#xiaohongshuroutine

[zoniteillusion-pyritedreams]

🌘 digital diary entry: #9 a soft vent wrapped in lavender mist 🕯️

It’s been a week, babes.

The kind that makes you pause in the middle of brushing your hair and go, “Wow… I’m really doing this whole life thing, huh?”

I found out one of my estranged aunts passed away. And while we weren’t close, grief is still grief, plus, her funeral’s being planned by another aunt we don’t speak to (the inheritance drama kind of aunt, you know the type), so now it’s chaos sprinkled on top of grief and… yeah. That’s where I’m at.

At night, I’ve been unwinding the only way my tired little soul knows how. YouTube rabbit holes and Chinese R&B playlists that feel like warm silk. It’s in those late-night scrolls where I stumbled on a Xiaohongshu routine video. Harmless, right? Except the comments… y’all.

You ever read something and just feel your eye twitch?

Like why are people so mad about other people taking care of themselves? Some were saying things like “no one does this in real life” or “it’s vain to be that committed to a routine.” Um. Hi. I do. And not because I think Vincent down the hall is clocking my cuticle health or because Jenny around the corner is gonna applaud my dewy skin. I do it for me.

Because I love how it feels to care for myself. Because I have a six-step skincare routine I’ve been following since I was a teen. Because I sleep a certain way to support my spine after a scoliosis diagnosis at 14. Because my hands matter to me, I cook, I clean, I create. I moisturize. I protect. I care.

Self-care isn’t vanity. It’s healing. It’s grounding. It’s how I tell my body “thank you” for carrying me through the mess. And it genuinely does help mental health. Same as cleaning—even with ADHD brain and cozy clutter chaos, I still have my once-a-month deep cleans and mini weekly resets because they help. They calm the noise.

Some people forget that joy isn’t always loud. Sometimes joy is a sheet mask and a hot tea. Sometimes it’s rearranging your plushie collection. Sometimes it’s dancing in fuzzy socks to old girl group songs you still know by heart.

So yeah… this week I’m tired. I’m stressed. I’m grieving. I’m also soft and determined and taking my time. I probably won’t post too much for a bit (outside of clearing my inbox) but I’m still here. Floating a little. Holding space.

( that's not even talking or thinking about the fact that new jeans have their court case today is currently midnight in the states meaning that it's closer to when the case should be happening in South Korea. And I don't care what people say or feel about certain things this is one of those situations where it could affect everyone in the industry and it's an industry that needs change so anything that's here for humans having better rights you best believe I'm going to be stressed about it to a certain degree even has nothing to technically do with me. Also shout out to South Korea's new president. Someone who seems to actually give a damn not only about the government being corrupt but also about women something that they deeply need. Like when is America next?)

And if you needed the reminder: You’re allowed to take care of yourself. You don’t owe looking “low effort” to make others feel more comfortable with not trying. Do your 10-step skincare routine, wear your pink bows, drink your matcha, and stay divine.

I’ll see you all soon.

Until then stay soft, stay sacred, stay hydrated. ✨🕯️🌸