Let’s talk about self care

May 28

Let’s talk, amiga.

Self-care is not eating a muffin you don’t even want and washing it down with a venti dessert-in-a-cup that’s pretending to be coffee… then spending the rest of the day in a sugar crash wondering why you’re tired, puffy, and irritated.

That’s not self-care.
That’s self-sabotage with sprinkles.

And you deserve better.

Okay, So What Is Self-Care?

Real self-care is not about numbing, escaping, or “treating yourself” into a spiral of guilt.
Real self-care is about taking care of your future self.

Ask yourself:

Will I be glad I did this in an hour?
Will tomorrow-me be thankful for this choice?
Does this give me energy, clarity, confidence… or just a quick hit of dopamine?

If the answer is:

“I’ll feel bloated”
“I’m going to be mad I stayed up this late”
“This makes everything harder tomorrow”

…that’s not self-care. That’s a short-term fix that usually comes with a side of shame.

Real self-care is the stuff that:

Grounds you
Fuels you
Regulates your nervous system
Reminds you that you are in charge of your life

Is there room for muffins and fun coffee drinks in a joyful, balanced life?
Absolutely.
But let’s not confuse coping mechanisms with care.

Self-Care That Looks Cute vs. Self-Care That Actually Works

Let’s call it out, because I love you:

Fake-ish Self-Care (The “I Deserve This” Trap)

Clicking “add to cart” at 1 a.m. because you’re stressed
Finishing a bottle of wine because “today was a lot”
Eating whatever’s in front of you even though your body is begging for real food
Scrolling for 2 hours and calling it “unwinding”
Saying yes to everyone so you don’t feel guilty – and then resenting it

These things might feel good for a moment…
…but they don’t build the life you actually want.

Real Self-Care (The “Future Me Is Proud” Choices)

Going to bed 30 minutes earlier
Drinking water before coffee (I know, I know, but it works)
Moving your body even when you don’t feel like it—gently or with intensity, but intentionally
Saying no to something that drains you
Taking 5 minutes to breathe, stretch, and check in with your nervous system
Planning tomorrow’s meals so you’re not hostage to cravings and chaos

Real self-care is sometimes less glamorous and more uncomfortable in the moment…
but it makes you feel more powerful, clear, and grounded.

Self-Care Is an Energy Strategy, Not a Personality Quiz

You don’t need another list that tells you what “self-care type” you are.
You need to know: What gives you energy—and what steals it?

Ask yourself:

What makes me feel more alive afterward, not more drained?
What helps me show up as the version of me I’m becoming?
What calms my nervous system instead of setting it on fire?

That might look like:

Lifting weights and then taking a hot shower
Journaling with a timer for 5 minutes to get the overwhelm out of your head
Turning your phone on Do Not Disturb for an hour
Sitting in the sun with a book instead of your inbox
Doing a 10-minute yoga flow on your living room floor

Self-care doesn’t have to be dramatic.
It just has to be on purpose, in alignment with yourself and who you want to be.

Yes, Pampering Counts — But It’s Not the Whole Story

Let’s be clear:
I am 100% pro–face mask, bath, nails done, hair mask, the works.
Pampering yourself can be a powerful way to tell your brain and body:

“I matter. I’m worth my own time, attention, and care.”

But if all you do is pamper without supporting your body, mind, and energy, it’s like putting a filter over a cracked lens.

Real self-care is a blend of:

Movement – so your body feels strong, mobile, and resilient
Grounding – so your nervous system isn’t constantly in fight-or-flight
Pampering – so you feel nurtured, soft, and taken care of

You deserve all three. Not just the bubble bath.

Want a Little Structure? I Got You.

If you’re reading this thinking:
“Okay Eva, I get it… but where do I even start?”

I created something just for you:

Grab my FREE 7 Days of Self-Care Workbook

In this workbook, you’ll get a simple, repeatable structure that includes:

Daily Movement Prompts
Short, realistic ideas—walk, stretch, strength, whatever matches your energy.
Grounding Practices
Breathwork, journaling, and nervous system resets you can do in minutes.
Pampering Rituals
Little ways to care for your body—at home, without spending a ton of money.

It’s not fluff.
It’s not “eat a cupcake and call it balance.”
It’s a real self-care blueprint you can actually follow for a week—and repeat whenever you need a reset.

Your New Self-Care Rule

Here’s the standard from now on:

If it makes you feel like trash in an hour, it’s not self-care.

Self-care is:

What supports your energy
What respects your nervous system
What honors your future self
What helps you become the woman you’re trying to be

You are allowed to choose the thing that:

Lets you wake up proud, not panicked
Makes your body feel cared for, not punished
Builds confidence instead of regret

You are not “high-maintenance” for wanting that.
You’re just finally maintaining yourself.

If you’re ready to stop calling random coping mechanisms “self-care” and start building rituals that genuinely support you…

Start with one small thing today.
Then go download the 7 Days of Self-Care Workbook and let’s give future-you something to be obsessed with.

Eva Vega