Queens Birthday Weekend marks the true end of the first half of the year. It’s the time when we know that all those Summer days are behind us and we are out on our own until Labour Day.
Now more than ever is it important to build in little pick me ups in life. We are at total risk of running ourselves into the ground and so it is important to take good care of ones-self in these Winter months.
Taking care of yourself looks different to everyone. I myself have really been reflecting this week on how much time I spend online versus my offline world. I didn’t think I was doing it – but after doing a personality test at work and then talking to the life coach afterwards about sometimes how split I feel and stressed about all the things I try and get done, I’ve realized I need to take care of myself more. So what does that look like?
Step 1: Sleep Your Way To The Top
First, going to bed early. And by early I mean sometime between 10 and 11. I have been going to bed for lots of this year between 11 and 12 and it just has left me burnt out. Without sleep, we basically die and so it is no wonder that lacking sleep can be truly detrimental to our ability to perform. For me, lacking sleep has meant I’ve been ratty, grumpy and stressed unnecessarily. There are many tips to wind down but personally I love taking off my makeup before bed, either in the shower or at the sink, making a herbal tea or a hottie and taking a book into bed. I try and keep off my phone and definitely no Netflix immediately before.
You should really unplug an hour before going to sleep, but I usually only manage half an hour. I’ve had a little fun this week having a play with a free gift with purchase from Farmers which I received with the Estee Lauder Advanced Night repair mini’s (you get teeny, tiny versions of Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Foam, Advanced Night Repair Serum, Advanced Nigh Repair Eye Crème, Modern Muse Le Rouge Perfum, Pure Colour Envy Lipstick in Dynamic and Pure Colour Envy Sculpting Lacquer in Plum Jealousy).
Does anyone else love little travel sized products? I think it comes from when mum used to buy makeup when I was little. She'd give me the Clinique Bonus Time travel kits when she bought her foundation - my first intro to skincare and beauty. It’s fun and relaxing to pop some lotions on your skin just before bed (plus it comes with letters so you can spell out your name on the washbag). But you can find whatever suits you as an unwind ritual but make sure you find something that pampers you!
Step 2: Unplug
Second, restrict your access to your cellphone and laptop from time to time. “HAHHAHA” I hear you guffaw at me “PLEASE Lucy, of all people – who are you to lecture us.” Who indeed. I’ve really realized that the amount of time I spend dashing to my phone is taking away from getting stuff done. Basically, my phone is draining my energy like I’m a energizer bunny without an EverReady battery pack. Social media is a time killer and I’m working on strategies to keep myself in check more. Let me know if you have any good tips below!
Step 3: Love What You Do
Finally, do more of what you love. Do things that make you feel good and take this long weekend as a chance to catch up on walks, swimming, yoga or simply going to the markets and buying fresh food. Prioritize things you come away from feeling uplifted (as opposed to checking Instagram 20 times a day which makes you feel gross).
We need to remember that time is precious. It is very hard but maybe the person on the other end of our online life can wait a day before we respond. Maybe we should unplug and find ways to indulge that take time for us. Being in your twenties (or thirties or fourties) is hard when everyone wants a piece of you 24/7. Maybe though, just maybe, we can take time out and enjoy the weekend in peace, leaving our phones at home.
"I need to realise that there is ACTUALLY time on my side"
I’ll probably be back on Instagram immediately but hey, here’s to setting goals. Honestly though - this time I feel its different. I don't want to feel like an over-fried chip all of the time. It's a long term decision that I need to live up to - I need to realise that there is ACTUALLY time on my side. Also, I strongly recommend borrowing a dog for a day or two. We had Timmy overnight Monday and Tuesday and it felt like he set the world to rights and got us out and about. Dog therapy – now there’s a trend I can get on board with…
Have a great weekend all you residents of Welly!
