Hello February: A Fresh Reminder to Focus on What Truly Matters

January is already behind us, and like so many, I’ve caught myself saying, “Time flies!” multiple times this month. It feels like we were just celebrating the holiday season, yet here we are—diving headfirst into February. But what does this rapid pace mean for us?

It’s a reminder. A reminder not to get swept up in the noise, distractions, and things that don’t truly serve us. February offers a fresh chance to refocus, stay persistent, and be consistent with the things that keep us happy, healthy, and whole. CONSISTENCY: FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED

While February is often associated with Valentine’s Day, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to redefine love—not just romantic love, but love for yourself and the people who bring positivity into your life.

Love Yourself Inside and Out:
- Take care of your physical health by nourishing your body with good food, regular movement, and restful sleep.
- Check in on your mental and emotional well-being. Journal, meditate, or talk to someone you trust.
Share Love with Others:
- Love doesn’t always need to be shown with monetary gifts.
- Spend quality time with those who matter—watch a movie together, cook them a meal, or even just call to say hello.
- Offer acts of service, like helping with errands or lending a listening ear.

The excitement of New Year’s resolutions may be wearing off, but February is a great time to recalibrate. Remember: consistency beats perfection.

Revisit Your Goals: Check in on the goals you set in January. Adjust them if necessary to make them more realistic or aligned with your current priorities.
Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on what hasn’t gone right, celebrate small wins and brainstorm ways to tackle challenges.
Don’t Forget to Rest: Productivity is important, but so is taking time to recharge. Rest is productive—it helps you stay resilient and ready to tackle what’s ahead.

Time is our most precious resource, and February is a great reminder to use it intentionally. Prioritize what brings you joy and fulfillment rather than what drains you.

Limit time spent on activities or people that sap your energy.
Invest time in hobbies, self-care, and meaningful relationships.
Be mindful of where your attention goes—ensure it aligns with your values and goals.

Hello, February—A New Chapter

As we welcome February, let it serve as a reminder to love deeply, live intentionally, and stay the course on your journey. Whether it’s taking care of yourself, showing love to others, or making progress on your goals, each step matters.

Here’s to a month filled with love, focus, and a little bit of rest. Let’s make February a time to thrive, not just survive. You’ve got this!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

Mindful Living: Embracing Self-Care as a Lifestyle Choice

In a world that often monetizes self-care as if it’s something you can buy, I’ve found it essential to be intentional about living purposefully. My self-care journey lately has focused on staying present, maintaining boundaries, and allowing myself to feel and learn.

Media Consumption with Purpose

I started by re-evaluating my media consumption. Instead of passively consuming content, I choose media that aligns with my personal growth goals. I prefer watching videos like “How I Overcame My Social Anxiety” over “The Daily Life of Living With Social Anxiety.” I follow a few therapists who offer valuable insights, and I’m currently engrossed in content about perimenopause and menopause. I also consume media about overconsumption, helping me to maintain a healthy lifestyle that promotes critical thinking, accountability, and growth.

Prioritizing Rest and Sleep

Sleep has become a cornerstone of my self-care routine. As I age, I realize the importance of allowing my body to recharge and my mind to rest. I’ve learned to stop trying to do everything in a day. When I feel mentally and emotionally drained, I start my wind-down routine, giving my mind and spirit the rest they need.

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

Maintaining healthy eating habits and daily physical activity has kept me motivated. I focus on eating colorful foods, drinking plenty of water, and limiting sugar, salt, and caffeine. Pinterest has been a great resource for finding new recipes to keep my meals interesting. By nourishing my body and mind, I’m able to thrive daily, fight off toxins, and prevent diseases.

Decluttering and Simplifying

Another aspect of my self-care has been decluttering. Over the past few months, I’ve cleaned out closets, kitchen cabinets, junk drawers, and end tables. I used to love having photos and knick-knacks, but now, if I don’t use it daily, it doesn’t belong in my house. One Saturday, I even suggested to my husband that we sell our deep freezer because we no longer buy in bulk. Simplifying my environment has brought me clarity and peace. 6 MENTAL HEALTH REMINDERS FOR BAD DAYS

Embracing Peace and Letting Go

Ultimately, I’ve reached a point of peace by not taking things personally and learning to let go. I focus on experiences rather than material things, which has been incredibly freeing.

Processing Life’s Moments

An experience over Memorial Day weekend highlighted the importance of processing life’s moments. On our way back from a trip, we had a tire blowout 30 minutes into our drive home. It was dark, and we were on a two-lane highway. My husband changed the tire, and we made it home safely. Reflecting on this later, I realized how calmly we handled the situation. Whether it was my effort to stay composed or my instinct to assure our kids, we moved forward without letting it disrupt our peace. The next day, we simply bought a new tire.

While social media pushes for the latest trends and products, I encourage you to focus on your feelings and reactions to situations. What can you do to improve your well-being? Is what you’re consuming good for you, or is it reinforcing insecurities and fears?

By being intentional with your self-care, you can cultivate a lifestyle that promotes mindfulness, simplicity, and true well-being.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

WHY BUYING THINGS YOU DON’T NEED ISN’T SELF CARE

We are living in a time where overconsumption and consumerism has easily equated self care to buying the latest gadgets, trendy clothing, and other non-essential items. Yes, a little retail therapy can provide an instant gratification that lasts just as long as a TikTok video. But genuine self care is nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing and this cannot be achieved by acquiring more stuff.

close up shot of scrabble tiles on a white surface

Retail therapy provides the illusion of self care. It’s touted as a quick fix to stress or anxiety when in actuality it leads to more stress and anxiety. Once the instant gratification wears off, the process of finding the next thing to buy to give us that high begins. When true self care is figuring out why the material needs are there to provide happiness. Find out how to be happy without. Retail therapy provides you with debt, empty happiness, and too much meaningless stuff taking up space. The debt, mental and emotional clutter from the stuff, counteract the intended purpose. Your peace has been shattered by stuff.

”Buying things you don’t need and can’t afford isn’t self care.”

True self care is about the simple things in life. Focus on your diet, strengthen your muscles, getting outside, laughing more, getting your check ups done, and healing your insecurities by going to the source of them. Healing whatever pain and trauma you may have to ensure you are better for the relationships you have in life. True self care is being financially informed, aware of your spending habits, and making good choices. You can practice great self care by creating an environment of calm and peace. Keeping your mind and physical space decluttered.

Yes, taking a bath or shower is an instant mood booster. But you don’t need an overly priced body wash to take your daily shower. Purchasing a new gym outfit isn’t going to help you shed the pounds faster. Find something in your closet that’s old and can get sweaty. A $40 water bottle is unnecessary. As long as you wash and moisturize you don’t need a 20 step skin care routine. Take it from a self proclaimed beauty junkie. In fact, the more simple my routine became the better my skin health became. 3 SELF CARE MOMENTS FROM LAST WEEK

Self care is free. Self care is simple. Self care is finding a deeper connection with yourself. As you prepare for the warmer months focus on having experiences and not things. Get outside. Enjoy nature, music, people, food, and good conversation. When you go home be grateful for the moments, and prepare to do it all over again.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

YOUR NORMAL IS GOOD ENOUGH

I heard this while watching the basketball game the other day and can’t get it out of my head. The reporter asked the coach what was the advice given to the players in the highly intense game. “Your normal is good enough.” You don’t have to do anything extra or different. Do what got you here. When you try to do things differently or switch your game up, you lose your authentic self. Those talents, gifts, knowledge, and experiences is what makes you great.

Thinking about this, this also applies to this long game we’re all playing called life. However, for us, we only get one life. There isn’t another chance like those players have another game. So to understand that you’re normal, whatever it is, is good enough. ALL THE TIME!!!!!

As I adopt this mantra, your normal is good enough, I encourage you to explore your “normal”. What exactly does that mean to you and for you? It means embracing your authentic self. What you’re great at. What you have challenges with. The small things that makes you unique, quirky, different, and fun. It’s knowing how you show up is good enough and more than enough. Knowing your normal is good enough means you lose the idea of perfectionism. MARCH TO YOUR OWN RHYTHM

Along with losing the idea of perfectionism, it means sticking to your game plan. Don’t try to adopt anyone else’s game plan. Just because it works for them doesn’t mean it will fit into your scheme or your end goal. You can be encouraged and inspired to tap into your own and grow within yourself.

In the office, your relationships, and within yourself your normal is good enough. Do what you’re great at, ask for help when needed, and know that what you possess is good enough. No one on this planet will have it all, be it all, do it all, know it all , or even be able to attain it.

Each day do what you normally do and see how much better your mental health becomes. Your confidence will grow. Giving you the ability to become the person you envision. How much at ease you’ll feel. The need to please is released. Thus leaving room for growth and development. Acknowledging your normal is good enough doesn’t mean we don’t challenge ourselves to greater heights.

Embrace your imperfections, celebrate your uniqueness, and live your life authentically, because in the end, it’s the journey that matters most, not the destination.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

RESIST THE URGE TO CARRY OTHERS PAIN

”If God wanted you to have that pain and grief, he would have given it to you.”

As I sat and had a conversation with an elder of the church she gave me the above response after I said I wish I could take someone’s pain and grief away. When attempting to support someone in their time of grief we most often say things like, “I wish I can take it way”, or wanting to grieve for them. When, in actuality, they have to go through that process themselves. The best you can do is let them know when they’re ready, you’ll be there.

Now resisiting the urge to take on others pain and grief doesn’t have to be related to a death. Much more often, we attempt to take on things that don’t belong to us in our everyday life. When that friend vents about their boss, don’t internalize it, own it, and take it personally. Let them vent and then support them finding a solution to not letting their environment determine their peace.

Resist the urge when you’re lending an ear to someone air out their frustrations about their partner. Again, don’t let that spill over into yours and you unconsciously begin an argument with your partner. This can be true for those who love to listen to relationship podcast or gurus. Don’t accept their experience as yours and then create a situation for it to be accurate.

Carrying the burdens of others can be detrimental to our mental and emotional state. We are eating calories that are empty, no nutritional value, and garnering the effects while said person plate is empty. If we always taking food from someone else, how are they supposed to learn how to cope and navigate their way through life. You can empathize, support, and walk next to, without carrying the load.

To avoid, have clear boundaries of your role and responsibilities in your relationships. Know when you need to lend an ear, offer advice, encouragement, or when to walk away. And if you don’t know, ask. The key to eliminating stress, unnecessary conflict , and save relationships is to allow your friends and family to deal with their own stuff. SELF CARE: NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNICATION, & UNDERSTANDING

I’ve heard my favorite TV therapist, Iyanla Vanzant, tell her guest many times, “leave them alone and let them cry by “themselves. They’re adults, they’ll be ok, it’s only tears.” In order for ourselves and others to grow and heal, we all have to feel the feels.

Resist the urge.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

SELF CARE: NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNICATION, & UNDERSTANDING

After coming across a YouTube video where the creator was stressing frustration over the money market self care has become, I thought I’d share a few reminders.

Yes, we are saturated with images of “flawless” beauty and unrealistic standards. It’s easy to fall into the trap of equating self-care with beauty maintenance. Self-care extends beyond pampering oneself; it includes nurturing relationships, fostering communication, and understanding oneself to be better for others . It’s about nurturing the mind, body, and spirit, rather than solely focusing on external aesthetics. Let’s embark on a journey to remind ourselves what self care really is and not fall into the surface layer.

Healing Relationships: Self-care involves treating the wounds of past relationships and fostering healing within current ones. It’s about setting boundaries, expressing emotions, and seeking reconciliation where needed. By addressing unresolved issues and prioritizing emotional well-being, we clear the path for healthier connections. Heal your inner self first. That inner child wound holds the key to your mental wellbeing. Recognizing our triggers and how to heal them is emotional healing.

Building New Relationships: Engaging in self-care lays the foundation for building new, meaningful relationships. When we prioritize our needs and values, we attract individuals who align with our authentic selves. By engaging in self-awareness and self-love, we enter relationships from a place of strength and authenticity. When we don’t heal ourselves, we may push away good people with good intentions because our insecurities won’t allow us to see clearly. Once you understand you, your emotions, and trauma, you can identify and attract the kind of relationships you desire and need.

Focusing on Communication: Effective communication is at the heart of every healthy relationship. Self-care involves honing communication skills, such as listening, acknowledging , and showing empathy. By having an open mind, honest conversation , we create spaces for understanding, connection, and growth within our relationships. Because we’ve worked on ourselves we can express our feelings and emotions instead of holding them in resulting in resentment.

Prioritizing Health: Physical and mental health play integral roles in nurturing relationships. Self-care encompasses prioritizing healthy habits, such as exercise, eating with color, sleep, and stress management. By taking care of our bodies and minds, we show up as our best selves in our relationships, ready to engage, share, support, comfort, and motivate .

Understanding Others’ Points of View: This was one of my greatest eye openers. Self-care involves the ability to show empathy and understanding towards others’ perspectives. It’s about listening without judgment, seeking to understand, and acknowledging diverse experiences and viewpoints. By practicing compassion and empathy, we create safe spaces for mutual respect and connection. Listening to understand their feelings and needs. What in their life triggers them to communicate how they do. Not expecting anyone to respond, react, communicate, or think how you would.

Avoiding Inflicting Pain: More importantly , self-care entails refraining from inflicting harm on others, whether intentionally or unintentionally. We hurt others because we haven’t dealt with our own hurt. It’s about recognizing the impact of our words and actions, taking responsibility for our behavior, and striving to do better. Opting for kindness, respect, and empathy, we open the door to nurturing, healthy relationships. When we attempt to hurt others, it says more about our inner struggles and pain we need to deal with. Furthermore, once the deed is done it can’t be undone.

In essence, self-care is a multifaceted prong of components. By prioritizing communication, understanding, and empathy, we create spaces for connection, growth, and mutual support. That’s where the true beauty lies. We can be the most aesthetically appealing on the outside but if the inner isn’t cleaned up, then it washes away that beauty. SELF CARE IS A LIFESTYLE What does all the points have in common? They are FREE. Let us remember the beauty routine, maintenance, mani’s, and pedi’s are great but focus on the inner first.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

CONSISTENCY: FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED

In a world that is forever changing with new technologies, trends, and aesthetics , it is very easy to lose patience, gratitude, and interest . No matter if you’re starting a business, blog, family, new career, savings, or self development journey you’ll need consistency, patience, and focus to finish out what you started. You never know how it could have been if you don’t see it through. This, I had to remind myself, that what we need and want is often right within our grasp – if only we pause, appreciate, and persevere.

As I began to research, plan, and build my Etsy store, I had to pause and think I have everything I’m looking for in front of me. I haven’t been consistent on the blog, I’m still selling on Poshmark, and still a freelancer. Not to mention a mom of three teenagers and an husband. With great hesitation I put my Etsy store on pause. Whenever starting something new it takes great effort, time, and resources. Instead let’s harness the power of staying in the present and being consistent. What we need and desire might be right in front of us.

If you ask any millionaire or celebrity the key to their success, it’s always staying the course when you don’t have motivation, no one believes in you, you don’t see results, and keep doing even if you’re tired. Success is often a product of small, consistent actions accumulating over time. Will there be times you slip?! Absolutely. But the beauty is you get back up.

The satisfaction of completing a project or seeing something through should remain motivation enough to be consistent. Remember your why. Being able to recognize, own, and share your growth is invaluable. Finish what you started – the rewards extend beyond the immediate task.

When faced with obstacles, it’s tempting to abandon ship and chase new adventures. This I have to remember and tell myself when I don’t get views, a contract, or bad review. I remember my why. What my purpose is. Don’t give up too easily; every obstacle is an opportunity to refine your skills, resilience, and determination. MENTAL HEALTH REMINDER: TRUST YOURSELF

Sometimes, getting that instant gratification isn’t what we need or desire. Patience is a virtue, and trust in the process is paramount. When there is an obstacle, I know there is a lesson that I need to learn. It’s important to get that lesson before moving on and understanding the work that needs to be done. Instant success isn’t sustainable.

In the pursuit of our dreams and goals, it’s crucial to remember that success isn’t just about starting new ventures but about completing the ones we’ve already embarked upon. Let’s celebrate consistency, embrace the art of finishing, and trust that what we need and want is already in motion – we just need to stay the course.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

25 JOURNAL PROMPTS TO REFLECT ON 2023

One of the most impactful lessons I learned this year was to trust my instincts, follow my heart, and listen to my inner voice. Even when I was terrified and unsure. I had to make one of the most difficult decisions this year and going through the process was dark. But once I trusted myself and listened to me, it was the best decision I ever made. JOURNAL WRITING: BRAIN DUMP FOR MENTAL CLARITY

As this year come to a close and you begin to reflect, use these journal prompts to help guide you through.

1.What was the most impactful lesson you learned this year and how did it change you?
2. Write about a moment of joy that you didn’t expect? Where were you? How did you feel?
3. What’s the biggest challenge you faced this year? How did you over come it?
4. Write about a time you were proud of yourself?
5. If you could do it all over again, what one day you’d relive and why?
6. What are three things you did this year that you’ve never done?
7. What new habit did you pick up? Why?
8. What are some emotional milestones you achieved this year?
9. What did you regret? Why? How have you learned from it?
10. How did you take care of your mental health this year?
11. What’s the one person who motivated and helped you this year? What would you tell them?
12. What random act of kindness did you witness this year?
13. What were you able to let go of this year? How did it feel to release it?
14. What investments did you make into your personal development this year?
15. What’s your biggest accomplishment this year? How did you celebrate yourself?
16. Sum up this past year in three words.
17. What did you learn about yourself this year?
18. How did you nurture your relationships this year?
19. What are your expectations for the upcoming year?
20. What would you like to improve for the new year?
21. What are three goals for yourself this new year?
22. What relationships would you like to see grow this year?
23. What does fun look like to you as you grow through this journey?
24. Rate your confidence and self esteem level.
25. What movie are you looking forward to and why?

If you need some inspiration to get going. Check out some links below of great journals to help you jump start.

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Self reflection is good for us to see where we’ve been, where we need work, understanding the why, and let us know what we need going forward. As always be as detailed as possible. This will give you your guideline for the new year.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

BEST THING I HEARD ALL WEEK

“You’ve done what the Lord has asked us all to do. What someone does with your gift or what intentions they had isn’t for you to worry about.” Once again I perked up at my desk. When my antennas go up my mind, spirit, and heart is open to receive.

Monday morning I had an email that read “I’ll have to explain it to you in person.” Come to find out a couple approached a lady that came to visit church Sunday morning. At the end of service they approached and welcomed her. Upon approaching, we’re going to call her “Tina”, they noticed she didn’t look well. So they asked if they could help her with anything.

Tina only communicated through a notepad, had 4 large bags with her, and it was cold and rainy out. After limited communication, the couple decided to place her in a hotel for a couple of nights until she could get to a shelter. Well after some thought they had buyers remorse and felt like they had been scammed. 10 MENTAL HEALTH REMINDERS

Meeting with them and hearing Tina was dressed in beautiful trench coat, high heals, hair done, she wasn’t wet when she came in, didn’t have body odor, and her bags of stuff was nicely clean and organize they felt like they were scammed. This couple wasn’t asking for their money back, I think they just wanted to vent their frustration. Get some confirmation of their feelings and simply process the events.

In the meeting the Pastor explained you did what our boss, God, told us to do. We opened the doors of the church. We gave them coffee and a bite to eat. Placed them in a room for comfort. You did the right thing and what you were supposed to do. Thus, your spirits and conscious is free, clear, and open to receive blessings. What another person does with our gifts, generosity, and kindness isn’t for us to deal with. That is their payday.

I needed this because I had been battling myself on how to proceed with certain relationships in my family. I’ve felt duped and bamboozled by my aunt. Betrayed by my brother of him directing his anger at me. Hearing that message gave me confirmation on continuing to do the right thing. Throughout the week I read twice on different media, don’t stop doing the right things, just because the wrong people didn’t appreciate or receive it.

Is it hard. YES!!!! But be good to yourself and others. Don’t worry about their payday. As long as you make sure you get paid when it’s time. Being good to others is good for the soul.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

FINDING JOY IN THE LITTLE THINGS

I saw this video where this girl discussed her pleasure and joy in having a Starbucks drink. How do you find joy in the little things. This young woman explained after having less than $2 in her bank account for a week, she decided on payday to get her a drink at Starbucks. Her Caption: “After surviving a week with $1.23 in my bank I decided to treat myself to a starbies drink.” As she took big gulps you can see the exhale and relief the drink was providing. As she sat in her car, gazing out the window, you can feel her joy and pleasure with the zen moment she was having.

shallow focus photo of coffee in a starbucks cup

5 Little Things I Enjoy

-Sheet Mask
-Going For A Walk
-Watching Football with my husband
-Listening to music
-Having a good cup of coffee

She had a mixed response. Some went the route of saying purchasing that coffee is the reason why she only had a dollar and change. She’s keeping herself broke while buying those kind of drinks. They have lots of calories anyway. While others understood her point, finding joy in the most simple things in life can bring you peace and comfort. It wasn’t about the money. After having an intense emotional rollercoaster of a week, she needed something to pickup herself up. She found it in a drink. It could have been found in something else worse.

But isn’t that what self care is about. When tough times approach you, how do you self soothe. What is the one thing you can do that gives you that instant boost of energy, courage, and motivation to tackle on the next week. The truth is we all have our vices. 10 DAILY SIMPLE SELF CARE ACTIVITIES THAT WORK

So often we look for the big house, Paris vacation, nice car, large diamonds, large closets, and more stuff to bring us joy and peace. When, if we paused for a moment it’s the most simple pleasures in life that brings the greatest amount joy. Finding joy in the smallest things will give you meaning, purpose, encouragement, inspiration, joy, happiness, confidence, and self worth.

Finding joy in the simple things allows you to experience the happiness guilt free. It doesn’t have any attachments. We’re in the month of November. Gratitude is the attitude. What are some simple things in life that brings you joy and happiness?