At Home with Abi - June Edition
This month I got sick. Let’s be honest, the world is a stressful, overwhelming, and intense place right now. I found myself not looking after myself at all. I got sick in a way I haven’t in years and it has shaken me. It was a bit of a wake-up call. I knew I needed to bring some positivity and self-care into my life again. I thought I would share some of my favourites from this month.
Watching
Watchmen (both the movie and the series)
My husband loves Watchmen and has made me read the graphic novel, then watch the movie and now we’re working our way through the series. Honestly, I’m loving it.
When they see us
Ava DuVernay handles the heartbreaking account of these men so well! I have been working my way through more of her work. I also really recommend Oprah’s interview with Ava DuVernay, the cast of 'When they see us’, and Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, and Raymond Santana.
Reading
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
I can have a dark sense of humour and this book was right up my street. Korede, is a nurse in her local hospital in Nigeria whose sister keeps killing her boyfriends in “self-defence.” This book explores more serious topics like female roles in modern middle-class Nigeria. I enjoyed it immensely.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
A domestic thriller about a nanny who takes a new position at Heatherbrae House in the North of Scotland. I find the less I know going into a thriller the better. I want to pick up more by Ruth Ware.
Skin Care by Caroline Hirons
For those who are not aware of Caroline Hirons, she is the queen of skin care. I have been using her blog, videos, instagram, and facebook group to increase my knowledge of skin care for a few years now. Her book was released this month and I already have my eye on some products I want to sample and see how they work for me.
Self-care
Oskia Perfect Cleanser
I tried a different cleanser and my skin deteriorated dramatically. I returned to this cleanser and saw improvement incredibly quickly. This cleanser doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight or dry. It’s become one of my holy grail products that I need in my routine.
The Basics - sleep, water, movement etc
It’s amazing how the simple things can make such a huge improvement in our day-to-day lives. The simple things we should be doing, like getting enough sleep, drinking the right amount of water, making sure we’re putting some form of exercise in our routines (with my symptoms at the moment this has been a few simple stretches), applying suncream regularly if we’re out in the sun etc. When I spend a few extra minutes taking care of myself, my mental health also improves. I feel better about myself and I’m less likely to negatively spiral.
Things I’m loving
Our budgeting system
Oh this feels like a really weird one to write down but I feel like we are finally getting on track. My husband and I sat down and took a hard look at our finances. We have financial goals and we want to get to them as quickly as we can. We are being more intentional about purchases and doing so well at paying off debt and saving for our first home. It’s taking lots of sacrifices but feels so worth it. Watching the savings increase and the debt decrease is so rewarding.
Large Square Cushions
An intentional purchase we made this month is two large square cushion pads for our bed. We regularly sit in bed reading and find our backs aching from lack of support. Love the large cushions, they feel really luxurious and I’m all about quality bed linen and comfort when sleeping. After all, it’s something we spend one third of our lives doing!