10 Little Things You Forgot You Loved: Simple Self-Care Habits to Fall in Love With Life Again
‘Have you forgotten to romance your own soul?’
The modern rush of life can make us neglect or forcibly lose interest in those things that once added vibrant colours to our days.
Everything feels busy and fleeting, and everyday living can often seem so mundane and bland.
So instead, we count down the days and check our calendars for that one temporarily soothing event that will give us a taste of excitement, a fleeting reminder of what happiness feels like.
Many people obsessively daydream about the future, with their thoughts focused on curating a lifestyle that is centred on how others might perceive them and, in turn, how they perceive themselves. Happiness thereby becomes attached to being seen, photographed, or praised.
However, because the highlights of your life are only tied to big achievements, such as going to popular places, making huge purchases, getting that job or going on trips, the everyday aspects of life can seem dull, and too repetitive to romanticise and find beauty in.
We then find ourselves chasing and pursuing happiness, not realising that we can already obtain true joy in the present: one that won’t immediately slip away when that external achievement has lost fuel.
One way to not fall into this trap is by reconnecting with the small, gentle things that once brought you joy and emotional safety.
So, here are 10 little things you used to love and need to find time to do again.
Let’s Dive In :)
Hey Girlie :) Why Not Pin This Post For Later?
This post may contain affiliate links, which will be at no additional cost to you, and for which I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclaimer here
1. Rediscover Reading: Fall Back In Love With Books
I remember the times when I couldn’t put a book down. It wasn’t too long ago, though; it feels like a lifetime.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s just me evolving in my new identity or if I’ve just stopped making time for it.
I have tried to reclaim that joy, but it never seems to last. Eventually, I realised that my problem wasn’t a lack of love for reading; it was expecting that love to look exactly as it once did.
Now, I romanticise every small progress: a chapter here, a few pages there. My love for reading is still awake, just transformed.
If you’ve found yourself in the same position, start small. Try reading one to two chapters every week or even a month. Progress is still progress.
2. Take Yourself on Solo Dates (and Actually Enjoy Them)
It still surprises me how many people find it strange or scary to go somewhere alone.
A simple video of someone eating solo can go viral, with people feeling pity as if solitude equals sadness. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Solo dating is an act of self-love. It’s about slowing down and remembering that you’re already enough.
So take yourself out; go to that café, art gallery, or bookstore. Enjoy your own company.
Read: 8 Romantic & Peaceful Solo Date Ideas Every Woman Should Try.
3. Try Meal Prepping for Peace and Creativity
When something becomes routine, it often starts to feel like a chore. Cooking is no different.
But cooking is an art, and the creativity begins the moment you discover a recipe you’d love to try.
Meal prepping may feel tedious at first, but it gives you back your time, energy, and tranquillity. It removes the daily question of “What should I eat?” and brings back the joy of cooking for yourself, not just to survive.
4. Romanticise Traditional Window Shopping
This was a term that was used a while ago. You don’t tend to hear people say this anymore, as going out to various shops just to browse and leave is no longer the joyful escapism it once was.
Instead, a glance at prices can be emotionally triggering to some, exposing the economic pressure that is put on us.
Nevertheless, traditional window shopping can still feel magical if you treat it like a ritual of presence and aesthetic play rather than a consumer habit.
So wear a cute outfit, grab a cosy drink and travel to a setting where the ambience matches your mood and where the shops are aesthetically charming.
Create a wishlist by taking photos of things you like, get excited and be present.
5. Capture the Ordinary: Take Pictures Without Pressure
Many of us only take photos when we feel “worthy” of being seen during achievements, milestones, or celebrations.
But your ordinary days deserve to be remembered too.
Take photos of your soft life rituals: window shopping, solo dates, lazy Sundays, or cosy nights in. Capture your life without needing perfection.
Candid photos help you pause and see yourself, not as a performance, but as a story still unfolding
6. Reset With a Simple Night-Time Routine
Your night routine is sacred. It’s a time to reset and prepare your heart and mind for tomorrow.
But after long, draining days, it’s easy to skip it. The truth is, your routine doesn’t have to be elaborate. Start small, and make it soothing:
Apply that sweet-smelling lotion
Take a warm bath or shower
Moisturise your face and lips
Write one line in your journal
Play relaxing music
Wrap yourself in a cosy blanket
Pray
It doesn’t need to be perfect… just peaceful.
7. Reconnect With Your Creativity
Creativity is one of the first things we abandon when life gets busy, yet it’s what keeps us human.
You miss writing, drawing, playing an instrument, crocheting, or learning a language, but don’t know where to start again. The key? Start small.
Write one page. Sketch one idea. Crochet one glove. Learn one new word in another language.
It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be honest. Create for the joy of being.
Read: How To Start Over
8. Binge-Watch Without Guilt
Doing nothing sounds easy until your mind starts whispering, “Shouldn’t you be doing something productive?”
There’s a difference between procrastination and rest. If something urgent is waiting, handle it, but if not, let yourself unwind.
Enjoy your show, guilt-free. You can always return to your goals later.
9. Sleep Without Guilt: Rest Is Self-Care
Rest isn’t the opposite of ambition; it’s the soil that nourishes it.
Sleep isn’t a reward for being productive; it’s a need.
So, remember to give yourself permission to rest. You are worthy of rest even when you’re not achieving.
10. Rebuild Face-to-Face Connections
In our digital world, authentic connections can fade into text bubbles and screens.
Try reintroducing physical presence into your life: attend a class, volunteer, go to a small event, or join a hobby group.
When you show up in real life, you nurture belonging, confidence, and genuine friendship. It doesn’t have to be routine, just intentional.
Wait! Before you go, here's a quote for you to take while you leave:
Well, That’s It, Folks
Have anything else to add? What did you think about the points I’ve made?
Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and leave a comment down below for more posts on soft lifestyle, feminine beauty, self-care, and self-development that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. See ya :)
