Self care. Oy, what an overused buzzword, amirite? Ok, full disclosure: I am a BIG. FAN. of self care. My close friends can attest that this is one of my favorite topics of conversation, and certainly something I encourage others to partake in. It’s like an episode of Parks and Rec over here.
On the surface, some self care practices seem frivolous — particularly my twice-monthly manicures, with a pedicure almost as frequently. Does a mani/pedi really make a difference? Can a fresh set of nails have the same impact on a person as, say, a massage/vacation/meditation/etc.? Here’s my truth: YES. (and also, no).
Let’s go back a bit. As a kid, I bit my nails and cuticles; sometimes to the point of bleeding. I bit my nails until they bled and often kept on chewing. My fingers were constantly in my mouth (eww, I know), but I couldn’t help it. Anxiety is no joke. Every time I bit off a piece of nail that somehow managed to grow back, there was an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and relief.
But something changed at age 22. I had made a lot of strides in my teens and early adulthood toward taking care of myself (mind, body, and spirit) and reframing the thought patterns that led to unhealthy behaviors. Dealing with the root of a problem makes ending the symptoms so much easier; I was able to simply decide one day that I didn’t want to bite my nails anymore. Did I still have a few slip-ups? Of course. However, I can truly say that I haven’t bitten my nails once in the last five years. Much of that is due to really solid self care practices. Here are just a few of my favorite forms of self care:
- Changing into a comfy nightgown the moment I get home from work.
- Saying “no” to things I know make me upset (like scary movies, or songs that get stuck in my head)
- Taking a moment to stare at the stars when I come home in the evening.
- Throwing out old makeup that I don’t use or like.
- Getting regular manicures/pedicures and changing up the color each time.
Notice anything about this list? If you said, “it’s kinda specific”, you’d be right! There’s a reason for this: it’s easier to replicate situations that make you happy if you know EXACTLY what makes you happy. Let’s go back to this manicure/pedicure thing. Once I decided to stop biting my nails, I began using my creative abilities to paint my nails at home. That evolved into getting regular professional pedicures to match. If you’ve ever gotten the kind of pedicures where they massage your legs and feet, you are probably also familiar with that tingly sensation that takes over your scalp. And, boy, does that feel lovely! After my life got insanely busy with school and work, it got harder and harder to make time to do elaborate nail art on myself, and I started getting my nails done too.
See those claws? Those are my real nails. For over a year, I’ve gotten what’s called “dip powder” nail color. It’s essentially a colored powder that they “dip” your nails into, which hardens using a clear lacquer. The process does take a while, but my salon offers a little neck massage at the end, so I don’t mind the longer duration. I like dip powder better than other types of nail color (gel, standard polish, etc.) as the color and shine last up to three weeks for me. I usually get bored long before the powder starts looking bad.
Part of my specificity in self care is also that I like to keep my nails on the longer side, and I prefer them to be in an almond shape. When I leave the salon with fresh new nails, I feel really good about myself. For many days after, I admire my nails and how healthy they are. They are a reminder of how far I’ve come, and all the things I’ve overcome. Which, to me, is anything but frivolous.
My best advice about self care is this:
- Know what makes you happy, and get REALLY specific about it. Do those things.
- You don’t owe anyone an explanation about your self care routine. Just keep doing those things.
Got a favorite self care practice? Share it in the comments below!
Love,
Leave a Reply