Self-care looks different during a pandemic – especially a pandemic that is getting worse before it gets better. I can’t go for a much needed full-body massage. I have been skipping my ‘medicinal’ thrifting trips. I haven’t been escaping for a BFF weekend of wine and merriment. The only time I’ve been leaving the house is for various doctor’s appointments and the grocery store.
Taking care of yourself mentally and physically is extremely important. For me, by taking some time to myself for self-care I am able to keep from being sucked into a negative funk. So, even when I don’t feel like it, I force myself to do these 4 things.
#1: Mask Monday
I’ve talked about Mask Monday before and after months of being lazy I’ve decided to reinstate it into my routine. Basically, I pick one of my various face masks sitting around the house – whether it be the Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask (my favorite), or a sheet mask that I’ve accumulated from Marshalls – and I slop it on my face for 20 minutes. It feels nice to spend some time on myself and my face feels nice to have a little bit of attention.
#2: Using the Peloton App Every Single Day
I gave myself the goal of doing SOMETHING on the Peloton app each day back when I started using it in December (you can find my Peloton: 1 Month Check-In here). Sure, there are absolutely days that I don’t feel like doing anything at all… but when I look at my streak it totally motivates me. So, it doesn’t matter if it’s a cycling class, a strength class, a 5-minute mediation, or all of the above… I have to do something every day to keep up my streak, so I do it. By keeping some sort of daily exercise in my life, it helps me not get those ‘sitting at a computer all day long’ aches and pains.
#3: Reading all the Books
I love reading. Love, love, love it. And I have a special little spot on the couch in my den where I like to curl up each evening after dinner and enjoy my book. Like last year, I’ve decided to keep track of my 2021 book list and you can find it here: 2021 Book List. So far, I’m up to 14 books, which includes a super fantastic fantasy series by K.F. Breene that I highly recommend!
#4: Fancy Lotion
I have dry skin and the winter + the indoor heat makes it even more dry. I love body butter-type creams, like the ones they sell at The Body Shop and Philosophy. I recently picked up Trader Joes Coconut Body Butter on a whim and HOLY WOW is this stuff decadent! It is so thick and rich, sucks right into dry skin, and smells incredible. Next time I hit up TJ’s, I’ll absolutely be buying a couple more for my stash!
