How to Create a Self-Care Routine That You Actually Stick To

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So, we’ve covered lazy girl self-care and how to squeeze in 5-minute self-care hacks when you’re short on time. But what if you want a self-care routine—something that actually makes you feel good without turning into a full-time job? Because let’s be honest, most “self-care routines” online are wildly unrealistic.

If you’ve ever tried to follow a self-care routine that looked something like:

• Wake up at 5 AM (nope)
• 20-step skincare routine (absolutely not)
• Journaling, yoga, green juice, meditation (who has time for all that?)
• Vision board photos session followed by breathwork (why is self-care starting to feel like a full-time job?)

…then you already know the problem isn’t self-care—it’s the pressure to do too much.

So, let’s ditch the all-or-nothing mindset and build a self-care routine that works for your actual life. One that you can stick to, even on the busiest days.

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1. Start with the Bare Minimum (Because That’s All You Actually Need)

Forget the idea that self-care has to be some grand, time-consuming ritual. If your self-care lifestyle currently consists of drinking coffee and hoping for the best, let’s build from there.

Here’s what a basic self-care routine actually needs:

• Hydration – Because water is life.
• Sleep – You function better when you’re not running on fumes.
• Movement – Not the gym, unless you love it. A 5-minute stretch counts.
• Skincare Staples – Cleanser, moisturiser, SPF. Everything else is optional.
• One tiny habit that makes you happy – A quick dopamine-boosting win.

Lazy Girl Tip: Start small. Trying to overhaul your whole routine overnight? Disaster waiting to happen.

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2. Use Habit Stacking for Effortless Self-Care

If you struggle with self-care consistency, you’re not lazy—you just need a system. That’s where habit stacking comes in. Something I picked up from Atomic Habits by James Clear (check it out here!)

How it works:

• Attach a new habit to something you already do so you don’t forget.
• Make it stupidly easy so there’s no excuse.

Here are some self-care habit stacking ideas:

• While making coffee → Drink a glass of water.
• Before brushing your teeth → Do a 30-second stretch.
• Before checking your phone in the morning → Take three deep breaths.
• While watching TV → Use a hydrating face mask or do a mini stretch.

Lazy Girl Tip: The less you have to think about self-care, the easier it is to stick to.

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3. Make Self-Care Fit Your Life (Not the Other Way Around)

Some people love journaling, long walks, and Pinterest-worthy Sunday reset routines. If that’s not your vibe, that’s fine.

Your self-care routine should match your personality, schedule, and energy levels.

Need ideas? Try these:

• For busy mums: A 5-minute shower reset while the baby naps.
• For night owls: Swap the 5 AM routine for a relaxing evening routine instead.
• For productivity queens: Block out self-care time like a meeting (yes, literally schedule it).
• For lazy girl energy: Multitask self-care—stretch while scrolling, journal in your Notes app, or turn skincare into a mini self-care day.

Lazy Girl Tip: Your self-care should be as effortless as possible. If it feels like a chore, you’re doing it wrong.

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4. The Secret to Sticking to a Self-Care Routine: Make It Feel Good

Most people quit routines because they’re boring or too much effort. The fix? Make it feel rewarding from the start.

Here’s how:

• Dopamine first. Do something instantly rewarding before harder tasks.
• Romanticise it. Light a candle, use a cute water bottle, play chill music—whatever makes it feel extra.
• Make it tiny. A 30-second self-care habit is easier to keep than a 30-minute one.

Lazy Girl Tip: The more enjoyable self-care feels, the more likely you are to stick with it.

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5. Stop Trying to Do Everything Every Day

You do not need to do every self-care habit every single day—that’s how you burn out. Instead, rotate them.

Try this:

• Daily: The bare minimum habits (hydration, movement, skincare, sleep).
• Weekly: One bigger self-care activity (a bath, a solo coffee date, a Sunday rest day).
• Monthly: A full reset—declutter, refresh your self-care vision board, plan a maintenance day.

Lazy Girl Tip: You don’t have to do everything—just enough to feel good.

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6. Create a “Backup” Self-Care Routine for Low-Energy Days

Not every day is a high-energy, thriving girl-boss kind of day. Sometimes, you’re sick, burnt out, on your period, or just over it. That’s where your backup self-care routine comes in.

On days when doing the bare minimum feels like too much, try this:

• Drink any liquid (yes, coffee counts).
• Take one deep breath before doomscrolling.
• Lay in bed and do a 5-minute meditation (aka close your eyes and pretend to meditate).
• Use a face mist or lip balm—hydration is hydration.
• Get out of your PJ’s, put on comfy clothes and let that be enough.

Lazy Girl Tip: Self-care doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to happen.

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Final Thoughts: Your Self-Care Routine, Your Rules

You don’t need a 20-step self-care routine to take care of yourself. Just a few simple habits that fit into your life.

Here’s what to do next:

• Pick one self-care habit to try today.
• Habit stack it onto something you already do.
• Let go of the guilt—self-care is meant to help, not stress you out.

Next up: How to Practice Mindfulness Without Meditating for Hours—because self-care should feel good, not like homework.

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