5 Ways I Sneak-in My Self Care Time

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PEOPLE®, StyleWatch®, InStyle®, and Sunset®. The opinions and text are all mine. 

Since I am a busy lady on the go, sometimes I forget to prioritize my self care time and let it fall on the back burner. I recently started as a kickboxing instructor part-time to hold myself accountable for my health and fitness. I forgot how exhausting learning something new like that can be.

By the end of the day, I was completely beaten.

I was too tired to even think about any me time… I needed sleep time!

But now that I am feeling more confident in that role and I feel like I can rearrange my priorities to schedule more time. I have become aware that I am in need of some self-care when I start feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus.

Even the easiest daily tasks seem draining. Sound like you? You are not alone. In order to recharge my batteries, I have focused on sneaking in little a little self care time after work each day.

I can not express how important taking time out for yourself is. Here are 5 quick ways I sneak in my “me’ time and if you try them, report back and let me know if they work for you!

1. A pedicure.

For some reason, painted toes make me happy. I love a little flash of color or sparkle. While I am not really the gal that makes regular mani-pedi appointments, I do treat myself from time to time. When I am feeling more on the thrifty side I pull out my stash of nail polish and a nail file.

2. A Brain dump + Goal setting.

Taking time to unload your mind on paper is so beneficial. I usually want to do a brain dump. If you don’t know what it is… Typically, I write down any to-dos or projects on my mind for about 10 minutes. This usually involves both career and personal to-dos.

Did I also mention that I love to do this because it gives me an excuse to get a notebook or journal?

From there, I can prioritize them so I can schedule them. This helps me gain so much peace of mind. I love feeling organized and on top of things.

I also love to take the time to set personal and professional goals for myself in 90-day increments.

3. Make peppermint tea.

Making tea is such a calming ritual + I love adding honey to boost the flavor. I find that it always calms me and I feel better after. It’s little rituals like this one of making my morning coffee every day that just feel like my me time before I start the day. I can just be.

4. Light-scented candles.

I love stimulating all my senses. Scented candles that match the changing seasons can really set a mood during my self care time. It can create calm and ambiance to allow you to set the mood for your me time.

• Pumpkin spice candles in the fall.
• Pine, Smokey Hearth, Peppermint in the Winter.
• Florals and clean linen in the spring.
• Beach breeze and coconut in the summer.

These scents help set the mood for me and just make me happy. It’s one of my favorite ways to end my day.

5. Draw inspiration from magazines.

Visual inspiration helps me hone in on future project ideas! I love surfing the web, but my first loves were magazines. I remember walking to my local Vons around the corner from my apartment in college to buy 3 things InStyle, People, and a bottle of wine. Since I have such a sense of nostalgia for my college years I read magazines to help me re-focus and get re-inspired!

I still live in a Vons… I head there to grab a couple to read, cut out, and collect ideas to save on an inspiration board. Sometimes it will inspire a painting that I want to create.

Since I am a DIY-er + interior/set decorator…certain colors and textures help me think of a cool color palette that I can use for a future project. For example, the color scheme from the wooden beverage tray (pictured), was inspired by a spring issue of InStyle magazine!

Now I challenge you to try at least 2 of these tips to help yourself squeeze in more me time!

I want to hear how it goes in the comments below. Where do you draw your inspiration?

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