Self-care got weirdly expensive once everyone online started filming it. But really, think about it here, one minute, a spa night meant a warm bath, clean towels, a face mask, and a drink nearby. Then content creators (and companies, of course)got involved, and now apparently relaxation requires a matching pajama set, a gua sha tool, a scalp massager, eucalyptus hanging from the shower, three serums, mood lighting, a special tray, and a candle that literally has no reason to be as expensive as it is. 

While yes, you should make self-care a priority, what you see on social media, well, it’s performative; it’s there to sell you stuff. It’s just content, affiliate links, and a bunch of FOMO.

Start with Getting the Bathroom Ready

All you need are the basics, the basics that have been around for at-home spa days since people started doing these. It’s just having a clean towel, a cleared-off counter, and a bathroom that doesn’t have yesterday’s laundry sitting on the floor that will do more for the mood than half the random products people keep pushing online. But really, you don’t even have to have a spa-like bathroom that influencers and wealthy people have in order to feel relaxed. Sure, those are nice, but you don’t need anything like that. You don’t even need a bath jet in your bathtub.

Use the Products You Already Own First

The internet loves acting like every relaxing night needs a full product lineup. Just go on any social media/ content platform- literally, any and type in “spa night,” and you’ll see it all for yourself. Like a body scrub. A hair mask. A bath oil. A facial steamer. A foot peel. A robe that looks like it belongs in a sponsored post (and chances are it was). 

But of course, most people already have enough to make the night feel decent. So no, you don’t need any of these (but if you own them, obviously they need to be used).

Don’t Forget Warmth After the Bath or Shower

The worst part of a bath or long shower is stepping out and immediately freezing, unless you have heated flooring (which is really expensive); then you’ll probably deal with the cold the second your feet are off the bath mat.  Because that ruins the whole thing so fast. So again, don’t do what the influencers do (or whatever they try to sell you in their content).

You only really need a robe or towel (and no, you don’t need a towel warmer), some PJs, maybe some HeatHolders thermal socks or slippers once you step off the bathmat. You don’t need a bunch of products for something as simple as warmth.

It Doesn’t Take Much for a Calm Room

Just clean it, maybe turn on a lamp or a cheap candle, but that’s really it. You might see content creators using lots of candles, smart LED lights with a very specific color, tiny lamps everywhere,  pillow spray, flowers- the list could go on forever- and no, you don’t need those. You need a clean room, and ideally no overhead lighting; that’s it.

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