Turning your life around? Coming out of a funk? Getting over a breakup? Need to reignite your spark for life? Need to feel in control? Want a boost of confidence? Dealing with low self esteem?
Where to start:
Exercise every day
Skincare + makeup of personal preference (yes this includes not wearing makeup at all if that is your personal preference)
Hair done
Showered and moisturized
At least one hobby you engage with on a daily/frequent basis
At least one skill you are developing on a daily/frequent basis
If you haven’t gotten a 7 day workout streak and completed the other bullet points on this list yet, stop moaning, get to work, and kill your distractions.
This is level 0.
It's so easy to get caught up in the big picture, but sometimes it's the little things that can make all the difference. Here are some small things that have changed my life for the better, and I hope they can do the same for you :)
1. The power of the to-do list.
I know, I know. You've probably heard this one a thousand times before. But seriously, hear me out. Writing down a to-do list the night before has totally changed the game for me. I mean, who wouldn't want to wake up knowing exactly what needs to be done, instead of running around like a headless chicken? (Been there, done that – not cute.)
And here's a pro tip: Make sure to prioritize your tasks. You know, so you can tackle the most important stuff first and avoid those nasty all-nighters.
2. Drinking water like it's my job.
Okay, I'll admit it. I used to be one of those girls who would choose a sugary drink over water any day. But let me tell you, staying hydrated has worked wonders for my skin, energy levels, and overall mood. So, drink up, ladies! Your body will thank you later.
3. Embracing the "two minute rule".
This one's a game-changer! If a task takes less than two minutes, just do it right away.
Say goodbye to those piles of clothes on the chair (you know the one), and hello to a cleaner, more organized life. Chef's kiss.
4. Learning to say "no" (politely, of course)
It's time to face the facts: We can't do it all. So, learning to say "no" to things that don't align with our priorities is absolutely essential. And guess what? It's totally okay to put yourself first sometimes. After all, you can't pour from an empty cup.
5. Feeling gratitude.
Practicing gratitude has made me appreciate the little things in life. I mean, who knew that writing down three things you're grateful for each day could have such a positive impact on your mood? (Hint: It's me – I'm telling you now!)
6. Rocking the "me time".
Self-care is everything! Taking time out for yourself – whether it's a bubble bath, binge-watching your favorite show, or reading a good book – can do wonders for your mental health. So, go ahead and indulge in some me-time.
7. The art of journaling (Dear Diary...)
Journaling isn't just for angsty teens, I promise. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be super therapeutic, and it's a great way to work through any challenges you're facing. Plus, you'll have a written record of your life to look back on – and laugh (or cringe) at – later.
8. Surrounding yourself with positivity (good vibes only!)
You are the company you keep! Surround yourself with positive and uplifting people who support and encourage you. Trust me, life is way too short to hang out with people who bring you down. So, go ahead and build your group of amazing people who will cheer you on every step of the way.
9. Dancing it out.
You heard me – dancing is not just for parties! Crank up your favorite tunes and have a mini dance party in your room. It's a fun way to let off steam, boost your mood, and get a little cardio in (bonus!). Plus, who doesn't love feeling like the star of their own music video?
10. Embracing the beauty of imperfection.
Don't let perfect become the enemy of good. For most things in life, getting it done is better than getting it perfect.
And there you have it! Ten tiny things that have changed my life, and I'm sure they can do the same for you. So, go on and give them a try – you just might be surprised by how much of a difference these small changes can make. Cheers to a better, happier, and more fabulous life! ♡
i think more women should develop signatures. signature scents, signature colors, signature looks, signature cars, signature phrases, signature words. just my personal belief ladies…
how to focus on yourself
limit your social media usage or delete entirely
if you use social media for work, school, or self-development, this might not work for you but if you use social media for friend updates, stalking your ex, obsessing over other people, etc., then take some time off social media; whether you want to limit yourself to 30 minutes a day for a month or deactivate entirely for a month (or however long you want). sometimes you just need to fall off the face of the earth and not allow for distractions to take your attention off of you.
work inwards and see what needs fixing within you
do you self-sabotage, have a lack of self-control, have a bad temper, or have any other traits that hinder your process of growth and development? spend some time with yourself and get deep. it takes a lot of honesty and self-awareness to even do this step so you might spend weeks trying to figure out your weaknesses. once you figure them out, you research and practice day in and day out the steps to fight/heal what you need to work on.
create a list of standards
have a list of standards for every area + person in your life. what are your must-haves and what are your like-to-haves? when you have a set of standards for everything in your life, you will make time for things that meet your standards and you will not make time for the things that don’t. i’ll be uploading a standards template today that you can print out or follow if you want to be organized and specific.
create daily, weekly, and monthly (short-term) goals and make working on those goals a priority
if you’re working on your goals everyday, you are undoubtedly working on yourself and focusing on yourself. i suggest having no more than 3-5 goals you’re working on at a given time to avoid burnout, but you do what’s best for you. when i fully focus on myself, i literally don’t have the time to do anything else.
get in the mindset of “i deserve” rather than “i want”
when you say you want something, it’s putting you in the mindset of “wishful thinking”. if you say “i deserve” instead, you will operate from a mindset of standards like i talked about earlier and expectation. in return, you will be more motivated to work on what you deserve, rather than wish for what you want.
literally though if you feel like your life is slipping through your fingers and every day goes too fast… try doing hard things, not just taking the easy route, like reading and making art and exercising and cooking a meal from scratch and journaling, doing these things without distraction, without being absorbed on a screen… the time will stretch and you’ll be reminded that life is long and beautiful if you make it so.
I’ve been getting more questions on Instagram and Tumblr about my coaching and workshops. The free membership is back open, where you get one new lesson every week for a year. Also, my Level Up Blueprint & Confidence MasterClass is now available. If you don’t want to listen to me talk for an hour, here are some of the main slides.
I did my best to create a visual way of portraying how I go about my level up journey. In a nutshell, in 2016 I locked myself in my room for a summer and decided that I would not allow myself to move back to California or date any men until I had done the work to figure out what I wanted in life, who I wanted to be and how I was going to make it happen. That was where my Signature Self (alter ego) idea came into fruition.
For each phase, I simply went through each of these categories and defined what would be ideal for me, established my goals and created visual guides (vision boards, mood boards, etc). I rewrote my script for what my life would look life if I combined all of these and decided to actually start living.
Then, for each of my goals, I established milestone/steps (as a way to provide accountability and clarity), I created rituals (based on what I could do consistently to get what I wanted in life), I established a reminders/triggers/rewards system for when I lose motivation and need to get myself back on track. It is not shown here, but I also created a list of things that I enjoy doing as a “when I think there’s nothing to do” list so if I am bored, lack motivation or just want to get out of my head. This was I limit my zero days, and can still feel productive in my own way.
Let me know if you have any questions about this! 💗 I provided an example from myself (for language learning), and one from a client).
Here you can apply for my Savage Resilience Society Membership
for so long i always felt a sense of struggle when it came to my achievements. i could reach my goals but it always felt so hard, and it usually came paired with periods of burn out and malaise. then i found out why: i was often neglecting foundational needs, living in chaos and not taking proper care of myself, and trying to zoom straight to big-picture achievements.
below is my ultimate guide to 'the good life'. the more balance you can achieve in each category, the easier and more pleasurable it becomes to reach your goals. you will still have to stretch yourself and explore beyond your limits... but it should feel relatively nice because you are supported by a nourishing lifestyle.
you deserve a beautiful, healthy, passion-filled life. here's how you get it:
physical health: create nourishing routines for sleep, exercise, and nutrition. your literal energy starts here, so if you’re trying to bring positive energy to your life and achieve success, you need foundational energy.
mental and emotional health: build resilience and develop strategies for coping with pressure and stress. take care of your mental health always, not just when you’re already spinning out.
financial stability: learn to manage your money wisely. budgeting, saving, and debt management are a must.
your home: whether you have just a bed, a room, an apartment, or a whole house, create a safe, comforting space to recharge and feel grounded.
strong relationships: surround yourself with supportive and meaningful connections - so much about ourselves is defined by those we are close with so choose wisely.
meaningful work: follow your sense of purpose and find work or projects that bring a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction to your life. remember that it may not always be paid work. if you have no idea, just keep trying things and follow what interests you, while working on the next stage.
personal growth: invest into self improvement, developing new skills, growing your knowledge and learning as much as possible.
spiritual fulfilment: find purpose, whether through spirituality, self-reflection, or a connection to something bigger.
creativity & self-expression: explore creative outlets and express your true self to find a grounding sense of joy and authenticity.
community & contribution: give back, volunteer, or participate in community initiatives to connect with a greater sense of purpose and life-giving connection.
legacy & impact: define the mark you want to leave on the world, through family, work, or contributions to society. think deeply about what you wish to leave behind and tailor your life to this goal.
play & leisure: make time for joy, hobbies, and relaxation for rejuvenation, calm, and passion. if your day to day work isn't your passion, it's so essential to find passion here.
time in nature: regularly connect with the outdoors for grounding and mental clarity.
how you spend your morning dictates your whole day. create a relaxing structure to truly get yourself ready before heading out into the world ♡
wake up early; before 8am.
don’t go on your phone. right when you wake, bask in the silence and background noise.
meditate by focusing on your breathing.
say affirmations to yourself: “i have woken up in my desired reality. today will be a good day. i am okay. i’m healthy, beautiful, and inspiring. something amazing will happen to me today. i am kind and gentle towards myself.”
stretch!
open up any blinds to let the light in
make your bed. tidy up your space.
say hello and cuddle with your pet(s)
wash your face & brush your teeth
walk your pet(s)
make a simple breakfast and drink water and/or tea and eat it outside or looking out the window.
journal. self reflect, how you feel, what you’d like to accomplish, etc. make it a goal to be more kind to yourself and keep your thoughts in check.
read a few chapters of your current read.
what are some things you need to get done today? make a plan and set out to get it checked off.
exercise, try a new routine.
choose an outfit, do your hair, try some new looks for the season. have fun. try new things, who knows? maybe you’ll end up loving it.
go on a walk in your neighborhood.
get in 10,000 steps
buy yourself flowers.
light a candle
put on your favorite feel good songs. let yourself go and freely sing and dance to it.
begin your studies.
rest if needed!
try a new recipe
spend time in nature
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
Go where you are respected, where you are appreciated, where you are wanted. You gain nothing by sticking it out and swallowing any mistreatment. But by walking away from those experiences you teach yourself that you are worthy of respect, of love, of quality relationships; and you also teach others that when they do not mirror the same level of respect, their access to you is revoked, end of story.
How I manipulate people into giving me what I want
As y’all probably know I’m obsessed with social psychology and have read countless books on how to influence the opinions of others without much effort. Anyway, I was just able to get a first class ticket on a fully booked flight (I missed my original flight by over 2 hours) so I thought I’d share my general technique of manipulating people into doing favors for me :)
1. I approach them with completely open and non-aggressive body language. I walk over with a full smile, I make eye contact for a second, smile, look away, and make eye contact again (people hate prolonged eye-contact, it intimidates them), I raise my eyebrows (to show recognition), and I don’t get too close (people don’t like their personal space violated).
2. When I reach them, I make an empathetic statement. The thing is, people think the world revolves around them so the way to get anyone to like you is to make them feel…like the world revolves around them. So I make a comment like, “Wow, you must be having such a busy day” or “So, those other customers were driving you crazy, huh”. This allows them to not only feel empathized with but also acknowledged.
3. I let them compliment themselves. So in my plane ticket scenario, after giving my empathetic comment of “So, you must be really busy this morning”, I followed it up with “it must take so much patience to deal with so many cancellations”. The guy behind the counter was elated and immediately said “Yes, I’ve been doing this for 20 years and it’s really forced me to be a calm and patient man”. By allowing him to compliment himself, he didn’t have to feel that I was being fake and also felt better about himself. After that comment, I was able to ask him about his experience working at the airport and build genuine rapport for about 5 minutes (of course, focusing the entire conversation on him).
4. I add a sense of urgency. Adding a time frame to a matter is incredibly helpful because it forces your company to think of immediate solutions. So after our really pleasant chat, I simply went “Do you know where I can go to get on a flight to London? I missed my flight and have to get to class by early afternoon.” Adding a “why” to a request is also helpful because according to studies, when people have context for a request they’re much more willing to fulfill it. In response to my question he immediately began looking for the first flight out to the UK.
5. I let them offer. I never directly ask for something, it’s too intrusive for a stranger and puts them in defense mode. Instead, I wait and let them offer. I could’ve asked him to get me a new ticket and I could’ve asked him to upgrade me, but instead I let our relationship develop organically and worked on his subconscious to get him to feel inexplicably grateful for my presence and therefore like he owed me for making his day better. It’s always best to allow them to offer to help, that way they feel like they’re in control which of course, people love.
That’s it! Works like an absolute charm and no, pretty privilege has nothing to do with it :)