Finding the Right Self-Care for You: The Pegboard Approach
- Ready Nest Counseling
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Finding the Right Self-Care for You
Self-care—it’s everywhere. You hear it in conversations, see it on social media, and read about it in wellness blogs. But with so many self-care tips floating around, how do you know what self care is actually right for you? If you've ever felt like you're forcing a self-care routine that just doesn’t seem to help, you’re not alone. Today, we’re introducing a fresh way to think about self-care: the Pegboard Approach—a method designed to help you truly meet your needs.
Why Some Self-Care Doesn’t Work
Many moms (and let’s be honest—most of us!) jump straight into self-care activities without stopping to assess what we actually need. You might hear that yoga is great for self-care, but if your real issue is loneliness, an hour on the mat might leave you feeling just as disconnected as before. That’s the classic square peg, round hole problem—you’re trying to force something into your life that doesn’t actually meet your current emotional or physical needs.
Step 1: Identify Your Self-Care Needs
Imagine a pegboard. The round holes in it represent your self-care needs, and the pegs are different ways to fill them. But before you start grabbing pegs at random (like booking a spa day or downloading a meditation app), take a moment to check in with yourself:
✔️ Are you craving adult conversation?
✔️ Do you need alone time?
✔️ Are you dehydrated and just need a big glass of water?
✔️ Do you want to feel pampered and pretty?
✔️ Are you overstimulated and need a moment of silence?
Your self-care should be about filling the right hole with the right peg—meaning, choosing an activity that directly meets the need you have in that moment.
Step 2: Find the Right Self-Care Fit
Once you’ve identified your need, it’s time to choose an activity that actually fits. Here are some examples:
If you’re feeling lonely, a coffee date with a friend or a quick phone call might be more fulfilling than a solo walk.
If you’re touched out from constant toddler snuggles, some quiet alone time could be what truly refuels you.
If you’re physically exhausted, prioritizing sleep over scrolling on your phone could be the best self-care choice.
If you’re feeling down about your appearance, a little self-care grooming—like painting your nails or putting on your favorite outfit—might give you a needed boost.
There’s no wrong way to do self-care, but making sure it actually aligns with what you need in the moment will make it far more effective.
Step 3: Make It a Habit
Life gets busy, and self-care often gets pushed to the back burner. But just like you plan meals or schedule appointments, you can make self-care intentional.
Here’s how:
✅ Check in with yourself daily. Take a few moments to ask yourself what you truly need. ✅ Adjust as needed. Some days, self-care might look like journaling, while other days, it’s as simple as drinking more water.
✅ Make it easy. Keep a list of go-to self-care options based on different needs so you don’t have to overthink it.
✅ Give yourself permission. You deserve care just as much as anyone else in your life.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Self-care is about you, and sometimes that means seeking extra support. If you're looking for personalized guidance, schedule your first session with a compassionate therapist at Ready Nest Counseling. Or, if you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out our latest blog posts for more self-care insights.
What are you doing today to take care of yourself?