One thing you've bought or done that has made you look and/or feel better

[WhatAPickleThisIsAtXmas]

Is there anything you did or bought that improved how you look and/or feel?

I've just turned 36, I'm a single parent to two boys, i work and trying to renovate the house ive just bought, all of which leaves me feeling constantly overwhelmed followed by lots of falling asleep on the sofa. I used to be fairly okay to look, now I'm frumpy, I have lines, my skin is dry no matter how much water I drink or moisturiser I use, my hair very thick but graying and a lot fell out last year which was the worst of our lives after spending time homeless.

I would love to start looking after myself, to start feeling even a little attractive, so would be so good to hear what has worked and helped others! Budget or more aspiring things welcome.

Strength training.

Dropped all aerobic type classes and only do strength training.

Never felt better or stronger!

Eyebrow pencil made a surprisingly big difference looks wise. I use the NYX micro brow one.

Agree strength training has made a big difference to how I feel.

Congratulations on the new house! No mean feat as a single parent.

Try not to feel under pressure to get it done up asap. I know that’s easier said than done.

What about doing the bathroom first and organising a nice cabinet for your moisturisers and things so you can have them to hand when you get out of the shower and so be more likely to use them consistently.

Let me natural hair colour grow in. Game changer

Weekly veg box.

Centre your eating around vegetables, fruit, wholefoods (beans, lentils, etc) oily fish, EV olive oil, herbs, spices nuts and seeds. Accustom your children to this way of eating. Commit to only buying ready made / takeaway food no more than once a week. (Also cut out / cut right down on fizzy drinks. Don’t bother with sugar free versions either.)

Bake your own cakes and biscuits. Experiment with different flours and fats. Involve your children in this.

Get a copy of Ultra Processed People and read it cover to cover. Or at least the introduction.

Get enough sleep.

I’m afraid that’s more than one thing! But they all ‘work’.

Really well-fitting bras. A good bra is like a miracle - your clothes hang better, you look thinner, you feel more comfortable. I am keen on matching knickers as well, although I know a lot of people aren't.

I’m in a similar house situation. I found that the way to stop the “fear” was to write a list so I got it clear in my head what the priorities are and what needs to get done on what order. I then try to do one thing a day even if it’s just call someone for a quote which literally takes 5 mins. Then I feel like I’m making progress and a bit more in control.

Also, read your OP back to yourself and feel super proud about what you’ve achieved. You’ve had a really stressful time and come up swinging. A few grey hairs don’t change that.

For dry skin - a BHA exfoliator has worked wonders for me. My skin purged for a few weeks now it’s great.

Slightly spendy but I recommend the occasional facial for dry skin and/or a hot stone massage. Also getting a nice haircut.

Clinique moisture rush moisturiser.

Having a sports massage

Really great suggestions so far, thank you!

It's all affected My confidence. As an aside, I'm also finding that as my children get older, I am losing them as my 'sheild', they are 9&13 now, gone are the days, well for the oldest, that I can bomb around museums and they take centre stage !

A good skincare routine has made a huge difference to my appearance.

Morning - wash face with water and a flannel, then apply serum and moisturiser, with a couple of drops of self tanning serum.
Evening - balm cleanser, acid toner every other night, serum and night cream

I am religious about it and it's helped.

Eyebrow tint/shape and eyelash tint help too, either at home or in a salon.

Another vote for strength training. I’m almost 51 and I’ve always trained really hard (mainly cardio). I now train 5 days per week, almost exclusively strength and I feel great. Still eat like a horse and haven’t lost a pound but my
clothes are looser, my waist is smaller and my guns are epic 🤣

Thanks @BakedBeanAddict ,will look into BHA

Agree with dumbbells and strength training. I follow Caroline Girvans free workouts on YouTube. It makes me look a bit better, but the endorphins make me care less too. I sleep better and like the feeling of getting stronger.

Thanks @sstcrispinsday , what brands do you recommend?

Hot stone massage sounds amazing

Another vote for strength training

Bless you, OP, you sound fab. I am also a fan of strength training i just do one of joe wicks's 15 minutes dumbell workouts 3-4 times a week but it's made a huge difference and takes zero time. You can get the weights really cheaply from tk maxx or online

Few votes for strength training, will have a look at YouTube.

I used to go to the gym a few times a week, now I wouldn't be able to do it, I feel so rubbish and exercise hurts now. Which likely means I need it more than ever

Another thing I’d add on a budget is just a nice scented body moisturiser to use every time you get out the shower. Some really good tips here though. And massive well done on getting your house and bringing your boys up on your own 👊🏽

I bought a girdle and although I look like a chonky rectangle, I feel good in it.
also setting my hair with pin curls at night (when baby is sleeping) is very cheap and makes me feel a bit better. Exercise releases those chemicals that make you happy apparently too. I phrased that so badly. I like to chase my son for exercise

Yoga at home using YouTube or the Nike training club app (both free). No one else to worry about how it looks, just how it feels. Yin yoga is super relaxing not acrobatics.

Don't laugh but already chopped froze onions from sainsbury's - extravagant but worth it

Also Garnier Vitamin C brightening serum, game changer

Cerave eye cream, makes my eye area feel less tight, more hydrated

the blue herbal essence (the hello hydration)

aldi have a dupe for olaplex for hair and a dupe for sanctuary shower gel too!

a simple shave of the legs and pampery shower

new socks!

fave perfume

sleep😉