January is always a long month for everyone, and budgets are always tight after the festivities of December. January is known for being a tough month, making it the perfect time to practice some basic self care practises to keep us feeling our best.
You don’t have to spend a fortune in order to enjoy some quality self care sessions, and I have 50 budget friendly self care ideas to help make January a little brighter.
50 Budget Friendly Self Care Ideas
Whenever I’m feeling a little down, I always try to practice some self care, and you don’t have to spend a penny for many self care ideas. It can be something as simple as using your favourite bath bomb, or lighting a candle. Anything which help improve your mood, and make you feel good. Here are 50 great self care ideas which will either cost absolutely nothing, or will cost very little.
- Go for a walk
- Take a shower
- Meditate in silence
- Have a warm drink
- Clean & declutter your home
- Read a magazine
- Listen to a podcast
- Give yourself a foot spa & pedicure
- Have an early night
- Do something kind for someone else
- Make your own face mask
- Change your beddings
- Make a playlist of your best feel good songs
- Spray your favourite perfume
- Write down your feelings in a journal
- Watch a feel good movie
- Make your favourite meal
- Read a book
- Turn off notifications on your mobile phone
- Light a scented candle
- Practice positive affirmations
- Give yourself a hand massage
- Compliment someone
- Make yourself a healthy smoothie
- Clear out your closet and donate 5 items to charity
- Do a 10-minute breathing exercise
- Make a to-do list of achievable goals
- Go to your favourite coffee shop and order your favourite drink
- Start a scrapbook with your happiest memories
- Give yourself a break from social media
- Binge watch a feel-good show on Netflix
- Try downloading a mindfulness or meditation phone app
- Give yourself a long, hot bath with your favourite bubble bath / bath oil / bath bomb
- Apply a scented body oil to your skin
- Have an early night
- Head to Pinterest to pin some inspirational and uplifting quotes
- Bake something delicious
- Buy yourself pretty flowers
- Play around with your makeup and try something new
- Do a yoga challenge on YouTube
- Create a gratitude jar to fill with positive messages for whenever you’re in need of a boost
- Declutter your inbox
- Try colouring an adult colouring book
- Apply a pampering sheet mask
- Have a pyjama and slippers day
- Rest
- Learn a new TikTok dance
- Do an act of kindness
- Make a mood board
- Call your best friend for an uplifting chat
There are so many things you can do whenever you’re feeling a little down, and it’s amazing how many self care ideas there are where you don’t need to spend a penny. I really hope you found this self care idea round-up helpful, and it’s inspired you to give yourself some much needed me-time this January.

Hi! My name is Gemma, and welcome to Miss Makeup Magpie, a UK based lifestyle blog sharing varied content to cover all genres.