Like most girls I always wanted to “feel pretty,” and that started at a young age. When I was 13 years old, I was wanting spray tans and fake nails. HA! I had the right idea with the spray tan because it is actually better than sun-tanning, but that is besides the point. In high school I got my first facial and joked with my comparative religions class that I reach “nirvaña.” It was so relaxing and felt amazing.
Fast-forward to college, nursing school to be exact. It was no longer about being “pretty,” it became a way for me to deal with stress. I wore oversized t-shirts and yoga pants to class just struggling to remember everything. I would treat myself to blowouts (where they wash your hair at the salon and blow dry it with a big round brush). My hair is super thick and a pain in the butt to style, so I wasted money paying someone else to do it but saved TIME. Time was so important to me. I studied while they did my hair, so that was an hour of study time!!
During nursing school I had to do some serious soul searching. I started to care a lot more about my heart and less about my appearance. Nursing school was much more than pathophysiology and assessment skills. I learned a lot about myself too. One thing in particular I learned: You must take care of YOU from the inside out. Your heart and soul need time and attention too!
I struggled with attention problems but managed to make some amazing friends who studied with me and kept me on track!! This is when my love for ESSENTIAL OILS (EO) began. I used rosemary for memory. Lavender to relax. Peppermint and orange to help keep me alert and focused.
When I thought about launching this blog, I thought I wanted to launch my oil business separately. But then I realized how self-care and oils go hand in hand for me!! This is a natural transition!
Once I became a nurse, I continued to learn a lot about myself. I also have learned compassion fatigue is a real thing. I really needed to make time to take care of myself. I spent 12-hour shifts taking care of others and then got home too exhausted to take care of myself. (I worked in the ICU the past year—talk about hard work. I respect those nurses who stay for the long haul so much.)
Self-care had to be a priority. If I was not healthy, I could not take care of anyone else.
Moms out there, you listening?! You have to take care of you to take good care of baby!! I now remind my new moms of this every day because I have the pleasure of working in maternal/newborn. I love helping new moms and new babies, and I definitely come home less stressed!
Part of getting healthy from the inside out also meant taking a look at the food I was putting into my body. I’ve always tried to eat healthy, but this March I decided to get a lot more intentional and completed my first Whole30.
30 days of investing in my health, my heart, and my happiness. It was amazing. It was life-changing. Since then I have continued to make healthy eating choices with occasional treats. I feel like I know my body so much better. I crave nutrient-dense foods! I want to fuel my body properly so it functions properly.
I have also switched to more natural makeup, cleaning products, and detergents. I see a Chinese medicine doctor who treats me naturally with acupuncture, cupping, and massage. I use essential oils every day as a part of my self-care routine. “Joy” EO blend is my current favorite, seems only fitting. 🙂
I will continue working toward a toxin-free lifestyle!!
This journey of self-care is an important one. I am excited to share more with you!
XO, Lauren
Makeup: Katie DeVore. Photography: Katie DeVore. Two-Piece: Elle Gray Nashville