Because Some Days You’re a Squirrel, and Some Days You’re a Bear
Our energy isn’t always the same from day to day. Some mornings, you might bounce out of bed like an over-caffeinated squirrel; other days, you’re more of a hibernating bear, slow and reluctant to leave your cosy den. Your beauty and self-care routines can reflect this rhythm, if you let them.
Let’s be honest, self-care isn’t about rigidly sticking to some Instagram-worthy schedule. It’s actually more about tuning in to what you need, even if that means spending an extra five minutes cocooned under the duvet or indulging in a face mask that makes you look like a friendly swamp creature (not that the Tropic Hydrogel Face Mask will do that, unless the friendly creature in question glows like a dewy woodland fairy).
Some days, you’ll be squirrel-level sprightly, requiring nothing more than a quick cleanse and moisturiser before scampering off. Other times, bear energy takes charge, and you crave a longer, richer ritual, think slow massages and layers of creamy goodness. Both are perfectly valid (and, let’s be fair, sometimes both are needed before the first cup of coffee). The secret is listening: what does your body want today, a dash or a dawdle?
This isn’t about rebelling against discipline or skipping skincare altogether. It’s about giving yourself permission to adapt, to shift gears as needed, and to view beauty as an act of self-alignment rather than just another box to tick. Your routine can flex with your energy and the seasons, just as squirrels stash snacks in autumn and bears hibernate in winter.
On a “squirrel” day, when you’re zipping about, the light ritual is your best friend. For example: Smoothing Cleanser, a brisk spritz of Morning Mist, a dab of Rainforest Dew Serum, and then Moisturiser; Skin Relief or Fresh Waves for those balmy Spring/Summer days, or Skin Feast when the winds howl come Autumn/Winter.
On a “bear” day, let yourself retreat into the deep, plush cave of skincare. This might mean adding a Hydrogel Mask or Comfort Food Hydration Mask, calling in Eye Work or an extra Serum like Glow Berry, and finishing with a nourishing, rich face oil such as Super Greens or Elixir. (Pyjamas and fuzzy socks optional, but highly recommended.)
Whether you’re a loyal Tropic devotee or have your own favourites, the real magic isn’t in the product but in allowing your routine to become a bridge, a gentle crossing where body meets mind, and sometimes, with any luck, a biscuit as well.
Beauty isn’t just about what you see in the mirror; it’s about how you feel in the moment. Treat your routines as moving meditations and watch them transform from chores into rituals. Washing your face can be as grounding as a deep breath. Applying moisturiser? Consider that an act of gratitude for the skin that keeps you from turning completely inside out. Here lies the beautiful crossroads of mindfulness and beauty, not a finish line, but a chance to be truly present, one gentle gesture at a time.
Texture, Temperature, Touch: The Sensory Bridge
One of the easiest ways to invite more joy into your routine is simply to change your tone. Instead of thinking of skincare as something you must do to fix, enhance, or perfect, try seeing it as a way to honour your body (squirrel tail, bear fur, or otherwise).
When your inner narrator swaps “must” for “may I?” everything softens. Suddenly, you’re not pushing your skin towards an impossible ideal, you’re listening, you’re responding, and you’re giving it what it needs right now, even if that’s just a splash of water and a wink in the mirror.
You may feel you don’t have time, or the patience for formal meditation, but you can lean into your senses during your routines. Let’s make self-care a sensory adventure:
- Notice the coolness of your products gliding across your skin
- Feel your fingers tracing tiny squirrel-paths or slow bear-trails along your cheekbones
- Catch the subtle scent of botanicals wafting up, bonus points if you can identify them before your morning coffee
- Observe how your breath shifts, deepening as you massage, or turns squirrel-fast when you’re in a hurry
Each gesture becomes a moment of presence, not necessarily a grand meditation, but a little act of reverence, care, and the sort of self-love that would make both squirrels and bears proud.
A Gentle Challenge
As you go about your week, try this simple experiment: listen before you do. Each day, pause; even if just for a breath or a glance, and sense: “What energy is here today?” Then, match your beauty ritual to that energy. Notice what shifts in your skin, your spirits, and your sense of presence. If you start speaking to squirrels, maybe take a day off…
Beauty is not a fixed standard. It’s a living, breathing companion, sometimes sprightly, sometimes sleepy, always yours. Rather than chasing perfection outside, maybe it’s time to reclaim beauty as an experience that’s felt from within (bushy tail and bedhead included).
If you’d like to see how these ideas connect with balance and gentle self-care, you can read my main piece: The Beauty of Gentle Courage and Self-Care here, or for a more mindful skin care routine: The Mind-Skin Connection here.
The Christmas season is fast approaching, and Tropic has launched some fabulous luxury gift ideas, something for everyone, whether they’re squirrel, bear, or somewhere in between. Please check out the gift guide here.
If you would like to order any Tropic products, Christmas or otherwise, please check out my webstore here.
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