CARE BY: Camilla Kjems
WHAT IS YOUR MORNING ROUTINE?
I am a huge B person and think every morning that it is the most unfair thing in the world that I must get up when the alarm clock rings. Therefore, my morning routine is an evening routine.
Every evening I take a shower, clean my face, put on delicious creams, floss and brush my teeth and thus clean off the day and take care of myself from the inside out. From the inside by ending the day with a glass of boiled water with collagen powder as well as omega-3 oil and magnesium.
Then I'm ready for bed and can thus get up as soon as possible, drink a cup of coffee, put on make-up and be out the door in 10 minutes.
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO SPEND AN HOUR IN YOUR OWN COMPANY?
Always by sitting down and reading a book, enjoying a sauna and winter baths, or going for a long walk in the nature.
I recharge when I'm alone, so I always make sure to put small pockets of me-time into my life.
Otherwise, I will be a grumpy mother, girlfriend, and woman.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SHOWING SELF-LOVE AND PRIORITIZING YOURSELF IN A BUSY DAY?
Spending time alone - preferably every evening an hour before bed with calm, gentle yoga, meditation or just a long cleansing bath.
Then the brain rests, and by getting down in the body and getting the adrenaline and heart rate down before bed, you fall asleep more easily - without having to fight with monkeymind for the first half hour.
HAVE YOU MADE A DECISION IN YOUR LIFE THAT HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY GOOD FOR YOU?
The best decision I ever made was when I realized that I could no longer put the responsibility for my happiness on my partner, my children, or my work - but that I had to take full responsibility for my well-being and my happiness. It led to a divorce, a breakdown, many hours with a psychologist, even more hours on a yoga mat and then... a new life!
You can read about that process in my first book ”Du skal turde elske først – det forunderlige, der sker, når du ser din sårbarhed, angst og ensomhed i øjnene ”.
WHAT ADVICE, ON CREATING A LIFE IN BALANCE, WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
That should be the importance in realizing that no matter what happens to you, the worst thing you can do is to assume a victim role. Nothing good ever comes of the victim role. The only thing in life that we ourselves have influence over is our own energy. How we deal with what happens. Whether we are what hits us (= the victim role), or whether we experience what hits us.
That point is the heart of Stoicism.
When we understand that we can never control our surroundings, but always have full control over how we choose to tackle life's events - that is, our mind-set - we achieve our full freedom.
YOUR BEST TIP FOR A STRONG AND HEALTHY BODY AS WELL AS A MIND IN BALANCE?
Whew – this is something I have struggled with my whole life, and I think the most important thing is to recognize that we will never be and should not be perfect.
Happiness and balance are not permanent states,
but something we can achieve momentarily.
We can work on the balance, and it gets easier with age, as you get to know yourself better.
But listen to your body, be kind to it so it can stay strong. Exercise and eat healthy - and then ENJOY wine, good cheeses, and cakes to the fullest when you get those kinds of sinful cravings. I think it's healthy to sin now and then if it really gets your happy hormones going. Conversely, I think it can be downright unhealthy to live in a fundamentalist training and diet regime that leaves no room for joy, socializing and stimulation of all the senses.
The body is created to both perform and enjoy.
We see you as a power woman, a great family and career woman who at the same time exudes energy, calmness and balance. Do you have any good advice to find your way in life, believe in yourself and achieve your goals without losing heart along the way?
Become best friends with your intuition and follow the signs that the universe lays out for you - that's what my new book is about. I have always had a strong intuition that has guided me - and every time I have failed, it has subsequently become clear to me that it was precisely because I did not follow my intuition. People who believe in something bigger than themselves are scientifically proven to be both healthier and live longer.
My intuition is my anchor in life.
Find and listen to your own - and you have the best guide in the world. Yourself.
DO YOU HAVE AN EASY BEAUTY TIP THAT WE MAY SHARE?
I got mole cancer when I was 17 and have stayed out of the sun since then. This has meant that today I have far fewer wrinkles than many others my age. And keeping my diet free of lactose and too many carbohydrates has done wonders for my skin
(I suffer from mild psoriasis).
So, stay out of the sun, cut down on carbohydrates and eat lots of good olive oil.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE AN ACTIVITY OF YOUR OWN CHOICE THAT WOULD FILL YOU WITH LOTS OF ENERGY - WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I have become very happy with reformer training and with cryo treatments.
And then I always get energy and joy from taking a trip in the beautiful sea.
In the sea I live. I should have been born a mermaid.
Follow Camilla's inspiring universe at @camillakjems
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