Every year like clockwork, society begins to speculate about the hope that the new year will bring in. We take a few days, usually between December 26 through 31st, to reflect on the last year and think about what we hope to cultivate moving forward. I feel like for most people, and definitely in most capitalist environments, I hear of resolutions related to better health and physique; starting that business; starting and/or finishing school, and more. And again like clockwork, these resolutions are found down the drain by February, floating away in the stream of failed attempts. "I'll try next year," we say. 

Instead of trying next year, or refraining from trying at all, a simple shift in perspective can help us take the leap of faith into a new venture with hope and perseverance. May I introduce to you, SMART Goals (Doran 1981). 

SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Resourced, and Time. Essentially, the aspects of this acronym all work together in harmony to help goals look and feel achievable while still being manageable and adaptable with life's ups and downs. Essentially, this means it is possible to lose weight, live a healthier lifestyle, or start that business without the passion and motivation that leaves us like a cold breeze in spring. 

Below are the details of each part of the SMART acronym, as written and introduced to me by my therapist. It is my intention that these ideas aid in helping those who use them to create goals that help them live more authentically and in alignment with who they want to be. Don't forget to share your own SMART goals in the comments below! Without further ado....SMART GOALS
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SPECIFIC: Be very clear in what you want to achieve.  Consider breaking the goal down into smaller steps.

MEASURABLE: How will you know when you have achieved your goal?  What will you be doing at that time?  What will others notice you doing?  What will be different?  What will you have started or be doing regularly?  What will you have stopped or be doing less of?

ACHIEVABLE: Ensure your goals are not too high. Don’t set yourself up to fail! Consider setting smaller goals on your way to the big one.  Celebrate your successes.  If you don’t achieve what you set out to, then ask what you could do differently, what would make it more likely to succeed next time?

REALISTIC & RESOURCED: Is this achievable with the resources I have? Are there any other resources you need before you can, or to help you, achieve your goal?  How can you access these resources?  What problems might you have?  What can you do to minimise those problems?

TIME: Set a reasonable time limit to achieve your goal.  1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 5 years? Consider different (smaller) time limits for smaller steps. 

As a collective, everyone regardless of race is being called to acknowledge their privilege and act accordingly to support our Black brothers and sisters. Although an immense amount of change is needed in our government system, police work, workplace environments, and local communities, we all can start somewhere small. One of the best things we can do with our money and our privilege is to give to those who need it and deserve it. That's why this holiday season, I'm focusing on supporting small black owned businesses. 

In this short but sweet list of black entrepreneurs, you will find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list, from your candle loving coworker to your self care junkie partner or roommate. And if you can't find what you're looking for, there are resources for more black owned businesses and smalls shops who deserve a spotlight too. 

Whether it's your mom, partner, or roommate, we all know someone who enjoys bath time more than the average person. Nav Naturals is owned by a black mama creating all natural and organic self care products with love. And her products are 100% safe for baby skin and sensitive skin!

​My favorite from her is the handmade Whipped Oil in Lavender Honey scent. Whipped oil is a gentle alternative to lotion that leaves your skin silky soft for longer than your current lotion brand ever will.

We all had to find something to help us stay sane during the stay at home order earlier this year. For Jourdynn, that was candle making. Her candles are hand poured in small batches in North Carolina, created with the intention of lighting up the room with vibrant sensations for your sniffer. And even better, these beautiful candles are soy based and free of those nasty phthalates and parabens we should all be avoiding. 

The holiday season is the perfect time to cozy up by the fireplace with some hot cocoa. That's why we think LeighsCandleCo's Hot Cocoa and Cream candle will make all of your holiday dreams come true. 

Wake Up With Marley has taken over the internet with her colorful recipes and holistic approach to food and health. Her pages offer recipes of clean eats, homemade milk alternatives, and inspiration for the avid chef in your life. 

Our recommended gift for the foodie in your bubble? The Caribbean Remedy, that supports immune health throughout the winter months and the year. This concoction can be used as an immune support, cough syrup, or home brewed tea. Marley walks you through how to create it yourself on her blog or you can purchase it premade in her shop. 

Art may be subjective but objectively I cannot move past how talented and thoughtful the work of Jazmin Anita is. Her intent in all of her creations is to provide pieces that people can resonate with and find themselves in. 

From phone cases and pillows, to canvases and prints, Jazmin is providing everything your aesthetic bff needs in their life. I've been finding myself in her canvas pieces, such as "Koi" pictured above. To preview and purchase a canvas and everything else, check out her shop below. 

Alternative healing and spiritually based therapies are on the rise right now. Whether the guru in your life is into astrology, past lives, tarot, or small group healing sessions, Maryam Hasnaa gives lifetime access to courses and flower medicine to support your journey on this earth.

​Our favorite offering? A New Earth Mystery gift card, because what resonates with you may not resonate with the spiritual soul in your life. 

Can't find what you're looking for in your shopping needs here? Check out Miiriya, a website and app with a plethora of black owned businesses in many different categories, from home interior to makeup and hair, and more! 

If you're interested in learning more about your privilege as a white person and what you can do to recognize and address these privileges, check out the best selling book by black author Layla Saad Me and White Supremacy.

I'm always on the hunt for new brands that provide environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Afterall, if there is a sustainable and ethical alternative to the products you use regularly, why wouldn't you invest into them? Luckily more and more options are available, and the yogi in me has found nirvana in my new leggings from Girlfriend Collective. 

Girlfriend Collective is an athletic wear brand committed to high quality, ethical products made from 100% recycled materials. In turn, their clothes are 100% recyclable as well. GC pride themselves in transparency, and readily provide information regarding their ethical factory where workers are paid a living wage, where they purchase used water bottles to create their clothing, and how their partnership with ECONYL helps to recycle and reuse plastic waste found in the ocean. 

Additionally, they believe in representation and inclusion. Their sizes go up to size 6XL and their leggings are available up to size 6XL with multiple options for inseam length. Their commitment to representation and inclusion can also been seen on their page dedicated to #BLACKLIVESMATTER where customers can access information, donation resources, and petitions regarding the movement along with links to black owned businesses. They even offer a contact form where customers can share ways they believe Girlfriend Collective can become even more inclusive and better their part in the fight for justice and equality.  

In an attempt to follow my yoga routine in a more regular fashion, I bought the Compressive High Rise Legging in Plum to help me jump start my practice. I cannot express enough how thrilled I am with this purchase. 

Aside from being made of 100% recycled water bottles (25 to be exact), these leggings are extremely high quality. They are flexible and allow me to move gracefully into each pose and breathe into my space. They aren't too tight, too high, uncomfortable, or poorly made with little fly away fabrics. They provide comfort, relaxation, and style to my yoga practice. 

Along with their high level of comfort and quality, Girlfriend Collective's products are fashionable and are available in a wide variety of styles and colors. Their latest collection includes vibrant yellow and lovely lavender pieces to accompany you in your leisure, yoga, exercises, and daily life. Whatever the task at hand is, Girlfriend Collective allows you to be your most confident self while performing these tasks, with a hint of pride for choosing a company committed to sustainability and ethical standards as high as the skyscrapers downtown. 

If all of this isn't enough, they also recently released their new line of socks and underwear, known as the Everyday GF Collection. Girlfriend Collective is your one stop shop for daily essentials and intimates, especially if you're a conscious shopper. Plus, they give back to their community through their Girlfriend to Girlfriend program. 

Want to be in love just as much as I am? Take a look at all of their products and resources by clicking here and reward yourself with ethically made, sustainable clothing that truly makes a positive difference in the world. 

I remember my first pimple, under my nose right where that thin, sensitive skin is above my lip. It was so utterly painful I vowed to never get a pimple again. My preteen self kept dreaming, and more pimples arose as puberty took full control of my body.

I began my skin journey by washing and moisturizing regularly, unaware of what kind of products to use and by never popping my pimples. That quickly changed when the girls I spent time with in middle school urged me to pop my pimples, because "they're gross!" I don't think I've ever let a pimple run its course untouched since (hello scarring!). 

High school was a bit better as I learned more about the different ingredients in skin care products, but the struggle truly began my senior year. 

I was insecure about my face, struggling to solve my problems, and the dermatologist through my health insurance turned me away because she deemed it "not that bad." Turns out it was that bad, because it made me feel less than and what I was doing wasn't working. Enter Curology. I decided to try the free trial ($5 for shipping) and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My skin cleared up over time, and I continued my subscription. 

I noticed that I was breaking out significantly more around my mouth and on my chin after about 5 or 6 months of using curology. My skin was red and irritated, and flaking in certain areas, I messaged my dermatologist through Curology seeking advice, since my Curology treatment wasn't helping. Little did I know the journey she was about to send me on. 

I took to Google immediately. After a bit of research on Mayo Clinic and Healthline, I deemed her diagnosis correct and was desperate to follow all of her advice to make this go away. 

She recommended that I discontinue the use of my Curology treatment on that area of my face since it is a steroid cream, along with cleansers and moisturizers. She said not to use ANYTHING on that area of my face topically, although Vaseline would help if I chose to do so. I also learned that fluoride in some toothpastes can cause perioral dermatitis too, so I switched to a fluoride free toothpaste. After a few months it began to clear up, and I began using Vaseline on the area as she recommended. 

I was still struggling with acne on the rest of my face here and there. I decided to switch cleansers and moisturizers. I spent a lot of time and money investing into every product that promised to aid my skin. The difference I was looking for didn't arrive until I got in touch with my values again. 

I would like to think of myself as ethical and sustainable. I recycle materials (including my clothing), compost, buy food only in season, and use eco friendly alternatives as often as I can. I buy and use only cruelty free products, but I had never invested into all natural products at this point. I began by buying Pacifica, a vegan and all natural (and cruelty free!) product that promises to gently care for your skin. Although I enjoyed the products, the price, and ease of accessibility, I felt like it wasn't really helping me. I decided to go back to products that I used in high school, because there was a point in time where I had clear skin. 

Now, I have said in the past that I primarily use all natural products. When these did help, it was great, but when they didn't, I felt lost. This all natural journey also applied to my hair, and my hair girl educated me on the importance of chemicals that aid in the problem without being too harsh and causing more issues. Since that conversation, I leaned towards products whose main ingredients are all natural, but still contained some harmless chemicals. This is where the products I swear by come into play. 

The Jojoba Company is an Australian based company who uses jojoba oil and other natural ingredients as the primary ingredients in their products. Jojoba oil is the only oil that mimics our skin's natural oil, and leads to a cleaner and more healthy face. I use the Jojoba Bead Cleanser daily every morning and night. I like this product because the jojoba oil beads lightly exfoliate and allow the jojoba oil to seep into my skin and work it's magic. Following this, I use witch hazel as a toner. There has been some debate about whether or not toner is necessary or not, and personally I would suggest using  a toner of some kind because I have found it to be extremely helpful in evening my skin tone. Witch hazel is my toner of choice because it is natural and possesses anti-inflammatory properties that aid in treating acne, redness, and promoting an even skin tone. Following this, I use Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer by Eminence Organic Skin Care. This product is primarily natural, organic, and they plant a tree for every product sold. It is light and can easily be diluted for the same effect and using less product. Its a spa quality product and can only be purchased through an affiliated spa, making it less accessible but nonetheless still effective and 100% worth the price. One container lasts me about 6 months, and I argue that there is no reason to not invest into your face. 

Investing into my skin and my face is one of the best decisions I have made. I am happier every day thanks to the products that align with my values and actually treat the issues at hand that I experience. It has been a long journey, and continues every day with upkeep, but being confident in my skin is priceless. Self treating my perioral dermatitis at home with the help of my dermatologist is one of my proudest accomplishments, and it's such a common skin issue that I wanted to shed light so those who may not know about it but have it can find the joy, freedom, and confidence in their skin that they deserve. 

So to recap, if you have perioral dermatitis do not put anything on that area of your face (especially steroids). Vaseline is safe to use if you choose to do so. Switch to a toothpaste that is fluoride free (I like this Charcoal and Hempseed Oil Toothpaste from Hello). Allow your face a few months to heal and expect to see a difference after investing the time and proper treatment after about 5 or 6 months. If you have the access, contact a dermatologist for more information. Acne can be treated with both steroids and natural products, but I have found that natural ingredients in conjunction with a steroid cream (such as Curology or Retinol) work best. Take the time to invest into products that align with your values and provide you the most relief for your specific skin issues. For me, I choose cruelty free and primarily natural products from reliable and trustworthy companies. They are out there, here to help you! 

- the need for toner is widely debated, try it out for yourself before you brush it off. you may be surprised at how much it truly helps 
- there are many products that help with different skin issues at different price ranges. I purchase high quality products because I believe in investing into my face (we have to look at ourselves every day so we might as well enjoy it)
​- vitamin c in serum and moisturizers has been shown to improve skin as well
- investing into chemical peels or semi-regular facials is a nice self care treat and can diminish the appearance of pores and help to even skin tone (which I did but it almost wasn't worth it and I didn't mention it because I picked at my skin after the fact which made it counterproductive)
- bear in mind the role that what you put into your body shows in your skin. stick to a balanced diet of veggies and fruits (smoothies!), less red meat, and 64-80oz of water a day to keep your skin glowing 
- again stay hydrated (it's so important I mentioned it twice)
- hormones also play a role in skin, along with the quality of the functions of your internal organs. take care of your physical body inside and out to see real results in your face and physique (this means take care of your whole body, holistically) 

​Spirituality has been on the rise in recent years. More and more young people are finding themselves to be very spiritual, and less religious, and there has even been a decrease in self-proclaimed atheists. Despite the rise in spiritual practices, it may feel overwhelming and confusing in the beginning. Additionally, having spiritual beliefs is much more than lighting sage once a week, curating the perfect collection of crystals, or reading your Bible once a week. All of these things are wonderful and can be very beneficial, but will only be empty actions if your heart is not involved as well. 

Regardless of whatever your religious or spiritual practices are, they are aspects of yourself that are vital to protect and strengthen in life and in quarantine. Spirituality bleeds into every aspect of our lives, relationships, and personal development. This alone makes spirituality a worthwhile topic and potentially relevant to anyone with a current belief system or someone who may be curious to begin one. 

I have created this list of 6 ways to begin or strengthen your spiritual practice. It is meant to be applicable to anyone who finds that it resonates with them, and it is not meant to deter anyone away from their already existing practices. 

For individuals who have a spiritual practice, for religious people, and myself, there is a common theme of believing in something higher and greater than you. For some people this is God. For others, it is the Universe, Source, Brahma, and others. Regardless of whatever this being may be for you, the key to establishing a strong spiritual connection is to establish a relationship with this higher being. For me, its God. For more spiritual/less religious people its Source or Universe. In Hinduism, Brahma is an avatar of Brahmin (the source of consciousness). I'm not here to convince you of which one is real or better, I'm here to make the presence known and invite you to pray.

​Prayer is open communication with God (or whatever you choose to call it). You can pray when you are happy, grateful, sad, angry, or any other emotion. You can ask for what you need, what you want, pray for yourself, and pray for others. Even if you don't experience a life changing moment when praying, just thinking your prayer or saying it out loud can be a source of comfort. 

For others, prayer may not be "for them." This is where meditation comes in. You can learn more about meditation and how to meditate here. Before you begin a meditation practice, it may be helpful to set an intention before you start. What do you want to gain from your meditation experience? What insight are you looking for? Sometimes the answers to our most burning questions, or the solutions to a problem already exist within our subconscious and meditation is a way to put your thoughts to rest and allow the feelings or answers to come to you. 

Rituals are apart of your routine that enhance your growth and/or connection with God (or whatever you choose to call it). And not all rituals need to have a spiritual focus to be beneficial. For some, a ritual may include listening to a podcast every day, cleaning your room, or maybe attending a church service (if you are interesting in learning about new cultures or beginning your spiritual journey, you can read about my experience visiting a Sikh temple here). 

Your rituals should be personal to you and not feel forced. For me, I practice "morning manifestations," which is in essence future journaling. I have a dedicated folder in the notes app on my phone, and I take a few minutes for myself every morning to set intentions for the day/week, write out things I'm grateful for, or write about something that hasn't happened as if it already has. This is the first thing that I do almost every morning, and all for myself. 

Perhaps journaling at night before bed, reading a new book, or lighting a candle and saying a prayer could be your ritual. There is abundant freedom in this practice, and can be beneficial as long as it is done for your own fulfillment and relationship with God (or whatever you choose to call it). 

Luckily for us, we live in a time of abundant information. When beginning to seek or when strengthening our religious or spiritual connection, it is always beneficial to educate ourselves. You can begin by asking those around you, or looking for new information online. Now, I'm not saying Google search "Is God real?" Science doesn't really explore spirituality and chances are, there is some aspect of yourself or your subconscious that believes there is something out there. If you're curious about finding ways to strengthen your connection with God (or whatever you choose to call it), or you want to learn more about the history of your beliefs, then a simple Google search can aid immensely in finding information that enhances your knowledge. 

In doing this though, you may find information that doesn't sit right with you. You may learn about religions or spiritual practices that you don't really like or find to be outlandish. But in turn, you will also encounter things that truly resonate with you that you may want to adopt into your life. It can't hurt to look for it, even if you're unsure of what you're looking for. 

When seeking or strengthening a spiritual or religious practice, it can sometimes feel daunting. There may be a reputation that follows these things with both positives and negatives, but anything that you choose to follow should not strip you of your personality or values. Adapting a belief system and rituals into your life can bring up fears of becoming "that one super spiritual person," but this isn't a bad thing as long as you stay true to yourself and what you believe. Your spirituality or religious identity should not be hindering your growth but promoting it, along with your view of yourself and the world. Regardless of what you believe, your self should not be taken away when finding something to believe in that works for you. 

Everything above is great and arguably needed in developing or strengthening your spiritual practice, but being apart of a community is essentially the cherry on top. Finding and participating in a group of like minded people can enhance your spiritual practices, and you will in turn be helping to enhance the practices of those around you. A community can look like a small group of people who study the Word together, your close friends with similar beliefs, church, or your family. For me, I spark spiritual conversations with my friends, and I try to follow people on social media who have a similar belief system to my own so that I am feeding myself information that is both validating and thought provoking. And if something I see doesn't sit right with me or goes against my values, then I simply unfollow them. For other people, it's going to church with the same people once or twice a week. Whatever form of community and communication works for you, your values, and your lifestyle, is the way to go. 
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Religion and spirituality is involved in our daily lives, whether that is in the culture of the groups we associate with, or we have religious family members. As time progresses, more and more people are finding themselves to be spiritual. This also means that more and more people are seeking and searching for something that resonates with them. Whatever path you think you might want to explore is open and waiting for you, all you have to do is open up to it and seek it. 
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Download and print these pages for your room, mirror, refrigerator, or anywhere else you where you will see them frequently. These tools can guide you in creating a routine and beginning or enhancing your own self care journey!

You can find the self care in quarantine essays that inspired these printables here and here. 

"Self Care in Quarantine" is a series I am writing as we all adjust to our new lives as a result of the pandemic. The world is clearly in a state of disarray, and many people are finding themselves struggling financially, personally, or otherwise. All of the new adjustments and transitions due to the pandemic are extremely challenging and affecting everyone globally. We are all seeking to discover what we should do. As an optimist, I am arguing that this is time to start fresh. We have been given the space to create new routines, strengthen relationships, and reflect on ourselves. This series is designed to provide tips on how to do these things, along with how to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally, spiritually, and creatively while in quarantine. I am not an expert and nothing that I say is meant to replace a professional's opinion or otherwise, but only to provide some insight into feeling more peaceful. It is my hope with this series that we can regain or continue to stand in our power, and take care of ourselves as we adjust to a new way of living. 

In this essay, we will be discussing meditation. This includes what meditation is, the benefits of meditating, and how to practice meditation (all while following the social distancing orders from our government). 

"Self Care in Quarantine" is a series I am writing as we all adjust to our new lives as a result of the pandemic. The world is clearly in a state of disarray, and many people are finding themselves struggling financially, personally, or otherwise. All of the new adjustments and transitions due to the pandemic are extremely challenging and affecting everyone globally. We are all seeking to discover what we should do. As an optimist, I am arguing that this is time to start fresh. We have been given the space to create new routines, strengthen relationships, and reflect on ourselves. This series is designed to provide tips on how to do these things, along with how to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally, spiritually, and creatively while in quarantine. I am not an expert and nothing that I say is meant to replace a professional's opinion or otherwise, but only to provide some insight into feeling more peaceful. It is my hope with this series that we can regain or continue to stand in our power, and take care of ourselves as we adjust to a new way of living. 

In this essay, we will be revisiting an older post on self care (found here) and adding to our ideas of what self care looks like, all while following the social distancing procedure ordered by our government.

"Self Care in Quarantine" is a series I am writing as we all adjust to our new lives as a result of the pandemic. The world is clearly in a state of disarray, and many people are finding themselves struggling financially, personally, or otherwise. All of the new adjustments and transitions due to the pandemic are extremely challenging and affecting everyone globally. We are all seeking to discover what we should do. As an optimist, I am arguing that this is time to start fresh. We have been given the space to create new routines, strengthen relationships, and reflect on ourselves. This series is designed to provide tips on how to do these things, along with how to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally, spiritually, and creatively while in quarantine. I am not an expert and nothing that I say is meant to replace a professional's opinion or otherwise, but only to provide some insight into feeling more peaceful. It is my hope with this series that we can regain or continue to stand in our power, and take care of ourselves as we adjust to a new way of living. 

In this essay, we will be discovering tips on how to create a new routine that works for you while following the social distancing procedure ordered by our government.

Motivation is often the most important ingredient in our goals, and the one that goes missing the quickest. It is supposed to be what fuels us to move forward and bring our ambitions into fruition. Realistically though, motivation is lost in the midst of life. We may be pumped to start that new workout program, begin school again, or decide to start that project we've been daydreaming about forever but once we find ourselves in the midst of the process motivation has gone missing. During these times of self quarantine and losing our jobs/income due to the pandemic, it may feel harder than ever before to maintain a sense of motivation. Luckily for us humans, our brains are very malleable therefore we still have the power to succeed in any area we choose without the fleeting feeling of motivation. 

In our current times, climate change and the thought of human destruction is peering around the corner, waiting to strike. It seems as though our society continues to live with these intricate ideas of "someone else will save us," usually through the lens of rose colored glasses. Maybe this is why citizens are not heeding the advice given by scientists and researchers. The seemingly endless articles and research performed to educate and inform the standard citizen of solutions, are prettier when viewed through rose colored glasses, but it is time to take our glasses off. We should take action and do what our leaders are urging us to do: adopt a vegetarian diet. Adopting and adjusting to a vegetarian diet is known to have many benefits for the environment, along with our health and the economy (and obviously animals too). It can be a challenge, and it is impossible to convince everyone, but any small change is enough to make a difference, and hopefully everyone's small lifestyle change will add up to create a beautiful mathematical creation that promotes life and longevity for all existence, from the zooplankton of our oceans to the children who are born right in this very moment. 

Have you ever been running late, and look at the time out of disorderly stress and see "4:44" or maybe "2:22?" What about "000" on a barcode? Or "999" during an advertisement on T.V? These happenings are not completely out of the ordinary, although it does seem a bit suspicious that these numbers are appearing in three's, continuously...right? Believe it or not, viewing triple numbers does have meaning, but whether that meaning plays a role in your life is up to you.