self care & routines

I've been meaning to use this journal for more fun, mundane things. So, here's a list of things I've incorporated into my daily routine that really work for me and have helped make life a tad easier and calmer.

• After applying my skincare, I rub whatever is left on my hands onto my elbows. They've transformed from crusty and dry to absolutely baby-smooth!
• Invest in a water flosser, an electric toothbrush, and a tongue scraper. My dental routine's got almost as many steps as my skincare these days and my dentist is very pleased with me.
• Don't wear gel nails for too long. I adore the simplicity of a good gel manicure, but let me tell you, after a few months, my nails turn brittle and start snapping left and right. Now, I just go for regular manicures every once in a while and carve out an hour every (well, most, ish) Sunday to do my own nails.
• Get yourself an emotional support water bottle that turns hydration into a fun activity. I switch between a few favourites, but my current top pick is this baby right here.
• Pick up a no-screen hobby. I tend to hyper-focus on one hobby at a time. Right now, it's crafting miniatures from scratch. Before that, it was book-binding, and even before that, leather-work. Just step away from the screen. Your downtime shouldn't just mean switching to another tab.
• I'm not one to preach the no-screen-time-before-bed rule. You do you. I sometimes catch myself scrolling through Reddit way past my bedtime. We all know it's not the greatest habit. What has helped me switch to reading at night is keeping my current book on my pillow.
• Go schedule your annual checkups! Once a year, I take a moment to schedule all my checkups for the same week. I call it my medical week. I try to pack in multiple appointments each day — OB-GYN, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, dentist, internist, endocrinologist — you name it. Years ago, I even managed to squeeze five appointments into a single day.
• Speaking of checkups, get your blood tested at least annually. I make it a point to get a full blood panel at least three times a year — even before my Hashimoto's diagnosis. I often show deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins, to name a few, and I like to adjust my daily vitamin intake accordingly.
• And speaking of vitamins: Listen, if we're being honest, no one takes them daily. But try to stick to the 80:20 rule. Sure, some mornings I forget, or I just can't stomach anything other than my daily prescription meds. But I take them often enough to make sure my body gets everything it needs.
• Find yourself a comfort show — especially if you're dealing with anxiety or bouts of depression. For me, it's "The Good Place." Whenever I feel my mood starting to shift, I turn on that show and it makes me feel better — or at least somewhat safe.
• Try out ingredient prep. If you're anything like me, you might have tried meal prepping, but it hasn't worked for you. I just don't wanna eat the same thing for days. What I've been doing is prepping multiple ingredients on Sunday. I chop all my veggies, wash all my fruit, and whip up a few different dressings. I also like to cook a sheet pan of veggies, a grain, and a protein, which I can then mix and match into different meals throughout the week.

Have anything to add that makes your life easier and better? Let me know!