I'm really glad
Whenever I see an article that describes self care as, “unplugging and taking a bubble bath”, I usually roll my eyes
Not because I don’t absolutely love a good bubble bath…but because the idea of just one bath undoing the magnitude of stress life and work adds up to every week, isn’t realistic. Even though I really, really, really wish it was.
Unplugging and tuning into what we need as an entrepreneur is a special kind of beast. Because what do most people do to zone out?
If you said, “scroll social media”, you got it.
Sure, social media can be a way to escape and distract a busy brain…but um, what if you use social media as a platform for work?
That’s the difference.
We gotta get creative and find ways to let our bodies and brains relax that doesn’t tempt us to answer one more dm, respond to a comment or post something, “just really quickly”. As much I love a good scroll on instagram to escape to all things whimsical and far away (Krystal Bick’s account is my absolute fav at the moment), I know that my brain will ultimately stumble on something work related. As a photographer with a business account, the FYP undoubtedly will have something related to work that pops up based on the algorithm.
That’s when I go back to the bubble bath conundrum.
One bath won’t magically do the trick for whatever ails you, however…
Unplugging from your phone and creating something in real life with intention for said bath, is a damn good start.
Creating a personalized bath blend is the ultimate way to engage potentially muted senses, while allowing your brain to take a little break from consuming information. Studies show that creating or working with your hands, allows us to get away from the type of active learning we are so used to. I call this process, “the brain break.” Absolutely not an official name, but like, this is genuinely how my brain feels when I’m engaging in this type of task.
Because when you set your phone down to add epsom salt with dried rose petals…oats with calendula…a smidge of lavender or hibiscus…
You start to pick up on some serious sensory cues that scrolling simply can’t get you.
The act of setting aside time to try something new, that is visually gorgeous, hands on, and smells incredible…is really freeing.
You can find a recipe online, but I suggest giving yourself a research time limit so you don’t analyze the whole process to death. That’ll suck the fun right out of it, and become more a chore, you know?
Outdoor Apothecary was one of the first places I found a few years ago when I started this ritual, and from there, I simply started experimenting with things based on my skin or stress level. In the summer calendula, oats, and epsom salt is my perfect pairing for tired muscles and glowy moisturized skin.
After you mix everything together (you better bet I use a pretty bowl and make pretty patterns with the ingredients), pour your blend into a medium sized muslin bag with a draw string. Run your bath. And pop it in.
Depending on what you put in your blend, the water will start to change colors. Hibiscus turns the water pink or red. Calendula, yellow. Lavender, gray. Rose petals, a paler pink. Mint, slightly green gray. You get the idea. Just have a magic eraser handy for after incase your tub stains! Our 116 year old clawfoot tubs don’t exactly have a lot of enamel left on them, and stain pretty easily.
My favorite thing to do while soaking? Sip some tea (that isn’t from bath water) while diving into my latest read. Pair that with my favorite low-fi beats station on Apple Music, and it’s absolutely divine on every level.
Skipping the scroll for a soak? Let me know what blend you tried!
