For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved to paint my nails (whenever I could). Growing up my elementary and middle school didn’t allow me to paint my nails so I would paint them on Friday and remove the polish Sunday before school because I loved it THAT much. I loved painting them different colors and adding stickers but I never knew why I loved a small paint bottle so much. And it wasn’t until I got into high school and realized painting my nails was more than just something fun I liked to do, it made me feel good.
Painting my nails (as cheesy as it sounds) made me feel good about myself. I felt like a new person because I was taking the time to just sit and do something for myself because I’m constantly running around busy or on my phone. It’s a time to reflect and just relax because as a young college student I never have time to just be still. I realized how important it is to not only have freshly painted nails but to make time even if it’s just 5 minutes for myself because I would go crazy if I didn’t have those 5 minutes. I came to this realization while I was getting my nails done because I rarely do, and it really stuck with me because most people don’t stop and they burn themselves out. Especially right now it’s even more necessary to take time for yourself because the world has turned upside down and people are just expected to adapt and move on. I call painting my nails my love affair because I used to paint them all the time but with college, I find it hard to take the time out of my day, but I’ve become more religious with it because of how good I feel when I see my nails. And the best is when you’ve worked so hard on them and someone compliments you because that just reassures how the time you took not only impacted you but those around you. I know it’s a long stretch to be using my obsession with painting nails as a way to explain how people need to take time for themselves, but I think it’s one of those things you do and don’t realize how important they are to your mental health.
So go out and get your nails done or do them yourself because you won’t regret it. Take those minutes out of your day and instead of being online, do your nails! I just got a checkered pattern on my nails, so have fun with it, the possibilities are endless!!