz on a regular day. TikTok's " lavender soap theory" suggests you should use all your best things as often as possible - and enjoy every minute of it. In a Dec. 10 post, creator @rio.mads posed in a cool outfit and said, "Lavender soap theory: Was saving this Issey Miyake top for a special occasion, but would rather wear it now." She added, "Clothes are meant to be lived in." In another TikTok, @kythegoofygoober wrote, "Letting my boyfriend use my Olaplex conditioner because of the lavender soap theory." Instead of keeping it all for herself, she decided to let him indulge in her products, if he wanted to. That's the lavender soap theory.

Before you can set limits with others, you first need to understand your own. But just like the rules of the road, your limits might not be clear at first. Think of limits like traffic laws: stop signs, red lights, green lights, and turn signals. You weren't born knowing when to stop or go-you had to learn the rules. Eventually, you earned your driver's license, which meant you understood the rules well enough to navigate safely.

Younger people definitely laugh (even lightheartedly!) at the things older people tend to do, like napping, playing bingo, or eating dinner early. But recently, the BuzzFeed Community wrote in to share the "old person" habits that actually make life way better - and it got such a great response that even more people shared habits of their own! So, from young and old alike, here are some "old person" habits that you might consider adopting for yourself:

Money is tight for many American families right now, and most of us parents are just focused on what to get our kids and loved ones for the holidays. But if you're in the position to buy something special for yourself, a friend, or a family member, you probably want to make sure it's something they'll use a ton and truly love. If you're looking for Christmas gifts people will actually use, then look no further.

Since pentacle cards are tied to the earth, it looks like it'll be a big week for the homebodies. For some of you, it might mean literally staying in and enjoying your rent. This card is all about self-care, and it also reminds you to check in with yourself. When was the last time you took a nap? Ordered takeout? Luxuriated in a bath? If it's been a minute, you know what to do...

Most mornings, my body wakes me up before my alarm... 4:58 a.m. Or maybe 4:59. Ping. After so many years of following a formula, it's become a wise habit. Even if it's Sunday and my teen woke me up at midnight making a bowl of cereal, my body is up. My body knows that waking up early helps me untangle my day.

Most of us probably have an auntie or neighbor who deeply loves their garden, and it's easy to view this as a pastime for retired folks, or for those super wholesome types. But, if you ask your neighbor what the appeal is, you may be surprised to learn it's doing something for him that even the busiest and most serious among us could use more of.

What does it mean to show up for yourself? Two people in the same situation showed up for themselves in different ways. Life can be fast, messy, and difficult. We have roles, responsibilities, relationships, and stuff getting in the way of what we need to do for ourselves. Showing up for yourself means to do what you need to do to honor your authentic self without judgment.

Every once in a while, you might find yourself particularly stressed from work or overwhelmed with social responsibilities and personal challenges. Sometimes, the best answer to all those worries is spending a few hours (or even days) in total relaxation, getting pampered with facials, massages, and therapeutic baths, surrounded by scented candles and soothing incense, and sustaining yourself with delicious but healthy foods and beverages.

Whenever 93-year-old Chris Meyer leaves her apartment, she looks well put together, wearing an elegant outfit and full makeup. She often clutches her Maltese dog, Mia, and greets neighbors with a lipsticked smile in the Boca Raton, Florida, condominium where she has lived independently since 2022. "I don't do it for anyone else, I do it for me," she told Business Insider, about her appearance.

I can't speak for everyone, but I can say that now that I am older, I am 100% taking advantage of the lessons my parents taught me that I definitely ignored while I was younger. Like never going to bed with a sink full of dishes: Or having a glass of water between every drink at the bar: Or, my personal favorite, washing your body once with a cleansing bar soap and then a second time with a moisturizing body wash: