Finding balance is always something I have struggled with. When January 1 rolled around, balance was something I wanted to focus on this year. Since March of this year, I have been mostly quarantining and self-isolating. I have seen a few friends and gone to a few places. However, I would say I have spent about 90% of my time alone. Like most people in quarantine, I have had my focus and productivity ebb and flow. There have been times that I have struggled to even focus on television, let alone reading. Recently I have been making more of an effort to find balance in my life. This week I start working an alternative work schedule that will hopefully help with some of that. In the meantime, here are some things that I am currently obsessed with that are helping me find balance.
I have a long documented history of not being able to sleep well. It shouldn’t be surprising, but my insomnia has reared its ugly little head. Between the stress and anxiety of self-isolation and not needing to get up and out the door in the morning, I had reverted to 3-4 hours of sleep a night with many wake ups. I bought Lush’s Twilight body spray about a month ago. Did Twilight sleep spray fix it? No, but has it helped me fall asleep a bit faster every night? I think so. It is a very calming scent and as I do some deep breaths trying to clear my mind before bed this is all I can smell. I even spray some on my sheets so that I’m totally surrounded by the scent.
Speaking of those deep breaths, Headspace has been a total life saver. Right at the start of quarantine, I invested in an annual subscription. I had been considering it for a while and it felt like the right time. I’m so glad I did, because I meditate quite frequently now. I try to get about 10 minutes in every morning. After finishing the beginner 10 day guided meditation (which I’ve done a few times before, I have picked and chose as needed. I really like the productivity mediation. The sleepscapes and nighttime breathing exercises have also been a real help as I’ve been struggling through those sleepless nights.
I’m a huge skincare lover. One of these days I’ll start to review all of the stuff I’ve tried and all of the things I love. About a month and a half ago, I bit the bullet and bought Sunday Riley Good Genes. I had tried samples previously and really liked the texture, the smell, and how it soaked into my skin. What I didn’t realize was how much I would love it after using it for more than a couple of days. My skin is definitely brighter. I have had fewer breakouts and honestly feel better going makeup free or just very light makeup. It has quickly become a staple in my nighttime skincare routine.
I am not a morning person. Maybe if I was, finding sleep wouldn’t be so tricky. Alas, I am who I am so I have to set up rewards for waking up at a decent hour. Enter Homemade Salted Caramel Cold Foam Cold Brew. It tastes just like Starbucks, but I don’t even have to leave my house or waste gas. Sunday I steep a huge jar of cold brew coffee using a 3:1 ratio. In the morning, I pour my cold brew into my glass over some ice. In a separate cup, I combine one and a half pumps of salted caramel coffee syrup, a quarter cup of Fair Life 1% milk and one-eighth teaspoon of kosher salt. I froth it until it reaches a creamy texture. Then pour that over my cold brew for a Cafe Hockenberry classic.
