Blog - Fostering Purpose

Embrace Winter Joy: Cozy Tips for a Nostalgic Season

As the world outside is cloaked in darkness and chill, nature gently reminds us that it’s time to turn inward to discover the light and warmth within and to embrace winter joy.

Our perspective and how we choose to embrace winter’s unique opportunities greatly impact our emotional well-being during the season. By shifting our focus to the beauty and the potential that winter brings, we can take advantage of the energies of the season for personal and spiritual growth.

Are you yearning to embrace the magic of the season?

Embrace the Winter Season

When you think of winter, what comes to mind? No, not shovelling snow and scraping off cars… For me, it’s snowflakes drifting softly in a wintry muffled world, hot chocolate with marshmallows and hearty comfort foods, sleigh rides and festive vibes, cozy pj’s with a book by the fire, and snowstorms that warmly remind us of the things we have to be grateful for. I think of snow crunching underfoot and breath that can be seen. Family gatherings come to mind, spreading joy through acts of giving and bringing the beauty of the outdoor world inside to decorate our homes. Embrace winter joy by finding comfort in these little moments.

Even with the chill of winter, we are reminded of the warmth and appreciation we hold for its beauty and charm. The winter season calls on us to find comfort in the little moments and the simple joys and to create a cozy haven that shelters us from the cold. Just like we light up a tree to bask in its warm glow, we can also ignite that inner glow within ourselves. Perspective shapes our experience, and it’s how we see the season that matters; it’s what we choose to focus on that makes all the difference.

Embrace Joy Through Winter Activities

There was a time in our lives when the coming of snow meant friends gathering on a steep hill to take the fastest flight to the bottom. Snow people were created, angels spread wings in undisturbed snow, and icicles were ripe for the picking. Snowballs were thrown, and mittens were lost, but at the end of the day, with bright rosy cheeks, we returned home to the warmth, with laughter in our hearts, and exciting stories to tell.

Remember that childhood wonder when we chased adventure and found magic everywhere it could be found? When we built memories of joy and comfort that would sustain us for years to come? Embrace winter Joy by reliving those memories this season.

Get out there and enjoy nature’s gifts–build snow forts, make snow angels, and drink cocoa by the fire. Sure, we’re older, and the cold seems so much colder, but that’s what snowsuits, hats, scarves, and mittens are for! Put that rosy glow back in your cheeks and come home with new exciting stories to tell instead of moping around in seasonal sadness. The world always offers us things to enjoy, and we must embrace that adventure again!

Stay Positive and Optimistic

Winter turns down the lights a bit earlier, which can sometimes affect us physically and emotionally if we don’t embrace the day. Embracing winter joy by using daylight for our physical health and the evening’s early darkness for our emotional health can make a significant difference in our well-being. Bask in the sunshine during a mindful walk, and use the evening to invite warmth and comfort into your soul. Wrap a cozy blanket around you and sit quietly with your thoughts. Get to know yourself through reflection, rest your mind from chatter, and ponder the good things in your life.

Think of this season as your special “me time.” A time for you to turn inward and focus on the most important person in your life–yourself. If spending time looking inside of yourself seems daunting, then consider changing your perspective. Looking within is the first step to creating an extraordinary life. By cultivating peace and joy within, we can manifest peace and joy in the world around us. How do we know what’s inside that holds us back if we never venture in to find it?

Create a Cozy Environment

Winter has us focus on the beauty within as well as the beauty without. Creating an atmosphere that contrasts with the chilly outdoor environment will help you foster appreciation for the comforts you have been blessed with. How grateful we become when we sip a warm drink from the comfort of our home and watch a wintry storm brewing outside our window. Scatter warm plush blankets around; let holiday scents fill the air and candlelight dance in the shadows, creating a warm and comforting haven from the outside chill.

What makes your home feel like a true sanctuary from the winter chill? Is it cider-scented candles brightening up the room? Lights and garlands strung along the banister, faux fur cushions tossed here and there? Whatever warms your heart when you walk in from the cold—that’s the atmosphere you want to create.

Engage in Gratitude

‘Tis the season to feel grateful and to invoke gratefulness in others. The world has slowed down, the days have grown shorter, and we’re blessed with time to reflect on all the good things in our lives. The simplest things become a blessing in winter, like a warm bed to climb into, a hot cup of tea, fluffy socks, cable knit blankets, holiday baking, and the loved ones we enjoy them with.

Embrace winter joy by making it a practice to engage in gratitude every day. Gratitude will always bring more things to be grateful for, and giving others a reason to be thankful will amplify the joy and positivity in our lives. See how many times you can receive a “thank you” in a day, and know that you have helped to make someone’s day that much brighter. These practices will not only foster a sense of peace but also help you strengthen bonds, improve your relationships, and inspire others to do the same. The ripple effect of inspiring gratitude goes so much further than any of us can even imagine.

Discover Your Creative Side

Embrace winter joy through creativity collage

Well, if this isn’t the perfect time to try something new and discover your hidden talents, then I don’t know what is. It’s the season of giving and self-discovery, so it’s a win-win. It’s the perfect time to join a class and learn something new and exciting that brings out your creativity. How about a pottery class or taking up knitting or crochet? Everyone loves a special mug or a cozy blanket, and imagine if it could be handmade and delivered with love.

Uncovering your creative side can lead you to discover what truly lights you up and help you connect with your passions. You’ll get out of the house, meet new people, and expand your horizons. Engaging in creative activities not only brings you joy, but also provides a sense of fulfillment. And on top of all those benefits, your passions can be the bridge to discovering your purpose!

Embrace Joy Through Winter Traditions

Winter traditions can bring a sense of warmth and joy to the season, and this is especially beneficial for people who struggle with seasonal sadness. Traditions can lend a sense of excitement for the coming season, and winter truly does offer so many opportunities for new and lasting traditions. Consider a holiday bake-fest with friends or family, where you share recipes, decorate cookies, and reminisce. Hold a holiday movie marathon snuggled up in cozy blankets while you watch your favourite holiday movies, enjoying popcorn and hot chocolate.

Holiday light drives are a wonderful tradition that can bring a magical sense of wonder to the season. Pile into the car with family or friends and drive through beautifully lit neighbourhoods. Set the mood with a tumbler full of hot cocoa and a playlist of your favourite holiday songs.

Don’t forget the joy of giving back. Make it a yearly ritual to support a local charity. Whether you donate time or goods to the cause, you can find a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose by helping others.

Deepening the Winter Experience

Winter is the time for rest, reflection, and renewal. It’s cold, it’s dark, and these elements nudge us to take a more active interest in self-care and emotional well-being.

Rest, Reflection, and Renewal

Moving beyond coziness and traditions, it’s important to recognize that winter offers opportunities for deep self-reflection and renewal of the body, mind and spirit. Embrace winter joy by adding new routines like mindfulness activities, meditation, journaling, and present-moment awareness. These practices can help you get to know yourself better and bring awareness to false negative beliefs, old thought patterns, and emotional baggage that you no longer need to carry.

Letting go of what no longer serves you opens you up to new possibilities, ideas, and renewal. Letting go of those things creates space for positive energy to replace old, stagnant energy. This is where you lay the foundation that your hopes, aspirations, and goals are to be built upon. This new foundation becomes the framework for renewal. You’ve contemplated who you are and what you want. You have a better idea of how to get there. This is where you build your extraordinary life with the vision of your true self in mind.

Winter Wellness

Let’s not leave out a super important part of staying joyful in these frosty months. This winter, challenge yourself to focus on your physical and mental well-being. With shorter days and less sunlight, people can experience lower vitamin D levels. Chilly winter air can chap and dry out skin, cold and flu season strikes, and frigid temperatures can cause joint stiffness and reduce physical activity.

Ensure you get regular doses of sunlight or use a light therapy box to maintain your vitamin D levels. Incorporate nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins and minerals into your diet. Eat foods high in vitamin D. Fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks can counteract the lower levels of sunlight. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or herbal teas throughout the day to avoid dehydration.

Engage in regular physical activity to maintain your energy levels. Activities like yoga, dancing, or a brisk walk in the crisp air can boost your mood and overall well-being. If outdoor activities sound daunting during the colder months, engage in indoor exercises.

Remember to keep your mind active too. Read books, learn new things, and avoid excessive idleness. Pick up new hobbies. Take online courses, or even just engage in stimulating conversations to keep your mind sharp and engaged.

By adopting these winter wellness practices, you can navigate the colder months with a sense of vitality and positivity, turning the season into an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.

Embrace Joy in the Magic of Winter

As the days shorten and nights grow colder, we can find light and warmth within. Embracing the season’s beauty offers chances to cultivate joy, gratitude, and fulfillment in the simple things. A positive mindset can turn winter into a time of personal growth, adventure, and lasting, heartwarming memories.

If you’re inspired to take your winter journey to the next level, check out the Fostering Purpose Seasonal Glow-Up Journey. Join us for a transformative year where you’ll grow, discover, and unveil your most extraordinary self! Click here to join the journey, or check out the video below 🩵 Live Beyond Ordinary – Embrace the Extraordinary

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Empowering Your Inner Voice

Hey there, fabulous! Let’s talk about something that we all face from time to time: self-doubt. Yep, that pesky little voice that tries to rain on our parade and tell us we’re not good enough. But guess what? We’re going to kick that negativity to the curb and empower our inner voice! Ready? Let’s dive in!

Recognize Your Inner Critic

First things first, let’s get to know that inner critic. You know, the one who pops up at the most inconvenient times, like when you’re about to give a big presentation or try something new. Give it a name if you like—something silly, like “Negative Nelly” or “Doubtful Debbie.” By personifying it, you take away some of its power.

Let’s call it Debbie in this article and let’s get to know her. Debbie is that bored old lady who watches out the window all day long looking for something to gossip about. She makes mountains out of molehills, has no common sense, elaborates on everything in an implausible manner, and never shuts up. Debbie is critical of everything, trusts nobody, and appears to take no pleasure in anything at all.

Now imagine having to lug Debbie around with you all day, every day, listening to all of her negative chatter. Yep, that’s what we do if we’re not wise to her sneaky ways.

When you hear that negative chatter, acknowledge it, then politely tell it to take a backseat. “Thanks for your input, Debbie, but I’ve got this!” Tell Debbie this enough times, and she will learn that she needs to keep her negative banter to herself or she will be walking home alone. After a while even Debbie won’t be able to quell your positivity – she’ll be too exhausted trying to keep up with your fabulous energy!

Practice Self-Compassion

Be as kind to yourself as you would be to your best friend. Seriously, imagine your bestie is feeling down—what would you say to her? Probably something encouraging and supportive, right? So, why not say those same things to yourself? Whenever you catch yourself in a spiral of self-doubt, pause and think, “How would I comfort my friend?” Then, offer that same compassion to yourself. You deserve it, gorgeous!

The best way to bring your attention to your greatness is to think about how far you have come in life. Like seriously, look at you! I may not know you personally, but I know you have been through a lot. There are so many things that could have torn you down, but yet, here you are. You have overcome so much, grown so much, and you have made it through days that you thought you never could. You’re a survivor! You are an achiever! Own it and bask in that greatness.

Celebrate Your Wins—Big and Small

Take a moment to appreciate all the amazing things you’ve achieved. Start a “Victory Journal” where you jot down your daily wins, no matter how small they may seem. Did you finally tackle that intimidating project at work? Write it down! Managed to go to the gym even though you were exhausted? That’s a win! By focusing on your accomplishments, you’ll start to see just how capable and wonderful you truly are. Not to mention, you will show Debbie that you really do got this.

Surround Yourself with Positivity

You are the company you keep, darling. One thing I believe in strongly, is that we can become a product of our environment. Make sure your environment is filled with positive, uplifting people who believe in you and your dreams.

Join a supportive community, whether it’s a group of like-minded friends, an online forum, or a local club. Having a cheer squad can make a world of difference in silencing that inner critic. And don’t forget to feed your mind with positivity too—read inspiring books, listen to motivational podcasts, and fill your social media feed with uplifting content.

Challenge Negative Thoughts

When Doubtful Debbie starts yammering away, challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself, “Is this really true?” More often than not, you’ll find that those negative thoughts are baseless fears or exaggerations. Replace them with positive affirmations. Instead of thinking, “I’m not good enough,” say, “I am capable and strong.” Repeat these affirmations daily and watch your confidence soar. Replace every single negative thought, feeling, or emotion, with a positive one and soon you’ll notice those negatives coming around less often.

Whenever you’re facing a struggle, ask yourself “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” Once you answer that ask “What would happen if the worst thing happened?” Then do the same thing for a couple of alternate scenarios, like what’s a better case scenario and the best case scenario? This will allow you to start rationally assessing your situation and realize that even in the worst-case scenario, you have the strength to manage it. Often, Debbie makes our struggles seem far worse than they actually are. Show Debbie what a little rationality can can carry out.

Take Action

Sometimes the best way to silence self-doubt is to take action. Start small if you need to but take that first step. Action breeds confidence and clarity. Each step you take, no matter how small, is a step toward overcoming self-doubt and building self-esteem. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about making progress.

Taking action, no matter how small, creates momentum. It shifts your mindset from “I can’t” to “I can. This shift is powerful. It transforms fear and doubt into motivation and clarity. As you see yourself progressing, you’ll start trusting your abilities more, and Debbie’s negative chatter will become a distant whisper.

Remember, progress is what counts. Perfection is an illusion that only breeds self-doubt. Embrace the journey, celebrate your efforts, and simply learn from any missteps along the way. Each step forward is a testament to your strength and determination.

Embrace Your Uniqueness

You, my dear, are a one-of-a-kind gem. Embrace what makes you unique and let your true self shine. There’s no one else in the world quite like you, and that’s your superpower! When you use that amazing uniqueness to pursue your passions and dreams, you silence self-doubt and foster your purpose, while inspiring others to do the same.

Celebrate your quirks, your talents, and your passions. When you love and accept yourself fully, self-doubt doesn’t stand a chance.

Final Thoughts

Overcoming self-doubt and empowering your inner voice is an ongoing journey. It takes practice, patience, and a lot of self-love. But trust me, you’ve got this! Remember to be kind to yourself, celebrate your victories, and surround yourself with positivity. And whenever that inner critic tries to take over, just smile and say, “Thanks, but no thanks! Wake up Debbie, can you not see we are creating something amazing here?”

Keep shining, beautiful. The world needs your light!

30 Summer Activities to Make Your Soul Sing with Joy!

Here’s a soul summer bucket list filled with 30 summer activities that’ll make your soul sing with joy! Here we go:

Sunrise Yoga Sessions: Start your day with gentle stretches and sun salutations outdoors. Let the morning breeze and warm rays energize your body and soul.

Picnic in the Park: Pack a delicious spread of your favorite foods, a comfy blanket, and a gathering of friends or family, for a leisurely afternoon under the shade of a tree.

Stargazing Nights: Stay up late to admire the night sky. Find a cozy spot away from city lights, lay back, and marvel at the constellations and shooting stars.

Beach Bonfire: Gather driftwood, build a bonfire on the beach, and enjoy the crackling flames, as you roast marshmallows and share stories with loved ones.

Outdoor Movie Marathon: Set up a projector in your backyard or find a local outdoor cinema. Snuggle up with blankets and popcorn for a movie night under the stars.

DIY Spa Day: Create your own spa experience at home with facemasks, aromatic candles, and soothing music. Pamper yourself and indulge in some summer self-care.

Farmers’ Market Adventure: Explore a farmers’ market bursting with seasonal fruits, veggies, and local treats. Support small vendors and savor the flavors of summer with my favorite activity.

Hike to a Waterfall: Discover a hidden gem by hiking to a breathtaking waterfall. Feel the mist on your face and listen to the soothing sound of cascading water.

Visit a honey farm: Plan a delightful day trip to a local honey farm and immerse yourself in the world of bees and golden honey. Make sure you take a jar or five home so you can enjoy its incredible health benefits all year long.

Volunteer Outdoors: Dedicate a day to volunteering in a community garden, cleaning up a local park, or participating in a beach cleanup. Give back to nature and your community.

Try a New Water Sport: Whether it’s paddleboarding, kayaking, or surfing, challenge yourself with a new water adventure. Feel the thrill of gliding across the waves.

Visit a Botanical Garden: Wander through lush gardens bursting with colorful blooms and fragrant flowers. Take in the beauty and find peace in nature’s tranquility.

Create a Summer Playlist: Download a soundtrack filled with upbeat tunes and relaxing melodies. Let your favorite music uplift your spirits and set the mood for sunny days.

Host a BBQ Bash: Fire up the grill and host a summer BBQ with friends and family. Enjoy delicious food, laughter, and good times in your backyard. Plan to have summer activities like lawn darts, badminton, washer toss, etc.

Read Books in a Hammock: Hang a hammock between two trees, grab a stack of books you’ve been meaning to read, and lose yourself in some captivating stories, or inspirational self-improvement reads.

Outdoor Painting Session: Discover your creativity with an outdoor painting session. Capture the beauty of nature or create abstract art inspired by summer vibes.

Sunset Sailing Cruise: Enjoy a sunset sailing cruise on a serene lake or the open sea. Witness the sky ablaze with colors and feel the gentle breeze on your face.

Learn Constellation Names: Study the night sky and learn to identify constellations. Connect with the cosmos and deepen your appreciation for the universe.

Host a Garden Party: Invite friends over for a garden party surrounded by blooming flowers and lush greenery. Serve refreshing drinks and summer-themed snacks.

Make Fresh Lemonade: Squeeze lemons, mix with cold water and sweetener of choice, and enjoy a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade on a hot day.

Take a Road Trip: Plan a spontaneous road trip to explore nearby towns, scenic routes, or national parks. Enjoy the freedom of the open road.

Attend an Outdoor Concert: Dance under the stars at an outdoor concert or music festival. Let the live music lift your spirits, while you create unforgettable memories.

Go Barefoot Walking: Feel the earth beneath your feet by walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil. Connect with nature’s energy and ground yourself.

Start a Nature Journal: Record your observations of plants, animals, and landscapes in a nature journal. Sketch, write poetry, or jot down thoughts inspired by your surroundings.

Journal with nature elements for summer bucket list

Visit a Sunflower Field: Wander through fields of golden sunflowers in full bloom. Be amazed by the sea of vibrant colors and the buzzing of the bees.

Host a Starlit Dinner: Set up a table outdoors illuminated by string lights or candles. Enjoy a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends under the twinkling stars.

Make Homemade Ice Cream: Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your own delicious ice cream or sorbet. Cool off with a sweet treat. Recipes here.

A bowl of homemade ice cream summer soul bucket list

Go Fruit Picking: Visit a fruit orchard or berry farm to pick your own ripe, juicy fruits. Taste the freshness and savor the flavors of summer.

Preserve your bounty: Gather up some friends and host a canning party. Jams, jellies, pickles, salsa, you name it. Enjoy a productive day with your favorite friends, filling jars with homemade goodness.

Reflect and Set Intentions: Find a quiet spot outdoors, meditate, or simply sit in contemplation. Reflect on the past season and set intentions for the coming months. Revel in the possibilities summer brings.

There you have it—30 soul-serving activities to make your summer unforgettable! Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or creative inspiration, these ideas will nourish your soul and fill your days with joy. So, what’s first on your summer soul bucket list?

The Importance of the Present Moment

When we fully grasp the importance of the present moment, we can finally shed doubts, fears, and mental blocks. We can let go of the burdens of the past and the anxieties of the future.

Be still and know that I am here.
– Jesus

The present moment is not just a place to experience a quiet, peaceful mind. It goes much deeper, and the impact is much more profound. The present moment is the only time we can truly experience, influence, and appreciate. It’s the only time we have direct control over our thoughts, actions, and reactions.

In the present moment, we have the power to make choices, set intentions, and take meaningful steps toward our goals and aspirations. We can’t change the past, and the only time we can physically accomplish something is right now. We can say we will do something in the future, but the only time it can actually be done is when it is now.

The only time there is – is now.

The past is gone, and the future hasn’t happened.

Tomorrow, which is in the future, will still be now when you get there. If in the past, we had been living in the present, then there wouldn’t be any reason to be living in the past now. We would have detected the lessons to be learned and we would have acknowledged the false beliefs we were carrying. We would be a completely different person right now, who has lived fully and experienced truly. There would be nothing to regret and no baggage to carry. We would have learned and let go, traveled lightly, and arrived in peace.

By living in the present moment, you are experiencing everything in its purest, fullest form. As you are experiencing the now, you are feeling fully, understanding fully, and accepting fully, whatever it is you are experiencing. This means that you are recognizing lessons, learning from those lessons, and moving on without the baggage of missed and unlearned lessons.

Let’s break it all down and finally understand the importance of the present moment.

Experience true feelings of gratitude.

The present moment allows you to feel things much more deeply. Pure, deep gratitude for instance can only be felt in a present moment experience.

Gratitude is the main ingredient in your manifestation recipes. It is gratefulness that brings you more things to be grateful for and it carries with it one of the strongest positive feelings you could ever experience. Allowing yourself to truly experience gratitude for the good things that are in your life right now, is like sending a prepaid envelope to the universe to deliver you more. Those true feelings of gratitude hold far more power than gratitude which is forced, just so you can fulfill your daily requirement.

To practice gratitude, you need to fully feel that gratitude. A feeling of gratitude is extremely hard to fake, and just routinely thinking of things you are thankful for, will not stir up that present-moment feeling of gratefulness. Not only that, when you are not in the present moment, you’re going to miss all those things you should be grateful for. You’re not going to see them because how can you when your mind is on everything else? Your mind is too busy to acknowledge the things that are unfolding in your experience right now.

In this moment, you enjoy what it is you experience. You’re able to enjoy that thing you’re holding in your hand, you enjoy that food that you’re putting into your mouth. You enjoy the comfort of the luxuries and the richness of your surroundings. You are present to notice how very many things you really do have to be thankful for.

Identify and accept lessons learned.

As we learn from and integrate lessons into our consciousness, we free ourselves from the need to repeat them in the future. While in this present moment, it becomes much easier to stay attuned to the lessons embedded in our experience.

The present moment aids us in feeling strongly, the need to learn and to let things go. This allows us to take our negative experiences and realize the part we may have played in them. It prompts us to take responsibility, but also to forgive ourselves because our quiet mind is more attuned to understanding the importance of mistakes on the path of growth.

If we never made mistakes, then how would we learn and grow? How would we shape ourselves into our uniqueness? And if we never stayed present to recognize lessons then we would just repeat the same mistakes over, and over again.

The present moment frees us from missing opportunities for growth, and in turn, reliving our mistakes.

Discover false beliefs.

We live with many false beliefs that have been instilled in us throughout our lives, things we have read, been told, heard, or even just imagined on our own. Busy minds don’t have time to sit still and look at those false beliefs we hold deep inside. Busy minds are too busy placing attention on the surface of matters that are much less important, like the chatter of the mind (often called the ego).

The useless ego chatter is coming from back in the past, or way into the future, reliving hard times, or fearing the ones to come (and they surely will come someday with all that attention on them). This chatter, which is always useless, nonsensical, and robs us of our peace, can be shut down when we see it for what it is. This mind should only warn in the present moment when a true, imminent threat requires a warning.

“The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.
– Jiddu Krishnamurti

“Who needs a play-by-play on every single thing we see, hear, smell, touch, or taste? Nobody does – in the present moment, we can just experience it fully – no narration required. The present moment allows us to quiet the chatter and listen for the false beliefs that arise inside of us, without our ego backing up those false beliefs by putting its two cents in. We can then see a false belief for what it really is – untrue, and we can let it go by using our wise minds. Our wise mind is a balance between our rational mind and our emotional mind.

Release fears.

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
– Lao Tzu

Fears are born in the past or imagined in the future. Right here and right now there is nothing to fear. This present moment is the only time in which you can react to something, it’s the only time in which you can directly influence your experience.

While we’re in a settled present-moment experience we can look at our fears and see them clearly for what they are. They are almost always unfounded, overblown, ideas that we picked up somewhere, and our egos have worked up into something that feels very real and very intimidating. When viewed with our quiet, wise minds we see they are minute, improbable, fears based on distorted perceptions. Our wise minds can recognize that these fears hold little substance.

Sense synchronicities and nudges toward purpose.

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”
– Rumi

When your mind becomes quiet, your fears can be dismantled, and the chattering ego no longer interferes. This can leave you more attuned to the subtle signals and synchronicities that life presents. Staying attuned to those subtle hints can guide us toward our true purpose. Synchronicities can reveal some very important leads that will help you in manifesting as well as navigating through your experience in a positive way.

When you are struggling with incessant mind chatter, worrying about the future, or reliving the past you do not see what is discretely happening around you. You can miss that person on the street, holding up a sign that says, “I have a message from your higher self.” If not paying attention you can miss the sign on a window that says, “Inside is a lead for your new venture”. You won’t notice the person holding the book you’re being nudged to read. You won’t see the billboard that’s flashing the answer to a question you’ve been asking.

The importance of the present moment for manifesting.

In the present moment, you can use those strong present-moment feelings as leverage toward your manifestations. You are required to maintain a high energetic vibrational frequency to have your desires manifest. However, this is not to say that each desire holds a certain level of frequency.

Maintaining a high frequency will simply bring to you, positive desires. By this I mean that money doesn’t hold one vibration and good health holds another vibration, or that love holds another, or success holds another… I mean that positive desires manifest when you are on a positive vibrational frequency. You only need to get to that high vibrational state to receive all the good things that are a match to a high vibrational state.

Coming back to the true feeling of gratitude that can only be felt in a present-moment experience… Gratitude not only brings us to a high vibrational frequency, but it quickly brings us more things to be grateful for. To manifest more efficiently we must practice gratitude daily, even for the things that we have not yet received. In doing this, we can bring desires to fruition by making it seem as if we already have it, hence the universe would have to make it so. Being present in the moment offers many opportunities to notice things we are thankful for.

How to bring your awareness into the present moment.

Bringing yourself into the present moment requires you to be fully aware of yourself and your immediate surroundings.

Start by taking a few deep breaths. Inhale, hold for 3 seconds and exhale counting to 5.
Ask yourself how you feel in this moment. Just accept how you feel.
Put your attention on your body. Look at your hands and rub them together – noticing how that feels.
Take in your surroundings. Try and use all your senses to anchor yourself – what do you see, hear, smell…
Each time your mind begins to chatter, just acknowledge, and quiet it. This will train your mind to be still and quiet. It takes practice, but the mind will become more and more quiet over time, for longer periods.

Exercising the mind to quiet the ego.

There are some fun things you can do to try and teach that chattering mind to be still. I once heard Eckhart Tolle say that you can ask yourself “What will my next thought be?” and then watch how long it takes for a thought to come. I do this often and it really can bring stillness for quite some time. Another trick Eckhart speaks of is to sit and view everything around you. Try and keep your mind from narrating as you do. Just view your surroundings without allowing the ego to name each thing you are looking at. You can also exercise the mind to quiet your ego by using mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, yoga, and mindfulness self-improvement reading.

Conclusion.

Embrace the present moment as a way of life. It empowers us to live our authentic selves and not miss out on opportunities for self-improvement and growth. It allows us to experience life on a much deeper, and more meaningful level. This moment right now is the only time you can impact your experience. This moment is the only time that exists. Let the past go, let the future unfold in response to what you are doing, thinking, feeling, and believing right now.

Remember that true feelings that arise in the present moment are far stronger and much more powerful than trying to build up feelings for manifestation, with an inexperienced thought. I am, is a powerful statement that signifies the belief and feeling of already having what you desire, thereby allowing manifestation to unfold naturally and effectively, without resistance.

I am, is definitive, I am is now, in this present moment. To say I will be, is merely expressing an intention or aspiration toward possibly becoming something in the future. I will be, is hope for a future event. I will be is not definitive.

“Be still and recognize the essence of your true nature.”
– Mooji

You are so Important: Your Unique Role in Shaping Our World

You are so Important in so many ways, and you should know that, and live that, and experience positively, more of that! What you do, how you live, what you put out into the world has a profound impact on the universe, and on everything in it.

Before we get to how important you are, let’s take a look at how just simply being, you affect the world around you.

How you affect the world.

“Just one look, one word, one display of body language can mean everything in the eyes of the perceiver.”
– Fostering Purpose

How a person perceives your look, words, or body language, can affect not only them, but it can affect the people who encounter them. A ripple effect of either positivity, or negativity, will spread, depending on how that communication was received.

You’ve probably heard of the ripple effect when it comes to how we treat people in our experience. Some may call this karma, you get what you give, what goes around comes around… You’ve probably experienced it for yourself when someone has appeared to put you down or shown some sort of disdain towards you. Whether they intended to or not doesn’t matter, it’s how it’s perceived by the receiver that matters.

In perceiving that negativity, you have invited negative energy into your flow. That negative energy makes you feel lousy and those around you, sensing that negativity or experiencing your reaction to that lousy feeling, are being affected.

We hold a lot of power over the feelings of others, and not being careful with our actions can cause a lot of heartache for them. On the other hand, if careful and intentional, we can use that power to boost morale, encourage growth, motivate, and inspire self-love and self-worth. In doing so we can invite positive experiences into our own lives mirroring what we put out.

To understand this concept, you must first understand positive and negative energy and its importance in our life experience. Understanding this concept can have an astounding impact on the way you experience life, and on the way you influence others lives.

When you can understand the power of energy and live in a way to expand that energy around you, positively, then you can truly accomplish anything, and in doing so you can change lives.

Understanding energy and the concept of like attracts like.

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed or transferred from one form to another. All things, even objects that appear solid, are made of vibrating and moving energy.

Positive energy vibrates at a higher rate of speed than negative energy. This positive energy will attract experiences that match the vibrational frequency of your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Conversely, negative energy will attract experiences that align with its vibrational frequency.

The quality of the energy we emit into the world, whether positive or negative, can and will affect those around us in corresponding ways. Living in a high-quality, positive energy state results in a positive energy field surrounding you. Your energy field, whether negative or positive, influences the energy fields of those around you.

A positive energy field radiates much farther than a negative one. You’ve likely experienced the uplifting feeling of being near a highly positive person, as well as the draining effect of being around someone with low energy.

Okay let’s talk about your greatness now!

What’s so important about you?

Why are you so important? Why are you worthy of love from yourself, from others, and from the universe? Because, if you remember who you truly are you’ll realize that you are magnificent! You are the child of all that is and ever will be, you’re the creator, the experiencer, the amazing soul that is here to live hard and learn large!

You are the child of the king so to say and the blood of that king runs through your veins. That blood holds the DNA of all that is powerful and all that is important, all that IS. If you carry the DNA of all that is, you at your core, are all that is. Together WE are all that is.

You’re not that person who made this or that mistake. You are not that terrible person that others may have claimed you are. You’re truly the soul that came here and has experienced so much, overcame so much, learned so much, grew so much, and contributed so much. No matter what you have experienced, you’ve learned. No matter what you’ve reaped, you’ve sewn. You have contributed to the experience of the soul whether it was positive or negative. You’ve become this one person that is unique in their experience and like no other in their knowledge and beliefs.

In our current reality, we’re confused and don’t remember who we truly are. We’ve let life kick us around and we’ve listened to what we have been told, by people who don’t know. We’ve been conditioned to believe that this life is just a game of chance and that we get what we get. We forget that we are intelligent, powerful beings, full of light and love. We have forgotten that we have this immense power inside of us to create every single detail of our lives.

You, creating you.

When you can say, “Yesterday I was this person, but today I am this person.” Then you are deciding today to be who you want to be. Yesterday is over and today is now. Everyday you are different, knowing different things, feeling different feelings, believing different beliefs. Every day you are growing, evolving, learning, and experiencing. And if you stay right here, right now, being what you want to be then you are always being what you want to be. When you leave the past where it is which is gone, you can experience the moment in totality, which is now and turns into forever.

Without even thinking about the future, you know that being who you are in the now, always, means you are that forever. And through living positively, things change, and you grow. Your abundance increases in positive ways, but still at your core you remain that amazing person you want to be, not just for yourself but for the world around you.

You hold the power to create your extraordinary life. This power, this light inside of you, grows bigger and bigger as you get better and better at nurturing and cultivating it. As your light shines brighter, your energy expands around you and affects everything and everyone around you. This bright light will light up the way for someone with low energy, likely feeling quite sad and lost.

Your bright light can inspire others to want to brighten their own lights. Your bright light will shine on our planet and amplify our collective light. Our combined light energy, which in turn will heal our planet. That positive energy coming from everyone collectively will ripple and spread and heal the world.

Why does the world need you?

There is something that you have to offer this world, that only YOU can offer.

Nobody else knows the things you know in the way that you know them. No one else can speak the words you speak in the way that you speak them. Nobody else feels the feelings you feel in the way that you feel them. This all means that you are the only one who can offer what you are passionate about to this world.

There’s a wonderful thing about sharing your beautiful positive self with the world. The world starts sharing beautiful positive things with you. The world wants to hear what you have to say and learn what you have to teach! There could never be too many teachers. If there are still people left to learn then there are still things that have not been taught. You may just hold that language that changes lives everywhere. That language, that way of speaking, the way of describing, the way of explaining, that is unique to only you.

Now more than ever, people are seeking to learn about their true selves. This is a time when people are waking up to who we truly are, why we are here, and what our purpose is in this experience.

Let’s look at some other ways you can help to change our world!

Share your love.

Have you ever sent authentic love to someone? Well, guess what! You can, and it doesn’t matter who they are, or where they are. All you need to do is concentrate on your heart and imagine a light of love, flowing from your chest straight to theirs. Feel that energy flowing out of you.

As you practice and get better at this you will be able to strongly feel that love (energy) rushing from you to them. And don’t worry, sharing that love won’t drain your energy. You will have love energy rushing back in from everywhere, in response to your sharing.

Love attracts love my loves.🖤

Choose your words wisely.

There is so much power in always speaking positively. This means you should always be speaking about what you do want, and never about what you don’t want. In only speaking about what you do want, you will be drawing only positivity into your life. By not wasting your time and energy focusing on the negative things you don’t want in your life, you’re giving that negativity no attention. You’re giving negativity no power. Where your attention goes energy flows so make that energy positive with positive thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

Instead of saying “I hope I don’t get stuck in traffic today” say “I hope the roads are nice and clear.” Instead of saying “I hope I’m not late” say “I hope I get there with lots of time to spare.” Give power to positivity, and let positivity grow around you.

When people hear how you speak, and they pick up on your positive vibes, you’ll be setting a great example and prompting them to do the same. The positivity you radiate will be so comforting and uplifting to those around you that you’ll be a pleasure to be around. When you radiate positivity and are a joy to be around, you naturally attract others who exude the same warmth and positivity. Good vibes attract good company.

Compliment others.

There’s got to be something you admire in every person that you interact with. Telling them so will mean far more than you may know. A compliment can be relived in the mind repeatedly, bringing with it the good feelings that it invoked, repeatedly. A compliment can be the boost someone needs to love something about themselves and foster growth in that self-love. It doesn’t cost a thing to give a compliment!

Bonus points for complimenting on something you would like to see manifested in your own life. If you notice this quality in someone else, it’s probably because it’s something you would admire for yourself. Embrace joy in seeing that quality, compliment that quality in others and you’ll be inviting it into your own experience.

Spread some joy.

If the only thing you did in life is spread some joy, love, and faith, then you have contributed to changing the world. In doing so, you will invite more joy, love, and faith into your own life. The world needs you to radiate your positive energy and to be conscious of your feelings and mood. Radiate love and gratitude to all that is around you. Watch as more things to love and be grateful for ripple back to you. What an inspiration to always feel your best!

Conclusion.

Inspire people toward self-love and self-worth, to be inspired toward self-love and self-worth. Encourage growth to be encouraged to grow. Motivate to be motivated. If you live in a way where you are always aware of what you are putting out there, then you can expect that the experiences in your own life to mirror that. Intentionally radiate positivity and watch how your life experience transforms.

Decide who you want to be and be that person starting now and staying in the now. You’ll always be that person. You can choose to be anyone you want to be! You are the person with the power to make your experience what you want it to be. Share the good that you have to share, radiate the love you have to radiate. Inspire by being inspirational for others and for yourself.

Share yourself in a positive way with the world. You have experiences like no other and the things you’ve learned through those experiences can help others. Utilize your remarkable qualities to help others realize their own potential. Remember, you are profoundly significant! 🖤

Turn Jealousy into Inspiration: Embracing Manifestation and Spirituality

Jealousy is a complex emotion that often stems from feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, or fear of loss. It can be a destructive force in our lives, leading to resentment, bitterness, and even strained relationships. However, what if we could transform jealousy into something positive? What if we could harness its energy and use it as a catalyst for growth and inspiration? In this blog post, we’ll explore how to turn jealousy into inspiration by incorporating principles of manifestation and spirituality into our lives.

Understanding Jealousy:

Before we can effectively transform jealousy, it’s essential to understand its roots. Jealousy often arises when we compare ourselves to others and perceive their success, possessions, or relationships as threats to our own sense of worth or happiness. It’s a natural human emotion, but it becomes problematic when we allow it to consume us and dictate our actions.

When seen in a different perspective, we can come to realize that it’s our calling to go after those things we desire. It’s our inspiration to strive for growth, transformation, and success. Imagine how seeing jealousy for what it truly is can mean freedom from negative emotions and a reminder of the possibilities that lay before you.

Manifestation and Jealousy:

Manifestation is the belief that our thoughts and beliefs have the power to shape our reality. By focusing our attention and intention on what we desire, we can attract positive outcomes into our lives. However, when jealousy rears its head, our thoughts and beliefs often become clouded with negativity, making it difficult to manifest our desires. When we resent someone for having something we want then we are feeling negative and placing ourselves on a low vibrational frequency. You will never be able to get to a vibrational match to that desire if you are not affiliating having it as a positive experience.

Quote about resenting someone else's success.

Instead of dwelling on feelings of envy or inadequacy, we can shift our focus to abundance and gratitude. Rather than resenting someone else’s success, we can celebrate it as evidence of what is possible. If you didn’t desire for yourself something you seen someone else achieving, then you wouldn’t have had a reaction. You want it, therefore reacted, but the reaction is just misconstrued emotion. By adopting an abundance mindset, we open ourselves up to the possibility that there is more than enough success, love, and happiness to go around. Seeing someone who has what you desire is a reminder and a motivator for you to work toward receiving that desire. Be grateful for those reminders and motivators!

Spirituality and Jealousy:

Spirituality teaches us that we are all interconnected and part of something greater than ourselves. When we embrace this perspective, we realize that someone else’s success does not diminish our own worth or potential. Instead of seeing others as competitors, we can recognize them as fellow travelers on the journey of life.

Practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and self-reflection can help us to foster compassion and empathy towards others. When we approach jealousy from a spiritual perspective, we understand that it is our ego, rather than our true self, that feels threatened by the success of others. By transcending our ego and connecting with our higher self, we can release jealousy and embrace inspiration.

Transforming Jealousy into Inspiration:

Turning jealousy into inspiration requires a shift in mindset and perspective. Instead of viewing someone else’s success as a threat, we can see it as a source of motivation and inspiration. Rather than comparing ourselves to others, we can focus on our own unique journey and path to success.

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to counteract jealousy and cultivate inspiration. By acknowledging the blessings in our own lives, we can shift our focus away from what we lack and towards what we have to be thankful for. Gratitude opens the door to abundance and attracts more positivity into our lives. Gratitude attracts more things to be grateful for!

Visualization is another effective tool for transforming jealousy into inspiration. By visualizing our own success and happiness, we can align our thoughts and beliefs with our desires. Visualization helps us stay focused on our goals and empowers us to take the necessary actions to manifest them.

Jealousy is a natural human emotion, but it does not have to, and should not, control us. By incorporating principles of manifestation and spirituality into our lives, we can transform jealousy into what it really should be, inspiration. By shifting our mindset, practicing gratitude, and visualizing our success, we can embrace abundance and attract positivity into our lives. So, the next time jealousy rears its head, remember that it’s not a threat, but a reminder. It is an opportunity for growth and inspiration.

Adopting these perspectives can not only have a monumental effect on your health and wellbeing but can also bring opportunities for inspired actions into your awareness. Recognizing these opportunities can guide you onto the path of manifesting those desires for yourself. Inspired actions lead you to your success.🖤

Small Habits For Big Change

Small habits entwined together can produce significant, lasting, positive change.

Rather than seeking immense overnight changes, which are unlikely to be sustainable, try ingraining some small habits into your day to create positive changes that are easier to maintain.

Drink your water.

I know, this can be a hard one and I’ve struggled with it myself, but it’s extremely important for our health and wellbeing. Our bodies need this water to function at our best.

If you’re not drinking enough, then I’m sure you already know the downsides and since I like to keep things positive around here, we’re going to just look at the benefits of achieving your recommended intake.

Improved mental focus
Hydrated and healthy skin
Reduced fatigue
Aids in removing toxins
Aids in weight loss
Improved memory
Lower blood pressure
Improved mood
Aids in digestion
Improves kidney function
Lubricates joints

If you have trouble meeting your daily intake because you don’t care for the taste then spruce it up by infusing it with some fruits, vegetables, or herbs. Cucumber water is one of my favorites for its fresh green taste and the fact that cucumbers are high in antioxidants. You can add slices of citrus, pineapple, berries, melon, ginger, and mint just to name a few, and create a flavorful infusion that also looks pretty.

If you find yourself forgetting to drink your water, then you may benefit from an app that reminds you throughout the day. Another great idea is a water bottle that lights up when it’s time for you to have a drink. There are a lot of water bottles on the market that have hourly drink quantities marked on them that help motivate and challenge you to meet your daily intake.

Brain dump or journal before bed.

How often do you lay in bed thinking about everything you need to do the next day? You probably even think about minor, petty things that have no business cutting into your slumber time, but it’s their favorite time to remind you. This is where a brain dump is your best friend.

A brain dump is writing out everything that nags at your mind, like tasks you need to complete, appointments you need to book, calls you need to make, or anything else that robs you of your peace. Jot these down in your journal or in a separate notebook that is dedicated to this purpose. You’ll want to write sections such as:

To do tomorrow
To do this week
To do next week
To email
To text
To call
Other notes

It’s a good idea to also have a space to write out thoughts or feeling that are troubling you, so you can just stop thinking and worrying about it for now, because you know it’s written there for you to deal with tomorrow. This should clear your head and help you to put things into order. Putting everything in order on paper means you’re more likely to complete them since you can see it all laid out at a glance.

You will probably find after a while of doing this that you can cut it back to just a few times a week. Once you get some of these items completed, you will have less to muddle your mind and less to add to the lists.

Wake-up and make-up.

When you wake up in the morning and get yourself ready for the day ahead regularly, then you are setting a routine for yourself. You’re telling yourself “I look good, I feel good and I’m ready to take on the day”. This single act has already made your day productive.

Getting yourself dressed and made up even if you’re just staying home can help motivate you to get things done. Firstly, you’re doing something nice for yourself and that makes you feel good. Secondly, you’re getting yourself ready to face anything that comes at you. You’re ready to go out if you feel like it, and you’re more likely to feel like it when you’re dressed to do so. You’ll also be alleviating worry since you’re presentable if anyone stops by.

Ever taken a shower and gotten yourself dressed and made up, then along comes a child or spouse asking where you’re going? We affiliate showering and dressing with having somewhere to go, or something to do and it’s an instant motivator.

Early to bed and early to rise.

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
– Benjamin Franklin

Waking up earlier than the rest of the household will give you extra time that you can spend on self-care. You’ll have time to incorporate healthy habits into your morning like eating a nutritious breakfast, getting a workout in, or having some quiet time to just reflect on life.

You won’t have to rush to get to work or to get your day started, which is going to significantly lower your stress. Many successful people report that the wee hours of the morning are when they are most focused and productive, and having a productive morning will set a positive tone for the rest of your day.

Naturally, getting enough sleep is just as important to have a productive and successful day, so going to bed early is a must if you want to make this a small habit. To ease in transitioning to an earlier bedtime you could opt to limit stimulants in the evening like caffeine or alcohol. Herbal teas and warm milk are a great replacement to soothe you and help you relax.

Establish the small habit of a morning and evening routine.

A good morning routine will set you up for daily success. You will be starting your day with intention and motivation which will leave you wanting to accomplish even more throughout your day, to keep that momentum going. A morning routine aids in better organization with less chance of missing things that you planned to complete.

Your morning routine should include things that will help the rest of your day flow easily. Try getting the ball rolling on tasks that you’ll need to complete when you get home from work, like throwing in a load of laundry or prepping for dinner. Schedule your day in advance to keep you on track for all the projects you wish to complete.

Include healthy habits like eating breakfast, exercising, and self-care into your morning routine.

An evening routine sets you up for the success of your morning routine. Tasks such as laying out clothes for the following day, setting the coffee machine up, or preparing your lunch or breakfast will help make your morning routine flow easily.

Include healthy habits in your evening routine like reading, journaling, and self-care.

Read self-improvement books.

Whatever life skills you want to improve upon, reading about them will benefit you in more ways than one. According to an article on Healthline – Benefits of Reading Books: For Your Physical and Mental Health (healthline.com) this small habit can:

Strengthen your brain
Increase empathy
Build vocabulary
Prevent cognitive decline
Reduce stress
Aid in sleep
Alleviate depression
Lengthen lifespan

If all those benefits are not enough to have you picking up a good self-improvement book, then read on.

Anytime you engross yourself into reading you’re going to be transporting yourself out of your busy mind. You’ll be concentrating on what you’re reading, giving your mind a little break from things like worry, self-sabotage, and stress. Reading offers a distraction from the vast jumble of thoughts that you’re regularly coping with.

Just a half hour of reading before bed can calm your mind and promote relaxation. If what you’re reading is inspiring you to make positive changes, then you’ll be going to bed with positive thoughts in your mind. These positive thoughts give you hope and motivation for the coming day. Let us just say you will be promoting sweet dreams of successful days ahead.

Learning new life skills can empower you to steer through life’s challenges more effectively. You will be introducing yourself to new strategies that can contribute to your personal growth. Self-improvement books are going to encourage you to set goals with confidence and begin to think more positively about yourself and your future.

Meditate.

If you don’t already practice meditation, then you are truly missing out on a wealth of benefits. Meditation is backed by countless studies and endless accounts of transformation in physical and emotional well-being.

Improved focus
Anxiety control
Increased self-awareness
Positivity and gratitude
Increased creativity
Improved sleep patterns
Increased level of patience
Lowered resting heart rate/cardiovascular improvement
Stress reduction
Enhanced tolerance to pain
Strengthened immune system

Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on our physical and emotional well-being, causing us to be more susceptible to illness and premature aging. In a 2021 study, Stress makes life’s clock tick faster — chilling out slows it down | YaleNews, Yale researchers found that stress can accelerate our biological clock. There is good news though because we can reverse that acceleration by strengthening emotion regulation and self-control. Thanks Yale! Since meditation greatly reduces stress and anxiety, plus the other multitude of benefits… it’s a no-brainer right?

It takes time and practice to be able to still your mind from that incessant chatter going on in there, but you’ll get better at it, I promise. You just have to be patient with yourself every time your mind wanders. The key is to observe the thought and then let it go. When you do this enough times with enough loving patience, then you eventually train the brain to be quiet.

Guided meditations are extremely helpful in structuring your experience by guiding you through breathing techniques and visualizations, making it easier for you to relax, and not worry whether you are doing it right or not. You can seek out guided meditations that target specific goals that align with your needs.

The more you practice meditating and can achieve deeper states of stillness the more astounding your experience can be. With dedication and perseverance, you can attain higher states of consciousness which can lead to heightened awareness and strong self-identity.

So there you have it friends, small habits that pack a big punch.

Watch how your life can transform as you implement and maintain these habits. 🖤

Inspired to make change?

Check out our Seasonal Glow-Up Journey at the FP Extraordinary Living Academy!

Little Luxuries Anyone Can Enjoy

These little luxuries anyone can enjoy will have you feeling like you have it all, even if you don’t.

It’s important to take inventory of what personally makes you feel luxurious. (Sounds like a journal prompt challenge to me.) Maybe climbing into a bed at night that’s fitted with luxury bedding makes you feel luxe. It could be that sporting a high-end handbag has you feeling like a diva. We all have our ideas when it comes to what makes us feel luxurious, so make it your mission to implement some of those ideas into your days.

Splurge on your most used items.

What is the one item you use daily, more than any other item? For me, it’s my coffee mug. Whether it’s my travel or my at-home mug, I’ve made sure it feels luxurious to me. I recommend that your most used items should be splurged on. If you want to feel luxurious as often as possible, then make yourself a list of the top five items you utilize every single day and make it a priority to save up for the best of the best. Instead of splurging on something you use occasionally, you should make your top five items your priority.

Here are my top five:

Skincare/body-care

Coffee mug/tumbler.

Handbag.

Bed Linens.

Specialty coffee//drink machine

I’ve made these items a priority and didn’t mind spending a bit extra for them.

In case you are still not sure what feels luxurious to you, here are some ideas:

Enjoy a luxury drink at home.

Luxury drinks — Image via A Couple Cooks

You don’t have to go out and spend a fortune on a fancy cappuccino, latte, or whatever your favorite luxe drink is. You can easily make them at home yourself. And to be honest, making mine at home just makes it feel that much more luxurious. Not only do I not have to overpay for a drink, but I know how to make it on my own and that is kind of liberating.

You can get creative with flavors and garnishes, putting your own special twist into your concoctions.

Here are some exceptional recipes for hot or cold luxurious drinks:

19 Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Please Any Crowd (eatingwell.com)

15 Hot Drinks to Take the Chill Off! – A Couple Cooks

Climb into luxury bed linens.

Climbing into a bed adorned with luxurious linens is a beautiful thing! Not only does it feel amazing on the skin, but it makes you feel like a million dollars. There is just nothing better than pulling soft, quality sheets and a light and fluffy duvet over you to snuggle in for slumber.

This luxury is my number 1 because every time I get into my bed, I have that ahhhh moment of just pure comfort and bliss.

Luxury linens will hold up well, looking and feeling amazing launder after launder. The extra money that you’ll spend on luxury is worth it in every sense. I suggest splurging on a quality duvet that you can easily update with a new cover whenever you feel an urge to update your decor. Choose a high thread count sheet set for both the best feel and best durability.

Slather on some luxurious skincare.

Let me start with an admission, I am a high-end skincare junkie. However, there are certain things that I prefer to make on my own. Luxury skincare can come straight from your kitchen! You can make your own skin treats that are free of harmful chemicals and tailored to your specific needs. You can craft your own sugar scrubs, nourishing face masks, lip balms, and ever so much more. One of the wonderful things about DIY beauty is that you can scent them to your preference.

Find loads of great recipes here: DIY Skincare – A Life Adjacent

Some products are just better homemade but if luxe skincare is your thing, then whatever you can’t make for yourself should be one of your top 5 splurges. If it makes you feel amazing, then it’s worth it, right?

Love yourself.

Taking time for yourself is super important and you deserve it. I know that when times are busy, we seem to put ourselves last, but that is just so backward. You are better for everyone when you’re showing up at your best.

No matter how small, doing something nice for yourself is loving yourself enough to do it. Anyone living a luxury lifestyle is most certainly being good to themselves, so follow suit. Just because you don’t have a luxury bank account doesn’t mean you can’t pamper yourself. Get yourself into that luxury mindset and watch how things around you start to change. It’s all about how you feel so make sure you are feeling good. 🖤

Even if you can only muster up 10 minutes then take that 10 minutes and do something nice for yourself. Here are some ideas:

Treat your face to a mask.
Soak your feet.
Use a hand or foot mask.
Achieve your water intake.
Read something inspiring.
Meditate.
Write something inspiring in your journal.
Have a luxe bubble bath.
Use a hair mask.

Whatever you do if it feels good to you then that is all that matters. And if you’re thinking you don’t deserve it – sheesh, look how far you’ve come in life. You deserve it.

Find a posh cafe or bakery to frequent.

Be on the lookout for cafes or bakeries which have both visually appealing food, and atmosphere. Find a place that offers things like gourmet pastries or desserts and treat yourself once and a while. You won’t have to put out for a whole expensive meal and it’s a fantastic way to add some luxury into your life.

Incorporate little luxuries into your living space.

A luxury home radiates elegance and comfort, and you don’t have to break the bank to achieve this ambiance. Try some of these ideas:

Feature textiles with different textures. You can do this with throws and pillows for an air of sophisticated comfort. Get this look with faux furs, corduroys, knits, cotton, or whatever you like, but mix it up with an array of textures.

Mirrors can make small rooms appear larger and if mounted strategically they reflect light to make your rooms brighter, more inviting, and romantic.

Bringing earthly elements indoors like fresh flowers, greenery, stone, and wood can add warmth and elegance to your space. Take a walk on a beach and collect beach glass to display in a vase or find driftwood to frame a mirror. Go for a walk in the forest to find twigs that can be painted and placed in urns.

Find your perfect signature scent and use that scent throughout your whole home. That’s right a signature scent for your home, it’s a thing now, and I think it’s a good thing. The intent, besides your home smelling amazing, is that by having a signature scent, people will always think of you when they smell it. To put this in perspective, imagine the signature scent of someone you love dearly, when you catch a whiff of that scent somewhere, it brings on thoughts and memories of them. Scent is a major contributor to memories and can contribute to setting your mood, so when you come home after a long day and catch that first waft of scent, you will immediately have a feeling of familiarity and comfort.

Take a virtual tour through some luxury homes and see what their decor is like. Take note and make it a mission to find less expensive replicas at your thrift, discount, and dollar stores.

The only thing that matters is how you feel.

It does not matter what’s in your bank account. Get yourself in a luxury mindset and enjoy any little luxury you can. You will soon find yourself becoming motivated to take actions that will lead to more luxuries in your life. Be positive and love yourself because your feelings of self-worth are going to feed your mindset, and that mindset will fuel your motivation. Grab hold of that motivation, and it will lead you to amazing places.🖤

Rock Bottom is a Beautiful Place

We never feel so badly, the push for change, than when we have crashed to the depths of despair.

We all know that rock bottom is an awful feeling place. It’s the lowest of the low, the ultimate destruction of your life as you know it. Your world crashes down all around you, crushing your self-worth, pulverizing your hope, and leaving you with self-loathing guilt and shame. You feel like a complete failure.

Hitting rock bottom can be a terrible, traumatic life experience that can cause severe emotional turmoil, and recognizing you’re there is the first step towards recovering from it. In my own experience, rock bottom was a horrible ride that delivered me to a wonderful destination.

Rock bottom is losing yourself.

Finding yourself at rock bottom usually means that you’ve lost something significant. Most eminently yourself. You have lost your self-respect, your self-confidence, your sense of importance and your feeling of belonging. You’re feeling degraded, worthless, lonely, and you’ve placed insurmountable blame upon yourself. You might feel like you just can’t face another day.

But what if you didn’t have to see it this way?

In a 2008 commencement address at Harvard University, J.K Rowlings spoke of hitting rock bottom. After being struck with a divorce and ensuing poverty, 7 years out of university she realized that she had met her biggest fear. This gave her hope, determination, and motivation to succeed as one of the best authors of our time.

And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.
-J.K Rowlings

If you change your perspective there’s an alternative view.

Stop looking around you at the emptiness of the loss and view it as an opportunity for tremendous growth. You can rebuild something even better than what was there before. You have this opportunity to design the life of your dreams, and there’s nothing in the way now. Reach for hope, and search for purpose, remembering the dreams you once had, but left behind for some reason or another.

Before you lay that first brick, you must come to terms with yourself. Although it’s uncomfortable, it’s extremely important to acknowledge what you have done, and how that makes you feel. Allowing yourself to observe your emotions can be extremely fulfilling, and it’s okay to feel how you do.

Your rock bottom – your responsibility.

Acceptance is essential to your healing and your growth. There is no place for blaming others in this process because this is your story, and ultimately your decisions have placed you here. You may have been a victim in your circumstance, but accepting your role in the situation is key to your growth. You can’t change what has happened, but you can accept it and learn from it. In learning this lesson you’ll gain experience and strength. You’ll be given the gift of knowing what you do not want for your life, but even more importantly, what you do want.

After coming to terms with yourself, be sure to identify the lesson. What was it, what did you learn from it, and how will this impact your decisions in the future? What will you do differently from this point on? If you can’t identify the lesson, then how can you be sure it won’t sneak back in again? And if you can’t find something to change, then where will you find your hope to rebuild? You will be selling yourself short and missing out on an amazing opportunity for personal and spiritual growth, if you don’t ascertain what you’ve learned.

This experience can go very deep, exposing feelings and beliefs you didn’t know you had. This allows you to remove perspectives that do not serve you, and start establishing ones that do. And now, rock bottom becomes your new foundation.

Solid foundation – laying the first brick.

You’ve done the hard work at this point. By now you know what you do not want, and you have a clear picture of what you do want. You’ve accepted that this is where you are and have the hope and motivation to arrive where you want to be. You know what your new life looks like, so now it’s time to start building it.

Your new thoughts, ideas, and feelings become your beliefs. These beliefs create your new mindset. Your mindset is the total sum of your beliefs, the I can, or I can’t, the I will, or I won’t. And your mindset is what fuels your motivation to succeed. Pay close attention to what you are feeding your mind and make sure that your new beliefs about yourself and your goals, align with what you aspire to achieve.

Your rock bottom is your new foundation, and every brick you place upon it has a purpose. These bricks are the future walls that protect you from the past mistakes you’ve made and learned from. Because you now know what they look like, you won’t allow them in again.

You can only go up from here! Each brick you lay, is a great achievement, and these achievements are your motivation to keep building. You’re going to find that you have built something stronger and more resilient than you ever had in the past. You’ll have built the castle you dreamt of all along.

We all make mistakes; I call it growing.

Congratulations on your growth, you’ve survived a traumatic experience. You can now learn from it and rebuild upon it. Isn’t growth a beautiful thing? 🖤

Note: If you are feeling utterly hopeless and can not foresee a positive outcome for yourself, please seek help. If you feel that you are experiencing a suicidal crisis contact:

Listing of world crisis hotlines can be found here: Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World | Psychology Today

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A Week of Journal Prompts

Whether you’re a seasoned writer, or just dipping your toes into journaling, these prompts will help to ignite some inspiration and encourage self-reflection.

It can often be difficult to come up with something to write about, and prompts are a fantastic motivator to get you started. There are so many benefits to keeping a journal and I hope that I can inspire you to do so.

Benefits of keeping a journal.

Relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.

Stress, anxiety, and depression can be greatly relieved by journaling. You can be taken to another place emotionally when you’re forced to focus on the writing, and not on your distress. If you’re concentrating on a positive topic, then as you’re immersed in writing about it, you’ll naturally be stirring up positive feelings within yourself.

Strengthen your mind.

Journaling can help to strengthen your mind by encouraging you to contrive ideas and observations that are your own. These days we don’t think enough for ourselves or dig deep for answers because we rely on search engines to find the answers for us. Our poor minds are being sorely underused and neglected and we all know that our brain is a muscle that needs to be exercised and utilized. Journal prompts are especially helpful when you want to improve upon mind strength as they give you a reason to think outside of your norm.

Increase your self-awareness.

You can increase your self-awareness exponentially by writing about yourself and your beliefs. How often do you just sit and truly comprehend what your beliefs are? When you’re writing, you’re compelling yourself to reach below the surface for those answers. With a pen in hand and paper in front of you, you have to think to have something to write.

Discover and unearth negative emotional blocks.

A journal can help you to discover hidden beliefs that you didn’t realize you have. We all have hidden beliefs that were instilled throughout our lives, and many of these deep-rooted beliefs do not serve us well.

When thinking of a topic for this particular purpose then use a subject that you seem to struggle with in your life experience. For instance, if you struggle with a lack of money, then use something like: What beliefs do I have regarding money? Once you unearth all the negative beliefs you can replace them with new positive beliefs.

Journaling can help with decision-making.

When you are forced to make a tough decision, you can gain a lot of insight by writing about it. Writing down how you see the outcome from all angles allows you to make good, informed decisions like a pros and cons list would, but better. Since writing helps you to deeply explore feelings, you will have a better understanding of how either outcome would make you feel.

Why journal prompts are beneficial.

Journal prompts can push you to explore new thoughts and ideas that you wouldn’t normally explore on your own. They are especially beneficial for leading you to write about things that may be out of your comfort zone. Writing about specific topics that have been provided for you, can challenge you to answer questions that you wouldn’t normally ask yourself, leading you to learn new and exciting things about yourself.

Without further ado, 7 journal prompts to get you through the week…

#1. List three qualities that you appreciate in yourself.

#2. Write about a goal that scares you but excites you at the same time.

#3. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

#4. What does success mean to you?

#5. What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

#6. Write about a time when you experienced a breakthrough or revelation.

#7. Reflect on a time when you felt most fulfilled. What were you doing?

Bonus points for getting super creative and adding stickers, drawings, or any other decorations for some creative, artsy journaling. 🖤

Embrace Winter Joy: Cozy Tips for a Nostalgic Season

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Empowering Your Inner Voice

30 Summer Activities to Make Your Soul Sing with Joy!

The Importance of the Present Moment

You are so Important: Your Unique Role in Shaping Our World

Turn Jealousy into Inspiration: Embracing Manifestation and Spirituality

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Embrace the Winter Season

Embrace Joy Through Winter Activities

Stay Positive and Optimistic

Create a Cozy Environment

Engage in Gratitude

Discover Your Creative Side

Embrace Joy Through Winter Traditions

Deepening the Winter Experience

Rest, Reflection, and Renewal

Winter Wellness

Embrace Joy in the Magic of Winter

Recognize Your Inner Critic

Practice Self-Compassion

Celebrate Your Wins—Big and Small

Surround Yourself with Positivity

Challenge Negative Thoughts

Take Action

Embrace Your Uniqueness

Final Thoughts

The past is gone, and the future hasn’t happened.

Experience true feelings of gratitude.

Identify and accept lessons learned.

Discover false beliefs.

Release fears.

Sense synchronicities and nudges toward purpose.

The importance of the present moment for manifesting.

How to bring your awareness into the present moment.

Exercising the mind to quiet the ego.

Conclusion.

How you affect the world.

“Just one look, one word, one display of body language can mean everything in the eyes of the perceiver.”

Understanding energy and the concept of like attracts like.

What’s so important about you?

You, creating you.

Why does the world need you?

Let’s look at some other ways you can help to change our world!

Share your love.

Choose your words wisely.

Compliment others.

Spread some joy.

Conclusion.

Understanding Jealousy:

Manifestation and Jealousy:

Spirituality and Jealousy:

Transforming Jealousy into Inspiration:

Small habits entwined together can produce significant, lasting, positive change.

Drink your water.

Brain dump or journal before bed.

Wake-up and make-up.

Early to bed and early to rise.

Establish the small habit of a morning and evening routine.

Read self-improvement books.

Meditate.

So there you have it friends, small habits that pack a big punch.

Inspired to make change?

Splurge on your most used items.

Here are my top five:

Enjoy a luxury drink at home.

Climb into luxury bed linens.

Slather on some luxurious skincare.

Love yourself.

Find a posh cafe or bakery to frequent.

Incorporate little luxuries into your living space.

The only thing that matters is how you feel.

We never feel so badly, the push for change, than when we have crashed to the depths of despair.

Rock bottom is losing yourself.

If you change your perspective there’s an alternative view.

Your rock bottom – your responsibility.

Solid foundation – laying the first brick.

We all make mistakes; I call it growing.

Note: If you are feeling utterly hopeless and can not foresee a positive outcome for yourself, please seek help. If you feel that you are experiencing a suicidal crisis contact:

Listing of world crisis hotlines can be found here: Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World | Psychology Today