Life & Work Skills – The Everygirl

https://theeverygirl.com The life map for Everygirls everywhere Wed, 24 Feb 2021 18:25:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.2 https://theeverygirl.com/lightroom-presets/ https://theeverygirl.com/lightroom-presets/#respond Wed, 24 Feb 2021 12:00:39 +0000

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You know that moment in Cinderella (the Brandy version, obviously) when she spins around and her ballgown materializes out of

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You know that moment in Cinderella (the Brandy version, obviously) when she spins around and her ballgown materializes out of thin air, shimmering in the moonlight? Besides giving me totally unrealistic expectations for how fast it would take me to get dressed as an adult, that moment taught me that magic can happen in the blink of an eye. 

And while a one-click-and-you’re-done photo editing preset isn’t exactly a handsome suitor, there’s still something magically addicting about going from a blah pic to a bright, feed-worthy photo with just a tap of your finger. So drumroll please… introducing The Everygirl’s Mobile Lightroom Presets! Just call us your fairy godmother. 

We just launched nine new, exclusive Lightroom presets to help you instantly overhaul your interior, exterior, flatlay, and product shots: all with just one click.

All you need to use presets is the Lightroom mobile app, and you’re good to go. We’re also including video tutorials on how to download and install your presets as well as how to customize them for any and every photo. With nine specific edits to choose from, you’ll have limitless possibilities to brighten, soften, warm up, cool down, or sharpen any photo on your camera roll. 

Moody

Bright & Soft 

Warm & Crisp

Subtle

Touch of Warmth

Ultra Bright

B&W

Why presets? 

We love the ease of use with Lightroom presets and here’s why: 

• You’ll cut your editing time in half and get a beautiful, bright, vibrant photo with just one click
• You can create a cohesive feed by applying similar edits to your photos for a consistent look
• You can use presets as a building block for selective edits (like removing imperfections) to save time and headaches 

Ready to get started? Grab our full pack of nine presets at the link below. Plus, video tutorials on how to install and download the presets, and more of our tips and tricks for using them. 

The post Introducing The Everygirl’s Mobile Lightroom Presets appeared first on The Everygirl.

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https://theeverygirl.com/lightroom-presets/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/work-hacks/ https://theeverygirl.com/work-hacks/#respond Mon, 22 Feb 2021 12:00:32 +0000

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You’re determined to make this the best year for your career yet. Your motivation is running strong, but when it

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You’re determined to make this the best year for your career yet. Your motivation is running strong, but when it comes to actually making this happen, you’re a little stuck.

I get it — changing your habits is hard and overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you can start small. Below, we’re breaking down 9 different work hacks you can implement this year.

Whether you want to save yourself time and frustration or do a better job of focusing on what really matters, these tips are easy to implement and will get you one step closer to making this the year that you actually take your work life up a notch.

1. Take regular breaks with the Pomodoro Technique

Are you the type of person who sits at your desk for hours without realizing how much time is passing? Or, maybe you’re the type who finds yourself getting distracted every few minutes.

Either way, the Pomodoro Technique can be helpful. This time management approach requires that you split your workday into smaller, more manageable chunks (called pomodoros) and use a timer to track them. You’ll work for a stretch of 25 minutes and then take a five-minute break. After completing four pomodoros, you reward yourself with a longer break of about 20 minutes.

What does this do for you? It boosts your focus by instilling a sense of urgency, because you’ll naturally want to get as much work accomplished in that 25-minute chunk as you can. Plus, it ensures that you get up from your desk every now and then — which is important for your brain and your body!

2. Save time with email batching

Groan. For most of us, email is the bane of our existence. I’m one of those people who keeps my inbox tab open all the time, and can’t resist the urge to check immediately as soon as I see a new message has arrived.

But here’s the thing: I know that majorly sabotages my focus and productivity. I’m constantly ripping my attention away from the task at hand to read an email that likely isn’t all that urgent or important anyway.

That’s why so many people swear by email batching, where you only allow yourself to read and respond to emails two or three times per day at set intervals. It’ll reduce your urge to constantly monitor your inbox, and prevent email from continuously sidelining your workday.

3. Manage your energy with a to-do list coding system

Your energy probably doesn’t remain consistent throughout the day. Maybe you’re ready and raring to crank through your to-do list as soon as you grab your morning coffee. Or perhaps you’re someone who really doesn’t hit your stride until the afternoon.

Being productive is about more than managing your time — it’s about managing your energy. It’s smarter to reserve more complex tasks for when you feel your most focused, and the mindless ones for when you feel drained.

After you make your task list, use a simple coding system to indicate where tasks fall on your energy spectrum. You can choose the symbols that work for you. For example, use an up arrow to indicate really mentally-demanding tasks (like creating that presentation) and down arrows for things that are far more routine (like filling out your expense report). Or opt for a smiley face and frowny face. Or simply star the more high-energy tasks.

You have some flexibility here, but notating your to-do list in this way will help you truly make the most of the time you have during your workday.

Being productive is about more than managing your time — it’s about managing your energy.

4. Stop feeling frazzled by silencing notifications

It’d be nice to blame all of our distractions on the things around us, but we know that isn’t the case. A lot of our focus-stealers are self-imposed, especially when it comes to digital notifications.

The advice to silence your notifications when you really want to get work done isn’t exactly new, but I’m willing to bet that you still haven’t implemented it.

Summon your courage and finally give this a try. Turn off all of the push notifications on your phone. Close your email tab. Set yourself to “do not disturb” in your instant messaging platform. That will give you some much-needed uninterrupted time to focus on your actual work.

5. Prioritize what matters by making your to-do list early

Are you one of those people who makes your to-do list each morning? I can’t blame you — I used to be that very same way. Here’s the downside of that approach: it leaves room for everybody else to dictate the most pressing priorities of your workday. You probably aren’t creating your list until you’ve checked in on emails and other requests that came in since you left, which means those things immediately earn a spot on your task list (even if they aren’t time-sensitive).

Instead, try making your to-do list for the next day before you log off for the night. You’re far more likely to jot down the bigger, more important priorities then, rather than letting your inbox completely rule your schedule. When you return to the office tomorrow, you’ll have an instant reminder of what you actually wanted to focus on.

You’re far more likely to jot down the bigger, more important priorities then, rather than letting your inbox completely rule your schedule.

6. Stop reinventing the wheel by creating templates

Every job includes some repetitive tasks, but that doesn’t mean you need to start from scratch each time. Templates can help you ensure consistency while also saving time.

Do you find yourself sending a similar email on a frequent basis? Save it as a canned response so you can quickly drop it into a blank message and customize the details. Are you a writer who’s always starting with a blank page? Create a template that has the barebones in place for you.

In a similar vein, it’s also helpful to create a cheat sheet for yourself. Whether it’s instructions you’re always digging through email threads to find or photo dimensions you can never remember, pull all of those details into a handy document that lives directly on your desktop so you can quickly find them when you need them.

7. Instill a sense of urgency with mini-milestones

It’s hard to chip away at larger goals. The payoff seems so far away, which makes it tough to keep yourself focused and motivated.

That’s the beauty of breaking those larger objectives down into smaller milestones. For starters, it makes the entire process feel more manageable. Plus, it’ll give you more opportunities to score frequent wins. That’s highly motivating (seriously, just look into something called the progress principle).

So, break that mountain down into some molehills. It’ll feel way less daunting that way.

8. Figure out what’s most important with this matrix

Do you ever have so much to do that you can’t even figure out where to start? We’ve all been there, and it’s easy to be so paralyzed by disdain for our to-do lists that we don’t end up making any progress at all.

Setting up a simple matrix can help you figure out what you should focus on first. It’s easy: draw a square, and then divide it into four equal parts. Along the top line of the square, write “urgent” and “not urgent,” and along the left-side line write “important” and “not important.”

Then, start plotting your tasks in the appropriate squares. Maybe that grant application is both urgent and important, but responding to social media comments is important but not urgent.

This matrix makes it easy to categorize your tasks and then address them accordingly:

• Urgent and Important: Put these first on your to-do list!
• Urgent and Not Important: Delegate these if you can. If not, tackle them next.
• Not Urgent and Important: Pencil some time in your calendar to handle these in the near future.
• Not Urgent and Not Important: These can probably fall off your list entirely for now.

See? It brings a little order and strategy to all of your tasks, rather than just guessing about where you should get started.

9. Make time for yourself by scheduling self-care

We’ve all heard of the importance of self-care, but that doesn’t mean making time for it is easy. It’s something that you need to be really intentional about.

Make yourself stick to it by scheduling it (yes, I mean physically blocking space on your actual calendar) every single week.

Whether it’s a hot yoga class, a massage, dinner with a friend, or even just some time to sit on your couch and veg, you’ll be far more inclined to make time for yourself if you reserve it proactively.

When it comes to your work life, it’s easy to become stuck in your ways and stick with the same bad habits. But, if you’ve vowed that this is the year you’re going to change that, these hacks can help.

Put one (or even a few!) of them into play, and watch as the positive changes start happening. I’m rooting for you!

The post 9 Work Hacks to Implement This Year appeared first on The Everygirl.

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https://theeverygirl.com/work-hacks/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/set-your-business-up-for-success/ https://theeverygirl.com/set-your-business-up-for-success/#respond Sun, 21 Feb 2021 13:00:57 +0000

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If you ran a business in 2020, we want to start by giving you a massive shoutout. We don’t need

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If you ran a business in 2020, we want to start by giving you a massive shoutout. We don’t need to explain why last year was so challenging for business owners, and we think you’re amazing for getting through such a hard year. Whether you already started a business and made it through 2020 or you’re planning on starting one this year (go for it!), we want to help you take some actionable steps that will set your business up for success in 2021. 

We put together six things you can do right now to get off to a great start this year—from creating a marketing plan to giving your website a strategic spruce. Start checking things off quickly with our platform of choice, Squarespace, which offers user-friendly tools on everything from building websites to tracking analytics to sending emails, so you can get back to doing more of what you love. 

1. Refresh your website

The start of a new year is a great time to revisit your current website (or set one up if you don’t have one already). You want your site to engage your audience and help you pull in new customers, inquiries, or readers. Go through an audit of each page and really think about what the color choices, website copy, and overall layout is communicating. Is your site layout easy to navigate and understand? Is your site set up for mobile viewing?

We love and recommend Squarespace because it makes it easy to ensure your site is beautiful and functional. Pick from tons of templated designs, customize in a few hours, and your site is ready to rock. You can also preview how the site will look on mobile devices, which is essential, as that is where most of your traffic could be coming from— especially if you’re marketing on social platforms like Instagram. 

2. Make your customer’s lives easier

While the customer may not always be right (don’t tell them we said that!) they do always deserve to have a good experience with your business. Make their life way easier by making your processes, business hours, and other key information clear and easy to find.

Use your website and social platforms to show how to contact you, what your store hours are, what items you have available to purchase, and any other key info they need in order to either buy from you or book an appointment with you in the simplest way possible. Don’t be afraid to reiterate this info in multiple places—it might seem like overkill to you, but new customers will be thankful to easily find exactly what they’re looking for. And because so many people hate calling during business hours to make appointments, add convenient features to your website, like appointment scheduling, to create as seamless of an experience as possible. 

3. Let’s get automated

If you’re a business owner, you know your to-do list never truly ends. You wear many different hats during the course of your day, and that can get really overwhelming, really fast. So anything you can do to save a little time here and there can be a game-changer. Enter: automations. As a business owner, it’s hard to let go, but utilizing automations to do some of your more mundane—but necessary—business tasks is something that will save you time, stress, and headaches in the long run. 

Let’s look at email marketing as an example of how automations can make your life so much easier. Every business needs email marketing as a tool in their arsenal (btw, these are some of our go-to email tips!), and luckily email is one of the easiest things to automate. You can create automations that welcome new subscribers, send them a coupon, or recommend products they may like after they make a purchase—further engaging your audience and keeping your biz top of mind. If you’re not sure where to start, Squarespace email campaigns offer pre-set automation triggers that help you craft your emails, along with plug-n-play templates that look great on desktop or mobile. Win, win. 

4. Create a fresh marketing plan

It’s time to take last year’s data and put it to work! Take an hour or two to sit down and look at what really worked for you last year marketing wise, and equally as important, what didn’t work for you. Then take what you’ve learned and create an achievable and actionable marketing plan for the new year. If possible, create social media posts, email newsletters, and digital ads in bulk. Then schedule them out a bit in advance. 

The key with any good marketing plan is to use data to make informed decisions. While your gut can lead you in the right direction at times, it’s also extremely valuable to have analytical insight on your side. Utilize the free analytics provided by the platforms you share on, like Instagram, to gauge what is resonating with your audience. We also love Squarespace’s built-in analytics to help you understand how your audience is interacting with your website. What pages, content, or products are engaging viewers the most? Use these insights to help you make a plan for the future.  

5. Consider a rebrand 

It’s always a nice feeling to give your brand a little refresh, and you don’t have to go all out with a complete rebrand to breath some new life into your aesthetics. Sometimes, just switching up your color palette or adding a new font into the mix can change the feeling of your brand, while still keeping consistent with your look and style. 

Try adding a few fresh colors to your Instagram feed or switching up your website color palette to start. Just play around and have fun with it—no pressure to be perfect. Our graphic designer here at TEG recommends starting out with a moodboard to narrow in on colors, styles, and type treatments that you’re drawn to. Start by creating a board on Pinterest with images that you think reflect your brand and that would resonate with your audience. Then go through and find the recurring styles—i.e., warm earth tones, touches of handwritten script, etc.—and pull those into your own brand imagery and designs. For more of her tips, read our guide to common branding mistakes and how to fix them. 

A bonus: If you’re using Squarespace, it’s super easy to test out different colors within your site with their built-in design editor and pre-made palettes. 

6. Build your digital network

It seems safe to say that most of us won’t be networking in person anytime soon. Luckily, there’s really no need to. Connect with like-minded individuals in your industry over social media, ask people you’re interested in getting to know for phone or Zoom dates instead of coffee dates, and check in with existing connections via email whenever you come across an article they may like or hear about a recent work accomplishment of theirs. Want the networking to come to you? Don’t forget to add a contact form to your website!

This post was sponsored by Squarespace, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

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https://theeverygirl.com/set-your-business-up-for-success/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/virtual-interview-tips-from-experts/ https://theeverygirl.com/virtual-interview-tips-from-experts/#respond Mon, 15 Feb 2021 15:58:52 +0000

https://theeverygirl.com/?p=229217
Job interviews have always been nerve-wracking, but virtual interviews feel like a different challenge altogether. You’re worried about technical glitches;

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Job interviews have always been nerve-wracking, but virtual interviews feel like a different challenge altogether. You’re worried about technical glitches; it’s tougher to make small talk and develop good rapport; you struggle to pick up on nonverbal cues. It’s no wonder that a 2017 study found that eight in 10 job seekers said video interviews are just as stressful or even more stressful than in-person interviews.

Virtual interviews certainly aren’t without their challenges and hiccups. Fortunately, we’re here to help. We connected with a few human resources professionals to get their best virtual interview tips that will help you ace that interview—and get one step closer to landing the job.

1. Remember that all of the traditional interview advice still applies

Virtual interviews are a different format, but the nuts and bolts are still largely the same. That’s why nearly all of the experts mentioned that all of the typical interview best practices should still be a high priority.

From researching the company and thoroughly reading the job description to practicing your answers to common questions and sending a “thank you” note, remember to start with the basics.

2. Read the instructions carefully

It can feel like every single company uses something different for their virtual interviews. Some use Zoom. Others use Google Meet. You get the idea.

That’s why Jade Hugh, Senior Talent Advisor at Bloom, recommended that you review the interview instructions carefully so you know exactly where you need to be, if there’s certain software you need to have installed, and if there’s a password or something else required.

3. Check your technology

Technology hurdles can sidetrack your interview (not to mention cause you a lot of added stress), so it’s wise to double-check all of your equipment before signing on for the interview.

Is your camera working? What about your microphone? Can you access the interview platform? Is your Wi-Fi connection stable?

“This gives you the chance to contact the interviewer early, just in case you notice an issue,” said Kimone Napier, HR Strategist.

4. Find a quiet, distraction-free space

Doing your interview from your kitchen table while your toddler tosses things out of your cupboards or your roommate makes an omelet isn’t ideal. Instead, find a quiet space where you can focus on the conversation.

If there’s no such thing as a quiet spot in your home (hey, we get it), Napier said an application like Krisp can help you cancel out unwanted background noise.

When it comes to distractions, environmental ones aren’t the only ones you need to be aware of. You should eliminate your self-imposed ones too. “Close your other windows and browsers,” said Agnes Tseng, People and Culture Advisor at Bloom. “We can tell when you’re getting distracted by something else.”

Hunt echoes that sentiment and also warns interviewees to turn off their phones. That will avoid any pings or buzzes that rip your attention away from the conversation.

“Close your other windows and browsers. We can tell when you’re getting distracted by something else.”

5. Up your production value

You’re not producing a feature film, but that doesn’t mean you want your visual aesthetic to be completely haphazard.

For starters, be mindful of what your interviewer will see in your background (yep, it’s time to move those piles of laundry). Tempted to use one of those video features to blur your background? A smarter strategy is to use that space to your advantage.

“A huge part of any interview is getting to know you in and outside of work, so give them a sneak peek into who you are,” said Suzi Archer, Head of People and Talent at MyCleverGroup. “This is a great opportunity to create talking points by having your favorite books on display, any certificates or achievements you’d like to highlight, your favorite music, or family photos.”

Decent lighting is another important thing you need to consider. “Illuminate your face as much as you possibly can so that your interviewer is able to see your facial expressions,” said Tseng.

6. Dress for success

Even if you’re meeting virtually, dressing in a way that’s polished and professional can help you out. Yep, this applies to your bottom half too—commit to the full outfit, rather than a blazer on top and pajama pants on the bottom.

Why? Not only does it send the message that you’re taking the interview seriously, but it can also impact your mood and even performance.

Don’t believe us? One study gave intellectual tests to two groups: one wearing casual clothing and one wearing formal clothing. The formal group actually performed better on the tests and tasks. So, take the time to polish yourself up before that chat—it could make a surprisingly big difference in the quality of your interview.

7. Remember eye contact

The lack of nonverbal cues is one of the biggest hangups about virtual interviews, but the good news is that eye contact is something that you can replicate on video calls.

“It can be quite distracting seeing yourself on screen, but do your best to make eye contact with the person asking the questions and mind your body language,” said Archer. One helpful tip is to put googly eyes right by your webcam. It might look a little silly, but it’ll give you something to focus on (other than your own reflection).

“It can be quite distracting seeing yourself on screen, but do your best to make eye contact.”

8. Be authentic

Nerves run high in an interview, and it’s tempting to feel like you need to be flawless in order to land the job, but that’s not the case. You’re far better off being honest and authentic.

Archer said that starts with setting expectations upfront. “It’s now expected that people working and interviewing from home will likely be balancing a variety of home distractions,” she explained, mentioning the now-viral BBC interview featuring a rogue toddler. “I have a 5-month-old baby and I’m often on the other side of the interview screen. I’ll always start by saying, ‘I’m not expecting any disruptions, but I do have a baby at home, so please bear with me if she causes any interruptions.’”

If something does happen during your interview? Instead of letting panic wash over you, just be honest about what’s happening. “Have a new puppy? Did the doorbell ring? Be open and have a good laugh about it. At the end of the day, we are all human and understand the nuances of working from home,” said Hugh.

Not being able to do an interview in-person comes with some challenges, but it’s not all bad news. “Virtual interviews do have their benefits,” said Archer. “You’re on your turf, you don’t have to worry about how much travel time you need to allow, where to park, and how to navigate the office once you arrive.”

“In my opinion, the pros of virtual interviews outweigh the cons,” added Napier, noting that other benefits include saving time and reducing bias.

So, rather than wishing your interview were being handled differently, focus on making the most of the opportunity in front of you. If nothing else, it’s a chance to prove that you’re an adaptable candidate who can excel regardless of what the world throws your way.

The post 8 Virtual Interview Tips to Help You Land the Job, According to the Experts appeared first on The Everygirl.

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https://theeverygirl.com/virtual-interview-tips-from-experts/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/ailsa-emmel-happy-go-curly/ https://theeverygirl.com/ailsa-emmel-happy-go-curly/#respond Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:00:13 +0000

https://theeverygirl.com/?p=229176
In the age of Instagram, one of the biggest issues people express is a lack of authenticity on the platform;

The post How This Midwife Created a Judgement-Free Zone on the Internet for Women to Talk Freely About Their Bodies appeared first on The Everygirl.

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In the age of Instagram, one of the biggest issues people express is a lack of authenticity on the platform; too much curated content and not enough applicable, real-life stuff. And while that can be true, it’s anything but for Ailsa Emmel of Happy Go Curly.

On Happy Go Curly, you get your daily dose of style inspiration, but in between that also get something less expected: health education, particularly on vaginal health. What started out as a fashion Instagram has evolved into including insight that Ailsa has experience with from her day job as a Certified Nurse-Midwife, and her weekly Women’s Health Wednesday posts touch everything from birth control to breastfeeding to real talks about lubricant. 

Curious about how Happy Go Curly came to be and what Ailsa’s plans are for the future? Look no further.

Name: Ailsa Emmel, Certified Nurse-Midwife
Age: 40s 
Current Location: Miami, Florida
Education: Master’s degree, Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, Bachelor’s of Science in Pyschology

What was your first job and how did you land it?

[My] first job out of college was easy. I had an NROTC scholarship, so I was commissioned in the United States Navy as an officer. I was a Navy nurse. 

Tell us a little bit about your career journey. You’re a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)—what inspired you to start your Instagram on top of that?

I went to college and got a Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing. I became an RN (after taking the credentialing test, of course). I spent four+ years as a commissioned officer and got out to join the reserves. This was during wartime, and it was too hard on my family since my hubby was also on active duty. We had young twins and were worried we would both be sent to war at the same time, so I decided to get out and attend Midwifery school at The University of Miami. 

I started my Instagram years ago as a fashion account. I wanted to make good use of my closet, and back then styling prompts were a thing. I initially started my account as @emmeltwins. @_happygocurly_ didn’t evolve until late 2018 in my kitchen. I was brainstorming with my girlfriend and daughters. My account was moving away from a private, small account, and I wanted a name that defined me. I wanted people to know a little bit more about me just from seeing my handle. It was still about clothes and everyday life. The true integration of being a CNM coupled with fashion and lifestyle came later.

What were the beginning stages of @_happygocurly_ like? Was there a moment where you felt like, wow, I’m really doing this?

HGC truly came to be when we moved to Boston from 2018-2019 for the year (my hubby was doing a fellowship at MIT). I say this because I spent a lot of time exploring and spending time alone. I think it helped me to get to know myself. I fell in love with ME. It was there that a follower recommended I do a Women’s Health Wednesday every week. I was like, ‘No way, I don’t have enough topics to talk about every week,’ but I was wrong! The topics came flooding in, and people were tuning in and asking questions.

The beginning of @_happygocurly_ was a troubleshoot. I didn’t identify my why; I didn’t know what my purpose was on Instagram. I was so busy looking at what everyone else was posting and not using my voice. It was when I started to use my voice that things started changing. 

How has @_happygocurly_ evolved since you began it? What would you say your main priority is in choosing your posts?

HGC has become a safe haven for many—at least that is the atmosphere I want to create and cultivate. Women can come to me and ask and share anything. It is a judgment-free zone as long as you are kind. I want them to embrace their bodies and all that she is capable of. I want them to move their body (exercise of some form), meditate, perform self-care (however that is for them), read (explore different topics and books), and follow different accounts (diversity is key from different body types to ethnicities).

My main priority is reality. I want people to not seek perfection, but to seek understanding. I want them to know it is OK not to be like everyone else. I want them to explore their differences and embrace them. I know it sounds trite, but I want everyone to recognize their strengths and beauty. I say this because “pulling the curtain” in patient’s rooms, I see and hear their insecurities. I choose my posts based on how I am feeling and if I have something to say or share. I used to think I needed to post every day or twice a day and have found that is much more meaningful when I don’t. So, maybe one day I have a lot to say on my feed, and then other days not so much. I do, however, love stories. I am very active there and share it all. 

I want people to not seek perfection, but to seek understanding.

How do you balance  @_happygocurly_ with your CNM career? Do they overlap in any ways?

Eek. It is definitely a hard balance. I work out of state every three weeks for a week or more. I have to plan (I say this lightly because that is not my forte), and I truly like the more spontaneous posts. When I am working, I like to give my undivided attention and energy to my patients. I find that I miss my Instagram friends so very much. I still pop in and out and always do my #happygocurlywhw

They do overlap because I do talk about women’s topics on Wednesdays. I dedicate Wednesdays for that reason, but also at any time I may discuss vaginal health. I want women to talk about their bodies freely. I have found that these are the topics they have the most questions about: vaginal dryness, menopause, mothering/parenting, bonding, breastfeeding, labor, and the list goes on and on. 

What has been the greatest challenge of your Instagram? Your favorite part?

The greatest challenge has been getting good pics and Instagram-worthy scenery to capture the content. Trying to stay ahead with all the new changes has been defeating at times. While I like to think of myself as dynamic, sometimes the new additions can be daunting and time-consuming. I have been frustrated with my content going away after 24 hours and realized I needed a way to have it be accessible.

My favorite part is the people for sure. I have made some of my closest friends on Instagram. I love the impact my WHW has made on so many, and when I get messages saying they listened and went to their provider and got a diagnosis or were able to advocate for themselves based on my talks. I think it is normal to question every once in a while if you are making a difference.

I love the impact my Women’s Health Wednesday has made on so many, and when I get messages saying they listened and went to their provider and got a diagnosis or were able to advocate for themselves based on my talks.

The past year hasn’t exactly been easy. How do you approach your Instagram when there are such major current events happening?

I find that I speak my mind. I don’t want to bombard my followers, but I also want them to understand how current events affect me as a BIPOC/Black woman. I share my experiences in relation to BLM. I try to expose them to a different world. I invite them to ask questions. I try to call in my community, rather than call out. I want them to always ask the hard questions in an effort to gain knowledge. 

I invite them to ask questions. I try to call in my community, rather than call out. I want them to always ask the hard questions in an effort to gain knowledge. 

What career moment are you most proud of thus far?

Becoming a CNM. I am so happy it worked out that I get to live my passion. Every time I deliver a baby, I pinch myself. I thank the parents for allowing me to share this moment with them. Living your life’s passion is the greatest high for me. 

Where do you see yourself next year? Five years from now?

In the next year: moving to North Carolina. I want to start a blog. I want to create a place where women can find the information they need in case they miss WHW. 

Five years: Well, my hubby will probably be retiring from the USMC, and we will have to pick a location to live. I have no idea where that may be. Geez, I don’t have any grand plans except to be happy and to keep plugging along. I think I am living exactly what I want and don’t want for much more. That can change quickly—heck, it may change tomorrow. Ask me again next week.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To thine ownself be true. This is my mantra. When I start to get lost in the hustle, I remember that if I am not making myself happy, I am no good to anyone else. 

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self?

Keep working hard, you’re going to be amazing. Be sure to love you first before you try to give yourself to others. 

Ailsa Emmel is The Everygirl …

Go-to coffee order? Grande latte, light foam (I know it defeats the whole point of a latte). Or a Venti black unsweetened iced tea with two Splendas

Favorite act of self-care? Working out and sweating

Top song of 2020? Ed Sheeran, Perfect

Favorite piece in your wardrobe? Denim jacket

If you could have lunch with any woman, who would you choose and why? Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Oprah Winfrey—all inspiring and strong women. They were (and are) tenacious and headstrong yet so caring and helped me stay focused.

The post How This Midwife Created a Judgement-Free Zone on the Internet for Women to Talk Freely About Their Bodies appeared first on The Everygirl.

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https://theeverygirl.com/ailsa-emmel-happy-go-curly/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/course-bundle-spring-2021/ https://theeverygirl.com/course-bundle-spring-2021/#respond Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:00:37 +0000

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The dreary winter months at the beginning of the year always feel like the perfect time to do a little

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The dreary winter months at the beginning of the year always feel like the perfect time to do a little reflection and check in with yourself. From cultivating new hobbies to pursuing mindset shifts and overcoming personal roadblocks, it’s a great time to work toward a more content and revitalized you. 

Which is why we’re so excited to have partnered with The Bundle Co. to offer our popular Mastering Photo Editing on Your Phone course as part of a pack of 111 (!!) online courses full of self-improvement-focused classes on everything from overcoming imposter syndrome to financial wellness. The full bundle is an incredible value, worth over $20,000 (seriously, $20,000), and on sale now for just $75.90. This is the biggest bundle they’ve ever offered, at the lowest price, and we’re so excited to be included. 

Claim all 111 courses now (an over $20,000 value) for just $75.90

Our popular course, Mastering Photo Editing on Your Phone, is included! 

About Mastering Photo Editing on Your Phone

We start the course with our best tips and tricks for actually taking your photos. Even though editing can cover a lot of sins when it comes to photos, it always helps to set yourself up for success when shooting. We go over how to create balance in the composition of your shots and our process for taking our fave photos—like outfit flatlays, exterior shots, and interior vignettes. 

Next, we take you through all the edits we routinely make on our photos—from brightness to contrast to removing imperfections. With guided video tutorials and pro tips from our guest instructors Lauren Taylor and Ali Stone. 

You’ll learn our favorite apps for making specific edits—like Snapseed and Tezza—as well as the order we make our edits for the best results. Playing with filters is fun, but sometimes you need to overhaul a photo and a filter just won’t cut it. In this course, you’ll learn the separate core elements of photo editing, so you can edit any photo with ease. All you need to take the course is a phone with app capability. 

Plus, 110 other amazing courses, all for $75.90 (!!). Here’s a quick look at a few of the courses included in the bundle that we can’t wait to dive into: 

Taught by Tatiana O’Hara, this course is for anyone who has struggled with having the tough conversations in a corporate role. It covers everything from how to prepare yourself for the conversation to conversation scripts to how to communication after the conversations are finished, and so much more. If you’re in a leadership role, this course is essential. 

A holistic health coach and registered nurse currently working toward a doctorate in integrated medicine, Kate Eskuri was one of our expert panelists for our 6-Week Self-Care Challenge and we love this goal-setting course she’s created to help you manage your productivity and get sh*t done. The course includes guided worksheets, journal prompts, and a six-step ritual to help you put all your planning to action and achieve your goals. 

Are you a small business owner having trouble moving or marketing your inventory? This is the course for you. Dani Brown takes you step-by-step through her unique strategy to selling out your launches or restocks every. single. time. A great tool for business owners, including bonus material and a workbook to help you implement her advice every step of the way. 

Imposter syndrome can stop you in your tracks and prevent you from achieving your goals or feeling like the best version of yourself. Learn how to shift that mindset and start thinking differently with Erika Cramer’s in-depth guide on overcoming imposter syndrome and reclaiming your confidence. 

Get the full scoop on every course included here. Be sure to claim your bundle by Sunday, February 7, because this amazing price is on the table for this week only. 

We can’t wait to see what you create with these powerhouse resources! Follow us over @theeverygirlcourses on Instagram and share which course you’re the most excited to start. Plus, more info on future course releases from The Everygirl—we’ve got tons of amazing content in the works for you.

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https://theeverygirl.com/course-bundle-spring-2021/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/one-minute-habits-that-will-change-your-life/ https://theeverygirl.com/one-minute-habits-that-will-change-your-life/#respond Sun, 31 Jan 2021 06:06:04 +0000

https://theeverygirl.com/?p=227175
So you want to get healthier, achieve your career goals, and feel happier? Sounds nice, but it’s always easier said

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So you want to get healthier, achieve your career goals, and feel happier? Sounds nice, but it’s always easier said than done. Where do you even start making such major changes? If lofty goals and ambitious resolutions feel overwhelming, know that you don’t need to immediately rearrange your entire life, spend $$$, or have unlimited time to achieve your best life. In fact, you need just one minute. That’s right: the difference between who you are and who you want to be might be just 60 seconds. Try these one-minute habits that will transform your life when done consistently. Add in lots of habits throughout your day or start with just one, but either way, one minute is all you need to change your life.

1. Get out of bed right away

If I have one weakness (besides a good cheese plate *swoon*), it’s scrolling through Instagram after waking up. While it seems like a harmless habit, the body won’t fully wake up until you get out of bed and move around, but also because you lose the full 10, 30, or 60-minute morning routine before you open your laptop for work. Get out of bed as soon as you wake up and fill your mornings with as many peaceful, productive, and fulfilling minutes as possible. Your inbox, TikTok explore page, or iMessage app can wait.

2. Breathe deeply

Deep breathing (or diaphragmatic breathing) is crucial for mental and physical health, but many of us never focus on our breath. If you think about it, oxygen is the one thing we can’t even go minutes without, so making sure we’re getting more of it can only be beneficial. When you’re feeling anxious or stressed, take a few deep breaths to get more oxygen in the lungs and slow the heartbeat, which can help with anxiety. Try it right now (yes, I mean right now): slowly inhale, count to five, and then exhale, relaxing the entire body. It’s like instant medicine, right?

3. Take movement breaks

Whether an hour-long workout is a daily essential or you barely have time to change sweatpants before work starts, the body isn’t meant to sit for hours at a time, much less all day long. At least once every hour, take a minute to flow through yoga poses, do some stretches, or turn on your favorite song and dance. 60 seconds of movement is enough to energize the body, reset the mind, and will help you focus better for the rest of the day. Plus, if you don’t think you have time to work out, one-minute periods throughout the day add up.

4. Add lemon to your water

Squeezing a lemon into your go-to water bottle takes a couple of seconds, but can result in lasting benefits. Lemon packs nutrients like vitamin C, which plays an important role in the immune system and can boost skin glow. Stefanie Wilkerson, RDN, explained, “Vitamin C helps produce collagen and works as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals that can damage our cells.” Hello supple, smooth skin! Bonus: while it is acidic, lemon has alkalizing effects in the body, meaning it might help balance pH levels. A squeeze of lemon basically turns a glass of water into a cocktail of super nutrients. As if you needed more convincing, adding delicious lemon will make you want to drink more water, and staying hydrated always comes with health perks. 

5. Mute negative social media accounts as they pop up

In 2021, it’s high time to rethink whether the bloggers, celebrities, and brands we follow on social media make us feel inspired or bad about our lives. Want to feel instantly happier? If an account or post pops up on your feed that doesn’t leave you feeling inspired, happy, or confident, you know what to do: unfollow (or mute). That also means muting or unfollowing the frenemy you had in high school or your sorority sister’s ex-boyfriend’s cousin that you met a few times. Instead of watching other people live their lives, you can actually go live your own. Use social media to make you better instead of worse by replacing negative accounts with accounts that inspire you or bring you positivity whenever you’re tempted to scroll (like, IDK, @theeverygirl, for a totally random example).  

6. Tidy up before bed

That’s right: you only need 60 seconds of tidying up to make a major difference in your life. Whether it’s clearing the dirty laundry off the chair in your bedroom, organizing the bedside table, or wiping the kitchen counter, do a super quick decluttering or cleaning before hitting the hay. Not only can a cleaner environment help you sleep better, but you’ll wake up feeling stress-free and ready to start the day. That pile of dirty laundry on the bedroom chair really knows how to harsh one’s mellow (if you know, you know). 

7. Express gratitude (out loud)

You probably already know that gratitude is the secret to boosting mental health or fostering healthier relationships, so practice it beyond gratitude journaling in the morning. For example, whenever you say “thank you,” reflect on how grateful you feel, instead of just going through the motions. If your work wife offered to help with a big project, let her know how much you appreciate having her support, or if your roommate cleans your dishes, tell them how much it made a difference in your busy day. But it doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t be) just the times when you’d say “thank you” anyway. Text your mom out of the blue to say thanks for being there for you, or let your partner know how much you appreciate having them in your life. Express gratitude wherever and whenever you can, and watch how your life transforms. 

8. Add a finishing touch to your OOTD that makes you feel confident 

Whether you’re dressing up in business-casual, rocking a button-up and sweatpants (for Zoom meetings, of course), or never bother changing out of your pajamas to start the day (no shame), try adding one finishing touch that makes you feel like the badass you are. Depending on what makes you feel good, try a fitted pair of jeans, a swipe of mascara, or a trendy hair clip to add a little something to your OOTD. The goal isn’t to look better, it’s to feel better, so play around to find what small touches make you feel more confident, energized, or motivated. Never underestimate the power of a structured work blazer or swipe of red lipstick. 

9. Check your bank account

Self-care doesn’t always mean bubble baths or face masks; sometimes, self-care means being an independent adult and doing what you can to feel in control of your finances. While having a detailed financial plan and setting goals can help you reduce money-related stress and achieve what you want out of life, feeling in control of your finances doesn’t always require a lot of time and energy. Every few days, take a minute to glance over your bank account and credit card statements. Getting in the habit of frequently checking can help identify fraud early-on, but will also give you a good idea of where you’re spending and where you can be saving.

10. Use visualization

Do you get nervous before a first date or big presentation? Do you ever lack motivation with health goals or feel stuck in your career? The fix to any negative thought could be as easy as visualizing an alternative. We get nervous, stuck, or unmotivated when we visualize the worst-case scenario: a bad date, a failed presentation, a boring job, or too-difficult workouts. So why not replace the thought with a more positive one?

If you’re feeling nervous, imagine yourself acing the presentation or being your charming self on the date. When you lack motivation, visualize that you are the kind of person who prioritizes workouts and loves eating nourishing foods. And if you’re feeling stuck? Think about what you want the outcome to be, and then picture what that looks like. Visualization may be another name for imagination, but it can serve as the minor confidence boost you need to achieve the desired outcome.

11. Make your bed

I know I sound like your mom, but please make your bed. Not only will it feel good to get into a made bed at night, but it’s important for the success of your day. Making your bed first thing every morning means one small win before you even have a cup of coffee, which subconsciously will motivate you to achieve thousands of small wins throughout the day (and you know what they say about small wins: they lead up to big ones). Plus, Gretchen Rubin found in her research that it’s the easiest and most common daily habit you can do to boost happiness.

12. Fix your posture

Bad news for all the other slouchers out there (guilty): your posture might be affecting your physical and mental health. Practice better posture by straightening your back and relaxing your shoulders (and stop looking down at your phone, damn it!). Did you sit up taller just now? Good. Improve your posture throughout the workday (yes, even while working from home) by setting reminders with phone alerts, sticky notes, or as your phone wallpaper to remind you to correct your posture whenever you check the time or read a text message.

13. Set an affirmation or intention

Everyone has an intention, whether we’re aware of it or not. It’s that one phrase you hear in your head over and over, or what you tell yourself repeatedly. Many of us are plagued by phrases like “I’m not good enough,” or “What if something goes wrong?” We hear these phrases in our heads so often that we believe them. So what if we could replace these thoughts with phrases that are not only better for us, but can help us be more confident, feel less stressed, and live our best lives? Every morning, pick an affirmation or daily intention and write it in your daily planner so you don’t forget it. If you find one phrase you particularly relate to, repeat it to yourself whenever you’re feeling stressed, scared, or not enough.

14. Apply a layer of SPF at the end of your skincare routine

It’s easy to remember SPF when the sun is out, the temperature’s warm, and we’re spending all day outside. But in cold weather, or even when we’re spending all day indoors, it’s a little less obvious. To set the record straight once and for all, yes, you still need sunscreen when it’s cloudy outside and even when you’re indoors. Wearing a daily SPF is not only good for skin glow (prevents aging, hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure, keeps an even complexion, etc.), but is crucial for your health. Click here to find the perfect sunscreen for your skin, and click here for non-toxic options. 

15. Add a handful of leafy greens to your meal

Being healthier does not have to be a dramatic transformation. It’s actually more sustainable when it’s a gradual series of small habits. The best place to start achieving a healthier diet is not cutting out entire food groups or limiting what you “should” and “should not” eat (which can lead to bingeing or an unhealthy relationship with food). Instead, start transforming your health by adding a handful of leafy greens to your meal. For example, add spinach if you’re making an omelet, throw kale into a pasta sauce, or order a side salad when you’re eating out. Not only are leafy greens superfoods that pack a lot of benefits and are easy to fit into the meals you’re already used to, but small, non-restrictive tweaks can snowball into an overall healthier diet and lifestyle. 

16. Set your alarm 60 seconds earlier 

If your mornings feel more like a race against the clock than the peaceful start you imagine, the fix is waking up earlier. However, a full 30 minutes, or even 10 minutes, might seem like you’re missing out on too much sleep. Instead of trying to transform your wake-up time (which would just make you hit “snooze” a couple more times), set your alarm one minute earlier every day. While it sounds like a small change, after 10 days, you could have 10 extra minutes in your morning without even noticing it. Whether you spend that time meditating, indulging in a luxurious skincare routine, or just brewing a cup of coffee with a moment of silence, you won’t miss the 10 minutes of sleep.

17. Master the art of listening

Perhaps the #1 life hack and most life-changing habit? Listening. And I mean really listening. Caring about what other people have to say can transform your personal relationships and strengthen (or build more) professional relationships. Your communication will be more effective, and you’ll experience more meaningful connections. You’ll feel less self-conscious when you’re less focused on yourself, and less unsure when you look for answers outside yourself. Of course, utilize important cues like eye contact and follow-up questions, but the best way to listen? Genuinely get curious about what other people have to say. Empathy, understanding, and curiosity will not only transform your life, but will transform the world too. 

What one-minute habits have made the biggest difference for you?

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When it comes to work, technology can make or break you. While it’s made our work more efficient, it also

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When it comes to work, technology can make or break you. While it’s made our work more efficient, it also can mean that you’re plugged into your job at all hours of every day—which can be draining and unnecessary. Obviously, 2020 heightened this even more; with work-from-home being the case for the foreseeable future, it’s important to be able to make your technology work for you. Here are easy ways to make sure you’re maintaining work-life balance—even when you’re working remote.

1. Delete, delete, delete

One easy way to not let work get in the way of your personal time is to delete the email app off your phone right after you finish working on Fridays (this can also apply to any communication apps your company uses). Then, you can re-download it every Monday morning once you officially start your work day. Not only will this allow you to enjoy your weekend fully and without distractions, but you’ll start your work week off on a much more peaceful foot. You really don’t need to start worrying about work emails the second you wake up on Monday morning. 

This may sound like a pain, but it only takes 60 seconds to re-download the app each week, and you’ll gain so much by removing email completely from your view for the entire weekend.

Social media managers: the same goes for you. Delete and re-download any social media apps you aren’t supposed to check during the weekend. If you’re not asked to be on call, it’s OK to step away and take a breather. 

2. Don’t be afraid of do not disturb

It can feel like a big deal to cut yourself off from the world, but trust us, once you learn to trust the “do not disturb” settings on your phone, you’ll never want to go back. If you have a work-only phone, even better—you can set your whole device to “do not disturb” for non-work hours. 

If you use your personal phone as your work phone, you can still do this, but might want to allow certain friends and family members to call you during that time. If your boss really needs to reach you, don’t worry: if they call twice within three minutes, the phone will ring (you can learn more about how all these features work here). But no, you don’t need to respond to your boss’ brainstorming texts when you’re trying to enjoy dinner with your family. 

3. Remove notifications

Even if you don’t open that Slack message or email that comes in a little too early in the morning, it doesn’t mean it’s not disturbing your personal time. That’s time you’re spending reaching for your phone, looking at your screen, and making a mental note to respond later. You now may find yourself thinking about that message during your commute or while cleaning up after dinner instead of catching up on your favorite podcast. Turn off any non-necessary notifications—on your phone and computer—and cut out the distractions. This applies to personal apps too. Not only will your personal time feel more freeing, but you won’t get distracted during work. Get more done and get your butt home. 

4. Block your worst distractions

We all have a few websites that we gravitate towards a little too much during the day (this writer is guilty of refreshing New York Magazine’s site constantly since 2008). Try setting some website blockers on your computer to help you keep your focus during the work day. These distractions can slow you down and cause you to work later than you should, especially if you’re working from home where it’s easy to fall into a productivity guilt trap and to work late to compensate. Many of these tools allow you to block devices during set hours (think 9-5), and others remove your access to the site completely until you say you want them back. This list of website blockers is a great place to start!

5. Use tech to set boundaries

Remember back in the day when we would customize our AIM chat room away statuses whenever we stepped away from that precious screen? It’s not entirely clear why anyone needed to know we were in the shower, but that’s how it went. Today, you can do the same thing with your more modern forms of communication. Whenever you leave the office or simply want some heads down time, feel free to change your status on Slack, mark off time on your public calendar, or set OOO notices that inform your coworkers when you’ll be back online. This may feel harsh at times, but if expectations are set, no one will feel like they’re waiting around for your response since they know you aren’t available at the moment. 

6. Track your movements

We’re talking literally. Track every physical move you make with a smart watch, your phone, or some sort of exercise tracking device. Set movement goals for yourself and use your tech pal to track your steps and keep you accountable. Check in on your progress throughout the day—an app may just be the reminder you need to give yourself a break and get your blood flowing! 

7. Set break reminders

Similar to how you can use your tech devices to give you a nudge when you need to get moving, use your phone or computer to set break reminders. It’s so easy to get caught up in our work and forget to take breaks, but you need to take them. Block off time for a solid lunch break on your calendar, or set a timer to alert you when you’ve worked for an hour straight. Move. Breath. Stop typing. Do whatever you need to do to relieve tension, take a break, and come up for air. You deserve it. 

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https://theeverygirl.com/tech-hacks-to-help-you-find-work-life-balance/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/hobbies-at-home/ https://theeverygirl.com/hobbies-at-home/#respond Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:01:28 +0000

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Week 100 of working from home and, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a tad bit stir crazy.

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Week 100 of working from home and, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a tad bit stir crazy. I’ve spent more time in my apartment than I ever thought possible. My studio and I have become so acquainted during this process, that we might actually be … in a relationship? In this period of connecting with my inner homebody, I’ve reorganized my pantry, rearranged furniture to “keep it fresh,” and might have counted the number of wood planks on my floor. 

With all of this time spent at home, I’ve been struggling to separate work from pleasure, and my life has become one blue light blob of working on my computer and winding down by scrolling through bad news and politically incorrect memes on my newsfeed. If you’re also looking for ways to ignite your creativity, find a different way to entertain your soul, and be intentional with your “me” time, you might want to try picking up a new hobby. Thankfully, there are plenty of pastimes that you can do in the comfort of your own home that (brace yourself) don’t involve scrolling on Instagram.

1. Learn calligraphy

I don’t know what it is about calligraphy that is so mesmerizing to me, but I feel like I must learn it in this life in order to feel fulfilled. Cue me buying this extremely affordable beginner practice book and these brush pens on Amazon and cut to scenes of me sweating while scribbling lowercase e’s all over my planner for practice.  

2. Work out online

Speaking of sweating, last night I did a 60-minute free yoga class hosted by Corepower Yoga and wow, did it feel good to move. My regular gym options are off of the table due to COVID-19 precautions, but I still had my yoga mat and my breath and made it work! My cat was very confused as to why I was hitting so many downward dogs and rolling around on the floor, but after a few minutes, she realized that playing with my right Airpod was more interesting.

A lot have gyms have closed, but some fitness centers are stepping up and offering free at-home virtual workout options. In addition to Peloton offering a free 90-day trial for their online classes, Tone It Up, Beachbody, ObéFitness, P.volve, YogaWorks, and Pilates Anytime are all online-based programs that also offer free trials to help you save money while keeping active in your own home.

3. Learn how to cook

Listen, I’m all for living off of buttered noodles and red wine, but there’s something about mastering a new recipe and switching up your routine to make you feel full-bellied and accomplished. If you’re new to cooking, go easy on yourself and have a backup plan in case something catches on fire (speaking from personal experience here). If you’re already a pro, branch out and tackle that one recipe you’ve been eyeing for months now. Baking desserts is also welcomed and encouraged. Be sure to send all leftovers my way. 

4. Practice meditation

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: meditation has significantly improved my life. Once I realized that you don’t have to sit cross-legged with your eyes closed and woke up to what meditation actually can be, I have found it to be a great way to step away from the chaos of life and to check in with my bad self. The best part about meditation is that you have all of the tools to get started already within you. You can do it anywhere you’d like, and it’s free!

5. Pick up needlework

Q: What’s a hobby to get me away from my screen and to keep my hands busy? A: Knitting or crocheting. According to Martha Stewart Magazine, the difference between the two types of needlework differ in the “technique and tool” used. To my grandmother’s disappointment, I have never taken part in either activity, but even watching how-to videos on YouTube is extremely satisfying. I’ve been itching to make one of the Pinterest-worthy merino wool blankets (which employs a hand-knitting technique), and this feels like the perfect time to make my dreams a reality.

6. Learn an instrument

Bust out your recorder from elementary school, because it’s that baby’s time to shine. Fun fact, I learned how to play Baby by Justin Bieber on the piano via YouTube in high school, and it’s my favorite party trick to date. There’s no better time to connect with your musical side, and YouTube has a plethora of videos to get you started, no matter the instrument you decide to rock out on. 

7. Paint 

Channel your inner Frida Kahlo and get to painting, my friends. You don’t have to be an artist to pick up a paintbrush and get busy. If you want to go freehand, this painting kit from Amazon has everything you need to get started. If you’re like me and would like some direction (and a guaranteed pretty result), this paint-by-numbers set is a must-have. Put on some of your favorite tunes, grab a glass of wine, and get artsy.

8. Make your own soap, candles, you name it…

Sick of making bread and tie-dying everything in sight? Time to level-up your crafting. You’re going through more soap than ever before (all that hand-washing really cuts into your soap collection) and candles always add a little ambience. Why not try making your own? Order yourself some supplies, watch a few how-to videos, and get going. Bonus: you now have easy gifts for friends celebrating their birthday while staying apart.

9. Learn Photoshop

As a person who proudly works for a media company, I must admit that I have put off learning Photoshop for far too long. I always watch my talented coworkers click away, creating beautiful content, and I find myself in awe at how easy they make designing graphics look. When I open the app (yes, I bought it back in the day thinking I’d “for sure buckle down and learn it” at that time), I feel a sense of confusion and impending doom. Until now, I just couldn’t find the time to tackle the learning curve that comes with learning Photoshop. I just downloaded our Photoshop course (*happy dance*) and am finally going to make it happen. Let’s take on the world of graphic design together, Everygirls!

Our Essential Photoshop online course is reopening this spring! Follow @theeverygirlcourses for up-to-date enrollment info

10. Learn how to apply your makeup

Why are makeup tutorials so entertaining? Probably because full-face looks seem like a far-off dream—who has money for 32 high-end products and who is going anywhere fancy enough to be glam all of the time? I can’t hate on it too much—everything I’ve learned about makeup I’ve learned from my favorite YouTube beauty icons. I love a good before and after, trying out new techniques (mastering a winged eyeliner, for instance), and getting the 411 on new product reviews. Some of my favorite beauty bloggers to learn from include Desi Perkins,  Carli Bybel, and Jackie Aina. (Be careful, once you watch one, it’s easy to fall down a YouTube beauty tutorial rabbit hole—which might not be the worst thing in the world at this point.)

11. Learn to code

OK, so you don’t want to focus on being as productive as possible while you’re staying home more, but hear us out: coding is a real transferable skill that can mean big things for your career, whether you’re hoping to make a job switch or you’re just interested in broadening your knowledge base for down the road. There are tons of online courses that can teach you to code from your couch, meaning that by the time you’re ready to head back into the office, you’ll have a brand-new skill to bring with you.

12. Take care of your plants

If you, too have acquired more plants over the last few months, you probably already know full well that plants need regular attention and care. But if you’ve already seen the demise of at least one, you may be hesitant if you really have what it takes to grow your plant collection. Opt for easy-to-care-for plants until you feel more comfortable. Dive into resources about a new-to-you plant. Does it need a ton of light? Sparse water? A certain temperature or humidity level? There’s so much to learn, but so many resources to help you become a houseplant pro.

13. Take up photography

Dust off that DSLR you swore you were going to use on your trip abroad, and let’s get to learning! If you’re using your DSLR on “auto” mode, you’re doing it wrong. Even though your pictures might turn out OK, you’re probably not using your camera to its fullest potential.

That being said, DSLR or not, learning the groundwork of photography can help you to up your game and take better pictures in the future. Watching YouTube videos to learn about photography basics (aperture, exposure, shutter speed, and ISO),  tips/tricks, and mistakes to avoid can help you understand the camera you already have or inspire you to invest in one. Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs by Henry Carroll has great reviews on Amazon and is another great place to start!

14. Learn a new hairstyle

If you tend to wear your hair the same way most days because of a lack of time to do anything you’re not quite as familiar with, now is the time to branch out and learn something new. Watch tutorials on YouTube or Instagram, gather any tools or supplies you may need, and give it a try. Practice makes perfect, after all.

15. Practice journaling

If you’re not already journaling, now would be an ideal time to begin. Writing about the day’s happenings or whatever is weighing on your heart can be therapeutic, but the art of journaling doesn’t end there. Last year, I got bored writing about myself, so I found some great sites for journaling prompts to help me tap into new areas of my brain. Grab your favorite pen (I’m obsessed with these ones) and a notebook, and you’re set.

16. Prioritize your financial health

Financial planning should always be at the top of our list of things to do but let’s be honest: when life is hectic, many of us (myself included) put finances on the back-burner. There’s no better time than the present to take control of your money. Dealing with finances is no easy feat, but you’re not alone! A good place to start? Check out our finance archives, pick up one of these 10 TEG-approved financial help books, or enroll in our Finance 101 online course, and you’ll be on your way.

17. Make a vision board

Making a vision board is the perfect way to get crafty while also setting your sights on the future. It can help to have a visual aid to remind you of who you want to be, where you want to go, and what you want to accomplish. All you need is a canvas/poster board, a printer, some magazines, glue, scissors, and markers and you’ll be visualizing your dreams in no time. Bonus points if you FaceTime a friend and pop some champagne while doing it—friends that set goals together stay together, am I right?

18. Give your old furniture a refresh

That old coffee table in your living room could us some updating. Depending on what you want to do (and what the furniture currently looks like), you’ll need sanding and scraping supplies, some plastic sheeting (to work on), and some new paint. Transform the whole look of your space in no time at all.

19. Foster an animal

Fostering animals is an incredibly awesome way to spend your time. Reach out to your local shelter and see how you can get involved to help furry friends in need. Not only may it result in a cuteness overload, cuddles, and kisses, but it’ll help prepare the animal for future adoption and free up room in the shelter, allowing the shelter to take new animals in. Get some puppy (or kitty) lovin’ without the long-term commitment, and thank me later.

20. Tackle your TBR pile

For some people, the past few months have been a bit of a hit or miss when it comes to reading, but if you have a large stack of books just waiting to be read, consider taking some time and diving in. You may not be able to jet off on a beach vacation this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get some quality reading time in.

21. Teach yourself a new language

I downloaded Duolingo last year to brush up on my Spanish (really wish I would have paid better attention during my high school language course), and it’s one of my favorite pastimes. It’s great for beginners, portable, and free, which is always a plus. Download it with a friend so that you can practice together over FaceTime, check out these additional tips, and when the travel ban is lifted, book a trip overseas so that you can “refine the language.”

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https://theeverygirl.com/hobbies-at-home/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/how-to-launch-your-business-this-year/ https://theeverygirl.com/how-to-launch-your-business-this-year/#respond Mon, 18 Jan 2021 06:06:36 +0000

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I love the fresh start that a new year presents. The metaphorical clean slate; the revitalized energy to work and

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I love the fresh start that a new year presents. The metaphorical clean slate; the revitalized energy to work and plan toward your goals. What better time than this to start thinking about launching your business? 

Something that has always helped me in my freelance work is recognizing that it’s all about progress over perfection. Following a few key checks and then just unleashing your idea or services or products onto the world and using that trial and error to strengthen and fortify your work and your business. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together eight important things to put in place before you launch your biz this year—everything from figuring out your current ideal clients to strategically launching your website with our go-to platform, Squarespace. Read on to start planning for your own launch, and don’t miss our free checklists! 

1. Narrow in on your niche 

I used to think that if the market was saturated it meant that I shouldn’t even consider entering it. If other graphic designers are out there creating brands for clients, why should I do it too? Oh, how wrong I was.

Now I realize that we can all coexist within the market by narrowing in on niches. What do you bring to the table that is different from everyone else? Even if your products are similar—for example, brand and logo design—who are your specific ideal clients or customers? How does your business work in a way no one else’s does? When you get really detailed with these questions, you’ll hit on your niche and the place where your business will operate the best. Before you do anything else for your business this year,  take a moment to answer these questions. And remember, your niche can grow and change as your business and you do. This is just a blueprint for your next year. Who do you want to attract? Who are your dream clients? 

2. Map out your services, products, or rates 

After you’ve narrowed in on who exactly your ideal customers and clients are, it’s time to do an inventory of everything you’re offering. If you’re a service-based business, determine your pricing model. Will you bill by an hourly rate? Or a per-project rate? Do your research to determine what others in your industry are doing. Transparency within pricing has come such a long way over the years and the detailed cost information available now is so helpful when you’re starting out. Try a tool like How Much Should I Charge? or seek out peers or thought leaders in your field on places like Instagram, where they might be sharing about their process. As a designer with a branding and lettering studio, I love how open Molly Jacques has been about her pricing model. She creates lots of helpful pricing examples for designers, like this one. 

If you’re a product-based business, seek out similar shops and do your research on the going rate-per-product. Map out your business costs like keeping inventory, shipping, and packaging and be sure you’re charging enough to avoid a deficit. Remember, these numbers aren’t carved in stone either. You’re allowed to raise your prices as your business grows and evolves. 

READ: Here’s How to Charge What You’re Actually Worth

3. Start tracking your time 

Even if you’re not planning to charge by hourly rate, tracking your time can be essential. Figuring out how long tasks actually take you—everything from packaging products to emailing clients—will help you determine your rates and understand how much time you’re putting into your business overall. You’ll be able to map out how much work you can realistically take on, whether you’re a full-time business owner or a freelancer or anywhere in between. To get started, try a time-tracking app like Harvest or Toggl. 

4. Figure out your finances 

Now that you have all your info gathered for what you want to charge and how long tasks and projects are actually taking you, it’s time to do a deep dive into your finances. This is definitely something I’ve struggled with in my freelance business, and trust me: figuring out a system for tracking your money right from the get-go is essential. It will save you so much time and headache later on. Start tracking every dollar that is coming in and out of your business so you can get an accurate picture of what you’re making. This will also save you during tax season, when you’ll have to account for how much you owe. 

This is also where you’ll want to account for all the services you use to run your business. A huge reason I love Squarespace (and use it for my freelance biz) is that so many services are bundled in one place, so I don’t need to be juggling tons of different sites and logins. With Squarespace, I run my website and my online shop, integrate my email marketing, pull stock photography, link my shipping fulfillment automations, and more. That synchronicity saves me tons of time and effort. 

READ: 7 Things to Do for Your Business RN to Save Time and Money Later

5. Do a brand identity check 

When you’re just starting out, you may not need all the bells and whistles of a full brand identity, but having things like a simple and chic logo, a predetermined color palette, and brand fonts will help your business look instantly elevated and pulled-together.

Remember that a huge part of a successful business is about first impressions. What your audience sees when they first land on your website or your social media channels can determine whether or not they become a client or shop with your business. So you’ll want to put your best foot forward with your design. The good news is, you don’t necessarily need to hire a designer or invest in a lot of fancy design programs when you’re getting started. If you’re looking to DIY initial branding until you’re ready to invest, focus on keeping things simple and minimal. I always say to go with a text-based logo to start. Pick a font that you like, type in your business name, and go. If you have a Squarespace site, they make this process so easy by allowing you to create your text-based logo when you’re creating your site, with hundreds of high-quality fonts to choose from. Or, try out Squarespace’s free logo maker tool for a quick logo that still looks professional and modern.

Keep in mind that minimal and simple don’t equal boring, especially in the design world. And by minimalism I don’t mean that you have to only use one font or just use black and white as your color scheme. It’s more about letting the simplicity of something speak for itself. If you get stuck, create a moodboard of designs that you like and refer back to that when needed. What colors do they have in common? What elements are repeated over and over? Squarespace also comes with pre-made font and color palette options, which are a great way to get started with something you know will look good. You can select different options from the backend of your site, and see the changes in real time, helping you create a site that looks cohesive without the headache of trying to figure it all out yourself from scratch. 

READ: A Branding Expert Shares the Most Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

6. Launch your website 

As you’re figuring out the look and feel of your brand, it’s a great time to start putting together your website and preparing it for your launch. As I mentioned earlier, Squarespace is my go-to website platform, not just for myself but also for my freelance clients looking to build a site or online store. 

I’m a big believer that at first, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to website design. I’ve backed myself into a corner many times by being too much of a perfectionist about my site, and then not having anything to launch at all. Remember, progress over perfection, in all areas of your business. I love that Squarespace allows you to start with demo content so that you can plug-and-play your own text and photos to get going. Not having to start totally from scratch makes such a difference in the time and effort it will take to build out your site.

READ: Ready to Publish Your Website? Read This SEO Checklist First

7. Create a marketing schedule 

Time to start planning how you’ll get all your beautiful work out into the world. If you want your business to thrive, you’ll want to be reaching new customers and clients on the platforms that make the most sense to you. Remember those questions you answered earlier? They’ll already start coming in handy as you analyze where your ideal clients are—whether that is Instagram, LinkedIn, email inboxes, a combination of all of the above, etc. 

A little trial and error is completely normal here, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see hundreds of clients rolling in in the first week. This is where creating a marketing schedule will help, because you can refer back to what you’ve already tried and those results and tailor your future strategies accordingly. Utilize the data as it rolls in as well—keep track of where your traffic is coming from to your website to help you understand which platforms are working the best for you. Squarespace makes this easy with integrated analytics right within your site dashboard. 

READ: Your Business Marketing Strategy, According to Your Enneagram

8. Celebrate 

You did it! Taking the time to be proud of where you’re at and how far you’ve come is so important and will help you continue to drive and care for your biz throughout the year. Celebrate your wins with your community as well, it will help people get to know you and start rooting for your success right alongside you. 

This post is sponsored by Squarespace, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

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Once upon a time, when I averaged one singular work-from-home day a week, I continually dismissed the importance of investing

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Once upon a time, when I averaged one singular work-from-home day a week, I continually dismissed the importance of investing in my workspace. At the time, I was in a small studio apartment and just didn’t see the need to put my money into a place where I would spend such a nominal portion of my week. When our cofounder proposed that we would work remotely at the beginning of quarantine, I remained strong (stubborn) and tried to make my previous setup work without making any adjustments for comfort or functionality. But alas, I have (once again) eaten my words. After months of hopping from the couch to my bed to the floor, moving my setup to an across-the-room outlet once my laptop was near death, and complaining of aches and pains at the end of the workday, I finally bit the bullet and gave a little TLC to a designated workspace.

At the moment, my underwhelming, makeshift desk (shoutout to my kitchen table) is far from glamorous… but not for much longer! I’ve reassessed my budget and have allocated my decor funds to go where I spend most of my time and, based on that logic alone, my WFH space is taking precedence. My desk styling goals? Making a chic, functional AF workspace a reality in little to no time at all. And what better place to make that happen than Amazon and its godsent two-day shipping? If you’re in the market to elevate your WFH setup, look no further. These Amazon office must-haves are here to save the day: 

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https://theeverygirl.com/amazon-finds-work-from-home/feed/ 0 https://theeverygirl.com/land-your-dream-job/ https://theeverygirl.com/land-your-dream-job/#respond Tue, 12 Jan 2021 06:02:43 +0000

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If you’re ready to stop spending 40+ hours a week hating what you do, we’re here to help.  We’re firm

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What does the course cover? 

The 100-page workbook is broken down into seven sections, based on skills you’ll need as you prepare to enter the job market (either for the first time, to change careers, to spruce up your networking game, and more). Each section includes notes and insight from successful women (like our cofounders!), guided worksheets, prompts, resource lists, and further reading to help you organize your thoughts and ideas and feel prepared to wow recruiters and future employers. The course also includes five exclusive resume, cover letter, and email signature templates to help you present your professional best. 

What do I need to take this course? 

All you need to get started is a pen and paper. We also recommend gathering any current materials you have—like your resumes and former cover letters—so you can review everything in one place and start making updates. 

The course is completely self-paced, so you can start working through each section at the time that works for you—whether that is Sunday mornings with a cup of coffee, Tuesday nights with a glass of wine, or anywhere in between. After purchasing, you’ll have a full year of access to the course, and unlimited lifetime access to all the course downloads. 

The course also includes five exclusive resume, cover letter, and email signature templates which are available as both Photoshop and Word files, so you can edit them with your information and customize them to work for you.  

You can access our course platform from any browser, so no apps or extra software needed. Once you purchase the course, you’ll be prompted to create an account with a username and password, which is how you’ll login to access your courses. Questions about how the course system works? Reach out to courses@theeverygirl.com and we’ll be happy to help. 

Frequently asked questions

When does the course start? 

Since the course is entirely self-paced, you can start it whenever works best for you! Upon purchasing, you’ll have immediate access to the full course, including the guided worksheets and templates. You can only enroll in the course until TUESDAY, JANUARY 19th, so be sure to grab your spot now. 

How much does the course cost? 

The full course—including the 100-page workbook, resource lists, templates, and Facebook group access— is $95 and we’re also offering a payment plan of two monthly payments of $47.50. 

What’s included with the course?  

Your purchase of the course gets you immediate access to our online platform, where you can download your workbook and templates and start learning immediately. Each section of the course includes section notes, advice, insight from experts, guided worksheets, prompts, and resource lists. The course also includes five exclusive resume, cover letter, and email signature templates. And finally, the course includes an invitation to our private Facebook group, where you can ask questions and connect with other course attendees. 

How do I claim my spot? 

After you purchase, you’ll have immediate access to the course and the ability to start learning right away. Remember, the course is completely self-paced, so you can move through it at a rate that works for you. Enrollment is only open until TUESDAY, JANUARY 19th so be sure to grab your spot now before it’s too late! 

Questions? 

If you have any questions about our Landing Your Dream Job course or any of our other online courses, leave a comment here or reach out to us at courses@theeverygirl.com and we’ll be happy to help!

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