Better Ways To Spend Time Than On Your Beauty Routine

[caption id="attachment_831666" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Young Business Woman Think Looking To Empty Copy Space African American Girl Happy Smile Businesswoman Isolated Over Gray Background[/caption] Spending several hours—or even just one hour—a day on your beauty routine can be a viscous cycle. For some people, making sure their appearance is absolutely perfect before they walk out the door is a compulsion. They’re certain the world can see it if they didn’t pluck that one eyebrow. But the world can’t see it. And you’re just imprisoning yourself to the habit of spending a lot time on your looks each day. Why? Because it takes time away from other activities that could make you happy. Then, when you realize you didn’t get to finish this or see that person, you think, “That’s okay. At least I can perfect my hair!” See how that’s a vicious cycle? If you need to control your looks it could be because you don’t feel in control of other areas of your life. Here are much better ways to spend your time than on your beauty routine. [caption id="attachment_713137" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Eating slower

Doing anything slower, really, is beneficial. If you feel like days are rushing by, it’s probably because you rush everything. You don’t take the time to enjoy moments. Chew slowly so you can appreciate your food, drink your wine slowly so you can detect the notes, and move through the world a little more slowly so you can notice the endearing details in it.         [caption id="attachment_714451" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Emailing important contacts

You probably have a long mental list of people you should reach out to about an opportunity, or simply keep in touch with. You could easily spend 20 minutes each morning crafting thoughtful, purposeful emails to these people to keep those connections going.           [caption id="attachment_215482" align="alignleft" width="500"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Finally filing stuff

Those piles of bills, tax forms, wedding invitations, contracts, Roth IRA documents…if you took a half hour each morning filing those, that project could probably take you two weeks. Easily.       [caption id="attachment_625898" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Planning out your day

If you take 15 minutes to sit down, look at your calendar, and plan out your day so you know exactly when to leave each place in order to avoid traffic, find a good parking spot etc. you could probably save yourself an hour that day.     [caption id="attachment_710417" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Educating yourself

Haven’t you meant to read that book about the economy? Or watch that show about world news? Or look at that blog about how nutrition is changing in the foods we find at the super markets? Won’t that information enrich your life more than perfectly straightened hair?           [caption id="attachment_696349" align="alignleft" width="378"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Small DIY projects

Like sewing that button back on those pants, finally printing those vacation photos and putting them in an album, or once and for all hanging up the gorgeous paintings your friend made you for your birthday.             [caption id="attachment_821183" align="alignleft" width="682"] Home office red Metal Mailbox in garden[/caption]

Reading your mail

You know you have a large stack of mail you’ve been avoiding reading. There could be overdue medical bills in there that are about to be sent to collection agencies (not good for your credit!) Or even a simply, sweet family newsletter from your aunt, that she’d probably like to know you received. [caption id="attachment_704323" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Tidying up

You could finally take that bundle of necklaces and hang each one up on your necklace tree. You could take the random books and journals around your home and put them on your bookshelf. You could dust that ceiling fan that, to be honest, you’ve never dusted.           [caption id="attachment_622034" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Preparing food

You usually come home tired, and ready to eat whatever can be microwaved. Give yourself some health points and take time out of your beauty routine to pre-cut vegetables, marinade a chicken breast, and boil up a big batch of brown rice.       [caption id="attachment_609486" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Bringing food to a homeless person

If you took a half hour out of your beauty routine, you could likely make a few sandwiches, drive around your town, and find some people who really need them.       [caption id="attachment_714110" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Helping a neighbor

Does your elderly neighbor need help walking her dog? Does the single mom who lives downstairs desperately need somebody to watch her kids so she can get a manicure for once that decade?             [caption id="attachment_714177" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Dancing

Dancing reduces stress levels and is good for your brain! Take twenty minutes to turn on your favorite tunes and dance in your living room. You can close the curtains if that helps.             [caption id="attachment_717241" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption]

Calling that family member

You probably have a few family members that you wish you called once a week, but you actually call once a month. Connecting and bonding with them over the phone will make you feel much better than perfecting your contouring.           [caption id="attachment_715046" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Leaving earlier

Giving yourself extra time to get places, in case there is traffic or parking spots are few and far between, can reduce a lot of stress. And it can make you look like a more prompt, responsible individual.             [caption id="attachment_717296" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Meditating

If you dedicate yourself to meditating just 20 minutes each morning, you won’t even remember why you cared so much about your appearance.             [caption id="attachment_707693" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Exercising

Exercising every day will give you a self-esteem boost that no perfect outfit or styled hair possibly can. It will also give you a natural glow, and add years to your life. So put away the curling iron and go for a power walk.           [caption id="attachment_701208" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Snuggling with somebody

Snuggling with a loved one—and this could be your dog!—will make you feel calmer, happier and enhance your overall sense of wellbeing. You probably already wish you had more time to snuggle with your significant other, your child, or your pet. You do have that time—take it out of your beauty routine.           [caption id="attachment_617341" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Having sex

Sex is probably another thing you don’t make enough time for. How often are you and your honey too tired, too busy, or just not on the same schedule? If he’s just sitting around, eating cereal, when you’re doing your makeup, I think you just found your time. Sex will give you a glow that no bronzer could.           [caption id="attachment_698982" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Backing up your devices

Your phone, laptop and tablet need to be backed up every couple of weeks. Why? Because you add precious photos and important documents to them nearly every day.             [caption id="attachment_611718" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Doing nothing at all

Let’s not forget the importance of doing nothing at all. We rarely unplug from the world these days—literally or figuratively. But taking the time to just sit in your room, or go for a walk, without any stimuli, is critical. You could get some of your best ideas this way.

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