9 Unconventional Self-Care Tips For When You're Feeling Meh
Maybe it's because Mercury is in retrograde. Maybe it's because your job's a joke, or you're broke, or your love life's DOA. Regardless of the why, everyone feels the yuckies sometimes, and it's important to take extra care of yourself during your down times. There are a lot of self-care tips out there, but not all of us are "breathe and meditate" kind of people, and not all of us can afford to go out and get a mani-pedi every time we feel a little bit bad. Here are some things you can try the next time you feel blue to get your mojo back—so you can show up as your best self, whether you're navigating everyday life or getting ready to dance your heart out in your favorite rave outfits.
1. Let Yourself Feel Bad
A lot of self-care tips are focused on making you feel better, as if bad feelings are something that you should always try to avoid. That's not only not helpful, but can also be dangerous. Sometimes, you just need to feel bad for a while. Let your feelings take their natural course, and keep in mind that you will not feel this way forever.
Life is full of light times and dark times; embracing the dark times and learning how to feel through them will help you more fully appreciate the light. Think of it like the energy at a festival—there are moments of pure euphoria on the dance floor, and there are quiet moments sitting on the grass with your crew, processing the experience. Both are valid. Both are necessary. The rave fam knows that the magic isn't just in the peak drops—it's in the full journey, shadows and all.
2. Do a Sleep
It has been said that sleeping is the human equivalent of turning it off and turning it back on again. Sleeping is a magical and palliative experience that can take you out of the maze of bad thoughts when you can't find the way out yourself. Go to bed early or schedule some time to take a fat nap. Get in your jammies and make sure you have plenty of fluffy pillows and blankets.
You will almost always feel better in the morning, so shut down and reboot. If you've ever done a festival weekend, you know the power of a proper recovery nap. Your mind and body need that reset time to integrate experiences and emotions. Treat your mental health recovery with the same respect you'd give your post-festival recovery—because emotional exhaustion is just as real as physical exhaustion.
3. Knock One Thing Off Your List
When you feel sucky, it probably isn't the best time to tackle your list of long-term goals and dreams. But doing just one thing—maybe that annoying thing you've been putting off forever—can help you feel better about yourself. So schedule your dentist appointment, or wash your car, or buy toilet paper. Who knows, maybe doing one little thing will help you find the momentum to do more. First, the dentist, next, the world!
Think of it like prepping for a festival. You don't have to pack your entire bag, plan every outfit, and coordinate your whole crew in one sitting. Just start with one thing—maybe finally ordering those festival bodysuits you've been eyeing, or testing out a new makeup look. Small wins create momentum, and momentum creates transformation.
4. Puppiez.
Dogs are the universal cure for all bad things. It is known. Dogs are pure furballs of emotion and are always 100% present. They will help you embrace your own emotions and be present too. If you have a dog, play with them NOW. If you don't have a dog, go to the dog park and play with someone else's. If you feel weird about doing that, just tell the owner you're considering adopting a [insert breed of dog], and they will probably be thrilled to let you hang out with their dog for a while.
If you are anywhere near a shelter, go visit the animals. Some shelters will let you walk a pupper if you ask. Animals have this incredible ability to ground us in the present moment—no past regrets, no future anxiety, just pure now. It's the same feeling you get when the bass drops and everything else fades away. Channel that energy, even when you're not on the dance floor.
5. Reach Out to a Friend
If there is a person in your life whom you love but haven't talked to in a while, this is a good time to do it. They will most likely be thrilled to hear from you, and that will remind you that you matter and you are loved. If you aren't sure who to reach out to, grandmas are always a good place to start.
The rave community is built on connection—PLUR isn't just for the dance floor. Reach out to your festival crew, even if it's just to share a meme or reminisce about that unforgettable set. Sometimes all we need is a reminder that we're part of something bigger than ourselves, that we have people who see us and celebrate us exactly as we are. Your tribe is out there, and they're probably feeling the same way you are.
6. Find a Body of Water and Chill There
Water is inherently soothing, and the negative ions it throws off are good for your health. Go to the beach, a river, a lake, or even just a nice fountain. Try to mirror your emotions to the water. If you're near a placid lake or pond, try to be as calm and serene as the water. If you're near the ocean or a river, feel the energy of the constant change and movement to help you get unstuck.
If you can get in the water, visualize the water washing away all the bad feelings. When you emerge, you will feel physically and mentally clean. There's a reason so many festivals happen near water or incorporate water features—it's healing, transformative, and grounding all at once. Let nature do some of the heavy lifting for you.
7. Do Something Nice for Someone Else
It sounds kind of counterintuitive. Aren't I supposed to be taking care of MYSELF? Kindness and happiness are inseparable. Making someone else feel good makes you feel good. You may not have the money to make a huge donation to a world-changing philanthropic cause, so start small. Compliment someone's eyebrows. Pay for the person behind you in the Starbucks drive-thru. Send your mom a nice text.
Acts of kindness create ripples. Help a friend plan their festival outfits. Share your favorite rave tops recommendations with someone who's going to their first festival. Trade kandi with a stranger online. The energy you put out comes back to you multiplied—that's not just festival philosophy, that's science.
8. Do Something With Your Hands
Sometimes yucky feelings are the best creative fuel. Doing something mindful can expel some nervous energy and help you compartmentalize your feelings. Play the piano. Do a puzzle. Beat your face to the nines with every palette you own. I like to draw or write on a whiteboard—the way the marker feels against the whiteboard and the squeaking sound it makes is relaxing to me. Don't knock it till you try it!
Get crafty with your self-expression. Make kandi bracelets. Customize a pair of rave shorts with patches and pins. Play with makeup looks you'd never wear to work but would absolutely rock at a festival. Creating something with your hands quiets the overthinking mind and lets your authentic self come through. Plus, you'll have something tangible to show for your healing time—a reminder that even in the dark moments, you're still capable of creating beauty.
9. Remember That This Won't Last Forever
Don't lose hope that you will feel better. Even if the circumstances that made you feel icky in the first place don't change immediately, your mood will stabilize. The human mind is incredibly resilient, and you will be okay, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
If you've ever been to a festival, you know that the weekend eventually ends—but the transformation you experienced, the connections you made, and the version of yourself you discovered? Those stay with you. The same is true for difficult emotions. They're temporary visitors, not permanent residents. You've survived 100% of your worst days so far. You're stronger than you think, more resilient than you know, and more loved than you realize.
Self-care isn't always bubble baths and face masks—sometimes it's letting yourself feel the feels, doing one small thing, or simply remembering that you're not alone in this. The rave fam has your back, even when the music stops. Take care of yourself, beautiful human. The dance floor will be waiting when you're ready.
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