Every Day Essentials In My Main Character Era
Have you ever felt like certain things were only allowed for the rich and social media famous? Like, who says we can’t have nice things too? Well, let me tell you about some things I used to consider bougie or luxurious, but now they’ve become essential parts of my everyday routine.
I have worked to create a feeling of abundance in my life. Rather than living in a state of scarcity and feeling like I will never have enough, I choose to focus on the moments that spark joy even if they are seemingly simple moments. There are tons of names for this idea; slow living, minimalism, hygge, but I just like to think of it as simplifying! Along the way, I realized that every single thing I do in the name of self-care has to be extravagant or expensive.
Here is the list of things that went from luxury to necessity when I started to romanticize my life
Having A Simple Makeup & A Go To Ring Stack
If you are like me and went from dressing business formal to working from home when the world shut down in 2020, then this one is for you.
Also, why does that feel like just yesterday?
When WFH was introduced, I revelled in the chance to wear nothing but sweatpants, no bra, a ratty t-shirt and skip any form of makeup and or hair washing. Some days were more extreme than others, but I went months without actually “getting ready.”
I thought getting that extra bit of sleep was worth it, but as it turns out, I really like a simple makeup routine, outfit formula that is comfy but not Adam Sandler inspired and go-to jewellery pieces to feel a little more human. If it helps me be more productive throughout the day, then why not take 15 minutes in the morning?
Having An Aesthetic iPad & Computer
I used to tell myself it didn’t matter how pretty my Notion pages, computer desktop or iPad home screen were as long as they functioned. But as it turns out, I LOVE having these things match my minimalistic, coastal cowgirl vibe. Plus, it makes me way more excited to use the tools that boost my productivity and help organize my life when I don’t hate looking at them. And as it turns out, I am pretty good at designing my digital spaces to be functional and pretty (if I do say so myself).
Smelling Good
Finding a signature scent seemed like it would be nice but never like a need until I decided why not. Now, smelling good and moisturizing my skin straight out of the shower is a small thing that brings me so much joy (not to mention confidence) in my day. After months of experimenting, I have settled on Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue perfume and Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’62 Bum Bum Cream.
Having The Perfect Playlist
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I have played guitar for over 20 years and even studied music performance at university. These days when orchestra rehearsals and live gigs take up way less of my time, music is still how I feel and express my emotions. Am I dating myself? I used to rely on Limewire and a 1 GB iPod nano. Thank goodness for Spotify because now, I can create playlists to fit any mood or occasion, and they all fit on my phone. From blasting the “it’s not a phase mom” playlist in the shower or cruising with the windows down to “summer mix,” there isn’t a time I feel more like myself.
Hot Coffee
Brewing fresh coffee is something I look forward to every.single.day. However, it became a running joke with anyone who knew me well that no matter what, I would end up drinking cold coffee because I would brew it and forget about it.
For Christmas, my bestie gifted me an Ember mug. If you don’t know what that is, it is a rechargeable cup that heats your beverage to the perfect temperature and keeps it warm until you actually drink it. I had heard of these mugs and deemed them too bougie for me; now, it is a non-negotiable part of my day because it is a small moment I love. Thank goodness my best friend didn’t follow my rules.
An Extra Walk With My Puppy
No phone, no distractions, extra gratitude and happy puppy wiggles. Need I say more?
No matter how busy my day is, I always block off time to take my dog for an extra walk. Even ten minutes outside playing with a ball, taking in the mountain view and soaking up some sunshine not only gets a tail wag that makes my heart want to burst, but it is a break from screens and my never-ending to-do list.
The moral of the story? Forget the rules of what’s “allowed” when it comes to treating yourself like the main character. Find the things that make you feel good and add them to your daily routine often. Need help creating a list for yourself? Follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @simplifywithbee for all the inspo.
