If You See These 11 Things In A Woman's Car, You Know She Takes Excellent Care Of Herself
Self-care isn't just face masks and home-cooked meals.
FabrikaSimf | Shutterstock Just like their wardrobe, personal relationships, or living space, a person's car is often a great representation of their routine, personality, and daily habits. Not only is the cleanliness a clue into their daily routine and stress levels, but the kinds of things they make sure to keep inside are emblematic of what they consider to be most important.
From personal hygiene tools to water bottles, if you see these things in a woman's car, you know she takes excellent care of herself. She prioritizes keeping things on hand that could save her in an emergency, add value to her life when things feel tough, or relieve stress after a hard day. No matter who she has or what happens, she knows that she'll always be able to lean on herself — and sometimes, the gadgets and tools she keeps in her car.
If you see these 11 things in a woman's car, you know she takes excellent care of herself
1. Nutritional snacks
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When you're running around doing errands or leaving work, chances are you've spent a lot of money on convenience to satisfy your hunger, rather than simply planning ahead. Women who have snacks in their car for any occasion not only protect themselves from overspending in a pinch on convenience, but they also nourish their bodies and brains in ways that safeguard mood and mental health.
Like a study for Nutrition Reviews argues, mental health and nutrition are inherently interlinked. So, the more someone prioritizes eating healthy, balanced, and nutritious foods, the better their mood, regulation, and general mental health become. That's why these kinds of healthy snacks and food options are some of the things women always have in their car — a unique embodiment of their self-care mindset.
2. A reusable water bottle
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Even though it's relatively underestimated as a marker of health, hydration plays a key role in supporting not just our physical bodily processes, but also our mental health, energy levels, and mood, according to a study from Nutrition Reviews.
That's why women who take excellent care of themselves always have a water bottle on hand, usually a reusable one, that they can refill and carry around without worrying about overspending or contributing to waste. Even if it takes a bit of extra planning to grab their water bottle or fill it up before leaving, it ultimately saves them money and time, while simultaneously protecting them from the consequences of dehydration.
3. Hand sanitizer
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Many people go through their daily lives — touching grocery carts, car handles, and gas pumps — without ever considering the germs that live on their hands. That's why people who are adamant about self-care and taking care of themselves in every moment always have hand sanitizer in their cars.
Even if it ends up becoming a subconscious practice to spray their hands or use a hand sanitizing wipe, they offer themselves the peace of mind that their hands are clean.
4. Sunscreen
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While several nuances play into women's sunscreen usage — from educational attainment, to income, and even a general sense of self-esteem, like a study from the Journal of Tissue Viability found — making the intentional choice to habitually use it is often the hardest part.
However, women who take excellent care of themselves are constantly practicing self-discipline — whether it's planning for their days, moving their bodies, or even cementing a solid skincare lineup into their routine. They keep sunscreen and other hygiene products like deodorant or dry shampoo in their cars at all times, so if they're stuck in a pinch or forget in the morning, it's right there for them to use.
5. A car diffuser
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Whether it's to purify the air or ensure their car smells nice, if you see a car diffuser in a woman's car, you know she takes excellent care of herself. Not only does she have the essentials to make sure she's happy and prepared for navigating the day, she's willing to put in the extra effort to make sure her car smells good — both for herself and more passengers.
The specific smell is often also inherently personal — a fragrance or scent that she enjoys and makes an effort to weave into her daily rituals.
6. Extra clothes
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Women who are leveraging their free time to go to the gym, hit a workout class, or socialize after work are reaping all the benefits, but that means they also have to be prepared. That's why an extra set of clothes, a gym bag, or workout tools are always some of the things you'll find in the car of a woman who takes excellent care of herself.
She plans to reduce stress during the day, so when she has plans or wants to fit in time for movement, she doesn't have to worry about going home, traveling all over, or spending more time figuring out how to fit in all her responsibilities.
7. Emergency cash
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According to a study from Vanguard, having emergency cash and savings accounts plays a strong role in predicting financial stability and security for individuals. No longer are they worried about unexpected expenses or the toll of debt when a random cost appears, because they have the accessibility of a "safety net" if they need it.
Of course, having emergency cash on hand usually isn't going to cover something intense like an unexpected home repair, but it's still one of the things women who take excellent care of themselves keep in their cars.
If they forget their wallet, their lunch for work, or need a little extra gas money to see friends on the weekend, they have it there. They don't have to worry about traveling back home or cancelling plans — they're prepared for anything.ack home or cancelling plans — they’re prepared for anything.
8. A small notebook
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Journaling isn't just a manifestation practice or a hobby for writers in their free time, it's also a tool that the average woman can leverage to regulate her emotions, stay on track, and manage her responsibilities. Whether she's using it to create a tailored grocery list, to track her tasks at work, or even to "brain dump" the worries she's carrying around, research shows that this kind of writing boosts general mental health and well-being.
So, if you see these things in a woman's car, you know she takes excellent care of herself, because she's not afraid to pull out her little notebook when she's feeling overwhelmed or dysregulated.
9. A trash bag
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Even if it's just a leftover plastic bag from the grocery store, women who take excellent care of their bodies and minds are also cognizant of taking care of their spaces. They don't let clutter and trash pile up in their cars, often for the sake of their own well-being, so they make it easy by planning and creating solutions.
Of course, simply driving around in a clean car, free of trash and clutter, can also promote better mental health, mood, and connection for these women, according to research from the International Detailing Association.
10. A calm playlist
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When you've had a hard day at work or need a second of space in your life, listening to music and driving around in a car can be the perfect kind of self-care. Like a study from Translational Psychiatry argues, listening to music can be beneficial not just for general mental health, but also for regulating anger and mediating anxiety.
Music and curated playlists can be a self-soothing ritual, especially for women who don't have a ton of leisure time outside of driving to spend doing more intentional and active hobbies. Whether it's a curated CD or a Spotify playlist, if you see these things in a woman's car, you know she takes excellent care of herself.
11. Comfortable shoes
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If they're running errands or going out after work, the last thing a woman wants to do is wear her uncomfortable professional shoes while walking around. That's why women who take care of themselves and plan always have a spare pair of comfortable shoes in their car.
They don't have to worry about making time to go home and change, because they have everything they need already. Even if it seems subtle, chances are she's going to be in a better mood, more productive, and less stressed if she feels comfortable while navigating her daily responsibilities.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
