The Best Encouraging Self-Care Quotes for Daily Use

Find the best encouraging self-care quotes to inspire your daily routine. These quotes will uplift you and help make self-care a natural part of your life.

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Finding the motivation to take care of yourself can be tough, especially on those hard days when self-care feels like another chore. But I’ve found that encouraging self-care quotes can be a simple, effective way to stay inspired. These quotes remind me that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s necessary for our mental, physical, and emotional health.

Did you know there are actually 5 types of self-care? Take a look at this article and see if you’re getting the most from your self-care: 5 Types of Self-Care and How To Practice Them

Below, I’ve listed 50 encouraging self-care quotes that have inspired me and can help you, too. I’ve grouped them into sections, each focusing on a specific area of self-care. Let these words serve as a reminder to make yourself a priority every day!

10 Encouraging Self-Care Quotes to Start Your Day

Starting the day with the right mindset is key to taking care of yourself. These quotes will help set the tone for a day full of self-love and mindfulness.

  1. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” — Unknown
    This reminds us to give ourselves the care we need before helping others.
  2. “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” — Katie Reed
    When you prioritize yourself, you can show up better for everyone else.
  3. “It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” — Mandy Hale
    This quote highlights that self-care is essential, not indulgent.
  4. “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow.” — Eleanor Brownn
    It’s all about recharging your spirit.
  5. “You owe yourself the love that you so freely give to other people.” — Unknown
    Don’t forget to show yourself the same kindness you offer to others.
  6. “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.” — Audre Lorde
    A powerful reminder that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.
  7. “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” — Oscar Wilde
    This quote perfectly captures the importance of self-love.
  8. “Take time off. The world will not fall apart without you.” — Unknown
    A much-needed reminder that it’s okay to step away and recharge.
  9. “Self-care is how you take your power back.” — Lalah Delia
    Every time you take care of yourself, you’re reclaiming your strength.
  10. “The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” — Steve Maraboli
    A healthy relationship with yourself sets the foundation for everything else.

How to Apply These Quotes

These encouraging self-care quotes are perfect to keep in mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Try adding them to your morning routine to set a positive tone for the day ahead. You could write them on sticky notes and place them around your space, so you’re reminded to put yourself first. Every time you see one of these quotes, take a deep breath, and let it guide you toward a more balanced, mindful day.

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10 Self-Care Quotes for Managing Stress

Stress can be hard to manage, but self-care quotes like these help remind us to slow down and focus on what really matters—our well-being.

  1. “Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” — Etty Hillesum
    A gentle reminder to breathe and take a pause.
  2. “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” — Anne Lamott
    Rest is essential for both body and mind.
  3. “Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” — Christopher Germer
    Show yourself the same grace you offer to others.
  4. “Self-care is not a waste of time. Self-care makes your use of time more sustainable.” — Unknown
    Taking time for yourself actually helps you stay productive.
  5. “Give yourself the same care and attention that you give to others and watch yourself bloom.” — Unknown
    Nurturing yourself leads to growth.
  6. “Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” — William S. Burroughs
    Relaxation often brings clarity.
  7. “Don’t wait for your feelings to change to take the action. Take the action and your feelings will change.” — Barbara Baron
    Taking care of yourself can shift your mood.
  8. “Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too.” — L.R. Knost
    You deserve care, just like anyone else.
  9. “There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.” — Oprah Winfrey
    Fulfilling your purpose is part of self-care.
  10. “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” — Maya Angelou
    You are worthy of care, just as you are.

How to Apply These Quotes

When stress hits, it’s easy to forget about self-care. But these encouraging self-care quotes serve as a reminder to slow down and breathe. Keep them handy when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Write them down, use them as affirmations, or say them to yourself when you need a break. They’re a great way to remind yourself that it’s okay to rest and recharge, even when life feels chaotic.

10 Self-Care Quotes for Finding Balance

Finding balance is so important for maintaining your well-being. These encouraging self-care quotes will remind you to take care of yourself while juggling life’s many demands.

  1. “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what’s left of you.” — Katie Reed
    Taking care of yourself makes you more available to others.
  2. “Take time for self-care. You deserve it.” — Akiroq Brost
    You are worthy of the time it takes to care for yourself.
  3. “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” — Stephen Covey
    Self-care should always be a priority.
  4. “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise Hay
    Positive self-talk is a crucial part of self-care.
  5. “Self-care is a priority and necessity, not a luxury, in the work that we do.” — Unknown
    Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine.
  6. “When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” — Jean Shinoda Bolen
    Prioritize the things that bring you joy.
  7. “Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” — Jana Kingsford
    Create balance by prioritizing self-care.
  8. “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” — Sydney J. Harris
    When life gets busy, that’s when self-care matters most.
  9. “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
    Listen to your body and mind when they need care.
  10. “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
    Self-care allows you to give more of yourself.

How to Apply These Quotes

Finding balance between work, life, and self-care can be tricky, but these encouraging self-care quotes offer some perspective. Use them as reminders to stay grounded and to keep self-care at the top of your list, even when things get busy. You can apply these quotes by adjusting your daily routine to include small acts of self-care, like taking breaks, scheduling time for hobbies, or even just taking a deep breath when you need to center yourself.

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Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado

10 Self-Care Quotes for Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness is just as important as physical health. These encouraging self-care quotes can help you navigate difficult emotions while taking care of your mental health.

  1. “Sometimes you need to take a break from everyone and spend time alone, to experience, appreciate, and love yourself.” — Robert Tew
    Solitude can be a powerful tool for self-care.
  2. “Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” — Buddha
    Self-care is also about finding your purpose.
  3. “The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off.” — Robert Hand
    Self-care leads to genuine confidence.
  4. “Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day, and the rest will fall into place.” — Unknown
    When you prioritize self-care, everything else becomes more manageable.
  5. “Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others.” — Parker Palmer
    *Taking care of yourself is a gift to those around you, too.*
  6. “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” — Brené Brown
    Be kind to yourself in your inner dialogue.
  7. “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.” — Sophia Bush
    It’s okay to embrace where you are while striving for improvement.
  8. “Nurturing yourself is not selfish—it’s essential to your survival and your well-being.” — Renée Peterson Trudeau
    Self-care is survival.
  9. “Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause.” — Cecilia Tran
    Allow yourself the space to breathe and take a step back.
  10. “Don’t sacrifice yourself too much, because if you sacrifice too much there’s nothing else you can give, and nobody will care for you.” — Karl Lagerfeld
    You need to preserve your energy for yourself, not just for others.

How to Apply These Quotes

Emotional wellness requires daily care, and these quotes help frame self-care as something that’s vital for mental health. Make time for your feelings, check in with yourself, and don’t shy away from asking for help when you need it. Add these encouraging self-care quotes into your journaling, meditation, or mindfulness practices. Let them be a reminder that your emotional health deserves attention.

10 Self-Care Quotes for Personal Growth

Self-care is also about personal growth—allowing yourself the space and time to evolve. These encouraging self-care quotes are great for motivating personal development.

Here are the self-care quotes

  1. “Growth is actually contagious, so if you want to reach your goals, you’ve got to get around people who are going in the same direction.” — Unknown
    Surround yourself with people who support your growth.
  2. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” — John D. Rockefeller
    Self-care sometimes means letting go of what’s holding you back.
  3. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” — Amelia Earhart
    Taking the first step in self-care can be the hardest, but persistence pays off.
  4. “Self-care is how you take your power back.” — Lalah Delia
    Each act of self-care is a way to regain control of your life.
  5. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Maya Angelou
    Balance your care for yourself and others.
  6. “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
    Personal growth often means forging your own path.
  7. “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.” — Kim McMillen
    Self-love means letting go of what no longer serves you.
  8. “The greatest act of courage is to be and own all that you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth of who you are.” — Debbie Ford
    Authenticity is a key part of personal growth.
  9. “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” — Jim Rohn
    Change is essential for personal development.
  10. “When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” — Jean Shinoda Bolen
    Make space for what brings you joy.

How to Apply These Quotes

Personal growth is a journey that requires commitment, and these quotes can help keep you motivated. Use them as affirmations or reminders that growth comes with both challenges and rewards. You can apply these quotes to your own journey by being patient with yourself, staying focused on your goals, and not being afraid to make changes that support your well-being.

woman holding ice cream. self-care quotes, encouraging self-care quotes, quotes for self-care. Find the best encouraging self-care quotes to inspire your daily routine. These quotes will uplift you and help make self-care a natural part of your life.
Photo by Megan Bucknall

Final Thoughts

Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. These encouraging self-care quotes have been a huge part of my own journey toward balance, wellness, and personal growth. Whether you’re feeling stressed, in need of a mental break, or simply looking for a little inspiration, these quotes serve as powerful reminders to prioritize yourself. Take care of yourself today and every day—you deserve it!

If you’re wondering if these self-care quotes can actually help, take a look at this article: How Helpful Are Motivational Quotes for Our Mental Health?. It explains just how helpful quotes are for our mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I use self-care quotes in my daily life?

You can use self-care quotes as reminders throughout your day. Whether you write them down, make them your phone wallpaper, or repeat them as affirmations, they can help you stay grounded. Keeping quotes where you can easily see them, like on a mirror or journal, gives you a little boost whenever you need it.

2. What’s the best way to stay motivated using self-care quotes?

The best way to stay motivated is by using quotes that truly resonate with you. Find one or two that really speak to what you’re going through. Repeating a quote when you’re feeling low helps shift your mindset. Try reading your favorite self-care quote every morning to set a positive tone for the day.

3. Can self-care quotes really make a difference in how I feel?

Yes. Self-care quotes can act as mini pep talks. They help you to remember to slow down and take care of yourself when life gets overwhelming. While they’re not a magic fix, they do serve as powerful reminders that you’re worthy of care and kindness—especially from yourself.

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author avatar
Laura
I share practical and insightful advice on Healthy Daily Routines about self-care, self-love, personal growth, and productivity. I have gained a lot of experience and knowledge in these areas, and my blog has already helped countless people achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives. My ultimate goal is to continue inspiring and empowering others.

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