The Broke-But-Bougie Guide to Self-Care for Small Business Owners

The Broke-But-Bougie Guide to Self-Care for Small Business Owners

When you’re building a business from scratch (or you’re just in one of those fun “between clients” seasons), the idea of self-care can feel... well, expensive. Facials? $120. Massages? $90 minimum. A trip to Sephora “just to browse”? Bye, paycheck.

But here’s the thing: self-care isn’t just bubble baths and overpriced eye cream. It’s anything that helps you recharge, reset, and feel more like yourself, even when your bank account is giving bootstrapped but hopeful.

So if you’re an online entrepreneur who’s watching every dollar but still wants to romanticize your life a little? This one’s for you.

And you’re not alone—according to a recent study by McKinsey, 64% of Americans say they’ve increased their focus on self-care in the last two years. But at the same time, nearly a quarter say they skip it because of time or financial limitations. So let’s break the myth that self-care has to be expensive—and create rituals that work with our real lives.

1. Romanticize the Free Stuff

There is so much power in slowing down and making the mundane magical. We're talking:

• A walk around the block with your favorite podcast—not for steps, but for headspace. Let the fresh air clear your brain fog and give your ideas room to breathe while your earbuds feed you something fun or inspiring.

• Lighting a candle and cleaning your space like it’s a scene from a Nancy Meyers film. Turn on your favorite playlist, open the windows, and pretend your life is a cozy montage. Wipe counters with love. Fold laundry like it's an act of self-respect. You’re not cleaning—you’re setting the vibe.

• Doing your skincare routine like you’re the star of a Vogue beauty secrets video. Talk to yourself in the mirror, light a candle, narrate the steps like you’re being filmed. The glow hits different when you show up for yourself like this.

• Journaling with lo-fi beats and your favorite thrifted mug of tea. Create a tiny ritual: soft lighting, cozy blanket, maybe a snack. Let your thoughts out with no pressure to be profound—just presence, processing, and letting yourself land.

It costs nothing. But it gives everything.

2. Make a $5 Treat Feel Like a $50 One

Self-care doesn’t have to be luxury-priced to feel luxurious.

Grab a $4 Trader Joe’s bouquet and arrange it like you’re a Parisian florist. Make a homemade iced matcha in a pretty glass. Use the fancy body scrub (you know the one you were saving for “special occasions?” Yeah— today is the occasion).

Small indulgences become powerful when you pay attention while enjoying them.

3. Take a DIY Spa Hour (Without Booking a Thing)

Shut your laptop. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Then:

• Put on a robe—the fluffier the better. Bonus points if you spritz it with a little lavender mist or warm it up in the dryer for that “spa at home” energy.

• Do a face mask (drugstore ones count!) and actually take a moment to enjoy it. Don’t multitask—just lay back, breathe, and let the skincare do its thing.

• Soak your feet in warm water with Epsom salt. Add a few drops of essential oil if you’ve got some lying around. Light a candle, close your eyes, and pretend you're at a fancy retreat, not your own bathtub.

• Listen to a meditation, sound bath, or playlist that makes you feel some type of way. Whether that’s calming, nostalgic, or just straight-up vibey—let the audio be the backdrop to your reset moment. Close your eyes and let it carry you somewhere peaceful, even if only for 10 minutes.

You can even take it up a notch by watching a YouTube “spa ambiance” video and pretending you’re in Bali. Zero flight required.

4. Get Cozy With Boundaries (Yes, This Is Self-Care)

Saying no to things that drain you is peak bougie behavior. Here’s how:

• Block out one non-negotiable CEO afternoon a week just for you. This is your time to check in with yourself, dream big, do some guilt-free journaling, organize your goals, or literally just rest. It's not selfish—it's strategy.

• Create a canned email response for things you’re saying no to. Something gracious but firm like, "Thank you so much for thinking of me! I’m currently at capacity and focusing on existing commitments, but I appreciate the opportunity." Having this on standby makes saying "no" feel way easier and way less emotional.

• Set work hours—and actually honor them. No "just one more thing at 8PM" energy. Create a start and end to your day, communicate your boundaries to clients, and hold yourself accountable like you're your own best boss (because you are).

Boundaries are free. Burnout is not. Protect your peace.

It matters more than you might think—according to the American Psychological Association, 79% of U.S. workers say they’ve experienced work-related stress, and over 65% cite lack of boundaries as a top contributor to burnout. Setting intentional guardrails around your energy isn’t indulgent. It’s survival.

5. Trade Expensive “Treat Yo’ Self” Moments for Rituals

Instead of dropping $100 on a night out because you’re “treating yourself,” create weekly rituals that bring you back to life without draining your wallet:

• A Sunday morning slow breakfast that doesn’t involve multitasking—just you, your favorite mug, something delicious (even if it’s just toast with jam), and zero rushing. Maybe you even sit outside and let the sunlight do its thing.

• Friday night screen-free wind-downs where you swap Netflix for a candle-lit shower, a good book, or a playlist that makes you feel like you’re in a spa commercial. Let your nervous system exhale after the chaos of the week.

• Midday “get outside and breathe” breaks that aren’t about steps or burning calories—just presence. Step away from the screen, feel the sun on your face, watch a squirrel do something ridiculous, and let your brain reset for a minute.

Rituals > random splurges. Trust.

6. Curate Your Digital Space Like It’s Your Apartment

You don’t need money to make your digital world feel good:

• Unfollow anyone who makes you feel “less than.” Seriously—your feed is prime mental real estate. Curate it like a mood board for your best life. Unfollow, mute, or distance yourself from content that makes you spiral into comparison-ville.

• Update your phone wallpaper to something soft and inspiring. Choose a photo, a quote, or even just a color palette that gives you a micro-dose of joy every time you glance at it. Your phone screen is your most-seen space—make it work for your energy.

• Organize your Google Drive or desktop (your nervous system will thank you). Label those rogue files, clear off your digital “junk drawer,” and create folders that actually make sense. When your digital space feels peaceful, your mind follows suit.

Your screen is where you spend hours every day. Let it feel like home.

7. Lean Into Community Over Consumption

You don’t need to buy something every time you feel off. Sometimes you just need connection:

• Call your business bestie and have a vent session, a pep talk, or a brainstorm. Sometimes a 10-minute call with someone who gets it can be more healing than a $200 therapy session.

• Send a voice note to a friend. It doesn’t have to be deep or perfect—just hit record and let your stream of consciousness flow. It’s more personal than a text and way less pressure than a full-on phone call.

• Join a free co-working Zoom session where you can work silently alongside other creatives or entrepreneurs. Even if you don’t say a word, simply being “around” others can break up the isolation and make your to-do list feel less daunting.

• Go to a local event or meetup (even the awkward ones—you might meet someone cool!). Whether it’s a coffee shop networking hour, a community workshop, or a yoga class, putting yourself in new spaces can lead to new energy—and possibly new connections.

Community is the self-care that doesn’t come with a shipping fee.

And it’s so necessary: a 2025 survey found that 77% of solo entrepreneurs feel isolated at least once a week, with over half saying it negatively affects their mental health. You don’t need more stuff— you need more connection.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Spend Big to Feel Good

Being bougie isn’t about money. It’s about presence. Intention. Creating beauty in the in-between.

So, whether you’re in a feast season or a “figuring it out” season, let this be your reminder: you deserve to feel cared for right now. Not once you’ve booked more clients or hit the next income goal.

Because a thriving business starts with a thriving you.