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Making The Best of Christmas with Difficult Family Members

“The Lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through together.”

– Garrison Keillor

blur face of a women seated on a sofa holding a coffee mug - christmas socks are the focus point

Christmas promises joyful carols, laughter, gifts, and a happy meal with those you love. 

But if we’re being honest, spending Christmas with the extended family can be stressful. You might have to deal with dysfunctional patterns, underlying resentment, unsolicited advice, intrusive questions, and the occasional angry outburst. But don’t despair. You can still have a merry time. Here are a few ways to deal with difficult family members. 

How To Deal With Difficult Family Members Over Christmas

Try Not To Fix Everything And Everyone

If you feel upset about something from the past or feel the urge to confront family members, don’t!

Christmas is not the right time to fix all those festering issues with family. Sometimes, it is just better to bury the hatchet and be cordial for a couple of days. This could set the stage for a better relationship and make it easier for the family to pursue therapy. 

Also, remember it is not up to you to fix everything. Instead, show kindness and compassion.

Get Some Alone Time

Christmas is an overwhelming time, even for the most functional families. There are relatives to catch up with and a lot of group activities. If you ever feel overwhelmed, take a break to recharge. 

You can schedule solo activities such as reading a book, star gazing or meditating. 

Try Not To Regress

Sometimes, family interactions trigger old wounds and coping mechanisms. You may find yourself reacting like your fourteen-year-old self, instead of a healthy adult with better-coping mechanisms.  

This is often frustrating and could leave you feeling vulnerable. Luckily, you are an adult now. So if you catch yourself regressing, take a deep breath and affirm your adulthood by reminding yourself of all your achievements and growth. 

Understand Your Family Member’s Coping Mechanism

Every member of the family has varied personality traits, expectations, and coping mechanisms. All these contribute to a complex family echo system that affects each family member differently. 

More often than not, your relative’s behaviour has nothing to do with you. It is just a way to cope with other family members. So show compassion and empathy and lower your expectations towards their behaviour. 

Set Boundaries

You can always say no to toxic family members, discussions, or triggering activities. Family gatherings are already stressful enough, so set boundaries to protect your mental health and keep you comfortable. 

Your boundaries can look something like coming home only for dessert instead of the whole meal or making it clear that you will not discuss your personal life or relationship. 

Debrief

wood fireplace on the background and a coffee mug and bowl of popcorn on the front

If you feel too overwhelmed by your family get-together, schedule a debrief session with a trusted family member, friend, or therapist. 

This session allows you to discuss stressful interactions and negative emotions that may worsen if left unchecked. It will help you reflect on your relationships and coping mechanisms and help you identify a way forward.

Even the most dysfunctional families have a little bit of love and joy to share. So let it be a season of happiness and healing. Cheers.

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Glowing All Year Round

“Beauty is in the skin!
Take care of it, oil it, clean it, scrub it, perfume it,
and put on your best clothes, even if
there is no special occasion, and
you’ll feel like a queen.” –

Fatima Mernissi

Keep Your Skin Glowing All Year Round

a close up image of a female with blue eyes and a silk scarf around her head

You can keep a healthy, radiant appearance all year long by taking care of your skin. No matter the season—summer, winter, spring, or fall a consistent skincare routine will ensure that your skin stays nourished, hydrated, and protected from environmental stressors.

Get Your Glow Back

The health of your skin generally depends on the products you use, your lifestyle, and your skincare routine. Here are a few tried and tested tips to keep your glow all year round.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO DOUBLE CLEANSE

Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin. Avoid harsh, stripping cleansers as they can strip away the natural oils your skin needs to stay healthy. Choose a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils.

DETOX YOUR SKIN

As you go about your day, toxins accumulate on your skin, making it appear dull and tired. Using a detox face mask at least once a week deep cleanses your pores of bacteria and inflammation. 

We recommend an activated charcoal mask with a blend of kaolin clay, bentonite clay, activated charcoal and tea tree oil. It removes toxins, treats acne and reduces inflammation all in one go. 

GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Ever heard of beauty sleep? Well, getting enough sleep is good for overall health, including the health of your skin. Sleep allows your skin to repair itself, leaving you fresh and rosy in the morning. 

Inadequate sleep increases the production of stress hormones that cause breakouts and blotchy skin. So aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to help your skin look its best.

Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!

Skin always feels better after a good moisturizing. Dry air strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving it unable to protect itself from cracking and flakiness. Moisturizing keeps your skin hydrated, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A good moisturizer boosts your moisture content without leaving your skin oily. We have a collection of moisturizers suitable for every skin type and easy to use after cleansing and exfoliating. And if you need more hydration, you can opt for a hyacinth facial mist that refreshes and soothes your skin.

Hydrate From The Inside Out

Drinking water prevents dry, flaky and itchy skin during dry months and reduces wrinkles. Water helps your body flush out toxins, reduces the occurrence of pimples and leaves you with glowing skin. A few glasses of water will increase blood flow to your skin, automatically improving your complexion.  

Let Your Skin Breathe

Remember, the best foundation you can wear is your natural healthy and glowing skin. So, stop wishing you had good skin and get it! Our natural and organic skincare products are worse trying!

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How To Follow Through

On Your New Year Resolutions

‘Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.’

scrabble tiles that read happy new year

It’s that time of year again – the start of a new year, and with it comes the opportunity to set new goals and resolutions. Whether you want to lose weight, save money, or learn a new skill, the beginning of the year is a natural time to reflect on what you want to accomplish.

However, it’s no secret that new year’s resolutions can be hard to stick to. According to a study by the University of Scranton, less than 8% of people achieve their new year’s resolutions. Luckily, there are steps you can take to be part of that successful 8%.  

Why Is It So Hard To Stick To Your New Year’s Resolutions?

There are several reasons why people forget about their New Year’s resolutions. If you find yourself abandoning your goals, it could be due to:

Making A Change

Here are some tips to help you follow through with your new year’s resolutions and make lasting changes in your life:

Be as specific as possible.  Rather than resolving to “exercise more,” set a specific goal such as “exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week.” This gives you a clear target to aim for and makes it easier to track your progress.

text surrounded by yellow note posts. Text reads I am a woman on a mission to...

Make a plan. Once you have your goal in mind, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Then, determine what action you need to take to achieve each small step. For example, if your goal is to save money, your plan might include creating a budget, cutting back on expenses, and saving money each month.

Keep track of your progress. Always track your progress along the way, including small achievements that contribute to the overall goal. Remember, even small achievements can be a great source of motivation.

Find accountability. Have someone else to keep you accountable and motivate you to achieve your goals. It could be a friend, family member, coach or mentor. Having someone to check in with and report your progress to can help you stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked.

Be Kind To yourself. Setbacks and failures are a normal part of the process. So, do not get discouraged if you don’t see immediate progress or if you slip up along the way. Instead, use these setbacks to learn and adjust your approach.

Stay flexible. Life can be unpredictable, So it is important to be flexible with your goals. In case something goes wrong, you can reassess and adjust your goals as you go. Just be sure to keep your ultimate goal in mind and stay focused.

Handwritten calligraphy note that reads "and so the adventure begins"

As the saying goes, ‘what the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.’

So bring some determination and positive energy, and remember to bet on yourself. 

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Women And Alone Time

“Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection
to balance out how much of ourselves we give away.”

Barbara De Angeli
A seated women looking at the mountain

Do you ever feel like you can’t catch a break? That your days are full of chores, meetings, and people? Well, you are not alone.

In today’s fast-paced world, there is little time to slow down and relax. And this is especially true for women. We nurture their families, make career moves, and maintain social schedules without skipping a beat. But in truth, most women, yourself included, can do with a break. After all, there is more to life than being superwoman. And what better way to take a break than spending some time by yourself. 

Let us look at why being alone is important and how you can slow down and refocus your energy. 

Why is Alone Time Good for You?

Solitude is known to increase mental health and life satisfaction. This could be a chance for you to:

Focus Inwards. Take this chance to slow down and focus on your thoughts and feelings away from the world.

Unleash Your Creativity. There is a reason why creatives prefer doing solo tasks. It is a chance to let your mind wander and test out different ideas. 

Build Mental Strength. Alone time gives you a chance to practice mindfulness and fortify your mind against stress and depression. 

Practice Self Love. Solitude allows you to learn more about yourself. Think of it as a chance to practice self-love, identify your values, and explore your passions.

“Alone time is when I distance myself from the voices of the world so I can hear my own.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Here Are Some Fun Alone Time Suggestions

There are hundreds of fun activities that you can indulge in. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.  

candle light

Have Your Own DIY Spa Time

Spa days are a great way to unplug and unwind. Unfortunately, getting pampered can be costly, but that should not stop you. You can create a DIY spa day and get some premium home relaxation. There are several tutorials on DIY home spas and a range of affordable beauty products and gadgets. Some DIY spa time will soothe your body, improve your sleep, relax your mind, and boost body image.

Karaoke. Be The Star of The Show!

If you want something fun to spice up your solo time, consider listening to your favourite music and hosting a solo karaoke night.  Listening to music can uplift your spirits and stimulate your brain. Plus, singing along has been known to have numerous benefits like improving memory and breathing. It can also be a cathartic experience that helps you release intense negative feelings. 

Learn a New Instrument

Taking up a new instrument is always fulfilling and can be a great way to improve your skillset. Unfortunately, learning a new instrument can be difficult and embarrassing, especially with a critical audience. Luckily, there is a better way to learn. Solo time is the perfect time to play your nasty tune until you perfect it. 

Solo Date Night

Dress up, slap on some make-up, and walk into your favourite restaurant. Despite the stigma of eating alone, it is often an empowering and fulfilling activity. You get to savour each bite without interruption and enjoy your own company.  

A lady looking al paintings at a museum

Visit a Museum or Exhibit

If you are into art and culture, consider spending your solo time at a museum or art exhibit. Both activities are a playground for your imagination and can offer a tranquil and insightful time. You will also have a chance to choose your itinerary and move at your own pace, spending more time on pieces you enjoy without being whisked away. Visiting a museum improves your imagination and creativity. So do not be afraid to bring a sketchbook along. 

Go To a Movie or Musical

Going to the movies or seeing a musical alone can be a rewarding and refreshing solution to your busy schedule. Sure, there are people around you, but you do not have to interact with them.  

Experiment In the Kitchen

Contrary to the idea that solo time is all about relaxing and winding down, it can also be a time to try out new recipes or create a unique dish. 

Binge Watching a Series

Perhaps the most popular form of alone time is binging on a Netflix show for a couple of hours. This is especially easy if you need to relax your mind. After all, TV is the perfect form of escapism. 

Treat Yourself Like A Queen

Most of us are conditioned to self-hate or rely on outside validation to feel worthy. You can break that cycle by changing how you perceive yourself, practicing self-awareness, and self-love.

Pamper yourself, buy some flowers, and practice positive self-talk. Even with your shortcomings, It is important to show yourself kindness. More importantly, applaud your achievements. This will have a positive effect on your confidence and outlook. Always remind yourself that you are worth loving, flaws and all. 

Meditate Or Pray

Solitude creates a perfect atmosphere to get in touch with your spirituality. Meditation and prayer can ground your emotions, increase positivity, and give you a sense of fulfillment. Let’s take a deep breath, clear your mind and focus. 

Sip Some Tea or Wine

There are assortments of calming and relaxing tea blends that would make a solo evening magical. Alternatively, you can pour yourself a glass of wine or fix yourself a cocktail. Next, pair your tea or wine with slow music, aromatic candles, and a good book. Alternatively, you could also use this time to journal to declutter thoughts and feelings.

A lady looking at a bright sunrise

Watch The Sunrise or Sunset

Watching the sunrise or sunset will pump new life into your soul. You can find peace and calm in all the brilliant colours as you sip your favourite beverage. 

Let The Fun Begin!

Venturing into the world of solitude often seems overwhelming. But, give it a try and find out by yourself that you are much braver than you give yourself credit for. 

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