Hey, bestie! Okay, so you know how I LOVE all things vintage? I was looking into 1950s housewife routines (because of course I was), and I stumbled on this little gem of an afternoon routine. It’s giving “soft life era”, and honestly, I feel like we could all use a little of what they were throwing down back then. Like, imagine ditching an afternoon of total CHAOS for some intentional rest, fresh air, and… Vaseline on your eyebrows? (WTF??) Don’t worry, we’ll get into it.
This routine is all about self care. It’s super flexible so you can totally steal what resonates and leave what doesn’t. I saw it first from Hannah over on TikTok, so be sure to give her a watch too!
Step 1: Take a 10-Minute Walk
To kick things off, the guide suggests starting your afternoon with a little walk. Just 10 minutes. The idea was to step out for some fresh air and shake off whatever vibes were clinging to you from earlier in the day. And get this, they recommended it as something to help with depression or stress—which I feel like is super progressive for the time, considering this was the 1950s.
Honestly, this step still hits. Whether it’s stepping outside for a quick hot girl walk around the block or just standing on your porch with a coffee in hand, there’s something so good about letting fresh air work its magic. And yes, popping in a true crime podcast while you stroll is totally allowed (I checked, don’t worry). They actually had those back then, one of my favorites is Dragnet! which is why I turned episodes of it into podcast cleaning routines! You can listen to your free episodes here.
Anywho, back to walking. Personally, this was a part of my routine even before I found this routine! I either put baby in her high chair and we enjoy a snack outside together, or I take her for a walk to get her to fall asleep for her afternoon nap.
Between the Steps
One thing the guide made clear? You weren’t just doing these activities back-to-back. It was more about sprinkling them throughout your afternoon while handling the boring-but-necessary stuff like laundry, scrubbing dishes, or chasing a toddler who’s trying to scale the couch (a very specific vibe, definitely NOT boring, but you get me).
These little activities weren’t just a checklist of tasks to mark off; they were strategically placed to give homemakers time to breathe, reset, and keep their minds steady amidst all the chaos.
Moving on!
Step 2: Stretch Your Fingers and Toes
I KNOW this sounds random, but it’s actually so smart. Once a day, the guide suggested doing hand and foot exercises to keep those digits stretched and feeling good.
You can always just do some stretches of your choosing, or turn on a yoga for kids video on YouTube and do some stretching all together as a family! A lot of the daily homemaking is hard work for our wrists and hands, and involves being on our feet a lot. Show your body some love. You can also slather them in a nice hand cream (them dishes be drying out my hands y’all!).
Step 3: Snack Time
A quick, healthy snack before or after lunch was non-negotiable in the guide. No eating chips out of the bag (which, LOL, good luck stopping me). They wanted you to grab something that would actually nourish you.
For me? I’d probably reach for some granola and yogurt, but if you’re more of a cheese-and-crackers gal or you’ve got five leftover grapes lurking in the fridge, do you. It’s all about fueling up so you’ve got energy for the rest of your day.
And since we’re adulting, this is your reminder to also chug water because, same.
Step 4: Scrub Those Nails
Things got surprisingly bougie here, though I kind of love it. You were supposed to give your nails a good scrub under warm, soapy water, pat them dry, and follow up with some lotion. Like, we’re talking spa day for your hands.
I don’t know who had time to actually be this extra in 1950, but it’s a vibe I’d bring to modern life when I need a mini “me moment.” Plus, moisturized hands are a flex, so go ahead and add this step before your afternoon coffee break.
Step 5: Take a 10-Minute Power Nap
I almost screamed when I saw “nap” as part of the official guide. This might be my favorite part of the whole routine. They recommended a quick 10-minute nap (or just lying down to rest if napping wasn’t your thing) as a way to take the edge off your daily stress. AND they said it could help boost your motivation.
Listen, if it’s good enough for a 1950s housewife, it’s good enough for me. Whether you have littles running around or you’re holding down a 9-to-5, this could be as simple as closing your eyes for a few minutes between emails or laying on the couch “resting your eyes” like a dad after Thanksgiving dinner.
Step 6: Midday Grooming Sesh
Here’s where things take a surprisingly modern-feeling turn. After eating lunch (or any full meal), the guide said to brush your teeth. Makes sense! But then it casually mentioned slathering Vaseline on your eyebrows, eyelashes, and lips to moisturize and protect.
Now, Vaseline on your lips we get. That’s tried-and-true. But on your brows and lashes? Honestly, I’m kind of into it. Apparently, it gives a glossy look and locks in some hydration. Sure, I’d probably reach for a lash serum these days, but if you’re feeling nostalgic, go full 1950s-mode and try the Vaseline trick!
Step 7: Breathe Deep
The guide recommended taking three separate moments during your day to do 20 deep breaths. Like, IN through the nose, OUT through the mouth, big ol’ calming breaths. This one’s all about centering yourself and keeping your mental health on track.
Imagine pairing this with your 10-minute walk or using it as a quick stress buster when kid meltdowns strike.
Would You Add Any of These to Your Day?
When I read through this routine, I couldn’t stop laughing at how oddly practical but also elegant it felt. Like, who knew scrubbing my nails or wiggling my toes was the self-care I needed?
And fun fact, if you love these vintage vibes and want to carry them into the rest of your day, you have to try Domestic Daydreams Radio Cleaning Routines. Picture this: you press play, hear a guided cleaning routine mixed with old-timey 1950s radio shows like Suspense! or Fibber McGee and Molly, and just vibe your way through a tidy house.
And if you’re feeling too wiped (or rocking that power nap), this is the perfect way to delegate cleaning. Just hand the headphones to your partner or roommate, say, “Press play, follow along,” and boom. Done. Vintage vibes, stress-free delegation, spotless house. Thank me later.
What do you think? Are we reclaiming the 1950s afternoon routine or leaving some of it behind? Either way, I’m grabbing my Vaseline and taking a nap. Talk soon! 💕