Get to know me: My 10 essentials.

Hello, everyone! Thanks for stopping by. It’s been a little while since my last post but I’m back with another one. Today, we’re talking about essential items. It’s quite an easy read this time and I hope you have as much fun reading as I did writing.

I’ve recently become interested in hearing about the items that various people consider their essentials or items that they just can’t seem to live without. So naturally, I decided I’d share my very own list of 10 essentials with you. I’ve taken the time to really think about these things, only 10, just to ensure that the list wouldn’t go on and on for too long because who would wanna read all that, right?

Disclaimer: This list really only captures personal items so don’t be alarmed that I didn’t include things like family, love, God, food, shelter, clothing, health, blah, blah, blah.

In no particular order and without further ado, let’s kick things off, shall we?

Essential #1: My glasses!

“My glasses, my glasses! I can’t see without my glasses!” I hope you know where this very popular line is from. If you now have an image of Velma from Scooby-Doo on all fours feeling around the floor hysterically, well, kudos to you! I’m basically Velma… except I’m never on all fours… at least not in search of my glasses.

Guys, I really can’t survive without my glasses. Sure, contact lenses work just fine but it’s not the same to me. Sure, I’m considering LASIK but I really just don’t know how I’ll function without having what now feels like a part of my actual face. I’ve become so attached to them over the years.

Essential #2: A notebook and a pen.

In my handbag, I have a notebook, a stack of post-it, index cards, a notepad, and of course, a whole case of writing instruments. Personally, I’m a sucker for a black gel ink pen.  I feel like there’s always something to write. Before you ask me, “but Nell, can’t you just type a note in your phone or iPad?”, Yes, I can but no! Lol. It’s so much easier and familiar for me to grab a pen and a piece of paper. I know, I know, I’m always advocating for a paperless world but I still write drafts on paper before typing them and I still write my grocery list on paper.  I also still do simple calculations and solve for “x” manually but that’s for a different story.

Essential #3: Tech devices.

This goes without saying. I think many can relate. My laptop, cell phone, and iPad are so important. Sure, I’ve done well with limiting my screen time but I still like having at least one of the three close to me. As you know, in these COVID times, entertainment is largely digital, and don’t get me started on how heavily I rely on google for (geographical) direction. Plus, there’s always something to google… for fact-checking purposes and otherwise. God forbids if I’m ever in a store trying to buy something and I’m not able to google the ingredients, whether English or Japanese.

Essential #4: Earrings.

If you’ve ever seen me without at least one pair of earrings, then it’s safe to say, you didn’t really see me. There isn’t really much to say on this point except ever since I was a little girl, my mother would police my ears to ensure I had my earrings in. In her eyes, I wasn’t fully dressed (for school, church, a birthday party, the supermarket, ANYWHERE) without my little gold knobs. To this day, I always have a pair of gold knobs in at all times. My face just looks so different without them. Just as my glasses have basically formed part of my face, so have my gold knobs formed part of my ears.

Essential #5: Music.

No music, no life? I don’t know if I totally agree with that statement but music is essential. I always have a song in mind. If you could see inside my brain, you’d probably see song lyrics or music sheets. Say a word and I’m busting out singing something… whether you know it or not.

Right now, I’m really liking Billie Eillish. Truthfully, I don’t even know what she’s talking about half the time but her voice is so soothing and that’s all that matters to me.

Essential #6: Cotton thongs.

This might be a little TMI but really, ESSENTIAL. Who would I be without my countless black cotton thongs? I don’t even want to know.

Anyhoo, moving right along!

Essential #7: A bottle of water!

95% of the time you can find me walking around with a 2-liter bottle of water. If not, maybe a 1-liter bottle. On rare occasions, the regular 500ml size will have to suffice. If water isn’t essential for you, then I have no words.

Essential: #8: Body scrub.

This is an “if you know, you know” kind of thing… and I hope you know. From coffee scrubs to sugar scrubs and everything in between, a good body scrub is essential to my shower routine. We just want to feel soft and supple over here with no excuses.

Essential #9: A watch.

This has become a recent essential. Normally, I wouldn’t have an issue with consulting with the screen of my mobile cellular device but these days, you can find me constantly looking at my wrist…even on the few days when I don’t have my watch. I also have found that a watch, no matter how simple, completes my overall appearance.

Essential #10: Face masks.

Not the sanitary or the protective type. When I say “face masks”, I’m talking about skincare. Currently, my favorites are Oatfix and Catastrophe cosmetic by Lush and the Lululun sheet masks. I pretty much use a mask every single day – either in the morning or evening.

There you have it! My 10 essentials. Now that I’ve shared my list, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the topic in the comment section. What items are on your essentials list?

Until next time, be good!

Love,

Nell.