Every now and then, we need a palate cleanser. Virtual sorbet. A break from discussions about undertones in white paint or ideas to emulate Leanne Ford designed interiors. Self-Care Over 50: Daily Practices and Mindful Indulgences offers a handful of self-kindnesses I’m showing myself these days.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Self-Care Over 50: Daily Practices and Mindful Indulgences
1. SEEING BETTER: Literally & Metaphorically
Help From Warby Parker
Big fan of Warby Parker here so I took advantage of their Try-on 5 for FREE at Home offer. However, the frames I wanted (below) weren’t available for try-on. So I ordered them anyway knowing returns are fine within 20 days. (Also, if your eyes are also getting a lot of screen time (phones, tablets, laptops), maybe you’ll want blue light protection as well.)
WP offers convenience, style, and high quality with an affordable price point under $100.

Spiritual Seeing & Self-Care
It wasn’t until I turned 40 that I began thinking about my spiritual lens. To be honest, the predominant picture of a fruitful spiritual journey I grew up seemed heavily reliant on self-denial, church attendance, and not asking too many questions. As I awakened to ever flowing unconditional love, I was led into greater self-acceptance and an enlarged capacity to love others.

Daily Spiritual Practices
Centering prayer, meditation, scripture, singing psalms, silence, solitude, quiet walks, and being out in nature open my soul and train the eye. Sometimes it takes tragedy and loss for such depth to come. But it can also grow out of fierce desire. Five years ago, my desire to SEE burned so bright in my heart that other parts of me (will, ego, pride) didn’t have a chance!

When Practices Become Daily Rhythms
Daily spiritual practices can be built into your day. I do them without expecting to be blessed or consoled, but the time is never wasted. They become practice for letting go, staying undefended, and becoming teachable.

Seeing as God sees has not been a strategy for aerie faerie happiness as much as a humbling, embodied, evolving education anchored in truth and wonder.

2. FEELING BETTER in My Skin
Skin Care Regimen
It has become rather streamlined and simple these days. The secret to my skin looking and feeling healthy seems critically tied to my gut health. Consequently, prescribed antibiotics/antiinflammatories have helped me more than anything after 2 1/2 years of severe rosacea.

Organic Rosehip oil (relatively cheap and so soothing) is my go-to day and night, and if you haven’t tried OGEE yet…yum! I’m not an affiliate for them, but for a few months now I have been loving their Liquid Gold Cleansing Oil, Seeds of Youth Serum and Jojoba Glow Face Oil. Their makeup (those divinely packaged bullets of beauty above) is luxurious and yum too.
Under the Skin: Mental Health Self-Care
I love how Brene Brown suggests I mindfully prevent a freak out:

Since we’re still navigating a global crisis, if you simply examine #1, you might find there’s reason enough to freak. But #2 requires us to go deeper. Will a freakout help the situation?

I don’t know about you, but I have felt stretched in fresh ways to become more mindfully responsive and less reactive during so much uncertainty.

Coping Ideas
Here’s my plan: Look in the mirror, and come back to you. Feel the things but don’t obsess. Take a break from social media. Make your bed. Take a shower. Massage glow serum into your skin and wear clothes you feel like you in. Phone a friend. Go for a walk or get on your bike. Listen to inspiring podcasts, learn about history, create art for no good reason, and immerse yourself in books, poetry, music and art to free you from thought patterns that keep you stuck.

Daily self-care practices like meditation help me get centered and less reactive. Personally, they help me become the prayer on my lips and the peace for which I long. They help me put on a new mind. Because if the weight of life lately seems like it’s all too much for your mental health, then it is. You’re not alone.

Just in Case You’re Thinking…
Should the thought occur: ‘Girl, I have responsibilities and no time like yer fairy self obviously has for such hippie dippie Kumbaya,’ then I’d say. ‘Oh, sister, let’s chat softly in the garden…you’re responsible for your soul too. To hear its whisper requires a bold journey into spaciousness.’

We’re only here a little while. My illness is a constant reminder I just just don’t have the time to NOT grow into a more loving, peaceful, imperfectly magnificent and wild student of the Divine Mystery.

3. Maybe Your Indulgence is Wine…Mine’s Makeup
Westman Atelier Clean Beauty
I never gave the ingredients in my cosmetics a second thought until 2013 when my world turned upside down with BRCA2+ genetic mutation. Hysterectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, and the dawn of my anti-cancer journey found me reading the fine print and thinking about toxins.
I loved the small batch, made in Paris, Votre Vu line back then, but since they closed, I have a crush on Westman Atelier. The brainchild of famed makeup artist Gucci Westman, she passionately worked with chemists in Paris to formulate luxurious, clean beauty products with good-for-the-skin ingredients.
4. The Art of Homemaking
Not gonna lie. In my 20’s and 30’s, my super powers for maintaining a tip top ship shape nest, bringing home the bacon, AND effortlessly frying it up in a pan were tooooiggghhhhhht (translation: dang impressive). But here I am, and I can only do smaller things with great love now. Forget about making it look easy…sounds exhausting.

Turns out, working in little spurts on housecleaning, art projects, meal prep and home improvement still leads to progress. Once you stop equating “less than perfection” with fail, a whole new world of success stories emerge.

So, yep, I was more productive at 40, but I’m more of a mindful artist over 50. There’s nothing to prove to anyone, and there never was! (If I could, I would go back in time and whisper that to my 33 year old, productive toned-arm, prone-to-depression self.)

5. Healthy Breakfasts & Bread Making
I make time for a lovely healthy breakfast every morning, and my favorite one is HERE. For lunch, I typically eat vegetables and a slice or two of my no-flour, no-knead healthy bread.

Following a healthy diet and preparing meals for my family remain important daily practices for me, and even my restricted diet and disease have not been able to rob me of such joy. But I also know I am very fortunate to have this appetite for food, for life, for love, for learning. I count this as a priceless gift.

You too are a gift. Thank you for journeying with me and adding your own thoughts about how daily practices enrich your body, mind, and spirit.
If you’re in the mood for more inspirational quotes encouraging vulnerability and courage, SEE THIS.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Dear Michele ,
Sweet “friend”,thank you for the love and in letting us know that life is still good…we are all beautiful and always enough.
Ever peace,
Sharrie
Author
Thanks so much for reading. 🙂
getting older means understand yourself better. So many things I would explain to my younger me but it is never to late to take care of your body and in particular your soul and spirit. Yoga and Meditation help me to stay healthy and a bit still young at 74. The inner peace is my greatest gift I have worked on my entire life. Best for you and stay healthy.
Author
Beautiful words of wisdom – thank you for bringing your peace here. xox
Thank you for the gift of your sweet words and open heart, Michele. I’m sorry that your early faith experience was so negative. Sadly, that can happen when we humans try to create God in our own image, rather than recognizing that it is the other way around.
The COVID crisis is another example of how we can handle life poorly. It made us slow down and think, until we thought we saw (or wanted to see) light at the end of the tunnel. Then frustration reared it’s ugly head and we were off to the races again, because we are “so over this sheltering in place”. We look for someone, anyone, to blame for what could be a gift of time, but we can be too self-focused to receive it… It doesn’t look familiar. It requires patience. It must be bad. And, we look for someone, anyone, to give us hope. It makes us feel better about ourselves. Maybe the answer is to look for the truth. Not your truth or my truth or her truth or his truth, but The Truth. Not an easy answer in our current reactionary microwave society, but it is a Gift. May we be receptive.
Author
It does seem to be hard for many Americans to not play the blame game. I think there is a lot of mental illness going on as a result of the pause – and I’m so concerned about domestic violence which is on the rise for obvious reasons. Praying for peace and mercy to cover our land.
Michele,
I love your posts. They are always so inspiring and insightful. I ordered some Kul exfoliating cleanser. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things.
Take care my friend.
Hugs,
Bev
Author
Thanks so much, Bev. You’re going to love it! I haven’t used anything else like it, and it’s packed with stuff my skin loves. Happy weekend, friend.
You always always always bring it back around – it’s that sensible , peaceful wisdom (combined with humor) that I love .
Author
Thanks for the encouragement – that just made my night, Marilyn. Happy holiday weekend, and peace to you.
Thank you for this beautiful post. I am new to your blog and I must say your blog
provides me the peaceful retreat that I need. Thank you.
Author
It’s so lovely to have you here – thank you for taking the time to leave lovely footprints here. I hope you visit everyday!
I do visit everyday. 🙂 Stay safe and have a peaceful weekend.
Author
Thank you so much for your loyal following – wishing you peace and a happy holiday. 🙂
You are real and delightful. Your posts always inspire.
Thank you
Author
It’s so great to have you here – I appreciate your words so much. xox
So much love and wisdom and great product suggestions! Thanks for all! I’m always encouraged by what you share and I look forward to trying some of the products you mentioned. You’re always an inspiration in so many different ways! 😍
Author
So happy to hear it, Amy! Hope you and yours are holding steady during the pause and this historical adventure. Peace to you!
Such a much needed post for so many, Michele! I featured it at the TFT party so that many others can be soothed and encouraged. I’m grateful for your thoughtful insights all the time. I hope you’re have a feel good day today! xo
Author
Thank you so much, Pam. I am having a pretty good day after some rather hard ones. Thank you for your constant encouragement and support. See you soon over at TFT, friend. 🙂