5 Ways To Perfect Your Worry-Free Weekly “Reset” Routine

With Monday right around the corner, Sundays can make you feel like a mess. The pressures of
the coming week and the stress of the past are a perfect recipe for anxiety, dread, and overwhelm. Not to mention, the grief! I love weekends so I’m always a little sad come Sunday night. So when I find myself in this headspace, I seek refuge in my “reset routine.”

Setting time aside to replenish my energy and practice self-care helps me transition back into the week with ease. Protecting my energy is something I’ve struggled with in the past, and if that sounds like you here's what I did to achieve a worry-free weekly "reset" routine. The practices I share have helped me prioritize my well-being and joy, and are designed to help you pause and prepare. If that hasn’t been your experience with routines, don't worry. Here are 5 ways to create a realistic and resourcing “reset” routine to start the week right.

1. Cleanse your body

When we move from the brain we tend to forget the body. Physically cleansing is a way to reset the body and refresh your energy for the start of the week. Think of how you can bring extra intention to your cleansing routine. I like to take this time to style my hair the way I like or add a face massage to my skincare regimen.

Another way to “cleanse” your body is through hydration. I track my water intake with my gallon water bottle and complement that with some teas that bring me joy. Hot or cold teas are known to boost your immune system and fight off inflammation, so lately I’ve been enjoying a cup of warm tea with a squeeze of lemon, a spoonful of honey, ginger, and some goji berries.

2. Reset the mind

Between running a YouTube channel, podcast, and an online stationery shop, I'm no stranger to stress and overwhelm. When I struggle with insomnia or lack of motivation, I know it’s my body’s signal to take a step back and slow down. I’ve tried many mindfulness practices, but what works best for me is meditation. Anxiety starts in the mind, so learning to listen and observe my thoughts, as opposed to letting them take over control, has brought me a lot of relief. Meditation helps clear your mind, reset your mental slate and focus on your intentions. Try it for 15 minutes a week and see if it helps you too.

While meditation brings a gentle awareness to racing thoughts, affirmations introduce calming and empowering thoughts to the brain. Repeating statements like “I love myself. I trust myself. I am safe” bring me calm and support. Try a guided meditations when you are ready.

3. Plan the week ahead

Narrowing your focus is key to combating overwhelm and getting more done. Take a look at your upcoming week and take note of the events planned. Start by setting goals for the week and don’t forget to set some self-care ones as well. I like to make a list of three things for each category. This method keeps things achievable and helps me practice prioritizing. The Weekly Reset Planner uses the “list of three” template, which makes planning my week that much easier.

Next, I find reflecting on the past week helps me feel better prepared for the week to come. I take this time to practice gratitude and celebrate growth more regularly. No matter how small the achievement, it deserves to be celebrated. Reminding your nervous system of what you have survived helps relieve anxiety about the future. With time, this kind of practice can rewire your brain towards confidence and positivity instead of fear and self-criticism.

4. Clean your space

Tidying up is not everyone’s cup of tea and I get that. For some, it can feel like an impossible task. If this is the case for you, I have a 10-minute hack. Set a 10-minute timer and do some chores like folding laundry, doing the dishes, or sweeping. You can stop once your timer is up but you might find that once you get started you want to continue cleaning for longer.

This trick helps me combat procrastination and feel a sense of accomplishment. Your brain actually releases dopamine when you achieve goals, no matter how small they are! Also, a clean space promotes a clear mind. Not to mention that a small weekly dose of cleaning will give you less work later, and help you practice a healthy habit that will get easier over time.

5. Relax your body

In a culture that rewards “doing,” slowing down to honor “being” is a challenging task. Being with yourself, feeling into your body, and listening to your senses is vital to your wellbeing. Movement and breathing exercises are a great way to tend to your body and release trapped emotions. Tune inward and ask yourself “what areas hold the most tension in my body?” Stretching, breathing, and tapping are some of my go-to methods to release tension.

Other movement exercises to try are Belly Button Healing, which is a practice that stimulates digestive organs, promotes blood flow, and releases trapped emotions, and yoga is also a great way to slow down and heal your body’s aches and pains. I try to practice movement as much as possible to stay connected and fluid with my body. Above all, remember that the intention is decompression. Listen to the wisdom of your body and let yourself look silly.

About the author: Aileen Xu is a content creator and entrepreneur at Lavendaire, inspiring people around the world to embrace their true potential and create their dream life. Her YouTube channel Lavendaire has over 1.6 million subscribers. Her podcast, The Lavendaire Lifestyle, has over 7 million downloads. Aileen is the creator of the top-selling Artist of Life Workbook, a guided journal to creating your most successful year, which has sold over 25,000 physical copies. Her brand offers an array of stationery products and an online course at The Lavendaire Shop.

Turning Grief Into Purpose With Aaliyah In Action Founder Elizabeth O'Donnell

“I’m sorry there’s no heartbeat.” Those were the words I heard on November 28, 2020, at just between 31 and 32 weeks pregnant, and after what I was continuously told was a “textbook” pregnancy. Nothing can ever prepare you to hear that as an expectant parent, someone who is so excited to soon meet their child. That day was the start of my life changing completely, and turning grief into purpose was what helped me push forward.

Aaliyah Denise arrived into this world looking like any other baby that was just delivered, perfect and with a mass of curly black hair. We were given no reason for her passing except being told by staff that “sometimes babies just die.” These words are heard too often for families in The United States and I didn’t realize this until I experienced it for myself. To be exact, about 23,000 families experience a stillbirth a year. The truth is, the truth isn’t being spoken about. Those stillbirth numbers are pretty shocking, right?

I can’t tell you what else was happening that day in November, to the day I left the hospital the afternoon of December 1. What I do remember was being immediately thrown into a public battle with my employer about paid family leave, and their nonexistent definition of “birth of a child.” 

The law, at that time, did not explicitly state that paid family leave did not include the healing of a woman’s body after birth. My then employer made a choice to read the law as if it was for bonding only. I refused to accept that my employer could create the definition of “birth of a child” when there was no clear definition, and when other city agencies chose to provide the leave after stillbirth cases like mine.

I fought back and it went as far as making it on the national news after an Instagram photo of me & Aaliyah went viral. This led the DC Council to pass an Emergency Bereavement Bill, granting parents of stillbirth 10 days paid leave. Which, for many not in this position may sound like a win. However, my argument was never about time to grieve the death of my daughter. It's always been about the time it takes a woman’s body to heal after birth, whether or not the birth is live.

Winning that battle wasn’t enough as that wouldn’t bring Aaliyah back. Waking up every day and grieving her death was my norm. I decided to join Facebook groups, specifically for mothers who have experienced loss, and that allowed me to hear people's stories and the horror in this country as it relates to the treatment of birthing people after stillbirth. Whether it’s hospitals with staff that are not adequately trained to deal with loss, the misunderstanding others seem to have of “yes, I still delivered my baby,” or the differences in family and cultural understandings after a loss like this, it’s overall tough. It’s hard to manage the outside world when on the inside you feel like giving up. 

I knew I needed to do something for the mothers I connected with, and also to create a strong legacy for my Aaliyah. Turning grief into purpose, Aaliyah in Action was born.

From my experience, tangible bereavement support was minimal or nonexistent. Some hospitals, if you’re lucky, provide you with a memory box for your baby. We love to talk about “self-care” in society, yet I found very little of it in this pregnancy and infant loss space. I decided to take all of the parenting I was saving up, and pour it into Aaliyah in Action. 

Our nonprofit supports women, birthing people, and families after they have experienced perinatal, neonatal, or infant loss, by providing self-care packages and support books that’ll help them start their grief journey. The packages are distributed to hospitals and those who request them, to provide immediate, tangible, and bereavement support. A box includes small items such as fuzzy socks, aromatherapy shower steamers, and candles. For what I call a “griefy” day, this is a small gesture to make one comfortable during their stay in the hospital, post birth. Packages also come with a support book for the birthing person, and support books for partners and living children if appropriate.

Pregnancy and infant loss can make you feel so alone. But the reality is you’re far from alone. My love for Aaliyah and the passion behind this organization will elevate Aaliyah in Action to be a standard bereavement response after pregnancy or infant loss. Through continued hospital partnerships nationwide, I hope to reach as many women and birthing people as I can-the immediate response is key when starting the grief journey.

Aaliyah in Action is also supporting small, local, women and black-owned businesses. We are proud to purchase items and support books directly from the vendors. Not only are we proud to help families in need, but we are able to help small businesses too.    

If we haven’t experienced it ourselves, we all know someone who has experienced the trauma of a pregnancy or infant loss. I see the work that Aaliyah is doing every single day in the emails I receive, phone calls, DM connections, and relationships I’ve been making since becoming an advocate. Our goal as an organization has always been to connect on a deeper level with those we provide for, and those who support our mission.

About the Author: Elizabeth O’Donnell, or Aaliyah’s Mom as she prefers, is the Founder & CEO of the nonprofit Aaliyah in Action. She is a fierce stillbirth advocate helping people navigate loss through Aaliyah in Action, and working toward ending preventable stillbirth with PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy as their Co-Director of Communications.

20 Books To Add To Your 2022 Summer Reading List

So many books, but so little time. Don’t worry, because we’ve rounded up 20 of the best books of the year so far. Whether you’re a thriller lover, a hopeless romantic, or anything in between, there’s something for everyone! One, two, or maybe twelve of these incredible books should definitely be added to your to your summer reading list.

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson

We’ve heard the story before; enemies turn to lovers or friends. Julieta and Ramón share a kiss on Day of the Dead, and Ramón is determined to find his new love. What he doesn’t know yet is how his father stole Julieta's mother’s taco recipe, which has been detrimental to Julieta’s restaurant. With Ramón now her new landlord she tries to push away the romantic tension. Will Ramón be able to win over Julieta, or will their parent’s rivalry keep them apart?

Red Thread of Fate by Lyn Liao Butler

After Tam and Tony find out they’ve been accepted to adopt a young boy from China, Tam is hit with the worst news possible. Tony and his estranged cousin Mia have been killed in an accident. While coping with this pain and grief, Tam finds out she now is the guardian of Mia’s five-year-old daughter Angela. Now Tam must become a parent to a girl she doesn’t know well and decide whether to still adopt from China. When a long-kept secret comes to light, Tam must dig into Tony and Mia’s past, and she ultimately learns the true meaning of love and family. 

The Lifestyle by Taylor Hahn

In the best retelling of Emma since Clueless- meet Georgina Wagman a young lawyer with a seemingly perfect life. But, when she finds her husband sleeping with a junior associate, she’s shocked and divorce was never something that crossed her mind. In an effort to save her marriage she and her husband become swingers. Her friends Felix and Norah (and their partners) are all in with her. Her own marriage might be falling apart but, Georgina is determined to get Felix and Norah together. Then Georgina reconnects with her college ex and must decide whether to follow her heart or her head, all while trying to keep her perfect life-well perfect. 

The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Julia Baxter’s wedding veil was given to her great grandmother by a mysterious woman on a train in the 1930s. It has brought the women in her family good luck ever since, but in her heart, Julia knows the veil isn’t enough to make her marriage last, so she runs to the Virgin Islands on the morning of her wedding. Meanwhile Julia’s grandmother, Babs, still mourning the death her beloved husband, reconnects with an old flame and is forced to dredge up complicated emotions from the past. Then the reader is transported back to 1914 where they meet socialite Edith Vanderbilt, who’s struggling to maintain the grandiose Biltmore Estate after her husband’s untimely death. Edith is also committed to helping her free-spirited daughter Cornelia prepare to inherit the iconic house, despite the family’s financial troubles and Cornelia’s dream to live outside Biltmore’s gilded gates. How could this long-lost heirloom, the wedding veil, be the thing that connects these four remarkable women?

The Christie Affair by Nina Gramont

This re-imagination of one of the most talked-about unsolved mysteries will have readers completely immersed. What did Agatha Christie discover in those eleven days she went missing in 1925 London and how is her husband’s mistress involved? Miss Nan O’Dea took a liking to Archie Christie and became his mistress, and the only thing standing in her was Archie’s wife Agatha. But, why destroy another woman’s marriage and why hatch a murder plot years in the making?

One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose

Revenge is something everyone can relate to, but for the women in Buckhead it may mean life or death. When Shannon is dumped by her famous politician husband Bryce, and replaced by Crystal, it is sure to stir some community drama. Meanwhile, Olivia is planning to take Shannon’s place as queen of Buckhead. But it is Buckhead’s best hairdresser, Jenny, who knows all her clients’ secrets and their darkest desires. What secrets could these women be hiding and who will end up dead?

Hotel Portofino by JP O’Connell

Let’s take a step back in time to the Roaring Twenties on the breathtaking Italian Riviera. After a British family, led by matron Bella Ainsworth, opens Hotel Portofino, they quickly realize the high-class guests may be too demanding for them to handle. And while Bella desperately tries to satisfy her Italian guests, she also juggles saving her marriage, helping her children recover from the repercussions of the Great War, looking for love for her son Lucian, and keeping a local politician from sabotaging her and her success. But despite her best efforts, things don’t go according to plan in this enchanting historical fiction perfect for fans of The Crown and Downton Abbey.

Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim

Matchmaking: some love it, and some think it’s fraudulent. For Sophie Go, it’s her profession, and she can’t wait to get back to work after returning to Toronto from a three-year trip to Shanghai. But when it’s revealed that Sophie never went to matchmaking school, she loses her credibility in the highly competitive market and becomes an outcast. Desperately in need of clients, Sophie stumbles on a club in her complex called the Old Ducks, a group of seven elderly Chinese bachelors who never found love. Determined to help the most difficult-to-match men of her career, Sophie learns the depths of heartbreak, loneliness, and what true love actually is as she puts her skills to the test. 

We Lie Here by Rachel Howzell Hall

Yara Gibson is a young TV writer visiting home in California to host her parents' 20th-anniversary party. When she receives a text from her mother’s estranged childhood friend Felicia begging to speak to her “before it’s too late,” Yara chooses to ignore it. She didn’t realize ignoring Felicia’s text would lead to her body being found in Lake Palmdale. But before she died, Felicia left Yara a key to a cabin, where she finds files on a tragedy from 1998. This new information leaves Yara with big unanswered questions, and the more she digs for answers, the more she realizes this information will change her life forever… Or end it.

Can’t Look Away by Carola Lovering

Sexy suspense and the kind of obsessive love that keeps you coming back – Carola Lovering never disappoints. In 2013, Molly was a twenty-three-year old barista with dreams of being a writer who locked eyes with lead singer Jake Danner at a concert. Nearly ten years after their full and deep romance in which Jake wrote a hit song about her, the two are living their own separate domestic lives. But Molly is struggling and lonely. When she meets Sabrina, a newcomer in town, Molly feels relieved to finally have a friend. But there’s a reason Sabrina sought out Molly, and both of their secrets start to bubble to the surface and ask themselves: what happens when life doesn’t turn out like you thought?

The Blue Butterfly by Leslie Johansen Nack

1915 in New York, Broadway, and secret love stories galore! Marion Davies is a shy 18-year-old dancer when she meets William Randolph Hearst. Seduced by his riches and dedication to make her a movie star, Marion begins a courtship with Hearst. Then things start to go downhill after Hearst goes through a divorce with his wife and has a baby with Marion. Over the years they keep the baby a secret and gradually fade away from each other. But in 1937 during the height of the Depression, Marion lends Hearst $1M, even as she has a secret love with Charlie Chaplin. Now Marion and Hearst must work together to confront a movie that could ruin Marion’s career: Citizen Kane.

Set on You by Amy Lea

Crystal Chen is a curvy fitness influencer known for ignoring all the trolls that come her way while she conquers her workouts. After a tough breakup, the gym has brought her comfort – until Scott Ritchie walks in. Scott is a firefighter (and a Chris Evans look-alike, by the way) and goes out of his way to steal Crystal’s favorite squat rack, quickly sparking a heated competition between the two. Then Crystal is shocked to find Scott at her grandparents’ engagement party, where she gets a glimpse of how Scott’s surprisingly soft heart and the two of them form a new bond. That bond is then put to the test after the internet trolls find a picture of them together that goes viral, threatening their budding relationship in this steamy enemies-to-lovers rom-com. 

On Gin Lane by Brooke Lea Foster 

In this captivating historical fiction novel, Everleigh “Lee” Farrow seems to have it all. An incredible fiancé named Roland, a trust fund, and a beautiful Bronxville home. When Roland whisks Lee away to the Hamptons to show her the most incredible engagement present a woman could think of, a beachside hotel located on Gin Lane, things seem perfect. But internally, Lee struggles with dark memories of her old life, where she grew up at the Plaza, taking care of her mentally ill mother. Lee attempts to ignore the flashbacks and spend the summer doing things she loves: drinking poolside, playing tennis, attending luncheons, and taking photos. But on the hotel’s opening weekend, tragedy strikes, and Lee’s seemingly perfect world begins to fall apart. Lee must decide if this life is truly what she wants, and if she even knows who she truly is.

For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa 

Nina Lyons is an incredible chef whose talents have been overlooked in the male-dominated culinary world. As a co-host on a competitive reality TV series, she has a chance to truly make a name for herself. Just one problem. She can’t stand her co-host. Leo O’Donnell is a restaurateur who never meant to irritate Nina. It just happened as a result of the anxiety and stress he deals with in his work. But when he takes a joke too far, and Nina quits the show on live TV, Leo is unprepared. With both of their careers on the line after the show’s dramatic ending, Nina and Leo discover a “secret romance” may be the most beneficial thing for both of them. They just have to pretend not to despise each other. Easy, right?  With the perfect amount of tension, spice, and banter, Erin La Rosa whisks up a delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

You’re Invited by Amanda Jayatissa

After Amaya receives an invitation to her former best friend’s wedding in Sri Lanka, she’s a little hurt and very surprised after years of silence. When she discovers that Kaavi is marrying Amaya’s ex-boyfriend, she’s determined to stop the wedding, no matter what. But when the wedding week commences, and rumors start to fly about Amaya’s past, she begins to feel like someone at the wedding is out to get her. When Kaavi goes missing and is presumed dead, Amaya is the main suspect. However, as each wedding guest’s dark secrets and hidden agendas come to light, it’s clear that Amaya is not the only one with a score to settle against the bride. 

Corinne by Rebecca Morrow 

Corrine Callahan has left behind the fundamentalist church and family she grew up with and built a good life for herself. While Corrine is free from the things and people that hurt her, she can’t help but miss the love she walked away from. Enoch Miller has always held a piece of her heart, and Corrine will never be truly free of him. An intimate story spanning over fifteen years, Corrine jeopardizes everything she’s created for the one man she knows she can never have.

The Marriage Box by Corie Adjmi

Casey Cohen is a sixteen-year-old Middle Eastern Jew living in New Orleans during the 1970s. After getting in trouble, her parents relocate them back to their home, the Orthodox Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn. In this unfamiliar world, men thank God they aren’t women, and lavish parties are held at the Museum of Natural History. The Marriage Box is an actual place, a deck where teenage girls showcase themselves for potential husbands. Casey is revolted by this lifestyle, until she meets Michael. Looking for a sense of belonging, Casey marries him at eighteen, expecting to adapt to the Syrian ways. However, when she discovers that Michael is against the idea of her going to college, and instead wants her to have a baby, she begins to question her choice and her future. Will Casey be able to merge her two different worlds, or will she be forced to walk away from one in order to discover who she is? Pre-order this Summer of 2023 must-read today!

Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

For a hundred years, Bloomsbury Books has been run by men and directed by the manager’s fifty-one unbreakable rules. That is, until 1950, when three girls at the shop have ideas to keep the bookstore going amidst a changing world. Vivien Lowry, a World War II widow, has a long list of justified grievances, the most significant being Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction. Grace Perkins is a wife and mother of two sons, working hard to support her family while her husband struggles post-war. Grace grapples with balancing her family responsibilities and her own dreams. Evie Stone, a student in Cambridge’s first degree-earning female class, lost out on an academic position to a less qualified male rival, and now works at Bloomsbury Books as she plans her future. These three women all strive for a future that gives them more opportunities than what society currently permits while navigating their personal relationships, goals, and dreams.

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

At sixteen-years-old, Sara Foster ran away from home, and the trusting girl she used to be got left behind as well. Now an in-demand bartender living in Los Angeles, Sara is known for her creative cocktails and the mystery surrounding her. Emilie Dubois is living across the city where her Creole grandparents fostered a beautiful community she craves but can’t commit to. Emilie impulsively takes a job at Yerba Buena, a glamorous restaurant, and begins an affair with the married owner. There is an instant connection between Sara and Emilie when they first meet at Yerba Buena but both women have pasts that draw them apart time and time again. As Sara’s former life catches up to her and upturns everything, Emilie finally discovers her own purpose, and the two must determine if the love they hold for each other overpowers their pasts. 

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

Paris Peralta’s celebrity husband is dead in a bathtub and Paris is standing in front of him, covered in blood and holding a straight razor. She’s arrested on the spot and knows she will be charged with his murder. However, what worries her most is the media attention that now surrounds her, and Paris fears someone from her dark, hidden past will recognize her and rip apart the new life she has built for herself. Twenty-five years prior, Ruby Reyes, referred to as the Ice Queen, was found guilty of a similar murder in Canada. Ruby knows the truth about Paris and when she is suddenly released from prison, she threatens to reveal all the secrets Paris has worked to bury. Reaching a dead end, Paris is forced to face the murky past she left behind. Because even though a murder charge is bad, it’s better than two murder charges.

Image: Courtesy of Spark Point Studio

About the author: Avion Wick is a student at Arizona State University studying Journalism and Mass Communication. He is from Washington D.C but is loving the warmer weather Phoenix has to offer. Outside of being a full-time student, Avion can be found going to the movies at least once a week.

Influence to Innovation: How Two Business Owners Empower Through Their Brands

Many content creators focus on sales, but the ones who put the most emphasis on fostering relationships beyond their platforms are the creators driving innovation. Storytelling is an art, but it takes vulnerability and absolute authenticity to turn it into a service. It’s also about purpose—the purpose to connect, inspire, and uplift. The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones attracting customers through their stories, provoking new ways of communicating and connecting.

In celebration of International Women’s Month, we’re sharing the entrepreneurial journeys of two content creators turned business owners—Barbie Brignoni and Mikayla Shocks—who built successful businesses through their work as storytellers and community builders. As the Creative Director at Noni Collective, Barbie Brignoni lends her expertise to purpose-driven Latinx brands journeying to reach their highest potential, while outwardly embracing her natural beauty—to help others do the same—as the co-founder of Regen Curl. Content Creator and entrepreneur Mikayla Shocks founded SOL SISTER, a jewelry brand inspired by her soul sisters—inclusive of her 3 daughters and tight knit community of strong young women. Showing up as her authentic self (as a mother and business owner) on social media has allowed her to build a community where others can show up exactly as they are, too. 

Ahead, both tell a broader narrative of how they uncovered an entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation through the lens of their stories.

Barbie Brignoni

Prior to becoming a fulltime content creator and entrepreneur, you worked a 9-5 in the fashion industry. What inspired you to open up and share your creative pursuits with others, and why do you think it has resonated with so many young women?

I think even before I worked in a 9-5 job in the Fashion Industry, I had a very clear vision of wanting to be of service to others through fashion. I have always been a very spiritual person and I believe God pushed me in a direction to help inspire other girls and connect with them on a deeper level. I didn’t know how I could achieve that exactly but with time it started happening organically through conversations about personal style, embracing one’s natural beauty (in my case my curls), and learning about sustainable/conscious practices.

You launched Noni Collective, a space where you provide conscious consulting to Latinx Creators building purpose driven brands. What was the lightbulb moment for Noni Collective, and how did you lean into your entrepreneurial spirit to launch it to success?

When I was doing my Masters Degree in Creative Direction for Fashion Brands, I realized that there was so much more to a brand than just a nice typography and color palette, there is a mission and a compelling story behind it that aims to inspire a behavior or a shift in mindset. During my studies I learned how to dig deeper and find a  brand’s true purpose and how to fill a white space in the market with this purpose, and how to articulate it in a way that feels authentic to the brand’s experience. I realized how valuable this knowledge was for building my own brand and how little information there was out there for indie designers and emerging brands. I realized that I had to do something about it and so I decided to share all my knowledge by offering consultations and creative direction to emerging brands and upcoming fashion/beauty entrepreneurs in order to help them build purpose-driven brands and achieve their highest potential.

"When the question you’re asking yourself is “How can I look more like that?” you create a world that limits your abilities, you immediately prevent your creativity from exploring the unknown because your focus lies in the already known and done. Instead, when you ask yourself “How can I continue to embrace my own uniqueness?”

You strive to inspire girls to “live unapologetically, dream endlessly, and own their style confidently.” How are you using your platform as a vehicle for women’s empowerment?  

Those words have always been like a mantra for me throughout my personal journey. These words have served as a compass and have allowed me to: be vulnerable and completely open about my curly hair journey and my healing journey; continue being unapologetically myself even when I’ve faced cyber bullying; chase my dreams of living in NYC.

All these tests have become my testimony. These pivotal moments have allowed me to connect with more and more women who aspire to achieve similar things in life.

Your impact as a mentor is undeniable—How do you create an environment that fosters meaningful connections?

Wow! That’s a great question! I believe in loving unconditionally and being of service. I see my community of women as sisters and as a big sister IRL, I try to fulfill my role in each of their lives the best way that I can. I believe that by pouring knowledge, blessings, a word, whatever it is that they need in their cups, life rewards me with a bigger cup with bigger blessings. By fostering this dynamic within my community I show them to do the same for others.

Who has made the biggest impact on your journey?

During my many ups and downs battling anxiety and depression, a dear friend of mine, Danila, who is a mental health advocate, reminded me once about the importance of being grateful. During one of our conversations, she shared with me her simple gratitude practice. When I began implementing gratitude in my daily routine, I really began to see things change around me.

I also believe that authors Erwin McManus and Marianne Williamson have definitely shaped who I am and how I choose to see the world.

What have you learned from your community? 

I think they have taught me that humility is the biggest act of bravery. And I say the “biggest” because it takes so much courage to dismantle one’s ego and be humble with people you don’t know. They have taught me to not be afraid to send a positive DM to someone you admire and to let them know that they’re doing great things.

As a creative entrepreneur, how do you hope to drive innovation through the stories you tell?

Another great question. The answer is by believing in one’s own power, embracing one’s uniqueness and avoiding comparison at all costs. I always say “When the question you’re asking yourself is “How can I look more like that?” you create a world that limits your abilities, you immediately prevent your creativity from exploring the unknown because your focus lies in the already known and done. Instead, when you ask yourself “How can I continue to embrace my own uniqueness?” You immediately spark excitement, imagination and innovation and your creativity takes you to a world where possibilities feel endless. As a creative entrepreneur, I believe in finding and building upon your WHY, your values, and most importantly trusting your soul.

What advice can you share for women who want to connect with their entrepreneurship spirit?

The real work starts within. Creating a ritual that prioritizes your emotional, spiritual, and physical health is key to long-term success. Also, you can not inspire others without doing the true soul work first. Think about it this way. When your flight is about to take off, the flight attendant always says “put your mask on first before helping others”. Well, your flight is about to take off, you are about to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, so you need to make sure you know exactly how to take care of yourself first if you ever plan on helping others. Do the soul work first and then take care of the rest, so prioritize your 10 minute meditation before your emails, prioritize your books before your screen time… find healthy habits that not only set you up for a productive day, but for a day filled with joy and gratitude.

Mikayla Shocks

After garnering a substantial following on Instagram, you decided to take a leap into the life of a full time content creator in 2016. What inspired you to open up and share your personal life with others, and why do you think it has resonated with so many young women?

I was a young college student who got pregnant unexpectedly, and it was a very isolating feeling. I couldn’t relate to any “typical” moms, and I didn’t fit in with any of my peers. My ultimate goal when I initially started sharing my life was to serve as a source of both inspiration and representation for other women who were in my position. I think this resonated with many young women because I was living proof that we, as women, have the ability to overcome, conquer, and achieve any goal we set out for ourselves, despite the odds being stacked against us.  

You have this undeniable ability to connect with your community through moments of real and raw relatability. How do you create an environment that fosters meaningful connections?

My platform and community are built on trust, honesty, and the vulnerability in sharing the struggles of my real life (and laughing at myself through it all). I have never been ashamed of being open about the hardships I’ve faced on my journey, and how it was those very hardships that led me to the life I live today. From having a newborn in college and living off of $60 monthly grocery budget, to the unfiltered realities of motherhood, to navigating life with an anxiety disorder, nothing is off-limits when it comes to my content.  My community has allowed me to show up as my authentic self, and in turn, has helped shape this incredible environment where others can show up exactly as they are too, without fear of shame or judgment.

In 2020 you launched Sol Sister, a lifestyle brand selling affordable clothing and water-resistant jewelry, custom designed by you! What was the inspiration behind the brand, and how did you lean into your entrepreneurial spirit to launch it to success? How have you combined your platform with Sol Sister to be a vehicle for women’s empowerment?  

As my presence on social media grew, my community began asking for a physical representation of my family.  I really wanted to create something that was not only unique, but that also carried deep meaning, while simultaneously helping others to feel more beautiful and confident in themselves. The entrepreneur in me wanted an item that could live independently from who “Mama Shocks” is and thus, SOL SISTER was born.  We started off by creating three custom pendants, two of which represented our daughters, and the third represented our family as whole. We started out by packaging orders in our garage but it has now grown into a full-scale business with over 130 SKUs!

Our main focus when it comes to our products is that they are high-quality and affordable.  My community is made up of young women, many of which who are in college or just starting off in “the real world” and likely do not have a lot of discretionary funds.  We want all women, despite your socioeconomic status, to be able to enjoy our products and feel beautiful.

SOL SISTER’s mission is to serve as a representation of strong, confident women, who stay unified and uplift one another.  We also want to lead the way as a socially conscious business. We regularly find ways to give back to women-run non-profit organizations and take a strong stance on important social justice matters that we believe in, many of which involve women’s rights.

"It’s [my community] who has made me feel most comfortable being my truest self. They have accepted me, my family, and all of our chaos with open arms and have truly shown me the power of women supporting other women, especially inside of the hypercritical-beast that is social media."

You often speak of the adoration and admiration you have for your own community of soul sisters—Who has made the biggest impact on your journey?

It may sound cliché, but my mom has been my inspiration and biggest champion. She and I have similar backgrounds in that she, too, had me at a very young age. I was raised as an only child and grew up watching her climb the ladder of success at her job. She never complained about our situation and always did everything she could to ensure I never wanted for anything.  At the same time, she always encouraged me and trusted me to make decisions for myself. When I made mistakes, she held my hand as I walked through them. She remains my biggest cheerleader and best friend, and truly embodies everything I want to be as a woman and a mother to my three daughters.

Every week you join your community on Instagram Live for “Unwined Wednesday” offering a place for unfiltered banter and connection. What have you learned from your community? 

My community thrives on genuine, organic  conversation, which is exactly what happens during my weekly lives. Unwined Wednesday has played a pivotal role in not only my growth on this platform, but also in building such a strong bond with my community. They never cease to amaze me.  They are enthusiastic, dedicated, funny and most of all, supportive. They cheer for not only me, but for each other and honestly, don’t judge.  Despite their personal challenges or differences, they are proof that it is possible to band together and support one another. 

It’s them who have made me feel most comfortable being my truest self. They have accepted me, my family, and all of our chaos with open arms and have truly shown me the power of women supporting other women, especially inside of the hypercritical-beast that is social media.

As a creative entrepreneur, how do you hope to drive innovation through the stories you tell?

When it comes to my content, I aim to take a much more in-the-moment, non-curated approach.  I think it helps serve as an example for others to help them foster their own community based on their real life. I hope it gives them the courage to take the leap and find their own purpose on this platform and inspires them to never try to be something they are not or be ashamed of where they came from.

What advice can you share for women who want to connect with their entrepreneurship spirit?

Find your passion – what inspires you – what makes you happy. Remember that success doesn’t happen overnight, and that sometimes your passion won’t pay the bills for a long time.  You must believe in yourself, stick with it, believe you can succeed, and have a clear vision of what you want to create. Don’t be afraid of failure, it happens to the best of us. Instead, use it as fuel to propel you to success.

Building & Becoming: How Two Women Are Assembling Empowered Voices

A voice is uncovered—not manufactured. It takes a deep sense of self and hard work to consciously become the very person you’re meant to be. But once uncovered, it’s something to celebrate—especially with others. Because when others can see themselves in you, their voices are enabled too. Building communities and connecting these voices lays the groundwork for empowered generations to come. 

 In honor of Black History Month, we are amplifying the stories of two influential Black women—Hayet Rida and Dr. Ijeoma Kola—who are using their voices to build a world where becoming the best version of yourself is always possible. Through cherished narratives and an honest approach to storytelling, influencer and creative strategist Hayet Rida is imparting a much needed perspective that lends a new voice to the influencer landscape. Historian and content creator Dr. Ijeoma Kola is a champion for Black women’s health, education, and empowerment, who combined her love for learning with education and mentorship, to inspire the next generation of multi-hyphenate scholars and creators. 

As a result, their communities have catalyzed opportunities for future change makers to share their truth and rise to their potential as leaders and creators. Ahead, the two dynamic voices share how they create environments that foster meaningful growth, moments that have impacted their purpose, and advice for women pursuing their dreams.

Dr. Ijeoma Kola

You’re the Founder of Cohort Sistas, a digital non profit supporting and empowering Black women who are pursuing doctoral degrees. What was the lightbulb moment for Cohort Sistas and why was it important to create a digital community? 

I started playing with the idea of starting a digital community for Black women pursuing doctoral degrees at the start of the summer of 2020. I was one year post-PhD, and finally had enough distance from it that I was able to think more clearly about the challenges of my PhD program and how I could make the process easier for anyone else who decided to pursue that journey. Ultimately, it was a close relationship with one of my friends who also completed her doctoral degree in 2019 that helped me push through. We wrote together each week, held each other accountable, encouraged one another when we each wanted to quit, and were able to talk openly about the fact that institutions of higher education were not created for people who looked like us. Once the pandemic hit and people started having these conversations about police brutality and systematic racism, my first thought was oh my goodness, Black women who were already one of the few or the only in their doctoral program, who had already been dealing with racism and microaggressions in and outside of the classroom, would now have to try to create bonds with their classmates over Zoom?! I had spent the past ten years building a robust digital community through my blog, so I figured I could apply the concept of digital communities to support Black women pursuing doctoral degrees in this moment when they needed it the most. And Cohort Sistas was born.

As a historian, postdoctoral research fellow, and a champion for Black women’s health and education, can you share an experience that stands out highlighting the lack of infrastructure to support Black women in pursuit of doctoral degrees?

There’s so much data about the lack of mentorship, resources, and community for Black women pursuing doctoral degrees — on average, we take longer to finish, accrue more debt, and are less likely to find employment in academic spaces than our white counterparts. Because I held an external fellowship and had income from my blog to support my studies, I didn’t struggle financially through my doctoral program in the way that many people do. But I could have easily been someone who spent 8, 9, or even 10 years working on my degree, because I didn’t have enough mentorship and guidance during my program. But beyond finances and mentorship there was never a concern for how racial injustice could impact my performance as a student. In my second year, I took an incomplete in a class because I was physically unable to bring my fingers to type my final paper about bioethics after a grand jury chose not to indict the police officers who killed Michael Brown. My professor at the time didn’t care why I was unable to finish my paper. He didn’t ask about how I was doing or how that egregious example of injustice made me unable to write about justice in this class. He just gave me an incomplete and gave me a deadline by when I had to submit the paper so that I could get credit for the course. To him, justice was a theoretical issue, but for me, it was a real life issue. 

The Cohort Sistas community has over 2,000 Black women representing 40+ countries across a wide variety of academic disciplines. What have you learned from the women in your community?

I already knew Black women were resilient because hello, we’re still here despite it all, but there are Cohort Sistas who are working full time and doing their doctorate and they’ve got kids and they’re publishing papers and they’re still making time for their friendships and personal well-being. And everyone is driven by a true passion to use their research and scholarship to make a difference in their communities and the world — because let’s face it, nobody gets a doctoral degree for the money. The Cohort Sistas community has brought me so much joy and hope, and they’ve taught me the power of the combination of passion and grit.  

Your community—both online and off—spans different cultures, time zones, and areas of academic expertise. How do you create an environment that fosters meaningful connections?

The first step was creating a community that did not live on a social media platform. As much as social media can be a tool for connection, it's hard to form real, meaningful bonds with people in the midst of all the distractions of memes, ads, and videos. We have a special members-only platform, which will hopefully grow to a standalone app soon, and the community culture is based on some of my personal values: transparency and respect. We encourage people to be their full selves in Cohort Sistas, especially because we often have to be incredibly buttoned up in academic spaces since any of our shortcomings can be and often are projected onto our entire community. We have just as many social events as we do professional development events, and our mentorship program is a small group model to encourage people to create small tight-knit relationships. Community and connection is at the heart of what Cohort Sistas does, and without it, we would just be another professional development program. Meaningful connections to support Black women and non-binary people through graduate school was always the goal.

Your impact as a mentor is undeniable—who made the biggest impact on your own growth and development?

I’m going to have to shout out two people. My mom was such an amazing example of a woman who chased her dreams, did things her own way in spite of what her family or friends thought (which came back to bite her when I decided to follow in her footsteps!), and truly lived in service to others, without losing herself. She undoubtedly shaped who I am as a person, mom, wife, and leader. Secondly, I have to recognize one of my mentors, Dr. LaShawnDa Pittman. For the past year, she has been the wise and witty Black woman professor that I needed to help guide me ten years ago when I started my PhD. Since meeting her, she has equipped me with so much confidence in my own navigation of academic spaces, and she encourages me to continue doing the work of Cohort Sistas by affirming its importance. She’s an example that I’ve never had until now — a Black woman who is carving out her own lane in academia without thinking it’s the end all be all of her life. She’s basically my academic fairy godmother! 

Outside of academia, you’re a seasoned content creator who uses compelling storytelling and imagery to create joyful and relatable lifestyle content. What inspires you? 

My name inspires me! In the Igbo language of southeastern Nigeria, Ijeoma means travel well or safe journey. I had people call me by a nickname up until I finished college, but something about turning 21 created this urgency in me to really embrace my name and start enjoying my life journey. I was the kind of person who had a meticulous 10-year plan, but all that went out the window when a long-term relationship ended in college and I decided to forego my childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor. So I decided to just live and trust that God would figure it out so that I didn’t have to. I first started documenting my journey of learning to care for my natural hair, and then I just started sharing and capturing different parts of my life as I matured and developed. I’m constantly exploring, trying out, and learning new things. If you follow me long enough you’ll see I’m the queen of the pivot — I’m really into sharing tales of motherhood one second and the next I’m teaching myself how to renovate a house, because why not?!  

What’s the number one piece of advice you have for women pursuing higher education?

You don’t have to do it alone. You need people beside you, who are going through the doctoral journey with you and know exactly what you’re dealing with. You need people ahead of you, to provide mentorship and guide you along your journey. And you need people behind you, who have no idea what the heck you’re doing, don’t understand your research or why you have to spend 15 hours reading for class or running experiments, but who will continue to push and encourage you. Find your people, and you will be able to make it through, even when it seems impossible.

Hayet Rida

You’re the founder of Hayet Rida, a lifestyle blog created as a self love haven. What inspired you to create this radically inclusive space and why do you think it resonated with so many people?

My favorite quote is you cannot heal what you don't reveal. Which is from Jay-Z, in case anyone wants to know. I've always believed in the power of telling my story no matter how imperfect it is because when people see themselves in you, they have permission to be who they are no matter if it's for one day.

You have this undeniable ability to connect with your community through personal anecdotes and inspiring messages of self love—and awareness. How do you create an environment that fosters meaningful connections?

The best part about fostering meaningful connections is that you don't have to try. The power comes from telling your real story without shame.

You’ve paved a wide path for women to own their truth as creators. Can you share a challenge you had to overcome when championing this path that speaks to your experience as a Black woman?

So many times you are up against who trends say you should be and who you know you should be. So there were many times where I got caught up in the "grow your following, do what your audience wants to see, make all the money", but I had to make those mistakes to realize it wasn't worth it. Which is why I continue to encourage women that you do not have to create a life, the one you have is always enough.

You encourage the idea of seizing and accepting the ups and downs of personal discovery, reminding others that “each time you think you have found yourself, the journey only begins again.” Who has made the biggest impact on your journey?

Myself. I have overcome so much, and oftentimes I will look back and be amazed at what happened when I embrace failure instead of escaping it.

Along with offering gracious advice to those who may be struggling, you’re a dedicated mentor through your influencer learning platform—The Rida Collective. What have you learned from your community? 

The best thing I have learned from my community is that so many women have stories and experiences that the world deserves to hear but they get caught up in always double guessing if their story is worth sharing. And they remind me to continue to unapologetically share mine.

You opened up to your audience about rebirth, and how you often like to re-introduce yourself to yourself as an exercise to remain present and aware of who you’re becoming. Have you ever uncovered something unexpected that led to growth or an increased sense of purpose? 

Over the last couple of years, I have found myself in many medical situations that put you on a surgeon's table about to be put to sleep for surgery. There is a magic in those moments where you promise yourself that if your eyes open, you will live more urgently. That always drives my purpose.

Outside of content creation you founded Aiya Candle Co and The Rida Book Co. brands that both build on your message of authenticity and celebrate the trust in oneself to make your dreams a reality.  What advice can you share for women on cultivating the confidence to go after their dreams? 

I think the most important message is to realize that confidence isn't like filling your fuel tank to get you through, it is a muscle you build as you go. It's not about waiting till you have the confidence, or the time, or the patience. It's about taking the leap , knowing that failure is your fuel.

How to Set Personal Goals for 2022

As we close out the last few months of 2021, it’s time to prepare yourself to make the most out of the new year. Most people set resolutions for themselves at the start of a fresh year, but to really prioritize success, let’s focus on setting personal goals! Get specific about what you want to achieve and accomplish in 2022: we gathered these handy tips from entrepreneurs that are passionate about helping women succeed to make sure your goals are realistic and attainable and you’ll be crossing them off your “to-do” list in no time!

#1 Know the difference between goals and intentions.

“We’re all about goals, trust. But it’s not where we start. Instead, begin by taking some time to think about how you want to FEEL in 2022 and get clarity on your intentions for the new year. What’s the difference between a goal and an intention? A goal should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timebound. It should have a quantifiable number in it and a date by which it will happen. An intention is more of an overarching plan for what you want to bring about.” - Natalie Underdown, Ph.D., Executive Coach & Organizational Psychologist, The Nu Company

#2 Start out by figuring out your big picture needs.

“Intentions should provide answers to the following questions: What feelings would my 2022 best self feel on a regular basis? What overarching impact do I want to make in this new year? What am I ready to let go of? How does my WHY play into all of this? Both goals and intentions are important, but it’s way more effective to start with your big picture intentions and THEN create the specific goals/targets that will get you there!” - Natalie Underdown, Ph.D., Executive Coach & Organizational Psychologist, The Nu Company

#3 Get some accountability.

“Whether it’s simply writing your top 3 goals down on a whiteboard that you see everyday, or telling a couple of your close friends or colleagues your plans, do something that will keep you accountable to your goals. Using affirmative language may also help. For example, instead of saying “I’d like to launch my business by June 2022”, write “I will launch my business by June 2022.” Just seeing or hearing those positive affirmations will give you a boost of confidence and help you believe that you will actually achieve your aim.” - Jenna Miller, Creative Director of Here Comes the Guide

#4 Go from macro to micro.

“Instead of setting one huge goal like “start my own business,” break it up into smaller, actionable steps—with the overarching result in mind. Maybe your January goal will be to register your business with the state and trademark your business name. Then in February, you’ll have outlined a simple-yet-formal business plan along with 5 website pages. And by the end of March, you’ll have the goal to make that website live and launch your business. Getting super specific in the baby steps it takes to hit a bigger, overarching goal will make it feel much more attainable and less overwhelming.” - Jenna Miller, Creative Director of Here Comes the Guide

#5 Be resilient.

“Remember that not everything comes easily—especially when it comes to lofty goals. Before you commit to tackling them, get your mind right! Don’t let setbacks throw you off course. Instead, use your passion and positive mindset to persevere. Accept that reaching your goals is playing the long game, and that any obstacles you overcome will make your achievements that much sweeter in the end.” - Jenna Miller, Creative Director of Here Comes the Guide

About the author: Leila Lewis is the CEO and founder of Be Inspired PR and The Social Remodel, an expert on the business of weddings, social media, real estate marketing, experiential events, and a mother of 4.

About the author: Dr. Natalie Underdown is an executive coach and organizational psychologist. After spending 15+ years in Corporate Leadership and Human Capital Consulting, at companies including Accenture and Live Nation, she founded The NU Company in 2018, a boutique consultancy offering executive coaching, workshops, and people & culture consulting. She artfully weaves psychology, wellness, inclusion, and science-backed strategies together to offer mindful support for the whole person at work.

About the author: Jenna Miller is Creative Director of Here Comes The Guide, a women-owned and operated wedding website that plays venue matchmaker for engaged couples. Working for a bootstrapped small business has taught Jenna a lot about entrepreneurship, the importance of company culture, and embracing a gritty everything-is-figureoutable mentality. After a decade in the wedding marketing trenches, Jenna launched her side hustle Absolute JEM, where she focuses on building bold brands and websites for female-owned small businesses. 

Featured image: Color Joy Stock

12 New Books Perfect for Your Book Club

Book club picks can be tough. After all, you want to choose a read that's juicy enough to rival the syrah that's flowing at your next meeting. If you’re looking for some recommendations that will impress everyone (even the pickiest bookworms) in your group, then you’ve come to the right place. From a chilling thriller about missing women to an unlikely friendship formed in a library, here are some great reads that will keep the discussion (and wine) flowing whether you're meeting virtually or IRL.

"Shooting Out the Lights" by Kim Fairley

When Kim Fairley was twenty-four, she fell in love with a man who was fifty-seven named Vern. Shortly after getting married, Kim became pregnant, and then things really took a turn. Haunted by Vern’s past, “Shooting Out the Lights” is a mysterious and page-turning memoir that deals with marriage, gun violence, and healing.

"Radiant Fugitives" by Nawaaz Ahmed

Seema was exiled from her family by her father after coming out as lesbian but made a great life for herself in San Francisco working as a consultant for Kamala Harris’s attorney general campaign. When Seema finds herself nine months pregnant and no longer with the Black father of her unborn child, she reunites with her mother and sister. This reunion is far from the comfort Seema expects when the three women confront the past and tension rises.

"Write My Name Across the Sky" by Barbara O’Neal

Gloria Rose is an influencer in her 70s living in the Upper West Side who has everything she could want in life. When her ex is arrested for art theft and forgery, Gloria’s first instinct is to flee before the FBI can put together the pieces and find out she was involved in a decades-old crime. An unexpected visit from her nieces puts that plan on hold. Willow has a failed album and a broken heart, and Sam is close to losing her video game company and the man she loves. Together, the three women must not only confront their problems and rely on each other.

"So We Meet Again" by Suzanne Park

Jessie Kim is laid off for not only being a woman but an Asian woman. After losing her temper and letting everyone know how she feels after being let go, she moves back in with her parents in her hometown in Tennessee. When she runs into her childhood nemesis, Daniel Choi, a lawyer, Daniel offers to help Jessie relaunch her Korean cooking channel, and just after she reluctantly accepts, the rivalry is back on.

"Riding High in April" by Jackie Townsend

A tech entrepreneur attempts his latest creation: COMPASS, an open-source network platform that Microsoft has described as “reckless.” With his reputation at stake, his funds limited, and his relationship at risk with the only woman he’s ever loved. When she shows up in Seoul to be with him during her own self-discovery of who she is, she finds that living in Asia changes her more than either of them ever expected. 

"Dark Roads" by Chevy Stevens

The Cold Creek Highway is a five hundred-mile stretch through the wilderness of British Columbia’s mountains and has been the scene of missing and murdered women for decades with little to no cases solved. Hailey McBride decides to use this to her advantage, believing that if she runs away from home and her controlling police officer uncle, she will have everyone convinced she is just another victim of the highway. One year later, Beth Chevalier arrives in town and gets a job at the same diner her sister, Amber, who was murdered, worked at. Hailey and Beth’s storylines start to merge as Beth tries to investigate the death of her sister, threatening to expose Hailey’s plan. 

"The Reading List" by Sara Nisha Adams

Mukesh is a widower who lives a quiet life in West London and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who spends all of her time alone in her bedroom reading. Aleisha is an intelligent teenager who is spending her summer working at the local library and comes across a list of books she’s never heard of. Determined to read every book on the list, Aleisha uses these stories to provide the escapism she needs from her home life. When Mukesh visits the library in an attempt to get closer to Priya, Aleisha gives him a copy of the list, and soon the two form an unlikely friendship.

"Sugar Birds" by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

Harris Hayes has been teaching his daughter Aggie all about the northern woods for as long as she can remember. Hoping to help her mother cope with her depression, Aggie climbs a tree to draw a picture of a bird’s nest only to end up causing an accidental fire. Aggie escapes downriver and ends up in an untamed forest praying to never be found. Meanwhile, Celia arrives at a nearby farm and joins the search party for Aggie only to end up in a love triangle with two men.

"The Long-Lost Jules" by Jane Elizabeth Hughes

Just wanting to live a life of privacy, Amy’s quiet lifestyle is interrupted by her half-sister that she’s estranged from, and a man named Leo. Leo believes Amy is the long-lost descendant of Henry VIII’s last Queen, Katherine Parr. Amy thinks Leo is either dangerous or delirious. Harboring secrets of her own, Amy reluctantly joins Leo in an investigation into Queen Katherine’s lost baby only to find themselves not only falling for one another but keeping secrets that could rip them apart.

"Velvet Was the Night" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 

Taking place in Mexico City in the 1970s, Maite envies her beautiful next-door neighbor Leonora and the lifestyle she never had. When Leonora disappears, Maite begins to investigate her disappearance at the same time as Elvis, a criminal looking to escape his own life. Soon, Elvis becomes intrigued by Maite in his search for Leonora.  As Maite and Elvis come closer to the truth to what happened to Leonora, they find themselves much closer to danger than they expected.

"The Show Girl" by Nicola Harrison

It’s 1927 in New York City when Olive McCormick arrives to make it as a star in the Ziegfeld Follies. With her wish coming true, the talented dancer and singer becomes enamored with the glamour her new lifestyle has to offer. When she meets Archie Carmichael, it seems like fate. He is the only man who accepts her for who she truly is. However, after his proposal, that acceptance becomes reluctance and Olive must choose between the life she’s always dreamed of and the love that could fade away in a second.

"The Heart Principle" by Helen Hoang

Anna Sun becomes an overnight sensation when a YouTube video of the violinist goes viral. After feeling burned out from trying to replicate the moment she became a sensation, her boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship. Shocked and angry, Anna agrees only to look for the most unacceptable suitors. After a string of failed romantic encounters with a tattooed biker named Quan, Anna finds herself falling for Quan on an emotional level. When tragedy strikes Anna’s family and her life starts to become too much, Anna and Quan realize what sacrifices must be made for them to find themselves and stay with one another.

Image: Courtesy of Garrett Billings

About the author: From upstate New York, Gare has been part of Bookstagram since 2017 where he found a community of people to bond with over a love of reading. Combined with his love of books and movies, he's the guy who loves to create a Hollywood cast as part of the review process for his favorite books. Growing up, he loved thriller and horror movies and could not get enough of the Goosebump and Fear Street books; the Scholastic book fair was his second Christmas. Now as a blogger, he gets the same enjoyment when a nice pile of book mail comes through the door.

Featured image: Color Joy Stock

We Tapped 3 Foodies for Work-From-Home Meals to Whip Up With Pantry Staples

Photo: Courtesy of RASA

Working from home makes you miss things like chatting about “White Lotus” over lunch with your coworkers. But just because you’re WFH with no one to discuss the finale with doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take that lunch break. Whip up something delicious with these easy recipes made with ingredients you probably already have at home.

We tapped Mia Rigden of RASA, Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones of Food Heaven, and Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking and asked them to share their go-to work-from-home recipes—and it’s safe to say they did not disappoint. From everything-but-the-kitchen-sink soup to not-so-boring pasta, you’ll be eating well this week.

Kitchen Sink Soup

An excellent way to make the most of unused produced that’s sitting in your crisper drawer, this soup, courtesy of Mia Rigden, a nutritionist and the founder of RASA, is nutritious, flavorful, and a perfect way to reset. Make a big batch and freeze leftovers so you’ll always have a healthy meal on hand.

Instructions:

1. Heat coconut oil or ghee in a Dutch oven. 

2. Add onions and garlic, stirring until fragrant, then add vegetables and stir for a minute or two longer.

3. Add broth then enough water to cover the vegetables (about two cups). Let simmer for 20-30 minutes and puree in a high-speed blender (or with a hand blender) until smooth. 

4. Season as desired and serve with a squeeze of lemon, a splash of olive oil, and some sea salt

For a step-by-step tutorial, watch the Ask an Expert Live segment via Create & Cultivate’s Instagram here.

Mia Rigden

Nutritionist and founder of RASA

Turmeric Vegetable Fried Rice

This recipe puts a colorful spin on traditional fried rice with extra anti-inflammatory power! Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, registered dietitians, certified diabetes educators, and the founders of Food Heaven, bring us this easy and delicious way to make the most of super-spice turmeric!

Instructions:

1. When cooking your brown rice, add 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric to the boiling water, and cook as per package instructions. Set aside once done.

2. In a large pan, heat the sesame oil, and add the onions. Sauté for 1-2 minutes over medium heat.

3. Add in the eggs, and cook for 1-2 minutes.

4. Then add in the mixed vegetables, 2 cups of cooked turmeric rice, and the soy/tamari/aminos.

5. Cook over low heat for 4-5 minutes.

6. Turn off the heat, and mix in the cabbage and sprouts. Add salt, to taste, and top with scallions. Enjoy!

Recipe Note: The vegetables in this recipe are totally flexible and you can use whatever frozen/raw veggies you have stocked in the fridge. 

Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones

Registered dietitians, certified diabetes educators, and founders of Food Heaven

Calabrian Chili Pasta

Pasta, our fave go-to for easy dining, doesn’t have to be boring! Gaby Dalkin is a trained chef, recipe developer, entrepreneur, and the founder of What’s Gaby Cooking, shows us how to spice up the pasta you are probably eating for the millionth day in a row.

Instructions:

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook the Cassarecce according to the package directions. Once al dente, drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water for future use and set aside.

2. In a large sauté pan, add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the lemon zest (saving the lemon juice for later) and sauté for 15 seconds. Add the Calabrian hot pepper paste and stir until everything is evenly incorporated.

3. Add the cooked pasta and stir to combine. If you need to add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to thin it out, go ahead. Add the lemon juice and toss to combine. Season with salt to taste.

4. Sprinkle the pecorino over the pasta if desired and toss to coat and serve immediately.

Gaby Dalkin

Founder of What’s Gaby Cooking

This story was originally published on April 13, 2020, and has since been updated.

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4 Organization Hacks to Help You Take Control of Your Life

Photo: Teona Swift from Pexels

When your home is cluttered and chaotic, it can be difficult to muster up the energy needed to tackle even the smallest of chores. The worse it gets, the harder it is to find both the time and strength to put things right. But all that disorder is actually doing you harm.

Research has shown that living and working in a clean, orderly environment is beneficial to both mental and physical health. Well-organized spaces lower stress levels, increase motivation, improve sleep, and even encourage healthier decision-making.

Organizing and cleaning a cluttered house may seem like a colossal task, but if you break it into smaller pieces, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. Here are four small(ish) organization hacks and decluttering tips to help you get started today.

Get Your Closets in Order

When your household closets are well organized, everything is so much easier to find. (In other words, you’ll never be late for an early morning meeting again!) No matter what kind of closet you’re looking to tackle, the following six steps should help you straighten things out:

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need some basic cleaning supplies and boxes for sorting. Empty the closet of all contents.

2. Wipe down the shelves and sweep/vacuum the closet floor.

3. Sort the contents of the closet into three piles: keep, donate, and trash/recycle. If you’re having trouble deciding whether something is worth keeping, ask yourself, “Have I worn/used this in the last year? If my home burned down and I lost everything, would I replace this?”

4. Assess your storage needs and make any adjustments necessary, such as installing shelves or making use of baskets and bins.

5. Organize the closet contents by grouping similar items together. Place the items you use most often in the most accessible area and seldom-used items toward the back of the closet or on a high shelf.

6. Once your closet is properly organized, keep it that way by maintaining it throughout the year.

Organize Your Files and Records

Whether you use your home office for work or for managing your household's most important documents, you can't get much done if your files are a cluttered mess. Fortunately, putting things in order isn’t difficult!

Tools you’ll need: A shredder, a scanner, and a recycle bin.

Start by coming up with a system to organize your files. It can be alphabetical, numerical, or whatever makes sense to you. Then, set up folders for each type of document being filed. For instance, you might have one folder for medical forms, one for tax documents, and one for household manuals. By constructing a clear and straightforward filing system, you’ll always know where to look for important documents.

Next, gather up everything in the house that needs to be filed. Make sure to grab any mail tucked away in various nooks and crannies, documents or manuals that were randomly pigeonholed, and odd papers strewn about on tables and counters. Sort the documents into four piles: urgent, file, shred and recycle.

Once your papers have been sorted:

Place your “urgent” documents (like high-priority bills) in an obvious spot on your desk. It may help to have a tray specifically for this purpose.

Digitize all documents you plan on keeping. There are many reasons to scan your records, but chief among them is that it’s far easier to back things up. Name the files appropriately and then move them to the applicable folder.

For physical copies, you need to hang onto (i.e. birth certificates), place documents in a flood/fireproof safe.

Collect all items for disposal. Shred anything containing account numbers, birth dates, maiden names, passwords, pins, signatures, or Social Security numbers. Recycle what’s left.

It’s paramount you back up all of your important files. Natural disasters and computer crashes seem to happen when we least expect them, and you don't want to lose anything you need. Backups can be kept on an external drive, in cloud storage, or in a safe.

Catalog Your Photos

Like your household documents, organizing your photos begins with gathering them all up into one central digital or physical location. As you do this, be sure to preserve any existing organizational structures—such as digital folders, paper envelopes, or albums—as these often provide information about a group of photographs. Then you can get to work!

For digital photos:

Review and edit: Delete duplicate, repetitive, and poor-quality shots. Edit what’s left by cropping and rotating, removing red-eye, and touching up exposure and contrast where needed.

Create folders: Choose a method for organizing your photos on your computer. You can do it chronologically, by theme, or even by person/pet.

Rename and file: Rename each photo and place it into the folders you created.

Backup: Back up each batch of photos as soon as they’ve been organized into folders using at least two of the following methods: an external drive, the cloud, an online storage service, or physical copies.

Delete: Erase the photos from your camera or phone to avoid accidentally downloading duplicates and to create space for your next photo opportunities.

Keep it up: At least once a month, download photos from your camera/phone to your computer to avoid them being lost.

For physical photos:

Be prepared: In order to properly organize your pictures, you will need to invest in a large set of photo albums as well as some photo boxes.

Sort: Arrange your prints into groups by year, event, or subject.

Record details: As you sort, write an identifying description on the back of each photo with an acid-free, photo-safe pen. You can record details such as the date or who's in the photo.

Cull: Throw away photos that are blurry, poorly exposed, or are of something you don’t feel the need to keep.

Digitize: Scan your prints and sort them into your digital folders. This will serve as a backup should anything tragic happen.

Display: Put your favorites into an album or frame!

Photographs need special care to survive the passing of time. Storing your photos properly is incredibly important to their longevity. Albums with acid-free plastic sleeves and specially designed photo boxes are the best way to keep them safe. Since temperature, humidity, and light can negatively affect photos, keep them stored in a cool, dry area—and avoid storing them in basements or attics.

Whip Your Garage Into Shape

If you've accumulated a gargantuan amount of clutter in your garage, you are not alone. Garages often become a dumping ground for all those items that we don’t know where to stash. If you’re ready to take on the giant project that is your garage, here’s how to go about it.

Tools you’ll need: Some heavy-duty trash bags, broom, shop vac, and plenty of storage bins.

As with your closets, you’ll need to start by purging the garage of its contents before you can start to organize. Arrange your bins, baskets, and trash bags beforehand. Lay everything out on your driveway and being to sort it into categories (e.g. car supplies, tools, sports equipment, lawn, and garden). Once you’ve done that, you can separate the items you wish to donate, sell, or throw away.

Clean your garage well, making sure to dust shelves, sweep out cobwebs, and wash the floor. Assess your garage storage needs and decide how you’d like to utilize your vertical space (pegboards, cabinets, shelving, etc.). Once everything is properly installed, you can move items back into the garage and store them in their proper homes. Place frequently used items closest to the garage door. If you have children in the house, make sure household chemicals and other dangerous items are stored in a locked cabinet.

Take It to the Next Level

As you get better at organizing, you can start creating “centers” around your home, such as a homework center or a recycling center. Sectioning your home in such a way can help you to keep clutter at bay and use your space to its fullest potential.

Organizing your house doesn’t have to be an overwhelming operation. By breaking big jobs into smaller tasks, you can squeeze a little bit of organization into a few hours of your time. And believe it or not, finishing even the smallest of these projects in a weekend will put you in a good mood for the rest of the week.

About the Author: Liz Greene is a feminist, makeup enthusiast, and anxiety-ridden realist from the beautiful city of trees, Boise, Idaho. When she’s not writing, she enjoys eating fancy cheeses, fantasizing about what life would be like if she had an Iron Man suit, and re-watching Venture Bros. episodes for the 100th time.

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This post was published on November 15, 2018, and has since been updated.

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5 Rituals to Add to Your Self-Care Summer Bucket List

The pandemic era of isolation has forced many of us to spend more time with ourselves than ever. Along the way, it has reshaped our approach to health and wellbeing, and emphasized the value of daily expressions of self-care. But times of great crisis lead to great innovation, as history has shown us repeatedly. And activities that began as a means to help people cope have since evolved into more permanent self-care practices that will be carried into the new “normal.”

So, to ensure self-care remains a top priority this summer, we brought together the most trusted experts in the world of wellness–doctors, dermatologists, nutritionists, and small business owners–for our Self-Care Summit presented by Ketel One Botanical. 

The expansive day of programming included roundtable conversations, live workouts and expert workshops covering everything from the clean beauty revolution to radical authenticity and living true to your values, to everything you never knew about your pelvic floor and much, much more. Remi Ishizuka and Nate Pontious closed the day with an epic HIIT Homebodies workout.

ICYMI, we captured the highlights from our Self-Care Summit presented by Ketel One Botanical, to distill them into 5 self-care rituals you can create for yourself at home. Now, more than ever, self-care is essential. Keep scrolling to kickstart your own self-care summer!

(Psst… If reading this is giving you serious FOMO, join Create & Cultivate Membership to get unlimited access to all of our Digital Self-Care Summit content, including video recordings of every panel and workshop download in C&C history.) 

Experience a Movement, Breathwork and Meditation Session

Start your day with a movement, breathwork, and meditation session with Julianne Hough’s new platform, KINRGY, a new kind of fitness platform, uniquely designed to engage the mind, body and soul. KINRGY invites participants to connect with themselves through three expressions of energy: Movement to connect with your physical body, Breathwork to stimulate your brain and nervous system, and activating your Imagination to create possibility and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. This powerful combination creates the optimal state for deep, energetic awareness and transformation to strengthen your body, connect to your dreams and give you more energy!

Join a 45-Minute HIIT Workout

Founded by Remi Ishizuka and Nate Pontious during California’s lockdown, Homebodies is a one-of-a-kind at-home workout program and community focused on building healthy, strong, resilient bodies. With minimal equipment, each workout is designed around functionality, strength, mobility and motor control. The best part? No two workouts are the same. Each Homebodies workout is totally unique, so you won’t get bored, and the consistency will bring you incredible results, however that looks for you.

Celebrate Everyday Moments with Ketel One Botanical

Whether sipping beach or poolside, hosting and entertaining friends with a backyard barbeque, tailgating or having a dinner party, Ketel One Botanical is the perfect way to elevate any occasion.

The best way to enjoy Ketel One Botanical is with the signature ‘Botanical Spritz’ cocktail. All you need is: your Ketel One Botanical varietal of choice, soda water and a fresh fruit or herb garnish. Serve it in a wine glass over ice and voila, you have a delicious, fresh tasting cocktail that’s sure to please.

And now, you can take your Spritz experience on-the-go with the Ketel One Botanical Vodka Spritz, the bubbly, bright, and portable canned version of the Botanical Spritz cocktail.  

All the varietals, Grapefruit & Rose, Cucumber & Mint, and Peach & Orange Blossom are distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit essences. Did we mention that there are no carbs, no sugar, and no artificial sweeteners and only 73 calories per serving? 

Get your pack of Ketel One Botanical Vodka Spritzes or the classic Ketel One Botanical bottles now, available on Drizly. Use the code BOTANICAL in the app for a small gift. Valid for new users only.

Cheers!

Start a Gratitude Journal

As a former radio host and entertainment reporter for Access Hollywood, E! News and MTV, Liz Hernandez built a career on words, and her latest chapter as the founder of WORDAFUL is no exception. Realizing how our thoughts and words from yesterday are what make up our lives today, WORDAFUL is a new form of storytelling that emphasizes our connection to the power of words. A gratitude journal is a simple yet powerful tool to begin transforming our inner dialogue, which in turn can help cultivate more meaningful relationships and lives.

Clean Up Your Beauty Routine

Self-care, in part, includes cutting toxic things out of your life–including toxic ingredients in your beauty and skincare products. In the current climate of the beauty industry, ‘clean’ can take on different meanings, but the one thing we can all agree on is that beauty products should be good for you and your skin (and make you feel great!). Not sure where to begin? Check out WLDKAT’s unconventional ingredients, Kulfi Beauty’s iconic eyeliner, this summer staple from Megababe and this smoky vetiver body oil from Noto Botanicals. 

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Please drink responsibly. Please do not forward this message to anyone under 21. 

 KETEL ONE BOTANICAL.  Made With Vodka Distilled With Real Botanicals And Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V.  Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA. Avg Analysis Per 1.5 oz.: 73 Cals, 0g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat. 

 KETEL ONE BOTANICAL Vodka Spritz.  Made With Vodka, Botanicals, Natural Flavors, And Sparkling Water.  3.6% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V.  Ketel One Botanical Spritz, Indianapolis, IN. Avg Analysis Per 12 fl. oz.: 73 Cals, 0g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat.

3 Tips for Making Small Talk Anytime, Anywhere

Small talk, for many of us, was already a struggle. But after the pandemic era of isolation, more people are finding it difficult to strike up a conversation as social activities begin to resume. We’ve been so removed and isolated from our social circles that it can feel especially daunting to dive back right back into conversation, even with old friends. What may have been comfortable before the pandemic could now feel outside of your current comfort zone– and that’s ok. It has been a while since we’ve had the opportunity to polish our communication skills and it’s completely normal to anticipate some nerves when it comes to things to talk about. We’re all learning how to move back into the world again, and we’re all in this together. Even if your small talk skills feel a little rusty, these tips below will help you strike up a conversation and get back to socializing in our ‘newest’ normal.

Find Common Ground

Whether engaging an old friend or a new acquaintance in conversation, the universal rule is to find shared ideas, interests, hobbies, values or beliefs. Especially in our current climate when there is conflict over vaccines, safety measures and the all too familiar politics, sticking to topics you know are shared interests will not only keep both parties engaged, but will ensure you steer clear of conflict. Some good conversation openers might be, “How do you know (the party hosts)?” or “How do you like the food/drinks?” 

Wherever you may be sipping and socializing, establish common ground and elevate the occasion with Ketel One Botanical. Whether you’re enjoying it in a Botanical Spritz cocktail or in the portable Vodka Spritz can, it’s delicious, fresh tasting (and has no carbs, no sugar, no artificial flavors or sweeteners). It’s sure to spark up some conversation. 

Get your pack of Ketel One Botanical Vodka Spritzes or the classic Ketel One Botanical bottles now, available on Drizly. Use the code BOTANICAL in the app for a small gift. Valid for new users only.

Keep it Convivial

Do your best to keep the conversation light and optimistic. Especially after a pandemic year, we’re all seeking a bit of humor. You may not know the reality that someone else has just experienced. If the topic of the coronavirus arises, use it as a springboard to steer the conversation to those participating in conversation. Ask whether anyone has developed any new hobbies, started any new projects or learned any new recipes.

Focus on updates to your personal life, how you’ve adjusted to working from home, what TV shows you have been watching, and any vacations or trips you may have planned. Share recipes you’ve learned how to cook, recent books you’ve read, or other activities you did during the pandemic to pass the time and stay entertained. 

Watch Your Body Language

Last but not least, remember that your body language speaks volumes. Simple gestures like making eye contact and smiling convey affirmative listening responses that can help encourage more dialogue. If the conversation steers towards a topic you’re not comfortable talking about, don’t feel pressured to participate. Maintain composure and open body language while suggesting a non-confrontational topic.

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Please drink responsibly. Please do not forward this message to anyone under 21.

KETEL ONE BOTANICAL.  Made With Vodka Distilled With Real Botanicals And Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V.  Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA. Avg Analysis Per 1.5 oz.: 73 Cals, 0g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat. 

 KETEL ONE BOTANICAL Vodka Spritz.  Made With Vodka, Botanicals, Natural Flavors, And Sparkling Water.  3.6% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V.  Ketel One Botanical Spritz, Indianapolis, IN. Avg Analysis Per 12 fl. oz.: 73 Cals, 0g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat.

5 Low-Maintenance Plants for Your Office That Clear the Air, Literally

Photo: Courtesy Ansel & Ivy

For Anum Tariq and Hiraa Khan, the co-founders of the female-founded and female-led plant delivery company Ansel & Ivy, being a "plant person" comes down to choosing the right plant for your space and your lifestyle. So how does that work exactly? Well, they’re like the Tinder for plants—they match compatible people with plants based on their level of commitment and environment.

Well, we called on the green matchmakers to help us find the easiest plants to take care of that not only spruce up the office but also clean the air too—yes, air-purifying plants exist and they’re way cheaper (and prettier) than the man-made versions. So, Tariq and Hiraa gave us the inside scoop on five air-purifying, low-maintenance plants to keep you company during your hectic workdays.

With just a little bit of TLC, these are some of the easiest plants to take care of and are sure to bring life a breath of fresh air to any office space.

Snake Plant, Sanseveria

$83

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Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: The snake plant is as easy as they come. She will do well in just about any lighting condition, including fluorescent.

Why It's Office-Proof: This trendy, architectural plant is hugely popular for every type of office, from start-up and corporate to home office. She’ll keep her cool, variegated leaves in low-light offices and is nearly indestructible if you forget to water her. She also rids the air you breathe of harmful toxins and debris.

Purifies the Air of: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.

Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum

$83

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Maintenance: Medium

Care Instructions: She’ll need a moderate amount of sun and regular watering to keep her happy.

Why It's Office-Proof: She’s one of the best air purifying plants out there. The nice thing about the peace lily is she’ll let you know when she’s ready to be watered because she’ll start to droop, but will immediately bounce back once she’s hydrated. So if you forget to water her before the weekend, just give her a drink on Monday morning and she’ll be back to her elegant, vibrant self. She’s also great for offices that crank up the air-conditioning since she’s more resilient to cold temperatures than other plants.

Purifies the Air of: Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Rubber Tree, Ficus elastica

$83

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Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: She’s ideal for new plant parents. Sit her in a spot that gets indirect sunlight and only water when the soil has completely tried.

Why It's Office-Proof: The rubber tree is a popular alternative to traditional green foliage. She can grow to be very tall so her dark, glossy leaves will really liven up a bare office corner. She also purifies the indoor air of harmful toxins.

Purifies the Air of: Benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia

$46

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Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: She’s one of the toughest plants out there. She’ll do well in almost any lighting condition, including fluorescent. She only needs to be watered when the soil has completely dried out.

Why It's Pffice-proof: The ZZ is ideal for dimly-lit offices. She’s perfect if you travel often and aren’t always at your desk since she’s nearly impossible to kill.

Purifies the Air of: Toluene and xylene.

Dracaena, Dracaena deremensis

$46

SHOP NOW

Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: She does well in low light conditions and doesn’t need to be watered until her soil is completely dry.

Why It's Office-Proof: If your desk isn’t by a window and you still want some lush greenery, she’s your gal. She’s perfect for those who want a plant with benefits, without the care commitment.

Purifies the Air of: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.

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This story was originally published on October 3, 2019, and has since been republished.

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A Donation-With-Purchase Might Not Be the Best Way to Support a Worthy Cause—Here's Why

Photo: Courtesy of Allyn Rose

As a member of the breast cancer community, I’ve noticed an unfortunate trend over the last few years, which is a feeling of unease surrounding what should be our most celebrated time of the year: Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Being one of the most recognized awareness months certainly has its benefits. Billions of dollars have been raised in the fight against breast cancer, leading it to become one of the most largely funded diseases in the world. But with that popularity, comes an unfortunate dark side surrounding the word “awareness.” In the month of October, one would be hard-pressed to avoid coming across anything less than a sea of pink. We see ribbons and slogans affixed to coffee mugs, tote bags, and sports jerseys.

And while many of these organizations are well-meaning and donate large portions of their product’s proceeds to breast cancer research, others have capitalized on their consumers’ ill-informed purchasing-practices. By using the pink momentum, they raise prices or sell products while donating little to no money toward finding a cure. Much of this is due to the linguistic loophole of the word “awareness” which allows companies to profit without repercussion. These pink profiteers have robbed the month of its true meaning, and those who are most directly affected by breast cancer are calling for change from “awareness” to “action.”

But how do we make that change a reality? It’s unlikely that companies financially benefiting from Breast Cancer Awareness Month are going to change their ways without a significant overhaul of the system or a watchdog organization to hold them accountable. But we, as consumers, can do our due diligence when deciding where our charitable dollars go.

Where do we start?

1. Look for recipient disclosure statements. 

Most large corporations will state on their websites whom their funds benefit. If you don’t see a charitable organization recipient, consider purchasing elsewhere.

2. Look for organizations that donate money to research (the most actionable cause), patient grants, or educational tools. 

Not sure what percentage the particular nonprofit organizations donate towards research or other topics? Check watchdog websites like Guidestar and the Foundation Center. 

3. Look for low “donation caps.”

Pay particular attention to “donation caps.” Some companies may say “25% of the proceeds of this product benefit X organization up to $10,000.” Beware of low caps. 

Following these simple steps will help ensure that your money is going towards worthwhile causes that will help bring us closer to a cure for breast cancer. And let’s not get discouraged!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time for us to encourage those in our lives bravely battling this disease to continue fighting and to honor those who may no longer be with us. It is also a time to learn what we can do to educate ourselves on prevention.

Did you know that close to 50% of women discover their own breast cancer through practices like a self-breast exam? That’s why I’ve made it my mission to teach women how to “know their normal” by performing a monthly exam. Not sure where to start? You’re not alone. The Previvor Foundation can help you learn how! For a quick and easy tutorial, visit our Instagram.

“We, as consumers, can do our due diligence when deciding where our charitable dollars go.”

—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation

About the Author: As a 24-year-old Miss America contestant, Allyn Rose made headlines across the globe with her controversial decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy after losing her mother, grandmother, and great aunt to breast cancer. Allyn's story inspired both celebrities like Angelina Jolie and a new generation of women alike to take charge of their healthcare choices. Determined to encourage other women to know that their scars are beautiful, Allyn boldly became the first woman with a mastectomy to model for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She is the founder of The Previvor, a 501(c)(3) non-profit women's health platform which serves as a resource for women undergoing mastectomy, and the creator of the #SelfExamGram, a social media movement that encourages women to perform monthly self-breast exams.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Release You From Fear’s Grip

Photo: Smith House Photography

I think we can all agree, 2020 has brought a dizzying number of changes into our lives. We’re finding new ways to adapt to this post-lockdown world. Some aren’t so bad (increased family time and better hand-washing), however, its dark side has ushered in uncertainty and cemented a paralyzing fear of the unknown for some.

I know from experience that illogical fear can be debilitating. I’ve worked through my own phobias over the years (fear of elevators, public speaking, and most poignantly, raising a son with Down Syndrome). I know how fear can stop our growth and kill our dreams. To completely eradicate fear, we first need to understand and identify which fears can be helpful and which are not.

First, let’s identify “healthy” and “real” fears.

Healthy fear typically manifests as a visceral, instinctual response to a physical threat. We need this type of fear for our survival and protection. For example, if you are standing on a high ledge, healthy fear kicks in and cautions you to step back. It keeps you safe. Listen to that inner voice; it will not lead you astray.

Real fears are unavoidable. We all worry about not achieving our dreams. We fear losing the people we love most. Can these fears consume us? It depends on how you frame them. If you fear losing people you love, put your energy toward being completely engaged when spending time with them. Fully appreciate that they are here now. Real fear cannot be eliminated, but we can transform it into something empowering.

Let’s talk about illogical fears. These are the worries that keep you awake at night and hijack your daytime thoughts. Are you terrified of spiders? Heights? Cockroaches? Do you avoid driving on freeways? Imagine what your life would be like if this fear was eliminated. Here’s an exercise to work through those dark thoughts. They worked for me. They can work for you, too.

Name Your Fear

Think about the fears in your life. Identify your most prominent, illogical fear, and build an action plan to eliminate it. Consider how your life, relationships, or specific experiences would change if this fear were removed. Got it? You’re ready for your next step.

Diminish Your Fear

Now that you’ve identified your fear, recognize it when it pops into your head. Instead of panicking, stop and ask, “Why am I thinking about this in a fearful way?” Look at that fear with skepticism and curiosity. Is it really real?  

Disarm It

Taking small steps to disarm our phobia may seem like shoveling snow with a spoon. But, little by little, they add up to regaining control of your thoughts. 

For instance, if you have an upcoming flight but hate to fly, download a few meditations and practice them before you go to the airport. By doing this, you’re creating a space in your mind you can easily access when fear arises, and from that place of calm, you can reassure yourself.

Create a Mantra

Turn your fear into an affirmative mantra. Let’s say the local Rotary Club asked you to address the members at their next meeting. Avoid negative self-talk and, instead, create an affirmative mantra: “I am fully prepared. Everything I have to say is helpful, well-founded, and something I believe in. I will appear cool, calm, and confident.” Don’t let negative self-talk limit your potential for greatness.

Now that you have awareness and some tools, it’s time to put them into action. 

Step One: Put Aside Time in the Morning

Take some time to think about your fears and facing them in the morning when you are fresh and motivated. It has been scientifically proven that our willpower and psychological stamina are at their strongest in the morning and wane throughout the day. This is why for anyone who has ever dieted (which is basically everyone), it is so easy to choose a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and then make an unhealthy choice around dinnertime.

Step Two: Challenge Fear-Based Thoughts

Let’s say you have a debilitating fear of flying. Think about hopping a plane to visit loved ones. Visualize the terminal, security lines, and boarding. You may begin to feel your chest tighten or your breath quicken because you’re certain the flight will end in a disaster. Ask yourself:

• What contradicts this thought? At any time in the United States, more than 60,000 people are in the air. They leave and arrive safely every day. You will too.

• Identify if this thought is fear-based. Is there evidence that what you fear will happen? Statistically, you are much safer traveling by plane.

• What would your life look like if you didn’t feed the fear? What new experiences would you be able to have?

Challenging your thoughts in this way gets to the root of the fear and destroys it. If your fears have nowhere to grow, eventually, they will die.      

Step Three: Exposure

In order to overcome your fears, you must confront them. But do this in small doses. Taking on too much, too quickly, can backfire. 

Let’s say you have a fear of stepping outside your home. Gradual exposure can look like this:

• Look outside your open window.

• Open the front door and stand outside on your porch.

• Walk to the sidewalk.

• Walk over to your neighbor’s house.

• Walk to the corner of your block.

• Walk around your block.

Identifying and working with fear is like exercising a muscle for the first time: it might feel unnatural, but soon you’ll look forward to it. These steps worked for me. Using these thoughts and tools, I can now step into an elevator without a second thought. I thoroughly enjoy publicly speaking and feel alive when I do it. Most importantly, I learned to tackle my fear of raising a son with a disability. I began to recognize and celebrate the unique gifts he brings to our family and how he has helped me become a more evolved human being.

I’m free. Now it’s your turn.

“

Turn your fear into an affirmative mantra.

”

—Monica Berg, International Speaker, Spiritual Thought Leader, and Chief Communications Officer of the Kabbalah Centre

About the Author: Monica Berg is an international speaker, spiritual thought leader, and chief communications officer of the Kabbalah Centre. She is the author of “Fear is Not an Option” and “Rethink Love.” She is also the host of the podcast “Spiritually Hungry.” A self-proclaimed “change junkie,” Monica is a fresh voice that channels her many years of Kabbalah study along with personal life experiences. Monica shows individuals how to create a life that not only feels like it’s working but most importantly, a life in which they are living and loving as the powerful, fulfilled person they’ve always wanted to be.

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4 Simple Ways to Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle (Even If You're Too Busy)

Photo: Daria Shevtsova for Pexels

Did you know 8 million metric tons of trash are dumped into the ocean each year?

This trash also kills around one million marine animals and birds every year. Not a day goes by without pollution of some kind. Whether it’s the fumes from cars, the plastic bag holding our PB&J sandwich, the cheap graphic tee you bought last week, or even the plastic water bottle you bought with your salad on your lunch break.

But no matter how busy your days are, everyone can (and should!), find the time to care a little more about this place we call home. It’s time to do our part to reduce this toxic waste and find smarter ways to keep our planet clean and safe. Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to kick off an eco-friendly lifestyle, even if you’re busy.

Be Mindful of Fast Fashion

Clothing is an essential part of our everyday life. What we pay for clothing, how we feel in it, and how long it lasts are all important factors to keep in mind when purchasing clothes. Fast fashion is inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest style trends. This allows companies to create cheaply made clothing that will likely not last long for the consumer—ever wash a shirt once and the thread string comes out, or it shrinks three sizes?.

Sustainable fashion is the process of fostering change to clothing products towards greater ecological integrity. There are several ways to become a trendsetter without giving into fast fashion and its grand marketing scheme. A string of companies are popping up around this sustainable drive offering easy ways to consign fashion and buy used clothing—hint Poshmark, thredUP, The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, Depop, and eBay. They are all doing their part to promote sustainable fashion at an affordable, not cheap, price. Buying secondhand and investing in clothing that is high quality and made with organic and durable fibers are the best ways we can support this sustainable clothing initiative. Did you know fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world behind oil? Let’s change that, ladies.

Invest in Sustainable Food Storage Containers

Work life consists of various foods and snacks to get you through your day. This includes plastic containers, plastic zip-top bags, maybe even plastic bags as lunch bags. Look for food containers that have silicone lids instead of plastic. Silicone is long-lasting, free of all estrogen-mimicking chemicals that are usually found in plastics, doesn’t contain petroleum, and is not harmful to the environment.

Stainless steel is another noteworthy material to use for storing food. People often forget that stainless steel is a highly recycled commodity. According to the International Stainless Steel Forum, the rate of stainless steel recycling has increased to 90% while plastic recycling remains at 1% with most remains dumped into a landfill. If you tend to bring a big lunch everyday, you might want to purchase a reusable lunchbox. This gives you the freedom to keep all your food in place and cold, while also reducing plastic bag use.

So, next time you make a Target run, take a peek at the containers section to make your ecological footprint a little less toxic. 

Bring Your Learnings Into Your Building

Most office and apartment buildings should be following all recycling rules no matter what, but if you’re in a building where they don’t pay attention, then now is the time to inquire.

Contact the building management company and ask them any questions you may have about how to recycle properly. Make signs, set up bins, and do your part to educate your fellow employees and residents on recycling and how to do it the proper way. Provide lists of resources for people looking to get rid of plastic bags, old toys, clothes, food, or even electronics.

Print out recycling guidelines with handy pictures so people can learn at-a-glance how to appropriately dispose of their trash. Talk to your building manager about implementing these recycling guidelines and ask if you’re able to hold an info session to teach employees or residents about the do’s and don’ts of recycling (once social distancing restrictions are lifted). The more people we educate, the better our quality of life will be.

Reduce Plastic Use Where You Can

We all know plastic is the big criminal here. One of the biggest actions we can take is to stop purchasing plastic water bottles, and particularly, plastic water bottles in mass quantity. Not only does this waste affect our marine life but can also affect public health by spreading diseases and other illnesses as a result of burning waste. 

In 2010, Sarah Kauss founded the company S’well with an important mission in mind. Kauss wanted to rid the world of plastic bottles. She molded fashion and function together to create a product that consumers couldn’t resist. The bottles are designed to keep your beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. S’well is a woman-owned company with a strong and clear vision to make the world a cleaner place.

Instead of polluting the Earth every day with more plastic water bottles, reuse your own cute and sustainable water bottle that is entirely yours (and you’ll save so much money). You can take it with you pretty much anywhere you go. It’s the easiest way to make the world a cleaner place.

About the Author: Abbey Adams currently works at a digital marketing company while also maintaining her music blog, blondieandthebeat.com, of six years. Throughout her time as a freelance writer for a women’s magazine she’s learned to share every story and empower as many women as possible. You can usually find her writing in bed binging “Sex and the City” (for the 10th time) or at the gym sweating out her anxiety on the stairclimber.

This story was originally published on July 6, 2019, and has since been updated.

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5 Things to Do While Self-Quarantining Without Buying a Single Thing

Photo: Alex Gállego for Pexels

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our normal lives have come to a grinding halt. Beyond streaming our go-to TV shows for hours on end, there’s a lot more we can do during this downtime that will help retrain our minds and help us live our life, even beyond this period of quarantine.

So often, when we are looking to grow, change, or shift something in our lives, we are looking outside of ourselves. But, the truth is, everything you need to continue your growth journey is within you—and within arm’s reach. All you need is passion, interest, and a few simple strategies that’ll help you find what works for you. 

Here are some simple things you can do to shift your mindset in order to stimulate growth, without spending a dime.

1. Try cooking a new recipe.

This incredible resource allows you to discover new recipes by listing the ingredients you have in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. If you're at a loss of what to make, this is a great way to shop what you already have and try something new, too.

Personally, every morning, I come up with some type of frittata using leftover vegetables, protein, and eggs. You can also use frozen veggies if you are trying to clean out your freezer. 

2. Refresh your living space.

Beyond spring cleaning, try changing the layout of your space as well. It sounds simple but reorganizing furniture or décor can provide your brain with a really satisfying sense of change (without spending any money on new pieces.) You would be surprised how much this can act as a refresh during quarantine. 

Now that I’m home a lot more, I’ve rearranged three rooms already. It’s been nice to re-think the space I have and make it feel new again. I have also used this time to clean out my pantries, fridge, and my kids’ play areas. I’ve cleaned out so much, I feel like every room is new.

3. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read (instead of buying a new one).

Psychologically speaking, we get a rush when making purchases. Buying new things, even when we have something similar at home, gives us temporary satisfaction. We can use this time to work on that, challenging ourselves with a "no buy" mandate (because, well, it's sort of the only option) and getting enjoyment from actually using things up.

Instead of focusing on the next purchase, we can simultaneously produce less waste, reduce clutter, save money, and shift our mindsets. Books take up a lot of space in our rooms as well as storage. We are reading a lot more these days and are finding books we forgot to start or stories we want to read again. 

4. Learn a new skill.

I don't suggest putting too much pressure on yourself to be productive during quarantine, but if there's something you've been putting off doing due to a lack of time, now is a good chance to start.

Download Duolingo to work on learning a new language, watch free online videos to help you become more flexible, or bake the bread you've been seeing everyone make on Instagram.

For me, this is improving recipes, testing new ones, and adding twists to ones I use today in order to support immunity.

5. Connect (virtually) with your family and friends.

Throw a happy hour via Zoom. Download Houseparty to connect with your friends. FaceTime with your family during dinner. These circumstances make us truly value the people in our lives.

With Marco Polo, you can leave video messages with friends and family. This allows you to connect face-to-face but asynchronously. I’ve been celebrating birthdays over Zoom and scheduling virtual coffee dates and lunch meet-ups with my friends and family.

About the Author: Nora McCaffrey is the Chief Academic Officer at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She oversees all academic components to IIN’s course offerings. Prior to joining IIN, she trained at the Institute for Culinary Education in culinary arts and ran her own catering business in Brooklyn, NY, providing healthy food options for private events, school events, and meal deliveries. 

To support her health focus, she became an IIN health coach and later decided to join the IIN team. In 2017, she obtained a master’s degree in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. Her experience and education help her to continuously improve and innovate course offerings and learning platforms

Nora is from Brooklyn, NY and now lives with her wife, Helen, and two kids in Maplewood, NJ. As a lifelong foodie, Nora supports local farmers and restaurants to feed her family.  

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Ask an Expert: How to Design a Work-From-Home Space That Boosts Productivity

We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!

Photo: Courtesy of Ariel Kaye

Not to state the obvious, but the lines between work-life and home-life have been blurred beyond distinction. Now that we’re all sheltering in place and working from home in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, it’s harder than ever to separate our work lives from our personal lives and, #realtalk, we’re all just trying to make it work.

For tips on creating a work-from-home space that boosts productivity, we virtually sat down with Ariel Kaye, the founder and CEO of Parachute, for our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series. Not only is Kaye at the helm of a cult-favorite home brand, but she also lives in an 800-square-foot bungalow with her husband and 14-month-old-daughter (!), so it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about maximizing space.

Keep scrolling for three key takeaways from our conversation, as told to Create & Cultivate by Kaye, and be sure to follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram to catch the next installment of our Ask an Expert series.

Set Up a Workspace That’s Easy to Walk Away From

Right now, more than anything, set up a work area that easy to step away from to maintain your mental health. I like to take my calls from my bedroom or outside in the yard, and I answer emails from the dining table, and I review content from the couch.

Then, at the end of the day, I like to take a beat by closing my computer and setting down my phone. It’s really about that distinction and having boundaries that establish your work zone and your home zone, which can be difficult now that we’re in the same space.

Clear Clutter to Minimize Distractions

I need a clutter-free space to be productive, so I have a basket with headphones, pens, and everything else I need to have within reach, and then I put away things that I know I won’t be using for a while to clear clutter. Every morning, I’ll fluff the pillows, wipe down surfaces, and clear clutter to get my space ready for the day.

Liven Things Up to Keep Your Space Feeling Fresh

I’m a big believer in grabbing fresh bouquets of flowers at the market every week to keep the house looking and feeling lively and beautiful. If you’re not going to the farmer’s market or grocery store right now, consider picking things that are already overgrown in your neighborhood, like branches of bougainvillea, for example.

I’ve also been shopping my own home and moving things from one room to the next to keep things fresh. I recently moved a piece of art from my bedroom to the living room and it’s changed the whole space. I also love candles. Burning a candle is one of the things I do to transition from day to night at the end of the workday. 

I try to remember that we’re all just trying our best and i have to tell myself every day to be kind to myself.

About the Expert: Ariel Kaye is the founder and CEO of Parachute. While it began in Los Angeles in 2014 as a digitally native brand, Parachute has since expanded beyond its roots—premium-quality artisanal bedding—to include essentials for every room in the home. In the last six years, Ariel has evolved Parachute into a beloved home lifestyle brand with numerous brick-and-mortar locations across the country. Under Ariel's leadership, the brand also launched a hospitality collection, created in partnership with the U.S.'s top hoteliers and interior designers. Ariel’s first book, “How to Make a House a Home,” will be released on April 14, 2020. She currently resides with her family in Venice Beach, California.

Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert. 

Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!

50 Ways to Practice Self-Care and Prevent Burnout While Working From Home During COVID-19

Photo: Smith House Photography

Did you know that two in three workers today feel burned out? That’s not a difficult stat to believe considering American workers put in the most hours when compared to other industrialized nations like the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.

Now that we’re all working from home and sheltering in place in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, logging off at the end of the day to maintain some semblance of work-life balance is harder than ever. But, guess what? If you keep going without stopping, your body will force you, eventually because you will burn out, which could mean that it will take you even longer to get back on track. As with everything, preventing is better than curing, so stop hustling and start healing before burnout sets in. 

Here are 50 ways to practice self-care and prevent burnout while working from home during COVID-19, and be sure to scroll to the end to shop our Create & Cultivate Marketplace The Self-Care Bundle with a habits tracker, sleep log, self-care panel videos, and so much more! 

1. Have a mini declutter session.

2. Get eight hours of sleep

3. Meditate for 5 minutes. 

4. Watch your favorite movie. 

5. Take an Epsom salt bath with lavender. 

6. Burn your favorite candle.

7. Turn off your phone for a few hours.

8. Go for a walk.

9. Write yourself a love letter.

10. Make a list of goals.

11. Put some music on and dance away.

12. Make your favorite meal or snack.

13. Go outside and put your bare feet on the grass. 

14. Take your vitamins.

15. Make a cup of tea.

16. Write down 10 things you’re grateful for.

17. Give yourself a manicure.

18. Do yoga or some stretching.

19. Pick some flowers and put them in a vase.

20. Write a self-love list.

21. Have an intense workout session.

22. Listen to your favorite song. 

23. Wear your favorite outfit.

24. Learn something new.

25. Sing in the shower.

26. Write a letter to your future self.

27. Create a vision board.

28. Call someone you love.

29. Read a book. 

30. Take a nap.

31. Write your favorite quotes on post-it notes and stick them around the house and office

32. Write affirmations and put them where you can see them every day. 

33. Organize your closet.

34. Host a virtual game night.

35. Bake your favorite cookies. 

36. Try a new recipe from a cookbook. 

37. Show a random act of kindness. 

38. Create a bucket list.

39. Write a kind note to someone. 

40. Start a journal.

41. Sleep in.

42. Go outside, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and soak in the sun. 

43. Listen to a podcast. 

44. Watch a documentary and learn something new. 

45. Get crafty. 

46. Listen to nature sounds.

47. Make a playlist of your favorite songs.

48. Work on a puzzle.

49. Do something you’ve avoided. 

50. Take a moment to reflect on your life and the good things.

Want another 50 ways to practice self-care and prevent burnout?

Add the Create & Cultivate Marketplace The Self-Care Bundle to your cart, or get unlimited access to our entire library of downloads and videos when you join Insiders.

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How to Get Rid of Stress and Feel Centered in 5 Minutes

Photo: Valeria Ushakova for Pexels

Feeling stressed? Like the type of stressed out where you’ve got so much going on that your brain is racing every night, or you just feel lost and don’t know what to do? I used to feel it, too. Overwhelmed with clients, my work, my personal life, I had no time for my relationship. No time to paint (which is my passion). No time to spend with family and friends. I felt like my life was in an endless whirlwind.

Then, I learned one of the most amazing techniques for how to relieve stress quickly. Over the past 10 years, through coaching some of the world’s most successful businesswomen, and with my deep study of the subconscious mind, I reframed a powerful technique from my mentor Dr. Coletta Long, a leading pioneer in the field of regression, to help even more people achieve the freedom from stress and anxiety.

It’s called the Emotional Reset Method. And it’s so simple (kind of like the Mel Robbins 5-second method, which I love).

So… what is it?

The Emotional Reset Method (ERM) is a five-step technique to identify, name, and release that feeling or sensation of stress, anxiety, pain, or worry that you don’t want in your body anymore so you can move forward with more lightness, freedom, and purpose.

It only takes about five minutes, but if you sit, center, and do it with integrity—it can really help you get back to doing what you do.

Step 1. Pause. Tune in to what you feel.

The first step is to pause. To stop, sit still, and breathe deeply into your belly. Before you can discover where you’re carrying your emotions, you need to ground yourself in your body.

We’re often so busy that we spend a lot of our time “out of our bodies.” Many mindfulness practices start with the breath, which allows you to slow down and bring yourself back “into your body.” Think about a tree: when the wind blows, it’s the root that lets the wind sway through the limbs without knocking it over. It just takes a minute to breathe deeply, connect your mind and body, and “root” down.

Sit down in a comfy seat, place your hands on your thighs, close your eyes, and breathe deeply, starting from your belly (your diaphragm). Slowly count in-and-out for five seconds. This will center and ground you. You’ll feel more calm and present.

Step 2. Describe it. What do you feel?

Next, ask yourself: What sensation am I feeling? Let go of any self-judgment. There’s no need to critique or criticize. The key to this step is to be relaxed and honest with yourself so you can feel into the sensations of your body (and emotions). When you release and let yourself feel, different sensations, emotions, and reactions will come up. Is it anxiety? Fear? Just… tired? The key here is to just sink in, let yourself feel, and then name that out into the world.

For me, what I was feeling was heavy anxiety and fatigue. A desire to “do it all.” That desire to do a million things and try to fit it all into my chaotic day.

Step 3. Locate it. Where do you feel it?

The third step is to identify where you’re feeling it. Have you ever been incredibly anxious or worried and felt a tightening feeling in your stomach or lungs? That feeling you perceive is emotion making its presence known physically. Locate where that place is in your body.

In my case, it was right in the middle of my stomach. So, I brought my attention to that sensation and location.

Step 4. Give it a visual. Can you describe it as a color?

What’s most easy to describe is a color and use it for visualization. You need to be able to visualize this feeling you defined in Step 3. For many, it’s easiest to describe it as a color. Just keep that feeling in your mind and say whatever first comes to your head. Is fear a deep blue? Is anxiety a subtle purple? It will be different for everyone and every sensation, but if you pause and feel it out – you can think of a color that represents this emotion and feeling.

In my case, it was blue. That heavy, radiating feeling in my stomach was like a deep, fuzzy blue just sitting there.

Step 5. Release it. Time to let it go.

Visualize the power of the mind pushing that defined feeling up and out of the body. Once you’ve named your feeling, located it in your body, and labeled it with description/color, you’re ready to let it go—to release it.

Take one more deep breath and then really picture pushing that feeling/color out of your body. Do you feel it sneaking up your chest and out of your head like a mist or cloud? Do you feel it pushing out of your feet and fingertips?

Everyone will experience this differently. Feel into it and picture it leaving you. Imagine the emotional block inside you dissolving. Fading out and away.

After doing that whole process, I felt such a lightness—a weight lifted—I ended up releasing this ball of stress and fatigue that was inside of me.

ERM will remind you that you have the power within to take charge. To create a plan to take action on what needs to get done and let go of what is not as important as you think it may be.

So, whenever you feel that wave of stress coming over you… or if you’re dreading a conversation with your partner … do the Emotional Reset Method. Your body, your mind, and your heart will all thank you.

About the Author: Robin Emmerich has spent close to a decade coaching some of the most successful women in business. She currently offers the CIJ Clarity Catalyst online course, based on the famed Stanford Masters Degree Course, “Creativity in Business,” individual coaching, regression, and worldwide retreats. Connect with Robin at robinemmerich.com and on Instagram.

This post was published on May 26, 2019, and has since been updated.

Even CEOs Need Their 8 Hours a Night—6 Women Share Their Nightstand Must-Haves

Photo: Whitney Leigh Morris

What does your evening routine look like? Is it structured or does it change depending on the day?

The good news is, no one will judge you either way, but there is evidence that a bedtime routine will help you get better z’s. “Most of us cannot sleep on command, but routine helps the brain know that it’s preparing for sleep,” Rebecca Scott, research assistant professor of neurology at the NYU Langone Comprehensive Epilepsy Center—Sleep Center told Time. “Our sleep system, along with most other neurophysiological systems, likes predictability and consistency.”

Of course, there is no set regime that suits everyone so it’s up to you to determine what works, but it doesn’t hurt to hear how other women we admire wind down after a long day. Our CEO, Jaclyn Johnson, swears by eight hours of sleep a night to ensure she can perform at her optimum each day. Read on to hear what bedside essentials six women—who all joined us at our Self Care Summit in L.A. last year—have on their nightstand to ensure they get enough sleep and can perform at 100 each day.

Deepika Chopra, Optimism Doctor 

1. The Things Are Looking Up Optimism Card Deck
”I pull a card every evening and carry out the holistic and science-based suggestion to increase happiness.”

2. Lavender and Lemon Essential Oils
”I use lavender before bed and lemon just as I wake up.” 

3. Glass Carafe of Water.
”Drinking water is so challenging for me, so keeping it right by my bedside is one way to try and work on this.”

4. A children’s book.
”I always have at least one book that my son is super into at the moment. Right now it’s Blueberries For Sal. 

Whitney Lee Morris, Founder of the Tiny Canal Cottage 

1. Nothing
”The top must-have on my nightstand is actually the absence of something. If I keep my devices nearby I’m likely to wake up and check them and then stay up for the rest of the night. As such, I now keep tech—especially my phone—out of the bedroom.”

2.Books
”It’s important for me to have books by the bed—both for myself and for my child, who often climbs into bed with us overnight. Having books within arm’s reach helps my son stay safely and happily occupied in the early morning while I snag a few precious extra minutes of shut-eye.”

Claire Fountain, Wellness Writer, and Mental Health Advocate, Creator of Trillyoga

1.A Soft Light
”For me, I need to have a peaceful minimal environment and hydration. My nightstand only has a soft light that helps to prepare the body for sleep. 

2. Body Butter, Eye Drops, and Lip Balm
”Hydration items (skin, eyes, lips) are essential because night is when the skin heals itself and so it’s a perfect time to let all that moisturized goodness absorb, plus I can’t sleep if I feel anything is dry.”

3. A Silk Eye Mask
”A silk eye mask because it’s the best for delicate face skin, and blocking out lights helps the body get the best, uninterrupted sleep I can.” 

Shiva Rose, Founder of the Local Rose & Alchemist creator Shiva Rose Beauty

1.Magnesium Oil
”I love my nightstand since it’s almost like an altar for well being and beauty. For sleeping better I have a bottle of magnesium oil which calms the body, rescue remedy which calms the mind, and some rose quartz crystal for love and harmony.” 

2.Books
”I’m currently re-reading Finding God Through Sex.”

3. Venus potion
”I collaborated on this potion with the lovely herbalist wooden spoon. This potion helps enhance our feminine elements.”

4. A landline.
”I have a landline since cell phones can disrupt our sleep and wellbeing.”

Lauren Gores, Co-Founder of Summer Fridays and Lifestyle Content Creator

1. 5 Minute Journal
”I love to have a few minutes of quiet time before bed, and the 5 Minute Journal is the perfect way to escape and reflect on my day.”

2. Slip Sleep Mist
”I love to spray this mist before bed—the chamomile and lavender oils create a super calm and relaxing environment.”

3. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
”I love to apply a thick layer of Jet Lag mask under my eyes before bed so I can wake up looking and feeling refreshed.”

4. LANIEGE Sleep Lip Mask
”I love to apply a layer of the LANIEGE lip mask before bed to hydrate and smooth my lips while I sleep.”

5. Slipsilk Sleep Mask
”I always get my best sleep when it is completely dark, so I always keep my Slipsilk Sleep Mask in my nightstand. It is *so* soft and the anti-aging properties are an added bonus.”

Lestraundra Alfred, Host of Balanced Black Girl podcast

1.Lip Balm
”I’m all about being as moisturized as possible, and I find having lip balm on my nightstand reminds me to put it on before bed, keeping my lips soft and moisturized.”

2.5 Minute Journal
”I love using my 5-minute journal to reflect each night before going to bed, and it is a key part of my morning routine as well. Each night I like to take a moment to reflect on the day's highlights and to start jotting down notes for the next day. This helps me end the day with gratitude, and to get any lingering thoughts out of my head for more peaceful rest.”

This story was originally published on July 9, 2019, and has since been updated.

Up next: 10 Women Who Have Your Dream Job on How They Fight Burnout, Stay Motivated, and Get Re-Energized for Work