I inspire & teach believers the skills needed to make passive income so that they can design a life not dependent on a 9-5!
We a moving to digital journals, planners & workbooks for productivity & business growth! All sticky notes & notepads can be purchased on Etsy while stocks last.
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 wrote a book detailing for you, My Thoughts on How to Market in the Modern World: From Trial and Error to Profitability: Digital Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses,’ I reveal all the secrets to moving from trial and error to profitability. Grab your copy here.
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:
I wrote a book detailing exactly how to market in this modern day. The book gets into moving from trial and error to profitability and I will give you proven strategies to earn more money with your books!
Here are three deep writing prompts about life and why I chose these prompts.
. 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. . . 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! . . 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. .
. 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. . .
Also, feel free to grab some of our stationery sets as a resource for your writing practice.
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:
Sticky notes ( You may consider purchasing some of the sticky notes that I design and sell here in my shop)
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 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.
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?
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).
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.
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… Read more: NO KDP Sales? 5 Reasons Why Your Amazon KDP Books are not Selling.
Here are three deep writing prompts about life and why I chose these prompts. .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… Read more: Deep writing prompts about life and personal discovery
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… Read more: Get More Done! with this Time Blocking Technique
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… Read more: Becoming That Girl… Your Ideal Self and Living Your Ideal Life.
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… Read more: Expressing Gratitude with our Gratitude Clip – Why I created it & how to use it.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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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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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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