WHY AN EMOTIONAL DETOX IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH

Mental health is every bit as important as physical health. Given the current circumstances we live in, it's normal to be feeling anxious, overwhelmed and drained. We have a habit of prioritising our physical health, and following juice cleanses and detox diets with the hope of purifying our body. But it's about time that we paid more attention to our mind. After all, our mental health has a significant impact on our physical health. 

As someone who struggles with anxiety, I often have moments where I wish I could remove all the thoughts and emotions from my head, give them a good wash until they're squeaky clean, and put nice thoughts back in my head - A laundry day for emotions, if you will. Just like a detox for your physical body, clearing out impurities from your mind ensures you are functioning at a healthier capacity. The aim of a mental detox isn't to completely cut out negative feelings, but to cleanse out thoughts that don't feed any purpose. 


1. Be aware of what you're thinking and feeling

This is something I'm tying to be better at, but is harder than it sounds. If you find that your thoughts spiral out of control, try to distinguish them, and be aware of why you might be feeling sad, stressed, uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Awareness helps you understand yourself more and gain back control, and gives you the space you need to work on these feelings. Do not try to distract yourself or push it back, but start to notice it and question it - Where is it coming from? Why am I feeling like this? Be curious. 

2. Put pen to paper

If you're struggling to find the cause of these negative thoughts, or you want to understand them better, start journaling about what you're experiencing. This is a practise I picked up on at the start of the year, and it's something that has really improved the way I cope, and has helped me to stay more focused. Give yourself 20 minutes or so to put away your phone and other distractions, and freely write whatever you're thinking. It's a space where there is no judgement. You'll be surprised to realise that we are much better at knowing how to heal ourselves than others do. 

3. Make a plan of action 

Now that you've recognised the cause, it's time to come up with a plan of action for the next time these thoughts arise. Maybe next time you doubt yourself, you reflect on all of your accomplishments and how far you've come. Next time you're angry, you go for a run as a way of re-channeling that energy. It's not about avoiding negative emotions, but rather about acknowledging them and finding healthier ways to cope with these. 

4. Give your mind a break

Taking the time for yourself is so important. I don't mean bingeing a Netflix show, but giving your mind a break by investing time in doing something you love, whether it be reading a book, baking, drawing, or any other hobby you're passionate about. It's about finding a balance between relieving your mind of negativity, whilst focusing on something productive. 

5. Forgive yourself 

A big way to tackle your negative self-talk is to forgive yourself. We tend to be our own harshest critic. Do not give yourself a hard time for feeling anxious. Be kind to yourself, and show yourself the kind of empathy and understanding that you would show your loved ones. Your negative thoughts are a way of identifying the emotions and feelings that do serve you. It's about understanding yourself. While you're being kind to yourself, forgive others too. It's a way of freeing your mind of the past painful emotions. 


Your mind deserves the same kind of love that your body does. By learning how to cope with these thoughts and detoxing the negativity, you'll be creating space for positive experiences. Your mind is your greatest power - It all begins and ends with our thoughts, and we all have the ability to control them in a way that serves us. 

Love,
Neth 
xo

 




GIFT GUIDE: MOTHER'S DAY


Mother's Day is just around the corner, so I've put together a little gift guide to suit a variety of budgets to help you on your way to spoiling your mum. 

My top picks are the L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hamper from the Hamper Emporium, which has so many goodies including the satin robe, silk eye-mask, skincare favourites from L'Occitane and candles, and the Long Pink Chic Satin Pj Set from Peter Alexander which you can personalise with your mum's initials. 

I'm personally thinking of putting together the Mama Bear Long Sleeve Top, the Pure Silk Eye Mask, and the Mama Bear Waffle Long Short from Peter Alexander as a little gift pack. 

Flowers Across Melbourne are doing deliveries on Mother's Day so you can always surprise her with a little flower delivery! 

If you have the privilege of spending the day with her, no gift could compare with the time and effort of doing something special with your mum on that day. But if you're unable to visit, a thoughtful gift is a great way to let her know you're grateful for all that she does. Either way, it's your chance to treat your mum like the queen she is!

Love,
Neth
xo

LOOKBOOK: WORK FROM HOME

1. Paige Rib Trim Crew Neck Jumper - Forever New // 2. Isabel Mid-Rise Straight Jeans - Forever New // 3. Elke Caramel Phoenix Sandals - Tony Bianco // 4. Real Gold Plated Molten Disc Hoop Earring - Lovisa // 5. Ellie Square Neck Knit Tank - Forever New // 6. Amber Cargo Pants - Forever New // 7. Gold Multi Row Coin Pendant Necklace - Lovisa // 8. Zali White Tiger Sandals - Tony Bianco // 9. Huntington Tee - Camilla and Marc // 10. D-Luxe Boyfriend Jean - Decjuba // 11. Gold Flat Omega Ribbed Chain Necklace - Lovisa // 12. Lilly Pleated Midi Skirt - Decjuba // 13. Straightset BL1 White Leather Sneaker - Lacoste // 14. Bly The Crew Jumper - Camilla and Marc // 15. Benassi Slide - Nike // 16. Logo Print Organic Cotton Lounge Trousers - Tommy Hilfiger


Working from home doesn't have to be boring - Starting your day dressed in a chic, but comfy outfit does great things for your motivation. It's important to try to stick to a schedule throughout the day to maximise your productivity, and looking fab while achieving your work goals never hurt anyone. 

Happy shopping! 

Love,
Neth
xo

APRIL FAVOURITES: BEAUTY EDITION

Despite the month of March feeling like it lasted forever, this year is already flying by. Social distancing has given me some time to give my skin the break it needs from wearing makeup, and thanks to my skincare goodies from Drunk Elephant, my skin has never felt nor looked better. So, I thought I'll share some of my April favourites with you all, which includes a few more of my current obsessions.

I've always struggled with my skin - Trying to tackle sensitive, combination skin (dry in some areas, oily in others) is no easy task. If you've heard all the rage around Drunk Elephant, but didn't know whether it delivered results - I am happy to confirm that the brand more than lives up to the hype.


From top left to bottom right: 

It's been a challenge finding a cleanser that doesn't dry out my skin. Which is why I absolutely adore the Slaai Cleanser - It's so soft, and melts my makeup off completely. It's extremely gentle, so it can be used around the eyes without a fuss. My skin always feels so smooth and clean after. I use it once a day, and a little goes a long way, so the tub should last you six months at a minimum. 

I'm so obsessed with the B-Hydra Serum! Coupled with the Slaai Cleanser, these two products have completely changed the condition of my skin. I'm someone that used to wear make-up everywhere I went because I was always insecure about my breakouts, but ever since I started using the B-Hydra Serum, my skin has been completely clear. I cannot recommend this serum enough, so if there's one thing you'll consider getting from Drunk Elephant, let it be this. You'll love the glow it gives, and your skin will definitely thank you for it. 

If you're skeptical about the Drunk Elephant brand, try the Rise & Glow pack first. You can try two of the highly coveted products from the range for a fraction of the price. 

I can't forget the Aromas Straightening Creme by Nak, which has been great at controlling my frizzy curls and smoothening it for straightening. It also protects the hair from heat, and as an added bonus, it smells amazinggg! 

It's a good idea to use the long weekend ahead of us to have some 'me' time. Spoil yourself by taking a little break from the news and social media, and prioritise yourself. Don't forget that self care is important ladies! 

Have a safe and happy Easter! 

Love,
Neth
xo

MAKING THE MOST OF THE NEW NORMAL

Self isolation, social distancing and working from home is the new norm for most of us. Whilst free time and sleep-ins may have sounded like a pretty nice deal at first, it's not long before our motivation takes a massive hit, and the anxiety surrounding all of the current big changes start taking its toll.

It's important to remember that it's normal for anxiety to be at an all time high - We are worried about the health and safety of ourselves and loved ones, financial hardships, and not knowing when we'll be able to connect with our friends and families and go back to a time when we didn't constantly refresh the news. 

We don't have much control over the current situation, but what we do have is choice over the way we respond to what's happening around us; Feel terrified, or be in the present moment and try to make the most of the time we have.



There are plenty of things I put off doing because I always made the excuse of 'being busy', or 'not having enough time', or 'it's not really a priority right now', including writing on this blog. The free time I've had last week since I was stood down was a massive wake up call that apart from working, socialising and studying, I didn't really have hobbies or projects that I was passionate about.

If you, like me, have previously said 'if only I had the time', now is your chance to change that.

If you're looking for inspiration on projects to invest your time into, here's a little list to help you get started: 

Do an online course or up-skill

If there's an area of interest that you've always wanted to learn more about, or a new language you want to master, there are great online courses (free ones too) that give you the opportunity to do just that. 

I'll be using this time to further develop my knowledge in digital marketing. If you're a beginner wanting to become a digital marketing guru, Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google is a great place to start. 

The Fashion Institute (TFI) is also offering free online classes with Industry Experts for those wanting to break into the fashion world. 

Start a veggie garden or fix-up the back yard

Just because you're confined to your house doesn't mean you have to stay inside. Going green is not only environmentally friendly, but has great health benefits. Use this time to plant some veggies, paint the fence, do some gardening, and get your Vitamin D fix. 


Start a side hustle or do free-lance work

Have a clever business idea? Now might be the perfect time to start doing all the ground work to get it started. Start writing your business plan, and look into government help available to small businesses. If you've got a unique skill, freelancing is a great way to keep productivity levels up, and earn some extra cash. 

Get creative

Taking up painting, graphic design, or redecorating are all ways to unleash your creativity. If you've been wanting to renovate your house, start making plans to design your dream  home. If you're a great artist, you can also sell your paintings online through platforms like Etsy. If you're not a great artist or want to learn something new like graphic design, now is the perfect opportunity to watch online tutorials to revamp your skills. 


It's easy to lose perspective at a time like this. It's important to remember that we have so many things to be grateful for. Being healthy and safe, and having the time to put our plans and big ideas into action is an incredible gift. We have to make the most of it. We are lucky to have the chance to do so.