Use It Or Loose It in the Morning Routine

We all have such good intentions, don’t we? A treadmill that will help us lose weight, a new set of age-defying face wash, or a new guitar we’re going to learn how to play. But, with each and every thing we buy to help us in some way, there is space AND time taken up! It takes a good 30 minutes a day for me to get anything out of my treadmill, and it costs about 6 sq ft of space as well. And what about the guitar? Am I enjoying my new hobby or is it gathering dust?

So, here’s my challenge to you today.

We’re digging out our face wash sets and using them or loosing them for good!

I actually have the simplest set–on purpose. I wanted something I would stick with long term, and I’m definitely seeing the signs of aging creeping up around my eyes. But, here’s the thing. I knew if I had 7 different steps, 2 times a day, and costing a pretty penny, that ultimately I would lose interest and start skipping it pretty fast.

It would go something like this.

First day: Ouch, that’s expensive, but oh so worth it. I mean my face is the only one I’ll ever have, right? I NEED to take the best care of it. Okay. I’m going for it. Sign me up!

A week later: It comes in and I’m oh so excited. I un-package it all, clean off the shelf it’s to belong on and set it all up in a pretty line. I even get busy using the set, meticulously reading all the instructions and following each one. It takes me about 30 minutes. It’s supposed to take 5-10, but I guess that will come with time.

A week later: I’ve been using it every single day, but I’m a little tired. It’s STILL taking 30 minutes. I guess most people have sinks that pour out hot water the instant they’re turned on and don’t have children interrupting every 2 minutes with “I can’t find my shoes…or hairbrush…” etc while we’re trying to get ready for school.

A week later: I’m still doing my morning half of the routine, but the evening part is just too much. I can not spend an hour a day on my face. But, I’m not giving up on the morning part.

A week later: I still haven’t given up totally, but it’s down to wash, tone, pat dry and go! I’m disappointed with myself and resolve to start this process over with new enthusiasm…but I just groan this time and walk away.

A month goes by: The set is gathering dust…all except the face wash, which is now in the shower and being used on a daily basis.

Does this sound like anyone else? That is almost exactly how my adventures with Mary Kay/Avon/Arbonne have gone over the years. This last time was different. I knew I needed something and I didn’t want junk from the grocery store-so I promised not only myself but my husband, that I would only buy the most basic set. And I did! I just ordered my second bottle of toner.

So, take back out that set, dust it off and put it to good use. If you go a week without using something that’s supposed to be used daily–toss it. If you go a month without using something that’s supposed to be used weekly–toss it.

For the occasionals, use your judgement. If you use eye make-up all the time, but the eye make-up remover is gathering dust–rethink your plan. Either toss it, or store it in the shower where the make-up usually comes off. If you rarely wear eye make-up, but every time you do you use the remover–it’s worth keeping.

As a bonus, pull out the OLD face wash stuff that’s adding to your pile and throw it away.