The self-care trend began when I was in middle school and since then, I’ve let wellness propaganda keep me in a chokehold and honestly I’m incredibly grateful for it. During a busy week, after a stressful day or even just for fun, I make it a priority to keep my sparkle intact. Here’s how I do it:
- Text Someone Old or New
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I find that my life is incredibly dense with friendships, especially long-term friendships, because I really make it a priority to nurture my new or existing relationships. It can feel awkward to text someone for the first time, or to reach back out to someone you may have drifted from, but those are often the friendships I enjoy most. Sometimes they take a little extra work, but when you step back and tally how many people are in your corner, you instantly feel the tangibility of the love in your life.
- Long Walk for Coffee/Beverage
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It is scientifically proven that exercise can boost your mental health instantly, so working out or walking has become my favorite form of therapy. I often walk from my apartment to my favorite coffee place which takes about an hour. Other times, I’ll walk all the way to Brentwood or Century City, which is a great time to listen to music, a podcast or just the ambiance of Los Angeles. It’s my favorite way to clear my head, sweat it out and ‘be where my feet are.’
- Read a Romance Book (In the Sun!)
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This is my favorite form of self care honestly. Nothing beats sitting in my comfortable bed, or on my balcony, freshly showered, reading a light-hearted romance novel. Often times when I’m in a reading rut, romance books are the things that pull me out of it. Romance authors have a really unique way of seeing the sparkle in the worlds they build, and the characters that inhabit them.
- Face Mask
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A face mask is a great way to feel put-together even if your life is falling apart. The cool sensation of the mask literally calms both your skin and your mind, making it easier to chart a course for the rest of your day, week or night.
- Write Down 10 Things You’re Grateful For
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Like I said in my article about nostalgia, you must start taking stock of the wonderful parts of your life while you’re living in them. Writing down what I am grateful for always reminds me of how truly lucky I am.
- Date Yourself + Buy Yourself Flowers
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Take yourself on a date. I don’t know what that might mean for you, whether that’s studying solo in a cafe, taking yourself to a movie, or even to a fancy dinner. I love taking myself out, and I find it necessary to reset my social battery. More often than not, you can find me in a cafe by myself, studying, reading or scrolling through Pinterest. There is a unique freedom that comes with the daunting nature of spending time solo!
- Bake or Cook Something Healthy
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Let yourself live like a girl in a rom-com and put on a cute outfit, an apron, throw your hair in a messy updo, play your favorite music and let yourself dance around the kitchen while making a meal that makes you feel strong and satisfied.
- Stay Off Your Phone
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Sometimes it is that damn phone…try and find alternate activities that don’t require a scroll. Do a craft, read a book, paint your nails!
- Light a Candle and Stretch
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Your hips hold trauma, so part of clearing your mind and letting it go is quite literally stretching it out. My favorite candle of all time is White Pumpkin by Bath and Body Works. It always makes me feel better!
- Build Sustainable Habits
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Getting your spark back, or keeping your sparkle alive is a long-term journey, and though these tactics are a wonderful prescription short term, it requires work and dedication to sparkle consistently. Build great habits! Clean your room, swiffer your apartment, vacuum your bathroom, create a daily to-do list, etc.