[This post contains affiliate links.]
It’s that time of year again! Shopping centers are a frenzy, targeted feeds are uber-focused, and inboxes fill with daily (or even more often) reminders of sales, bargains and “THINGS WE NEED.”
Even with all the boundaries, email auto-filtering and well-intentioned focused shopping trips, the urgency of it all can get the best of us.
::Sigh::
Wouldn’t it be nice if, along with the deals of the season, we got reminders to support our sanity? Imagine if every cyber-monday deal came with the key to carve out some time and care for ourselves! Or just a little dang self-care support?!
Alas, I do not have the magic self-care button to offer you, but I DO have your sanity and well-being in mind as I share this year’s self-care gift guide. Here is my curated list of favorite things that support my self-care game.
ALWAYS a caveat…I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again — self-care is not about the products…it’s so much more than that. AND the right product can make all the difference.
There are a million-and-one ways to practice self-care, and these are just a *few* of the products that help me recharge. I don’t think you need another email or ad for the next must-have product and YET, I really feel compelled to share what’s been working for me this year.
Whether these are gifted to a loved one, or to yourself, these self-care products all say “I’m thinking of you, and I want you to love on yourself the way you love on others.”
I’m beyond thrilled to share them with you, and I hope you find something to support your self-care (or your loved one’s practice) during this busy season.
3 stocking stuffers for the self-care starved womxn
1. CocoFloss
Call me crazy, but this floss is a key component of my self-care toolkit.
When I am really pressed for time and struggling to find the time or energy for my own self-care, it’s the simple things, like a fancy floss, that can make all the difference. Cocofloss helps me elevate a mundane, automatic “chore” to something I can delight in.
Cocofloss is a super-strong, flexible floss that acts like a loofah for the teeth to scrub away plaque AND massages the gums with gentle, antimicrobial coconut oil. It’s a mini escape for your brushing routine that comes in an array of delightful “flavors” like dark chocolate and strawberry. (Seriously, my mouth is tingling as I write this because I am so dang excited to floss tonight. #don’tjudge)
If nothing else, my little box of fancy floss is a reminder that my sanity and my self-care are worth remembering, even if that 30 second “chore” is the first and only moment I’ve had to think of it that day.
Even those of us with NO time to spare should still be flossing daily, right? If not, flossing is a simple way to establish a healthy self-care habit, and why not make it fancy and fun?
2. RASA Coffee Alternative – Sampler packs
RASA is a yummy, indulgent, super-functional coffee alternative that helps us draw energy from herbs, not caffeine. Robust and freakin’ delicious, RASA is packed with herbal adaptogens, a.k.a. Super-soldier herbs that support the body’s stress response systems to help adapt to stress AND minimize the post-stress wreckage!
RASA is a part of my daily routine (adaptogens do their best work when used daily) and it really is the gift that keeps on giving, for me.
Start with their sampler pack, or take their quiz to get matched to the best RASA batch to try first.
Accessorize this gift with the proper brewing tools to bring it from stocking stuffer to full-fledged present! RASA is best brewed with a french press or Moka pot (think, your Nonnie’s stovetop espresso maker), and a [alt-]milk frother can really add some extra magic to the brew.
3. Bossypants Candle
These candles aren’t your typical yankee-esque burners. All Bossy Pants candles are hand poured in small batches, cruelty-free, and are truly a labor of love.
Every candle (or wax melt) is designed to inspire giggles and infuse the room with delightful fragrance and BIG personality….Like my personal favorite, “You’re the tits” — it says it all and smells like froot loops. [Did I buy this candle for myself? Yes, you bet I did!]
Some of these scents can be a bit intense for sensitive noses (they are quite strong) BUT, even if only burned for short, special occasions, they make a great conversation piece or simple reminder that you’re…well…the tits.
3 ways to support her peace of mind and body
Meditation memberships and techniques
Contrary to popular belief and/or self-talk, practicing mindfulness and meditation does not require any particular setup or fancy equipment. We literally just need ourselves, in any setting, to practice mindfulness and meditation. Still, it can help to get some guidance, whether we’re beginners flirting with the idea, or seasoned meditators looking to advance our practice. Here are my favorite meditation and mindfulness memberships.
1. Headspace – For the beginner meditator
The app that helped me learn techniques and establish the habit, Headspace is THE BEST guided meditation app for beginners. It’s an app that teaches you how to meditate in approachable, bite-sized lessons (~3 min or more, if you want) and adorable videos describing techniques and mindfulness tools.
2. Elevate Membership – For beginners and experienced meditators
Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with meditation, Christina Fontana’s powerful monthly trainings provide a focused way to elevate yourself and your practice.
Each month, Christina delivers a powerful meditation, activation, or hypnosis focused on breaking down particular blocks and challenges, and even provides workbooks and affirmations that support and solidify your efforts.
She activates our own ability to rise above the B.S., break down subconscious blocks, and elevate ourselves through our divine feminine. This membership is packed with value, and the more you put in, the more you get out, too.
Added bonus? The membership includes a private Facebook group to connect with other members, share revelations, and participate in group coaching calls with Christina!
Christina is a FORCE of nature. She beautifully blends hypnotherapy, quantum physics, spirituality, and intuitive coaching to accelerate transformation. Find her on Facebook or https://enlightenedwellnesspa.com/
Help her delegate some of the mental load
Any other former QWERTY password users? Tired of asking (or being asked) for the netflix password? Does work have you changing your password every 60 days, and in increasing complexity? Two words: password manager.
I’ve been using 1Password.com since I joined the workforce and WOW, what a difference it has made. 1Pass stores all your passwords in an uber-encrypted vault, provides strong password suggestions, and (possibly my favorite feature) points out potential weaknesses and repeated passwords through the “watchtower.”
For less than $40 a year, this app has saved me A LOT of grief. I’m not even an affiliate, I just LOVE this app.
Of course, as I write this, it only just occurred to me that I should probably upgrade to the family plan (~$60/year)! BRB… [types furiously]
Show her your appreciation *for free*
How long has it been since you’ve told her how much you appreciate her, and why?
If you’re reading this as a self-care starved individual, this message is just as important for you as it is for others, if not more.
Friend, I’m telling you, you gotta appreciate yourself. Use kind, loving words that you can believe and trust in, and TELL YOURSELF how awesome you are. Roll your eyes all you want, but the sooner you give in to the inner self-love, the better, trust me.
Know too, that its okay if this is really hard. Totally been there, too. Reach out to me directly (feedback@yourrxforselfcare.com) if you want to chat and brainstorm.
Gifts that give back
What are great gifts for subduing the seemingly ever-present female guilt? …gifts that when purchased, give back! Whether your self-care gives back or not, I say DOWN WITH THE GUILT! We don’t need it! …but if it helps soften the blow of the “me time” we can at least support others while we take some much needed self-care time.
Cocofloss for wildlife
That fancy floss I was raving about earlier? WELL, you can have your fancy floss fix AND support wildlife, too. The purchase of this 2 spool gift set sends funds to your choice of 3 ocean conservation organizations (or support all three with this year-supply of floss).
Free the Ocean
Shop around on Free the Ocean, a plastic-free marketplace to support more sustainable shopping. All products are plastic free, and for every product purchased, Free the Ocean funds the removal of 10 pieces of plastic from the ocean and coastlines. Shop for your self-care and know you’re doing good in the process.
Set her up with a coach (or simply tell her we exist)
If the thought of a life coach has you cringing or rolling your eyes, I have to tell you, I used to feel the same way! I also HAVE to tell you, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
Working with coaches in the last few years has been such a game changer for me. The moment I realized that I made more progress in a few short sessions with my coach than I had in YEARS of exploring other support modalities, I knew I had discovered a hidden gem.
The right fit with the right coach for the right reason has unlocked SO much for me. I’m energized to do the things I want and need to do, I’m focused on what really matters to me, and I’m so much…happier!
Knowing what I know now, I wish I had done this years ago! If only I hadn’t been such a naysayer!
Working with a coach can be a big investment, and when you find the right coach for you (or her) the price will be right. In the meantime, Check out their freebies, get to know them a bit through their social media, and get a sense of what it’d be like to work more closely with them.
Style coaching to define and live her style
Danielle Perrodin is a Personal Style & Image Coach helping women align their closets and mindsets with their inner essence and life’s purpose.
Her gentle, loving and professional approach creates a safe container to clean out the physical AND spiritual closet.
Through her “Be Her(e) Now” program she guides you and supports you in uncovering your inner brilliance and bringing her to life through your wardrobe.
Get vulnerable, shed old behaviors (and clothes) and let your inner sparkle shine through your clothes. You can find Danielle on instagram @drdanielleperrodin and check out her *free* closet edit.
Women’s Health & Nutrition coaching for Happy Nourished Motherhood and beyond
Katie Wood is a kind, gentle spirit, and unapologetic advocate for women. Through her coaching offerings, she supports women in practicing holistic health and wellness for body, mind, and soul.
When her own journey to motherhood was not what she hoped or expected, Katie created a company to support other women. She weaves her personal journey with her extensive experience as a pharmacist and certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach to help each of her clients boost their health through natural and nutritive means.
Katie honors the uniqueness of every woman and offers a spectrum of health coaching packages, including preconception, prenatal, postpartum and general women’s health. Connect with her on instagram @the_wellness_pharmacist or at happynourishedmotherhood.com/
Self-care support and coaching
Coming soon…1:1 coaching and group support for tapping into inner strength and resilience through self-care.
I started this blog because I wanted to help everyday people to care for themselves, recharge, and realize their inner resilience, all the while convincing myself that it was possible for me too.
Self-care isn’t always easy or glamorous, especially when we’re busy taking care of everyone else. I’ve spent the last year+ experimenting and failing upwards, and I’m so much better for it.
I’m not perfect, and I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m ready to help you disembark from the struggle bus, too. If you’re interested in learning about my beta offerings, reach out anytime and let me know at Feedback@yourrxforselfcare.com
So there you have it! My go-to self-care gift ideas (mostly for myself) for the 2021 holiday season.
I can’t wait to hear what you try and what you think of all these goodies!
