Glow Girl Reset: 15 Minutes of Peace for Back-to-School Moms

In my last post this afternoon, I shared with you some things that I do to reclaim my mornings and make them glow.  In this post, let's talk about afternoons. When the kids are back home from school.

Back-to-School mornings are one thing. But let’s be honest — afternoons can be just as overwhelming. Between school pickups, housework, and endless errands, it’s so easy to lose yourself in the noise.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need hours to feel human again.

Sometimes, all you need is 15 minutes to reset.

This is your gentle reminder, Glow Girl: when you take care of yourself, the whole house feels it. 💗

When I'm very overwhelmed (like right now 😁), I take 15 minutes to just breathe, dance around, sing, or cook a quick meal. Here are other things I do to reclaim my Glow:

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✨ Reset Ritual 1: Sip Calm

Your mind follows your body. Start with something soothing. Brew a quick herbal tea, or stir cacao into warm milk for comfort. If you’re on-the-go, an insulated tumbler keeps your drink just the way you like it.

I'm not a huge tea drinker as I'm sensitive to tannins. But when the stars align 😆, I get to have a treat, but only if I cool it after steeping. This 🛒 green tea is one of my favorites.

And when you're drinking tea during your Reset Time, you need a pretty cup. Otherwise, what's the point? And I found the 🛒 perfect cup to gift to yourself. Check it out on Amazon for a soft luxe reset. 

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💆 Reset Ritual 2: Massage Tension Away

Your neck and shoulders carry the weight of your day. A 5-minute massage with a handheld device, or even a cooling jade roller, or in my case, a rose body gua sha can loosen stress and refresh your energy.

Here's a similar body gua sha that I found on Amazon. This is a 🛒 multipurpose rose gua sha that you can use on your face, neck, shoulders, arms, and legs. 

My body gua sha lives on my desk. I know, I have so many things living on my desk. I have to do a desk reset soon (!) I regularly reach for it to massage my neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and hands. It's very effective as I get fewer aches and pain from sitting too long now. It also helps with circulation and aches and pains from doing chores. 

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🕯️ Reset Ritual 3 (That I'd Like to Do Very Soon!): Light a Candle, Reset the Room

The glow of a candle shifts the atmosphere instantly.  I’ve been wanting to buy a candle for so long now, to add to my hygge lifestyle (shoutout to my Norwegian Glow Ladies!),  but am worried about our sensitivities. I'm curious about beeswax candles and found a few reasons why they’re worth a try:

1. 🕯️ Cleaner burn – They don’t release the soot or toxins that paraffin candles do. I've read an article saying that people who burn paraffin candles are actually hurting their lungs. So, don't go buying that candle just because it smells nice. Ask what it's made of! 

2. 🍯 Natural honey scent – Subtle and cozy without being overpowering.  (We love honey!)

3. 🌿 Non-toxic & hypoallergenic – Safer for sensitive noses and skin. (That's me and my son!)

4. 💨 Air freshening effect – They’re said to release negative ions that may help neutralize indoor pollutants. Hello, natural air purifier! 

5. 🔥 Longer, steadier burn – They last longer than most candles and give off a soft golden glow.

✨ I’ve been searching online for the perfect one to try — and I think I’ve finally found it.

🕯️ Find it on Amazon 🛒🛒🛒: Candle by the Hour

I like it because of the unique, fun design plus it's like a countdown timer. If you burn one line, that means you've used up one hour. In my case, that means I need to take a break from writing. 

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👣 Reset Ritual 4: Feet Up, Glow Girl

Shoes off. Slippers on. If you’ve got epsom salt or a compact foot spa, soak your feet while scrolling your favorite playlist. Your body will thank you.

I'm Asian, so we are big on slippers. We wear slippers at home. When I'm in the room, I go barefoot. But when I'm in a hotel, I make sure to bring my fluffy slippers. They're in the laundry right now, so I can't show you, as I just got back from a staycation. (Will tell you about that soon!) I wash them when we get home. But I saw some soft luxe slippers earlier on Insta and I'd like to buy something similar. 

Here's what I found that's very similar to the one I saw earlier:

🛒 Fluffy Slippers on Amazon: 

And you all know how much I like foot soaks, right?

If you don't have your very own foot spa machine, this is your sign to buy one right now! I found the 🛒 updated version of my machine! Check it out! 

Ladies, I've had this machine for over 20 years and it's working just fine! If you only do one thing from all my rituals on this list, do this. Invest in a foot spa machine and your 15 minutes on it, three times a week, will be well-spent. 

And of course, you need some soaking salts and you can't go wrong with 🛒 Dr. Teals. I've been using it for years. Although I would like to try some new brands soon. Dr. Teals, you can't have a monopoly of Lady E forever! 😆

 

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✍️ Reset Ritual 5: Eye Steam Masks

You know what I like doing while having a foot soak? Steam my eyes. I work long hours in front of a screen and I really need to take care of my eyes. Give them some good lovin' every now and then. I found that eye steam masks do the trick. 

Foot soak and eye steam mask, two birds with one stone during your 15-Minute Reset for the win! 

I found a similar 🛒 eye steam mask on Amazon. It's self-heating, too and perfect for dry eyes. I try to avoid getting dry eyes because they hurt and then they tear up like crazy! Applying heat regularly relaxes the eyes and keeps them nice and moist. 

 

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🌸 Glow Note

Fifteen minutes isn’t selfish. It’s sacred.

It’s your reset button — the moment you breathe, soften, and glow again.

Because Glow Girl, when you shine, your whole family feels it.

💗 Stay soft. Stay strong. Stay glowing.

LET’S GLOW.