With this self care challenge, I hope that it can help you re-focus your energy and inspire you to implement daily acts of self care beyond the 30 day challenge. Before we jump into it though, I just want to stress that you can do this self care challenge in any order. It really doesn’t matter as long as you do something every single day for the next 30 days!

Day 1: Read a book

Is anyone else getting tired of watching TV all day? Turn off the tv, put down the phone or other electronical gadget, and pick up a book. I really enjoy doing this on the patio to get some fresh air and a beautiful scene.

Day 2: Do a cleansing face mask

My favorite cleansing masks are the Glamglow Super Mud and the Origins Active Charcoal Mask. Pick a mask that pulls out all of your black heads and really cleans your face for an instant refresh.

Day 3: Go out for a walk

Take a walk around your neighborhood or on a trial nearby to get some fresh air. A breath of fresh air is a sure way to lift up your spirits!

Day 4: Do a digital detox

Use this extra time at home to do a digital detox from social media. With all of the news reports about the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hard to get away from the news unless you get off your phone for a day.

Day 5: Unfollow people on social media

Remove any negativity in your life or really anything that doesn’t bring you a joy. Every few months go through your social media and unfollow people who don’t either make you laugh, inspire you, or make you feel good about yourself.

Day 6: Start a journal

Something about writing really helps calms your nerves and relaxes your mind. Start a journal today and write about whatever you want.

Day 7: Facetime a friend or family member

Social distancing doesn’t mean that you have to lose touch with your friends and family. Set up a few Facetime dates throughout the week to get re-connected and some face-to-face interaction.

Day 8: Delete unnecessary apps from your phone

Clutter in your life including your cellphone can make you unnecessarily stressed. Because the environment around you is a direct representation your mental space and well-being.  Take today to delete all of the apps that you no longer need or haven’t used in awhile.

Day 9: Write out 5 life goals for yourself

I’m highly goal-motivated; there’s something so fulfilling when you can cross off a goal of yours. Spend today writing down your goals and making a plan to achieve them. When you write things down, you’re more likely to achieve them. Because there’s a thing called manifestation that comes in handy too. An example could be paying off your student loan debt or becoming the manager at your job, etc.

Day 10: Declutter your closet

Like I mentioned earlier, clutter in your home and in your life has impact on how you feel. Spend today to get your closet in order. I’ve written a helpful guide to get you started, and I promise it won’t take up your whole day.

Day 11: Paint your nails

When’s the last time that you painted your own nails? Yea me too! Grab your favorite nail polish in your collection and have a fun day out of painting your nails. Go for a classic mani or play around with some fun designs.

Day 12: Try a new workout

Sometimes self-care isn’t about lounging around the house in your pajamas but actually getting your body moving. During this time, I’m focusing on improving my endurance and getting a good sweat in. Today, try a new workout to get your blood pumping! Some free at-home workouts you can try are Barre3, Fiton app, and Youtube!

Day 13: Organize one space in your home

Not going to lie: cleaning during this time has been very therapeutic for me. Now that I’m spending more time at home, the extra clutter has really been bothering me. In the past few weeks, I’ve already decluttered my closet, my bathroom, and working on the kitchen now. Take 1 hour a few times a week to finally organize a problem spot in your home.

Day 14: Plan a future vacation

While you can’t travel right now, you can 100% plan for a future vacation. Make a budget, set a timer, and see where your imagination goes. You’ll be surprised of what you come up with when you’re not in a rush to plan. Check out Pinterest for some travel inspiration!

Day 15: Make a plan to save for the vacation

Now that you’ve planned your future vacation, use today to make a savings plan to reach your goal with a little bit extra for fun. I love using the Qapital app to help me save money without me having to think about it (read this blog post for more details on how I use the app!).

Day 16: Light a candle and take a bubble bath

Unwind after a long day and pour yourself up a bubble bath. Go a step further and a light candle for an easy at home spa day experience. You totally deserve a relaxing night!

Day 17: Watch a documentary

My fiancé really enjoys watching documentaries, and I won’t lie, but it’s actually kind of fun. Just to sit down for an hour or two to learn about something new that you wouldn’t normally search for. Some good ones to watch on Netflix are Drugs Inc., Our Planet, Dirty Money, and the Pharmacist.

Day 18: Write down 1 thing that you are grateful for today

Sometimes we forget about all of the good things happening in our lives, which is why today I want you to write down 1 thing that you are grateful for. It could be simply waking up this morning or getting that apartment you wanted. Whatever it is, write it down.  

Day 19: Buy yourself flowers

More time at home means more time to smell and enjoy a fresh cut bouquet of flowers.

Day 20: Brain dump all of your ideas

Once a week, I like to schedule a 15-minute brain dump of everything that I’m thinking about. Being a creative and thoughtful person, I tend to have a million things running through my head at a time. A brain dump allows for me to get all of my ideas out of my head, which helps me to relax and reorganize my thoughts. Use today to do that for yourself.

Day 21: Write a letter to someone

I really wish people wrote more hand-written letters like they used to, but alas usually time and convenience is the problem. Now that you’re stuck at home, spend time writing a letter to someone that you love, miss, or just don’t get to see as often anymore. I promise they’ll be so excited and appreciative of seeing a letter in the mailbox. Want to get fancy? I love adding a wax seal to my letters to make them stand out even more.

Day 22: Do a DIY

Have you been postponing a DIY or project that you’ve been meaning to do? For me, I need to create Titi’s graduation shadowbox with all of this extra free time. Grab the supplies that you need next time you’re at the store and get started!

Day 23: Meditate for 10 minutes

Self care starts in your mind so spend today mediating for 10 minutes to help you relax and re-center yourself. If you’ve never meditated before, definitely try the app called Headspace! It’s beginner friendly and a great resource to get started.

Day 24: Try a new makeup technique or look

On an every day basis, I tend to go for a simple makeup look, but now that I have all this extra time, I’ve been dabbling and playing around with more colorful looks and different application techniques. It’s a great time to get creative and expand on your makeup skills.

Day 25: Recite some positive self-affirmations

Pick out some of your favorite self-affirmations and repeat them to yourself throughout the day. You deserve to be happy, to feel strong, and to love yourself.

Day 26: Create a bucket list

With this task you can be as adventurous and creative as you’d like. In your phone or laptop, write a bucket list of the places that you want to travel to and adventures you want to take. One idea on my bucket list was to swim with the dolphins, which I did a few years ago on a trip with my mom!

Day 27: Blast your favorite songs

There’s something so therapeutic about blasting your favorite music throughout the entire house. Make a playlist and see where the day takes you.

Day 28: Clear out photos/videos from your phone

Something that has been on my to-do list for awhile now is to clear out my photos and videos on my phone. I currently have around 2500+ photos on my phone that I desperately need to download on my external hard drive. If you need to do the same, then definitely use today to get the job done!

Day 29: Reflect on this past month

At the end of the month, sit back and reflect on this self care challenge to figure out what worked for you and what didn’t. Utilize this time to think about what you want to learn next and where you want to focus your energy more. Trust me, a good reflection moment keep me motivating to keep this new self-care routine going.

Day 30: Make a game plan on how to maintain your self care

Now that you’ve thought over this past month, make a game plan on how you’re going to keep your self-care routine next month. Is there something that you want to learn or getting better at next month? Maybe you want to take more baths or spend more time reading. Whatever it is, make a plan that you can stick to!

I hope that you found this post useful and helpful during this crazy time! Even if you only have a few minutes or the whole day, doing something for you every single day is so important to keep your mind clear, happy, and focused. If you would like to download a calendar for the 30-day self care challenge, you can grab it down below!

Before you go just remember that we can’t change what’s happening in the world,

but we can control how we respond to it.

The post 30 Day Self Care Challenge to Decrease Anxiety appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

1. Spring clean your apartment

This may not be what you had in mind when you got the opportunity to work from home, but this is the perfect time to spring clean your apartment. You’re going to be stuck inside anyways so you might as well set a day aside to deep clean your space.

2. Try a new recipe that is easy and simple

Since quarantining may be our new normal for a few weeks, brighten up your space by trying out a new recipe that is easy and simple to make at home. It’s a fun date idea that you can do with your loved one, and it gives you something to do besides worrying. I’m personally going to be bringing out my ice cream maker to test out a few recipes that I found on Pinterest. The one that I have is the Cuisinart 1.5 Qt Ice Cream Maker, and I love it so far! It makes some really good homemade ice cream without a lot of work involved.

3. Try an at-home workout program

With life being pretty stressful right now, it’s now more important than ever for you to be involved in your health and stay active. A lot of gyms and fitness trainers are offering free or discounted online workout programs and videos that you can do at home. Exercising releases endorphins that makes you feel better, and we could all use that right now.

4. Take an online course on something you’ve been dying to learn

If you’re out of school or classes due to the outbreak, you may want to utilize this time resourcefully and learn a new skill that you’ve been dying to learn. You can easily learn a new language to how to build a blog while you’re practicing social distancing.

5. Put time into your side hustle

Do you have a grand business idea that you’ve been meaning to start on? Or maybe you’re behind on some blog tasks? It’s the perfect time to put some extra love and attention into your side hustle to make you some extra cash.

Need some ideas on how to get started? Read these blog posts that I’ve created on some ideas on how I’ve made some extra cash throughout the years:

• The Hidden Secrets of Selling on Poshmark
• How to Start a Profitable Blog
• The Hidden Secrets of Dogsitting on the Rover App
• 5 Creative Ways for College Students to Make Money
• The True Story About How to Make Money Blogging

6. Read a book

When I was in high school, I used to always have a book in my hand or six stacked on my dresser. But now that I’m in pharmacy school, I never have enough time to sit down and enjoy the simple pleasures of reading a book. If you’re like me, definitely utilize this extra time to sit down and read a book.

Here are a few books that are on my reading list currently:

• #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso
• The Melody by Jonathan Bright Jr
• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

7. Take some time to indulge in self-care

If you’re stuck at home in quarantine, take the day to pamper yourself with at home spa day or even take 30 minutes out of your schedule to do something that relaxes you. Light a candle, play some relaxing music, do a face mask, and just enjoy the peace. You can even do your own nails or make your home spa water if you would like.

8. Do your taxes

I know for sure that I’ve been putting off doing my taxes, so if you’re like me, go ahead and do them now while you have a chance to breathe from your normal busy life. Plus it’s a great time to hopefully get a refund back from the government!

9. Finish decorating your apartment

Do you have some projects around the house that you haven’t quite finished yet? I know I for sure do, including making a shadow box and hanging up some frames. Use this time to work on that project you’ve been meaning to do and to finish decorating your apartment.

10. Declutter your makeup collection

Practicing social distancing is the perfect time to cross this item off your to-do list. Start by dumping out your entire makeup collection and organize it into three piles on the floor: one for trash, one to keep, and the third is to donate. The items that you should put in the donate pile are unopened products that you no longer interested in or using. You may have to check with your shelters near you to see if they take gently used products or only unopened ones.

If you’re local shelters doesn’t take in beauty products, here are some other options for you:

• Project Beauty Share
• Beauty Bus Foundation
• Share Your Beauty
• Dress for Success

11. Start a craft project

Is there a DIY project that you’ve been meaning to do? Use this time now to start or finish your DIY project that you’ve been putting off. It’s a great time to get ahead and to cross some things off your to-do list.

12. Learn a new social media platform

If you’re an influencer or a business owner, then you know that there are always new social media platforms popping up and slowly taking wind. During this national wide break, take a few days to learn a new platform and become active on it. Right now it seems that Tik Tok is the new wave, but you can always dapple in ones such as Youtube, Pinterest, and Twitter if you haven’t already.

13. Study for an upcoming exam

Sorry my friends, but unfortunately national exams and courses will eventually start back up and you want to be ready to ace your exam. If you’re interested in pursuing medical, law, or pharmacy school, grab a few study guides on the PCAT, MCAT, or LSAT and get started studying for those exams now while you have the time.

For those that are interested in pharmacy school, I have a helpful blog post on some study tips to help you pass the PCAT, and I’m working on a Youtube video with even more helpful advice, so stay tune for that!

14. Organize your closet

Every year around this time, I really enjoy reorganizing my closet and getting rid of any clothes that I’m no longer reaching for. To make this process easier, I like to take out every item in my closet and lay them out on the bed. Then once I can see everything, I look at every piece, try it on, and see if I can keep it or toss it. I make the same three piles, except one is to sell not trash, as when I organize my makeup and it works wonder to clear out my closet.

Then once I have a sell pile, I like to take photos and post the items on Poshmark to sell. If you’re interested in shopping my closet, I have quite a few items up already that you can buy and will be adding more items over the next few weeks.

15. Facetime your friends and loved ones

If you and your friends or loved ones can’t be together right now, set up a time to video chat with them and spend time some together virtually. There’s also a browser extension called Netflix Party that allows you and your friends to watch a TV show or movie together online. So you have no excuse to be bored and lonely at home now while you’re in quarantine.

I hope this little list helps you stay busy and comfortable while you’re stuck at home in quarantine and practicing social distancing. Pleas be safe, stay at home, wash your hands, and help do your part to flatten the curve!

The post 15 Productive Things to Do in Quarantine appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

You might be saying in your head, “No Makaela, I’ll never be as confident as such and such person and I never will be.” and I want you to say to yourself, “Yes you can!”

Confidence is a feeling that you have about your talents, your skills, and about yourself as a package. For some people, confidence comes naturally while others it takes time to develop. These tips are simple tricks that you can do on a daily basis to improve your mood and boost your self-confidence.

Outfit Details: Dress-TJ Maxx | Handbag- a gift from South Africa | Necklace- a gift from South Africa | Earrings-Forever21

Tip #1: Speak Confidence and Happiness into Existence

Your mind is a powerful muscle and just thinking about how confident you are can really make a difference in how confident you feel. You may think I’m crazy, but I’m not. It’s a real phenomenon and it’s called positive affirmations. Every time you feel terrible or say something negative about yourself, turn it around and say something positive. Tell yourself that you are beautiful, confident, and strong. Tell yourself in the morning that you are going to have a good day and that you aren’t going to let negative people ruin it. Positive affirmations are a simple trick that you can do to make yourself feel more confident and overall put yourself in a better mood.

Tip #2: Get Rid of the Negativity in Your Life

Another great tip is to get rid of all of the negativity in your life. Do you have friends or family members that always talk down to you or say mean things about you to your face? Now is the time to get rid of those people from your life. You can’t expect to live a positive life and to feel more confident when the circle around you is plotting against those very same things. Or maybe your mind is the problem and you constantly tear yourself down. Throw out the negative mindset right out the window! If you need help understanding why you need to speak positive affirmations, then look at tip #1.

Tip #3: Build A Support System Around You

Curate your support system of people who inspire you, who lift you, and who make you feel confident. You know the quote that says you are the average of the top 5 people you spend the most time with? It’s true! You can’t expect to feel like a million bucks and be successful in life when the people who you hang out with don’t care about achieving their goals or don’t have a positive attitude about life. You are the company that you keep so make it count!

Tip #4: Get Rid of the Fear of Failure or Judgement

Everyone gets nervous or discouraged about applying to a new opportunity or taking a chance in life. Life is all about taking risks, taking chances, and the lure of the unknown. Sometimes we have to push through our fearful minds and do something that changes us for the better.

I’m terrified of public speaking and scared of being judged by others on stage, but this year I hope that I can push through that fear and do more of the things that scare me. Whether that be speaking in public or swimming with the pigs in Jamaica, I want to improve myself (mind, body and soul) and push myself to my full capacity.

Tip #5: Stand Up Tall and Proud When You Walk into a Room

It may sound silly, but just sit back and imagine the most confident person in the world. She stands tall with her head held up and her shoulders back. That’s what you should look like when you walk into a room. Naturally, your posture is going to be hunched over with your back curved. When you stand up straighter with your head held up high, your brain will take that as a sign to also allude confidence in your decision making.

Tip #6: Give Yourself Compliments Regularly

Who is your biggest hype man in your life right now? If it’s not yourself, then you’re doing life wrong. You should be your biggest supporter and should give yourself the most compliments. And it’s a hard change to make it if you’re not already doing this, but try this little trick:

Every time you see a mirror, like in a bathroom or in your closet, say something nice about yourself. It can be literally anything along as it’s something positive.  You’ll be surprised about how saying something nice about yourself once or a few times a day will improve your mood and boost your self-confidence.

“The secret to self-confidence isn’t to stop caring about what others think of you. It’s to start learning how to care about yours. It’s to make your opinion more valuable than any other.” – Unknown

Tip #7: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

In the world that we live in, full of picture-perfect Instagram photos, it’s only natural that we compare ourselves to those images on the internet. But you have to stop it right now! Those pretty images on the internet aren’t the full story nor is someone’s Instagram feed; it’s a split second in time of only the good memories. People aren’t going to show you the crappy days or tell you about their failures on the internet, which is why you can’t compare your everyday life to someone’s highlight reel.

Photos by Brailey Johnson Photography

One more thing…

Don’t forget that you are human and to not be so hard on yourself when you’re feeling a little down off your chair. Self-confidence is a mental muscle, which means it takes time and loads of practice before you’ll be good at it. Take the tips in this post to make small changes in your life and see what a big difference your mental attitude and surroundings can change your entire mood.

You may also like: My Summer Bucket List,  5 Steps to Becoming a Morning Person, and Repurposing My Old T-shirts with MemoryStitch 

The post 7 Simple Tips to Boost Your Self-Confidence appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.