"To say my life is a bit chaotic right now is an understatement. In the span of three months, I had my first baby via an emergency C-section (which resulted in an ICU stay), had another unexpected surgery, contracted a nasty lingering stomach virus I can’t kick months later, and took an emergency trip home to visit family with my newborn. I also gradually resumed running my own business at just eight weeks postpartum. It’s been a lot to handle all at once, but fortunately, I’m finding ways to keep the chaos in check. There are a few things in particular that are seriously helping me stay grounded throughout a hectic period of life. I need all the help feeling like I have my shit together right now, and these are the essentials I am relying heavily on.
1. Hero Beauty Products
I’ve been writing about beauty products for almost a decade, which requires a lot of product testing. Over the years, I have found what really works for me, and recently, I simplified my beauty routine to focus on quick and easy solutions. For example, I don’t have time to get my nails done right now, so I turn to this amazing at-home manicure kit for a polished look without any fuss or upkeep.
Across my beauty routine, simplicity is key for me. I frequently turn to a three-in-one highlighter, bronzer, and eyeshadow for a major glow-up that only takes 30 seconds to execute. I’m also loving products that pull double duty, like this French-girl favorite moisturizer that makeup artists swear by as a primer. A beautiful lipstick that makes me feel so grown up when I pull it out of my purse, a killer dry shampoo, and a serum that solves all my skin woes in one fell swoop (the only one that’s made an impact on my hyperpigmentation) all help me feel my best on days when I don’t actually feel my best. If I have to fake a glow and clean hair until I make it, so be it.
2. A Big Bag
I came of age in the big bag era, and I thought I’d sworn off them for good until my tiny trendy bags no longer cut it. As my life became more complicated, the amount of stuff I needed to cart around with me multiplied many times over. I hated the feeling of trying to shove too many items into a too-small bag, especially when running errands and standing at a busy cash register with a baby on my hip.
For the foreseeable future, I only plan to carry large bags with a lot of pockets. Specifically, the Leatherology Park Satchel has been a game-changer for me. It has an exterior zippered pocket big enough for a phone and wallet, so I don’t even have to attempt to dig through my bag when shopping. It also has one of those nifty key clasps on the interior pocket, so I don’t ever lose my keys, and some smaller interior pockets that keep me organized. Did I mention it’s nice and big? And incredibly chic.
3. Organization Tools
The last time my life felt this chaotic was when I was about to graduate from college. I remember my now-husband taking me on a hot date to Barnes & Noble to buy The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. There was so much in my life that I couldn’t fix, and organizing my space was exactly what I needed to regain a much-needed sense of control. Today, getting organized still gives me a sense of calm and helps me stay on top of my ever-growing to-do list. Thanks to the to-do list app I can’t live without (I recently shared a detailed review of how I use it) and my favorite luxe-looking planner, I can keep up with any must-do tasks when my brain doesn’t have space to hold them all.
When I need to regain a feeling of control—while also simplifying my life—I find nothing more satisfying than an organizational project. The most recent was organizing all our drawers with these customizable organizers and stashing all baby items in varying baskets from H&M (the cheapest options I could find online for baskets).
4. Matching Sets
How you present yourself to the world can greatly impact how you feel and set a different tone for the day. When I’m too overwhelmed to pull together a cute outfit, I always turn to a matching set. On active mom days, I’ve been loving this breezy linen set, and I can’t wait until the day I can step it up a notch with a dressier version. Whether you’re rushing out the door for work or lost on what to wear out on a night with friends, a matching set takes the guesswork out of getting dressed while looking purposeful.
5. Polished Accessories
Most days, a simple outfit like jeans and a T-shirt is all I can pull off. Right now, comfort and practicality reign supreme in my life, but I still want to feel as polished as possible. This is when I turn to strategic accessories. These satin slides and loafers from Jack Erwin are as comfortable as sneakers but feel so adult. On days when I can’t bother with styling my hair, I turn to an elegant French hairpin to instantly look put together. I also recently upped my watch game—because checking your watch is so much more sophisticated than pulling out your phone. I needed to add a black one to my collection, and this buzzy new style from Heaven Mayhem fits the bill.
6. Reusable Household Supplies
On hectic days, the last thing you want is to run out of some essential that you need to make your life easier. Having a clean home and eating well are top priorities for me right now, and the fewer errands I have, the more time I can spend relaxing or getting something more important things done. For that reason, I love reusable products that save me money and time while helping the environment. Cleaning and soap concentrates make it so I rarely run out of the essentials. Reusable sandwich bags and cling wrap help eliminate food waste and keep our food fresher for longer. I also use reusable paper towels to help cut down on waste.
7. Wellness Tools
On days when I want to feel like that girl, I turn to wellness tools that help me live my healthiest life. I now know firsthand that not feeling good makes daily life harder than it needs to be. The problem is that wellness is often the first thing we deprioritize when life throws a lot our way. That’s why I love these online pilates classes that I can quickly do from home, supplements I can trust that will make an impact on my health (a happy tummy and restful sleep do a world of good), and soothing lavender scents on my sheets and on-the-go when I need to feel more relaxed.
Jacqueline DeMarco, Contributing Writer
Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer based in Southern California who graduated from the University of California Irvine with a degree in Literary Journalism. She has written on a wide range of topics including finance, travel, and wellness for publications such as Coveteur, Girlboss, and Apartment Therapy. When not whipping up articles, she works with consumer brands like Gorjana, Voluspa, Underclub, The Well, and St. John to help tell their brand stories.