This past week was rough. To put it lightly, it’s midterm season, and many Carleton students are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. On top of this, the recent Daylight Savings time change means less sunlight as winter quickly approaches. Although I had no midterm exams, I had multiple heavily-weighted assignments, tests, and quizzes due around the same time. While I cared about submitting my best work, the only problem was that I was lacking motivation and quickly headed for burnout. Whenever this happens, my first instinct is to plan something for myself that I can look forward to as a light at the end of the dark tunnel. This, alongside making time to see friends and taking breaks amongst the chaos are foolproof strategies for tackling the sense of impending doom that many students may feel around this time.
During reading week, I sent one of my close friends a self-care package because she was sick and unable to go home to see her family. It came with a candle, blanket, fuzzy socks, and other miscellaneous items perfect for a self-care night. She was super happy to receive it, which got me thinking about doing something like that for myself – introvert edition.
You might be wondering what being an introvert has to do with any of this, self-care is for everyone after all. Well, introversion is not the same thing as being shy. It simply means that you prefer and gain energy from alone time and may feel drained from prolonged group activity. While some students opt for partying and hanging out with friends as a way to relieve stress, introverts like me take a completely different approach to self-care. Without further ado, here is the ultimate introvert guide to self-care. Set aside some time at the end of the week and try it for yourself!
- Focus on skincare/Do a facemask
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Putting on a skincare face mask and leaning into an extensive skincare routine is a great way to begin your self-care night. It allows you to take as much time as you need to focus on self-awareness and rejuvination after a long week. I went to my local Shoppers Drug Mart and picked up a single-use hydration mask which went on after my regular skincare routine but before moisturizer. It also helps that the mask can be worn while you do other activities like watching a movie or reading a book. This is such a crucial part of a self-care night because the goal is to take care of both your inner and outer self as they both contribute to well-being. After a long day on campus, taking a shower, changing into my pyjamas and taking care of my skin was the perfect place to start.
- light a candle
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The next step to a perfect introvert self-care night is to light a candle. This can feel a bit intimidating at first, but I find it to be absolutely necessary. It was my first time using a candle in my room and after doing a bit of research and relying on my roommate, I was ready to go. Funny enough, I won a self-care package from CUSASC – Carleton’s Sexual Assault Support Centre that week which contained a Vanilla Cashmere candle from Indigo, so I was super excited to use it for the night that I had planned. Make sure you go in person to buy a candle if you don’t have one already so that you have a chance to smell each one you come across and pick your favourite! I love warm vanilla scents so the candle I was given was perfect for me.
If this is your first time, take note of these candle care tips to make your experience smoother: your first burn is the most important because candles have memory. This means that the candle should be lit for at least an hour so there’s no ring left after the wax melts, which could cause tunnelling. Also, the next time you use the candle, make sure to trim the wick to avoid any smoking. Some other obvious tips include never leaving the candle unattended and or sleeping with it lit. As for a lighter, I would suggest going for a longer one like the ones they use for grills. It’s easier to get to the wick as the candle dwindles and the flame is further from your fingers. An added benefit to lighting a candle is the smells that linger days later! My room still smells like vanilla, which I love.
- Grab a comfy blanket
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This is the final step of ‘setting the scene’ for your self-care night. Before engaging in whatever solitary activity that you have planned, grab a blanket or a thick hoodie to make sure that you are comfy during your night. Remember, the goal here is relaxation. Falling asleep would be a benefit! I got into blankets more than ever before last year and they have really changed the game. My favourite is a pink one that I was gifted for Christmas and I pull it out whenever I want to feel extra comforted or if I’m feeling chilly. If you’re not a fan of blankets, I would recommend a wearable blanket sweater like the Oodie or others like it. It’s a great portable solution to any of your blanket troubles.
- Read a book or watch a movie
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Now that your atmosphere is set, it’s time for an activity! As an introvert, the best thing that I can do for my mental health and enjoyment is to crack open a good fantasy book or movie with mood lighting in my room. Although this can seem boring to some, escapism is one of my favourite ways to get my mind off of other things that I have going on. Sometimes this means curling up with a good book and squealing as the drama ensues or admiring the cinematography of a classic movie. If you are in a reading slump or haven’t watched anything fun in a while, this is the time to start again. For this self-care night, I chose Mr. & Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. This was a fantastic movie that was funny yet action-packed. I would generally suggest picking a lighthearted movie-either a rom-com or comedy that’s an easy watch.
- Get yourself a sweet treat
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I don’t know about you, but my first thought upon hearing self-care is a sweet treat to get through the day, or in this case, the week. This can be anything from candy to ice cream or sweet popcorn to eat as you watch your movie. Not only do these taste delicious but they create physiological good feelings in your brain. I splurged on some Rocky Road ice cream bars and also indulged in some Hi-Chews.
- SLEEP EARLY
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This is key. Although you may be enjoying your movie or book, an important part of resetting for the week is ensuring that you are well-rested and feel amazing in the morning. During my week, I hadn’t been sleeping well so this was the perfect time to go to bed much earlier than usual so that I could wake up both mentally and physically ready for my work shift the next morning.
