I’ve written several posts about Studio Ghibli in my blog because these movies ground me.
I stopped feeling like myself in the last decade.
I genuinely feel lonely sometimes when I’m hanging out with my girl friends and they’re scrolling on their phones either on Instagram or Tiktok.
I’ve started reading books because I hate social media and what it’s done to our brains.
Even when I’m tired, social media doesn’t relieve my anxiety, it only makes it worse.
Reading is mentally tiring but I still prefer it to doom-scrolling.
And when I watch Studio Ghibli films, I feel like I’m no longer alone. These characters are me, trying to slow down, trying to do things the manual way even though it’s more physical.
And I see the beauty in slowing down.
The burn outs happen less frequently and you feel like you’re actually living.
Nothing is rushed. Nobody is hustling for approval.
People cook slowly, walk instead of rush, sit with their thoughts, and let life be soft for a minute.
These are cozy, realistic self-care ideas you can do even when you’re tired, emotional, or just… done. Take what helps. Leave the rest.
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1. Make One Simple, Warm Meal Just for Comfort
When I stopped eating in front of the TV, I realized that I actually need to eat much lesser than usual to feel full.
Cooking your meals helps you connect with your food better.
Make somethingsomething warm that feels like care.
Think a simple mushroom omelette, rice with butter and soy sauce, toast with jam, a soft bowl of soup. Ghibli food is never fancy, but it always feels loved.
Light the stove slowly.
Don’t multitask. Let the sounds of cooking ground you. If you have a pet, stroke them softly in the kitchen.
Sit down when you eat, even if it’s just ten minutes. No phone if you can help it. This is about reminding your body that it’s safe and fed.
If you like leaning into the ritual, using a favorite bowl or mug helps more than you’d think.
A cozy ceramic bowl or a cute soup mug makes even basic food feel intentional.
2. Clean a tiny bit
Burnout makes cleaning feel impossible.
So don’t clean everything. Just do something small. One surface. One corner. One sink.
I used to have this impossible idea of being perfect or not doing anything at all and it led to extreme burnout.
Ghibli homes in the movies aren’t spotless. They’re lived in.
Wipe one counter. Fold one blanket. Put three things back where they belong. Then stop.
Play soft music or let the room be quiet. Let this be enough for today. It counts.
A small win still tells your nervous system that things are under control, even when life feels messy.
3. Take a Slow Bath or Shower Like You’re in a Movie Scene
I used to always rush through my showers. Now I let the water heat while I clean and directly step into the shower without worrying about my phone.
It’s about slowing your body down on purpose. Warm water. Soft light. No rushing.
Let the water hit your shoulders. Sit if you want.
Close your eyes. Pretend this is the scene where the character finally gets a moment alone after a long day. Because it is.
A simple bath soak or calming body wash can help your brain switch gears. Nothing fancy.
4. Step Outside and Do Absolutely Nothing Productive
You can step outside without an agenda you know?
You don’t need to dress up and look pretty. That helps, for sure. But now, I just step out in my large teeshirt and running shorts and walk in my apartment society.
Ghibli characters spend so much time just existing outside. Sitting on grass. Watching clouds. Standing quietly near trees.
Go outside without a goal. No steps to hit. No podcast.
Just air, light, and a few minutes of stillness. Sit on a bench. Watch leaves move. Let your thoughts wander without correcting them.
If you start feeling anxious, come home right away. The point is to try.
This kind of nothingness is actually medicine when you’re burnt out, even if it feels pointless at first.
5. Write Messy Thoughts Without Trying to Fix Them
I used to avoid negative comments and stories incase someone might read them. T
Then I realized that nobody is interested in reading my journal and even if they did, that’s totally on them.
I write all my thoughts down, no filter!
Use a notebook you don’t care about making pretty. Write like nobody will ever read it. Because nobody needs to. The point isn’t clarity. It’s release.
If you want a prompt, try this:
“Today felt heavy because…” and don’t stop writing until your hand gets tired.
6. Rewatch a Comfort Ghibli Movie Without Guilt
Not as background noise.
Actually sit and watch. Let the pacing slow your brain down. Let the quiet moments exist without skipping.
I’ve rewatched Kiki’s Delivery Service SO MANY TIMES because I have a thing for bakeries, cats and pancakes lol.
I also love Princess and the Frog,
You don’t need to analyze it. You don’t need to learn anything. This is rest. This is allowed.
Make tea. Curl up. Let the movie carry you for a bit. Sometimes the best self-care is letting a familiar story hold you when you’re too tired to hold yourself.
7. Do Something With Your Hands, Not Your Head
Burnout lives in the mind.
Hand-based activities pull you back into your body. Folding laundry slowly. Kneading dough. Coloring. Knitting. Watering plants.
This is why I love the physical act of writing, or hugging my dogs. It brings me back into the present and I love it.
Pick something repetitive and gentle.
This kind of quiet focus is deeply calming, even if you don’t realize it right away.
8. Let Yourself Move Slowly Without Calling It Laziness
Ghibli characters walk slowly.
They pause. They stop to notice small things. Try doing one part of your day at half speed.
Make your tea slower. Get dressed without rushing. Walk instead of scrolling.
Burnout isn’t fixed by pushing harder. It softens when you stop fighting your own pace.
9. Create a Tiny Evening Ritual You Can Actually Keep
I have a nice post here on an after-work Studio Ghibli routine.
Just one thing you do every evening no matter how tired you are. Light a candle. Change into soft clothes. Drink something warm. Read a french grammar book like me.
Consistency matters more than effort here. This becomes a signal to your body that the day is ending and rest is allowed.
Soft lighting helps a lot. Lamps over overhead lights. Warm tones. Cozy corners.
10. Let Yourself Be Quiet Without Explaining It
If you don’t want to socialize or mingle because you’re tired, that’s awesome, do that!
You don’t always need to process, share, or justify how you feel. Sometimes you’re just tired. And that’s enough.
No updates. No fixing. Just being.
11. Remind Yourself That Rest Is Not a Reward
You don’t need to earn rest by being productive or strong or resilient. You’re allowed to rest because you’re human.
We do so, so, so much during the day. I love being an adult, but I’m constantly cooking, cleaning or working on my business. Sometimes, I take the day off and do nothing at all.
Burnout simply means you’ve been carrying too much for too long.
