Evening20 min

Return to yourself

For when the day pulled you away from yourself. Skincare, a quiet question, and your own company.

Illustration created with AI

Guided by the queen of heaven and earth

The queen of heaven is your guide. Her name is Inanna. She was worshipped in ancient Sumer more than 3,500 years ago. In her most famous story, she goes down into the underworld. At each of the seven gates, she has to give up something she wears or carries: her crown, her beads, her ring, and finally her clothes. By the last gate, she stands there with nothing but herself. Then she is brought back to life and returns.

At every gate, set one thing down. What is left is you.

Your ritual, step by step

Cross the threshold
3 min
Dim the lights and put your phone in another room. Take off what you wore all day: earrings, watch, bracelets. With each one, name something you are setting down. A meeting, a message, a comparison. Inanna gave up one piece at every gate. You can do the same, one piece at a time.
Cleanse
3 min
If you wear eye makeup: sprinkle some Cloud 9 on a cotton pad, press it gently on your closed eyes for a few seconds, and wipe the makeup away softly. You can also use your fingertips. Then your face: massage Cloud 9 over dry skin in slow circles for a good few seconds, add a little water and rinse. For a double cleanse, follow with a water-based cleanser, or do a second pass of Cloud 9. This is your last gate: the day is washed away.
Cloud 9 Nourishing Cleansing Oil
Hydrate
2 min
Press 2 to 3 drops into damp skin. Hyaluronic acid brings water to skin that gave a lot today.
Dewy Drops Radiance & Hydrating Serum
Seal
2 min
Warm Skin Silk between your palms and press it up and out from your neck to your forehead. It seals in the hydration and supports your barrier overnight. Take your time, because nothing here has a deadline.
Skin Silk Nourishing & Plumping Barrier Cream
Her moment
10 min
Set it down (5 min): If you’ve had an intense day or need extra help winding down, take a notebook and journal freely. Pick one prompt, and don’t read it back afterward. • What did I give today that I want to take back? • What am I ready to leave behind tonight? • What would I tell a friend who had the day I had? Return (5 min): Sit comfortably, close your eyes and put a hand on your chest. Take three slow breaths. Inanna came back from the underworld, and so do you. Say quietly, “I am back.” Stay for a few more breaths, or follow a guided meditation.
Meditations to follow, all free
- Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion Break (5 min), and her Tender Self-Compassion Break (under 5 min): guided practices on self-compassion.org
- Tara Brach, Embodying Acceptance and Care (16 min) or The Art of Letting Go (20 min): her guided meditations page
These practices are not a substitute for therapy.

Make it yours

Ask

Ask your mother, your grandmother or an older woman you trust: what did you do at the end of a hard day when you were young? A song, a walk, a cup of something warm?