Celebrating Black Girl Magic - #TheMiddletonMerger

Whew, I am still floating down from cloud 9 of my wedding - everything was simply AMAZING! When I began planning, there was one thing I knew I wanted to incorporate more than anything: the usage of other black women in business that are truly doing their thing! As a content creator, I know how difficult it can be to collaborate with other black creators due to the underlying notation that there is competition or that we may not do as well. I wanted to take a chance and believe that there are other women who are just like me that can shine in their field! And let me tell you, I found some of the best women that North Carolina and South Carolina have to offer. 

Celebrate her success without questioning your own!

Meet my team for our wedding aka #TheMiddletonMerger 

Wedding Planner/Florist

Sharee Allen – Couture Events by Sharee 

Charlotte, NC

One thing I enjoyed the most and I know you will too is that, Sharee is a true one-stop-shop! It’s refreshing to get a variety of services from one company and to have them execute them well. We met via Instagram and hit it off! When you find people that you’re able to connect with and they see your vision, trust your gut instincts for they won’t steer you wrong. Sharee and her staff delivered on everything that she said she would. Our families and guests spoke highly of how well organized the wedding was. I enjoyed that she allowed me to just be the bride. No stress! This was seriously the best decision ever!

Check her out for all of your event needs; I promise you won’t be disappointed. 

Photography

Denise Benson – Denise Benson Photography

Rock Hill, SC

Denise has been my right hand since I started blogging. I fell in love with her work online and knew I needed to get in front of her lens. She does no longer does wedding photography but she was able to capture my engagement session,  bridal party/bachelorette weekend photos and my bridal portraits! She’s located in the Charlotte, NC area and is now offering studio sessions! Be sure to tell her Nat sent you!

Sirena White-Singleton – Aneris Photography

Charleston, SC

Sirena and I met through social media! I remember seeing her name tagged in other photographer’s photos that I loved and of course, after further social investigation, I instantly fell in love with her work. She has a great eye and a knack for flat lays and brand stories! She knows how to put pictures and details together so well that you can relive the moment!

Makeup 

Chelsea Davis – Pretty Faces by Chelsea

Columbia, SC 

I met Chelsea through one of my bridesmaid’s years ago and loved her work. She’s done my makeup for my first branding session and even my maternity shoot! The way she slays brows should be crime! I knew I had to have her taking care of the ‘beats’ for the day. 

Hair

Let me start this section off by saying that I am VERY picky about my hair and I do not let anyone touch it. So, if I’m recommending, you know you’re in good hands!

Tamara McDuffie – Isabell J Haircare 

Columbia, SC

I was introduced to Tamara years ago by a family member that loved her work and if she loved it I knew I would as well. She is extremely professional and patient. She offers sound advice on your hair needs and helps you with options for your style. She specializes in hair extensions and sells hair that is top quality. When I’m in the mood for an install there is no other person I would consider going to. Tamara handled my hair for the engagement sessions and the wedding! People could not stop complementing on how flawless it looked! 

Yolanda Jamison – House of Diata 

Columbia, SC 

Yolanda is a longtime family friend that specializes in natural hair. She can do a mean blowout and her twists are super juicy! She took care of my daughters’ hair, along with touch ups for the bridesmaids. 

Music

Slyvia Waymer – Lady DJ Slyv 

Columbia, SC 

I attended a Women’s Expo in 2019 and DJ Slyv was spinning. I thought that was hella dope! I had never seen a female DJ in person. I took down her information but had no clue when I would ever use her but the universe said otherwise. The music was great and she helped me to create the vibe I wanted. 

Photo by: Denise Benson Photography

You can dream of your wedding day for years and you can plan your heart away but who you hire matters! Putting together this team of talented black women from my area truly made my heart sing. Everyone worked in unison and they all had a common goal – to make sure that my day went smoothly. I am blessed that the stars aligned for me and that faith can be restored in the black owned business community. 

BLACK GIRL you are MAGICAL!!!

Fit Moms Crew Fitness Journey | PopFit

Fitness is MENTAL!

Your body won’t go where your mind won’t allow it.

I have personally struggled with my weight for most of my life. I used to think that this is way I was made and nothing would ever change. I had finally had to get out of my own way and that lead me to this amazing group of women.

While COVID-19 has limited our abilities to physically connect we’ve been able gather virtually. This group #FitMomsCrew is the brain child of Sirena! She wanted moms to get back to their happy place after having children. Motherhood is tough and feeling the pressure to “SnapBack” after babies has become a major trend. Unfortunately that is not the reality of most women.

I’m thrilled that we have the opportunity to partner with PopFit for our stylish gear! PopFit is an inclusive brand which made it perfect for our mission. We are all in different stages of our fitness journey and they offer sizes. They offer sizes XXS - XXXXL! The styles and colors are endless- they have something for everyone.

I am grateful  for the power of social media. Without it we would not have been able to connect. Collectively these women and I have chosen to unite and create magic. Each woman has her own story and journey. This is truly the beginning of something great.  

Meet the Moms of the #FitMomCrew

Natalie:

@freely_nat

Mom of 3, 29

“My journey has taught me that I can do hard things.  I’ve learned what it means to show up for myself even on days when I don’t feel like it. It’s required me to set small goals and find my motivation.”

Sirena:

@anerisphotos

Mom of 1

“My health is a non-negotiable for me.  Health is wealth and I want to be rich. In order to be there for my family I have to be there for me first, so getting in some form of physical fitness each day is essential”.

Jasmine:

@thejasmineashley

Age 30, Mom of 2

“This fitness journey has taught me that I’m more resilient than I think. It’s important that I focus on my own journey. It may take me a little long, I may start and stop but I refuse to give up because it’s my journey.”

@lonn_hol

Mom of 3

“My fitness journey has taught me that it’s not about perfection but consistency. All workouts are not equal. Some days maybe harder than other but giving it your best effort each time is what counts. And don’t forget to celebrate those non-scale win! They are much more rewarding than moving the scale.”

Cory:

@modernsouthlife

Mom of 1

“My journey has taught me how strong I am both mentally and now physically. I am consistently challenged in my workouts and asked to push further and harder proving to myself that roadblocks are just mental and we our biggest obstacle. Stop saying when, and start saying now!”

We all had one common goal in mind - to healthy and fit! While this has been a huge challenge in the midst of COVID-19. We’ve done our best to keep each other motivated and encouraged. To celebrate our accomplishment we joined our fellow #fitmom Sirena to take some photos to show off our hard work. Major thanks to Pop Fit for providing the outfits!!!

I commend each and everyone of us that’s committed to take on the daunting task of trying to make a huge lifestyle change in the midst of a pandemic. I feel that we’ve 

Left to right: Jasmine, Cory, Lon, Natalie

Images by Aneris Photography

Getting Your Health Back On Track Might Not Be Easy

Photo: Denise Benson Photography

Starting or re-starting a fitness journey is hard! I’ve done it more times than I care to remember…

But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Something that you should always try to remember is that while getting your health back on track isn’t going to be an easy road, it is one that you should always travel. It doesn’t matter how many obstacles stand in your way, or how many times you think that you’re not going to succeed, power on, and we’re sure you’re going to get there. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to get your health back on track, so keep reading if you want to find out more.

Get The Help You Need

Something that you should always do is get whatever help you need. There are different variations of help, depending on what you need at the time. For example, if there is something wrong with you physically, you might need a specialist who studies that area to give you the best medical advice that you can give. Or, you might need a specialist like https://ericpalacioslaw.com/areas-of-service/personal-injury to take on your case if you were injured and require compensation. 

It doesn't matter what kind of help you need, as long as you get it. There is no shame in asking for help. That is what people are there for. If a friend or family member needed you, you would be there. If a customer at your job needs your help, you’re going to do your best to help them. This is the same for everyone else, and you’ve got to be okay with asking for the help that you need, or you might not get it. 

Be Determined

Photo: Denise Benson Photography

Getting your health on the right track might be a slow process, but you’ve got to be determined. As long as you set your mind to something, you are always going to be able to achieve it. Half of the battle is already won the second you decide that it is, which is always something you’ve got to keep in mind. A good, positive attitude towards your recovery is always going to help you. You might not believe this, and that’s fair enough, but you’ve probably noticed that when you’re determined to do something, that’s most commonly when you succeed. You can find out how to be determined on a site like https://www.mightyfighter.com/ if you want to know more.

Knowledge Is Power

Finally, knowledge is power. Do your research and find out everything you can about whatever you’re having a hard time with. Whether it is mental or physical, understanding it is the key to getting back on the right track. Once you have a good understanding, you can start to accept it, come to terms with it, and make a plan for how to proceed.

Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to get your health back in the right direction. The things in life that are worth the most are never easy, so remember this next time you feel as though you want to give up.

4 Steps To Create A Healthcare Budget You Can Afford

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In a perfect world, your health and wellbeing would be two things you wouldn’t have to worry about, not because you’re lazy, but because they wouldn’t cost a penny. Unfortunately, the amount of money you can afford to spend on healthcare services impacts your mind and body.

If resources are tight, which they are bound to be during a global health pandemic, it can feel suffocating. All you want is peace of mind that you’ll receive treatment if there’s a problem. You’ll be glad to hear that you can do it if you craft a realistic and affordable budget.

Here are the four steps you need to consider.

Add Up Your Expenses

When you go to the grocery store, you’ll tally the amount in your head or write it down on a piece of paper. Why? It’s because you have a strict budget that you want to stick to, as it helps you avoid overpaying at the counter. The same applies to your mental and physical health, whether it’s a doctor, dentist, or anybody else. Go through one to two years of medical bills and calculate the final number as that is how much you’ll require (give or take) in a worst-case scenario.

Shop Around

If your eyes bulge when you realize how much you spend on healthcare, you shouldn’t fret. While the number is big, it’s not as if you have to stay with your current providers. Paying for health and wellbeing is the same as forking out for energy bills - you must shop around! An affordable dentist or doctor is available as long as you search in the correct places. For example, you can research which facilities provide the best Medicare offers. Or, you can ask friends and family if they have recommendations as they might see a professional who has low rates.

Save Another 10%

Hopefully, the 10% that you save on top of your existing expenses will sit in your bank and accrue interest. However, there’s a chance that an unforeseen fee could pop up out of nowhere and put you in a tricky position. When it does, you must have an exit strategy to afford to pay and avoid adding to your debt levels. 10% is around the average that financial experts believe you should put away in case of emergencies since it’s a significant sum. Of course, if your earning power is lower, there’s nothing wrong with 5%.

Speak With Your Employer

You’d love a health savings account as they come with several benefits, but you aren’t eligible. Please don’t give up because there are loopholes, such as getting your employer to cover the cost of your healthcare expenses. Lots of companies do it, yet you must be switched on enough to ask for the perks that impact your life. A pay rise is always positive; however, you’d save more money if your medical insurance was paid for through your job. If you’re unsure how to broach the topic, you can learn more here.

Then, you’ll have an even bigger healthcare budget.

Tailoring Outfits So That They're Tailormade For Job Interviews

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As somebody who isn’t afraid to mix and match clothing, you won’t find any judgment in this blog! Still, there’s no doubt that dressing to impress is a thing when you’re a candidate for a job. Recruiters know that first impressions count, and what you wear will instantly catch the eye of people in positions of power.

Businesses say that they don’t factor appearances into the equation, but everyone knows they’re liberal with the truth. If your resume has a picture in the corner, you know it too. Putting yourself in a strong position to secure a job is the goal of every interview.

Ladies and gentlemen who don’t know how to do this through their wardrobe - these tips are for you.

Review The Company

You can get a good feel for the business’ ethos by scrolling through the company’s website and absorbing their tone of voice. Is it light and playful? Is it serious and fast-paced? Maybe it’s ethical and eco-friendly? Whichever adjective fits the bill, you should dress in that manner. Astorflex Greenflex has excellent environmentally-friendly items that are fashionable if that’s the organization’s thing, whereas you can dress casually if the vibe is laid back and relaxed. Matching your outfit to the business shows that you understand what they’re about and that you will seamlessly fit into the office.

Remain Professional

If recruiters had a penny for every applicant who thought ‘relaxed’ was a euphemism for ‘wear what you want,’ they’d be a lot more millionaires in the world! While some companies are notorious for their take on traditional office-wear - Facebook, Google, etc. - you must maintain an air of professionalism. Otherwise, you risk coming across as muddled and cluttered. Accessories from stylish Tom Ford eyeglasses to high street flats should be staples for men and women alike because they hit the corporate-yet-fashionable high notes.

Lean On Proven Pieces

It’s not easy to strike the perfect balance even after you’ve done your research and maintained an element of professionalism. Don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s tempting to doubt yourself if the answers aren’t what you thought. Imagine dressing down after years of attending the office and interviews in a crisp three-piece suit. That takes courage. So, if you’re still unsure, you should lean on proven outfits. Mixing and matching elements of business casual with smart casual and formal could create a winning statement that’s impossible to ignore!

Don’t Compromise Who You Are

Last but not least, you should never compromise your style or personality for an employer. The reality is that you’re probably not a suitable fit if you feel uncomfortable by what you’re expected to wear. Even if you nail the interview, you could be eternally out of place in a workspace that puts certain looks over principles. Candidates don’t always consider this as the excitement of the job is exhilarating, yet it’s a corporate trait that you can’t underestimate.

Are you attending an interview soon? If you are, this blog has lots of advice on how to dress for an increasingly novel phenomenon: virtual interviews.

How Can You Grow in Character?

In life, it’s important to grow and ultimately meet the challenges we are faced with. Challenge will come, no matter who you are or where you were born. You’ve likely already met with some so far in your life. However, there’s a secret that we can all find power in - you are always tougher than the challenges you have to face in life. Knowing this can grant you strength and a sense of self-ownership.

Yet toughness isn’t the most important thing to build in life. Sometimes, this can make us too brittle, as there’s also power and deep wisdom in being vulnerable. Growing the strength of our character, then, is the golden ideal. It helps us push forward to new heights while also keeping in mind our past challenges. It also allows us to keep or improve our personalities rather than simply thinking you need to become totally different. Furthermore, it helps you avoid dismissing your past achievements in order to ‘perfect’ future opportunities because we’re willing to bet you’re already (if unknowingly) an amazing person to begin with.

So, how can you grow in character? This is a worthwhile question to ask. In the following guidance below, we’ll deign to answer it:

Willingly Taking On Challenge

Challenge will be found everywhere in life. Somehow, it seems to be a universal constant. We can let challenge get the best of us, and there’s no shame in that happening. However, we can also use it to let us grow and to try and become our most noble selves. This is a difficult task. If a loved one becomes severely ill, for instance, it’s hard to stand up straight and act as your strongest self. But if you commit yourself to their care, or help organize your family members, or simply pass on your deep encouragement, you are reaching depths of yourself that you may not have expressed before. It’s in these hard times that we can bring out our best selves, and it’s in these times that we realize who we actually are.

It’s very hard to take on challenge. It’s also even harder to face it without a forthright approach. If you can move towards it with your back straight and your chest out, you have a better chance of mounting the obstacle. But challenge needn’t have to serve as a singular issue that comes hurtling unpredictably into your life. It can sometimes be that chasing challenge yourself is a positive aim to have. For instance, you may decide that your life is relatively smooth with a career you can function in, and a daily routine that seems natural. Perhaps picking up an instrument, or working out in the gym, or writing that book can provide you with a new challenge that continually tests you. This might seem like a lot of work, and it is, but it’s actually how we build happiness in the best sense. There’s nothing better than feeling the satisfaction of a job well done, particularly if you’re interested in the craft.

Accepting Responsibility

Accepting responsibility is also a powerful decision to make in your life. It means that you cannot make excuses that you know might otherwise be your fault, but it’s also true to say that this helps you defend yourself properly when you’re not at fault. Personal accountability can bring you much in life. First, it helps you trust yourself. There’s almost nothing more powerful than this, because it increases your sense of self-respect, and your willingness to push forward. 

Sometimes, accepting responsibility can even help you move through scenarios that may not be your fault. You don’t have to chastise yourself for everything that goes wrong in life, if you did you’d be doing so until the end of time. That being said, you can seek to learn something from these moments, as that’s also the core of personality responsibility. When we learn from those around us, we are reflective over our actions, and we only make decisions depending on if they conform to the person we wish to be, we will move forward through life with grace and care. It’s hard to perfect this, but little efforts can grow in momentum. This is the grounding focus of having character.

Accepting Vulnerability

Every is vulnerable in life, it’s just the nature of being human. The difficulty comes when we forget to accept this, or willfully decide not to. For instance, when soldiers return home from war, often therapy is used to help them unpack their trauma and more easily address the problems they have faced. When they accept their vulnerability instead of hiding it in a box never to be seen again, they can begin to heal. This is quite a specific example, but it’s really just a heightened representation of something we all face.

It could be that you feel completely disinterested in the dating scene due to a bad experience with an ex-partner. That’s fine, no one should push you into becoming romantically available. But if you would like this yet feel completely shielded against doing so, it can be worth understanding that no matter what you do, there will be a risk involved. Life cannot be lived unless that risk is accepted. It’s also true that no beauty can come unless that risk is accepted. When we understand this, and take incremental steps to head out into the world (even if this takes a long time), we will be growing in character. Many people mistake ‘character’ for having the strongest, most intensive, powerful personality. Yet it’s not that at all. It’s in being able to fuse your vulnerabilities and strengths into something real, and acting in spite of both your strengths and weaknesses, always hoping to grow. That’s where real change lies, and everyone reading this can surely access it.

Finding Your Purpose

Finding purpose in life is perhaps that which we’re all here for. Yet, as most people know, it can be hard to understand which direction to pursue. Some people can attend university for three years only to realize that this chosen career path really isn’t for them. Others have a change of heart at 50 years old, resign from their job, and launch a small business that they feel will give them a more enjoyable quality of life.

The idea is not to find your perfect purpose without fail, but to try and aim yourself in that direction. Sometimes, the goal of chasing purpose is the purpose itself, because as they say, it’s always about the journey and not the destination. This is also the difference between someone who can take on new opportunities in order to experience more of life, compared to someone who refuses new efforts unless they are completely in line with what they want to do.

Finding your purpose may, one day, mean waking up and realizing you’d love to learn how to dance. Purpose isn’t always found in a specific career, although it’s certainly worth trying to make that part of it. Purpose simply means moving towards a future you find appealing, and doing your best to enjoy that. For some, it might mean raising a family. For others, it could mean opening an Etsy store, or working towards their first small home business. It’s this pursuit that provides a journey, and it’s that journey that will ultimately grow your character. To use one final example, it’s often amazing to see immigrants who come to a country, and open up a restaurant that serves their authentic cultural cuisine. This is perhaps the purest example of a family that accepts challenge, takes the time to become attentive, and finds their purpose with love. These are often the restaurants that become most highly prized in a certain neighborhood. We can all take this example, and move forward with motivation.

Eschewing Perfection

You’ll never be perfect. Neither will we. That’s a very freeing truth to understand, because it helps you stop feeling so uptight. Sometimes, you have to forgive yourself or others for their flaws. Sometimes, you have to move forward despite that, and hope to do better next time. Often, we can only learn through our mistakes, and learn we will.

When you stop focusing on being perfect and instead focus on doing the best you can, you will make twice the progress. This also helps you more easily empathize with others, because ultimately we are all flawed individuals trying to do the best for ourselves and our lives. If you can rest in that fact, with all the sadness, beauty, interest, intrigue, motivation, inspiration and pure reality it contains, the less your character is likely to fall into false illusions or overly idealist thinking. That way, you become grounded, and sometimes even the strongest characters need to be grounded.

With this advice, we hope you can understand how to grow in character, and perhaps take some of the tidbits in this article to help you move through both good and bad times with grace.

Increase Your Website Traffic | Russell Brunson Web Traffic Secrets

I’m excited to collaborate with Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers to talk to you about growing your online presence.

Russell Brunson is a Best-Selling Author & CEO of $100M software company ClickFunnels. He has built a following of over a million entrepreneurs, sold hundreds of thousands of copies of his books and popularized the concept of sales funnels. In 2014, Russell and partner Todd Dickerson launched ClickFunnels, which became the fastest-growing non-venture backed software company in the world. 

I’ve been blogging for roughly two years and I don’t know everything. What I do know is, I’m not afraid to admit when I need a little help. I was thrilled when the opportunity arrived for me to get to know more about driving traffic to my blog.

As a content creator, it’s no better feeling than having your work be seen by people all over the world and that’s what the internet can do for you BUT what happens when no one sees your work? You begin to get frustrated and give up. DON’T! Keep creating and teaching yourself new skills.

That’s where Russell Brunson’s book comes in. He shares all of the knowledge behind getting more traffic to your website. No matter if you’re a content creator or have a product to sell – this can work for you.

By completing the 30-day challenge, you'll learn key strategies to increase your site traffic. I will admit it’s a bit intense. You’ll have to be committed to set time aside and do the work. However, it gave me the chance to gain some clarity on ways to grow my traffic. I realized several things:

1.     I need to research SEO

2.     I need to advertise more

3.     Remain consistent

After taking a step back and finding ways that I can improve, I’ve seen my website receive more traction. I’ve also learn how to share myself and my story. That is really hard for me. I’m sure we’ve all heard of having the elevator pitch and I hate those but Brunson makes it super easy to track down your ideal client or reader.

For example: I’ve branded myself as a Mom + Lifestyle Content Creator but if the only people that read my blog or visit my social media channels are non-parents then will they really be able to engage and relate with content? Probably, not.

I learned that 50% of the people that follow me don’t have children…yikes! My goal for the last 30 days was to find out where all of the parents are and particularly single parents. I know their struggle and want to connect with them.

Overall, I am pleased with the book. I plan to revisit it time and time again. I believe you may always miss something and it’s good to be able to go back and try a new approach.

Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream

If you’re running an online business or have an online presence this book is for you! Get your copy today, click here.

The Results Are In - Always Eat After 7PM

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

The Always Eat After 7 PM plan consists of: The 14-day Acceleration Phase to kick-start the program and see rapid results, The Main Phase where you’ll learn exactly which foods to eat when in order to achieve your weight-loss goals, The Lifestyle Phase to keep the weight off for good.

It’s officially been a month since I’ve been trying out the recommendations of Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. I will admit at first I didn’t think I could do it, years of bad habits are hard to break. So if you’re anything like me you’ll wonder if this will really work and the simple answer is yes BUT are you willing to work? 

I’ve lost 7lbs and I’m excited about that. I know I could have lost more but I allowed cheat days and became a little distracted. In 30 days, you can completely change your life!

I love that they provide you with easy meal plans to get you started. The choices in the book are simply guidelines but it’s plenty to get you started. What I've learned is if you start with the suggestions you’ll want to go out and explore on your own. You’ll begin listening to your body and what it wants and needs. 

Did you know?

“Research shows that the average person’s metabolic rate is no different during sleep than during the day. In short, your metabolism doesn’t slow down at night. Nor does your body store fat at the end of the day. Whether it’s 8 am or 8 pm, you use food for energy the same way.”

When choosing how to go on the program remember to do what works for you. Think about your work schedule or daily habits. Eat for the way you live and not how you want. The best part of this process is I have seen some success with getting the weight off. If you do the program correctly you’ll see major weight loss within the first 14 days. Are you ready to get started? 

Check out these recipes! 

The book is now available for purchase; get your copy today.

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Goal Setting + Update: Fitness Journey

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

In chapter 6, Success Begins In The Mind, really spoke to me.I didn’t put on weight overnight and I can’t expect to lose it that way either. What I know is, for me, slow and steady wins the race. I have to take my time and be consistent. So what have I been up to? I’ve made up my mind that I no longer want to be the same. I want to have the energy to play outside with my kids and hang out with friends without feeling exhausted.  

Changing my eating has been the hardest part of the process but it’s becoming doable with the easy recipe substitutions. I have added 1-2 mile walks to my schedule 3 times a week.I had to start slow and listen to my body. When it got difficult I slowed down and went at my own pace. I even got my children involved and they have been a huge support in the journey of losing weight. 

In the book, they also introduced the concept of intermittent fasting. I’ve tried it before but wasn’t able to stick with it after having surgery. However, this has boosted my confidence in trying it again. 

“Intermittent fasting really shines when it comes to improving the hormones that directly affect your hunger, blood sugar, and metabolism. One is insulin. IF combats insulin resistance, meaning that it helps your body use insulin more normally, thereby lowering your diabetes risk and boosting your metabolism.”

I have a family history of diabetes and at my last visit my doctor is choosing to watch me closely as I’m borderline; which has truly fueled my need to change my life. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks and months have to bring. In the meantime, check out these helpful tips. 

Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase. 

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 Learn more about the book and how to purchase here. http://bit.ly/32oR90L

Interview with Joel Marion - Always Eat After 7PM

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

“Always Eat After 7 pm is a three-phase program that teaches you how to lose big by strategically eating big when you are naturally hungriest—in the evening. This may sound too good to be true, but let me assure you it is no gimmick. It’s all about making strategic and smart food swaps, and you can still eat your favorite foods.”

Joel Marion’s Always Eat After 7PM program makes dieting easy and eliminates 90% of reasons for resistance. 

I was intrigued by the new approach of eating after 7pm when we’ve always been told not. I struggle so much with following rules so this was right up my ally. So, I had a few questions for the author, Joe Marion, to check out what he had to say.

Q1: What inspired you to write the book?

After authoring 6 best selling books it was glaringly obvious there were 2 huge misconceptions about dieting that needed to be exposed. The first is that you can't eat late at night or before bed, which science now shows is NOT true. And second, you can't eat large portions that satisfy your natural instinct. This book solves both these problems by providing an evidence-based, enjoyable approach to dieting that can be used by any person to quickly achieve their weight loss goals.

 Q2: How long did it take for you to develop the diet?

It actually took several years of researching for me to discover the real science of eating late night. After a few years of tweaking and refining, I finally came up with a rapid fat loss solution that overcomes all the pitfalls of traditional diets.

Q3: What was the most surprising discovery when you were researching scientific data for the diet?

That almost everything my college education and certifications taught me was NOT grounded in published scientific research.

I love his candor and believe he wants real results for the people that are reading his book. I’m learning that it’s about changing your mindset and adjusting your thought process in order to see the most success.

Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase. Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.

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Starting My Fitness Journey with Always Eat After 7PM

This post is brought to you by Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. The opinions expressed below are my own.

After having my son back in January 2019, I picked up a lot of weight. I’m not really sure why but I did. I was always hungry during my postpartum phase but I didn’t choose the right things to eat. I snacked a lot; I had to catch up for lost time since pregnancy makes me very nauseous.

I was excited to be presented with the opportunity to receive an advance copy of the book “Always Eat After 7 PM” by Joel Marion. Over the next month, I’ll be taking you along my journey to a new fitness plan and diet.

Joel Marion’s Always Eat After 7PM program makes dieting easy and eliminates 90% of reasons for resistance. For that reason alone, I’m in! I’ve tried dieting over the years and it’s been hard. There have always been so many rules that would make me give up. I believe in having a plan that works with the way I live and do life. I’m hoping that having a little more flexibility with my eating times will set me up for success!

“Well, the results were nothing short of remarkable. I dropped 12 pounds in under two weeks. My abs were significantly flatter. My cravings for unhealthy food vanished. After 16 weeks on my new plan, I had lost a total of 46 pounds.”

Hearing success like this makes me want to get started. Now I’m not sure if I’ll lose 46 pounds in 16 weeks but I am striving for 20! I can’t wait to dive deep into this journey and share with you my honest feedback and hopefully you will want to join too!

Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase here.

Also be sure to check out why Joel Marion decided to write the book in this quick video.

Be on the lookout for next week’s post!!

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

Life Is Short...But That's A Good Thing!

You’ve heard the expression “life is short” a million times before. People say it to remind themselves and others that we’re only here for a limited time and that we should make the most of it. 

We’re wonderfully constructed creatures living in a world of near-infinite complexity and beauty. We shouldn’t waste the day. We should seize it. We never know when the time will come for it all to end. Hopefully, that day will be a long while from now, but there are no guarantees. 

We live in a culture that doesn’t like to talk about the realities of our mortality. Twenty percent of our economy we dedicate to keeping people alive and in a state of health. But despite the enormous expenditure, we rarely think about the reality of our existence. And that’s probably a good thing. People don’t want to spend their lives thinking about something depressing. 

Life might be short, but in this post, we’re going to argue that that’s a good thing. Here are some of the reasons why. 

It Forces You To Focus

Imagine you knew you were going to live forever. How might that change your behavior? 

We don’t know precisely how this thought experiment would play out in reality because we can never put it to the test. But there’s a good chance that you’d be more inclined to put things off for tomorrow. If you knew that there would always be another day that might disincentivize you to act today. You could put off major life decisions, like starting a business or having children. Ultimately, it wouldn’t matter when you did those things. 

Having a time limit on your life forces you to focus your decision-making. You can’t afford to let the years roll by without anything happening. You need to make decisions now that will support your long-term ambitions and allow you to get what you want out of life. 

It Makes You Prioritize

We would all like to have it all: a family, plenty of money in the bank, excellent health, lots of children, and fulfilling spiritual life. But the shortness of life means that you don’t always have time to pursue those things. At some point along the journey, you have to prioritize.

Setting out your priorities, however, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be something that helps you focus and get the most out of your life. If you lived forever, you could take a scattergun approach, doing a bit of everything and then waiting a hundred years until you go what you wanted. But when time is much more limited, you have to drill down into the details and think carefully about what you really want from life. It is quite empowering because it helps you better define who you are. 

It Gives You A Legacy

Imagine if some of history’s greatest people had lived forever. Martin Luther King was a great man, but would we hold him in such high regard if he were still alive today? Probably not. 

Now that he has passed away, his legacy has taken on deified proportions. He is more than just a man in the memory of most people. 

Living for a finite amount of time gives you a legacy. What’s more, you get to decide what this legacy is. 

You can decide how people remember you. It could be something as simple as using urns in marble to store your ashes or as complicated as setting up a trust fund to educate your children and grandchildren. Mortality gives you a way to leave your mark on the world for posterity. 

It Forces You To Appreciate The Time You Have

When you study the happiest people in the world, you find a common thread: they’re all incredibly grateful people. 

It is easy to get bogged down by life. There seems to be all these pressures that hold you back, from dysfunctional relationships to demanding bosses. Grateful people, however, try to look past all the negativity. No matter what life throws at them, they see existence as a gift. There are many souls out there who will never get to experience the positive aspects of life - or the negative. 

When you live a short life, you appreciate the time you have. Every day is a gift - and a resource. It is an opportunity for you to do something meaningful, valuable, and worthwhile - whatever that means to you. 

Surely, that’s a good thing. 

So, would you choose to live indefinitely?

Four Important Lessons to Come From Self-Isolation

During self-isolation and social distancing, we go through the motions every single day. We’re all having to adapt to a new normal- and quickly. This in itself can have profound effects on our emotions and mental health. 

So, in case nobody has asked you: 

How are you? Fine? Terrified? Grateful? Sad? Motivated? Anxious? Joyful? Tired? Done? 

All of the above within any given minute of the day? You’re not alone. 

There’s no expectation for you to have to feel any which way at any point during this time. 

We might not all have the same tools to plan the perfect homeschooling program with every hour meticulously planned out. We may be letting the kids eat cereal for dinner. Some days you just do nothing. Whatever makes you feel calm amidst the chaos, spend more time doing those things. This website will help with some of the things you might need to calm down- puppies make everything better! However you manage your day to day life- remember, it’s FINE. You’re surviving one of the biggest worldwide pandemics in our age, and that surely has to count for something.

At the end of the day, regardless of what goes on in your head daily, or what goes on throughout the day, you’re doing a great job. 

So, in this weird time of self-isolation, there’s plenty of universal things that we have all had to learn pretty quickly. Here are some of them. 

Pexels:CCO Licence 

1. How to Manage Our Fear 

We can’t control what happens to us in life, only how we react to them. 

One of the universal feelings that everybody is experiencing at this moment in time is this: fear. Fear quite often releases adrenaline and puts people into ‘fight or flight’ mode. This translates to two different types of fear that you may have come across amidst the pandemic. 

Neurotic Fear

The first is neurotic fear. It was all over the news about people panic buying certain products such as toilet paper and dried and canned foods as though stores would immediately close and there’d be no way to wipe our butts. The problem with this type of behavior is that while it was evident that people’s survival instincts were on overdrive, quite often it was more vulnerable people that were affected the most. Imagine being 80 and only being able to get to the store once every two weeks to find there are no essentials left on the shelves? No thank you. You can still want to look after the basic needs of your family without displaying selfish behavior that comes with panic buying.  

Wisdom Fear 

The second is wisdom fear. This is another survival thing that has a more positive impact on both us and on others around us. An example of this is washing our hands (though to be honest with you, we should have been doing this anyway!) We’ve all been told that we should be washing our hands for at least 20 seconds and staying home where possible.  Fear can lead us to do this to excessive levels, but this wisdom fear mainly impacts people positively, as doing so means protecting yourself and others from the impact of Covid-19. 

1. You don’t have to learn new skills 

‘With so much time on our hands, there’s no excuse to not learn new things!’ Not true! Every one of us manages trauma in an entirely different way to the next person. 

While for some keeping busy with learning new things is the best coping mechanism for them, for others, laying low and doing not very much at all is the thing that keeps them going. 

For the busy people- this may be an opportunity to spend more time honing skills you already have- create more music if that’s what you enjoy doing. If you like baking, keep making those tasty treats for people to enjoy (This is also a great excuse to deliver baked goods to friends-safely-, too!) 

Don’t let yourself feel judged for not having the capacity to take on anything else other than survival at this time. If a few weeks ago you started learning Mandarin on your language learning app and now you don’t feel like it- that is absolutely fine. 

The same goes for the other way around. If you are suddenly compelled to learn to sew a dress out of old bedsheets, go ahead and try that. There’s no timeline dictating as and when you should pick up or put down a hobby.

If people’s Instagram pictures of their creative achievements are making you feel less than your best- just mute them for a while. You can always come back to them when you’re in a better place mentally. 

1. Naps are not optional 

Humans are often really good at dealing with situations of stress. Our bodies create natural response reactions to these moments- such as goose pimples when we get cold, or sweat when we get hot. 

After several weeks of social distancing, a break from the usual routine may well have lost its novelty and is beginning to take its physical toll on you. 

Here, it’s important to listen to your physical needs. It’s tempting to push your needs to one side during stressful situations but this might lead to acting in a way that is pretty counterproductive to your needs. For example- not eating when you’re hungry will just make you hangry.

Additionally, while fighting these weird feelings you’ve got going on, you’re likely finding yourself falling asleep in front of shows that would normally have you gripped. Ignoring warning signs of exhaustion will mean that all hell will break loose later down the line-isn’t that right, parents of toddlers? 

Don’t let yourself get to the point of tiredness where you become teary and overwhelmed- take that nap if you need to, nobody’s judging! 

1. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder 

One of the most challenging things about the pandemic is being forced to stop the things we enjoy doing. Going to the salon is out of the question- and that not only means questionable hairstyles coming out of quarantine, it also means missing out on the overall connection of conversation from your stylist.

Quarantine means not being able to brunch with friends and to go and drink coffee with your mom, and that in itself can be really hard on some people. You should not let your happiness be governed by external circumstances, but, instead, create your own happiness by connecting with loved ones. 

Thanks to the vast selection of video conferencing apps, we can do this better than ever.  We’re able to find new and imaginative ways of connecting with friends. 

When you’re not able to connect with people physically, you gain a deeper connection with loved ones that are far away from you. 

More and more people are signing up to support those around them. They are showing that they believe in kindness, love, and forgiveness by dedicating themselves to the service of others, rather than simply on themselves. 

Communities are coming together to help those that are less fortunate than themselves, all while connecting with neighbors they may not have spoken to in a while. 

So, here are just some of the things that we have been taught while self-isolating at home. 

Whatever we have learned through this pandemic, the greatest of them is compassion and kindness- to both ourselves and the others around us. 

The world is still turning, and lovers are still loving. How can you be kinder to yourself today? 

Doing What You Want for You and Your Happiness

Whether you're a working mother, a busy professional, or just someone trying to navigate the wild west of the modern world, it's easy to lose sight of what makes you happy. Sometimes, there are even people who consider you selfish for wanting to put your happiness first and shame you for thinking of yourself.

These people don't matter, though. Even though you do have other responsibilities, these shouldn't come at the expense of your own happiness. So stop caring what others think. Start considering how to do what you want for you and your happiness. 

Doing That Thing

Think about everything you've said you're going to start doing during your life. There's a lot, surely. Now think of how many of those things you actually followed through to the end. Chances are it's less than half, maybe even less than a quarter. 

But this shouldn't be the case any longer. There's a possibility you're missing out on a variety of cool, exciting, and enjoyable activities, hobbies, experiences, or even jobs that will help ignite the spark of your happiness. Even if people seem like they don't think you can do it or want you to focus your energy elsewhere, going ahead and just doing it will help you realize what's really important. 

Treating Yourself

Fans of Parks and Recreation will no doubt remember the Treat Yo' self episodes, and while they may be an example of financial irresponsibility at its most flagrant, the underlying message rings true. 

If you spend all your time working for others and doing things for them, you forget that you, too, need treating every once in a while, and you can't always rely on others to treat you. This is when it comes to you, and you can enjoy vacations, shopping trips, nights both in and out, or even give yourself the cosmetic Advanced Skin therapy you've had your eye on for a while. 

Treating yourself can refresh and rejuvenate you, meaning you can get back to focusing on helping others. 

Removing Negative Influences

Sometimes, people struggle to separate themselves from negative influences and environments in their lives because of loyalty, family commitments, or a fear of the unknown. However, these negative influences can harm your happiness, and by staying close to them, you're only hurting yourself. 

This is why it's essential to separate yourself from these influences either for a short time or more permanently to give yourself time to think. In the quest for happiness, you must recognize areas of your life that are not good for you, and removing these areas as effectively as you can is the first step towards doing better for yourself. 

Your Happiness Is What Matters

There will be times where you need to focus on others' happiness before your own, but it's when you only focus on others that this becomes a problem. You cannot help others without first helping yourself, so understanding what makes you happy will help you be better, help you help others to become better, too.

Positive Changes For A Happier You

Photo by: Denise Benson Photography

Hey, how are you feeling today? If you're feeling down about yourself and simply going through the motions of life, it might be that you need to make changes to improve the way you feel.

These suggestions might help, so relate them to your life and take those steps that relate to you.

Deal with the things that make you unhappy

This can be easier said than done, we know, but if you can take steps to deal with the annoyances and difficulties in your life, then you might find yourself one step closer to a happier life.

So, you want to make changes to your money situation, for example. Especially if you don't have enough of an income to live on, it might be that a change of job is in order. You might want to go back to school too, as you will then have added skills and qualifications to add to your resume. And you might also want to find ways to boost your income with the side hustle ideas at sidehustlenation.com. Money can't buy you happiness, of course, but if having more will get you out of a financial difficulty and improve your mood state, then do whatever is needed.

There might also be things about your physical appearance that make you unhappy. The first thing to remember, of course, is that nobody's perfect, so don't dwell on your worst features. However, if you are able to make changes, then do so if they will make you feel happier. So, you might consider the plastic surgery services of kittoplasticsurgery.com if you have the budget to deal with those features that you are desperate to change. And you might consider a new outfit or hairstyle if an enhanced look will boost your mood. Be sure to make those changes that will make you happy, of course, and don't change yourself to please others. You will feel better about yourself in both the short and the long-term if you do.

We have only given you a couple of examples, but consider the things that make you unhappy. We can't list them all - we're not you, so how could we? - but you can list them, and be it alone or with the help of others, we are sure you can take steps to deal with them too. Think about it today and do what it necessary.

Stop thinking negatively

Many of us have negative mindsets, and consequently, we feel down about ourselves on a daily basis. We tell ourselves that we are useless. We criticize ourselves for our mistakes. And we limit our lives because we tell ourselves that we can't change, move on, or find happiness.

It's these negative mindsets that perpetuate the way we feel, so we need to break into them. Instead of telling ourselves that we are useless, we should focus on the parts of ourselves that are good. We should think back to the things we have done well. And we should take on board the words of praise others have blessed us with. We should also forgive ourselves for our mistakes, as we might then move on with our lives, instead of being beholden to our past forever. And we should take steps to improve our future selves, perhaps by using the ideas we listed here at freelynat.com to push through our boundaries, and by seeking the support of others to help us make positive changes. 

By taking such steps, we will then have the means to think positively for a change. And when we do so, our lives will change for the better as our happier state will energize our abilities to improve rather than put up with our lives.

You deserve to be happy, so be it because of external or internal pressures, try to find ways to overcome those things that get in your way. The onus is on you to take these steps, so think about yourself today, and then take the necessary actions to improve the way you feel. 

Dare to be Different

There are few of us who dare to be different in this life, and those of us who do, probably regret it anyway. Because when we dare to be different, we dare to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, and push the boundaries of what we're used to. So usually, we stick to what we know, and we like what we know. Some call us creatures of habit, and it's so true. How many of you eat the same breakfast, or wear the same sorts of clothes, or do the same things on the weekend? The list of the same sorts of things that we like to do could keep on growing, but how many of you can point out things that you do that push the boat out a little bit? Life's too short not to experiment with certain things, so we're going to try and show you some of the ways that we think you should dare to be different, how they're not that scary, and how you'll benefit! Keep on reading to find out more.

Subtle Changes To The Way You Look

Changing the way that we look is one of the things we tend to avoid, simply because taking a risk in that department seems more permanent, and if you're not happy with the way that you look at the minute, then making a change and feeling worse would be horrible. So, you need to think about the subtle changes that you could make, that only you and the people you know about need to know about. If you visit this website, you'll see so many different types of body piercings that you could go for that we know you'll just love. It's a subtle change that can make you feel so much more confident with your body. 

Finding Something New To Do

If you feel like all you're ever doing is living your life the same way, then it's time to think about all of the different things that you can do that will not only get you loving life, but it will get you feeling like you’re actually living for something more. It’s so easy to get into the routine of just doing nothing at all, so think about taking up some sort of hobby. We’re thinking something along the lines of arts and crafts, because we know that fitness is not something that’s for everyone, but arts and crafts can not only be a great way to meet new people, but it’s therapeutic and something good for your mental health. Plus, you don’t have to be super creative to do something like this!

Simply Not Following The Crowd

A final and simple point, but don’t follow the crowd that you’re following at the minute. Daring to be different can be as easy as daring to do something that nobody else is doing. Whether it be standing for something you believe in, having different views, or dressing different. Be who you want to be, rather than who you think the crowd wants you to be!

Upgrade Your Sound with Sennheiser M3 Momentum Wireless Headphones

*This is a sponsored post.*

The holiday season is quickly approaching and if you have and children like mine they are asking for EVERYTHING so I’m making my list early and shopping now and you can too!

Making a list can be daunting but asking members of your family for their top 3-5 items helps to narrow it down and it causes less stress, yay!

Today, I have the perfect gift idea for the music lover in your life; Sennheiser M3 Momentum Wireless Headphones at Best Buy! These headphones offer superior sound quality with a sleek style and are available in two colors: Black and Sandy White.

Headphones make a great gift and offer many uses especially with Bluetooth capability the options are endless! Connect them to your phone or tablet.  Having wireless headphones beats the traditional ones by allowing you to have flexibility.

I enjoy popping on my headphone while cooking dinner and getting lost in a book. My kids enjoy snuggling up with their headphones and tablets when we’re on the road for a long trip.

Check out all of the unique features below and click here to grab a pair today! 

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Auto On/Off and Smart Pause

Never miss a beat with seamless On/Off and Smart Pause functionality.  Simply fold the earcups, open or close to turn your music on or off.  Remove your headphones to bring your music to a pause, and then slip them back on to get back into the groove.

Active Noise Cancellation (3 modes) and Transparent Hearing

MOMENTUM Wireless adapts to your environment wherever you find yourself allowing you to experience your audio world on your terms.  The advanced Active Noise Cancellation offers three modes that are tailored to different environments.  With the Transparent Hearing feature, you can enjoy music while still being aware of your surroundings.

3 Modes:

Max: The Max mode offers Maximum Mode Cancellation (Airplane)

Anti Wind: Provides noise cancellation optimized for outdoors

Anti Pressure: Softer noise cancellation for at-home use

Three Button Interface

Easy to operate, without needing to read a manual, the simple and intuitive 3-Button Interface means you can switch between your music and making calls in an instant.  You can also activate Volume Control at the touch of a button and link to voice assistant technology immediately.

Automatic Pairing Mode

Makes setting up easy on first activation.

Smart Control App

Build-in equalizer, Noise Cancellation and Transparent Hearing modes mean you can tailor your sound to your situation.

Smart ‘Tile’ Technology

Track your headphones, so the only time you feel lost, is in the music.

Soft Earpads and Headband

A genuine leather head strap and premium earcups deliver superior comfort for those who like to enjoy endless listening.

What’s in the box?

• MOMENTUM Wireless

• Audio 3.5mm cable

• USB-C to USB-A adapter

• USB-C Charging cable

• Case

• Quick Guide

• Safety Guide

Ten Subtle Feminist Statements You Can Make in Daily Life

The current political climate has revived many forms of activism. Movements like Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter are two examples of on-going battles for justice that are re-merging with renewed energy. From worldwide initiatives to street protests, activists from all walks of life have put their own goals on hold to stand up for causes they care about.

The struggle for gender equality is no exception, as women—and some men—all around the globe have brought sexual assault into the spotlight via the #MeToo movement.

If you’d like to build feminism into your daily life, here are some powerful feminist practices that contribute to building a more feminist world.

Image Source: Pexels CC0 Licence

Not Everybody Has to Be a Vocal Activist

Are you engaged in the struggle? While some people are out there doing truly incredible work, it’s important to recognize that not everybody has the time, or the energy, to get fully involved. Don’t worry if you’re don’t feel extroverted enough to join a street march, or if your budget is too tight every month to donate to social justice groups. Even tiny day-to-day actions can add up to positive change.

What matters is how you exercise your choice on a day-to-day basis. In many ways, the individual decisions we make every day have the power to reshape the cultural assumptions that dominate our experience in terms of gender and sexuality.

Push Back on Gendered Dress Codes

Women have lots of different roles, from Mom to worker and friend. Each different role has a set of expectations when it comes to what you’re supposed to wear. If you decide to push back on those expectations, it can be easy to feel ashamed, as if failing to dress right means you’ve failed to embody what you’re supposed to be. Want to be a feminist? Dress however you like, whenever you like. You’re the boss of your image and your body. Don’t let others dictate how you dress.

Go Out Solo

Men are encouraged to be independent and go out on their own. Whether they have company or not, many men feel confident in their right to go out and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, some women don’t feel confident about going out on their own. They fear being seen as lonely or even as promiscuous. As a feminist, you can push back against this stereotype by going wherever you feel like going, whenever the mood takes you. Who cares if you have a date, or a friend to accompany you? Take a feminist stance by heading out all on your lonesome. By stepping out on your own, you’re advertising to other ladies out there that you’re sad, slutty or desperate. You’re just a woman who takes pleasure in her own company.

Educate Yourself

Throughout history, women have not been encouraged to have opinions on the serious matters facing the world. ‘Women’s issues’ were confined to household subjects, like housework and chores, rearing kids, and entertaining. Getting the best education you possibly can is a brilliant way to challenge those generations of poor or inferior educational opportunities and exclusion from salaried jobs.

Getting educated doesn’t have to mean university. Who says a degree is the most meaningful form of learning?  Your library card is the key to vast areas of knowledge, right there at your finger-tips. Read a wide range of subjects, and sta up to date on current affairs. More importantly, have an opinion. Whether you read the newspaper online, listen to educational podcasts on your way to work, it’s important to expand your educational horizons for the sake of feminism.

Support Girls Education

If you’re passionate about education for girls as a major issue within feminism, you may be inspired to investigate different ways to support education for girls on a global scale. Monthly donations to organizations doing good work, or even spreading the word, promoting awareness and educating folks via social media can make a difference and help girls out there who have been excluded from educational opportunities.

Ask For a Raise

Even after decades of feminism, the gender pay gap remains an unfortunate fact of life. Many people—especially women—are scared of raising this issue in the workplace, as it is often met with push-back. But we all know that on average, men get paid more than women for the same level of work. As a feminist, it’s important to know your worth and point out to your boss when you are not being paid enough for the value you contribute to the company.

Fight For That Raise

For a long time, the standard line on the gender pay gap issue was that women get paid less than men on average because women are less likely than men to ask for a raise. Don’t ask, don’t get, right? However, this has since been disproved by numerous studies and focus-groups. Women ask their bosses for more pay as frequently as men. The difference comes in the response from the employers. On average, men are more likely to be granted a raise in response to the request than women are. And, women are more likely to experience negative repercussions in the workplace if they ask for a raise, being viewed as pushy and grasping. This is not a great situation.

As a feminist, one of the most powerful things you can do is ask for a raise when you deserve one. And don’t stop there: once you have asked, follow up. Fighting for that raise is a powerful way to help to bring about change for yourself and all women, as asking seems not to be enough.

Take Charge of Your Reproductive Health

The battle for equality in terms of sexual and reproductive rights for women has been at the forefront of the global feminist agenda for decades. The feminist struggle is once again fighting to protect and promote women’s rights in terms of promoting awareness, educating women about their choices, and supporting access to effective and safe contraception. As a feminist, one of the most powerful ways that you can show up for women is to educate yourself on contraception methods, and take control of your own reproductive health. Like eating well and exercising, reproductive health should be seen as an essential part of your healthy lifestyle. 

Image Source: Pixabay CC0 Licence

Speak Up

Girls are often brought up to be “nice” rather than say what they believe. The result of this is that even when women don’t think something is right, they may be hesitant to speak up because they are scared of offending someone, seeming unpleasant, or going against the grain. In contrast, men are raised to say what they think, however unpopular the opinion they have, and may even be rewarded for rocking the boat. Any lady who’s ever been called “opinionated” or “difficult” (or even more unpleasant labels) will understand what it’s like to try to speak up when your ideas aren’t what other people think.

Next time you realize that you’re holding back on saying what you really think about something, remember that you’d be taking a stand for feminism is you can be assertive on behalf of all the other women out there. While it is never easy to rock the boat, you may find it energizing and inspiring to see your bravery as a powerful feminist act.

Apologize No More!

Women tend to apologize far more than men. Fact. If you don’t believe it, rather than searching the web for some research on the subject, consider doing a little research of your own. Grab a friend of the opposite sex and agree to both count how many times you each say “sorry” or “apologies” every day. After one week, add up how many apologies you’ve uttered. You’ll be shocked by the difference in your totals. If you find this interesting, take your research to the next step and work out what exactly saying sorry for. It’s crazy many times a day women tend to say sorry for things they have every right to do, like eating a sandwich or saying “No” when someone asks them a favor, or even for showing completely reasonable emotion.

Why do women say sorry all the time? It’s definitely not because women are always in the wrong, and men are in the right. The reason is that women are far more likely than men to think that they are in the wrong. When women interpret a difficult situation, they tend to blame themselves, rather than the other person involved, especially if that other person is a man. One of the most subtle but effective feminist tactics you can employ in your daily life is to take note of your “I’m sorry” habit. Once you’re aware of it, you’ll be more likely to be able to effectively stop doing it. That doesn’t mean you should go around doing as you please and not saying sorry when you are wrong. Just save your apology for when it counts.

Whether or not you have the energy, the resources or the time to roll up your sleeves, you can still be an activist. These tips will help you show your feminist colors in our day-to-day life. 

Sistahs in Business Expo 2019 - Columbia, SC

Aisha and judi gatson

The Sistahs in Business Expo was lit!!! There is no other way to describe it. I was truly honored to be in the number. So if you missed it this year make sure you’re in the building next year! I know they are coming back and even better.

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t sure how much I would get out of it since I don’t “own” a business, but honey, I was wrong! There were so many gems being dropped that if you didn’t have a pen and paper what were you really there to do?

First off, can we talk about the organization of this expo! They were ready to rock and roll on time and I love that! They did not play any games. Everything was decorated so beautifully and each vendor put thought into their booths!

I loved seeing so many women of color share their talents. I was able to walk around and visit with each vendor and learn a little about their business. I was even able to patronize a few Bri’s Butter and Lips by Ke’ Nichole.

My favorite part of the day were the panels. I receive a piece of inspiration from each session!

Session 1: Chit Chat with Aisha Taylor Issah, CEO

Aisha Taylor Issah is the visionary behind the expo and she taught us how to go after our dreams. All we have to do is just start.

Session 2: Authorpreneur Panel
Write the book!

Panelists: Tamika Sims, Shannon Mcrae, Ashlye V. Wilkerson, and Tara Seals

Every lady was so knowledgeable and came from different backgrounds but all carried the same message for authors to simply just get started!

Live. Learn. Lead. - Pastor Shannon Mccrae

They even recommended some books to read to get us started:

Who moved my cheese?

7 Levels of Communication

The Obstacle is the way

Keynote Speaker: Gizelle Bryant

She was so down to earth and spoke about how she got started. She spoke about being a mom and having to be away from her kids and how she raises them to be respectful young women.

That definitely hit home for because I’m trying to live my dreams and show my daughters that anything is possible.

Session 3: Superpower Panel
Local Women in Business

Panelists: Tamika Shuler Washington, April Jones, Bianca Crawford Shelton, Kitwanda Cyrus

This was probably my favorite session. I was able to see women in my community living their dreams and owning businesses. This personally lit a fire within to me to keep hustling!

Overall the event was AWESOME! I’m looking forward to next year. Keep up with the Sistahs in Business Expo on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

Want to see what you missed? Take a look below!

Kaydence was able to join me for this incredible experience!

Build Your Confidence By Pushing Your Boundaries

Image Credit: Pexels - CC0 Licence

We all have a safe zone. This is where we are calm, quite happy and don’t worry about stuff all the time. There’s only one problem with the safe zone: if you allow it, you could quickly create a tiny space where you thrive and everything else becomes off-limits.

One of the key ways to build your confidence and reduce your anxiety is to gently and gradually push these boundaries away. Yes, this is difficult, but the rewards you gain are huge. If you are willing to leave your comfort zone, you might just find that it opens up to accommodate new things. And that’s how you gain a rich, full and healthy life. 

Create Small Tests

One of the first things to do is to write a list of things that cause you to worry. For someone who struggles with social anxiety, this could be a list including meeting new people, going to a party or talking on the phone. Whatever your anxieties are, be honest with yourself, what are you avoiding and what makes you anxious?

Next, rate your fears out of 10. This step is important because you should expand your boundaries slowly. Facing your biggest 10/10 fear straight off isn’t likely to work but facing a fear that is closer to 6/10 is enough discomfort to be worthwhile but not so much that you will make yourself ill! 

Set Your Experiments

A behavioral experiment is simply a way to face a particular fear. Just do one fear at a time and build up slowly. An experiment can be anything and should work to eradicate your anxieties. The best experiments are basic in that they aim to resolve one anxiety at a time and gradually building up to your biggest fears. 

So, if the idea of performing your own music in public makes you feel shaky and anxious, you might consider performing for some friends first. Then once you’ve done that and you feel more confident, you could consider doing an open mic night. This article will give you an idea of what’s out there: What are the best places for open mic nights in Texas?

Track Your Progress

It’s easy to forget just how far we have come. This is why it’s important to set your experiments and record what happened from what your fear was to what the actual results were. Often, our anxieties project the worst case scenario but the reality shows us that this isn’t a guaranteed result. 

As you build up your experiments, you will see that it is possible to push your boundaries out and extend your comfort zone. It’s okay to feel nervous before a performance but it’s not okay to allow that to develop into paralyzing anxiety. This is true of any anxiety: if it prevents you going ahead, you need to think about why that is and gently push at the belief.

Proving your anxieties wrong over and again is the best way to build your self-belief and confidence. Just look at all the evidence you have.