When my other half and I were talking about NYE this year we both said we wanted to do the exact same thing: relax and pamper ourselves with a luxury overnight stay at a fancy hotel. Some may call it frivolous and a waste of money - until you sleep in 1000 thread count sheets in a 5 star hotel… then suddenly it’s no longer so frivolous because sleep can be the best way to give yourself some much needed time off. That’s just what we both needed: sleep.

In my twenties it was all about going a million miles a minute in my work and personal life. Now that I run my own business, my personal life is my work and vice versa. It’s rewarding and beautiful, but it also can add amounting pressure to an already busy life. Lately, the topic of self care seems to be surrounding us through entrepreneurial books, podcasts and on social media. I believe as a young woman that we are starved for time for ourselves. I also believe that many of us were conditioned from a young age to be people pleasers. Usually when you are busy pleasing others, it’s hard to focus on yourself. What seems like you are being selfless turns into not even know who you are, what you want or where your life is going.

Yep, I’m talking about getting yourself into and out of the perpetual rut of never being able to please others and less attention on our own basic needs. I am probably the queen of people pleasing. Not because I have actually mastered pleasing others, but because I became so consumed with it I ended up feeling like I had no idea who I was. I realized it required time to decompress. Living in a state of constantly seeking to satisfy others is exhausting. The best way I can describe what I went through was how I felt like I had zero time for hobbies or my own fun. I went from work, to family, to work, back to family taking minimal time to take care of my own basic needs. Something had to give once panic attacks set in. So the past two years I started revamping my life.

Shop Skincare Masks

The year before last was a complete health makeover to include mental, physical, spiritural, diet, fitness and began the journey to a better me. Then last year I took a deep dive into finding my purpose and priorities. It’s crazy how things start snowballing once my health was back to a positive place! This year I start my days with personal development and fitness for a sharp mind. Then, I make sure to close the day with skincare, meditation, gratitude journaling and prioritizing. These self care actions craft the life I have. They clear the mind of the clutter each day and help me stay sane.

I recommend at some point this month to take the time to getaway even for a single night like we did. Draw yourself a long bath, eat a fantastic meal and have a notebook handy. Skip the wine and just let yourself sit, prioritize and realign your goals for the rest of the year. If you can’t get a sitter, try to create a special oasis at home. You can pick up candles, rose petals and bath bombs! Grab lotion and an amazing face mask. Then, finish with a new notebook and a pen that writes easily. Write your ideas down. Breathe deeply and center yourself for this year. You don’t have to know all of the details, but imagine your life at the end of the year.

Shop Beautiful Journals

Imagine who you think you would like to be. What are you wearing? What do you look like? How do you talk to others? How do you wake up? How do you fall asleep? What pajamas? Keep imagining and writing throughout the next few hours. I promise you’ll thank me! (By the way, I can’t take credit for this practice. This is a combination of several things I’ve gathered over the course of my personal development). Anyhow, take the time for yourself and decide how you will incorporate self care into your daily life. I now spend two hours a day on self-care in the morning and another hour at night. It’s awesome. I fall asleep easier than in the past and wake up excited because my priorities are in front of me. I want to hear about YOUR vision for your life this year. Start small, one day at a time and you’ll look back to see an entire journey unfolded!!!

Also, if you are staying in Houston visit Hotel Alessandra in the downtown area!!! Beautiful accommodations, amazing staff and tasty food! The bedrooms are amazing and the beds were so comfortable!

If you like this post, then check these out:

Featured

My Diary: 48 Hour Social Media Detox

After a grueling weekend last week, I made a decision Saturday afternoon to do a 48-hour social media detox. Being a blogger and influencer comes with the price of constantly being on social media through posting content on multiple platforms, engaging with followers, and then responding in direct messages. It’s such an incredible way to create a space in the world but sometimes we all need a break. I desperately did. I started feeling a little out of touch with myself. I felt like I had a million things tugging at me and I was struggling with mindfulness. I put a quick plan together and then alerted my boyfriend and kiddo that I would be offline and intermittently checking my phone for the weekend. Here’s what I did in hopes to inspire you to take that much-needed downtime.

Being at Ease With Your Body

You deserve happiness. You deserve joy. You deserve to have a life filled with positivity. That’s the entire reason for my GLOW UP course which gives you a 60-day plan and a community of accountability partners to chat with as you continue to affirm yourself into your dream life!

Sparkle From Within

Sometimes we don’t need a long blog post, we just need a quick reminder and that’s just what I’m here to do for you. Remind you that you were created for something purposeful. You were created to shine a light on this world. You were created to shine. So go now…shine bright like a diamond.

What You Really Should Be Doing With 5 Minutes

Yes, you heard me. This boss babe right here is intentionally going slower in life. For the first time, ever. I’ve put extra time in between tasks. I’ve taken things off my to-do list. I’ve spent the last few months asking myself what is really important. I’ve gone inward to figure out my priorities. I’ve taken tons of time to journal, reflect and pray. The thing I’ve learned is that we can become addicted to anything including activity. Next time you are wondering what you should be doing with an extra five minutes? Breathe. Yep. Sit down and take 5 minutes to just breathe. I promise your entire life will change from implementing this one tactic. Your heart rate will be calmer. Your thoughts will be clearer. You will feel less rushed. You will be recharged.

Don't Forget to Shine

I’ve been on a conquest to get to the root of my being. For the past few months, I took time throughout each day for inward reflection… Constantly asking myself if what I am currently doing is what will lead me to the highest version of myself. I examined forward and backward each small habit, every conversation I would partake in, and each movement I would choose to make. We are a sum of all the little choices we make throughout the day. Our character is a combination of actions we choose. After years of feeling obligated to do certain things, have certain jobs, and run what you would consider the rat race I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. My soul just needed more.

Three Techniques to Get Out of a Mental Rut

The mind can be a battlefield. If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack you know firsthand what mental hell is like. In my late twenties and early thirties, I had panic attacks all the time. I mean on the daily and oftentimes multiple times a day. I would freeze and feel like I couldn’t drive my car. I didn’t want to go very many places for fear of getting overstimulated. Being extroverted this felt really difficult. I was torn between what my soul and body wanted to do every day. I needed to bring my body out of fight or flight but being stuck at home to do so in a calm environment was torture in itself because then I was alone with my thoughts. Over time I would get therapy and begin working on training my brain to focus on new things. I would learn different coping techniques that were not full proof but would oftentimes get the job done. It took work. Each day I’d start going down the same worry wormholes and I’d spend time and energy pulling myself out. I figured some of you might be dealing with this, too. Here are three coping tools you can use when you go down a negative mental path:

The Drink That Keeps Me Going on Long Hikes

Wow! I cannot believe it’s been almost two weeks since I wrote the last post on here. It’s been kind of a blur. Something really life-changing took place last week and created a positive shift in my life. I’ll be sharing more about the experience in the coming weeks, but one thing I’ve learned is to take some time to the first process. That’s exactly what I did yesterday. I took a few hours and went a few miles to clear my head and combat the stress I was feeling. Stress is stress even if it’s positive. When big things in life hit, give yourself a little breathing room. It’s okay. You don’t have to have all the answers. You’ll be able to work things out, but for now just process. I loaded up my backpack with water and snacks, grabbed my boots, and set off with my Mojo coffee in hand for an afternoon of getting lost in nature. It was so healing! Every time I do this, I come back as a better human being.

Self-talk and the Mirror

A few years ago whenever I looked in the mirror I saw someone who was a failure. I talked to her that way, too. I’d say things like, “You are not getting things right today.” Or “This isn’t your day.”

I began avoiding mirrors. I saw every single flaw in myself every single day. Then, one day a mentor of mine told me to say one positive thing for every negative thing I said.

Looking back, what I was going through was depression. I was so tired every day. I was angry at how life turned out and I felt like everything was my fault. Depression is a lot of work to manage. It’s a level of fatigue that makes taking a shower feel like an Olympic sport. But I kept going. Each time I said something crappy to myself, I stop and say something positive.

My Morning Routine: GRWM (Get Ready With Me)

Confession: I’m a morning person. Yep, I know several of you reading right now are rolling your eyes while others are giving me a virtual high-five… but it’s true. I’ve always been a morning pop tart rising before my family. I understand now that not everyone starts their morning at the same time as I do, but we all have to eventually get up and get going. Those first few hours are important if you want to lay a foundation for a positive, productive, and intentional day.

Speaking of being productive and intentional - if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter you must do so now! (No SPAM I promise) There is exclusive content in there and anyone who signs up between now and 3/9/22 will be entered in a giveaway to receive a FREE mascara ($31 value!) You can sign up for the newsletter here!

What I Did to Finally Let Myself Be Happy

Last year I chose the word “Abundance” for my word of the year. It was evident in my life I needed to find more joy every day. I wasn’t necessarily miserable or depressed at that time (I fought those battles a few years prior) but I was struggling with feeling happy. I remember that a mentor shared with me the area I needed the most growth in was just doing the things that make me happy. Not the things that made me the most productive. So here I go, trying to shift from doing what I’ve done year over year and now I am supposed to just find joy. About this time last year, I embarked on a 600-mile one-direction road trip. I guess when all was said and done.

Start Your Year with a Self-Care Staycation

If you like this post, then check these out: