Spa Sundays

nurture

May 1

On the quietest of days, in the early hours when the rest of the household is still slumbering and there’s nothing yet bossy enough to push me along, I’ve taken to the rare hushed and quiet for self-care and pampering (silly, wonderful word), tending what often gets slid aside for most important things on the other week’s days.

I call them Spa Sundays.

Candle light, bubble bath, tea. Then, leisurely, in the still-warm bathroom, I mix and apply a clay mask, something I’d first tried only last winter, but knew immediately it was an experience to be had as often as I could. The mystery of how something so humble as clay from the earth, mixed with water or apple cider vinegar, and applied to my face, could make my skin feel and look like that, I didn’t know, but it was decided right then and there.

While the mask is drying, I remove my nail polish and begin a simple mani and pedi. I still have the occasional soak, massage, and polish from the pedicurist at the salon, because her daughter is dating my son and we mamas have to catch up, but mostly, I apply my own on a Sunday (and it's complete serendipity that it's called Sundays). Understated blush for my fingertips, a happy red for my toes. There’s just something about looking down during any particularly hairy part of a mid-week day, and seeing red polished toes peeking out that just makes everything better.

Following the mask, I let my skin soak up moisture from top to toe. Aging skin, I’m convinced, is most often very dry skin. So, I let mine drink long and deep. As I do, I realize I’ve no opposition to aging, really, I just want to look beautiful about it along the way.

Then finally, as the soft morning sun slants through the eastern window and long across the wall, I’m on the sofa, under the wool throw, with my journal, pencil, and another cup of tea. Here, for a few more minutes of quiet, of reflection, of intention. Checking in with my goals, listening to my guidance, noticing. I write the week’s dinner plans, I note the appointments, the events; I set my course. I’ve found calm intention to be a far better fit for me than ping-pong scatter-about. Before long, the next early riser in the family will be up and about (try as he might, sleeping in just doesn’t happen often for him, much to his teenage chagrin), and the day will begin to unfold. I am ready.

We often think our weeks begin on Mondays, but maybe, just maybe they should start with Spa Sundays.

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Skincare, Simply

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Loves, some links in today's post are affiliate. Thank you for supporting my work, if you choose. But please know that the message here isn't to entice you to go out and purchase something. The message here is to inspire you to maybe look to how you can create your own day for rejuvenation and self-care, no matter how that might look, or what products you might use.