There’s nothing more I need now than a self care evening. My daughter recently brought home a nasty bug from nursery and let’s leave it by saying all day Sunday I was glued to the toilet. If you know, you know 😉
I therefore was sitting there thinking (as I had lots of time for that), if I wasn’t feeling like a bus hit me, what would an idyllic self care evening look like to get me back to feeling a bit more myself.
The thing about self care and parenting is that it often gets a bad rap.
You may have heard things such as:
Self care is extravagant
Well, that’s the thing, it isn’t. There are so many free self-care ideas that we can do. Check out the self-care challenge I created to get you started if you’re interested in trying some out. Now of course, there are those who will want to splurge out on a spa day or a massage here and there, and that’s OK. But the fact is that isn’t a MUST. Let’s not get it twisted.
Self care is bullshit
When it’s trending like hygge or vegan does, people lose track of its essence. So no, it’s not bullshit, it’s quite common sense. Self care is prioritising your own health and wellbeing. It’s saying that you can’t be your best self if you don’t pour into you. It’s like driving around with an empty tank, you ain’t going far my friend.
Self care is something you earn
Absolutely nonsense! You don’t earn it, you deserve it. Let’s move away from always seeing it as a treat and actually see it as a part of our routine. I liken it to getting my car MOT’d every year. We do it without thinking because we are told if we don’t the car may break down, so why don’t we MOT ourselves too? You don’t need a reason, it’s essential.
Self care is universal
Nope, it’s not. What may work for me, may not work for you. We’re all individual and that’s why this whole parenting thing can be a challenge too. We all have different styles, opinions and are unique. It’s beautiful, but it does mean that building your self-care evening will be reflective of you. I hope the below helps you shape it into awesome-ness.
Now let’s get to building your incredible self-care evening
1. Set the ambience
Now if you know me already, then you know I’ve recently become obsessed with ‘Hygge’ the danish word for cosy/warmth which is at the heart of building the perfect self care evening too. You can read more about it in my blog here.
Anyway let’s make sure that we set the mood as if you’re having a date with yourself. That’s right, go ahead and select the music, light some candles, maybe even throw up some fairy lights.
2. Take a relaxing shower or bath
Nothing says self care than a bubble bath or a sumptuous shower where you go ALL out. I mean lush bath bombs or a special kind of shower gel (I totally steal my husband’s Aesop one) which is divine.
Now if you are having a bubble bath and for that I do recommend L’Occitane’s lavender foaming bubble bath. Sooooo lush. Why not also team it with another self care activity like listening to your favourite podcast or album.
3. Stretch it out with some yoga
Now it might feel like the last thing you want to do, but it can be the perfect way to feel more energised and connected to you. So go ahead and roll out the yoga mat, or if you don’t have one, don’t stress just use the floor maybe throwing a blanket on it for softness and check out a yoga YouTube video online, or my recent discovery is the Nike series on Netflix.
Yoga instructors I love:
Related blog post: Why practising yoga is great for you and your growing bump
4. Pamper yourself
It’s time to bring out the skin care products and other pamper bits and pieces. That can include a face mask, or feet masks. It may even include the old school cucumbers on the eyes!
The whole point of this part of your evening is to feel relaxed, to rejuvenate yourself and feel good while doing it too.
My sister recently bought me this Superfacialist renewing cleansing oil as I kept stealing it whenever I saw her and I’m in love. It smells so delicious and my skin thanks me for it.
Related blog post: 7 things to make part of your Sunday routine
5. Put on some comfy clothes
It’s all about feeling zen, and nothing is more far away from it than putting back on some tight clothing.
So opt for something loungey – like a sweater, joggers or a big t-shirt, or some jim-jams! Maybe even do away with the underwear too for extra comfort. I find bras so restricting!
6. Prepare or order in some yummy food
Remember there is no must for spending here, but a cheeky deliveroo might be what you want on an evening like this. Alternatively, rustle up something particularly yummy or if you’re doing it quite late, maybe a few snacks to accompany your evening would be good.
I’m all about moderation and I am an absolute chocolate-lover so that would be part of my evening for sure. Up there would be the Twirl orange or Colin the Caterpillars from M&S.
7. Unwind to your favourite programme
This is your night to build so if you enjoy a bit of binge watching, knock yourself out mama! We all need to switch off now and again, and TV does that.
If you’re anything like me, you may even have a long list of things to catch up on that you’ll never catch up on let’s be honest. But… a self care evening can be the perfect time to check out one of those shows or films.
Related blog post: 5 Netflix shows to binge when cluster feeding
Now here are some more activities you can do during your evening
8. Read a few pages
A few pages may turn into the whole night if you pick up the right book. I share some of the books I love in the blog You are worth the quiet time as a mum.
Reading is fantastic for our wellbeing, and a great addition to self care evening where you wish to unwind and switch off from the world.
Related blog post: 7 reasons why reading is good for mums
9. Time to get unplugged
Try to disconnect for part of the evening from your devices – that means no phone and no connection to social media for example.
It’s your evening remember, so try not to be interrupted with a phone call that was meant to be 10 minutes but then lasts 2 hours! I’ve been there and got the t-shirt far too many times.
So I place my phone in another room while I’m doing something, or I may even be blogging as I find this very therapeutic!
Related blog post: Why a digital detox is great for busy mums
10. Journal
Getting down your thoughts onto paper or a laptop is brilliant way to really off-load. I started this blog like a journal as I wanted somewhere to share what I was going through. As I mentioned above, it’s like therapy!
Journaling is a great self-care exercise so incorporating it into your self-care evening is a nice way to do some reflection. I enjoyed speaking to Sherraine about how to create a manifestation journal: How to start a manifestation journal [Interview]. Feel inspired by having a read of that blog too.
11. Prepare for tomorrow
Nothing is worse than waking up and getting frantically ready, only to forget things at home. If you’re working from home like me, it may be that you haven’t prepped for the nursery run or dinner that evening.
Either way, it’s good to spend a bit of time laying out what you need the next day.
12. Snack game
Now we spoke about this earlier in the prepare yourself a great meal, but the snack game doesn’t have to end there. In fact the snack game is your favourite dessert or choice of drink.
For me personally, I’m currently loving Lotus biscoff cheesecake (vegan) and making my own popcorn! It’s not only delicious but a fraction of the cost too.
I do love a glass of red wine or a rum and coke (which recently has been the Chairmans limited edition spiced St Lucian rum following our travels). It’s too smooth! Or if I’m keeping it tea-total then it’s simple coke or the karma colas (which are caffeine free).