My Self Care Journey

For over two decades I’ve struggled with my weight thanks to being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and suffered from self-image issues after being in an abusive relationship (I got out of that over a decade ago). I’ve committed to the gym, Noom, Slimming World, 8Fit and so many more, without success. However, after trauma counselling, a new job and the start of a master’s degree, I have found a new love for myself – not to mention a wonderfully supportive husband and son – leading to a new found motivation for 2023.

I didn’t grow up learning about self-care or make up. Of course I was taught to bathe and stay clean, but it’s a far cry from looking after yourself. I’ve had to learn it for myself, using good ol’ YouTube and then trial and error.

Skin Self-Care

I proceeded to binge-watch a variety of social media (YouTube) self-care influencers. Lots of semi-naked women in showers drinking wine as they go. Some extreme in their skin-care routines using millions of over-priced products.

I managed to locate a couple of realistic self-care routines that helped me understand different products and how they may help me.

I also binge-watched Cassandra Bankson, model, medical aesthetician, and skincare expert. Her candid reviews about skin-care products allowed me to understand my skin more, and educated me in making good choices for products that were in my price-range. So off I popped in my virtual car, to the virtual shop call Stylevanna. Their prices are amazing, though you do have to wait for it to arrive – and wait, and wait, and wait (but it was the Chinese New Year…). Whilst I was waiting, because I’m not patient, I thought I would try another brand that Bankson had recommended, The Inkey List.

I jumped back in my virtual car, to their virtual shop and filled in a little questionnaire asking me all these questions about my skin…they then gave me a little shopping list of products, with routine instructions. Some of these products were key in the recipe, however, others were bonus products that they thought would help further, should your income allow. With my Inkey list in hand, and a few other products, I jumped in my real car to go to a real Boots store. I was so excited to treat myself to a home spa session.

My Current Skin-Care (No Make-up) Routine (Jan/Feb 2023)

Daily Routine

  • 7.30am – Oral Care
    • Clean Teeth (Oral-B electric toothbrush & Sensodyne toothpaste)
    • Clean Tongue (DenTek Orabrush Tongue Cleaner)
  • 8.00pm – Shower (after workout)
    • Shampoo (only if I really need to wash my hair – Garnier Ultimate Blends Delicate Oat Milk Soothing)
    • Dove exfoliating scrub (Pomegranate Seeds & Shea Butter) under the arms to clean off deodorant
    • Dove Reviving Pomegranate and Verbena body wash all over
    • Femfresh for my delicate bits
  • 8.20pm – Skin Care
    • Dove Intense Nourishment Body Lotion
    • Dove Maximum Protection deodorant (Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena)
    • Clenser (The INKEY List™ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser)
    • Serum (The INKEY List™ Hyaluronic Acid Serum)
    • Eye Cream
      • The INKEY List™ Brighten-i Eye Cream
      • The INKEY List™ Caffeine Eye Cream
    • Moisturiser ( The INKEY List™ Omega Water Cream Moisturizer)
  • 11.00pm – Oral Care
    • Clean Teeth (Oral-B electric toothbrush & Sensodyne toothpaste)
    • Clean Tongue (DenTek Orabrush Tongue Cleaner)
    • LISTERINE® Total Care Stay White Mouthwash

Sunday Spa Day (Reset for the up and coming week)

  • Shower (late afternoon)
    • Oil on dry hair ends (Vita Coco Raw Organic Coconut Oil)
    • Hair wash with treatment shampoo (as I have eczema)
    • Hair Mask (Garnier Ultimate Blends Plumping Hair Food Watermelon 3-in-1 Fine Hair Mask Treatment – leave in for 3 mins)
    • Dove exfoliating scrub (Pomegranate Seeds & Shea Butter) all over the body
    • Shave (Venus Deluxe Smooth Sensitive & Gillette Satin Care Women’s Shaving Gel Sensitive – this routine is the only one that allows me to shave weekly as I have hirsutism (PCOS) fast growing + sensitive skin so sometimes I couldn’t shave for months)
    • Dove Reviving Pomegranate and Verbena body wash all over (inc. nails with nail brush)
    • Femfresh for my delicate bits
  • Skin Care
    • Dove Intense Nourishment Body Lotion
    • Dove Maximum Protection deodorant (Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena)
    • Clenser (The INKEY List™ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser)
    • Sheet Mask (Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask)
    • Eye Cream
      • The INKEY List™ Brighten-i Eye Cream
      • The INKEY List™ Caffeine Eye Cream
    • Moisturiser ( The INKEY List™ Omega Water Cream Moisturizer)
  • Nail Care
    • Cuticle Care
    • CND Vinylux Nail Polish
    • Cuticle Oil

Physical Care

I did purchase a second-hand treadmill during lockdown, but I didn’t use it much, largely because it would start to smell like it was enjoying a fag or ten. It took me months to figure out it needed a mini service. I finally got around to taking it apart and cleaning it and it worked much better but it was not before it would start up its nasty habit again. I then reminded myself I wasn’t a lightweight – pulled out the WD40 silicone spray and lubricated the underside of the belt and boom, she’s given up the fags for now and so I was gliding beautifully.

To encourage me further – after all these years I do need a massive motivator – I signed up to the Conqueror Challenge. Me being me chose a super long one at 343 miles (552km). I knew the only way I’d do it was to do one that I really wanted to do, so I chose the Nakasendo Trail in Japan. I was managing around 2 miles per weekday, more at the weekend (from being completely sedentary). That was until I seemed to acquire a nice case of Plantar fasciitis. Panicking that I would stop, I looked up what I could do with Plantar fasciitis and yoga and cycling came up. So I thought, great, I’ll rotate. So I jumped on Amazon (I know, but it’s so convenient), and bought a new yoga mat (mine has been destroyed by my son who uses it as a P.E. mat for home-schooling!) and an exercise bike. I also use the 8Fit app for fitness too as I like their daily toning sessions, though I don’t do it daily.

Where to now?

I am on a journey where I’m allowing myself a year to see a difference. Weight loss is extremely hard for me due to the PCOS and it’s a constant learning opportunity. In this blog I will bring you on my virtual challenges and share this journey with you so you can hopefully see that it is possible to love yourself and to be kind to yourself.