A Sip of Self-Indulgence
💆🏻♀️ ⚡️ My first med-spa appointment and the creative boost that followed
A couple of weeks ago, I sat in a cozy, oversized chair in a tastefully decorated space with midnight blue walls, soft lighting and poor internet service. As I waited, repeatedly reading the lone Instagram post I could get to load, beautiful people bustled in and out of the nearby rooms.
Several of them paused to ask if I needed anything: Water? Tea? Coffee? We have champagne! I suspected no one ever opted for the bubbly, and I wasn’t about to be the first.
Finally (I say like it was a long wait, but it wasn’t), a smiling woman of indeterminate age ushered me into her office. She, too, offered me a drink. “We have champagne! Did they tell you?”
“I’m good!” I replied.
“Are you sure? Not even a water? It’s Fiji.”
Her skin was so flawless. Did she exclusively drink Fiji Water?
“Okay, I’ll take a water, thanks.”
I’m pinpointing this is the moment when things began to shift — when I accepted the bottle of fancy water. Because we ended up chatting for quite a long time and I got thirsty, and knowing me, if she hadn’t pressed it, I would have sat there letting my throat dry up instead of asking for even a cup of tap water.
Whenever I attempt to self-indulge, I’m met with discomfort and resistance and from what I can gather, a lot of women feel this way.
Rather than wallow in the why, in this post, I’m going to focus on what happened after this appointment (good things!) and prompt you with a few ideas to reinvigorate yourself so that you can create your best work.
I left my first med-spa appointment with a new skincare regimen and three laser treatments on the calendar (called MOXI, for anyone interested!). Although my wallet felt a bit lighter, I walked out a little taller. Next time, I’m accepting the champagne.
Of course, other factors contributed to my newfound confidence and energy (this is my favorite time of year! I feel my healthiest when it’s warm! I’ve cut back on nightly desserts!). But since that appointment, I’ve experienced a remarkable shift in how I feel.
My new skincare routine has like eight parts and takes me fifteen minutes every morning and evening. But it feels a little like applying makeup, or putting on a costume for a performance.
The act transforms me into a different version of myself, (or who I like to think is a purer version of me) — one who feels worthy of receiving all the beautiful things that life has to offer.
Here are a few things I’ve been motivated to tackle since:
Updating the look of this Substack. I hope you love it!
Cleaning out my dresser and closet, and making a donation to Goodwill. This had been on my mental to-do list for two YEARS.
Designing the logo for our new podcast project (the one I struggled with in this post).
Making major updates to my email marketing system, including writing new sequences.
Refreshing my Etsy shop. I started with a few marketing tweaks like an abandoned cart coupon and a multi-item discount, and sales picked up almost immediately.
Most importantly, I’ve found more time to relax, read, exercise, and connect with my loved ones, without being distracted by the thought that I should really be doing something more productive.
While a skincare overhaul was my catalyst, there are many other self-care acts that can spark creativity and help you find more energy and time in your days.
🤸 Movement. Figure out the format that feels best for you in this season of life, and set out to instill an exercise regimen that makes you feel healthy and strong. Streaming Heather Robertson workouts with Broadway music in my AirPods is the quirky combination that works for me!
👗 Revamp your wardrobe. Donate or recycle anything that doesn’t make you feel beautiful. Embrace your body and wear what makes you feel your best. Recently, I splurged on a fancy pair of pants from Sezane and balanced it by getting some summery outfits from Amazon. Figure out what you need to make you feel confident.
🧹 Tidy something. A drawer, a corner, your entire garage. Last week I cut down our collection of mugs by half, and now when I open the cabinet, I’m met with pretty rows of drinkware rather than a piece of ceramic, hanging off the edge ready to hit me in the face.
🛌 Get new bedding. A place where you spend a good portion of your life should be the coziest, welcoming, safest space you can create. Whether its purchasing an entirely new set of sheets, laundering your duvet, finding a new throw pillow, or getting an essential oil diffuser, give your sleeping quarters some love.
📆 Take days off. We’re not meant to run on empty. Schedule intentional time away from work, your phone, social media, and household chores. This way, you can give your best, not your stressed-out worst.
✌️ Let go of something. A grudge, a responsibility, or a lingering to-do list item. Make room for things that energize rather than drain you. It doesn’t have to be big! Last week, I let go of a library book I wasn’t excited about, freeing up time for something I truly wanted to read.
✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts
Adopt a new daily routine or ritual that makes you feel confident.
Choose the best offering.
Make a list of projects you’d love to tackle when you find the energy.
☀️ Five good things
When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!
Five good things that happened this week:
My husband and I both celebrated our birthdays this week, one day apart. My dad and I also share a birthday, so this time of year is always special for my family. It feels like a bonus Christmas!
My in-laws made us a special dinner to celebrate! My dad-in-law made my favorite, chicken parm and my mom-in-law crafted a fabulous ice cream cake, covered in rainbow sprinkles.
I finished Something Wonderful, about the partnership between Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, a book that
recommended — and it was such a delight. I listened to the audio version, read by the author Todd S. Purdum.I binged two Magnolia Network shows this week: Bespoke Inns and Season 3 of Beach Cottage Chronicles. The episodes are short and brimming with interior design inspiration!
My mom and I had a virtual watercolor date over FaceTime and it was a lovely way to catch up!
💬 Share your intention
Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.
✨ Question of the week: What’s the self-care practice that most positively impacts you and your life?
Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.
Michelle
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So glad to hear you enjoyed Something Wonderful! I also agree about the power of simply returning a library book that doesn't interest you -- we shouldn't crowd our space (and minds) with the things that aren't drawing us in.
This is so inspirational! The end of the school year hit hard in our house, and I definitely needed a few days to recover. Love all these ideas to get a fresh start on summer.