There are so many writers trying to figure out where they fit in with freelancing. Once they get that part figured out, they usually need to start collecting clips for their portfolio. That’s where my guest writers come in! Every Tuesday I’ll be featuring a new guest post by up-and-coming freelance writing superstars.
If you want to be featured next, send me an email at Chandi@ChandiGilbert.com and tell me what you want to write about.
And now, drum roll, meet Shannon!
Shannon MacDevine started her beauty blog to inspire women through makeup! The first step to being amazing is feeling amazing! Through makeup, Shannon endeavors to help women feel beautiful from the inside out. Stop by Geek the Chic Out to check up on the latest trends, tips, reviews, and much more! Don’t forget to get a shot of inspiration from her “You are beautiful” page while you are there! Visit her blog at www.GeektheChicOut.WordPress.
Happiness Starts with a Smile
We have all had those days that we are not feeling the self-love, right? Maybe our creative flow is low, we are having a bad skin day, or we put on a couple of pounds. Whatever the reason might be, feeling down on ourselves is going to impact what we are putting out into the world!
As a beauty & fashion writer, I could talk all day long about how to contour like a pro, how to perfectly blend a smoky eye, and how to style your wardrobe for success. With all the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years though, there is one thing I KNOW to be 100% true; if you are not feeling beautiful on the inside, it will never translate to your outside.
It’s all a cycle (bear with me as we peel the onion a bit). To feel beautiful, we have to feel happy. To feel happy, we have to recognize the beauty we all have inside. When we feel happy (deep on the inside happy), what we put out into the world is going to reflect that happiness!
It took me a long time to realize that I was the only one who was going to take care of my inner happiness. I was never going to be able to make others feel beautiful from within if I didn’t feel that way either.
So, I started a campaign to make myself happy, and I started with a smile! I would do small things for myself that would make me smile, and it worked!
Here are some things I did:
Pretty up those money makers!
As writers, our hands are our lifeline. We are looking at them all day, so why not decorate them? Jazz them up any way you can think of that will put a smile on your face!
- Get some pretty temporary tattoos to spice things up.
- Brighten up your manicure with some fluorescent nail polish.
- Have a sweet tooth? Grab a Ring Pop or even a ring with some shiny lip gloss.
- Have hands that are always cold? Find some awesome fingerless gloves and add some big funky rings.
- Whatever floats your boat! We use and look at our hands all day. Why not dress them up for an extra dose of smiles?
Pamper yourself
Finding the time to pamper ourselves is never easy, but it’s something we should all make room for in our busy schedules. A little pampering lets us know that we are worth the extra effort. As busy profesh writers though, finding the time can be hard, so try these multi-tasking options.
- Put a great smelling sheet mask on that will make you feel like you’re at the spa.
- Get a chair massager.
- Slather some super moisturizing lotion onto your feet and then wear some soft socks over.
- Or, to really ramp it up, place a tub of warm water on the floor (careful of wires & outlets), add some Epsom salt and your favorite oils, and give yourself a foot bath—trust me nothing is better.
Practical Tip: Use scents like lavender, jasmine, lemon, and rosemary to boost your mood and productivity!
Decorate your workspace
Even if you work at your kitchen table, don’t be afraid to add some sparkle to your work area! Change it up often with things that are important to you.
- Support your favorite sports team.
- Celebrate holidays and anniversaries, every small goal reached.
- Honor someone who inspires you.
- Decorating is not only for the holidays. If you give meaning to the decorations you place in your workspace, it will remind you to smile!
Practical tip: Multi-task your decorations. Store pens, pencils, and lip glosses in holiday mugs, or write inspirational quotes on the outside of your file folders.
Compliment yourself
Complimenting yourself is a huge mood booster, and it’s a great way to make yourself smile! The trick is to really mean it.
You are a beautiful and talented individual. It’s important to tell yourself so! It’s about giving yourself just as much love as you give to others.
Quick DYI tip: Grab two binder clips, and a small dry erase board or chalkboard. Glue the binder clips to the back of the board (on either side) then clip it to your computer. Write “I am awesome” on it. Look at it every day. Repeat it to yourself. Even if you are faking it until you are making it, you’re eventually going to feel awesome.
Feeling happy, and beautiful, about who you are is so much more than wearing a great outfit or having the perfect image. It’s about looking deep inside yourself and knowing you are incredible. Once that happiness is in place, it will be reflected in your career, in your appearance, in your health, and every other aspect of your life.
You never know when your smile will inspire or influence someone else!
Don’t forget to check out Shannon at www.GeektheChicOut.WordPress.
