My Most Indulgent Self-Care Ritual? Watching Bravo in the Shower
Because self-care isn't one-size-fits-all.
I’ve written a lot about how showers are my favorite form of self-care. They’re free, take five minutes, and can completely reset your mood. Plus, considering I live and work in a 500-square-foot studio with my husband (who also works from home) and our toy poodle (who is physically attached to me at all times), my shower is basically the only me time I get.
With that in mind, I’ve turned it into a full-blown ritual. At any given moment, there are no fewer than 60 different products in my shower, which I mix and match based on my mood. I’ve got a speaker for pump-up playlists or wind-down meditations, and I treat those few minutes of hot water like a mini vacation from the chaos of daily life.
But last year, that ritual got even better. One night, in a moment of pure impatience, I brought my phone into the shower because I had to see how a Summer House episode ended. I wasn’t expecting it to be life-changing—but it took my already-beloved routine to an entirely new level.
Suddenly, my shower wasn’t just a quick refresh—it was an experience. The steam, the scent of eucalyptus body wash, the sound of water hitting the tile, and the distant but familiar screech of Housewives fighting over something ridiculous…it was sensory overload in the best possible way.
There’s something about lathering your hair while Kyle Cooke loses his absolute shit over a missing can of Loverboy that makes the whole experience so much better. Or standing under the hot water, completely unbothered, while the cast of Vanderpump Rules goes nuclear over a text message from eight seasons ago. It’s absurd, and yet, it has become my favorite part of the day.
Why Bravo, Specifically?
It’s worth noting that I’m relatively new to Bravo. What started as a Paige DeSorbo-induced curiosity about Summer House quickly turned into a full-blown obsession with the entire universe.
Much like my shower routine, these shows became a form of escapism. The silly arguments, the over-the-top outfits, the drama that has absolutely nothing to do with me—all of it allows me to tune out the nonstop noise in my own head. It’s damn near impossible to turn my brain off during the day, but somehow, watching a group of wealthy women in evening gowns scream at each other over dinner helps me achieve a level of inner peace that years of therapy have not.
And what makes these shows so addictive (both in and out of the shower) is that they strike the perfect balance between mindless entertainment and completely unhinged social dynamics. They’re easy to consume but still give you something to think about—whether it’s the psychology of a cast member who refuses to take accountability or the way these women weaponize therapy language against each other. There’s a great essay titled “The Real Housewives Have Become the Thinking Woman’s Brain Rot” that perfectly encapsulates this dynamic.
Reality TV already feels indulgent, but watching it in the shower? That’s luxury.
The Logistics: How I Do It
This is where things get a little unhinged, but stay with me. If you’re intrigued and want to try it yourself, here’s how I make it work:
Waterproof phone holder: This was a game-changer. I got one of those adhesive phone mounts for the shower, so my screen stays protected from water while still being totally visible. This is the one I have, but they all seem pretty much the same.
Subtitles always on: The water can drown out the sound sometimes, so captions are a must. Plus, reading the exact way someone says “I’m disengaging” makes the drama hit even harder.
Best Bravo shows for shower-watching:
Housewives (any franchise) for high-stakes social warfare.
Southern Charm if you want something soothing with a little drama.
Vanderpump Rules if you want full-scale chaos.
Summer House if you want to feel like you, too, are spending a weekend at a Hamptons share house, but without the Sunday Scaries.
Timing it right: The sweet spot is an episode I’ve already seen or something mid-season where I don’t need to be laser-focused. It’s entertainment that enhances the shower, not something I need to be glued to.
If this sounds excessive… it is. But if you’re going to watch people indulge in the most ridiculous, over-the-top lifestyles imaginable, you might as well do it in the most indulgent way possible.
The Takeaway
Self-care doesn’t have to look like what wellness culture tells us—it can be weird, personal, and entirely your own. It doesn’t have to involve jade rollers or expensive serums or 45-minute meditation sessions. Sometimes, the most restorative thing you can do for yourself is take a scalding hot shower while watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spiral into absolute chaos over a perceived slight at a dinner party.
And honestly? I’ve never felt more at peace.
Do you have a weirdly specific self-care ritual? Tell me in the comments—I need to know I’m not alone in this level of indulgence.