Bathing, A Love Story

I take a bath almost every evening, and you're about to find out why.

*WARNING: This post contains pictures of legs.*

From humble beginnings...

Although I have always enjoyed a nice bath, I fell in love with them during my senior year of high school. I was an ill 17 year-old, and the pain was constant. My waking hours were plagued with thumping intestinal discomfort and nausea, and my bathroom floor became my bedroom. I was losing weight and eating less because everything hurt. After every diagnostic test in the book (including, but not limited to, eating radioactive eggs and watching my stomach digest them), my poor GP was out of ideas. After issuing treatment for my anxiety and depression, undoubtedly sparked by being sick, my doc put her hand on my knee and asked, "Have you tried taking baths?"

The set up was simple at first- a clean bathtub, hot water, and me. I was frustrated when the water was too hot and I had to add more cold, and struggled with the 30 minutes of silent alone time that taking a bath gave me. It seemed TOO quiet, and gave me a lot of time to reflect... a thing with which I was not comfortable, as a 17 going on 18 year-old sick girl. I remember looking down at my body and picking it apart, criticizing every freckle and "fat roll." What I failed to realize was how much I was learning about myself, and, that my stomach didn't hurt at all.

...to ritual.

L'Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath

Eventually, bathing became my nightly ritual. I came home from school after a day of the usual stomach upset, ate my dinner like a bird, got undressed and hopped in the bath. The warm water relaxed every muscle, and I felt weightless, surrounded, and safe. After a few minutes of soaking, my stomach discomfort melted away and I could think clearly. The tub became my studio for acapella songwriting (my singing voice always sounds best in the bathroom), and an incubator for my growing body love. To me, baths were a magical cure-all.

Strangely enough, after moving away for college, I probably missed baths the most. Whenever I came home for holiday break, there were times when I took 2 baths in one day.

The LUSH life

LUSH Intergalactic Bath Bomb

Once I discovered LUSH, my bath game became SO STRONG. Each bath is now accompanied by a medley of aromatherapy, big Hollywood bubbles, and a fabulous color. I found a way to "treat myself" that doesn't harm me (...besides my wallet). In fact, I would argue that baths have contributed a good amount to why mental and physical well-being. Each bath bomb and bubble bar is unique, and every trip to LUSH is like Christmas morning. I have tried literally every bath product they make. 

My favorites bath bombs are Sex Bomb and Big Blue, and my favorite bubble bars are A French Kiss and Rose Jam Bubbleroon. More detailed reviews to come in "Bathing, a Love Story: Part Two." 

Additionally, I have recently acquired some L'Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath, which is down right heavenly. If you want big fluffy bubbles that smell incredible, this stuff is great.

LUSH Sex Bomb Bath Bomb

LUSH The Experimenter Bath Bomb

LUSH Twilight Bath Bomb

Pro tips

Finally, here are some pro tips to make your bathing experience a huge success. 

1. CLEAN YOUR TUB. There is nothing soothing about bathing with "floaties." I recommend Scrubbing Bubbles. 
2. DIM THE LIGHTS. Try for as little light as possible- candles are a huge plus. Give your eyes and your brain a rest, you deserve it.
3. PEE FIRST. As soon as you hit that warm water, you're gonna have to pee. There is nothing worse than having to leave the warm bath water to sprint to the toilet. Goosebumps city.
4. ADD SOMETHING. If you don't have any fancy bath stuff, squirt some plain ol' body soap under the running water. Chances are, you'll get some decent bubbles and a little more pazzaz in your bath.
5. PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY. This one is tough for me, as my new iPhone is waterproof... but it's essential. Take this time to reflect, relax, and make bubble mohawks. Sing, think, cry, whatever you feel like doing... just keep your phone out of your bathroom.

HAPPY BATHING. 

LUSH Big Blue Bath Bomb