Mental Health Archives - Camille Styles

“It’s a Season of Growth and Becoming”—A Therapist Explains How to Thrive When You’re Living Alone

Isabelle Eyman — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

As a woman today, doing things alone in public—whether grabbing coffee, going to the movies, or enjoying a solo dinner—often comes with a cultural stigma. It can feel like you either have to fear solitude or turn it into a bold statement of independence. There’s vulnerability and judgment at both ends of that spectrum. A few years ago, when I found myself living alone for the first time, these societal narratives left me feeling not only alone but also isolated in my experience.

What I didn’t realize at the time was how transformative this chapter would become. Living alone for the first time is a rite of passage for many, but it also brings unfamiliar challenges. From learning how to decipher a utility bill to figuring out what cleaning products actually work, it’s easy to slip into self-criticism. However, instead, I chose to view this season as one of growth and discovery—an opportunity to practice self-compassion and acceptance, even in the awkward, lonely, or uncertain moments.

Kathryn Lee, MHC, Ed.M, M.A

Kathryn Lee is a New York City-based mental health counselor whose work aims to support all people by creating an empathetic, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment. Her client-centered approach aims to tailor the therapeutic process to each individual, working collaboratively with clients to ensure their perspectives are supported and all their needs are met.

Why Living Alone for the First Time Can Feel So Overwhelming

When I decided to move back across the country after a breakup—selling my car, most of my belongings, and saying goodbye to my cat—I had no clear path forward. But part of me craved the experience of living alone for the first time. I knew it would challenge me and help me reconnect with a sense of inner confidence I’d lost along the way.

Living alone is often tied to significant life transitions: moving out of your parents’ home, leaving a relationship, or relocating to a new city. And while it can be exciting, it’s also a period filled with complex emotions. Financially, emotionally, and mentally, it’s not always easy—but it can be deeply rewarding.

Many people are living alone for the first time if they’ve just moved out of their parent’s home or are leaving a relationship. These can be challenging contexts to move out of. What can make the transition easier?

Expert Advice: How to Navigate Living Alone for the First Time

To help others ease into this new chapter, I spoke with Kathryn Lee, a therapist based in New York City, about how to embrace the ups and downs of living alone for the first time. Her advice is practical, grounding, and a reminder that this season of solitude can actually become a source of empowerment.

1. Create a Sense of Safety and Comfort in Your Space

Your home should feel like your sanctuary. Rearrange furniture, hang artwork, or invest in cozy lighting to build a space that reflects you. When you’re living alone for the first time, creating a sense of safety in your environment can help stabilize an otherwise unfamiliar experience.

2. Establish a Routine

Routines provide structure and comfort. Develop a daily rhythm that feels manageable, whether it’s a morning stretch, an evening walk, or Sunday grocery runs. These small habits can make the transition of living alone for the first time feel less overwhelming.

3. Stay Connected to a Support System

It’s easy to retreat into your own world when you’re living alone, especially if you’re introverted. Schedule regular calls, coffee dates, or video chats. Staying socially connected will help ease feelings of loneliness and remind you that you’re never truly alone.

4. Find Things to Look Forward To

Plan activities that excite you, whether it’s trying a new restaurant, redecorating a corner of your space, or discovering a nearby park. Living alone for the first time offers the freedom to follow your own curiosities.

5. Address Mental Health Proactively

It’s normal for feelings of isolation or overwhelm to surface. Therapy, support groups, or simply talking to trusted friends can help you navigate those emotions in healthy ways.

How to Cope With Loneliness When You’re Living Alone for the First Time

Living alone doesn’t mean you have to feel lonely. Here are a few therapist-recommended strategies to ease those quieter moments:

Connect with others: Regular calls, texts, and social outings can lift your spirits.
Adopt a pet: If you’re interested in having a companion around while still living alone, having a furry friend can help ease feelings of isolation.
Explore your surroundings: Discover new coffee shops, museums, or hiking trails.
Practice mindfulness: Journaling, meditation, or yoga can help you stay grounded and reconnect with yourself.

Thriving While Living Alone for the First Time

Once you get past the initial discomfort, living alone can become a meaningful opportunity for personal growth. Here are some ways to focus on yourself while still staying in touch with your needs.

Prioritize self-care: Eat well, stay active, rest, and make your home a reflection of you.
Build community: Join clubs, volunteer, or connect with like-minded people in your area.
Work on your relationship with yourself: This is a chance to explore your passions and nurture your inner world.
Challenge yourself: Try things you’ve always wanted to but felt afraid to do.

How Living Alone for the First Time Can Change You

This experience can profoundly alter your self-perception. You’ll become more self-reliant and develop a deeper awareness of your needs, desires, and boundaries. The challenges of living alone for the first time will help you build resilience, confidence, and the ability to fully trust yourself.

Living alone for the first time isn’t just about adjusting to an empty apartment—it’s about discovering what you’re capable of when you strip away external expectations. It can be one of the most empowering, clarifying, and healing experiences of your life.

This post was last updated on April 27, 2025 to include new insights.

The post “It’s a Season of Growth and Becoming”—A Therapist Explains How to Thrive When You’re Living Alone appeared first on Camille Styles.

The Art of Doing Nothing: How to Create Your Own Personal Retreat Day

Isabelle Eyman — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Like many millennial women, I first became hooked on the idea of a personal retreat after watching Eat, Pray, Love. There was something about Elizabeth Gilbert’s—and yes, OK, Julia Roberts’—unapologetic search for meaning that captivated me. It was a journey of self-discovery, with copious amounts of pasta, a visit to an ashram, and a romance with a handsome Javier Bardem. I loved the idea of a transformative retreat in a far-off destination, believing that true renewal could only happen in exotic places. But as I grew older, I realized something: meaningful restoration can happen anywhere—even at home.

So what exactly is a personal retreat? It’s a dedicated day for rest, reflection, and re-centering. It doesn’t require a change of scenery, but it does need intentional space away from the demands of our daily routine. It’s an opportunity to take stock of how we’re living, realign with our values, and reconnect with our goals. The intent is to walk away with a renewed perspective, ready to move forward in a more intentional way.

The hardest part of embarking on a personal retreat is simply getting started. In a world that constantly campaigns for our attention, taking time for ourselves can feel like an indulgence. But I’d argue, it’s necessary.

The Benefits of a Personal Retreat

Why should you take a personal retreat day? This question feels even more pressing in our fast-paced culture. As someone who often finds herself caught between guilt over resting and an ongoing tendency to romanticize my life, I too can get tangled in the belief that I should be doing something more productive than pausing to reflect. But beyond the simple act of giving yourself permission to rest, there are plenty of benefits to a personal retreat.

Reduces stress and burnout. Taking a step back from the constant pressures of daily life allows your body and mind to reset, offering much-needed relief and helping to restore your nervous system.
Boosts creativity and clarity. The absence of structure and outside demands creates space for deep, uninterrupted thought, allowing your mind to wander freely and sparking fresh ideas.
Strengthens self-connection. Without the usual distractions (hello, your phone!) you’re able to tune into your inner voice, fostering a deeper understanding of your needs, desires, and the direction you want to move in—cultivating a sense of alignment with your true self.
Enhances well-being. By making rest a priority, you nurture not only your mental and emotional health but also your physical well-being. A personal retreat offers the time and space to restore and recharge on every level, improving your overall quality of life.

Planning a personal retreat at home allows you to craft a day tailored to your needs, offering an opportunity to reset, reflect, and reconnect. Here’s how to create a fulfilling experience.

1. Set Your Intentions

Before you begin, reflect on what you need most from this moment. Is it rest, inspiration, or clarity? Establishing your intention will guide the entire day. Consider journaling prompts such as:

What am I feeling most overwhelmed by right now?
What would I like to release or let go of?
How can I nurture myself today?

Setting an intention creates a focused foundation for your retreat.

2. Create a Retreat-Ready Space

A peaceful, clutter-free environment is essential. Spend a few minutes decluttering your space to create a calming atmosphere. Small details can elevate the setting, such as:

Fresh flowers to brighten the room
Cozy blankets or cushions for added comfort
A curated playlist to promote relaxation or focus
A soothing scent, like lavender or eucalyptus

These elements invite tranquility, signaling to your mind and body that this is a nurturing space for reflection.

3. Unplug and Set Boundaries

To truly disconnect, unplug from your devices. Turn off notifications, set an “Out of Office” message, and let loved ones know that you’ll be unavailable. Commit this time to yourself. Remember that this retreat isn’t just about having an open schedule—it’s a deliberate choice to invest in your well-being.

4. Design Your Retreat Flow

Create a loose itinerary to help guide your day while allowing flexibility based on how you’re feeling. Here’s a sample schedule to inspire your own:

Morning: Ease into your day with a slow, peaceful wake-up. Begin with a brief meditation or some breathwork to center your mind. Follow it with gentle movement, like yoga or stretching.
Midday: Nourish yourself with a comforting meal. Afterward, set aside time for journaling, reflecting on your thoughts and feelings. If you’re in the mood, indulge in reading something inspiring.
Afternoon: Take a walk or simply step outside to feel the sun and breathe fresh air. Afterward, engage in a creative practice, like painting, writing, or crafting. Alternatively, treat yourself to a solo date, like visiting a museum or enjoying a beverage at your favorite coffee shop.
Evening: As the day winds down, reflect on your retreat through journaling or meditation. End your day with a self-care ritual—a bath, skincare routine, or tea. Prioritize an early bedtime to honor your body’s need for rest.

Remember, this structure is simply a guide. Feel free to adapt it based on how your energy and mood evolve throughout the day.

Personal Retreat Ideas for Every Mood

No two retreats need to be the same. Depending on what you’re after, you can tailor your retreat to fit your current mood or need. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

For Deep Rest

If your body and mind are craving true relaxation, create a personal retreat day focused on rest and rejuvenation. Start with a slow morning—maybe you stay in bed a little longer, enjoying the quiet. Take a long detox bath that engages your senses with soothing scents and warm water. Schedule a nap or allow your body to rest completely without distractions. Gentle movement, like restorative yoga or stretching, can help release tension without requiring much energy. This is a day to honor the deep need for relaxation, giving your nervous system a chance to reset.

For Creative Inspiration

Sometimes, your mind just needs to wander and explore new ideas. For a retreat focused on creativity, spend the day immersed in activities that spark your imagination. Begin with a simple art practice—draw, paint, or make something with your hands. You could also try journaling or writing freely, letting your thoughts flow without judgment. Inspiration may also come from experiencing new things, so consider visiting a new park, bookstore, or museum. Give yourself space to explore and let your creativity take the lead.

For Inner Clarity

When you’re feeling unclear or uncertain, a personal retreat can help you find your footing again. A day devoted to clarity could include journaling prompts that help you untangle your thoughts, such as What do I want to focus on next in my life? or What’s no longer serving me? Pair your writing with a guided meditation or mindfulness practice to calm your mind and deepen your awareness. Walks provide both physical and mental space to reflect, allowing your thoughts to settle as you connect with the world around you.

For Self-Care

A personal retreat isn’t just about rest—it’s also a chance to celebrate yourself. If you’re feeling proud or want to honor how far you’ve come, plan a retreat that’s all about indulgence and joy. Treat yourself to your favorite foods, whether that means making a special meal at home or enjoying something decadent. Curate a playlist that makes you feel good, and let yourself dance or sing freely. Consider taking yourself on a solo adventure—whether that’s visiting a bookstore, a leisurely stroll through your city, or simply sitting at a café and enjoying time alone. This retreat is all about savoring the simple pleasures and feeling gratitude for who you are.

The Takeaway

You don’t need an entire day (or week) to feel the benefits of a personal retreat. Even carving out a few quiet hours can positively shift your well-being. Whether it’s a morning of reflection or an afternoon of rest, prioritizing yourself—even in small doses—is essential, not selfish. Schedule your retreat, honor the space you create for yourself, and notice how this time will shift the way you show up for everything else.

The post The Art of Doing Nothing: How to Create Your Own Personal Retreat Day appeared first on Camille Styles.

A Simple “Life Audit” To Help You Get Unstuck

Isabelle Eyman — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

By mid-February, the initial rush of New Year’s resolutions has faded, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late for a fresh start. Organizing expert Shira Gill invites us to take a thoughtful, intentional approach to personal growth by conducting a “life audit”—a simple, yet impactful, process of evaluating key areas of our lives, from career and finance to hobbies and well-being. By honestly assessing where we stand and identifying where to focus, we gain the clarity needed to align our energy with what truly matters.

In this exclusive excerpt from her new book LifeStyled, Shira Gill shares her process for conducting a life audit each year, offering a clear method for identifying what matters most and where to focus our efforts. Her approach encourages us to reflect, prioritize, and take intentional action, all while embracing the practice of self-compassion and realistic goal-setting. Read on for Shira’s actionable steps and insightful prompts to kickstart meaningful change.

Featured image from our interview with Monique Volz by Suruchi Avasthi.

Shira Gill

Shira Gill is a globally recognized home-organizing expert, bestselling author, and speaker. Shira is the author of Minimalista and Organized Living, and has been featured in 100+ print and media outlets including Vogue, Dwell, Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Domino, Forbes, Goop, Harper’s Bazaar, HGTV, Today, InStyle, Parents, Real Simple, and The New York Times.

How to Do a Life Edit—An Organizing Expert Shares Her Insights

Every year on New Year’s Eve, I sit down and rank each area of my life on a scale of 1 to 5, based on level of fulfillment and overall satisfaction. Once I’ve ranked each area, I’ll jot down some quick reflections, and note a thing or two I can do to improve each area for the following year. This exercise only takes me about thirty minutes and always helps me clarify where I want to focus my time, energy, and effort for the coming season, or even the coming year.

Overachievers, take note—the objective here is not to get a perfect score of five in each area of your life. In fact, it’s the opposite. This process is designed to help you make intentional decisions about which areas can hang out on the back burner, and which areas need your attention most urgently. It’s about making thoughtful, clear, and concrete decisions about what you can let go of (for now) instead of trying to do everything, and inevitably failing.

Career and Finance

Score: 4

Notes: Love my career, thriving creatively, need to start adulting with finances.
Priority: Bank account management.
First Little Step: Look at my bank account once a week to review income and expenses.

Leisure and Recreation

Score: 1

Notes: Total rubbish at leisure, always working, no hobbies to speak of! (True story. The first time I took myself through this process, I ranked this category as a big fat 0, and, if I’m being honest, it’s still my most neglected area. In a culture that rewards achievement and celebrates being frenetically busy, it can be far too easy to forget to create space for relaxation. I realized that I need to schedule it to make it happen— to get that big boost in the mental health department and energy for the next big thing I want to cross off my to-do list.)
Priority: Add a relaxing activity.
First Little Step: Read for an hour in bed every Sunday morning before breakfast with the family.

Your Turn

Let’s do a quick audit of each area of your life to determine what needs the most care and attention right now. Just as a physician can’t write a prescription without a clear diagnosis, you must assess how each area in your life is functioning before embarking on a plan toward transformation or change. You can use the broad categories I’ll be outlining in the upcoming chapters (health and wellness, relationships and community, career and finance, home and environment, personal development) or create your own. Next, rank each category from 1 to 5, jot down any insights that arise, and take a little time to reflect so you can determine which area you want to invest in improving.

To recap:

Jot down your broad categories (ideas include health, relationships, career, finance, environment, personal development, and spirituality).
Rank each category from 1 to 5, based on level of satisfaction. These rankings are totally subjective—be honest with yourself.
Jot down any notes or insights.
Pick ONE area to invest in improving right now.
Write down any first little steps you’d like to take to feel better about that area in your life.

If you feel stuck or unsure, try the following prompts:

• Which area of my life feels the most neglected?

• What is calling out for my attention?

• Which area do I most want to improve?

• What is my deepest need right now?

• What about the lives of others makes me feel the most envious?

The most important thing is to gain clarity about where you want to invest your precious time, energy, and resources on purpose.

LifeStyled by Shira Gill

$29.99 at Target

“LifeStyled” Copyright © 2024 by Shira Gill. Photographs copyright © 2024 by Vivian Johnson. All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

This story was originally published on page 55 of the Wellness issue of Camille Styles EDIT, a digital magazine designed to help you create your most beautiful life. Grab your issue here.

The post A Simple “Life Audit” To Help You Get Unstuck appeared first on Camille Styles.

The Beginner’s Guide to Meditation: Finding Calm In the Chaos

Edie Horstman — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Life with two young boys is many things: playful, energetic, loud, and beautifully tender. But calm? Not often. Like many parents, I used to think meditation was an indulgence, something reserved for people with more free time. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Meditation is for everyone—even those of us living in a whirlwind of toys and tight schedules. If you’re overwhelmed by how to meditate or assume it’s too time-consuming, take a seat. You need a guide for meditation for beginners.

The goal of meditation isn’t to clear your mind entirely or sit in an hour of silence. Meditation is a practice, and a few minutes a day can reduce stress, improve focus, and help you find balance in the busyness. Let’s dive into how to get started.

In this article

What is Meditation, Really?
The Benefits of Meditating
How Long Does It Take for Meditation to Work?
How to Start Meditating: A Beginner-Friendly Approach
How to Build Consistency
Tools and Resources to Support Your Practice
The Art of Micro-Meditation
Embrace the Journey

What is Meditation, Really?

Meditation isn’t about emptying your mind or silencing all distractions. Meditation is simply the art of connecting with the present—of observing your thoughts without judgment. Think of it as a way to train your brain, much like how exercise strengthens your body. And like movement, there are many types of meditation to explore: mantra meditation, breathwork, or guided sessions with a coach or teacher. Regardless, especially in the beginning, your mind will drift! That’s to be expected. In turn, the essence of meditation is to gently redirect your focus back to the present moment. Over and over (and over) again.

The Benefits of Meditating

The beauty of meditation lies in its flexibility. It fits into your life, no matter what stage you’re in. Whether you have three or 30 minutes, it’s a practice that easily adapts to your schedule. And it bears repeating: you don’t need perfect silence or special tools. All it takes is a willingness to pause and focus. Best of all, even the smallest commitment to meditation can ripple into meaningful changes in your daily routine. Here are some of the ways it can transform your day-to-day, especially if you’re constantly balancing the demands of work, kids, and everything in between:

Stress reduction

We all have those days when it feels like everything piles up at once—emails come flooding in, the sink is overflowing with dishes, and you’re behind on laundry. Meditation offers a pocket of peace, helping you pause, reset, and tackle the chaos with a clearer head.

Improved focus

Whether it’s staying patient during yet another bedtime battle or concentrating on work after a night of interrupted sleep, meditation sharpens your ability to be present. It’s like a workout for your brain, training you to focus on what truly matters in the moment.

Emotional resilience

I’ll be the first to admit that motherhood can test every ounce of your patience. Before I started meditating, I found myself reacting to every little thing—unfinished meals, tantrums, you name it. Meditation taught me how to respond instead of react. In that sense, it’s about having the tools to handle the ups and downs with a little more grace.

Better sleep

In my opinion, this is one of the best benefits. At the end of a long day, meditation is like a gentle off-switch. By focusing on your breath or listening to a guided meditation, you can quiet those thoughts and finally drift off into a deeper, more restful sleep.

How Long Does It Take for Meditation to Work?

Good news! The benefits of meditation can show up surprisingly quickly—often within a few sessions. Research indicates that as little as five to 10 minutes of daily meditation can lead to noticeable improvements in mood, stress, and mental clarity. In fact, did you know that regular meditation positively alters our brain structure? It increases the size of our hippocampus (which is responsible for memory and emotional regulation) and reduces the amygdala (the brain’s stress center). While you may not feel dramatic changes overnight, with consistent practice, you’ll start to notice a greater sense of calm and stability all within a few weeks.

As a mom of a baby and a preschooler, I was desperate for something to help me feel less frazzled and more grounded. To my surprise, even just a few minutes a day began to shift things. Meditation quickly became more than a tool; it became my sanctuary. For me, it’s been a game-changer—not because it eliminates my stress, but because it gives me a moment to tap inward and show up as a centered, resilient mom (and person).

How to Start Meditating: A Beginner-Friendly Approach

Unlike other healthy habits, meditation doesn’t require fancy equipment or a perfectly quiet house.

Choose your time: Start small with just three to five minutes a day. Pick a time that works with your routine: maybe it’s before your kids wake up, in an idle time between meetings, or after your family’s in bed. For me, early mornings are ideal.
Find a space: You don’t need a dedicated meditation room (although that’s a perk!). A comfortable spot will do. Sit on a chair, the couch, or even your bed. If it helps, create a little ritual around it—light a candle, dim the lights, or grab a cozy blanket to set the tone.
Create breath awareness: Close your eyes, inhale deeply through your nose, exhale slowly through your mouth, and repeat. As you breathe, you’ll slowly bring awareness to each part of your body, releasing tension as you go. This is all about anchoring in the present.
Pick a technique: Either repeat a calming word or phrase, such as, “this too shall pass.” The repetition helps silence your mind. If this feels too daunting, let someone else guide you. Apps like Activations, Headspace, 10% Happier, or Open offer short, beginner-friendly sessions that walk you through the process.

How to Build Consistency

Meditation is like any habit. It takes time and consistency to stick. To make it a lasting part of your life, start small. Begin with five to 10 minutes a day. Another trick is to pair meditation with a daily habit, like brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or making coffee. This habit-stacking technique takes advantage of the fact that your body is already in a routine, making it easier to add meditation (without feeling like you have to carve out extra time). That said, be mindful that meditation isn’t something you should simply check off your to-do list. Rather, it’s an opportunity to connect with yourself, even if it’s just for a brief moment.

Most importantly, let go of judgement. It’s normal for your mind to wander. It’s not about stopping your thoughts, but about gently redirecting your attention when it drifts. Think of it like training a puppy: be patient, kind, and persistent. The key is to approach meditation with curiosity and an open mind. Even if it feels awkward or challenging at first, stick with it—you’ll be surprised how quickly those few minutes can become something you look forward to.

Tools and Resources to Support Your Practice

To build confidence and stay inspired, here are some helpful tools:

Apps: Activations, Headspace, 10% Happier, and Open.
Books: The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh, Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
YouTube: Like this beginner meditation session guid e.
Accessories: A cozy cushion or noise-canceling headphones can make your practice more comfortable.

The Art of Micro-Meditation

Beyond those tools and resources, below are tangible ways to meditate with a busy schedule without needing to sit on your yoga mat for 15 minutes:

1. Use Your Daily Routine as Meditation Time

Mindful Eating: Instead of rushing through meals, take a few minutes to focus on the taste, texture, and aroma of your food. Chew slowly and savor each bite. This simple act can ground you and incorporate mindful eating.

Walking Meditation: You don’t need a quiet space to meditate. While walking to the store or even around your home, pay attention to your steps, the feeling of your feet on the ground, and your breath. This can help you stay present, even during busy moments.

Mindful Cleaning: Turning mundane tasks like washing dishes, folding laundry, or tidying up into opportunities for meditation can be a game-changer. Focus on the sensations or the repetitive motions. This transforms your task into a mini-meditation session.

2. Take Mini Meditation Breaks

One Minute Breathing Breaks: When you feel overwhelmed, close your eyes (if possible) and take a few deep breaths, inhaling for four counts, holding for four counts, and exhaling for four counts. It’s quick, but it can reset your nervous system.

Body Scan While Sitting: If you’re on a conference call or helping your kids with homework, take a moment to do a quick body scan. Starting at your toes and working up to your head, mentally check in with each body part. This can help release tension without needing to pause your day.

3. Use Music to Meditate

Sound Meditation: Tune into calming sounds like binaural beats, nature sounds, or calming music for a few minutes. This can be a great way to clear your mind.

4. Use Transitions for Meditation

Take Advantage of Transitions: Between tasks like waiting for dinner to cook or while the laundry is in the dryer, put your hand on your heart, tap into your breath, and bring awareness to your body.

Embrace the Journey

As cliché as it sounds, meditation isn’t about reaching a destination, it’s about finding peace in the process. Some days, it will feel very challenging. Others, meditating will come with ease. At any rate, the key is consistency. Whether you’re seeking a brief moment of clarity or aiming for sustained calm, meditation is a powerful ally in your wellness journey. Begin with small steps, stay open to change, and remember: every (deep) breath counts.

Edie Horstman

Edie is the founder of nutrition coaching business, Wellness with Edie. With her background and expertise, she specializes in women’s health, including fertility, hormone balance, and postpartum wellness.

The post The Beginner’s Guide to Meditation: Finding Calm In the Chaos appeared first on Camille Styles.

Start Where You Are: Building Mental Health Habits That Stick

Edie Horstman — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 22:05:25 +0000

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the “expert advice” out there for better mental health, it may be time to simplify things. Because with the right tools, building habits to support your mental health can be both straightforward and sustainable. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for everyone—that’s the essence of wellness. With that in mind, we’ve broken down mental health habits into three levels depending on where you’re at. It starts with a handful of simple changes you can implement today, then elevates to more advanced practices as you’re ready. No matter your starting point, remember: building habits is a journey—not a race.

image above from our interview with Jules Acree, by Michelle Nash

Building Mental Health Habits That Work for You

For better mental health, the first step is to start exactly where you are—not where you think you should be. This may sound simple, but it’s easy to overlook. As a Health Coach, I see it often: a woman trying to follow someone else’s routine, only to realize the most impactful changes happen when she meets herself where she’s at—and stays consistent with it. Rather than adopt someone else’s specific mental health habits, the goal is to honor your own pace. Begin at level one, and gradually build from there.

How to Avoid Mental Health Burnout

Temptations aside, don’t overhaul everything at once. You want to incrementally increase your efforts over time. In turn, you’ll avoid burnout and set yourself up for lasting success. Whether you’re new to prioritizing your emotional well-being or looking to enhance an already strong foundation, this tiered guide offers a roadmap to meet you where you’re at—and help you grow from there.

We’re breaking it down into three levels:

Level 1: Basic Habits – Low-hanging fruit that’s easy to incorporate into your day.
Level 2: Intermediate Habits – Requires moderate effort but offers tangible benefits.
Level 3: Advanced Habits – These habits require more time, money, or commitment but can provide transformative results.

No matter your starting place, the first (tiny) change is most important.

Level 1: Basic Habits

Think of these as the low-hanging fruit of mental health—simple, accessible changes that can quickly boost your well-being. Best of all, these don’t require a huge time commitment.

Morning Sunlight Exposure

How to do it: Spend five to 10 minutes outside first thing in the morning. No sunglasses, just natural light. If possible, go for a short walk!

Why it helps: Boosts serotonin, regulates circadian rhythm, and supports sleep.

Live in an apartment? Open your blinds or curtains as soon as you wake up and sit near a window to soak in the natural light. If you have access to a balcony or patio, spending a few minutes there can also help.

Live in a cold climate? Although stepping outside isn’t comfortable, any kind of outdoor exposure is better than none! Even if the sun isn’t present, it supports your circadian rhythm and boosts serotonin levels.

Keep a simple streak tracker on your phone or a calendar, noting each day you stick to it. Building momentum becomes a great motivator to get outside.

Deep Breathing or Box Breathing

How to do it: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4. Repeat for two to five minutes.

Why it helps: Reduces stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Prioritize Hydration

How to do it: Start your day with a tall glass of filtered water (either with a pinch of sea salt or your favorite electrolytes) and drink consistently throughout.

Why it helps: Dehydration is linked to fatigue and irritability.

Move Your Body for 5 Minutes

How to do it: Stretch, dance, or take a brisk walk around your house or block.

Why it helps: Even small bursts of movement release endorphins and improve mood.

Write Down One Positive Thing Every Day

How to do it: Keep a journal by your coffee machine and jot down a win or something you’re grateful for.

Why it helps: Trains your brain to notice the good, fostering a positive outlook for the day ahead.

Level 2: Intermediate Habits

These habits require a bit more time and effort but are highly effective in supporting mental health (and overall well-being!). Consider these the next level of your journey toward a healthier, more balanced mind. They take more dedication, but the benefits are worth the investment. Ready to step it up? Here’s how to enhance your mental wellness with moderate effort.

Add Omega-3s to Your Diet

How to do it: Add fatty fish (like salmon), flaxseeds, or walnuts to meals. Consider supplements.

Why it helps: Omega-3s reduce inflammation in the brain and support neurotransmitter function.

Practice Digital Detoxing

How to do it: Designate a tech-free hour before bed or—ideally—take one tech-free day per week. If this feels unthinkable, try a lockbox!

Why it helps: Reduces overstimulation and enhances focus and presence.

Incorporate Strength Training

How to do it: Use resistance bands or free weights for two to three sessions weekly (follow a program, like Form, to stay accountable). Add these sessions to your calendar!

Why it helps: Builds confidence, lean muscle mass, and reduces anxiety.

Limit Alcohol (or Abstain Altogether)

How to do it: Start by reducing your alcohol intake gradually, or set clear boundaries such as limiting drinking to certain days or occasions. If you choose to abstain completely, find non-alcoholic alternatives that you enjoy and keep them handy.

Why it helps: Alcohol disrupts sleep, dehydrates the body, and increases anxiety and depression over time. By limiting or abstaining from alcohol, you allow your body to restore balance, improve sleep quality, and support better mental clarity and emotional stability.

Connect with Nature

How to do it: Spend time in a park, hike, garden, or walk barefoot on grass.

Why it helps: Lowers cortisol, reduces anxiety, and fosters a sense of calm.

Level 3: Advanced Habits

Last but not least, these advanced habits require a greater investment of time, money, or long-term commitment—but the rewards are life-changing. These practices go beyond the basics and help cultivate deep resilience, balance, and well-being. While they take more effort to incorporate into your routine, the impact on your mental health can be profound. If you’re ready to challenge yourself and elevate your wellness, we’ve got you covered.

Therapy or Coaching

How to do it: Seek a therapist or coach specializing in areas relevant to your needs (e.g., CBT, trauma).

Why it helps: Provides tools and a safe space to process emotions and challenges.

Practice Cold Plunging or Sauna Therapy

How to do it: Alternate hot/cold exposure with a sauna and cold plunge two to three times a week.

Why it helps: Enhances resilience, reduces inflammation, and improves mood.

Try a Yoga or Mindfulness Retreat

How to do it: Book a local or weekend retreat focused on mindfulness and self-care.

Why it helps: Deepens relaxation, self-awareness, and connection to your inner self.

Experiment with Adaptogenic Herbs

How to do it: Incorporate ashwagandha, rhodiola, or holy basil into your diet (after consulting a practitioner).

Why it helps: Supports adrenal health and reduces stress.

Volunteer or Start a Community Project

How to do it: Find a cause that resonates and commit to a few hours per month.

Why it helps: Creates a sense of purpose and builds social connections.

Bringing It All Together

Strong mental health is a journey without a finish line—we can continue getting stronger and healthier our entire lives. Ultimately, it’s about choosing the habits that resonate with you the most (and for that matter, sustainably fit into your life!) Start with the basics, and as you build momentum, you can gradually add more advanced practices to your routine. There will be days when some habits feel easier than others, and that’s okay. Every step you take—no matter how small—is a step in the right direction. You’re not striving for flawless mental health; you’re working toward a healthier, more balanced version of yourself. And that’s something worth celebrating.

Edie Horstman

The post Start Where You Are: Building Mental Health Habits That Stick appeared first on Camille Styles.

Unplug to Recharge—Why a Digital Detox is the Ultimate Act of Self-Care

Edie Horstman — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 11:30:00 +0000

A quick scroll through social media feels like a harmless way to unwind, right? The convenience is undeniable. But good intentions (and a well-curated feed) aside, it’s more likely to zap your self-esteem and mental clarity. Been there, experienced that. In the past, I’d convince myself a few minutes of mindless scrolling was no big deal. Suddenly—poof!—20 minutes would disappear, and I’d be left drained, distracted, and caught in a loop of comparison. If you also habitually grab your phone for a brain break, you’re in good company. Which is probably why you’re not surprised that I’m advocating for a digital detox.

Imagine clearing the mental fog, sleeping soundly, and finally finishing that book you’ve been meaning to read. All of that’s possible if you commit to taking time away from social media and screen time in general. We’re diving into why taking a break from screens is transformative—and how you can reclaim your precious time and energy.

What is a digital detox?

It’s like a spa day for your brain. A digital detox—the intentional act of unplugging from devices—is the ultimate way to hit refresh and reconnect with real life. And it’s more relevant than ever. In today’s hyper-connected world, screen time is at an all-time high. According to recent studies, the average adult spends over seven hours a day on digital devices. That’s nearly half of our waking hours! While technology has brought convenience, connection, and entertainment, it’s also quietly wreaking havoc on our mental health, productivity, and relationships.

The Benefits of a Digital Detox

You’re right: Taking time away from your screens, which you spend so much time with, isn’t going to be easy at first. But let’s discuss the benefits of adapting to a digital detox, so that the idea may be more appealing.

Improved Mental Clarity

Constant notifications and endless scrolling create mental clutter. By stepping away from screens, you give your mind the chance to decompress. Many who’ve done so report reduced anxiety and overstimulation after just a few days of detoxing.

Better Sleep

Blue light from devices interferes with melatonin production, disrupting your sleep cycle. Cutting back on evening screen time will improve sleep quality and help you wake up feeling refreshed.

Stronger Relationships

How often do we find ourselves half-listening during conversations while scrolling? A digital detox helps you prioritize face-to-face interactions, deepening your connections with loved ones.

Enhanced Productivity

Without the constant ping of notifications, you’ll find it easier to focus and complete tasks (obviously!). Removing distractions provides the opportunity for deep work and creative thinking.

Rediscovering Hobbies

Remember hobbies? A digital detox frees up time to paint, bake, garden, or pursue other offline interests that bring joy and fulfillment. Even if you’re not posting about it, you’re still enjoying it!

How do you know if you need a digital detox?

If you’re constantly glued to screens and feel like your brain is running on fumes, then it’s probably time for a digital detox. These are telltale signs:

Feeling overwhelmed or anxious after scrolling.
Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks.
Compulsively checking your phone, even during conversations.
Spending hours on screens without realizing it.
Neglecting relationships or hobbies in favor of digital consumption.

If any of these points resonate, it might be time to step back and reevaluate your relationship with technology!

How to Prepare for a Digital Detox

Here’s the thing about preparing for a digital detox: it isn’t just about turning off your phone. It’s about cultivating a space for mental clarity and real-life connection. Once you consider what you’ll gain instead of lose, it’ll be easier to get on board. Here’s how to set yourself up for success before you unplug:

Set Clear Goals. How do you want this detox to benefit you? Identifying your goals will keep you motivated. Write these down!
Communicate Your Plan. Let friends, family, and coworkers know about your detox. This helps manage expectations and reduces the pressure to respond immediately.
Identify Your Triggers. Are there specific apps or times of day that suck you in? Knowing your triggers allows you to plan around them.
Choose the Right Duration. Start small, like with a Sunday afternoon detox. The key is to set a timeline that feels achievable.

What are tips for successfully detoxing?

Start by creating “screen-free” zones in your home, such as your bedroom or dining area, where you can fully disconnect. Next, think of enjoyable activities to replace your screen time: reading, basking in the sun, or meal-prepping counts. Of course, turning off notifications and utilizing focus apps (like Forest or Freedom) is key. And when it comes to getting work done, go analog. Use notebooks, printed calendars, and physical books to replace digital tools. You’ll inevitably give your brain a break from constant screen exposure.

What can you expect during a digital detox?

It might sound like a dream—peace, quiet, and a break from constant notifications—but the reality is a bit more complicated. Here’s what you can actually expect when you hit the pause button on your devices:

Initial discomfort. The urge to check your phone can be intense at first. This is normal! Keep a stress ball or fidget toy near by. With time, the pull will fade.

Moments of clarity. As the mental fog lifts, you’ll feel lighter and more present. Journal your a-ha moments.

Increased awareness. You might be surprised at how often you reach for your phone (simply by default). Awareness is the first step toward change.

Morning Digital Detox Routine

Now that you have an idea of what to expect during your digital detox, why not start your day on the right foot? A morning digital detox routine sets the tone for a calmer, more focused day ahead. It’ll give you a peaceful, intentional start (before the world demands your attention!). To implement a simple, phone-free routine, follow this guide:

Set Phone-Free Goals. Designate a set period—like the first 60 minutes—where your phone stays off. If you need to check it, aim to do so only for essential tasks (like responding to urgent calls or messages), and avoid scrolling or checking apps.
Wake Up Without Your Phone. Leave your phone across the room or in another room overnight. This prevents the temptation to check emails, social media, or news as soon as you open your eyes. Set an old-fashioned alarm clock if you need one!
Focus on Your Body and Mind. Start with a few minutes of stretching or gentle yoga to wake up your body. If you prefer a more grounded approach, sit quietly and take a few deep breaths to center yourself before the rush of the day begins.
Engage in Mindful Activities. Use the first 30 minutes to engage in activities that nourish you. Read a self-improvement book, meditate, exercise, or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while listening to soothing music. Keep your phone out of reach during this time.
Avoid Digital Distractions. Instead of diving straight into emails or social media, focus on tasks that require your full attention—like making breakfast, outlining a to-do list, or connecting with loved ones. This helps you ease into your day without the mental overload that comes from immediate screen time.

How to Mindfully Reintegrate Your Digital Tools

After your detox, how can you reintegrating your digital tools in a mindful way? First, curate your apps. Keep only those that add value and support your goals. Delete the ones that drain your energy. Otherwise, swap the current spots for social media with a meditation or journal app. Furthermore, set daily limits using screen time tracking tools. Lastly, adopt “digital sabbaths.” You’ll dedicate one day each week to be offline. In turn, you’ll use technology in a way that serves you (not the other way around).

Simple Strategies to Curb Impulsive Phone Use

Digital detoxing aside, most of us are prone to getting sidetracked. If you need your phone for work or personal reasons, here’s a list of tips to help you stay in control—because yes, you are in control.

1. Create Phone-Free Zones

Designate specific areas in your home where phones are off-limits. This physical separation helps break the association between certain spaces and phone use.

2. Use “Do Not Disturb” Mode

When you need to focus or take a break from your phone, turn on Do Not Disturb. This will silence notifications and reduce the temptation to check your phone.

3. Remove Distracting Apps from Home Screen

Keep only essential apps on your home screen. If social media or other distractions aren’t easily accessible, you’ll be less likely to mindlessly reach for your phone.

4. Use Phone Jail or Box

Physically store your phone in a drawer, box, or a designated area while working or during meals. If it’s out of sight, it’s much harder to grab out of habit.

5. Set Screen Time Limits

Use your phone’s built-in settings (like Screen Time on iPhone or Digital Wellbeing on Android) to limit your access to certain apps. This helps curb impulse checking.

6. Find Alternatives for Idle Moments

Replace the habit with something else—like reading a magazine, journaling, or doing a quick stretch. This gives your hands something to do, without turning to your phone.

7. Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications

Only keep the most important notifications active. By minimizing distractions, you’ll be less likely to impulsively check every ping.

8. Practice Mindfulness

Pay attention to the triggers that cause you to reach for your phone. Is it boredom, anxiety, or just a moment of pause? Becoming aware of these triggers can help you choose a different action.

9. Use a Habit Tracker

Track your progress with a habit app or journal. Reward yourself for moments when you resist the urge to pick up your phone, reinforcing positive behavior!

10. Make Your Phone Less Engaging

Switch your phone’s display to grayscale, or remove social media apps entirely. With less stimulation and fewer temptations, your phone won’t feel as enticing.

The Power of Unplugging

Taking a break from screens is daunting—full stop. As someone who works predominately online, I get it! But trust me, the rewards are profound. A digital detox allows you to reconnect with yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you. Start small, be intentional, and see where it takes you. Why not try it tomorrow? You might just discover the clarity you’ve been searching for all along.

Edie Horstman

The post Unplug to Recharge—Why a Digital Detox is the Ultimate Act of Self-Care appeared first on Camille Styles.

80 Journal Prompts to Unlock Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Isabelle Eyman — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 11:30:00 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with my journal—and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’ve been keeping up with a diary intermittently since I was a tween as a way to unleash the clutter from my brain and better understand myself and others. In some ways, I see my journal as a friend with whom I can share my goals, fears, and sometimes seemingly empty thoughts without judgment. Journaling helps me refocus and regroup, holding up a mirror to my headspace and revealing what’s really going on in my brain. But what really brought my journaling practice to life were daily journal prompts, which give me the structure I need to dive deeper into my thoughts and feelings each day.

Featured image from our interview with Lauren Ireland by Emma Bassill.

What are journal prompts?

Building this daily habit starts with letting go of your inner critic and expectations. When you’re getting out of your own way, sometimes it helps to start with a prompt to get the ball rolling. I know you’ve felt it, too: you’re excited to commit to your journaling practice but have no idea where to begin. Daily journal prompts serve as that jumping-off point. They help align your thoughts so you can pour everything out on the page.

Some are written as questions, while others serve as guiding statements—suggestions or ideas that are yours to build on and expand from. They can be either general or specific, pointing to different topics in your life or larger themes that help you explore your experiences deeper.

It’s important to note as well, that prompts can be used by both beginners and long-time journal enthusiasts alike. As a writer, I know very well that inspiration isn’t always there, and sometimes, you need a little help getting your thoughts flowing. While beginners can enjoy the consistency journal prompts help build, more seasoned writers get to dive into new areas of thought or reflection that may not have otherwise come about on their own.

The Benefits of Journal Prompts

Before daily journal prompts saved me from thinking that journaling wasn’t for me, I had tried—and failed—to keep a consistent daily writing practice over the years. I’d pressure myself to fill a page with something profound every day, and instead record patches here and there between long stretches of off-the-record existing. But those times I wasn’t journaling were also the times I felt the most estranged from myself. Times I was doing more existing than truly living. I’m not the kind of person who can process her emotions right away. Oftentimes, I have to get them out of me to understand how I really feel.

These days, instead of seeing journaling as another obligation for self-improvement, I see it as a necessary means to understanding myself. Plus, in slowing down and being present, I’ve found that no thought or moment is too small to write down.

No matter what words fall onto the page, journaling can reveal the ongoing dialogue between your past and present self, out of which greater awareness emerges.

Whether you’re into journaling or not, the benefits are undeniable. Writing things down every day not only preserves memories to look back on, but leads to inspiration, self-discovery and personal growth. Even though being present with yourself can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it’s also a catalyst for growth and change.

80 Journal Prompts to Help You Discover a Greater Sense of Self

Keep reading for 80 daily journal prompts to inspire your morning or evening routine. We’ve divided them across categories like gratitude, values, and goal-setting so you can feel supported in whatever you need. The following journal prompts are designed to help you get to the heart of what’s important and true for you.

Gratitude Journal Prompts

What are three great things that happened yesterday?
What are 10 things that bring you joy?
What are you looking forward to right now? If you can’t think of anything, what can you do to change that?
What is one totally-free thing that’s transformed your life?
What things in your life would you describe as priceless?
What are 10 things you’re actively enjoying about life right now?
Write about the most fun you had recently. What were you doing and who were you with?
Write about an act of kindness that someone did for you that took you by surprise.
What are some of your favorite ways to show the people in your life that you love them?
Reflect on a moment of profound beauty that you recently experienced. What about it surprised you and drew you in?
In this moment, what are three things in your life that you feel the most grateful for?
Write five guilty pleasures you don’t feel guilty about.
In what ways have you felt supported by friends, family, or you community recently?
Name three healthy habits you started within the last year that have changed your life for the better.
Describe your space. What do you love about it?
What are your favorite things to eat?
What are three small, seemingly insignificant moments from the past week that brought you joy?
Write about someone who inspires you. What qualities do they have that you admire?
What are five things your younger self would be amazed by or proud of in your life now?
Describe a recent challenge you overcame. What did it teach you, and how are you stronger because of it?

Explore more gratitude journal prompts.

Reflective Journal Prompts

Name the top three emotions you are feeling at the moment. What are the emotions you want to feel today?
What is the one thing you would tell your teenage self if you could?
What is your body craving at the moment?
What are 10 questions you wish you had the answers to right now?
What do you know to be true today that you didn’t know a year ago?
What are you scared of right now?
What’s not working in your life right now?
Write about someone you miss. What do you miss about them? How do they make you feel?
Picture someone who you’ve experienced a conflict with in the past and try to drop into their perspective. What were they feeling at the time of your conflict? If it’s available to you, how can you express sympathy for their experience?
What areas of your life are causing you stress? What areas of your life are bringing you joy?
What would you describe as being the greatest accomplishment of your life so far?
If someone was to describe your life story back to you, which three events would you want them to highlight the most?
What has been the most transformative year in your life so far?
What is your earliest childhood memory?
How has your relationship to self-love grown and strengthened over the past five years?
What have you learned to forgive yourself for?
What does your ideal day look like, from start to finish? What steps can you take today to make it feel more like that?
When was the last time you felt truly at peace with yourself? What made that moment possible?
What is one fear you’ve faced in the past that you are proud of overcoming?
If you could change one thing about the way you show up in the world, what would it be, and why?

Goal-Setting Journal Prompts

Describe your perfect home. Where is it, what does it look like, and who do you share it with?
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
If failure wasn’t possible, what would you be doing right now?
If you only had one year left of life, what would you do?
In another life, who would you want to be? Write out this character, what they do for a living, their personality traits, etc.
Reflect on your career and personal goals. Are there parallels and consistencies between the two? How do you keep these two areas of your life separate? How are they the same?
If you could master one skill, what would it be?
What are new ways you can measure progress this year?
What is standing in your way of reaching your goals?
Who are the people you trust the most to help you create the life you’ve always dreamed of?
What habits and actions can you incorporate into your daily routine to help you prioritize your time in 2025?
What would it feel like to step out of your comfort zone? How can you step out of your comfort zone more this year?
What talents or skills do you want to build and strengthen?
What challenges have you overcome in the past? How has doing so made your life more vibrant and full?
What’s a commitment you can make to yourself every day to grow more this year?
What is the one thing you’ve always wanted to achieve but haven’t yet? What steps can you take today to move closer to it?
What does success look like to you right now? How has your definition of success evolved over the years?
What are three specific goals you’d like to accomplish this year, and how can you break them down into manageable steps?
What would you do if you felt completely fearless? How can you embrace that boldness in your current life?
What’s one big dream you’ve been putting off? What’s the first step you can take today to move closer to making it a reality?

Values-Based Journal Prompts

What top three qualities do you value most in life?
In what ways are you acting outside of those values?
In what ways are you acting in alignment with them?
What do you want to invite more of into 2025?
What do you want to leave behind?
What’s something you wish others knew about you?
Who is someone you admire? What qualities do you love about them?
What are you looking forward to this week?
Who is someone you envy and why?
What distracts you from what’s truly important each day?
If you decided right now that you had enough money, and that you would always have enough, what would you do with your life?
When you picture yourself 10 years from now, what do you want to have achieved and experienced?
How do you want to contribute your talents and passions to the world? Who could be touched by you and how would it affect them?
What role does love play in your life?
What does friendship mean to you?
How did you prioritize your time today?
What does living authentically look like to you, and how can you bring more of that into your daily life?
What are the core beliefs that guide your decisions? How do they shape your relationships and goals?
In what ways can you practice kindness, both toward yourself and others, more intentionally
How do you define balance in your life, and what actions can you take to bring more of it into your routine?

The post 80 Journal Prompts to Unlock Self-Discovery and Personal Growth appeared first on Camille Styles.

Feeling Stuck? 50 Journal Prompts That Will Change Everything

Brittany Chatburn — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Keeping a posture of gratitude is healthy all year long. We’ve heard the studies and we know the benefits of gratitude. But how do we tap into it daily? It’s so easy to get lost in our to-do lists and anxieties. No matter my best intentions, a gratitude practice is often just not at the top of my list. However, with the power of habit stacking, I do tend to open my journal on most mornings as part of my daily routines. And having some great gratitude journal prompts to pull from is the fastest way to get me into the mindset I’m seeking—one that makes the mundane beautiful and gives me a true sense of gratefulness for this life.

50 Gratitude Journal Prompts for a Full Life

One thing that’s changed my perspective lately is putting more emphasis on people over things. I have a notebook full of gratitude entries that list out how much I love my coffee or the cool breeze outside. This way of thinking heightens my awareness of the world around me. However, the most powerful shift comes when I focus on the people in my life. From family to friends to co-workers and even run-ins with a kind stranger, truly meditating on what makes each person so meaningful has amplified the color of my world—and taken the spotlight off myself.

Here are 50 gratitude journal prompts to help harness your thankfulness in this season and the next.

Gratitude Journal Prompts for Personal Growth

1. What is something you’ve accomplished recently that makes you proud?

2. What challenge taught you the most about yourself?

3. What personal quality do you value most in yourself?

4. What habit has improved your life the most?

5. Who has encouraged your growth, and how have they impacted you?

6. What skill are you grateful to have learned?

7. How has your perspective on gratitude evolved?

8. What is a recent decision that has brought you peace or happiness?

9. Reflect on a time you showed resilience—what helped you through?

10. Write about a mistake that led to a positive outcome.

Gratitude Journal Prompts for Relationships

11. Who is someone you can always count on, and why?

12. Write about a meaningful conversation you’ve had recently.

13. Who inspires you to be your best self?

14. What is a memory with a loved one that always makes you smile?

15. Who has taught you a valuable life lesson, and what was it?

16. What act of kindness have you experienced this week?

17. What is something small someone did for you that made your day better?

18. Reflect on a shared tradition or ritual you’re grateful for.

19. Write a thank-you note to someone in your life.

20. What qualities do you appreciate most in your friends or family?

Gratitude Journal Prompts for Everyday Moments

21. What is one small joy you noticed today?

22. Describe the coziest part of your morning routine.

23. What meal or drink are you grateful for this week?

24. Write about a moment of laughter you’ve shared recently.

25. What is your favorite part of the season right now?

26. Reflect on the most beautiful thing you’ve seen today.

27. What is a mundane chore or task that you secretly enjoy?

28. Write about a recent moment of peace or stillness.

29. What is a small luxury that brings you joy?

30. What is something about your home that you’re thankful for?

Gratitude Journal Prompts for Health and Well-Being

31. What activity or habit makes you feel most alive?

32. Write about a time you felt truly strong—physically, mentally, or emotionally.

33. What is a healthy choice you made recently that you’re proud of?

34. Reflect on a time when your body allowed you to do something amazing.

35. What is your favorite way to relax or recharge?

36. What is something about your health you often take for granted?

37. What is your favorite way to move your body?

38. Reflect on a moment when you felt connected to nature.

39. What is a wellness tip or ritual you’re grateful to have discovered?

40. What does self-care look like for you today?

Gratitude Journal Prompts for Your Aspirations and Dreams

41. What is a goal you’ve achieved that once felt out of reach?

42. Write about a dream you are excited to pursue.

43. Who has supported your aspirations, and how?

44. What future opportunity are you most grateful for?

45. Reflect on a time when your hard work paid off.

46. What motivates you to keep going on hard days?

47. Write about a hope you have for yourself or others.

48. What is a new beginning you’re thankful for?

49. Who inspires you to dream bigger?

50. How do your current efforts align with your vision for the future?

Why Gratitude Is the Secret to Better Health (and How to Practice It)

Unlock life-long wellness.

The post Feeling Stuck? 50 Journal Prompts That Will Change Everything appeared first on Camille Styles.

Why Gratitude Is the Secret to Better Health (and How to Practice It)

Isabelle Eyman — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 11:30:00 +0000

In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to overlook the quiet moments of joy that fill our days. With constant distractions and the pressures of modern life, we often focus on what we lack or what feels out of our control. However, embracing the health benefits of gratitude can shift our perspective, encouraging us to appreciate what we have and the goodness that surrounds us.

Gratitude is a powerful tool—more than just a fleeting feeling, but a transformative practice that impacts both our emotional and physical well-being. Gratitude can change our brain chemistry, improve our relationships, and even make us healthier. It’s about intentionally pausing to savor the present, and in doing so, we unlock a wealth of benefits that have profound effects on our health and happiness.

Featured image from our interview with Roxana Saidi by Suruchi Avasthi.

1. Gratitude Enhances Physical Health

The health benefits of gratitude extend far beyond the emotional realm. Numerous studies have shown that practicing gratitude can lead to improved physical health. Research shows that people who regularly express gratitude tend to experience better sleep and less stress. Robert Emmons, the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, has conducted research showing that those who practice gratitude consistently experience a stronger immune system, reduced blood pressure, and even a reduction in physical pain.

Gratitude can also have surprising benefits for digestion. A positive, thankful mindset can improve how your body processes food. When we approach our meals and bodies with appreciation, it encourages more mindful eating and enhances digestion. For example, thinking “I am healthy and my body is capable” can actually help our bodies absorb nutrients more effectively, as gratitude lowers stress and fosters overall balance in our systems.

2. Gratitude Keeps You Present

One of the most profound aspects of gratitude is its ability to keep us grounded in the present moment. In a world that often pulls us into the past or the future, gratitude is a practice that demands we be here, now. When we consciously acknowledge the small joys around us—a warm cup of tea or the smell of fresh air—we are practicing mindfulness, which is proven to reduce stress and anxiety.

Research published in the Journal of Positive Psychology indicates that people who regularly practice gratitude show greater happiness and mental well-being. This is because it encourages a shift in focus from what’s missing to what’s already abundant, helping us appreciate the present rather than feeling overwhelmed by unmet desires.

Living among curated images of others’ lives, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. But gratitude serves as a powerful antidote. When we focus on what we are thankful for, we are less likely to compare our lives to others’ and more likely to embrace the present moment and our journey. Practicing gratitude can reduce envy and increase feelings of satisfaction with our lives. By fostering a mindset of appreciation, we shift our focus from scarcity to abundance, making it easier to be content with what we have.

In those moments when comparison creeps in—whether in our career, relationships, or finances—gratitude can offer a quick reset. Try listing three things you are grateful for (and yes, go deeper than your health, your home, etc). This creates space for contentment, letting go of judgment, and finding joy in what is.

How to Cultivate Gratitude in Your Daily Life

The beauty of gratitude is that it’s simple, but its effects are profound. Here are some practical ways to weave gratitude into your daily routine:

Take a One-Minute Gratitude Break

When you find yourself waiting in line or in between tasks, take a moment to pause and reflect on what you’re grateful for. A deep breath, a quick mental list, or simply closing your eyes and appreciating the present moment can drastically shift your mindset.

Start a Gratitude Journal

Writing down a few things you’re thankful for each day is a powerful practice that helps you focus on the positive. Studies show that gratitude journaling can boost your mood and reduce feelings of stress. Whether it’s the smell of fresh coffee or a supportive friend, giving thanks for the small things trains your brain to focus on the good.

Express Your Gratitude

Take the time to thank someone who has positively impacted your life. Whether it’s a handwritten note or a simple “thank you” over coffee, expressing gratitude deepens your connection and spreads positivity.

Incorporating gratitude into your life doesn’t require grand gestures or elaborate practices. The small, consistent moments of appreciation can transform your well-being, reduce stress, and foster deeper connections with yourself and others. By choosing gratitude, you choose a life filled with more joy, contentment, and health.

The post Why Gratitude Is the Secret to Better Health (and How to Practice It) appeared first on Camille Styles.

How Psychological Minimalism Can Free Your Mind and Transform Your Life

Isabelle Eyman — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Spring is months away, and yet—I’ve been obsessed with decluttering. My physical space has seen the brunt of my efforts, with closet clean-outs, book donations, and questions of “Does this spark joy?” dominating my weekends. And as gratifying as the efforts have been, I’ve realized that what’s really holding me back is the clutter taking up precious space in my mind. This realization led me to explore the concept of psychological minimalism—a practice of simplifying thoughts, emotions, and mental habits to create space for clarity and purpose. By focusing on decluttering my internal world, I’ve started to uncover a sense of peace that even the tidiest home can’t replicate.

Of course, practicing psychological minimalism in today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world feels like an uphill battle. Notifications buzz, inboxes overflow, and the endless scroll of social media competes for every spare moment of our attention. How can we possibly quiet our minds when so much demands to be heard? The truth is, it isn’t easy—and for many, myself included, it requires rethinking and rebuilding the way we approach our days. But the reward is worth it. By focusing on what truly matters—both externally and internally—we can cut through the noise, uncover a greater sense of clarity, and live with intention. Here’s how to embrace psychological minimalism and the transformative shifts it brings.

What is psychological minimalism?

I recently finished Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh, and one passage in particular stuck with me:

“Here is how I spend my days now. I live in a beautiful place. I sleep in a beautiful bed. I eat beautiful food. I go for walks through beautiful places. I care for people deeply. At night my bed is full of love, because I alone am in it. I cry easily, from pain and pleasure, and I don’t apologize for that. In the mornings I step outside and I’m thankful for another day.”

In these words, Moshfegh paints a life immersed in simplicity and meaning, where beauty, gratitude, and care guide each day. As I wrote on my Substack, her solitude isn’t lonely; it’s abundant—a self-sufficiency that begins within. She reframes fulfillment as something rooted in the present moment, unburdened by the need for external validation. For me, this is the essence of psychological minimalism: living with intention by clearing away the mental and emotional clutter that distracts us from what truly matters.

Psychological minimalism is the practice of simplifying your inner world. While physical minimalism often calls to mind clean countertops or neatly organized closets, its mental counterpart focuses on paring down thoughts, habits, and commitments that don’t serve you. It’s about identifying what weighs you down—whether it’s a never-ending to-do list, the constant scroll of social media, or overcommitting to other people’s expectations—and learning to let it go.

At its core, psychological minimalism isn’t about isolation or shutting yourself off from the world. Instead, it’s about focusing your attention and energy on the things that bring clarity, joy, and connection. It’s a mindset shift that creates space for gratitude, presence, and peace. Much like the life Moshfegh’s character describes, psychological minimalism allows you to live authentically in a way that feels abundant and free.

The Impact of Mental Clutter

Mental clutter can feel inescapable. The constant barrage of information creates a baseline of distraction that pulls our attention in countless directions. It often feels like my mind is a browser with too many tabs open—each one demanding immediate action. And it’s not just me: studies show that the average person checks their phone over 100 times a day, and a 2022 global Ipsos survey showed that nearly 60% of people report feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work and life. The result? Focus and productivity take a hit, and instead of moving through the day with purpose, we’re left reacting to whatever asks for our attention next.

This constant mental noise doesn’t just impact our efficiency—it’s a direct path to burnout. When our minds are crowded with commitments, worries, and distractions, it becomes harder to prioritize what truly matters. I’ve noticed that on my busiest days, when my to-do list feels endless and notifications pull me away from one task to the next, I end up accomplishing less than I hoped. Bonus: I feel drained by the end of it. Over time, this accumulation of unprocessed thoughts and unmet expectations creates a persistent sense of overwhelm. By recognizing this pattern, I’ve learned that clearing mental clutter isn’t just a nice idea. It’s essential for reclaiming our focus, energy, and well-being.

The Benefits of Psychological Minimalism

Psychological minimalism offers a transformative shift in how we live and think. By reducing mental noise, we can experience enhanced focus and mental clarity, allowing us to channel energy toward our goals. The practice also reduces stress and anxiety by simplifying mental and emotional clutter, helping us create a calm and peaceful internal state?.

One of the most significant benefits of psychological minimalism is its ability to align actions with personal values. When mental clarity improves, so does our capacity for intentional decision-making, helping us prioritize what matters most. This brings a sense of purpose and satisfaction, creating space for more meaningful connections and experiences.

How to Practice Psychological Minimalism

Step 1: Identify Your Mental Clutter

Begin by identifying the sources of mental clutter. These are the thoughts, worries, commitments, and obligations that regularly occupy your mind, leaving you feeling drained or overwhelmed. Take time to reflect on recurring stressors, whether it’s unfinished tasks, unresolved concerns, or emotional baggage.

Journaling can be a helpful exercise. Create a “mental clutter inventory” to take stock of what’s weighing on you. By recognizing these distractions, you can begin the process of decluttering your mind, just as you would declutter your physical space.

Step 2: Set Boundaries for Your Attention

In a world filled with endless notifications and constant distractions, it’s crucial to set clear boundaries for your attention. Start by limiting notifications on your phone and social media apps, reducing screen time, and designating specific times of day to check email or social media. Practicing the art of not responding to every message immediately can help you reclaim your focus and prevent mental clutter from accumulating. Embrace the idea that not everything requires an instant response, and that taking control of your attention is a key part of psychological minimalism. This boundary-setting allows you to direct your energy to what’s truly important, reducing feelings of overwhelm.

Step 3: Focus on What Truly Matters

A critical aspect of psychological minimalism is learning to focus on what truly matters in your life. Start by identifying your core values—those principles that resonate deeply with who you are and what you want to create in the world. Once these values are clear, use them as a guide to make decisions and prioritize your time. A helpful tool in this process is creating a personal mission statement or a daily “focus list” that serves as a reminder of your most important goals and responsibilities. By staying aligned with your values, you can make more intentional decisions and avoid getting distracted by non-essential tasks that only add to your mental clutter.

Step 4: Let Go of Mental Habits That Don’t Serve You

Much of the mental clutter we experience stems from ingrained habits and thought patterns that no longer serve us. Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in breaking free from these unproductive cycles. By practicing mindfulness, you become more aware of your thoughts and are better able to catch and release those that are negative, repetitive, or distracting. Developing routines that minimize decision fatigue—such as meal prepping, scheduling your day in advance, or sticking to a morning ritual—can also reduce mental clutter and create a sense of structure. These habits help you conserve mental energy and reduce stress, making room for more clarity and focus.

Step 5: Embrace Stillness and Downtime

Finally, psychological minimalism encourages you to embrace stillness and downtime as integral parts of a balanced life. In a culture that often equates productivity with busyness, it can be difficult to recognize the value of rest. Yet, quiet moments of introspection and relaxation are crucial for mental health and creativity. Activities like meditation, mindful walks, or simply sitting in silence without the distractions of devices can nurture a sense of peace and clarity. Reframe rest not as idle time, but as an essential practice for your well-being. By integrating these practices into your routine, you allow your mind the space to recharge and reset, ultimately fostering greater mental clarity and a more meaningful life.

Embrace a Clearer, More Intentional Life

Psychological minimalism isn’t just about clearing physical clutter—it’s about intentionally creating mental and emotional space that allows you to live with greater clarity, peace, and purpose. By identifying the mental clutter that weighs on you, setting boundaries for your attention, and focusing on what truly matters, you can cultivate a mindset that aligns with your values.

Take the first step today by reflecting on your own mental clutter. What thoughts or commitments are you holding onto that no longer serve you? By recognizing these sources of noise, you can begin to declutter your mind and free up space for what truly matters. Imagine how your life could transform if you made room for a quieter, more intentional mind—one that’s able to focus on what’s important, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of calm and purpose. The journey toward psychological minimalism starts with a single thought: that you deserve the peace to live your best life.

The post How Psychological Minimalism Can Free Your Mind and Transform Your Life appeared first on Camille Styles.

How “Micro-Moments” of Mindfulness Can Help You Find Calm In the Midst of Chaos

Edie Horstman — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:45:00 +0000

As a self-proclaimed health enthusiast, I’m forever curious about other folks’ wellness practices. And let’s be honest: my Instagram feed delivers. I’m not shy about saving countless health tips, both as market research and for all things personal growth. How has this recently manifested? In an expectation to meditate (trust me, I tried!). But if I’ve learned anything since our second baby was born, it’s that a picture-perfect meditation routine is as out of reach as a full night’s sleep. Instead, you can find me embracing a gentler path to mindfulness—one that fits into the balancing act of my everyday life. Scroll to learn how to be more mindful, the flexible way.

Spoiler alert: being mindful doesn’t require 30 minutes of silent meditation or a complete lifestyle overhaul. It’s about finding moments of presence in the life you’re already living—whether you’re a busy mom, a career-driven professional, or a student burning the midnight oil.

Edie Horstman

Re-Thinking Your Approach to Wellness

If your reality is more chaos than calm, more sippy cups than singing bowls, you’re in good company. As a mother of two little ones, I’ve wrestled with guilt over my inability to maintain a daily meditation practice. But the reality is, this can feel like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Instead, the goal is to discover what’s practical for you—in this particular season of life—even if it looks nothing like the curated meditation habits you see on social media. And no, you’re not falling short if you can’t maintain a traditional meditation routine.

Looking at Mindfulness as a Way of Life

From a bird’s eye view, wellness is much like the Mediterranean diet—it’s more of a lifestyle than a specific regimen. Just as the Mediterranean diet focuses on incorporating healthy, balanced eating habits into daily life, it’s best to approach wellness the same way: woven as a general theme into your days, rather than a rigid set of practices. And when in doubt, embrace fluidity. Every day is going to look different (how you’re feeling, what your circumstances are, the length of your to-do list, etc.). One evening’s deep tissue massage is another night’s mocktail hour with good friends. Our health needs are ever-changing.

Understanding Mindfulness in the Context of a Busy Life

Before we dive into practical tips, it’s essential to understand what it means to be more mindful. Mindfulness is simply the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment. Eating! Exercising! Doing breathwork! It’s about paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment—without judgment. The beauty of mindfulness is that it can be practiced anywhere, at any time. You don’t need to light palo santo, unroll your yoga mat, and turn on noise-canceling headphones to tap in.

Mindfulness isn’t just another task on your to-do list—it’s a way of approaching life with greater presence, compassion, and ease.

Embracing Micro-Moments of Mindfulness

One of the most effective ways to be more mindful is to embrace micro-moments throughout your day. These are brief instances where you consciously bring your attention to the present moment. Here are some ways I incorporate these into my daily routine:

Mindful breathing in the car: On my way to drop my 4.5-year-old at preschool, we practice mindful breathing together. It’s a simple exercise that helps us transition from one part of our day (morning time chaos!) to another.
Body scan in the shower: I use my shower time to perform a quick body scan, paying attention to how each part of my body feels. This practice allows me to cultivate body kindness and check in with my physical well-being.
Mindful eating with family: During dinner, we do our best to practice mindful eating. We take a moment to appreciate our food, noting its colors, flavors, and textures. This encourages presence, gratitude, and awareness of our hunger cues!
Gratitude pause before bed: Just before sleep, take a minute to reflect on three things you’re grateful for from the day. This—albeit cliche—practice shifts your focus to the positive, promoting a peaceful state of mind.
Mindful listening during conversations: Practice giving your full attention when speaking with family, friends, or colleagues. This is much easier said than done! Notice the urge to interrupt or let your mind wander, and gently bring your focus back to truly hearing the other person.
Nature appreciation moment: Take a brief pause during your day to look out a window or step outside. Observe the sky, trees, or any natural elements around you, allowing yourself to connect with the world beyond your immediate tasks.

Leveraging Technology for Mindfulness

These days, technology is both: a distraction and a tool for mindfulness. I’ve found that using the right apps can significantly support my journey to be more mindful. I’m currently crushing on Superhuman. This app offers quick, guided mindfulness exercises—which they call activations—that I can easily fit into my day. Whether I’m breastfeeding, unloading the dishwasher, or taking a brief walk around the block, there’s motivational audio for every need.

Incorporating Mindfulness Into Daily Activities

Ultimately, being more mindful doesn’t require adding new activities to your day. It’s about approaching your existing activities with greater awareness. Here are some ways to do this:

Mindful cooking

Turn cooking or meal prep into a meditative practice. As you chop vegetables or stir a pot of pasta, focus fully on the task at hand. Notice the colors and textures of the ingredients, the sounds of cooking, and the aromas filling your kitchen. This makes the process more engaging and infuses your food with intention and care.

Mindful commuting

Whether you’re driving or taking public transport, use this time to practice mindfulness. Notice the sensations of your body in the seat, the sounds around you, or the rhythm of your breath. Aim to do this before you turn on a podcast, music, or make a phone call.

Mindful working

Take short breaks during your workday to practice mindfulness. Set an intention at the start of each task, and pause briefly between tasks to reset your focus. Time batching is a great tool for this!

Mindful parenting

When possible, engage fully with your children during playtime. Notice their unadulterated imagination, creativity, and joy. These moments of connection are perfect opportunities for mindfulness.

Overcoming the Pressure of Perfect Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice, not a destination. Instead of aiming for an idealized version of mindfulness, enjoy the journey. It’s not supposed to be perfect. It isn’t about how long you can sit still or how empty you can make your mind. It’s about consistently returning to the present moment, even if it’s for a few seconds at a time. By focusing on the process (rather than the outcome), you can cultivate a more genuine mindfulness practice—one that enhances your resilience.

How can you create a sustainable mindfulness practice?

Your meditative habits should fit your life, not the other way around.

Start small: Begin with just one or two mindful moments a day and gradually increase as it becomes more natural.
Be flexible: Your mindfulness practice should adapt to your changing circumstances. What works this week might not work next week, and that’s fine.
Find your anchors: Identify specific daily activities that can serve as reminders to be mindful. This could be turning on the coffee maker, opening your computer, or stepping outside.
Share your experience: Talk to your family, friends, or colleagues about your efforts to be more mindful. They might offer support or even join you in the practice!

Step Aside, Unrealistic Standards

Remember, the goal of mindfulness isn’t to achieve a state of constant zen or to completely eliminate stress from your life. It’s about developing a more aware—and accepting—relationship with your daily activities and responsibilities. By incorporating these practical tips into your routine, you can be more mindful… without feeling like you’re scrambling to meet an unrealistic standard.

The post How “Micro-Moments” of Mindfulness Can Help You Find Calm In the Midst of Chaos appeared first on Camille Styles.

Get Realigned for Fall—52 Journal Prompts for a Fresh Start

Brittany Chatburn — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 15:11:11 +0000

Despite my best efforts, summer is the season when my journal tends to collect more dust than memories. Just this morning, I jotted down a quick recap out of some invisible obligation (“ate lots of watermelons, swam in lots of pools, read lots of YA books“) so that I could get on with the good stuff. Fall is approaching and suddenly, my journal beckons. Its crisp, blank pages primed and ready for all my brilliant thoughts… but, full disclosure? This is coming from a woman who literally just typed “smart” into thesaurus.com only to choose the similarly uninspired, “brilliant” for the previous sentence.

It would appear my brain could benefit from something of a jumpstart.

No matter how you approach your journaling practice this season, whether you’re new to journaling, a die-hard everyday-er, or like me, just dipping back in after a long stretch, journal prompts are the kindest entry to writing. Personally, I find that September is the perfect month to realign with morning and evening routines that most likely took a more relaxed approach in the summer.

Featured image from our interview with Megan Roup by Michelle Nash.

Image by Michelle Nash

52 September Journal Prompts for Everything You Need

I like to gently invite longer stretches of writing into my day and pay attention to the transition happening both around and within me. Journal prompts are helpful any time of year, but these are particularly directed toward September—when the days grow shorter, our attention begs to turn inward, and we realize that an ending (and with that, a new beginning), is in sight.

For Checking In

How do you feel—really?
What do you want—really?
What’s been a big win for you so far this year?
What matters most to you this season?
What are you learning about yourself?
What do you know for sure?
What are you wondering about?
What is here to stay?
What will pass?

For Self-Care

When you feel pain or sadness, what makes you feel grounded?
Are you forcing yourself to maintain any relationships?
What are the energy givers in your life?
What are the energy takers in your life?
Where can you better pay attention?
What is one thing you can remove from your plate this season?
What does your body need today?
What does your soul need today?
What three things are contributing to your peace right now?
What does your ideal weekend look like this season?
What fall rituals did you always look forward to? What new fall rituals can you create this year?

For Self-Compassion

What are you good at?
What makes you unique?
Challenge yourself to write a whole page dedicated to compliments about yourself.
What are you learning to let go of?
What are some ways you can show compassion toward yourself?
What words of encouragement do you most need to hear today?
Reflect on when you met your best friend. What about them immediately drew you in? Now brainstorm the qualities about yourself that drew you to them.
Write about the ways your presence alone makes others feel happy, seen, and supported.
Write about a time when you felt truly yourself.

For Growth

Make a list of the things making your life easier right now.
How can you let a past lesson guide your future?
What is one problem you can release?
What intentions do you want to set for the months ahead?
What are some ways you can master your actions? Emotions? Mindset?
Think 10 years in the past and 10 years in the future. What would you tell your younger self? What hopes would you share with your older self?
Make a list of your values. How are you living in and out of alignment with these values?
Define what success looks like for yourself.
Write about a difficult time in your life. How did you get through it?

For Inspiration

What is your mantra in this season?
What are 10 things making you happy right now?
What makes you feel most like yourself?
What have you been listening to lately?
Write about a place where you feel most inspired. Describe how you feel emotionally and physically when you’re there and reflect on how the scenery engages your senses.
What is the next thing you want to learn?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
What two things can you do this week to experience expansion in your life?

For Creative Energy

What activities or hobbies help you experience creative flow?
What were your favorite things to do as a child?
What does your dream home look like?
How did you discover your love for what you do? Be it professionally, creatively, or in your free time?
What does art mean to you?
What does beauty mean to you?

The post Get Realigned for Fall—52 Journal Prompts for a Fresh Start appeared first on Camille Styles.

Alone Time is Key For Your Mental Health—Here’s How to Get It

Isabelle Eyman — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In my early 20s, I sought alone time wherever I could. I traveled alone, went to the movies alone—I even took myself out to dinner alone. Of course, I shared these experiences with friends, family, and partners on occasion. But more often than not, it was my own company I prioritized. I loved the freedom of not having to adhere to anyone else’s schedule. I could wander around European cities without an itinerary and linger in my favorite museums for far longer than my friends had the patience for. It was my time to be selfish and attune solely to my own experience. But in recent years, my relationship with my alone time shifted.

Featured image from our interview with Riley Reed by Jenn Rose Smith.

In this article

How to Take Back Your Alone Time
Signs You Need Alone Time
The Difference Between Feeling Lonely and Being Alone
The Benefits of Alone Time

How to Take Back Your Alone Time

As I’m wrapping up the final years of my 20s, I’ve begun to notice new insecurities cropping up. I’m more aware of the moments I’m walking alone without my partner or grabbing coffee without a friend for company. I notice a shock of unfamiliar self-consciousness that calls me to reach for my phone or pop my head into a book—all to make me look a little less alone.

Having journaled and worked through the experience with a therapist, I’ve come to see these behaviors as a product of the pandemic. Without warning, we were dropped into a foreign state of isolation. And because of those many months I went without seeing family or friends, I had developed a hypersensitivity to the moments I found myself, once again, alone.

Trust me: your presence alone is company enough.

But in the years since, my daily habits and routines have returned and I’ve learned to take back that love I once had for my alone time. At 28, I’ve even come to understand that the experience of ‘me time’ as a sort of luxury. If you’re looking to recapture that sense of yourself, and to spend your alone time more meaningfully, keep reading. Trust me: your presence alone is company enough.

Image by Teal Thomsen

Signs You Need Alone Time

Before we dive in, let’s address: how do you know if you need more alone time? For many people, it’s easy to define our self-worth through the value and time we offer others. Particularly as women, we’ve been conditioned to believe that our acceptance is dependent on what we can do for our partners, parents, children, siblings, etc. In putting others before ourselves, we’ve learned to connote alone time with an element of selfishness.

So how do we know if need more alone time when we’ve been taught to avoid it? First, tap into your thoughts and gain a baseline sense of where you are emotionally. In a journal or simply in your head, reflect on the following questions:

Do the things that once seemed fun no longer interest you?
Are you desperately seeking quiet anywhere you can get it? (The bathroom, the car, etc.?)
Are you looking for an escape from stressful situations through unsupportive habits?
Do you get overwhelmed by small annoyances, stressors, or disturbances to your routine?
Are you feeling easily frustrated by your relationships or interactions with friends and family?

Notice how you respond to these questions and what your answers may indicate. While knowing whether or not you need alone time can manifest in different ways, becoming easily overwhelmed, feeling desperate for quiet, and not finding enjoyment in activities that were once fun can all be signs that you need to carve out some alone time, stat.

Image by Michelle Nash

The Difference Between Feeling Lonely and Being Alone

I know you know the feeling: While it sounds nice in theory, when our partners, roommates, or family are away and we have an empty house to ourselves, it can be hard to know where to begin—and the experience can feel quite lonely. We may dive straight into work or space out on our phones. As much as we may have wanted to spend time with ourselves, in our hyper-connected world, it can be hard to know where to begin.

Being alone is a physical state whereas loneliness is an emotional state.

But being alone doesn’t equate to loneliness. In fact, the two states are quite different. Put simply, being alone is a physical state whereas loneliness is an emotional state, describing the feeling of being separate from others. Have you ever found yourself in a room filled with people you can’t connect with? Or surrounded by others who don’t allow you to express your true self? Both can be signs of the emotional state of loneliness. But, setting out with the intention of experiencing alone time can be a positive and fulfilling.

To experience more intentional alone time, use the following questions and prompts to help guide you:

How do I want to feel after this period alone? (Rested, rejuvenated, less stressed, etc.)
What is an activity I’ve wanted to do for a long time but have deprioritized due to others’ needs?
Write a list of things you enjoyed doing as a kid. Do any of those still resonate?
What is something you would do if you only had yourself to impress?
What does the perfect day look like to you?

Image by Kristen Kilpatrick

The Benefits of Alone Time

I get it (and hope I’ve established it by now): alone time can be scary! It can feel awkward and uncomfortable to do something society expects us to reserve for friends, family, or romantic partners. Because of this, many of us have built an internal narrative that suggests it’s weird or strange to go to dinner alone, take a trip alone, or simply enjoy your own company. But there are plenty of benefits associated with alone time to suggest otherwise.

You Connect Deeper With Yourself

When we carve out time for ourselves, we have the opportunity to learn more about ourselves. Given this space, we can get quiet and think deeper about our emotions, hopes, dreams, and ideas. Though listening to others is an important social skill to build, it’s just as crucial that we develop our own perspectives to help us think deeper about our lives.

You Can Be More Present for Others

A necessary cliché: we can’t pour from an empty cup! Mothers know it best that when we’re constantly attending to the needs and wants of others, we push our own to the side. But self-care is a crucial element of supporting our well-being—and it’s not simply bubble baths and face masks. If the resources are available to you, book a baby sitter or tell your partner you need a night to yourself. It can even look like shifting your perspective. I think about the time I spend working out as me time, helping me do everything in my life with a more positive perspective.

Remember: schedule in regular alone time can help you improve your relationships with others. It’s a win-win.

You Can Come Up With Creative Solutions

While I will always go to my sisters, girlfriends, or partner for advice, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to look within myself first. Often, we’ve been told that the answer lie outside of ourselves (through social media, the internet, etc.). But really, much of what we need can be found through our own perspective and experiences—we just need to get quiet enough to hear it.

You Can Explore Freely

Are you afraid to try things because of what others might think? Do it alone! I started taking sewing classes by myself simply because it was a skill I wanted to learn. And though, yes, many of my creations have been terrible at best, the experience has reminded me that I don’t need to wait for anyone’s permission to do what brings me joy.

You Can Be More Productive

One simple way to limit distractions in your life? That’s right: alone time! When I’m in the mood to plow through my personal to-do list, I love to put my phone on Do Not Disturb and get to work. It’s fulfilling, confidence-boosting, and energizes me like nothing else.

The post Alone Time is Key For Your Mental Health—Here’s How to Get It appeared first on Camille Styles.

Writing Therapy Can Unlock Creativity and Boost Mental Health—Here’s How to Start

Isabelle Eyman — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Editor’s note: This article is not meant to be used in place of medical care. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any treatment.

I’ve always been a proponent of talk therapy. Though it seemed out of the norm when I started my weekly appointments in the early 2010s, I knew immediately: it was a privilege to explore my feelings openly and honestly. When you think about it, therapy is nothing short of a miracle. For an hour or so, you can reflect on and work through any challenge in your life. Without judgment, you have the objective thoughts of a professional at your disposal. Incredible, right? Unfortunately, that mental health miracle comes at a cost—and depending on your insurance, it can make access difficult or impossible. Thankfully, as Pinterest predicted in its 2023 trends report, “alternatives to talk therapy are on the rise.” Across both Gen Z and Millennials, a turn to writing therapy is making waves.

As we shift toward a more open and empathetic discussion surrounding mental health, many feel empowered to seek out tools and options that best support their well-being. Creativity—a gift to our mental and emotional wellness—allows us to explore the expansive possibilities within us and ignites the energy that fuels our lives apart from the daily work grind. If you’re seeking new ways to understand yourself better and connect with your thoughts a little deeper, writing therapy might just be your new go-to.

Featured image by Riley Reed.

In this article

What is writing therapy?
The Benefits of Writing Therapy
How to Use Writing Therapy as a Form of Self-Care
Writing Therapy Prompts

Image by Jenn Rose Smith

What is writing therapy?

Also referred to as journal therapy, writing therapy is the exercise of writing for therapeutic benefit. Of course, while this might simply look like jotting thoughts down in a journal, there’s more to the practice. Therapeutic writing, through prompts or exercises, allows the writer to open up a dialogue with their concerns, analyze thoughts, and work through traumatic experiences or traumatic events. While journaling can oftentimes be free-form, this therapeutic type of writing is directed with specific goals.

To be clear, while writing therapy can be used as an alternative to talk therapy, it can also be used to support the work you do with a therapist. The use of writing as an intentional means of expression can bring greater clarity to your emotional experiences.

The Benefits of Writing Therapy

As avid journal keepers, we’ve written at length about the countless benefits of journaling. For many of us, journaling is a daily habit that helps us feel more focused, less anxious, and boosts our creativity. And while that’s all well and good, because therapeutic expressive writing is done with different intentions, it makes sense to expect different benefits.

Writing therapy allows us to go deeper and intentionally explore specific events or traumas we’ve experienced in the past. In an article for Positive Psychology, Courtney Ackerman, MA, cited a study in which participants journaled about traumatic experiences for 15 minutes, four days in a row. After completing the exercise, those participants experienced better health outcomes for up to four months than the control group.

In addition to effectively being able to process traumatic events, writing therapy has been used as a treatment for:

Depression
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
PTSD (Post-traumatic stress)
Substance abuse

Image by Michelle Nash

How to Use Writing Therapy as a Form of Self-Care

I began my journey with writing therapy in conjunction with my therapist. However, if you don’t have access to talk therapy or choose not to use this form of treatment, it’s easy to get started on your own. The Center for Journal Therapy is a great resource that equips you with guidance and prompts and can even connect you with a certified journal therapy instructor.

Some tips to get you started:

Utilize prompts. Seek out journaling prompts that resonate and address current challenges and thoughts you’re working through.
Find a dedicated notebook. If you already journal, be sure to use a separate notebook from your daily one. This ensures you keep the practices separate and makes it easy to refer back to your writing therapy journal.
Time yourself. I find that if I experience writer’s block, the easiest way to get started is to simply… start. By setting a timer for a specific amount of time, the thoughts are able to flow more freely.
Proceed without judgment. As I noted about talk therapy, this is a no-judgment zone. Write your thoughts without questioning them. Silence that inner critic—they have no role in your healing journey.
Experience emotions as they come up. It’s part of the process, after all.

Image by Michelle Nash

Writing Therapy Prompts

Ready to begin? The following writing therapy prompts will help you tap into your emotions, engage with your inner dialogue, and step away from your journal feeling a little lighter, freer, and more in tune with your emotional landscape.

Letter Writing. What wisdom would you like to share with your younger self? Is there something you wish to tell an older version of yourself? Would connecting with someone you’ve lost help you feel seen in what you’re going through? Pick someone to write a letter to—whether that’s someone in your life or a part of yourself—and use this as a framework to process your situation.

Image Prompts. Sometimes, visuals can spark an insight that’s lying latent within you. Select from a few personal photographs—of friends, family, sentimental places—and ask yourself: What do these photos make me feel? What would I like to tell the people in the images? Is there something I’d like to return to or feel that I’ve lost from these photographs?

Make lists. Basic, but transformative. Pick a number (I often choose 25) and list out responses to the following: Things That Make Happy, Things That Make Me Anxious, Reasons I’m Excited to Wake Up in the Morning, Things I Want to Do With My Life, Things I’m Excited to Create. The possibilities are endless! By the time you’ve reached whatever number you’ve chosen, I can guarantee you’ll experience a greater sense of clarity about your life, day, or even the moment in front of you.

The post Writing Therapy Can Unlock Creativity and Boost Mental Health—Here’s How to Start appeared first on Camille Styles.

The Power of a Growth Mindset—And How to Create One This Year

Katherine Fluor — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 11:30:00 +0000

When it comes to seeing the world through a positive, optimistic lens, it can feel like the cards are stacked against you. With current events and the ever-troubling news cycle being what they are, looking for the light is sometimes an impossible task. But there’s a much-talked-about—and little-understood—psychological concept that can help shift your perspective. It’s called developing a growth mindset.

Mindset is the way you look at yourself, the people in your life, and the world around you. According to well-known Stanford researcher Carol Dweck, there are two types of mindsets: a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. Dweck says that the one we lean toward can either motivate us or prevent us from reaching our fullest potential in work and in life.

Featured image by Riley Reed.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Those with a fixed mindset believe their qualities are fixed traits and cannot change. They live with the assumption that talent and circumstance alone leads to success and effort is not required. Having fixed beliefs about yourself will ultimately hold you back from making positive changes in your life. If you have a trait that you believe cannot be changed—such as your intelligence, weight, or bad habits—you will avoid situations that could possibly be uncomfortable or lead to failure.

On the flip side, those with a growth mindset believe that their learning and intelligence can grow with time, dedication, persistence, and experience.

People with a growth mindset see their basic abilities as a simple launch pad for their potential, which has a positive impact on overall health and happiness. They believe that their effort has a large effect on their success, so they will put extra time and attention into developing areas they wish to improve. This leads to higher achievement and experiencing feelings of optimism throughout their lives.

Image by Suruchi Avasthi

The Power of a Growth Mindset

The benefits of a growth mindset might seem obvious, but most of us are guilty of having a fixed mindset in certain situations. The danger is that a fixed mindset can prevent important skill development and growth, which could sabotage your health and happiness down the line. So, if you naturally lean toward a more fixed mindset, is it possible to capture this growth mindset that will enable you to keep growing and gain traction toward achieving your longterm goals?

Thankfully, the research shows that we can all channel a more positive outlook in life. Scroll on for six ways to cultivate a growth mindset. And remember: wherever you are in your journey, you can always begin again.

1. Acknowledge and Embrace Your Weaknesses

Having fixed beliefs about yourself will hold you back from making positive changes in your life. If you have a weakness that you believe cannot be changed, try taking baby steps to improve them instead of avoiding the issue altogether. Take things one step at a time, make modest goals, and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to accomplish each one.

Image by Belathée Photography

2. Build a Foundation Centered on Positivity and Optimism

It’s your daily thoughts and actions that will change what you believe about yourself and the person you ultimately become. Ask yourself where you see yourself in 5-10 years and what’s holding you back from getting there. Is it your job, relationship, attitude, or financial situation? In many ways, this can be changed through the power of optimism. Studies show that your attitude and mindset toward money make an impact on your financial health. In fact, research has found that optimists are seven times as likely to experience more financial health than pessimists.

They say that money can’t buy you happiness, but a positive mindset will help see you through good times and bad. Next time you experience a setback, try to view it as an opportunity to challenge yourself and learn from your mistakes. Center your foundation on optimism and don’t give up on your goals. Day by day, you will get there.

Image by Michelle Nash

3. Never Stop Learning and Always Continue to Set New Goals

Growth-minded people live with the belief that they’re never completely finished learning at any point in their lives. They are able to continue to create new goals so they stay motivated and interested in the learning process. When one door closes, another opens, right? The same is true with your goals. Always keep going. Always keep learning.

Image by Belathée Photography

4. Remember: Progress, Not Perfection

When you let the results define you—your talent, test scores, weight, job, performance, appearance—you become the victim of a fixed mindset. But, when you dedicate yourself to showing up each day and focus on cultivating optimism, you’ll learn, develop, and try new skills that bring you closer to where you want to be. Big change happens by committing to small positive habits every day. One foot in front of the other, right? Also, don’t forget to stop and celebrate the small milestones along the way!

Image by Michelle Nash

5. Reflect on Your Progress Every Day

One of the easiest ways to cultivate a growth mindset is to take time to absorb everything you learn throughout the day. Whether this means writing down the main things you learned at the end of the day, or doing a little more research into something that interested you. Don’t let your lessons from the day just float away. Instead, write them in a journal or sit and meditate on what you learned to allow it to sink in deeper. By taking time to reflect on your accomplishments and interests, you’ll recommit to cultivating a growth mindset and desire to learn new things daily.

Image by Belathée Photography

6. Practice Gratitude

Studies show that gratitude can directly impact the physical, psychological, and social aspects of our health and well-being. Practicing gratitude on a daily basis is one of the main keys to turning potentially negative aspects of your life into positive ones. At the start of each day, think of five things you’re grateful for. How have they led you to where you are today? In what ways have they changed your life for the better?

Also, gratitude is stronger when it’s shared with others. To sustain your gratitude and work toward a growth mindset, find a way to verbalize, write it down, or share your gratitude through social media. Just like meditation is a practice, so too is gratitude.

The post The Power of a Growth Mindset—And How to Create One This Year appeared first on Camille Styles.

6 Mindful Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday

Kelly Krause — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +0000

I say it every year once Thanksgiving arrives: how are we already in the holiday season? As I’m writing this, it’s early December and the holiday party invites are rolling in. Today I received a save the date for a New Year’s Eve party. Yesterday, I was asked to join a cookie exchange group (bold move considering I’m a terrible baker). And I haven’t even thought about putting the tree up yet.

With more on my plate than ever, I’m taking a more relaxed and mindful approach to the holidays and letting perfection take a back seat for once. My only goal? That the people in my life feel seen and appreciated. Plus, I want to make sure that what I love most about the holidays—the connection, celebration, giving back, joy, and rest—is present and woven throughout.

Here are 6 ways I’m staying mindful and keeping the holidays stress-free this season.

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

More People, Less Gatherings

Anyone else’s calendar filling up with holiday parties, family gatherings, and events? I’m at the point where I’ve started punting dinners into January just so I’m not overbooked. This year, instead of trying to squeeze it all in, I’m making myself available for 1-2 nights centered around a holiday event in town and inviting as many pals as I can to meet there. (Bonus points for family-friendly events so they don’t have to find a sitter.) This approach keeps my calendar a bit less overwhelming, and I get to see more friends as well as bring new friends together.

Less Gifting, More Giving Back

No matter the time or season, I LOVE buying gifts for people I love. And while that won’t necessarily change, rather than contribute to a ton of extra waste, risk giving a pal something they might not like or need, or stress about the right gift, I’m taking the approach of donating to an organization I know my friend or family member would love and sharing a beautiful note on why I chose the organization on their behalf.

Image by Michelle Nash

Clear My January Calendar

Much like my approach to making plans the day before and the day after any trip, I like to clear my calendar for the first 10 days of January. I’ve done this for years and it makes the re-entry back to work and social life feel really incredible when I don’t have back-to-back plans on the books. Blocking out 10 days gives me space to prioritize myself and ease back into a schedule.

Ask For Help

Like many, I have a hard time asking for help. It’s rooted in the fact that I couldn’t fathom inconveniencing anyone—particularly during this time of year. But I know how good it feels to help others, and I’m choosing to lean into it this year. So often I get a text or a message asking if I need anything from the grocery store and I usually always do. It’s amazing how one small gesture from a friend or family member can save me an entire hour or more.

Image by Michelle Nash

Prioritizing Sleep

Life hack: getting good rest will lead to a clear mind, a more easeful state, and you’ll quite literally feel less stressed thanks to decreased cortisol levels. We talk a lot about sleep over here, but as the holiday season requires more of my time and energy, I find I need it now more than ever. It always feels like a mad dash up until Christmas Day and knowing I’m going home to be with family, I want to feel refreshed and present for the time I get with them.

Making Time for Me

Between the many obligations and gatherings, I need a lot of personal time to recharge. That looks like starting my mornings on the trail, getting a little movement in during travel, and excusing myself during a trip to watch a show alone or grab a coffee solo for a change of scenery. It’s important to give yourself time to just be. I have a tendency to move through life and experiences quickly. Anytime I can slow down, I find that I’m more present, rested, and happy.

The post 6 Mindful Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday appeared first on Camille Styles.