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      5 Things Improving Our Work-From-Home Set-Up

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      When I first started working from home, I was staying with my parents. I felt so lucky to be with my family rather than my tiny studio apartment, but I had a hard time adjusting to working in my childhood bedroom, a space I once spent blasting pop-punk music and dreaming about prom that now was supposed to hold my adult self, both working a 9-5 and living my life. I was dreading work every day, struggling to get out of bed, and basically having the Sunday Scaries every night of the week. Then, my lovely dad set up an old desk from the garage in my bedroom, I got a comfortable chair, and my mom spruced it up with some art and goodies—et viola, I was back in business. (Meaning, I overstayed my welcome by about two and a half months.) All this to say, a proper WFH set-up is essential to productivity and creativity, and most of all, some semblance of sanity along the way. After a few months of perfecting my space at home, I’ve realized there are a few items that just make it feel like a space to work for me. Goodbye desk/vanity/kitchen table/crafting station and hello the home office of my dreams. 

      1. Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses
      Like me, you’ve probably been staring at a screen for basically the entirety of 2020. Whether it’s typing up emails on your tablet or posting social images on your phone or the day-to-day work you must complete on a laptop screen, your eyes have probably had enough. WFH made me finally break down and get a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses from WearMePro, and I noticed a major difference in my overall mood, my productivity, and my daily tension headaches from staring at a screen after wearing them every day. I keep them on my desk at all times, and after a while, I remember to put them on at the start of every morning. (Heck, I often leave the house for lunch and forget to take them off!) Plus, let’s not forget how absolutely chic and put-together it feels to have a pair of cute glasses on all day long. 
      WearMePro makes finding quality eyewear (whether it be glasses, sunglasses, or these blue-light glasses!) on a budget extra easy, as all styles come in just under $30. No sacrificing your precious paycheck for cute glasses to wear for work.

       

      Source: @alainakaz

      2. Candles
      The #1 upside to working from your living room is that all of your belongings are right there with you all day long, and that includes all of your best candles. My life changed for the better when I realized I could sit at my desk, drink my coffee, and light the pumpkin-est of candles next to me all day long. It makes your set-up feel extra special and styled, but your favorite scents also have the power to boost your mood, in turn making you a much stronger and approachable coworker. Who doesn’t want to go over last month’s goals with a coworker breathing in the intoxicating scent of leather and suede? I know I do.

       

      3. Snacks
      Are you missing your office’s impressive snack cabinet? Same, so I decided to recreate it at home. My desk is eerily close to my kitchen, which has burned me on many occasions. I’m constantly getting up to refill my water bottle (or get more coffee), and I peek into the pantry to get a snack. Instead, I dedicated a tiny section of my desk drawer to easy snacks I can feel good about munching on all day long. I swear by the Banana Trail Mix from Trader Joe’s, popcorn, and apple cinnamon Veggie Straws (the best thing on Earth). 

      Source: @alainakaz

      4. Books or magazines
      Turning your WFH station into an oasis is more than just making it a place to get work done; I love when my desk has something I can do to relax. Instead of picking up my phone during the day, I keep whatever book I’m reading or a new magazine closeby. I’ll give myself a 15-20 minute break in between tasks, and I use that time to read something. It’s given me such peace-of-mind during the day and makes me excited to get into my next task rather than dreading it. I’ve also done this with audiobooks, and I love it too!

       

      Source: Kelly Etz for The Everygirl

      5. Stationery
      Having a pretty planner is half the battle of getting my life together, and I’m not the only one. However, I’ve also stocked my desk with other stationery items that make ticking off a task way more fun than it should be. Sticky notes help me write quick reminders or flesh out ideas that I don’t want to dedicate a whole space in my planner for. I swear by colored highlighters to help me associate different tasks with different sections of my brain (“write article” is a different color than “do dishes”). Plus, I love also having a nice pair of scissors, a ruler, nice pens and pencils, and a few small notebooks for ideas and lists. You never know what you’ll need, and it makes my desk actually feel like a real office. 

       

      This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Wear Me Pro, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      Announcing: The Everygirl Media Group Foundation and $20,000 in Grants!

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      It goes without saying that 2020 has brought challenges that we never could have expected. In the wake of a devastating global pandemic, an unprecedented economic crisis, an unstable political climate, countless natural disasters, and widespread racial injustice, we at The Everygirl Media Group felt compelled more than ever before to be able to directly help our readers in need. 
      We are extremely excited to announce the creation of The Everygirl Media Group Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, to better be able to respond to the needs and issues that are important to our team and our readers.
      It is our goal to empower women and support them in times of need—and through this foundation, we can provide funding directly to the people and causes we wish to support.
      The Everygirl and The Everymom brands were built around the desire to provide an online community for women to come and feel represented and supported and where they could find information, advice, and inspiration—whether that be for fashion and beauty, home decor, lifestyle, wellness, or career growth and financial decision-making. 
      The creation of The Everygirl Foundation allows us to take that support of our community to the next level through direct action. We have a few amazing initiatives launching before the end of the year, and we are so passionate about the opportunity to continue to grow the foundation and its programs in the years to come.
      With that being said, we are incredibly excited to announce the foundation’s first initiative, made possible by a generous donation from La Marca Prosecco:

      The Everygirl and The Everymom have always sought to amplify the voices of women through the online platforms we have built. Many of the women in our community of readers are entrepreneurs and small business owners with excellent products and services to share with the world. 
      Our goal in creating these grants is to be able to support women who own small businesses and are looking for extra funding to take them to the next level. An Everygirl is career-driven, passionate, ambitious, and determined—and small businesses are often born from a small idea backed by someone with these traits. The creation of our grants allows us to lift up our online community of women entrepreneurs and help them follow their dreams through direct funding for their small businesses. 
      Four $5000 grants will be awarded to women who own small businesses or are pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. Per our company’s values and efforts toward promoting diversity and inclusion, one of the four grants is reserved for a business owned by a BIPOC applicant.
      Applications are open to the public—to be eligible, applicants must identify as women, be U.S. residents, and be 21 years of age or older. The four awardees will receive $5000 in business funding, as well as exposure through theeverygirl.com and The Everygirl’s social media channels.
      Applications open TODAY, October 1, and will be accepted through Sunday, October 11 at 11:59pm CST. To learn more about the application/selection process, requirements, and timeline, click here. 

       
      Why This Grant Matters:
      According to the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), there are 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States, generating about $1.8 trillion per year in revenue and employing 9.2 million people. Four out of every 10 U.S. businesses are owned by women, and the sector is growing quickly—the number of businesses owned by women has increased by 58 percent since 2007. 
      Businesses owned by Women of Color are growing especially quickly, making up 47 percent of all women-owned businesses and increasing by 163 percent between 2007 and 2018. Women of Color founded 64 percent of new women-owned businesses in 2017.
      Yet, according to a report by Fundera, men are still 20 percent more likely than women to receive business financing and loans.  
      As women entrepreneurs ourselves, we can see a still-obvious gap in resources for women looking to get a business off the ground. By creating The Everygirl’s Women-Owned Business Grant, we hope to provide an opportunity for women business owners to receive the funding they might not be able to find elsewhere. 

       
      Celebrating Women, Celebrating You
      The Everygirl’s Women-Owned Business Grant is powered by La Marca Prosecco, an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many small business owners go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and La Marca Prosecco’s generous donation allows us to provide funding for women in business who are passionate about what they do. 
      We have previously partnered with La Marca Prosecco to present The Everygirls Rise Conference, a virtual event centered around empowering women—not only in life but also in their careers. The Everygirl’s Women-Owned Business Grant allows us to take this partnership between like-minded companies a step further by providing direct business funding to the women entrepreneurs who attend our conferences. 
      This grant is available to everyone—whether your business was impacted by the COVID-19 economic crisis, you are looking to invest in new equipment or employees, or you just need extra funding to take your business to the next level. We invite you to submit an application and encourage you to share this opportunity with any women you know that own a business. 
      We cannot wait to read your application and learn more about your business!
      Sincerely,Alaina and Danielle  More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      6 Ways to Be an Advocate for Women of Color in the Workplace

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      The workplace can present tricky situations and conversations to navigate for anyone. As we work as a nation towards actual change, it’s important to understand the places and ways where white people can make a difference and implement change, not just internally, but also on an organizational level at work. Being a leader, amplifying the voices of BIPOC colleagues, and advocating for BIPOC in the workplace are just some of the responsibilities of being a white ally. Your BIPOC coworkers shouldn’t feel as though they’re on their own. We connected with Dominique Fluker, Senior Contributor at ForbesWomen, to find out more about some of the most effective ways to be an advocate for your BIPOC coworkers—and why it’s so essential.

      1. Embrace discomfort
      Being an ally is going to come with feelings of discomfort. The conversations have the potential to be anxiety-provoking, like any road less traveled would be. Further, there could be an underlying guilt or shame behind the feeling of wishing you had done more sooner. The term ‘growing pains’ wasn’t coined without reason—with change of any kind comes uncomfortable situations, and embracing that idea will be a part of creating change. Acknowledge that in being an advocate for BIPOC in the workplace, you’re probably going to be faced with conversations or scenarios that you haven’t yet faced, and just because their newness doesn’t provide the same comfort as a routine scenario would, doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile. Discomfort and advocacy in the workplace are part of the necessary evolution we all need to have an active hand in creating. 

      Source: Bonnin Studio | Stocksy

      2. Amplify Voices
      Amplifying the voices of BIPOC in the workplace means more than posting infographics on social media. While that is a good first step, we asked Fluker the best ways to advocate. “Some powerful ways women can advocate effectively for WOC is to praise their work product, defend, and elevate them to the roles of senior leadership. Too often, you find Black women diminished and silenced within the workplace. Given the times that we’re living in, I encourage women to actively and not passively advocate for WOC and Black women in the workplace. We’re more than capable of making the tough leadership decisions and being visible on strategies and executing them.” Dominique highlighted key words: praising, defending, and elevating BIPOC in the workplace in an effort to make change. These verbs together all lead to amplifying the voices of BIPOC and give people a clear call to action in regards to what to do to be an advocate in the workplace. 

      Source: rawpixel

      3. Learn to Support in Multiple Ways
      We can all say that we support racial equality and that we want to have a hand in the change, but what does that really mean? Having the thought is a good start, but Dominique outlined clear ways to amplify BIPOC women in the workplace, and a lot of that amplification stems from trust. “Trust us to do our jobs well and support our creative ideas, without constantly second-guessing or doubting our abilities,” said Dominique. Trust is essential to teamwork and success in a workplace environment, and would build a solid foundation of support for your BIPOC colleagues.
      With a foundation solidified, other ways of support can come into play. “Elevate our voices, listen to our opinions, and encourage us to speak out more. Advocating publicly doesn’t JUST mean praising our work product and ideas, but it can also look like mentorship, sponsorship, and acceptance. Most Black women in corporate and in the workplace want to be promoted and paid accurately for our work. We’re now looking for sponsorship within the workplace; a sponsor is a senior-level staff member who’s invested in a protégé’s career success. We want senior leaders to be invested in us, just as much as we’re invested in producing quality and innovative work,” Dominique said. Perhaps in your workplace you’re in a position to shine a light on a BIPOC colleague’s work or success that’s going unnoticed by other senior leaders. By the same token, if you have that ability, you probably have the ability to make an effort to mentor a BIPOC colleague. 

      Source: Studio Firma | Stocksy

      4. Actively Educate
      Committing yourself to diversifying the media you consume, the influencers and accounts you follow, the articles and books you read, and the conversations you participate in revolving around white privilege and racial bias is essential to creating change. As an ally, take the responsibility to educate yourself, and don’t rely on BIPOC to educate you. The more you learn and progress, the more you can educate and help other white people to progress, and incite them to do the same.

      5. Be Unafraid
      “Most times, non-WOC are afraid to come forth and protect Black women in the workplace,” Dominique said. “I encourage all white women to be vocal when they know someone is being treated wrongly in the workplace, and if the employee has too heavy of a workload.” Speaking up for what is right can be scary, but allies must be unafraid of speaking up for change. There is a fear associated with speaking up, but as you flex that advocate muscle more and more, it’ll get stronger and you’ll learn and get better at navigating conversations. The work is far from over, which makes evolution increasingly important.

      Source: rawpixel

      6. Create Resources
      At your job, take note of the development opportunities. From my experience in a workplace environment and in graduate school, typically there are professional development requirements or training requirements, but are there opportunities for you and your colleagues to progress in terms of diversity and equality? Does the place you work for offer trainings around implicit bias and fairness in the workplace? If the answer is no, this is an opportunity for you to speak up about putting some of those trainings, discussions, or forums in place, and in turn, do your part of educating more people and spreading more awareness.
      At the end of the day, it comes down to the actual doing. Fluker said it well: “Don’t be silent. Silence is compliance. To be a true advocate and ally, try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and think of active and helpful solutions for WOC that won’t always serve you personally. It’s not beneficial to pry and be overly involved in their personal lives or make assumptions about their household and career trajectory. You don’t own Black women. They are your colleagues.” Our peers deserve our acknowledgment, advocacy and respect in the workplace, and we must all take on the responsibility to help push the movement of equality forward. For most people, an office or work environment is where a large chunk of their time is spent, and it should be a place where everyone gets a fair shake. We must do our part, as advocates for BIPOC in the workplace, to make sure that happens.   More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      5 Ways to Rebuild Your Finances, Even During COVID

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      To many, 2020 has felt like the plot of a bad, post-apocalyptic movie, one in which the main characters are long overdue for a reversal of fortune. While it’s true that, as of writing, the stock market is back in the green, and unemployment rates are falling from their highs earlier this year, the grim reality is that, for many of us, the coronavirus impacted our financial livelihoods in a very real way. Some lost income via layoffs, reduced hours, or pay cuts. Some had to use hard-earned emergency or retirement funds to pay for health expenses, rent, childcare, or groceries. Others panicked as the stock market fell, and sold their stocks for less than they were worth earlier in the year. If that’s you, you’re likely asking, where do I go from here? While everyone’s situation is unique, there are a few principles that can help you get back on track.  

      1. Take advantage of assistance.
      Legislation passed over the past six months has temporarily increased unemployment assistance, waived interest on federal student loans, increased the amount that you can borrow from your 401K (warning: last resort!), and more. Look into what help might apply to you, and take advantage of it. You might even try giving your private student loan lenders or credit card companies a call to ask whether they might offer temporary relief. The worst that they can say is no.  

      2. Take a deep breath and remember that all is not lost.
      Everyone has heard about the legendary investor Warren Buffett. What many don’t know is that he made more than 99 percent of his $86 billion-plus fortune after he turned 50. How? By diligently spending less than he earned, and systematically investing his savings in stocks. So now that you know it’s possible, the next step is budgeting.

      3. Review your saving and spending.
      If there ever were a silver lining, it was that “shelter in place” and social distancing rules gave us an opportunity to reevaluate the way that we allocate our income. For example, you might have been spending $200+ per month on a gym membership, but have since found that $10-15 monthly streaming services are just as heart-pumping, and more convenient. One simple approach, made popular by Elizabeth Warren, is that 50 percent of your income should go to needs, 30 percent to non-essentials, and 20 percent to savings and debt payments. Take a look at your own spending over the past few months. How does it compare? Where can you make a change? One of my favorite quotes from Morgan Housels’s, “The Psychology of Money” states that, “One of the most powerful ways to increase your savings isn’t to raise your income. It’s to raise your humility.” In other words, spend less on what’s Instagram-worthy, and more on what will set you up for long-term financial independence. But you can’t just save your way to success.

      4. Invest in the stock market.
      Once you have a solid cash savings fund to cover short-term and unexpected needs (this number looks different for everyone), it’s time to become an investor. You have to put your savings to work, in a diversified portfolio, to capitalize on compound growth. Think of it this way. If you save $6,000 per year over 30 years and keep it in the bank, at the end of 30 years, you have $180,000. Simple math. If you invest $6,000 per year over 30 years, assuming the stock market continues to return somewhere near 10 percent per year on average over the long-term, you’ll wind up with around $980,000. And you did the same amount of work! It is less overwhelming than it seems. If you’re contributing to a 401K plan at work, you’re already doing it. In fact, since retirement should really be called 30 years of unemployment, that’s one goal you should definitely be working towards, so if you don’t have a 401K, consider opening an individual retirement account, or IRA, which gives you the same benefit of allowing your retirement savings to grow tax-deferred (more on the types and benefits of IRAs here).

      5. Don’t let up.
      When times get tough, like, for example, on March 23, 2020 when the S&P 500 was down 34 percent from its previous high, avoid, at all costs, the big mistake. That is, don’t let up on your strategy of systematically investing your savings, and definitely, definitely, don’t sell your investments if you can avoid it. The only way to “lock in” stock market losses is to sell while the market is down. In fact, as our late-life billionaire friend Warren Buffet said, it is wise for investors to be “fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” What he means is, think of market downturns as “stocks on sale.” Invest cash that you don’t need, or at least just stay put, because what history shows us is that while markets are volatile in the short term, over the long run, they will reward you for your patience. 
      For those who are still struggling to pay day-to-day bills, steps four and five will likely have to wait. If you’ve depleted emergency funds, and the assistance you’re entitled to from the state or federal government isn’t enough, you may, in fact, have to use a credit card to pay for everyday essentials. But remember to do so wisely: pay as much as you can off the card every month, and call your issuer to ask about temporary interest relief—then pay off the debt you’ve built as soon as you are able to do so. Remember that small, positive decisions over time will allow you to build the wealth that will provide you with freedom and flexibility, no matter your income (remember the Vermont janitor Ronald Read, who made headlines a few years ago for saving $8 million?).
      For those looking for more personalized advice, you might consider interviewing a few financial advisors. When I began my career in wealth management, I put together answers to several common questions you might have about working with a partner on your financial future—you can read them here. 

      All investments carry some level of risk, including loss of principal. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. This is for educational and discussion purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security or pursue any investment strategy. More

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      in health and weelbeing

      6 Simple Ways to Have Better Posture at Your Desk

      by

      You’re probably currently sitting at your desk reading this, blissfully unaware of your posture right now—and that’s perfectly normal. It can be difficult to always be mindful of your posture, especially during a hectic workday through hours of Zoom meetings and conference calls.Your posture is a very important indicator of your overall health, as it supports blood flow, improves your mood, increases your confidence, and strengthens your other muscles and joints. Practicing better posture while at your desk at work or at home, even in the smallest ways, is a great way to be mindful of your health on a daily basis, and there are a few quick ways you can improve your posture as you go along your workday. Give your posture some attention and work smarter, not harder, at your desk.  

      1. Switch up your seating 
      Your seating can make or break your posture—literally. Seating with little to no back support, worn-out chairs, and working from your couch or bed could wear on your body over time, straining your shoulders, spine, and lower back. 
      If your desk chair doesn’t have the support you need to sit comfortably and in an upright position for an hour or two at a time, you may need to switch up your seating. A good, ergonomic chair for your workspace will have lumbar support to help the middle of your back, where most of the tension goes when you’re hunched over your desk. You also want to pick a chair that keeps your body at a neutral, upright position with an adequate seat height that keeps your arms and legs leveled and a backrest that isn’t too firm or too soft. 
      If you’re now working from home, make sure to be mindful of where and how you’re sitting. Set up your own workspace with a desk and chair that supports your back and shoulders and promotes better posture over time.

      2. Take frequent stretch breaks 
      Spending hours upon hours every day in a seated position where your back is either slouched or hunched over is detrimental to your posture. Many health professionals have declared that sitting has now become the new smoking, a popular myth that compares the negative chronic health effects of both, such as weight gain and diabetes.
      Prolonged sitting can have long-lasting effects on not only your back, but on your overall health. Make it a priority to get up and move around on a regular basis throughout your workday to give your body some relief from sitting and staring at a screen all day. Put yourself on a daily schedule to get some time away from the desk to give your back a break from sitting in an upright position, putting more pressure on your spine. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your workday and forget to move, so set an alert on your work calendar or on your phone as a regular reminder to take a break and switch up your posture by taking a walk, standing briefly in between meetings, stretching, or getting a quick exercise in. 

      Source: Danielle Moss

      3. Exercise for better posture
      When we exercise, we often forget to exercise for better posture, especially as working from home becomes more prevalent. Your posture is key to better overall health, and taking out the time to focus on it during your workday can help prevent lifelong body issues. 
      Exercising throughout the workday for better posture can be as simple as standing upright for an hour or two at a time at your desk, stretching and rotating your neck to relieve some of the tension from hours of working, or getting a good back bend at the waist to loosen up that lower back. Give yourself a few small breaks during the workday to work out those kinks in your shoulders, neck, and back from sitting too long, and focus on exercises specifically for those areas. 

      4. Keep your workspace eye level
      Hunching over your desk to look at your laptop or to type is one of the key indicators of poor posture. If your laptop or desktop computer isn’t eye level, it makes it easy to slouch and get stuck working that way for hours. 
      Do an overall assessment of your workspace, including your laptop, your monitor, your desk, and your computer accessories like your keyboard and mouse to make sure they are level to your eyesight and body to ensure that you’re not straining your neck, shoulders, and back to use your devices. Your workspace should be at a comfortable level, but upright enough where your posture isn’t compromised. Switch up the positioning of your workspace so that it makes it easier to sit upright while still being effective throughout the day. If you work remotely or from home, find a better place to set up your workspace like on a high bar-style countertop where you can easily sit in an upright position, or even stand and work for a change of pace. 

      Source: Jenny Komenda | Juniper Studio

      5. Practice mindfulness of your posture 
      It can be difficult to take a lunch break or grab a second cup of coffee during the workday when you’re juggling emails and meetings, let alone be actively aware of how your body feels. Taking the time out to connect with your body every so often throughout the day to see how it feels can seem like another item for your to-do list, but your back most importantly will thank you for it! 
      Practice being mindful of your posture throughout the workday by setting frequent reminders on your phone to check in with your body. There are plenty of mindfulness apps that can help you break away from your work mentally for a few minutes to give your body and mind a quick check-up. Block off time in your work calendar to check in with yourself, your posture, your mood, and your overall body. Scheduling time on your work calendar helps you stay accountable to yourself and your health. 
      Use this mindfulness to be more aware of your posture on a daily basis and when you place the most tension on your back. Do you find that your posture suffers during long Zoom meetings? Are you sitting for more than 2-3 hours at a time in the mornings or afternoons? Take note daily of all of your workspace habits and how it impacts your posture and your overall body. This will help you anticipate and be more mindful of your posture during the most stressful times of your day and prepare to change it up.

      6. Keep your feet flat on the floor 
      Your feet and their position while at your desk play a crucial role in your overall posture while sitting. If your feet are crossed or elevated, that could compromise your posture, as your weight is primarily on one leg or your back is taking the brunt of it. When your feet are flat on the floor and properly leveled, the weight of your body is evenly distributed across your hips. Keeping your feet flat on the floor also makes you more mindful of the overall stance of your body, as it unconsciously makes you straighten up.
      Practice keeping your feet fully on the floor for longer periods of time instead of elevating them using a footrest or crossing your legs at the knees underneath your desk. Planting your feet on the ground will help you be more aware of your posture and if you’re slouched or hunched over your desk. 

      Your posture is a key indicator of your body’s health during your workday. Don’t ignore any signs of back or shoulder pain; make it a point to take care of yourself while working, starting with your posture.  More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      Got the Sunday Scaries? Try These 9 Things

      by

      Last weekend, I texted one of my friends to hang out. Her response: “It’s Sunday. You cannot pull me out of bed on Sundays.” I remember times when I related to this all too well. There’s a whole unspoken thing that Sundays are off-limits; they’re reserved for doing nothing and simultaneously stressing out about the fact that you’ve, in fact, done nothing all day. It’s that impending doom of a Sunday evening, thinking about everything you have to get done and accomplish that week. It’s more than just being sad the weekend’s over, and it can truly take away all the joy of a Sunday. I’m sure you’re wondering: Beth, how on Earth are you speaking in the past tense here? Are you immune to the Sunday Scaries? Nope, I’ve just conquered them. If I’m being honest, I actually enjoy Sundays now. 
      After years of anxious Sunday nights spent alone coveting my precious free time and cursing the man (because of course it was) who created the 40-hour workweek, I’ve grown to appreciate the ample planning-time I get on a Sunday afternoon. Wondering how I’ve done it? These are my secrets to a productive Sunday (and in turn, a much better week). 

      1. Chop your vegetables
      The first step is obviously getting ready for the week, and while a full night of meal prep definitely does the trick, a simple and easy way to get ready without giving up your evening is simply doing the bare minimum to prepare your meals for the week. For me, it’s chopping up all the vegetables I plan to eat throughout the week. For you, it might be preparing the salad you’ll eat for lunch every day. Maybe it’s cooking up a chicken breast in the crockpot. You don’t have to put a bunch of meals in little containers to get yourself for the week. Whatever you can do to make your daily meals easier on you is worthwhile. 

      2. Prep your coffee
      In the same vein as a little meal prep, prepare your beverages too, namely your morning coffee. Make sure you have all the necessities: creamer, K-cups, clean mugs, your milk frother, all the syrups you love. However you make your coffee, get it ready for the next day. More of a Starbucks or Dunkin girl? Set your keys and wallet out and prepare your mobile order. No matter what, you know you’ll have some good caffeine in the morning. Honestly, thinking about how good your coffee’s about to be might even make you excited for Monday morning. 

      Source: @equilibriawomen

      3. Try CBD
      First of all, if you’re not taking CBD, now’s the time to start. I love Equilibria because of how easy it was to find the right dosing for me. I was able to talk with one of their dosing specialists to come up with my perfect routine to beat Sunday Scaries once and for all. I normally take a Daily Softgel in the morning and use their Daily Drops at night, but when I’m feeling extra anxious on Sunday, I add in half a dropper of the Daily Drops in the morning as well to keep my stress at bay. Perhaps you could add some CBD at night, or change how much you take in the morning. I also have enjoyed adding baths to my self-care routine, and the Mineral Soak makes it so relaxing. After I take one of those baths, truly nothing can phase me. Use code “theeverygirl” for 20 percent off your first purchase at Equilibria! 

      Equilibria
      Brilliance Box

      The Brilliance Box includes Daily Drops for fast-acting, targeted relief, Daily Softgels for a sustained-release, and topical Relief Cream for local discomfort.

      As per FDA guidelines, Equilibria CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or ailment. As always, consult with your physician before starting any new program that may interact with your current health plan.

      Source: @rachparcell

      4. Create a Sunday self-care routine
      I live by “work hard, relax harder.” If you spent a whole week busting your ass on a project, you deserve to have a fun weekend, whether that’s getting together with friends for a wine night or lighting expensive candles and watching TV for hours on end. While you can certainly play it by ear, seeing what works best for you that day, I’ve found success creating a routine for my Sundays all about self-care. When the anxiety creeps in, I know I can do these few things to wind down and get excited for the week ahead. For me, this looks like doing my skincare routine early, wearing a face mask, putting new sheets on my bed, reading a book, and writing for fun. It gives me something to look forward to every Sunday evening, rather than focusing on how stressed I am about the week ahead. Plus, it sets me up for success the next day. I’m relaxed and rested! Play around with a routine that works for you based on your own ideas of self-care.

      5. Make enjoyable plans for the week
      Sit down on Sunday and schedule your week with more than just the work meetings and workouts. Add in the times you’ll hang out with friends, when you’ll call your mom, the couple hours you want to spend baking a new treat, and more. One of the biggest reasons for the Sunday scaries is fearing for everything you have to do that week, but if you turn it around and start looking at everything you’re looking forward to, that anxiety might start to balance out a little bit. 

      Source: @calpak

      6. Brain dump
      A lot of the time, we get so stressed on Sunday because we’re thinking about all those unwritten things that need to be done. It might not be in your work task-list, but you have to message your boss about that tax question, or you randomly realize you need clarification on a project before you can get started. These can really fill up your brain, and before you even realize, it’s all the little menial tasks that clog your excitement for a new week. Sit down and get these all out on paper (or on your phone or computer—I’m partial to a Slack message to myself because I’ll have to go back and read it Monday morning). Then, you’ll have a much easier time sleeping and relaxing knowing those points are written down somewhere for you to easily remember.
       
      7. Rework your to-do list
      If you’re feeling bogged down because you have a mile-long to-do list every single day, it might be time to rethink how you set up your goals for the week. While making your large tasks into a bunch of small ones works for some people, it might be the opposite for you, causing you stress about checking off a million things the next day. Instead, make a priorities list. Make one priority for the next day and tell yourself that the world will keep turning as long as you accomplish that one task. Then, everything else is just extra. A daily “top three” might work for you by convincing you that you only have to do those three things that day, while everything else is a bonus. Make your to-do list work for you; don’t let it kill you.
       
      8. Add your after-work goals to your to-do list
      While you’re looking at everything you have to do in the next week, make sure to add non-work-related tasks too. “Go for a bike ride with friends,” “Write a handwritten letter to someone,” “Try a seasonal recipe,” “Order that sweater I’ve been eyeing.” Being productive doesn’t have to mean that we scheduled a week’s worth of social content or called 10 potential clients. Especially if you’re working from home, it’s easy to get so lost into work that you forget about your after-work hours. Plan for those too!

      Source: @amybartlam

      9. Address any pain points in your job
      Likely some aspect of your job is what’s making you stressed, so do what you can throughout this week to actually make a change rather than putting a bandaid on the problem. If your boss’s constant demands stress you out, have a candid conversation about how they can change how they assign you tasks. Talk to your coworkers about creating a system of non-distracted working throughout certain parts of the day. Ask your supervisor if you can have more liberty with your deadlines. And if you are truly just miserable because you hate your company or dislike the work you’re doing, a self-care day won’t make work on Monday any easier. Invest the time into searching for your passion and finding a job that fits your life and goals better. All the face masks and to-do list tweaks in the world won’t reduce your stress if you truly just hate your job. More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      The 4 Work-From-Home Rules I’m Breaking for Better Results

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      Many of us are hitting a stretch of work-from-home fatigue. We’re nearly six months into this and many of us have slim prospects of returning full time to an office this year, so I’m finding I need to amend the ideal work-from-home standards. If you are fortunate enough to have a job that can be done from home, productivity has probably gone in many directions over 2020.First, a reminder that productivity isn’t just doing more work, faster. Getting “better results” during this time period is about producing whatever outcome is meaningful to your life. More time to get creative in the kitchen? Productive! Learning to let go of things we can’t control? Productive! These may not be the gold standard of work from home that make sense in normal times, but they’re more reflective of my personal work-from-home style. These are the rules I’m breaking to make it through this time of “Pandemic, but make it work from home.”

      1. Dress for your work day
      Along the way in 2020, dress for your day morphed into curating the perfect work-from-home loungewear capsule. While I definitely added in a few new pairs of joggers, I’m far gone from stressing over the perfect look for a video call. The last thing I need right now is decision fatigue over what to wear, staring in to a closet that was built for a business formal office life.
      Instead, I’ve extracted five “Zoom toppers.” It’s my favorite mix of blouses, a sweater, and a knit blazer that fit the bill for any time I’m on camera. Outside of that, I’ve let go of the pressure to figure out a perfect work-from-home look. The non-negotiable tasks for me include a little bit of hair care and daily minimal makeup. Slim down your daily essential get ready routine, revel in this moment of not being coiffed to the nines, and spend that time elsewhere.

      2. Set up a dedicated workspace
      I am delighted for you ladies that have the room for a chic dedicated workspace. (Hello, home office goals!) A fabulous home office set up is a huge part of making work from home livable. But some of us are in smaller spaces, sharing home office space with kids and partners, or have decamped to stay with families.
      A dedicated workspace that I can count on daily is a bit of a pipe dream. Instead, focus on the space you need for specific tasks. When I know I need to be on camera, I’m at the kitchen counter with better light and fewer background distractions. Emails happen on the couch and hard number crunching gets a few hours at the bedroom desk. This idea of tying tasks to spaces has helped me be much more deliberate with my time. It’s also giving me enough variety to feel not completely claustrophobic in my space.

      3. Keep set work hours
      I pop out of bed at 5:30am ready to go. Before I know it, it’s 9:30, and a traditional half work day is under my belt while others are just getting started. On the flip side, my productivity hits a major slump in the afternoons. Shifting my schedule around gives me the opportunity to destress with workouts or personal tasks, depending on my daily workload.
      If at all possible, negotiate with your manager on your daily schedule and when you must be online or available. If you are leading a team, manage your employees’ outputs and outcomes, not how they get there. This is always a good leadership best practice, and it’s even more important as kids head back to school, care for family members changes, or to combat the fatigue of more months ahead of this type of balancing act.

      4. Stay visible to your team
      It is important to stay visible to your team and manager in any condition. It’s especially important now as companies are tightening expenses. In the beginning of this work-from-home period, you might have had a lot of check-ins or more team meetings. Some of us may have even been instigating those check points to win over work from home non-believers.
      Now that we’re in a bit of a rhythm, my “visibility” efforts look different. Instead of getting burnt out from unnecessary task check-ins or an endless stream of zoom happy hours, I’m being more deliberate with how I stay top of mind. At the beginning of the week, I might drop a note to my manager of everything on my plate. I forward that note on a Thursday afternoon to let them know my progress, which gives me all of Friday to redirect or pick up any loose ends.
      Visible also doesn’t have to mean “on video.” Now, I’m also much more deliberate about when I join on screen and I reply to meeting requests letting the host know my plan in advance. This gives them an opportunity to weigh-in if one option is preferable. I also now try to issue meeting appointments with that consideration. Sometimes I’ll include a note asking a list of the key decision makers to join on screen if possible, and encourage others to just listen in as needed. 

      Are there any work from home rules you’re breaking with better results?  More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      HGTV’s Breegan Jane on Finding Her Eye and What Success Really Looks Like

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      She flips houses, perfects interiors, manages international real estate projects, stars in one of the most iconic home-improvement shows, writes children’s books, runs a lifestyle blog, and and even has more new projects on the horizon. “Chances are, if it’s artistic, I’ve done it,” says Breegan Jane, the CEO, founder, and owner of Breegan Jane LLC. This renaissance woman had a keen eye for design and visuals starting at a very young age, which led to the most inspiring and eclectic career trajectory that combined her natural talents with her passions. Breegan’s tenacity for taking on new, challenging opportunities and her innate desire to lend a hand to anyone in need make her someone we can truly say that we admire and learn so much from. Ready to meet your new entrepreneurial and creative idol? Keep reading to find out how she juggles it all, what projects she dreams of taking on in the future, and the philosophy that governs all of her work. Trust us, you’ll want to take notes!

      Name: Breegan Jane, CEO/Owner/Founder, Breegan Jane LLCAge: Young!Location: Los Angeles, CAEducation: My path to becoming an interior designer was lined with several educational and entrepreneurial events that made it impossible for me to deny my innate creative passion. I am largely self-taught, though I did attend art school and study the classic courses of study. As my skill and enthusiasm matured, I realized I possessed an unrelenting interest in representing the visual. At 19 I owned a clothing store, and I would spend hours in the middle of the night working on window displays. I should have known at that point that this would all lead to a future in design. Opportunity lined up with talent and career, and a business in the world of interiors was born!

      Let’s start with your background! What was your first job, and how did you land it? 

      I had a modeling career that started at 2 years old. I was required to have a work permit that listed my information and my company, which was Esprit.

      Talk us through your career trajectory from there. What led to you to discovering your passion for interior design?

      It’s interesting, because even as a child model I had an affinity for projects that appeal to the eye. From there I owned my own retail store as a teen, and that transitioned my eye from designing clothes and staging mannequins to designing the interior of my store. That energy continued to develop as I was offered an opportunity to stage luxury yachts in Texas. That led to other opportunities like redesigning an entire plane hangar for a private client, and the career started booming from there.

      Source: @breeganjane

      Growing up, did you always have a keen eye for art and design? How did your creative outlets change and evolve over the years? 

      Yes! I didn’t know interior design was my calling, but as I reflect, visual representation was something I was always drawn to. I tried my hand at several things: designing clothing, web design. I even painted backpacks and sold them at 16. I was always creating something in the middle of the night. Chances are, if it’s artistic, I’ve done it. All of these interests came together in the career I was supposed to have. Design truly allows me to effectively and creatively use my talent in a way that satiates my artistic spirit.

      Your resume is rather impressive (to say the least!), with you having worked on unique spaces like personal music studios, and having managed large international real estate projects. What’s one project that you feel most proud of, and why? 

      I think it would have to be my first residential flip. It was the first time I went out completely on my own in areas of both design and execution. I challenged myself in so many ways. It was the first time I did a tub in shower design, which would later become one of my signatures. When I look back, that project as a whole isn’t my favorite design-wise, because it was at the beginning of my design journey. However, it serves as a reference point for my love of bathroom design and my desire for pushing the envelope. It was a successful endeavor that took a lot of risks and betting on myself. I accomplished that project solely on my own—pregnant with my first child, no less. It’s a great reminder when I’m faced with more challenging things that I can do everything I set my mind to do.

      Chances are, if it’s artistic, I’ve done it. All of these interests came together in the career I was supposed to have. Design truly allows me to effectively and creatively use my talent in a way that satiates my artistic spirit.

      Which one proved to be the biggest challenge to work on? 

      My most challenging projects are the ones that involve clients who are unsure of what they truly want. Often, if a client is in the midst of emotional turmoil and trying to find themselves, they can take a designer on a proverbial winding road to their design destination. That’s not to say that it can’t be amazingly therapeutic to help someone find themselves. However, many clients are seeking answers to their lives through what they want “identity” to be in their homes. If they don’t have a good sense of that, you can get lost in helping them find it. If they’re open to guidance and suggestions, it’s an awesome experience. 
       
      Source: @breeganjane

      OK—so naturally, we have to ask you about your stellar spot on HGTV’s relaunch of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” What an incredible gig! What was the process of landing that like, and how did you manage transitioning from “normal life” design to TV design?

      I feel so honored to be a part of the show. They actually found me! I never imagined I’d get that opportunity, and I was so pleasantly surprised. I’ve always watched and loved that show. The transition was a major one, and in order to do it successfully, I had to lean heavily on my team. I tell people all the time that Breegan Jane LLC isn’t just a singular person, it’s a group of people working to make it all happen. Ultimately it all came down to equipping my team with the tools they needed to get the job done, and entrusting them with more responsibility.
       

      I tell people all the time that Breegan Jane LLC isn’t just a singular person, it’s a group of people working to make it all happen. Ultimately it all came down to equipping my team with the tools they needed to get the job done, and entrusting them with more responsibility.

      Surely, it must have really tugged at your heartstrings to see families emotionally react to coming home and having their entire lives changed with the incredible transformations you and your team made. How did “EMHE” change your perspective on interior design and home renovation? What was the most important lesson you learned being a part of that experience?

      EMHE made me question everything about what can be achieved in design. Watching a house be erected in five days out of pure love and community support was something I never thought would be possible. I learned so much during that experience. It was interesting to hold emotional space for something so much bigger than me. Day after day I was the recipient of so many hugs and so much gratitude actually meant for thousands of people. Watching these beautiful families tell their triumphant stories, knowing my role was to be a lens and function within the storytelling experience that isn’t my own, required me to dig deeply into my own emotional intelligence and empathy. I had to be a vessel for so much good, and I took that very seriously. It all made me want to be better in every way and in everything in life.

      Source: @breeganjane

      Being a designer, real estate developer, children’s book author, lifestyle blogger, small business owner, and (above all else) a mother, you can honestly be considered a modern renaissance woman. How do you balance all of these roles? If it all gets to be overwhelming at times, how do you unwind and disconnect for a bit?

      Balancing all of these aspects lies in the fact that they’re all genuine to who I am and what I care about. To the casual onlooker, these things may seem unrelated or disconnected. But each project I take on honors a part of myself that I believe needs to be expressed. My brand is me. It’s not just a name; it’s who I am. I wrote a book because it was in my heart to do so. I put my all into my business ventures, into giving back, and into motherhood. Taking on so much doesn’t feel burdensome; it feels necessary.
      I unwind with baths. Water feels healing for me. I love spending time in the ocean, but if I can’t do that, I’ll take a swim in the pool. Water helps cleanse the soul, and it’s an amazing practice for me. When there isn’t time for any of those things, I take baths. That time helps reset and refresh me.

      Day after day I was the recipient of so many hugs and so much gratitude actually meant for thousands of people. Watching these beautiful families tell their triumphant stories, knowing my role was to be a lens and function within the storytelling experience that isn’t my own, required me to dig deeply into my own emotional intelligence and empathy. I had to be a vessel for so much good, and I took that very seriously. It all made me want to be better in every way and in everything in life.

      What is a typical day in the life of Breegan Jane like?

      “Typical” doesn’t exist! Every day for me is atypical. I’m always up to something new and challenging, and my days are always a bit surprising. One thing I can guarantee is that they always include motherhood, friendship, and daily check-ins with loved ones more than others might see or expect. I feel very blessed to have a professional team, but I’m also blessed to have an emotionally supportive and loving tribe of friends whom I cherish. My days are incredibly long. I’m a bit of an insomniac, so a 5am-2am day can be typical. Currently, I’m doing a lot of media and content development, but design is always a part of everyday life in some form.

      Source: @breeganjane

      You’ve had such a full and exciting career already, but is there still something you’ve always wanted to work on, but haven’t gotten to yet? What’s a “dream project” you’ve always had on your mind? 

      Hotel design is something I would love the opportunity to do. I love the idea of creating spaces that will be used by a host of people from all walks of life and all corners of the world. When I design a home, it’s usually only going to be viewed and experienced by the owner and their guests. I welcome the challenge of creating “home” for any traveling wanderer in a hotel space.

      Source: @breeganjane

      What main philosophy governs all of the work you do, and any potential new project you decide to take on?

      Honesty, as a philosophy, governs my work. My clients can count on me to always work in excellence and give my absolute best. I lead with my heart, and my reputation reflects that. It’s important to me to always be genuine and to let you know if I don’t believe in something. I think the truth of what you do and how you feel only becomes more apparent as you climb the success ladder. I’ll always do my best. There’s nothing better than that!

      My brand is me. It’s not just a name; it’s who I am. I wrote a book because it was in my heart to do so. I put my all into my business ventures, into giving back, and into motherhood. Taking on so much doesn’t feel burdensome; it feels necessary.

      As a young girl, you would save your own money to help buy gifts and items for children who were less fortunate, which truly goes to show that regardless of our income, we can always give a little bit and lend a hand to those in need. How have your charitable efforts evolved since then, and what role does philanthropy play in your life now?

      I’ve surprised even myself in how involved I’ve been in the anti-FGM project in Kenya. I’ve realized that one of my dreams is to have schools for girls. That’s a lofty feat, but throughout my philanthropic efforts I’ve learned that enormous impact isn’t solely accomplished by enormous efforts. While I’ve helped establish a safe house and education center in Kenya, equally important are the days when my sons and I hand out blankets in Venice, California. The human connection is what it’s all about, and I never want to lose that in my giving back.

      If you could go back in time to give some advice to your 22-year-old self, what would it be? 

      Success and wisdom will come later than you expected, but they will feel more soul-filling than anything you could achieve before you’re 30. At 22, I thought age 27 would see me with 2.5 kids, the career and husband I wanted, and that would be my story! I now realize that my preferred timetable for setting and achieving goals isn’t written in stone. I can dream it, work for it, and trust that it all will develop and materialize in its perfect timing. That doesn’t always align with my initial set of “vision board deadlines,” but it happens as it’s supposed to. That’s what success looks like in my book.

      I now realize that my preferred timetable for setting and achieving goals isn’t written in stone. I can dream it, work for it, and trust that it all will develop and materialize in its perfect timing.

      Source: @breeganjane

      Breegan Jane is The Everygirl…
      What’s at the top of your bucket list? Expanding my brand internationally, which will allow me to chase all the bucket list travel plans I have.
      Late night snack of choice: Definitely Reese’s peanut butter cups!
      If you had a superpower, it would be: I would be the ultimate vessel of light and love who makes people feel seen, loved and appreciated. I’d want my powers to make people feel good about themselves and stand up a little taller.
      Your guilty pleasure book/movie/show: My favorite movie of all time, The Thomas Crowne Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. I never get tired of watching it.
      Your signature scent: Meadow by SKYLAR. I love that it’s organic, vegan, and cruelty-free, and it smells amazing.
      Top 3 items you must carry at all times: A legal pad, an extra phone charger, and a man wallet (it’s really handy!)
      If you could have lunch with any woman, who would it be and why? It would definitely be Michelle Obama or Oprah. I’d like to ask them both how we could fix this world we’re living in. I’m so convinced one of them has the answer! More