My Ideal Self-Care Routine: A Date Night With Myself

Can you imagine the perfect date? A little black dress, a fancy restaurant, a dashing gent, and a dance. Or maybe your favorite jeans and sneaks, an adorable guy in flannel, and a crazy adventure. How about a picnic and a drive-in movie? Honestly, I would go for any of those! (However, my first date with my now-husband was my favorite--maybe I'll tell you someday). We can all agree that a first date can be thrilling and sometimes nerve-wracking. But there is one date that every person must have that is neither nerve-wracking or stress-inducing. And that is the glorious date night with yourself.

Self-care is hugely important, and it is not something that should be overlooked. According to activeminds.org, "Self-care is important to maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself. It means doing things to take care of our minds, bodies, and souls by engaging in activities that promote well-being and reduce stress." You know that saying, right? "If you want to help others, first help yourself." For me that statement conjures images of the oxygen mask in an airplane. If there's low oxygen levels in the cabin, you are supposed to put on your mask first so that you can breathe enough to help others with their masks. That is what self-care is. It's just putting on your oxygen mask first.

Not only that, but God also wants us to take care of our emotional and mental health. He gave us emotions- so we should handle them with respect and care. Now before you get riled up, I am not ignorant. I know that not everyone has a free night every week. I get that you may have a family, a demanding job, or people you take care of. This is just a loving reminder, from your girl MK, to remember yourself. You need to be healthy and looked after, too.

Self-care can take many forms: pampering yourself with retail therapy, a trip, a walk, an art project, dinner and a movie, or just a night at home with your favorite glass of wine and a spa treatment.

Today I am going to cover my ideal self-care routine. This is something I try to do at least once a week and if not the whole thing, at least a variation of it. Right now, my self-care practice is fairly cheap and easy. Since I try to do it once a week, it is something I can do with what I have around me. Your routine may look differently depending on your work schedule, your kids, or your motivation to actually do it (haha). But remember: self-care is massively important! Take some time for YOU. Ok, here we go:

1.) I like to pick out a movie-usually a chick flick. This gives me a set amount of time to accomplish my routine. Sometimes I even watch 2 movies (the second, I may do a bit of work during--oops). I LOVE period pieces and old TCM movies. Great movies like these include:

Pride & Prejudice (2005 or 1940-both excellent)

Sense & Sensibility (1995)

Jane Eyre (2011)

Emma (1996)

Becoming Jane (2007)

Belle (2013)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Now, Voyager (1942)

Mrs. Parkington (1944)

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

The list goes on and on.

2.) Fix a drink! This will vary from person to person. I love a tall glass of sweet tea with lots of ice. If you're like my mom, you'll have a mason jar of hot tea. Maybe it's a glass of wine or a cocktail, or water! But you'll need it next to you so that you don't have to move once the movie starts!

3.) Pick a beauty/health regimen for the night. This changes weekly for me, and sometimes I even skip this part (rarely). But pampering yourself a bit in the beauty department is a great way to relax, relieve stress, and feel beautiful! Some things I have done that I recommend: face masks, eye treatment, foot soak in Epsom salt, mani & pedi, or a hair mask. Or be a girl boss and do all of them! Totally spa-it-out (I think I just made that up). I will include some of my favorite products at the end of this post! Or go the health route: pick out a great yoga flow, crank up the oil diffuser (more info on that here), and namaste! You could even boil some herbal tea, if that's your bag (ha-did you catch the pun?).

4.) Gather your art supplies. This is a no-brainer for me, as I am an artist, and any excuse to create is a good one for me. Try adult coloring books, grab a sketch book and some pencils, try your hand at lettering (tips coming soon from this lettering artist!), or go crazy and set up a painting easel, paints, and stool right there in the living room. I have done this and it is awesome. Of course, I don't have kids. So this may not be possible for you, but try and create something if you can! Journal, decorate your planner, repaint that side table you've been wanting to get your hands on, try weaving, bullet journals, iPad coloring, watercolors, or make a mood board. Just create!

5.) Now bring it all together, start your movie, grab some cookies (if you need a treat), and pamper!

Taking time out for yourself is a vital part of your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Not everyone can devote a whole night or even one-movie's amount of time every week. But try for one larger block of time once a month. It centers your thoughts, emotions, and reduces stress. Even little things throughout the week like grabbing your favorite cup of coffee, taking a quick walk, or a nice bath are better than doing absolutely nothing! You are a strong, hard-working woman (or man) and you deserve you-time.

What are some of your favorite self-care tips? Comment below! I want to know!

XOXO

Mary Kate

Some of my favorite products:

HoMedics Foot Spa- $23.15

-easy to clean, easy set-up and take-down, lovely bubbles!

Tree Hut Epsom Salt- $5.29

-amazing scent, luxurious feel, cleansing salts to add to your foot bath!

SpaLife Face Masks - $8.99

-lovely sheet masks, no wash-up (you rub product into the skin when you're done)