INSPIRATIONAL SELF-CARE SECRETS FROM NINE AMAZING LADYPRENEURS
Since we’re on the subject of sisterhood, friendship, and empowerment, I thought this would be the perfect time to ask: what would happen if you treated yourself the same way you treat your best friend? You would likely be more attuned to your needs, your problems, and your goals. You would be as generous to yourself as you are to others. You would love and honor your health and well-being. You would put aside all else to be your own best friend. What better way to further kick-off our three month celebration of women leading up to our I’ll Bring the Chocolate event in July than to start with self-care. For assistance, I turned to nine amazing ladypreneurs to share with us their own very personal and unique self-care rituals. I hope they encourage you to make self-care part of your daily routine, if it’s not already.
I’ve listed these lovely ladies in alpha order so first you’ll meet Cynthia and last but not least you’ll meet Jennifer. Enjoy!
CYNTHIA BARKLEY, DESIGN & PRINT SPECIALIST
For me, self-care starts with daily prayer and devotion. My time with God helps refresh my mind and spirit, as I prepare for the day ahead. With all that’s on my plate, I have to make sure my head is on right and I am aligned with God’s plan for the day. I am at my best, when I fulfill this much needed ritual. Connect with Cynthia and find her on Instagram.
NICOLETTA DARITA DE LA BROWN, HEALING ARTIST & UNICORN
I am currently undergoing a spiritual fast; think of the sign “closed for spiritual maintenance” surrounding my mind and body like an impenetrable shield. Similar to many who also walk along the path of wholeness, I step into each day with gratitude. Life for me is simple, the present is a gift, the past can summon depression, the future fosters a state of anxious energy, and therefore mindfulness of the here & now is key to peaceful bliss. Abundance is always the answer when asking the Universe. I have many self-love + self-care rituals. My go-to is ritual bathing. Submersing my body in warm water infused with essential oils, anointing serum, flora, and fauna. This purifies my vessel, calms my mind, opens my spirit, transmutes that which no longer serves, a process of restorative fortifying of self. Connect with Nicoletta and find her on Instagram.
MICHELLE GOMEZ, CURATOR, EVENT PLANNER – MIAMI FLORIDA
As a curator turned event planner, the art side of the brain tends to get overwhelmed with #creativeunionsinspiration, imagining how art can express love stories. To get from imaginary ideas to focusing on actually planning Creative Unions, I pull out my yoga mat, my singing bowl, and wooden box full of crystals, incense, and sage so I can meditate! I then choose a crystal from my collection to set my intention for the day, followed by some light stretching and/or yoga. I always feel clear about my day’s plans afterward, then jot down my priority tasks in my notebook in numbered order. It’s important to be present so I can plan weddings, one step/one art exhibition at a time! Connect with Michelle and find her on Instagram.
ROBIN GUNKEL, WRITER & COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Balancing a full time job with hosting Mushroom City Art Festival every year and pursuing a PhD in Sustainability Education keeps me busy! I’ve begun meditating again in the mornings and reciting Green Tara’s mantra to ground me in stillness and love for all beings. I find this practice to be key beside learning more about and opening to the wisdom of plant and fungi allies in the world! Connect with Robin and find her on Facebook.
CAPRECE JACKSON-GARRETT, PUBLICIST & STRATEGIST & EVENT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Morning, noon and night, I’m perpetually giving thanks and expressing gratitude for blessings, large and small. I love fresh flowers, incense, candles, and drinking champagne. I’m a chronic flosser, and I stretch a lot, do planks and/or push-ups daily. I love to dance, walk, have fun and collaborate. Expressing my authentic self and aesthetic perspective through clothing, as a wearable art medium illuminates my spirit. Fashion and Nature inspire me. I love drinking water with fresh-lemon or lime, and rarely eat processed foods, or food out boxes and cans. Connect with Caprece and find her on Instagram.
DEEDEE LEHNER, PHOTOGRAPHER & MIXOLOGIST
My self-care ritual–and the passion behind my photography–is enjoying the simple things! When I think about things that make me breathe deeper and enjoy the moment, I usually fall back to curling up on the couch with a glass of wine, breathing in the fall air, traveling, morning coffee, clean sheets, or sharing a laugh with my mom. I think my version of self-care is doing something every day that fills up my cup– something that I solely enjoy, that I don’t owe to anyone else–and not feeling bad about it! Connect with DeeDee.
FELICIA J. MCELVEEN, SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING CONSULTANT
I am often asked, how I maintain the momentum to manage my many roles. It’s quite simple, self-care. With the proclamation of Felicia’s Fridays, weekly, I purposefully disengage from the world to focus on self. Committing only to transcend into a greater, balanced, rejuvenated me. Connect with Felicia and find her on Instagram.
ISHERRA MUSE, ARTIST & PHOTOGRAPHER
My name is Isherra Muse and my daily self-care ritual is mediation. I meditate because it helps me to have balance throughout my day which allows me to make better decisions. Meditating also helps me open up my creativity and free thinking. It gives me peace. Connect with Isherra and find her on Instagram.
JENNIFER REID, VIOLINIST
My self-care ritual includes taking a moment to be proud of what I have accomplished. We can be easily distracted (or even discouraged) by our failures or goals that we have yet to achieve. Instead of criticizing yourself, remember how far you have come along on your personal journey. Let your past successes motivate you to keep progressing! Connect with Jennifer and find her on Instagram.
Not me but I feel as grateful as the expression on this model’s face when I think about all I have to be thankful for!
Finally, my own self-care ritual involves making a daily effort to show gratitude for my life, for my health and for the incredible love that I share with my family and friends. It’s the ritual I reach for the most, just being grateful for ALL the people in my life that I love and cherish. Being grateful ensures that both my physical and emotional health are taken care of.
There you have it! Nine incredible women sharing their self-care rituals. In addition, below is a little something to inspire and further empower your inner Wonder Woman Butterflies! It’s for the woman that has been inside of you all along, a Beautiful, Strong Badass. It’s time to start living your best life, to grow and flourish. Keep these with you, pin them, screenshot them! These mantras are your personal affirmations, use them daily and repeat them as often as needed. There is no wrong way to use them.
SELF-CARE MANTRAS FOR BUTTERFLIES
I am Beautiful
My body is Beautiful
I am a Self-Loving Badass
I love and approve of myself
My Self-Care is a priority
I can achieve Anything I put my mind to
I am Strong, Worthy and Enough
Shout them, scream them, sit silently and affirm them. Most importantly, believe in them and yourself.
What is your go to and/or daily self-care ritual? Are one of these self-care suggestions and/or mantras a favorite of yours also? I’d love to know!
Wishing you joyous health!
Edna
