A Goddess’ Night Time Routine 🌙🕯️🌹
Intentional romanticization to transition from day to night.
I imagine Selene*, looking down on us at twilight. The world is enveloped in that lush purplish hue of the evening sky, and She sees us scurrying home on the subway, laughing over dinner with a friend (she’s hoping it includes something sensuous like oysters), or finally huffing a sigh of relief as we shut our laptop screens closed.
As she hangs on the perfectly curved crescent of the moon, she’s wondering if tonight will be the night we decide to honor ourselves, and in doing so, honor Her.
Will we ultimately have the sense to lock our devices into a bedside drawer?
Embrace slumber before it claws at our eyelids?
Adorn our bodies with potions that nourish?
Only time will tell…
Sure, you may not embrace your complete Goddess nighttime routine every night—we’re modern women, and surely a modern woman deserves a 10pm dirty martini or Bravo marathon from time to time—but this is for the evenings when you crave a turn inward, time to connect with the longings of the soul, and to finally crack open that Anaïs Nin or bell hooks at your bedside.
Take all of this, take none of it, incorporate rituals that resonate, and leave the rest. This is merely what I would consider my Goddess-inspired nighttime practice.
Happy Slumber. x
7-7:10pm: Exorcise Your Running List
If you’re anything like moi, you have an inner monologue that functions as a running list of everything you have to be catching up on, thinking about, making sure you do, etc.
Now is the time to exorcise it!
We don’t need to take that into our evening—leave it behind in “working hours” where it belongs and allow yourself the sweet relief of knowing you can revisit it in the morning—after a good night’s sleep.
Light some candles, and turn off the lights. We’ll be enjoying the rest of the evening without the glare of harsh lighting that can heighten our stress.
7:10-7:45:
Okay, perfect.
Now strip down and head into your bathroom. Start the shower so it’s nice and steamy by the time you enter.
Take the time before getting in to do any beauty rituals you’d like to do more often but never seem to. For me, this looks like using my dermabrasion exfoliator on my face and dry-brushing my body with this brush, starting at my feet + brushing upward toward my heart.
Okay, time to hop in! If you have one on hand, or really want to treat yourself, pop a Shower Steamer into the tub and let yourself be enveloped in the aroma.
Once in, do what you normally would to get clean—shampoo + condition if that’s on the menu (a deep condition tonight would be a treat), shave if you’d like, etc.
When washing your body, whisper sweet somethings to yourself as you scrub. You might move your soap in a circular motion on your leg and whisper, “Thank you so much for carrying me through the day, you did so well.”
Only you know what your inner Goddess desires to hear.
I also enjoy incorporating a scent that stirs my senses awake as I do this. Right now, I’m loving this Black Rose & Oud option and this luxe oil-based soap I was gifted over the holidays.
As you near the end of your shower, stand under the showerhead and allow the water to fall on you with your eyes closed. As it does, imagine a white light streaming down and everything that no longer serves you circling down the drain to be blessed, transmuted, and transformed for the greater good.
7:45-8pm:
You turn on music that makes you feel like the most romanced version of yourself—think Nina Simone, Olivia Dean, Jeff Buckley.
As you sway along to their croons, you oil yourself from toe to nose, anointing yourself like the holy creature you are. As you do, you’re sure to feel the slip of the moisturizer and the caress of your fingers along your thigh.
Don’t overcomplicate tonight. Simply use what’s on hand and accessible for you. That being said, if you’re looking for recommendations, I love:
Jasmine Oil: Jasmine is often used as a stress reliever, and many consider it an aphrodisiac.
Everyday Oil: It comes in different scents, but I adore that this one has a hint of patchouli, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is said to help ground you if you're feeling confused or at odds.
Rose Oil: Rose oil just feels like it’s meant to balm your body on a night like tonight, doesn’t it? I made my own by adding drops of essential oil to a carrier oil, and I savor it. Rose can help you sleep more soundly and is also known by many to attract love, even if it’s love for oneself.
8-8:20pm:
After slipping into your most luxurious pajamas, whether they’re a silky pair you splurged on or a nostalgic cotton tee that brings you great comfort, you saunter over to the kitchen.
Upon arrival, you decide to whip up a snack that satisfies whatever pleases you.
Some ideas…
Rose Tea + Greek Yogurt mixed with a divine chocolate sea salt spread.
Blue Lotus Tea + Precisely Cut Strawberries, Plump Blueberries, and Hunks of Melon drizzled in honey.
A Glass of Water with Squeezed Lime + Hummus served alongside crunchy celery, petite carrots, and seedy crackers.
8:20-8:45pm:
As you appreciate the flavors of your treat, take on an activity that pleases you. The only rule? No screens!
Painting, dancing, diving into a good book, or collaging are all superb options. If, like me, you enjoy journaling, here are some prompts that I think would go over swimmingly for our Self-as-Goddess embarkment.
What do I genuinely love about myself? Describe it in great detail.
What are characteristics I see in a Goddess I admire that I could embody tomorrow, or even in this very instant?
In my dream world, how do I spend my evenings? How can I begin to incorporate these rituals into my life now?
Where can I show myself more love? Where could I be showing others more love?
What makes me feel the most turned-on? How often do I feel that way? Do I wish I felt desired more? By myself or others? In which ways can I show myself more physical appreciation?
8:45-9:05pm:
I find that if I haven’t moved enough, sleep doesn’t creep up on me quite as I hope. This is a great time to turn on a record that you enjoy dancing to, stretch, or do a yoga sequence that feels aligned.
If you need a suggestion, here is a 20-minute sleepy time yoga sequence from Yoga with Adriene. Do not, I repeat do not, use this time replying to texts or last-minute emails as you go to switch this on. They’ll still be there in the morning. Promise.
9:05-9:40pm:
Slip into your bed and cozy up. Hopefully, you’re wiggling around in joy over the touch of your sheets and feeling overjoyed to return to your trusty place of rest.
My personal bedding essentials: These sheets, large pillows for propping up materials (+ me), and a down duvet insert.
Once you’ve adjusted, use this time to read. A rule I’ve implemented? No self-development reads in bed!
Enjoy make-believe stories, romantic diaries, or juicy memoirs.
9:40-10pm:
Dim the lights and close your eyes. It’s time to meditate.
Imagine yourself entering a space you feel safe: Perhaps it’s a forest you grew up visiting, your grandmother’s living room, or a beach where you can hear the waves crash to shore.
Once there, you lie down and close your eyes, relishing the feeling of being in a place you love.
As you lie, the sky gets darker and darker and darker…
until you find yourself asleep.
Thanks so much for reading MUSE.ings, it means more than you know that you’re here + enjoying my words! You can order the monthly print edition of the newspaper I founded here, follow me on Instagram here, and subscribe using the link below.
* The Goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology