Post-Work Routines

Much like your routine before work, your post shift wind-down is going to be unique to you. Don't be afraid to try different things out and see what fits your post-work schedule best. Again, you don't have to have one of these routines to survive, but they can be quite beneficial in keeping you grounded and stable, especially after a particularly long and or challenging shift at the club. Let's explore some ideas for after work self-care!

• Much like pre-shift, music or a podcast can be a wonderful way to relax your mind after a long day in your heels. Put on whatever makes you feel calm and happy! Or simply head home in silence. Sometimes I just like to hear nothing at all after a long day of booming speakers and people yelling all over the club. The point is to give yourself something good to listen to when you're headed home, even if that is total silence.
• Put your phone down for a while. Right now, is about YOU. Relax, unplug, and give yourself some much-needed R&R. I know it's super tempting to pick it up and doomscroll for hours on end, but it won't help you sleep, make you feel any better, or prepare you for your next shift at work. DnD that thing and be good to yourself.
• Put all of your worn outfits in your delicate items wash bag and into the laundry. Clean out your purse and duffle/suitcase so it stays neat and organized for the next day you're working. 
• Release all the energy from the day. I like to lightly shake my arms and flick my fingers all over my body as I think to myself, "I let go of all the energy that is not serving me!" You can meditate, pray, burn sage, plao santo, or any cleansing incense. Hold a cleansing crystal close and allow it to absorb and release the negative energy. Really, however you like to release and clean your energy is up to you, but I highly recommend doing so. Another idea I've heard from several other girls is taking a shower and envisioning any negative energy falling off of you and washing down the drain like dirt. 
• Thank the universe/your god/the powers that be, etc. for another day that you were able to get up, go to work and make money. Even if you didn't hit your goal, remember to stay thankful. I know bad shifts can be very discouraging, but we must remember to always be thankful for the opportunities that dancing can bring our way. Staying grateful is important, it keeps your energy positive and invites in more good energy/money/opportunities!
• Count your bag and record your earnings. I like to use a tip tracker app that allows me to input total cash earned, how many hours I worked that day, and the ability to add notes with each entry. I'm including a link to this app (for iPhone) here. Feel free to look around and try a few apps before you settle on the one you'll use to see which you're most comfortable with. 
• Physically clean yourself. Take a shower, an Epsom salt bath or bubble bath, use a bath bomb, you get the picture. But please, make sure you're cleaning the club grime off of yourself before you get into your sheets! If you're doing a bath, I highly recommend doing a quick shower rinse off with some body wash and exfoliating gloves once the bath is done and you're ready to hop out. On this same note, please take your makeup off, wash your face thoroughly, moisturize and do whatever other skin care routine steps you have. My esthetician always says if I can't wash my face any other time, I need to make sure I'm doing it after work and before bed. We want our faces to stay looking healthy!
• Have a nice snack! There's nothing better than a tasty little meal or snack after a shift. Feeding your body and brain is very important, so don't skip out on some healthy food and drink after a long day.
• Do some meditation or breathing exercises. Check out YouTube for some Pranayama exercises, find one that resonates with you, and mindfully practice it before heading to bed. In addition, some light yoga or stretching can be helpful with relaxing and promoting more restful sleep. It is also a good way to continue letting go of the energy/tension from the club that might still be lingering. 
• Aloud or silently in your head, repeat some of your favorite affirmations. These can be general, they can be about your next shift, they can be positive reinforcing affirmations about the day's finished shift... pretty much anything, just remember to say them and keep them positive, please! I typically like to go with affirmations like "I am so excited for tomorrow, it will be an amazing day!", "I am going to have peaceful and restful sleep tonight and wake up refreshed.", "I love my life, and I invite positive opportunities to flow to me from various sources.", "I am a money magnet and all the money I need is on its way to me already." These are just a few ideas, and I encourage you to use whichever affirmations feel right to you! Play around with what you're saying to yourself before bed and see what fits. I know it can be hard to do this after a slow or rough shift, but please try your best to not talk down on yourself. Be kind to yourself. Praise yourself for braving another day at your club. Give yourself grace, even if it wasn't your best day, you made the effort, went in and tried. 
• Set an alarm for the next day and get some rest! Remember - no doomscrolling before bed! 

I hope this post has given you some useful ideas for creating and implementing your own post-work routine. I know I probably sound like a mom in a lot of it, but honestly, as dancers we need to take our self-care, relaxation and rest time very seriously. We are constantly working with physical and emotional energy, and we can only take so much draining on our batteries. Rejuvenating yourself and having specific post-shift time set aside to pamper and spoil yourself is so important and crucial to staying afloat and doing well in this industry. Be kind to your body and mind and it will take you farther than you can even imagine! Please let me know down below in the comments what you like to do after working at the club to unwind and care for yourself!