While I've talked intensively about skin care and travel - those are very expensive hobbies that people often say helps them with their process of self care. As a recent graduate, I'm currently in the process of job hunting, so the stress of day-to-day life hasn't gone away. As a result, I've been trying to find cheaper ways to practice self-care - that's not just

1. Netflix nights

Maybe even paired with a face mask! Although I prefer watching Netflix with friends, I've been using this time to watch all my guilty pleasure shows and YouTube channels. Doing this makes me feel like I'm doing things for myself, that maybe other people wouldn't enjoy

2. FaceTime or spend time with a friend you haven't seen in a while

If you're like me, you feel the most confident and cared for when you're spending time with people you love. This week, I took the time to catch with people I hadn't seen in a few months - not only can this be a cheap option if you go to each other's houses, but it's a break from your normal routine and social circles. For example, I see a lot of the same people on a week to week basis, but going over to my friends house was fun because we cooked lunch and filmed videos, two things I don't get do often enough.

3. Read

I personally never read at home, because that's the time in which I'm glued to my laptop - usually binging my TV shows, so instead, I plan to spend time at a coffee shop this week and get through a few books on my reading list. This is not only a cheaper option, but it can keep me entertained for hours.

4. Get chores done?!

Not the most fun, but you'll feel so much better about yourself when you're finished. For example, with so much free time, I couldn't justify not doing more timely chores such as folding all the laundry, or even re-organizing my closet.

5. Write

Just as I'm writing this, I'm also going to take the time out to journal and better organize my planner. Once again, this is more of a timelier activity, but still costs nothing.

The most important takeaway that I've learned from this week is that it's important not to rush all these activities into one day, but rather, accept my slower pace of life by distributing them across the week instead. As previously mentioned, not all my professional responsibilities are completely alleviated yet, but it's important to incorporate these kinds of activities so that my funds are better balanced, and my mind is more at rest.