romanticize your mornings with angel 🧸ྀི
start your day early ~
sleep is so important; you need 8-10 hours to truly feel rested. 'angel, it's not even that big of a deal, you're so dramatic.' and yes- i am! but not about this! lack of sleep (or even too much of it) has long-term effects. this is why i wake up at around 6 a.m. and aim for a 9 p.m. bedtime, giving me the 9 hours my body needs and setting me up for a productive, fresh morning.
stretch and make your bed ^^
don't even think about touching that phone unless it's to turn that alarm off. we don't want to ruin the momentum or the mood.
drink one full glass of water ~
after hours of sleep, rehydration is important. water is the best thing to put in your body before anything else because it promotes healthier skin, aids digestion, and improves mental performance and cognitive function- and obviously, you need it to live.
open your blinds and/or windows and let the sun shine through ^^
this is an instant refresher. my favourite thing to do is stare outside for a bit, and i always find myself admiring nature, and this actually lightens my mood and makes me feel more hopeful about life because if there's one thing you can trust to heal itself and return it's true state, it's nature.
plus, simply noting what you're grateful for or taking a moment to close your eyes and breathe in the fresh (maybe with a few affirmations) allows extra moments of mindfulness.
movement ~
whether it's at home workouts, the gym, yoga, a stroll, or full-body stretches, suddenly, i'm more alert and ready to start the day after i move my body.
being realistic and pushing your physical boundaries is crucial to avoid injuries and sluggishness afterwards.
i have a set list of yoga moves to do in the morning. i'm not into fully working out right now, but if i were, i'd do it at night, when i can push myself to my limits to tire myself out.
brushed teeth ^^
a clean tongue, teeth, and gums, fresh breath, soft lips, and a bright smile to match are soooo important to me. i'm not getting too into this because it's a given, and obviously would've and should be done before you go to the gym if you do. but i don't, and i prefer to do it before i eat to get a clean palette, and i do floss and use mouthwash after eating.
balanced breakfast ~
if i eat junk excessively, i don't feel good. eating junk in the morning is excessive in my opinion, so then i wouldn't feel good for the entire day. your breakfast should include at least three of the food groups: protein, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables. these can come in any form.
protein: scrambled eggs, protein pancakes, porridge.
carbs: whole grain toast, oatmeal, stewed apples, sweet potato waffles.
fruits and vegetables: kefir-based smoothie bowls with berries, regular smoothies and smoothie bowls and fruit salads.
these food groups are even included in whole meals - i'm talking leftovers from dinner, fried rice and chicken, soups, etc.
vitamins, supplements and meds ^^
remember to take your meds if you are on any! vitamins and supplements are also important and a great aid, but that's all they are, an aid. they can't work on their own to treat sickness or replace your nutrients in your diet. but also do your research, and get your doctor's advice before you take anything specific, so you don't take something you don't need and have health issues due to it.
i take multivitamins but i'm trying to switch because i have gummies and i do have syrups, and they're loaded with sugar, which i don't want, so i will be switching to pills. recommendations are welcome.
hair ~
a bad hair day with a good outfit feels like a wasted outfit. my hair has to be pristine, or i feel like shit. styled to complement and enhance my face shape and features, and outfit. whether it's a ponytail, a bun, just free-flowing down, or braided, my hair just has to make me feel comfortable. it plays a part in representing who i am as a person.
i also hate to have to deal with my hair after i've done my skincare because there's a chance after using hair products, i'll feel greasy or my skin will feel unclean, so i do it before showering and then put it in a bonnet, trying my hardest not to get it wet. luckily, this also saves me time.
shower time ! ^^
music, while calming or energy-boosting, is optional, and sometimes you just want a quiet shower with your thoughts or maybe with just the sound of the water. shower epiphanies are no joke. and i absolutely love the feel of being clean and a canvas for the new day. it's summer, it's hot, and i love cold water, sue me.
scentless, colorless, completely plain bars of soap are the base, and any scented body wash on top is my favourite thing. bonus points if it's exfoliation day (p.s., no, you do not need to exfoliate every day. furthermore, you absolutely shouldn't unless instructed to by a professional). applying my body oil on damp skin locks everything in, so my perfume can layer nicely to finish.
skincare ~
my favourite thing to do. with my cute, fluffy headband, and my humdifier if i'm in an extra good mood, it goes: cleanser + moisturizer + sunscreen. during the moisturizing phase, i love to give myself facial massages and also (not-so-gently - which i should and will fix) tap my face to increase blood flow and circulation. i use innisfree sunscreen because, as a black girl with oily skin, there is no way a sunscreen needs to leave a whitecast or have my skin looking dry or oily.
makeup ^^
i, personally, have yet to learn how to do makeup, and being on here, posting tuts of looks i absolutely will try once i do learn, is really helping, but i did want to include this section for the girlies who do.
i could imagine myself doing soft glams, or toasty looks and even strawberry looks. try different looks and techniques to find what you like best and utilize them to complete your overall appearance, enhancing that final look.
i think makeup is part of the outfit the same way your hair is. if my hair doesn't look good, i don't like my overall look because i love to be put together. i believe that your look really plays a part in your mood and your productivity for the day.
outfit of the day ~
you get extra points if you have your outfits planned from the day(s) before.
your outfits should feel like an expression of yourself. what you like, what you represent, what you're going for. and you may think, "angel, is it really that serious?" and my answer is sure. if you want it to be.
if you're someone who values their appearance, then yes, it is. you must dress how you feel like, even if you're wearing a uniform, put a cute spin on it that screams YOU, like an accessory - a hair clip, a headband, a custom bag, etc. and this is where jewelry comes in. something as simple as a gold necklace or even just earrings do so much to enhance a look. personally, i love stacking. jewelry really completes the look for me. and don't worry, it's not necessary if you're not a jewelry or accessory girl.
how i love being a woman ^^
i randomly found this not even half finished in my drafts and got the random urge to clean it out. got it from in the nineties to in the forties :) i hope you guys enjoyed and suggestions and criticisms are always welcomed, as long as you're not a hater