A self care survival kit is a personalized box (or basket) of fun things to use to pamper yourself. When you are feeling sad, stressed, or just feel like it, pull this kit out and enjoy. The survival kit will help you loosen up and just relax and feel a sense of self-pride. Making a kit can be just as rewarding as using one. Just the act of making the self care survival kit is self care!!
The first task that needs to be done when creating this kit is finding a box or basket to put things in. Buy colorful markers, glitter, and ribbons to decorate the outside if you want to. This can be super creative or just simple. Decorate until you are happy with the way it looks. For my kit, I used a plain wicker basket I already had. Then I wrapped the handle in some pretty pink ribbon and lace I inherited from my great grandmother.
Now it’s time to figure out what items to put in the survival kit. Essentially you want to fill it with anything that makes you feel good, brings a smile to your face, or relaxes you.
A good way to help you get started is by using all five senses as you fill your kit. Let’s look at a few ideas.
Sight – Photos of loved ones, a favorite book or magazine, a list of affirmations, postcards from friends and family, or adult coloring books.
I have a favorite postcard from my favorite Aussie, and of course, tons of favorite photos on my phone. I also keep a subscription to one of my favorite magazines.
Smell — Scented soy candles, incense, or essential oils.
Because of all my sensitivities, I have to be very careful about artificial smells. Fortunately, essential oils are all natural and most of them don’t bother me. My favorite is lavender, which I use in my bedside diffuser.
Sound – Favorite music CD, an audio book, or a list of your favorite videos on YouTube.
I crank up one of my Spotify playlists – trying to opt for Strong Women and not Tearjerkers. I also use the Calm app to help me meditate.
Touch — Anything that you can feel and want to touch. Avoid textures that make you uncomfortable. Face masks, foot scrubs, calming lotions, stress ball or extra paper or a journal to write poems or thoughts. Silly putty and kinetic sand are other great stress relieving toys.
My favorites are this cool little hot/cold eye mask, and of course my bullet journal with lots of colored pens and washi tape.
• Taste — Try to avoid high calorie or extremely unhealthy foods. Gum, flavored lip balm, mints and tea bags are all good options.
Carmex and Trader Joe’s chai tea are my favorite relaxing tastes.
Add as many items in each category as you like. If there are certain categories you don’t care for feel free to avoid it. Maybe you want complete quiet when doing these activities so you might add in some ear plugs instead of music. You want to feel excited when you open this kit so make it worth it.
Keep your self care survival kit somewhere you can see it every day and easily get to it. Don’t hide it away. This kit is a way to remind yourself that you need time for you. The more you see it the more you will remember that you are just as important as everything else going on in your day. Eventually, it will become a healthy routine.
What would you put in your self care survival kit? Please leave a comment and let me know.
