Time for a check-in on the small adjustments and the progress that has or has not been made.

Skincare as routine, not correction

Not going to lie. This was the first adjustment that stopped being routine. I could make excuses. I have them. There are “reasons” this didn’t pan out the way I hoped. But they are just excuses. I’m still doing a pretty good job of the basics when I shower, which isn’t often enough to really count. I am taking that as a win, though, a small win, but a win just the same.

I haven’t used the face peel since the day I made my first post about it. I don’t have 10 minutes where I’m not doing something else, unless it is when I’m going to bed. I know that seems dramatic, but it is how my life works. I also haven’t used the peptides.

I didn’t invest in lotion until mid February, and I’m working on it as a routine. I forgot to apply it after my shower today, but did it as soon as I got home from running errands – so win, right?

This was a small adjustment that was important to me because it showed me some care that I have been missing. I’m going to keep working on it, but it clearly is taking some time to work it in and get it to become routine.

Showers as a grounding space

What a joke of an adjustment to fail at, but I’ve done just that. I’ve started tracking when I shower, and when I can fit in a quick hair wash. I managed one shower and two hair washes (in addition to the shower) in February. I swear my family has a radar for when I’m thinking I can fit one into my day. Six out of ten tries, someone else beat me to it in my very small window. Once, I set my alarm to get up early and shower. My body takes the hit on that one. I ended up with a bout of insomniaand had only been asleep for about three hours. I did attempt to get up anyway, but a migraine sent me straight back to bed for that last hour. Once, my hip and leg decided that standing long enough to take a shower wasn’t in the cards. The other two times, amazingly, I was needed urgently to handle something else.

I set my alarm this morning at the same time I usually do, got up, and managed to sneak in a shower. My husband wasn’t home since he was covering someone’s shift. That means I wasn’t dealing with his already taking one, or being in the bathroom, or starting the dishwasher before I could get in. However, by not setting my alarm earlier, which kept me from those husband-induced issues, did make my late in getting the rest of my day started. I was running late all morning, causing all the grounding I was able to do in the shower to be for naught as my anxiety spiked. But, hey, at least I’m clean!

Exercise as movement, not weight loss

This is one area where I’m actually doing pretty well. Not as good as I wish I were, but still. I have not made it back to the gym. That isn’t likely to happen until I can pay them the ridiculous back payment. So, you know, maybe never. But I am back to taking walks while the youngest is teaching, and hiking or longer nature walks a few times a month.

I’m having some health issues with my hip and leg, so I’m not going as hard as I would normally. I see my doctor this week, so hopefully we can get it figured out. Hiking is my happy place, and I really don’t want to give it up.

Reframing “maintenance” as respect

This is taking a lot more deconstruction than I expected. I have a lot of voices in my head that need to shut up, or be evicted, so that I can believe I deserve respect. Then I can work more on refraiming taking care of myself, as respect for myself.

Conclusion

I may not be consistent yet. I may not have it figured out. But every shower I squeeze in, every walk I take, every time I remember the lotion five hours late, that’s evidence. Evidence that I’m trying to treat myself like someone worth caring for. Maintenance isn’t indulgence. It’s respect. And I’m still learning how to believe I deserve it.

TL;DR

I’m struggling to turn small self-care adjustments into routines, but I’m still showing up in imperfect ways. Showers, lotion, walks — they’re not aesthetic or consistent, but they’re proof I’m trying. I’m learning that maintenance isn’t vanity or laziness — it’s respect. And that mindset shift is harder than I expected.

This post is part of the Small Adjustments series, where I explore realistic, sustainable ways to care for my health, mindset, and life.