Author: Shanice DK

Smart Money: How to Start a Stationery Business

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In this article we discuss How to Start a Stationery Business – Are you ready to turn your passion for stationery into a thriving business? Starting a stationery business can be both rewarding and profitable, but it requires careful planning and execution. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to kickstart your stationery business and make smart decisions along the way.

As a successful stationery entrepreneur, I am thrilled to share a quick start guide with you. Below you will find 9 steps to starting your own stationery business.

How to Start a Stationery Business

1. Idea and Product Generation

The first step in starting a stationery business is to generate ideas for your business or products. Many people already have the idea to sell stationery whether from a passion or just a need. For me, I wanted a specific planner and could not find it so I created my own. Saying this, consider your interests, expertise, and even future target audience to brainstorm unique and innovative stationery items or even to flesh out your idea. For instance, if time management is an issue for you, an idea could be a planner or even a notepad.

2. Niche and Marketing Research

Once you have a product idea, narrow down your niche and conduct deeper marketing research to validate your business idea. Identify your target audience, competitors, and selling channels to understand the competitive landscape. Determine your unique selling proposition (USP)- what will make you stand out? In my stationershop I wanted to sell sticky notes – my niche market was Black Women who wanted to stand out in their careers or personal lives. From here you will start to create a marketing plan that resonates with your target market. Consider platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for brand promotion and customer engagement. If you need help with fine-tuning a marketing plan, text me.

3. Product Creation & Sourcing

When it comes to product creation, you can start with either a collection or a single product to ease stress and lower expenses. You can begin with items like journals or sticky notes, either handmade or sourced from suppliers. Handmade products, such as notepads or planner inserts, can add a unique touch to your brand and allow for greater customization. You can sell printer pages and a binder as a simple planning bundle. Here is a great binder sample from amazon. If you want to print stationery at home, then there are a few printers for stationery businesses that are popular. I have these 2 models: 1. Inkjet printer for stationery: Canon Pixma Pro 100 or Laser printer for stationery: HP Laserjet M452DW

Alternatively, if handmade is not right for you then you can find suppliers from resources like my E-Book More than a Vendor List, which provides access to manufacturers for over 15 stationery products. For many products in my business I started doff handmade and quickly realized that if I used a print shop, I could leave time to focus on marketing the products as well as other entrepreneurial duties. The E-book has amazing print shops but you may also benefit from finding local shops near you.

4. Design Process & Packaging

Design plays a crucial role in the success of your stationery business. Whether you’re creating custom designs or sourcing pre-made templates, invest time and effort into crafting visually appealing and functional stationery products. Utilize design tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud to create stunning graphics and layouts. Explore websites like Creative Fabrica to find high-quality design elements and resources to enhance your designs. Many people even opt to hire a designer, sites like Fivver or People Per Hour are good for this.

If You are shipping products from your home them you will need to focus on packaging. For stationery, many people use the following packing items: Bubble mailers, shipping boxes, cello bags, card stock, label printer, business cards

5. Pricing Strategy

Determine the pricing for your stationery products by considering not only the direct product cost but also your design time and other overhead expenses. Factor in materials, production, packaging, shipping, and desired profit margin. Consider the value you’re providing to customers through your unique designs and craftsmanship. Research pricing of similar products to ensure competitiveness and profitability.

6. Legal Matters

Ensure that your business is legally compliant by registering it based on your state’s regulations and obtaining necessary licenses and permits. Plan for taxes and financial management to stay organized and compliant with your business obligations. Consider consulting with legal and financial professionals to ensure that you’re covering all legal matters and protecting your business interests.

7. Entrepreneurial Duties

As an entrepreneur, it’s important to allocate time for CEO Days, Content Days, and Product Days to effectively manage your business operations. CEO Days are dedicated to strategic planning and business development – this includes working on your website, budgeting, researching, and learning. While Content Days focus on creating and scheduling marketing materials, this could be social media or emails. Product Days are reserved for product creation and order fulfillment.

8. Marketing Plan

Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that hones in on your USP, target audience, and branding strategy. Create a logo that aligns with your product and brand identity, and decide on selling channels and marketing tactics. For instance, will you sell on your own website or on Etsy. Determine whether you’ll utilize social media platforms, pay-per-click advertising, or other marketing strategies. Stay consistent with your messaging and engage with your audience to build brand awareness and loyalty.

9. Getting Samples

Before launching your stationery products, order samples to ensure quality and test design and functionality. Reach out to suppliers or manufacturers to request samples, including different variations and finishes. Evaluate materials, printing, and packaging to ensure they meet your standards. Use samples to make adjustments before mass production, ensuring confidence in your products.

Starting a stationery business requires careful planning and attention to detail. We hope you found this guide on how to start a stationery business helpful. This article emphasized product generation, research, creation, design, pricing, legal matters, entrepreneurial duties, marketing, and quality assurance. With this, you can lay a solid foundation for a successful stationery brand. Embrace the journey, stay adaptable, and continually strive to innovate and improve your products to meet the needs of your target audience.

How to Open Successful Print on Demand Stores on Etsy with Printify

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Are you looking to start your own online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Many people open successful print on demand stores on Etsy. As such, selling print on demand products on Etsy through Printify might be the perfect opportunity for you. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up your Etsy shop and connecting it to Printify, as well as the benefits of selling print on demand products and how it can lead to financial freedom.

What is Etsy?

Etsy is a popular online marketplace where individuals can buy and sell handmade, vintage, and unique goods. With millions of active buyers, Etsy provides a platform for creative entrepreneurs to showcase their products and reach a global audience.

What is Printify?

Printify is a print on demand platform that allows you to create and sell custom-designed products without the hassle of inventory management or upfront costs. With Printify, you can choose from a wide range of products, including apparel, accessories, home decor, and more, and have them printed and shipped directly to your customers whenever an order is placed.

Audio-Visual learner? Watch the tutorial instead.

3 Benefits of Selling Print on Demand:

  1. No Upfront Costs: Unlike traditional e-commerce models where you have to invest in inventory upfront, print on demand allows you to create and sell products on demand, eliminating the need for inventory costs.
  2. Flexibility and Customization: With print on demand, you have the freedom to design and customize your products to suit your brand and target audience, giving you endless possibilities for creativity and personalization.
  3. Scalability: Print on demand offers unlimited scalability, allowing you to easily expand your product offerings and reach new customers without worrying about production or fulfillment logistics.

Common Print on Demand Products:

  • T-shirts
  • Hoodies
  • Mugs
  • Phone cases
  • Tote bags
  • Posters
  • Stickers
  • Notebooks

Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Print on Demand Stores:

  1. Open an Etsy Shop: Sign up for an Etsy account and complete the onboarding process to set up your shop. If you use this Etsy Shop Referral Link you will get your first 40 listings for FREE!
  2. Sign up on Printify: Click Here to Create an account on Printify and explore the wide range of products available for customization.
  3. Connect Your Etsy Shop to Printify: In Printify, open the store drop-down menu, followed by Manage my stores. Click Connect and then choose the Etsy option. For a detailed tutorial, watch this YouTube video on how to set up successful print on demand stores.
  4. Add products: Browse through Printify’s amazing catalog and find products that you could create and sell. This amazing video gives you 7-print on-demand products you’ve never heard of.
  5. Market Your Products: Once your Etsy shop is connected to Printify, it’s time to start marketing your products. Utilize social media, email marketing, and SEO strategies to reach your target audience and drive traffic to your shop.
  6. Stay Organized with a Daily Routine: To stay on top of your print-on-demand business and manage successful print on demand stores, it’s essential to have a set daily routine for publishing products and managing your shop. Consider using tools like the Thrive Daily Success Planner to help you stay organized and focused on your goals.

How Print on Demand Can Lead to Financial Freedom:

Print on demand offers a low-risk, high-reward business model that has the potential to generate passive income and financial freedom. By leveraging platforms like Etsy and Printify, you can create a profitable online business with minimal upfront investment and overhead costs. With dedication and perseverance, you can build a successful print on demand store that provides you with the financial freedom to pursue your passions and live life on your own terms.

In conclusion, selling print on demand products on Etsy with Printify is a lucrative opportunity for creative entrepreneurs looking to start their own online business. With its low startup costs, flexibility, and scalability, print on demand offers a pathway to financial freedom and success. Follow these steps to get started on your print on demand journey today!

Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Print on Demand Stores

If you need any assistance consider booking a coaching or consulting session with us.

10 Effective Strategies to Market Your Amazon KDP Book

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Publishing your books is only the first step and often it is the easiest. The real work comes in where marketing is concerns. In this brief article, I will share with you 10 Effective strategies to market your Amazon KDP Book. Marketing your book is crucial to ensure it reaches its intended audience and makes a lasting impact. In this article, we’ll explore various strategies to help you market your book effectively and maximize its reach.

  1. Build an Author Platform: Establishing a strong online presence is essential. Create a professional author website, leverage social media platforms, and engage with your audience. Share behind-the-scenes insights, book creation processes, and snippets from your book to build anticipation. Having navigated the challenges of building my own presence, I understand the importance of having someone to bounce ideas off of. Whether it’s a friend, a relative, or someone with experience selling books online, their insights can prove invaluable.
  2. Optimize Your Book Cover and Description: Your book cover is the first thing potential buyers see. Make it visually appealing and aligned with the subject. Also write a compelling book description that captivates the audience, and communicates the benefits of your work.
  3. Leverage Social Media: Utilize social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to connect with your audience.
  4. PPC Ads: PPC ads operate on a simple premise – advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked. This model allows for a more targeted approach to reach a specific audience.
  5. Engage with Book Bloggers and Reviewers: Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers and offer them a copy of your book for review. Positive reviews can significantly boost your book’s credibility and visibility. However, be sure to follow all laws and policies regarding review exchanges.
  6. Host Virtual Events: Organize virtual book launches, Q&A sessions. Platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, or Instagram Live can help you connect directly with your audience and generate buzz around your book.
  7. Run Promotions and Discounts: Offer limited-time promotions or discounts to encourage early sales. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow you to run promotional campaigns and reach a larger audience.
  8. Create Compelling Author Bio: Write an engaging author biography. A relatable author bio can create a stronger connection with your audience.
  9. Utilize Email Marketing: Build an email list by offering a free page/chapter, or exclusive content in exchange for sign-ups. Regularly update your subscribers with news, upcoming releases, and exclusive offers.
  10. Attend Fairs and Pop-up Shops: Participate in book fairs, literary festivals, or pop-up shops. Networking can open up new opportunities and expand your reach. I have done several pop-up shops. Here is a recap of my experience.

Conclusion: Successfully marketing your Amazon KDP book

By building a strong author platform, leveraging social media, engaging with bloggers and influencers, and utilizing various promotional tactics, you can ensure that your book is visible.

Remember that marketing is an ongoing process, and consistency is key. If you would like to talk strategy. Please consider booking a chat with me.

Financial Freedom Quotes to Inspire Your Journey

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Embarking on the path to financial freedom is a journey that requires determination, discipline, and a mindset rooted in empowerment. Along this transformative road, wisdom from those who have walked before us can serve as a guiding light. In this article, we’ll delve into a collection of powerful financial freedom quotes to inspire and motivate you on your quest for financial independence.

financial freedom quotes

  1. “Financial freedom is a mental, emotional, and educational process.” – Robert Kiyosaki
    Kicking off our exploration is Robert Kiyosaki, renowned for his insights on wealth creation. This quote emphasizes that achieving financial freedom is not just about numbers; it involves a holistic transformation encompassing mindset, emotions, and continuous learning.
  2. “The goal isn’t more money. The goal is living life on your terms.” – Chris Brogan
    Chris Brogan reminds us that financial freedom is not just about accumulating wealth for its own sake. It’s about gaining the autonomy to design and live life on your own terms, free from financial constraints.
  3. “Financial peace isn’t the acquisition of stuff. It’s learning to live on less than you make.” – Dave Ramsey
    Dave Ramsey’s quote emphasizes the importance of financial peace over material possessions. Living within your means and managing your finances wisely are essential steps toward achieving lasting financial freedom.
  4. “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” – Warren Buffett
    Warren Buffett’s wisdom encourages a proactive approach to saving. Prioritizing savings over spending leftovers reinforces the importance of building a financial cushion for future endeavors.
  5. “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” – Warren Buffett
    Warren Buffett offers sage advice on investing, highlighting the significance of patience in wealth-building. Understanding that financial freedom is a gradual process can help you weather market fluctuations.
  6. “It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.” – Robert Kiyosaki
    Robert Kiyosaki underscores the importance of financial stewardship. Beyond earning, the focus should be on wealth preservation and creating a lasting financial legacy for future generations.
  7. “The more you learn, the more you earn.” – Warren Buffett
    Warren Buffett’s commitment to continuous learning is encapsulated in this quote. Investing in your financial education is an investment in your future financial freedom.
  8. “Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.” – Nathan W. Morris
    Nathan W. Morris emphasizes the long-term consequences of debt. Acknowledging the impact of borrowing on your future self reinforces the value of responsible financial decisions.
  9. “Financial freedom is available to those who learn about it and work for it.” – Robert Kiyosaki
    Robert Kiyosaki reiterates that financial freedom is attainable through education and effort. A proactive approach to learning about personal finance is key to building the foundation for financial independence.
  10. “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
    Mark Twain’s timeless wisdom applies to the journey toward financial freedom. Taking that first step, no matter how small, is crucial to propelling yourself forward on the path to financial independence.

Conclusion:

As you embark on your journey to financial freedom, let these quotes serve as beacons of inspiration and wisdom. Each one encapsulates a valuable lesson that, when embraced, can propel you towards a life of financial independence, purpose, and fulfillment. Remember, the key lies not only in the destination but in the transformative journey itself.

10 Pathways to Financial Freedom: A Stationery Entrepreneur’s Guide

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Financial freedom vs financial independence! Embarking on the journey to financial freedom requires a mix of strategy, innovation, and determination. As a successful stationery business owner, I’ve discovered various avenues to achieve this goal, and I’m passionate about sharing these insights, particularly focusing on passive income and building multiple streams of revenue. Join me as we explore 10 ways to unlock financial freedom.

But first, let’s discuss the difference between financial freedom vs financial independence.

financial freedom vs financial independence

Financial freedom and financial independence are often used interchangeably, but they carry distinct nuances that shape one’s financial journey. Financial independence refers to the ability to cover one’s living expenses without being reliant on traditional employment. It signifies a state where passive income streams, investments, or savings generate enough revenue to sustain an individual’s lifestyle. On the other hand, financial freedom goes beyond mere independence; it encapsulates the power to make choices aligned with personal values, aspirations, and passions. Achieving financial freedom means breaking free from constraints and having the flexibility to live life on one’s own terms. While financial independence is a milestone on the path to financial freedom, the latter involves a more holistic and liberating sense of control over one’s financial destiny. In essence, the journey toward financial freedom encompasses not just monetary considerations but a profound transformation of mindset, goals, and the pursuit of a purpose-driven life. As individuals strive for financial independence, it becomes a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal – attaining financial freedom and shaping a life of abundance and fulfillment.

10 Pathways to Financial Freedom

  • Budgeting and Saving
    The foundation of financial freedom starts with effective budgeting and saving. Create a realistic budget, cut unnecessary expenses, and consistently save a portion of your income. This disciplined approach lays the groundwork for future financial stability. I have found that the best way to save is with a capital one High-Yeild Savings Account.
  • Investing Wisely
    Dive into the world of investments, exploring stocks, bonds, real estate, and other opportunities. Diversify your investment portfolio to minimize risks and capitalize on potential returns over the long term.
  • Passive Income
    Passive income is money earned without doing direct labor in the present, the idea is that you set things up and earn later. For example, when someone writes a good book, the main work is done but the book keeps on selling. One way passive income stream that I have cultivated is selling Stationery on Amazon KDP, Lulu.com, and my website. As a stationery business owner, I’ve found success in this avenue and actively teach women to do the same through one-on-one WERK sessions.
  • Emergency Fund
    Build a robust emergency fund to shield yourself from unexpected financial setbacks. Having a financial safety net ensures that you’re prepared for any unforeseen expenses that may arise.
  • Debt Management
    Develop a plan to pay off high-interest debts systematically. Prioritize debts strategically, starting with the most burdensome ones, and work towards becoming debt-free.
  • Side Hustles/Multiple Streams of Income
    Diversify your income by exploring side hustles and opportunities for developing a small business income. Whether it’s freelancing, consulting, creating digital products, or selling stationery these endeavors can supplement your primary income source. If you are interested in a stationery business, then you may find my E-Book More Than a Vendor List useful as I give you 15 vendors and 15 stationery products that you can start selling today!
  • Educate Yourself
    Continuous learning about personal finance, investment strategies, and financial planning is essential. Equip yourself with knowledge to make informed decisions and adapt to changing economic landscapes.
  • Debt Management
    Develop a plan to pay off high-interest debts systematically. Prioritize debts strategically, starting with the most burdensome ones, and work towards becoming debt-free.
  • Live Below Your Means
    Avoid lifestyle inflation and live below your means. By adopting a frugal mindset, you can increase your savings and investments, accelerating your journey to financial freedom.
  • Mindset Shift
    Finally, adopt a positive and disciplined mindset towards money. Focus on long-term financial well-being rather than short-term gratification. Cultivating a healthy money mindset is crucial to achieving and sustaining financial freedom.

Conclusion

Embark on your journey to financial freedom by integrating these 10 strategies into your life. Whether you’re generating passive income through stationery sales or diversifying with side hustles, the key lies in a strategic and disciplined approach. As a stationery entrepreneur, I am leveraging my business success to build multiple streams of income and inspiring others to achieve financial independence.

How the 21-Day Daniel-Fast Changed my Life and My Business

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Some might label it a coincidence, others attribute it to a higher power – but when I committed to the Daniel Fast in January 2023, my life and business took an unexpected turn.

Hey there, if you’re new, and welcome back if you’re returning. I’m Shanice, the owner of Shanice DK Designs, a stationery shop. Here on this blog, I talk all things business!

Today, I want to recount my experience with the Daniel Fast, which I undertook back in January 2021. As I gear up for it again this year, I feel a strong urge to share the profound impact it had on my life.

Before I dive in, if you’ve experienced the 21-Day Daniel Fast, head to the comments and share your story. Your testimony could be just the encouragement someone else needs.

Daniel Fast YouTube Video

Understanding the Daniel Fast


Rooted in the book of Daniel, chronicling his life and visions, the Daniel Fast is a fasting practice attributed to Daniel’s spiritual discipline, emphasizing prayer, scripture, and fasting (Daniel 1:12 and Daniel 10:2-3).

As a contemporary adaptation, this Daniel Fast Food list fast involves abstaining from specific foods/drinks. So how long is the Daniel Fast? The Daniel Fast is for a period of 21 days.

The Daniel Fast rules include:

  • No meat or seafood
  • No sugar
  • No processed foods (like chips)
  • No dairy
  • No caffeine or alcohol

The Daniel fast food rules is pretty short but it can be very hard, especially if you eat out a lot. But this presents an opportunity to be conscious of the food we eat on a daily basis. With this look at the Daniel fast food rules as a positive challenge.


Setting Intentions


Many individuals set intentions before beginning the fast. In 2023, I outlined intentions focused on fortifying my relationship with God, mental health, relationships, physical well-being, finances, and career.

This year, my sole intention is to draw closer to God, maintaining unwavering communication, reliance, and obedience. I am convinced this change will once again significantly impact my life.

Reflecting on My Daniel Fast Journey


Looking back on my experience from 2023, the fast ushered in financial breakthroughs. Publishing journals on Amazon KDP resulted in selling over 30,000 copies that month! This success enabled me to purchase a second home, providing a secure and comfortable haven for my mom and sisters. It wasn’t merely a change for me; it positively transformed the lives of my loved ones too!

Witnessing Miracles


The Daniel Fast has a way of ushering in miracles for those who believe. Small changes often yield remarkable results. For instance, giving up coffee might lead to you feeling better and having more clarity, prompting decisions previously unconsidered.

I didn’t embark on the fast seeking material gain but rather seeking something deeper – to trust and lean on God in unprecedented ways. I urge you to embrace change this year and witness the transformative power it can have on your life.

Whether undertaken for spiritual growth, personal development, or health reasons, the Daniel Fast embodies the power of commitment, faith, and purpose. If you’re contemplating this transformative journey, understand that it holds the potential to steer your life toward remarkable changes.

That’s it for today. If you found this blog post insightful, please view the Daniel Fast Youtube video and hit the subscribe button, and stay tuned. Your presence here is genuinely appreciated!

NO KDP Sales? 5 Reasons Why Your Amazon KDP Books are not Selling.

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Yikes- No KDP sales. So, you have published your first few books on Amazon KDP or maybe you’ve used another publishing platform, but your books aren’t selling. Or you could be among those who get a sale every now and then with no consistency.

In this article, will be sharing with you the top 5 reasons why your low-content books are not selling! And yes, this can work for other types of books as well.

Introduction to No KDP Sales

We have all been there, where we are getting no sales or seeing them sporadically. There are many reasons this can occur and I want to share 5 with you:

You may not have done proper research

It’s important in any business to do research to find out what people need. There are several ways to conduct this type of research, so it will look different for everyone. However, you want to make sure you are creating a book that is in demand with low competition. If there is no demand but there is a passion for an area, then you need to focus on creating the demand by showcasing problems people didn’t know they had!

Your book design and outlook

Now there are many tools to design books, but not all of us are graphic designers. Some of us can sell ourselves and so the product may not matter, but for others, you need a great product! Examine your book design, titles, and descriptions for growth areas. You may use tools like Canva which offers a free trial or even tools like BookBolt which also has a free trial (use shanicedkdesigns for 20% off after your trial)!

Optimization

In order to make sales on platforms that focus on keywords such as Amazon or Etsy, you need to optimize your content by utilizing all your keyword slots effectively. You can use free or paid systems to find effective keywords. Check out this video for a quick tutorial on how to find keywords when you are experiencing no KDP sales!

Too much emphasis on optimization

The power of optimization is that we can make money in our sleep and that’s what people want! But this takes time for the system to pick up on your book, and it takes a proven history of clicks to sales and even book reviews to get ranked. So how do you defeat that? Well, you have to find other ways to get your book out there to get the algorithm interested. It takes real effort to market your books and that is why I offer one-on-one business consulting sessions to help guide you.

Not enough time or effort

Too many of us get lazy (sorry not sorry), impatient, and give up! Sometimes it’s a marathon, not a sprint, but you have to keep your eye on the finish line and keep going.

Resources

So we have covered a lot! Now the question is, how do I change things? How do I start earning from my books now that I know why I am not making sales? Well, I am here to help with some amazing resources:

  1. Next, I am available for one-on-one coaching or brainstorming sessions so that we can discuss your next move.
  2. And of course, my YouTube channel is here for you! The content is extremely valuable and I know you will be inspired.

Conclusion

We covered the top 5 reasons why your books aren’t selling, and I’ve included some resources for you to move forward.

Much love, family and I’ll see you in my next blog!

Deep writing prompts about life and personal discovery

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deep writing prompts about life

Here are three deep writing prompts about life and why I chose these prompts.

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For many of us (many being me), we have these ideas of who we think we should be. This could be based on dreams we had growing up, the life we planned in our little diaries or it could be from the investments we have made in ourselves (i.e going to college lol). For me, it’s really all three. But more so the going to college part. Some years ago, you could not tell me that I was not going to be some fancy researcher working at a university on some important groundbreaking project. Honestly, that is who I think I should be. But that’s not who I am, nor who I want to be if I am being honest in the now.
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Life takes turns and things change, we change but somehow still hold out to the stories we sold ourselves instead of embracing the here and now!
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These prompts are o help you to look at who you think you should be and either start on that journey or let that go and embrace who you think you are. Either way, my hope is for you to find a healthy and happy medium where you can embrace joy and satisfaction.
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deep writing prompts about life


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I’d love to know your thoughts on these deep writing prompts about life and what they bring up for you. Feel free to comment or DM me.
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Also, feel free to grab some of our stationery sets as a resource for your writing practice.

#journalprompts #whodoyouthinkyoushouldbe

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xoxo Shanice

Get More Done! with this Time Blocking Technique

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Productivity Task Flow

This time blocking technique has helped me get so much more done!!

If you are anything like me, then you struggle to get things done. For me, I have a lot of BIG ideas, and sometimes it’s hard for me to prioritize and get things completed.

If you are anything like me, then you probably also get super frustrated when you don’t get things done.

So, herein lies the problem. You struggle to complete things but have a deep desire to be the person who completes things. In realizing my dissonance, I have decided to create various resources to help me get more done and feel productive each day. And I want to share one of those things with you.

The time blocking technique that I am about to share with you, will hopefully be a healthy medium for you.

For this technique, you need a few items. They are listed as follows:

  1. Sticky notes ( You may consider purchasing some of the sticky notes that I design and sell here in my shop)
  2. A time blocking template – download it here for free.
  3. Timer – I love this cube timer
  4. a pen
  5. a few minutes to spare before getting right to work.

Time Blocking Technique

This time blocking technique builds upon the original idea of time blocking as well as a few elements of the Eisenhower method. Time blocking is as the name says, you mark off blocks of time to do something specific and that things only. For the Eisenhower matrix, check out this video below for an overview.

My Timeblocking Task Flow

Created by shanicedkdesigns.com – Download for Free

So here’s what I do.

Step 1: Write out a list of all the things that you need to do. Once you have a list, now you can write each task on individual sticky notes.

Step 2: You need to assign a set amount of time to each task. Try to assign more time than you think you need.

Step 3: Align your tasks by your top priority. Then layout your other two tasks however you choose or stick with the priority aspect (this is the Eisenhower matrix part).

Step 3: Set your time and begin working on the most important task. Work on it without distractions for the allotted time.

Step 4: Take a mini-break. You can set the activities for breaks as well as your allotted time for breaks before starting.

Step 5: Repeat step 3 for your other two tasks.

Here is a fun video that breaks this down.

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know your thoughts and if you found this helpful.

Becoming That Girl… Your Ideal Self and Living Your Ideal Life.

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Becoming that girl… your ideal self or living your ideal life is not the easiest of things. It takes focus & grit. As a personal example, I would ideally like to live in a well-organized home with matching furniture. However, my pockets are not in support right at this moment and so our house has a mixture of my items and some of my husbands. Each day, I express gratitude for all that I have while I work towards achieving my goals.

In this article, I will share my process with you for becoming my ideal self and living my ideal life.

Becoming Your Ideal Self, Living Your Ideal Life

(becoming that girl)

Who is your Ideal Self or what does your ideal life look like?

In order to become your ideal self, you must first know what or who that is. Knowing yourself is the most important thing, not just for you but for the people around you. This being said, if you don’t know your ideal self or life then take some time to figure it out. Get a journal and write to your heart’s content. What would you love to do? What business would you like to start? How would you like to live your life?

Goal Setting!

Once you know your ideal self, you can begin to map out goals or intentions for your life. Make your goals SMART.

That is:

  • Specific – Clear and Concise,
  • Measurable- You can track your progress,
  • Attainable- It is hard but within reach,
  • Relevant- In line with your overall plan (Ideal Life / Self),
  • and Time-based – Set deadline

Take Action Steps Daily

Now that you know your ideal self/ life and you’ve made your SMART goals, the next thing to do is to create your action plan. Your action plan is the task or duties that are needed for you to achieve your goals. What are the things you need to work on? How much do you need to earn? and so on. With a specific task, you are now actively working towards your goal.

Doing the best where you are!

While you are actively working towards your goal, don’t miss the process. Enjoy the journey and enjoy where you are and what you are doing. This also means that you must make your surroundings manageable for now so that you are happy. For instance, I would love to grow my own fruits and vegetables and be able to pick from my tree but I don’t have the means, so I go to the farmers’ market and take in the scenery and get my produce.

Always be grateful

Expressing gratitude will not only allow you to enjoy the process without being so concerned about the destination, but it will also literally change your life in all aspects. Life is a blessing and if you take a little time to appreciate what’s around you and express gratitude, you will see that.

Related: Gratitude Will Change Your Life.

The Sum Up

With a little work and focus, we can all become her ( becoming that girl), living our ideal life. Or at least, that’s my belief. Therefore, it’s okay that my house is not how I want it to be because I am grateful and happy where I am while I am still working on being where I want to be.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to drop me a comment. How are you working on becoming your ideal self or living your ideal life?

Expressing Gratitude with our Gratitude Clip – Why I created it & how to use it.

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Gratitude is an emotion in which we express appreciation for the things we have. When you are showing or expressing gratitude you ignore the ‘i wish I had’ thoughts and instead, say thanks for what you do have. So here is a personal question, how often do you practice expressing gratitude? Do you do it on a daily basis?


The truth is, not many people give thanks for what they have without thinking of what they do not have. This practice has also been enhanced with the social media era which often causes people to be in constant comparison. (I wish I had a house like that. Or, I wish I looked like him/her). I wish, I wish, I wish. I want, I want, I want.


Well, I WANT you to turn ‘what I want’ into ‘WHAT I HAVE’. Because guess what? You do Have.

Things everyone reading this post has:

  • LIFE
  • INTERNET and DEVICES
  • Someone who LOVES you (I Love you), Someone who will HELP you as best they can if they can (I will), Someone who CARES (I CARE)
  • A GOD who watches over you and protects you (If that is your belief)
  • The ABILITY to HEAL
  • FRIENDS and/or FAMILY

Things majority of people reading this has:

  • a ROOF over your head
  • FOOD in your belly, cupboard or fridge
  • WATER to drink

Now, After listing the things you do have, most people will go on to say “appreciate what you have because others do not have”. Whilst this is true, I for one don’t feel I need to tell you that. You see, gratitude is not something that comes naturally to us (humans). We weren’t made with a gratuity button. Being grateful is a skill, one that requires practice and effort. But, it is worth it. 

Gratitude Clip

Expressing gratitude daily offers lots of benefits, this is why I created our gratitude clip, which is inspired by the concept of having a gratitude rock. You can use this tool to practice this essential skill of expressing gratitude and change your life! Each time you see the gratitude clip, share some things that you are grateful for. Just as many do, with a gratitude rock. A gratitude clip is included with every stationery order here at Shanice DK Designs as well as orders from our Etsy Shop. We sell sticky notes, journals, bookmarks, self-care resources, and much more. Keep reading for the benefits of expressing gratitude daily.

Below I will list a few benefits of gratitude then I will tell you some simple ways to practice it.

Benefits of Expressing Gratitude 


By being grateful you will ultimately be happier. The thing is when you focus on what you have there is nothing to be sad about. Frankly, you will believe that you have it all. Once this is unlocked then you have all the benefits to gain.

  • People will like you more.
    • When I say people, I mean the people who matter to you.
  • YOU will like you more
    •  Expressing gratitude has the power to boost your self-esteem. This is because you will feel like you are enough and have enough. When you are grateful you will stop thinking things like “That’s a handout, I don’t take handouts”. Gratitude will make you take kindness at face value, no hidden agenda.
  • Gratitude will improve your mood
    •  To prove this, I challenge you to write 5 things you are grateful for each day. If your mood doesn’t change then I owe you one free stationery item of your choice. Connect with me on Instagram to claim it. Yes, you can connect with me either way. I’d love to hear if it works.
  • Gratitude reduces feelings of envy
  • It will Improve your career and personal relationships
  • Expressing gratitude will improve your health and help you to live a longer life
    • Believe it or not, a lot of health concerns can be linked to stress. Reduce your stress levels and your health will improve ( Yes 1+1=2).



Start Practicing acts of Gratitude today

  • Show some love to others by paying a compliment
  • Convert negative thoughts into positive thoughts (turn I CAN’T into I CAN)
  • Instead of focusing on the bad situation, ask yourself what is this teaching me?
    • Your struggles will make you who you are. Learn from them because they won’t last.
    • God will never let what you’ve lost, be the best you’ve ever had – Sprinkle of Jesus
  • Stop complaining! Easier said than done but earlier I did say:
    • Gratitude requires practice
  • Be happy for people. Genuinely.
  • Forgive yourself
    • You are not your past, you are not the decisions you’ve made and you are not that one bad thing that happened to you.
    •  Everyone has at least one flaw. Accept yourself.
  • Celebrate yourself
  • Stop comparing yourself to people on social media
    • EVERYBODY has problems. They might not show it so don’t go thinking people on social media are perfect. Their profile seems real and perfect but so does Photoshop.
  •  Eat one healthy thing per week
    • Show some gratitude for the wonderful produce that’s available for us to enjoy.

Just as there are more benefits, there are more ways to express gratitude. Feel free to leave some in the comments below.


That’s’ all for now. Thank you so much for reading.

So, for this week, I motivate you to express more gratitude. I am grateful for life, family, friends, and food! What are you grateful for?

PS: You are beautiful and my purpose is simply to remind you.

Shanice DK

Affirm: I am expecting GOOD GOOD things!

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5 Journal Prompts to help you get started with journaling

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journal promots

Journal Prompts are an excellent way to get started with journaling. With Journal Prompts, you can quickly clear your mind and process the emotions of the day.

In this post, we will share 5 journal prompts to help you get started with journaling. These prompts are super easy to use and will not cause you to do a deep dive.

5 Journal Prompts to Get Started with Journaling

Journal Prompt 1

Today I am grateful for…

I love this prompt because it will not only get you into journaling but will also boost your happiness. Expressing gratitude is one of the best self-care activities that you can practice.

Journal Prompt 2

Create a List of your favorite movies. Say why you like them.

This prompt is a light prompt that will get you excited about journaling. It can be really fun to review the movies that you enjoy and saying why you enjoy them will open your mind and add therapeutic benefits.

Journal Prompt 3

How do you feel?

When was the last time you checked in with yourself? This journal prompt will allow you to check-in with yourself.

Journal Prompt 4

What made you smile today?

I love this prompt! Sometimes we miss the joys of the day and this prompt allows us to take a minute to reflect on the great things that happen each day.

Journal Prompt 5

I love this about myself

We don’t talk about ourselves enough. A lot of times, we think about what we love about others but not what we love about ourselves. This prompt allows you to take some time for yourself.

Where can you Journal?

There are many places where you can journal. Here are some quick options for you:

Journaling on sticky notes

Sticky notes are perfect for on-the-go journaling. You can jot down your thoughts then glue these sheets into a book. They will work great in scrapbooking as well. Here are my top pics for sticky notes:

Journaling in a Journal

Journals are great for keeping active records of not only your thoughts but also your feelings and habits. You can really have fun with journals and even keep them to reread.

Journaling on your mobile phone

There are many free journaling apps that allow you to enjoy on the go journaling.

Collection: I am Journals – I am Affirmations Journals

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I am journals

I am journals…

I am journals are journals that I created to share ‘I am’ affirmations. At a point in my life, affirmations got me through my day. They were my way of expressing myself and untimely healing myself. 

This collection of I am Journals features six yellow journals. For me, yellow signifies happiness, optimism, enlightenment, and of course creativity. It is my hope that these I am journals will inspire you and accompany you on the journey of self-actualization. 

Here is my featured collection of six I am Journals. 

I am Manifesting Journal – Notebook. Affirmations Notebook Yellow, Daily Manifestation Journal, I am Journals, 120 Pages Ruled Notebook, 6×9 inches journal

I am manifesting affirmation notebooks. This notebook is a ruled notebook that can be used as a manifestation journal. It is perfect for recording notes, ideas, thoughts, feelings, self-expression, and daily jottings. It can be used by school aged children or adults, college students, business owners, or anyone looking to write daily. It is perfectly sized at 6 x 9 inches with 120 pages. It is nice and yellow so that you may be inspired every day. The cover is soft and matte. This manifestation journal can be used with the 369 manifestation technique. 

  • Write what you want to manifest three times in the morning
  • write what you want to manifest six times at mid-day, 
  • and write what you want to manifest nine times at night. 

Or simply use it as a notebook or journal. This great I am manifesting journal will also make the perfect gift for wives and daughters. 

Gift of a notebook. Gift of a journal. Stationary gifts for wife. Stationary gift for daughter. Use as a journal or a notepad or notebook. 6 x9 notebook.

​​​​​​​A collection of I am affirmations in the form of notebooks. This notebook features I am Manifesting.

I am journals. I am manifesting.
Grab it on amazon

 I am Powerful Notebook, Affirmations Notebook Yellow, Daily Manifestation Journal, I am Journals, 120 Pages Ruled Notebook, 6×9 inches journal

I am powerful journal – affirmation notebooks. This notebook is a ruled notebook that can be used as a journal. It is perfect for recording notes, ideas, thoughts, feelings, self-expression, and daily jottings. It can be used by school-age children or adults, college students, business owners, or anyone looking to write daily. It is perfectly sized at 6 x 9 inches with 120 pages. It is nice and yellow so that you may be inspired every day to show your strength, growth and power. The cover is yellow, soft and matte.

This great I am powerful journal will also make the perfect gift for wives and daughters, let them know that they are powerful and they can express that power daily. It’s a classy way to remind someone to be proud of themselves. 

​​​​​​​A collection of I am affirmations in the form of notebooks. This notebook features I am powerful.

I am journals. I am powerful
Grab it on amazon

I am Enough Notebook, Inspirational Affirmations Notebook, Daily self love Journal, I am Journals, 120 Pages Ruled Notebook, Yellow 6×9 inches journal – gifts for women and daughters

I am enough affirmation notebooks. This notebook is a ruled notebook that can be used as a journal. It is perfect for recording notes, ideas, thoughts, feelings, self-expression, and daily jottings. It can be used by school and kids or adults, college students, business owners, or anyone looking to write daily. It is perfectly sized at 6 x 9 inches with 120 pages. It is nice and yellow so that you may be inspired every day. The cover is soft and matte. This great I am enough journal will also make the perfect gift for wives and daughters, let them know that they are enough and they will always be. It’s a classy way to remind someone to love themselves.

​​​​​​​A collection of I am affirmations in the form of notebooks. This notebook features I am Enough.

I am journals. I am enough.
Grab it here

Just so you know, Faith n Turles (Shanice DK) participates in amazon’s affiliate program and so we may earn a commission on sales at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting small women-owned ventures.

I am Confident Notebook, Inspirational Affirmations Notebook for self-esteem, Daily self love Journal, I am Journals, 120 Pages Ruled Notebook, Yellow 6×9 inches self care journal – gifts for women and girls

I am confident in affirmation notebooks. This notebook is a ruled notebook that can be used as a journal. It is perfect for recording notes, ideas, thoughts, feelings, self-expression, self-confidence, self-esteem quotes and self-esteem action steps, and daily jottings. It can be used by school and kids or adults, college students, business owners, or anyone looking to write daily. It is perfectly sized at 6 x 9 inches with 120 pages. 

It is nice and yellow so that you may be inspired every day. The cover is soft and matte. This great I am confident journal will also make the perfect gift for wives and daughters, expressing confidence is very important. Let your child know that they can show their confidence in simple small ways. It is also perfect for teachers to give their students. 

​​​​​​​A collection of I am affirmations in the form of notebooks. This notebook features I am Confident.

I am journals. I am Confident
Get it on amazon

 I am Grateful Notebook, Gratitude Notebook Yellow, Daily Gratitude Journal, I am Journals, 120 Pages Ruled Notebook, 6×9 inches journal for expressing gratitude – perfect for fall notebooks/ journal  

I am grateful gratitude journal. Gratitude notebooks. This notebook is a ruled notebook that can be used as a journal. It is perfect for using to record daily gratitude, notes, ideas, thoughts, feelings, self-expression, self-confidence, self-esteem quotes and self-esteem action steps, and daily jottings. It can be used by school and kids or adults, college students, business owners, or anyone looking to write daily. 

It is perfectly sized at 6 x 9 inches with 120 pages. It is nice and yellow so that you may be inspired every day. The cover is soft and matte. This great I am grateful journal will also make the perfect gift for wives and daughters, expressing gratitude daily ensures happiness and this is very important. Let your child know that they can show their gratitude in simple small ways. It is also perfect for teachers to gift their students. 

​​​​​​​A collection of I am affirmations in the form of notebooks. This notebook features I am Grateful.

I am journals. I am grateful.
Get it from my amazon author store

I am creative Notebook, Journal for expressing creative thoughts, 120 pages ruled notebook, 6×9 inch book for self-expression. – Perfect book gift for artists and students – Book gift for poets, gift for writers , poem journal, literary journal,

 I am Creative in affirmation notebooks. This notebook is a ruled notebook that can be used as a journal. It is perfect for using to record creative notes, ideas, thoughts, feelings, self-expression, self-confidence, creativity, and daily jottings. It can be used by school and kids or adults, college students, business owners, or anyone looking to write daily. It is perfectly sized at 6 x 9 inches with 120 pages. It is nice and yellow so that you may be inspired every day. The cover is soft and matte. This great I am creative ournal will also make the perfect gift for wives and daughters, expressing creativity is very important as it is tied to our sense of purpose and happiness. Let your child know that they can show their creativity in small ways. It is also perfect for teachers to gift their students. 

​​​​​​​A collection of I am affirmations in the form of notebooks. This notebook features I am Creative.

I am journals. I am creative.
Available on amazon

Thank you for checking out my I am journals.

Self-care meaning, 25 daily Self-Care Habits – An everything you need to know Guide!

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Can practicing daily self-care habits really reduce stress? We are all used to seeing and hearing that word stress and for some of us, we cringe at its mention.  But, what if you didn’t need to cringe? What if a change of mindset and a few daily self-care habits could take the ‘stress’ out of ‘stressing’? What if we can arrive at self-care meaning that works uniquely for our needs and helps us to thrive in life?

Life has many stressors, and it’s impossible to list them all so let’s skip that. Let’s focus our attention on managing day-to-day stress that may arise at work, home, or even at the grocery store.

 In this article, I will share with you 25 daily self-care habits to help manage stress. The 25 habits that will be shared are simple acts that can be considered as self-care. That’s right, the key to living a stress-free or ‘stress-minimal’ life begins with self-care. And now, self-care does not have to be complicated or expensive.

Self care Meaning

Sometimes self-care may sound time-consuming and expensive. This is because people may make it seem like a major thing rather than simple acts that we should be doing each day. When I think of self-care I think of things that I do for myself, that allows me to enjoy each day. These are basic things that I do to take care of my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. So, I encourage you to craft a self-care meaning that truly works for you.

What self-care means to you will be very different from what it means to the next person. If you need some help coming up with self-care ideas then definitely check out our self-care activity cards.

These Self Care Activity Cards are fun and have the perfect mix of cost-effectiveness and treating yourself. There are 30 activities for you to enjoy.

You can pick cards at random or choose what you would like to do. We offer these cards in two ways. Grab them as a digital download or have them shipped to your home.

Now, here are some self-care habits that you can try. Some of these items from the list are also a part of our activity cards.

25 Daily Self-Care Habits to Help Manage Stress 

1. Exercise – at the start or end of the day. 

Yes! That word exercises again. Exercising is one of the best ways to help manage stress. When you exercise, your blood gets flowing and that helps to release endorphins which is a type of hormone that has the power to boost your mood instantly. Apart from that, depending on the time of exercise you partake in you can definitely get some pent-up feelings out.  

2. Drink Tea- Green tea may be a great choice. 

Many of us opt for coffee in the mornings but a nice cup of tea may be the key to helping you to manage stress. Many teas are herbal and the herbs that they come from generally have mood-altering properties. For instance, Green tea is said to be high in L-Theanine which is an amino acid that is known for helping people to relax. 

3. Stretch- as a daily self-care habit

Stretching is a lighter form of working out but it is extremely powerful. Stretching in this form encompasses yogic stretching as well. If you are not into practicing yoga, then let’s call it a daily stretch routine. Similar to exercise, stretching will help to release those bodily chemicals that will work to boost your mood.  The upside is that you can do it every day and you can do it anywhere. Here is a quick stretch that you can do as you sit at your desk: 

Posterior shoulder stretch:

  • while sitting,
  • Hold one arm across your body.
  • Pull your elbow into your chest, you should feel your shoulder gently stretching.
  • Repeat on the other side.

4. Aromatherapy

Soothing smells. Smelling good things will definitely boost your mood. No explanation needed -joke-. While research states that aromatherapy helps to reduce the levels of stress hormones, some studies are yet to offer the same results.  However, think back to the times when you walked into a room that smelled like ‘pumpkin spice’ and answer the question… did it boost your mood? Don’t like pumpkin, replace it with something you like. If the answer is yes, then perhaps you can add this to your list of mood-boosting activities. 

5. Take a break from screens or social media 

Sometimes if you are having a stressful day, the best thing might be to step back and allow yourself to be without outer influences from social media or the line. Especially, if the stressor is from that source.

6. Speak with someone you care for. 

Having a light and uplifting conversation with someone you care for might be just what you need to get out of a rut. 

7. Eat a healthy meal 

You are what you eat they say. Often when stress, many people reach for a snack or a meal. I know, I do. What you can do is keep a few healthy snacks around so that if that time comes, you have something that will actually help you to feel better. Nuts are always a great choice. 

8. Laugh. Laugh. Laugh 

Laughing also has the power to release those feel-good hormones.  If you are feeling down, try finding a joke, watching some comedy, or even creating your own. 

9. Try a meditation practice.

Meditation here means to take a minute or two to yourself. daily meditation can prove to be a powerful daily self-care habit. Perhaps, you can close your eyes, and just allow yourself to take a few deep breaths, roll your shoulders back and relax. 

10. Keep a to-do list.

Having too much or not enough to do can definitely be stressful. Keep a to-do list to help you stay on track and organized. One of my daily self-care habits as well as organizational activities is to make a top 3 list. This way I know the most important tasks that I need to accomplish.

11. Take a mid-day nap – especially if you didn’t get a full night’s rest.

Not getting enough sleep is a sure way to feel the pressures of the day. Try to get adequate rest on a regular basis. As well as, take a nap whenever you need it. Plus, some studies have shown that napping can boost brain health. 

12. Practice random acts of kindness. 

Performing random acts of kindness will not only make you feel good but it will also make a difference to someone else. 

daily self-care checklist. Daily self-care habits
Get the items on this list as well as others with this Self Care Checklist Printable

13. Write down what you are grateful for. 

Expressing daily gratitude fills you up with joy and happiness. Taking a moment to dwell on the positives will for sure help you to focus less on the stress. 

14. Listen to music. 

This is another activity that is geared at releasing those feel-good hormones. The soothing powers of music are well accepted and used worldwide so why not add it in as a daily activity whenever stress arises. 

15. Take a walk in nature.

Taking a walk in nature offers you the benefits of many items on this list. Its exercise and stretching but you can take a sit to meditate, listen to music on the way and even take along a bottle of water to hydrate. 

walking as daily self-care habits. Find it on the self-care checklist.

16. Drink enough water. 

Because of hydration! Your brain and body need water to function properly. 

Being that we also get into loc’d hair care on my other blog, I must say that if you are on a hair growth journey, drinking plenty of water will ensure that you see results. Water is the most important. You can track your hair growth process as well as water intake with our loc’d natural hair journal or bundle with the hair length tracker.

17. Take a break from working to relax. 

Sometimes all you need is a break. If something you are working on gets stressful or frustrating then take a break and revisit it later with fresh eyes. 

18. Read or write a personal quote.

Reading uplifting quotes will do help you to get your mind in a positive and hopeful state. If you are so inclined, you can journal or create your own personal quotes that you can read whenever you are feeling down. You can even share them online so that they may help others -random acts of kindness-.   

19. Show affection to yourself. 

The idea here is simply to be kind to yourself. Tell yourself ‘ I love you’ or ‘I am here for you’ just as you would say it to someone else who may be feeling down. 

20. Say positive affirmations. 

Affirmations are just gentle reminders geared at self-empowerment and positive thinking. They have been known to help boost mood. Here are a few you can try: 

  • I am relaxed
  • I am calm
  • I value peace and actively seek it
  • Let go of worry.

This is easier said than done but we all know that worry doesn’t change anything. Instead of worrying, try to find a solution or let it go altogether. 

Here is a recommendation: I love daily cards to help me foster gratitude as well as affirm. These are available on amazon- If you wanna give this a try, click here.

P.S As an amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

21. Take a deep breath – daily self-care habits.

Many times we fail to breathe. Taking deep intentional breaths is a great way to get back into the moment and foster a spirit of relaxation. 

22. Focus on the big picture

Don’t sweat the small things too much- focus on the big picture.  

23. Indulge in problem solving

If something goes wrong, try to find new paths to the same destination.  

24. Celebrate constantly

Along your journey, you simply must celebrate the small wins. As well as celebrate yourself. Each step matters, don’t hesitate to recognize your hard work along the way. Again, make this based on your self care meaning!

25. Take some personal time. 

Sometimes a break isn’t enough. If the issue is bigger than any of the daily tasks here can manage then perhaps you are in need of some personal time. You can even have a chat with someone who is trained to listen. 

The list here is not exhaustive nor is the listed items complicated. The items on the list by themselves or together have the power to help you feel good every day. I hope you find this list of daily habits to help manage stress helpful. If you would like to get a printable list of daily self-care items, click here for our Selfcare Checklist. I created this list of 64 daily self-care items to help you relieve stress and live the life you deserve.

Use a lot of the ideas on this list to help as you craft your meaning of self-care. Remember that a self-care meaning should be unique to you as we all have different needs. If you like any of the resources that I’ve shared, consider signing up for our mailing list. You will receive a set of Free self-care activity cards as a gift as well as other weekly resources & tips

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Surprising Benefits of using a Loc’d Natural Hair Journal

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If you are currently using a Loc’d Natural Hair Journal then you are well on your way to mastering your loc journey or as my husband likes to say mastering the ‘way you express yourself ‘. If you are not using a Loc’d Natural Hair Journal then it is never too late to start. Feel free to skip this article and grab your copy or continue reading to see how this natural hair planning resource would be of benefit to you! 

What is a Loc’d Natural Hair Journal? 

A Loc’d Natural Hair Journal is a resource that allows you to keep track of your hair growth, hair care, thoughts about your hair and so much more. Think of it as a hair care log, you can make entries on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This journal can be a pre-made journal that provides a guide for you or it can be a free-hand journal that you create in a notebook. You may even keep track on your phone, via pictures or videos. 

If you choose a pre-made Loc’d Natural Hair Journal, you may find the one created by myself to be well suited, it is a digital download that you can print at home. You can also grab a copy on Amazon, it is a full-year undated planner with over 140 pages.

Dreadlocks Hair Journal

What are the benefits of keeping a Loc’d Natural Hair Journal?

Keeping a Loc’d Natural Hair Journal is super beneficial to not only those with starter locs but everyone who has locs. I know I don’t need to say this but… caring for loc’d natural hair is very different from caring for loose natural hair and as such it is extremely important to be intentional and precise when it comes to caring for your locs. 

natural hair journal

1. A well-detailed record

As mentioned above, you may choose to use your phone to keep track of your loc journey. However, this does not afford you the added benefit of keeping a detailed record. A physical or E loc’d natural hair journal with a set structure does this. 

It allows you to keep track of your scalp conditions, especially if you have issues with dandruff, as well as note dates you did specific things to your hair such as an apple cider vinegar cleanse. You may also want to note any questions that pop up that you may need to research or ask your loctician

2. Helps you to keep a positive mindset 

At times in your loc journey, you may forget why you started or even start to wonder if this is for you. A loc’d natural hair journal will help you to create a positive mindset surrounding your locs via positive affirmations and goal setting but it will also help you to track your thoughts about your hair. This can be a key thing when those unnerving questions pop up.  Who knows, it may help you to settle your mind or help you to realize that maybe indeed this journey or self expression at this time is not what is best for you and that is completely okay! 

3. Helps with maintaining good nutrition 

The very best of pre-made loc’d natural hair journals will include a section to track your meals, vitamin, and water intake. This section is very useful in making sure that what you eat is in line with your hair goals. If you desire long, healthy locs then you need to have a diet that will positively contribute to that goal. 

4. Great for product, hairstyle, and tools tracking 

Another great benefit of a Loc’d natural hair journal is to keep track of products and tools that you use in your hair. Most people with locs are not product junkies. We are aware of the dangers of certain products in causing buildup or damage to over locs. However, there may be a time when we want to try something new., especially for wash days. Keeping track of that and how it works for your hair will help you to pinpoint a good product or a bad product for your hair. You can also do a full wash day plan!

This will also be extremely helpful for anyone with color-treated locs. If your locs are color-treated, keeping track of the month-to-month look and feel of your hair can definitely keep you in good standing. Not to mention, keeping track of all the loc styles that you have tried! 

5. Helps you with hair assessment

Conducting a hair assessment is a great way to help troubleshoot any loc’d natural hair problems. I, for one, have had moments when my hair assessment has saved me with my locs as it concerns thinning at the edges. I was able to record my concerns and head to my google loctician to figure out possible causes. Of course my issues were caused by my infrequent retwisting which I was able to confirm by looking at my retwist dates.. At that time, I was not using a physical Loc’d natural hair journal or planner and so I had to search through 1000+ selfies just to find out my retwist dates. I’m pretty sure you can relate. And I also hope you see some benefits to using a physical journal or a combination of both.

Conclusion 

This article’s main goal was to share with you the amazing benefits of using a loc’d natural hair journal. Now, this article is not extensive nor does it apply to just loc’d natural hair. These benefits are very much applicable to those with loose natural hair and you can find a natural hair journal for loose natural hair by clicking here. 

If you have loc’d natural hair, then please click here to check out a loc’d natural hair journal created by someone with locs for people with locs. 

Thanks for reading, and I will see you in the next one.