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Image: Public Domain, Pixabay
To me, taking care of your body and appearance is part of being the best person you can be. In a society that came from some unsanitary roots and has progressed to most people not really caring, there’s something to be said for the small joys of daily grooming rituals.
I’ll admit that over time I allowed myself to become one of those stressed, hurried people who showered quickly, hurriedly brushed my teeth, dashed a comb through my hair and didn’t do much else unless I needed to put on makeup. Over the last year I’ve been changing that. Some of it seemed a pain, but in the last few months I’ve really been enjoying it, and expanding my daily routine.
I used to only wash my face in the shower, but now I find myself taking the time to lather with nice, organic soap each morning and enjoying the feeling of a cool rinse after. I have made it a habit to take the time to do a toe-to-head sugar scrub twice a week. I shower more slowly, going over my whole body with a boar bristle brush. I pat dry afterward, taking my time. I enjoy washing my hair.
Each night I take the time to put vitamin E oil on certain parts of my body, and once a week I do a full shea butter rub. I apply vitamin E under my eyes and moisturize my face with an organic coconut lotion. I rub lotion into my cuticles and keep my nails buffed. I’ve gotten back into the habit of braiding my hair before bed each night, and I find myself taking more time to brush my hair in the evening.
Things that used to seem like a chore now feel so pampering. I feel that I’m treating myself like the lady and goddess I really am. I’m taking better care of myself than I ever did, and enjoying both the process and the results. I also love the times when Eric offers to help by braiding my hair or giving me a full shea butter massage. It’s wonderful! He’s even followed my lead and been taking better care of himself. It makes both of us feel good. We’re taking the time to care for ourselves, and it really makes a difference in how we feel about ourselves, as well as how we look.
