I didn’t think I was a bath person. It didn’t seem like my thing to just soak for 20 minutes or more and do nothing else. But last August after running more than I ever had before for months, my legs were sore. My body wanted rest. And it’s not like I was going anywhere so I decided that maybe I could be a bath person.
Fast forward eight months later and baths are now fully my jam. I get in with my Epsom salts or a nice CBD bath bomb and just chill. Bath time has become part of my true rest a couple times a week. I have difficulty slowing down and doing something that requires really no effort on my part if I don’t see a tangible result from it. Baths have helped teach me that the result of me feeling relaxed and my muscles loosening up is all I need. I’m allowed to take this time and I have no reason to talk myself out of it. It’s beautiful to accept that something that feels simple and small can have a huge impact on your day, your mood, your health. That’s what baths do for me.
The timing of this post happened because I mentioned to my husband a few weeks ago that I wanted a bath tray. I normally just listen to a podcasts or music while I take a bath, but I wanted somewhere to put my tea and my favorite candle. I looked on Etsy and found one that seemed fine but wanted to mention it to my husband first because back before kids and life and all the adult things, he used to do woodworking as a hobby. He jumped at the thought of making my a bath tray and as luck would have it, his best friend had gifted him some wood a few years back. It happens to be solid mahogany and now I’m pretty well assured that I’m the only person with a couple inch thick mahogany bath tray. That’s pretty cool. There’s something amazing about having something you use all the time handmade with love by the person you love most. He finished it a few days ago so as I’m typing this, it’s my first time enjoying what feels like an extra special spa like situation. I’m so fortunate that my forever person also happens to be talented in ways that still blow my mind a bit.
Baths are a gift I’ve given myself for eight months and will continue to gift myself for the rest of my life. Before I started doing them, I assumed it was time consuming and that I had too much else going on to fit them in. That was a foolish reason. Most of the time I’m in the tub for 25, maybe 30 minutes. The length of one TV show with commercials. That’s hardly any time at all. My reluctance to fit baths into my life centers around an unwillingness to prioritize what works well over what is convenient. It is convenient to sit in the couch and turn on a show. It requires maybe two minutes more effort to walk upstairs and turn on the tub. While zoning out to the TV always makes me smile, taking the time to have what feels like a decadent bath is much more rewarding for me.
Pre-pandemic times, going to the spa every other month was my jam. I’ve loved a good massage for years and found them abundantly helpful for relaxation. But now, between my Theragun (second best present I’ve ever received, the first was a robot vacuum) and bath time, I’m all set. Throw in the fact that spa-ing it up at my own house means I don’t have to talk to a single human during the process and I’m set. My introvert brain still loves quarantine lifestyle. My heart misses people enough to make me not go full hermit but my brain is extra ok with rarely seeing people I don’t already live with. Mind you, I spend a fair share of time checking in with folks on instagram and the group chat because I’m an introvert but I still love my people so very much.
If you’re thinking you might be a bath person too, I’d encourage you to give it a shot. You don’t need anything other than yourself, the tub, and some warm water. Add ons that rock include Epsom salts, bubble bath, CBD bath bombs, and a candle or two. Give it a shot and who knows, you might find your own spa situation right at home. Have a wonderful weekend and happy Friday!!
Put Mama First 
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