What does your morning routine look like?
I'd rather not be in a hurry, and my coffee is oh so important.
Dry brushing, skincare rituals and smoothies are elements that I really want to achieve, and luckily I achieve them most days. Otherwise it's packed lunches, a chat about the day with the family and a check-in with what's going to happen in my day, that day.
How do you best spend an hour in your own company?
I think I created the DO YOU universe because I need it so much. I need to prioritize ME, and be in my own company. I'm happy to spend an hour in bed with a series and relaxation, but I'm happier with an hour in nature, an hour with a home spa in the bathroom, or an hour in a creative process.
My finest task is to practice just being, not doing.
What is your best advice for showing self-love and prioritizing yourself in a busy everyday life?
Do it! Do it for Hulan.
Let's rebel against the hustle and bustle of time and the idea that there is no time for us. That's crazy. There IS time for you. And you will become a happier person by doing things that make you happy.
Many of us believe we are worthy of love if we accomplish everything possible, and we need to practice remembering that we are worthy of love just because we are us.
Have you made a decision in your life that has been particularly good for you?
I think I've met many. Traveling the world as a photo model when I was 16. Traveling home 10 years later when I had enough. Starting Karmameju. Becoming a mother. etc.
It's important that we make the big decisions. The ones that get us on the ice - at least that's important to me, and it gives me the feeling of using life well.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice on how to create a balanced life, what would it be?
My younger self was drawn to yoga, nature, music, creative immersion, and natural health all by itself. So while I'm not a super-balanced person, creating balance has been in my consciousness since I was very young.
I would tell my younger self that she shouldn't worry. That everything will be okay, I think my balance lies there.
Your best tip for a strong and healthy body and a balanced mind?
It's the classic things that together make the difference: eat nature's unprocessed food and don't eat too much. Get enough sleep. Breathe. Smile and love and enjoy. Stay hydrated. Move your body and mind.
What does it mean to have a holistic approach to well-being?
Holism is when we look at the whole rather than just the individual parts. A spa stay for a single weekend does not provide well-being for the whole year - it is the many small things that provide the sum of inner well-being. Something as simple as walking a little slower can give the nervous system a signal that we are present in, and not ahead of, life.
Do you have an easy beauty tip that we can share with others?
Staying hydrated is the most important thing, think of the difference between a raisin and a grape. Keeping your skin hydrated from the inside and out is the most effective defense against premature aging. I also find dry brushing of the face and body easy and gives the best results.
If you could freely choose an activity that would give you lots of energy, what would it be?
The first thing that came to mind was sailing with the wind in my hair. Standing up in the bow and feeling the sail behind me and watching the ship cut through the water. I sailed as a child until we lost my father when I was 11, and I think I miss it.
If I think of an "energy creator" that is a little easier to manifest, it's in the same ballpark, namely swimming in the sea, summer or winter.
Many things give me energy, but nothing more than laughing, it's just the best thing in the world.
If you also want to follow Mette and Karmameju's holistic and self-loving beauty universe, follow @mette_skjaerbaek_karmameju and @karmameju_skincare
Karmameju
Karmameju was founded by Danish Mette Skjærbæk in 1999.
"Human first" is her north star and inspiring self-love and self-care are among Mette's most important priorities.
The result is a series of bioactive and aromatherapeutic skincare products for both face and body, based on natural and active ingredients that are clinically documented, as well as delicious loungewear for when it's time for a self-loving DO YOU moment.
Marianne Benfeldt Kellmann
En stor tak til Mette og Karmameju for daglig inspiration og innovative naturlige ideer og produkter til velvære, hudpleje og hjemmespa. Det er så dejligt. En kæmpe stor tak til Mette for alt det, hun deler. Det er helt magisk og smukt at være med på rejsen!