Real Self-Care 101 (Fall Edition): Why Pampering Isn’t Enough + What to Do Instead
Feeling stretched thin this fall? This guide walks you through my Own Your Eight — Fall Self-Care Audit—the simple way to choose what matters now and build routines that stick (not just pampering that fades).
Inside, we’ll cover:
✻ Why pampering isn’t enough
✻ The 8 areas of self care
✻ A shame-free 1–10 audit to see what’s working and what’s not—this season
✻ The change recipe: Boundary + Action (protect what matters + one tiny step)
✻ Plus a FREE one-page guide: Own Your Eight — Fall Audit to print and use anytime
LETS DIVE IN 🖤
Hey friend—welcome back to The SELF CARE Sisterhood. If your brain feels crowded and your energy’s in ten places at once… this is for you. One of my fave topics to teach on is the idea of REAL SELF CARE. When we think about self care, most often it’s the pampering and surface level fixes.
Spa days
Massages
Mani’s + pedi’s
A girls night in
Ordering your fave DoorDash meal and watching comfort TV
And sure, those are all amazing ways to unwind, destress, and relax, but often times surface-level self-care can leave you feeling just as depleted as before. The pampering moments are nice, but they’re not enough to create lasting change. To truly feel cared for, you need to address the deeper aspects of self-care that touch every area of your life. And we’re gonna get to that, but first I just want to reiterate that when you start addressing the deeper needs, you’ll experience the kind of self-care that sustains you, not just in the moment, but in a way that transforms how you feel every day. And that’s truly what this space is all about. Creating a life you freaking love. Transforming into the best version of YOU. One day at a time. One choice at a time.
When we talk about SELF CARE like this, it truly comes down to the way we choose to live out our days. The choices we make moment by moment and making sure they align with our values and our vision.
I’m sure you've heard the phrase "you can't pour from an empty cup" before. And while that sounds good rolling off the tongue, by showing up and serving others in all your roles each and every day, I imagine we all naturally empty our cups day after day after day...leaving little room to be filled back up. Is this resonating? You wake up with amazing ambitions and want to give your day everything you have. But as the hours roll on, you have less and less to give. In my life this looked like ME always being placed on the back burner and that led to a vicious cycle of stress, burn out, and feeling resentful of the activities + people I loved most.
That's when I started asking a better question -
What if instead of filling your cup and then pouring it all out...what if you cultivated daily habits that filled your cup so much that it was OVERFLOWING?!
Think about it. If you simply "fill your cup," it will always be depleted by the end of the day with all you give and in all the ways you show up. But if your cup is overflowing to BEGIN with.. you can then pour out to others from that EXTRA and remain FULL, too. This is real self care. And this is what we’re going to audit together today.
Quick note, though, before we start: I know most of you are listening to this on the go—driving, walking, folding laundry. You do not need to take notes right now. I made you a FREE one-page “Own Your Eight — Fall Audit” you can grab anytime at inspirebeautybritt.com/ownyoureight. For now you can listen thru the audit and later when you can give yourself 5-10 minutes, print this one-pager out and audit the areas for yourself. I’ve got you.
Okay let’s dive in. 🤍🍂
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW (FOR FALL)
I feel like fall is the season when routines shift the most. Schedules shift. Daylight changes. Our calendars fill as the holiday season gets closer —and our bodies crave rhythm again. I always go back to nature when I’m thinking of how something aligns seasonally and in the fall is the harvest. It’s when we can consider what’s growing, what needs pruning, what can rest. It’s also when we feel the urge to “do it all” before the holidays… which can slide us back into a vicious cycle of hustle → burnout → reset. And I don’t want that for you anymore. Bc of that, this is the PERFECT time to take inventory of where we’re at in the various areas of our lives.
THE SELF CARE AUDIT
I’m going to give you 8 areas of a well-rounded self and instead of aiming to be a 10/10 everywhere, we’re going to learn how to blend, not “balance.” We’ll zoom out on your whole person. We’ll own and audit your eight. And we’ll bring forward the two or three areas that most need love this fall.
Real self-care isn’t pampering; it’s ownership of your whole life.
And don’t get me wrong…I love my skin care routine. I’m all for a sweaty yoga class on a Saturday followed by vegging out and naps on the couch. I love a good bath bomb with a fun mocktail. But if this isn’t what you really NEED…if this is only the SURFACE LEVEL of the issue, then you’re basically putting a band aid on the problem vs getting to the root cause. We do self care a little (or maybe a lot) different in this space. Self care is what area YOU need to give attention to and more often than not, it’s usually not sexy. Real self care isn’t always sexy. Sometimes (most times) it’s taking radical responsibility in building a life you don’t need to escape from. Self-care can be something that is calming and relaxing. And it can also be a looming task that you've been putting off. Often times it's the areas we've been placing on the back burner that need focus. Therefore, it will not look the same for everyone AND it will not look the same day to day. It's about living with intention + focus so these habits of self care can be woven into your day and life.
THE 8 TYPES OF SELF CARE-
Mental/Emotional - cultivating + strengthening a healthy mindset through mindfulness and curiosity and also looking inward at your heart and the full range of emotions.
Professional/Vocational - creating fulfillment and compatibility with our work, career, and calling
Physical - taking care of your body with exercise, nutrition, good hygiene, and proper sleep
Environmental - taking care of the spaces and places around you and also taking inventory + ownership if a space or place no longer serves the season you are in
Spiritual - taking care of your soul through activities, practices, +/or communities that provide a sense of purpose, direction, and/or meaning to your life. this doesn’t have to be religious, but for some it is
Social / Relational - cultivating healthy relationships (intimate, friendships, + even as a parent) and connecting with people who get you
Recreational - getting back to your inner child with hobbies, fun activities, adventures, and new experiences.
Financial - taking care of the resources you’ve been given and developing a healthy relationship, mindset, + behaviors surrounding spending, saving, and stewarding money
Let’s dig into each area a little more in detail:
① EMOTIONAL / MENTAL
What it means: Feeling, naming, and tending your inner world; nervous-system care; mental hygiene so thoughts don’t run the show.
Questions you can ask:
Do I have a short daily practice to check in with myself?
When stress hits, do I have a go-to soothe/reset?
Am I aware of my triggers and patterns?
Do I have language for how I’m feeling today?
Score 1–10: __
② PHYSICAL
What it means: Sleep, simple fuel, hydration, gentle movement—all in a kind, sustainable way.
Questions:
Am I sleeping enough to feel human?
Do I hydrate and eat in a way that supports steady energy?
Do I have a repeatable movement rhythm (even 10 minutes)?
Do I listen to my body’s cues without all-or-nothing?
Score 1–10: __
③ RECREATIONAL
What it means: Play, hobbies, joy—activities that refill you just because.
Questions:
Do I have anything “just for fun” on my calendar?
Do I let myself be bad at something new and enjoy it?
When was the last time I laughed or felt light on purpose?
Score 1–10: __
④ ENVIRONMENTAL
What it means: Spaces and systems that support how you want to live; visual calm.
Questions:
Is there one hotspot at home/work that constantly drains me?
Do my spaces make the right choice the easy choice?
Do I have simple resets for mornings/evenings?
Score 1–10: __
⑤ PROFESSIONAL
What it means: Meaningful work, focus blocks, scope/boundaries that fit your season.
Questions:
Do I know my top work priorities this month?
Do I have protected focus time in my week?
Do I end the day with clarity for tomorrow?
Score 1–10: __
⑥ SPIRITUAL
What it means: Practices that anchor you to a higher power +/or purpose—reflection, prayer, gratitude, meaning.
Questions:
Do I have a simple way to connect beyond myself?
Do I pause to remember what matters and why?
Do I make space for awe, beauty, or gratitude in my week?
Score 1–10: __
⑦ RELATIONAL
What it means: Healthy connection with partner/family/friends; communication that honors capacity.
Questions:
Do I communicate needs and limits kindly and clearly?
Is there one relationship that needs a check-in or repair?
Do I have margin for the people who matter most right now?
Score 1–10: __
⑧ FINANCIAL
What it means: Money choices aligned with values and season; clarity over perfection.
Questions:
Do I know what “enough” looks like this season?
Do I have a simple plan for bills/saving/spending that I follow?
Am I making money decisions that match my current priorities?
Score 1–10: __
OWNING YOUR EIGHT — FROM AUDIT TO ACTION
You just told the truth about your season. Now we own it—by protecting what matters and doing one tiny thing on repeat. Here’s the simple recipe I use with clients and in my own life:
BOUNDARY + ACTION.
The boundary is how you protect what matters. It’s the line that keeps your time, energy, and attention from leaking. And yes—the hardest boundaries are usually with ourselves. We break our own rules because we overpromise, chase perfect, or never actually say the boundary out loud.
The action is your tiny, repeatable step that fills that protected space with something life-giving.
Instead of saying we’re setting boundaries, it feels so much better to say:
“I protect [what matters] by doing [specific behavior/action].”
Now, for each of your 2–3 focus areas, pair one Boundary + one Action.
Okay. I know we love a tangible example so here are a few self-boundaries for each area to spark ideas:
Emotional / Mental
I protect my peace by doing a 5 minute meditation before opening work apps.
I pause the spiral: when self-talk turns harsh, I take a 2-minute breath + reframe script.
I close the day with a 10-minute brain dump so worries don’t follow me to bed.
I limit inputs: no news/feeds after 8pm on weeknights.
Physical
I fuel first: protein + water before coffee each morning.
I move anyway: minimum 10-minute walk M/W/F, even if that’s all.
I sleep on purpose: lights out by 10:30pm on weekdays.
I cap caffeine at 2pm to protect sleep.
Recreational (Play/Joy)
I keep joy on the calendar: 30 minutes for a hobby every Sunday—non-negotiable.
I don’t multitask fun: phone stays in another room during my hobby block.
I say ‘not now’ to “one more chore” when it threatens my play window.
I try new: one low-stakes “beginner” activity each month.
Environmental (Space/Systems)
I reset my home (entry/kitchen counters) for 10 minutes each evening.
I protect a calm bedroom: device-light after 9pm; chargers live outside the room.
I tidy hotspots: 5 minutes after dinner on the one messiest surface.
I prep tomorrow: bags, outfits, and water set out before bed.
Professional (Work/Focus)
I guard focus: no meetings before 11am, 2 days/week.
I batch inbox: email/DMs checked at 11:30am and 4:30pm only.
I end on clarity: write tomorrow’s Top 1 task before shutdown.
I stop working by 5:30pm unless pre-planned.
Spiritual
I anchor my day with one line of prayer/reflect before any media.
I honor awe: 2 minutes outside (sky/trees/breath) after breakfast.
I keep a gratitude line at bedtime—one sentence, every night.
Relational
I eat phone-down at dinner to be present with my people.
I state capacity: “I can talk for 15 minutes now, or longer tomorrow.”
I don’t process heavy topics after 9pm.
I nurture one connection: send one sincere check-in text each week.
Financial
I pause purchases: 24-hour wait on anything over $___ (set your number).
I check money briefly: 3-minute daily glance (balances/upcoming).
I cap late-night spending: no shopping apps after 8pm.
I pay future-me: auto-transfer $___ on payday before discretionary spending.
Friend, you just moved from knowing to owning. That’s HUGE.
You named your season,
You chose your 2–3 areas that need focus in this season
And you took ownership by pairing a boundary + action for each.
That is real self-care. Not the surface level stuff—but a deep ownership. This is how we create lives we don’t need to escape from: tiny choices, repeated, that protect what matters and align with your values and vision.
Oh and don’t forget…if you haven’t yet, grab your FREE “Own Your Eight — Fall Audit” at inspirebeautybritt.com/ownyoureight. Use it to circle your focus domains and write your Boundary + Action pairs. If you want accountability, share yours in Stories and tag me so we can connect! Alright friends. Until next time, keep taking care of you so you can love and serve from that overflow. I’ll see you next week on The Self Care Sisterhood Podcast. 🤍🍂
PS…This website includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products + tools that I have personally reviewed, love, and/or use. You can read the full statement HERE.
