Self care quotes have a way of hitting us right where we need it—like a warm hug or a much-needed reality check.

Two hands forming a heart shape against a light background, with the text 'self care quotes' at the bottom.

Whether you’re running on caffeine and chaos or finally taking that bubble bath you promised yourself three weeks ago, the right quote can remind you to pause, breathe, and put yourself back on your own priority list. Let these words be your permission slip to rest, recharge, and protect your peace.

Wooden letters on a green textured background spell out 'MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORITY,' with hands arranging the letters.

Whether you’re looking for motivation to get out of bed or just want a quote to stick on your mirror with washi tape, these self care quotes are here to help. Some are inspiring. Some are funny. All of them are little nudges to take care of you – because burnout isn’t a badge of honor.

Self Care Quotes

Self care is needed, y’all and if you are needing some self examination – and self care, learn about the Enneagram in our Enneagram Guide.

Starting this with a quote from, well myself. This is something I live and breathe and when I don’t – it totally shows. Self-care is not an option. Self-care is a requirement.

self care is not an option molly thornberg quote

This self care quote is from Jonathan Van Ness.

Self-care isn’t really shallow. Showing up for yourself, putting on a littler moisturizer – can inspire so many different parts of your life.

Better to conquer yourself than others. – Buddha

Colorful Enneagram chart with the quote 'Better to conquer yourself than others' by Buddha, likely encouraging Type 1s to perfect their already perfectly high standards.

I think self-knowledge is the rarest trait

Unless we learn to know ourselves, we run the danger of destroying ourselves. Quote about self care from Ja A. Jahannes.

Inspirational quote about self-awareness on a colorful Enneagram background, reminding perfectionist Type 1s that knowing thyself beats rewriting the universe manually.

You have light and peace inside you. If you let it out, you can change the world around you. – Iroh (check out the best Uncle Iroh Quotes for more inspirational goodness.)

uncle iroh quote about changing the world

To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person – Bruce Lee quote.

Enneagram Type 1: The Perfectionist's dream framed in bold letters with sage advice from Bruce Lee, urging a study of oneself through action, all delicately layered over a colorful background—perfectly aligned, of course!

Color and destress while you take care of yourself with our free selfcare coloring pages

Life Changing Quotes

Quotes about changing your life.

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me. Quote from Carol Burnett. Learn about your Enneagram type, discover who you are.

only i can change my life carol burnett quote

I’m very driven and I always have been, but when do you prioritize self care? It’s so important because even to attain success, you must take time to slow down and get to know yourself first. Self care quote from Beth Behrs.

Quotes About Acceptance

These self acceptance quotes are powerful and gentle reminders, we have to accept us for who we are.

I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. – Alison Goodman quote about self care and self acceptance.

Inspirational quote about self-acceptance and honesty over a vibrant, colorful background, humorously indicating that living a lie isn’t an option, especially if you're an Enneagram Type 1 perfectionist with a flair for the dramatic.

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them. Albert Einstein

Looking for a new way to look at things? Check out these perspective quotes.

Maya Angelo quote says it best. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

Meme with colorful background featuring Maya Angelou's quote about the dual-purpose of hands: one for self-help and one for lending a hand, literally!

Self Love Quotes

Along with self care, comes self love. These self love quotes are powerful words and reminders to love yourself.

Mondays don’t have to suck. Check out our Monday motivational quotes to start your week off with some positivity.

I love you, but I got to love me more. – Peggi Speers

Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love. Brené Brown is amazing and has so many self care quotes. If you haven’t read The Gift of Imperfection, read it!

talk to yourself life you would to someone you love brene brown quote about self care

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance, says Oscar Wilde.

Hey mamas, we have a collection of mom quotes to help inspire you.

This is profound when it comes to caring for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.

A motivational quote in bold white text on a colorful geometric background reads: "You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first."

Enneagram Quotes

Here are self care quotes that are related to the Enneagram (so essentially Enneagram quotes.)

Ian Cron wrote The Road Back to You – one of our favorite Enneagram Books.

The Enneagram doesn’t put you in a box. It shows you the box you’re already in and how to get out of it.

Witty quote on a colorful background, humorously explaining how the Enneagram reveals the box of personality you’re in and hints at an escape plan for the ever-organized Type 1 perfectionists.

Next the Enneagram quotes list is from Enneagram teacher Don Richard Riso.

The Enneagram is, at its most abstract a universal mandala of the self – a symbol of each of us.

If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergo is a transformation.

under go transformation self care quotes

More Self Care Quotes

Looking for more self care quotes:

You can’t take care of anyone else unless you first take care of yourself. – Michael Hyatt
Self-care is how you take your power back. – Lalah Delia
My mother always says people should be able to take care of themselves, even if they’re rich and important. – Frances Hodgson Burnett
Self care is not a waste of time. Self care makes your use of time more sustainable. – Jackie Viramontez
Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world. – Pema Chodron
For me, recovery and self-care are inextricably connected. My recovery from abuse, addiction, and a suicide attempt required dump truck loads of self-care. – Steve Austin
When the body forces you to STOP it’s saying, hey buddy, you’ve gone too far. – Jacqueline Escolme

Share the Self Care

Found a quote that speaks to your soul (or your chaos)? Share it on Instagram, Facebook, or wherever you scroll for validation. Tag us—we love seeing which quotes hit home and which ones end up taped to your fridge.