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How To Monetize Your Blog - How I Went From Zero to $6K+ Per Month

January 5, 2019 Shannon Taatjes
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So you’ve started your blog. Congrats.

Truly, I commend you for starting. Do you know how many people want to start a blog, but never hit publish? I get it. It can be scary…

People start blogs for all types of reasons, but mainly they fall into one of two categories. They either treat it like a HOBBY, or they treat it like a BUSINESS. There’s not a right or wrong answer here, just take a moment to determine where you stand, because it can help when you’re wanting to monetize your blog. I assume that’s why you’re here, right?

Treat you blog like a business.

Those that approach blogging as a HOBBY, will likely discover that’s exactly how it pays, like a hobby. Those that approach blogging as a BUSINESS can discover multiple streams of income, active and passive, that can surpass their wildest dreams. You may watch others and think how the heck does he/she do it?? Well, I’m going to give you some insight into how many bloggers make money. A LOT of money.

So now that you’ve hit publish for the first time …or the hundredth time, many bloggers reach a point and think, now what? How the heck do I monetize this thing I’ve created? The average millionaire has SEVEN streams of income. It’s important to not put all your eggs in one basket. When you start creating multiple streams, they add up fast. Blogs are a great opportunity to create multiple streams.

Please note, I’m not going to get into How To Start a Blog because that’s a different post. For these purposes I’m going to stick with ways to monetize your blog and my own personal experience of what’s worked for me and other bloggers I know.

When I started my blog in early 2014, someone told me about the two types of bloggers and it was helpful to realize I did want this to be a business. I wanted to be proud to say I was an entrepreneur, girl boss, etc. They also said that if I decided to treat this like a serious business…”You’re going to work harder than you’ve ever worked in your entire life.” That was a tad intimidating but at the same time I knew why. Self discipline. This can be tough when all of a sudden you’ve run out of ideas to blog about…or a friend calls…or that binge-worthy Netflix show is calling your name. If you haven’t decided that building your blog is as important as a typical J.O.B., you’ll likely drop the ball.

Okay, here we go…here are my tips. First you must lay the groundwork that will help you have more success later.

Establish your “Know, Like, and Trust Factor”.

First, establish some groundwork. One of the most important things to know from the get-go is to establish your “Know, Like, and Trust Factor” This means gaining trust from your audience. Bottom line… if your audience doesn’t know you, like you, and trust you… they won’t buy what you’re selling, whatever it is. The best way to do this is to provide value to your audience and be authentic. Share, give, educate, be vulnerable, …and then give some more. It takes time to establish trust in your audience but it will be well worth it. Be yourself, be relatable, be YOU. We all have something to share. How can your voice help others? When you come from an unselfish place and make it about helping others, you’ll succeed. Once you have something to sell, a good rule of thumb to follow is Give, Give, Give, Ask. Give, Give, Give, Ask. …and so on. Keep creating valuable free content most of the time and then ask for the sale in between. It’s okay to sell. Don’t let that be a hangup for you. We’ll get to that later…

Start an email list. Now.

This is the biggest regret I’ve heard from bloggers. No matter how big or small your audience is, develop a way to gather emails because this will be very beneficial when it comes time to monetize your blog. It’s more important to have a large email list than it is to have a big social media following. You don’t own your social media following but you do own your email list. The best way to gather emails is to create an opt-in. This is a small free gift to give in exchange for them giving you their email address. You can check mine out at the bottom of this page, give it a try to check out my opt-in eBook. Mailchimp is a great service to start with because it’s free to start, easy to use, and only starts charging you when your list gets bigger.

Become an affiliate.

Most bloggers start off monetizing their blog by becoming an affiliate. Essentially you use and share products you love with your audience and when they purchase through your affiliate links, you make a commission. An easy one that anyone can easily sign up for is Amazon Associates. There are all kinds of companies that offer affiliate commissions, depending on your blogging niche. Being an affiliate can mean many different things, from recommending a product, a program, a subscription, a course…. it can seem like a small amount of income at times, but don't frown at that “some money life” as one of my mentors, Nicole Walters used to say. It adds up and can contribute as a consistent stream of income for you. Just be choosey and only recommend products and services you stand behind and use yourself. I’ve turned down most of my affiliate inquiries because my “know like and trust factor” is very important to me and I’ll never dishonor that just to make a buck. If you’re a fashion blogger or even dabble in it, you can make a good income sharing your outfits. The gold standard affiliate program for fashion and home that gives you access to hundreds of brands is Reward Style or LIKEtoKnow.it which has been a good source of income for me. It is an application process and if you’d like a referral, let me know which may help.

Create Digital Products for passive income.

One of my favorite ways to monetize is through knowledge-based products, also known as Digital Products. When I first learned about this my mind was blown. I came from a place of working a day job for 17 years and only knew how to exchange my time for money. I’d heard about the elusive “passive income” or “residual income” that people spoke of…but I never thought that would be possible for me. Think again. This is very possible and can be a strong stream of income for bloggers. Everyone knows something they can teach someone else. Everyone. It can be as small as creating a simple PDF of a “how to” or a grocery list that you sell for a few dollars. It can be an eBook of your recipes. It could be an eBook teaching anything at all! It could be a full blown course where you teach a more detailed topic with multiple modules. That’s the thing…it can be ANYTHING people need to know about. The price of digital products can be very low to very high depending on what you create. This is the kicker… with a digital product, you create the PDF, eBook, training course, whatever, ONCE. You create it ONCE and sell it OVER and OVER and OVER again. Digital products are usually digital downloads that can be completely automated and delivered to the buyer without you even knowing it at the time. This is what I like to call “Sleep Money”. Oh, and guess who your audience is that can purchase that digital product? …THE WORLD, that’s who. There is no limit. Stop for a minute and think about the numbers for a minute. What if you had a digital product that was $9.99 and you sold X-number of them for years and years? THAT’S TRUE PASSIVE INCOME. Just make sure you create products that have VALUE. Now I realize there’s a lot more to know here because you might be thinking ok, Shannon that sounds amazing, but HOW DO I DO THIS?? Those details might be another blog post for another time. …or possibly a digital product teaching you exactly how!… See, once you become a blogger and start monetizing your blog, you get a ‘monetized mindset” and start seeing ways to earn income by creating valuable content in different ways! Are you starting to see why that email list and your “know like and trust factor” are so important?

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Offer Coaching or Consulting Packages.

Start charging for your time. This can be uncomfortable at first, but it’s necessary to establish this boundary so you don’t get taken advantage of. Inevitably you’ll start getting the “can I pick your brain” questions from people who want insight from you. Your time is valuable and you offer an expertise. You deserve to get paid for your time. One way you can create a stream of income is to determine what your time is worth and decide what instances you’ll implement it. Instead of just answering every question, there will be times you need to say, “I’d love to answer that for you when I can give you my undivided attention. Here’s a link to set up a 30 minute “Discovery Call” or a Consulting Call”. A great service to use for this is Acuity Scheduler. If you have this set up on you blog, it’ll be ready for you when you are. I know this one can be a little uncomfortable at first if you’re not used to it because we are used to just giving and giving… but create this boundary and you’ll be happy you did. Are you a Coach or offer Consulting? Create packages of what you offer and this can be a great steam of income for you. Nowadays you can have clients all over the world and connect with them live through Skype or Zoom video conferencing!

Ok, so I did these things above for the first couple of years and I had created quite a few different streams of income, a few of them passive. Some worked better than others. I was happy and proud of myself for creating a blog and income from nothing, but wanted to turn that blog into a BUSINESS. I wanted to see what was possible. I had a goal for myself that lived in the back of my mind that I wanted to surpass what I made at my old day job as an RVT for 17 years. I’d heard that the average blog took 3 years to become really successful. Ok, I thought, as I was approaching that 3 year mark… what else is there? Then I received an email that has since changed my life…

Join a Direct Selling Company.

After doing extensive research and asking a ton of questions, I did something I thought I’d never do. I joined a Direct Retail company. I became a Beautycounter Consultant. I had no idea at the time that it would end up being the best decision I ever made for my blog and business to date. With what I know now, here’s my thoughts about joining a Direct Selling Company, Network Marketing Company, Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) etc… because this can be super helpful for you. You should join one because it’s one of the best ways to monetize your blog…but joining the RIGHT ONE is KEY and I can help save you time and money.

I think every blogger should join a Direct Selling Company. Choosing the RIGHT company is essential for success. The richest people in the world look for and build networks. Everyone else looks for “work”. If you’re reading this right now, you’re not like everyone else. Here’s what you need to know when considering a company to represent:

Make sure you understand the difference between a Direct Selling Company (AKA Network Marketing, MLM) and a “Pyramid Scheme”. Pyramid Schemes are illegal and focus only on signing up people for a fake business and there is no product that is sold. A reputable company focuses on selling a legitimate product and allows you to bring others into the business on your team. You make a commission by selling product exactly like being an affiliate, and make a percentage of your team members efforts. You don’t earn money on simply signing people up for the business. Essentially it’s the most fair business structure there is. You are paid precisely what you are worth. You are paid exactly how much effort you put in. That’s the funny thing about this kind of company, it’s highly misunderstood. I can’t tell you how many times I hear “Is that one of those?….It’s a Pyramid thing-y, isn’t it?” People don’t know what they don’t know. I also understand that some companies have giving Direct Selling a bad name and aren’t as reputable as others. This company model has been around for a long time. It hasn’t changed in a long time. That’s why I said yes to Beautycounter when I’d said no to many other companies…

Beautycounter is doing things differently than any other company out there. It’s a safer skincare and makeup company based in Santa Monica, Ca. We educate about safer products, we offer a solution through high performing safer products, and we advocate for better beauty laws across all brands. We’ve also coined the term “Direct Retail” because we sell product through multiple channels such as e-commerce, consultants like me, limited time collaborations with big brands like Goop, J.Crew, and Target and we have Retail Stores where we still earn the same commissions when clients shop in store. Pretty cool, huh? We allow people to shop the way they want to shop. Consultants like me get paid 25%-35% commission on all products we sell, and earn a percentage on our team’s effort if we decide to grow a team. That’s why so many bloggers love this company because you don’t have to ever purchase any product for yourself or grow a team if you don’t want to. You can treat it like any other affiliate program. The difference is, it pays WAY more than other affiliate programs. THIS choice to join Beautycounter is the reason I’m now surpassing what I used to make at my day job. Beautycounter was just named most Googled Beauty brand of 2018 and is on the bubble of a boom. We are only 5 years old and are at the intersection of the two fastest growing industries out there. BEAUTY and WELLNESS. It’s a good place to be.

When considering a company it’s smart to choose products you LOVE and are very passionate about sharing with others. I love Beautycounter products so much that it’s easy for me to tell everyone I know about it. That’s key. Don’t be afraid to SELL. You deserve to earn an income. Get over it. You don’t have to be “sales-y” to sell. Share what you love authentically like you would with a friend. We do that naturally anyway, why not get paid for it. It’s also smart to choose a company who offers a product that people already use…you’re just asking them to switch to your product. Think of it like this…. people already use skincare, body care, hair care, and makeup. I get to teach people how to switch to safer, high performing options that they LOVE once they try. I think companies that offer a product that is NEW to someone or isn’t a necessity is harder to sell and requires a lot of time educating how to use it. They may buy once, but may not buy again if it’s not a necessity. It’s also smart to choose a product to sell that can be used up and will run out. They need to replace it when it runs out and will bring you long term clients and repeat sales. I also am a fan of joining a company in which you don’t have to carry any inventory …which makes it so easy. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Lastly, examine the compensation plan and see who is making money in the company. How quickly can you earn your investment back? Are only the people at the top of the company making the big money? I loved that I could start earning 25%-35% commissions with the very first product I sold with Beautycounter. The compensation plan is the most straightforward and generous I’ve seen. It’s mind blowing the amount of money that bloggers…and non bloggers…are earning with Beautycounter. Reach out to me if you’re interested in adding Beautycounter to your business, blog, or life. I’m happy to answer any questions to see if it’d be a good fit for you.

Write a Book.

Lastly, once you become an established, successful blogger, consider writing a book. This is the thing that can really add legitimacy in your business. There are so many different types of books that bloggers write and publishers often say yes to bloggers if they have a significant email list because they have a built in audience waiting to buy their book. I personally have not done this yet, but have about 3 books in my head that will hopefully unfold someday when the time is right.

I really hope this helps give you some inspiration and ideas on how to monetize your blog. Leave a comment below if this is helpful! I thought it would be helpful to share some examples below of how I implement some of the ideas I talk about in this post. Remember that the sky’s the limit…the world can be your customer! Dream BIG, then dream BIGGER. This is an exciting time when people are earning an income in a brand new way and online is where you want to be. Wishing you multiple streams of income, a monetized mindset and continued success!

A few examples of my multiple streams of income:

  • Just a couple of my Affiliate examples: Shop My Instagram, My Amazon Picks, Meal Planning, Nutritious Life Certified

  • Digital Product examples: Financial Freedom Guide, Beauty Detox Nutrition Program,

  • Direct Sales examples: Beautycounter, Nutrition + Supplements

THIS is the industry that you want in on…

THIS is the industry that you want in on…

Learn more about how to start your Beautycounter Business HERE.

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In Blogging & Work-Life Tags blog, beauty blogger, Beautycounter, monetize blog, how to monetize a blog, how to make money blogging, affiliate, direct sales, lifestyle blogger, happy wifestyle
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Living an empowered life

January 25, 2018 Shannon Taatjes
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Time for some truth talk ladies...

I worked for 17 years at a hard job with long hours and zero flexibility. I never felt like I was able to save a dime. There was a ceiling on how much money I could make. I felt stuck..

A few years ago I started working for myself and started Happy WifeStyle.

Last week I was able to take an ‘extra’ $10K and put it in an investment account. I’ve never had a chunk of money to do that with that was MINE. Do you know how that made me feel? It made me feel really EMPOWERED. It made me feel excited...

I don’t tell you this to gloat. No way, that’s not the point. I tell you this to let you know that I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I wouldn’t have taken the job with Beautycounter.

My husband makes a good living. He takes such great care of our family and I love him more than anything. But what if something happened? Last year on of my oldest, dearest friend’s life blew up when her husband of 20 years left without warning and told her he wanted a divorce..

Will that happen to me?  No. I absolutely don’t think so. But I have to admit, especially knowing their relationship, can I 100% guarantee that it wouldn’t?  No. No I can’t. I can only have complete control over one thing and that’s ME.

Part of the reason I started Happy WifeStyle was to inspire and empower women to want more out of this one life. It’s too short and too many people waste it by just going through the motions…

We need something that is OURS ladies. We need safety and security and purpose to live life the way it’s meant to be lived. I know with everything that I am that my Beautycounter business is that answer for me…and it could be that game-changer for you too.

I have established quite a few streams of income now with my Happy WifeStyle blog, brand and business, but I need to be honest with you and tell you that none of those streams come close to what I make from my Beautycounter business.

If you’ve considered starting your own business but don’t have the confidence to START, or don’t know what you’d do, I’d love to help you. 

This company is growing FAST and I am so grateful someone asked me to take this job, so now I’m asking you. Beautycounter is an amazing company doing amazing things, and it’s SO rewarding to work for. We are doing things so differently than any other company out there. We are not just another "beauty company". We’re a B-Corp like Patagonia. We educate about the industry and teach people how to choose safer products for their family. We provide high performing, safer solutions. We advocate for safer beauty laws for ALL beauty brands. We collaborate with big brands like J.Crew, Goop, and Target. We allow people to shop the products the way they choose…not ONLY through consultants. Bono has even an investor with us!

The best part is, this company is not even five years old yet. We are just getting started.

If I can do this you can too. You can work it into your life on your schedule any way you choose…whether you want some extra shopping money or want to replace your income and make it a full time career… You just have to START.

Message me or email me so I can answer your questions. Zero pressure, I’m not doing this for me. I’m posting this for YOU. ...To help YOU feel empowered in your life too. I’m going to succeed in this business with or without you (just being honest). But I’d love to have other inspired, like-minded women on this journey with me. I’d love to chat with you and find out if it’d be a good fit for you.  Learn more here and get started, you could be in business and start earning money right away. I look forward to working together! 

P.S. If you are local to the northern California area (I'm in Petaluma), I especially would love to talk to you about this as I am in the process of planning in-person get togethers for fellow girl bosses to talk business and ideas to bring Beautycounter into our community! We are better together, let's collaborate!

P.P.S. This opportunity may not be for you, but I know you know someone who would love to know more about this and would like to work with me, so please share this blog post with them. It just might change their life.

XO, Shannon


More ways I can help you feel EMPOWERED:

- My Top 5 'Smart-Style' Money TIps

- My Financial Freedom Guide

- Five Steps to Choosing Your Best Life


**photo by Claire Dobson

In Blogging & Work-Life, Beauty & Products Tags girlboss, happy wifestyle, women entrepreneur, beutycounter, empowered women
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You Have 4 Minutes To Change Your Life - Q & A with Rebekah Borucki

February 28, 2017 Shannon Taatjes

If you’re not meditating because you don’t have time or think it’s too hard, you need to get this book.  

The book "You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life" by Rebekah Borucki officially launches today and I could not be more excited.  Rebekah has taught me a ton about business since I started Happy WifeStyle™ and this mompreneur never ceases to amaze me with how much she can accomplish in a day.  

As a mom of five, long-time blogger, super smart business woman, birth doula, yoga and meditation guide, TV personality and now author, she has been such an inspiration for me throughout my journey.  About a year ago we became business colleagues... and I'm proud to now call her my friend.

She's nice enough to give away TWO books to my readers over on Instagram today so head over to my page @happywifestyle to enter to win a copy for yourself ...and a copy for a friend!

In this Q & A, you can get to know Rebekah a little better....enjoy!


You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life by Rebekah Borucki - Q & A:

Rebekah 'Bex' Borucki of BexLife.com

Rebekah 'Bex' Borucki of BexLife.com

You have five kids and more than one business—how do you find time to meditate?

Finding time to meditate is probably the number one reason I hear people aren’t meditating, and for me it’s not an issue at all. I know an effective meditation session can happen anywhere at any time. Sometimes my meditation practice looks like ten long inhales and exhales in my car before I head into the grocery store. Other times it’s 4 minutes of quiet intention setting in the morning before I jump in the shower (not that I always have time to shower with seven people in the house). Meditation is simply a way to check in and connect with myself, and that can be done at any time of the day, several times a day if I need it. But I get it—even 4 minutes can be hard to find in a packed schedule. Meditation is a non-negotiable for me, and my family knows it. Taking just 4 minutes a day for a gut check allows me to be more efficient, focused, and effective the rest of my day. It saves me time!

What is your favorite meditation from the book?

I actually have three favorite meditations from the book: my Meditations for Gratitude, Abundance, and Service in Chapter 11. These meditations are exactly what I use to manifest every type of abundance in my life, from business opportunities to money to love. The basic concept of these meditations is that when we’re grateful for what we already have, we’ll be rewarded with more. Then, once we have more than what we need, we’re able to share with others in service. The joy and satisfaction that comes with service invites even more feelings of gratitude, and the cycle begins again.

How did you discover meditation?

I grew up in a religious Christian household, so prayer and a practice of self- reflection were always important parts of my life. But it wasn’t until I was 15 years old and helping my mother clean out a used bookstore that I discovered Be Here Now by Ram Dass and, consequently, the concept of meditation for spiritual healing. I was already a longtime sufferer of anxiety and depression, so these new ideas of spirituality and self-healing appealed to me. Soon after, I started devouring books like Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss and Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav. I’ve meditated, in my own way, every single day since I discovered Be Here Now. My daily practice is now more than two decades old, and while it gets simpler and more refined every year, it’s become deeper and even more effective in managing my daily stress and tendencies toward anxiety and depression.

There are lots of self-help and meditation books out there. What makes yours different? Why would readers be interested in yours over another?

What sets my book and my method of self-help apart from others’ is that they’re uniquely my own. I’m just a regular old mom from New Jersey. I’ve never been to India or lived in an ashram. What I have done is overcome childhood trauma and a real battle with mental illness to build a happy life filled with many different types of success—love, family, financial stability, and peace of mind. But that doesn’t mean my life is perfect, and I’m completely honest about that with my online followers and the readers of my book. I meditate because my life isn’t perfect, because I still experience stress and anxiety. The meditations I offer my readers are simple, doable practices for every type of stress life can throw at them; from heartbreak to backaches, from struggles with weight loss to finding true love. I have a regular real life, and I want to share my practice with regular real people. Like every other great truth of the Universe—which are all super simple messages when broken down— meditation has been plagued by mystery and misconceptions. Some who would have you believe there’s only one way to meditate—their way—have also overcomplicated the practice of meditation. Well, I believe meditation is for everyone, and there are as many effective ways to do it as there are people on this planet. You aren’t going to find a lot of esoteric, head-in-the-clouds talk in my book...okay, maybe just a little. But I want to meet the readers exactly where they are, and at least for now, that’s down here on earth.

What are some common misconceptions about meditation that you’d like to dispel with your book?

You think meditation is about not thinking about anything. If the only way to meditate successfully was to clear your mind of all thoughts, no one would meditate—ever. Not thinking about anything is virtually impossible! While a totally silent mind is a great goal to look forward to after years (if not a lifetime) of regular practice, it’s important to know that you can start experiencing the benefits of meditation the very first time you sit down, close your eyes, and take ten deep breaths. Meditation is for everyone at every level of experience. Instead of trying to empty your mind of all thoughts, try focusing on just one thought, and simply observe what happens.

You think you have to meditate for long periods of time, and you’re forcing yourself to meditate longer than what feels comfortable. The benefits of meditation come from the quality of your time on your pillow, not the quantity of time. We live in a busy world, and there are many more responsibilities and requirements thrust upon us every day. Stressing out over whether or not you’re spending enough time in meditation is a worry you don’t need to take on. Are you able to find a quiet place where you can sit undisturbed for just a few minutes? Is it possible for you to close your eyes for just a few deep breaths? Can you sit comfortably in a relaxed position long enough to release some tension from your muscles? Those are the qualities of a good meditation practice. In time or at different times, you’ll be able to carve out more minutes for your practice. But if all you have in this moment is 4 minutes to spare, that’s perfectly fine.

You think meditation is about spirituality instead of recognizing it as a practical tool for managing stress and maintaining balance. Meditation doesn’t belong to any religion or specific philosophy. While many people use meditation as part of their religious practices, there’s no requirement to be spiritual or believe in a higher power. Meditation has been used for centuries as a means of maintaining mental, emotional, and physical health. Don’t knock it because you don’t consider yourself to be a spiritual person. Science has been supporting the benefits of meditation for ages, and it can be a practical and powerful tool in helping you to reach your goals.

You have a large social media platform where you’re constantly engaging with your followers. Why write a book when you talk to your people every day?

I’m so grateful for my online following, but I know there are so many people that I’m not reaching who could be helped by my message. I get emails from people every day who have discovered me in an unexpected place: an obscure blog from the other side of the planet or a friend or family member who passed my name along. I constantly get requests to translate my work into other languages and to add closed captioning to my videos for hearing-impaired viewers (which I do now). I know my book will reach people who may not be into watching videos on YouTube or looking at pictures on Instagram. And it would also serve as a valuable tool for the people who have already been following my journey; now my people have something to hold in their hands, stick in their nightstand drawer, or carry with them in their daily travels. They can pull out this tool whenever they need it and flip right to a meditation or personal story from my life that will serve them best in the moment. These meditations have served me so well, and I feel a responsibility to share them in a way that is much more far-reaching and universal that individual social platforms. And yes, in many ways, I think books are still better than even Facebook.

Do your children practice meditation, too?

Yes and no. Do my children sit down on a pillow with their eyes closed and connect with their inner wisdom every day? I would love them to, but they don’t. Have I taught them how to take a pause to check in before speaking or making a big decision? Absolutely! And this is meditation. Taking time to remove yourself either physically or energetically from a stimulating environment, getting quiet enough to be able to focus on your inhales and exhales, and tuning into your inner voice to look for an answer—that’s meditation. I teach my children to do that. A child’s meditation may only look like a few seconds of quiet before a big outburst of ideas or feelings, but that’s OK. It may look like giant audible breaths, or counting, or feet stomping— that’s cool, too! It’s still meditation, and I’m happy to have passed that on to my kids.

Common questions about a physical meditation practice (from my book): Is it okay to lie down during meditation?

The main purpose of meditation is to focus your attention, not to relax. The relaxation happens because your mind becomes more settled. In most cases, there’s no need to place your body in a physically relaxed position, but I do understand why that would be appealing. The ideal position for meditation is one that allows you to stay upright, focused, and alert without discomfort, providing a clear path for energy to flow through your body (no slumping or bending over). If you want to feel physically comfortable, choose a posture that allows you to be supported, but not one that has you lying down completely flat. Becoming so relaxed that you fall asleep during meditation isn’t ideal (unless you’re practicing meditation for insomnia).

Do I have to have total quiet to meditate?

I would love to have a perfectly quiet space for my meditation practice, but that isn’t my reality. Whether it’s the sounds of my five kids clomping up and down stairs and playing their instruments or the noise of traffic when I’m parked in my car, I’m constantly surrounded by noise. Most of us live in less-than-peaceful environments, so it’s probably a good idea to accept that a silent meditation space isn’t always a realistic goal. And that’s OK. Your meditation practice should meet you where you are, noise and all. If you can’t secure a completely silent space for your practice, try to find a space that offers the most amount of quiet. Then, instead of letting the noise distract you, say to yourself, “All of the noises in my current environment are here in service of my practice. They teach me how to navigate through my every day with ease.” And if you do have a perfectly quiet place to meditate, awesome! Can I come over?

Do my eyes have to stay closed during meditation?

No. There are actually types of meditation—candle-gazing, for instance—that require you to keep your eyes open. Closing your eyes during meditation has the obvious benefit of removing visual distractions, however, so I recommend keeping your eyes closed simply because it will be easier for you to focus. What I didn’t realize until recently, though, is that some people feel uncomfortable—even unsafe—with their eyes closed. Not being able to see makes some people feel vulnerable, and that could trigger a past trauma, making focus impossible. If this is the case for you, don’t worry. You can practice meditation with your eyes open and still reap plenty of benefits. If you’re concerned that you won’t be able to focus, try gazing at a candle flame or another favorite object. It’s important to focus softly on whatever you choose. Avoid giving yourself a headache or eye strain.

What do I do if my body starts to hurt?

Never tolerate pain during meditation. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable for a few moments, especially when trying a new pose, but if your body starts to hurt, move. You may become unfocused for a moment, but that’s far better than struggling through an entire meditation in pain.

Is it normal to cry during or after meditation?

This is probably one of the most popular questions I get about meditation. It usually comes to me by way of private message because people feel self-conscious about it. If you’ve cried during meditation, know that you’re not alone. People cry in meditation all the time. Crying is also common in yoga class. When new muscle groups are stretched or an opening happens (for women, it’s all about the hips), the energy release may come with tears. Our emotional and physical selves are tethered. Feelings don’t just live in the mind; they take root in the physical body as well. Have you ever had a stress headache or pain in your chest from heartbreak? That’s your body reacting to emotional pain. Have you ever had a sudden burst of energy or an overall feeling of wellness when you hear good news? It’s all connected! Similarly, if you remove mental distractions and uncover underlying issues and feelings during meditation, you may experience a physical reaction. This reaction can sometimes take the form of a little bit (or even a lot) of crying. Bottom line: It’s normal. Emotional openings are so important to the evolution of our spirit, so don’t try to avoid them. We hide and bury our feelings constantly for the sake of self- preservation. It’s a survival technique built into our DNA. Meditation allows us to transcend the trappings of our humanness, open doors to hidden emotions, and get in touch with God and our own spiritual selves. If you start to feel overwhelmed with emotion during meditation, remind yourself that you’re in a safe place and that no physical harm can come to you. You may want to repeat, “I am safe. I am calm. I choose to be here,” on each exhale until the feeling has passed.

How do I know which type of meditation is best for me?

I get it. You want the best. You want to know exactly what works and how it’s going to work for you so that you can enjoy the best possible outcome. I can easily replace “meditation” for “diet” or “exercise” and still end up giving you the same response: The best thing for you is the thing you’ll actually do. You could ask me, “Is Transcendental Meditation the best meditation for me?” And I’d respond, “Is it working for you?” If the answer is “yes,” it’s the best meditation for you. Transcendental Meditation works; hundreds of legitimate studies have proven its effectiveness. But I also know that sitting still for 15-20 minutes sounds like torture to a lot of people. For those people, a shorter meditation or a moving meditation may serve them better.
There’s a good, better, and best for anything that helps you live a better life. While we’d all like to do the best for ourselves, the best that exists in a vacuum or a scientific study isn’t always going to be the best at fitting into our lives. I don’t eat a 100% organic, sustainably grown, locally sourced diet of only foods harvested in season. Still, my diet is pretty awesome, and it serves me well even though it’s never going to be considered “perfect.”


Pick up You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life: Simple 4-Minute Meditations for Inspiration, Transformation, and True Bliss HERE and get two free bonus gifts!

In Blogging & Work-Life, Health & Fitness Tags book recommendation, rebekah borucki, meditation, you have 4 minutes to change your life, book review
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A Grateful Heart...

November 13, 2016 Shannon Taatjes

My husband always tells me the first impression I made on him that really stood out as different from other women...  I was happy.

Sure, I know what you're probably thinking.  Yeah, right.  That's the FIRST thing?  I'm not saying it was the first thing he noticed....we all know what visual beings men are.  I'm saying it was the first impression.

The first time he told me that he could tell I was happy, I was completely confused.  How could he possibly have seen that in me when I didn't see that in myself?  

I think back to that time in my life and I was such a hot mess.  I was in a job I'd been at for a decade and a half, living paycheck to paycheck.  I lived alone and felt unfulfilled.  I'd chosen bad relationships with the wrong men.  In my mind I didn't feel happy.  

What I know now is that I felt unsettled.  I felt insecure.  I felt restless.  I had a little voice in my head telling me every day that I wasn't living up to my full potential.  What I know now is just because my life wasn't anywhere near where I thought it would be at 31 years old...didn't make me an unhappy person.  I'd always been optimistic.  I just saw no way out of my current situation.  I hadn't yet learned to get out of my own way.  

One thing that helped me change my life was taking responsibility for my life.  I quit blaming others for my current situation, which is the easy way out.  We get really good at blaming others.  I could have just settled for my unsettled life.  I could have blamed my parents for not giving me more guidance.  I could have blamed my boss for not paying me more money.  I could have blamed it on my weaknesses.  I could have blamed just about anyone or anything, because I THOUGHT I was doing everything I could...I was working hard.

But was I?  When I look back now, I think hell no.  Sure, I worked at my job.  I was extremely good at it.  I did what was expected of me.  I felt like I didn't have any extra time in my day to change my life.  I was stuck.  I felt I had no control.  My life was just happening to me.  So. Many. Excuses.  I was full of excuses back then.

One thing that had changed shortly before that day I met my husband was I had been really working on ME.  I was searching for SOMETHING.  I was reading more books.  I was learning to focus on gratitude.  I was learning ways to take control of my life.  I was learning I was worthy.  I was learning that if I wanted my life to change, it had to start with ME.  After all, the only person we can control is ourselves.  That small shift, even though I didn't know how my life could get better....BELIEVING that it could...and would, changed everything for me.

Fast forward to now.... there are days when I can just be driving down the road, by myself, and I'll smile.  I smile because I'm happy.  I'm very aware of my happiness today.  I'm so grateful that I have the life that I do.  I'm grateful that I have the amazing, loving, supportive husband that I do.  I'm grateful that I get to live where I do.  I'm grateful for my health.  I'm grateful for my ambition.  I'm grateful for my positive friends.  I'm grateful I found my creative outlet.  I'm grateful I get to help others.  I'm grateful that I didn't settle for less.

I never take my life for granted.  As a young child I was extremely unhappy.  That unhappiness was true.  I never felt security as a child and was anxious all the time.  I had an unstable childhood, was extremely introverted, and was fearful of everything.  My parents would take me to a psychiatrist as a child because they didn't know why I was so unhappy.  They'd prescribe me valium, which I'd refuse to take.  I knew that wasn't the answer, even at a young age. 

Instead of dwelling on any of those times, today I choose to focus on gratitude.  When we focus on the things we are grateful for, we cannot focus on anything negative.  It also brings more and more things we want into our lives.  Gratitude has been the key for me.  Every morning I start my day with gratitude.  I start my day with my 5 Minute Journal to make sure I focus on 3 things I'm grateful for and 3 things I'll do that day to make it great.  They also have an app so I can use it on the go.  

Happiness is a decision.  Having a grateful heart can be the key to getting there.  

Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get what you want in life.  If you want it bad enough, you'll make it work.  If you don't want it bad enough, you'll make excuses.  

This blog post was inspired by all that is going on in our country today with the recent election.  While I refuse to get political, because honestly, I don't think there was a good choice in either candidate, I will say this... I'm disappointed at all the spewing negativity in the streets and in my newsfeed.  Is that really making the world a better place?...or is that feeding the fire?  I don't have time for negativity in my life anymore.  Be the solution.  STOP blaming others.  The only person you can control is yourself.  I encourage you to stop focusing on others and start focusing on yourself.  What can YOU do to make the world a better place?  Go do that.  Stop the hate.  Stop the unkind words.  Stop the judgement...everyone has their own story and you might not know what that is.  Help others.  Lead by example.  Be grateful.

-Other blog posts you might enjoy:  The Law of Attraction -- 5 Steps to Choosing Your Best Life -- Are You a Hero...

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In Blogging & Work-Life, Family & Home Tags gratitude, grateful heart, law of attraction, change your life
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5 Steps to choosing Your Best Life

January 16, 2016 Shannon Taatjes

Are you living your Best Life?  I was nowhere near living my Best Life, even just a couple of years ago.  I want to share with you how I got from there... to here, on the path to living my Best Life. 

I spent so much of my life paralyzed In fear.  Standing still.  Not changing.  

I finally found myself wondering how I got here?  Why wasn't my life as awesome as I knew it should be?  Why weren't things going my way?  Why wasn't I lucky?

One day it hit me.  I was settling for everything in my life.  I was letting life happen to me.

About 15 years ago, when I started learning about the Law of Attraction, it helped me understand why my life looked the way it did.  I did that.  That was on me.  It became so clear to me why my life looked the way it did.  Once I realized that I created the life I had then, I knew I had the power to create the life I wanted.  ...but I was going to have to make some changes.

I want to share the 5 steps that really helped me to turn my life around.  I think they can help you too.

5 STEPS TO CHOOSING YOUR BEST LIFE:

  1. STOP BEING A VICTIM.  I put this one first for a reason.  You can't really move on to the other steps until you accomplish step 1.  Maybe you weren't dealt the best cards in life...I certainly wasn't.  Some of the most amazing people I know weren't...but that isn't what stops you from success.  What stops you from success is not owning up and taking responsibility for YOU.  Don't get caught up in blaming others for your life.  Even though it may start out that way, YOU get to choose if you stay there... or change.  I used to let my past, or my current situation, define who I was.  You have to change your story.  What's possible?  Just because you started out at point A....doesn't mean you have to reside at point A your entire life.  Think of all the places life could take you, if you just broke free from that victim mentality.  Take responsibility for your life and know that you have the power to change it...improve it.  Once you do, trust me, your life will change.  Think for a moment.... what might me holding you back?
  2. START FOCUSING ON YOUR STRENGTHS.  This was a big one for me.  I used to spend so much time focusing on my weaknesses, that I couldn't even begin to see my strengths.  I'm quite introverted and I used to see that as such a weakness.  I spent so much time wishing I could change that one thing about myself that it consumed me.  It took that desire to change...accomplishing step 1... to finally turn that weakness into a strength.  I started learning more about myself.  I took a Myers Briggs personality test and I learned that I'm a strong INFP, which is only 4% of the population.  It helped me so much to learn more about what my strengths and weaknesses are.  When I spoke to the expert on the phone after she evaluated me, she said she loves getting results that are so confirmed and definite.  She said, "I hope you're an entrepreneur...if not, you should be."  I was so happy to know I'm finally on the right path in my lifeI learned that while I may be a strong introverted "feeler", I also do have an extroverted side.  I'm an extroverted "intuitive".  I have a very strong intuition, or "sixth sense" for knowing what others need. Turns out I have a very strong creative quality too.  She explained that I love helping others, I have extremely strong values, and I'm happiest when I'm trying to make the world a better place.  Princess Diana, Johnny Depp...and many authors like J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Virginia Woolf, Orwell and Shakespeare are all on this list.  I'm pretty okay with my personality traits now that I know what good company I'm in;)   I also learned more about my weaknesses so that I'm aware of them.  I learned that cleaning is mundane to me and organization is not my forte.  Yep, the test pretty much nailed me.  She explained that you don't necessarily have to change your weaknesses, but being more aware of them helps us know where we need to fill in the gaps and get help.  We can't be all the things!  These are the things I need to learn to delegate.  (Yep, the personality test gave me permission to get a housekeeper without guilt, LOL....and a bookkeeper)  This will help me know the team I need to build around me to have success because I'm good at some things, and not good at others.  Taking a personality test not only helped me realize my strengths and understand my weaknesses, it helped me understand myself, accept myself.  Am I still an introvert?  Absolutely.  The difference is... today I wouldn't change that quality about myself for the world.  I told you my story in this section to help you see that what we need to gain is CONFIDENCE.  What are you good at?  What do you do in your spare time that excites you and makes you feel alive?  What do you know a lot about?  We all have strengths... something to give.  Focus on your strengths and quit allowing your weaknesses to hold you back from being great!  When you do this, you just might find your purpose in life!
  3.  LEARN TO SET GOALS.  This is key.  This step cannot be skipped if you want to have success and live your Best Life.  There is a right way and wrong way to set goals.  Don't get me wrong, setting any goal is better than not setting one, but if we know how set goals correctly, we'll have more success.  I've actually already written "How to Set Goals in 5 Simple Steps"...so I'll let you read that post to learn more about the "how to".  The important thing to know is, without goals, you can't have success.  It's like setting off on a roadtrip without a destination.  Unless you want to drive around aimlessly, letting life happen to you, you need to set specific goals.  Trust me on this.  We truly can achieve anything we put our mind to, but we need a plan to get there.
  4. FACE YOUR FEAR.  Many people never get past this one.  Everyone is afraid of something.  That something is failure for many people.  We've all seen the quote, right?  "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?"  Remember when you were a kid and you had all of these hopes and dreams of what you wanted to do in your life?  What happened to those?  Where'd those dreams go?  I was actually a terrified child... pretty much afraid of my own shadow, but I still had hopes and dreams inside me.  Even as I became a young adult going to work every day for someone else... I had this little voice inside my head telling me "You should be doing more."  I had settled for the job I had.  I'd backed into that career.  I happened to be great at it.  Even though I was great at it, does that mean I needed to stay great at it for 17 years?  Yep, that's how long I stayed...with that little voice nagging me every single day.  I faced a big fear when I started my blog in 2014.  I had no idea what I was doing when I started, I just knew I was on the right path by how happy it made me feel.  That voice was finally quiet.  2015 was my year of "YES".  I decided that in order to grow, I needed to start facing my fears.  Fears that I knew had held me back from living my Best Life.  I told myself that in 2015, when something came along that I would normally say "no" to.... I'd say "yes" and figure it out.  No more taking the easy road.  Like many people, my biggest fear is public speaking.  I'd gone to great lengths to avoid it my entire life.  There were even times in high school when I took a lower grade just so I didn't have to face it.  I'd gotten away with it until my 40's, I was essentially in the clear.  So why on earth did I stop my "no/never public speaking EVER" streak??  Because I knew if I was going to live my Best Life, I at least needed to conquer my biggest fear.  So I said "yes".  Long story short, I ended up public speaking FOUR different times... one of them was on a stage, mic'd, in front of about 400 people in San Francisco.  Whaaaa?  Who am I?  But guess what?  I didn't die even one time.  I did it.  Was I perfect?  Nope.  Does that matter to me as much as it would've before?  Nope.  I did well, I was authentic, and I helped people.  My personality type is also a perfectionist, so that was tough for me, trust me.  The old me would've beaten myself up for every piece that wasn't perfect.  When it became not about me anymore, and about the people I could potentially help, I was able to succeed.  Do I want to become a public speaker from now on?  Nope.  But at least I'm confident that I'll no longer have that paralyzing fear if I'm ever asked to do it from here on out, and that feels pretty awesome.  What fear is holding you back from living your Best Life?  Maybe it's time you made it a goal to conquer it once and for all.  Take it from me... it's never too late.
  5. GO FOR IT.  What would your life look like if you were living your Best Life today?  What areas of your life would need to change in order to get from here... to there?  I'm a firm believer that when there's a will, there's a way.  You just need to find your will, do the work, and the way will present itself as clear as the yellow brick road.  Make sure you click the link above to my post on the Law of Attraction.  It might just be the most important piece.  We aren't meant to be mediocre.  It's why that feeling is unsettling to us.  Don't be okay with being complacent.  Don't get lazy.  Don't be too hard on yourself... but be too hard on yourself!  Yes, you read that right.  There are times for both.  Don't compare yourself to others, learn to accept YOU for your unique awesome-ness, get over yourself.... then kick your own butt!  Push yourself to be better than before!  No one is going to show up at your door one day and say "Here!  I found your Best Life for you...here you go!"  It's up to you.  You have to want it.  You have to decide you're worth it.  You have to create it for yourself.   It's never too late to GO FOR that thing that you know is inside you, just waiting to be great!

I hope this inspired you in some way.  I'd LOVE to hear from you.  If any of this resonates with you, I hope you give these things a try.  Tag me on social media or comment below... and let me know how you're making changes to live YOUR Best Life.  

This quote was sent to me a while back by an old friend who has known me for a long time.  I love it so much because it resonates with me more than you know.  I want it to resonate with you too;)  Here's to living your Best Life.

In Blogging & Work-Life, Family & Home Tags law of attraction, victim, goals, fear, success, best life
5 Comments

Do You Have Impostor Syndrome?

October 22, 2015 Shannon Taatjes

It seems like every time I turn around these days there's another "syndrome" being advertised on TV.  This isn't one of those.

This is a term that was coined in the 1970's by psychologists and researchers.  Impostor Syndrome informally describes 'people who are unable to internalize their accomplishments' -Wikipedia.

I learned about this from Nicole Walters, AKA "ScOprah", the creator of the highly popular $1K1Day Academy that I completed.  When she talked to us about this "Syndrome", it resonated with me and I believe it's too important not to share, especially with my fellow entrepreneurs out there.  I love empowering women to gain confidence...this can help.

Being in the blogging community I know what self doubt feels like.  When you create a business and brand from nothing, it can be easy to downplay your success.  I think most entrepreneurs have self doubt creep in from time to time.  Most days I feel confident in my work, but then I'll have that moment when I wonder if what I have to say is good enough.  Is it luck that got me here?  Is what I'm offering actually helping people?  

Nicole explained that Impostor Syndrome is most common among high achieving women and minorities.  Men have it too, but won't embrace it for fear of being "found out".  It can also be known as "Fraud Syndrome".

It was amazing to me that Nicole explained that this happens to someone at her level too and I think that was so honest.  She is one of the most REAL coaches I've had and by her sharing that about herself...it helped me, so I know it can help others.  I know the importance of choosing coaches who "walk the walk".  Nicole is definitely doing just that.  To hear that she sometimes questions herself, knowing that she earned six figures in one hour last week...says a lot.  Don't get me wrong, Nicole is THE most confident woman I've come across in a long time.  She just cares SO much that what she is offering is valuable, so just one person who may not understand or embrace what she's offering, can lead to Imposter Syndrome.  That makes sense.  Most of us who are entrepreneurs are here because we are living in our purpose and we care SO MUCH about delivering exceptional content for our audience.  The difference is, when we are AWARE of it, we can get past it.  That's exactly what she taught us how to do.

She often tells us, "You're good enough, go ahead" when we doubt and question ourselves...OR she guides us on how to be better;)  Nicole has coached us to develop our own products, webinars, academies, and so many other ways to solve our reader's problems.  There's a lot of Impostor Syndrome surrounding that process since this is a first step for many of us in her group....as you can imagine.  The other students in the group are unbelievably talented and have so much to offer, but may become paralyzed in the fear and are unable to realize their success and accomplishments!  

So what do we do when Impostor Syndrome strikes?  Stop justifying your success.  It's not dumb luck that you are successful.  We need to GIVE OURSELVES CREDIT!  But HOW?  This is what I love about Nicole because she not only gives us the idea, she gives us actionable steps and tools to use...

How to beat Impostor Syndrome:

  • When making ANY decision, create a strategy.  Create a PLAN, STRUCTURE and OUTLINE for ideas and projects.  This way when your idea comes to fruition, you can look back at the EVIDENCE of your strategy and this will make it more legitimate.  
  • She gave us homework...yes, she's big on homework. This is an I AM ENOUGH activity that you can use when Impostor Syndrome strikes.  She had us write our TRUTH.  She asked us to write our accomplishments up to today.  We then shared that with our group.  I must say this was a powerful activity for me.  It actually brought me to tears.  To sit down and write about my SUCCESS, what I've accomplished in my business so far, what I've created from absolutely nothing, along with the kind of person I am ...to see it on paper, made me no longer feel self-doubt.  It made me feel PRIDE.  This I AM ENOUGH activity will be a tool I continue to use.  I encourage you to try it.
  • Another way to be reassured and OWN your success is to BELIEVE THE PERSPECTIVE OF THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU.  I'm talking about those people who you trust... your tribe, your team, your family.  Decide to believe them when they compliment you!  It's EASY to believe criticism and negative things about yourself.  Start BELIEVING all the positive things!

I hope this resonates with you and helps you realize that yes, you may have self-doubt every so often, but it doesn't have to OWN you.  Now you're AWARE of it and you can say to yourself,  'You're good enough, go ahead'.

To see the VALUABLE product that Nicole taught me to create to HELP so many people that NEED this information, click here.  I've gotten messages and cards saying "thank you".  That's special and I'm so happy I have the platform to share what I've learned with others who need it.

In Blogging & Work-Life
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Hi friends!  I'm Shannon and WELCOME to my health + lifestyle blog.  I often found myself being asked about things like nutrition, health, and fashion...so I decided to start sharing...and Happy WifeStyle™ was born in 2014. Sharing led to inspiring people...inspiring people has led to coaching...and now I've turned my little blog into a business and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.  I hope to inspire you to live your happiest, most nutritious life.  I hope to empower you to know that you can do anything you set your mind to.  If I can do it, you can do it.  Thanks for stopping by and feel free to introduce yourself!

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Fueling your Fitness
You Have 4 Minutes To Change Your Life - Q & A with Rebekah Borucki
Benefits of Using a Diffuser
A Healthy Holiday Mindset...
Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge
Is Dulse the Next Superfood?
Healthy Gut Healthy Life Challenge
My Anti-Aging Drink
6 Steps to Choosing a Healthy Protein Powder
5 Minute Plank Workout
Eat Your Greens Challenge
Get Your Greens On!
Dry Skin Brushing - Benefits + How To
Apple Pie Detox Tea
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30 Day Little Black Dress Challenge
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barre3 Workout
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30 Day Plank Challenge
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The Whole30 Book
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The real reason to set Goals
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Whole30 Day 1 for New Beginnings!
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Make a Change Because You Love Your Body, Not Because You Hate It
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My Health Story
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Whole30 Day 30
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18 Tips for Eating Out Like a Paleo Pro
FASHION & STYLE
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Fall Fashion Inspo 2020
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My Top 10 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks - Shoes + Boots
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My Top 10 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks - Accessories + Handbags
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What I'm Packing for Maui
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shoe Picks
Nordtrom Anniversary Sale Accessory Picks
Outfit of the Day - "Spring Casual"
April Stitch Fix Finds
Nordstom Sale picks for me!
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale - My Top 10 Picks from the Catalog
Summer Outfit for all Occasions
My Top 10 Mothers Day Gift Ideas
What I'm packing for Maui...
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What's Your Word?
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Does Your Bra Fit?
I had never heard of Origami Owl...every locket tells a story, what's yours?
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Customize your Nike's!
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My "Top 10" Favorite Shopping Apps...
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Define Your Style
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50 favorite "fashion quotes"
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Fashion - How to make the "High End, Low End mix" work
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Shop Smarter…How to figure out "Cost Per Wear"
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101 Fashion Tips & Tricks Every Girl Should Know
BEAUTY & PRODUCTS
Counterman - Clean Skincare for Men
Counterman - Clean Skincare for Men
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Facial Massage
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Nutrition for your Skin
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Clean Swap - The 6 Worst Offenders in your Beauty Routine
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Living an empowered life
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Black Friday Deals!
Why I take my own nail polish to the salon...
15 Mother's Day Gifts she actually wants...
Meet Beautycounter+
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How to get 4 of my Favorite Beauty Products for FREE!
NEW Desert Sunrise Collection!
Guide to Face Oils
My Make Up Trick...
Can we trust that our beauty products are safe? What you need to know before you shop.
Beautycounter for Target
My Anti-Aging Drink
My Top 10 Mothers Day Gift Ideas
How To Create Beachy Waves
What I'm packing for Maui...
Dry Skin Brushing - Benefits + How To
Charcoal Cleansing Bar + Sea Salt Spray
Safe Product Movement
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Amazon Prime Day
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My Top Five Beauty Tips
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Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara Review
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bareMinerals Complexion Rescue
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How to Make Lemon Coconut Body Scrub
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Does Your Bra Fit?
Happy Frenchie Friday!
The best Champagne stopper - keeps it fresh for a week!
FAMILY & HOME
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Gratitude over Grief
Benefits of Using a Diffuser
A Grateful Heart...
5 Steps to choosing Your Best Life
Safe Product Movement
What I'm focusing on in October
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How to create fun Business Cards
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The real reason to set Goals
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Why you should take business talk outside the home
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Frenchie Friday
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You Are Who You Surround Yourself With
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10 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self
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Frenchie Friday - How I make my coffee these days...
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Frenchie Friday the 13th!
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Frenchie Friday
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Frenchie Friday
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Frenchie Friday
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Never stop being your husband's girlfriend...
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Frenchie Friday
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Happy Frenchie Friday!
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Frenchie Friday
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Happy Frenchie Friday!
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How to make a gift bag out of wrapping paper!
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Frenchie Friday...Christmas is right around the corner!
Marianne-Williamson
Our deepest fear...
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It's Frenchie Friday...Stay Dry!
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Happy Holiday Frenchie Friday!
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Frenchie Friday!
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Happy Frenchie Friday!
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Frenchie Friday! Top 10 Cold Weather Pet Tips...

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