My Cozy Self-Care Sunday Routine
You can view my disclosure here.
For a long time, I didn’t have anything close to a self-care routine. Honestly, I was barely holding myself together.
And when I finally reached my lowest, something shifted. I didn’t suddenly “fix” my life – I just quietly decided I wanted more for myself. If anything was going to change, it had to start with me taking better care of myself, even in the smallest ways possible.
So I started with the basics. Regular showers. Clean sheets. Simple skincare. Nothing fancy, just proof that I wasn’t completely giving up on myself.
Over time, those tiny steps grew into actual routines, and one of the biggest things that helped me feel grounded again was creating a full, cozy self-care day. A day where I slowed down and reconnected with myself.
That’s how my Self-Care Sunday routine was born. It wasn’t a Pinterest moment – it was survival that slowly turned into something genuinely comforting and powerful.
Now, it’s one of the best parts of my week! So, I wanted to share what it looks like in case you’re trying to build something soft and manageable for yourself too. I’ve also included links to the actual products that I use and personally recommend. 💗
Slow Morning Ease
My Sundays always start slow. I don’t set alarms, I don’t rush, I don’t immediately reach for my phone. I get up when my body feels ready and make something warm to drink. For me, that’s coffee. For you, it could be tea or hot chocolate.
I usually sit in bed with a book; sometimes I curl up on the couch with a blanket and just let myself wake up at my own pace. There’s something healing about letting yourself exist without urgency, especially if you’ve spent long stretches of your life in survival mode.
A slow morning feels like permission to be gentle with yourself.
Body Care Ritual
The first thing I do after I’m fully awake is to do a body reset. I hop in the shower and exfoliate with an exfoliating mitt, which immediately makes me feel cleaner and more polished. Once I’m out of the shower, I use a lotion with lactic acid, and it leaves my skin so soft it’s honestly addictive.
I also take this time to shape my brows and gently exfoliate my lips. They’re small steps, but they make me feel put-together in a way I didn’t realize I needed until I started doing them regularly.
Skin Care Reset
After my shower, I do my weekly skincare ritual. This is super grounding for me.
I start with a clay mask to clear everything out – the buildup, the oil, the stress. Rinsing it off feels like washing away the entire week. Then I follow it with a hydrating mask because I love the contrast of deep cleaning followed by deep nourishment. Double-masking is also better for your skin.
When it’s time, maybe once a month, I’ll also dermaplane on Sundays. It takes off peach fuzz and dead skin, but more importantly, it makes me feel like I’m taking real care of myself. My face feels incredibly smooth afterward, and skincare absorbs better, which makes the whole process even more enjoyable. Plus, makeup glides on like butter!
During the time I completely neglected myself, my skin was a mess. So now, proper skin care is an absolute must for me.
Hair Care + Maintenance
My hair gets a little extra attention on Sundays too. I use a scalp scrubber to get rid of buildup and make everything feel refreshed. Then I deep condition and let it soak while I finish the rest of my routine. It’s simple, but my hair always feels so much healthier afterward.
Sometimes I’ll trim the very ends of my hair as well — nothing dramatic, just a tiny dusting to keep my hair looking neat and feeling light. It’s honestly more about the feeling than the actual haircut. It’s this symbolic way of removing the old and making space for the new week.
At-Home Mani/Pedi
There’s something incredibly soothing about doing my nails on a quiet Sunday. It forces me to slow down and pay attention to something small. Even when I keep it simple, a fresh mani/pedi makes me feel more put-together and ready for the week. It’s such a small confidence booster, and I didn’t expect it to matter as much as it does.
Home Reset
After I’m done with the personal care part of my routine, I like to spend a little time resetting my space. It’s not a deep clean – I’m trying to keep my Sundays gentle – but I tidy up what needs attention. I wipe down surfaces, pick up clutter, and the most important: I change my sheets. There is genuinely nothing better than ending a Sunday in a clean, fresh bed. It makes the whole house feel more peaceful and sets the tone for the week in such a comforting way.
Growth + Planning
Self-care isn’t just about skincare and showers for me. A big part of it is checking in with myself emotionally. On Sundays, I sit down with my notebook and planner and take a few minutes to look at the week ahead. I write out my tasks, set gentle goals, and organize anything that feels chaotic in my mind.
Then comes journaling. I reflect on how my week went, how I felt, what challenged me, what I’m proud of, and what I want to let go of. I also do a brain dump so I’m not carrying a week’s worth of clutter in my head. It doesn’t have to be deep or poetic — it just has to be honest. And it helps so much more than I expected.
Cozy Wind-Down
The rest of my evening is reserved for softness. I keep the lights low, make something simple and comforting to eat, and spend the night reading or working on my art or blog. It’s my favorite part of the whole routine because it’s where everything settles. My body feels clean, my mind feels clearer, and my home feels peaceful. Crawling into bed with freshly washed sheets is honestly one of the nicest feelings in the world.
Final Thoughts
This routine didn’t come from a place of aesthetic inspiration. It came from a place of needing to rebuild myself slowly, gently, and intentionally. Tiny consistent habits helped me feel human again, and over time they turned into rituals I look forward to. My Self-Care Sunday routine is now one of the strongest parts of my week because it reminds me that even when things feel heavy, I’m capable of caring for myself.
If you’re trying to create your own routine, start small. Pick one or two things that feel comforting and build from there. The smallest rituals can shift your whole life when you give them space to grow. And you deserve softness, comfort, and moments that make you feel like yourself again.
Do you have a self-care Sunday routine, or do you want to create one? What’s included in yours?
