My ‘Shit Day’ self-care routine

If I’m honest, it’s been a shit week.

There are many contributing factors: the weather, the uncertainty of my job security, my increasingly anxious and difficult-to-manage mother, my headphones are broken (this last point probably seems minor, but it means I can no longer complete my Spanish lessons and am unable to listen to music or podcasts on my walks/runs. Which means I’m not really walking/running anymore).

People the world over are dealing with shit days, many of them much shitter than mine. I am so incredibly lucky that my woes aren’t overly serious but regardless – I can’t help how I’m feeling right now.

What I CAN do, is treat the fuck out of myself with some self-care.

Step 1: DIY Day Spa

When I DIY Day Spa, I go all out. Think multi-layered haircare regime, deep cleanse and nourishment of my face and body, bubble-bath with a good book and just the right combo of essential oils.

Theres nothing like a fresh set of locks to lift my mood.

I start off with a deep cleanse using my Lush Cosmetics Jason and the Argan Oil Shampoo Bar. This miracle bar has too many pros to count:

• Packed with Argan oil, full of fatty acids and Vitamin E
• Delivers to-die-for softness and shine, thanks to glycerine
• Devoid of harsh chemicals
• Package-free and planet-friendly
• Smells like a literal orgasm

I then follow this delightful, natural cleanse with a shitload of chemicals.

I wish I didn’t have to, but as an unnaturally ashy-blonde, I need a good quality purple shampoo to tone out the yucky yellows which develop over time.

Enter: Fanola No Yellow Shampoo.

This stuff stinks and will stain your hands and nails blue for days – but trust me, it works. Leave it in for 5 mins max, and don’t use it more than once a week.

Finally, in an attempt to reverse all the damage that the Fanola No Yellow has just done, I lather my locks in Briorgio’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask.

It’s ultra-hydrating. It’s revitalising. It’s cruelty-free. It’s the best goddamn Kris-Kringle present I’ve ever received.

Once it’s dried off and brushed through, my mop is brighter, bouncier and shinier. I might feel shit, but at least my hair looks fab.

Next – the bubble bath of your dreams

I’m talking scorching hot. I’m talking red wine. I’m talking essential oils to set your soul on fire. I’m talking LUX-UR-Y.

First of all, let me say this: if you can draw yourself a steaming hot bath and pour yourself a glass of fine red wine (or a glass of $5-$10 red wine, either will work) then that’s all you really need at the crux of it.

However, if you have access to good quality essential oils, a Spotify Premium account and any book by Louise L Hay, you have hit the motherlode of all good baths my friend.

Lavender, frankincense and rose are my favourite combo of essential oils for a ‘Shit Day’ bath. Essential oil devotees will tell you that you need bath salts to help disperse them but this is a load of BS. Ain’t nobody got time for acquiring bath salts, so if you’ve got oils, just drop those suckers straight in.

Step 2: Guilty-pleasure-but-also-guilt-free baking

I find baking to be a deeply therapeutic activity, and also I have an unquenchable sweet tooth.

This is a fantastic combination when I’m having a ‘Shit Day’.

If you’ve never tried baking, hear me out. I never used to like it either. But since I’ve realised that I can cook myself healthy, guilt-free treats which satisfy my sweet cravings and also boost my mood, I’ve never looked back.

My go-to ‘Shit Day’ recipes include:

1. Chocolate Covered Katie’s Chewy Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies

They’re sugar-free, low-carb, and they only take 10 minutes to make. Also – they only make 5 cookies. So when the Shit Day hits, you can whip ’em up in no time and devour the whole lot without feeling bad about it.

2. Detoxinsta’s Coconut Flour Pancakes

Again – sugar-free and low-carb. Taste like heaven and you can top them with berries, maple syrup, chocolate sauce and a load of other feel-good ingredients. Also take no time to make and you can smash them in one go.

3. Fat For Weight Loss’ Keto Ferrero Rochers

They’re a little more complicated and time-consuming to make, but these healthy, home-made Ferrero Rochers are TO DIE FOR.

Anyone who tells you they don’t like Ferrero Rochers are liars and I won’t hear another word about it. If you’re experiencing the all-encompassing feels of a ‘Shit Day’ then carve out a couple of hours to make these.

Step 3: An electric blanket, a Netflix account and a coupla cats.

So simple, yet effective.

NOTHING makes me feel better than my two ginger pussy-cats, Charlie and Clarrie.

A close second is my electric blanket, which somewhat emulates the warmth I get from my pussy-cats when they snuggle either side of me.

And coming in last but not least, is a good (or awful) TV show which I just cannot seem to turn off. Over the years the TV shows which have graced my Netflix screen on a ‘Shit Day’ have included The Office, Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Money Heist, Community, Pretty Little Liars, The 100 and Sense8 just to name a few.

I know there’s this whole movement of “get up and exercise!”, “kick goals and eat well!” and “look after your health!” which have monopolised the self-care market recently but if I know one thing it’s this: when you feel like fucking shit and just need a day to chill, nothing beats Netflix in bed with your cats.

Period.

…

What do you do to lift your spirits on a ‘Shit Day’? Let me know in the comments below!

Feature image by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash