March 29, 2021

10 Simple Steps to Develop Self-Love

March 29, 2021/ Caroline J Rogers

We spend so much time working on our relationships, body, career, social life, and other priorities. Caught up in the act of juggling all this, we overlook the importance of doing work on the inside. Well, you are nothing short of a one-of-a-kind unprecedented individual. So, you might as well reignite the inner love for yourself and cherish what makes you unique. If you cannot come to love yourself, you will not be able to project the warmth of love onto the world and soak it back in when others send it your way.

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Forge a mindset

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It all starts with the shift in a mindset and your self-perception. These two aspects have a lot to do with how others define us through titles, roles, labels, relationship statuses, net worth, achievements, etc. Alas, even when combined, they are utterly inaccurate and incomplete accounts of who you are. Your true identity stems from something deeper and more eternal than the changing life circumstances.

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Embrace your quirks and things that make you unique. Society is an extremely poor judge of individual qualities and character, as it tries to standardize and generalize. Therefore, instead of trying so hard to meet other people’s expectations, uncover your true nature and do not be afraid to be authentic. Let your freak flag fly— it is one of the most empowering and liberating things you can do.

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Practice self-care

Furthermore, you have to take care of yourself. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep whenever possible to revitalize your mind and body. Engage in regular physical activity, be it a yoga class, cycling to work, gym or running sessions. Start eating healthier— put together a nutrient-packed, balanced diet and stay hydrated. Leave some time in the schedule for pure pastime relaxation.

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Do what you love

Speaking of which, you need to start doing what you love in order to reestablish inner calm and peace. Take a break and reconnect with your innate drives and passions. Find time for the hobby you have been putting away for a long time. You will be able to melt away the stress and then tackle various life challenges with new winds in your sails.

Write it down

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Many people have discovered the therapeutic and other benefits of putting the thought into writing. Did you also know that writing every day is associated with success in life? You might think that social media statuses already fit the bill, but why not write without thinking about how others will react to it. In other words, you might want to start keeping a personal diary. Pour your soul onto its pages.

Listen to yourself

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Learn to carefully listen to your inner voice. Nobody is more qualified to decide what is good for you in terms of long-term happiness and fulfillment. If that voice is full of resentment, anxiety, fear, and other negative emotions, you need to stop being so harsh on yourself. We are all vulnerable and insecure, but think about your qualities and celebrate the best moments life has in store.

Manage emotions better

Emotional stability is a fickle thing. Sooner or later, we are thrown off balance wrestling with anger and pain. You should never beat yourself up for it. Trying to suffocate your feelings never really works and brings only temporary relief in the best case scenario. Often, it is better to hoist a white flag and cling to it. Examine where do you feel the pain in your body— it can be a really telling sign.

Take care of your looks

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Although appearances do not make a human, they can certainly help one increase self-worth and satisfaction. Feel free to buy new clothes, self-care products, and look at yourself in the mirror. Rest assured that there is no such thing as being perfect and we should abandon that futile pursuit. Accept your flaws as an integral part of who you are and boost your self-confidence.

Treat yourself

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Material things cannot buy happiness and love, but they are stepping stones to it. Namely, it is perfectly fine to pamper yourself a bit. Treat yourself to a delicious meal or take a weekend off. You also do not have to wait for others to buy you something nice. Shop around for adorable and unique gifts, trigger feel-good hormones in the brain, and put a smile back on your face.

Set boundaries

Saying that simple word “no” often comes hard for people, yet is crucial for cultivating self-love. Draw some lines between what you love and enjoy and things that only deplete your energy and willpower. It can be anything from extra work obligations to activities that strain you mentally, etc. Take the pressure off yourself and pivot to things that fill you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Fostering a positive change

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Self-love is not a state of feeling good that comes and goes. It must be actively nurtured and built. So, mute the noise of the outside world and change the negative mental tape. Enrich your relationship with yourself and build healthy everyday habits. Shift your focus to positive attributes and look at the bright side of life. All the small changes add up and spill over from one area of your life to another. It is time to make yourself feel whole and worthy again.

- Gust post by Stella Van Lan -

Stella van Lane is a passionate writer in love with coffee, chocolate, music, books, and good vibes. Her top interests are health, yoga, meditation, and interior design.

Women's Wardrobe Essentials

January 23, 2019/ Caroline J Rogers

Staying trendy while also feeling good in your own skin isn’t always the easiest task, but luckily if you stick to basics, your outfit will always be on point. That’s why you need to make sure your wardrobe is stocked with all the essentials that you can mix and match and even combine with other clothing items, that’ll make you look gorgeous on any occasion. From trendy blazers to fashionable footwear and a perfect pair of jeans, check out the wardrobe musts every woman needs in order to always look fabulous.

A Blazer

Whether you're spending a day at the office or you need to meet a client for lunch, you can never go wrong with a classic blazer. Furthermore, when you need your casual t-shirt and jeans combo to look a bit more dressed up, all you can do is add a grey checked blazer and a pair of heels, and you're good to go. Therefore, make sure you invest in at least three blazers to start with. Black, grey, and red are the three colors that will make you look like a true businesswoman, while also acting as a perfect cover up for a less formal wardrobe.

A Trench Coat

For a rainy autumn or a breezy spring, a trench coat can be a great fashion addition during both seasons. Therefore, if you don't already own one, make sure you invest in a stylish trench coat. You can throw it over a sweater and a mini skirt during autumn weather, and you can rock it with a pair of cigarette pants, a white shirt and a pair of oxford shoes while wrapping a trendy scarf over it too. Put on a pair of shades if the day is sunny, and complete the entire ensemble with a French beret for a lovely outfit.

A Well-fitted Pair of Jeans

What was once worn only casually, has now become an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe – a pair of jeans can now be worn to the office, on a night out and in the most casual of occasions. Since it's so versatile, you must find a place for a pair of Mavi boyfriend jeans in your wardrobe. Match them with high heels, a sexy top for the unforgettable night out, or wear it on casual Fridays to the office, matching them with a pair of ankle boots, and a chunky sweater.

A Little Black Dress

There's nothing more timeless than a little black dress, so having at least one in your wardrobe is an absolute must. Whenever you don't know what to wear, a little black dress will come to the rescue. You have a dinner date – wear a sexy black dress. You need something stylish but not too revealing for a job interview – put on a little black dress. Your friend has sent you an invitation to their engagement party, and you have no idea what to wear – a little black dress is the answer. Whether you decide to throw over a blazer, a coat or even a button-up sweater, you'll look stunning no matter how you update your little black dress.

Fashionable Footwear

You can’t look amazing without stylish footwear, so get ready to take notes on which pairs of shoes need to be on your shopping list if you don’t already own them. A pair of black pumps is essential because they can make you look dressed up in a matter of seconds. Just imagine wearing a little black dress with a pair of wedges or with a pair of pumps. While both may be appropriate, pumps make the legs look longer, and contribute to an overall elegance. A pair of ankle boots alongside knee-high boots should also be a part of your wardrobe when the colder days come. Don’t forget a pair of ballerina flats for looking stylish while running errands, without making your feet suffer.

A Stylish Bag

Nothing makes an outfit complete as much as a trendy bag does. Therefore, think about enriching your wardrobe with a stylish leather handbag. Go for black as the safest choice that goes with anything. Furthermore, think about investing in a slightly larger bag as well so you can fit in all your daily essentials. Pick a structured shape so you can carry your things in style.

Accessories

Fashion accessories are definitely a must have that will make your every outfit look amazing. Whenever you’re dressed up and you feel like your outfit needs something more, an accessory is the addition you need. Whether it’s a chunky necklace, a pair of sunglasses, a silk scarf or a fedora hat, any of the mentioned items will make a huge difference.

A women’s wardrobe sometimes looks like a bottomless hole that we keep filling up without ever reaching the top. However, that’s only the case when you don’t have the essentials that you can build your outfits around. Therefore, make sure you invest in basic pieces, and you’ll never feel underdressed again.

Guest Post Written By Diana Smith

October 08, 2018

Create the Best Meditation Space with These 5 Tips

October 08, 2018/ Caroline J Rogers

Meditation is a thoroughly beneficial training of the mind. It may seem to some as strangely simple and passive, but this could not be further from the truth. Meditation takes work, know-how, and the right atmosphere. Aside from needing your concentration, dedication, and stamina, this spiritual practice also requires some technical aspects, such as a proper meditation space. To honor the true essence of the practice, you need to create the right conducive environment. Here are the five essential points to consider when finding and building your ideal meditation space.

To honor the true essence of the practice, you need to create the right conducive environment. Here are the five essential points to consider when finding and building your ideal meditation space.

A regular place

Yes, meditation in nature is a unique and transformative experience. However, making daily trips out into nature can be tricky, complicated, and time-consuming. Not everyone has a garden or a beach or an isolated green area nearby, and even if so – what about unfavorable weather? With this said, you need to find a realistic and safe solution for your place of meditation. The bedroom is usually the most convenient option, but really any other space can also work as long as it can be reserved exclusively for this purpose for about 20 minutes a day. By deciding on a regular place for this sacred time of the day, you’ll make meditation a regular habit as well.

Relatively quiet and clean

Meditation is all about finding your own path to inner peace. In order to avoid getting distracted along the way, you need to limit the number of items around you, minimize the possibility of noise, and keep the place clean. If you’re sharing an apartment with family, friends, or a partner, let them know about your sacred place and time of the day. Turn off all the beeping gadgets around you beforehand. You’ll want to have simple and gentle colors in plain sight for a more calming effect. Additionally, you may want to keep your meditation pillow or mat in the middle of the room for a visual cue and reminder.

Well ventilated/good air quality

For a peaceful and calming environment, it’s necessary to shut out all the external distractions, including sounds from the rest of the house, outdoors traffic noises, or any other sort of humming. This requires that all doors and windows be closed, but this may lead to air stagnation, even if you have an air conditioner or fan in the room. To ensure that you’ll be breathing clear and healthy air during your meditation, consider getting a reliable HEPA air purifier and maybe also adopting a plant that will beautify your environment and improve the air quality.

Natural light

Meditation enables us to connect with the earth, free our minds, develop self-love and ultimately connect with nature. In order to unwind your mind and reach the enlightening point of total presence in the moment, you should avoid all sorts of artificial light sources. Ideally, your meditation corner should be naturally well-lit, so keep your windows closed but blinds open and curtains set aside, allowing the abundant sunlight to come inside.

A comfortable seat

There are so many variations of sitting cross-legged ranging from full/half lotus to the Burmese position, but they are all best supported by a meditation cushion. It’s worth investing in a well-made and firm cushion for a consistent meditation practice. Of course, you can use a chair if you need, but just make sure to sit away from the back of the chair, keep your back straight, and stay supported by comfortable pillows.

No matter which type of space you choose to be your spiritual shelter, follow these simple tips to optimize the atmosphere and make the practice of meditation enjoyable and effective. Finally, you can always consider giving your space a distinctive touch by decorating the walls with pieces of art, incorporating scented candles or reed diffusers, or maybe even sharing the space for group meditation sessions.