Self-care for busy women: How to make time for yourself without feeling guilty

As a woman, you often have a thousand things on your mind at once: work, social obligations, housework, and often a family to keep running. In all that chaos, it can be hard to make time for yourself, and when you finally do, it feels like you’re falling short somewhere else. But what if I told you that self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity? Here are a few tips to incorporate self-care into your busy life without that guilty feeling.

1. Schedule it in your calendar

Me time doesn’t have to be something that “happens when you have time” – because honestly, when do you ever have time? Think of self-care as an appointment with yourself, just as important as a meeting at work. Block out an hour in your calendar each week to do only things you enjoy: read a book, go for a walk, or simply do nothing.

2. Small moments, big impact

Don’t think that self-care always means a whole day at the spa. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Take five minutes to have a cup of tea in silence, listen to your favorite music during your car ride, or do a quick breathing exercise in between. Those little moments make a big difference in your day.

3. Let go of perfectionism

As a woman, you often feel the pressure to do everything perfectly: at work, at home and for others. This can lead to exhaustion. Self-care starts with letting go of the idea that everything always has to be right. The house doesn’t always have to be spick and span, and you don’t have to complete every task on your to-do list today. Dare to take a break, even if everything isn’t “perfect” yet.

4. Learn to say no

We often want to please everyone and say yes to every request or invitation. But this quickly leads to a busy schedule and little time for yourself. Saying no is a powerful tool for self-care. And you know what? You don’t even have to explain it, just a simple “No” is enough. This gives you space to set your own priorities, without feeling guilty about what you turned down.

5. Be gentle with yourself

Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself. You deserve it just as much as anyone you’re trying to help. When you take care of yourself, you can give more to those around you without feeling drained. So the next time you let go and crash on the couch for the evening, celebrate that choice instead of punishing yourself with guilt.

6. Make self-care simple and achievable

You don’t have to think big. Self-care can start with a simple morning routine, like spritzing on your favorite scent, making yourself a delicious breakfast, or taking five minutes to meditate before you start your busy day. Once self-care becomes a habit, you’ll find it’s much easier to fit into your daily life.

7. Ask for help and delegate

You don’t have to do everything alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s with housework, work or the kids. It’s okay to delegate things. If you try to do everything yourself, chances are you’ll end up with no time left for yourself. Dare to delegate tasks and accept that others might do things differently than you, and that’s perfectly fine.

🎅 You can find the most beautiful self-care gifts here

Conclusion: Self-care without guilt

It’s time to move on from the idea that taking time for yourself is selfish. Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s essential to staying healthy, happy, and productive in the long run. By building in small moments of peace and joy and being gentle with yourself, you can let go of the guilt and find more balance in your life. You deserve it!

The author - Rinske Claus

Rinske is the brain behind the super cool webshop Crazy goat (gives humor to your interior!). She makes a modern version of the good old tile wisdom with a funny twist. She also likes to cuddle with her cat and she loves pizza. Rinske's blog posts >