7-Day Self-Care Challenge

With 2019 here, have you made any resolutions?  Have you thought about the changes and goals you want to achieve this year?  Well, I’ve got one for you: the 7-Day Self-Care Challenge with Pursuing Pretty!  TAKING CARE OF MYSELF HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!  I promise that it can change yours too! Give me just one week to transform you into a well put-together, confident person with these 10 steps:

Feel Beautiful in 2019

Bell sleeve top | Pleated red skirt | Faux-leather sock boots | Ruby Woo lipstick |

I did my first ever speaking engagement this past weekend for a women’s self-care workshop.  I told the story of how I was inspired to start this blog five years ago and empower these women to start paying attention to their physical appearance.  The way you present yourself every day can have a huge impact on your self-esteem and self-confidence!

So this week, with New Year’s Resolutions looming, I’m here to encourage you to take my 7-Day Self-Care Challenge!  These are 10 some simple steps that you can incorporate into your daily routine to help make yourself look and feel beautiful again in 2019!

7-Day Self-Care Challenge

Step 1: Get up and get ready.

Get up early and get your shit together! By shit, I mean you.  Get up before your kids, shower, dress, put on makeup and do your hair.  For one whole week!  You aren’t allowed to leave your house unless you are ready from head-to-toe.  Yes, it may take some time but work it into your routine.  Get up half an hour earlier, or shower and wash your hair the night before.

Step 2: Dress well.

Get dressed. Pull out your nice clothes, even if you have nowhere to go.  Why are you saving clothes for special occasions that never arrive?  Wear them!  Do not wear sweatpants or running shoes out of the house, unless you are going to exercise.  I know we all love our Lululemon tights but these are not for everyday wear (don’t hate me for saying that!).  Get out of your rut and start looking put together.  Don’t forget about accessories!  Try dressing up a t-shirt and jeans with a statement necklace, a bold lipstick and over-the-knee boots!

Step 3: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.

During that morning routine, look in the mirror, and tell yourself that you are beautiful and you are worth it at least twice a day.  Don’t forget to remind yourself that you are the most important person in your life!  Taking good care of yourself translates to taking better care of the other people close to you.

Step 4: Fix Your Posture

How do you carry yourself? Do you slump your shoulders? Make an effort to adjust your posture regularly throughout the day.  Straighten your back, stick your chest out and suck in your stomach.  You’ll instantly add inches to your height!   Hold your head high, make eye contact with people, including strangers.  Smile!

Step 5: Wear a bold lipstick.

Buy Ruby Woo lipstick at MAC. Put it on and wear it.  So many women always say to me:  “I can’t wear bold lipstick like you!”  Um, why can’t you?  You are the only person limiting yourself to doing anything you want.  You just have to own it!  Try putting it on and wearing it around the house to get used to it.  Or go to the mall, stop by MAC and have them put their best-selling red on you.  Walk around the mall for the next hour, get used to it, see that no one is looking at you strange, and then go back and buy it!

Step 6: Pamper Yourself.

Choose one thing to pamper this week: an eyelash lift, a gel manicure, a facial, a massage, or a hair blow-out. If you can’t afford it then lock your bedroom door, draw a bath, soak, read, shave your legs, deep condition your hair and then give yourself a mani/pedi.  Just spend an hour and a half doing something for you!

Step 7: Excersize.

Get 60-120 minutes of workout time. This will increase confidence, energy and endorphins.  We struggle with our weight as we age so exercise is not something you should be neglecting.  You will notice such a difference with even a couple hours of calorie burn.  This is also a great activity to give you a little-uninterrupted me-time.

Step 8: Wear heels.

Choose one day and wear high heels. I don’t care where you go, even if it’s just to go grocery shopping.  There’s something about wearing heels that just changes the way you carry yourself.  You’re taller, straighter and your stride becomes longer.  Just try it.

Step 9: Pay it Forward.

Pay it Forward. Take notice of other women who are also making an effort and tell them that you notice them.  Raise them up.  Compliment someone else every single day on how they look.   And by someone, I mean a friend or a total stranger. It’s such good positive energy to put out there!

Step 10:  Reflect.

Take note, write it down.  Heck, send me an email!  See how you feel?  What is your confidence level?  How productive were you? Did anyone notice a difference?  If you loved the way it made you feel then let’s make 2019 your year to change!  Keep it going!

Need more tips?  Read my favourite blog post of 2018:  How to Feel and Look Beautiful in Your 30s and 40s!

Good luck!

Kiki