8 tips for getting through the day.

Hint: Watching your favorite happily-after is one of them.

Fear. Uncertainty. Stress. Sometimes it feels like we’re in one of those movies when the monster has finally been defeated–and then gets up and starts attacking again. It’s enough to make you want to dive under the duvet.

While the following list won’t make you queen of the world, it will help you be queen of YOUR world.

1. Turn off the newsfeeds. It’s an abyss and no good can come from it.

2. Give your social media a time out. Do you really want to read someone else’s rant? Isn’t your own bad enough? Hint: If you can’t stay away, just do a quick drop-in to post a picture of a puppy, kitten, or baby condor.

3. Make haste to Netflix and watch (or re-watch) something uplifting. And sexy. Like Bridgerton and Home for Christmas. Or We Can Be Heroes (amazing kids’ movie). Another one of my favorite kids’ movies is The Last Mimzy. Or break out your collection of Austen adaptations. Enjoy.

4. Read something uplifting. Something with a happily ever after. Any or all of Jane Austen’s six major novels comes to mind. Or Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I (the basis for season one of Bridgerton). Tina Turner’s new book about how she found happiness. Or something you loved in childhood. Even better if it makes you cry a bit. Like The Velveteen Rabbit. Sometimes tears can be very refreshing.

5. Listen to music that lifts your spirits. You know, your Girl Power playlist, your dance playlist, this get-on-your-feet-and-feel-great playlist from Tina Turner, or the soundtrack from whichever Pride and Prejudice adaptation is your fave.

6. Diffuse some essential oils. Two of my go-to blends: Lift-Me-Up and Kid’s Delight. I also have them in spray form for a very quick fix. I just close my eyes and spray my face. Mmmmm!

7. Say a silent (or not) thank you for what you still have but probably take for granted. This one’s really magic.

8. Text, email, or call someone who might be feeling as much in need of a kind word as you are right now.

BONUS. Get dressed. In something that makes you feel good. Even if (especially if) you’re the only one you’re dressing for!

Feel better. Repeat daily. Wishing you lots of happiness!

Essential Oil Gift Goodness

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love essential oils. Just got these early dharmaceuticals essential oil gifts for the holidays and couldn’t help but open them and start spritzing and diffusing. Love it!  

The Lift-Me-Up spritz put me in the perfect frame of mind to get going on today’s writing….ttyl :)) 

Essential Oils for Writing and Living: “expression” by dharmaceuticals

I could write a book on all the uses I have for essential oils, and writing is a big one. Productivity, creativity, flow, and focus are just a few of the things I need in my writing life, and I have essential oil blends to help me with all of them. 

by Startup Stock Photos

Have you ever tried to write a scene or a post or a proposal and can’t figure which angle to approach it from, or you can’t find the right words or the right tone?

Have you ever wanted to email or text or talk about something—especially if it’s a difficult subject—and you can’t seem to get it out? Or you’re afraid you’ve said too much?

Have you ever felt that way in a social situation—worried that you don’t know how to make small talk or you’re coming off too reserved or you’ve revealed more to a total stranger than you should have done?

My answer would be yes, yes, and yes. (more…)