Social media is full of posts advocating selfcare but what does it actually mean?
Especially when you’re a busy woman and can’t seem to get a minute to yourself?
I’ve recently booked myself in for a massage.
One of those very rare occasions where I felt that I could schedule something in - 5 weeks in advance to be sure - just for myself.
It’s sad having to actually block out some time in your calendar for a day in the future to be able to ‘selfcare’, isn't it?
I was working my backside off that morning, really pushing myself to cram as much in as I could possibly get done before the massage, just to make sure I deserved to take the afternoon off.
Sounds familiar?
On top of that, I had quite a few orders to pack which took me about two and a half hours (thank you my lovely customers, I really appreciate your orders!).
I was hunched over my packing station and after two hours of packing straight, could really feel it in my back.
But it didn’t matter, because all I could think of at this point was the massage.
And then, not even half an hour before I was meant to jump in the car, I’ve got a phone call to say my massage therapist has gone home sick for the day and there was no one else to take over.
It’s not like I could have just gone the next day.
No, it took another 4 weeks of anticipation for the new appointment.
I really felt like I needed something on that day.
I still drove into town to take the parcels to the post office and when I came back home, I decided to have a little bath.
I say little because we don’t have a bathtub.
I’ve been at my husband for years to pull down a wall to make room for a bathtub, so much so that I’m now not allowed to approach the topic anymore.
We do have a big/high shower basin though and being a relatively tiny person I squeezed myself in.
Hubby actually ‘ran the bath’ for me and added some of the hydrating hand and body wash to the water because it smells lovely.
He even went as far as putting a stool next to the makeshift ‘tub’ with a glass of red wine. It was nice.
The following evening we dusted off the turntables and played some music.
We drank, we danced and we sang and I can tell you, I haven’t felt this good in a while.
But how I felt the next day and the next day and the next is what really surprised me and it’s not a hangover I’m talking about.
I didn’t just feel relaxed. I actually felt like I’ve just had a holiday.
Not sure how, but the dancing and singing had a really positive effect on my mental health and clarity.
So, I don’t think selfcare is overrated because it helps to recharge your batteries.
But you really don’t have to spend a day or a fortune at a spa for that.
It could be as simple as using some lovely products.
When I shower, I use my favourite product from the range.
Can you guess which one it is? I’ll give you a second to think.
It’s the invigorating body scrub and I don’t so much use it for the exfoliation, for me that’s a bonus.
I’m addicted to the intoxicating essential oil blend and the silky soft skin I have after using it. I close my eyes to inhale it deeply and just for a moment I feel like I’m somewhere else.
If you have tried the body scrub yourself, you know what I’m talking about and if you haven’t, you’re missing out.
So tell me, what selfcare are you managing to fit into your days at the moment?
With love,
Mel x