122 Self Care Quotes & Reminders to Take Care of Yourself

Self Care Quotes

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Self-care, for many, falls way behind caring for family, for friends, for pets, and for work, but the problem is, if we don’t look after ourselves, something eventually has to give. But what does self-care look like?

It can look like different things to different people, but it comes down to putting ourselves first; after all, as the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. These self-care quotes will remind you that looking after yourself isn’t selfish – it’s essential to your well-being – but learning to prioritize yourself can be a truly uphill struggle.

That’s where these self-care quotes come in, because they set out in black and white the importance of beginning with yourself. From short and sharp reminders to motivational mantras that can change your entire life, these words will act as your own personal cheerleaders, who won’t let you neglect yourself in order to tend to the rest of the world.

P.S. Just a reminder that you’re not alone and that the true you is the most beautiful you! If you’re struggling, these anxiety quotes, these mental health quotes and these kindness quotes will show you the true meaning of loving yourself for who you are.

Self-Care Quotes on the Importance of Taking Care of Yourself

Self-care refers to a meaningful self-investment.

“Self-care refers to a meaningful self-investment.” – Melissa Steginus

We both were traveling for our own self care and to feed our wandering souls…existing in other places so that we could remember who we were and then come home to ourselves.

“We both were traveling for our own self care and to feed our wandering souls…existing in other places so that we could remember who we were and then come home to ourselves.” – Candy Leigh

Self-discipline is self-caring.

“Self-discipline is self-caring.” – M. Scott Peck

You may also like: Uplifting quotes to brighten your day when life gets tough: https://brightdrops.com/uplifting-quotes

Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.

“Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.” – Pema Chodron

The only one you should compare yourself to is you. Your mission is to become better today than you were yesterday. You do that by focusing on what you can do today to improve and grow.

“The only one you should compare yourself to is you. Your mission is to become better today than you were yesterday. You do that by focusing on what you can do today to improve and grow.” – John Maxwell

The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself.

“The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself.” – Maya Angelou

Related: Self-Love Quotes

I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.

“I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.” – Johnny Depp

To heal ourselves from stress and emotional burnout we must give ourselves full permission to slow down and rest.

“To heal ourselves from stress and emotional burnout we must give ourselves full permission to slow down and rest.” – Esther Marie Yoga

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Caring for your body, mind, and spirit is your greatest and grandest responsibility. It’s about listening to the needs of your soul and then honoring them.

“Caring for your body, mind, and spirit is your greatest and grandest responsibility. It’s about listening to the needs of your soul and then honoring them.” – Kristi Ling

Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.

“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.” – Roy T. Bennett

One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.

“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” – Shannon L. Alder

Self-care is non-negotiable. That’s the thing that you have to do. And beauty is the thing that can be the benefit of self-care. Beauty is not the point. Beauty is just a cute side-effect from self-care.

“Self-care is non-negotiable. That’s the thing that you have to do. And beauty is the thing that can be the benefit of self-care. Beauty is not the point. Beauty is just a cute side-effect from self-care.” – Jonathan Van Ness

If we truly loved ourselves, we’d never harm another. That is a truly revolutionary, celebratory mode of self-care.

“If we truly loved ourselves, we’d never harm another. That is a truly revolutionary, celebratory mode of self-care.” – Sharon Salzberg

When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits – anything that kept me small. My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.

“When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits – anything that kept me small. My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.” – Kim McMilllen

Take care of your inner, spiritual beauty. That will reflect in your face.

“Take care of your inner, spiritual beauty. That will reflect in your face.” – Dolores del Rio

Respect, Love, and Value yourself. Always remember to be good to yourself by taking care of yourself. Make yourself a priority and know that it’s okay. Don’t feel guilty for loving yourself, first! You’re just as important as anybody else.

“Respect, Love, and Value yourself. Always remember to be good to yourself by taking care of yourself. Make yourself a priority and know that it’s okay. Don’t feel guilty for loving yourself, first! You’re just as important as anybody else.” – Stephanie Lahart

You are magnificent beyond measure, perfect in your imperfections, and wonderfully made.

“You are magnificent beyond measure, perfect in your imperfections, and wonderfully made.” – Abiola Abrams

Your subconscious mind is paying attention to how you treat yourself.

“Your subconscious mind is paying attention to how you treat yourself.” – Sam Owen

The only person that deserves a special place in your life is someone that never made you feel like you were an option in theirs.

“The only person that deserves a special place in your life is someone that never made you feel like you were an option in theirs.” – Shannon L. Alder

Just because you take breaks doesn’t mean you’re broken.

“Just because you take breaks doesn’t mean you’re broken.” – Curtis Tyrone Jones

Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.

“Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.” – Billy Graham

Keep taking time for yourself until you’re you again.

“Keep taking time for yourself until you’re you again.” – Lalah Delia

Guard the doors of your temple, do not let anyone pollute it with there mess.

“Guard the doors of your temple, do not let anyone pollute it with there mess.” – Patricio Telman Chincocolo

Taking care of yourself isn’t about trying to become perfect. It’s about realizing and honouring, in every moment, that you already are.

“Taking care of yourself isn’t about trying to become perfect. It’s about realizing and honouring, in every moment, that you already are.” – Vironika Tugaleva

The most important progress and success can’t be seen. If you can validate yourself internally, then external validation becomes a byproduct.

“The most important progress and success can’t be seen. If you can validate yourself internally, then external validation becomes a byproduct.” – Brittany Burgunder

Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.

“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” – Anna Taylor

I think it’s when you take care of yourself, you love yourself that you truly bloom and look your most beautiful.

“I think it’s when you take care of yourself, you love yourself that you truly bloom and look your most beautiful.” – Heart Evangelista

The only person you shouldn’t be able to live without is you.

“The only person you shouldn’t be able to live without is you.” – Chris McGeown

Every time you make a commitment to your own self-care, self-love, and self-respect and then follow through, you build trust in yourself.

“Every time you make a commitment to your own self-care, self-love, and self-respect and then follow through, you build trust in yourself.” – Miranda J. Barrett

How we care for ourselves gives our brain messages that shape our self-worth. So we must care for ourselves in every way, every day.

“How we care for ourselves gives our brain messages that shape our self-worth. So we must care for ourselves in every way, every day.” – Sam Owen

It takes a rare person to care the same or more about you than themselves. So, until you find that person, please look after yourself.

“It takes a rare person to care the same or more about you than themselves. So, until you find that person, please look after yourself.” – Charles F. Glassman

Pamper yourself into alignment with who you really are and then face your day.

“Pamper yourself into alignment with who you really are and then face your day.” – Abraham

Take the time today to love yourself. You deserve it.

“Take the time today to love yourself. You deserve it.” – Avina Celeste

The inhale is absolutely essential if you want to continue to exhale.

“The inhale is absolutely essential if you want to continue to exhale.” – Roshi Joan Halifax

Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.

“Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” – M. Scott Peck

Truly, sacred rest is soul care. We honor quiet time alone with God. We intentionally step away from the chaos of life. We unplug from noise and distractions. We relish moments of tranquility.

“Truly, sacred rest is soul care. We honor quiet time alone with God. We intentionally step away from the chaos of life. We unplug from noise and distractions. We relish moments of tranquility.” – Dana Arcuri

When you can’t find your purpose in a day, make it to look after yourself.

“When you can’t find your purpose in a day, make it to look after yourself.” – Dodie Clark

Though we all make mistakes, don’t handicap yourself in difficult tasks; self-sabotage is not a strategy. Sometimes all you need to do is protect yourself from your own self.

“Though we all make mistakes, don’t handicap yourself in difficult tasks; self-sabotage is not a strategy. Sometimes all you need to do is protect yourself from your own self.” – Efrat Cybulkiewicz

Any time we listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch.

“Any time we listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch.” – Parker L. Palmer

By taking care of myself I have so much more to offer the world than I do when I am running on empty.

“By taking care of myself I have so much more to offer the world than I do when I am running on empty.” – Ali Washington

Choose, every day, to forgive yourself. You are human, flawed, and most of all worthy of love.

“Choose, every day, to forgive yourself. You are human, flawed, and most of all worthy of love.” – Alison Malee

An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.

“An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.” – Unknown

I feel like knowledge is power: If you know how to take care of yourself, you can be a better version of yourself.

“I feel like knowledge is power: If you know how to take care of yourself, you can be a better version of yourself.” – Miranda Kerr

The love and attention you always thought you wanted from someone else, is the love and attention you first need to give to yourself.

“The love and attention you always thought you wanted from someone else, is the love and attention you first need to give to yourself.” – Bryant McGillns

You have to create little pockets of joy in your life to take care of yourself.

“You have to create little pockets of joy in your life to take care of yourself.” – Jonathan Van Ness

The love and attention you always wanted from someone else, is the love and attention you first need to give to yourself.

“The love and attention you always wanted from someone else, is the love and attention you first need to give to yourself.” – Bryant McGill

Honestly, self-care is not fluffy. It’s something we should take seriously.

“Honestly, self-care is not fluffy. It’s something we should take seriously.” – Kris Carr

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.” – Mark Twain

Self-care sometimes is doing the things that will make your next 2 hours difficult, but your next 10 years easier.

“Self-care sometimes is doing the things that will make your next 2 hours difficult, but your next 10 years easier.” – Em.x.thoughts

Sometimes all we need is a little pampering to help us feel better…

“Sometimes all we need is a little pampering to help us feel better…” – Charles M. Schulz

Do something every day that is loving toward your body and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the sensations of your body.

“Do something every day that is loving toward your body and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the sensations of your body.” – Golda Poretsky

Allow yourself to enjoy each happy moment in your life.

“Allow yourself to enjoy each happy moment in your life.” – Steve Maraboli

People who love themselves come across as very loving, generous and kind; they express their self-confidence through humility, forgiveness and inclusiveness.

“People who love themselves come across as very loving, generous and kind; they express their self-confidence through humility, forgiveness and inclusiveness.” – Sanaya Roman

Take care of your body as if you were going to live forever; and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.

“Take care of your body as if you were going to live forever; and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.” – St. Augustine

The care, therefore, of every man’s soul belongs unto himself.

“The care, therefore, of every man’s soul belongs unto himself.” – John Locke

Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.

“Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.” – Bob Dylan

If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.

“If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” – Marvin Gaye

There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” – Alan Cohen

It is not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.

“It is not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.” – Lena Horne

Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” – Hermann Hesse

When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.

“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” – Benjamin Franklin

It really is ok for there to be times when you stop putting everyone else first, and just do what’s best for you.

“It really is ok for there to be times when you stop putting everyone else first, and just do what’s best for you.” – Tracey Leech

It’s not selfish to do what’s best for you.

“It’s not selfish to do what’s best for you.” – Mark Sutton

To accept ourselves as we are means to value our imperfections as much as our perfections.

“To accept ourselves as we are means to value our imperfections as much as our perfections.” – Sandra Bierig

The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.

“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” – Anna Quindlen

You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.

“You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.” – Rachel Hollis

Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners.

“Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners.” – William Shakespeare

Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.

“Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” – Edward Stanley

Honoring your own boundaries is the clearest message to others to honor them, too.

“Honoring your own boundaries is the clearest message to others to honor them, too.” – Gina Greenlee

You owe yourself the love that you so freely give others.

“You owe yourself the love that you so freely give others.” – Unknown

Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day and the rest will fall into place.

“Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day and the rest will fall into place.” – Unknown

Your self-care is your superpower, cultivate the heck out of it – love yourself up.

“Your self-care is your superpower, cultivate the heck out of it – love yourself up.” – Anese Cavanaugh

Taking care of myself doesn’t mean ‘me first.’ It means ‘me, too.

“Taking care of myself doesn’t mean ‘me first.’ It means ‘me, too.” – L.R. Knost

Once you embrace your value, talents and strengths, it neutralizes when others think less of you.

“Once you embrace your value, talents and strengths, it neutralizes when others think less of you.” – Rob Liano

The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off.

“The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off.” – Robert Hand

Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” – William S Burroughs

Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health — body, mind, and spirit.

“Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health — body, mind, and spirit.” – Laurie Buchanan, PhD

And scanning my handiwork, I realized that I did not make the garden beautiful. Rather, I just cleared away everything that had kept the beauty from being seen. And I thought, should we not do the same with our souls?

“And scanning my handiwork, I realized that I did not make the garden beautiful. Rather, I just cleared away everything that had kept the beauty from being seen. And I thought, should we not do the same with our souls?” – Craig D. Lounsbrough

Every morning, look in the mirror and affirm positive words into your life.

“Every morning, look in the mirror and affirm positive words into your life.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

My mother always says people should be able to take care of themselves, even if they’re rich and important.

“My mother always says people should be able to take care of themselves, even if they’re rich and important.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett

Self-care is allowing yourself to appreciate the moment for what it is, instead of wishing it was something else.

“Self-care is allowing yourself to appreciate the moment for what it is, instead of wishing it was something else.” – Sharon Pearson

Good well-being leads to good working performance.

“Good well-being leads to good working performance.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

Real change will come when you focus on yourself.

“Real change will come when you focus on yourself.” – Ritu Ghatourey

Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.

“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” – Christopher Germer

Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause.

“Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause.” – Cecilia Tran

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future.

“Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future.” – Alice Walker

It’s okay to do nothing if you can once in a while. It’s okay to not be perfect, to not get it all done…take care of yourself. Do what recharges you. Lessons I’m learning in my old age.

“It’s okay to do nothing if you can once in a while. It’s okay to not be perfect, to not get it all done…take care of yourself. Do what recharges you. Lessons I’m learning in my old age.” – Leah Remini

Self-care doesn’t necessarily mean jogging!

“Self-care doesn’t necessarily mean jogging!” – Sandra Oh

Be enough for yourself first, the rest of the world can wait.

“Be enough for yourself first, the rest of the world can wait.” – Unknown

Women need solitude in order to find again the true essence of themselves.

“Women need solitude in order to find again the true essence of themselves.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” – Katie Reed

To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.

“To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.” – Michelle Obama

If you want to feel loving, I coached myself, do something loving. This is basic soul care.

“If you want to feel loving, I coached myself, do something loving. This is basic soul care.” – Anne Lamott

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.

“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” – Stephen Covey

Carve out and claim the time to care for yourself and kindle your own fire.

“Carve out and claim the time to care for yourself and kindle your own fire.” – Amy Ippoliti

I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.

“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” – Madonna

Selfishness at the expense of others is bad. Self-care for the betterment of others is good.

“Selfishness at the expense of others is bad. Self-care for the betterment of others is good.” – Richie Norton

Looking after yourself is the greatest act of kindness you can give the world. Loving yourself first is the best way to spread love.

“Looking after yourself is the greatest act of kindness you can give the world. Loving yourself first is the best way to spread love.” – Holly Bourne

When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps.

“When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps.” – John Lennon

Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.

“Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.” – André Gide

Your breathing is your greatest friend. Return to it in all your troubles, and you will find comfort and guidance.

“Your breathing is your greatest friend. Return to it in all your troubles, and you will find comfort and guidance.” – Unknown Author

Taking care of myself doesn’t mean me first. It means me, too.

“Taking care of myself doesn’t mean me first. It means me, too.” – L. R. Knost

Your finest work, your best movements, your joy, peace, and healing come when you love yourself.

“Your finest work, your best movements, your joy, peace, and healing come when you love yourself.” – Melodie Beattie

Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” – Brené Brown

The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.

“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” – Steve Maraboli

Self-care has become a new priority – the revelation that it’s perfectly permissible to listen to your body and do what it needs.

“Self-care has become a new priority – the revelation that it’s perfectly permissible to listen to your body and do what it needs.” – Frances Ryan

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum

Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts your life will start to change.

“Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts your life will start to change.” – Unknown

Gard the doors of your temple, do not let anyone pollute it with there mess.

“Gard the doors of your temple, do not let anyone pollute it with there mess.” – Patricio Telman Chincocolo

This year, I will love the work in progress that is me.

“This year, I will love the work in progress that is me.” – Unknown

You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.

“You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.” – Eckhart Tolle

Self care is not a waste of time. Self care makes your use of time more sustainable.

“Self care is not a waste of time. Self care makes your use of time more sustainable.” – Jackie Viramontez

Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

“Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

Doing something nice for myself is not selfish.

“Doing something nice for myself is not selfish.” – Christine Morgan

Talk to yourself as you would to someone you love.

“Talk to yourself as you would to someone you love.” – Brené Brown

For those of you who struggle with guilt regarding self-care, answer this question: What greater gift can you give to those you love than your own wholeness?

“For those of you who struggle with guilt regarding self-care, answer this question: What greater gift can you give to those you love than your own wholeness?” – Shannon Tanner

If you do not respect your own wishes, no one else will. You will simply attract people who disrespect you as much as you do.

“If you do not respect your own wishes, no one else will. You will simply attract people who disrespect you as much as you do.” – Vironika Tugaleva

If you don’t love yourself, nobody will. Not only that, you won’t be good at loving anyone else. Loving starts with the self.

“If you don’t love yourself, nobody will. Not only that, you won’t be good at loving anyone else. Loving starts with the self.” – Wayne Dyer

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