Sniff yourself happy
Long days of work and marathon Olympic ceremony rehearsals and a million “must-do” items on the to-do list have made for one tired Kasia lately. And tired Kasia = Cranky-Pants Kasia.
Being irritable isn’t my usual modus operandi and knowing it makes me even more irritable. But I’ve found something new that soothes me in the most surprising way: scents.
I’ve always liked a pretty scent (as my dresser full of perfume bottles and flower purchasing husband will affirm) but lately the appreciation has deepened. Maybe it’s this Super Nose I’ve developed during pregnancy. All I know is, it’s powerful enough to pull me out of a funk. Really. I’m not even exaggerating.
My cranky-pants dissolving scents of choice?
Aveda Shampure Soy Wax CandleIf someone had told me that one day I’d spend $30 on a flippin’ candle, I would have laughed. But oh my friends, this is no laughing matter.
This is a magic candle.
I swear to you, all my stresses melt away as soon as I smell it. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Enough said.
(By the way, it helped that it was my birthday week when I bought it because if you’re an Aveda subscriber, you get $10 your purchase as a birthday gift. As soon as I discovered this, I immediately sent Mr Fink to charm his way into his $10 discount too. Finally, an advantage to us both having birthdays in January!)
The other thing that makes me instantly funk-free is this:
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner
I found a sample of Dermalogica toner languishing in my drawer recently and out of boredom, I closed my eyes and spritzed it on my face only to melt into a happy puddle of oooh and ahhhh. I’m not sure what it is that’s in this stuff (there are too many natural plant derivatives on the label to guess which one is the one) but wow. I’m going to start carrying it around in my purse like my personal little secret weapon. I might even start ambush spritzing other cranky-pants I encounter. (Which reminds me, I have to get a cape.)
I know it’s not always this easy to snap yourself out of a black cloud but when it’s mostly just fatigue that’s got me down, sniffing some happy actually does work.
And while we’re on the subject of happy, I’ve been following The Happiness Project for a little while and I was pleased to find out that Gretchen Rubin’s book by the same title is now out. Basically she spent a year “test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier” and wrote about it. The blog has gotten me intrigued so I might have to check out the book. Hmmm… I wonder if there’s a chapter on the power of da nose?
My name is Kasia Fink and nothing makes me happier than finding goodness. This is a collection of my findings... I mean, finkings.
What a neat discovery! I wish scents could pull me out of a funk or erase my stress.
Have you noticed that other types of smells are too strong, or have the opposite effect?
I definitely have a more acute sense of gross smells too (bad B.O., stinky feet and weird fridge smells come to mind) but strangely enough, I’ve only noticed this recently. It definitely didn’t happen in the first trimester for me. Maybe that has something to do with the fact I never had morning sickness?
It is funny that you mention this because my husband has been stressed lately and has been lighting the few candles we have in the house in the evenings (which is something we never really did). I’m sure your nose is extra sensitive, but I might try this candle you recommend because it seems like a small price to pay to bring some peace of mind.
I bought the book and am loving it. I can’t fly through it like I would fiction — because I have to stop and ponder every chapter’s application to my life — but it’s very good. I recommend it.
Funny, I was just going to refer to Gretchen on the blog post I’m writing!
I’m going to pay more attention to scents. I find that I have a strong scent-memory correlation, and yet, I tend to overlook that all the time.
I hear ya about dropping $$ on quality candles! It is totally worth it, in my opinion :) I’ll have to track that one down and give it a sniff :)
I LOVE the Shampure candle! I think I got one as a gift once, and it was delicious… I wish I could get over the $30 and buy another, because it really does smell great.
i’ve been using Shampure shampoo for a few years, i had no idea there was a candle to go with… must investigate further and i might have to use some of my rewards points on it because i have zero patience and waiting for my Oct $10 off just won’t work if it’s that good : )
I love that you wrote about this. Scents can totally pull me out of a funk or otherwise brighten my day. I’m never happier than I am with a bathtub full of amazing smelling products, or working with a yummy candle in my home office.
K, are we going to be able to see you at the opening ceremonies on TV? Can you flash me a special sign or something so I know it’s you? Will you tell us what to look for? Because I’m only going to watch this thing all the way through if I know I’m going to see your blonde head bopping around.
Yes!!! I will definitely let you all know on Friday where to look for me! Don’t forget to set your PVRs. Even though my part is boring, you’re gonna love it – it’s SUCH an awesome show. ;)
Does this mean that your son will one day be the cool kid in class with the Mr. Sketch markers?
The opening ceremony will take place in the middle of the night over here – start 3 o’clock… :-( But I will get up and watch it. So excited! And looking forward to your report about it. I just ordered my red mittens of ebay and since we are totally snowed in over here, I will wear them as soon as I get them. Have fun and enjoy… Olympics are so special.