Do you ever feel like you're so inside your head you can't think straight? The voices in your head are so overpowering that you forget how to speak? That's how I've been feeling for months and I can't seem to break the cycle.

Every morning I wake up with a knot in my stomach, like I'm forgetting something or there's a missing piece somewhere in my path. I can't seem to put my finger on why I'm feeling that way or how to fix it, so I walk through the day with this cloud hanging over my head, looking over my shoulder and wondering if I'll ever figure out what's bothering me.

In my head, I have a very specific idea of who I want to be in my life. I want to be someone who is happy, successful, chic, glamorous, fun and exciting. I want to be the kind of girl who wakes up at 5 AM, works out, meditates, journals, goes on a walk and lets the sun shine on her back. I want to focus, to be productive to achieve my dreams and be a hard worker. I want to make myself a nice dinner, have a mocktail or a glass of wine in my fancy apartment, watch television, read and fall peacefully asleep in a cozy, warm room. I want my life to look like the night luxe trend on TikTok, or some other aesthetically pleasing visual that comes across your social media feed.

 Ok so it's an e-book and I self published it but it still counts! 

It seems like my entire life has been leading to this point. I have always wanted to be an author and I used to dream about what it would be like to see my name on the cover a book, what it would be like to have a writing routine, to get all my ideas out on paper and have people read it the way I've read so many authors. 

It's a dream that I've been working toward for years, that is constantly on my vision board and now this year it's happening.

 The grief and amount of death I have experienced at 30 years old is more than the average person. It is more than the average person in my life, at least. It started out at age 13 when my grandpa died. Then, I had a few of my mom's cousins who we were close to pass away, then my dad passed away, my aunt a few years later. A few more of my mom's cousins tragically passed in the coming years and last year, we loss my grandpa.

Since then, we also lost my great aunt, my grandpa's sister and every time my family and I walk into a funeral home it feels like a cruel joke.

We laugh, we poke fun, how we're always at a funeral but that kind of tragedy sticks with you. 

My relationship with grief has transformed since my dad passed in 2016. The 7 year anniversary was last week and it felt like a very ominous day. I was oddly calm but the reminder of what the day symbolized lingered in the background of my mind.

 I've been struggling with my mental health for years and while things have gotten better at times, and I'm much better than I was years ago, the past few months have been really hard for me. I've been having a lot of panic attacks (which is proof in itself that my mental health is on the decline because I only have panic attacks when things are at rock bottom), and just having an overall anxious feeling on a daily basis.

The issue with my anxiety is that it is not situational, though I do experience anxiety in high stress and pressure situations, but rather my anxiety is just always there lingering underneath the surface. Everything could be going fine and I'm extremely anxious. When I don't know why my anxiety is flaring up it's harder for me to fix and find a way to feel better. It's torturous to live with a lump in your throat, your heart beating fast, and just an overall feeling of nervousness and discomfort.

 Mental Health Awareness month is so important to me because I struggle so much with mental health. It is so empowering to me that so many other people around the world struggle with the same things I do and I am so grateful to live in a time where speaking about your mental health is normal. 

Perhaps I am lucky because I grew up in a household where mental health struggles were normal. Whenever I was feeling sad, anxious, or just out of sorts, those feelings weren't pushed away. Because my family members understood what I was going through my feelings were taken seriously and they pushed me to get better. 

I've been extremely open with my issues on the blog and social media over the years. I have never been ashamed that I have anxiety and depression because I have never felt shame around it.  The last time I gave an update was in May 2021, aka the last Mental Health Awareness Month so I guess we're making this a tradition.

I am someone who craves routine. I live and breathe by my structured days and when I am thrown off my usual routine, I feel very anxious and confused. 

I also am someone who wants to, and likes to, do a lot of things. I want to be the best version of myself and have really healthy habits but because my mind is always a chaotic place, it's hard to stay on track. I will start incorporating products or routines into my daily life but after a while, I get distracted and lose track.

A few months ago, I found that I was really craving more structure when it comes to my wellness routine. I wanted to make sure I was doing things I wanted on a daily/weekly basis. I wanted something to tell me what to do every single day of the week. These habits are meant to enrich my life and not seem too much like a checklist... but how should I stay on top of things without being overwhelmed?

I have always been fascinated by millennials. I mean, I am a millennial but for my entire life, I've heard criticisms of my generation. We're lazy, entitled, anxious, depressed, etc. We are a generation that has inherited a lot of turmoil and has been surrounded by it our entire lives. We are the first generation to not be as well of as our parents. 

We watched thousands of people die on national television when we were kids, can't remember a time before the Iraq war, grew up with the mentality that we can do anything, were always busy, and then inherited the worst recession since the Great Depression. 

How are millennials NOT going to be burnt out, anxious and depressed?

That notion, that millennials are the burnout generation is fascinating and as an entitled, self-centered millennial, I love to get inside the psyche of my peers 

When I saw that this book, "Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation" was being released, I was really excited. It was exactly what I was looking for and the answer to all of my questions. The book was inspired by an article written of the same name, by the same author, in January 2019. 

I remember when the article was released, it took social media by storm. It was eye-opening and jaw-dropping so it wasn't a surprise that Petersen got a book deal out of it.  

The book was published in September 2020 and I immediately bought it. I read and finished it at the beginning of this year so I'm not sure why I haven't written a book review until now. 

If you haven't heard, May in Mental Health Awareness Month and even though the month is almost over, I think it's still really important to talk about mental health, especially mine! I've been really open in the past about my anxiety, depression, and overall struggles when it comes to mental health so I think it's only right to give you an update. 

Like so many others, my mental health plummeted during quarantine, mostly toward the end of the summer and all the way through the end of 2020. It was probably my lowest point ever... before I went on medication even. It was really scary and really disheartening. I pride myself on being in control of my mental health, even when I'm feeling low and to not know how to handle it was a weird feeling.

It was so bad that I could barely get out of bed, couldn't muster up a smile or good thought, and cried all the time. I took control though and started implementing some strong changes that have helped. That's the entire point of this post, to walk you through some of my self-care practices that have really made a difference.

I cannot believe it has been a year since New York City locked down. On March 14th, 2020, the restaurants, bars, schools, and other 'essential' businesses closed. I was at my best friend's bridesmaids brunch when we got the news and we were all freaking out a bit. It was really overwhelming, anxiety inducing, and scary. 

As a world, we had never experienced anything like what we were on the cusp of and it was terrifying. We were watching China and Italy fall apart, and we had no idea that NYC was next. 

I don't think anyone understands what it was like in March-May here in New York, unless you were here. I don't live in Manhattan but mid-March I went into my office to grab a few things and I felt like I was in a movie. There was no one on the streets. The only people I saw were the mailmen and delivery workers. I was shaken to my core when I left... I never saw my city like that and I never want to see it again.

The difference about NYC going through the pandemic this time last year was that we were going through it alone. No other state was experiencing the spikes in cases and dates that we were... we were shipping in doctors and nurses from around the country because we didn't have enough people on the frontlines, we had a ship in the harbor, hospitals were set up in parking lots and parks. It was intense. Watching Governor Cuomo speak daily was hypnotizing, watching the numbers go up and up was really sickening; at the height of it, I remember we had 800 deaths in a day. I couldn't believe what we were living through. 

Politics aside, New York set the standard for how to handle the pandemic; the closures, the precautions, the extra hospital beds. We were figuring it out as the hours passed and to witness it was truly scary. When the first few people I personally knew died, it felt like a gut punch. It was devastating to know that their life was going to be a number, that we couldn't have proper funerals... it was just so sad. 

What I remember so vividly was how unknown everything was; it's amazing to think that we know more than we did a year ago because there was a time where no one knew what the virus was like, no one knew what to expect so the incredible fear we all had of catching Covid was at an all time high. 

Of course, to catch it now is still scary but doctors know what they're doing, we know more about the virus, if you are young and healthy, you will probably be ok. It just feels so different versus what life was like at the beginning. 

On another note, it still feels all incredibly traumatic. I am not diminishing mental health disorders (you know I am a huge advocate of mental health) but I can't help but feel we all went through an incredibly traumatic experience. Never mind the healthcare workers who went through what I would classify as a medical war, but as a city, a state, a nation, a world... we went through trauma.

This week was hard for no particular reason but there was an underlying sense of anxiety. The articles, the memories, the knowledge that this time last year, the entire world changed. Also, the weather was really beautiful and it felt like spring which also kind of triggered me. I just can't believe that we have been living this way for an entire year, but in the same breath, I can't believe it's only been a year. 

The days during quarantine were intense; I was still working while my mom and sister were in the rest of the house, trying to keep sane and busy. TikTok became a staple, my sister worked out multiple times of day. My friends and I organized Zoom calls, my sister and I learned TikTok dances, and we spent hours watching television. Life was so strange when the highlight of our week was going for a walk in the park (this wasn't until mid-May when things were a on the up) or going grocery shopping.

All that being said, I never felt bored. I'm very good at entertaining myself and it almost felt good to be stuck in the house. Being home is my favorite thing so I feel like I was kind of thriving, as horrible as it sounds. 

People on TikTok has been romanticizing early quarantine and someone explained it perfectly; March/April was the only time during the pandemic where the entire country (and probably the world) was on the same page. We were all scared, all nervous, all waiting for the other shoe to drop and the only time where pretty much everyone was taking it seriously. If they weren't taking it seriously, or didn't believe it the virus (ridiculous!!) they were still stuck at home. It's pretty much the only time in our life we could say everyone was experiencing the same thing.

I know this was a very long, rambling post but I just needed to commemorate this moment in the time. One year into a pandemic, we are still wearing masks, still social distancing, still mourning, still learning, still changing, and still waiting for life to return to normal. But there is hope! 1 in 10 Americans are vaccinated against Covid-19 and what a beautiful statistic that is!

xoxo
B

Since I was a little girl I always had a diary. I loved writing my thoughts down, getting my feelings out and just feeling like I was speaking to someone, even if it was just myself.

I have kept up the practice of journaling on and off for years but in the past year or so, I've gotten more into making this a habit for me. I journal anywhere from 2-4 times a week but always try to journal at least once. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less... it's usually more if I'm feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.

2020 was a hard year. I've been saying that for months and it still rings true, however, I am sick of talking about it. It was hard for a lot of reasons: for personal reasons, for the pandemic, for death, for social injustice, for adjustments, for the election, for the tension, for the fighting, for the selfishnesses. It was exhausting on so many levels.

It was heartbreaking on so many levels and just simply unfair. It didn't have to end up like this; we didn't need to experience this trauma but we did and we're all still in the thick of it. As the clock struck midnight on Friday, we didn't magically make all the problems we had in 2020 go away. It's going to take time, learning, and hopefully a new administration! 

2020 was a year of learning and being taught lessons you never wanted or needed to learn. 

I learned a lot this year, about myself and about the world.

• I learned that people are not what they seem -- that things can happen without you seeing them coming and you have to deal.

• I was hit with the realization that a ton of people don't like following rules and feel like they are entitled to do whatever they want because we live in a 'free country'.

• I am really great at keeping myself entertained! Being in quarantine didn't bother me so much because I love being home and I've always been an expert at keeping myself occupied. 

• Even with facts, some people just won't believe you when you say something true.

• I learned a ton about politics and how the country works, which I'm grateful for but also gave me a lot of anxiety.

• My anxiety and depression do have triggers and it's not a bad thing to avoid them.

• Reading is a true escape for me and one of my favorite things to do.

• Procrastination is a big problem for me and I need to fix that.

• I am perfectly fine with not talking about politics with people who disagree with me. I understand everyone has the right to an opinion but some things, I cannot look past. 

• Being outside actually brings me great joy and I love taking walks and being at a park.

• I never want to live anywhere but New York. (I knew this already but this pandemic really solidified that)

• I am self-aware of my anxiety and depression but I need to work at pulling myself out of a rut and actually doing the work, instead of just accepting this is how I am.

Goals I Hit:

2021 Goals: 

In 2016, my dad passed away and my world was changed forever. When I think about it, nothing has ever felt the same, felt as happy, or as good as it did before 2016. The one thing that definitely didn't feel the same was the holidays, or any celebration, including my birthday.

At the beginning of this year, my family was dealt with another hard card when my aunt passed away and we've been dreading the holiday season ever since January. It's also the first holiday season I'm single in a few years, so there is loss all around because loss doesn't just mean death. 

I've been thinking about this post for a while and in a way, this is the perfect year to talk about it. We're all going to be celebrating the holiday differently and you might find some comfort in having to deal with your loss in this vastly different holiday season rather than if everything was merry and bright. 

These are the tools that have worked for me over the years when it comes to celebrations and the holiday season. I'm not an expert nor am I a doctor but wanted to just offer advice to anyone who needs it. I am also someone who loves the holiday season, despite everything, so I am pretty good at dusting myself off and powering through... if you are not that kind of person, please don't take offense to any advice offered. 

Days Leading Up to the Holiday

Let Yourself Feel

The first Thanksgiving without my dad, I woke up crying. I could cry thinking about it now. I cried for the majority of the day and would sneak away into my room to sit and cry, thinking about how everything was different and how much I missed him.

I think my mistake was trying to make the day feel normal. I did all my normal things: woke up, had coffee, snuggled up to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade but at some point, it hit me that nothing was normal and that I was suppressing my feelings. 

Your feelings are valid, always remember that, but when it comes to personal loss, your feelings are more than valid -- they're raw and real and warranted. In the days leading up to the holiday, let yourself feel those emotions. Try your best to not push them down or distract yourself... feel them and let yourself cry. Throw a tantrum, scream into a pillow and let it all out. You will feel so much better afterward and it is your gateway into 'normalcy'.

Write It Out

I'm working on another post dedicated to journaling but wow, writing out your feelings really does wonders. When I'm feeling down about my grief, I write it in my journal. I might frame it as a letter or just let out my frustration about how they aren't here anymore.

Honor Your Loved One

I like to take a few personal moments to honor my dad (and this year, my aunt). Whether that's just saying a prayer, talking out loud to them, or wearing something that reminds me of them,  it helps me feel close to them and helps me channel my grief in a physical way. 

My dad & I

On the Actual Day

Focus on Something You Enjoy 

Take Time Away from the Celebration

Don't Retreat

If you're not dealing with death but a different type of loss...

I am not a doctor, let me get that straight. I am not a medical professional of any kind so take my advice with a grain of salt. What I am is a 27-year-old woman who has been dealing with anxiety attacks for almost 10 years so I know a little bit about how to deal with anxiety and/or panic attacks.

The past few weeks have been probably some of the most stressful of 2020... not just for me but for everyone. There was a lot of uncertainty leading up to the election, the spike in Covid cases across the world, and now post-election stress is going to be mixed with the holiday season. It's just not good for anyone's mental health.

I have definitely experienced a spike in anxiety attacks over the course of the past few months and have found a few new ways to deal with them. I figured I would take you through every step of my anxiety attack and how I resolve them.

For reference, I am on anti-anxiety/depression medication that I take daily but that doesn't mean my anxiety is completely gone. It just means I can function on a daily basis. I still have triggers and still need to navigate an attack... this is what works for me.

Credit

At the First Sign of Anxiety

When I first feel the anxiety coming on, I try to take a few deep breaths. No matter what I am doing, I take a moment to close my eyes, put my hand over my heart, and deep breathe. It helps me focus and center myself, without getting distracted. If I'm working, I will briefly shut the computer so no blue light is coming in & turn off any podcasts or music I am listening to so I can sit in silence. The silence really helps ease me because sometimes the anxiety is just brought on by overstimulation. 

After I sit like that for a few minutes, I will chug some water and maybe rub a little lavender oil on my temples, just to set the mood. I'll also try to get up and eat something because even though it sounds silly, sometimes anxiety can be mistaken for hunger (at least in my experience!) 

However, sometimes the pausing and breathing are just not enough...

After the Anxiety Really Sets In

When I'm Having a Full-Blown Anxiety Attack

I hope this helped, even just a little bit! If you have any other mental health questions, feel free to contact me (email or Instagram), and let's chat! 

 I've been moving this post around on my editorial calendar for the past few months because I didn't know when it felt right to write something like this. This year, with the pandemic, has been truly been horrifying. Who would've thought that a virus could shut down the entire world? This was something that I never even imagined and something that never crossed my mind as a possibility. 

Back in March, I was already feeling horrible about the year; my aunt passed away and my boyfriend broke up with me so I wasn't thrilled about 2020 to start with. Now, every day seems to get worse and there has been a huge effect on my mental health. 

When this all started and we were on full lockdown here in NYC, it felt like you were in a horror movie. I remember I went back to my office at the end of March (I needed to grab some items) and the streets were empty... I'm not exaggerating; aside from a few delivery men, I was the only person on the street. It felt like a movie set... it felt like someone was making a movie about New York and this was their fake New York. If you are in Manhattan every day, with crowded streets and loud noises, and full of life, to see the city like that was a shock to the system.

I have had this post in my editorial calendar for a solid year and kept moving it. Some weeks I didn't feel like I used the app enough to warrant a review and other times I just wasn't in the right... headspace to write it. I'm sorry for the bad pun but I couldn't help it.

Tuesday inspiration was a blog series I used to do back in the days. If I'm being totally honest, it was an easy filler in terms of content and it made me feel connected to all of you. It was where I got serious and discussed things that were close to my heart.

At some point along the way, I stopped posting them because I had new ideas and felt that it was tired. At some point, I didn't think it resonated with anyone and it didn't resonate with me. Life was ok for a while and I didn't feel like I needed the inspirational quotes to help me get through the days.

Times have changed though and we're five months into what I think is the worst year ever. I had the highest of hopes for this year and they crumbled so fast and so dramatically. My aunt died in January, coronavirus started in mid-end February, I got broken up with out of the blue in March and then the world imploded.

It truly has been a dumpster fire of a year and we're not halfway done. It's very scary, it's very discouraging and it's very nerve-wracking. Besides everyone's physical health is at risk, our mental health is at risk too. It's really difficult and I just wish the best for everyone.

Quotes from Pinterest quotes from people I respect... just a good feeling, in general, goes a long way right now. It's important, I think, to really remain hopeful and know that everything, the good and the bad come to an end. This won't last forever.

From now on, whenever I feel like we could all use a pick me up, I'm going to utilize Tuesday Inspiration. Some weeks will have a message, some will just be rambles, some will just be quotes. Either way, positivity is needed.

It has been almost four years since I first talked about my experience with grief. I lost my dad in March 2016 and in a few short weeks, it'll be four years without him. At the time, I didn't think my life was going to go back to 'normal' but somehow it did. I look back at that time in 2016 where I was just hopeless; I had lost my dad, my family was forced to move, I was still getting my footing in my career, and things were messy in my love life. I was kind of lost in who I was and where I belonged. It was horrible.

Now, four years later, I'm settled into a fantastic new job, have a wonderful boyfriend and have a better sense of self.

Grief doesn't go away, ever. It is always there, a constant reminder of who you lost and who isn't there anymore. I wake up and one of the first things I think about besides wanting to hit the snooze button is my dad. Whether I had a dream about him or I just feel his presence, the thought is there. It's the first thing I wake up to and the last thing I go to sleep thinking about.

My new job is located very close to where my dad worked when I was growing up. I think about him on my commute to work, knowing he rode the same train for years and walked the same path as me. It hurts but makes me smile.

I don't cry a lot anymore, except for the occasional holiday or birthday but then it passes. It's just my life now but when I think about that, I feel an ache in my chest.

Before my dad, the person closest to me that I lost was my grandpa. I was 13 years old, my parents had just gotten divorced, and life was weird. I don't think I realized how sad it was at the time but losing a grandparent is nothing like losing a parent, I know that now.


However, grief-struck my entire family last month when my aunt, at the age of 53, passed away. It rocked my family and it's what prompted this post.

My aunt was my second mom. I was the first baby in the family and everyone ate me up (truly, I was adorable) but she took a special liking to me. I cannot even put into words what our relationship was, it was just so special. She was more than my aunt...

Without going into detail and protecting the privacy of my family, things changed in recent years and that relationship wasn't the same... but I also have gotten older and things changed for me as well. That being said, I still loved her with every part of me and to not have her here anymore is strange.

I felt guilty at first because I showed no emotion and I honestly felt no emotion. I didn't cry, I didn't really feel anything. I don't even think I was numb, it just didn't really affect me. It was sort of worrying everyone else around me and in turn, I started to worry too. I was going about my days like normal even though I was thinking about my aunt.

It was unlike anything I ever experienced before and perhaps, after losing my dad, nothing else compares. I've already gone through unspeakable pain.

Of course, I cried at the wake and the funeral... it was an emotional few days but when I was alone when I saw other people cry, I didn't feel much and I told myself that it was ok.

Everyone deals with their grief differently. Some cry for days, some don't cry at all, some get angry while others just hide it really well. There is no right way to grieve, there is no wrong way to grieve. It just is something that you deal with.

I dealt with my aunt's death and I'm still dealing with it. It is still very fresh and raw for everyone in my family. It is a constant reminder that life is too short and petty things don't matter. It's still at the forefront in everyone's mind, including my own. Right there along with my dad, my aunt is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing at night.

I would say that my lost loved ones are what I think about the most during the day and it's really hard to carry that with you but I get through it, just like we all do.

No matter who you are grieving, or how you are grieving, know that it's ok. It will be ok.

xoxo
B

I just got home from seeing the Jonas Brothers 'Happiness Begins' tour at the Barclays Center and wow... I have a lot of feelings.

When I woke up this morning my Facebook memories told me that 12 years ago, I saw the Jonas Brothers for the first time ever. My friends & I woke up at 3 AM on Black Friday 2007 to be driven into Manhattan, to stand outside the Good Morning America studios and watch the Jonas Brothers, big hair and all, through glass windows. It was cold, dark, and crowded but wow, that first time seeing them was life-changing.

12 years later, with my best friend who I saw them with the first time, went to see their reunion tour. It was a real full-circle moment and really mind-blowing.

The Jonas Brothers have been a huge part of my life and it's something that I never really thought about until now.



As a 14-year-old girl, I discovered them right after the self-titled album came out. Something about them sparked joy in me and it didn't take long for me to become really obsessed. It was like something awoke inside me and I felt like I belonged somewhere... with the Jonas Brothers fandom. It sounds so weird but it's the truth.

Over the course of the next few years, life was tough. I was a teenager whose parents just got divorced, I was moving houses, I was in high school and trying to find my way in the world. It was really overwhelming, messy, and stressful. I had anxiety then but didn't realize it... but I think the way I coped with everything was by putting myself into this Jonas Brothers world. I needed an escape and their music, their personalities was it for me.

I had a Myspace fansite dedicated to them, was part of a community and really just loved everything they stood for. They wrote their own music, played instruments, came from a good family, had good values and just were themselves. The Jonas Brothers were the first artists to use social media to connect with their fans. They had a Myspace page and communicated with fans through there; they used Youtube to make funny videos to entertain us, and hosted Live Chats to connect with us on a deeper level. It was so cool and it helped me get through the bad times.



When I was feeling down, I just listened to their album, watched a funny video and it seemed like everything went away.

The Jonas Brothers also made me realize how much I love writing. That sounds super strange but it's true. I've never really told anyone this but I used to write fanfics about the Jonas Brothers, and they were pretty good.

I used to stay up all night in my teenage, Tiffany Blue bedroom (literally all night, I used to watch the sun come up) and would write stories about them. Sometimes they were famous, sometimes they were normal guys but I had the ability to create stories from scratch and it was really awesome. When I realized my imagination could go that far, and that people loved to read my writing, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

The Jonas Brothers have helped me through the hardest years of my life and to have them back now, to have seen them in concert tonight brought me back. I felt like I was 15 again... and next week I turn 27 years old. It's pretty crazy to think that the last time I saw a Jonas Brothers tour I didn't have an iPhone, Instagram didn't exist, and I wasn't legally allowed to drink. The world was a different place 10 years ago and to have been in that arena tonight felt like coming home.

I remember reading in Rolling Stone, the first time they were on the cover, that a Jonas Brothers concert is louder than standing in front of a running jet plane. A doctor was featured in that article saying that something snaps inside a teenage girl's brain when she's surrounded by other girls, screaming for their teenage idols. It's a hormonal reaction to being so in love with someone you don't know... that part of the article has always stuck with me for some reason. It explained the way I felt when they came on stage and I couldn't control my emotions; I would cry, scream, shake, and just stand there in awe of the fact that I was breathing the same air as the band that has made me who I am.

Tonight, I let myself feel all of those emotions as I watched them perform my favorite songs. So much has happened since I became a fan but so much has happened in the past few years since they've been 'gone'. I'm a different person and so are they.

Tonight, the screams of thousands of girls were deafening but they always are. It felt amazing to be back in that place that has brought me so much happiness over the years.

I never feel more at home than I do with the Jonas Brothers on stage.

xoxo
B

For the past few years, I've been on a huge wellness kick and I owe that to the wellness surge in society. I want to know everything that is going to make me feel better, look better, and be better. Whether that's helping my anxiety, improving my skin, or just giving me a better overall feeling of health and wellness.

Because of this kick, I've experimented with a few different supplements to try to find the best one(s) that make me feel good. I'm not talking about vitamins, which I need to be better about taking, but pure beauty, wellness, and health supplements.

Now, I'm not a doctor so I'm only going off of what I've tried myself and what has worked for me. I'm also someone who isn't afraid of medicine. I take more Advils that necessary and load up on allergy medicine, anxiety pills, supplements, and ibuprofen when I probably shouldn't. I know that is NOT good and I will probably develop an ulcer but it's just who I have always been, mostly because I cannot handle pain.

That being said, that's why I'm very experimental with what supplements I use. I understand that it is not for everyone but this is just my story.

Ok, now that we have that out of the way, let's get into my favorite supplements.

Juna CBD Oil

Is CBD a supplement? I consider it one because it's helping me combat a wellness issue! I just did a huge post on CBD products and how I use them and I mentioned the Juna World Nude CBD Oil. This was sent to me in PR and I am just obsessed. It has virtually no taste and one drop does the trick. I also love the aesthetic of the bottle... but that's not really important, it's the inside that counts. If you're looking to try a CBD oil, I recommend this one. You can take a drop alone or mix it into tea/coffee. It puts my mind at ease and allows me to relax a little more, giving me more clarity. It also helps to get to sleep much easier.

Hum Nutrition Big Chill Stress Management 

I've talked about HUM Nutrition before and they are really the brand that kicked off my wellness supplement obsession. The Big Chill is my favorite anti-anxiety/stress supplement. I still use Nerve Tonic on the go but Big Chill is what I use when I'm feeling super on edge and Nerve Tonic just won't do the trick. I've used two bottles of this and it was out of stock EVERYWHERE for a while but I'm pretty sure it is back in stock at most retailers. One pill does the trick for me and once I take it, I feel calmer and less stressed. I definitely think this can be used for people who get stressed easily and not just if you are anxiety ridden. If you are having a hard day at work or home and need to just have a clearer mind to be able to think, Big Chill does that.

Hum Nutrition Beauty Zzz

This is the first supplement I ever tried. With my anxiety and before I started medication, I was having trouble sleeping. I didn't want to take melatonin because I was afraid of being groggy the next day... also, I just wanted to try something fancy and not straight up melatonin from the drugstore *I always have to be the slightest bit extra* $10 from Sephora? There's nothing better than this. Beauty Zzz puts me right to sleep in the best way possible; just a little drowsy and then I sink into a beautifully restful sleep and don't feel gross the next day. I hate Nyquil and any medicine that makes me sleepy because I wake up feeling like a truck hit me. When I know I need a good nights sleep or just feel super restless, these babies save the day.

Love Wellness Co Bye Bye Bloat

Love Wellness Co is another supplement brand that has made it big recently. It was started by Lo Bosworth of Laguna Beach & The Hills fame so obviously, I was intrigued (Lo was always my FAV). While I've been aware of the company for a while it wasn't until recently that I found a supplement that I was searching for. The weeks leading up to my period, I get insanely bloated... just like every other woman in the world. However, it was so incredibly uncomfortable, to the point that I felt uncomfortable in LEGGINGS and it nearly drives me to tears. Finally, I was on Revolve and saw the Bye, Bye Bloat pills and didn't even think twice about purchasing it. I've taken the pills a few times now (the first time I got really nauseous but I didn't eat before when it clearly says to have with food on the bottle). The day after taking these pills (I take them at night after a bloated day) I feel instantly better. I feel at least 5 pounds lighter and the gross feeling is completely gone. They have been a lifesaver these past few months.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

If you follow me on Instagram (@bribrilukes) you know that I bought these a few months ago and have not turned back. Vital Proteins Collagen has been something I've been eyeing for close to a year after hearing one of my favorite YouTubers, Allie Sevdalis, talk about them incessantly on her channel. I wasn't really feeling them... I was scared to mix them in with coffee/tea/etc and I didn't think I needed collagen. My hair grows like a weed and my nails are pretty strong but I was still curious. While running errands one day I ran into GNC and saw that they had a sampler pack of the collagen peptides and for $12, I couldn't just leave it in the store. After trying them for a week, I bought a full size on Sephora.com. I was blown away! These are NO TASTE, like not even a hint of a taste which is so important to me. Then, throughout the day, I just felt better. I wasn't as moody and felt a little more clear. I googled to see if collagen had an effect on mood because that was something I really noticed, and in fact, it does! I haven't noticed a huge difference in my hair but my nails have been stronger and don't break as easily, especially my toenails (gross). There is rarely a day I don't mix these into my coffee and I could not recommend enough. *I use the regular old peptides in the blue packaging but the coffee creamer ones are so delicious*.

What are your favorite wellness supplements? Suggestions are always welcome ;) 

What has been your experience with supplements? Are you on board? Let's talk in the comments!
xoxo
B

CBD is everywhere right now, including here on Royally Pink. I blogged about my favorite CBD beauty products a few weeks ago but now I'm ready to discuss how I use it for my mental health.

CBD Oil

CBD Gummies

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