Can we have a thread about nice things / self care things that you enjoy?

[Joyfulincolour]

I’ve had a really busy time at work over the last 2 months. I’ve worked long days then had to come home and continue to work. I’ve often been waking up at 4am, remembering things to do!
I now need to take some time back to spend it with my family but I’m also trying to think of some nice things to do that will make me slow down and enjoy the run up to Christmas.
What do you all enjoy doing when trying to make time for yourself?

Taking pleasure in small things. Planning a really nice bath, fresh warmed towels, clean ironed Pjs, new knickers, fresh slippers.

And my electric blanket! Omg the greatest life enhancement ever! I turn off the hearing at night and have the summer duvet under the fitted sheet and electric blanket, then the winter duvet. Snug as a bug in a rug.

And good coffee in my favourite mug, made slowly, with cream.

Walking in the woods with my doggie 🐶, hot chocolate and whipped cream after a hot bath at night! Aldi has a new range of candies that are incredible, only 3.99, smell divine and look lovely on a mantelpiece.

A good face mask on and listening to a podcast or audiobook while I lay on the bed relaxing and letting the face mask work it's magic on me.

Also electric blanket and candle on in the bedroom half hour before I go to bed so it's pretty smells good and is so snuggly.

Oh lovely! I’ve never had an electric blanket but do use fleece blankets instead of sheets. I love the texture and warmth!

When I have an hour or two child free I go to a coffee shop and sit and do the puzzle page in the newspaper.

Also putting fresh bedlinen on and lazing in bed/having a nap

Catch up on my reading and a lovely pampering bath (not at the same time, I hate that).

Yoga

The bendy. stretchy kind if I'm feeling up to it, otherwise the restorative kind.

Thanks everyone. I used to really enjoy yoga and I had forgotten about it.

This month I have bought a lovely glass teapot, loose leaf tea and some posh coffee to go in the cafetiere. Always have the coffee with (vegan) cream too. Lovely.

And definitely the Aldi candles, have one going as we speak.

Having an early night and snuggling up in bed with a hot chocolate and podcast is wonderful too

On the topic of podcasts, Stuff You Should Know, with Chuck and Josh has literally changed my life (yes I'm a bit sad!). I listen to them every day, they keep me company in the car, cheer my up when I'm down and I have learnt (learned?) so much.

Sofa. Blanket. Podcast. Empty house.

Oh yes podcasts!!!! Massive Malcolm Gladwell fan, plus loads of true crime ones! I sit and knit with them on after the kids are in bed.

Stroking my 2 new kittens! Just had them for a week now and they have lowered my stress levels to zero. I also regularly buy myself flowers. Make time for my hobbies. End the day by reading in bed. Although said new kittens have taken to wrestling on my bed at bedtime and I end up watching them instead!

Obviously we require kitten photos...

Stroll to the library ( or Waterstones if I'm feeling flush) choose a good book and relax on the sofa in comfy loungewear with book and bar of Godiva chocolate.

Here are Luna and Soleil. Even though it's only been a week I can't imagine my life without them now!

Damn didn't attach

Yep it attached! They're GORGEOUS!!!

Bath, fake tan, hair-treatment, DIY pedicure. It's so cold in my bathroom though that I can't face doing the tan!

Candlelit bath, face mask and some R n B slow jams on play. Maybe a glass of baileys too. Fresh pjs on the radiator for when I'm done.

Lighting the wood burner and lying on the rug in front of it with the cat. Even better if it’s raining really heavily so I can hear it on the roof.

Book and a glass of really good wine in a huge bubble bath.
Silence. Sounds daft but sometimes I lie on the floor and listen to the silence if I have an empty house for 10 mins, it's very calming.
Stopping to take things in - this can't be done all the time but when you do have the time it's such a healthy thing to do, kids are great at it. We had a really hard frost a couple of mornings last week and it made pretty patterns on the car bonnet - instead of nagging my kids to hurry up and get in the car I took a leaf out of their book and stopped to take notice, and I was glad I did.

I enjoy yoga, hot bubble baths with a book, a face mask and getting my nails done

Running
Swimming
Steam / sauna
Hot yoga
Meditation
Cooking

Books
Candles
Baths
Fresh bed linen
Dog walks when it's not raining
Drawing the curtains and cuddling up to watch a film or whatever with tea and a box of chocolates.