The 5-Star Service You Deserve: Upgrading Your Self-Care

Welcome to this week's Wellness Goals Weekly, your space for support, inspiration, and practical steps to help you thrive.

I’ve just returned from a fabulous holiday. I can’t stop thinking about one thing: the service. From the moment Sean and I arrived, it felt like every need was anticipated. Staff remembered our names, drinks appeared at our sun loungers just as we felt thirsty, and every detail was handled with quiet care. It was true 5-star treatment, and it left me feeling completely rested and well taken care of.

On the flight home, a question popped into my head. We dream of this kind of service, but what level of service are we giving ourselves? If you had to rate your own self-care on a hotel star system, what would it honestly be?

Are you providing yourself with 1-star service – grabbing whatever is quick, ignoring exhaustion, and running on fumes? Or maybe a solid 3-star effort – managing the basics like getting some sleep and eating vegetables, but with no real luxury or joy in it.

The idea of 5-star self-care isn't about expensive spa days or grand gestures. It’s about offering yourself the same attention and care you would expect from the very best hotel. It’s about treating yourself like the most important guest in your own life. And this isn't about adding to your to-do list; it's about shifting the quality and intention behind what you already do.

What’s Your Self-Care Star Rating?

Before we can upgrade, it helps to know where we're starting from. Let’s be honest for a moment, without any judgment. See where you fit.

• 1-Star Service: This is survival mode. Your needs consistently come last. Meals are an afterthought, rest feels like a luxury you can’t afford, and you push through every signal your body sends you.
• 2-Star Service: You know you need to do something, but it’s inconsistent. You might have a good day with enough water and a walk, followed by three days of running on caffeine and ignoring your body’s pleas for a break.
• 3-Star Service: You’ve got the basics down. You eat reasonably well, try to get enough sleep, and stay active. It’s functional and reliable, but it often feels like just another chore on your list.
• 4-Star Service: You're consistent, and you’ve started adding thoughtful touches. You pre-chop vegetables to make healthy eating easier, or set aside 30 minutes to read. You’re starting to anticipate your own needs.
• 5-Star Service: This is where self-care becomes an act of deep respect. It’s not about perfection; it’s about intention. It’s anticipating your needs and adding small touches of pleasure that make you feel truly looked after.

Most of us fluctuate between these ratings. The goal isn't to be 5-star perfect, but to make those 4 and 5-star moments more frequent and intentional.  

The Deserving Factor: Overcoming "Good Enough"

For many of us, especially women, the barrier to better self-care isn't time or money. It’s a quiet, nagging feeling that we don’t truly deserve it. We believe that 3-star service is "good enough" because anything more feels excessive or indulgent. We worry that taking that extra care for ourselves means taking something away from our family, our work, or our responsibilities.

This mindset keeps us stuck. We settle for functional when we could have joyful. We often treat ourselves like an afterthought in our own lives, believing that our role is to serve, rather than to be served. But true care isn't a zero-sum game. When you intentionally fill your own cup, you have so much more to offer the people and projects you love. Upgrading your self-care isn't about taking away from others; it's about replenishing the source of everything you give. You are worthy of being looked after, most of all by yourself.

How to Upgrade Your Service (Without Overhauling Your Life)

Upgrading your self-care rating doesn't require more time or a bigger budget. It requires a mindset shift from 'doing' self-care to 'experiencing' it. Here are simple ways to elevate your rating, one small touch at a time.

1. Master the Art of Anticipation

Five-star service is all about anticipating needs before they arise. You can do this for yourself.

• Anticipate Fatigue: You know you'll be tired after a long day. The 1-star approach is grabbing whatever is easiest. The 5-star upgrade is having a simple, healthy meal ready to go from the weekend. You anticipated your fatigue and catered to it.
• Anticipate Resistance: Instead of just planning a workout, anticipate what might get in the way of your plans. Lay out your clothes the night before. Create a playlist that energises you. Have a water bottle filled. You’re removing friction and making the experience more seamless.

2. Introduce a "Turndown" Service

At a luxury hotel, the turndown service is a small ritual that signals the end of the day and prepares the room for rest. What would your personal turndown service look like? This creates a clear, mental boundary between your busy day and your time for rest.

• A Simple Upgrade: Instead of scrolling on your phone in bed, spend five minutes tidying your bedside table and spritzing your pillow with a calming lavender spray.
• A Thoughtful Touch: Make yourself a cup of herbal tea in your favourite mug as a signal that your "work" for the day is done.
• A Mental Shift: Write down one thing that went well during the day. This helps shift your mind from a state of 'doing' to a state of 'being'.

3. Personalise the Experience

The best service is tailored to the individual. Are you giving yourself generic, one-size-fits-all self-care, or are you tuning in to what you actually need right now?

• Check in with the Guest (You!): Before you automatically do that workout, ask yourself: "What does my body truly need today?" Maybe it’s a gentle walk, a good stretch, or even 20 minutes of rest. Five-star service means listening and adapting.
• Upgrade Your Basics: You drink water every day, but could you make it a 5-star experience? Add a slice of lemon or a sprig of mint. Use a beautiful glass that makes you feel good. It’s the same activity, but the experience is elevated.

4. Create "Surprise and Delight" Moments

Exceptional service often includes small, unexpected touches that make a guest feel special. You can create these moments for yourself.

• Schedule a Tiny Treat: Buy yourself a small bouquet of flowers with your weekly shop. Put on your favourite song and have a two-minute dance party in the kitchen. Light a candle while you cook dinner.
• Curate Your Environment: You don’t need a full renovation. Just make one corner of your home feel special. It could be a comfy chair with a soft blanket and good lighting, a clutter-free desk, or a bathroom with nice hand soap and a fluffy towel. This becomes your personal VIP lounge.

Weekly Challenge

This week, your challenge is to give yourself one 5-star upgrade each day. The goal is not to add more tasks, but to elevate one thing you are already doing.

• Morning Coffee Upgrade: Instead of gulping it down while checking emails, take five minutes to sit and savour it without any distractions. Use your favourite mug.
• Lunch Break Upgrade: Step away from your desk to take a break and enjoy your food. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, focus on your meal and give your brain a real break. In the evening, you might choose to lay the table with your nicest cutlery and eat there, rather than on a tray in front of the telly.
• Evening Wind-Down Upgrade: Choose one "turndown" ritual to signal the end of your day, like reading a chapter of a book or doing a few gentle stretches.
• Hydration Upgrade: Prepare a jug (or bottle) of water with fruit slices in the morning and pour it into a nice glass throughout the day.

At the end of the week, notice how these small, intentional upgrades made you feel. Did they make your routines feel less like chores and more like acts of care?

Treating yourself like a VIP guest isn’t selfish. It’s a vital recognition that you are worthy of the same care and attention you so freely give to others. You are, after all, the most important person you will ever look after.

Wishing you a 5* weekend and week ahead, and cheering you on to wellness success.

Katie x

P.S. Sometimes, a 5-star upgrade means letting an expert help.

If you're looking for dedicated time to replenish your physical, mental, or emotional energy, I’m here to help. My Pilates classes can bring mindful movement back into your week, while Soundbaths and EFT Tapping sessions are designed to calm the nervous system and clear stress. Consider it the ultimate room service for your soul.

You can explore your upgrade options and learn how each one could support you by clicking on them and visiting the corresponding web page to read more.

Pilates   Soundbaths   EFT   Wellness & Mindset Coaching