Since I have a never ending to do list I have a tendency to feel guilty for taking any time out for myself. However it’s not actually productive to work non stop without taking a break and I know that it’s important to allow myself some ‘me time’ every once in a while. In the long run it’s better for my well being and more effective in terms of what I am trying to achieve.
Here’s how I like to unwind at the end of the week to help me refresh and refocus in preparation for the week ahead:
Not only do I find putting on a fresh coat of nail polish incredibly relaxing, but I also love the instant transformation. My short stubby nails suddenly look glossy and glam and I feel like a new person.
…especially when I wear red nail polish. My trusty Rimmel Double Decker Red shade is still my favourite – perfect in Winter, perfect in Summer (review here).
Electronic devices have taken over my life. I read blogs and articles on my phone or tablet every day and one article links to another, then another… and before I know it I’ve been online for hours and gotten distracted by emails and Twitter and Instagram too. It can be an information overload.
Once in a while it’s nice just to switch off the distractions and quietly flick through the pages of a proper glossy magazine. I won’t lie, the amount of adverts these days seriously annoys me, but for pure uninterrupted escapism I can overlook it. (Plus some of the adverts give me ideas for blog photo props, so it can get my creative juices flowing too!)
When it’s chilly outside nothing says comfort better than a super smooth hot chocolate. I recently discovered Whittard Salted Caramel and whoa mumma it’s gorgeous! This cuppa was even better for the fact that N made and brought it to me whilst I sat flicking through my magazine! I added some mini marshmallows which sunk to the bottom and melted, leaving a gorgeous sticky mess at the bottom to scoop out with a spoon.
One of the most therapeutic things I like to do is experiment with my hair. Now that I’ve grown it long again I’ve been treating it to a hair masque once a week which has left it feeling ever so shiny and glossy.
Before Christmas BrightHouse offered to send me a care package and I was a little bit overwhelmed when I received this lovely Babyliss hairdryer and straightener set*. After being ill all over Christmas I’d been dying to try them out, so I set about making some waves!
The Babyliss straighteners are curved so I can get a really good curl with them and have been enjoying trying out different techniques. I use them kind of how you would use scissors to curl a piece of ribbon, and because the ceramic plates are lovely and smooth they glide through my hair really easily with no tangles.
Just changing which direction in which you twist the plates or how tightly you make the curl can switch up the whole look. I tend to shake my hair at the end to amp up the volume and then add a spritz of my Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Spray to hold it lightly in place (review here!).
Who cares if it’s a Sunday and I’m at home in my jeggings and slippers? Fresh bouncy hair makes me feel ready to take on the world, even if it is just one blog post at a time!
Do you take enough time out for yourself? What are your favourite ‘me time’ treats to get yourself ready for the week ahead?
*This post is not sponsored, but thanks go to Bright House for providing me with a box of pampering goodies to help me enjoy my Sunday!
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