GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER'S DAY 2021!

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GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER’S DAY 2021

I remember last year while researching and writing my ‘Mother’s Day Gift Guide - COVID Edition’ thinking, “What a strange time to live in.” Little did I suspect then that one trip around the sun later, we would still be battling through this pandemic, sacrificing precious time with family and friends.

This year, celebrating the people we love most like our mothers, mothers-in-law, wives, and moms-to-be on Mothers Day is going to mean even more! Not only because we lost out on celebrating their birthday or the pregnancy and birth of a friends or sibling new baby, or numerous Sunday dinners with family and BBQ’s with friends, but because this pandemic has made us treasure meaningful relationships like the ones we share with them so much more. This Mother’s Day, we are not only making up for lost time but we are showing up with a new sense of appreciation and gratitude for all that they do (including forwarding those silly chain emails I used to find annoying but now realize are thoughtful and meant to cheer me up).

- WHEN IS MOTHER’S DAY? -

I know, it’s hard to keep track of because the exact date switches every year but, Mother’s Day always falls on the second Sunday in the month of May, which means ‘Mothers Day 2021’ falls on Sunday, May 9th!

To help inspire you, I have assembled a list of thoughtful gifts you can give that special woman in your life to shows them how special they are.

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One thing I learned from the research I did for last years for Mother’s Day (I sat down with two mothers with two very different age ranges of kids, to see what they want and like), was that YES they wanted to feel appreciated and adored, but REALLY they also wanted ‘TIME OFF!’ The number of times this sentiment was repeated was comical! Yes, they would love to be celebrated by their family but they would also appreciate ‘act of service’ as much as ‘quality time’ and ‘receiving gifts’. So if you really want to make an impact on the woman in your life, try and do all three! Take some chores/responsibilities off their plate, do an activity with them, and leave them with something to remember you by.

- GIFTS FOR YOUR MOM -

Photography credit: Sash Doerksen

One way to make Mother’s Day memorable is to really make it an occasion. Organize an intimate get-together and treat them to a nice meal or service!

If you live in Toronto, The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is offering luxury gift baskets with flowers, handmade chocolates, spa treats, and a bottle of champagne, as well as takeaway meals like an Afternoon Tea Tower with house-made sweet treats and a selection of tea. Additionally, if you want to go even BIGGER, you can order a family feast dreamed up by Chef de Cuisine Nicholas Trosien of Café Boulud which includes options like a roast beef prime rib, a garlic and black pepper roast leg of lamb, and a salt-crusted red snapper dinner! YUM!

Since leisurewear will continue to be the universal uniform for the foreseeable future, one thing you can do this Mother’s Day is treat your mom to some luxurious leisurewear.

Free People has been killing the loungewear game this past year and they have so many cute (and affordable!) sets including this Picnic Sweater Set that comes in multiple colours! Not only is their stuff super comfy and loose but I would totally wear these cropped pants out of the house once things start to open up again!

With summer on its way, perhaps a new, straw braided wide brim hat from Love and Lore could make the perfect gift for mom. Made exclusively available at Indigo, this beautiful hat offers optimal sun protection while also being versatile and elegant. She can wear it while on the patio catching up on her morning emails, or while gardening. Not to mention it goes with everything from gardening attire to her favourite sundress!

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- GIFTS FOR MOM TO BE & NEW MOMS -

Made by a mom for moms, this Canadian-owned, steroid-free, fragrance-free, organic, plant-based skincare brand called Satya makes products to soothe all kinds of skin irritations and inflammation like eczema, psoriasis, sunburns, bug bites, rashes, chaffing, chapping, etc. Every mom-to-be or new mom should have a bottle of their balm on hand in case their little one experiences diaper rash, itchiness, or dryness. The number of uses you can get out of a single bottle is endless and is great for not just baby but mom too! It is even safe to use on animal paws when they crack from the winter salt!

With salons and spas still closed, it’s hard to give the gift of ‘time off for pampering’ this year but what if you could give that special lady the ultimate experience right at home?

Enter this premium Organic bamboo extendable bathtub caddy that features a spot to hold a glass of wine, a candle, and some soap or your phone, and an adjustable book/tablet propping bar! All you have to do is run a nice bubble bath, set the mood with a couple of nice smelling candles, roll up some towels as they do at the spa, play some relaxing music on the iPad or cue up her favourite show, and there you go! Plus, this organic bamboo caddy is totally waterproof and features non-slip gips so you can expect it to last a really long time and feel very sturdy.

If I had $100 I would bet that every morning the new mom you have in mind, pours herself a cup of coffee or tea and has to reheat it about 2-3 times before she is actually able to finish it.

New moms are so busy not to mention get distracted easily, and rightfully so! Wouldn’t it be great though if you could help make their lives a little bit easier by ensuring their coffee stays hot long enough for them to finish it?

If you have never heard of Yeti Tumbler’s they are a superior thermal tumbler with a vacuum sealed stainless steel design. They are completely BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and have a No Sweat, double-wall insulated design to make sure your hands stay dry and unaffected by the temperature of your drink. It also has a magnets lid flap that keeps your water, beer, or favorite drink on lock should it slip out of her hands, while also making it easy to access! It’s also not just for hot beverages but is great for keeping drinks cold as well!

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- GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER IN LAW -

Falling asleep will never feel more luxurious than when it is done with a silk pillowcases pressed against your skin. Not only are they amazing at minimizing friction which dries out your hair, making it appear dull and causes serious bedhead frizz over time, but it doesn’t soak up all your expensive anti-aging creams while you sleep or cause creases on your face. Plus, silk is a natural fabric that is known for its cooling effects and breathable nature ensuring you have a more restful night’s sleep.

When it comes to purchasing the perfect silk pillowcase online there are a few things to keep in mind: 1) instead of thread count, silk uses momme - aim for something above 22 to ensure it’s very smooth to the touch, and 2) Mulberry silk is the highest quality of silk you can find (the Egyptian cotton of silk) so look for a pillowcase made of Mulberry silk to ensure high quality!

Two brands I would recommend are SLIP (uses Mulbury Pure Silk 22 momme) and Fishers Finery (uses Mulbury Pure Silk 25 momme)

Does your mother-in-law love to cook? Does she have a green thumb? Perhaps it’s time for you to introduce her to a Click and Grow Indoor Garden that allows her to grow fresh organic herbs all year round!

This Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 piece indoor gardening kit features Click and Grow Smart Soil plant pods with embedded non-GMO seeds that do not have or require any herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides! With the use of the Click and Grow energy efficient LED grow lights this indoor gardening kit can grow her favorite culinary herbs, salad greens, and/or favorite flowers all year round. All you need to do to start growing is put the plant pods into their cavities, plug in the power adaptor, fill the water reservoir, and that's it! She will be on her way to your first harvest in no time!

Simple yet a step up from a classic stud or hoop, these 14k Gold Dipped Toni Knocker Earrings from Jenny Bird are about to become your mother-in-law’s new favorite piece of jewelry!

No occasion is needed, these high polished earrings have a versatile classic design that is great to wear every day no matter what your style.

I have purchased a few Jenny Bird pieces myself and can attest to the quality and longevity of her products! I have never experienced any skin irritations or manufacturing issues, and considering the simple and effortless style of the Toni Knockers, she’ll definitely get a lot of use out of them!

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INTERESTED IN MOTHER’S DAY DIY GIFTS? CHECK OUT THESE IDEAS!

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- DIY MOTHER’S DAY CARD & IDEAS -

Although a repeat offender from last year’s Mother’s Day gift guide, this DIY Mother’s Day gift card idea is so sweet and easy to make, it is worthy of repeating. I ended up making a pressed flower DIY Mother’s Day card for my mother last year with an orchid flower that fell off my plant and a sheet of thick watercolor paper, and she just loved it! It’s also a great way to upcycle a beautiful flower and create something thoughtful and unique. In case you missed it last year, here is the youtube tutorial on how to do it!

If you don’t have flowers in your house or aren’t into the pressed flower idea, here are some easy handmade pop-up card tutorials you can try using paper that is also really nice!

Since you can’t take your mom out to do something fun this year or treat her to a spa day, you may also want to consider creating a few I.O.Us or a coupon book to throw in with your card. I created this template below for my mother after she requested ‘acts of service’ coupons for her birthday and just switched up the image so I could repurpose it for this Mother’s Day blog post! Feel free to print it off and use it!

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I hope you enjoyed this Mother’s Day 2021 Gift Guide and found good gift ideas for your mother, mother in law or mother-to-be! If you have any comments or questions please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

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12 BOOKS TO KICK START YOUR MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY!

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As season 2 of the Is That Soh podcast comes to an end, I am reminded of how far I have come on my journey towards healing, growth, and increased self awareness. After years of self-neglect, negative self talk, denial of past trauma and lack of confidence, it took me hitting my emotional rock bottom to start fighting for myself. With every step, I found a way back to feelings of joy and happiness, back to my authentic self, back to my heart’s center. I found the key to my soul and unlocked the confidence and worth I had buried there under all the shame and fear I had previously used as a protective shield. Although difficult to face at times, my mental health had been something I had overlooked for years, one I could no longer afford to ignore. I was a shell of the person I am today and I have myself and everyone who came on the podcast to thank for showing me that life can be beautiful when you learn to love imperfections, heal traumas and find your flow despite not having all the answers.

Today, I stand stronger, taller, and better than ever before, and much of that came from the conversations I had, the work I put in, and the knowledge I gained in the process. To help you kick start your journey towards a better, happier, more meaningful life too I wanted to share some of the readings and podcast mental health book recommendations I have collected during the past year so that you too can begin your journey home to yourself. From motivation and empowering research based psychology books on mental health to stories of healing and self compassion to understanding love and spirituality, this is a roundup of 12 of the best books for mental health you should add to your reading list!

Psst. If you haven’t checked out the Is That Soh podcast yet make sure to do so. I cover everything from the difference in Mental health vs Mental Illness to identifying self-sabotaging habits and addressing trauma.

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OTHER PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY

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- MOTIVATIONAL & EMPOWERING -

The path to personal and professional fulfillment is rarely straight. Ask anyone who has achieved his or her biggest goals or whose relationships thrive and you’ll hear stories of many unexpected detours along the way. What separates those who master these challenges and those who get derailed? The answer is agility—emotional agility.

Emotional agility is a revolutionary, science-based approach that allows us to navigate life’s twists and turns with self-acceptance, clear-sightedness, and an open mind. Renowned psychologist Susan David developed this concept after studying emotions, happiness, and achievement for more than twenty years. She found that no matter how intelligent or creative people are, or what type of personality they have, it is how they navigate their inner world—their thoughts, feelings, and self-talk—that ultimately determines how successful they will become.

In this must-read book for anyone striving to succeed, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows parents, educators, athletes, students, and business people-both seasoned and new-that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a focused persistence called “grit.”

Why do some people succeed and others fail? Sharing new insights from her landmark research on grit, MacArthur “genius” Angela Duckworth explains why talent is hardly a guarantor of success. Rather, other factors can be even more crucial such as identifying our passions and following through on our commitments.

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- HEALING -

If you grew up with an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent, you may have lingering feelings of anger, loneliness, betrayal, or abandonment. You may recall your childhood as a time when your emotional needs were not met, when your feelings were dismissed, or when you took on adult levels of responsibility in an effort to compensate for your parent's behavior. These wounds can be healed, and you can move forward in your life.
In this breakthrough book, clinical psychologist Lindsay Gibson exposes the destructive nature of parents who are emotionally immature or unavailable. You will see how these parents create a sense of neglect, and discover ways to heal from the pain and confusion caused by your childhood . By freeing yourself from your parents' emotional immaturity, you can recover your true nature, control how you react to them, and avoid disappointment.

This is a story of coming home to yourself. To Call Myself Beloved: A Story of Hope, Healing, and Coming Home offers the permission you’ve been looking for to simply be yourself and accept that with courage, pride, and grace. It really is that simple, even if it is that complicated. Too many of us are tethered to the expectations of other people, living with the feeling that we need to look outside ourselves to feel whole and loved, that we need to keep “the mask” on and hide who we really are; we read book after book, see therapist after therapist, take course after course, all with the intent to “fix what’s broken,” sending us on a quest to continuously solve a problem that isn’t real with a solution that doesn’t exist. And it leaves us dissatisfied, constantly wanting more. The secret is, we’re not broken, we are healing. We are learning to sort through the messages of what we’ve been told are true versus what we believe to be true, and we are figuring out how it aligns with what we want out of our life. Equal parts self-help, memoir, and cozied up on the couch talking to a trusted friend, To Call Myself Beloved is informed by lessons learned through navigating the most cataclysmic events of one woman’s life, and realizing throughout each one that “I am still okay.” Let this book guide you through the process of adulting—finding clarity in what you want, confidence in who you are, and the courage to stay true to both, even if that means making big changes in mindset and behavior—simply through the rebellious act of being yourself. This is the chaos of becoming. Can you love yourself enough to come home to yourself, and learn to call yourself beloved? Yes, you f*cking can.

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LISTEN TO MY MENTAL HEALTH PODCAST!

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- RELATIONSHIPS -

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—that’s the challenge! How can you keep your relationship fresh and growing amid the demands, conflicts, and just plain boredom of everyday life?

In the #1 New York Times bestseller The 5 Love Languages, you’ll discover the secret that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing, Dr. Gary Chapman’s proven approach to showing and receiving love will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your partner—starting today.

The 5 Love Languages is as practical as it is insightful. Updated to reflect the complexities of relationships today, this new edition reveals intrinsic truths and applies relevant, actionable wisdom in ways that work.

Is someone else's problem your problem? If, like so many others, you've lost sight of your own life in the drama of tending to someone else's, you may be codependent--and you may find yourself in this book--Codependent No More. The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's best-loved and most inspirational authors holds the key to understanding codependency and to unlocking its stultifying hold on your life.

With instructive life stories, personal reflections, exercises, and self-tests, Codependent No More is a simple, straightforward, readable map of the perplexing world of codependency--charting the path to freedom and a lifetime of healing, hope, and happiness.

Do you feel like you are too nice? Sherry Argov's Why Men Love Bitches delivers a unique perspective as to why men are attracted to a strong woman who stands up for herself. With saucy detail on every page, this no-nonsense guide reveals why a strong woman is much more desirable than a "yes woman" who routinely sacrifices herself. The author provides compelling answers to the tough questions women often ask:

· Why are men so romantic in the beginning and why do they change?
· Why do men take nice girls for granted?
· Why does a man respect a woman when she stands up for herself?

Full of advice, hilarious real-life relationship scenarios, "she says/he thinks" tables, and the author's unique "Attraction Principles," Why Men Love Bitches gives you bottom-line answers. It helps you know who you are, stand your ground, and relate to men on a whole new level. Once you've discovered the feisty attitude men find so magnetic, you'll not only increase the romantic chemistry—you'll gain your man's love and respect with far less effort.

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- SELF LOVE -

Kristin Neff, Ph.D., says that it’s time to “stop beating yourself up and leave insecurity behind.” Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind offers expert advice on how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest potential and a more contented, fulfilled life.

More and more, psychologists are turning away from an emphasis on self-esteem and moving toward self-compassion in the treatment of their patients—and Dr. Neff’s extraordinary book offers exercises and action plans for dealing with every emotionally debilitating struggle, be it parenting, weight loss, or any of the numerous trials of everyday living.  

A memoir of betrayal and self-discovery by bestselling author Glennon Doyle, Love Warrior is a gorgeous and inspiring account of how we are all born to be warriors: strong, powerful, and brave; able to confront the pain and claim the love that exists for us all. This chronicle of a beautiful, brutal journey speaks to anyone who yearns for deeper, truer relationships and a more abundant, authentic life.

Brené Brown’s game-changing New York Times bestseller, The Gifts of Imperfection, has sold more than 2 million copies in more than 30 different languages and is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in print. Forbes magazine named Gifts one of the "Five Books That Will Actually Change Your Outlook On Life." Through this self-help classic we find courage to overcome paralyzing fear and self-consciousness, strengthening our connection to the world and helping us to believe we are worthy of self-discovery, personal growth, and boundless love.

A motivational and inspiring guide to wholehearted living, rather than just the average self-help book, with this groundbreaking work Brené Brown, Ph.D., bolsters the self-esteem and personal development process through her characteristic heartfelt, honest storytelling. With original research and plenty of encouragement, she explores the psychology of releasing our definitions of an “imperfect” life and embracing living authentically. Brown’s “ten guideposts” are benchmarks for authenticity that can help anyone establish a practice for a life of honest beauty—a perfectly imperfect life.

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- SPIRITUALITY & SEXUALITY-

It's no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 30 foreign languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on an inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light.

Restoring a sense of sacred significance to the act of lovemaking, the practice of sexual magic also enables couples to celebrate the highest form of erotic communication. Sexuality becomes a way to honor both physical instincts and spiritual yearnings. A world-renowned expert in the field of Tantric sexuality, Anand sensitively guides readers through a series of unique exercises, many of which are based on ancient erotic rituals. In the process, readers will become "sexual magicians," gaining enchanting new powers that are magically accessible to every man and woman. Beautifully illustrated, with more than sixty explanatory drawings, The Art of Sexual Magic is a life-changing book for those who seek to discover the magic potential of sexual energy. It invites lovers on an exciting, unexplored pathway and richly rewarding journey.

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If you have any comments or questions about these book recommendations feel free to leave them below!

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ROAD TRIP TO THE NEW FARM WITH FORD - GUEST POST BY @STYLEMAJEUR

Hey everyone! Guest blogger @stylemajeur here sharing our awesome road trip from Toronto to the New Farm Festival - a Farms for Change fundraiser.  Thanks again to Soheila for having me contribute to her blog!

One of my favourite things to do is to take road trips!  I'm a big advocate of road trips for so many reasons.  The pressure and anxiety of airports is non-existent, it can be super cost-effective when splitting gas with your friends or when driving a hybrid, it's a fun way to thoroughly discover new areas while also having the flexibility to be spontaneous!  When Soheila asked me to join her and some fellow blogger friends on a road trip with Ford Canada  to drive up to The New Farm for the Farms for Change fundraiser, I jumped at the chance!  Farms for Change is an incredible fundraising initiative that raises money to purchase locally grown organic produce for Community Food Centres Canada in an effort to increase access to healthy foods.  Several top restaurants from Toronto set up shop for the day at The New Farm and give the opportunity to try delicious dishes from each!  I can’t forget to mention there was also ice cream and other tasty treats.  I buy organic and support local businesses whenever I can and thought this was a great way to get to know a lot of the restaurants in the city that buy organic produce from Ontario farms.

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The biggest component of a road trip is obviously the vehicle you drive.  Don’t underestimate the importance of a comfortable car with adequate space, otherwise you’ll find yourself needing to stop frequently to stretch! The back pain could surpasses the length of your trip.  Trust me, I’ve had less than stellar road trips with tiny cars!!  My first ever car was a Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and I have so many fond memories of it reliably getting me to and from London, Ontario when I was in University, taking my friends and I to Montreal for a weekend trip and getting me to the mountains with my snowboard gear in the cab.  I feel a lot of nostalgia for Ford Canada and they were awesome in providing us with two vehicles for the road trip.  Both were very different but completely suited our needs.  I had the opportunity to drive the Ford C-MAX Energi SE the whole way up north.  Before this road trip I had never driven a hybrid but the concept had always interested me, so I was super excited to get the chance to test it out.  To me, hybrids are the perfect vehicle that offer the best of both worlds.  Eco-friendly and incredibly efficient on gas, you feel great knowing you are making a smaller footprint but you have the security of knowing you can rely on the gas if you don't get a chance to re-charge!  I can tell you this is a huge factor especially when driving long distances because electric cars are totally reliant on finding charging stations and when taking a road trip through the country, that isn't something I'm willing to gamble on.

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The drive over to The New Farm was smooth and with a huge windshield giving us unobstructed views of the country, it felt like we were driving a convertible.  The hands-free texting feature was one I had never used before and actually was quite ‘handy’ (pun fully intended).  Since we were simultaneously driving up with a larger group of friends in two separate vehicles, it was neat to be able to easily communicate our locations via text message with just the sound our voices.  But I think my favourite feature had to be hidden compartments under the backseat floor mats for valuables!  This feature actually blew my mind because anyone who knows me, knows I am always paranoid about leaving anything valuable in my car and go through semi-crazy lengths to conceal any valuables.  This feature would give me the peace of mind to leave my watch, wallet or cell phone locked in the car without an iota of a worry that my car would be targeted because of exposed valuables.  And it felt so cool to know you have hidden compartments in your car!

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On the way back from The New Farm to the resort, all 6 of us were more than comfortably able to fit in the other vehicle Ford provided us, a 7 seater Ford Flex.  The sunroofs (yes that's plural for the 4 sunroofs found on the Ford Flex) gave us unparalleled views of the sky and we all enjoyed singing along to the Sirius XM satellite radio.  It was the perfect vehicle to allow us to share a single car when needed. 

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The road trip was a total success!  We got to and from without a hitch and came home with our pockets heavy and our stomachs full!  That’ll happen when you stuff your belly with amazing food and barely use any gas in the Ford C-MAX Energi SE!

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Although Ford Canada provided the vehicles and experience, opinions are all my own!

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND HOW I BECAME EMPOWERED! #pHabulouslyMe

Although this post has been generously sponsored by “pHemme”, the opinions and language are my own, and in no way do they reflect “pHemme”

Although this post has been generously sponsored by “pHemme”, the opinions and language are my own, and in no way do they reflect “pHemme”.

Everything I have gone through has led me to be the super empowered woman I am today. By overcoming my past mental and emotional challenges, by taking control of my anxiety, knowing my triggers and the base of all negative inner thoughts I am able to not only empower myself but others around me. My ability to be open and vulnerable, to feel energized and motivated, encourage and support others, be poised and emotionally in control, and be daring to try new things empowers me.

When I was young my eldest sister committed suicide. As you could imagine this changed my family dynamic forever. It felt like everyone in my family split in a different direction like an atom in an atomic bomb. Her passing led me to be filled with a lot of anger that I didn’t and couldn’t deal with for a long time. Without even knowing it, I grew up over night. I was dissatisfied with my life because as much as I felt emotionally and physically independent I was angry at what was taken away from me (my sister, my idea of a family, my care-free childhood). I didn’t know it then, but I would later battle with depression and a ton of anxiety.

I am not a psychiatrist. I cannot tell you how to overcome your own emotional and mental issues. I can tell you what empowers me so that maybe you can change your perspective, feel good about yourself and your relationships and maybe start to be super empowered and motivated as well!

I don’t like to be vulnerable and I think most people can relate. It’s hard to put yourself out there when you know that the world will instinctively judge you for it. I think we have all heard someone say it’s hard to love someone and be open to love if you don’t love yourself. Allowing myself to be open and vulnerable and sharing personal information with you takes a lot of courage. At this point in my life I have accepted my past, I have developed the tools to deal with my anxiety and depression and I know that I am a strong person. My strength and courage comes from knowing that there isn’t really anything negative you could say about me that I haven’t already said to myself. I have been on dark and stormy self-destructive seas, but I am a seasoned captain now.

Although fully accepting who I am was one of the hardest steps to empowerment for me, and took a long time to do successfully, it was so emotionally cleansing that it made all the challenges I faced worth it.

Being physically strong also empowers me. Taking care of myself through physical exercise pumps endorphins into my brain and body making me feel invincible. Eating healthy, and making sure I am getting enough protein and vitamins helps my body function so that my brain can function. This may sound like a ‘no brainer’ but it’s important because if I’m physically not well, it takes a big toll on my emotional wellbeing and my ability to be motivated and productive. Take care of your body, treat it like a temple. You may even be surprised how physically exhausting yourself can actually help you deal with anxiety and stress and leave you more energized, motivated and help you think clearer.

Empowerment also comes from surrounding yourself with authentic people who truly care about you. I have a good core group of friends who support me emotionally and who I equally support. My boyfriend once said to me, “Not everyone is going to like you, and if they do it’s because you are boring” - and he makes a good point. So, I spend my time with women who are like minded and encourage and support me like I do them. If I can contribute to their success and not feel threatened by their achievements but instead celebrate their hard work and allow it to motivate me to work on my own goals - I become even more empowered.

What I love about Sophia Amoruso, is that “#girlboss knows when to throw punches and when to roll with them.” I am 100% a #girlboss but what sets me apart from many others is how I get things done. I don’t need you to like me or see things my way or force my opinion onto you to feel empowered. As I said before, part of being empowered is knowing yourself. Walking away from an explosive situation can be even more empowering then engaging in one. And, you can save yourself from the added anxiety and stress of dealing with the aftermath.

Push your boundaries and take some risks. My daring nature has allowed me to try new things and learn about new hidden talents I never knew I had. I feel for people who have anxiety when it comes to doing things alone or being placed in situations where you know nobody - it can be really hard. But some of my solo missions have led to some of the most empowering self discoveries of my life. When I went to university in Australia at age 18, I didn't know anyone! Introducing myself to people all over again allowed me to make my ‘realized self’ work in tandem with my ‘idealized self’ until it became the same. You want to feel empowered? Work through a fear or try something new, you may just discover something you never knew you were good at… in any event, it’s empowering.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, empowerment comes from within. If it wasn't for my tough past, the challenges I had to overcome, and the tools I developed to battle through my depression and anxiety I would not be the super empowered woman I am today. That is why when I was approached to take on this assignment from a sponsor whose product many may not openly talk about using, I knew I had an opportunity to talk about how being vulnerable, being honest with yourself, and being supportive of others can lead to empowerment. So I took this assignment on and fully embraced it with the main purpose of empowering others. That is why I am donating all of my earnings from this post to Indie 88 and Lana Gay’s ‘Up All Night’ campaign in support of CAMH. I hope this post will empower you to say yes when it comes to talking about mental health or any taboo issues because although its hard it will always get you to a better place.

To find out more about pHemme® Fresh and how to be a bold and confident woman, visit pHemme.ca ! Follow the pHemme conversation on Facebook and Instagram.