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Life Update | I Have Androgenetic Alopecia

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If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have a new look for 2019. If you haven’t seen my latest post, no worries. Let me fill you in…

In December, I was diagnosed with Androgenetic Alopecia. Ever since mid-October, I knew something was going on with my hair, but I was sure the shedding and thinning could be remedied rather quickly. So, imagine my surprise when my hair stylist looked at my scalp and said, “This looks like Alopecia. I want you to go to a dermatologist ASAP to find out for sure.” Immediately, I went to trusty Google to look up Alopecia. I’d heard of the condition before but wasn’t fully knowledgable about the causes, symptoms, or treatments. The images and the amount of information were extremely overwhelming. But, isn’t that always the case when you look up your symptoms or a possible diagnoses on Google?

Fast forward a week later, I’m at the dermatologists’ office, anxiously waiting to be seen. After a thorough consultation, she confirmed that I indeed had Alopecia areata, but wanted to do a biopsy and send me for blood work to figure out the cause. I’ve never had a biopsy of any kind, and I hate going for bloodwork. However, I too was eager to figure out the root cause. So, I reluctantly scheduled both appointments just a few weeks before Christmas. Two days after Christmas, I returned to my dermatologists’ office for my results – Androgenetic Alopecia. In laymen’s terms, female pattern hair loss, and in my case it’s hereditary. We discussed my treatment options, I decided how I wanted to proceed, and I started treatment the very next day.

Life with Androgenetic Alopecia

After my Biopsy

After receiving my diagnoses, I was extremely thankful that my Alopecia was not connected to any autoimmune or any other disease. Knowing that I still had hair follicles was also a relief. However, I was still unhappy with the current state of my hair. It was brittle, dry, and I was combing out clumps the size of quarters morning and night. Even when I combed my hair as gentle as possible, I could literally hear my hair breaking off. I also felt the bald spots throughout my scalp. I hated it. It was depressing and emotionally draining.

I mentioned cutting my hair to my dermatologist early on, and she told me it wouldn’t hurt or help my condition. It would, however, allow her to clearly see my hair pattern. I also shared how depressing it was for me to comb my hair, and she did agree that cutting it may help emotionally. I brought up the idea (again) to Darrius and he was all for it. Although it was ultimately my decision, and something we’d discussed weeks before, I wanted to make him aware that I was actually going through with it. So, on Monday, January 14th, with my husband and younger sister by my side, I arrived at my appointment to see Susan, a Senior Cosmetologist, and Certified Hair Loss Specialist, to cut off my hair…all of it.

Life with Androgenetic Alopecia

A Few Hours After “The Cut”

This is my new normal. It’s taking time for me to adjust, but I can honestly say I’ve never felt freer. As I shared on Instagram, I know this journey will have its ups and downs. I just thank God for blessing me with an incredibly supportive, loving and encouraging village – my husband, family, and close friends. I’m also extremely thankful for my attentive and knowledgeable A-Team (Alopecia Team) – Dr. Kindred (Board-Certified Dermatologistgist), Susan Peterkin (Senior Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Specialist & Natural Hair Educator), and the entire Kindred Hair & Skin Center. I’m also grateful to my hairstylist, Tamara. She took my hair concerns seriously and encouraged me to see a dermatologist in the first place.

This diagnosis has given me a new perspective on my purpose, and I plan to educate myself first, then others. That said, I will be sharing my journey, and keeping you informed as much as possible. I hope this post answered some of the questions I received on social media, as well as questions you may have had while reading. I will answer more detailed questions in the near future.

A Week After “The Cut”

To everyone on social media who have sent encouraging messages, scriptures, prayers, etc. THANK YOU once again. As I said last week, I am truly humbled by the love I’ve received from my social media community. Until next time, be blessed, stay safe, and take care of yourself. Talk soon!

P.S. Happy New Year!

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Faith | 5 YouVersion Bible Plans Every Woman Needs to Read

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One of my favorite things to do every morning is to read one of my daily Bible Plans on the YouVersion Bible App. As of January 2017, this became part of my morning routine. I love spending time with God and reading His word, especially in the morning. Doing this sets a positive tone for my day and allows me to feed my soul something positive and uplifting.

Related: 10 Books to Grow Your Faith & Business in 2018

My goal this year is to complete at least 30 Bible Plans on the app, and I’m pleased to say that I’m well on my way to reaching my goal. Below are 5 of my favorite YouVersion Bible Plans I think every woman needs to read. I’m sure you’ll find something that catches your eye or speaks to your soul.

YouVersion Bible Plans

1. Fashioned for His Purpose

  • If you have a career in the arts (ie. fashion, beauty, etc.) this plan is perfect for you! Throughout this 7-day plan, written by fellow creative Dionne Dean, you’ll learn God’s heart for the creative arts and the people He has anointed to display His beauty on earth. The way Dionne crafted and laid out this plan is pure genius. It was easy to digest, enjoyable and spirit-filled.

3. The Daniel 14-Day Plan

  • Every once in a while I go on a fast and the fast can last anywhere from 3-21 days. I choose not to let others know when I’m fasting, with the exception of my husband (and my immediate family if necessary). However, I do need a little boost from time to time during this process. 3-21 days of a fast is not easy, no matter how what anyone says! It does become more bearable as each day passes, but nevertheless, this plan is the perfect 2-week boost! If you’ve never tried a fast, this plan gives much insight into the process itself, as well as scriptures and devotions to guide you through.

2. Top Verses to Memorize

  • I just finished this plan yesterday and to be honest, when I first started I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep up for 365 days. Despite my doubts, I got it done and learned so much along the way! This plan helped me identify some of my (now) favorite verses and gave me the urge to dig even deeper into the scriptures. This plan also inspired me to share a scripture each morning on Twitter.
5 @YouVersion Plans Every Woman Needs to Read

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4. Weight Loss, God’s Way

  • A few months into my healthy lifestyle journey, I started this plan. I felt like I needed some spiritual encouragement to keep going, so I searched the Bible App for a plan that would help me along my journey. Reading this plan definitely gave me the spiritual guidance I needed to stay on track. As I mentioned on Instagram, connecting food and fitness to my faith really helps keep me focused on my health & wellness goals (most days).

5. Women on a Mission

  • Thanks to my mother, I completed this plan about a year ago and I absolutely LOVED it. This 3-day plan is perfect for all women, period. The daily devotionals show you what it takes to be a woman filled with strength and dignity, and explains what a modern day Proverbs 31 Woman looks like. It’s short, sweet and to the point, and I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy it.

YouVersion Bible Plans

So tell me, do you use the YouVersion Bible App? If so, what are some of your favorite Plans? Let me know!

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Lifestyle | What I Read in 2017 + What I Plan to Read in 2018

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I always enjoy sharing my favorite books! So much so that on Instagram, I created the #wnjreads hashtag. I also share a lot of my favorite quotes on social media, as well as through my newsletter. Most of these quotes are actually from whatever book I’m reading at the moment. That said, I want to share 5 of my favorite books from 2017, as well as 3 quotes from each book. I’m also sharing 5 of my must-read books for the New Year. This list could also be called, 10 Books to Grow Your Faith and Business in 2018. Either way, take a look and let me know what you think!

Related: How to Choose Your Word of the Year

My Top 5 Books of 2017

1. Instinct, T.D. Jakes

  • “We need to fail boldly if we want to succeed extravagantly.”
  • “When ideas hang out with influence, income will always emerge.”
  • “You can’t take everyone with you just because they were with you in the beginning.”

2. The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz 

  • “God is life. God is life in action.”
  • “Doing your best is taking the action because you love it, not because you’re expecting a reward.”
  • “Respect your body, enjoy your body, love your body, feed, clean, and heal your body. Exercise and do what makes your body feel good.
“We need to fail boldly if we want to succeed extravagantly.” ~ T.D. Jakes

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3. Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life, Lara Casey

  • “She believed she couldn’t, so God did.”
  • “We can’t do it all, and do it well. But, we can choose to cultivate what matters.”
  • “You don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. God has it, and His abundant grace is yours for the taking.”

4. You Are a Badass at Making Money: Mastering the Mindset of Wealth, Jen Sincero

  • “If you’ve made a backup plan, you haven’t made a decision.”
  • “Get yourself in the position of bringing in money and deal with the fine-tuning later.”
  • “When it comes to changing your life, if you’re not scared, you’re doing something wrong.”

5. I am Number 8: Overlooked and Undervalued, but Not Forgotten by God, John Gray

  • “Your job is not to try to knock someone else out of your position, but to maximize your position as best you can.”
  • “The anointing that has your name on it, the calling, the gift that has your name on it, is irreversible and irrevocable.”
  • “So many people want the platform, but they don’t want the process. They want the position, but don’t want the pain.”
“If you’ve made a backup plan, you haven’t made a decision. ~ Jen Sincero”

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My Top 5 Must-Reads in 2018

  1. Higher is Waiting, Tyler Perry
  2. Soar: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up, T.D. Jakes
  3. Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life & Achieve Prosperity Today, Lisa Nichols
  4. The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, Scott Galloway
  5. Rise & Grind: Out-Perform, Out-Work, and Out-Hustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life, Daymond John
10 Books to Grow Your Faith and Business in 2018

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So tell me, what were some of your favorite books from last year, and what do you plan on reading in 2018? Let me know below!

As always, thanks for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Lifestyle | How to Choose a Word of the Year

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In my last post, I revealed my 2018 Word of the Year (WOTY). Although I’ve been coming up with a WOTY since 2016, this year I was prompted by my Lara Casey Goal Planner to add an anchor scripture to go along with my word. One I figured out my word, coming up with a scripture was relatively easy because I knew exactly what kind of scriptures I should search for.

But, back to my WOTY post… I received several messages, asking how come up with a WOTY. Not knowing where to start is totally understandable. I was in the same position a few years ago. Excited and ready to choose a word for the New Year, I had no clue how to pick just ONE word. So, if you haven’t decided on your 2018 word, below are a few tips to help get you started!

RELATED: 5 REASONS WHY YOUR VISION BOARD WON’T WORK

How to Choose a Word of the Year

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Your WOTY should:

  1. Be aligned with your yearly goals
    • list a few yearly goals and start thinking of words that are aligned with those goals
    • refer to your vision board for inspiration as well
  2. Help guide the work you do
    • think of words that correlate with your daily work and lifestyle
  3. Inspire you Daily
    • every time you see and speak your WOTY it should ignite some excitement, joy, or another positive emotion

When choosing your WOTY ask yourself:

  1. Can this word apply to more than one area of my life?
    • think about words that can be used in at least 3 area of your life
    • Example: WOTY – Revive // Areas of my life I want to REVIVE: (1) faith, (2) finances, and (3) marriage
  2. What do I want more AND less of in my life?
    • write down what want more AND less of in your life this year (BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF)
    • look back at your list and figure out what words can help you achieve those things

how to choose a word of the year (1)

I hope this post is helpful, and I hope it encourages you to come up with your 2018 WOTY. If you do, be sure to let me know which word you chose below! Thanks for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Self Care | 7 Practical Ways to Deal with Stress

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Do you often feel tired before the week even begins? Have you been experiencing insomnia or having disturbing dreams at night? Suffer from frequent headaches or stomach aches? According to the American Institute of Stress, these are common signs and symptoms of stress. A few years back, I suffered from severe migraines and debilitating stomach pain on and off for about 3-4 months. After trying to ignore/or live with the pain, I made an appointment with my doctor. Within a week I was seen, tests were run and eventually I was told these symptoms were due to stress.

Related: 11 Things to You Should Do Every Day

I wasn’t surprised, at all. Back then my life was a lot less organized than it is now and I was not making self-care a priority. I knew I had to make some lifestyle changes if I wanted to be healthier, so I started trying different ways to deal with my stress. Unfortunately, stress is inevitable, but it is something that can be managed. Here are 7 practical ways to deal with stress.

Ways to Deal with Stress

1. Express Gratitude | It sounds crazy, but expressing gratitude is a great way to get your mind off of the things you’re stressing about. If you’re busy counting your blessings, you don’t have much time to think and stress over the things you don’t have or can’t change. Try it.

2. Journaling | Sometimes all you need to do is put pen to paper and write whatever it is you’re feeling. Getting that stress out of your head and on paper is truly cathartic. Journaling also forces you to unplug from the world and focus on yourself. Lastly, keeping a journal allows you to reflect and look back at your patterns. This can be helpful when trying to pinpoint the cause of your stress.

7 Practical Ways to Deal with Stress #selfcare

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3. Social Media Detox | Social media is such a helpful and necessary tool, especially for brands, businesses, and entrepreneurs. However consuming too much social media content can become stressful. When you’re constantly bombarded with images, memes, video clips and tweets it can become overwhelming, thus causing your stress level to heighten. Taking time “off” from social media is one of the best ways to quiet the noise, de-stress and refocus. Trust me, you won’t miss much.

4. Listen to Music | Listening to music has always been my go-to whenever I’m stressed out. It’s a great escape, if only for a few moments. I actually have a “Chill Mode” playlist on iTunes, as well as Spotify. Some of the artists on the playlists include Ella Mai, Boney James, Mali Music, Kehlani and more. I also turn to one of my Spiritual playlists at times. If you’re looking for some songs to add to your playlist, check out mine below.

Looking for a smooth and relaxing playlist? Check out this one from @whitneynicjames! #wnjplaylist

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5. Learn to Relax | As I mentioned earlier, I have not always made self-care a priority. I think many of us believe the act of self-care is selfish when in actuality, self-care is extremely necessary. Studies have shown that self-care actually makes you more effective and energetic. Avoiding things that make you feel good can be damaging to your self-esteem and confidence. Plus in order to take care of and be there for those importation people in our lives, we have to take care of ourselves first.

Related: 11 Ways to Have a Better Day

6. Go to Bed | Getting enough sleep is probably one of the easiest ways to help keep your stress in check. Creating a nighttime routine and setting a bedtime for yourself is a great place to start. If you have an iPhone, I suggest trying the Bedtime Feature. You can set your bedtime and wake-up time for the week, as well as during the weekends. This feature lets you know 15-minutes before bedtime that it’s time to shut down. It even tells you how many hours you’ve slept.

7. See a Counselor or Therapist | If your stress is becoming too much to handle on your own, I definitely suggest finding a counselor or therapist to talk to. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a counselor, therapist, or even a pastor/spiritual advisor. Sometimes we need an outside person to give a fresh perspective on what’s going on with us. I truly believe God gave certain people the knowledge and skills to help others navigate through tough times. I’ve gone to my pastor during stressful times more than once. Talking through my issues and getting sound advice on how to deal with certain situations helped tremendously. So the next time you’re feeling stressed and nothing else seems to be working, don’t be afraid to ask for help. After all, we’re not meant to do this thing called life alone.

So tell me, how do you deal with stress? Let me know!

Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | 7 Life Lessons You Learn in Your 20s

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As I get ready to enter into a new decade, I keep thinking about the many lessons I’ve learned throughout my 20s. If I shared all of those lessons, we’d be here until my next birthday. So I’ve decided to share just a few. Read ahead to find out 7 life lessons you learn in your 20s.

Related: 10 Things I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago

Life Lessons You Learn in Your 20s

1. Know your worth. | If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 20s it’s to know your worth. It’s imperative to understand that wanting the best for yourself, and expecting nothing less, is exactly what you deserve. Know your worth, know your value and never settle.

2. Nobody really knows what they’re doing. | Truth be told, we’re all just winging it. Simply put, there is no “right way” to go through life. I’ve learned to focus on being the best version of myself, while being kind to others along the way, and leaving the rest up to God.

3. This world owes you nothing. | I’m not a fan of people who feel entitled. The world owes you nothing and we should not live life, expecting the world to give us what we think we deserve. I’ve learned that you have to work, sometimes harder than others, to get what you want/deserve. You get out  of life what you put into it. Period.

* SPOILER ALERT * Even if you work your hardest, you still may not get what you want or deserve. Unfortunately, that’s life. 

7 Life Lessons You Learn in Your 20’s. #wnjinspired

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4.  The only thing constant is change. | Things, people, and situations change. Throughout my 20s, I’ve had to deal with so many changes. Prayerfully I’ve been able to move forward, but it’s been unbelievably difficult to adjust to certain changes. Your 20s are the perfect time to learn how to become more flexible and open to change.

5. There will always be someone better than you. | In your 20s it’s easy to feel irreplaceable and invincible. Trust me, I’ve been there. But never think you can’t be replaced because you can be. You’re not always going to be everyone’s cup of tea and as they say, there’s always going to be  someone better, stronger, or prettier than you. This is why knowing your worth is extremely important. As long as you’re the best version of yourself and you give it everything you’ve got (at all times) you’ll come out of the top every time.

Related: 50 Life Goals in 7 Years

6. You can’t please everyone. | I’ve learned this lesson quite a few times in my 20s. While I respect the opinions of my loved ones, at the end of the day I have to make the best decision(s) for myself. It’s really that simple.

7. Some things should be kept private. | As much as I LOVE sharing my life on social media, I’ve realized that some moments are not meant for the world to see. I’ve learned that although I may be OK with sharing certain things, the other people involved may not want that moment shared. Also, sharing too much with the public leaves room for judgement, speculation and questions. Who wants to deal with any of that? I sure don’t. Trust me, keeping some things to yourself is definitely a good thing.

So tell me, what do you think about my lessons? What are some life lessons you’ve learned in your 20s? Let me know! 

Thanks for reading and be sure to share some of the lessons you’ve learned in your 20s below. I can’t wait to read them! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJPlaylist | The Perfect Playlist for a 30th Birthday

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I’m sure you can tell, after reading several posts, that I absolutely LOVE music! No matter the genre, I guarantee I can find at least 3 songs that I like. Music has always been a huge part of my life, but in my late 20’s I truly began to appreciate (good) music. So it’s only right that I create a playlist for my upcoming birthday.

Related: The Morning Playlist You Need for an Amazing Day

Music is something that helps me get through everything. Whether I’m happy, excited, irritated or stressed, I turn to music. It has the power to motivate and uplift, as well as calm and center me. I’m sure I’ll be blaring several of the songs listed below throughout the day on Thursday. Check out the perfect playlist to get you hype for an upcoming birthday!

Playlist for a 30th Birthday

R&B + Neo Soul + Pop 

  1. Indy Girl | Chrisette Michele
  2. This is Me | Fantasia
  3. Grown Woman | Beyonce
  4. Born This Way | Lady Gaga
  5. Bravo | Ledisi
  6. Go Deep | Janet Jackson
  7. Get Right | Jennifer Lopez
  8. No Time for It | Fantasia
  9. One of Those Days | Whitney Houston
  10. 7/11 | Beyonce
  11. Private Party | India Arie
  12. Body Party | Ciara
  13. Brand New Me | Alicia Keys
  14. All For You | Janet Jackson
  15. I’m Every Woman | Whitney Houston
The perfect playlist for an upcoming birthday! #wnjplaylist

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Gospel + Christian + Motivational 

  1. Wanna Be Happy | Kirk Franklin
  2. Lord I Lift Your Name on High | Donnie McClurkin
  3. My Testimony | Marvin Sapp
  4. God in Me | Mary, Mary
  5. The Battle is the Lord’s | Yolanda Adams
  6. I Didn’t Know My Own Strength | Whitney Houston
  7. Oceans (Where Feet May Fall) | Hillsong United
  8. I Will Survive | Chantay Savage
  9. Free as a Bird | Vivian Green
  10. Take Me to the King | Tamela Mann
  11. Breakaway | Kelly Clarkson
  12. I Got This | Jennifer Hudson
  13. Higher Than This | Ledisi
  14. Strength, Courage & Wisdom | India Arie
  15. I Look to You | Whitney Houston

So tell me, what songs would you add to a playlist for a 30th birthday Let me know! 

Thanks for reading and commenting! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | 7 Signs You Need a Vacation

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Sooo, where have I been? Let’s just say I had to take a mini mental vacation. I’ve had an extremely active summer so far and while it’s been enjoyable, both mentally and physically it’s been A LOT. So I pressed pause for a bit to get myself back on track. I’ve decided to stop feeling bad for taking little breaks here and there. If I need one, I’m going to take it…period.

With my birthday coming up (August 11th) I’m really looking forward to a much needed weekend getaway. So what are some signs that you too might need a vacation? Well, read ahead to find out the 7 signs you need a vacation.

* See Also: Self-Care & Blogging

Signs You Need a Vacation

1. You’re not sleeping well at night. | If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, it may be time for a vacation. Being stressed makes it harder to fall asleep, even if you’re exhausted. Not sleeping well can also lead to feeling sluggish throughout the day and let’s be honest, that’s not a good feeling.

2. Everything irritates you. | When I’m stressed, little things start to bother me. These things should really be a non-factor, but when your mind is in overdrive you tend to see everything as a big issue. You may find yourself snapping at your loved ones or even yelling at the driver next to you in traffic. These are definite signs that you need a vacation!

7 signs you need a vacation. #selfcare

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3. You’re forgetting important dates/appointment. | Can’t remember a doctor’s appointment? Forgot a someone special’s birthday? Your brain is on overload and you need to take a break. Period.

4. People keep telling you that you need a vacation. | The people we’re around the most tend to notice things about us before we do. If your coworkers, loved ones, and friends are constantly telling you that “you need a vacation”, maybe you should listen. I’m just saying…

5. You catch yourself staring off into space…more than a few times a day. | I’ve been guilty of this, but fortunately for me, I was able to quickly snap out of it. If you’re constantly daydreaming about something other than what you should be focused on, it may be time to check out, pack a bag and head to the beach!

Irritated? Always tired? Lacking motivation? You just might need a vacation. #selfcare

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6. You’re not motivated to workout anymore. | I’ve definitely lost my motivation to work out at one time or another. A short vacation to refocus your priorities may be exactly what you need to get you motivated and back on track to working out!

7. You’re becoming easily distracted. | Becoming easily distracted is definitely a sign that you need to getaway. If you can’t seem to focus on the task at hand, step away from work and treat yourself to a relaxing weekend staycation.

So tell me, do you think you need a vacation? Let me know! 

Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway, a simple day of rest, a full-blown 2-week vacation or even a staycation, we all deserve a little break every now and then. Thanks for reading and until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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