Once upon a time, I was a whiz at keeping a self-care routine going.
I started doing routine self-care when I was a young working mom. I desperately needed to do this bit of routine care to keep me going mentally and emotionally. And I wanted to look presentable at all times.
Over the years, as I've gotten older and am home more and more, I have been very hit and miss. During times of stress though, I realized how desperately I needed that mindful routine of self-care/grooming to keep me going. It's just a few minutes at a time, but it's time when I exclusive focus on ME, not the house, not other family members but just upon myself.
I've tried having spa days but giving myself a whole block of time at once isn't working for me. I can devote ten or fifteen minutes a day to myself though. And most of these self-care items take far less than that if they are split up over the week.
Daily Care
Morning:
Drink water FIRST every day. This is something I've seen touted everywhere but not until that morning I woke with a headache and muscle aches and deep thirst did I do this. It was shocking to me how quickly the brain fog, headache and body aches and pains disappeared. I felt high energy and that was before coffee!
Now I am starting most days with at least 8-12 ounces of water. Some might say that isn't nearly enough but it's more than nothing and it's working for me.
Check blood sugar. I struggle with this. Even though I know how to do a stick without hitting nerve endings, even though I know I should keep a check on my blood sugar, mostly I don't do it. I prefer to do a fasting sugar, before I have breakfast because I believe that is the better indicator of how I'm really doing. I have the kit sitting on top of my desk
Dress for the day. I've been very consistent with this for the past year. I used to be one of those who wandered about the house until noon in pajamas. I hear Granny in my head these days if I do this. I reserve pajamas about the house for sick days. I feel far more productive, I am more productive. I'm ready for the day when I get up.
Push back cuticles. Such a simple thing. It takes literally just moments, but I fail here so often.
Shower/facial care if not going outdoors to work. I'll do it after I come in from outdoors if those are my plans.
Lotion after shower. I'm better about this in winter when my skin is visibly drier and ashy looking. I'm working on getting better about this in the warmer months, but I'm not consistent.
Light makeup. I'm okay here. If I can start with clean skin, a light coat of mascara and lip balm...oh and eyebrows!, I feel so much better about me when I look in the mirror. Not that I stand around gazing in mirrors all of the time, but it's quite the shock to look in the mirror and see a rougher version of myself than I was imagining, lol. I'm always pleasantly surprised on the days when I look in the mirror and I've taken time to put on light makeup.
Meds. I'm good here.
Evening:
Brush hair 100 strokes. I did this for a time and found it was a great way to tame my fly away hair as it helps distribute hair oils and stimulates the scalp. Like most good habits I let it slide.
Remove makeup, do skincare. I'm consistent with this.
Lotion on hands and feet. I'm good on this one, too.
Gratitude Journal. I just picked this up this past week. It's been a lovely way to end the day. And I don't know if I'm fooling myself, but it seems after finishing the day with this, my mind is ready to shut off and rest.
Weekly Care:
These are the items I want to spread out over a week.
Monday: Remove nail polish on hands. Exfoliate skin. Shave legs and underarms. I find it's best to exfoliate before shaving. I get a closer shave which means I'm stubble free for longer.
My Saturday manicure is generally chipped by Monday, so I typically remove it before my shower. I'll keep toenail polish on for a couple of weeks without issue.
Tuesday: Pedicure. Callus treatments, push back cuticles, fresh polish if needed.
Wednesday: Pluck eyebrows. Check facial hair. Shave face if needed...this is usually only required about once a month.
Thursday: Shampoo and condition hair.
Friday: Face Scrub, Hydration Mask.
Saturday: Manicure, polish.
Sunday: Set up wardrobe for the week. Catch up for any missed self-care items.
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10 comments:
I know what you mean about looking in the mirror and having a little jolt of "What happened?" because I have not been taking care of my face. There are days I would swear that in the photo of him lying dead, Abraham Lincoln looked better than I do! I am afraid to shave my facial hair, that it will grow back stiff and dark.
Mable, I have very heavy peach fuzz, not any dark hair at all, but all I get back is more peach fuzz, not any heavy or dark stubble. And shaving is usually just once a month for me. It makes the skin incredibly smooth.
You cracked me up with your Abe Lincoln remark, lol.
I don't do much for self-care. My skin is good (for my age), I haven't had to shave my legs or pits since menopause, I don't wear nail polish or much makeup. What I should be doing each day is applying the little makeup I do wear (especially those eyebrows LOL) and remembering to wear earrings. A little lotion here and there wouldn't hurt, either. So, I would never do much, but I should be doing something!! I'm not sure if you are encouraging me or making me feel guilty! Good for you for trying to get back on track.
Self-care is not selfish care. Sometimes we get so busy with everyday life that it is set on the back burner. We need to take care of ourselves, or we are not much use to anyone else, let alone ourselves. You wouldn't run your car out of oil or water. It doesn't need to take expensive products to take care of our bodies.
Max, LOL...No guilt intended. Karla had mentioned thinking she should do a self-care plan and I shared mine for any others who thought the same.
Donna, I agree...That's why I'm trying to be much more mindful of doing my own self-care routines.
OK, I did it! I smeared on some makeup this morning and I remembered to put in earrings. Woo-hoo! I also wore supportive shoes that make a huge difference in how much I accomplish.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this! Sometimes I need a real woman's routine ideas to know how often regular people do things. Realistic ideas rather than magazine impossibilities.
I'm good with wearing nice clothes, jewelry and makeup each day because I work full time outside the home. I at least do something with my hair - mostly up in a clip or in a ponytail because I can't stand it in/near my face but I'm not great at actually doing much with it. So, I've accepted it and just move on. LOL I'm good with facial skincare and shaving. I'm fine with putting lotion on after a shower, and even keeping my dry heels filed down (I keep a foot file in my shower and do that as a last step) but I'm TERRIBLE about not putting lotion on my feet. I am somewhat quirky about that - can't stand the feeling of lotion on my feet until it dries. I have been splurging on pedicures about once a month since summer started but I need to start doing them myself. I also need to get better about keeping my hands looking nice. I fail to put lotion on there as well for similar reasons to the feet. I don't keep polish on because it simply doesn't last long and I get frustrated. But I can get better with lotion, cuticles and keeping them filed (I keep them cut short) so they don't look quite so worn out and wrinkly.
Thanks again for sharing this. It's a big help.
I definitely
Karla, I wrote it with you in mind...And yes, affordable is my necessary thing with all self-care. No fancy products for me though I am seriously considering upgrading my shampoo and conditioner to something pricier. My skin care items are all from ELF except the Vitamin C and while I prefer the Mad Hippie brand, I've had trouble getting the plain old Vitamin C so I switch and then return. I do my own mani/pedi at home and I try to remember to keep my fingernails well shaped even though I wear no polish during the week.
I do lotion nightly. I should use it on my hands after each time I wash dishes, and keep lotion next to the sink for that purpose but do I use it? No...Foolishness on my part. It would only benefit my hands and nails!
Max! Good for you!
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