BIG GIRL TIME

Why I spend time on my routines so I don’t have to spend time getting ready.

I’ll admit it, I can be a little high maintenance.

I like getting my nails done. I keep up with my hair appointments. I love a good skincare routine. I oil my lashes…almost every night. My eyebrows stay shaped, my toes stay done, and yes…I even schedule everything into my calendar.

But here’s the funny part.

Because I spend time maintaining these things, I’m actually incredibly low maintenance day to day.

People hear “high maintenance” and picture someone who spends two hours getting ready every morning. Meanwhile, I can wake up, throw on a cute outfit, add a little lip gloss, and walk out the door because all the work was done weeks before.

I’ve realized that maintenance isn’t about looking perfect, it’s about making my life easier and still feeling confident and beautiful.

Hair

Whether I’m wearing braids, a sew-in, or a silk press, I love knowing my hair is already styled.

Instead of fighting with it every morning, I can wrap it at night, take it down in the morning, and go.

Future Kimaya is always grateful for Past Kimaya’s hair appointment. My mood struggles sometimes when my hair hasn’t been done in a while.

Nails & Toes

Could I paint my own nails? Sure. Will they look as good after a month? Absolutely not.

Having my nails and toes done means I never have to think about them. Every outfit feels a little more put together without any extra effort.

It’s one less thing on my mental checklist.

Skincare

My skincare routine isn’t complicated because I want ten different products. It’s because I want to wake up with skin that already looks healthy. Instead of covering breakouts with more makeup, I’d rather spend five minutes every night taking care of my skin.

Consistency beats correction.

Lash Care

I wear lash extensions almost all the time, but I do love keeping my natural lashes healthy with lash oil.

It’s a tiny habit that takes less than a minute, but over time it makes a difference. Sometimes the smallest routines have the biggest payoff.

The Little Things

There are so many tiny habits that make everyday life easier:

• Keeping my eyebrows shaped
• Whitening my teeth before trips
• Staying consistent with my workouts
• Drinking plenty of water
• Taking my vitamins and creatine
• Keeping my daily essentials packed

None of these things are glamorous on their own.

Together, though, they make life run a whole lot smoother.

High Maintenance Isn’t Always Expensive

One thing I’ve learned is that being “high maintenance” doesn’t automatically mean spending a fortune.

Some of my favorite maintenance habits cost almost nothing.

Drinking more water.

Stretching.

Using sunscreen.

Meal prepping.

Getting enough sleep.

Sometimes being high maintenance simply means taking care of yourself before problems show up.

The Real Luxury Is Time

The biggest benefit isn’t prettier nails or clearer skin. It’s time. When I leave the house, I’m not rushing to curl my hair, paint my nails, fix my brows, or spend two hours getting ready. I already invested that time. Now I get to enjoy the reward.

That’s why I love the phrase:

“Be high maintenance so you can be low maintenance.”

For me, it’s less about appearances and more about creating systems that make everyday life feel easier.

Because the older I get, the more I realize the greatest luxury isn’t looking put together…

It’s waking up already feeling put together. Hope this helps! TTYL