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IN: GirlBossing, Wellness

How a Creative Practice Can Boost Your Mental Health

August 26, 2022 By Melanie No Comments

KellyAnne Tang guest post: how a creative practice can boost your mental health

This blog post was written by my marketing assistant, KellyAnne Tang

I was always making stuff when I was a kid. I drew, I wrote stories, I put on neighborhood plays with friends, I cooked elaborate meals for my family. As I got older, however, I started to lose touch with that part of myself, and I even stopped considering myself a creative person. 

A few years ago, I was feeling really lost and disconnected from myself. I wasn’t finding fulfillment in my work and I often felt like my light had just gone out. When I moved to New York and found myself suddenly surrounded by people pursuing their creative passions, I started to feel a little nudge to get back into art. I ordered a set of watercolors and started painting. Three years later, my creative practice has brought my spark back and it has become an essential part of my mental health toolkit.  

You don’t need to consider yourself an artist to discover the mental health benefits from inviting more creativity into your life. These are just a few of the ways that a creative practice can boost your mental wellness.

It gets you out of your head

Anyone else a chronic overthinker? My mind can often be an overwhelming place, constantly whirring with to-do lists, plans for the future, and residual anxiety over that awkward interaction I had last week. One of the only things that can consistently pull me off my mental highway and nudge me into a flow state is putting pen or paintbrush to paper. Making something with your hands, especially if you’re trying something new, can give your brain something to focus on and quiet the rest of the noise.

A creative practice is also a mindfulness practice

I’ve found that it’s very difficult to multitask when absorbed in any sort of creative act, whether I’m cooking dinner or drawing in a sketchbook. For example, when I’m cooking, I’m tuning into all of my senses, noticing the way the ingredients smell or watching the colors change as they cook. In a sense, my creative practice is my meditation practice. It pulls me into the present and teaches me to pay attention. If you’ve struggled to make traditional mindfulness practices like meditation a regular habit, maybe try a creative activity instead like playing an instrument or something as simple as coloring in a coloring book. 

It can help you tune into your emotions 

Creative activities are often used as therapeutic practices for processing emotions and healing. Whenever I’m feeling a bit off, sitting down to draw or paint allows me to tune into my inner world and process the feelings that have been swirling around. Taking the time to make something just for me or for someone I love connects me back to myself. Tapping into a creative hobby can give you the space you need to process your feelings and perhaps uncover a new insight. 

It encourages a sense of curiosity and play

Since I started incorporating more creativity into my life, I’ve noticed that I have become more interested and engaged in the world around me. Creativity has a way of sparking curiosity and bringing out our inner child, which are two important elements of cultivating joy. When I sit down to scribble in my sketchbook or make a collage, I reconnect with that 8-year-old me who loved writing epic adventure tales and drawing portraits of her beanie babies. The joy that I have found in my creative practice reminds me how important it is to not take myself too seriously and to make time to be silly and play.

It cultivates self compassion and a growth mindset

A fixed mindset assumes that abilities, talents, and skills are set and unchangeable, which often leads to thoughts like this is hard, so I guess I’m just not good at it when faced with an obstacle. Those with fixed mindsets may be more likely to give up in the face of challenging situations, and you can probably see how this could have a negative impact on your self confidence. On the flip side is a growth mindset, which assumes that skills and abilities can be learned and improved upon with effort. This leads to more positive thoughts like this is hard, but I can get better at this with practice. Growth mindsets encourage self compassion, resilience, and, well, growth. 

My natural tendency is a fixed mindset, but one of the ways I have started to develop a growth mindset is through my creative practice. When I first started playing with watercolors, most of my paintings turned out looking like I dropped a piece of paper in a muddy puddle. But I enjoyed it, so I stuck with it. I found resources online and painted more often, and while I still have a lot to learn, I’ve seen so much progress since I first started! It’s given me the confidence that I will continue to learn and get better as long as I keep painting, and this mindset has started to seep into other parts of my life as well.  

When you try something for the first time, you’ll most likely make a lot of terrible things, but if you have a good time doing it, you’ll realize that it doesn’t matter all that much how it turns out. It can be easier to cultivate a growth mindset and self compassion in low-stakes settings like a creative hobby that you do for fun. When you do something you enjoy, you’ll see how you improve each time you practice, and that mindset can carry over into other areas of your life. 

Creative Practice with KellyAnne Tang

You don’t need to consider yourself an artist to discover the mental health benefits of a creative practice. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a creative person, I guarantee that you are. You just need to find your medium! Here are some quick tips for getting started:

  • Start with something simple like picking up a coloring book or following along with simple drawing tutorials on YouTube
  • Reconnect with a past creative hobby 
  • Invite a little creativity into things you already do, like cooking! 
  • Try a fun DIY home decor project
  • Suggest a creative activity for your next date night like an intro pottery class or a paint night

On a personal note, I actually just started my own art blog where I’ll be sharing more about my creative journey and offering more ideas about how to incorporate creativity into daily life. I would love to connect with you over there! In the meantime, happy creating!

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New Meet Melanie

New Meet Melanie

Hi and welcome to Headstands & Heels! I’m Melanie — a Digital Strategist turned Wellness Entrepreneur, certified yoga instructor (RYT 200), dog mama, and content creator based in Denver. I hope to encourage others to follow their dreams and cultivate a healthy, balanced lifestyle filled with mindfulness and positivity. 💕 Send me a note at: mel@headstandsandheels.com or Read More

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Another day, another healthy habit 💦🍋 . I ca
Another day, another healthy habit 💦🍋 . I can’t believe we only have a few more to go! In case you’re new here, I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices that you can incorporate your routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 12: Focus on Hydration 💧

I’m not going to laundry list all of the benefits of drinking more water because this is one habit we all KNOW we need to do — however if you find yourself struggling with this one, here are some tips that may help: 

✨ Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning 
✨ Jazz up your water with lemon 🍋 
✨ Add electrolytes to your water post-workout 
✨ Make homemade juices from hydrating veggies and fruit (this one is celery, cucumber + apple) 
✨ Fill an extra large water bottle to keep track of how much you’re drinking through the day 
✨ Serve water with every meal
✨ Drink unsweetened iced or hot tea
✨ Set reminders on your phone or use a tracker (like the one in my Mindful Morning Planner) 

I used to struggle with this habit but ever since moving to Denver a couple years ago, the dry climate has forced me to focus on hydration daily and now I feel like I’m constantly drinking water and using all the hydrating skincare products 😅

Stay tuned for the final 3 healthy habits of the series coming soon! 

#wellness #mindfulroutines #morningroutine #healthyandhappy #morningvibes #wellnesslifestyle #colorfulaesthetic #mindfulroutine #happyandhealthy #morninghabits #healthylifestyle #iamwellandgood

“Look to the sunlight above and smile. You are n
“Look to the sunlight above and smile. You are never alone.” 🌻 Swipe for more healing words. Save, share and take what you need 🤎

#selfcompassion #selflove #dailyreminders #positivemindset #littlereminders #wellbeing #mindfulness #findthelight #selfgrowth #wellnesswednesday


Can you count how many plants are in this video? 🪴🤪 Welcome back to my Healthy Habit series, where I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 11: Bring Nature Indoors 

There are numerous studies that have demonstrated the power of keeping houseplants in your home. Emotionally, the presence of plants help to decrease anxiety and stress. The act of caring for them requires patience and watching them grow provides a feeling of accomplishment. 🪴🫶🏼

Some houseplants help to purify the air and if you plant a small herb garden in your kitchen, you’ll reap the benefits of fresh herbs all year round.

Other simple ways to invite nature indoors are:

🪟 open your windows on a cool day
🤎 choose earth tones for your decor
🌊 play soothing sounds like ocean waves or rain 🕯️ light candles or a fireplace
☀️ set up a reading nook in a very sunny corner of your home

Is this a habit you’re already putting into practice? And if so, what is your favorite way to invite nature indoors? 

{well-being, wellness, self care, biophilia, healthy lifestyle, positive mindset, healthy tips, self growth} 

#wellbeing #healthyhabits #plantcare #houseplantlove #romanticizeyourlife #healthyathome #wellnesstips #wellnessblogger #healthyandhappy #mindfulhabits #morningroutine #mindfulroutine #selfcaretips

Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty
Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty and playfulness 🌲💗

Dressed in head to toe @fpmovement including all the cozy layers for when hot, golden afternoons transition to crisp, chilly evenings. I for one am so ready to see these leaves start to change colors, are you? 

PS: linked this whole fit in my stories for ya 💌

#FPmovementPartner #healthylifestyle #outdoorsygals #denverblogger #hikingclub #hikingoutfit #summertofall #outdoorfitness #happyandhealthy #wellnesslifestyle

“Try not to think about what could have or shoul
“Try not to think about what could have or should have been. What’s done is done.” ✨❤️

It’s day ten of my Healthy Habit series where I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits that you can incorporate daily to help you feel your best and I recommend turning the audio up for this one 🥹

DAY 10: Live In The Present 

The beauty of practicing daily mindfulness is that it helps us shift our mindset to the only thing that is guaranteed — this very moment. Each day we are alive is such a blessing and by channeling that gratitude, we can learn to cultivate more joy in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Mindfulness allows us to regulate our emotions and is a reminder that everything in life is temporary. We will all face challenges and difficult seasons throughout our lifetime — but cultivating this mindful habit of living in the present is a helpful tool as you wait for the hard times to pass. 🤍

 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

PS: if you want to make this pumpkin spice oatmeal here is the recipe: 

✨ 1/2 cup rolled oats 
✨ 1 cup almond milk 
✨ 1/4 cup water 
✨ 1/2 cup pumpkin purée 
✨ 1 tbsp maple syrup 
✨ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
✨ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
✨ pinch of salt 

Bring almond milk and water to a boil and then add in all additional ingredients. Simmer for 8-10 min and top with bananas, chopped nuts, almond butter and a little drizzle of maple syrup 

{wellness, mindful living, intentional living, healthy mindset, positive thinking, self growth} 

#wellnesstips #mindfulhabit #mindfulroutine #morningroutine #cookwithme #romanticizeyourlife #liveinthepresent #selflove #selfgrowth #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #positivemindset #mindsetmatters #makebreakfastwithme #healthyroutines


✨ 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠: 𝟓 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 (link in bio) ✨
 #ad I’ve been struggling with motivation lately and wanted to share some of my tried and true tips that help me find joy in my fitness routine. 

One thing I know makes a difference for me is dressing the part and wearing activewear that is cute, fits like a dream and makes me feel confident. That’s why I’m excited to share my newest activewear obsession – @neiwaiofficial 🤍

This Asian female-founded brand has some of the dreamiest, matching sets and these two from their Mousse Active Collection (swipe for a peep) are perfect for low-impact workouts like pilates, yoga and barre. I love the soft micro-suede material and know I’ll be wearing them all through Fall and Winter with some cozy layers. 

𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐋𝐓𝐊 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝟐𝟎% 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞: 𝐦𝐞𝐢
{only valid through 9/15 so get yours quick!} 

Which is your fav: the emerald green or neutral mushroom? 👇

#NEIWAI  #Active  #InhaleExhale  #MadeToLiveIn  #NEIWAIfriends #liketkit #LTKfitness #LTKSeasonal
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iwFl

Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy
Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Habit Series 🤍

DAY 9: Clean your space 🧹🫧🧺🧽

I wish I was one of those people that found cleaning to be enjoyable buuuut unfortunately that’s not usually the case. 😅 I do however get very stressed out when there’s too much clutter or things start to feel like they’re piling up. So in reality, keeping my space organized and tidy is probably the most helpful mental health habit that I turn to over and over again 🫧 

We’ve all heard the phrase “clear space, clear mind” and I 💯% believe that to be true. Eliminating clutter and keeping things tidy do wonders for mental clarity, creativity, and in my case — a greater sense of ease. 

I find that even 10-15 min of cleaning/decluttering a day can really make a big difference but for when life happens and things build up a bit more, having a dedicated “reset day” honestly is so worth it. 💕

Stay tuned for six more simple, realistic habits into your routine to help you feel your best

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self discipline, self growth, wellbeing, reset routine} 

#healthyhabits #wellnesstips #mindfulroutine #cleanwithme #resetroutine #iamwellandgood #morningroutine #wellnessblogger #cleaningroutine #healthymotivation

Stepping into the weekend 👟 and this shift of
Stepping into the weekend 👟 and  this shift of seasons is making me more excited to spend time outside. Which brings us to day 8/15 of my Healthy Habits series where I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best 🤍

DAY 8: GO ON A WALK 

Something about getting outside for even 15 min of fresh air and movement is so healing and lately I’ve been doing a lot of “walk and talks” where I put on headphones and chat with friends as I get my steps in. 

Sometimes I listen to music or a podcast but many times I just walk without any distractions. There are so many mental and physical benefits of taking time to go on a walk, and right now, it’s been an important tool for me to get out of the house and help reduce stress. 

And now with sweater weather approaching I’m so excited to get out for more morning walks with a hot cup of coffee in hand. ☕️ 

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self growth, self discipline, daily movement} 

#wellnessblogger #healthyhabits #morningroutine #morninghabits #dailyroutine #healthymotivation #iamwellandgood #morningwalk #hotgirlwalk #movementismedicine #mindfulroutine

#AD September is officially here and with it bring
#AD September is officially here and with it brings the promise of pumpkin spice and Fall vibes (which tbh I’m SO excited for!). 🍁🎃🧡 I figure there’s no better way to kick off the season than with a Pumpkin Cold Brew Smoothie featuring @silk Almondmilk! I picked up all these ingredients at my local @Target and think you all are going to LOVE this recipe.

Be sure to SAVE this to try later:

✨ 1 frozen banana
✨ ½ cup organic pumpkin puree
✨ ¼ cup greek yogurt 
✨ 1 medjool date
✨ 1 tbsp almond butter
✨ 1 tbsp flax seeds
✨ ½ cup cold brew 
✨ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
✨ ½ cup SILK Unsweetened Almondmilk 
✨ ice

Blend all ingredients and pour into your fav glass! I love how smooth and creamy SILK Almondmilk is and it’s such an easy, plant-based swap for any of your smoothies. Get 10% off Silk Almondmilk with the Target Circle app from 9/3-9/9! 🎯 

Be sure to tag us if you recreate this pumpkin smoothie at home! 

#silkalmondmilk #silktarget #pumpkincoldbrew #pumpkinsmoothie #smoothierecipe #smoothietime #fallsmoothie #pumpkinrecipe

My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but
My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but I’m ready to finish what I started 🫶🏼. In many ways, these little habits are exactly what I need right now and have become “healing habits” that I always turn to when I need a mental or physical boost. 

My hope is that by the end of this 15 part series you’ll be inspired to incorporate more of these simple, realistic habits into your own daily routines 

DAY 7: WRITE IN A JOURNAL ✏️

I’ve been keeping some form of diary or journal on and off since 2nd grade, which is kind of wild when I think about all the notebooks filled with memories stacked in my closet. Writing is such a therapeutic exercise and a great introspective tool to help work through different feelings and emotions. 

There are plenty of guided journals if free writing is intimidating and I share plenty of prompts on my blog and @mindfulmorningclub page 📖

I always suggest starting with just 5-10 min of writing time in the morning or evening and expanding if/when your schedule allows. ✨

Do you keep a journal? 

#healthyhabits #morningroutine #wellnesstips #journaling #iamwellandgood #healthylifestyle #healthymindset #morningrituals #selfcaretips #morningvibes #autumnmorning #wellnesslifestyle #mindfulroutine #smallmoments #fallvibes

Little things that nourished my soul lately 💫

Little things that nourished my soul lately 💫 

🐶 mountain views with my lil family 
🌸 writing everything out in my journal 
🦋 starting to ease back into workouts I enjoy 
💐 beautiful flowers & plants from friends 
🍦 sushi followed by ube ice cream 
💇🏻‍♀️ much needed hair color refresh 
☕️ matcha & a new book 
💅🏻 treating myself to a pedicure 

Healing is not a linear process and I’m giving myself grace to feel all the feelings as they come. Through every challenge, there’s beauty in knowing the heart has a capacity for holding space for it all — for moments of small joys, pain and sorrow, and perhaps most importantly, so much space for hope. 

✨Hope that by sharing my story, other women will feel less alone 

✨Hope that it helps shines a light on how painful, emotionally and physically, pregnancy loss can be 

✨Hope that God will give us our rainbow baby soon 

To the hundreds of you who had the kindness and courage to share your own miscarriage stories with me and others who shared words of love, thank you. We have felt so supported this past week and it has given us a lot of strength. 

I am craving normalcy again, and that means I’m ready to dive back into work with branded content going live this week and continuing my Healthy Habits series. Life moves forward and even though this experience will stay with me forever, 
I am ready to leave the pain behind 🤍

#lifelately #miscarriageawareness #newbeginnings #cameraroll

This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We we
This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We were so excited to welcome our little baby into this world. Instead we gained an angel. 👼 

Last Friday, at 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant, we checked into the OB for an emergency ultrasound. We were just a week shy of our official 12 week appt— the one where we would find out the gender and prepare to share the news with family and friends. Instead, they couldn’t find a heartbeat. 💔 

The first trimester hadn’t been easy. At 6 weeks I ended up in the ER but heard the baby’s heartbeat and left feeling hopeful. We saw the baby officially at our 8 week ultrasound and felt more assured that things would progress as we hoped. 

Time continued to move forward and by the 11 week mark, we were picking potential names, reading parenting books, and starting to take bump photos. 

They say the odds of a miscarriage at 11 weeks is so small… yet here we are. I know we are not alone in this but it doesn’t make the pain and heartbreak any easier.

We’ve been taking time to work through our grief and process this loss together. We are grateful to have such an incredible support system and I thank you all for providing a safe space to share my story. I kindly ask that you do not share any unsolicited medical advice or ask questions. 

I know there will be brighter days ahead and this experience has made me very aware of just how much we look forward to having a family. It’s not our time, but I know it will happen someday.

For now, this is goodbye, little one. You are forever in our hearts 👼❤️ ~ M & B


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Another day, another healthy habit 💦🍋 . I ca Another day, another healthy habit 💦🍋 . I can’t believe we only have a few more to go! In case you’re new here, I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices that you can incorporate your routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 12: Focus on Hydration 💧

I’m not going to laundry list all of the benefits of drinking more water because this is one habit we all KNOW we need to do — however if you find yourself struggling with this one, here are some tips that may help: 

✨ Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning 
✨ Jazz up your water with lemon 🍋 
✨ Add electrolytes to your water post-workout 
✨ Make homemade juices from hydrating veggies and fruit (this one is celery, cucumber + apple) 
✨ Fill an extra large water bottle to keep track of how much you’re drinking through the day 
✨ Serve water with every meal
✨ Drink unsweetened iced or hot tea
✨ Set reminders on your phone or use a tracker (like the one in my Mindful Morning Planner) 

I used to struggle with this habit but ever since moving to Denver a couple years ago, the dry climate has forced me to focus on hydration daily and now I feel like I’m constantly drinking water and using all the hydrating skincare products 😅

Stay tuned for the final 3 healthy habits of the series coming soon! 

#wellness #mindfulroutines #morningroutine #healthyandhappy #morningvibes #wellnesslifestyle #colorfulaesthetic #mindfulroutine #happyandhealthy #morninghabits #healthylifestyle #iamwellandgood
“Look to the sunlight above and smile. You are n “Look to the sunlight above and smile. You are never alone.” 🌻 Swipe for more healing words. Save, share and take what you need 🤎

#selfcompassion #selflove #dailyreminders #positivemindset #littlereminders #wellbeing #mindfulness #findthelight #selfgrowth #wellnesswednesday
Can you count how many plants are in this video? 🪴🤪 Welcome back to my Healthy Habit series, where I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 11: Bring Nature Indoors 

There are numerous studies that have demonstrated the power of keeping houseplants in your home. Emotionally, the presence of plants help to decrease anxiety and stress. The act of caring for them requires patience and watching them grow provides a feeling of accomplishment. 🪴🫶🏼

Some houseplants help to purify the air and if you plant a small herb garden in your kitchen, you’ll reap the benefits of fresh herbs all year round.

Other simple ways to invite nature indoors are:

🪟 open your windows on a cool day
🤎 choose earth tones for your decor
🌊 play soothing sounds like ocean waves or rain 🕯️ light candles or a fireplace
☀️ set up a reading nook in a very sunny corner of your home

Is this a habit you’re already putting into practice? And if so, what is your favorite way to invite nature indoors? 

{well-being, wellness, self care, biophilia, healthy lifestyle, positive mindset, healthy tips, self growth} 

#wellbeing #healthyhabits #plantcare #houseplantlove #romanticizeyourlife #healthyathome #wellnesstips #wellnessblogger #healthyandhappy #mindfulhabits #morningroutine #mindfulroutine #selfcaretips
Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty and playfulness 🌲💗

Dressed in head to toe @fpmovement including all the cozy layers for when hot, golden afternoons transition to crisp, chilly evenings. I for one am so ready to see these leaves start to change colors, are you? 

PS: linked this whole fit in my stories for ya 💌

#FPmovementPartner #healthylifestyle #outdoorsygals #denverblogger #hikingclub #hikingoutfit #summertofall #outdoorfitness #happyandhealthy #wellnesslifestyle
“Try not to think about what could have or shoul “Try not to think about what could have or should have been. What’s done is done.” ✨❤️

It’s day ten of my Healthy Habit series where I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits that you can incorporate daily to help you feel your best and I recommend turning the audio up for this one 🥹

DAY 10: Live In The Present 

The beauty of practicing daily mindfulness is that it helps us shift our mindset to the only thing that is guaranteed — this very moment. Each day we are alive is such a blessing and by channeling that gratitude, we can learn to cultivate more joy in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Mindfulness allows us to regulate our emotions and is a reminder that everything in life is temporary. We will all face challenges and difficult seasons throughout our lifetime — but cultivating this mindful habit of living in the present is a helpful tool as you wait for the hard times to pass. 🤍

 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

PS: if you want to make this pumpkin spice oatmeal here is the recipe: 

✨ 1/2 cup rolled oats 
✨ 1 cup almond milk 
✨ 1/4 cup water 
✨ 1/2 cup pumpkin purée 
✨ 1 tbsp maple syrup 
✨ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
✨ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
✨ pinch of salt 

Bring almond milk and water to a boil and then add in all additional ingredients. Simmer for 8-10 min and top with bananas, chopped nuts, almond butter and a little drizzle of maple syrup 

{wellness, mindful living, intentional living, healthy mindset, positive thinking, self growth} 

#wellnesstips #mindfulhabit #mindfulroutine #morningroutine #cookwithme #romanticizeyourlife #liveinthepresent #selflove #selfgrowth #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #positivemindset #mindsetmatters #makebreakfastwithme #healthyroutines
✨ 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠: 𝟓 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 (link in bio) ✨
 #ad I’ve been struggling with motivation lately and wanted to share some of my tried and true tips that help me find joy in my fitness routine. 

One thing I know makes a difference for me is dressing the part and wearing activewear that is cute, fits like a dream and makes me feel confident. That’s why I’m excited to share my newest activewear obsession – @neiwaiofficial 🤍

This Asian female-founded brand has some of the dreamiest, matching sets and these two from their Mousse Active Collection (swipe for a peep) are perfect for low-impact workouts like pilates, yoga and barre. I love the soft micro-suede material and know I’ll be wearing them all through Fall and Winter with some cozy layers. 

𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐋𝐓𝐊 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝟐𝟎% 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞: 𝐦𝐞𝐢
{only valid through 9/15 so get yours quick!} 

Which is your fav: the emerald green or neutral mushroom? 👇

#NEIWAI  #Active  #InhaleExhale  #MadeToLiveIn  #NEIWAIfriends #liketkit #LTKfitness #LTKSeasonal
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iwFl
Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Habit Series 🤍

DAY 9: Clean your space 🧹🫧🧺🧽

I wish I was one of those people that found cleaning to be enjoyable buuuut unfortunately that’s not usually the case. 😅 I do however get very stressed out when there’s too much clutter or things start to feel like they’re piling up. So in reality, keeping my space organized and tidy is probably the most helpful mental health habit that I turn to over and over again 🫧 

We’ve all heard the phrase “clear space, clear mind” and I 💯% believe that to be true. Eliminating clutter and keeping things tidy do wonders for mental clarity, creativity, and in my case — a greater sense of ease. 

I find that even 10-15 min of cleaning/decluttering a day can really make a big difference but for when life happens and things build up a bit more, having a dedicated “reset day” honestly is so worth it. 💕

Stay tuned for six more simple, realistic habits into your routine to help you feel your best

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self discipline, self growth, wellbeing, reset routine} 

#healthyhabits #wellnesstips #mindfulroutine #cleanwithme #resetroutine #iamwellandgood #morningroutine #wellnessblogger #cleaningroutine #healthymotivation
Stepping into the weekend 👟 and this shift of Stepping into the weekend 👟 and  this shift of seasons is making me more excited to spend time outside. Which brings us to day 8/15 of my Healthy Habits series where I’m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best 🤍

DAY 8: GO ON A WALK 

Something about getting outside for even 15 min of fresh air and movement is so healing and lately I’ve been doing a lot of “walk and talks” where I put on headphones and chat with friends as I get my steps in. 

Sometimes I listen to music or a podcast but many times I just walk without any distractions. There are so many mental and physical benefits of taking time to go on a walk, and right now, it’s been an important tool for me to get out of the house and help reduce stress. 

And now with sweater weather approaching I’m so excited to get out for more morning walks with a hot cup of coffee in hand. ☕️ 

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self growth, self discipline, daily movement} 

#wellnessblogger #healthyhabits #morningroutine #morninghabits #dailyroutine #healthymotivation #iamwellandgood #morningwalk #hotgirlwalk #movementismedicine #mindfulroutine
#AD September is officially here and with it bring #AD September is officially here and with it brings the promise of pumpkin spice and Fall vibes (which tbh I’m SO excited for!). 🍁🎃🧡 I figure there’s no better way to kick off the season than with a Pumpkin Cold Brew Smoothie featuring @silk Almondmilk! I picked up all these ingredients at my local @Target and think you all are going to LOVE this recipe.

Be sure to SAVE this to try later:

✨ 1 frozen banana
✨ ½ cup organic pumpkin puree
✨ ¼ cup greek yogurt 
✨ 1 medjool date
✨ 1 tbsp almond butter
✨ 1 tbsp flax seeds
✨ ½ cup cold brew 
✨ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
✨ ½ cup SILK Unsweetened Almondmilk 
✨ ice

Blend all ingredients and pour into your fav glass! I love how smooth and creamy SILK Almondmilk is and it’s such an easy, plant-based swap for any of your smoothies. Get 10% off Silk Almondmilk with the Target Circle app from 9/3-9/9! 🎯 

Be sure to tag us if you recreate this pumpkin smoothie at home! 

#silkalmondmilk #silktarget #pumpkincoldbrew #pumpkinsmoothie #smoothierecipe #smoothietime #fallsmoothie #pumpkinrecipe
My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but I’m ready to finish what I started 🫶🏼. In many ways, these little habits are exactly what I need right now and have become “healing habits” that I always turn to when I need a mental or physical boost. 

My hope is that by the end of this 15 part series you’ll be inspired to incorporate more of these simple, realistic habits into your own daily routines 

DAY 7: WRITE IN A JOURNAL ✏️

I’ve been keeping some form of diary or journal on and off since 2nd grade, which is kind of wild when I think about all the notebooks filled with memories stacked in my closet. Writing is such a therapeutic exercise and a great introspective tool to help work through different feelings and emotions. 

There are plenty of guided journals if free writing is intimidating and I share plenty of prompts on my blog and @mindfulmorningclub page 📖

I always suggest starting with just 5-10 min of writing time in the morning or evening and expanding if/when your schedule allows. ✨

Do you keep a journal? 

#healthyhabits #morningroutine #wellnesstips #journaling #iamwellandgood #healthylifestyle #healthymindset #morningrituals #selfcaretips #morningvibes #autumnmorning #wellnesslifestyle #mindfulroutine #smallmoments #fallvibes
Little things that nourished my soul lately 💫 Little things that nourished my soul lately 💫 

🐶 mountain views with my lil family 
🌸 writing everything out in my journal 
🦋 starting to ease back into workouts I enjoy 
💐 beautiful flowers & plants from friends 
🍦 sushi followed by ube ice cream 
💇🏻‍♀️ much needed hair color refresh 
☕️ matcha & a new book 
💅🏻 treating myself to a pedicure 

Healing is not a linear process and I’m giving myself grace to feel all the feelings as they come. Through every challenge, there’s beauty in knowing the heart has a capacity for holding space for it all — for moments of small joys, pain and sorrow, and perhaps most importantly, so much space for hope. 

✨Hope that by sharing my story, other women will feel less alone 

✨Hope that it helps shines a light on how painful, emotionally and physically, pregnancy loss can be 

✨Hope that God will give us our rainbow baby soon 

To the hundreds of you who had the kindness and courage to share your own miscarriage stories with me and others who shared words of love, thank you. We have felt so supported this past week and it has given us a lot of strength. 

I am craving normalcy again, and that means I’m ready to dive back into work with branded content going live this week and continuing my Healthy Habits series. Life moves forward and even though this experience will stay with me forever, 
I am ready to leave the pain behind 🤍

#lifelately #miscarriageawareness #newbeginnings #cameraroll
This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We we This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We were so excited to welcome our little baby into this world. Instead we gained an angel. 👼 

Last Friday, at 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant, we checked into the OB for an emergency ultrasound. We were just a week shy of our official 12 week appt— the one where we would find out the gender and prepare to share the news with family and friends. Instead, they couldn’t find a heartbeat. 💔 

The first trimester hadn’t been easy. At 6 weeks I ended up in the ER but heard the baby’s heartbeat and left feeling hopeful. We saw the baby officially at our 8 week ultrasound and felt more assured that things would progress as we hoped. 

Time continued to move forward and by the 11 week mark, we were picking potential names, reading parenting books, and starting to take bump photos. 

They say the odds of a miscarriage at 11 weeks is so small… yet here we are. I know we are not alone in this but it doesn’t make the pain and heartbreak any easier.

We’ve been taking time to work through our grief and process this loss together. We are grateful to have such an incredible support system and I thank you all for providing a safe space to share my story. I kindly ask that you do not share any unsolicited medical advice or ask questions. 

I know there will be brighter days ahead and this experience has made me very aware of just how much we look forward to having a family. It’s not our time, but I know it will happen someday.

For now, this is goodbye, little one. You are forever in our hearts 👼❤️ ~ M & B
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