There’s this Baron Von Fancy billboard overlooking the intersection of Canal and Varick, just down the street from Glossier HQ, that reads “NEVER NOT WORKING.” Maybe you’ve seen Karlie Kloss Instagram it. (On the backside of that board, there’s another one that says “IF YOU’RE FEELING DOWN, I’LL FEEL YOU UP”—I prefer that side.) I respect that; it's cool to work hard. But you know what's doubly cool? Not being too proud to admit that even you, the hardest working person you know, needs some downtime. And even that doesn't always come easy. You gotta work at not working. Put time in your calendar for it. Plan for the days you’re not allowed to have any plans.
An easy rule of thumb when it comes to true relaxation: If attendance means you have to set your alarm, don’t go. Setting an alarm means you’re not relaxing. It also means you’re probably not doing your requisite DVR catch up, which is how I started my most recent weekend: the final three episodes of The People v. O.J. Simpson (don’t worry, I won’t spoil the ending for you). TV, my finest college sweats, and a pizza from Speedy Romeo’s new Lower East Side outpost...perfect.
Extended periods of couch-sitting pairs well with masking, of course. Goop’s new Exfoliating Instant Facial was created with commercial breaks in mind—don’t keep it on for more than two minutes because the AHAs and BHAs make quick work. Also, it’s 86% organic, to counteract that pizza. Then, I decided now was as good a time as ever to use up my little baby tube of Avéne Soothing Moisture Mask (I keep it around on the off chance I keep a peel on way too long and end up looking like Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool). An opaque layer takes all night to soak in. Good thing you canceled all your plans.
The rest of your weekend could look something like this:
- Sleep in. Like really in. Wake up at a normal hour, and then will yourself back to sleep.
- Work out, but only so you can really take your time foam rolling afterwards.
- Make yourself all your favorite foods while watching The Holiday and Something’s Gotta Give back to back. The judges will also accept Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.
- Don’t forget your body! Now’s the time to indulge in the time-consuming process of body misting, body serum-ing, and body lotion-ing—Hollybeth Organics Body Mist, MUN No. 7 Ayour Body Toning Serum, and Kiehl’s Creme de Corps respectively and sequentially. Wrap yourself in lycra (cotton can absorb hydration out from your skin apparently) and marinate.
Am I missing anything? Aromatherapy, meditation, some stress-relieving tonic? Lay it down for me so we can all experience the most relaxing of weekends. JOMO for all!
—Emily Ferber
Photo via Getty.
Dress the part: Read up on the latest and greatest in cozy lingerie (it's a thing!) or warm-weather pajamas.
