Loving Yourself From the Inside Out: Shifting the Cost of Self-Care
From a cooling eye mask to the first sip of a barista-crafted latte, we know how to treat ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m all for those indulgences, especially when they give us a moment of joy, a sense of connection, or a deep breath on a busy day. In fact, these little rituals can be tiny celebrations of who we are.
But do you ever notice, even after investing time and funds into your self-care, something still feels off?
“Huh. I thought I’d feel less stressed after that yoga class.”
“Girls’ Night is usually just what I need… why don’t I feel lighter after venting?”
“I’ve been saving up for that new car for months. Finally getting it shouldn’t feel like such a let-down.”
Why are these investments coming up short?
Deepening Care: Getting to the Root
You don’t go to the dentist to get your hair done or to the salon for medical advice.
If your self-care routine is leaving you wanting, perhaps it’s not addressing what still needs care.
Ask yourself:
Am I using “self-care” as an excuse to avoid important conversations or responsibilities in my life and relationships?
Am I creating a version of myself that fits social media and social circles, instead of showing up for myself?
Are the investments truly me, or have I left behind some of my values and priorities?
Am I so focused on portraying an image that I struggle to accept myself?
Am I acting/investing in ways that are out of character for me?
Exploring even one of these questions with curiosity can give a whole new depth to the way you think of yourself and care for yourself. And you’re worth the effort!
Holistic Care: Our Hearts and Minds Matter
If your self-care involves fitness and wellness goals, you know how strongly our minds and bodies are linked, and therefore, it’s no surprise that incorporating our inner life into our self-care can help us achieve our health and body goals.
In fact, according to LearnToLive and the JAMA network,
“Good mental health reduces healthcare costs because it promotes positive physical health behaviors, prevents or manages chronic illnesses, and reduces the need for costly medical treatments and ongoing care.”
With the costs of health care today, putting some of our self-care resources toward caring for our minds and hearts can make a big difference in the long run… including the positive impact it can have on our stress levels, our negative thinking, and other patterns that drag us down and leave us feeling stuck.
Reframing Care: a Fun Way to Shift Our Thinking
Let’s take a playful look at what we’re actually investing in our external world.
Imagine tallying up a “just for fun” receipt: that daily coffee run, a manicure here, a night out there, maybe a round of drinks with friends, or a new game release you’ve been waiting for.
It all adds up more than we realize—and for good reason, these are the things that add a little sparkle to life.
But what if, just for a moment, we considered what it would look like to invest even a fraction of that into our inner world? To take a portion of what we spend on keeping the outside shining and put it towards something that helps us feel grounded, confident, and truly at peace from the inside out.
Here’s a short list to consider:
Local Coffee/Tea/Specialty Drinks
Manicures/Pedicures
Golf Outings/Hunting Trips
Video Games/Online Game/App Purchases
Botox, Fillers, Peptides
Massages/Spa Days
Lashes/Waxing
Hair Coloring/Styling/Extensions
Clothing/Shoe Shopping
Gym Memberships/Fitness Classes
Eating Out/Ordering In
Streaming Subscriptions
Nights Out (Happy Hours/other Meet-Ups)
Concert/Event/Sports Tickets
Specialty Foods/Sweet Treats
Tech/Gadgets/Device Upgrades
Hobbies (Crafting, Collecting, Building…)
Weekend Getaways/Day Trips
Pet Pampering/Specialty Pet Items
Now think… without judgement—only curiosity.
How many of these are part of our daily/monthly routine, and how much is our daily/monthly investment?
Working with a counselor or a transformational coach can be one of the most meaningful gifts you give yourself.
It’s a space where you can untangle the knots of anxiety, work through that imposter syndrome, that low hum of self-doubt that keeps us from truly thriving, or find that missing piece of self-worth that helps you move towards your goals with a calm, steady confidence.
This isn’t about taking anything away; it’s about adding to the richness of your life.
So, the next time you treat yourself to something that makes you smile on the outside, consider how it might feel to redirect just a little of that love inward.
A little compassion, a little support, a little courage to truly love yourself fully.
After all, the most rewarding investment we make is the one that helps us become who we truly want to be—from the inside out.
If we have been telling ourselves we can’t afford counseling or coaching, or that we’ll get to it “one day” when there’s more time, more energy, more money.
Maybe investing in ourselves on a deeper level- to restore our emotional and mental well-being- is our path to more time, more energy, and more money!
When we love ourselves from the inside out, every act of self-care becomes that much more meaningful.
From Coping to Growing
If you feel ready to invest in caring for your inner self, I’d love to offer support and ideas. Use this form to book a free discovery call and explore the possibilities.
