I have often wondered about the people who come up with the nail polish names. Is it a team of people sitting around a conference table brainstorming with a white board? Are the names submitted by customers? Does the OPI nail polish company have one person whose title is Nail Polish Namer who is solely responsible for all of the extremely creatively named shades? I recently went to a local salon for a ‘mani-pedi’. This was something BK (before kids) that I did on a somewhat regular basis. As I often say to my clients, students and in my blogs, if you cannot remember the last time you did something, then it has probably been way too long. That was the case for me with manicures and pedicures. I have used the excuse “I’m too busy” for many years now. Suffice to say, I was long overdo.
"Tickle My France-y" was the name of the lovely neutral shade that I chose at the nail salon. As I sat there enjoying the many amenities that come along with a manicure and pedicure (hand massage, hot stone leg massage, essential oils soak, neck rub, and hot towels), I felt a bit guilty about the seemingly over-the-top indulgences. Then, as I watched the dead skin cells and very ragged cuticles being removed from my hands and feet, I had a major “ah-ha” moment...this is not an indulgence, this is part of an important self-care plan. Anyone who regularly gets a manicure knows what I experienced...each fingernail is treated as if it is the most important part of your body and the manicurist pours all of his (or her) attention into creating a mini work of art out of each and every one of your fingers and toes.I did not expect that I would gain perspective on life while sitting in the nail salon.
Are your self-care “to-dos” sitting on a back burner or have you made yourself a priority?For me, it was a much needed manicure and pedicure to rescue my well past their expiration date fingernails and calloused heels. What is it for you? A haircut? A massage? Perhaps a doctor’s appointment? This week Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC’s the Today Show, admitted on national television that she cannot remember when she last went to the dentist. She thinks it has been well over three years. Savannah said that she would never overlook an appointment for her children and actually had a dentist appointment scheduled that afternoon for her daughter. However, she had been way too busy to fit in an appointment for herself. Her dentist received word about her on-air confession and actually called her to make an appointment! If only the nail salon had called me to ask where I have been all these years? Perhaps I would have gotten myself there much sooner.
“Tickle My France-y” wasn’t just the name of the mauve colored nail polish that I chose that day....it also aptly described how I felt when I was sitting there getting pampered. Making time for myself in an environment which was free of phones, email, news alerts, deadlines, ringing doorbells and interruptions was just what I needed. I truly felt “tickled”. I made a promise to myself that I will not let that much time pass again in between appointments.
How about you? I hope you carve out some “me-time” for yourself this month. Whatever it is that is much needed and long overdo, make a point to get yourself there and tickle your own France-y! When you get there, tell them your Health Coach sent you and leave the guilt at the door!