There are two kinds of crises in my world. That kind that requires therapy and a spreadsheet or the kind that requires a swipe of my favorite lip gloss and a dramatic exhale. Today I’m talking about the latter. Sometimes the most radical act of self-care I can manage is just making myself feel just a little more polished before I face the world or technically, I guess my inbox and morning zoom meetings.

Self-care is so incredibly important in any woman’s life but even more so necessary in the busy on the go girlie pops life. Some women are “Treat yo self” and have a perfect mix of self-care books, skincare rituals, and all the products. Some women are the “Glow and behold” type and use self-care in a way that beauty meets empowerment vibe. The perfect pants suit, killer heels, perfectly sculpted hair, and makeup done so well you can’t even tell if they just naturally glow or if it’s makeup. Then there’s me, “The Pampered Mess” who doesn’t really have time for anything more than a messy bun and lip gloss. My “Pampered Mess” routine is the opposite of my chaotic brain. It’s as simple as can be. I love it.

Self-care for me in most cases is lip gloss for a few different reasons. It’s a sensory reset. Touch, scent, texture, all used to snap me out of the doom loop I’m stuck in when I’m over thinking something. It’s micro confidence. A pop of subtle shiny color is like a cheat code when I need to straighten my back and find my nerve to take on whatever it is that’s intimidating me. It’s the most important step of my five-minute ritual before I zero in and take whatever the problem is head on and conquer it.

I’ve really perfected my full sassy five-minute ritual so I thought I’d share it with other neuro spicy ladies who can fully appreciate a little pep talk to take on a problem. First, I have what I like to call a spectacle moment. I announce to no one in particular just the space I’m in “Hold my chaos.” I turn my phone ringer off. Turn off my tv. Close my laptop. I fill my Stanley with ice and water, grab my eyepatches out of the fridge, and head right to the bathroom.

My second step is to slap those incredibly cold eye patches on. It helps with any inflammation but most importantly the extreme cold kind of snaps me out of whatever my brain is struggling with. I close my eyes and count to 30 while taking deep breaths. It’s genuinely so calming and removes me from my anxiety for just a few seconds if nothing else. Then I slowly zone in on my to do list in my head. While going over my to do list in my head I start step three. I find a sheet mask that suits what I need now. Do I need glowy or gladiator? After I apply it, I find my favorite lip gloss at the time, it changes constantly, I slowly swipe it on very deliberately. Look at myself in the mirror with my facemask, eye patches, and super shiny lips, and tell myself something super sassy and dramatic and walk back to my desk. Take a few deep breaths before I sit down, take a big drink of my water, and then look at my nails. It’s a tiny flex I always have. I can be a mess. Hair can be all over the place. I can look homeless but my nails…..they’re always cute. Then I just dive right back into work like I never left, feeling refreshed and new and less like I’m going to say something that could get me fired.

Sure, that all sounds dramatic and over the top but it works. Studies show self-care can interrupt stress or anxiety loops you may be stuck in. Purposeful pauses reduce adrenaline spikes and reset the brain from reacting in a way you shouldn’t. Repeated small kindnesses to yourself also can change your internal thoughts from “I’m about to lose it or why can’t I do this?” to “I’m a badass and I can handle this.” It’s basically neuroscience wrapped up in a tube of lip gloss. It’s also fun to treat your beauty routine like a tiny rebellion. Its small, silly, sassy, and unashamedly deliberate. When life demands you show up, show up calm, slightly amused, and glossy.

XOXO,

Savi Monroe