Do you remember those “What’s in my bag” videos that celebrities used to do?
Well, think of this blog post as one of those interviews, only better because we’re talking about self-care.
Here are the 5 essential items I have in my self-care kit to help me feel my best and to help you feel inspired.
TL;DR — A self-care kit or box is a collection of all your go-to tools that allow you to feel comfort, joy or nourishment. Skip to the end to find out how to build your self-care kit.
What are the best items to add to your self-care kit?
Self-care means something different to different people.
For me, self-care looks like having space in the morning to help me ease into the day. Whether that is swimming in the sea, doing yoga or going on a long walk.
But for you, self-care might mean taking it slow, resting instead of doing and being mindful of your capabilities.
So, if you’d rather curl up in bed with a good book, then embrace that as your form of self-care.
Maybe your idea of nourishing yourself looks like pampering your skin and using an at-home LED face mask or dry brush.
Self-care might even look like practising gratitude with a guided journal or even keeping track of your routine with a planner. Or it might even be as simple as getting between 7-9 hours of sleep thanks to your 100% blackout eye mask.
Whatever your preferred form of self-care is, make sure it meets your needs. As in, make sure whatever activity or ritual you indulge in makes you feel good long after the initial effects have worn off.
And why not go a step further by building a self-care kit?
A self-care kit is a collection of all your favourite “me-time” essentials that you can turn to when you need them most.
To give you an idea of what I mean, these are the 9 essential items I have in my own self-care kit:
Let me dive in deeper and show you why each one of these self-care items supports my overall health and well-being, and how you can go about building your own kit.
1 | The Five Minute Journal
Practising gratitude promotes self-care.
It helps you build a deeper connection with yourself while also cultivating self-awareness, reflection, and compassion.
It’s also the simplest thing you can do each morning to become happier.
With The Five Minute Journal, you can enjoy this self-care ritual in just 5 minutes, so it can easily fit into your daily routine.
This notebook has space for you to write down 3 things you are grateful for every morning and what would make today great. It also promotes self-love and positive self-talk by guiding you to write down a daily affirmation.
And before you doze off at night, you can reflect on the day by writing down your 3 highlights and a lesson learnt.
Highlights
- Follows a structured format
- Includes guided exercises as well as quotes to inspire you
- Pages for morning gratitude and evening reflection
- Space to write down a daily affirmation
- Lasts for 6 months of daily journaling (undated)
- Available in 6 different colours
→ Price: $29 or get 10% off with code NBT10
My thoughts
The Five Minute Journal has been a valuable tool for me to cultivate gratitude, truly connect with myself and change my perspective on things.
Whenever I wake up feeling anxious or annoyed, I give myself a mindful 5 minutes to focus on all the good things going on in my life and appreciate the smaller things. This instantly lifts my mood and sets me up for a more positive and meaningful day.
It’s safe to say that practising gratitude every morning has become my go-to self-care ritual.
2 | Kindle Paperwhite
Reading is self-care.
It helps to reduce stress, ease anxious thoughts, boost focus and prepare you for the day ahead.
So when you’re building your self-care kit make sure you include your favourite book that helps you to find comfort.
If you’re struggling to decide, then invest in a Kindle Paperwhite and hold all of your go-to books in one place.
A Kindle Paperwhite is a great way to prioritise self-care as it makes reading easy.
Highlights
- Save money with 99p books
- Available in 3 colours including black, agave green and denim
- Paperwhite features a 6.8″ display and thinner borders
- Up to 10 weeks of battery life (I can attest to that; I’ve charged my Kindle once in 3 months)
- Instant e-book downloads
- Waterproof so you can enjoy reading at the beach and in the bath
→ Price: £179.99 with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
Physical books are my first love. They will always be my first love.
But after fully embracing digital planning in mid-2022 and minimising my possessions for the “digital nomad life” I follow, it was time to reconsider my physical book addiction.
I now use a Kindle Paperwhite for all of my reading, and I must admit, it has changed my life.
Not only can I travel around with hundreds of books in my bag, but I can find and buy a book instantly.
The Kindle Paperwhite has also made reading a seamless part of my daily self-care routine.
My daily ritual of reading for 30 minutes as soon as I wake up and before I go to bed has been upgraded. I can now switch between a non-fiction and fiction book, depending on my mood.
Seriously, I didn’t ever think self-care could look this good!
3 | LED Light Therapy Mask by CurrentBody
Investing in products for your skin can be an effective way to prioritise your wellness. But like with any routine, your skincare practice doesn’t need to be overly long or complicated.
So keep it simple so it easily fits into your daily schedule.
And that’s where the beauty of wearing an LED face mask comes in. Because a single session only takes 10 minutes!
But the results… they’re long-lasting.
The OG LED Light Therapy mask by CurrentBody uses different colours of LED lights to target various skin concerns, such as wrinkles, fine lines, acne, and uneven skin tone. It combines both Red (633nm) and Near-Infrared (830nm) light wavelengths to penetrate deep under the skin’s surface for instant and long-lasting transformative results.
Highlights
- Bring the professional spa experience to your home
- Lightweight and easy to use
- LED lights target various skin concerns such as wrinkles, fine lines, acne or uneven skin tone
- Safe for all skin tones and types
- Suitable for dry skin, so no need to apply additional face creams or gels
- Use for 10 minutes 5 times a week for maximum results
→ Price: $380 and get 10% off with code THALIACB
My thoughts
Discovering this LED Light Therapy Mask from CurrentBody has been an absolute game-changer.
I have super sensitive skin, so I steer clear of long skincare routines and facials. Not only is this LED mask incredibly easy to use, but I also don’t need to use creams or gels with it, making it a great alternative option that suits my skin type.
And thanks to the “patented flexible silicone” and adjustable strap, the mask fits perfectly to my face.
When I’m wearing this mask, I feel relaxed and pampered, just like I would if I were having a professional facial.
It feels like a mini-moment of self-care that helps me recharge and refocus so I can show up the next day with renewed energy and confidence.
Plus, I can’t deny that it makes me feel extra boujee. I now use it about 2-3 times a week to boost my otherwise low-maintenance skincare routine.
4 | Sleep Mask by Manta
You can’t deny it — getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night is a form of self-care.
Sleep has so many benefits, including reducing the risk of health problems, improving immune function, boosting overall mood and reducing stress.
In fact, sleep is probably the most powerful tool that you need to function.
But unfortunately, getting good quality sleep a night isn’t always possible. And that’s where a sleep mask comes in.
This sleep mask from Manta is the world’s comfiest sleep mask that offers 100% blackout, guaranteed.
Using a combination of form-fitting material and advanced light-blocking technology, Manta’s unique design helps block out the light, allowing anyone to relax and drift off into a deeper and more restful sleep despite their environment.
Highlights
- The world’s comfiest sleep mask
- 100% blackout for deeper sleep
- Boosts REM and deep sleep
- Infinitely adjustable for a personalised fit
- Soft, breathable, durable materials
- Zero pressure on eyelids or lashes
→ Price: $35 with free shipping across the US
My thoughts
My sleep mask from Manta has become my go-to self-care travel item, and I never leave home without it because you never know when you’re going to need some shuteye.
The cushioned eye sockets make it super comfortable to wear anywhere. I don’t need to force my eyes shut to block out the light, instead, I can use this mask to reduce my eye strain and softly close my eyes.
5 | The Self-Care Planner by Simple Self
The Self-Care Planner by Simple Self is an all-in-one planner that helps you live better through self-care, making it the ultimate tool for your kit.
The pages help you to prioritise your well-being with the intention that putting yourself first will become a daily habit.
Simple Self believes that if you focus on your health and happiness, then you will set yourself up to succeed.
And as the brand name implies, using this planner is super simple. It begins with the Self-Care Plan. A six-step process designed to help you reflect on your current self-care practices, recognise areas where you can improve, and generate ideas for new self-care activities to enjoy.
Highlights
- Undated hardback planner with a spiral spine and linen fabric cover
- Available as a daily 6-month planner or a weekly 12-month planner
- Plan and track meals, water, exercise, mood, and sleep
- Space for goals, gratitude, and self-care
- 8 beautiful colours to choose from
- Sustainably made
→ Price: $40 with free delivery or buy directly from Amazon
My thoughts
I absolutely love the name of this brand.
Because I believe self-care can be simple. Your self-care routine doesn’t need to be overly complicated or expensive. It can be easy and simple. And this planner allows it to be exactly that.
In a rush? Save this list on Pinterest for later!
What is a self-care kit?
A self-care kit (or self-care box) is a collection of items designed to promote self-care and well-being.
Your kit will typically include a range of products or tools that help you relax, reduce stress and nourish your overall physical, mental and emotional health.
Self-care kits can be personalised to cater to your own specific needs and preferences. So, just like with your self-care routine, everyone’s kit will be different as it’s based on what serves you.
Although I showed you what I have in my own self-care kit, I encourage you to use it as inspiration only, as what works for me might not necessarily work for you.
So, try out a range of different products and tools that resonate with you.
How to build your custom self-care kit
1 | Choose a container
Building a self-care kit is super straightforward, as all you need is a container to put your items in.
Start by selecting a container or bag to hold your self-care items. It can be a box, a tote bag, a decorative basket, or even a simple zipper pouch.
Choose something that appeals to you aesthetically and is convenient to carry or access.
2 | Fill your kit
Next, it’s time to fill your kit with all of your essential self-care items.
Brainstorm any tool or product that helps bring you joy, comfort and nourishment, etc. These items can be things you already own, everyday affordable things like music or things you might need to invest in.
Use the above list of my essential items to inspire you during this process.
3 | Personalise it
This step is completely optional and up to you!
But if you’re looking for your self-care kit to inspire positivity, then think about adding some personal touches to your container.
This could be fabric badges, stickers or sentimental mementoes.
You can also add notes or affirmations to boost your mood.
4 | Make it accessible and use it regularly
Once you have created your own self-care kit, it’s essential that you keep it somewhere that is easily accessible.
There’s no point hiding it in your wardrobe because chances are you’ll forget about it and never use it. So leave it in a visual place.
If you have a busy schedule, you might also want to consider having a smaller, portable version of your kit so you can take it with you during the day.
And remember to use your self-care kit regularly!
Make time for self-care in your daily or weekly routine, or whenever you feel stressed, overwhelmed or in need of a little pick-me-up.
The whole point of a self-care kit is so you can turn to it in times of comfort and relaxation.
5 | Regularly update your kit
Your self-care needs may change over time, so it’s a good idea to periodically update your kit with new items or remove things that you no longer find useful or enjoyable.
Regularly reconnect with your self-care kit by going through each item and asking yourself:
- “Does this item still bring me comfort/joy/nourishment/enjoyment?”
- “What are the benefits of using this item?”
- “How does this item impact other areas of my life?”
Save this bite-sized version on Pinterest
21 other ideas to add to your self-care kit
As I mentioned earlier, self-care is a personal journey, and your self-care kit should reflect your own unique needs and preferences. The key is to create a space for you to find peace and recharge.
By all means, use the above list of my essential items as inspiration, but I encourage you to build your own kit.
Some more popular ideas include:
- Jigsaw puzzle
- Soothing scented candle
- Stress-relief or relaxation teas
- Cosy blanket or throw that is not weighted
- Mindfulness or meditation app subscription
- Bath salts, bath bombs, bubble bath, etc.
- Face masks, skin care products or a skincare routine checklist
- Dry brush
- Nail polish, a nail care set or a DIY manicure kit
- Journal and pen for self-reflection
- Your favourite book or magazine
- A list of feel-good movies or TV shows
- A playlist of your favourite music or calming sounds
- Colouring books and coloured pencils
- Plush pillows or a stuffed animal
- Weighted blanket
- Selection of your favourite snacks or chocolates
- Hot water bottle for pain relief
- Yoga mat
- Resistance bands or small exercise equipment
- Motivational water bottle
Save these self-care kit ideas on Pinterest
Final thoughts
Self-care is essential.
Not only for your well-being but for your productivity as well.
The more you rest and take care of yourself, the more nourished you feel, so you can keep showing up as the healthiest version of yourself.
Self-care also allows you to maintain a healthy relationship with your mind and body so you can properly take care of your mental health and well-being.
So if you’re currently struggling to find the time to take care of your well-being, then build your own self-care kit and turn this wellness practice into a simple but meaningful non-negotiable.
Add your own items that work for you, or use the ones below:
I can’t wait to hear which self-care items you add to your kit and how they best support you and your needs.
Until next week,
Thalia xx
Just a heads up — This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using the links above, then I will be rewarded at no extra cost to you. Thank you, as always, for your support.
