Some people are born caretakers. You know the kinds of folks we mean. Maybe you’re one of them. You’re the one who remembers everyone’s birthday, who checks in when a friend’s voice sounds just slightly off, who organizes meals when someone is sick, and who keeps all the plates spinning so that everyone around you feels safe, seen, and supported.
But sometimes it’s easier for you to take care of others without taking care of yourself too. Your own energy, needs, and desires can quickly slip to the bottom of your list as you work on auto-pilot running from one loved one to the next. But the truth is, the more you nurture others, the more important it becomes to create intentional space to nurture yourself too. At KIM+ONO, a WOC-founded family business, we know that caring for others doesn’t just happen. It’s intentional. We’ve tried to weave it into our entire business from the designs we create to how we support our team, because we know we’ve got to have each other’s backs. If you’re a caretaker, to catch others means you’ll have to also let yourself be caught from time to time.
So from our hearts to yours, here are a few rituals, exercises, and reminders designed just for you, to remind yourself to be well.
Photo by Ashley Streff
1. Create a Morning Ritual That’s Just for You
Caretakers are usually awake before everyone else, mentally juggling what will need to happen for the day to flow with as much ease as possible. Instead of diving right into the to-do list, carve out a short morning ritual that centers you first. This doesn’t have to be elaborate. Ten minutes of quiet journaling with your coffee, a stretch in your favorite maxi kimono dress, or a quick walk outside before anyone else wakes up can create a buffer between “you” time and “caretaker” time. That moment of ownership sets the tone for the day and reminds you that your needs belong on the agenda too.
2. Write Down Your Own Needs Alongside Everyone Else’s
If you’re the family’s unofficial logistics manager, the grocery lists, dentist appointments, and after-school activities probably live in your head — or in your Notes app on your phone. Here’s a small but powerful adjustment: add your needs to the same list. Next to “pick up milk” and “schedule vet visit,” write “call my friend back,” “restock my favorite tea,” or “finish reading the novel I started.” Your priorities don’t have to be squeezed in as afterthoughts, they deserve equal billing.
3. Practice the “Pause and Breathe” Rule
Caretakers are wired to react. Someone needs something? You’re already moving toward the solution. But that knee-jerk response often leaves no room for you to assess your own needs and what is possible. Instead, try a tiny intervention: before responding to any request, pause, inhale deeply through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Even a five-second breath buys you space to check in with yourself. Ask yourself: Am I available right now? Do I need a minute? This practice is deceptively simple but can shift your entire energy.
Photo by Ashley Streff
4. Schedule Solo Time the Same Way You Schedule Appointments
Caretakers rarely cancel plans if it involves someone else. But when it comes to time for themselves? That’s often the first thing to get cut. Flip the script: put your solo time on the calendar first and make it a non-negotiable. Whether it’s an hour at the library, a bubble bath and skincare routine in your favorite ladies silk robes, or a quiet afternoon cooking something you love, treat it with the same importance as you would a doctor’s appointment or a child’s recital. Self care is not optional. You need it just like everyone else.
5. Use Clothing as a Daily Reminder of Worth
What you wear can change how you feel. When you’re constantly pouring energy into others, it’s easy to forget that your body deserves to feel comforted, too. Choosing something beautiful, like luxuriously soft kimono clothes, isn’t about chasing after trends — it’s about creating a personal sensory reminder that you deserve good care as much as anyone else. Elegant, luxurious kimono style can function like armor, wrapping you in soft protection as you move through the day.
Photo by Ashley Streff
6. Turn Caretaking into a Shared Ritual
Here’s a truth caretakers need to hear: you don’t always have to do it all alone. The next time you’re making tea for everyone, invite someone else to join you in the kitchen. If you’re folding laundry, let music or a podcast transform it into an intentional moment. The small act of shifting caretaking from solitary duty to communal ritual can bring joy and reduce the invisible weight of responsibility. It reminds you that caregiving can be reciprocal. You can give and receive all in one breath.
7. Build “Micro-Breaks” Into the Day
Caretakers rarely sit still for long. Instead of waiting for a huge block of free time (which might never come), look for five-minute windows to reset. Step outside and feel the sun on your face. Do a quick shoulder stretch in your washable silk robe before bed. Close your eyes and listen to one full song without multitasking. These micro-breaks are like sips of water during a marathon and prevent exhaustion before it hits.
Photo by Ashley Streff
8. Create a Bedtime Wind-Down That’s About You
If mornings are about setting the tone, evenings are about reclaiming your energy. Too often, caretakers collapse into bed after everyone else’s needs are finally met. But bedtime can be a ritual of self-nourishment instead of exhaustion. Slip into your softest ladies silk robes, light a candle, and read a few pages of something inspiring. Practice a guided meditation, or simply reflect on one thing you’re grateful for that you did today. This small shift reframes the narrative: your day is not just defined by what you gave to others, but also by what you gave to yourself.
9. Practice Saying “Yes, But Not Right Now”
Caretakers often struggle with saying no, but sometimes the real power is in reshaping the timing, not the answer itself. Instead of shutting down someone’s request, try: “Yes, I can help you, but I need ten minutes to finish what I’m doing.” This communicates that your time matters too, while still honoring your instinct to care. It creates healthy boundaries without guilt, and it gives your needs a rightful place in the conversation.
Photo by Ashley Streff
10. Choose Self Care You Can Wear
Here’s a practical reminder: taking care of yourself doesn’t need to be high-maintenance. Just slipping into a washable silk robe can make elegance effortless. Self care can be woven into daily life in ways that feel natural and sustainable. Think simple, repeatable practices — like brewing your favorite tea, moving your body for 15 minutes, or stepping away from your phone before bed. The easier your rituals are to sustain, the more likely you are to keep them.
If you’re deeply skilled at caring for others, it’s because you have a generous heart. But generosity shouldn’t come at the cost of your own well-being. The truth is, when you nurture yourself, your capacity to nurture others expands. And here’s a beautiful reminder: you don’t have to choose between the two. Our KIM+ONO Referral Program was designed with caretakers in mind. When you give $30 to a friend and they make a qualifying purchase, you’ll receive $30 off your next order. Because it’s a beautiful thing to create a circle of care where everyone, including you, gets to feel held.
