Self-care is not only about decadent facials and drinking eight glasses of water a day. It is, in fact, much more complex than that, and requires you to take charge of yourself in every aspect of life. Here is what some of the greatest and most famous historical figures had to say about self-care:

Maddi Bazzocco/Unsplash. Self-care is more than face masks and long baths, but they help too!

Eleanor Brown on taking time out for yourself:

When you take out time for yourself, you are preparing yourself to become the best version of yourself. Rest, recharge and care for your well-being, so you can share your gifts with the world. You can’t bring a change in the world when you are exhausted and in need of replenishment. Self-care is never selfish, it is simply necessary.

Toa Heftiba/Unsplash. Take out time to relax and rejuvenate in any way you want.

Self-care is not a selfish move. Rather it is an act of service to yourself and the world. You cannot fill from an empty vessel, so make sure your cup is brimming with love and care when you go out in the world. One of the ways to ensure that is to be kind to yourself, relax, and love yourself deeply. After all, you have to look after the world too, and how can you do that when you do not look after yourself?

David Rotimi/Unsplash. Never give up your uniqueness to gain others’ approval.

Rita Mae Brown on conformity :

When we conform to the standards of the world and ignore our values, we can become well-liked by the rest of the world but lose our stature in our own eyes.

Never compromise on your ideals and what you believe in, no matter what the world tells you. It is imperative that you stand tall in your eyes, without caring what the rest of the world thinks of you.

Dale Carnegie on happiness:

True happiness is only dependent on what’s going on inside us, and has nothing to do with outward conditions.

Only we can make ourselves truly happy. If we are not happy with who we are as a person, no amount of external conditions can bring us joy.

Elizabeth Gilbert on what we deserve:

All of us deserve something beautiful.

We deserve the best that the world has to offer. Never undermine what your heart longs for. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of going after things that make you happy. We are all perfect in our own selves and deserve to be treated that way by each other.