burnt_toast
OGs 
bitter jealous fatty from the way back
Posts: 625
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Post by burnt_toast on Jun 22, 2023 14:21:43 GMT
Oh my lovelies I'd love to hear your ideas. For some context, I'd been a non smoker for many moons and then covid hit and I went through a pretty gross breakup and my job was a nightmare and I was back at it. I smoked a pack a day from March 2020 to April 2023. Hooray to me for a really successful cold turkey quit. (I will add, I was also drinking far too much. My poor body has been just abused these last three years. I still have a drink now and again but maybe one a week as opposed to one or two a DAY.)
A pack of smokes is $10, so I'm saving $300/month and putting it into a special account for self care, fun, health, beauty investments.
I've already purchased an unlimited class pass to my yoga studio ($110/month) as well as some new workout clothes, a mani/pedi, a massage, a new yoga mat, athletic sandals and some miscellaneous things I just thought were fun and good. BUT, I really want to be thoughtful with how I spend this money and stay focused on supporting my health: mental, physical, and emotional. i.e. tooth whitening may be coming up soon, do I want some custom shampoo?, what about books to support my emotional health, fancy journals (I'm a big journaler)? I DON'T EVEN KNOW.
My question for the group is, if you had a dedicated $200/month income for self care, what items or services would you invest in?
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Post by funky on Jun 22, 2023 15:07:15 GMT
Good for you burnt! I quit smoking cold turkey (is there any other way?) years ago and it's the best decision I've done.
I would have suggested most you listed above, like yoga and massage. Some other suggestions that I've done in the past or still doing: babbel app with paid subscription if you ever wanted to learn a new language or freshen up your language skills. If you're into journaling (disclaimer I'm not but I love calligraphy, not saying I'm good at it, but I love doing it lol) then maybe head to a stationary and treat yourself to new pens and stuff. This is one thing that I think you can't buy online. Or how about investing in an app such as headspace or calm for daily meditation? I use calm at the moment and mainly for sleep meditation, I love it. There's some celebs such as Idris Elba reading nighttime stories, it's awesome. Oh and when it comes to beauty stuff, how about facials? I was very late to the party and didn't know what I was missing out. Still not doing it monthly though. I will think of some more, but those were just top of my mind.
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Post by sputnik on Jun 22, 2023 15:57:17 GMT
good for you, burnt!
agree with funky's suggestions. keep the monthly yoga pass and then get a massage once a month, and i like the idea of the mindfulness app. i've tried calm, and bettersleep has some great hypnosis too, for sleep and also anxiety and mindfulness, etc. there are others. and anything left over you could save up for more occasional beauty treatments, facials, etc.
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burnt_toast
OGs
bitter jealous fatty from the way back
Posts: 625
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Post by burnt_toast on Jun 22, 2023 16:59:45 GMT
Oh the mindfulness apps are a great idea. I actually think I get headspace for FREE with this new job (this place is amazing). The idea of facials has piqued my interest. I am 47 years old and never had one done - which seems a damn shame. I just sent out some feelers to my local peeps for recommendations. My ass is going to get one scheduled asap! This is brilliant and I KNEW you guys would have the best ideas.
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Post by sputnik on Jun 22, 2023 17:49:11 GMT
facials are fucking amazing. i usually get hotel spa facials and massages when i travel work work. that's what i spend the per diem on since i usually don't get much time to eat in restaurants, etc
i've had botox before but i'm also scheduling an appointment with a derm soon to look into what else i can do lol i don't want anything major in addition to botox on my frown lines but maybe a laser treatment or something like that. you could look into something like that as well.
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burnt_toast
OGs
bitter jealous fatty from the way back
Posts: 625
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Post by burnt_toast on Jun 22, 2023 18:59:16 GMT
I've been hesitant about botox, mostly because my face is SO STUPID animated I fear I'd look like a freak if I couldn't move my forehead much, but I have been thinking about Kybella for my double chin. I can't seem to get rid of that thing no matter how thin I am! mykybella.com/ |
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Post by sputnik on Jun 22, 2023 19:15:06 GMT
^^^^
you can start slow with botox. and they do it a lot more naturally now too, the trend isn't for frozen foreheads anymore. i mostly do it to tame my 11's and to stop them from getting even more visible. and it broke my frowning habit so even when it wears off i don't fall into the habit anymore.
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burnt_toast
OGs
bitter jealous fatty from the way back
Posts: 625
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Post by burnt_toast on Jun 22, 2023 19:40:13 GMT
^^^^ you can start slow with botox. and they do it a lot more naturally now too, the trend isn't for frozen foreheads anymore. i mostly do it to tame my 11's and to stop them from getting even more visible. and it broke my frowning habit so even when it wears off i don't fall into the habit anymore. Well, you got me thinking now. My 11's are terrible!! I need to get an appointment with my derm for a skin check and they have a medi-spa in their offices. Imma ask her about it! Information just can't hurt. I feel like good research and careful planning is in order. This feels like a lot of money available to me each month, I can absolutely do SO MANY different things. |
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Post by sputnik on Jun 22, 2023 20:41:17 GMT
^^^^
at my derm in DC you could have an intro consult for pretty much every treatment like botox, etc. they would charge something but that would go toward the cost of the botox if you decided to get it. some places do the initial consults completely free but in my experience doctors' offices don't and i'd rather get any treatment done at a derm's office and not a place that's only a medi-spa
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Post by MsDark on Jun 24, 2023 15:31:41 GMT
I'm getting some horizontal lines now. The idea of botox freaks me out. But I might be coming around because the idea of looking like a hot mess freaks me out slightly more.
I have youngish coworkers who have no reservations whatsoever about injections in their face. I had a coworker last year who was only 30 and she went for lip injections about about every 4-6 months!
To be fair to her, this chick has damn near no lips they're so thin and tiny. And it really did look better once she got them injected. In that case it's more that you're correcting a flaw. Not trying to turn back time.
I had a colleague older than me by a few years who I never knew did this until she came in one day looking slightly swollen. But she was matter of fact about it. "Oh, I used to be a smoker for decades and I've got too many lip lines/wrinkles from it til I started doing this" and "It'll go down in a couple days".
The area around my eyes is starting to bother me. But I have even more reservations about any kind of injecting around my eyes. Does anyone have any input on that?
Burnt-toast I definitely think regular massages would be a way to go. If I had the money this is definitely what I'd do. If I had the money (and time) I'd probably go get my hair washed and blown out at the salon more often. Even more than making my hair look good, it's about how incredibly relaxing the whole process is.
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Post by sputnik on Jun 24, 2023 16:56:37 GMT
^^^^
i've had botox for crow's feet before. i could still move my face and the worst that happens sometimes is a bit of bruising at the injection site if they hit a little vein but it's only happened once and it's tiny and easy to cover with make up.
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burnt_toast
OGs
bitter jealous fatty from the way back
Posts: 625
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Post by burnt_toast on Jun 27, 2023 12:20:31 GMT
Okay y'all. I'm too scared of botox just yet but I'm looking at facial options. Most of my local contacts all recommend the same place in town so that makes selecting the location simple, but they have SO MANY services to choose from. My biggest concerns are fine lines/wrinkles, texture, and sun damage. I'm looking at their chemical peels but also they offer DermaSound and LED Light Therapy. Has anyone had any experience with either of those? Imma do some googling but I trust all y'all waaay more than general google results.
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Post by funky on Jun 27, 2023 15:19:35 GMT
Chemical peals are great, but depending on your skin you might experience soreness, redness and overall sensitive skin for a couple of days, and you have to be extra careful of sun exposure. But it's really great. If they are as good as your friends say, then I'm sure they will help you with chosing the right service.
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Post by kittylady on Jun 27, 2023 21:16:14 GMT
I've never tried chemical peels (too expensive and I'm too chicken) but it has crossed my mind for reducing scarring more than once. Instead I'm trying a Salicylic moisturiser and it seems to be working ok so far. I just wish someone had warned me about the purging stage as I had about ten days of looking like I was 15 again before it suddenly settled down and my skin started feeling smoother.
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burnt_toast
OGs
bitter jealous fatty from the way back
Posts: 625
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Post by burnt_toast on Jun 28, 2023 16:12:26 GMT
I have just scheduled my first chemical peel for 07/12! I do have to work the days after but I'm remote so I'm hoping any redness and whatsohaveyou won't be too bad via zoom for meetings. Also, if it is too bad I'll just tell everyone why and it will be a hoot and a half to discuss with my coworkers so who cares really. I'M GOING ON AN ADVENTURE. I will absolutely report back the details of what kind of peel we go with and the after effects. Oh I'm super excited.
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