Self-Improvement

So far in this series, we’ve covered lazy girl self-care, 5-minute self-care hacks, and how to build a self-care routine that actually fits into your life. But let’s talk about how to practice mindfulness—because every self-care guru on the internet swears by it, yet most advice makes it seem like you need to sit cross-legged in silence for an hour every morning.

Not happening.

The good news? Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not just meditation, and it doesn’t require candles, mantras, or “emptying your mind” (whatever that means).

You can practice mindfulness in seconds, while doing things you’re already doing—like drinking your morning coffee, taking a Sunday reset shower, or walking to the kitchen for another snack.

If you’re tired of mindfulness feeling like another task on your to-do list, this is for you. Here’s how to bring mindfulness into your life—without the effort.

1. Mindful Hydration: Romanticise Your Water Intake

Most of us know we should drink more water, but it often feels like a chore. Mindfulness trick? Turn it into a ritual instead of a task.

Try this:

• Pour your drink slowly and notice the sound.
• Take a sip and actually taste it (yes, even if it’s just water).
• Imagine hydrating your body like a wellness queen—because you are.

Lazy Girl Tip: Use a cute water bottle with a straw to make hydration feel more aesthetic and effortless.

2. The One-Minute Check-In: No Journaling Required

You don’t need a full self-care bullet journal to check in with yourself. Try this instead:

• Ask yourself: What do I need right now?
• Pause for 10 seconds before responding.
• Acknowledge whatever comes up—without judgment.

That’s it. No journaling, no deep analysis—just a quick mental reset to help you be more aware of what you need.

Lazy Girl Tip: If you like writing things down, use the Notes app. No fancy journal required. Unless you really want one.

3. The “Mindful Minute” Trick: Stress Relief in 60 Seconds

Overthinking? Feeling stressed? Try this simple 60-second reset:

• Breathe in for 4 seconds.
• Hold for 4 seconds.
• Exhale for 4 seconds.
• Repeat until your brain stops yelling at you.

This trick forces you to pause, reset, and lower stress levels fast—perfect for busy moms, or anyone who doesn’t have time for a 30-minute meditation.

Lazy Girl Tip: Do this while waiting for the kettle to boil or before checking your phone in the morning.

4. Mindfulness While Doing Everyday Tasks

The easiest way to practice mindfulness? Stop multitasking for a second and actually pay attention to what you’re doing.

Try this while:

• Drinking coffee – Notice the warmth, the taste, the first sip of happiness.
• Showering – Focus on the water, the scent of your soap, the feeling of relaxation.
• Walking – Feel your steps, notice the air, listen to the sounds around you.
• Eating – Chew slowly, actually taste your food (instead of inhaling it like a gremlin).

Lazy Girl Tip: Mindfulness isn’t about doing extra things—it’s about noticing the things you’re already doing.

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5. The “Dopamine Menu” for Mindfulness

If your brain thrives on variety, mindfulness can get boring fast. That’s where a dopamine menu comes in—a list of feel-good activities that help you stay present without doing the same thing every day.

Your dopamine-boosting mindfulness menu might include:

• Listening to ASMR videos (instant brain massage).
• Doing a 5-minute stretch while focusing on how it feels.
• Drinking an iced coffee in total silence (no phone, just vibes).
• Looking at vision board photos for motivation.
• Taking three slow breaths before checking notifications.

Lazy Girl Tip: Check out this post on how to build a Dopamine menu here!

6. Mindfulness for Sleep: The Night-time Reset

If your brain refuses to shut up at night, mindfulness can help—without turning bedtime into another “task.”

Try these low-effort night-time mindfulness tricks:

• Weighted sleep mask – Blocks out light and forces your brain to chill.
• Scented pillow spray – Turns your bed into a self-care spa.
• The 5-4-3-2-1 method – Name five things you see, four things you hear, three things you feel, two things you smell, one deep breath.
• Dopamine reward – Give yourself a small reward for actually going to bed on time (because discipline needs a dopamine hit, too).

Lazy Girl Tip: Make your bed feel extra inviting so sleep becomes something you look forward to, not just something you have to do.

7. How to Make Mindfulness Stick (Without Trying Too Hard)

Mindfulness isn’t one more thing to add to your to-do list—it’s just about being more present in what you’re already doing.

Here’s how to make it effortless:

• Habit stack it – Attach mindfulness to something you already do (e.g., deep breaths while brushing your teeth).
• Romanticise it – Light a candle, make your morning drink extra fancy, put on cozy ASMR videos while unwinding.
• Make it fun – Mindfulness should feel like a self-care lifestyle, not a chore.

Lazy Girl Tip: If it feels boring or forced, you’re doing too much. Keep it simple.

Final Thoughts: Mindfulness, But Make It Lazy

You don’t need hours of meditation to practice mindfulness. Just tiny moments of awareness sprinkled throughout your day can make a huge difference.

Here’s what to do next:

• Pick one mindfulness trick and try it today.
• Attach it to something you already do.
• Let go of the idea that it has to be perfect.

Next up: The Best Self-Care Ideas for When You’re Burnt Out—because sometimes, minimal effort is all you can manage.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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