Treat Yourself: Self-Care Routine and Essentials

A few weeks ago, I opened up to you and shared details about my first intentional self-care day.

Ever since, I have been improving my self-care routine. And for some reason, I’ve been thinking about how I’ve gotten to this point of my life. And I don’t find it ironic that I get a lot of my habits from my mom.

Come to think of it, she doesn’t take self care days as much as she used to nor does she have a set beauty routine.

The more I think about it, the more I realized my love for beauty came from my mom. This brought back to many small yet iconic memories in my life. I remember when she first put blush on my cheeks to dabbing on lipstick for my school photos.

However, my favorite moments with my mom would be giving each other manicures. I remember asking her every weekend if she would paint my nails red. When she finally said yes, I would be SO excited; kind of how I feel now when I schedule a manicure appointment. Funny thing is, I never thought I’d be a mani kind of person, but this method of self-care is really growing on me.

Anyway, today, I wanted to share some ways and self-care essentials I plan on treating myself with.

Feel free to steal any self-care ideas for yourself!

ADD SOME SOFT PJs TO YOUR ONLINE CART.

A pajama set is the next thing I need for my list of self-care essentials. I know this may sound silly. However, a matching set makes me feel put together even if I’m just lounging around at home.

NAB SOME FEEL-GOOD SLIPPERS OR SLIDES.

All I can say is that feeling you get when you take off your work shoes and put your feet into a nice pair of cozy slippers…ahhhh…

INVEST IN A SOFT ROBE.

I’ve been dying for this super soft robe for a few years now. There’s nothing like coming home, taking a nice shower and wrapping up in a soft, luxurious robe. I think this is going to be such a great gift to myself this fall!

INVEST IN A LUXE BLANKET.

A lavish, luxurious throw is one of the best gifts you can give anyone. If I was gifted this blanket, I’d make sure to take a lot more self-care kind of naps, ha!

PICK UP A SILK PILLOW CASE.

A soft and cold pillow is one of life’s littlest yet best luxuries. I got this satin pillow case (my friend, Dale owns this company) a year or so ago and I’m still in love to this day.

GET OR GIVE YOURSELF A MANICURE / PEDICURE.

I used to not be a fan of getting my nails done because I believe in saving money to do my own. However, ever since I tried MiniLuxe, I wouldn’t mind paying someone else to do my nails for me every once in a while.

LIGHT A BOUJEE CANDLE ON YOUR SELF-CARE DAYS.

I can just imagine it now. Coming home, lighting my favorite candle and curling up in bed or on the couch with a good book. I know this may be a ridiculous item for some people, but this is what luxury and indulging a little on myself means to me.

STOCK UP ON BEAUTY ESSENTIALS.

As a huge fan of beauty, I love trying out new products. This year, I’m all about skincare and I’ve been loving playing around and experimenting with my nighttime routine.

BLAST FEEL-GOOD MUSIC.

Sometimes, to get myself out of a rut, I just turn on some music that makes me smile. Right now, I’m loving Shawn Mendes’ Nervous from his new album. And I’m still hitting replay on Good Things Come to Those Who Wait by Nathan Sykes. Two different styles, but I love the happy and inspiring beats of each song.

PICK UP A BOUQUET FLOWERS.

Fresh bouquets are quite possibly at the top of my self-care essentials list. I find that it’s the cheapest, most beautiful and long-lasting gift you can give yourself, at least for two weeks.

Peonies are my favorite, but year-round, nude blush/white roses with the occasional blue hydrangeas, take up space throughout my apartment. Trader Joe’s is the best bang for your floral buck in case you’re wondering.

TAKE WALKS.

I had this beautiful lake at one of the apartments I used to live. I could take long runs or walks around it. It did me such wonders to just walk, feel the wind and watch the ducks. Of course, I did this before mosquitoes came out for the evening, ha!

Now that I think about it, I always looked forward to coming home from work just to take my walks.

BE STILL ON YOUR SELF-CARE DAYS.

I’m not the type to come home and turn on my television first thing when I walk through the door. As weird as this sounds, I like to just put everything away, change into my comfy clothes and sit on my couch in silence. Sometimes I’d fall asleep, but I love sitting in absolute silence. It’s nice really.

Right now, if I could imagine it, the ultimate “me time” is to take a Friday off from work. I’d grab some breakfast and coffee, head to the mall while everyone is at work and get a mani. Then I’d grab some lunch, go home and crawl in bed with a good book or binge on a Netflix marathon. Frasier is my favorite show to watch currently. I’ve actually forgotten how funny it is.

Come Saturday, I’d wake up, go workout or take a walk. Then I’d clean up and go to brunch with a few of my good friends. Afterwards, we’d shop a bit, grab some lunch together and part ways. I’d then head home early afternoon to take a nap. After I wake up, I’d go to a park or find a lake to walk around and then head to dinner before I really settle down for the evening.

Talking about my self-care essentials and routine today really made me realize that I need to get better at this area of my life and fast. What about you?

What are some of your self-care essentials? 

I’d love to know in what ways you take care of yourself so feel free to leave me a comment below!

Disclosure: Glittery pink polish is Princesses Rule! c/o OPI, Samoan Sand, Tiramisu for Two and Dulce de Leche are from my own collection purchased by me