The Season We’re In

In this episode of Softcore Wellness, we’re talking about routines, the ones we love, the ones we resist, and the ones we’re currently trying to figure out.

We get into our real-life routines across everything: mornings, nights, food, movement, mental health, and the small, specific things that make up our day-to-day (including the not-so-glamorous ones).

This isn’t a “perfect routine” conversation. It’s an honest look at what’s working for us right now, what isn’t, what we’ve tried before, and what we’re still navigating.

Because routines aren’t static, they shift with your life, your energy, and the season you’re in.

This episode is less about giving you a blueprint, and more about opening up the conversation:

What does support actually look like for you right now?

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Welcome to Soft Core Wellness. I'm Savannah. I'm Chelsea. This is a space to explore without pressure, perfectionism, or performance. Softness, strength, and being human. That's the vibe. Let's get into it. Let's do it.

SPEAKER_04 0:26

Welcome back to Softcore Wellness. We've got a solo episode today, so it'll be just us. We love it. We do have some great interviews sandwiching this episode. So that's going to be really fun connecting with some great humans. Do you want to introduce kind of our topic and what we're going to discuss today? Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 0:44

Today we're talking about routines. First of all, love them or hate them. But we just thought it would be fun to share what we're doing currently, what's working, what's not working, what we want to change, maybe things we've done in the past that we love that we don't love anymore. Yeah. And just how we see our routines ebb and flow through our daily life, our monthly cycles, seasons as we age, etc. Um, so I guess first, routine. I hate the word routine personally.

SPEAKER_07 1:18

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 1:18

Um I mean I didn't know that about you. Take fun fact. I hate it. I hate it. Um but I'm an Aquarius sun and a Virgo rising. So like I have fully a love-hate relationship with routine. Yeah. Like I love setting it in my own way, but yeah. Until I'm bored, and then it has to change immediately, or uh I will lose my mind. Like I don't like to be told what to do, and even if it's me telling me what to do, I don't like it.

SPEAKER_04 1:44

Yeah. I that is valid though, because life shouldn't be super rigid. Yeah. Yeah. I can relate to that. Like I've gone through phases of being so rigid with myself, whether it's like a diet and exercise routine or a sleep schedule or whatever. Yeah. And it kind of sucks the fun out of life for me personally. Yeah. I do also function though. I I function highly with a schedule, with boundaries, with like I use a routine loosely. I was thinking about this morning, kind of, you know, coming into this conversation. Routine can feel so rigid, where say, and I keep mentioning this in different episodes of like I'm never drinking ever again. Like that feels terrifying.

SPEAKER_01 2:31

There's a word for those words, and I'm blanking on what it just absolutes.

SPEAKER_04 2:36

Yeah, yeah, exactly. So I was thinking about it this morning, and I'm just like, okay, I enjoy routines, I enjoy having my schedule, but it ebbs and flows from day to day and week to week, right? Like I know that like through every week I teach classes at these times. And so I know that that means that I should be getting to bed early. Yeah. Um, on the days leading up to the early morning classes. So there's like that element of the routine. There is the element of, well, maybe we have a birthday party. We celebrated yours recently. And so I'm gonna stay out on a school night later than I would, knowing that okay, maybe my routine of waking up at 7:30, 8 a.m. the next day needs to be adjusted and having that uh flexibility and compassion toward, you know, being able to show up for my friends and for myself and treat myself to different things and experiences so that routine doesn't have to be so, so, so rigid. Um but in the same breath, like I like spontaneity as well, right? But here's the bratty part. I like to be spontaneous on my terms.

SPEAKER_01 3:42

No, I get that.

SPEAKER_04 3:43

I mean, I like spontaneity if it works, you know, for me and it feels good and it's someone else's idea too. But it used to give me such bad anxiety to get like a spontaneous plan change. And this was also when I was going through a lot too. So it was like I thrived a lot actually when I was going through a lot after like my divorce and my brother died and yeah, moving back from the other side of the country. I had to have a routine because my nervous system was so wonky that it was if I didn't have a good foundation of literally sleep, eat, hydration, and like walking in the neighborhood, I would lose my shit. Like I my nervous system might have had panic attacks, all those things. So routine in those ways, I think it should be reframed for me as self-care. Yeah, right? What are my self-care practices that are non-negotiable, non-negotiable or like a regular to semi-regular basis?

SPEAKER_01 4:39

Because you're right. I love that you brought up your nervous system and having routines or rhythms or whatever word you want to use to describe it, yeah, does offer your nervous system that stability and that safety, like the guardrails of like, I know this will happen.

SPEAKER_04 4:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:55

Um, most of the time.

SPEAKER_04 4:57

Most of the time. Yeah. And I think with routines, it can also speak to just plans in general, also, as like a little sideshoot of that of not every plan has to be written in stone. Like, I know we do have important commitments in our lives and we should show up for those and things like that. But um, like this weekend, besides my obligations, I ended up clearing my entire schedule because I've got some things to study for and rest. And like, so I chose to be fluid and flexible and soften instead of being rigid and being like, well, actually, I'm gonna do X, Y, and Z and get it all done and see all these people because I was already feeling stressed about it. So I think with routines and plans in general, it's important to have that balance and really it's self-awareness. I think like tuning in to like your emotions, your energy levels. Um, are you irritable because you're stressed? Like that's a sign that hey, maybe I should rest, um, take a quiet night in or whatever that means to you. So I I am for routines. Yeah, same. But I think every single person should define what a routine is for them. And then if it's no longer working, we're gonna get a new routine.

SPEAKER_01 6:12

Well, and how elaborate it needs to be. Like I think what you're saying too, like because of some of my routines, I'm set up to be more flexible through the rest of my day because of certain things I've decided to do every morning.

SPEAKER_07 6:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:26

Um, right now I'm in a really good place with routines. Okay, let's hear some of the things that I'm doing.

SPEAKER_07 6:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:32

Um, okay, so every morning when I wake up, I play these little like brain games on LinkedIn.

SPEAKER_03 6:39

Okay, I love that.

SPEAKER_01 6:41

Five or six of them. It takes five to ten minutes. Yeah. But I'm still laying in bed. I know you're not supposed to pick up your phone, but whatever, it works for me. You make your own rules. Exactly.

SPEAKER_04 6:49

I know that I pick up my phone every morning and I'm like, what do I have to do there?

SPEAKER_01 6:54

But I do the games like before I do anything else, and it just like feels like a good way to stretch my brain and check in mentally before diving into social media or getting up and like activating my body. Um, and then I have a dog, so I walk her every morning, and I just became an official library card holder to the city of Atlanta. Congratulations. So I can use Libby for real. Yes. I dumped Audible like last year. Yeah. And so now I'm doing all audiobooks on Libby. So every morning I listen to an audiobook. I love that dog, which is really nice. And I try to make that like I love to read, but I try to make that book like educational or something. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 7:33

Non fiction. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 7:34

Because I read a lot of fiction too. Um, and then I am um before we go on the walk, I do my glass of water with my creatine, my fiber, and I do L-citrulline. I don't, don't ask me what it's for. It's supposed to be good for people with type 1 diabetes. And like so far. It's been fine. So I just do that. Um, and I drink that and I have my little multivitamin and like a little couple glugs of like a protein shake, and I'm out the door with the dog. And then from there, like, that's it. Like, it's not too much. I mean, obviously, I wash my face and brush my teeth, and yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever, but like that's my morning routine. Literally, it's been like a week and a half, but it's working. I love it. Two weeks from now, I might hate it and revolt and totally change it. But yeah, um, for now this morning. But like, because I do all of those things and because I set up, you know, my nervous system and my mind and um set that routine. A, I feel like I've accomplished something before I walked out the door.

SPEAKER_07 8:35

Sure.

SPEAKER_01 8:36

I feel like I've nourished my body before I walk out the door. So, like anything else that happens from there, I feel like I'm just like set up for more success.

SPEAKER_04 8:43

I love that. I want to circle back to pets, actually. Um, because unpopular opinion, most of my close friends know I'm not the biggest dog person. Um, I do semi-co-parent with my mom, her little four-pound Yorkie Annie. Um she's so cute. But I am I'm not the biggest dog person. I have a cat, Kiwi's amazing. Um, but I do want to highlight like the positive impact of, you know, pets that require going out on walks and doing those things into routines of people's lives. Yeah. Um, and I think that there's a different level of companionship that you have that like keeps you getting up in the morning because if it's not for you and you're having an off day, it's the routine of I have to take my little furball out or whatever that means. And like um, when I pet sit Annie, like my mom just came back from a vacation, it's like you I do more daily movement, right? Like I teach in the fitness world, I do classes, but I still work a very sedentary, you know, nine to five type job where I am sitting on the computer, horrible posture, all the things.

SPEAKER_07 9:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 9:48

And so it gets me up like let's play fetch, let's go on a little walk, let's have some more movement, get some fresh air, things like that that maybe we wouldn't be so inclined to do. And again, I'm speaking from my experience, but to do if we didn't have the companion that that needed that from us and that kind of thing. So I think that that actually does add a really nice, you know, element. And I can't quote any studies, but I am aware of, you know, people having companion animals like that, adding so much enrichment to your lives and mental health and and all of those things. So I think that that's really great that you mentioned that. I love that. As someone that's not a dog owner, and I don't have to do that every day. Yeah. But as someone that is, like I think that that's that's beautiful because it's adding such a nice get outside, get the fresh air, get some steps in in the morning to wake the body up, wake up the brain before you get into the rest of the day. And then same thing at night, and whatever those routines look like for you with Marg.

SPEAKER_01 10:44

Absolutely. I when I first got her, we lived in a house with a fenced-in yard. So like we went on walks because she liked it, but it wasn't even a daily thing because she ran around the yard. She was tiny, so the yard was huge and she was exhausted by the end of the day. Um, but then I've moved into spaces where we didn't have a yard, and I was like, oh God, I'm gonna have to walk my dog every day. But I've loved it, not just for the walking and my connection with her, but like I get to be outside at the exact same time every day, 365 days a year, and like feel the season changes and witness the flowers blooming and games changing and all of that in a way that I did not appreciate before I had to be out every single day.

SPEAKER_04 11:25

Nature's routines.

SPEAKER_01 11:27

Very cool, yeah. And I think it's really grounding too, and just observing those subtle changes, the community aspect, right?

SPEAKER_04 11:35

Like you're out there with all the other little puppy owners that go out at the same time waving, or we um at Vesta on the belt line, we have the same cute little Frenchie that comes in every day for their little daily treat, and it is the cutest thing, and so it just that adds like a layer of like community with the routine of you know getting out there walking your dog and that kind of thing.

SPEAKER_01 11:57

If you love people, take your dog for a walk. Like Margot's Beltline famous. Like, no one knows who I am, but I have conversations all the time. Everyone knows people like I've seen her before, she's so it's so cute, yeah. She has she's got a lot of energy, yeah. An almost 12-year-old dog.

SPEAKER_04 12:12

Yeah, she does.

SPEAKER_01 12:14

Yeah, she's a busy girl. She is.

SPEAKER_04 12:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:16

What about you? What does your morning routine look like these days?

SPEAKER_04 12:20

Good, bad, or no, it definitely has room to improve, I will say. Um, my morning routine. I'm not a morning girly. I'm not, and I want to be her so bad. And I've said this for years. I want to be a morning girly so bad. Um, if I could live a vampire schedule and be up at night and sleep during the day, I would arrive.

SPEAKER_01 12:43

Like I said, I don't think we're built to be morning people.

SPEAKER_04 12:46

No, I'm like, I'm so much more creative at night.

SPEAKER_01 12:48

And like when I say morning, I'm talking about like 10 a.m.

SPEAKER_04 12:52

Oh, I mean I'm still talking about like eight, six, four. I'm like, mmm. Like it's great when I teach my like 630 classes. I have to get out of bed to do it. But to show up for a 6 30 a.m. workout class, you will not catch me doing it. I did it one time and I threw up after. I was like, that is that's enough of that. But I'll teach it to you twice a week. Like that's fine in the community, it's great.

SPEAKER_01 13:17

But oh, I'll get up that early to catch a flight, but that's oh yeah, that's true too.

SPEAKER_04 13:22

Um, but my morning routine could use has lots of room for growth, um, in my opinion. And I think it ebbs and flows. Like I've had in the last, let's just say in the last year. Um, I feel like I've had a couple months at a time where I'm like, oh, I'm on more of a solid morning routine versus it being a little bit more chaotic and like touch and go. Um, I don't feel like my morning routines are chaotic now, but I feel like I am so busy that I need as much sleep as possible. And I'm a bad sleeper. Like if the if Kiwi runs across the room and I hear, I like wake up and I'm like, what is she doing? So I'm a super light sleeper. I have really vivid dreams. So if I don't get a good night's sleep, it's really hard for me to wake up like when even my 7 a.m. alarm goes off. I like to hit snooze until the end of time. Um, so a lot of times in the morning, I will part of my routine is to hit snooze and just feel that little bit of indulgence in bed of like, oh wait, I can sleep for 10 more minutes. And so it's so long sometimes. It does. And I also think that it's like a gentle way to wake up too. Like there's this like gentleness about it for me where I'm like, okay, I've hit snooze for 30 minutes. I'm more awake, I can get up now. I usually do look at my phone. Um is your room really dark? No, I actually like to sleep with the windows open.

SPEAKER_01 14:50

Yeah, I won't put blackout curtains on my windows because I know I would sleep until noon.

SPEAKER_04 14:54

Like, yeah, no, I like to I like the natural light. Yeah, I like the natural light as well, so that I can wake up to the sunshine and at least if I'm gonna overindulge and sleep in, I'm like, well, I know what time it is unless it's like rainy weather. Um but then I usually get up and do my little like morning face routine, like simple wash my face, brush my teeth. If I put makeup on, it's not until like later in the day, like mid-morning noon, or depending on where I need to be, kind of thing. That is not something that I do right when I wake up. Yeah, me either. Um, and then I honestly like to hit the ground running. I pop open some caffeine, take two really big gulps, and that dopamine hit in my brain is like, yes, we can tackle the day. It's so good. Um, and then I get right to work, honestly. Um, I get the best work done in the morning. So whether I wake up at 7:30 or 9:30, those first four hours of my morning is the most productive time of my day. Yeah. Like if you ask me to do like a new task at 4:35 p.m., I will need to look over it the next morning, most likely, or it's gonna take me way longer. Yeah. So I, you know, then immediately get up my laptop, check my work stuff, um, text you usually to be like, hey, what's on the agenda today? What do we need to work on? Um, so that's really my morning routine, honestly. Um, so I would like to incorporate different things where what do you think? Yeah, what's missing? Yeah, I don't even want to say meditation because I feel like I'm horrible at meditating and that would be a lie. And I don't want to lie to you.

SPEAKER_01 16:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 16:29

Um I But we've talked too about meditation.

SPEAKER_01 16:32

Like it doesn't mean sitting in silence.

SPEAKER_04 16:34

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 16:34

In a seated position. Like a walk is a meditation.

SPEAKER_04 16:38

Yes, exactly. Making your breakfast can be a I would like to integrate more regular food.

SPEAKER_01 16:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 16:45

Um, because if I get up to teach, if it's super early, sometimes I won't eat, and that's fine. Like I can just have some caffeine, teach a class, and then I eat immediately after. But if I'm just working and I don't have to teach a morning class, sometimes I don't eat until almost noon. And then that can make me feel sick and kind of mess up the rest of my day. So I think integrating some sort of like high protein something to break like the nighttime fast and stuff would be a good practice for me, even if it's, you know, small. Um, I think some sort of intention setting to feel grounded for the day, whether it is like 10, 15 minutes of a light stretch or getting into the body before my brain starts going bing, bing, bing, bing, bing, back and forth. Yeah. Um, yeah, the sitting in stillness, that sounds horrible to me, like torture. But even if it was like, okay, I'm looking through my schedule of the day, and then can I squeeze in and block my calendar for like even a little time for me, right? Which for me that's usually an app or like a fun little TV show mind break during the day or something like that. Um, or setting like a creative intention for the day. I guess like if I were to journal to be like, okay, I'm super grateful for this, but it could literally be a two-minute thing. Yeah. Um, I think that those are little things that I would want to add and start there. Because if I'm like, I want to start waking up at 6 a.m., first of all, I know I'm not gonna do it. So that's just not setting me up for success. So there's room for improvement.

SPEAKER_06 18:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 18:13

Um, but it also does work for me in my own way too. Like I, even though I wake up and immediately hit the ground running, that doesn't stress me out. Like it would stress people out. Um, you know, where that like you wake up late and then you're like, oh shit, and it kind of throws off your whole day. Yeah. That is not my vibe. I I like it.

SPEAKER_01 18:30

Or like you too. When I'm awake, I'm awake.

SPEAKER_04 18:33

Yeah. I'm like, let's let's go.

SPEAKER_01 18:35

Immediately go. Yeah. Like when I used to work from home, like I could get up 10 minutes before I'm eating and be fine. Yeah, same. But I'm not a morning caffeine person and I'm not a coffee drinker either. So I think that makes a difference too. Like, I don't need that. So I can literally just you can just go.

SPEAKER_04 18:51

Well, I love that. That is also something that I want to work on is reducing the caffeine intake because I mean, don't get me wrong.

SPEAKER_01 18:58

I love caffeine. Yeah. Just I'm a later in the day caffeine.

SPEAKER_04 19:01

Yeah. Oh no, I'm like first thing in the morning or not. The brain does not wake up. Um, but yeah, I mean, so those are my morning routines and hopes for improvement. But I'm very happy with what I have now too. So with the room for improvement, it's not coming from a place where I'm like, oh, I'm I'm failing at my mornings. Yeah. Like my lifestyle right now, it works for me. Like I don't have to be up and somewhere at 6 or 7 a.m. every single day. I do have a little bit more flexibility and you know, getting my my day job work done and the classes and stuff like that. So I am super grateful for that.

SPEAKER_01 19:44

And I would say too, neither one of us really has that like traditional American schedule where it's like you get up, you go to work, you're at work all day, and then you but we've done it. We have we have both been in that place physical building, doing work all day and then leaving. Um, it's interesting since I've left that space. I'm like, I don't know how people have capacity to do that and anything else. Cause same. I've totally rearranged the way like my energy works that I don't know if I could build that back in again. Same. And I'm still doing plenty and I've had so much more space for creative projects like this. Like this could not have happened if I had a nine to five in an office.

SPEAKER_04 20:26

In an office. Yeah. I remember is so as much as I feel like I have like extroverted jobs and hobbies, I really need my alone time. Like I need to reset, I need my quiet time. And I think that's also why I like naps too, is because it forces me to like just be alone and like my body gets to reset and it's so nice and whatever. But like I remember working like the nine to five, and first of all, not getting a nap, and that was devastating.

SPEAKER_01 20:54

When I hear about works or like jobs that have like naps sleep pods and sleep. Yes, under the desk mattresses are a little weird. Like, I'm no, but that reminds me of like preschool.

SPEAKER_04 21:05

But you know, honestly, I'm for it. If I had to be somewhere, I might as well like be comfortable and be able to thrive. But I would get home and then at five, I'd want to take a nap because I was so energetically drained, like my brain was like off and mush at that point. Yeah. That like working from home has been the best life change for me ever.

SPEAKER_01 21:28

And like I know it's not for everyone, but it I for my mental health.

SPEAKER_04 21:32

I am in meetings all day, like when I'm working. Like I'm in, you know, meetings, talking to people, dealing with issues, problem solving, stuff like that. But having the space to maybe wear sweatpants and snuggle up with a blankie on my couch, and then like walk to the to the kitchen to get a snack and like go say hello to the cat. And I there's just something about it that keeps my social battery. Recharged so that then I can go like teach a class or go out and be social in a way that I was never able to show up for, even when I was like really young, right? When you're just like go, go, go, or like in college and stuff, like I can show up for things way better now with the structure of my life than I've ever been able to.

SPEAKER_01 22:18

Well, I think it makes household tasks easier too. Like the fact that I could do in some laundry in the between meat or wash the dishes, or even like meal prep was a thousand percent and made me healthier, I think, personally.

SPEAKER_04 22:32

No, I love that.

SPEAKER_01 22:33

Um, so shifting that with household tasks, do you have a routine around like your home? Or then this doesn't just mean like cleaning, like you know me. I hate chores a lot.

SPEAKER_04 22:46

My mom's gonna watch this and be like, this girl's the worst. She knows that.

SPEAKER_01 22:52

Yeah. No, I am this is not good for me either. Every once in a while, I would get in a groove of like doing like a Sunday reset. So at least like my house is nice going into the week. Um, but no, I love to let the clothes pile up and the dishes pile up and the clothes pile.

SPEAKER_04 23:11

The clothes pile in my bathroom. I have two sinks. You can only use one. Um, the clothes pile in my living room on the somewhere in the living room. It gets piled up because there's something about when I go out like for dinner, or I go out somewhere nice, I get home and I just I strip down in the living room. I don't go upstairs, I don't whenever I'm like shoes off, skirts off, jackets off. So it's like my whole outfit ends up in the living room or the dining room. And then I'm so busy, I let it pile up all week. And then I'm like, oh well, I guess I should put it away just for it to happen again. But yeah, I feel like my Sunday, my Sunday routine, that one's actually pretty solid.

SPEAKER_06 23:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 23:56

Um, and my Thursday routine is starting to become pretty solid. Um so Sunday mornings, I usually teach like a nine or nine thirty class and then a peabulb class around 11:30, 1145 within those windows. So I I like to get up if I get up at a normal time, nor uh if I get up with like an hour or two to spare, then it's like I get a little bit of the morning productivity done. But I sometimes I do like to like roll out of bed, get dressed, do the bare minimum and go. Yeah. So I'll do the fitness stuff and then I'll usually go to sweat house. Yeah. That's been like a really great routine. And I do the same thing on uh Thursdays now too. I'll teach my super early peeball class, and then I have started to go do sweat house as well early in the morning before I start my day, and it's just so great to suffer with purpose. Um, but it is, it's a nice reset, right? Like you've been with me. I complain the whole time in the sauna. I hate being hot, but I know that it is so good for me. I feel so good after. So good. Get into that cold plunge really like wakes you up. It's so great. Although I do love a good nap after that. It's like on Sundays I will indulge in like usually a nice nap after sweat house, especially now when the weather's been nicer and you can like open a window and fresh air breeze while you nap.

SPEAKER_01 25:16

It's nothing like a spring summer.

SPEAKER_04 25:18

And it's so indulgent in like self-care vibes to me. I love it. So that that I think is a solid routine that I have.

SPEAKER_01 25:25

And then I usually lately for sure like resetting your you know nervous system and your mind frame for yes, for the week, especially because we've been in a lot of sprint weeks recently where it's like go, go, go, all the things.

SPEAKER_04 25:38

So that's really nice to, you know, and sometimes I don't even take the whole hour at sweat house. I'll go for 30 or 40 minutes, and I'm like, that's enough of that for today. Yeah. Um, but it's being there, it's being in the intentional space, it's having the routine of I'm putting this time for myself so that I can show up to the rest of my responsibilities as the best version of myself, that kind of thing. And I also like the routine of I do like the wellness IVs. Big fan. Yeah, big, big fan of IVs. They are really good. Um, definitely also indulgent and extra. Um, but I love them whenever I'm feeling a little bit sick or if I'm pushing my body really hard, like that extra push of like vitamins for your immune system and things like that. Yeah. Um, I'm currently taking uh an indefinite dry spell of drinking. But when I was drinking, we love to hang over IV. Yeah. But that's also something that I do maybe every other week, not as much regularly a week, but that is something that I regularly use in like my wellness recovery routine um to try to maximize and optimize my life.

SPEAKER_01 26:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 26:44

I love that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:46

Yeah. I don't have like a house cleaning routine.

SPEAKER_04 26:49

Oh, that's what that was about. My body is my house. That's my body house routine. Um, but I do, yeah, yeah. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 26:57

Um, no, but I love that we talked about Sunday and a Sunday reset and like getting ready for the week. I write a newsletter with Eve Rights that comes out on Sunday that outlines like the astrological energy of the week ahead and the seasonal.

SPEAKER_04 27:10

We'll need to link that because it's really great. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 27:12

Yeah. And so that comes out on Sunday mornings, and there's journal prompts and rituals involved in that that just like helps you stay grounded throughout the week in that energy. So I do I do like to practice those if I can on Sunday. Um, so that I feel A, like I did the thing I told other people to do.

SPEAKER_00 27:32

Yeah. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 27:33

And B, so I feel grounded in the energy of the week because writing this newsletter, it's almost been a year since I started it, has really also just like my daily walks outside. Like it's just grounded me so much in the like energy transitions of not just astrology, if you don't buy into that, but the seasonal shifts that we're seeing. So this week I talk a little bit about like us down here in Georgia. It's been really warm and nice. In some places, it's still snowing. Yeah. But I think everybody is feeling the shift of like the days are longer, there's more light. Down here, flowers are actually blooming.

SPEAKER_03 28:07

They are.

SPEAKER_01 28:07

I know there's a pink tree out there. The pollening has begun. So like just noticing those things and getting grounded in that helps me reset for the week.

SPEAKER_07 28:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:20

Um, I would love to get better about like a household routine. I know my mental health is better and my house is clean and organized and my sink doesn't smell. Um I like to, I'm a dish soaker. I don't know. Sometimes I get smelly. I'm sorry. I'm that's the only thing that's wrong with me. That's right. She is perfect. I can attest. I am perfect.

SPEAKER_04 28:44

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_01 28:45

Um but like I love it when people are like, oh, on Mondays I do this one small household task, and on Tuesdays I do this one small household task. I feel like my schedule is maybe a little bit too erratic for that. So I'm trying to figure out a way. And there are apps now, apparently, that yeah, but then you've got to commit to getting into the app and doing that.

SPEAKER_04 29:04

So like I've gotten one before and I'm just bad at it. That's just it's not my vibe.

SPEAKER_01 29:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 29:08

I also think I like a little bit of chaos.

SPEAKER_01 29:10

Yeah. I mean, I like gamification and I love data. Like with my reading, um, I have an app called Story Graph. And I read so much more because I have the app. Yeah. And because it shows me graphs of like how many pages I've read and how many books I've read each month. And like my reading streak. Like last year I read 41 days in a row and never beat it. So, like, A, I want to beat it. Yeah. But B, like if I miss a day, then I'm like starting over. Being presented with like a house cleaning app.

SPEAKER_04 29:39

Yeah. I love that. Yeah. I want to circle back actually to you saying that you've done your Eve Rights newsletter for about a year. I'd love to hear like your journey to get there and like what inspired you to provide this offering out into the ethos for the community and to to have that for people to to read and be inspired and and that kind of thing.

SPEAKER_01 30:02

Um, I mean, I think with a lot of creative projects that people do, it ultimately was really for me. Um, I dabble in so many different spiritual modalities and have been trained in so many different things or have researched so much. Um, everything that interests me, I'm like, ooh, I want to learn about that. I want to learn about that. It's very projector coded for anyone who's into human design. It's also very manifesting generator, but they actually like do things with it. I just want the knowledge. Okay. Um, but then I was like, but I have all this knowledge. Yeah. What now? And like, how can I synthesize it to make it something useful? Because there's not like I don't only want to do astrology and I don't only want to do human design, and I don't only want to do like natural words, natural, like seasonal stuff, because that's what I studied in school, is like conservation biology and um nature and the world around us. And I was like, how can I put it all together? And I will admit that Chat GPT was like, what if you had a newsletter or like a substack where you share all of this information with the world at large? Um, and so it's been sort of iterative. Like I think initially it just started with the astrology, and since then I incorporated a weekly tarot poll. Although the last two weeks I haven't done that because I actually like design the cards each week. So like it's a visual that I'm creating from scratch. Yeah. So I have just haven't had time that takes more time.

SPEAKER_05 31:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:37

Yeah. Um, and a lot of weeks I'll do playlists that aligns with the energy of the colour.

SPEAKER_05 31:42

I do love that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:43

And so that I haven't done every week just because our time has been a little bit more precious. But I've still done the astrology and it's like an intro and like a day by day, what's happening and what that energy looks like, and then a little bit of a summary of how all of that energy comes together. And then I do a handful of journal prompts, a little like ritual you can do, um, something that you can do for your body that's in alignment with your energy. So sometimes it's just like last week, I think it was like taking a shower in the dark. Um, we shifted into Pisces season. Yeah. I know this will be not at this same time, it will probably be Aries season by the time you're hearing this. Um, but so there's always just like a little tidbit. Yeah. Um, and then I do a little section that's just like more fun things, lighter things. There's a quote, there might be a book recommendation. Yeah. Um, and then close it out and hope that it is helpful for people for their own routines and rhythms throughout the week.

SPEAKER_00 32:37

That's beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 32:37

I was like, wait, where are we going with this? And I was like, oh yeah, this is a routine. This is a rhythm. Yeah. Not just for me to create it, but something other people.

SPEAKER_04 32:45

To find something that resonates and and take that time for themselves to like read through it and explore the playlists and all of that. I think that's amazing. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 32:53

I know my mom has given feedback. She was like, it's long and I can't read it all. And I'm like, okay, but you don't have to read it all. Just pick apart, pick the journal prompt. Totally. The ritual. Look at the little Eve's bubbles at the bottom. That just the little things.

SPEAKER_00 33:04

A thousand percent.

SPEAKER_01 33:05

Um, and if that's all you can do this week, that's still something that you're, you know, doing for yourself because it's really focused on self-discovery and self-reflection. And how is this season impacting you?

SPEAKER_04 33:15

I love that. Yeah. Thanks for asking. Yeah. Thanks for sharing. That's so cool. Of course. Um, and I think it's important that you take the things like you the universal you. You take the things that you're passionate about, and you know, not everybody has to have a newsletter or substack or anything like that. But but how are we sharing the things that we're passionate about and that we're learning like with the community? Um, and creating those dialogues and connections in our day-to-day lives.

SPEAKER_01 33:38

Yeah. And even the step before that, which is really the impetus of creating this for me, was like, how do I integrate all of this into my own life? Like, I love all these things and I'm so passionate about them. And to me, they all seemed really siloed at first. And then I was like, oh, wait, like it's all interwoven and I can integrate this into my daily life. And then I was like, this is cool. I need to share it.

SPEAKER_00 33:59

Yeah, very cool. Yeah, I love that.

SPEAKER_01 34:03

So we know that you are a fitness instructor. So I feel like it's only fair that we talk about workout routines.

SPEAKER_04 34:11

Oh, workout routines, yeah, baby. Let's go. Well, again, like I said earlier, I think routines vary from day to day, week to week, month to month, different seasons and stuff like that. I think um for myself, I have gone through seasons of very toxic, unhealthy relationships with exercising where I was over-exercising, spending hours and hours and hours of gym at the day every day. Um, and those definitely weren't inspired by a self-compassionate and loving narrative.

SPEAKER_07 34:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 34:45

So I think more of like my advice or what I feel like I'm trying to do in that like savvy and strong space and like in all of the fitness classes that I teach, you know, in the communities and methods around town is creating a safe space to show up authentically for you as you are. Um and holding the space for self-compassion and like what does that look like as it changes, right? And then to be in community during all of these things. So, like, especially think about like women's health during the month, right? Like during the menstrual cycle, like your hormones are fluctuating, you know. So you might have a week where you're like, Yes, I can do a workout five or six days a week. I feel so strong, I'm in go mode. And like maybe that works for you. And then you get to a week where you're like, oh my gosh, I am so fatigued, I'm so tired. Maybe one or two days a week, or maybe you skip a week, or maybe you're doing restorative something or that kind of thing. And so I think um, again, this is where I probably don't like the sense of routines.

SPEAKER_00 35:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 35:46

Um, but if you've got really strong fitness goals, you do need a routine. And I think that then might be changed to discipline. And you exercise self-discipline of, you know, if like I have been playing with the idea of doing like a high rocks competition, and I feel like I keep talking about it, like, and you know, when you talk about something, you manifest it to the point where then you're finally ready, you'll do it. And I've been doing this for a couple months now. And it's like, okay, make the time, have the discipline and do it. But things come up too, right? Like I had a friend that was training for a half marathon, and then she had a knee injury, and so that completely derailed her training. She didn't end up being able to do it. Um, and so having the flexibility of knowing that life happens is important too. Consistency does matter though, right?

SPEAKER_01 36:39

Like I'm working towards a goal, absolutely.

SPEAKER_04 36:42

Yeah, and so I feel like this can be a double-edged sword in it like for like this topic in a way, because I feel like I want to hold self-compassion or have compassion for others, and you do show up and listen to your bodies. Um, but if you are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and it does vary from person to person, yeah, um, but having some sort of consistent movement and showing up in different ways regularly is also important too. So usually I like to prescribe start with three times a week and then maybe add a recovery day for something that's like an active recovery, or we added just a cardio and you can play with it. And um that's when it does become more personalized. Like talking to your trainer, talking to something where it's like I can work one-on-one with a client and be like, okay, what are your specific goals? And then how do we get you there? Um, because I can say show up to a Pilates class three days a week, but you may need more like flexibility work where it's like maybe you should be doing like a gentle yoga class as well. And then maybe, you know, do you want to integrate lifting for a little bit more of that strength training? So it really just it varies from person to person, but I think routines and fitness are important.

SPEAKER_01 38:01

Yeah. And I like that you said too, it's not just like that you're doing something every day, although if your goal is just to move every day, then great, you did it. But like what classes are you taking and what you know what's inspiring you right now, what's motivating you. So for me, I mean, obviously I walk every day a few miles because I have a dog. Yeah, and I live on the belt line. I love it. So I'm walking.

SPEAKER_07 38:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:25

Um, and then uh we both are connected with Festive Fitboxing, and I love kickboxing. So I'm trying to do that at the very least once a week.

SPEAKER_06 38:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:35

Um, just because I love it so much. And some days I'm kicking ass and I'm doing every single combo and whatever, and some days I'm dancing in the back corner because I don't have the energy to, you know, do the whole class. Totally. Um, and part of that is blood sugars too, being type one diabetic. Sometimes I, you know, crash in the middle and then I eat my little fruit snacks and hang out. But I also like I love your class, I love doing the hit bodies once a week, and then I have weird thoughts about like core exercises and them not needing to be a part of every single exercise workout that you do because the core is a muscle group too. So, like if you're doing an upper body and a lower body day, like cord doesn't have to be a part of all of it. Like, so when I do your class, to me, that's my core day.

SPEAKER_04 39:24

Oh, yeah, that is some spicy core for sure. No, it's a lot of core. Definitely every class mostly core, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:30

Um to me, that is baby. If I do, you know, the kickboxing once a day and then your class once a week, or kickboxing once a week and then once a week, and then if I can do like a really heavy lifting day, yeah, like I feel really good and that's what's motivating me right now. But I know other people, you know, like run every morning and that's all they want to do, or yeah, whatever. Like, I do encourage people, your body likes novelty, and you will see more gains when you're doing different things.

SPEAKER_04 39:57

That is true. That is something that like in Pvolve training that they really hammered home as well. Isn't that one thing with it? Like, you show up every day, we've got all this different equipment, it's a different combo, different thing every day, so that your muscles aren't getting a full muscle memory. Yep. They're like getting a new thing. Literally get bored. Yeah, they're getting a new variation, um, a new way to challenge them. You're pairing it with something different. Um, so it does, it keeps your body on your on its toes. That yeah, that's true.

SPEAKER_01 40:25

So that's something about routine too. Like maybe just in general, maybe this is a really like deep philosophical thing where you're saying weird. But maybe routines need to change periodically in order to stay good and in order to like keep you moving towards whatever the goals that you have for the goals that you're doing, but definitely in fitness. Um, what workouts are you loving right now?

SPEAKER_04 40:54

Oh my gosh, I love be ball. Yeah, it's so great. It's like there are different structures, like different kinds of classes there, but they're like signature sculpt class. It is a full body, every day is different. I will say uh some of the pieces of equipment that I love are the slant board.

SPEAKER_01 41:11

Um she complains about the slant board more than any other piece of equipment. Yes, I will say.

SPEAKER_04 41:15

I when I the first two classes I took, I was like, I hate this, but then I was like, this is a challenge. I'm gonna force myself to like it. Yeah, and it's because you're getting that like uphill, downhill, and then you're like balancing on it too. Like it is just really working, like the ankle stability. Um, you're getting that like hip mobility with the balancing, tons of core work. I mean, it is just it is a challenging, humbling piece of equipment. And I really like that. Um, I also really like their P band and some upper body resistance stuff that they have. Um, it also is humbling every time. I feel like I remember going to the very first class. Amber, the lead trainer, is like so fit and so strong, and she just makes it look so easy and she's like, ah, and like everything. And I was like, like I could do like it and it was hilarious. And then I went through like the immersive training and I've gotten more comfortable with the equipment and I've built more endurance and strength in my own body. And you know, I'll do them like especially when I teach, I don't do the full workout, so it is easier for me to like extend more because I'm doing less reps than this than the clients. Um, but then when I take a class and we've got that band on, I mean humbled every time. I'm like by the end in that burnout, I'm like, oh, here I am again. I can only move a centimeter, only move a centimeter. Um, but I do really like that method a lot. I'm I really appreciate that. I also really like, you know, well, I like the all the methods that I teach, or I wouldn't be doing them. I like taking the methods that I teach. Um, I do want to actually try new things that I don't teach. Um, I haven't done like a spin class in so, so, so, so, so long that it'd basically be my first spin class again. So, like, I really want to try like another spin class and stuff, just to like again try something new, get into an intense cardio. Like the kickboxing was a great cardio. Um, and I think when trying new things, like if you want to add something to your routine, it's such an act of like vulnerability um and trust building with yourself and your body. Like the first kickboxing class I took, I hated it. Same with the slant board. I think that's a theme in my life. I'll hate something and then I become obsessed with it, actually.

SPEAKER_01 43:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 43:22

Um, I just my mom has some fun stories about that.

SPEAKER_01 43:25

Oh, I want to get it.

SPEAKER_04 43:26

Yeah, it'll be like, oh, she hated XYZ and then became obsessed with that. It's like so silly.

SPEAKER_01 43:30

I love things that other people are like that so hard. And I'm like, okay.

SPEAKER_04 43:33

Yeah, challenge, accept it.

SPEAKER_01 43:35

Like with your class, and you're like, we do eight minutes of glute bridges at the beginning. My favorite part. Oh, it is spicy. Since day one, love I can do them all day.

SPEAKER_04 43:42

Me too.

SPEAKER_01 43:42

I mean, I didn't other things, I'm like, no, thank you.

SPEAKER_04 43:45

I did one this morning, so humbled. Glutes, they're sore already. Like, wow, wow, wow.

SPEAKER_01 43:49

Give me glute bridges all day. Ask me to do a lunge. No, thank you. Spicy. No, thank you. No lunges for this girl.

SPEAKER_04 43:55

Yeah, but try new things, it's scary. Like, yeah, my first kickboxing class. First of all, I've never done any kind of like self-defense or kickboxing or like anything like that ever. It's so like fun. So much. It was so awkward. I felt like such an idiot, like punching the bag. I'm like, what am I doing? And then the cardio, my cardio endurance was not at the level that it is now at that point, too. So I was like dying. And then I just felt like so uncomfortable and dumb. And I was like, that was great. I'm never going again. And then like two weeks later, I was like, okay, I'm ready to tackle it again. Right. Like that inner competitiveness, like competitiveness with myself. Yeah. Was like, okay, I'm ready. And so then I kind of I went again, didn't go for another few weeks, and I went again. And then I got my one month like unlimited pass and then became like addicted to it. So I think it's good to try new things and add new things to the routine, right? Um, because for me, I get some upper body issues with like my neck intentions. So like I haven't done the kickboxing classes in a couple weeks. So I had like a weird shoulder injury going on.

SPEAKER_06 44:59

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 44:59

But otherwise, I love to try to get to at least one kickboxing class a week because it's such good cardio. It like the endorphins, the community there is fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 45:09

It is also therapy, like it is hitting a bag for 45 minutes. Totally. And as a woman, that feels great.

SPEAKER_04 45:15

Yeah, it's good. And then like getting to like a p-ball class, like so. For me, also because I've been so busy, I've fallen out of like a fitness routine, which is kind of has been a good thing for me because I do have a tendency to like overdo it and push myself really hard. And then I burn out physically. So having such a busy, like busy schedule throw off my routines, I would say the last two months or so that it's put me in a very interesting spot now. Like, and I'm not okay, there are a few days where I'm like, I'm out of my routine. That class was so hard because I haven't been working as regularly or whatever as much.

SPEAKER_01 45:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 45:57

But I actually feel like I have a really positive attitude because I'm so busy, I have to be more strategic about how I integrate my fitness routine into my life. And so I think it's actually a healthier mindset because I'm like, okay, if I can plan these are the three, maybe four classes that I want to take, and maybe I get to only two or three of them, like that is still a big success. And I'm not super obsessive in a toxic way for myself about like have to like work out, work out, work out, work out, or do anything to like a extreme amount. Um, so I'm I'm kind of grateful for that because I feel like there's a lot of potential for me now moving forward to integrate a healthy level of all the things and things ebb and flow, right? Like maybe I get to a healthy routine with whatever that fitness looks like for me, but maybe my eating routine is not so great. And so then we kind of work on that, and it's just like little baby steps, little tweaks here and there of each thing. Like I do like to strive to be perfect. Toxic trait.

SPEAKER_00 46:59

I was just gonna say, what does that even mean?

SPEAKER_04 47:00

I know what does it mean? And it's so easy for me to say to someone like we know we all know logically, like perfection doesn't exist, like it's different for every person, like and it would be different every day, and for yeah, and for me to be like, this is the perfect me, or for me to be like this is a perfect version of Chelsea and your version of perfection for you, yeah, they're gonna look totally different. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I mean, logically, my brain can be like, This is ludicrous, but the toxic part of me is like we want to be perfect all the time. So that's an interesting mental cycle to break as well. Um, so that's been a fun journey. Yeah, and so I think the kind of things, the lessons I've been learning is my schedule's been so busy with like softcore and teaching and work and all the things, it's like all culminating to I think a more healthy routine cycle and lifestyle. So I'm super grateful for that actually. Yeah, that's awesome. Now that I verbalize all of it.

SPEAKER_01 47:57

I was just gonna ask to like because of all of that, and because it's just a good thing to talk about, do you have like a mental health routine, which could include like therapy or not, or I mean meditation? You know where you are on that.

SPEAKER_04 48:13

Yeah, but um, so actually, I'm not currently seeing a therapist. Yeah, I love therapy. I have been to therapy many, many, many times and you know, long chunks of my life. I think I recommend it to everybody. I think it's so good for interpersonal communication skills, emotional intelligence, communication skills with your peers, all the things. Um, I'm not currently seeing a therapist now. Um, I do want to see a nutritionist, which would be a food therapy. Yeah. Um that helps with mental health too. Yep. But I would say like current practices, I keep saying naps, but I think that that really is a good mental health thing for me. And to have some quiet nights in where, like yesterday it was such a treat to not have any plans on a Friday night. And I could watch Netflix, I could dilly-dally on my phone, I went to sleep when I wanted to, da-da-da. Like that is a really great having some flex space is my biggest mental health practice. Yeah. Because even the like rigid vibes of like I have to go to sweat house, which is a self-care thing, can feel so rigid and then it's not as relaxing. So having a it's just a to-do listing.

SPEAKER_01 49:30

Exactly. And you're not present.

SPEAKER_04 49:31

So giving myself every few days or whatever it looks like in my schedule the the free space to do nothing or do something is my biggest mental health thing because I do have so much on my plate and it is very stressful.

SPEAKER_01 49:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 49:48

Um, that's my biggest thing, and I'm I'm I'm loving it. Like it's working. And sometimes my body tells me, I'll get a migraine and it'll be screaming at me, like, you need some quiet time and things like that. But I have been working to kind of tune into that and like carve out that space for myself too. Um, I also like to read, I think that's a good mental health thing. Usually I'm a nonfiction girly, but I have been getting into some fiction. I think healthy dissociation is good sometimes. Like, I need to just disconnect. Let me live in someone else's fantasy world. And um, you know, again, that's I've got to make the time. Like, I haven't read the series that I'm on that I'm reading now in like a couple weeks because I've been so busy, but you know, I should probably have time to do that this weekend, or it'll just work out when it does. But that's a really big mental health thing for me too. Yeah. Um, music. Music is a good one. I think I notice um like different styles of music impact my mood. And so lately I've been actually trying to listen to more chill ambient music in the background to get the nervous system to like chill out a little bit, especially because I move so fast that that can kind of balance that like ooh, gotta go, next thing, next thing. Um, so I noticed that has been a good thing for my mental health as well. And a good cry. Yeah. When my Prozac allows. I think that's really good too. Get it out, right? And I feel like I've I call it Prozac crying because even if it's like the essence of a tear, it's still some sort of like release steam leaves your eyes.

SPEAKER_01 51:11

Exactly. Yes.

SPEAKER_04 51:13

But I've had more of those moments lately. I think also because I've been so busy in stress that like I do need that little bit of release, and that is very beautiful too. And for those of you that can regular cry and not Prozac cry, uh, I haven't had that in a hot minute, but man, it's a good feeling.

SPEAKER_01 51:27

Oh, I'm Scorpio Moon. I cry every day. Good feeling.

SPEAKER_04 51:30

Love, love, love. What about you?

SPEAKER_01 51:33

Uh for mental health, um, some similar ones, like you know, we both read, um, and we're both kind of in this like romanticy phase a little bit. I mean, we both read other things for sure, but I just feel like it's such a good way to yeah, dissociate, I guess, a little bit, but just like be in a different world and let go of whatever else is happening. Or it's also something to look forward to. Like, I'm at a spot in one of my books right now where like it's almost done, and I know it'll be a cliffhanger hanger, but the next book is out anyway. But I'm like, I need to go there. Like, I need to go.

SPEAKER_04 52:09

It's also such a practice of being present, right? And not having your brain ping-pong of all the things you've got to do. It's like, no, I am like, I am in it. And I think that's that's I think that's part of it, at least for me. It's like that act of presence and like being so present.

SPEAKER_01 52:24

You have to be, otherwise, you what did you just read?

SPEAKER_04 52:26

Yeah, you'll be rereading the same paragraph over and over and over again.

SPEAKER_01 52:29

Yeah. So I really like that. Um, talk therapy is something that I have done in the past. I see as a value and I do like it, and I think it's so important. Um, for me, my issues with mental health are I don't like I everything is in my head and I get it. I know why it happened, I know why I felt those emotions, I get why you felt those emotion emotions, and like I do all the talk therapy in my head, which like also I'm sure if you're listening, you're like, okay, girl, whatever. Um but for me, the more important thing is moving it through my body, is actually the somatic work, yeah. So somatic work has been really important to me in the last few years. Yes. Um, and so like I'll do a shaking meditation, or I think I've talked about um soul dance before here. Um, and I haven't been in forever. I need to go because it's just such an amazing experience in community. Um, but you just dance it out and people yell and scream and cry and how vulnerable that sounds terrifying, but it's what a sacred scene.

SPEAKER_04 53:35

No one's paying attention to it. Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_01 53:37

And there's like 50 to 100 other people there, just like in their own worlds. I mean, you can dance with people if you want to, um, but like sometimes I'm just there with my eyes closed and I'm just like bouncing. Yeah. Um, or whatever it is I'm doing. But um dance is always big for me. Like I will always go dancing. And for me, it's not like going dancing and having alcohol and looking at cute boys. It's literally like I want to sweat on the dance floor. Yeah. And shake my ass, which I will say, like for women, like moving your hips and twerking and like that is sacred movement. Yeah. And like I don't care who you are, that releases some emotions and some pentum tension. And it is really good for your body and for your mental health. Um, and so those are really big ones for me. I think like finding a balance with routines is good for my mental health too. So, right now, like I said, I'm really loving what I'm doing in the morning. Um, I have a little bit of a nighttime routine where I will, you know, do my skincare and which we should talk about skincare routines, um, and get into bed and read my fantasy book until I'm too tired to click the next Kindle page and set it down and go to sleep. So maybe transitioning into like nighttime routines. There's nothing major for mine. Like I make sure I have my little water, I brush my teeth, I do my skincare. Um, my bed vibrates. What about it? It's massage, but it literally just vibrates. Cool.

SPEAKER_04 55:04

Um, and that is an interesting way to probably relax and get into the body.

SPEAKER_01 55:09

Yeah. It was so weird when I first got it, and I was like, this is not a massage, this is just vibrating. I'm never gonna use this. And then the second it shuts off, I'm like more. Yeah. And until I fall asleep, like I'll keep resetting the 20-minute timer. Like, yeah, it does something magical to your body. Oh my god, I love that. Incredible. Or like if I need to take a nap and like the couch isn't doing it, I will go vibrate in the bed for a little bit.

SPEAKER_04 55:34

I love it. I love it.

SPEAKER_01 55:35

Um, I also recently got a vibrate a vibration plate.

SPEAKER_04 55:38

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 55:39

So I'm trying to incorporate that into my daily routine or at least three times a week to do, I think, 10 minutes is the recommended.

SPEAKER_07 55:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 55:46

Um, and that's been helping at night too. Like last night I was really sore and I was like, let me just go stand on the vibration plate. Yeah. 10 minutes like definitely had a TV on TV show on in the background and did that. And I like mentally and physically, like stepping off of that, I just felt lighter.

SPEAKER_05 56:01

I love that.

SPEAKER_01 56:02

So that was really great. Uh I would deep dive on skincare, but we can wait and do that one like together. If you have your nighttime look, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 56:13

Um, yeah, nighttime, I feel more solid with for some reason, although it's still as flexible as the morning one, I guess. But usually it's like piping hot lava shower really relaxes the muscles, burn the skin off. Um my skincare routine varies from night to night. Sometimes it's like let me get all out and into it. And sometimes it's literally like I double wash my face in the shower and then put on just a moisturizer and call it a day.

SPEAKER_06 56:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 56:44

But then getting into bed, I actually, uh, in my opinion, stepped up my sleep routine because I treated myself to a very nice, beautiful silk pillowcase over the holidays. And I did get like a beautiful silk like sleep mask too, which I don't wear regularly because I do like to sleep with the sun.

SPEAKER_01 57:02

Yeah. Same.

SPEAKER_04 57:03

But that is really nice and it has this really beautiful, clean essential oil spray. And then I usually I snuggle with my cat. Um, we have our little social time, and I will either like be winding down with like things that I need to do, so still being productive or like reading. Yeah. And then I always like turn on Harry Potter because it's a guilty pleasure. So I fall asleep almost every night to Harry Potter, and I know that I am like a grown ass adult. We still love Harry Potter. We do. Well, and it's you don't have to love the author, but we canfort thing. Like I was a slow reader and had to go to special reading tutoring as a kid. She's not perfect when I was younger. So my mom got me all of the Harry Potter books on audio tape. So as a child, yeah, I would go to sleep listening to the audio tapes. So as an adult, I listened to the movies. I'm currently listening to the fourth movie every night to go to bed. And it was the third one for a while. But um, so that's a routine because once that's on, um, my brain just knows that it's time. I think I told you the other day that I accidentally, not accidentally, I intentionally put it on for a nap and didn't set an alarm and woke up when we were supposed to be somewhere in 10 minutes because my brain was like, We're ready to sleep. It's Harry Potter. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 58:31

I love those cues though, of like, you know, I have sound in my bedroom too. And like I think all of those little things definitely like cue your brain. So again, routine that your mind and body knows, like, relax now.

SPEAKER_04 58:45

Yeah, I love it. Um, but that's it. It's super simple. I also have water. I get up in the middle of the night because I tend to chug water during the middle of the night for whatever reason. Same. But that's it. It is simple.

SPEAKER_00 58:59

I like that.

SPEAKER_01 59:00

Okay, skincare. Um, I want to break it down. So daily. What is your daily skincare?

SPEAKER_04 59:06

Again, it varies from day to day because sometimes I use the chemical exfoliant, sometimes I don't, sometimes I do a clay mask, sometimes I don't. Um, but I would say like basic generic daily skincare routine is I wash my face in the morning once. I've tended to since we s had a conversation with Avery and Kelly, I double wash it at night now. Yeah. I wash it twice, and I usually use two different kinds of cleansers. Um, but in the mornings, nice wash. Um, usually some sort of toner I use. I forget the name, but it's like a skin food. It's a high moisturizing, like my skin tends to like dry out.

SPEAKER_06 59:42

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 59:43

So I put that on before putting any kind of like tinted sunscreen moisturizer on. But definitely SPF, definitely moisturizer. Ideally, it can be in the same product. Yeah. And that's that. And then actually throughout the day, I when I got my earlobes sewn up, they recommended this really amazing medical grade product that has like a misting spray that's like an antibacterial, antifungal stuff. So when I work out, I will take that and I will use that after the workout as a nice little mist to like reset the skin. And then in the evening, it I will double wash it in the shower. I use one of those little um, what is it, like the rubber like thingy. It's not like an exfoliant, but it's like a textured thing. So it's not just my hands. And I have one that vibrates too, actually. But I don't use it regularly. I use it every so often. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:32

Um dead for two years. Clearly, it hasn't been that mist. I still have it. I have two. I have like the little like pod one, and then I have one with like a handle.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:41

Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:42

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:42

Um, and then in the evening, uh again, I can add some more serums. Sometimes I'll do the little clay mask before I get in the shower. But also still kind of simple. Deeper moisturizer, it's a lot thicker for me in the evening time. And that's it. You know, I like the hyaluronic acid. Um, I forget this other one that I have because I'm really working on my pores. And well, step one of that is consistently washing your face, which I will say I am guilty of. I love to go to bed with my makeup on. And that's just, it's so bad.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:15

It's so bad. It's like skincare 101, especially for your pores. Wash.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:19

I hate washing my face unless I'm in the shower. Then it doesn't bother me. But like washing out of the case.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:24

Yeah, because then it goes all down the arms, and then it's like all over the sink. And like I have a weird like water thing. So that's one thing I hate doing dishes. I have to put my hands in gloves. Yeah. Anyway. So I get it. So yeah, so there's that. Um I feel like I've been a little bit softer in my skincare routine and not as like rigid and stringent. I feel like I've also done more procedures, which I know you asked what was my daily skincare routine. So we can just stop there and go into some other things. But I feel like I've exercised different skincare things that are a little bit more invasive as part of my skincare routines, to be honest. So what about you?

SPEAKER_01 1:02:03

Um, I mean, I think similar. I was never like a huge skincare person. I'm more into it now as I'm aging and my skin is changing and um and all that. And I love like playing with products and trying new things. In the morning, I don't do much. It's literally like splash water on my face and put on moisturizer, sunscreen, whatever. Um, I have like a serum that'll do. I got a new one recently that I don't know if it works, but it like has green things in it to help like try and take the red out of that one out in the morning, and then serum and then moisturizer. Yeah, I'm not as good at sunscreen as I should be. I will get better as like we get into summer months, but the rest of the year.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:46

But you should wear it every day, even if it's cold and even if it's cloudy. Sorry.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:50

No, I know this. S P S.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:52

Still done. Yeah. I was horrible about it when I was younger.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:55

Yeah, I do a little bit more at night because I've found some new products that I'm really liking. Um, so especially if I shower at night, I'll do this thing. It's called Riedle Shot, and it has like microsilica in it. So it's supposed to like mimic microneedling, I guess.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:10

Um, I don't think I've been using it long enough to know if it works.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:14

Um, but I put that on first and then it's supposed to just like help everything else absorb better. So then I'll put on my serum, which is a PDRN serum and a PDRN eye cream. Yeah. Again, don't know if they work yet. Haven't been using them long enough. Well, stay tuned. Um, I am not the best at staying consistent on eye creams, but I want to. Um, especially as I age. And then at night, yeah, I'll use something a little thicker. Right now it's winter, so I'm using like this skin fixed, like triple lipid barrier craziness. In the summer, I'll use something lighter that's more like water-based. Um, but then I've been loving this wrapping mask that I use. I don't do it every night because it is a little annoying. Um, because it like can get in your hair. Oh, yeah, yeah. That yeah, that makes sense. Um, but basically you put it on over everything and then you let it dry and then you go to sleep with it on, and then in the morning it like looks like your skin is peeling off. It's not your skin, it's just the mask. But you like peel it all off.

SPEAKER_04 1:04:11

It does look like skin though, because I talked to you in the morning before you took it off. Yeah. I mean, it looks it looks like what you look like after a chemical peel. Like it is, like the skin just peels back. It's crazy. But it's but that's really skin, right? But that is cool that it like locks everything in overnight. I do want to try it.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:26

It feels unbelievable in the morning after you wear the mask. I don't wear it every night. They sell it. The one I'm using is the Medicude, which I know has been all over social media. It's like $20. So if you want to try it, it's like a super affordable way to try it. Yeah. I got mine, I think at Ulta maybe. I don't remember. But I'm loving using that again. I don't do it every night. I try to do it at least once a week. Or like after a night, like if you are drinking alcohol or you're out for the night, or you're doing you know, a day where you sweat a lot, like locking in moisture is more important. Or if you've had like a really high caffeine day or whatever. So I try to pay attention to those things and then try and wear it on those days. Yeah. Um, but it is fun in the morning then when you get to like peel it on.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:12

That's it for like my daily. Um, I know, like you were saying, you have some other stuff. So do you have like weekly, monthly, quarterly things that you would call a skincare routine?

SPEAKER_04 1:05:21

So I've integrated like a hydrofacial or sometimes like the hydra beauty facial at Boundless Beauty and Wellness. It's the same thing, just an off brand. Um, I usually like to do that every other month.

SPEAKER_06 1:05:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:33

If not once a month, it just depends. But at least every other month because it's like what I call the little pour vacuum. It's really getting the dead skin off. It's you know, vacuuming out the pores. You can see the little jar of stuff I've requested to never see it again. It's disgusting of everything that comes off of your face. Um, but then you're also getting like intense hydration with like a personalized serum of whatever your skincare needs are. So I love that. That has been a really great advantage. To my more regular skincare. I also like lasering. I've gotten two rounds of the BBL and Moxie light treatments. And that's really been great for any of my hyperpigmentation because I didn't wear sunscreen as a kid. So there's definitely like some sun damage around. And then like resurfacing and like skin texture, poor size, and things like that. Usually most treatments they recommend that you get done, you know, in cycles of three, especially kind of closer because it's like you are damaging the skin intentionally so that it heals and then you go right back into that cycle. Like it heals and you should do it again. That's not how it aligned when I did the first two sessions just because I was so busy. But I would like to integrate that probably at least twice a year, which is kind of the cadence that I'm I'm on now. As I just started that last year and I loved the results. My skin has been like baby butt soft. I mean, like, wow. Um, I really love chemical peels. I've gotten a handful of chemical peels done um at Boundless Beauty and Wellness. I think that that is a really great regular thing. Also, fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, your skin texture, that kind of thing. They use a brand that is inclusive to all skin tones, which I think is super fantastic. That's really important to me because um there are, you know, certain procedures that those that have like higher melanin percentages or whatever rates can because it will pull the pigmentation out. So I really like the that they use the VI chemical peel products. And then microneedling. I love microneedling, and that's actually something that I want to integrate on a more regular cadence, especially for like the fine lines and the pores and things like that, because it in the collagen, like it is like intentional trauma to the skin. And you can pair it with like exosomes or the PDRN, or you can put Botox, like a little bit of the neurotoxin for a more glass skin look. And so that I think is such a good one that's not like a super invasive, like a CO2 laser. I haven't gotten done, but my mom got it done. And I'm like, where did your pores go? I mean, it's incredible, but it's it's it's very expensive. Yeah. I mean, you literally look like a burnt piece of toast for at least 10 days. Like that one is whoo!

SPEAKER_01 1:08:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:08:20

But I think microneedling is really great because it can be customized. And so that's something that I want to start getting done at least quarterly, if not maybe, you know, twice a year doing like a three series, like timed it out. And again, that's where like you need to lean on is like I'm not a skincare professional. Yeah. Um, that's where I rely on like Avery and Kelly at Boundless Beauty and Wellness or like whatever med spa you choose to go to. But if you're in the Atlanta area, quick plug, they're up and coming. It's worth every second of the drive. They're fantastic, very holistic. But that's where you discuss with an aesthetician and a medical team of what's going to be best for your skin type and your skin goals. So I've shifted to a little bit more of that. In the same breath, I could clean up and tighten up my day-to-day routine because I'm spending so much money on Botox and those aesthetic things and all those. It's like continue to maintain that investment. Yeah. And we've got some clips that we can share about, you know, Avery discussing one of the skin lines that they have Epiance and like just the differences between medical grade skincare and you know, skincare that's available at Sephora, the drugstore, and things like that. So um, you know, they have a higher price point, um, but usually they've got a higher potency of things too. Like if I go to Sephora and get a retinoid, it's gonna be different than what I can get from someone that can come prescribe me tretinoin and that kind of thing. So it's just kind of again, I think seeking professional opinions personally, because then you like you might think one thing is good for you because I said that it was good for me. Yeah. And that might actually not be what the professional recommends for you. So why waste three, four, five hundred dollars on something that maybe isn't gonna yield the best results for you just because I liked it, right? And I mean, I'm all about trying new things. So if you want to go try new things and you've got like, you know, money to blow, by all means go do it. I I love to be the guinea pig and try new procedures and stuff like that. Um, but always consult the professionals to help you customize it to you. Absolutely. But I have found a huge difference in my skin, um, the texture and poor size, but I'm what am I thinking about? What is the word?

SPEAKER_06 1:10:38

No, highlighting.

SPEAKER_04 1:10:39

No, it's a simpler word, even. You know, it's time for another sip of caffeine and a tiny break when your brain stops working. But your complexion, like the uneven complexion. Like I've noticed such a difference. Um, and I think you know, some people will say sometimes less is more. You don't need a 12-step skincare routine to have great looking skin because sometimes we're overdoing it with products and that's drying it out and that's causing irritation and it's disrupting your body's natural oil production and all those things. So again, consult the professionals. Yeah. But those are some of the things that I've been integrating that I really like that go past just the daily application of things. Yeah. It's been game changing. I really like it. I'll talk about it obviously till I'm like blue in the face.

SPEAKER_01 1:11:25

But no, I love that. I um used to have a membership at uh day spa and I would get like a monthly facial and a monthly massage. And I do like I do want to get back to a point where I'm doing those things. Yeah. Um, just to like for nothing else, a the relaxation. Totally, the touch is so nice for our nervous system. Yep. But with the skincare, especially, like it's just a deep clean. It's someone assessing what you've got going on that you might not be able to see.

SPEAKER_00 1:11:56

Um, I literally can't see my skin, so it's always nice to have someone being like you're like, I don't have pores because I can't see that. Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 1:12:04

No pores, no straight hairs. It's great. Oh my god, I love it.

SPEAKER_04 1:12:09

Yeah, no, that's true. And actually, mine started with I was going to massage Envy because I needed regular body work because I was having such bad panic attacks when I moved back. I needed the massage. I was holding so much tension all the time. Um, but they also offer, you know, milder chemical peels. Yeah. It's not as metal and facials. So I was using my credits sometimes to get facials, and that was kind of my intro. And that was just like a generic basic starter facial, right? Where they're using the met like the skincare and then just a deep cleanse, the extractions and things. And that was a good intro into the self-care relaxation part. Also, a little face massage goes a long way. Like, I feel like it's like we forget about our feet. So when you roll it on one of those little spiky balls, it's like so intense because we hold so much tension. But same thing with like the jaw and here. So when you're getting like a little bit more massage, they can like pinch the eyebrows. You don't realize how much tension your face holds because of just like day-to-day things. Yes, it's so nice.

SPEAKER_01 1:13:14

I feel the same way like getting my nails done and they do the hand massage. Oh my god, yeah. Who knew? Who knew? Like that feels so good. Yeah. I mean, that's another thing, like getting manicures, pedicures.

SPEAKER_07 1:13:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:13:26

I try to do as often as I can. My friend is the only person I let touch my nails, so it just depends on when our schedules align love to a more, but yeah, it that's such a nice thing. And it's really important to take care of your hands and your feet. Like it's not just a superficial aesthetic.

SPEAKER_04 1:13:43

I was gonna say, I think some people, and even though I get my nails done on a regular basis, it is a luxury expense. Oh, this is so expensive. And yeah, for me, like I don't have a bunch of extra things to like be like, I'm just gonna go whatever. Yeah. Um, but like getting my nails done, I've gone through phases where like I'll have like acrylic put on and then maybe I'll do gel and then whatever, and I try to like find a balance. But when I have gel or I don't have a little bit of a thicker coat on my hands, one, I'm really rough on my hands and I don't even do anything that crazy.

SPEAKER_07 1:14:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:14:21

But like I am, I am like clumsy, I break nails all the time, whatever. But like also when I'm stressed, like some people bite their nails, I rip them down till they bleed. Bleed. And so no, bad. Like they look like I put them in the shredder, they're so painful, it's hideous, it's like this horrible nervous thing that I do, and I live a stress, like my life is stressful. So, like, if they're not thick, yeah, I will rip them down. And so now I've just accepted like, okay, I don't have to have long like acrylic nails, but if they're not acrylic, they're gonna be the thicker version of the SNS, something that holds the nail shape, holds the stuff on so that I physically cannot rip it down. And that is like a physical health practice, a mental health practice, yeah. Um, and that kind of thing. And like, does that sometimes mean I'll let them grow out so so so long that they absolutely need to get redone because it is in a luxurious cost and expenditure? Yes, but that is a wellness routine for me because I self-sabotage by pulling them down that I absolutely need to do. Do I need to get my toes done? No, that's something that I'll get done once a quarter, right?

SPEAKER_01 1:15:38

And mine's the opposite. I mean, no, I am hard on my nails and they're definitely ripped down and whatever. Yeah. Um, but because I have diabetes, like it foot care is so critical and so that that's the thing I don't negotiate on or whatever. Um, that is the thing I will always have done.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:15:56

Uh, and he's a spa pedicurist for reflexology. So it's he's so good. And he's like watching and being like, this changed like for that or whatever. Yeah. Um, so that's been amazing for me. And there's definitely other things like shifting gears a little bit with the diabetes that has become a part of my routine.

SPEAKER_04 1:16:15

I was gonna say that forces you to have certain routines day to day because it's your survival depends on it.

SPEAKER_01 1:16:20

Yeah. Um, it's interesting too, it's shifted over the 30 years that I've had type 1 diabetes because you used to have to like test your blood sugar physically. And uh there was no insulin pump. So, like, I was doing a long-acting insulin that I had to take at the same time every single day, manual injection. Wild. And then anytime I wanted to eat or anytime my blood sugar was high, then that was another manual injection. So like just really paying attention to that and that routine since I was 10 years old. Um, but now I have a CGM and I have an insulin pump, so I don't have to test because it's constantly monitoring. Yeah, I do have to test occasionally just to calibrate it if it's not right. Sure. Um, but I still have to change those sites. So like every three days I have to change where my pump goes. Um, and then every 20 days, it's supposed to be every 10, uh, but I hacked it. Um, every 20 days I change where my sensor goes. And I think the most interesting thing for me about that routine is sometimes those days line up and I get to have a naked shower.

SPEAKER_04 1:17:25

Oh my god, what?

SPEAKER_01 1:17:29

But I almost never get to take a shower with nothing attached to my body, and so every once in a while I have to change.

SPEAKER_04 1:17:36

That's my privilege showing right now. Wow.

SPEAKER_01 1:17:39

I get to take all the sticky stuff off and have a shower with nothing on me. And that's amazing. It probably honestly probably happens like I don't even know if it happens once a quarter. Sometimes I like force it if one of them is close. Yeah, yeah. Just because it is so nice.

SPEAKER_04 1:17:55

I literally I cannot even imagine. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:17:57

I mean, and they're not like huge things or whatever, and I don't even notice them when I'm in the shower, but like with my sensor, especially, like if I get out and dry off and put something on right away, like the sticky stuff is still damp, and all of a sudden I'll see like a big wet spot on my shirt. And oh, sure. Yeah, okay. Yeah. Um, or whatever.

SPEAKER_00 1:18:15

Sure.

SPEAKER_01 1:18:16

But for the most part, I don't even notice it. But like I said, when you get to take a naked shower, what a treat. It's amazing. But it's so funny, people are like, um, every shower's naked. And I'm like, no.

SPEAKER_04 1:18:26

No, it's not the same. Yeah. Oh, that's so cool. Yeah. Yeah. I think people, well, when it doesn't affect them, have no idea. No, hello me right now. Um, but it is like I think those little things are very important to honor for yourself, first of all. Um, and I think that's really cool that you share that because I people, I think the next shower after they listen to this, will take a shower and be like, think about that. And be like, oh, I have this luxury of taking a naked shower every time. And Chelsea gets to do it maybe once a quarter. Yeah. And I just think that that's very cool because lots of other people have other kind of, you know, circumstances and things where, you know, bodies are weird. They do wild things. Yeah. Like you, you there are tons of other things that have other little weird instances and stuff like that.

SPEAKER_01 1:19:12

But well, sensory things or yeah, medical equipment or whatever, like all makes routine different. Definitely. A, you have different routines if those are things you have to clean or manage or whatever. But then too, like a shower might not feel good. A hot shower might not feel good, a cold shower might not feel good, like whatever. Touching hair, you know, yeah. Everybody has something going on that makes their routines just a little bit different. And so I think on that note, just recognizing that like everybody has different challenges, all of us have, you know, different things. We talk, you know, day to day, our routines work.

SPEAKER_00 1:19:48

They're different needs, different goals.

SPEAKER_01 1:19:51

But even just um, I mean, I don't want to go too deep because I know we've been talking about routines for a long time. Clearly, we could talk about them forever. But different things like break your routines, like grief and injuries, and just to like be gentle with yourself and soft when they have to change. A, like we said earlier. I think it's good to have your routines change, assess them, think about them. Are they working or are they not? Um, and so as we kind of wind down this episode, like we'd love to hear from all of you. Do you love routine? Do you hate routine? What's working in your routines? What do you love about your routine?

SPEAKER_04 1:20:26

Now, what's one that you had to kind of release because it was no longer serving you?

SPEAKER_01 1:20:31

Um routines you're working towards.

SPEAKER_04 1:20:33

Yeah. I love that. Drop it in the comments below. Yeah. Or find us on Instagram. Yeah, would love to create like a community dialogue. Um, we've been doing more events in person in Atlanta. So if you are in Georgia and the Atlanta area, we'll probably do an event themed on this topic so that we can have more of these discussions in real life and continue to build the community, obviously in the digital space, but also in the physical space here too. Yeah. We have so much to learn from each other.

SPEAKER_00 1:21:05

Absolutely. Yeah. And stop it, we thrive. Thank you for listening to Softcore Wellness. We'd like to thank our team at Focal Point Narrative, Soul Flow Studios, The Union Fit Hub, Stella at Star Medals in West Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia. And don't forget to like and subscribe on YouTube and anywhere else that you listen. You can find us on our socials at We Are Softcore Wellness.

SPEAKER_04 1:21:34

Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you next time.