To what degree we have allowed ourselves to be conditioned to conform? What does "unlearning" look like?
Whether we wish we could serve the poor and alleviate suffering like Mother Teresa or pioneer critical scientific research like Marie Curie, we all dream of doing beautiful, world-changing things with our lives.
The first time I posted a selfie on Instagram, I didn't think twice about it. I looked good when I took it (or so I thought), and we all post photos of ourselves when we look good
Is it possible to live one without relinquishing all possessions and moving to a farm?
Sure, it's an extra day off. But do you know why?
There are countless experiences in our lives that merit our awe and appreciation.
It's the age-old question, isn't it?
Because the truth is, we are creatures of limitations.
The act of creating beauty – even in our souls – requires work.
There are countless fun and simple habits we can incorporate into our routines that strengthen our mindset and improve our overall well-being. Here are 10.
I think we can all agree that the older we get the more we realize just how much our mothers had to put up with while raising us. From chauffeuring us to tennis lessons and dental appointments to bearing with our adolescent angst and taking care of us when sick, it seems like there’s nothing our moms weren’t willing to do for us.
For many, our moms remain our number one fan, and our relationship with them will forever be one of the strongest bonds we have. Yet, as influential as mothers are in our lives, how often do we stop and actually let them know what they mean to us? Chances are, not enough.
A glassware company that produces striking hand blown carafes and glasses, Bib & Sola offers a stylish and conscious alternative to plastic bottles. The brand’s founder, Kira Heuer, is adamant about reducing plastic waste and providing clean water solutions. Through Bib & Sola’s colorful pieces, she aims to do both, believing that their beauty has more power to inspire education and change than anything else — a concept she calls, “Aesthetic Activism.”
We recently had the chance to connect with Kira and learn more about Bib & Sola’s story, its Aesthetic Activism campaign, and the difference that using glass instead of plastic can make.
As women, one of our greatest collective fears seems to be the fear of growing older. I mean, be honest: When was the last time someone you know actually looked forward to their 30th birthday? I’m only 24 years old and yet I’ve already been told numerous times by others that I should be using anti-wrinkle creams, exercising diligently, etc. in order to hold onto my youth for as long as possible. In their words, “it’s all downhill from here.”
As much as we all want to be confident, self-assured women, there’s a nagging little voice inside our head that tries to tell us we can’t be — that we’re inadequate, we’re weak, we’re unworthy. It’s one thing to be aware of our shortcomings, but quite another to be self-critical and demeaning toward ourselves because of them.
When we notice our thoughts becoming less than kind and supportive toward ourselves, though, what can we do? How do we banish self-doubt and manifest the strong women that we are?
As someone who grew up in Minnesota and now lives in southern California, I’ve experienced winter in all of its forms — from harsh blizzards to mild rains to full-on heat waves. Yet, there are some aspects of this season that remain consistent no matter
To err is human. We’ve all doubtless heard this phrase before, but in spite of its truth, who among us doesn’t still cling to a desire to achieve perfection, to become the people we were created to be? We all have dreams of becoming the best, truest version of ourselves; we want to be as kind, as generous, or as compassionate as possible, and we want to manifest such qualities in a manner that’s reflective of our distinct selves.
Examining our lives and becoming more of who we are, however, is easier said than done. While we can look to role models and other women to show us how to live well, the fact that each of us has never existed before and will never exist again means that no one else can quite show us who we are as individuals or who we were born to be.
If we are to live as our truest selves, we must become something we alone know.
Whether we’re afraid of public speaking, spiders, the death of a loved one, or something more unusual, we all hold on to certain fears that we resist facing. It’s natural to shrink from them, and some fears – like spiders – are just plain hard to be proactive about conquering.
Others, however, stem from half-truths we believe about ourselves or a situation, and they’re something we can work on.
Spring may have officially begun in March, but in many parts of the country, it feels as though the season is only just beginning.
The air is gradually warming up, the birds are chirping once more, and green buds are starting to emerge from the earth. It’s a season of renewal and rebirth, a time of cleansing and transformation, and one that is perfect for slowing down and celebrating life with a revived sense of awe and wonder. How to stop and enjoy each moment?
Below, we’re listing 25 of our favorite ways to savor the season.
When it seems like all of our friends are getting married, having kids, purchasing houses or settling into careers before us, how are we supposed to feel? Is it possible to maintain true excitement for them without comparing their circumstances to ours? In such situations we’re
In our current culture both personal branding and promotion have never been easier. With social media, for example, we're able to invent and reinvent ourselves on a constant basis and, in a sense, create the ideal version of who we want to be. We’re able to
Think of one person who’s made a positive difference in your life. Perhaps it’s a motivating sports coach, an encouraging college professor, an inspiring boss or a dependable friend who comes to mind. Or, perhaps several names come to mind. We all have people in our
After entering the sex industry at the age of 19, Anny Donewald spent the next six years working as an exotic dancer in Chicago, Detroit, and other various cities before heading to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, where her work escalated into prostitution. In her book,
As a child I imagined adulthood almost as if it were a destination, believing that once I got there I would have the dream job, the dream husband, and the dream home. I would have accomplished every item on my bucket list and would just
Whether our time spent catching up with friends involves weekend brunches, after-work drinks, nights out, or all of the above, maintaining a social life can be expensive. In fact, it can sometimes even feel downright impossible to spend time with loved ones without spending at
As one of nine children, I'm never short of a sister to call for advice or a brother to hang out with when I'm bored. There are several other perks of having a lot of siblings, too, but the best part is just the sheer
When was the last time you experienced a random act of kindness? Last week, I received a call from an old friend out of the blue and it was such a pleasant, unexpected surprise. We hadn't caught up in awhile and he just wanted to
Where do you find your identity? In your looks? In your grades? In the groups you're a part of? All too often, we can define ourselves by external factors, by how we look or what we do. We tend to rely on others' perceptions of
Remember what it was like to be a child, running around without a single care or concern? Though it wasn't too long ago, it sometimes feels as if it were another lifetime altogether, doesn't it? It's hard to imagine that life could ever have been
With its ability to inspire and enrich our lives, art provides an unparalleled respite from the constant distractions and troubles that we face. It allows us to reconnect with our spirits in a profound way. It’s an incredible gift to be able to create art,
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Most of us have heard this phrase countless times, but its message couldn't be further from the truth. We know that words are, in fact, able to hurt us. What we speak
