Serenity Now

This year feels different for me. Not in a “new year, new me” kind of way—but in a quieter, more intentional way. Over the last few years, I’ve made a lot of changes. I quit drinking. I eat better. I lost the weight. I found my person. I bought the car. All the things.

Now I want to thank my body, my mind, and my spirit for carrying me this far—and start treating them like I actually want them around for a long time.

While some people buy handbags for their birthday, Dave bought me two hours of silence, steam, and water dripping on my face at Aqua Head Spa in Newnan. None of these things sound like they’re in my wheelhouse if you know me—but I’m trying new things this year, so why not?!

What’s a head spa, you may ask? Only one of the most wonderful places you could ever imagine. This particular spa offers many services—facials, massages, nails, aesthetics, the norm. They even offer a Yoni Steam, which I’m not quite ready for yet (I’ll let you look that one up on their menu), but it’s definitely for someone.

I started with the head spa, but not just any head spa—I went for the mac daddy of all head spas: the Platinum Package. Two hours of pure relaxation. And when it was over, I felt like a new person.

Usually after a massage, I come home and melt into the couch like a blob because I’m so relaxed. This was different. I felt relaxed, yes—but also rejuvenated, revitalized…energetic even.

A friend told me to ask for Monica, and she must be the best because I truly can’t imagine a better experience. Here’s the rundown.

It began with a camera they ran all over my head, showing extreme close-ups of my scalp and hair. Turns out, I still have a ton of dark brown hair—and not to toot my own horn, but it was pretty damn healthy. Toot toot. We won’t talk too much about the dry spots on my scalp because it was really one of those kind of gross things that’s also really kind of cool to look at.

Then I was led back to a private room to change. I laid down on a massage table, facing up, with my head resting on a little platform over a sink—and the scalp massage commenced. PS: she used this little rubber brush that felt suspiciously similar to what I use on my dog, Bear…but I’m not complaining. It was wonderful.

Do you know how many nerve endings are in your head?! This was starting off right.

Then she shampooed my hair…for about ten minutes. With more scalp massage. Next came what I will forever refer to as the “rainbow sprayer.” Picture an arch that sprays water from all sides so it’s hitting your head all at once. Magical.

After that came a mini facial—a light scrub followed by a creamy, soapy cleanser. And then…the part I could probably have done without. What I will call the water boarding.

But I was committed.

They placed a cloth over my eyes with aromatherapy and ran the sprayer over it. I could feel the water dripping through onto my eyes, nose, and forehead. The sound was loud. I was afraid to even lightly close my eyes, so I squeezed them shut and definitely didn’t relax as much during this part. Thankfully, it ended quickly. Now that I know what’s happening, I’d do it again.

Next came a conditioning mask on my hair, followed by a “cap” and scalp steam. While my scalp was steaming, she painted my face with a gel mask. Small misunderstanding here.

She asked if it was okay to cover my eyes and lips. I assumed she meant protect them. Nope! Incorrect. The gel went over every part of my face except my nostrils—thankfully. It hardened a bit, and I couldn’t open my eyes or my lips. So I sat there, unable to talk, for about twenty minutes.  

If you know me, you know how difficult that was.  I was wondering if I breathed out through my mouth if it would turn into a bubble or just pop.  It’s a weird, but good sensation.  

The mask felt amazing—cool, refreshing—and while it worked its magic, she gave me a hot stone arm and hand massage. After the steam was turned off and the gel mask removed, I got a final rinse and then sat up for a shoulder and back massage.

But wait—there’s more.

I was then guided into a sauna, where she gave me a bucket of warm water with flower petals to soak my feet. I sat in silence. I thought. I sweated. I thought some more. I meditated a bit.  It was actually at this moment that I decided I was going to start a blog!

When my time was up, Monica blow-dried my hair, and my time at Aqua Head Spa had concluded. I left feeling like a whole new me.

I had such an amazing experience, and I highly recommend trying this place—no matter who you are. 

This year is about small adventures, amazing food, rest, learning, and saying yes to experiences I might have skipped before. I love documenting life anyway, so starting this blog felt like a natural next step. If it helps someone else find something new to try—or reminds them to slow down and take care of themselves—then even better.