Miss EmpowHer Blog

Revamp Your Routine: 5 Ways to Create Healthy Habits

Courtesy of @Ekaterinablogg on IG / @Magguiqueen on Pinterest It is time to level up your lifestyle! Do you have a Pinterest account? If not, this is YOUR sign to make an account and get free access to the best resource out there. If you already have an account, you know what we are talking about. Here are some reliable tips and tricks to use Pinterest for your advantage. Pinterest is not about scrolling through endless media and going into the rabbit hole. It is more transformational than you think so we have drafted this specific blog to inspire YOU! Take a couple of minutes to explore the app and explore the pins for your personal and professional goals. Pin Your Interests: Think about different aspects of your life you want to focus (cooking, crocheting, self-care, fitness, reading, decor-ing, etc). This will help you narrow down your focus so you don't get overwhelmed by the unlimited pins in front of you. Search those topics up to see relatable pins! Click save! You are done. It is as simple as that. Build Your Boards: One suggestion we have for you is to only save pins that meet the SMART goals. Having this limitation will really be useful as it restricts you from saving too many pins that stray away from your focus goal. Once you have a set of pins, start building your boards. Keep them organized as it is key for the next couple of steps. The more goals you have, the structure you begin with helps you be consistent in the progress. Prioritize Your Progress: So far, you worked with saving public pins to your personal boards on your profile. In order to see actual, measurable progress, you need to document your achievements. We suggest you log your workouts, or snapshot your diet and build a private pin for yourself. You will be able to look back on your journey and really set yourself up for more achievements in the future. The little steps matter to make the big change you want to see. Discover New Ideas: Pinterest, like any other social media app, is a platform with never ending content. So feel free to click on that explore category and just scroll through your recommended inspirations. It feels exciting to take up some new hobbies and actually cross things off your bucket list for once. Make sure to repeat the first 3 steps when you are doing so. Documentation is absolutely key! Connect With Communities: Transforming your lifestyle for the better is always a big step. While you are at it, make sure to connect with profiles who inspire you to achieve your goal. Follow them! Like and comment on their pins. Rebrand yourself during this journey but make sure to build the connections while doing so. Communities are the best motivators to push you towards the self-improvement goals you have set for yourself. If you want to be consistent, dedicate yourself and create the healthy habits that last longer than at least 21 days.

5 Reasons Why Maria from “The Bachelor” Is A Role Model for Confidence

@maria.georgas If you’re anything like me, your Monday nights are reserved for watching “The Bachelor.” Since the newest season aired on January 22 for Joey Graziadei’s season, fans have been obsessed (myself included). One contestant in particular has drawn extreme attention on social media, largely due to her confidence and “take it or leave it” personality. That contestant is none other than Maria Georgas, a 29-year-old executive assistant from Canada. During the show, Maria has faced her fair share of obstacles as she has been bullied by many of the other contestants. Through all of this, Maria has remained confident and graceful, and has set a great example for girls everywhere. Here are 5 reasons why Maria is the perfect role model for confidence: She Doesn’t Let Drama Get the Best of Her While in Malta for episode four, Maria was put on a two-on-one date with another contestant, Sydney Gordon, who had taken issue with Maria for what seemed like no reason. The date was on a boat in a beautiful location, and even though a two-on-one wasn’t ideal, Maria still remained optimistic about her relationship with Joey and even managed to make jokes with him despite Sydney being present. Sydney made multiple jabs at Maria in her discussion with Joey, saying, “Maria… is not someone you would want as your wife” and claimed that Maria had been disrespectful to multiple other women in the house (which we have not seen evidence of, btw). In Maria’s discussion with Joey, she simply tells him that she is there to further what she has with him, not to focus on petty drama. That’s how you ignore drama and focus on yourself! She Makes Bold Moves In episode three, Maria was having a one-on-one discussion with Joey, while wearing a gorgeous white corset dress. She turns to Joey and says “I can’t breathe in this dress” and mentions that she needed to “slip into something more comfortable.” When Maria returns, she is wearing a black lace two-piece dress. The bold move left Joey too stunned to speak. This bold energy has helped her to go after what she wants in such a competitive environment. She Works Smarter, Not Harder In episode six of “The Bachelor” Maria was chosen for a one-on-one “princess” date with Joey. While in the car on their way to their destination, Maria attempts to teach Joey a few words in French. She asks Joey to say “je t’aime,” and he does, unaware that this phrase means “I love you.” With this, Maria is the first contestant of the season to get Joey to utter those three little words… Who said it had to be in English? She Takes Accountability In a TikTok video posted February 18, Maria explained that she didn’t consider herself completely innocent in the drama on the show. “I’m not innocent in this,” Maria said. “If I could go back, honestly, I would do things differently, especially when whatever you’re gonna say or do is just not gonna make the other person happy.” Maria also explained that taking accountability doesn’t mean not defending yourself when you or your character is being attacked. “I like to say that I am a woman that speaks her mind and will defend herself at all costs. That’s just how I was raised,” Maria said. She added in text placed over the video,“When it comes to defending my character, I will stand up for myself every damn time.” She’s the Ultimate Girl’s Girl In the same TikTok video posted by Maria, she explained how she didn’t want to place blame on other people, and instead wanted to encourage an atmosphere of positivity. “I really do want to give grace to all of the women involved,” Maria said. “Being in an environment like this, it heightens everything. Your emotions, everything is just overwhelming. So it does get the best of us at times and it did get the best of me.” Even though she faced relentless bullying on the show from multiple other contestants, Maria didn’t let it get the best of her, and even acknowledged that the environment of the show and constant filming heightened the tension for everyone involved. I think this is the perfect example of rising above and “killing with kindness.”

7 Ways You Get To Embrace Being Single in Your Early 20s

@justineskye It’s time to embrace the single life. Being single oftentimes gets treated like an incurable disease the older you get, one that gets magnified every Valentine’s Day and when you need a date for a wedding. Yet, dating isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be. Studies have found that those who stay single for prolonged periods of time are staggeringly happier than those who date far more often. Likewise, studies have also shown that women who never marry or have children are considered to be among the happiest in society. And yet, despite all of this, so often we’d still rather be in a relationship than to get asked by a relative, “so, are you seeing anyone special lately?” The pressure to couple up comes on hard in your twenties when those around you start settling down or are in long term relationships. For some of us, the desire to stay single comes on naturally (we prefer to be alone in our own space, free of drama, thank you very much), but for others, companionship is all too important. Regardless of whether you’re single by choice or not, here are a few of the ways you can enjoy being blissfully single in your day-to-day life: Optimize This Time Don’t wait for a significant other to start enjoying your life. Start living your life and don’t wait for other people. The notion of going out to the movies by yourself or taking yourself out to dinner might be treated as sad by those around you, but not if you remind yourself that by eating dinner alone you’re only paying for your half, you don’t have to dress up or even put makeup on, and you don’t have to have any nerves about saying the right thing or going home with them afterwards. When you take yourself out on a dinner date, you can, for once, just focus on the food. You Get To Save Your Money You get to save your money and not just every year on February 14th. You get to save money on you and your partner’s would-be anniversary, your partner’s would-be birthday, and your partner’s would-be religious holiday, all of which you would have to spring for a gift on. During the ordinary times of your relationship, you would be expected to spend money on the things that you don’t get paid back for, cute things that you know your partner would like, and small gestures here and there. Herein lies part of the reason that long-term single people are happier: they have more money. You Have More Time For Your Friends What are friends for? With your Saturday nights free, you have ample time to hang out with your friends, which can be worth its weight in gold. Without a SO taking away your time, you’ll have more time to spend with your friends, and your female friends in particular. You’ll have more time and energy for them so go away for the weekend if you want. You’ll have the money. You Have More Time For Yourself I’m not just talking about putting on a face mask in your oversized sweatshirt as you watch Netflix on your laptop, sitting up in bed (although that sounds awesome too). There’s a freedom to being single. You don’t have to consider another person’s needs when applying to a new job that might force you to move or work long hours. All of the time in your life belongs to you. Go Out More You can get out more as part of the single life. You don’t have to wait around for your partner to be in the mood to go out or for your plans to align with their schedule. Without a partner around, you’ll feel guilt-free about going out to a bar or a party or a museum or park. Singles bars and bookstores will soon become your best friend. You Get To Enjoy Flirting When you have a partner, receiving interest from a member of the preferred sex can feel like a betrayal, even if you didn’t encourage or instigate it. Whenever someone starts flirting with you and you’re already spoken for, you feel the urge to shut it down as quickly as possible. With no one in your life to claim you, you can enjoy all of the positive attention you want from someone else. You even get to reciprocate it as much as you want. You’re young and flirting doesn’t happen as much when you get older. Get it while the gettin's good. Flirt away. Don’t Feel The Need To “Age Out Of Being Single” Being single isn’t something that you need to outgrow. Oftentimes, when we see advice about embracing being a single woman, it comes with an unwritten expiration date, as if to say “being single is cute for now, but cut it out by the time you’re forty.” Stay single for as long as you feel, with the knowledge that it is always better to be single than to settle. That concludes our list of reasons why you’re probably better off single until you find the right person. Here is your yearly reminder that you don’t need a man (or anyone of any gender, for that matter) to complete you. You’re fabulous the way you are and you’re free to enjoy your early twenties as an independent woman.

Megan Thee Stallion is providing fans with proper mental health resources and we are here for it

@theestallion Megan Thee Stallion is back at it again doing, checks notes, “real hot girl sh*t.” Megan doesn’t just create music that boosts your confidence–although she definitely does that–she also has pioneered a new mental health portal, designed to improve people’s mental state by providing them with resources. It has been a career of iconic moves for Megan Thee Stallion and she just has unveiled her latest one: Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too. Megan has created a website that not only provides mental health resources, but is intersectional in its approach. The categories on her website include: The LGBT National Youth Talkline, Trans Lifeline, Therapy for Black Girls, Therapy for Black Men, Black Mental Wellness, and Strongheart Native Helpline, among others. She is putting marginalized groups at the forefront of mental health treatment, changing the narratives that we often see when it comes to mental health. She also provides numbers for crisis hotlines and substance abuse treatment. Get ready to crank some Stallion tonight for she has earned it. By providing this service, Megan is being protective and responsible, looking out for anyone out there who needs help. Megan’s mental health resources might be just what we need. The title alone encapsulates how people can be strong and resilient while still occasionally struggling, taking away the ideas of weakness that are often associated with seeking help. As if alleviating the stigma surrounding mental health wasn’t enough, people who go to her website can take links to specific resources, call hotlines, and find a therapist. The platinum artist has outdone herself. The launch of this website coincides with the release of her new album “Traumazine.” The title gets its name from the hook of Megan’s new song “Anxiety,” in which she opens up about her feelings of anxiety. In the song she states, “They keep saying I should get help/but I don’t even know what I need.” And if you, or someone you know, is struggling with similar mental health issues, go to www.badbitcheshavebaddaystoo.com

How to Speak More Confidently in Class: Closing the Confidence Gap At College

@pinterest Some of you may have witnessed what I have in the classroom: female students not participating as much as their male counterparts. The male students fill the silence while the female ones won’t out of fear of being wrong, girls raise their hands at around head level with the boys proudly raise their hands as far as their arms will extend, girls struggle to get a response out in class without stumbling over “ums” and “likes,” and girls, at times, will perfectly articulate a salient, well-thought out response, only to end it by saying “if that makes any sense.” The reason for this isn't that boys have more to say; the reason for this is that girls are told from an early age to be quiet more often and to take up less space. While public speaking is something that a lot of people struggle with, along with not saying “like” and “um” constantly, it is possible for young women to work past their anxiety in order to speak up more in class, make excellent points, and then stick the landing. Here are some ways to boost your confidence level and contribute to the class conversation like a natural: Listening to a confidence-inspiring, girl power playlist: There’s nothing like dropping the needle first thing in the morning to put you in the right mindset. I start off every morning to “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone, followed by “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King, and “You’re so Vain,” by Carly Simon, a regimen my father put me on when I was in high school. If you want music from this century, “Little Me,” by Little Mix perfectly encapsulates the attitude for telling your young, female self “to speak up” and “be a little bit louder, be a bit prouder.” Watching that scene from Legally Blonde: “I’ll show you how valuable Elle Woods can be,” Reese Witherspoon says as she storms off in her Playboy bunny costume. Then begins a montage of the iconic Elle Woods buying a laptop (still in costume), getting in shape, carrying books, and, most importantly, killing it in the classroom and impressing her professors. She does all of this without succumbing to the nastiness of her naysayers. You can show them how valuable you can be by watching this scene on repeat, as I did during my freshman year of college, and really internalizing the motivation that is coursing through Elle Woods in that moment. Sitting and raising your hand with more confidence: This advice might seem a bit strange: increase your confidence by acting like you're already confident, but social psychologist Amy Cuddy gave a Ted Talk in which she discussed the effect that our posture and body language has on our confidence level and broke down the disparities that you witness in posture, especially when it comes to gender. The way to combat this, according to Cuddy, is for women and girls to strike more confidence-inspiring poses, as faking confidence leads to the creation of actual confidence, according to her research. “Don’t fake it til you make it,” she says, “fake it til you become it.” In conclusion: Raise your hand as high as you can, even if you aren’t that sure of your answer. Avoid your "likes" and your "ums", but don't beat yourself up when they happen. Never end a statement by saying “if that makes any sense.” Start everyday with powerful music that’ll make you feel like a powerful woman and, when necessary, channel Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Then, you will be right on your way towards being the best student in the class, or at least, the most confident one.

Not Quite A Girl, Not Yet A Woman: Navigating the Phase of Disappearing Girlhood

@elenataber That late-teens transition from girlhood to womanhood can be a dive into the deep end. It’s not as simple as it is in a Hollywood movie, where you meet the right guy on summer vacation and suddenly “nobody puts Baby in a corner” anymore. It usually takes more than one summer to start feeling more like an adult and it usually takes more than ditching your parents for a hot guy, even if he does look like Patrick Swayze. There are a lot of things that won’t make you feel more mature. Looking more mature, having lots of money, drinking too much, or even a passionate relationship all sound character-building in theory, but they only work so long as the more substantial parts of your life are taken care of first. So here’s a list of actual character-building ways to age gracefully as a young woman: Set healthy boundaries with your parents Growing up can be more painstaking for your parents than for you, so making sure that they are along with you for the ride is important, without sacrificing any of your newfound independence. Set clear boundaries with them when it comes to curfew, spending money, and who you spend your time with. Talk to them about whether or not they respect your choices. Whether or not they like the person you’re dating should not be a deal breaker, but it’s important to develop a mutual respect. Experiment with your style Figuring out what your style is and what you like can be extremely empowering. Developing your own taste without being influenced by those who have dictated it all your life is an important exercise in independence. Style, though, goes far beyond just what you wear. What kind of music you like, your favorite movies, and your choice of books all go towards developing your sense of self. If you already have a strong sense of self and an even stronger sense of style, then just make sure you embrace it wholeheartedly. Find your loyal band of friends to navigate this with Having like-minded friends who you like to be around goes a long way. That said, making sure that you have the right friends by your side is crucial. People who don’t support you needn’t be there for your transformation and toxic friends, unfortunately, are a dime-a-dozen. Choose your friends wisely and don’t be afraid to let people go. Developing a healthy lifestyle Developing adequate lifestyle choices and taking care of yourself might be the most important factor when it comes to entering adulthood. Eating and sleeping properly, while not always glamorous, helps make a person look and feel good, giving them the proper tools to handle whatever comes their way. A proper lifestyle goes beyond a good skincare routine and surface-level self-care. Doing what’s right for your mental health and taking care of the basics is essential for growing up, as they increasingly become your responsibility. Date at your own pace This piece of advice should seem obvious but is often hard to remember when talking with others who’ve already had countless boyfriends and no shortage of dating experience. It’s important to keep in mind during these conversations, and every other time, that everybody goes at their own pace and you’re no different. It’s okay not to have things all figured out, but so long as you’re constantly working on yourself and have the right people by your side, you’re on the right track. Hopefully, this will go a long way not just to feeling like an adult, but having your family members see you as one as well.

Empowered Women, Power Women

@pinterest We’ve all, if not most of us, have experienced a time where we felt as though we didn’t quite fit in. Receiving side eyes, snide remarks, and backhanded compliments from other girls alike. But ladies, let’s be real, have you ever been one of those mean girls? Because we’ve grown and matured we’d like to think that being a “mean girl” is a thing of the past. It seems elementary, immature even, and it is but that does not mean that this trope doesn’t exist in our adult lives and that some of us have adopted it at times. Try to think of a time where you may not have been a light in another woman’s life. Even if you can’t or can, here are some ways we can do better by each other. Turn “Competition” into Congratulation We as women have fought for so long to have a valuable seat at the table. Whether that be in tech, in the OR, or on the Supreme Court. We know what it means to work ten times harder therefore whenever you see another woman achieving great things, celebrate her. In the end, it's a win for all of us. Dish Out Random Compliments Have you ever been walking down the street and really liked someone's hair, shoes, etc? Let her know! You may have to step out of your comfort zone but it’ll brighten another woman’s day. Scrolling on Instagram and liking a picture is one thing but try swiping up on a story and spreading love, it’ll mean a lot. Embrace What Makes Us Different As we head into the big girl world, we will be introduced to women from various backgrounds, different sizes, skin tones, dialects, all the things that make us uniquely beautiful. Instead of allowing these facets to create a divide, allow them to create a space of unity. Help A Girl Out If you see another woman’s hair out of place, kindly ask if you could fix it. If you see that another woman is struggling with something, lend a hand. We are not placed on this earth to gate keep kindness. Spread it! To be a truly empowered woman, it takes a little bit of self reflection. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your faults and, most importantly, grow from them. Hopefully these four tips will allow you to build and foster safer and more uplifting spaces!

Summer Reading and The Cool Girl Summer Reading List

@yarashahidi It’s not a hot girl summer unless you read a book. We all know that reading makes us smarter, but did you know that reading actually makes you hotter? Summer reading doesn't just have to be reading dried-up books that your school assigns for summer break. Instead, all of the girlies out there should read what they want this summer so that they can truly seize the day. I don’t mean this in a preachy you-should-get-off-tik-tok-and-read-a-book-for-once type of way. (You can just hear your mother’s voice, can’t you?) I mean more so that reading is the best habit to get into because you connect with yourself in more ways than you realize, making it the best use of your downtime. Summer is the best time to read. School’s out. Your reading list is not being dictated by others for once. You’re not being told what to think. You can give your brain a break from the algebra, but you can enjoy reading for once without slogging through whatever great American novel that was definitely great but didn’t necessarily speak to you. So no more “Of Mice and Men.” Flip open the first book of the “Twilight” series. This way, you have something to look at while you’re sitting poolside, waiting for your sunscreen to soak in, or lounging out on the beach. In case you want ideas for what to read next, here are some ideas of where to find your next summer read: Find the reading list of your favorite celebrity. Did you know that Harry Styles based his song Watermelon Sugar on the book “In Watermelon Sugar” by Richard Broutigan? Or that Emma Corrin has their own Instagram page for books? Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon has her own book club where you can get a sneak peek at what she’ll make an adaptation out of next. Read the book before the Netflix adaptation comes out. You want to watch The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon Prime? The YA novel by Jenny Han was worth the read and I can attest. Ask your friends what their favorites are. You’ll get to know them better, have something to discuss, and probably form a deeper friendship. The bedrock of all friendship is shared experience after all Just pick up whatever book grabs your attention. Yes, you can judge a book by its cover in this case. Pick up that book that looks like it was made for you. And, finally… If you don’t want to get off TikTok, #Booktok has all you need in terms of what you should read. The important thing is that you create a reading list of whatever you want to read. The best part about summer reading is that it comes without shame. You don’t have to plow through every book on your bedside table by reading a book a day. Take two weeks to idly thumb through a book if you feel like it. You don’t have to drudge through a merciless book with earth-shattering ideas about life. You can read the frivolous, fun book that you read for entertainment purposes. Then, when you’re done, write down your “cool girl summer reading list” to keep track of every summer. No matter what you read, just make sure you read. Have fun at your local bookstore this summer!

Skincare and Selfcare: How Skincare Promotes Better Mental Health

@mypaleskinblog Skincare routines aren’t just good for your looks. They’re good for so much more. Here’s why: It’s relaxing It should seem a bit obvious, but massaging creams and serums into your face relaxes you. It’s a stress-free activity that allows you to turn off your brain and wind down for the night, preparing you to go to bed with ease. Tip: Wash your face responsibly! Over-washing your face can result in wearing away of the natural barrier of your skin, so it’s best to wash your face once–at most twice–a day, preferably at the end of the day when your skin is the grimiest. Skincare creates a routine and routine equals stability It’s true that routines, even minor ones, help make people feel more stable and comfortable in their day-to-day lives. People who have far less structure and no routine are more likely to suffer from mental health afflictions. By committing yourself to a daily skincare regimen, even one that takes only a few minutes, you’ve formed a healthy habit that improves your mental state bit-by-bit and day-by-day. Tip: If you wash your face and your skin feels tight afterwards then that means that your skin is sensitive and should only be washed once a day. Doing something nice for yourself can quell anxiety It’s a simple truth: focusing on yourself can reduce feelings of anxiety. For some people it’s journaling, exercising, meditating, or all of the above, but another quick way is taking care of your skin during a daily face session. Tip: Wear at least a tablespoon of sunscreen everyday and apply it generously to your neck and chest too. Sun damage is the number one cause of wrinkles. It can make you feel closer to those around you Face masks are a fun group activity with your friends, but it also can go a long way towards bringing you closer to them. If you participate in skincare and self-care with people you care about, you increase your happiness levels. Tip: Apply moisturizer within three minutes of showering or washing your face. Your pores will not have “closed” yet and the moisturizer is more effective. Treating your skin can actually release chemicals to your brain By taking care of your skin, you release chemicals that are beneficial to your brain, giving you a mental boost.

Stop the Comparison

Sometimes I accomplish great things, yet it feels like it is not enough. It feels like there is something more I could have done no matter how hard I work. I could have put more time into something, more thought into it, or gone beyond what was expected of me. My thoughts were filled with could have or should have, and I realized that those thoughts are rooted in comparing myself to others or even my past self. We all hear that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others, but that is easier said than done. It is challenging to do something without looking at others and comparing. “She is a better writer than I will ever be.” “Her hair is much nicer than mine.” It comes to us so easily, but we know it is wrong. I constantly hear that comparison is the thief of joy and things along the line, which is so true. So how do we stop something that comes to us so easily? The biggest thing that has helped me is to acknowledge the other's talents, skills or whatever I may compare to myself without bringing myself down. Instead of thinking she is a better writer, simply change it to she is a great writer, what can I learn from her. She has great hair, but so do I. The thing about comparing is that by doing so we are putting ourselves down, which isn’t good for our confidence. I don't stop and think about my accomplishments, but I do stop and think about “my failures” when comparing myself to others. One of the first steps to confidence is to stop those thoughts and start acknowledging our talent, skills, and beauty.

10 Instagram Accounts To Follow To Become “THAT GIRL”

I wanted to use social media as a vehicle to help me become the best version of myself rather than destroy my mental health.

How To Rebuild Your Confidence After Experiencing Failure

@onlybells_ In life, I’ve been blessed with many opportunities, but I’ve also experienced a lot of failures. In high school, I failed to make the high school varsity soccer team. In college, I failed to secure a full-ride scholarship, I’ve been rejected from top companies, and I’ve failed to make it out of the “talking stage”. I’m not going to lie at the time, it sucked. Rejection sucks. Failing sucks. But the reality is, in life, we will experience failure. But we have the power to choose how failure affects us. For example, after failing, I realized I had to choose whether I would allow these failures to cause me to doubt myself and doubt my worth. So I decided to shift my perspective. Just because I failed does not mean I’m less worthy. I chose to remind myself of all that I had to offer. I would handle rejection in healthier ways, telling myself things like: This opportunity is not the right fit for me What is meant for me will not miss me You need more time to develop personally or professionally These tips have helped me build my confidence over the years and combat feelings of self-doubt after experiencing failure, and I hope they help you. Let me know if you found these tips helpful. Follow me on Instagram & share this post with a friend!