10 Gift Ideas for Wellness Lovers

Taken at Best Bud Floral in San Diego

Whether you’re wondering what to put on your holiday wishlist or need an idea for Secret Santa or your wellness-loving bestie, I got you!

Based on my 10 year wellness journey, these are the top products I use or have given to loved ones who life healthy, active lifestyles or simply need to add more self-care and relaxation to their routine!

I’ve been detoxing my skincare, makeup, and home products over the last few years, so I’ve found brands we can trust to make products that not only work well but are good for our skin, lymphatic system and overall health!

Giving gifts that support health and wellness is, in my opinion, the best kind of gift you can give! So let’s get into it.

1. Body + Home Products

Saje Wellness (Currently 40% off for Black Friday)

I am a huge fan of aromatherapy, and am sort of obsessed with making sure my house smells clean and fresh! My go-to for years for essential oils has been Saje Wellness. Since becoming obsessed with those in my diffuser (they have a stunning one I’ve been eyeing), I’ve also explored their other products. I love the Sleep Mist for spraying on our pillows at night, the Body Mist to give me a boost before heading out to the gym, and the Peppermint roller is my first stop any time I get a headache! I also use their hand lotion and soap in my guest bathroom (aesthetic on point). They have great gift sets if you’re not sure where to start, but you really can’t go wrong! 

Primally Pure

Yes I got out my Primally Pure deodorant and body oil for all my friends to smell when they came over recently because it really is that good! This is a clean brand I have trusted for years. I have their blue tansy body oil, vanilla & citrus deodorant, and have gotten the body butter for family members. This is literally the only natural deodorant I have found that actually works! 

Branch Basics

If someone in your life is leaning into nontoxic cleaning products, this is the brand I recommend! You can get everything from multi purpose cleaner to laundry detergent, and they have bundles at great prices if you’re just getting started. I am about to order their dishwasher pods because they are plastic free (I want to get away from pods with plastic!) 

2. Bala Bangles

For the person in your life who loves going on long walks or pilates, they NEED a pair of bala bangles. They are 1 to 2 pound weights you can wear around your wrists or legs. I loved mine most when I was doing a lot of at-home workouts during the pandemic, but still love to put them on to add some extra weight during walks or at pilates! 

3. Alo Moves Warrior Yoga Mat

(Currently 30% off for Black Friday)

This is an elite yoga mat, and it’s 100% formaldehyde-free, non-toxic and PVC-free. I’ve gotten this as a gift for friends who love at-home workouts and it’s been a hit!

4. Athleisure 

Few things are more motivating to go to the gym than cute new workout clothes. As someone who has lived in athleisure for the last 8 years more or less, I have tried many of the different brands out there. My favorites are Lululemon, Set Active and FP Movement. I recommend Lululemon’s align leggings, scuba hoodie, align shorts and joggers. If you want to be a bit more budget friendly, you can get workout accessories like hats, hair bands or water bottles! If you have a bit more flexibility in the budget, I am a sucker for Sporty & Rich.

FP movement top in S, Set Active leggings in M

5. Air Fryer

This Christmas gift from my family last year has been a true game changer in my kitchen! I love making almost all my meat, hard boiled eggs, and vegetables in the air fryer. I wish they had oven sized ones, I use it so much! If you know someone looking to make cooking faster, easier and healthier, this is a top recommendation.

6. Multi-Collagen Protein Powder

(Currently 30% off for Black Friday)
I know supplements can be a tricky gift to give, but hear me out. Multi-Collagen Protein from Ancient Nutrition has been a staple in my wellness routine for the past 6 years. I credit it to my healthy skin, nails and hair, and it is so easy to add to my morning coffee, matcha, yogurt, smoothers – you name it! I get the vanilla flavor, but be warned, it does have stevia (I know some people don’t like the taste.) Not to worry, they also have an unflavored version!

The reason I like this collagen above all others, aside from working there and seeing firsthand the care they take into sourcing and producing this product, it has 5 types of collagen to support multiple areas of the body (hence “multi-collagen” protein.) Most collagen supplements only have one or two types, which is also reflected in the price difference.

If you have someone in your life who likes to make morning smoothies or coffees and is also looking to get more protein in the morning (like me) this is such a great gift!

7. Red Light Therapy

For your buddies who basically live at the gym or anyone in your life dealing with inflammation, a red light therapy panel is a great gift that will help them recover and reduce inflammation! I have this one and turn it on when I take a shower at night (10-15 minutes). It definitely helps me recover from workouts and sleep like a baby. 

Benefits of red light therapy include:

• Skin Health: Promotes collagen production, reducing wrinkles, scars, and acne.

• Pain Relief: Eases joint and muscle pain by reducing inflammation.

• Improved Recovery: Speeds up healing of wounds and injuries.

• Enhanced Energy: Boosts cellular energy (ATP production) for better overall function.

• Hair Growth: Stimulates hair follicles to combat thinning or hair loss.

• Mood Support: Can help regulate circadian rhythms and improve mood.

• Better Sleep: Supports melatonin production for improved sleep quality.

• Reduced Inflammation: Helps with chronic inflammation-related conditions.

8. Clean makeup + skincare

I’m giddy at this one, because you KNOW I love this category of products! I recently shopped at the Kosas 25% off Black Friday Sale (because how could I resist?) and am excited to try their BB Cream for the first time. I also restocked on my daily tinted moisturizer, Lip Fuel, and their best seller, Revealer Concealer.

You know I recommend ANYTHING from San Diego’s clean beauty store, Shop Good, if you’re not sure where to start in your clean skincare or makeup journey. I would run to their 20% off sale and get the Osea body oil and Salt & Stone face oil to add some extra hydration to your skin during the winter months. Brands I also love: The Nue Co., Lily Lolo, Ilia Beauty, Ursa Major (biodegradable facial wipes) and Botnia Skincare. Your skincare/makeup obsessed friend will be thrilled to have any of these products!

9. For the Beverage Lovers

Pique Matcha & Kamana

One recent trend I’ve been seeing in the wellness industry is reducing caffeine intake. While I certainly love my cup of coffee every day, I try not to drink more coffee than that. Sometimes, especially in the colder months, I want another beverage to keep me company. For any of your work from home friends, tea loving friends or anyone who just loves trying new beverages, I have been loving Pique’s Matcha. Brace yourself, tea lover: did you know that recent studies show that we are consuming huge amounts of microplastics, and many of them come from tea bags? This is one of many reasons why Pique’s teas are superior: quality, sourcing and packaging are all extremely safe and thoughtful. 

Benefits of Matcha:

1. Rich in antioxidants, including EGCG.

2. Boosts energy and focus with natural caffeine + L-theanine.

3. Supports metabolism and fat burning.

4. Enhances calmness and mental clarity.

5. Strengthens immunity with vitamins and chlorophyll.

My friend Zamaria let me try her bag of Kamana, and the caffeine free coffee alternative made from mesquite is incredibly creamy and delicious! I even like the taste more than coffee. You can make it in a french press just like coffee, without the jitters! Use code Zamaria15 for a discount!

Benefits of Mesquite:

1. High in fiber, protein, and minerals.

2. Low glycemic index—great for blood sugar control.

3. Gluten-free and anti-inflammatory.

4. Adds a sweet, nutty flavor to foods.

5. Eco-friendly and drought-resistant.

You could combine either of these with a cute matcha set or mug for a thoughtful and practical gift!

10. Bags To Go

I have a sling from FP Movement that I wear literally all the time similar to this one that has a water bottle holder and plenty of room to put a beanie, snacks, and all of my necessities! I also have this Lululemon belt bag and think it is so versatile and cute! These would be a great gift for friends who love to go on long walks or hikes. 

Alrighty, friends! I hope this accomplishes a few things on your holiday shopping list! Save this for any time of year you need a gift for a friend who has an active, healthy lifestyle! And maybe take a few notes for yourself as well :) 

5 Tips to Make Wellness More Accessible & The Podcasts That Inspired Me

I’ve been noticing some interesting trends among the health and wellness podcasts that have really affirmed my choices or inspired me to make better ones in a way that doesn’t feel suffocating, overwhelming, or like I need a complete life overhaul.

So if you’ve been feeling stressed out over all the information out there or simply want to know what I’ve been mulling over lately, I’m excited to share the 5 wellness trends that have actually helped me relax into my routine versus over analyze or stress about it!

Hillcrest Farmers Market in San Diego August 2024

1. Embrace bio individuality & choose one thing to focus on at a time

We live in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information overload, and there are few spaces more confusing when it comes to what’s best than the wellness industry. If you’re a millennial like me or even part of Gen X, we remember growing up in a time where there was a commonly agreed on set of rules and “do’s and don’ts.” On one hand, it made life a lot simpler. On the other hand, we were subject to misinformation constantly and on a larger scale, learned to trust and outsource our life’s decisions to ambiguous authority figures. We lived in this easy, straightforward mono culture where we didn't have to question much. It was easier in the moment, but the rise in chronic disease and metabolic dysfunction speaks to how dangerous it actually was to our health and well-being.

I believe this blind trust we were programmed to have is half of what makes modern life so overwhelming and frustrating for many of us. We have to relearn how to receive and process information and make our own decisions. And I’m not saying the bombardment of experts and podcasts telling you what you should and shouldn’t do makes life any easier. What I’m saying is that we’re missing the plot if we think that anyone’s opinion or advice can shake the bedrock of our own individual truth.

Navigating information online becomes much easier to digest (pun intended) when we recognize our bio individuality. Bio-individuality is a concept that recognizes that each person has unique nutritional and wellness needs based on factors such as their genetics, lifestyle, environment, and even emotional state. It emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to diet, exercise, or wellness because what works for one person might not work for another.

I hope this takes the pressure off any changes you’re trying to make. Choose one thing to focus on based on what you need most or what feels most accessible to you. The rest will evolve as you do!

2. Just eat whole foods.

We can simplify all the nutrition advice out there into in this one statement: just eat whole foods. No lists or diets or macro counting necessary. Eat anything you want, just try to focus most of your meals around whole foods!

3 for $15 organic fruit baby

After listening to podcasts with Dr. Casey Means, I’ve made more of an effort to shop at local farmers markets. With the price of groceries getting higher, I know this may not be accessible to everyone. However, I think of the food I eat as my health insurance. Eating foods free of plastics and pesticides is what will keep me from being on a laundry list of medications, joint pain, or disease in the future. I consider it a privilege and intentional choice to buy food that is the freshest possible, not sitting in 18-wheelers for days before even making it to the grocery store. It allows me to consume food that is seasonal, that our ancestors would be eating at this time of year. It narrows down choices and options, eliminating decision fatigue. Plus, spending a tiny bit more at the farmers market sure does motivate me to make sure nothing goes to waste.

Here’s how far $100 got me at the farmers market the other week. It may not seem like much, but it provided all of my breakfasts and dinners all week.

• Produce: raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, figs, spring mix, zucchini, squash, broccoli, tomatoes

• Meat: ground turkey x 2, ground beef, chicken breast, 12 eggs

• Misc: flower bouquet, honey (consuming local honey is one of the best ways to boost your immune system), olive oil, almond butter, coffee, avocado toast

Seeing food that is colorful and vibrant makes me feel excited to eat it!

Plus, eating whole foods supports your mental health, too! The work of Dr. Christopher Palmer shows that the root of all disease is mitochondrial dysfunction. The TLDR: what we consume and the health of our cells directly correlates to our mental health. The glucose overload from sugar and processed foods impacts how our cells function, and therefore leads to inflammation and chronic disease. This is why alcohol has been linked to neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s. This may seem obvious now, by Dr. Palmer’s work is ground breaking. With all of the stressors of living in a technological world, I hope it’s empowering to know that certain aspects of our mental health can be supported by eating healthy, whole foods.

What if you just made this one change for 30 days? It’s incredible what you will learn about yourself and your body, without sacrificing food that comfort you.

3. Healthy relationships are vital to wellness.

When it comes to wellness, internal peace is as important to me as physical health. And all the Q&A podcasts I listen to have this theme in common: people seeking advice on navigating relationships. We can eat the healthy foods and exercise, but if we aren’t feeling at peace in our relationships, we can’t fully thrive.

This is a topic I’ve talked a lot about in therapy and heard great advice given from my client Victoria Browne on her latest Life Advice episode of Real Pod. Cultivating healthy relationships requires the embodiment of this one truth: Accepting people as they are is the fastest road to peace. Trying to change or expecting people to be different is the fastest way to suffering.

As many of us grow and gain tremendous benefits from switching to a healthier lifestyle, it’s easy to want to be a megaphone for it. If we have felt and experienced it, obviously we want our loved ones to feel the same way, especially if they suffer from chronic pain or autoimmune issues. We can share this information, we can live the lifestyle, but we can’t force anyone to decide to make changes. And it makes sense, when’s the last time you made a major life change? It’s scary. It’s overwhelming. It forces you to come to terms with the fact that you are not a victim to life, but have agency over it.

While it may come from good intentions, we can’t force our beliefs onto others. It’s true in most cases in life, so why do we think it can be different when it comes to health? I’ve only pushed people away by trying to help them when they haven’t asked for it.

In the wise words of Dr. Nicole LePera in her interview on On Purpose with Jay Shetty, “What causes suffering is unmet expectations.” All we can do is live true to ourselves, and offer love and support to those we care about, regardless of our opinions on their life choices. This has been a profound shift for my peace and my relationships; releasing expectations and offering unconditional love. Plus, the more you do it for others, the easier it do for yourself. 

4. Slowing down is where it’s at.

I shared a lot about this in my previous blog post, but my journey to accepting rest as a requirement and not a sign of laziness has been long and hard. In the Well podcast by Arielle Lorre, she sat down with PVOLVE founder Rachel Katzman to talk about how their workout routines and work schedules have chilled out over the last few years. This is definitely one of the best things to happen in my 30s. Maybe it’s our age, maybe we’ve just tried all the things, but we’ve learned that it’s okay to refocus your priorities to how you want your life to feel versus how it looks.

Sure, you may look like a badass on instagram for going to 5 workout classes a week and walking 10,000 steps a day and working until 6 pm and working on weekends. But how are you feeling in your body? How’s your sleep? How’s your mental health? Are your hormones balanced? Are you eating enough protein and getting enough rest to account for all that energy spending? Are you sore and inflamed constantly? My experience living that way for 5-7 years led me to a place of complete burnout that took me years to recover from.

Now, this post is about bio individuality and doing you. I am sure plenty of people out there thrive with this schedule, and more power to you. I just found that for me it was not sustainable, and I don’t think it should be the message we’re sending to the masses. There’s this misconception that in order to be healthy you have to follow a checklist. But what I’ve learned through a lot of trial and error is that the goal is to find a sweet spot between not doing anything and doing too much.

You can live just as long, if not longer, from taking a more nervous system friendly approach to working out. I’ve loved incorporating long walks and pilates in addition to my strength training. I take two days off a week to not do any type of workout, especially on my period. I work just enough to complete what I need to without looking for things to add to my plate to fill the day productively. No matter where you’re at, I hope you know it’s okay to do the bare minimum.

5. The first step in your wellness journey is believing you are deserving of it. 

In a recent collab of two of my favorite podcasters on Pursuit of Wellness, Olivia Amitrano talks about healing autoimmune disease and the most important step in anyone’s wellness journey. Olivia says, “Self-worth is the first step towards healing your body. We don’t need more information, we need to realize we are worthy of the actions of taking care of our bodies.”

Man, that hit me hard. When I was over exercising and over working, it was because I was constantly trying to prove my worth. If I worked a certain amount of hours and crossed a certain amount of tasks off of my work checklist, I would be worthy of love, appreciation and respect. But what I realized when I got to the bottom of that hole was that I wasn’t looking for other’s acceptance as much as I was looking for my own. I wasn’t looking to prove to others that I was good enough, I was trying to prove it to myself.

The shift that changed everything was accepting that I am enough exactly as I am, without doing anything, just by living and breathing on this earth. I began treating myself with love and care; getting massages, putting lotion on my body, validating my sensitivities, acknowledging my core wounds and speaking kind words to myself. Sure, I had been working out and eating healthy for years, but I wasn’t doing it because I loved myself, I was doing it to change myself.

When I shifted my mindset, it allowed me to come home to myself, to trust myself and my intuition, to stop seeking outward approval and to start really loving myself. If you can start anywhere, start there. Know you deserve to feel your best every day, be at peace, and as happy as you can possibly be! And if you need support, please reach out to me, I’d love to talk to you about this more!

Slow Sundays outside and treating myself to a bouquet of flowers >>

Go forth and live your best life on your terms.

Over the past three years, I’ve been on a journey to redefine my entire life on my terms, not the set of rules set out by society that outlines the traditional version of success. The hardest part has been unlearning those programmed beliefs of what I should be striving for. In fact, I’ve had to eliminate the word “should” all together to create a life that feels truly authentic to me.

I’ve recognized that I value freedom, space, peace and ease — and am seeking ways to invite more of it in constantly, even when it comes to my wellness practices. I’ve stopped outsourcing my power to social norms, and started looking inward and got curious about what I need.

I listen to expert advice weekly on health and wellness podcasts and am constantly tweaking, but I don’t feel the need to change my foundation. That’s something I wish to share with you: the empowerment to choose what works for you, and leave what doesn’t. Your health journey doesn’t have to be an overhaul. You don’t have to know everything before you start. You don’t have to already be fit to start moving. You just need to choose one place that feels exciting, fun, or necessary to make a few small changes. I hope it gives you the motivation to try something new in the pursuit of finding what works for you!

P.S. My bestie gal Zamaria is doing a 30-day challenge right now! Follow her on Instagram @happyfitzam and join her broadcast channel for all the deets.

Toolkit for Navigating Stressful Seasons

Maybe it was Mercury in retrograde, maybe it was because I told my therapist how well life’s been going lately, but one thing’s for sure: the universe decided to test me in August. 

Just one month before I was sitting down with my therapist talking about how good and balanced I’d been feeling, and couldn’t help but feel like that was sending a sign to the universe that I was ready for another test. And then, I got a jury summons in the mail.

The experience ended up being one I’ll never forget. It was transformative in a way I haven’t felt since I lost my grandmother. I’ll even say, it was traumatic. In conversations with close friends and loved ones since, I’ve realized what an important, and yet deeply flawed system it is. I’ve come to realize how little we are prepared for such an event, emotionally and mentally, and even with all of my tools, it was exceedingly hard to navigate. 

And to be honest, I’ve felt particularly alone in my experience of jury duty, and sort of confused at why it affected me so deeply. In doing some research, I found that only 5-10% of people summoned are actually placed on a jury, and I don’t know anyone who has had an experience like mine (except for the other beautiful, wonderful humans I went through it with.) 80% of people have certainty as a primary need, and going into this experience I was anything but certain. First I had to acknowledge that it was okay that it was so challenging for me, even if it hasn’t been for others.

In addition to this, I’ve been navigating a lot of unexpected emotions, change and new challenges this month. I hesitated to even share this now, as I am still processing and going through it, but I want to share this in case it can help anyone else navigating a tough period. And, in a way, disprove a belief I’ve held that you have to be fully ready before sharing what’s on your mind. I’ve also come to learn that healing happens in community, when we can connect and share our experiences.

One of the most impactful things I’ve learned from my client, Britt Piper, SA survivor, somatic practitioner and trauma expert, is that the goal of nervous system regulation is not to stop feeling; it’s to expand our capacity to be with our emotions. The goal is to ride the waves of our feelings, find safety in the body, and create resilience in the process of accepting our emotions versus shutting them down.

In fact, I took so much of what I’ve learned from Britt about the language of the nervous system during this experience. I relied on the techniques I’ve learned from her in moments I felt myself slipping into panic and overwhelm, the definition of trauma playing in my head, “Trauma is any experience that is too overwhelming for your nervous system to handle.” 

Most of us aren’t taught how to self-regulate our emotions and navigate stressful situations without dissociating or shutting down. So, it only felt right this month to share my toolkit for navigating stressful seasons.

Nervous System Regulation 

Britt has helped me learn how to connect with and listen to what my body is telling me. Trauma lives in the body as a feeling, not a thought, and if we can get quiet enough to listen, our bodies have so much valuable information to share. For example, in deliberation during the trial, the butterflies in my stomach and my tingling hands told me I was venturing towards a panic attack, so I looked out the window. I observed the boats on the glistening water in the bay, took some deep breaths, and immediately felt more calm. This is called orienting, a type of resourcing Britt teaches in her somatic-based (“soma” meaning “body”) program. By engaging your senses in this way, you help your body recognize that you are safe in this moment, which can help to calm your nervous system and bring you back to a state of equilibrium. 

I also have been spending a lot of time co-regulating with my husband and pets. Co-regulating is an amazing tool for nervous system regulation because it leverages the inherent human capacity for connection to create a sense of safety and calm. Co-regulation involves using another person's calm and regulated nervous system to help bring your own system into balance. This can happen through touch, eye contact, tone of voice, or simply being in the presence of someone who is calm and grounded.

If you’re interested in somatic work, I highly recommend following Britt on Instagram and even watching her free 2-day mini course, the Somatic Recovery Roadmap.

EFT Tapping

A few weeks before the trial took place I signed up for Mode the Method, a mindfulness and wellness app created by Stephanie Flockhart, designed to help users cultivate balance, awareness, and personal growth through a variety of guided practices. For the first time, I’ve been experimenting with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), commonly known as "Tapping." It is a form of energy psychology that combines elements of cognitive therapy and exposure therapy with acupressure. It involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body—similar to those used in acupuncture—while focusing on a particular issue or emotion. EFT is used to help reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional distress, and can be applied to a wide range of physical and psychological issues. The app is really easy to use and this modality feels like a more active type of meditation that resonates with me. I used this before and after trial each day to disconnect and release energy.

Elevations/Meditations

I also have been loving Stephanie’s guided elevations in the app. She has elevations for abundance and manifestation, body and wellness, beauty and self-care, relationships and connections and more. I’ve been using the elevation for connecting to my elevated self, and during the trial, guided meditations to calm my nervous system between sessions. It encourages breathwork and deep breathing, which was another tool I leaned on consistently during the trial.

Embracing Rest

During really emotional times, I have less energy than usual, even when I’m getting plenty of rest. So, instead of pushing myself to wake up early to workout – leading to even more stress – I opted for taking things slower and just taking short walks outside when I could. I knew it would be a short timeframe in the long run, and that intuitively I needed to focus on just getting through each day as grounded and calm as I could be. 

Mindful Movement

When I started to reemerge from the post-trial haze, I was ready to go back to the gym. However, a persistent injury made it uncomfortable for me to continue lifting weights or doing high intensity workouts. It was frustrating to say the least, because I knew the physical release was so needed after all the adrenaline that had built up in my system, but I was forced to surrender to what my body was telling me. I opted for long walks outside with the pups, and getting a massage to relieve tension and stress.

I knew that feeling guilty for not getting back in my routine would not serve me, so I told myself that it was okay to do what I needed to do in the short term to make sure I was healthy and strong in the long term. If 80% of the year I’m in a good routine with my workouts, during the 20% where I’m not physically or mentally well, I completely remove guilt and allow myself that freedom to change what taking care of my body looks like. This mindset shift has been huge for me the past few years in accepting and honoring my needs!

Eating Nutritious Foods

One way I can take care of my body when I’m unable to physically move as much is through eating nutritious foods. I have been loving smoothie bowls lately, since I find in high stress times that I lose my appetite. Smoothies are a great way to get in all essential nutrients and fuel the body properly, also contributing to a regulated nervous system. My favorite smoothie combo is frozen berries, frozen riced cauliflower, Ancient Nutrition bone broth protein, almond milk, almond butter and spinach. Sometimes I’ll add granola, fresh berries and cacao nibs. Spinach, cacao, and almonds are known for their ability to help regulate the nervous system by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting overall brain health.

bliss blow from parakeet cafe on the beach

During the week of the trial, I also added vanilla collagen to my coffee in the mornings and carried my favorite protein bars and snacks with me. I preferred to eat smaller meals, and since I wasn’t working out as much (+ the stress), I wasn’t as hungry.  You can find my favorite protein-rich snacks in this blog post! When I got home at night I tried to eat protein dense meals with veggies or even overnight oats with protein. I craved satiating comfort food, and again did my best to listen to and honor what my body needed in this unique time.

Journaling & Expressing Emotions

Since the experience, I have been writing down my thoughts and emotions to get them out of my head, and expressing how I’m truly feeling to my loved ones. Even if they can’t relate or don’t know what to say, getting out my feelings instead of holding them in has been so important. I’ve also let myself cry when I need to cry, and tried, again, to eliminate any judgment around how sensitive I am (it only makes things worse to reject myself).

By sharing and processing my truth in real time, my hope is that I am able to get back to a place of regulation faster than I used to be able to when I would avoid my emotions and dissociate. And in full transparency, I have found myself more addicted to social media and mind numbing TV. As I shared earlier, I am still in process and working through it. I don’t want to put a timeline on when I’ll “be better” and am trying my best to honor where I’m at and be patient with myself. I’m always relearning that letting go of expectations and self judgment is a critical part of healing. 

Giving Back

The trial process left me feeling helpless and powerless, and in thinking about some meaningful action I could take, I donated to CASA: court supported advocates for children in foster care or navigating the court system. If you feel called to contribute to help children in unimaginable situations, click here. If you know of any other organizations doing similar work, let me know and I can add it here!

Mindset Shifts

Another huge takeaway from the experience was that I already have all I need and more. It’s easy to be distracted by social media and comparing ourselves to others that we forget that if we’re lucky enough to have our basic needs taken care of, we are so fortunate. So many people in our country and around the world aren’t able to afford what I take for granted every day. It’s too easy to turn a blind eye and not face this harsh reality. In seasons where you may not feel good enough, remember that you can change your entire perspective by noticing all the things you already have. A daily or even monthly gratitude practice can be life changing. If you can relate, leave a comment on this post.

I also tried to focus on the good aspects of the experience. I leaned on how comforting it was that I was going through it with 11 other people. I went into it knowing no one, but came out of it with new friends. I enjoyed putting on outfits that weren’t workout clothes every day. I was glad the courthouse downtown is brand new and has floor to ceiling windows in the entire building. I was grateful I could afford parking downtown to drive myself every day, and listen to music (and cry) on my commute. Plus, now I have a brand new outlook on what matters in this life, once again.

Final thoughts: we can do hard things.

My family asked why I didn’t try to get excused. Unfortunately I didn’t feel like saying I was an empath/Highly Sensitive Person would do the trick. Plus, I wanted to do my civic duty. I felt like I needed to face this challenge. Something in me knew that I had to face this really hard thing to grow and continue becoming the best version of myself. It reminded me that on the other side of heartache is a rediscovery of joy and gratitude in the little things, an insanely rewarding gift. I have realized that, oddly, I become kinder when I’m sad? It’s a weird, beautiful transformation that grief and pain offer. This is the magnificence of the human experience. 

I always find comfort in remembering stressful seasons are just that —seasons. They won’t last forever. I’ve also learned that anything that breaks us down also serves to build us back up into better, more resilient, more compassionate versions of ourselves. It’s never for nothing.

If you’ve been through a stressful season recently and Mercury in retrograde got you, too – I hope even one of these tips can help you come back home to yourself. If you’d like to connect with me about anything I shared here, feel free to send me an email (jules@julesthompson.com) or reach out on Instagram @jusevson! I hope you know you’re not alone, your emotions are valid, and you deserve to find ways to process them that promote true healing. I’m sending you so much love through this journey!

P.S. This blog post was inspired in part by this podcast episode by Transform: Toolkit to Navigate Bad Days

it’s okay to do nothing

Hi, I’m Jules and I’m a recovering productivity-addict. My twenties were spent hustling, over performing and people-pleasing. After experiencing a special cocktail of burnout and immense grief at the end of my twenties (thanks, Saturn Return), I was inspired (more like unwillingly forced) to confront my adamant avoidance of rest and my beliefs around when I was allowed to do nothing.

Ever since learning this valuable lesson of embracing rest, I became more in tune with my intuition and my body. This allowed for more peace and ease in all areas of my life. No longer was I striving for perfection or to work a certain number of hours to feel fulfilled. I was happy just being me – and that’s a feeling I’ve been trying hard to hold onto.

Whenever I feel resistant to rest, it’s usually a sign I need it most. Rest can look different for everyone, and for the sake of providing some tips for low-key summer enjoyment, I’ll amend rest to also include “recharge” or “rejuvenate.” Here are some ways I’ve learned to embrace rest and incorporate do-nothing time into my routine. Then, I’ll share some low-lift activities I’m leaning on this summer!

Do-Nothing List

Read

Some books that have helped me learn how to rest are 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think (I think I gifted this to all my girlfriends last year), Empath Survival Guide and Psalm for the Wild Built. The key to reading consistently is to find a genre you love. There are so many flavors of books out there! I love starting the day with a more self-development or inspiring book, but before bed I like to read my fantasy novels.  I am currently in the middle of three different series – oops. Find me on Goodreads if you want more recommendations!

Watch Podcasts on YouTube

This has become my new favorite life hack. I’m scratching my “lay on the couch and rot” itch while also learning something or hearing from someone I admire. Some of my favorites are: What’s the Juice, Move with Heart, Call Her Daddy, Working Hard, Hardly Working, The Diary of a CEO and Let’s be Honest with Kristin Cavalleri.

 Stretch

I like to keep my yoga mat handy so I can drop down while watching aforementioned YouTube podcasts and do some stretching! To be honest, I could definitely do this more. Every time I do make time for just a few minutes of stretching, I can tell immediately how my body thanks me.

Spend time outside

Last weekend we got out the plastic kiddie pool we got for our dog Xenon and nudged it against our outdoor couch. It was the perfect way to cool off our feet while lounging in the sun in the driveway. I put on a playlist and had a grand time doing nothing but watch Xenon play with a butterfly. Did I have things I should have been doing? Yes. Was doing nothing more important even still? Based on the cues my body and mind were giving me, also yes.

Red light therapy

One of my favorite new wellness hacks is putting on my red light therapy panel and showering at night before bed. I do my whole evening routine in front of the panel for 15 minutes. Red light therapy is said to help with inflammation in the body, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and promote better sleep! I have a friend that meditates in front of it for 15 minutes. Either way, it requires stillness and darkness, so I love it’s gentle nudge to do nothing.

Dance around the house

This might be a bit niche, but there’s no better way to loosen up and bring some joy into your life than dancing around the house. Pick your favorite song, put it on and dance your little heart out. It will boost your mood and your heart rate! My current summer jam is Supersad by Suki Waterhouse. Dance along with me

Focus on gratitude

Forcing yourself to rest can be hard, and sometimes in the process those old patterns pop up of “I am not enough. I am not doing enough.” It may seem simple, but every time I mentally spiral, I switch my thoughts to gratitude. I think of all the things I am so grateful for. This helps me realize that there’s really nothing to worry about, and helps me bounce back from making a big deal in my head over absolutely nothing.

Do Something Fun List

For the days when you're in a funk and need to do something to get out of it, here are some things that fill my cup that don’t feel too overwhelming. These are all activities that are pretty low lift and give almost instant gratification! 

• Try new restaurants and coffee shops: my current favorites are bica (Portuguese cafe) in Normal Heights and I’m always bringing guests by The Lafayette for drinks or simply to soak in the vibes.

• Go to the beach alone or with friends: Find me in Del Mar most of the time, but I also love Coronado Island!

• Go on a solo walk

• At home pilates class with the FORM app

• Journal

• Redecorate my home: I love moving my current decor around to give new energy and life to the space!

• Cook or bake: This is a great time to incorporate a kitchen dance party if you ask me!

• Get a massage

Remember that you are so deserving of do-nothing time. You aren’t a machine, you’re a human with lots of feelings and needs beyond what you can do for others. If you want to order groceries for delivery instead of going to the store even though you’re perfectly capable or even have the time – do that. If you want to skip a workout to read or rest – do that. The best way to build self-trust and connection is to listen to what you truly need in the moment and give it to yourself. Don’t try to override your natural instincts with “shoulds.” It does get easier the more you do it, and you can prove to yourself that doing-nothing is one of the best ways to take care of yourself.

I’d love to know what your relationship to rest is like, and how you’re embracing rest this summer!