I don't know about you but when I think of self-care, I immediately picture myself getting a massage on the beach, my face covered in avocado, and sliced cucumber on my eyes.

While that is true to some, I had to come to a quick realization that self-care doesn't always equate to going on vacation to escape from the responsibilities and realities of life. Sometimes it's getting in three balanced meals every day instead of being too busy to eat lunch, or getting at least 8 hours of sleep instead of priding myself on the late nights, early mornings grind.

While the self-care message has kind of gotten lost in the sauce lately, there's a way to make sure you're really indulging in it properly. Check out the gallery below:

What’s Your Inner Energy Like?

The journey to self-care can actually start from within. While you might be eating clean and getting in your cardio on the regular, what's your thought life like? You could be exercising but criticizing yourself on your size, or eating right because you're afraid to gain weight, not just for a healthy lifestyle.

Of course, I'm not saying that these things are bad. I mean, for a healthy lifestyle, everyone tells you to eat right and workout. But what's even more important is what you think and say about yourself and others. Do you feel at peace with yourself? Do you feel confident and good about yourself? Because this is where self-care truly begins.