I have a question that genuinely bothers me now that I know the answer. How did I go this long without doing my nails in the bath?
Seriously. How was this not a thing before?
It started on one of those evenings when my boyfriend was deep into Call of Duty. Headset on, controller in hand, completely immersed in whatever military operation was unfolding on the television. I could have sat beside him, scrolled through my phone, and occasionally asked whether he was winning.
Instead, I decided the evening could be an opportunity.
I ran a warm bath, gathered my nail supplies, and brought out my bath board. Then I turned the bathroom into my own little spa.
Candles? Obviously.
Incense? Absolutely.
Chill lounge music playing softly in the background? You better believe it.
I arranged everything across the board like a proper tabletop: nail files, cuticle oil, polish remover, cotton pads, my favourite hand cream, base coat, colour choices, and a glossy top coat. My tablet had its own space, too, so I could put on something relaxing while I worked.
And suddenly, I had everything I needed within reach, without balancing bottles on the side of the tub or constantly getting up to find something I’d forgotten.
It was glorious.
Anyone who does her own nails knows that it’s not something you can rush if you want them to look good. There’s the shaping, the cuticle care, the careful application, the waiting for each coat to dry, and the absolute discipline required not to touch anything while your beautiful new manicure is still vulnerable.
Having a dedicated surface made the whole process feel so much easier. The board gave me room to organize my supplies, spread out my colours, and actually enjoy what I was doing.
And the solitude? That’s the real luxury.
I love my boyfriend, but sometimes I want an evening where nobody asks me a question, needs me to find something, or interrupts me halfway through painting a perfectly straight line. In the bath, with the door closed and the music playing, I can take my time. I can experiment with a new colour, redo a nail if I’m not happy with it, and enjoy the process instead of treating it like another chore.
It’s not just doing my nails. It’s the entire ritual.
The warm water, the candlelight, the music, the lovely products, and that feeling of having created a little pocket of peace in the middle of an ordinary week.
I enjoyed it so much that I started doing it regularly. What began as an improvised evening has become my favourite kind of at-home self-care. Some nights I do a full manicure; other nights I just tidy up my nails, moisturize my hands, and enjoy the quiet.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought it was brilliant.
My boss noticed how enthusiastic I was about this bath board, and she loved the idea so much that she bought one for every woman in our office as a mid-year gift. Yes, mid-year gifts are a thing, and frankly, I think more workplaces should embrace them!
It was such a thoughtful surprise. Instead of another mug or something destined for a desk drawer, we received something that encouraged us to make a little time for ourselves outside the office.
Now, when the workday is over and my boyfriend is preparing for another evening of Call of Duty, I know exactly where I’ll be.
My bath is ready. My nail colours are lined up. The candles are glowing, the lounge music is playing, and my board is set up like the ultimate little spa workstation.
He can have his battlefield.
I’ll be over here perfecting my French tips.
And honestly? I think we’re both winning.
