I started washing my face every day and did not expect this to happen.

It was eight years ago when I decided it was time to be an adult which for me meant I would try and wash my face every day. Up until this point I had struggled to find the time or energy and was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up with a skin care routine. But I saw a friend giving out free samples of her favorite skincare line and I thought it was as good a time as any to give it a try, so I bought a regimen.

The products sat next to my sink for longer than I care to admit. I would pass by them and tell myself I would start tomorrow which, as you can imagine, that promise rolled over to the next day and the next. As I flew past the set each day it became a daily reminder that I was so “crazy busy” that I didn’t have 5 minutes for myself. How was I running at such a speed that I couldn’t take a moment to take care of a basic need?

Eventually, I decided to actually use the products and I’ll be honest, it was a struggle to be consistent. However, I immediately noticed that it actually did not take up as much time as I had imagined and wasn’t something I would have to put much thought into. As I gained traction, I realized that I was looking forward to this new practice of mine. What had changed?

There was something about taking a few minutes out of my busy schedule to focus on myself that felt surprisingly empowering. It caused me to slow down for a few minutes which allowed me to catch my breath before rushing through my daily tasks. It forced me to check in with myself to address my own needs before focusing on other people which helped me avoid burn out by the end of the day. It was a daily reminder that I am worth paying attention to and that by taking care of this small piece of my well-being, I could take better care of everyone and everything else in my life.

Looking back, I’d become afraid of slowing down and losing what I felt to be productive time. Yet, when I stepped out, I didn’t lose anything but rather I gained so much more than I could have expected. Do I still struggle with consistency? Yes. Has washing my face washed away all my struggles? No. But this simple change opened my eyes to a bigger issue and gave me the confidence to create a healthier habit.

Is this true of you? What is holding you back from taking 5 minutes to break up the rush of your day?

Also, are you ready to try a skincare routine? Take this free quiz to find your perfect match and receive 10% off your custom regimen!