Tina Tuesday: a Personal Transformation of self-love and creative wellness

suddenly, Everything Changed

A few years ago, I found myself picking up the pieces of a future I thought I knew. At a time in my life where routine had been my anchor, a day came that marked the start of somewhere I never ever planned on going. I woke up feeling very optimistic and hopeful, but by nightfall, a blend of confusion, revelation, and a sense of complete loss had completely taken over. Suddenly, everything had changed.

Very quickly, the days began to run together. I tried to remain consistent though daily walks with Dallas, my chubby french bulldog, but even the neighborhood sights and smells that should have been familiar were blurring together amounting to absolutely nothing at all. 

I had lost interest in all aspects of my life, and I was constantly on the verge of tears. As a Cancer, I’m no stranger to crying, but this was out of control.

I even remember telling my therapist how I didn’t see the point in creating art anymore. I’m a full-time artist and designer surrounded by all the creative tools I needed to do and make anything I wanted, but “Who cares?” I asked Ms. Darlene. This particular conversation sticks out to me, because I think that’s the moment when I realized that self-recognition had become a stranger. It was as if I was looking at my life from the outside: Who was Tina, and what were the things that she truly enjoyed? What did she like to wear? What was actually comfortable for her? What did Tina really want? Who did Tina want to be?

I needed to find out.

Baby Steps

Just the thought of trying to overhaul my life overnight was and still is overwhelming, despite how badly I needed it. So I picked a single day out of the week— Tuesdays, to prioritize myself. At first, I started off with small steps like giving myself a little extra rest in the morning if I needed it. The alarm still went off at the same time, but I gave myself grace instead of grief to take more time to recharge if it’s what my body needed. 

Then, I would enter my closet and pick out an outfit I loved. Dressing up became a ritual in self-expression and comfort, not about impressing anyone else. My outfit choices, simple and true to my style, became my first steps in reclaiming the day, and the mantra “look good, feel good” is what would keep the momentum going. Even on the toughest mornings, the act of choosing pieces that resonated with my mood made a noticeable difference. I started to document these days via mirror selfies on my Instagram, which, up until now, is the extent of what people knew Tina Tuesday to be…a cute weekly selfie… proof of life, if you will. 

Back in 2020, I had a series of quarantine mirror pics that I called “Quarantina” which documented the first 90 days of the pandemic, so I think this was kind of reminiscent of that. My online community supported the new Tina Tuesday movement the same way they supported Quarantina which gave me encouragement to keep sharing them, even if it was only a fraction of what the whole day signified to me. It’s become fun to engage with friends who look forward to my posts each week, but the truth is that Tina Tuesday was never about internet selfies.

ok, So what’s Tina Tuesday all about?

Tina Tuesday has become my personal tradition, a day I've dedicated to self-care, joy, and intentional living. It's about reconnecting with who I am at my core and honoring that truth in my daily life, allowing myself to step away from the everyday routine and stress. 

On Tina Tuesdays, I choose activities and self-care experiences that bring me joy. I do my favorite things, eat my favorite foods, all while wearing my favorite clothes. More importantly, I make sure every aspect of the day is chosen with intention. It's not just about what I do, but also how and why I do it, ensuring that my actions align with my sense of joy and fulfillment. This could include working on creative projects, an elaborate hygiene routine, or permission to get lost in a rabbit hole of a new hobby. It’s a midday nap, going to Target without a list, or just taking time to relax and unwind.

I wouldn’t do everything, everywhere, all at once, and on some Tuesdays, I wouldn’t do anything at all if that’s what I felt like (not) doing. But the core idea of Tina Tuesday remained the same: choose joy. The specific activities and choices would vary, making each Tuesday a unique experience for me while still taking care of and prioritizing myself. 

Tina Tuesday 🤝 my Creativity and Mental Health

These weekly check-ins served as intentional reminders of who I am and what I love, and over time I had unearthed a version of myself who at least recognized herself again, and that was just the beginning. Tina Tuesday helped reignite my creativity by allowing space to create without pressure. I remember being a child, geeking out over those craft kits with beads, friendship bracelets, and air-dry clay, excited to spend hours creating anything at all, even if I was the only one enjoying it. There wasn’t this looming pressure to monetize every single hobby, and I was chasing that creative freedom again. Dedicating time on Tuesdays to guilt-free joy gave me space to explore, permission to play and get completely consumed by the actual art of creation without worrying about its worth or wealth. Because, in the end, creating anything at all should be about me.

What happened next was not planned, and I was not prepared, but in the best way. Before I even realized it, Tina Tuesdays were spilling into the other days of the week! Non-Tuesdays were sprinkled with moments of joy, my mental health was thriving, and it became increasingly easier to identify my needs, prioritize them, and fulfill them through ways that I already knew and loved. It was a win-win!

Tuesdays are special to me now, because I get to reflect on the journey that Tina Tuesday has taken me on. It's clear that what started as a simple act of self-preservation has blossomed into a profound transformation, with each Tuesday revealing pieces of myself that were lost in the chaos of life. I've learned that joy doesn’t need an invitation; it lives in the choices behind the smallest of moments and the simplest of pleasures. And ​​in the midst of life's inevitable complexities, we have the beautiful opportunity to craft our own stories of joy and fulfillment. 

What self-love rituals or activities do you incorporate into your routine to bring you joy through the chaos? Let me know!

See you on Tuesday,

Tina