Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

What I Do For Self-Care

April 12, 2021

Let’s revisit this topic. I was watching a video on this topic of self-care by Youtuber Carolyn Chebaro and she was talking about what she considers self-care. I realized I do a lot of those same things without really thinking, but it IS a type of self-care. So here’s some things that I do that make me feel taken care of.

Skincare and Makeup

Reading

Watching favorite tv shows/movies or even just stopping on a movie on TCM if I find it interesting (have found some real gems this way).

Chocolate and Coffee (especially a trip to Starbucks for a drink and pastry)

Perfume or scented body lotions/sprays

Clothing

Shopping – even if I don’t buy anything it’s fun to just look and browse.

Writing – Whether in a journal or here

Playing – online crosswords and mahjong, and Nintendo’s Animal Crossing

So you’re thinking what about eating right, exercising, hygiene, and getting dressed in something other than pajamas each day? Well, I think of those things as the foundation – I HAVE to do those things. Think of those things as the cake and the other things as the icing and sprinkles – the fun things that add enjoyment to one’s day and creative pursuits that fill your soul.

I took my Self-Care for Moms book back off the shelf and I’m going to do what I was going to do in the first place – put gold stars next to all those things I’m already doing and add in the ones that I’d like to do or try out. My goal is to get to the big stuff – like a weekend away somewhere or a big vacation.

My counselor has been talking to me about loving myself and I know these are all ways to do just that. Accepting myself as I am is the main one and I’m just about there. Rarely do I say deprecating things when I’m down or feeling beat up by life. The last time I did I was given the next day so full of joy I can’t even tell you. Even my doctor was all WTF?? I’ve been having more joyful days lately and it feels good. Still, I need to learn how to cope with the bad days and, you know, that’s self-care too. It gives strength to your body, mind, and soul. I have a counseling appointment soon and maybe I’ll talk with her about this. None of my other therapists were able to help but maybe she can. I need a tool to help with those days.

So that’s what I do for self-care. If you are having a rough time maybe in the mom trenches or life is knocking you around a bit, I want to suggest this book – The MOM Operating Manual. It’s supposed to be a kid’s book but I think it was written for moms. Mother’s Day is coming up so maybe this is a gift to give to yourself so you can start giving yourself a self-care foundation so that you can give to others.

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New Beauty Routine

April 7, 2021

Oh yeah – we all know I’m a beauty junkie so you also know I’m watching Youtube videos on said subject. Recently, I’ve found a couple of dermatologist channels and they are giving ideas on how to simplify your routine without spending oodles of dollars. In an age of Sephora and Ulta it’s refreshing and needed. Not everyone can spend a ton of money on beauty products in order to get the results they want. (That said, there are some mid-range products that are very much worth the money spent.) So, taking a page out of their book, here’s my new routine.

Cleanse – Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser. Frankly I’m not sure this one will work. I love it’s foaming action and it does take my makeup off and rinse incredibly well. However, it is a little drying for my skin so we’ll see.

Tone – Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner. Yeah – most derms agree that toning isn’t necessary (although if there are actives it can be okay) but I come from the old Clinique 3-step program, and I just love using toners so this is what I’m doing. This one is gentle, but does have fragrance so I like it but don’t love it.

Moisturize – Cerave Moisturizing Cream. I tried their lotion but it wasn’t rich enough so I stepped up to the cream and it’s better. They are both fragrance free, but they also have hyaluronic acid which my skin really doesn’t like (drying). That said, it’s hard to find any facial moisturizer without hyaluronic acid these days. :( And when a derm says you may need a moisturizer over a moisturizer with HA – what’s the point?

Sunscreen – I bought the Sephora Favorites Sun Safety kit this year because it was such a good deal. Lots of sunscreens (chemical and mineral) I’ve wanted to try and 3 full size products all for $40. And a portion of that goes to a cancer charity so it was a no-brainer. I’ve decided to use the Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for this routine. It is a mineral sunblock so I know my skin should be okay with it. First impressions – nice and creamy and easy to apply.

Treat – I’m not adding treatment products yet because I need to just get into the habit of a basic routine. Treatment products are iffy for me anyway since my skin is so sensitive. I’d love to do a little gentle (chemical) exfoliation which I actually need, or maybe even a retinol or vitamin C products to help the skin barrier, but I’ve yet to find products that my skin can tolerate. I don’t care about anti-aging stuff, but I know some of these products can be beneficial in other ways so not totally ruling it out. For now, this step will wait.

Foundation – I’m putting this in here because I always wear foundation to cover the redness of my rosacea and it finishes the routine. I’m using L’Oreal’s True Match. It’s a little drying for my skin but it’s not bad with coverage and the mineral SPF in it.

I want to add here that I don’t believe there is a “holy grail” foundation. I’ve read some articles lately about a foundation wardrobe – having two or three depending on coverage, weather, etc. – and I think that’s not a bad idea. Sometimes you just want something easy like a tinted moisturizer if you’re running around all day. Other times, say you’ve got a special date coming up, so you want a little extra. For work one that stands up to a full day on the job. I think this is an idea worth considering.

Sooo – that’s my new routine and, again, I’m sticking to this for two weeks. I’ll be back then to update on how it all worked and if I’ll keep it or move on. If I move on – I already have a routine ready to roll in my Sephora cart.

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Staying In

April 6, 2021

Last week was really, really busy. My older brother, sister, and I spent three days going through our mother’s things to prepare for her estate sale. It was emotionally draining and took a lot of time as well. I was also running to stores to get groceries for the Easter holiday. Noticing I’ve been spending too much time running around again and not enough at home to take care of things there – I’m staying in. And given we’re still in a pandemic it’s not a bad idea overall. That said, I will be taking walks around a local park after taking kids to work. I’ve not been spending much time outside so I need to flip that too. Cheers to a quieter and healthier week.

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Happy Easter!

April 4, 2021

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!

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» 2021 » April » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

What I Do For Self-Care

April 12, 2021

New Beauty Routine

April 7, 2021

Staying In

April 6, 2021

Happy Easter!

April 4, 2021

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