Beauty and wellness have taken on a new dimension in 2021. After staying indoors for much of 2020 due to the pandemic, life is beginning to look a bit more normal. While we can now frequent many of our favorite establishments again, masks are still required in most situations. And despite the lifting of many restrictions, millions are still working from home, going to school online, and spending more free time at home than they did pre-COVID.

Having overcome such a challenging year, people are now looking for ways to look and feel their absolute best — whether staying socially distant or staying at home. If this is one of your goals for 2021, Deisy Suarez shares her favorites ways to enhance your self-care routine.

Revitalize your wardrobe

In a year where there were few (if any) excuses to get dressed up, it was hard to justify the purchase of new clothing. If you feel like you’ve worn certain items one too many times, now could be the perfect time to revitalize your entire wardrobe.

Wearing new clothing — at home and in public — can help boost your confidence and overall mood. Going along with the pace of life in 2021, purchase pieces that are suitable for both home and away. In other words, look for comfortable clothes that don’t sacrifice style. Refresh your closet with new dresses, t-shirts, jeans, and shorts. You should even consider buying at least one new pair of underwear since what you wear under your clothes can also enhance your self-confidence. Be sure to find affordable underwear that maximizes comfort by naturally conforming to your body — without rubbing or digging into your waistline.

Give yourself permission to try a fun new look

Did you fall into a pattern of letting your makeup and/or hair care routine slide in 2020? If this is the case, you’re likely yearning to freshen up your appearance. With life slowly getting back to normal, there has never been a better time to experiment with a fun new look.

For example, instead of getting your standard haircut, try something brand new. Browse Pinterest for ideas, and go for something that you’ve previously been too nervous to try. You can also purchase new eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick, and the like to shake up your makeup routine.

Commit to taking care of your body

Has takeout, junk food, and a few extra glasses of wine become the new norm? Break free from these habits to start looking and feeling better than you have in a long while.

Begin making changes to your diet gradually. Rather than trying to change your habits overnight, pick one or two things to begin working on. For example, you could resolve to only buy healthy snacks, drink just one glass of wine per night, or start cooking more meals at home. Whatever you choose, make it your long-term goal to commit to caring for your body.

Nourish your mind

An essential part of feeling your best is taking care of yourself from the inside out. In addition to caring for your body, you must also nourish your mind for optimum results. This includes tending to your mental health, setting boundaries, reading, and engaging in healthy activities that are intellectually stimulating.

Keep in mind that even if you begin all of these changes right away, it will take time to experience meaningful results. Allow these suggestions to enhance your existing self-care routine, and be patient with yourself. Acknowledge that you will have setbacks, and that consistency and progress are key — not perfection.

Deisy Suarez is the founder of LA’s DESUAR Spa, an acclaimed author, and beauty + wellness blogger. Get the latest insights on today’s hottest beauty and wellness topics.