Category: Personal Development

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.

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.

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!

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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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.