Therapist designs self-care 'booby traps' to make herself more productive and it's ingenious

Whether we believe it or not, every person deserves self-care to re-energize and get their life back on track. In a recent TikTok video posted by therapist and mother Caroline Anne–who goes on the platform by @awakenartswellness–shared a simple yet ingenious self-care idea that has taken the internet by storm. With a video caption that reads, "I started by noticing where I spend the most time sitting while doom scrolling and put the traps there. Now if I can just stop making TikToks about self-care, I'll have some self-care time!" with an array of insightful comments from the people, this concept has caught the attention of many.

The video shows Anne placing plastic containers filled with self-care essentials in strategic locations throughout her home. Her method is to identify the spots where she spends the most time, especially while scrolling endlessly through social media or dealing with everyday tasks. With each container, there's a common theme – a book. Anne's idea centers around the belief that taking a moment to read a good book is far more beneficial for mental health than spiraling through social media for 30 minutes. It's a simple yet powerful way to break the cycle of digital consumption and invest time in oneself.

The viral video has gained 365.5K views and nearly 58K likes. Moreover, the comment section of this video is brimming with positive responses from viewers who resonate with the idea. One user, @katiebethorear, was intrigued by the sturdiness and versatility of the boxes Anne used and asked where to find them, "I love the box itself! They seem sturdy and big enough to be multipurpose but also cute and able to see stuff inside. Where did you get them?" To which Anne responded that they were from Dollar Tree.

Another user, @itme5130, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Love this! I'm going to start looking for ways to positively sabotage myself." @jpatt89 praised the concept and said, "Wonderful! I will be using this when I buy my forever home. I deserve my happiness sprinkles wherever I am!" Whereas @loleaukey added, "This is brilliant! I started making a self-care kit, but I misplaced it. I need them in every room."

In another video she posted, she spoke about the things she put in her "booby traps" containers. She said, "Since the theme of this kit is self-awareness, I included some pens, some stickers, and a get-to-know-yourself book. I really want to have the opportunity to explore what I know about myself and also get curious about my own patterns." She explained to her viewers everything she put inside the container and the reason behind it.

In yet another video, Anne shared how people can create their self-care kit. The text overlay of the video reads, "Create your own self-care kit using just stuff you already have in your house," informing her audience how to create it and what to include in it. 

Anne's video emphasizes that self-care can take many forms and should be tailored to your unique needs and preferences.