From 2020

5 Spotify playlists to boost your mood

I don’t know about you, but my mood can feel a little low mid-week, especially during these quarantine times. It’s actually quite remarkable how a good Spotify playlist can change my mood from blah to shake-my-booty almost instantly. And with everything going on right now, I think we deserve all the booty-shaking moments we can get!

In today’s blog post I’ve rounded up my Top 5 Spotify Playlists to Boost Your Mood. From throwbacks, to tropical house, to Britney moments, and even a few classic rock surprises, there’s a little something for everyone.

1. Virtual Dance Party – Pop Queen Cardio x myMomentum

VIRTUAL DANCE PARTY – POP QUEEN CARDIO X MYMOMENTUM

With Dua Lipa, Lizzo, and Britney… I dare you to not dance to this mix. PLUS this playlist is for an actual Virtual Dance Party! Pop Queen Cardio and myMomentum are teaming up every 1st Friday night of the month for a mega virtual dance party. Claim your spot on Eventbrite now!

 

2. Dew’s Pump Up Playlist by Dew Edit

DEW’S PUMP UP PLAYLIST BY DEW EDIT

Confession, I have listened to this playlist for like 3 days straight and can’t stop. I always find myself putting Higher Love – Kygo, Whitney Houston and Happier – Tiesto’s AFTR: HRS Remix  on repeat and bopping for a very long time. I hope you will too.

 

3. Aloha Free: Tropical House Vibes by Aritzia

ALOHA FREE: TROPICAL HOUSE VIBES BY ARITZIA

If you’ve ever shopped at Aritzia and Shazam’ed the music, you’re not alone. Aritzia is known for their killer in-house playlists and this one is definitely some of their best work. My girlfriends and I are personally responsible for a few hundred plays and I think you’ll understand why. Repeat please!

 

4. The Everygirl Listens: Good-Mood Songs to Blast in the Car

THE EVERYGIRL LISTENS: GOOD-MOOD SONGS TO BLAST IN THE CAR

The Everygirl is not only my favourite blog/media outlet, they are also my go-to for music! This playlist is the perfect combination of Top 40 hits like Where Are U Now – Justin Bieber, classics from Queen and Bon Jovi, and anthems like Man I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain. This playlist has it all!

 

5. Lover Radio by Spotify

LOVER RADIO BY SPOTIFY

I’m a big Taylor Swift fan so I usually in the mood for anything of hers. The other day I clicked on the song radio for Lover and came across this gem. It’s the perfect balance of easy-going yet upbeat songs by a variety of artists. If you like the Lover track, give this playlist a go!

 

 

3 Mantras to help when feeling anxious

3 mantras to help when feeling anxious

If you suffer from anxiety, you are not alone. We’re currently experiencing an unprecedented situation and let’s be real folks, it’s devastating. Life as we knew it has been turned on it’s side and we’re all adjusting to our new “normal”, whatever that looks like for you. 

I want to acknowledge that however you are feeling, on any end of the spectrum, is OK. The mental and emotional toll can be hard to process, especially if you deal with some form of anxiety on a daily basis. For me, using mantras helps me find peace in challenging and uncertain times. A mantra, in my own words, is a phrase to repeat in meditation or simply a gentle reminder to tell yourself throughout the day. It gives space to acknowledge how you’re feeling and sit with it… without judgement or reaction.

Below are 3 mantras to try the next time you might feel anxious, heavy, or just need a little boost:

1. I give myself permission to be ok where I am. I’m doing my best.

This one is all about release and surrendering judgement. We are our own biggest critics and it can be challenging to silence our negative self-talk. Allow yourself permission to feel whatever emotion or emotions you are feeling. Acknowledge them and know that you are doing your best. Use this mantra to help centre your thoughts and neutralize your inner self-talk. 

2. I am seeking contentment, not perfection.

Where are all my Type-A’s and Enneagram 3’s out there? I see you. This one’s for you. Whatever your ”perfectionist” tendencies or unrealistic standards show up as, just remember you are enough just the way you are. Seek to be fulfilled with contentment, joy, and simplicity. Allow yourself to exist just as you are, without pressure to prove, compare, or keep up. You are enough.

3. I am ready to be healed.

When you’re feeling weighed down, use this mantra open yourself up to healing and re-birth. Remember that wherever there is darkness, there is also light. Focus on how far you have come and give yourself credit for showing up and being open. Open yourself up to healing whether it be emotional, physical, or spiritual. Take what you need.

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Did any of these mantras resonate with you? Let me know in the comments!

3 tips for a productive week

3 tips for a productive week / femmesociety.ca

Alright, raise your hand if you feel like you need more hours in the week to get everything done? Whether you work full or part time, from home or in a corporate office, we can all implement strategies for a more productive work week. After all, life doesn’t need to be harder than it already is.

Below are 3 simple strategies you can implement right away:

SUNDAY PREP-DAY

Without fail, a well-prepped Sunday is KEY to a productive week. It took me and Alex a few variations to really get our Sunday prep just right in a way that worked for us. Sunday prep isn’t complete without a trip to the grocery store to stock up on items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for the entire week. Taking it one step further, we have a list of go-to dinners that we cycle through each week so we’re not reinventing the wheel. Then, I pack the leftovers for my lunches. Work smarter not harder, right?

We write down all our meals for the week in my Daily Simplified Planner (check out my Simplified Planner review here). You can also download one of Emily Ley’s handy printables for your weekly meal planning. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that meal planning is absolutely essential for us in order to eat well and make sensible choices.

NIGHT-TIME ROUTINE

Don’t underestimate this one. Having a solid night time routine can be the one thing holding you back from feeling awake, refreshed, and ready for the week ahead. I used to go into the office feeling groggy, irritable, and generally tired until I implemented a proper night-time routine. Now I swear by it.

Start by eliminating screen time before bed. We’ve all been there, laying in bed scrolling, reading, and swiping and next thing you know it’s LATE and you wish you had turned it off sooner. Screen time in the bedroom is the easiest distraction to eliminate. Your brain will thank you.

Going to bed at the same time every night is also crucial for a well-rested sleep. As tempting as it is to catch up on your favourite Netflix series before hitting the hay, your bedroom should be quiet, dark, and free of distractions.

Lastly, pick out your outfit for the morning. It’s a simple concept yet I feel much more relaxed and confident in the morning when my outfit is ready to go. Use these few extra minutes to get a head start on your commute or make your coffee to go. Keep the momentum going.

SCHEDULE IT

I understand some prefer digital schedules while others are devout pen-and-paper users but either way, having a schedule eliminates guesswork. Write down your meetings, appointments, reminders, memo’s for the kids, deadlines; anything that is taking up mental space. Once it’s on paper or in you iCal, you’ll have the mental space to re-focus on what matters. Take some time to find a system that works best for you and your current schedule.

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Do you have tips for a more productive week? Tell me in the comments below!