Today is International Self-Care Day. This special day is held on 7/24 to remind us that self-care is something we should prioritize 24/7.

Lord knows I need this reminder and chances are you do, too.

We writers and bloggers are ambitious people. We have to be. To turn your thoughts and ideas to words and share those words with the world takes gumption and grit. It takes commitment and consistency. It takes sacrifice. And sometimes the first thing we sacrifice is self-care.

That’s why I recently purchased the Self-Care Check-In by GG Renee Hill.

GG Renee is an author and workshop facilitator who helps others find, accept, and express their truths through writing. She brings her experience as a blogger, memoirist, ghostwriter, and creative coach to the books, courses, and workshops she offers on her website, allthemanylayers.com.  She’s an advocate for self-discovery and emotional awareness through writing and creates safe spaces for others to own their voices and tell their stories.

Self-Care Check-In is a guided journal packed with research-based techniques to help readers manage stress, nurture their values and goals, and take steps toward concrete change. It’s designed to help you build healthy habits and finally learn to devote time to yourself. And GG Renee has said many times that she created this book for ambitious women.

Beyond Self-Care Saturday

When I was juggling my teaching career with blogging, freelance writing, and building See Jane Write, I worked my ass off. I woke up dark and early at 4 am so I could write, blog, and create content for See Jane Write before I headed off to school. After work, I’d come home to work some more. I’d grade papers and then do more writing, blogging, and business building until I was too exhausted to keep my eyes open.

I must admit that even though I was tired ALL THE TIME and would often forget to eat and then binge when I remembered, I loved every minute of it. What can I say, hustle is my love language.

And I thought was prioritizing self-care. I made time for exercise most days of the week and most Saturdays I declared to be Self-Care Saturday. This would be the one day of the week I’d try not to do any work (except housework) and sometimes I’d go get a massage or spend time with my girlfriends or have date night with hubster.

But self-care is so much more than brunch and a massage.

What Does Self-Care Mean to You?

GG Renee’s book helped me realize I needed a daily self-routine and a self-care mindset.

Self-care means different things to different people.

What does self-care mean to you? For me, it’s journaling, walking, spending time with family and friends, caring for my home, and spending time praying and reading the Bible and devotionals.

So, my self-care routine should be all about making time for these on a regular basis. My plan is to journal every day, pray every day, and continue to walk every day. I also need to find a way to connect with at least one loved one (other than my husband) every day even though right now that has to be through text, video chats, email, or phone calls. And I need to clean my home at least every week.

But what is a self-care mindset?

GG Renee writes, “Having a self-care mindset is pausing to ask yourself how you feel – physically, spiritually, and emotionally – and why.”

I love how simple she makes this. And I love that we can use writing to start developing a self-care mindset.

I believe that we can all start making self-care a priority by simply taking time each day to explore this question through journaling.

So, my challenge to you and my challenge to myself is to start doing just that.

And I highly recommend getting GG Renee’s book to take your self-care routine and mindset to the next level.

What daily practices will you commit to for the sake of self-care?