The Importance Of Self-Care
Happy Monday ladies. I hope you had a great weekend and didn’t go too squirrely staying inside! I got surprisingly little done considering how much free time I had. I’m watching as little news as possible because I just don’t think it’s healthy. My hands are chapped from washing but the good news is I’m caught up on all my laundry and ready to dive into the week. Let’s talk about the importance of self-care.
Self Care
Life is on a fast track to crazy land these days and I’m doing all I can to sit this one out. This is a great time for us to all practice extreme self-care. Of course, washing our hands is top of the list and everything else the CDC suggests but I propose we take it a step further.
- take out that special lotion you been saving because it’s too expensive to use all the time, and douse yourself in it.
- listen to soothing music and avoid too much news
- clean and wash out your fridge so it’s a delight to open
- order some new books on Amazon and lose yourself in them
- watch comedies instead of dramas on TV
- wear soft clothes that don’t pinch or bind anywhere…my jeans are on holiday for me.
- wear lipstick and perfume every day
Deodorant
Have you read the studies that suggest there’s a connection between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease? I have and while there’s no conclusive evidence to prove it, I see no reason to push my luck. I stopped cooking on aluminum cookware years ago but could not wrap my head around aluminum-free deodorant. I finally tried one and it was a sticky mess.
Aluminum Free Deodorant
A quick look around the internet turned up dozens and dozens of aluminum-free deodorants. I spent hours (keeping busy at home) reading best-of lists over the weekend and this one kept popping up so I ordered it. There’s a whole process involved in switching from aluminum-containing antiperspirants which I will share more about after I make the transition.
Slippers
We don’t wear our shoes in the house #newwhitecarpet so I wear slippers. All. The. Time. Now that we’re spending all our time at home, I decided to treat myself to a fresh pair of slippers. I never spend much on mine so I have no guilt about updating them regularly. Luckily stores are delivering so I was able to order these.
Flowers
Many of you are still having snow but spring has sprung here and everything is blooming. I can take no responsibility for what’s blooming in my yard #blackthumb but I’m cutting what has bloomed and bringing them indoors. Last week my grandson cut a huge bunch and after I showed him how to strip the leaves off the stems he made this arrangement. I love his creativity.
Toilet Paper
You would be shocked at how many options there are.
What self-care are you practicing during these stressful times?
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident, especially now.
Our libraries are also closed. I’m checking out their digital resources. There are lots of ebooks, movies, audio books etc. Lynda.com—also available through our online library—offers online video courses on subjects like graphic design, photography and software development.
Schmidt’s deodorant, the rose/vanilla scent, is a good all-natural option for deodorant. It’s sometimes available at Costco.
I have read fabulous things about Schmidt’s. Thanks for reminding us about digital borrowing from the library.
Love your suggestions. My daughter and I are binging RuPaul’s Drag Race. I walk the dog with my son to force us to have some exercise. We are baking. I’m watching a lot of Hallmark movies. I’m dressing as if I’m going out (other than my infrequent 7am dashes to the store) and lipstick is key. We are also eating as much fresh food as possible since I fear we’ll be living off things at the bottom of the deep freeze at some point. Stay safe and healthy. Xx
I fear the same about fresh fruits and veggies. Stay safe xx
My office is still open although we are no longer meeting with clients. It’s funny to see the various reactions to the pandemic amongst my coworkers. Some of the comments I have heard are mind-boggling but I try to keep my sense of humor. We do have the option to work from home so I will be taking advantage of that. Meanwhile I am getting eczema on my hands from all the washing – does anyone have a recommendation for mild soap and hand cream? Currently slathering on the Aquaphor but it’s kind of greasy for work.
I’m a confirmed introvert who’s happy as a clam at being told to stay home. I keep myself more than busy with reading, binge-watching Brit TV dramas & movies, plus I’ve signed up for a bunch of internet university courses & have been listening to BBC Radio Dramas (& other dramatic readings) on YouTube (they have every classic you can think of). My husband, who’s more of an extrovert, is chafing a bit but he’s a motorcycle nut & is rebuilding a vintage Harley & I think is secretly pleased at having the excuse to stay home & work on it. We both retired early 2 years ago to spend more time together & while self-quarantine wasn’t quite what we had in mind, we’re putting it to good use, deciding this is the ideal time to paint the spare room, clean the garage & get those annoying little projects done around the house that always seem to get postponed. We also go for long daily walks & try to get out on the bike when the weather cooperates (icy mountain roads & motorcycles are a bad mix but spring IS starting to kick in). All of this may sound odd as “self-care”, but I think staying active & involved in life is a good way to handle the situation. We don’t spend much time thinking about the virus let alone fretting about it (we stay informed through our province’s excellent resource websites but avoid the news & social media hysteria), & watching people panic — hoarding TP & washing their hands obsessively when they’re not actually in contact with someone or something that could transmit the virus — saddens me.
I hope things settle down. It is sad to see people panic. I hope the fear eases up
A huge “shoutout “ to all the amazing health care providers! Thankyou so much! I am also so grateful for our mayors and governors who are stepping up and making difficult decisions to make us all as safe as possible!
I loved all the great ideas everyone shared today to help keep us busy. Stay strong!
Right before the governor of California told me to stay home (I’m old), I had been to the nursery to lay in some gardening stuff for my new house. That will keep me busy. We have moved into a new big house with our daughter and her family, and I am the cook. That also keeps me busy. Fortunately, I really like to cook. We had stocked up before all of this hit, so we are set for a few weeks. This thing seems like a big inconvenience to me rather than a disaster, thanks to my new perspective after my house burned down in the wildfires. I am going top donate money to our local food bank, and we are going to order take out from the local restaurants to help keep them in business. We are blessed and so fortunate to be able to weather this thing financially, and I’m going to try to do what I can to help the people who will obviously suffer as their livelihoods are affected. Seeing you every day, Jennifer, will be a bright spot for me.
I love what you’re doing! Stay safe and enjoy. Even though I have a black thumb, I wish I’d thought to buy some plants to play with in the garden.
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for your post, such a joy to recieve especially now!! So appreciate it!
Just to share the good vibes, I love British television series- not a fan of violence or carnage- but love family drama’s and well written series and my favorites are:
Unforgotten, (crime/who done it )The Split, The River, Last Tango in Halifax (all on Amazon) anything with the actress Nicola Walker in, and works written by Sally Wainwright like Happy Valley ( brilliant acting but too violent for me) and historically fascinating and funny Gentleman Jack (HBO).
Mum is good too on Britbox with Lesley Manville.
And a Australian series called A Place Called Home, wonderful characters and all consuming.
Yesterday I signed up for free courses at Harvard University on line to keep me occupied and when I can, it is raining here in California, I get outside and walk. Also summer is coming, so I working on arm exercises while watching television with hand weights!! So in two weeks when I emerge i hope to be fitter!!
Be safe:)
“A Place Called Home” is my all time favorite! I can’t recommend it enough.
Thanks for the heads up on the classes! What a brilliant idea! It’s raining here too, which we need, but I’m looking forward to the sunshine. Stay safe
Just finished the 4 episodes of this latest seasof Last Tango in Halifax (2020). As good as ever. If you like UK dramas, Belgravia is the latest offering – written by Julian Fellowes ofmDownton Abbey fame.
Thank you for the nice post. Your grandson is very talented. The flowers are lovely.
I have decided to look at this as a time of blessing and rewind. Blessed that I have a house, so far my family is safe and I have food to eat. Getting things done that I have put off and enjoying the birds, buds that are starting to bloom, walking and watching chick flicks as I iron.
Do take care and be safe.
We only have one TV so I don’t get to watch chick flicks often but it is my favorite thing to do while ironing too. Stay safe!
You can always watch on your laptop or tablet. That’s what I do.
Last week I cancelled our Mediterranean cruise. Today I’m cancelling our family reunion for this week in Florida. This afternoon I’m researching new recipes for dining with some creative table settings by candlelight to romance my husband. Tonight I’m starting to read all the books I’ve loaded on my Kindle. Oh, and since I’m “vacationing at home” I’m ordering some clothes online to look forward to. As long as I have books, cable movies, food and wine and a good attitude I can come to enjoy this time at home. Keep posting and stay positive!
You’re all set!! I need to check our wine supply 🙂
Vionic makes slippers, sandals and shoes in many, many styles and I have been wearing them for several years – excellent quality and they last for a long time.
I have been using Native deodorant for a couple of years – autodelivery so it comes every couple of months.
I’m lining up projects that I have been intending to do, including getting out my sewing machine that has been in mothballs!
Stay well and safe.
I hauled out my knitting! You stay safe too
I read Chelsea Girls on my iPad. She is one of my go to authors – I’ve read all of her books. It’s good although I think I liked her other books better. A friend gave me a purse size Dr Bronner’s Lavender Hand Sanitizer that is devine! it makes your hands smell and feel wonderful.
Thanks for keeping us going Jennifer.
Stay safe.
I love Dr Bonner products! Stay safe
For stress relief, I’ve started (re)watching Cheers on Netflix. Yes, it’s decades-old, but still so funny. It’s a good way to wind down before bed.
We have Netflix!! I love Cheers. Thanks.
Big Bang Theory is another good one!