#blackboujeebeauty

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Tips For First Time Pilates Princesses

If you ever plan to take a Pilates class here are some things you should know…

1. Bring a pair of grip socks 🧦 ( I didn’t and ended up paying $17 for a pair on hand. It is what it is)

2. Hydrate. Hydrate.Hydrate. Do not come empty handed without a water bottle because as cute as this looks it is a workout that will have you needing to catch your breathe.

3. Your head will be against the reformer 80% of the time so wearing a bun can be uncomfortable (I kept having to turn my head to the side so that my bun wouldn’t continue to press against my head)

4. If your studio offers beginner classes please suggest taking that before diving into more skilled classes.

5. Stretch beforehand. The next day my glutes are super sore and while I’m glad for that muscle to be woken up , stretching beforehand can save you some pain.

6. The aesthetics give soft girl era but the workout can be intense for your first time so come prepared to move your body.

7.Get out of your head and enjoy yourself! Who cares if your form isn’t perfect like the instructor that has been doing this for X+ years. If you continue to do it you will continue to get better 🫶🏽

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✨ welcome to waiting to bloom! you can call me bloom.

✨ general getting my life together posts

✨ that girl & it girl vibes & aesthetic

✨ health & wellness

✨ self improvement

✨ self care

✨ personal growth

✨ my wellness journey

✨ i have started a new series here on this blog i'm calling gyst series where i will be documenting and sharing my journey of getting my life back together and tagging with #bloom's gyst series if anyone wishes to follow along.

Some of my favourite blogs for these topics

✨ @becomingthatgirl111

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✨ @malusokay

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✨ @blackboujeebeauty

✨ @thecairomuse

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✨ @wellnessprincess111

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1.10.24, God blessed us with our dream apartment that I’ve been manifesting since 2020.

Answered prayers feel so surreal,

Gratitude is through the roof,

Cute cocktails are being made,

Gourmet meals are on the counters,

I’ve been truly living in my home body era and I love it here. 🤍

[blackboujeebeauty]

I am affirmations.

[blackboujeebeauty]

Beauty Products Sharing Time ✨

Sunday Riley and OLEHENRIKSEN have become two of my favorite brands to use in my skincare routine and this Burberry HER perfume has been my current favorite so let’s talk about it!

C.E.O Glow🍊- I began using this face oil in April to help with hyper pigmentation and dullness. This is my second bottle of the 0.5 size which retails for $40 and the full ounce for $80. The .05 oz can last between 3-4 months depending how frequently you are using it. This oil goes a long way, one small drop on each of my cheeks, one drop to the forehead and one to the neck does the job. This product has significantly helped to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation and blemish scars. It has also helped with the grey cast that I used to have near the sides of my mouth. Leaves the skin glowing! Can be used day and night. ✨✨✨✨4/5 stars

U.F.O Acne Treatment Oil🛸- I have been working out more consistently and going to the sauna frequently which has caused my chest area to sweat more then results in congestion in that area for me and breakouts. To combat that I use this oil on a breakout when it is fresh, paired with Good Genes and by the morning the blemish is practically gone, this will also help with scarring. Pricing of a 0.5 bottle is $40 and full ounce $80.00 Haven’t been using for a full month yet so still too early to rate the product. Intended for day and night. I stick to using it at night to avoid sun exposure in the day when pairing this with Good Genes.

Good Genes🧬- This is a lactid acid serum meaning that this product will help eliminate dead skin cells and revive the skin. It assist’s with texture, fine lines, dark circles under the eye and an overall smoother and even appearance to the skin. You can use this as a leave on treatment or if your skin is on the sensitive side you can wash it off after 15 minutes as recommended. I use this last in my skincare routine at night. Good Genes paired with the other two mentioned is an iconic trio! This product comes at a higher price tag as a full oz is $85 and the 1.7 oz retails for $112.00. I highly recommend this product ✨✨✨✨✨ 5/5 stars

Burberry HER🩰- This Parfum is chefs kisses 👌🏾 the key notes in this product is dark berries, Jasmine and musk-amber. Fun fact the popularly known curator of Baccarat Rouge 540 Francis Kurkdijan curated this parfum as well and this is supposed to be a dupe! I still have yet to smell Baccarat Rouge 540 but the kind lady at Sephora seemed to know her stuff so I chose this. I love the way this smells because it is completely different from what I have in my current collection which includes YSL Libre, Carolina Herrera Good Girl and Tom Ford Eau De Soleil Blanc, to give an idea of the scents that I am into. Burberry HER is floral, it’s sweet and soft. I receive many compliments whenever I wear this paired with the Tom Ford or YSL scents. ✨✨✨✨ 4/5 stars

I would love to hear what are your favorite skincare or beauty items in your routine that yoy would recommend . What’s your signature scent and how would you describe how you feel when wearing it? Leave a comment on this post or reblog to get the conversation going. Have a great rest of your day beautiful 💖

[blackboujeebeauty]

Sis, You Need A Mental Health Day: 5 Signs That You're Overdue

Taking care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically is the highest form of self-love. When you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it can be tough to remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health when getting caught up in the motions of life. If you're experiencing any of these five signs then Sis it's time for a mental health day!

Emotional Distress

Emotional distress occurs when you experience an extreme level of unpleasant emotions that affect your thought process, decisions & routines.

Emotional distress can manifest in many ways, including worrying about things that are not real or circumstances that are out of your control. It can also include feeling like you cannot cope with the demands of your life, or feeling like you have lost control over some aspect of your life.

If you're feeling this way, the first step is to acknowledge what is happening and where these feelings are rooted. You may not be aware of it, but stress can lead to a number of symptoms in your body—from headaches and insomnia to anxiety and depression. If you feel any of these symptoms, it's time for a timeout!

Sleep Deprivation

If you're not able to get your beauty rest the way you need to due to your mind evading your peace then we gotta fix that. Sleep deprivation can cause an array of problems, from poor health to mood issues. Sleep is important for our health and well-being. It helps us feel rested and energized so that we can be productive in our everyday life with a clear mind.

Sleep deprivation makes it harder for us to concentrate on tasks at hand because when we're tired our brain does not function as it regularly should. Sleep deprivation can make you feel tired and irritable throughout the day—and those symptoms are often mistaken for being depressed! In fact, they're just signs that it's time to adjust your nighttime routine to get back to that beauty rest that will keep you feeling refreshed and ready to handle your day ahead.

You Feel Unaligned Spiritually & Emotionally

You've been making fear-based decisions, and your stress levels are through the roof. It feels like someone or something else has taken control of your life and emotions, and it's not you anymore.

You feel like a stranger in your own body.

You feel like you are different than you used to be.

You feel like you have lost your identity.

It feels as if someone or something else has taken control of your life and emotions, and it's not you anymore.

Brain Fog

Have you been having trouble remembering things? Do you find yourself forgetting what appointments are coming up on the calendar or forgetting your thoughts easily? Are the small details of everyday life slipping through the cracks? If so, then it may be time for a mental health day.

Furthermore, if you find yourself struggling with other tasks, then it might be time to find a day that you can declutter your mind and get it back on track by having a well-needed mental health day that doesn't require much thought or action.

Feeling Drained

It's normal to feel tired after a hard day's work, or when you're stressed out and your mind is racing. But when that fatigue lingers for more than a couple of days, it may be time for some much-needed downtime. The reasons behind this exhaustion vary from person to person—it could mean anything from anemia to depression—but one thing is certain: The best way to combat it is by getting some well-needed relaxation time.

You've been feeling a little drained lately, which is hard to pinpoint, but you know it has something to do with how you're spending your time. You know that taking a break and getting away from your phone, computer, TV and other distractions will help you recharge so that when you get back to yourself after your mental health day, things will seem better—and they will!

So don't wait another moment before making sure that your schedule includes some quiet time as soon as possible. You deserve it!

Sis, It is okay to not feel okay, but what is not okay is ignoring your body telling you that you need to RELAX and SLOW DOWN. We live in a world where we are constantly told that we need to keep working, keep being productive, and keep going and if we don't we are labeled 'lazy' or having a poor 'work ethic' but the truth is having too much of something is never healthy. Taking a mental health day or self-care day can help prevent burnout in the long run by giving your brain some rest from all its hard work. Sometimes you may even need more than just one day to get yourself back feeling right and that is okay too!

In 2023 we are no longer sacrificing our mental well-being and physical health to keep up with a world that is going to always be in constant motion whether we choose to or not.

Do you need a bit more Self-Care in your life? Download your FREE copy of the 30-Day Self-Care Challenge and begin transforming your life TODAY!

[blackboujeebeauty]

Pretty Cocktail Glasses 🍸

[blackboujeebeauty]

One tip that I always recommend when it comes to trying new products that you are not familiar with is investing in the travel size before committing to a full size product to avoid the feeling of “damn I bought this $60 cleanser that is not getting the job done”

If you share the same skin concerns (hyper pigmentation, uneven skin tone, texture, acne, dullness) and are looking for some new new in your routine I highly recommend giving these products a chance.

🫧Dermalogica|Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator: A gentle, rice-based powder exfoliant that brightens and improves the look of your skin and clears pores and suitoable for any skin type. What I love about this product is that not only does a little go a long way but it actually cleanses the skin and breaks down makeup!

🫧Kora Organics| Noni Glow Face Oil: This face oil was designed to treat the face and neck by aiding in dullness, uneven skin tone & texture while providing a natural glow and brightening the skin. As someone that travels often this oil comes with me everywhere as it visibility keeps my skin hydrated after a flight and long hours in the airport.

🫧Kora Organics| Turmeric BHA Pore & Brightening Mask: This is hands down my favorite exfoliating and detoxifying face mask. The Turmeric extract in the mask tackles pigmentation while the Aspen Bark helps to visibly refine skin texture leaving me with bright and beautiful skin. I recommend using this mask at most 2-3x a week.

🫧The Ordinary| Exfoliating Peeling Solution: Sissss if you don’t have this in your routine please do yourself a favor and pick it up like yesterday. At $9.50 this mask will treat hyper pigmentation and reduced congestion in the skin that leads to a build up of clogged pores and acne. Recommended use is 2-3x a week

🫧The Ordinary| Exfoliating Toning Solution: From Witch Hazel to toner after toner this product by The Ordinary deserves a 10/10. Over the course of 3 weeks it has visibly improved the radiance of my skin and texture. This used after the Dermalogica face cleanser is a powerful duo.

Follow us on Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest & Facebook for more related content🫶🏽🤎

[blackboujeebeauty]

9 Self-Care Products To Incorporate Into Your Self-Care Sunday

1.Keenray Luxury Towel Warmer- Treat yourself to the feeling of an at home spa treatment by investing in this towel warmer that can also be utilized for blankets, throw blankets, socks and clothing.

2.Kora Organics Tumeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask- This facemask from Kora Organics will serve as a great addition to your skincare routine because it addresses most skincare concerns such as cleaning and detoxing the pores, brightens dark spots, enhances skin radiance and glow and leaves you with a fresh feeling face that will not leave the skin feeling stripped or dried out.

3.The New Ordinary AHA 30% BHA 2% Peeling Solution- For less than $10 you can experience an at home peeling solution that will aide in ridding dark spots, hyperpigmentation and texture.

4.Bursera Palo Santo Sticks- Not only are these palo Santo sticks a necessity for cleansing energy in your space but they are also natural & sustainable so you can ensure that you are not inhaling any potentially dangerous chemicals or fumes when burning these Palo Santo Sticks.

5.Jade Roller & Gua Sha, Face Roller- This skincare tool is great for de-puffing the face and neck, reducing under eye bags and dark circles and so much more! I recommend putting this in your freezer for just 10 minutes than applying your favorite serum with this tool during your skincare routine for noticeable difference.

6.Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief, 3 Wick Candle- We love a great candle! this Aromatherapy, Stress Relief candle from Bath & Body Works has lasting power and smell that will linger throughout your room and home for hours.

7.Bath & Body Works Stress Relief Perfume Spray- This Stress Relief Spray goes in conjunction with the listed item above that makes a powerful duo! Great for spraying on your pillow & bed sheets.

8.Positive Affirmations For Black Women- we can always use words of positive affirmations, this book by author Sheila Brown delivers amazing messages and mantras that will be most effective for repeating daily to impress the subconscious mind and also makes as a great gift!

9.Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones- If you have yet to read Atomic Habits, sis what are you doing? This book from author James Clear is a great read while taking a nice bath, before bed or during down time. Atomic Habits will help to understand the effective and ineffective habits that we have and how to steer away from what is not serving our greater good.

If you enjoyed these products you can find more alike on the ✨BlackBoujeeBeauty Storefront✨

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through a link✨

Until next time Beautiful!

[blackboujeebeauty]

Atrium ATL✨

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What are some habits that you’re implementing in 2023?

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The daily mantra.

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The feeling of writing up the wall in a journal for years and investing in a new one ✍🏾✨

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@blackboujeebeauty mood gifs ✨

[blackboujeebeauty]

Ways In Which One Can Elevate In Life

I'm a firm believer in the power of intention. A simple yet powerful state of mind that allows us to create change in our lives and grow as individuals. So many of us go through life with no idea what it is we want out of this world, but I believe if we could all just get clear on what makes us happy, the image that we have of ourselves that we wish to show up as and how can we build on these aspects, then we can start to design the life that's right for us.

Step 1: Understanding Who You Are

The first step is to understand who you are. Understand your personality, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and purpose. Understand what you want to achieve in life and how you plan to achieve it. Understanding who you are is the key to all other aspects of success in life because without knowing yourself then it will be hard for one to live out the dreams and aspirations that we set for ourselves if there is no clear vision of the person that it will take us to get there. One needs a clear understanding of themselves before moving forward because at the end of the day if we don’t know ourselves then how do we expect others too?

Step 2: Ask Yourself the Right Questions

Once you have identified who you are, it is time to ask yourself the right questions. Ask yourself what you want and why you want it.  Asking yourself these questions helps in achieving a clear vision of your goal and its importance in your life. It also helps in identifying ways of achieving the goal or getting there.

Ask yourself what sacrifices are required for achieving this goal? What sacrifices are required for reaching this level of success? How much time and effort would be required in order to achieve that particular goal? What can I do if things don't go as planned? Am I willing to put up with whatever comes my way while pursuing my dreams or do I just give up easily when things become difficult?"

Step 3: Inspiration

When trying to elevate in areas of your life it may be a good idea to seek inspiration from others that are already doing what you are trying to achieve. For example if you are wanting to elevate your sense of style, going on sites such as Pinterest or watching YouTube videos is a great way to see and learn for yourself how that person is able to do what you are trying to. You will begin to understand where you can start on your personal journey to accomplish where you are trying to elevate.

Surrounding yourself with individuals that are at a certain part of their journey where they are able to fully live in that elevated state is another great way to get started on your own journey.  An example of this being if you are looking to get into a certain industry as an entrepreneur, it would be beneficial to surround yourself with other entrepreneurs because at the end of the day we don’t know what we don’t know.  Immersing yourself in the same spaces as those that share the same interests and goals will get you far because  becoming relationship rich will help you to build strong foundations within yourself and will put you in a path with people that you may have never thought possible.

One goal of mine that sits on my vision board was elevating in the way that I was traveling. I knew that I would be traveling more frequently in the upcoming years so why not make the best of my travel experiences? I would search and watch videos or read blogs on how to have a more luxurious travel experience. Doing that I was able to then understand the steps that I needed to take to accomplish where I wanted to be and that was in the airport lounges with a mimosa in hand.  Now six months later I have videos on my experiences in lounges such as Delta and The Centurion Lounge through American Express available to those on my social media pages  that are looking to do the same! Because I sought out the information, I am now able to inspire others which is such a beautiful feeling.

Step 4: Set Intentions

To start with, it is important to set clear goals and intentions. Goals are the destination, while intentions are the path you will take in order to reach your goal. A goal may be to lose weight or achieve financial independence; an intention could be to eat healthier or save money for a new car. Intentions are often more specific than goals, but not always. You can set them for every area of your life: physical health, mental health, relationships and finances included. In fact this last one is often considered by many as the most important factor of all!

We live in a world where people are constantly trying to improve everything about themselves in order to become better versions of themselves – smarter versions of themselves (through education), stronger versions (through exercise), wealthier versions (through saving). And this is great! But there’s also something else that needs improving: our mindset! Your mindset determines how successful you will be at achieving anything that you set your mind to. We have to learn how we can take our mindsets from one of scarcity, lack and fear to that of abundance, happiness and success.

Step 5:Create a Vision Board

A vision board is a visual representation of what you want to achieve, from career goals and financial stability to personal relationships and spiritual fulfillment. You can create one with pictures and words that express your desires, or even write them down on index cards and pin them to your wall.

Creating your vision board can be such a fun project. Whether you are doing this alone or with those closest to you using platforms such as Canva to create a digital vision board and then getting your creation shipped to you is one way that you can go about it or you can use physical magazines, articles, pictures with a pair of scissors and glue to get to work! Make sure to hang your vision board somewhere that you are able to easily visualize what you have created as a way to stay motivated and remember what you are working to obtain.

Include affirmations in the vision board. Affirmations are statements that you repeat to yourself, such as "I am successful," "I am positive," or "I am making more money each month." These sayings help you create a new reality by giving your mind something positive to focus on instead of negative thoughts (which often lead us down paths we don't want).

Step 6: Design Your Routine & Habits

Your morning routine is the best time for you to set yourself up for success in the day, so try not to neglect it. How we decide to start a day truly will set the tone for how our day will go.

A great way to create a healthy habit is by including something you enjoy doing in your daily routine—this will help motivate you when times get tough or frustrating. For example, if you like reading books or  meditating, curating a nice meal for yourself then try incorporating them into your regular routines rather than just doing them sporadically here and there. Having an ideal nightly routine is also vital as this is your time after a day to feel good before getting that beauty rest. (Tip Of Life: You want to try to never go to bed upset if  the situation is not greater than something you can't handle.)  That may include doing your skin care routine consistently or watching a certain show that you enjoy, that way they become part of who YOU ARE instead of what YOU DO.

One book that I highly recommend for understanding effective and non-effective routines and habits is "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. Reading this book allowed me to understand that success isn't just about the goals that we achieve but the systems that we set in place to get ourselves there.

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Step 7: Record Your Journey

Journaling, audio & video recording are great ways to keep track of your goals and progress, as well as the other aspects of your journey. It's also helpful in helping you keep track of the lessons and insights you've learned along the way.

Keeping a journal will help you stay motivated, improve self-awareness, build discipline, enhance creativity and discover new things about yourself that could be useful on your path towards success.

There are many different ways to journal; some people like to write in their journals every day while others prefer just writing when they feel inspired or have something important on their mind.

Recording the wins, the lessons, the ups and the downs are all a part of the beauty of elevation. Seeing from where you started, the knowledge that you have obtained along the way and the goals that you have accomplished  allows for others to get inspiration from you too.

Step 8: Always Remember to Love Thy Self,

As you can probably tell by now, self-love is a crucial element in any attempt to elevate one's life. But how do you go about loving yourself? The answer is simple: give yourself the love that you need. If there is something in your life that isn't quite right and needs fixing, fix it! If something feels off or uncomfortable but can't be changed immediately, find a way to make peace with it until things change for the better. And if a relationship has run its course and needs to end so that both parties can move on with their lives (whether together or separately), don't hesitate—let go of whatever is holding onto you so tightly and let it go.

To Love Thy Self also requires confidence and self esteem. I'm sure you have heard the term "Confidence Is Key" and it really is. Confidence is not only about our physical beauty but also how we  build our character and mindset. Inner self confidence and having self esteem is what will take you far. Here are some ways that you can build up your confidence and self  esteem.

✨ Stop Comparing Yourself To The Next

✨Become Mindful of the way that you speak about yourself

✨Take time To reflect  during times of Isolation

✨Be kinder to Yourself

✨Be patient with yourself 

✨ Speak up for yourself

✨ Know when to walk away from situations that no longer serve you

✨Become mindful with where and who you contribute your time and energy to

✨ Practice Gratitude

✨ Compete with only yourself

✨Develop Emotional Intelligence

Step 9: There Is No Other Time Then Now

There is no other time than now. Time is truly a gift that once it has been used we can never get back. So why continue to live a life that is not truly fulfilling you? Now is the only time you have to make your dreams come true, so why not make the most of it? You are the only one who can change your life, and there's nothing stopping you from making it better. Wake up with purpose and go to bed with satisfaction!

Step 10: Understanding That There Will Days That Are Not So Good

It is important to understand that we aren't always going to have the kind of ideal day that we hoped for and to remember that it is not so much about what is going on around us but how we react to them. Life is Life and it does not always go as planned or as we may hoped. Whether it may be something such as being stuck in traffic for a period of time or dealing with a situation or person that makes us feel like our day is doomed. That one moment should not define how the rest of our days ahead can turn out. Learning to deal with how we respond to these "inconveniences' ' are important for any personal journey in order to reach  new heights In the way that we perceive, comprehend and react to situations. We are not always in control of what happens to us but we can control how we allow those things to affect us going forward. 

Taking those steps to start showing up as the person that you dream of yourself to be will make you not only more confident in yourself but others will begin to notice the shift in you as well. You gotta walk the walk. Walk in faith, Walk in confidence and remember to have fun and enjoy the version of yourself that you are becoming. The more you are able to do this, the happier and more fulfilled you will feel. Anyone is capable of elevating in different areas of  life if they truly desire too. There are so many things that one can do in order to elevate their life: being kinder, setting goals for yourself and working hard towards them, helping others achieve their goals too... All these things require effort on our part but will bring great rewards in return. I hope you have enjoyed this particular blog post as I had so much fun writing this. Share this with someone you know! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out on all of our platforms.

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5 Gratitude Habits That Will Drastically Improve Your Life

Gratitude is one of the most powerful and healthiest emotions that we as humans can express. In this blog post, I'll discuss 5 gratitude habits that will drastically improve your life. When we feel grateful for all that we have, our happiness increases, we experience less stress and anxiety, and we even sleep better. Because gratitude is such a beneficial emotion for a growth mindset, it's important to cultivate it in our lives.

What if I also told you, that you can cultivate or manifest relationships, opportunities, material items, and experiences in your life before they have arrived by expressing gratitude, but first, we must start with the right mindset,

Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset

If you're unfamiliar with the concept of mindset, it is the established set of attitudes that tells us how to interpret what happens to us. Our mindset is developed over the years through our personal experiences, emotions, and environment. The growth mindset is one in which we see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. People that identify with a growth mindset are usually also characterized as being optimistic by seeing the glass as half full as opposed to not half empty. When we have this mindset, we don't see ourselves as victims; instead, we believe that things are not always going to go our way but that our efforts can make all the difference in whether or not they do. We remain faithful and express gratitude even when others feel as though there is not much to be thankful for if the things that they want are not coming their way or life is not happening how they intended at that moment. On the other hand, having a fixed mindset means believing that your abilities are set at birth and cannot change throughout life—this will lead you to feel like simply being born smart or talented is enough to succeed in life without putting any work into improving on skills & talents or cultivating desired experiences. Usually, people that have a fixed mindset are characterized as being pessimistic in their views and tend to focus on what they don't have as opposed to what they do have, lacking to appreciate even the aspects of life that we often take advantage of such as having air in our lungs to breathe and being able to change our circumstances each day that we open our eyes.

We were made to grow and develop over time by going through situations in life that we are supposed to find the lessons in, to learn and do differently the next time. This means that any limitation you may feel right now only exists because of something inside yourself—you haven't given yourself all of the tools yet and if you believe that you already have the tools to become greater or change your current circumstances. Then what's stopping you?

The Power In These Two Words

The words "thank you" are so powerful, but you may not realize just how powerful they are when only saying thank you for things that you have already received.

The most common way we use the word thank you is when we receive something we like or need. We say it because we want to show appreciation for this item, and we want to let the person who gave us this item know that we appreciate it. This is a great way to use the word thank you because this way of using it shows gratitude for someone else's generosity towards us.

Gratitude is not only a powerful emotion but a mindset. Gratitude is what makes us feel connected with other people and can help improve relationships, health, experiences, and opportunities. Gratitude also has many benefits: it makes us happier; it reduces stress; it helps us sleep better; it gives us more energy and confidence...the list goes on!

The key to cultivating gratitude in your life is practice—the more often we express our gratitude for others' generosity or efforts on our behalf, the easier this will become (and eventually become second nature). So let's get started!

5 Habits For Expressing Gratitude

#1 Accept Compliments With A Smile And a Thank You.

When someone compliments you, it's common to react with a modest "thank you," or perhaps even a denial of the compliment ("oh, you don't mean that"). However, if your goal is to cultivate gratitude and appreciation for yourself and others, there are better ways to respond. Let's learn to avoid denying or diminishing compliments altogether: the other person has taken the time and effort to notice something about you that they find impressive—and they're likely trying to make you feel good! And while some people may be prone to self-deprecation or awkwardness around praise (or both), no matter what type of response we give can be interpreted as either genuine humility or inauthenticity.

When someone gives us a compliment that we feel uncomfortable accepting—whether because we don't believe them or because it feels awkward saying thank you ("I love your jacket!")—we can always smile warmly and say something like: “Thank you! It means so much that you noticed." Or perhaps simply repeat back what was said ("You have beautiful eyes as well") along with another kind gesture such as holding eye contact for longer than usual before looking away.

#2 Keep A Gratitude Journal

Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to start your day and end it. This can have a powerful impact on your relationship with yourself and others. Writing in a gratitude journal helps you focus on the positive things in your life, rather than dwelling on the stressors or causes of anxiety. It also helps you to appreciate what you have and reminds you to be thankful for it.

The best time to write in your gratitude journal is first thing in the morning after you wake up. You'll be able to reflect on all of the things you're grateful for and clear your mind before you start your day. It's also a way to express gratitude at night when your mind is more relaxed and open to new ideas. When you write in the evening, be sure to get into a comfortable position where you won't be interrupted or distracted by anything else going on around you.

The Gratitude Journal by Intelligent Change is a favorite product of mine that I keep by my bedside table. Every morning that I wake up it is one of the first things I see and start my day with before opening my phone to check emails, texts, or my social media accounts. Taking the time to do this in the morning and before bed has helped me to always remain in a state of gratitude. When you open the page to this journal the first prompt it will ask you to do is write 3 things that you are grateful for. Here are three ideas that you can use to write if you are having a hard time finding something to express gratitude for.

I am grateful for waking up this morning. ✨

I am grateful for the air in my lungs.✨

I am grateful for the sleep that I received last night.✨

Taking it a step further you can express gratitude for things that you would like to come to fruition in your life.

I am grateful to have the home of my dreams.✨

I am grateful for my successful business.✨

I am grateful for the confidence that I have.✨

Telling yourself how grateful you are for something doesn't just feel good; it makes your body release endorphins! These chemicals help lower blood pressure and stress levels, which means they're an easy way to feel better right away. And when we feel better, we're more likely to take care of ourselves and avoid falling into a repeated pattern of past thinking.

So keep writing down everything that makes your life amazing—it'll help keep it that way!

#3 Make It A Habit To Notice The Things That Make You Happy Each Day

Making it a habit to notice the things that make you happy each day is an easy way to stay positive and have faith that everything in your life will transform. It can be hard to get back into the right mindset when you're feeling down or overwhelmed. But when you're able to focus on what did go well or smoothly in your day, it's easier to remember that the world isn't always terrible. And when you feel that you have more than enough good elements in your life to be grateful for, it's easier to let go of those little annoyances that can make us feel like things are happening to us.

Examples of these would be that you were able to get in your car and make it to all of your destinations and back home safely. The person that you encountered at the checkout line was kind. You liked the weather for the day. You were able to find the item that you were looking for around the house. You enjoyed a good cup of coffee. Being thankful for these moments will keep you in a state of gratitude.

#4 Practice Being Mindful

The practice of mindfulness has been shown to have many benefits for both mental and physical health. And when we're more mindful, we're better able to deal with stress, pain, and anxiety. We also tend to be more productive at work, as well as more creative and productive in general.

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and being present with your emotions. When you feel that your mind is wandering to thoughts that bring your mood down, make you not feel good about yourself, or cause that feeling in your head that you know will bring on a headache that is the perfect time to acknowledge that place that your mind is going to and bring it back gently without criticizing yourself and instead make the choice to feel different by expressing gratitude at that moment.

#5 Express Your Gratitude Aloud

When you practice speaking your gratitude out loud, you're sending a message to yourself that says: "I'm worthy of this." That may not seem like much, but when you say something like that enough times, it starts to sink into your subconscious and shape how you see yourself. Pretty soon, being grateful becomes second nature. Expressing gratitude aloud is one of the best ways to bring more of what you want into your life.

In other words, when you feel grateful, you're attracting a whole lot more of what you want into your life. It's like a homing signal for the universe: "Hey! I'd love it if I got some more of this in my life!" When you think about it in terms of magnetism and electricity, it makes sense. Like attracts like—so if you're feeling grateful for something that's already happened or exists in your life, then guess what? The universe will bring more things like it into your life!

To help assist you with this I have created a Guided Gratitude Session that you can watch daily. Watch this for 21 days in the morning and before bed and watch how your life transforms!

✨https://youtu.be/B0dWR-avVvY✨

You want your gratitude practice to be a daily habit so that it becomes ingrained in your life and begins to change other areas of your life as well. In this blog post, we discussed 5 ways that you can begin to transform your life with the power of expressing gratitude and the two words "thank you" Be sure to check out the Guided Gratitude session to try before you go to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow morning. If there is someone in your life that you think needs to express more gratitude, share this blog post with them.

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Until next time Beautiful! Happy Self-Care Sunday