Signs Your Self-Care Routine is Making You Boring

Use this post as a reminder to get out of the bathroom and into the real world.

I started writing this post over a month ago. While the topic itself is fairly superficial, over the weekend it took a slightly deeper meaning to me. The following two paragraphs are an addition to the original version of this newsletter:

As you may have heard, NYC-based creative (and fellow TikTok creator) Eva Evans passed away over the weekend. Her most recent project was her series Club Rat which she both directed and starred in which you can watch here on Amazon Prime. The last time I had seen Eva was a couple weeks ago when we ran into each other during a night out at The Mulberry. While I only knew her vaguely from running in similar circles, I’ve always admired her from afar. She always had a certain je-ne-sais-quoi “it” factor that could only be born and bred in New York City–I remember fangirling when she did a full TikTok dedicated to a 4AM unboxing.

Over the weekend, I found myself thinking about the Frownies Wrinkle Patches Eva often wore on her forehead in her TikToks, almost to the point where they felt like a part of her personal brand (they even made an appearance on Club Rat). Despite the fact that she did in fact have an impressively smooth forehead, it was the least interesting thing about her. Her point of view was unique. She lived many adventures. Her creativity impacted many. If anything, in retrospect, we would have been lucky to be able to experience the forehead wrinkles she was trying to keep at bay as it would have meant more time with her.

It is no secret that the beauty and wellness market is oversaturated (trust me, as a beauty founder–I know). However, nothing made me truly grapple with this fact until my mild TikTok clout resulted in receiving an onslaught of free beauty products. One of the dressers in my apartment I now refer to as a  “mini Sephora.” To a point, testing out every product is fun…a consumerist adventure in finding the best foundation that gives a lit from within glow, a lip liner that stays all day, a blush the very specific shade of pink to match a bunny’s tongue, the list goes on. However, at one point or another the hunt for product perfection begins to become futile.

In a way, the over complication of beauty routines feels like an elaborate ploy by the patriarchy to dumb down the female populace (anyone who has spent over an hour staring at the nail salon wall while getting manicured should understand). Each new product or routine gets us closer to perfection, and while the distance between our current self and perfection gets infinitely small, perfection can never quite be reached (see: Zeno’s Paradox). If like me, you’re in need of a sign to go outside and enjoy the spring rather than in your bathroom, here are some telltale signs your current self-care routine is making you boring: 

1. You talk more about products than experiences. If you find yourself discussing blushes and face masks more than your last party, book, or dinner with friends, it might be time to reevaluate your focus. 

2. Your routine is rigid and inflexible. If saying "no" to spontaneous plans because it interferes with your self-care schedule is common, consider loosening up. Life's most memorable adventures often come from unexpected adventures.

3. You use self-care as an excuse to avoid challenges. Self-care is crucial, but it shouldn't be used as a shield to block out new challenges or opportunities that can contribute to your growth and excitement in life.

4. Your routine no longer brings you joy.There’s a reason routine is a synonym of unexceptional. 

If any of the above points spoke to you, please use this as your sign to do something about it. Until next time, here are some things that have kept me happy, pretty, and busy this week:

Something that kept me happy: I am an admitted Poppi hater, but if you are looking for a non-soda/non-water beverage that hits the spot, may I introduce you to the Health-ade Kombucha Tangerine Passionfruit. This drink literally tastes like happiness in a bottle, and has also seemed to pop up pretty much everywhere. Surprisingly, even my local CVS has one so be sure to be on the lookout next time you’re there. Make sure to buy the version in a glass bottle for the full experience. 

Something that kept me pretty: I have been raving about the YSL Loveshine lip sticks than have a super unique balm to lip oil formula. However, I do acknowledge that at a whopping $45 each, they’re not an easy sell. So when I received the Bare Minerals freshly released Dewy Lip-Gloss Balm I was shocked to realize that the formula is nearly identical, for half the price. Check them out if you’re in the mood for a new lippie. 

Something that kept me busy: Do you feel like the last 4 years has been a timewarp? Me too. This TikTok regarding how our lives are measured in adventures was much of the inspiration behind today’s post, and I hope it gives you something to think about (as well as yet another excuse to get out of your bathroom and into the real world).

Bye for now, 

Jade