Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Self-Care Sunday

A white sign with black letters displaying "Self Care Isn't Selfish" with a pink background

Hello, everyone! Welcome to my first “Self-Care Sunday” post… even though it is not Sunday. I want to introduce this concept to you all today, then I will post a “Self-Care Sunday” weekly. I want you all to implement self-care into your life daily; however, if you live a relatively busy life, it can be a mindful practice to set aside a single day of the week and devote that day to self-care.

Yes, this blog is about skincare, although, I believe an important part of feeling more comfortable in your own skin and increasing your confidence is by implementing practices in your life that relieve stress.

Different self-care methods might include reading a book, going for a relaxing walk, or what this blog is primarily about, implementing skincare.

I feel that in recent years, the practice of self-care has become increasingly more of an encouraged practice. This is likely due to the rise in discussion regarding mental health. Mental health and self-care do go hand in hand, after all.

The recent rise in discussion about mental health is great for our society, and I am so thrilled to be discussing a part of it with you all today.

Self-care looks different for everyone, I will simply be discussing ways I implement self-care in my life, and ideally, I would like to help you all learn about more ways you can practice self-care.

As a full-time pharmacy technician and college student, I can say that I have neglected self-care in the past. Not taking time to take care of yourself can be damaging, not only for yourself but everyone around you. I was irritable, and simply just not myself.

For my first post, I want to discuss a self-care method that everyone will find useful… cleaning.

I know, I know, cleaning sounds like a chore more than anything else, but it is unbelievable how stress relieving it is to be in a consistently clean and decluttered environment.

I recently went through a breakup, I felt so completely out of control when it came to my emotions, so to regain some control, I decided to work on deep cleaning my personal space. It felt as though I was scrubbing away the stress. In the end I knew that the emotional damage from my breakup would need time to heal; however, I felt exponentially better knowing that I took control of how my environment is presenting itself.

It is evident that emotional and physical wounds only heal with time, but care is a vital aspect of the healing process so that the wounds do not get worse and heal properly.

Within https://theblissfulmind.com/blog/, specifically the “40 One-Sentenced Self-Care Tips” post, one of the tips is “Don’t avoid the things that make you feel better”. This sentence stood out to me since it directly relates to how many people feel regarding cleaning and decluttering their space. This statement can also be related to many other aspects of life.

For example, when I was going through the breakup mentioned above, I struggled to complete simple tasks in my daily routine. Something I struggled to complete that I am passionate about and is the premise of this blog is skincare. It felt like I was physically being weighed down by my stress, and as a result, I would not want to get up and implement my favorite self-care practice.

Ultimately, I was able to remind myself that my skincare, even though it may take time and effort, does make me feel better in the end.

If cleaning is not your ideal form of self-care, but you want to learn how to implement it in your life consistently, here are some tips:

Cleaning Tips:

 Focus on small areas first, instead of focusing on the space as a whole.

When I am cleaning my space, I find it less daunting to focus on certain areas first, instead of viewing the space as something I need to clean all at once. For example, if I am cleaning my bedroom, I might start by cleaning and decluttering my nightstand instead of moving all around the room at once. I first-hand understand how overwhelming it can be to look at a space you are about to clean and ponder where to even begin.

Fill your space with your favorite scents.

 One of my favorite parts about cleaning is that I can fill my space with my favorite scents. I particularly enjoy calming scents such as lavender, but this can be entirely customizable which is what makes it so fun! There are so many cleaning products that come in all different scents, so it is relatively easy to have them all fit in the same scent category. Whenever I am finished cleaning, I always enjoy lighting a candle or using an essential oil diffuser, it almost feels like a reward.

 My third and final tip when it comes to cleaning is to be kind to yourself.

 Cleaning can be an overwhelming experience, especially if it is something you have never done consistently. Within this blog space, I want everyone to feel accepted and not judged for what they may or may not already know. Do not be too overwhelmed by fancy cleaning products or gadgets. Just start with the basics, and you will be feeling better in no time.

 

verhead image of a person surrounded by different self-care methods including a book, cup of tea, and different food items.

I am always open to hearing about ways all of you implement self-care in your daily lives! Ideally, I would love for a part of these “Self-Care Sunday” posts is to be a discussion in the comments section regarding how you all implement self-care, and what your favorite methods are. This way I can also discuss the methods you all enjoy and give my personal outlook on them.

Different self-care methods that I already have on my list to discuss include reading, implementing daily exercise, baking, and, of course, skincare!

Thank you for reading my first “Self-Care Sunday” post, and I hope you all have a lovely, relaxing week to come!

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

You Are More Than Your Skin

 I distinctly remember avoiding the mirror in my early years of adolescence. When I would gather enough courage to look in the mirror, I would count my blemishes almost as if they defined my worth. The more blemishes I counted, the less I was worth. This is something I ideally would never want someone in their early adolescence, well into adulthood, to struggle with. I decided to create this blog with this purpose in mind. Looking back on moments in my life where I felt worthless purely because of my skin, I wish I had some kind of comfort. I wish I knew I was not alone in this struggle. Whatever form your body chooses to present itself as daily, you are still worth so much. 

Through this blog I will be sharing personal experiences, as well as researching skincare products and trends. I would also love to interview others to have more experiences and outlooks on skincare included in this blog. 

I want to begin by briefly stating that my main skin insecurity is acne. However, I will be discussing many different insecurities associated with skin, and I am open to hearing suggestions from readers. 

My journey with acne began when I was around ten years old. Since then, I have had countless dermatology appointments and have been prescribed many treatments. Ultimately, I find that my skin is best when it is not my main priority. It is easier said than done, but I feel that I did not truly start my journey with acceptance and self-confidence until I understood that my acne is unfortunate, but it is a part of me, nonetheless. I want to love everything about me, and I want others to do the same.

 

Image from Getty Images

Self-Care Sunday

Hello, everyone! Welcome to my first “Self-Care Sunday” post… even though it is not Sunday. I want to introduce this concept to you all toda...