Top ten tools to better yourself with ETSY
I think I have fallen in love with “Top Ten” lists. Hopefully you have too, because here is another one. I compiled this list with the help of my team since I personally could create a top 100 and needed some help editing it down. Whether you already have a self care practice or you are just getting started, I urge you to find the practice that serves your soul and fills your cup. We need you at your best. I hope you enjoy our list of the Top Ten Tools to Better Yourself with ETSY.
Journaling is a beautiful daily practice for self care and self love. It’s one of the most practical and easy ways to make a commitment to yourself and keep it. This Daily Journal is a great place to start your practice. It is simple and totally complete, with room for important reminders, gratitude lists, and daily appointments. Most importantly, perhaps it gives space to set your intention for the day which brings us back to this very moment. By writing down all the nonsense of our life, then remembering what we have as gifts, and what we want to do with those gifts, we are in embodying the present more than ever. Julia Cameron says it best, “We should write because writing yields us a body of work, a felt path through the world we live in. We should write, above all, because we are writers, whether we call ourselves that or not.”
2. Eye Pillow
A weighted eye pillow is a simple luxury that offers a big bang for your buck. Firstly, the eye pillow blocks out light so you can practice your meditation or get a nap in during the day time. If you struggle with sleep in general, it is also a useful tool for naturally inducing the sleep hormone melatonin which is light-dependent. Any eye mask or a set of quality curtains can block light so another benefit of this eye pillow is the weight which offers a deep pressure therapy aka acupressure. According to the theory of acupressure the weight applied to your eyes helps relax you and alleviates tension. If you suffer from headaches or migraines, weighted eye pillows are known to help reduce the pain associated with symptoms. Two features of this particular mask that I love are the satin fabric and the lavender scent. The satin texture is very relaxing and easy on the skin around my eyes. Plus the lavender scent brings in my olfactory senses and sends me right to sleep. If aromatherapy is not your thing, there is an unscented option!
3. A print for your room and a simple intention setting pad.
These two are a winning combo for someone who wants a reminder with their new intention setting practice. This print grounds me with the beautiful colors and inspiring message. When I’m feeling like I am too tired, not enough, or lost before I started, I look at this print and remember why I picked it out and put it up. I can do hard things! (And so can you) Take that little spurt of information and write down your intention on the intention setting pad. Of course, you can write your intention setting anywhere but remember what I wrote about how this list could be 100 items long?
While we are on the topic of aesthetically appealing and practical, here is a home run pick. Last year, I lost track of what day, date, and even month we were in thanks to the global pandemic. This year, I am staying on track with my time and keeping myself centered with these monthly mantras. It’s Monday, we are in January, and I embrace new beginnings.
5. Dry Brush
Dry brushing is a totally under-rated and positively fabulous way to take care of yourself. Before your shower or bath, take a few minutes to brush your skin in small circular strokes and you will instantly feel the benefits. Dry brushing improves circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system. Also, the exfoliation of your skin unclogs pores, removes dead skin cells, and leaves the largest organ of your body feeling smooth and soft.
If you are starting from scratch, here is a gift box to yourself that will keep you busy for a while. This handmade and fair trade gift box is the ultimate self care bundle to keep you centered and grounded. There are bath salts for a soak in the tub, sleep balm to help you wind down, aromatherapy (either lavender or a strength and serenity blend), and all purpose Zen Balm made from Olive and Jojoba oils. Also, this can easily be gift wrapped which means it may be the perfect gift to send to someone you know who needs a little extra L-O-V-E.
This mindset journal is the perfect way to redirect negative thinking into a useful direction. I love this journal because it is super simple and the daily activity probably takes less than 2 minutes, but it is such a powerful tool for self awareness. After a couple of days of writing down our “Challenges” and seeing how it is an “Opportunity”, we start really growing and elevating the self-talk we are accustomed to. If you are confused by the concept of self-talk then I highly recommend starting with this journal! It will help you see and notice where you are being held up by limiting beliefs.
Okay, if you’re like me, then you may think that saying affirmations is a silly and embarrassing woo-woo trend that you are not going to suffer! However, I recently discovered research which supports this woo-woo trend that got me thinking, maybe I could use the practice. According to studies performed in 1999 and 2001, Self-affirmation has been demonstrated to lower stress and rumination. (Koole et al., 1999; Weisenfeld et al., 2001). Namely, affirmations help to provide the affirmer perspective on themselves and their lives. In this pack, you get 31 affirmation cards which you are instructed to draw 1-3 from, then read the card aloud to yourself (maybe in front of a mirror to up the ante) and either memorize it or take it with you for the day. Plus, you get a palo santo stick to clear your energy with and a Self Love intention candle. Use this kit to set your intention on something positive and keep it in your mind throughout the rest of your day.
If you are new to meditation maybe you should give yourself a head start with a full on meditation box. Inside this box you get a Ylang Ylang and Bergamot candle, Sage scented incense, an affirmation card, a Rose Quartz crystal, a journal and herbal tea. All of the above can be part of your meditation ritual and just one of the above might make it into your meditation ritual, but you’ll never know what really works for you until you give the tools a try.
This lovely lavender and coconut milk candle is the perfect candle to set on your meditation altar or next to your bed for maximum serenity. For just $15 dollars you get a candle that burns for 40 hours and it is totally natural. Lighting a candle is a great way to start any self care or meditative practice as it directs your attention to a single purpose. With the calming lavender and vanilla scent of this meditation candle, you can breathe in your intention and come back to the present. Any candle can be a meditation candle, but we highly recommend this one!