Self-Care Ideas for When You are Feeling Gloomy

Self-Care Ideas for When You are Feeling Gloomy

When the weather is gloomy and matches your mood for the day, there’s nothing wrong with saying “nope” to the world and taking some time for yourself.

I talk about self-care ideas quite a lot.

Between my Instagram and my blog, it’s a heavy theme because I genuinely believe that in a world where we feel like we have to constantly be doing something, taking time for ourselves is important.

But it always seems to be put on the back burner and finding that balance can be hard.

Today I’m sharing my gloomy day self-care routine to help inspire more people to take some “me” time and give some self-care ideas on how to have a totally chill day.

I’ll be splitting this up into three sections, morning, afternoon and night but it can be adapted to make it a full day.

Self-Care Ideas for When You are Feeling Gloomy

Morning 

When it’s gloomy outside and I have a morning to myself after little bear is at school, I’ll come home from the school run and put the kettle on.

I’ll lay out my mug, get it prepped and then make a cuppa. Whilst I’m having that I’ll stick the TV on, probably watching something crime or mystery related.

I’ll watch an episode and then I’ll clean a little because a clean home equals an organised mind, well for me anyway. I’ll get all the daily chores done, make the beds, open curtains, hoover, that sort of stuff.   

Now it’s time to for me

Once I’ve cleaned and checked off my to-do list I’ll make another cuppa or I’ll have a smoothie, depending on my mood. I like to get my to-do list cleared a bit so that I can completely relax without my brain worrying that there is more to do.

Being able to fully focus on ourselves is a must, so if you have to get some tasks done first, that’s ok!

Now that it’s truly time for me, I will most likely get cosy with a blanket and my cuppa and put on Netflix. Having time to chill out and watch something can feel very relaxing. Although it’s simple self-care, it’s still great self-care.

If I can manage it, I will also have a shower. This is fully depending on how my fibromyalgia is affecting me that day and if I have the energy. If I don’t opt for the shower, I’ll maybe have a nap or paint my nails.

Afternoon

If the afternoon is the only time I have free, say from 12pm – 3pm, then I won’t try to pack too much in. That’s where little self-care activities come in handy so that I can still take some “me” time but I’m not committing to a bath or the likes.

I will normally start by making a pot of tea and setting up camp in the living room for a few hours.

Slippers on, some weird TV programme will be playing in the background and I’ll start to read or have a chat with my gran. This is the time where my gran and I really find the time to chat and just catch up.

Spending time with my gran

That may sound strange considering we are in the same house, but I’ll be working away on my mac, she will be out and about or sewing, or little bear will be bouncing about and I’ll be keeping him entertained.

So, the time we have in the afternoon to have a cuppa and chat is precious.

This time is just for me and her which I really do cherish and although I am spending the time with my gran which kind of defeats the purpose of “me” time.

I still find doing this can help me feel a bit more like me as it’s a chance for us to have a good old moan which in turn helps us feel like a bit of a weight is lifted. 

Time alone

If my gran is busy, out or at an appointment then I will chill out by myself. Most of the time I will be in my room, with tea because tea honestly makes me feel instantly calm.

This is a prime chance for me to do a set of nails or curl my hair. Doing these activities help me feel a little more like myself and boosts my confidence.

This is the perfect time for focusing on those things that make me feel like I can conquer the world. I highly recommend it.

Night

Night seems to be the best time to do proper relaxing activities. Self-care like face masks, a bath and meditation because that’s when there is more time. More time to relax and go to sleep afterwards.

My gloomy self-care night starts with making sure my room is clean, new bed sheets are on the bed and candles are lit.

From there I will run a bath, adding in a heap of my favourite products to create a spa-like feeling. There will be candles, bath bombs, bath oil and more.

I can’t recommend this enough because when you have an at home spa night, it really does help relax you.

Make sure you drink enough water!

I have to add in drinking enough water because it’s vital to keep yourself hydrated, especially if you are having a hot bath.

Skincare time

During the bath I will deep clean my face to make sure my skin is feeling good and primed for an indulgent skincare routine. Once I’m out the bath the first thing I will do, after getting dried, is sit at my vanity table to start the routine.

The routine is;

• Face Mask
• Hyaluronic Acid serum
• Toner
• Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
• Succinic Acid Blemish Treatment
• Eye cream
• Moisturiser

After Skincare

After my skincare routine is done, it’s time to get into fresh PJs, climb into bed and melt away in a bubble of relaxation.

When I get into bed I will either put on Netflix or read a book. It really depends on what I am in the mood for if I’m honest, but mostly it will be Netflix with a good crime documentary or horror film. I know I know, horror doesn’t sound very relaxing does it?

But horror is my favourite genre to watch and actually, I do find it quite relaxing to kick back and watch.

If I’m in an active mood

Sometimes after having a relaxing bath and doing my skincare I have a sense of renewed energy. When this happens I can’t lay in bed and only watch a movie, so I’ll keep myself busy instead.

This is when I will do my nails, curl my hair or fix out my planner. Getting on top of these tasks help me feel more like me and confident, so they are part of my self-care routine.

Once I have done some of those activities it will be time to settle down and unwind before sleep.

At the end of the night I will put everything off so there are no distractions. This is when I will maybe have a couple of candles on whilst meditating for a bit.

Or, I’ll listen to some music to unwind before bed, this tends to help me get a really good sleep. 

And that’s my gloomy self-care routine. I hope this post has given you some self-care ideas to help you when you are having a gloomy day, mood or weather wise.

When we take time for ourselves, it helps to recharge our batteries which in turn helps us to put our best foot forward and lets us handle certain situations differently. So please, take some time for yourself. 

Posts you may like

• 4 Ways to Practice Self-Care When You’re on Your Periods
• Self-Care Doesn’t Have to be Complicated