2020 Community Self-Care Check-in Challenge!

[BrendaBT]

As the New Year unfolds and we adjust back into our daily hectic routines it is important to remember to pause, take a break, and take care of ourselves as well. This year my biggest goal is to practice more self-care rituals. After all, beauty starts from within!

As a way to commit, hold each other accountable, and ultimately help each other take care of ourselves, we thought it would be fun to do a weekly self-care check-in, by choosing one ritual and reporting back weekly with our progress.

Now, I know most of us are busy people, but dedicating time for ourselves can be as simple and effective as:

1. A morning meditation, and/or nightly adaptogenic drink (may we suggest FOUR SIGMATIC - Golden Latte Mushroom Mix with Shiitake & Turmeric or FOUR SIGMATIC - Mushroom Hot Cacao Mix with Reishi )
2. Better sleep! Committing to getting a full night's sleep 1 night/week, and sticking to an earlier bedtime.
3. Waking up! Get up after that first alarm so you’re less rushed in the morning and have more time to mentally prepare for the day!
4. Be active - get to yoga 1/week or go for an early morning run before work.
5. Skincare - masking on a weekly basis, getting a facial, or remembering to remove your makeup every night!
6. “Me time!” Embrace the FOGO (fear of going out), read that book you've been wanting to pick up
7. Make healthier choices - adding more fruits and veggies to your meals.
8. YOU PICK! You know yourself better than we do, so if we missed something please share how *you* want to take care of yourself. Just don’t forget to check in with us! 😊

This thread will be a place to talk about your weekly self-care check-ins, share how you’re feeling about your progress, recommend/talk about products you’re using, and share your self-care tips and tricks.

Reply below to tell us which self-care ritual you’re committing to!

*EDIT 4/2:

Hello everyone, we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe! Given the times, we may just need this thread more than ever so we wanted to add in extra self-care goals now that many of us are spending more time at home or are going into the world helping others. Here are some additional ideas for taking care of yourself. We challenge you to try a few of these and share your wins on this thread!

1. Stick to your routine: Maybe it's putting on your favorite outfit instead of PJs or doing your makeup/hair in the morning! Snap an OOTD and share it here.
2. Staying active: This could be as easy as one 10-minute workout video each week or dusting off your yoga mat. Let’s see that at-home gym or virtual workout class!
3. Setting up your space: Are you reading, eating, sleeping, working out, and BIC-ing in the same spot? Try to establish devoted spaces for all of your activities.  
4. Stay social: Set up virtual face-time with your loved ones and maybe spend some extra time here in the BIC!
5. Spring Cleaning: Try reorganizing your home, bedroom, or simply going through your stuff to declutter your space. If you reorganize your beauty space we would love to see a before and after photo here!
6. Take on a new hobby or learn a new skill: Master that smokey eye you’ve always wanted to. Maybe even learn a new language or instrument!
7. Do your own nails - no nail salon? No problem. Let’s see that at-home mani once you’re done – no worries if it isn’t perfect.

What are you doing for self-care? We are open to all advice and want to congratulate you on your little wins!

[haleyvvvv]

So nice that you got a girls' night out, @averylayne! and Ali Wong is so funny!!

[averylayne]

thanks @haleyvvvv ! she's so funny! her jokes are so applicable haha

[itsfi]

The chart sums up my progress last week and pretty much reflects how things have generally been going this month with my self care goals. I was able to get in some reading time when I took a couple of days off but haven’t really been able to fit it in since then; I’ve been falling asleep before I can pick up a book. Seems like Wednesday is the most challenging day for me. Will work a little harder on both those things this week (tomorrow) and next month.

My niece wanted to help me keep track of my self care efforts, so she had her parents buy me this chart - “so we match, because we’re twins.” Her words. Too cute.

[itsfi]

Love charts @LexInTheCities! 💗 It makes it easier to see what’s going well and what needs attention. 😉 @CarolBT, do you keep a physical/manual chart or an electronic one? 

[CarolBT]

@itsfi I printed one out and taped it to my fridge "healthy habits tracker!" I should have taken a photo of it when it was completed. I need to do a new one now that it's March. 

[CarolBT]

@itsfi THIS CHART! So amazing and such a sweetie-pie niece you have. 

[itsfi]

It’s super fun @CarolBT! 😃 There are two different sad face 😔 magnets as well, but I just leave blank the things I didn’t do. 

The little one is a sweetheart. I told her I didn’t get in as much reading time as I wanted to. Her response was to tell me “you just have to try, auntie; just try.” And then she went to grab a handful of her books, plopped down onto my lap, and asked me to read to her. She’s a keeper. 😉 

[averylayne]

@itsfi how cute is this!! your niece is such a sweetheart! how wonderful so see so many happy faces on your chart, great great job!

[itsfi]

Thanks so much @averylayne! 🤗 The chart has been eye opening on a weekly basis. Deadlines and traveling this week have made it a lot more challenging to keep to good habits. 😔 

[averylayne]

@itsfi so many obstacles on a daily/weekly basis...it is definitely hard to pencil in that self-care time, but I'm glad you're able to identify the days that you can increase time for yourself 🙌🏼

[MissPuff]

@itsfi  That is so cute! That chart is giving me grade school flashbacks and I love it 🙂 

[itsfi]

Completely agree @MissPuff! The throwback vibe is making it a lot of fun! 😃

[RebeccaBT]

@itsfi That is too cute! 

Best,
Rebecca

[itsfi]

It’s functional too @RebeccaBT and it’s been a lot of fun. 😃

[mrsmouse]

OMG @itsfi, that is so sweet!  Your niece is adorable!  Good job on your goals!  Also, I kinda feel like I need one of those charts.  😉

[itsfi]

Adorable, right @mrsmouse?!! 🥰 She sometimes asks her parents if she can see my chart over FaceTime or text if we haven’t seen each other for a while. She has told me on at least one occasion that she thinks she’s ahead when it comes to how we’re both doing. 😂 She cracks me up.

[mrsmouse]

OMG, that's hysterical @itsfi!  She clearly adores you and she sounds like such a little sweetie!  Being an auntie to a niece is the best!  I only had a boy so I treasure my niece more than she probably realizes.  🙂

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi  Awwww - this warmed my heart. So sweet of your niece. I totally understand your book struggles. I love reading for enjoyment, but it's so difficult to fit it in the day or find the energy sometimes.

[itsfi]

Awww @PrettyPaint! 🥰 She’s helping to hold me accountable with this chart! 😄 I’ve tried audio books and those work for some things but there are times when I just like having a book in hand. I’m going to try  harder this week! 📖 

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi  There is something special about a physical copy of a book. I've tried ebooks and audio books, but in some ways print is more of a relaxing experience for me.

Best of luck with reading in the next week. If you find something that really catches your interest, please let me know. 

[eshoe]

That’s very sweet, @itsfi, and true, too. Practical and helpful, your niece is a gem:)