My Morning Routine for Peace, Positivity, and Productivity

Let me start by saying I am not a morning person! Getting up at the crack of dawn and starting my day before the rest of the world has never been a sustainable option for me. So if you're anything like me, no worries! You can still create a morning routine that gets your day started on a peaceful, positive, and productive note.

I'm not gonna lie, I've struggled for years to create maintain a morning routine. A couple of years ago I was inspired after reading "The Miracle Morning." A great book all about the benefits of incorporating a morning routine and some best practices. I was so pumped to start my own morning routine and found myself waking up at 5 am to do about ten different tasks. 

To make a long story short, that did not last. 

Nevertheless, I did see the value in it, I just needed to tweak it and find something that worked for me. And that’s exactly what I recommend you do too. 

Now, because we are in the midst of this global pandemic and are quarantining at home, I decided that this was the ideal time to commit to doing a morning routine. In a time where all the days are running together and things are just weird in general, I thought this would give me some structure, bring a sense of calm, and aid in my productivity throughout the day.  

And honestly it has! What I love about morning routines is the feeling of accomplishment that you get after completing it. I love having that positive energy early in the day. 

That’s why I want to encourage you to create and stick to (the tricky part) a morning routine. Especially right now as a way to keep you grounded and bring more positivity to your day. We need all the positive vibes we can get!

So! If you’re interested in doing so, read on to learn about my current morning routine as well as tips and ideas for creating your own. 

My Morning Routine

When creating my morning routine, I thought about the things that I wanted to do daily but often wasn’t getting around to. Most of these were things I was already doing, but making a routine around them allowed me to prioritize getting them done on a daily basis.

My routine consists of the following activities:

• Oil pulling
• Gratitude
• Reading
• Drinking water
• Yoga or stretching
• Meditating
• Eating breakfast

This may seem like a lot, but as you'll see, many things take just a few minutes and also overlap.

Oil Pulling

Okay, you might be wondering what this is! Oil pulling is an ayurvedic oral health technique that involves swishing oil around your mouth kind of like mouth wash to kill harmful bacteria. Some of the benefits of oil pulling, specifically with coconut oil, include preventing bad breath, cavities and inflammation, whitening teeth, and improving gum health. It has also been said to reduce inflammation and support detoxification throughout the entire body (source).

On my nightstand I keep my coconut oil in a Tupperware container. And the first thing I do when I wake up is to take a tablespoon of oil and swish it around for about 20 minutes. This can be challenging! If you’re interested in trying it, start with 5 minutes and work your way up. Don’t swallow it. While I am oil pulling, I do my gratitude practice and reading.

Gratitude

There are many benefits to incorporating some time in your day to reflect on the good things and remind yourself of all that you have to be grateful for. It’s the ultimate mood booster. While I’m oil pulling, I write down 1-3 things I’m grateful for in my bullet journal. 

I used to use the Five Minute Journal to do this, but recently adopted the bullet journaling method and have everything contained in there. This takes about five minutes and then it’s on to reading.

Reading

I love reading and I have quite of few books on my To-Read list. But I don't always make the time for it. Incorporating reading into my morning routine has helped me to make reading more of a habit and put a dent in my reading list. I usually read for about 15 minutes. It’s not a whole lot of time, but I do feel like I’m making consistent progress. I do this while oil pulling.

After 20 minutes I’m done oil pulling and I move on to brushing my teeth, washing my face, etc.

Lemon Water

There are many benefits of drinking water, particularly lemon water, in the morning. It hydrates you, helps with digestion later in the day, and can even contribute to weight loss (source).

I’m obsessed with lemon water and drink it all day long, but I start with about 8-12 oz in the morning. I have this prepared overnight and I keep my bottle on my nightstand, so this takes just a few seconds.

Yoga/Stretching

One of my goals lately has been to improve in my yoga practice. I’ve gone through many phases in my workout journey and right now yoga is what feels the best for me and what I’ve been enjoying the most. I love the focus and the feeling of calm it brings me.

Depending on time and my mood, I’ll either do a guided yoga video, a yoga flow on my own or I’ll just do some simple stretching. I don’t spend more than 20 minutes because I plan on doing more extended workouts at other times during the week. But it’s a great way to get some movement in and wake up the body.

Meditation

I have really grown to love meditation. It’s one of my favorite practices for stress relief and calming my mind, which is very much needed. I have a few apps that I like to use, but my favorite is Calm. Usually, I do a guided meditation, but other times it just me and my thoughts. This lasts about 10 minutes.

Breakfast

Lastly, I end my morning routine with breakfast. What I eat varies from day-to-day. Although it’s usually pretty simple. I kid you not, my go-to breakfast is actually homemade soup that I just pop in the microwave. But it’s less about what I eat and more about how I eat. I try to practice mindful eating by sitting at the table and eating slowly, trying to be present and enjoy what I’m eating instead of rushing and multitasking like I often do. I also listen to music or a podcast and relax. I spend about 20-30 minutes on this.

So there you have it, that is my current morning routine!  

Create Your Morning Routine

Feeling inspired to create your own routine or maybe revamp one that you already have?! Before you do, I want to give you some tips on how to create and sustain a morning routine that works for you and give you a list of possible activities and habits you can build into your routine.

4 Tips for Customizing Your Morning Routine

1. Think about how much time you want to spend and how much time you reasonably have to spend.

What time do you have to be up vs. what time do you want to wake up. That will give you a sense as to how much time you’re working with. Your routine does not have to be 2 hours to be a worthwhile addition to your day. Right now, my routine is working for me because I have more time on my hands.  But down the road that may change and I’ll have to adjust.

2. Consider what your goal is for your routine.

Here are some questions to think about before creating your morning routine: 

• How do you want to feel? Relaxed? Energized? Empowered?
• What do you want more of in your day? Productivity? Peace? Happiness? Better health? 
• What do you enjoy doing but find you don’t have enough time for?

Your answers will tell you what types of habits you should prioritize.

3. Start slow.

There’s nothing worse than ambitiously starting something and not being able to maintain it. You beat yourself up and then give up on it altogether. Save yourself the stress and start slow, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to work with. I recommend choosing 1-3 activities to incorporate and add on as you solidify it as a habit.

4. Keep some flexibility.

You’ll feel accomplished when you complete your morning routine, but it’s easy to feel the opposite when you don’t make it through the whole routine or do it at all. Prepare yourself for those days when you just don’t have time or don’t feel like it. It happens!! Don’t be afraid to modify your routine when needed, just keep going!

Here are some ideas for activities you can include in your morning routine.

Morning Routine Ideas

• Exercise
• Read
• Meditate
• Pray
• Practice deep breathing
• Journal
• Write down your dreams
• Listen to a podcast
• Listen to an audiobook
• Take an online course
• Listen to music
• Gratitude practice
• Affirmations
• Work on a side hustle or business idea
• Work on a hobby
• Drink water
• Make tea or coffee
• Eat breakfast
• Go outside
• Enjoy aromatherapy
• Make your bed
• Make a to-do list for the day
• Look over your budget
• Water your plants
• Talk with your partner or a friend
• Do a skincare regiment

There are so many options! These are just a few ideas to get you going. I hope that you’ll create a morning routine of your own that brings you peace, joy, feelings of accomplishment, and whatever else you need for an enjoyable start to your day.

How do you start your morning? Do you have a routine that you follow and how has it worked for you?!

The Best 5 Minutes of Your Day: Five-Minute Journal Review

If you're anything like me, you have more than a few mostly empty journals laying around.  It’s almost impossible to resist those cute and colorful notebooks with the inspirational quotes at Marshals.  It’s also almost impossible for me to keep up with writing in these journals for any stretch of time.

If you’re a professional when it comes to consistent writing and you have stacks of completed journals, I envy you!  For years I've made valiant attempts at keeping a journal and failed.

I love the idea of it...

Recapping important events.

Processing your thoughts and feelings.

Tracking your goals and accomplishments.

Keeping memories to look back on later in life.

Not only does journaling seem like a good idea, according to science, it really is. Regular journaling has been shown to improve mental health, memory, productivity, creativity, mindfulness, communication, emotional intelligence, sleep and the list goes on.  

If you’re someone like me who would love to add the practice of journaling to your daily routine, but has struggled to make the habit stick, let me introduce you to the Five-Minute Journal.

I've been using it for almost a year and have been able to keep up with it and stay (mostly) consistent. It's been a great addition to my morning and evening routine. It's become a self-care ritual and I highly recommend it!

This journal is perfect for anyone looking for

• A quick, yet meaningful way to practice journaling
• A tool for mindfulness and intentional living
• More happiness and optimism in their daily life

Sound like you? Keep reading to learn all about the Five-Minute Journal and why you have to try it!

Happier in Five Minutes?

According to its creators, the Five-Minute Journal is "the simplest, most effective thing you can do every day to be happier."  The journal's structured design is rooted in positive psychology research with a focus on gratitude.

And that is the key!  Practicing gratitude has been shown to have transformative effects.  Studies show that gratitude:

• Strengthens relationships
• Improves physical and psychological health
• Increases empathy and reduces aggression
• Improves sleep quality
• Builds self-esteem
• Increases mental strength

The Five-Minute Journal makes gratitude and positivity a daily habit.  I'm not a morning person…whatsoever, but thinking about everything I have to be grateful for and the things I'm looking forward to first thing in the morning definitely leaves me in a better mood and feeling more optimistic about the day ahead.

Similarly, writing at night allows me to remember the good moments of my day and focus on the things that I have the power to control.

So does it actually make you happier in five minutes?  Obviously, this is not a magic journal and won't solve all of your problems in one sitting.  But for me, I can definitely say that it’s drastically improved my outlook and optimism. It's made me more self-aware and intentional in my daily life. And without question, all of those things have helped make me a happier person.

How It Works

Each page of the Five-Minute Journal represents a day and is divided into two parts, a morning and night routine.

Every morning you're given an inspirational quote or a fun weekly challenge to start.  One of my favorites quotes is,

"To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing," Fred Shero.

So far my favorite challenge was to give a genuine compliment to a stranger.

Next, you're prompted to list three things you're grateful for, three things that would make today great, and one daily affirmation.

Before going to bed, you write down three amazing things that happened that day and how you could have made the day even better.

It's really as simple as that and literally takes five minutes or less! It's so easy to fit this practice into your morning and night time routines.  Take it from the worst journal writer ever… if I can do it, I know you can too!

Even though it's quick and efficient, it's still a very meaningful exercise.  It's something that I've come to look forward to everyday and I immediately feel a shift in my mindset and a boost in my attitude.

The Benefits

My greatest takeaway from using the Five-Minute Journal is that mindset is everything.  I think we could all use a little more positivity in our lives and this journal definitely delivers that.

For anyone who wants to incorporate gratitude and mindfulness into their daily routine to increase overall happiness, I highly recommend it.  Whether you've been journaling for your whole life or new to the practice, I'm almost certain you'll experience the benefits. But if you're not quite sold, here are all the reasons that I love the Five-Minute Journal:

• Fast, structured and to-the-point
• Beautiful design
• Positive start and end to every day
• Inspirational daily quotes
• Challenges that take you out of your comfort zone
• Chance for self-reflection
• Track progress and personal growth
• Become more intentional
• Promotes self-love and self-care
• Increase gratitude
• Become more optimistic
• Practice mindfulness
• Establish a positive daily ritual

I really love this journal, as you can see!  I'm not affiliated with the company in any way, just giving my honest opinion and experience. For more information, check out the website here.  It's about $23 for the hardcover copy, but they even have an app for those who prefer to keep things digital.

Regular journaling, no matter what format you use, is a great habit and a useful tool to overcome stress and improve your quality of life.

Do you use the Five-Minute Journal or another type of journal regularly? What benefits have you experienced from this habit?

The Best DIY Deep Conditioner for Dry, Winter Hair

During the winter when my hair tends to get really dry and uncooperative, deep conditioning is a must!

I love deep conditioners and I've tried many store-bought varieties over the years to repair my hair from chemicals, dyes, heat damage, and many other traumas I've put my hair through. But lately I've been experimenting with making my own homemade deep conditioners.

Not only is it cheaper, but you don't have to wonder about those mysterious, unpronounceable ingredients on the label.  It's nice to have control over what's going in my hair. The simpler and more natural the better!

This DIY deep conditioner is extremely simple to make and is one of my favorites.  All you need is Greek yogurt, honey, and olive oil.  Whenever I use it my hair feels super moisturized, shiny, and soft.  It also cuts down on frizz (a major concern for me) and tangles which makes styling afterward that much easier.

Each of these ingredients has a ton of benefits to support hair health and you probably have them in your kitchen right now.

Greek Yogurt

I almost always include Greek yogurt in my hair masks because it has a lot of protein and fatty acids which do wonders for dry, damaged hair.

• Protein strengthens hair and helps prevent split ends.
• Fats lock in moisture and nourish dry strands.
• Lactic Acid supports hair growth and cleanses the scalp to soothe itching and prevent dandruff.

Honey

Not surprisingly, honey is full of nutrients, antioxidants, and healing compounds that can also support healthy hair.

• As a humectant and an emollient, it attracts and seals moisture into your hair, softening and increasing the hair's natural luster.
• Vitamins and antioxidants strengthen hair follicles and prevents breakage, which leads to hair growth.
• Antibacterial properties keep your hair and scalp clean and healthy.

Olive Oil

There are many oils that are great for hair care, but olive oil is my preferred type. It's a bit heavier than some of the others and in my experience adds longer-lasting moisture.

• It coats the outer layer of the hair giving a smooth, glossy appearance.
• Penetrates the hair shaft to improve elasticity and shine.
• Antioxidants shield hair from harmful free radicals keeping it strong and protected.

[penci_recipe]

Again, feel free to tweak this simple recipe to your needs! There's so many items you already have at home that you can use to condition your hair when it need a little boost.

Do you ever make your own deep conditioner? What ingredients do you use?

How to Choose Your Word of the Year for 2019

Everyone’s talking about their New Year’s Resolutions, but have you ever considered setting a Word of the Year?

One word to encapsulate your goals, desires, and intentions for the year ahead.

When I heard about this practice on one of my favorite podcasts, I was really intrigued and decided to adopt it as a new New Year’s tradition.

I’m usually very big on goal-setting and resolution-making. But, let’s be honest, who really sticks to their resolutions for the entire year?  (Not me!)

I love the idea of having one overarching theme.  A mantra that I can focus on throughout the year, directing my path and constantly reminding me of who I want to be and where I want to go.  

I also like that there’s no success or failure involved.  Your word is something that you can incorporate in every area of life and work toward a little each day.

“Your thoughts become things!” -Rhonda Byrne

If you believe in the law of attraction, then you know how powerful your thoughts can be. Choosing a Word of the Year will give you clarity and guidance and help you make your thoughts a reality in 2019.

Choosing Your Word of the Year

The possibilities for your Word of the Year are endless.  All that matters is you pick a word (or a few words) that resonate with you and your aspirations.

It should keep you focused, motivated and on track throughout the year.

My word of the year for 2019 is Authentic. I want to focus on being simply and unapologetically me.  That means knowing myself, accepting my strengths and weaknesses, not being afraid to be vulnerable, and not caring what anyone thinks. If you want to know more about my word of the year you can read all about it here!

You might have a word that immediately comes to mind. Or you may need to spend some time brainstorming the right word for you.  

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when thinking about your Word of the Year:

• What energy or feeling do I want to bring to this year?
• What do I want more (or less) of in my life?
• What do I want to improve or do differently?
• Who do I want to be?
• What do I need to achieve my goals?

Here are a few more helpful tips for choosing your word:

Take some time

Don’t be afraid to spend a little time thinking about your word. Take your time, ask yourself the questions above, do some meditation or prayer, or try journaling.  All of these will help you reflect on what you want and need most for the year and lead you to your word. It took me a few days to decide. There’s no rush. And there’s no deadline.  Even if it takes you all month to solidify what you want to focus on that’s ok. The important thing is to find a meaningful word that’s gonna keep you on track and guide you where you want to go.

Make a list

Write down all the words that come to mind. No wrong answers! Just let it flow. You can narrow down your list later.

Think about your goals

If you already have some goals or resolutions in mind, write them down.  You may find an overarching theme that ties all your goals together. Or maybe there’s something you need to help or motivate you to achieve your goals--for example confidence, faith, vision.

Don’t overthink

It may come to you immediately or it may take you a little while to decide.   But you’ll know when you’ve found it. I made a list of a few words and there was one that I kept coming back to. I would hear it in conversations, on social media, on podcasts, everywhere. That’s how I knew it was the one.  

101 Word Suggestions

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Abundance

Acceptance

Adventure

Alive

Authentic

Available

Awaken

Bliss

Brave

Centered

Compassion

Confidence

Connection

Consistent

Creative

Culture

Educate

Elevate

Embrace

Energy

Faith

Family

Fitness

Flow

Focus

Forgive

Freedom

Friends

Fun

Future

Generous

Genuine

Giving

Glorious

Glow

Grace

Grateful

Greatness

Grow

Habit

Happy

Harmony

Healing

Health

Heart

Honest

Hope

Humble

Increase

Inspire

Intentional

Intuition

Joy

Kind

Laugh

Learn

Live

Love

Mindfulness

More

Move

Nature

New

No

Obedience

Open

Organize

Passion

Peace

Playful

Possibility

Present

Progress

Prosperous

Regal

Relax

Release

Renew

Reset

Self-care

Self-love

Service

Shift

Shine

Simplify

Sincere

Slow

Smile

Soul

Spirituality

Strong

Surrender

Trust

Vibrant

Vision

Wellness

Wisdom

Wonder

Word

Yes

Zen

Make Your Word Stick

Choosing a word is the first step, but you want to make sure your word will stay with you all year long. Just saying it once isn’t going to create the changes you want to make.

“What you think, you create. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you become.” -Anonymous

The more you focus on your word, the more you’ll be able to manifest it in your daily experiences.

Here are a few ways that you can solidify your word of the year and keep it at the forefront of your mind.

Write it

Once I chose my word, the first thing I did was write about it in my journal.  I wrote out my reasons for selecting it, what it means to me, and how I plan to incorporate it into my life throughout the year.  Doing this helped me to get clear on why this word was important and how I was going to work toward that goal with specific actions.  Defining your word and making a plan will make your vision feel more tangible.

Talk about it

Sometimes when you say things out loud, it feels more real. For me, whenever I tell someone about a plan or goal or something I’m working on, I feel a more accountable to myself to follow through.  Share your word with the people around. You could even encourage a friend or family member to do it with you! Have them choose a word of their own and you can support each other throughout the year.

See it

There’s so much to think about on any given day, but you don’t want to forget about the intentions that you set with your word of the year.  Seeing little reminders here and there will bring you back to your word and keep you focused.

You can write it on your mirror, make it the screensaver on your computer or your background on your phone.  Put post it notes of your word in high traffic areas where you will see it throughout the day like your car dashboard, office desk, front of the fridge or any where you spend a lot of time.

Create it

Make a visual piece that you can display to remind you of your word.  Get creative! You can make a vision board, painting other work of art to represent the meaning and feeling behind your word. This is a great way to visualize your goals daily and attract the things you want.

I’m really excited for this year and ready to start living out my word of the year.  I hope this gives you a few ideas for choosing your word.

Have you ever chosen a word of the year word? What's your word of the year is for 2019!

My Word of the Year: Authentic

This year I decided to try something new and choose a Word of the Year for 2019.  That is, one word to represent my intentions, goals and desires. A theme for the year ahead.

The first word that popped into my head was peace. I really want to be that zen, mindful person that meditates and does yoga.  That person who doesn’t get stressed or worry about the small stuff. The one who’s at peace with themselves and the world around them.

That’s who I ultimately strive to be...And one day I will be that person.  But I have some work to do first.

I had a few other options for my word of the year, but the other top contender was authentic.  A word I’ve been hearing a lot lately, especially when it comes to blogging. With the hundreds of thousands of blogs out there, you have to have your own unique voice and style so that you can stand out from the crowd, but also be relatable and connect with readers. You must be authentic.

But authenticity isn’t just necessary for writing a blog. I realized that if I want to be that peaceful, zen person I envision, I need to first focus on living authentically--knowing myself, accepting my strengths and weaknesses, not being afraid to be vulnerable, and not caring what anyone thinks about it.

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”

-Brené Brown

I believe that is really the first step toward achieving that inner peace I’m looking for.

So this year I’m focusing on being authentic.  But how??

Letting Go of Perfection

This is a hard one for me.  I’m a HUGE perfectionist and have been for as long as I can remember.  My dad always tells the story of how, when my parents separated, he had to comb my hair for school and I would get so upset and make him redo it if ever my pigtails weren’t perfectly symmetrical on both sides of my head. I was maybe 6 or 7 years old then.

So this goes wayyyy back!

Until recently I thought being a perfectionist was a great thing.  It afforded me good grades, compliments and praise, acceptance into excellent schools, and many other accolades.  

But honestly, it’s draining. I might even go so far as to say it’s debilitating. You put so much pressure on yourself and you fear any mistake and this makes you barely want to do anything at all. It stops you from taking risks, it makes you question your every move, you knit pick at everything you do and you constantly wonder if what you’re doing is good enough to reach that elusive standard you have set.

And when you don’t hit that mark of perfection, it can be painful.

There’s no better example of my perfectionism in action than with this very blog.  I’ve been working at it for over a year. Choosing a domain, tweaking the design, deciding on the niche, playing with topics, not to mention all the research on the best way to do xy and z.  

Not to mention writing posts and feeling the need to double and triple check to make sure everything, down to each sentence, sounds perfect.  

I got to the point where I thought maybe this whole blogging thing wasn’t for me. It shouldn’t take me a literal day and a half to write one post. But I have to shake that pressure off because I don’t want this to hold me back.

I’m learning that "done is better than perfect."

I’m also learning that perfect and authentic don’t mix. You can’t be perfect and authentic because perfect isn’t possible.  It’s not real.

So this year, if I’m going to be authentic, I have to let go of trying to be perfect.

Easier said than done...but my strategy is to strive for imperfection.

It’s so ingrained in me to set goals, but instead of doing things in the name of perfection, I’m going to work toward accepting and showcasing my imperfections.

That means...

Being vulnerable.

Not being afraid to take risks and make mistakes.

Being ok with being wrong.

And not worrying about anyone’s opinion.

Self-Acceptance and Self-love

To be authentic is to know, accept and love that person you see in the mirror everyday. It’s being ok with not just the good, but the bad and the ugly. And not being afraid to show all three sides.  

I realized that so often I focus on the person I want to become--more successful, more fit, clearer skin, better communicator, happier--that I completely neglect the person that I am right now.  

But I must say, who I am today deserves a little more credit. She’s working hard, she’s learning and growing each day, she’s following her own path, and taking more risks than ever before.

This year I want to get re-acquainted with that person.  I need to get crystal clear on who I am--values, goals, likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses. And most importantly, what gives me peace and joy.

That means...

Wiping the dust off my journal and developing a regular practice of writing to going deeper with my thoughts and feelings.

Giving myself grace--setting goals for the future, but accepting enjoying who and where I am right now.

Listening to and trusting my intuition.

And using positive affirmations of self-love and encouragement.

Living for Me

At some point in my childhood, I learned the importance of keeping up appearances. That there was an image I needed to uphold to the outside world.  At home you can let your hair down, but outside you need to be on point--have your clothes ironed and cuffed, be polite and likeable and never overshare.  

A lot of the messaging I received was framed as:  if you do ____ then people will think ___.

For example, if you dress nicely, then people will think you’re so cute.  If you don’t do your homework, then people will think you’re lazy.

Naturally, I became really conscious of my image and how I was perceived by the world. I prioritized external validation and other people’s opinions over my own.

I really became aware of this a couple of years ago when I arrived at an important decision: whether or not to go to law school.

This wasn’t just an idea that popped into my head, but a long term plan I had since college. I was to graduate with a degree in sociology, work as a Teach for America corps member, go to law school, and have a career in education law and policy.

It made perfect sense, sounded great. But I knew, if I was being completely and 100% honest, that wasn’t the life I wanted.  It was what I thought I was supposed to do, what would look good to the outside world.

Ultimately, I decided against going to law school and the experience taught me that I’ve got to start living for me.

I’m unlearning those early messages and valuing my own opinion over everybody else’s.

That means...

Reframing my thought process--asking how something will make me feel, instead of what people will think about it.

Doing what feels good and resonates with me.

Posting the things I like on social media and not caring about likes or comments.

Not being afraid to say no.

And embracing the fact that I won’t always be liked.

Authenticity is a journey and something to work at everyday. I'm excited to start 2019 with this focus and intention and I encourage you to do the same! If you want to know how you can choose your own Word of the Year for 2019, check out my post here.

But I want to know...what does being authentic mean to you? How do you show authenticity in your daily life? Do you have any tips for being a more authentic person? Let me know in the comments below.

New Years Reading List

It's that time again...time to start planning for the new year! One of my goals for this year is to read at least 12 books. Do you think I can do it?!

In full transparency, this is not the first year I resolved to read more and let's just say I've never quite hit the mark. This year, however, I'm prepared with a list of books that I'm excited to crack open.

So far my list is comprised of six non-fiction books. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a good novel, but the personal development/self-help genre is my go-to. I love learning about ways to grow and improve and just live my best life!

Over the years I've kept a list of interesting books I've come across on podcasts, blogs, from friends, or that have caught my eye at the book store. The list is constantly changing as I check off those that I've read and add new ones.

I'm starting with six books because I want to leave room to add more through out the year. And I would love recommendations!

Without further ado, here is my current reading list for 2019.

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama

One of the most anticipated books of 2018, Becoming gives a first hand account of the life and times of my favorite FLOTUS. I miss the Obamas in office, but I'm excited to read the juicy tidbits that went on behind the scenes and her path from the South Side of Chicago to Pennsylvania Ave.

I got a little taste of Michelle's story while listening to her interview on Oprah's Super Soul Conversations Podcast, but I definitely want more! Michelle is just incredible and a role-model of mine, so this book is high up on my list!

2. You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

This book has been on my radar for sometime. The title alone piqued my interest. I mean, who doesn't want to be a badass?! From what I've read, this book has been life-changing for many people--full of tangible advice and hands-on exercises that you can apply immediately. And that's exactly what I need. I want to let go of limiting beliefs and fear so that nothing can hold me back in the new year.

I had the chance to learn a little about the author when she was interviewed on the Good Life Project Podcast. Jen is super funny, down-to-earth, and relatable, which makes me want to read her book that much more.

3. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

I think we've all experienced at one time or another that nagging voice in our head that we can't get rid of. The one that brings to mind all our worries, doubts, and anxieties. The Untethered Soul takes you on a spiritual journey to quiet that voice and separate you from your thoughts.

As someone who is always in my own head, over-analyzing and over-thinking, this book stood out when I first heard about it on Oprah's Super Soul Conversations podcast (yes, I listen to this one a lot!). According to Oprah, the book will "help you find a greater sense of inner peace," and that's something I'm working on for next year.

4. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

When it comes to personal finances, I'm not the worst--I have some money saved up, I've reduced my debt to just school loans, and I'm starting to dabble in investing--but I have a looong way to go. As we move into the new year I'm committed to improving my financial situation and decided read up on the subject.

After doing a bit of research, I decided on Think and Grow Rich, a personal finance classic and must-read. Written in 1937 and based on a series of interviews conducted with several self-made millionaires, this book has remained relevant for decades. It's not just about how to make money, but the mindsets and habits required for long-term financial success.

5. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

The title of this book really speaks to me! For as long as I can remember people have called me "quiet." And for as long as I can remember I have hated that label. I've always had this internal struggle of feeling like I needed to be louder and more outgoing and talkative, while being naturally inclined to listen and observe more than I speak.

I know how challenging it can be as an introvert living in what feels like an extrovert's world. I like how this book speaks to the positive aspects of being an introvert and all that we bring to the table. I'm excited to read this one as it was featured on another one of my favorite podcasts, The Jordan Harbinger Show.

6. Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards

Social science is fascinating to me. In college I took various psychology and anthropology classes, and earned my degree in sociology. What makes us interact the way we do? What do facial expressions and body language really mean? Vanessa dives into these questions and more to show you how to scientifically build deeper connections with the people you meet. This isn't just a book, but more of a manual to help you improve your interpersonal intelligence and generally be less awkward in social interactions. I could definitely use some help in that department!

I heard Vanessa speak on various podcasts. She's a behavioral investigator and is highly skilled in what she does. I like how her methods are backed by science, but she breaks it down for the average person to understand and apply. This should be a really fun and interesting read!

Have you read any of these titles? What's on your current reading list?

5 Simple Self-Care Practices for the Holidays

The holidays can get a little crazy. With allthe shopping, decorating, planning and celebrating, it's easy to put yourselfon the back burner.  This season is allabout giving, but that doesn't mean you have to neglect yourself and yourwellbeing in the process. 

Remember, you can't pour from an emptycup.  We want to make time for everyoneand everything on our list.  But we can'tbe present and give to those around us when we ourselves are not whole. 

Lately, I've been feeling more than a littlestressed and overwhelmed, thinking about my schedule and all that I have to getdone before Christmas. If you can relate, it may be time to add a little self-careto your to-do list. Pencil in some time to reconnect with yourself and rechargeso that you can fully enjoy the holidays.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is any activity that we do deliberatelyin order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physicalhealth.  This doesn't necessarily meancreating an elaborate beauty routine or scheduling a costly trip to the spa.

Anything that allows you to turn your mindoff, relax, and relieve stress is a form self-care.  It's a way to be good to ourselves andpractice self-love.

There are so many benefits to self-care,especially during this busy season when we tend to over-extend ourselves andour resources. 

ThisChristmas time let’s make our own wellbeing a priority. Here are 5 ways you canpractice self-care over the holidays.

1. Check in with yourself

With so much goingon it's easy to push our feelings to the side and lose touch with ourselves andour emotions.  It's the holidays andwe're supposed to be happy and cheerful. You may feel like you have to be in the Christmas spirit all month long,but that's just not realistic.

How are you reallyfeeling?  Listen to your body. Allowyourself to feel your feelings, good or bad, instead of masking them under aguise of holiday cheer.

Consider journalingor even writing letters to loved ones if something is on your heart.  Writing is a great way to acknowledge ouremotions and process them in healthy ways. 

2. Exercise

Get your endorphinsflowing with a little physical activity. It's a great way to relieve stress,energize your body and clear your head. Whatever form of exercise you enjoy, whether it's lifting weights, yogaor going for a walk, make the time to do it. 

Along with its manyother benefits, exercise is a proven mood-booster.  This is something we could all use. WheneverI work out, I feel much more positive and less stressed out afterward. It'snever something I regret.

I haven't had asmuch time as usual to get to the gym, but I still try to get a little exercisein by doing workout videos at home. That's been a great way to stay active during this hectic season. Thereare tons of free videos on Youtube for almost any type of exercise you canthink of!

3. Eat well

As someone wholoves egg nog and hot chocolate, I would never suggest you abstain from allholiday goodies.  But it's important totake care of your body and find a healthy balance.

There's nothingwrong with treating yourself!  Enjoy thedinners, parties and other gatherings, but in between those events go forlighter, healthier options.  Overindulging on unhealthy foods can cause not only weight gain, but also affectyour mood and energy levels.

Treat your bodywell by balancing the unavoidable treats with nutritious meals to off-set anynegative effects and keep you feeling your best all month long.

4. Cultivate gratitude

Everywhere you lookthere are reminders of all the things you don't have. Commercials andbillboards showcase the latest and greatest of everything. There's anunderlying spirit of materialism that is easy to get caught up in.

Instead of gettingbummed out by what you feel you may be lacking, change your perspective.  Focus on those things that you're grateful forand you'll start to see a positive shift in your mindset and attitude.

Cultivatinggratitude improves overall wellbeing. We feel happier, more content and atpeace in our daily lives. It's been shown to improve mental, emotional and evenphysical health.

Do this as often asyou can.  Try creating a gratitude list.Write down all the things in your life you're grateful for. You may besurprised to see the many blessings you've overlooked.

5. Schedule Downtime

It may seem odd to schedule time to do the activities you enjoy.  But as your calendar fills up, it's easy to neglect doing the things that bring us happiness and allow us to unwind. Activities like hobbies, reading, meditating, or even catching up on a favorite tv show are great ways to de-stress. And this is an essential part of self-care.

With all the socialevents going on, it's a good idea to schedule regular time to slow down and takeit easy. Aim for a little 'me time' at least once a week to make sure you'reable to recharge from all the revelry and socializing.

If you find yourselfovercommitted, don't be afraid to say no! You're not obligated to go to every holiday dinner or ugly sweaterparty.  Prioritize yourself and make timefor the activities that will bring you peace and tranquility even if just for alittle while.

The holidays don’t have to be a crazy time.  Keep things in perspective and be kind to yourself if and when things don't go according to plan.  Combat stress by incorporating a little self-care into your routine whenever possible and have a happier, more enjoyable holiday season.

How do you practice self-care during theholidays (or any time of year)?