Self-care is not as simple as doing your skincare routine and lighting a candle. Especially on a Friday, it’s about fully relaxing but also getting ahead for the next week. Thinking about it, that means more time to chill out at the weekend! Here’s a look at my self-care routine after a long week.
LAPTOP-FREE TIME
I’m only allowed to stick on YouTube or Netflix, no working or blogging for the night! This is probably the hardest part of my routine because I think I’m addicted to my laptop. However, sometimes, you just need to unplug. Friday nights especially are the perfect time for this. During the season, I’m usually watching a rugby league game so I at least have a distraction.
DOING SOME HOUSEWORK
It means less to do at the weekend so it’s a win in my book! Do some laundry, maybe hoover, and give the kitchen a more thorough clean to give yourself a longer weekend. It’s something I’ve introduced to my Friday nights fairly recently and honestly, it’s a game-changer. In fact, it tends to be something I do while I’m waiting for my food to cook!
COOK A NUTRITIOUS MEAL
Start the weekend off right with a healthy, home-cooked meal. My go-to is usually a stir fry because I find it’s the easiest way to get lots of vegetables in. Whatever your go-to meal is that you actually enjoy cooking, this is the time to do it. Ideally, I try to cook a larger portion because leftovers are a very quick meal option. It’s a habit I’m trying to improve on! However, treat yourself to a takeaway if you need it! We don’t have them often so when we do, it’s a real treat!
UP YOUR SKINCARE GAME
It’s not everything but adding a face mask to your routine always feels a bit luxurious. You might decide to use more expensive products or add a couple of steps to your routine. For me, it’s an extra serum, an eye mask and a leave-on face mask. I’ve tried to simplify my routine but once a week, I like to try to add back in some moisture to my skin. Eczema in winter is no joke!
SPEND SOME TIME ON A HOBBY
Mine is usually blogging but no laptop means a longer reading session instead. There’s no better feeling than curling up on the sofa or in bed under a blanket with a hot chocolate, some snacks and a good book. It’s one of life’s simple pleasures and I intend to spend most of my Christmas holidays doing exactly that. However, it’s a lovely activity to wind down after a long week.
CREATE SOME COSY VIBES
At this time of year, Christmas tree lighting looks so pretty in a dark room along with lamps. Normally, I get into bed with all of my pillows and an extra blanket. You might be into candles so light one if you want to. Whatever you need to make yourself all warm and cosy, homeware will always make a difference.
GET ORGANISED
Sometimes, I like to plan the next week on a Friday night, especially if my weekend is full. I change between planning on a Friday or a Sunday but Fridays usually work best. During my planning routine, I try to carve out about an hour or so before wrapping up my week. I grab my diaries, calendar, notebooks and coloured pens and plan out the next week/month. You should know by now that I love planning but the colours definitely help too!
REFILL YOUR CUP
This is very personal. It will be different for each of you. For me, it can be chatting to my dad to catch up, adding marshmallows or syrup to my daily hot chocolate or having a proper stretch before getting into bed. For others, it could be cuddling your pet or kids, doing an intense workout, or doing a crafty project. To start, I’d write a list of all the small things you enjoy doing!
And that’s my self-care routine after a long week. It sounds like a few steps but it’s pretty simple. The weekend feels short enough as it is so by starting on a Friday evening, I feel like I get a bit of a head start!
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