When you take care of yourself, you gain your power back. These self-care quotes will inspire you to prioritize your well-being.
I wish I have the luxury to spend a whole day in the bathtub doing nothing, like you. This is what my friend Jo responded when I asked about her self-care routine.
To clarify, I never spent an entire day in my bathtub or my bed. I am labeled as the self-care guru in my circle, and that’s probably why Jo would think that way.
Self-care did get a bad rap. If you do a quick search on Instagram about self-care ideas, you will see over-priced skincare products, crystal massage wand, bath salt…the list goes on and on.
But what is self-care anyway? How is it making our lives better? Why should we schedule self-care if we are not riding along with this Instagram hype?
If you have similar questions, here is a list of self-care quotes and self-love sayings that will take you back to the fundamentals. Self-care is a lot more important and easier than you think.
Inspiring self-care quotes
What is self-care?
Quotes on the definition of self-care
Self-care sometimes is doing the things that will make your next 2 hours difficult, but your next 10 years easier.
– Emma Xu
Taking care of myself doesn’t mean “me first.” It means “me, too.”
– L.R. Knost
I believe that self-care is a daily practice that should involve your interests, needs and preferences. And it should have room to evolve with you over time.
– Portia Jackson-Preston
Learning self-care is like building your own lifeboat, plank by plank. Once you’ve got your boat, you’ll still be rocked by the waves of life, but you’ll have a feeling of safety, and stability that means you can pick other people up on your way.
– Nadia Narain
The benefits of self-care: inspiring self-care quotes
You are not the sun. You are not responsible for everyone’s life on the planet.
The inhale is absolutely essential if you want to continue to exhale.
– Roshi Joan Halifax
Flowers need water to blossom. So do you.
Self-care is how you take your power back.
– Lalah Delia
The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.
– Steve Maraboli
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
– Unknown
Gasping for air while volunteering to give others CPR is not heroic. It’s suffocation by resentment.
– Brené Brown
Read also: 49 Brené Brown quotes on vulnerability and courage
Caring for myself is not self-indulgent; caring for myself is an act of survival.
– Audre Lorde
If we don’t take care of ourselves, if we don’t put on the oxygen mask first, we don’t have the capacity to help those people we care so much about.
– Megan McCormick
To me, self-care isn’t really shallow. Showing up for yourself, putting on a little moisturizer, can inspire so many different parts of your life.
– Jonathan Van Ness
Read also: A Printable Self-care Checklist
Self-care quotes: it isn’t selfish
There’s nothing wrong with spending time on your own. If you are reasoning for your self-care needs, here is a list of self-care quotes you need to see.
No one is more capable of pulling yourself down or bringing yourself up than you.
– Emma Xu
You will have many jobs, relationships and roles throughout your life. But you have only one body and one mind.
– Emma Xu
Stopping takes courage, too.
– Emma Xu
Every second that makes you feel better is worth spending.
– Emma Xu
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
– Buddha
You are not tired for no reason. Listen to your body.
– Unknown
Life is too short for bad wine.
– Unknown
It’s your emotions that make you human.
– Unknown
Your mind has been working so hard. Be gentle with it. Let it take a much-needed break.
– Emma Xu
You don’t need anyone’s permission to spend time on yourself.
– Emma Xu
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is to relax.
– Unknown
No one is more qualified to decide what you need than you are.
– Emma Xu
Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.
– Parker Palmer
Just when you feel you have no time to relax, know that this is the moment you most need to make time to relax.
– Matt Haig
Have patience with all things. But, first of all with yourself.
– Francis de Sales
Just because you take breaks doesn’t mean you’re broken.
– Curtis Tyrone Jones
It’s ok to be a shoulder, cheerleader, friend and support system; but remember, you deserve as good as you give.
– Liz Faublas
Self-care quotes on how to practice self-care
Self-care is not just about facial masks and bubble baths. It can be as easy as taking a deep breath, doing some light stretch and drinking a glass of lukewarm water.
If you are struggling to start a self-care routine, these self-care quotes are the perfect reminders for you.
You can be a good person with a kind heart and still say no.
– Daniel KrascsenitsA self-care tool kit
Self-care is not always about bubble baths or buying things for yourself. You can nourish your needs and cultivate your well-being without spending a dime. These free self-care tools will help you do so.
Say no. Sometimes that’s all you need.
– Emma Xu
Not everyone deserves to be in your circle. Not everything deserves to be on your schedule.
– Em.x.thoughts
Be you, love you. All ways, always.
– Alexandra Elle
The most underrated self-care idea: take a deep breath and smile.
– Em.x.thoughts
Schedule your down-time. Make it beautiful.
– Em.x.thoughts
Always make decisions that prioritize your inner peace.
– IIzey Victoria Odiase
Don’t blame yourself for what you haven’t done. Celebrate what you have achieved. Focus on the things you can change.
– Em.x.thoughts
Document the moments you feel most in love with yourself. Recreate and repeat.
– Warsan Shire
Follow your bliss.
– Joseph Campbell
Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a nap.
– Unknown
Celebrate the little things.
– Unknown
It’s okay to ask for help.
– Unknown
Don’t pretend it is fine when it isn’t.
– Unknown
The only thing wrong with you is that you think there’s something wrong with you. – leggeteconme
Self-care is so much more than a beauty regimen or an external thing you do. It has to start within your heart to know what you need to navigate your life. A pedicure doesn’t last, but meditating every day does.
– Carrie-Anne Moss
Do something nice for yourself today. Find some quiet, sit in stillness, breathe. Put your problems on pause. You deserve a break.
– Akiroq Brost
Do you agree with these self-care quotes?
Which one of these quotes resonate with you? Do you have a personal quote that drives you through your self-love journey? Share in the comment!
Read also: 11 Amazing Bullet Journal Ideas That Cultivate Self-care