Self-care is Selfless
Repeat after me: you cannot take care of anyone else if you are not taking care of yourself. Repeat after me: prioritizing self-care is not selfish. Repeat after me: not taking care of yourself first and foremost is the worst thing you can do for the ones you love the most.
As I was typing this article, Adrien Cotton walked into the store. Yes, that Adrien Cotton. The official Wellness Coach of Old Town. I saw it as divine intervention that I needed to write this article. No, I do not think that much of myself that this article will reach the masses, but I do know that it may reach someone who may need to read this. You cannot take care of anyone else if you are not taking care of yourself.
The phrase had almost lost its meaning and I know for me, it never meant anything until I became a caregiver for my mother. I realized that if I did not get at least an hour of physical activity every day I was irritable, impatient and generally unhappy. Once I began to prioritize my self-care, I realized that it was easier to be a caretaker.
I lost my mother last year and the only thing that got me through this tremendous loss was taking care of myself as best I could. Getting 10,000 steps a day, eating whole foods and a morning and night routine have become paramount to my physical and mental health. I never want to go back to the person I was before I started to prioritize ME.
About a month ago, I began to hit the gym first thing in the morning before work. I swear to you — I have never been happier or more productive in my life. I wish I had tapped into this life hack years ago but I guess better late than never. I began to reward myself after my early AM workouts with the best body care Bellacara has to offer.
Post-workout, I love to treat myself to an invigorating cold shower with a stimulating scent that leaves me clean and moisturized. Infusing Eucalyptus by Molton Brown fits the bill and revs me up to crush the day ahead.
I was using a loofah for the longest time until I read an article about how loofahs are safe havens for bacteria. Since I leave my shower stuff in my locker at the gym, I had to ensure that I was using a cleansing sponge that was both effective and able to stay clean. Luckily, we have these great bath sponges made by Baudelaire that are eco-friendly, biodegradable and air dry on their own after any excess water is squeezed out. This miracle sponge is resistant to bacterial growth and can be soaked in a diluted bleach solution if bacteria is suspected.
Call me cantankerous but I do not use TikTok. That being said, this next product, Alchimie Forever’s Firming Gel for Neck and Bust, went viral on TikTok and it caught my attention. When I say this has transformed my neck and chest, the results were astonishing. I had some sun spots on my chest that I neglected for far too long because they’re on my chest. All this time I have been hyper-focused on my face and forgot about the skin just south of that. This antioxidant gel tightens, lifts and firms the appearance of skin on the neck, chest and bust. After a month of consistent use, my chest has never looked better.
Since I started to work out in the morning, I wanted to maximize my results that would work into the day. To achieve this, I started using the Super Restorative Redefining Body Care. It helps to streamline and reshape abdomen and waist as well as help to firm the thighs and arms.
I will keep you updated on my wellness journey. I am working towards a happier and healthier Abby in 2024. I hope my pursuits will inspire you as well.
Love, Abby
