Prioritizing self-care has become more important than ever, because life as we know it in this society has gone off the rails years ago. But self-care is not just about carving out a slice of time for relaxation; it’s about developing an aesthetic that integrates seamlessly into your daily life.
This self-care aesthetic is a blend of sensory pleasures and mindful practices that transforms self-care from a scheduled activity into a holistic lifestyle.
Not sure how to get started developing this aesthetic and integrating it with your daily life? This guide will break down everything.
What is the Self-Care Aesthetic
The concept of a “self-care aesthetic” is about creating an environment and a routine that not only revitalizes our bodies but also nourishes our minds and souls.
It’s about taking ordinary moments and making them extraordinary through a conscious engagement of our senses – the warmth of a cup of tea, the soft glow of a scented candle, the calming rhythm of a breath.
These sensorial experiences enrich our self-care practices, making them more impactful and enjoyable.
Developing a self-care aesthetic is not about following a TikTok trend or copying an Instagram-worthy picture, it’s about creating a personalized experience that resonates with our unique needs and preferences. It’s about understanding what makes us feel loved, cared for, and content and incorporating those elements into our routines.
By embracing the self-care aesthetic, we not only create rituals that bring us joy and serenity, but we also foster healthier habits, increased self-love, and an overall improved quality of life.
The resultant effect is a happier, healthier self, better equipped to handle life’s challenges and fully enjoy its pleasures. The self-care aesthetic, therefore, is not a luxury but a crucial part of a fulfilling, abundant life.
Visual and Sensory Aspects of Self Care
To fully embrace the philosophy of self care, it’s important to consider its aesthetic aspects as well.
Aesthetics, in this context, refers to creating an environment that is not just functional but also visually and sensorially appealing.
This can amplify the positive effects of self care. Engaging your senses in the process helps create a mindful, immersive experience, turning ordinary activities into rituals that nourish your soul.
Importance of Creating an Aesthetic Environment
An environment that is pleasing to the senses can significantly enhance the experience of self-care, making it more inviting and enjoyable. This could be as simple as lighting a scented candle while taking a bath, playing calming music during your yoga practice, or arranging a beautiful plate of healthy food.
By associating self-care activities with positive sensory experiences, you’re more likely to look forward to these practices and make them regular parts of your routine.
An important point that has been lost in our current society is that aesthetics do matter. While there are some elements of one’s personal aesthetic that can be considered “subjective,” what isn’t up for debate is that everything has its own energy signature, and the energy of our surroundings does in fact play an important role in our own health and happiness.
Whether it’s attractive houseplants, candles of certain colors and scents, statuary and gemstones, the amount of natural light in a room, and even the color scheme of a room, all possess certain energies and therefore evoke certain emotions and states of mind.
There is a strong correlation between self-awareness and aesthetics. Understanding the way things look from a non-objective, spiritual perspective, along with the interplay between various elements, all matters when it comes to developing a holistic lifestyle.
Therefore any worthwhile self-care routine needs to consider aesthetics.
How to Design a Self-Care Aesthetic
Designing your own self-care aesthetic involves choosing elements that appeal to you personally but that relate back to the core of what self-care means in the first place: peaceful living, health, happiness, and abundance. Here are some suggestions:
- Create a dedicated self-care space: This could be a corner of your bedroom dedicated to meditation, a luxurious bathroom for pampering rituals, or a cozy reading nook. Decorate this space in a way that brings you joy and calm.
- Incorporate sensory elements: Consider all your senses. Choose fragrances that make you feel relaxed and happy, whether in the form of essential oils, candles, or bath products. Play music or sounds that soothe you.
- Invest in beautiful tools: If budget permits, consider investing in self-care tools that are not only functional but also beautiful. This could be a beautiful yoga mat, an elegantly designed water bottle, a comfortable plush robe, or a high-quality journal for your thoughts.
- Embrace nature: Natural elements like plants or a vase of fresh flowers can add a vibrant aesthetic to your self-care routine. Even something as simple as opening a window to let in fresh air and natural light can be beneficial.
The key here is to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all self-care aesthetic. It’s a deeply personal and should resonate with your individual tastes and preferences.
Debunking Myths about Self-Care
The concept of self-care has become so popular that many consider it some kind of social media trend or marketing ploy.
Misconception of Self-Care as a Fad or Trend
Self-care is not a trend. It’s an important component to living an holistic lifestyle.
One of the most common misconceptions about self-care is that it is a fleeting trend or a buzzword without much substance.
In reality, the concept of self-care has been around for centuries across various cultures and civilizations, with principles rooted in medicine, psychology, and spirituality.
While it’s true that social media has amplified the term, self-care is not a fad; it’s an essential practice of nurturing one’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Self-Care Goes Beyond Just Physical Care
Another myth is the assumption that self-care is limited to physical activities like spa treatments, workouts, and diets.
While these aspects are important, self-care is a holistic concept encompassing mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Practices like meditation, journaling, self-reflection, and ensuring a healthy work-life balance are equally important components of self-care.
By definition, in order to perform some of these activities, the right tools, accessories, clothing, and other essentials are required. This all plays into the aesthetic you are cultivating – the physical feeds the spiritual and vice versa as well.
Misuse of Self-Care
Some people believe self-care is a selfish act or an excuse for indulgence.
This misinterpretation can lead to neglecting responsibilities under the guise of self-care.
However, genuine self-care is about balanced living. It’s about treating oneself with kindness and respect, not about shirking responsibilities or excessively indulging in unhealthy habits.
True self-care leads to better productivity, improved relationships, and a healthier lifestyle.
It’s also worth noting that self-care is not exclusively a luxury activity.
One might feel that self-care is reserved for those who have disposable income for massages, expensive gym memberships, or luxury beauty products. This is far from the truth. Self-care can be as simple as taking time to rest, staying hydrated, or taking a walk in nature. It’s about understanding and catering to your own needs, which doesn’t necessarily involve expensive practices.
The Role of Self-Love in Self Care
While often used interchangeably, self-love and self-care are two different but interconnected concepts.
Self-love refers to the appreciation and acceptance of oneself. It is the recognition of our own worth and the belief that we deserve to take care of our own needs.
Self-care, on the other hand, is the act of taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s a manifestation of self-love.
The Necessity of Self-Love
Without self-love, self-care activities can become another box to check off in the daily routine without real meaning or impact.
Self-love fuels self-care, giving it a deeper purpose. It’s what turns self-care activities from tasks into a conscious act of self-nurturing.
Furthermore, self-love is what helps us prioritize self-care.
When we truly love and value ourselves, we understand the importance of taking time to rest, to nourish our bodies, to cultivate positive thoughts, and to engage in activities that feed our souls. Self-love allows us to set boundaries and say “no” when needed, a crucial aspect of maintaining our well-being.
Being able to love your Self allows for a greater degree of personal expression in terms of developing a self-care aesthetic.
Self-Love Tips
Cultivating self-love isn’t always easy, especially in a world that often thrives on comparison and unrealistic standards.
Here are some ways to nurture self-love:
- Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Talk to yourself as you would to a close friend.
- Forgive yourself: Everyone makes mistakes. Instead of dwelling on them, learn from them and move forward.
- Celebrate your uniqueness: Embrace what makes you different. These are the traits that make you who you are.
- Set healthy boundaries: It’s okay to say no to things that drain you. Protecting your energy is a form of self-love.
- Affirmations: Positive affirmations can reinforce your self-worth. Phrases like “I am enough” or “I am deserving of good things” can have a profound impact on your mindset.
Creating an aesthetic environment around you shows that you love your Self, because part of what it means to take care of your Self is creating a nourishing and empowering space that you can thrive in.
Self-Care Aesthetic Examples
Embracing a certain lifestyle aesthetic can be difficult if you’ve never really thought about it before.
Here are some examples for what healthy self-care practices look like:
The Zen Seeker
In this aesthetic, tranquility and simplicity reign.
Picture a serene meditation corner with a comfortable cushion, a small Buddha statue, and a wall hanging of a soothing mandala.
You may have a softly chiming wind chime and a diffuser misting out calming lavender. Your yoga mat might be unrolled nearby, ready for a stretching session.
The Nature Lover
For those who find peace in the great outdoors, this aesthetic embraces natural elements.
Greenery and natural elements are known to have a calming effect, and make excellent decor pieces.
Potted plants, natural hardwood furniture, hemp products, rattan, and similar materials should be emphasized. Soft lighting combined with items typically seen outdoors, such as bird feeders or garden tools, could be used to evoke feelings of being outside.
The Cozy Comforter
This aesthetic is all about creating a warm, comfortable environment to relax in. Imagine curling up in a cozy reading nook, complete with soft cushions, fuzzy blankets, and a stack of your favorite books within arm’s reach.
The nearby table hosts a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and the gentle flicker of a fireplace or candle fills the room with a warm glow: sometimes all that’s needed to recharge is a cozy haven that addresses basic needs.
The Artistic Nurturer
If creativity is your go-to form of self-care, this aesthetic could be perfect.
Picture a bright, airy studio space filled with canvases, paintbrushes, and a kaleidoscope of paint colors. Or maybe there’s a small desk by a window where you can write or sketch while basking in natural light. Wall decor is likely to be your own artworks or inspirational spiritual quotes that spark your creativity.
The Mindful Minimalist
Clean lines, functional design, and a pared-down palette dominate this aesthetic.
You might have a designated corner with a comfortable chair for reading or meditating, clutter-free and calming.
Decor is kept to a minimum, perhaps just a simple clock to keep time for mindfulness sessions and a single, inspiring piece of artwork. This aesthetic aids in eliminating distractions and focusing on the self.
Building an Aesthetic Life
Part of self-care is realizing the value and importance of beautiful things. Elements that bring value to our lives, whether it’s works of art, extra throw pillows, a plethora of houseplants, or even a few candles.
Build an aesthetic self-care orientated lifestyle and it will be that much easier to manage your stress, feel empowered, and ultimately live the life you want to live.
The founder of Digital Sages, Matt has an extensive background in self-mastery and has authored several books on the subject. His goal is to demystify important esoteric subjects and help people transform their lives through self-awareness and personal empowerment.