New rituals

I’m usually pretty good about my social media consumption, but lately, I’m finding that it’s using up valuable time and head space. On top of setting social media on to silent apart from a certain time during the day, I am also trying to swap scrolling time into something that I’d feel is rewarding, but also calming and intentional. 

I thought I’d use the time I spend brushing my teeth and washing my face as an opportunity to slow things down even more and look after myself. It’s already a physical act of taking care of my body, so why not try and use it to declutter my mind as well? All I needed to do was add a couple more steps into my ritual and try and be as mindful of the present. It was also an excuse to invest in a few more indulgent products.

• First, I would do a double facial cleanse in the evening for a deeper clean. The first cleanse washes out the dirt and makeup from the day and the second unclogs the pores.
• Next is toner time. At the moment I have replaced my usual toner with a mist that provides hydration and is also a good treat for the senses especially when you’re engaged in a mindfulness activity. After my cleanse, I close my eyes and spritz the mist around my face. I gently press the product into my skin to help the ingredients absorb.
• I then use a serum designed to provide my skin with extra hydration. It’s light but potent. I press a little onto my face and neck and leave it to be absorbed before moving on.
• Given my age, I also wanted to look after the skin around my eyes which tends to be more delicate and prone to dryness. So I use a nourishing cream.
• Finally, I use a rich and creamy moisturiser as the last step of my night facial care ritual. In the morning, I apply sunscreen before applying makeup.

I’ve found that this new ritual doesn’t take too much time and is a surprisingly effective way of adding some simple and kind ‘me’ time into a busy year. It’s also diverting time from unproductive scrolling to caring for myself. 

PS - It’s also great to remember here that the best skin treatments are a healthy diet, adequate sleep, fresh water, and a well-looked-after mental health.