A very common struggle that many people experience—but rarely talk about—is hygiene.
The lack of it does not automatically mean someone is lazy, nasty, or does not care. Often, it is a sign of something much deeper. Sometimes it is overwhelm. Sometimes it is apathy. Sometimes it is depression. Sometimes it is a battle with feelings of unworthiness.
This article is a combination of advocacy and education.
If this is something you struggle with, it needs to be addressed. It is not a small issue to ignore, hide, or pretend does not exist. As you begin changing your habits, you may discover that your feelings about yourself—and your confidence in your ability to overcome challenges—begin to change as well.
The Thinking Traps
Before we discuss hygiene, we need to discuss thinking.
There are three common thinking traps that can quietly undermine self-care:
1. Polarized Thinking
Everything does not have to be perfect to proceed.
Every task does not have to be completed perfectly. Every product does not have to be finished before it has value.
Many people disguise perfectionism as preparation.
They tell themselves they are “getting ready” when really they are avoiding action because they fear things will not be perfect. They do not want to try unless success is guaranteed.
But life does not work that way.
Progress is built through imperfect effort.
2. Mental Filtering
Mental filtering happens when we focus only on the negative.
Sometimes it means seeing the worst in every situation. Other times it means refusing to acknowledge the good.
Personally, I consider myself an optimistic realist.
I do not pretend life is all sunshine and rainbows. Difficult things happen. People can be disappointing. The world can be unfair.
However, it is important to acknowledge our victories. It is important to review what we are grateful for and intentionally adjust our perspective.
Our brains naturally pay attention to threats, problems, and negativity. Add genetics, life experiences, stress, and difficult circumstances, and it becomes easy to overlook what is going right.
The danger comes when that mental filter turns inward.
When we stop seeing our own strengths.
When we stop recognizing our abilities.
When we stop believing we can manage our lives.
That is when things become disabling.
Who cares about showering?
Who cares about cleaning?
Who cares about taking care of themselves?
If you believe you cannot manage your life anyway, those thoughts can quickly spiral and undermine every positive thing you are trying to build.
3. Personalization
Personalization is lonely.
It is the feeling that you do not belong.
The belief that you are somehow different, disconnected, or unlikable.
It is overreading every comment.
Overthinking every interaction.
Analyzing every glance.
Taking every silence personally.
While accountability is important, personalization distorts reality.
It creates cracks in our armor that prevent us from connecting with others. It keeps us from accurately viewing our relationships, our place in the world, and the value we bring to it.
That loneliness compounds.
It feeds self-doubt.
It feeds feelings of unworthiness.
Eventually, it affects how we care for ourselves.
If you are not going anywhere…
If nobody is coming over…
If nobody is going to say anything…
Then why bother?
If you do not have the energy to do it in the first place, why try?
You can see how quickly those thoughts spiral.
We must challenge our thinking.
We must balance our perspective.
We must learn to see ourselves, our lives, and our relationships more accurately.
And we must remember that there are people who love us and people who may support us—if we give them the opportunity.
The Practical Part: Wash in 5
Now for the practical advice.
Do something.
I do not care if it takes five minutes.
Do something.
Wash your face.
Take a quick shower.
Do a sink bath.
Hit the hotspots.
Brush your teeth.
Use mouthwash.
Change your shirt.
Put on deodorant.
Do something.
This is not about perfection.
It is not even about completing every task.
It is about effort.
Effort builds skills.
Skills build habits.
Habits build confidence.
And confidence builds momentum.
The more often you engage in self-care, the easier it becomes.
You may even begin to enjoy it.
Aromatherapy can be comforting.
Hot water can feel healing.
Cold water can reset an overwhelmed nervous system.
Hygiene is only the surface layer of self-care—literally.
For many people, the struggle runs much deeper.
But caring for yourself can become a form of healing, comfort, and coping.
Stop Waiting
Stop waiting for the perfect mood.
Stop waiting until you feel motivated.
Stop waiting until you have the energy.
Stop waiting until life settles down.
Get up.
Wash in five.
Do something.
Then tomorrow, do something again.
Your body deserves care and love.
You are worth the effort.
And sometimes resilience starts with something as simple as washing your face.
Boom.
Done.
You’re welcome.
Author’s Note: This article is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If depression, hopelessness, or difficulties with self-care are significantly affecting your daily functioning, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.
Console the Soul 