This year, I started doing something that I’ve never done before….I started paying to get my nails done. The full shebang- Gel Manicure and a Pedicure. Now, you might not bat an eyelid at this news, but for me it was huge.
You see, I’ve always viewed getting your nails done as a waste of money, selfish, indulgent, vain and unnecessary.
But for my whole life, I have also been a nail biter and finger skin picker! A habit I hated about myself, but felt like I couldn’t stop. An addiction you might say. I wouldn’t just do it when stressed or worried, but also while watching tv, as soon as I stopped at the traffic lights in the car and anytime I had a moment of stillness.
I remember sitting in a meeting at my old corporate job with an external person and unknowingly picking away at a bit of skin next to my fingernail bed. He made a reference to it reminding him of the scene from the psychological thriller Black Swan, where Natalie Portman daydreams she is ripping her skin from the nail to the knuckle. Here it is if you’re not sure what I’m talking about and are game enough to watch!
Anyway, this has always stuck with me. I knew I had to do something about this awful habit, yet it took me 10 more years to finally figure out what to do.
Finally, after a conversation with my hairdresser late last year about how nice her nails looked, she came clean to me about the real reason she gets them done.
She said getting her nails done deters her from biting and picking her fingers which then actually makes her calmer. When you have nice nails, you want to keep them that way. The act of not picking finger skin keeps the stress response down and in turn neutralises levels of anxiety. Now this is not a scientific study by any means, it was just one person’s experience shared with another person who can now vouch for the results!
So, I’m converted!
Previously I would have been all ’what’s the point in having nice nails if you can’t even stand up straight or are living in pain in your body? People have no issues dropping $80 on getting their nails done, but then can’t stand the idea of spending that much money on a private Pilates class which will look after what goes on underneath your nails!’ .
And look, part of me still believes this, but now I also see the value in looking after the outside as well as the inside!
Self care. It’s a bit of a buzz word thrown around these days. But self care is not selfish and if we are not actively participating in it, then we are doing ourselves and our loved ones around us a disservice.
Self care comes in many different forms. It’s totally subjective and what works for one person might not be the same for another person. So if you are like me and dismissive of the whole ‘getting your nails done’ phenomenon, maybe give it a go and see how you feel, see how your behaviour changes. If you are a nail biter and have tried everything else on the market to stop, this might just be the ticket to quitting.
Or conversely, maybe you get your nails done but you scoff at the idea of spending more than $20 on an exercise class. What about investing in yourself now to look after your future self later on. We only have the one body, the one life. You’re worth it.
That’s why I’m so excited to be bringing my next event to you on May 28th. It’s a workshop and get together with self care at the forefront of the afternoon. It’s called ‘From Foundations to Fine Wine: An Afternoon of Pilates and Plonk’.
We will be taking a deep dive into how the feet support the rest of the body and giving those tootsies some much needed love and care. It will be followed by a full body Pilates session and then onto the wine tasting, nibbles and socialising! So grab a friend, and fill up your cup together.
You can book tickets directly here (see booking below!) Or shoot me an email if you have any questions.