Self Care in the Margins of Life

I work with a lot of people who have demanding, time consuming jobs, are caregivers, or are just straight up overloaded. Their days are packed, their brains are tired, and their evenings often look like a mix of work emails, endless scrolling, and squeezing in a little fun on the weekends—between errands and laundry, of course. And believe me, I’ve been there too.

When life looks like this, making time for yourself can feel like just another chore, or worse, something you don’t even know how to start. The good news? Self care doesn’t have to be big, expensive, or dramatic. Sometimes it’s the small, doable things we sprinkle throughout the day that have the biggest impact.

Here are a few ideas for finding self care in the margins of a full life:

1. Check the Basics

Are you drinking enough water? Eating enough real food? These are often the first things to go when life gets busy, but they’re the foundation of everything else.

2. Notice What You’re Already Doing

Sometimes you’re already caring for yourself, you just haven’t noticed. Take a day and pay attention to how you spend your time. Are there moments that are nourishing but you rush past them? A morning coffee ritual, a quiet commute, a quick walk with the dog. These count, too.

3. Break the Routine

Small doses of novelty go a long way. Schedule something out of the ordinary: try a new restaurant, catch a movie, wander a museum, or explore a neighborhood you’ve never been to. These moments create sparks of joy and pull you out of autopilot.

4. Feed Your Inspiration

Do something that lights you up. Play music while you cook, watch a show that makes you laugh, pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read (or download the audiobook and listen on your commute). Inspiration doesn’t have to be fancy, just intentional.

5. Practice Gratitude

It’s easy to get lost in the endless task list, but pausing to notice what’s going well can shift your whole perspective. Research consistently shows that regular gratitude practice can increase happiness and resilience. Even jotting down three small things you’re grateful for each day can make a difference.

Self care isn’t about overhauling your life or adding more to your already full plate. It’s about noticing, tweaking, and creating tiny moments that give you energy instead of taking it away. Start small, start today, and let those margins become the place where you reconnect with yourself.