Rituals That Are Keeping Me Sane Right Now | #StayHome

So many things have changed due to the current situation.

I think we’re all experiencing an increase in low mood and feelings that we’d rather not deal with, which makes things even harder.

As I’ve mentioned a lot on this blog, I’m someone who spends a lot of time at home generally but even I’m struggling with everything that is going on right now.

At the beginning of this whole thing (in the UK we’re coming up to two weeks in official lockdown) I was feeling really down on myself because I wasn’t being ‘productive’ like the people I saw on Instagram.

While I’m still struggling with these feelings from time to time, this situation has given mea better perspective on things and I’m now just focusing on getting through the days as best as I can.

Some things that are making me feel better are the new rituals that have popped up in my life. I haven’t been making a conscious effort to create routines or anything, but there are some things that I seem to be doing everyday for the sake of keeping positive.

I thought I’d take some time today to share these little rituals as they’re really helping me at the moment and they might give you inspiration for some things to do.

MY NEW RITUALS

• Watching Kate McCabe vlogs 

I seem to be starting every day off watching Kate McCabe videos. She is working really hard at the moment and is uploading so many videos, including regular vlogs of her time at home. She is such a positive person and I find her voice really relaxing, so watching her videos first thing is getting me in the right head space for the rest of my day.

I’ve been watching a lot of similar YouTubers at the moment and there are so many creators who are making me happy right now. I think this is a great time to use free outlets like YouTube and blogs as both an escape and a way to lift your mood when you need it most.

• Making my bed

Not to be that person, but I typically make my bed everyday anyway because it makes such a difference to my space. My bed is the biggest thing in my room and it really make the space look better when it’s been made. I’m trying to wash my sheets a bit more often that I normally would right now, because I’m spending more time in bed. Plus fresh sheets can honestly cure a lot of bad feelings!

Making my space look fresh and tidy is really important for my mental health. I’m making more of an effort to tidy up after myself in every capacity when it comes to my room, including putting away chargers and taking cups down to the kitchen when I’m finished with them, as well as making the bed. It makes my room seem more inviting and generally a better place to be.

• Maintaining skincare routines

I recently bought some skincare bits, just before the lockdown started, and I’ve really been enjoying using them. I’m trying to make the effort daily – although sometimes I don’t manage to do both the morning and night – to wash my face and use these skincare products.

I don’t have an extensive skincare routine and I never will, but I’m really enjoying trying  new products. Washing my face everyday is a good way to make me feel ready for whatever I might be doing (which is typically sitting, reading or watching TV) and just makes me feel more awake.

You don’t need to buy new products for this at all, simply use what you have and try to make an effort to apply them as much as you can.

•  Lighting candles

Being cosy is such an important thing for me and I’ve become obsessed with having candles on. I like to light my candles either first thing in the morning or in the evening when it begins to get dark, as it makes the room feel so warm and cosy.

No matter what I’m doing, whether I’m playing Sims, watching YouTube or reading in bed, having candles and soft lighting around me creates a total hygge vibe.

hygge

/ˈh(j)uːɡə,ˈhʊɡə/

noun

1. a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).