GIFTED | I’m going to be honest… I’ve been shit at looking after myself within the last few years. I mean, I attended my cervical screening when invited to make sure all was a-okay down there, I go to my 6 monthly contraception reviews with the nurse, I get my eyes checked when I’m due an eye test and check my boobs often enough. But as for everything else. Phish. I’ve quite frankly neglected myself. And it’s not a good feeling.
This is something I’ve been aware of for quite a while but the motivated to actually do anything about it was well, non-existent basically. A variety of factors have contributed to me and my ‘lack of self care’, including laziness, being too tight with my money and feeling of being overwhelmed with how much god-damn self maintenance being a human actually requires. It’s exhausting.
When it comes to self care – the type of self care we all talk about these days – I feel like I’ve got a pretty good grip on it. I have a nap if I need a nap. I treat myself when I want a treat. I do all the ‘basic‘ stuff you need to actually look and feel like an acceptable human being on a day to day basis. But anything that requires any more effort that that? You can forget it.
But enough is enough. I know where I’m going wrong and what I need to do to change so here are some of the things I’ve been doing in order to take better care of myself physically and mentally this year so far:
A new skincare routine
I invested (quite a bit of money, for me anyway) into some skincare products from the new My Clarins range, which are all cruelty-free and Vegan products designs specifically for millennials. It was time I actually put some love and effort into my skin which is one of the main things I’ve been neglecting over the last few years.
I suffer with hormonal acne, brought on by the pill I’m on. It’s not a HUGE deal. Of all the side effects I could possibly get, I can manage this one. But it’s just annoying and my skin got so bad I kinda just gave up on it. Cos it nothing worked then what’s the point? But I’m really enjoying these products and adopting a new skincare routine.
More Yoga
I’m around a stone heavier than what I want to be right now. I absolutely do not agree with or take part in any sort of fad diet but I want to be healthier, stronger and fitter and preferably, back down to the weight that I feel best in in my body. Yoga is the only exercise I really enjoy, so I’ve really made an effort to up my Yoga practices and do more intense practices. Which always make me feel amazing afterwards!
Investing in teeth whitening
I’ve never liked my teeth. They’re relatively straight but a little gappy at the top. They’re not that white and I was never offered braces when I was younger. I’ve never had any problems with my teeth, apart from 2 fillings over 10 years ago but they’re just not a part of my body I’ve ever prioritized. Obviously I brush them twice a day but that’s about as far as I go.
A couple of weeks ago, my boyfriend mentioned teeth whitening and that he wasn’t happy with his teeth either then shortly after that, I was contacted by White Glo*, asking if I’d like to try some of their products. Timing or what? So knowing I could definitely benefit from some teeth whitening, I said yes and I’ve been using the White Glo toothpaste twice a day for a couple of weeks now.
The set comes with it’s own toothbrush, which is really soft and nice to use. The toothpaste itself is a relatively nice taste too and I’m definitely enjoying using it. But have I seen any results? Well, I’ve been using it for a month now and my teeth are definitely whiter. It’s encouraged me to take better care of my teeth and invest in other products to enhance that but yep, there’s definitely some noticeable results there!
I was also sent the Bright Nights Instant Whitening Dissolving Strips, which are really handy if you’re going out, as they’re an instant boost of whiteness! Using these White Glo products have encouraged me to invest in more teeth whitening products to help me along and hopefully encourage me to take better care of my teeth and dental hygiene too!
Not being too tight with my money when it comes to self maintenance
Which brings me onto my next point. I’ve always had this mindset that most things are a waste of money. I wouldn’t consider myself tight with my money. I go on holiday, I pay for equipment I need for blogging, I treat myself to takeaway etc. But any beauty related products, I always felt were a waste of my money. I mean, who am I to be spending money to make myself look nice?!
Which I know is the complete wrong mindset to have. I’m very sensible with money and I pride myself on that and I’m never going to be one to splurge and go on massive shopping sprees. But I’m definitely shifting my mindset in this respect and if it’s something that will benefit me and make my life better, if I can afford it, then I’ll buy it.
Taking some time out
This one definitely falls under the mental health category but is equally as important as physical health I believe. I’ve finally learnt to take time out for myself and just switch off because being constantly on 24/7 is never, ever helpful. This is something I’ve always struggled with. And still do. But I’ve learnt the benefits of completely switching off from work, blogging and doing anything productive because chilling the F out is important too.
How are you taking better care of yourself in 2019? Have you adopted any new practices? Got rid of anything which wasn’t serving you anymore?
* Items mentioned in this post marked with a (*) were gifted to me in exchange for a feature. All thoughts and opinions are my own.