There are plenty of times in life where cutting corners end up being the right thing to do. Whether that’s realizing the generic brand of potato chip is just as good as the name brand or staying at that party an extra two hours was worth it, and you didn’t end up needing that much sleep after all. There are, however, many things in life that you just can’t skimp on. Here’s a list of things to never, ever go without.
Skincare
We’ve all heard to never go to sleep with our makeup on. And many of us still slept with our makeup on for years, but it didn’t take long to realize that we should have been listening to that advice as we see the effects of fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, or weaker eyelashes. But, now that we’ve learned the lesson of removing makeup, it’s time to implement another. Don’t ever skimp on your skincare. It’s vitally important that you wash your face both in the morning and in the evening to remove makeup and impurities. It would be best to exfoliate your entire body (including your face) at least once a week. A toner will get you far in life, but you can’t skip out on moisturiser. Make sure you’re applying a facial and body moisturiser every day to keep your body’s largest organ – newsflash, it’s your skin – in peak health. Doing this pays off quickly, and the results will benefit you for the rest of your beautiful life. If you are looking for a recommendation for a good quality moisturiser, you can check out some options from Handmade Naturals or a similar brand known for selling quality skincare products. Before purchasing one, however, make sure to go through the content list and shortlist one that will suit your particular skin type. Remember that not all moisturisers are made the same.
Sleep
It is crucial to never skimp on sleep because it affects our physical and mental health. Establishing a proper sleep routine is, therefore, crucial. Consider going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Engage in relaxing bedtime rituals like reading or meditation to signal your body that it’s time to wind down.
Creating the perfect sleep environment is equally vital. Ensure you invest in a comfortable bed with a mattress tailored to your preferred firmness and complement it with supportive pillows. Consider including both neck and body pillows, such as an Anime Dakimakura Pillow, to enhance your sleep quality and comfort.
A well-suited mattress and pillows can enhance spinal alignment and reduce discomfort, ensuring a more restful sleep. Additionally, keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, as these conditions promote optimal sleep quality.
Your Standards
Don’t lower your expectations of others out of fear of coming off a certain way or fearing being alone. We’ve all been there, but the reality is, this ultimately leaves us disappointed and wishing we’d had the guts to pull the trigger on the relationship (this applies to platonic and romantic relationships) when we first had this feeling. This doesn’t mean throwing in the towel over small things, but if someone doesn’t fit with you on a fundamental or ethical level, don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole. It’s okay to have self-awareness, not to mention the self-love to recognize that life is too short to skimp on flaky friends or partners. Your tribe is out there. Find them. This applies to your professional life as well. If you’re in a job or position that is genuinely draining and sucking your spirit out, devise a plan. Not everyone can just quit their job. That’s a given. But, create a goal of what you want to be doing and a timeline of when and how you’re going to get there. You really can achieve it if you put in the work.
Family
Barring horrific situations that any trusted friend or therapist would tell you to, don’t skimp on time with family. Life is precious, and sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of that. So many of us cancel family plans or decline invitations because of things we think we may instead be doing or for work. None of us on our deathbeds will say we wish we had filed more reports; we’ll look back and remember and cherish the time we spent with family. And, family isn’t just who you share a bloodline with. Family is who chooses to be our family. Just make sure that you’re taking the time to enjoy those who love you and who you love in return. It’s worth its weight in gold, not to mention it has a massive positive impact on your mental, emotional, even physical health.
Experiences
Don’t neglect the world around you and all it has to offer. Maybe you don’t dream of being an international traveler, and perhaps you don’t even dream of being a traveler at all. That’s fine, but gaining knowledge is one of our primary purposes on this earth and in this lifetime. Choose experiences every day; choose new ones you may not even know if you love. Chances are, you’ll find things you can enjoy doing and enrich your life and the lives of those around you. Please don’t skimp on experiences because life isn’t about playing Candy Crush on your phone, and it’s about realizing that all that matters is living the best life you can, and nothing will give you that as experiences will. Experience a beach, experience motherhood, experience owning your own home. Whatever it is you want, go after it fiercely. Don’t skimp!
