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Self care workbooks are very new to me, and I want to share how I reached this stage in my self care journey with you. I began this blog with the intention of sharing my struggles with anxiety, and what I have learned about self care along the way. The idea was to inspire others to begin to practicing self care, to begin really taking care of themselves, one little tidbit at a time. And I hope that I have made an impact on someone, somewhere, to do just that. Or provided some insight into an aspect of mental health or personal growth otherwise not considered by a reader. I have talked a lot about self care here since I first began this blog, and recently I came across a form of self care I have never thought of or heard of before, and I slowly started to think more about more about.

And that form of self care was self care workbooks, as you might have already guessed. I think I first thinking about this when I bought and read Believe in Yourself and Do What You Love by Kate James. That little book really inspired me and got me thinking. And then, I happened to be watching Youtube and the Youtuber was using a self care workbook. And I thought, hmmmm, that’s interesting. And then I ran across them in a bookstore window. I couldn’t go into the store because we were still in lockdown (thank God things opened up a little now) and I couldn’t find the books online because they were clearance. But it did seem like the universe was sending me a message. So I bought a self care workbook (online), and I was really excited about it.
But, I have yet to start using it for no real reason other than I’ve been busy, I’ve been tired, and maybe I kind of put it off? But today, stores were finally allowed to open up a bit and I went to the bookstore and had to hunt for the self care workbooks I had seen in the window because of course, they’d been moved. I did eventually find them however, and after a couple of weeks of feeling really low, I have started using one of the books.

What Took Me So Long?
Honestly, I’ve been feeling really down in the dumps. We are finally right in the middle of getting our floors done, and the place is a disaster. I hate it. Also, I’m 33 weeks pregnant (7 more to go) and I’m exhausted and can barely move some of the time. At least, not like I used to and not without discomfort or even pain. So I’ve spent time moping on the couch instead.
But Giulia, you might ask, isn’t this exactly the time you ought practice self care? Well, yes. But I’ve been in such a funk that I all I could do some days was cry. Pregnancy hormones are way more powerful than rational thought processes. They take over in a crazy way, and quite unexpectedly. But, I was able to finally start my self care workbook after a talk with my hubby, and I think both that talk and the workbook have helped me a lot. I still feel on edge and overwhelmed but I think I might actually make it through tomorrow without crying.
How the Self Care Workbook is Helping
The workbook I’m currently using is great because it offers self love and self care tips and also allows for a lot of space for creative exercises like doodling and colouring and space to record your thoughts. The doodling really calmed me down. It allowed me to focus instead of wallowing in my worries and fears—which so close to the birth of my baby are many.
There are a ton of activities such as listing your stress triggers, breathing exercises, expressing gratitude which are all excellent in supporting self care and mental health. Taking the time to sit down with one of the books, focus and reflect has proved really invaluable to me right now as I’ve been too on edge and upset to find solace in less structured self care acts like taking a bath or reading a book. The workbooks are sort of like journalling, and in this way are cathartic. This is the reason why I’ve decided to start using them regularly. I honestly believe they reduce stress in the same way as journalling.

Making the Workbooks Part of a Routine
Sometimes self care needs to be routine–like having a routine before bed, or first thing in the morning. Sometimes self care needs to be taking a little extra time for yourself–to take that bubble bath or lounge in bed day. Right now, the workbooks are me taking a little extra time for myself and really being focused because that’s what I need as my anxiety is a little higher due to my current circumstances. But the workbooks could be part of a routine, where you could write or doodle in them every day. Some of the exercises don’t take more than a quarter of an hour, and really provide stress relief and a feeling of calm. I intend make these workbooks a regular part of my self care routine. In fact, I even bought a self care book designed specifically for after the baby comes. I will be sharing more of this with you later on once my little boy comes and my life as a mom really begins.
Want to Get Some Workbooks?
If you are interested in getting some self care workbooks, I can recommend The Well Being Journal. Full of creative activities and lots of space to draw and write, this is definitely helping me practice mindfulness. Breathe, Self Care Journal is a great resource as well as a self care workbook. It is both a self help book and a workbook with exercises and space to reflect. Calm provides visual aids for mindfulness that accompanies invaluable information and exercise you can do anywhere, such as stepping out of a uncomfortable moment to practice visualizing how to let go of control. The visualizations are well described and really help to bring about a sense of peace and calm.
Final Thoughts
Our mental health and peace of mind is so important. We are so busy with work, friends, family and the pressure can become intense. We have also been taught by society that we must always perform at the top of our game, do it all, and love doing it. When this proves to be too hard or just plainly untrue because we don’t love doing it all, we become stressed, anxious and often have no idea how to deal with invading thoughts and emotions. Our mental health begins to suffer because we continue to work hard at all of it even when we are tired or need help. I know, I’ve done this, and doing this for too long is what led to complete burnout and something of a break down. That is when I truly started practicing self care and seeking out help to manage with the stressors in my life. And once I did that, I started being me again. I wish I had had self care workbooks at the time–they would have made a huge difference, but I am glad to have them now.
Have you used self care workbooks? Share in the comments below, and be sure to subscribe to the newsletter for access to freebies and more!
That’s awesome you started self-care improvement by reading books. I’ve read a couple of books but mostly watching videos.
Fransic verso recently posted…The best blogging practices to improve your skills
I have been using self-care workbooks for a few years now and they have really helped me ❤
Awesome! Great to hear what others think of them.
I’m so sorry you’ve been having a difficult time Giulia. The third trimester is hard enough, but having to deal with that and renovations must be maddening. I think it’s wonderful that you have started using self Care Workbooks. They sound absolutely amazing! I love workbooks, especially ones that encourage me to doodle. thanks for sharing! I may have to look into getting myself one.
Tiffany McCullough – Metaphysical Mama recently posted…How to Create Good Habits: Everything You Need to Know
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for sure, and the next couple are going to be equally rough but I hope things settle down after that until the baby comes. I’m glad I found some ways to help me cope!
I was just telling my husband the other day that I needed to find something to add a little joy and peace into my life right now. I’m going through an incredibly stressful and overwhelming season and I’ve just been anxious nonstop. I think a self-care workbook might be the most perfect thing for me right now! What a great idea. I’m really glad you shared this!
Stephanie recently posted…June 2021 Reading Wrap-Up
I have not used self-care workbooks but they sound amazing! I actually saw some for kids recently and I thought my oldest child would love to do this. I never thought of doing it for me, lol.
Heidi recently posted…Corn Flake Macaroons
It’ll be good for both of you!
Great post! I love the sound of self care workbooks and I’m so glad they worked for you – I’ll definitely be looking into them! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. Thanks for sharing x
readandreviewit recently posted…The Island Review
Thank you! Hope they are helpful for you as well.
We all need to invest time in self-care, and I love these ideas about using a workbook to keep track of your time and how you are looking after yourself x
Eleanor Jones recently posted…3 Helpful Tips to Organise Your Time ft. My Daily Planner for Business Growth
The workbooks have been great!
Anything that helps you is worth doing. I have been looking into these kinds of workbooks and guided journals and they seem like they can be really beneficial. Thanks for sharing!
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes recently posted…Nurtured Through Truth
My pleasure!
I’ll look into those! I like the idea of room to doodle. I agree at those times we need self-care and Self-love the most, thoe are the times we often forget or get out of the habit or worse- don’t want to do it. Love what you said about creating habits. 🙂
Laura Hitt recently posted…Absolute Self-Love: How To Move Out Of Stuckness And Into Your Mojo
Thank you! Yes, sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
I got some self-care books and they really helped. I like your recommendation. will look into it. and hopefully, I can get them. Thank you for sharing!
Fransic verso recently posted…How to get more traffic to your blog from your email list
I hope you get them too!
I’ve used something similar in the past – I think it’s great that you’ve found something that really works for you!
Katie recently posted…Vacationing as a Couple: 5 Tips to Make Your Vacation Together Great
They have definitely helped!
I’ve never had a self care workbook but I am intrigued. The benefits you listed here are true and i would love to be in that place. when you make it as part of your routine, you become more aware of yourself and that creates wonders! thanks for sharing!
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
Monique recently posted…9 THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T FEEL GUILTY FOR
So glad you enjoyed the post!
I absolUtely love self care books! I have never used a self care Journal before but i wIll definitely be Looking into one. Thanks for sharing! Xoxo
My pleasure!!!
I absolUtely love self care books! I have never used a self care Journal before but i wIll definitely be Looking into one. Thanks for sharing! M Xoxo
I used a self-care workbook type thing about 4 years ago and I found it so useful! it really made me consider a future. I haven’t used one since because I’ve been a bit sceptical – don’t really know why! but, I’m definitely going to look into it again. Thank you for writing this post x
Glad it got you thinking again!
I haven’t tried using a self-care workbook yet but I have seen a bunch in the bookstore the last time I went. There were too many options which made it hard for me to decide so I thought I’ll come back to it later, haha. Definitely want to try one soon, though.
Sumedha recently posted…20 College Romance Books You Don’t Want to Miss
There are a ton of options, for sure! It was tricky for me to decide too.