self care Archives - Whitney Nic James

Lifestyle | 5 Quick & Easy Ways to Boost Your Mood

August 7, 2018 by Whitney 8 Comments

Throughout the month of July, my mood was like a roller coaster. My workout routine dwindled, my workload picked up a bit, and my eating habits, well, let’s skip that part for now. All those things, I’m sure, had a lot to do with my everchanging moods. Nonetheless, I tried not to let those things throw me off (too much). Instead, I began making small changes and figuring out simple ways to boost my mood. If you’re looking for quick and easy ways to boost your mood, I’ve got five that I’m sure you will find helpful!

Related: 7 Practical Ways to Deal with Stress

Pants: Nordstrom Rack, MELLODAY (another option) // Tshirt: Nordstrom Rack, Bobeau (Same)

Take a Break from Social Media
- Constantly scrolling through your Instagram and Facebook feeds can be draining. Give your brain, and your fingers, a rest. Try designating certain times to check your social media feeds, and if you’re up for it try a social media free weekend. I do them quite often. No posting, no scrolling, and no commenting. I just enjoy my surroundings and focus on engaging in activities that make me happy. If you find that you really want to share what you did on social media, snap a few pictures and post them later.
Create a Playlist
- I’ve mentioned this several times, but listening to music helps improve my mood tremendously. Creating a playlist full of your favorite songs is one of the easiest ways to boost your mood!
Go for a Walk
- I love to go for leisurely outdoor strolls and nature walks. Connecting with nature can definitely rejuvenate your mood. The perfect times (for me) to go for walks are early morning or late evening. The weather is perfect and your surroundings are usually peaceful. Hearing birds chirp in the morning or watching the sunset in the evening is the perfect way to start or end any day.
Treat Yourself (and don’t feel guilty about it)
- I’m not one to encourage constant indulging, but every now and then it’s OK to treat yourself. Treating yourself to something as simple as an ice cream cone or a new book can do wonders for your mood! You deserve a pick-me-up every now and then.
Put on Your Favorite Lipstick
- This is new for me. I usually prefer a nice nude gloss but lately, I’m noticing that putting on a nice red lip is an instant mood booster. It makes me feel powerful and it makes me feel FEARLESS!

5 Quick and Easy Mood Boosters

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Sunglasses: TJMaxx (another option) // Flats: Nordstrom Rack (another option) // Earrings: Nordstrom Rack (another option) // Turban: Amazon (same)

Tell me, what are some of your quick and easy ways to boost your mood? Comment below!

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

Love & light…xo!

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*THIS POST DOES INCLUDE AFFILIATE LINKS*

Lifestyle | What I Usually Wear to Work + Preparing for a New Season

September 6, 2017 by Whitney 7 Comments

If you don’t know by now that I’m a lover of kimonos, I’m not sure we’ve met. At least twice a week, and once on the weekend, I can be spotted wearing a kimono. Because most of my workdays are spent at my desk, running errands, or a little bit of both, kimonos are one of the easiest pieces for me to style. I’ve shared this many times before on WNJ, but when it comes to deciding what I’m going to wear during the work week, comfort and functionality come first, then style. That said, the outfit shown here is definitely a typical workday OOTD, turban included.

Related: Styling a Black & White Kimono

Turban: Amazon (same) // Earrings: H&M (old) // Bag: Marc Jacobs, TJMaxx (another option) // Sandals: Nordstrom Rack (another option)

I’m blessed to work in an environment that allows me to dress according to my personal style. If I’m having a bad hair day, and there are no meetings or office visits scheduled, I can simply wear a fashionable turban. That may not be a big deal for some people, but when I can dress without certain restrictions, I tend to work a lot better. Speaking of work, I’ve been quite busy with my 9-5 this summer, hence the sporadic posts. Now that the summer season is winding down, things are slowing down a bit and my schedule is becoming less hectic.

As the season’s change, don’t forget to take some time to slow down and catch your breath. #selfcare

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Related: 7 Practical Ways to Deal with Stress

I think it’s important to slow down a bit when the seasons change. If only to catch your breath to reflect on the previous months, taking a little time to pause is crucial. If you’re constantly rushing from season to season you’re not allowing yourself any time to reflect and potentially grow from the previous season. Here are 5 simple questions to can ask and answer right before the end of each season:

What were some of your favorite experiences this season?
What are something’s you wish went a differently?
What did you learn from these experiences?
How are you going to maneuver differently in the upcoming season?
What things are you looking forward to in the upcoming season?

Stop rushing from season to season. Give yourself some time reflect, then move forward.

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Kimono: Nordstrom Rack (another option) // Top: Good Luck Gem, Nordstrom Rack (same)

So tell me, how often do you slow down to reflect before entering a new season? How are you preparing for the upcoming fall season?

Thanks for reading, and be sure to share your thoughts below. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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* Linkups: Lookbook Linkup, Ageless Style Linkup, Style on the Daily, Fabulous Friday *

#WNJInspired | 5 Things You Must Do to Prepare for the New Year

December 9, 2015 by Whitney 12 Comments

In order to prepare for the New Year there seems to be a laundry list of things to do! While this process can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. Take a few moments and figure out what it is you need to get done before 2016. What’s at the top of the list? It can be something as simple as cleaning out your pantry. In case you need help figuring out where to start, here are 5 simple things to prepare you for 2016!

1. Schedule Time for Self-Care. | Scheduling time for self-care is something I’ve starting working on already. I’ve made 2 spa appointments, a facial and a massage, for next year. Take time to schedule a few self-care related appointments for 2016. Once a month is very realistic to make time for a facial, massage, hair appointment, or even a yoga class. You can even set aside time to read, catch up on your TV shows or do an at-home spa day for yourself monthly. Whatever you consider a self-care day, make the time.

** Related Post: The Importance of Self Care

2. Clear Out. | It’s time to clear out your closet, pantry or bathroom cabinet(s) – out with the old, in with the new! If you still have spring or summer clothes in your closet, I won’t judge you. However, I will say it’s time to switch to your late fall/winter wardrobe. If you can’t fit an item, it’s time to get rid of it. When it comes to your pantry, check the expiration dates on all of the canned goods and packaged items.

3. Donate. | If you have you clothes, shoes, accessories or even books that you no longer want, head to your local Goodwill (or thrift store) and donate those items. If you find that you need a few more items to replace some of the things you’ve donated, try thrifting those replacements first. It’s a great way to save money and you’d be surprised at the affordable and useful gems found at the thrift store.

** Related Post: Thrift Shopping Tips

5 things you must do to prepare for a productive 2016. #wnjinspired

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4. Unsubscribe. | Throughout the year we all subscribe to certain stores and blog newsletters/email lists. At the time it seems like a great idea, but once your inbox becomes full of sale announcements and unrelated/random messages it becomes junk. My rule is this – if I haven’t shopped at a store or visited a blog/website in the last 60 days, it’s time to unsubscribe. Keep your inbox clean and clutter free in order to see those important messages that come through.

5. Reevaluate. | Reevaluating your wardrobe, habits, lifestyle and even your circle of friends is an important step to take when preparing for the New Year. After you reevaluate you may find that somethings and people don’t need to trickle over into 2016. That’s OK. With each season in your life it’s natural to let somethings go. Don’t be afraid to sit down and really think about what and who needs to stay and go.

** Related Post: The Importance of a Solid Starting Five

So tell me, what do you do to prepare for the New Year? Let me know!

As always, thanks for reading and following. I truly appreciate the support here on the blog, through social media, and even by sending emails. Until next time, stay blessed and be safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | Self Care & Inspirational Giveaway

September 16, 2015 by Whitney 31 Comments

Before I jet off to enjoy my blog break, I must share my Self Care Giveaway with you! Yesterday I shared my plans for a well needed break and it seems like many of you think breaks are indeed necessary. In keeping with the self care theme, I figured it was only right that I share a few of my favorite things with you that keep me relaxed, organized and taken care of. Here’s what you can win, take a look!

Sephora Honey Mask (Nourishing & Balancing)
SpaLife Cocoa Butter & Vitamin E Hand Gloves
Baboo Spa Tea Tree Face Wipes
EOS Hand Lotion (Fresh Flowers Scent)
“Keep Calm” Bookmark
Blank Journal
Things to Do & Reminder List Packet (With Pencil)
2016 Hanging Wall Calendar from Easter Seals

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great giveaway, right?! Be sure to enter, comment below and tell others about it as well. Again, I’ll officially be on “blog-cation” (blog vacation, lol) starting next Monday. So until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe….XO!

Self Care | Why Taking a Break from Blogging Is Good for You and Your Readers

September 15, 2015 by Whitney 17 Comments

Hey there! I missed you all for yesterday’s Personal Style Monday. I found myself checking my site to see who’d linked up, what they were wearing, and there was nothing there! So why didn’t I post yesterday? Glad you asked. I honestly didn’t feel like it. There, I said it. I had an outfit post and content ready to go, but something in me just wasn’t feeling it. I was feeling the outfit because I looked fly, lol…but I didn’t feel like the editing and sharing part.

That was a wake up call for me. This summer I’ve been providing stylish outfits, personal style tips, inspiring features, and I’ve LOVED every moment/post! However, I’ve been so adamant about feeding my readers great content that I neglected myself. No bueno. In a nutshell, it’s time for Whitney to hit the pause button and regroup.

Hitting the pause button has been something I’ve thought about and talked about with my husband and family for a few weeks. For some reason, I kept convincing myself that I’d wait until “next week” or “next month”. After all, I’ve worked so hard to remain consistent throughout the summer and I’ve really been trying to define and grow my brand. So taking a break from all this just didn’t seem right. However after attending Blogalicious this past weekend, I realized that taking a break can actually be beneficial, for me and you (my readers).

You can’t serve others if you neglect yourself. #wnjinspired

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Self care is crucial for a happy and healthy life. It’s also a main ingredient to success. Regrouping, rejuvenating and relaxing is a good thing! It allows your mind to rest and reset itself. If done correctly, taking a break from blogging (or any other job/occupation) helps refuel your mind and re-energize your body. When you hit the play button and get back in the game, you’re ready to share SO MUCH MORE amazing and useful content with your readers. And that’s what I intend to do, starting Monday….lol.

I learned SO much over the weekend, as well as throughout the summer. I now need time to sit with and sift through those lessons, tips and ideas and figure out how to implement them when I return. I’m already excited because I have so much helpful content and activities planned for WNJ and #FearlessWomanIam. But I must make self-care a priority in order to continue serving my readers and potential clients.

We must make self care a priority in order to continue serving others. #wnjinspired

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So tell me, what do you think about taking blog breaks or breaks in general? Have you been making self care a priority? Let me know!

In the meantime, I invite you to join me on my new Instagram page, as well as sign up for my newsletter. I’ll be updating and sending out information through both outlets this week, as well as when I return. As always, thanks for reading and following. I truly appreciate the support here on WNJ, through social media, and even through the emails. It’s such a blessing and helps get me through those “blah” days. I’ll be back tomorrow so until then, stay blessed and be safe…XO!

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