​Simply put, "mirror talk" is using positive affirmations to change your life.

By repeating these phrases, you can greatly improve your confidence and outlook on life.

Normally, you repeat these mantras whenever you feel they're needed, but "mirror talk" takes things a step further. 

Instead of repeating these affirmations randomly, "mirror talk" is a daily ritual when you repeat these mantras to yourself while looking directly in your eyes in the mirror every morning (I know, kinda scary right!?).

​This is a HUGE tool in building confidence and also building a happier outlook on life.

You make your way to the kitchen, pour your coffee, load it up with that sugary pumpkin "goodness" but still feel just SO groggy.  Your day goes on, you get some items checked off your to-do list, grab an afternoon latte but still your productivity is low.  Finally it's time for dinner, and after that you try to wind down with a Netflix binge, because seriously, what else are you going to do when it's cold and dark out??

Next thing you know, 11:00 PM appears on your phone...  It's late and you should go to bed, but your brain won't calm down.  What gives??  You were tired all day but now you can't sleep?  Grumbling, you crawl into bed and lay there getting weird hot and cold sweats in your flannel sheets and cotton pajamas...  Midnight rolls around, you finally drift off...  

And BEEP BEEP BEEP, the 5:45 am alarm goes off, and the cycle repeats itself.  How do you stop it?  After a few key changes to your routine and a few product additions, you can easily make your mornings and evenings set you up for a more productive day!

First?  Fake the sunrise.
Seriously, this thing has changed my morning.  By slowly getting brighter, this alarm mimics a sunrise to gently bring you out of deep sleep at your desired time.  Once it's at it's peak brightness, it is SO much easier to get out of bed.  You can also try setting your thermostat so it's a bit warmer than normal right when you want to wake up, making it much easier to get out from under your cozy blankets.

Second?  Make it smell energizing, but not just from your coffee.
After getting out of bed, you'll want to freshen up your space with invigorating, brain stimulating scents like citrus oils and mint.  Put them in the diffuser of your get ready space and get your brain fired up for the day.  No diffuser?  Try this one, it packs a big punch, holds a lot of water, and helps to humidify dry winter air which is great for skin!

Third?  Lessen your sugar and caffeine load.
No, I'm not telling you to give up your coffee.  What I am saying is that after decreasing the amount of caffeine and sugar you have, you WILL get used to it and you WILL feel more energy later on in the day.  Don't try to give it up all at once, wean yourself off the fully caffeinated coffee by switching out a scoop or two for decaf.  Next week, try switching out a bit more.  You can also lessen your sugar dependency by switching that sugary pumpkin spice creamer for actual pumpkin spice.  I like this one, it's organic and gives me that #basicwhitegirl vibe without being so basic.  All you need to do is put some in your brewing basket, or simply sprinkle it on top.

First?  Block out the lights.
Set the mood for your Netflix binge and dim the lights in your room.  This mimics sunset which naturally releases melatonin.  Also, block out the blue light from your TV and phone with a cute pair of blue-blockers like these!  As soon as I started wearing these in the evenings, I got way sleepier way earlier!

Second?  Add a scent to your nighttime routine.
We all know that scents can take us into the right frame of mind, so make each evening smell the same and eventually your brain will associate that scent with sleep!  Move your diffuser to the living room (or buy two and keep it there all the time) and diffuse calming scents like these blends from Plant Therapy.  Give it a few weeks and your brain will learn to relax on command!

Third?  Wear pajamas that breathe.
I don't know about you, but I sweat a lot when I sleep.  As soon as I made the switch to bamboo sleep shirts (and socks but that doesn't have to do with pajamas) I started sleeping so much more comfortably!  After wearing these shirts, you'll sleep through the night rather than waking up in the middle all sweaty and uncomfortable.

Good morning!

Nighty night!

If you're reading this, I bet you've seen tons of workout plans that have "prescribed" rest days.  That means they tell you EXACTLY which day of the week to rest with total disregard for your schedule, your life and how your body feels.  I mean seriously, if Thursday is your typical night out with the girls but your workout DEMANDS that you go to the gym...  It's time to find a new workout plan...  Why?  Because that is just NOT how rest days are supposed to work.

Exercise should always complement your life...  It should never detract from or control it.

Simple!  (Kinda.) 

You listen to your body (and your PERSONAL calendar, not theirs).

I know, “self-care” is a huge topic right now. It’s yet another thing we add to our to-do list to keep us healthy both mentally and physically. But for most of us... self-care is at the end of that list. Fist of all, there is no shame in it being that low on the totem pole. It’s on the bottom of my totem pole I can tell you that for sure!

What happens though when we fail at completing that self-care task? Do we beat ourselves up? Do we feel even more stressed and feel less cared for because we “failed”?  With all these questions in your mind, I want to take a moment to promise you that this post is not just another “5 - minute self care practice”, or anything like what you’ve seen on Pinterest before. This tip is different because it takes absolutely no extra time out of your day. What I am going to show you is that you already have a self-care practice, you just don’t think about it in the right way.

So, how do we do this? Let’s take my example from before: MORNING BEVERAGES (quite possibly my favorite part of the day).

I love coffee. I also love tea. For me, each one has their specific place in my life, it just depends on what day it is. Coffee days are most often weekdays, the days when I need to get stuff done! Call me a coffee snob, whatever, but I love French Presses. I have two actually... one makes my coffee, and one makes my tea. Let’s talk coffee first though.  After trying a few coffee devices that didn't work out the best/didn't last, I did my research, asked coffee friends for advice, and made the choice to purchase a double walled Insulated, stainless steel French Press from Bodum. This thing allows me to brew coffee ONCE and drink it hot ALL morning, a very important part of a busy day.  Each time I make coffee, I make notes in my mind about the beautiful French press, the smell of the beans, the sound my grinder makes, how fast my water boiler works, and the feel of pressing down to filter the perfect cup.  All these steps would happen no matter what, but thinking about them in a deeper and more appreciative way does not take any more time.  All I am doing is changing my mindset.  Instead of thinking about my to-do list as I make coffee, I am simply putting off those thoughts for a few minutes, and being mindful and PRESENT as I make coffee, letting it become an art form.