Vivien Bresson is the Co-Founder & CEO of Scarlett Panda, an application to create magical, personalised reading experiences for children using AI.
Are you ready to rewrite the stories you tell yourself about success? Sign up for Balance the Grind’s newsletter and get inspired by stories from people in all walks of life!
What does self-care mean to you?
I guess self-care means “me time” vs any other type of time. It can be as simple as reading a magazine, getting a good night of sleep or as sophisticated as travelling to a new destination on your own. Every now and then, putting ourselves back in the centre of our lives is crucial for yourself but also for others. You probably have heard about the analogy with planes, you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first to be able to help others.
How do you know when you’re feeling stressed or burnt out?
It can manifest in different ways, sometimes, it feels like a feeling of panic and feeling that things are impossible to solve. Sometimes it is just tiredness and sometimes, there are physical signs (loss of appetite, insomnia etc.).
Do you have a regular self-care routine? If so, what does it look like?
It is more weekly to do’s than a strict daily routine. Physical activity at least 3 times per week and 8000 daily steps are a minimum. I try to get a massage per week and when I feel like I want to get my hair done or buy something nice for myself, I just do it. We have a pretty minimalistic life so I don’t feel bad about the occasional extravagant purchase. And I eat lots of fruits, veggies and flavours in general. The constant stimulation of food is so good.
What bumps you off your self-care routine and how do you get back on course?
Social life is a big one, I will tend to prioritise family and friends but then sometimes it is just too much time wise. I need more time “off”, going to bed after my kid and chilling at wherever home is at the time. It is also important to listen to the signs. Someone once told me “if you feel like you hate yourself, have a nap, if you feel like you hate everybody else, eat something” and this kinda works 9 out of 10 times.
Where do you go for inspiration, ideas or tools for self-care?
I use the app centr a lot, there are some good reads.
What do you think you need to improve in terms of your self-care practice?
I need a solid skin care routine. I have done my research but I still haven’t properly put in the time to buy the right products and then use them. I also probably could improve my eating habits, it is overly okay but it is also often too much and too greasy.
Before you go…
If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Balance the Grind, let’s talk here
