Tag: rest

blogtober, Lifestyle

My Fall Self Care Routine

mindbeautysimplicity

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Happy Sunday! On this day of Blogtober, I wanted to slow things down & share with you my go to self care routine for fall. I tend to base my rest & relaxation on the seasonal vibes. In no means am I restricting this for only Sundays of course. Whatever day you feel the need for a pick me up, return to this blog post for some inspiration.

When I think about fall, I picture cozying up on the couch in a comfy sweater & fuzzy socks, warm beverage in hand gazing out at the falling leaves from my window. Honestly, it’s such a vibe especially for down days such as these.

Dress Cozy & Comfy

Most fall days, I lean towards oversized sweaters & leggings – but on self care days this attire is a fall wardrobe essential. Basically, I’m looking to be as comfortable & warm as possible & this pairing does just that. I’m the type of person who gets cold when the temperature drops to 60 degrees. Maybe my iron levels need checked. LOL So, bundle me up in blankets & pillows as well because I’m ready to be a toasty burrito.

You Might Also Like: 10 Fall Clothing Essentials You Need In Your Wardrobe

Set The Mood

Most self care days I allow myself breaks from all forms of work. But there are the occasional moments where I find myself still typing away or doing some behind the scenes work for the blog. I guess you could say it’s the price we make for fueling said passions. And honestly, I find these moments to be rather relaxing when I set the mood right. In the fall especially, I will light a few candles (preferably ones of the pumpkin spice or cinnamon aroma), dim the lights & just find a chair to melt into for a few hours. Occasionally, I’ll play some background tunes or have a Youtube video playing in the distance – usual videos revolving around true crime or ghost stories this time of year. Another favorite of mine is putting the fireplace video from youtube on my tv (because we don’t have a real fireplace).

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Give My Skin Some Extra TLC

In the fall / winter, my skin becomes super dry. I really try to prioritize moisturizers & face masks more often. In general, my skin care routine is simple. The less products the better for my sensitive skin. But I really love an occasional peel off or clay mask. Some favorites include the Origins Retexturizing Mask & the Fresh Pore Purifying Face Mask . But on a regular basis, I stick to a cleanser like the Cera Ve Facial Cleanser & warm water.

Cook a Tasty & Fulfilling Meal

As soon as the temperature drops just a tad, I’ll quickly start to crave those hardy, carb filled meals. I’m trying to make relatively healthier choices (cue wedding prep), but we aren’t perfect all the time & news flash…it’s ok to crave the pasta! So, on self care days especially, I’ll usually cook my favorite & easy meal which is Fettuccini Alfredo. On the side I’ll toast up some bread, dip it in olive oil & sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top of everything. To me, this is heaven. Add a glass of orange tinted wine & you’ve got yourself a spooky season type of evening!

Take a Scenic Stroll

I love the beautiful scenery fall season has to offer. The brightly colored leaves of red & orange & the way they sway off the trees into the wind makes me love the fact I live in an area with multiple seasons. Getting fresh air & being in nature is another way I relax after a long day. Even if it’s a quick walk around the neighborhood, I take advantage of the outdoors regularly. I hope to also schedule a few weekend adventures with the fiance – preferably to the mountains this season. There’s just something about staying in a cabin by the mountains / lake with the fall scenery that would make the perfect relaxing fall getaway we desperately deserve.

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Watch a Spooky Flick

The entire month of October, I try & soak up as much spooky material as possible. I love ending the day with a movie or tv show of this genre. It puts me in the best mood. Some favorites include Hocus Pocus, most true crime documentaries, paranormal mini series or even Halloween / ghost story youtube videos. Look out for an entire list of Halloween themed favorites coming up this Blogtober.

You Might Also Like: What To Watch This October

Get Lost in An Eerie Book or Story

I definitely read a lot more in the fall or winter time. I think it’s because we are inside far more often. Of course you can choose any genre of book you’d like to get lost in but I prefer thrillers, mysteries & ghost stories during this season. I recently purchased a reading chair for my office & it’s the perfect spot to cuddle up in a blanket & novel especially during those more blustery of fall days. It’s important to create spaces in your home that invite relaxation.

Be sure to plan out a few self care days this month, especially if you are a fellow blogger participating in Blogtober like myself. I hope this post gave you a bit of inspiration. What’s your favorite self care activity during fall?

Have you read yesterday’s blogtober post?

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-B

self care

How To Have a Mindful Self Care Day

mindbeautysimplicity

It took me a long time to realize how important self care is to our mind, body & soul. In a world where society preaches “the grind never stops” & “sleep is for the weak”, we almost get in the habit of thinking when we slow down & make time for ourselves it means we are being lazy & unproductive. As I’ve been adapting intentional living in my routines, I’ve learned it’s completely ok to take a breather for a while & just be. Slowing down & taking time for myself has helped me manage feelings of burnout & fatigue. I have gained a sense of balance. Here are 10 Mindful Self Care Techniques I Do Regularly:

  1. Morning Stretches: I have found as someone who is not a morning person whatsoever, taking the time to do some slow morning stretches or a short yoga practice helps me wake up & become energized for my day. I can feel rather stiff as soon as I wake up & this light movement & meditation grounds myself for the tasks ahead. It’s so important to stretch as it promotes proper blood flow & loosens up those tight joints after being asleep for 7 to 8 hours. This practice has also helped me with any feelings of anxiety or stress I may be having in the moment. Focusing on my breath & just intentionally slowing down teaches me to let go of these feelings of needing to always rush.

2. Make Your Bed: I am someone who wouldn’t make their bed in the past because I had the mindset it was pointless since I’d be getting right back in it later. But as I’ve developed the habit of making my bed in the morning, it immediately makes me feel like I have my life on track. And when I return to it in the evening, it’s nice to see a tidy bed awaiting me. The idea of appreciating slow living & properly doing my tasks has helped me let go of the notion of feeling like I never had time for such a small task. Before, I would always rush out of bed & let the sheets go haphazard & return to the mess later. It seems like such a silly change but I’m telling you it shifts your entire mindset for the rest of the day.

3. Wash Your Face: Would you believe if I told you I have a one step skin care routine? I’ve learned the more products you use on the skin, the more clogged it can be. Not to mention, I have rather sensitive skin, so experimenting with products is usually the wrong way to go. I simply use a gentle facial cleaner & wipe away with water. And somedays, I’ll just use water. To some of you, that may sound insane. But I’m telling you, my skin has been the most clear in years. Even though my skincare routine is fairly simple, it is still a vital step in self care. The feeling of clean face is underrated.

4. Fuel Your Body: Be mindful what you put into your body. But also be attuned to what your body may need. I’m someone who doesn’t like the concept of diet culture & more so someone who is striving for a balanced yet healthy lifestyle. If you feel you need more carbs one day, go ahead & eat that pasta. Having a sense of balance & understanding of properly fueling the body is a form of self care not a lot of us consider. Lately, I’ve been loving starting my day with a strawberry & banana smoothie. I’ll sit down at the kitchen table & savor each drop.

5. Rest: When we are in the swing of life & on the road to accomplishing goals, we forget burnout can creep up on us all of a sudden. I learned taking a break, resting & getting proper sleep are key components to staying productive & creative. A few months ago, I took a break from my blogging passion & that hiatus gave me the fuel to come back more creative than ever. If you want to hear more about this, click here. Make sure you get proper sleep. No one really thinks you are more successful if you pull all nighters on the regular. Sleep is in & burnout is out.

6. Vitamin D: Sunlight is the ultimate self care ingredient. I can’t even describe the feeling I get when I go outside even for just 15 minutes. Being cooped up in a house can be detrimental to the psyche. I’ve made the habit of getting outside more often whether it’s writing a blog post on our back deck or taking a walk in the early evenings. You can take vitamins to help boost these levels but there is something about getting it from its nature source that seems so much better.

7. Spending Time With Quality People: I guard my energy like it’s a piece of gold. I no longer try to waste time on people who drain it from me. Especially when I’m in the need of proper self care, I make sure to spend time with people who lift me up like my closest friends, boyfriend & family. Self care doesn’t have to be a lonely endeavor. I’m looking forward to seeing friends & family more often this summer & have proper get togethers. I’ve realized how much I need that to maintain happiness.

8. Cry it Out: I think society preaches the idea of positivity too hard. Instead, we need to be more acceptant of all emotions even if it’s negative ones. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned it’s ok to cry & that release is actually rather therapeutic. Anytime I am at this breaking point, I will either go to a room & lock the door or take a shower. But allowing myself to get those feelings out, as intense as it may feel, always relieves the pain I was holding in at the time.

9. Laugh it Out: Whenever I’m feeling down or just need some quality me time, I always find myself looking for funny videos or tv shows to watch. Some of my best moments are scrolling through TikToks with my boyfriend in the evenings. We catch ourselves laughing our asses off & honestly that feeling is magic to the soul.

10. Collecting Experiences: One of the best feelings is discovering a new place or learning a new activity. I think we all have the right to immerse ourselves in all kinds of experiences – new & old. Making memories & truly living in the moment is something we all need to do more often. I new outfit or a new makeup product doesn’t give me the amount of joy adventures do. It enriches the soul & brings a sense of happiness that is priceless.

Self care can mean a lot of things. It’s not just a pampering day at the spa or even a luxury trip. It’s something only you can define for yourself. It’s what brings you joy & rejuvenates your entire existence. Honestly, my self care list is never ending. Each day, I discover something new that helps keep the balance. Having a mindset of prioritizing such a need is something we all should get in the habit of doing. There is no shame in taking care of yourself.

What have you been doing for self care lately? I’d like to add more to my list.

-B

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blogging

Taking My Power Back: How A Break From Writing Rejuvenated My Creative Soul

mindbeautysimplicity

First & foremost, hello everyone! Hope you all are doing well. Did you miss me? A week ago, I decided to step away from blogging to give myself a proper break from all the responsibilities surrounding Mind Beauty Simplicity. I wasn’t sure how long of a break I would need, but only a week was really needed to gain a healthier mindset & routine. I’ve been blogging for about 9 months now & as much as I love the routine of waking up, uploading a blog post, promoting said blog post, planning future content & being on social media for hours each day, something had to finally give. For someone who preaches self care to her readers, I was being a hypocrite & not taking my own advice. It’s almost like I took the symbolic nature of spring – a renewal – & wanted to apply it to my blogging career & like a snake, shed that skin & old mindset. Basically, having a break from writing gave me my power back & I want to share with you what lessons I learned.

My Professional Mindset Was Out of Whack:

I remember waking up the first Monday of my break not knowing what to do with my day. Although blogging has been the best distraction during such a chaotic year, I had to understand I was neglecting other parts of my life. I would literally wake up & only have blogging on my mind. When I’m passionate about something, I tend to become rather obsessive. On one hand, that type of personality can get a person pretty far in life but eventually if you don’t keep a healthy balance, you will hit a wall. And that’s exactly how I was beginning to feel. I wasn’t prioritizing working out or eating healthy, I was letting the house get messy & just losing all motivation to do anything else. I couldn’t even have the attention span to sit & enjoy a new book. Every time I tried, I would last 2 pages & then get up & scroll through Twitter or check comments. During this hiatus, luckily the weather broke & I was able to enjoy the sunshine. Being outside has really changed my mood & given me that inner peace I had lost in the winter time. 

Social Media Addiction Is Real & Bloggers Need To Take Note

Since I wasn’t posting new content on my blog, I didn’t want to be completely MIA from my audience. So, in the beginning of my break my social media presence & routine stayed the same. I had scheduled tweets to go out periodically, I was promoting old blog posts, making tons of reels on Instagram & even dipping my toes back into Tiktok. It was fun for  a while because my first thought was I would have more time being creative on these platforms. But I realized how much time I spend online in a given day. I’ll be honest, I have an attachment to my phone. And blogging has made it even more difficult. Other creators make you feel like you have to be on socials all day to become successful & it’s truly such a waste of time. I knew in that moment, when I returned to blogging, I would make serious changes to my digital routines & set boundaries for myself regularly. For instance, I removed the Instagram & Twitter app from my phone completely & even discovered how to upload photos to Instagram from my laptop. This way, the temptation of scrolling through socials is at a more difficult reach & I can set aside time in my routine to scroll through these platforms. I remember I read a tweet that said something along the lines of not making social media an unpaid part time job & that really opened my eyes. 

I Needed To Create a Schedule That Works Best For Me

I realized with blogging, you can get in the mindset of thinking you are only as good as your last blog post & having to one up yourself. That feeling of being proud of a blog post & letting it marinate for a few days but then not being able to fully celebrate because you are quickly onto the next idea. It’s an exhausting cycle if you let it be. I knew I wanted to return with the notion of focusing on quality over quantity. I started off posting 3 days a week & then it slowly became one to two days a week. I understand schedules keep a creator honest & on a routine. But since I’m my own boss, I decided I wasn’t going to place strict expectations on keeping a set posting schedule. If I am not proud of a piece of content, I will refrain from posting & wait until it’s up to my standards. That way, the pressure of always having to have something to share every week is gone. We need to remember as creators, we are in charge of ourselves, so we mustn’t block such freedoms. 

If You Are Reading This & Want A Break, Take It 

I had this scarcity mindset where I felt like I couldn’t take a break. If I left for a while, all that hard work was going to go down the drain. Thankfully, you all sent the most supportive comments & even private messages on social media that helped me continue in the direction of R&R because I really did need it. And I’m here to let you know, if you are feeling at all burnt out or just needing a step back, it’s completely ok. Every single creator deserves a break once in a while. We shouldn’t think we need to work ourselves to the bone to become successful. Our wellbeing must always be first on our priority list.

Have you considered taking a break?

~ B