Beauty and self care rituals have been passed down for generations, deeply rooted in cultural traditions, nature, and ancestral wisdom. Before mass produced skincare and synthetic beauty treatments, people turned to the earth, the elements, and sacred rituals to care for their bodies and spirits. By looking at these ancestral practices from different cultures, we can rediscover holistic beauty methods that nourish not just the skin but the soul. Here’s an exploration into ancestral beauty rituals from around the world and what we can learn from them today.

This past weekend, I attended the Beyond Booze Fest hosted by Swift Fit Events. One of the most profound moments was during a panel discussion on sobriety. A speaker shared, "Before I was addicted to alcohol, I was addicted to acceptance." Wow. That statement struck a chord. How often do we find ourselves chasing acceptance, shaping ourselves to fit into boxes we were never meant to occupy? For many of us, the need for acceptance begins in childhood, and as we grow, it evolves into a relentless pursuit. Often leaving us disconnected from our authentic selves.

Communication is at the heart of how we relate to one another, but expressing concern about how we’re being treated is something many of us struggle with. For those of us who instinctively avoid conflict, the act of speaking up can feel almost unbearable. We hold things in, fearing that tension or disagreement will harm the relationship. Over time, though, I’ve come to realize that staying silent doesn’t protect relationships. It erodes them.

Here’s a radical thought: wellness can include pleasure. In fact, a wellness routine that ignores pleasure is incomplete. When we tune into our bodies, we’re reminded that joy, rest, and connection are as essential as discipline and structure. Let’s challenge the narrative that equates ultimate wellness with rigid perfection and embrace a more balanced, human approach to self care.

By integrating petrissage, tapotement, and friction into your skincare routine, you can nurture your skin and muscles naturally—without the need for invasive treatments. Your fingertips hold the power to bring vitality and balance back to your face.

As women, many of us have spent years silencing ourselves. Whether through societal expectations, fear of judgment, or personal experiences. We’ve learned to hold back: our opinions, our truths, and even our voices. This silencing can manifest emotionally and physically, often showing up as shallow mouth breathing, tension in the throat, or even a fear of singing or speaking up.

I’ve been on a journey to heal this silencing within myself. Singing, something as natural as breathing, has long felt blocked for me. To heal this, I’ve turned to the power of breath. Specifically, I’ve been practicing the 9-9-9 breathing method: inhaling for 9 counts, holding for 9 counts, and exhaling for 9 counts. This simple yet profound technique has become a bridge to relaxation, vocal healing, and emotional release.

Winter can leave our skin feeling tight, flaky, and less than vibrant, but hydration isn’t just about slapping on lotions. It's about creating a routine that supports your skin's natural moisture barrier while boosting your mental well being. Let’s explore the combined benefits of humidifiers, nourishing baths, and pre shower oil rituals to keep both your skin and mind glowing during colder months.

At the heart of the Women’s March is the deeply personal “why” that drives each of us to stand up, show up, and speak out. Taking time to reconnect with your motivations is a grounding exercise, one that transforms your participation from a fleeting moment to a meaningful act of purpose.

I often talk about the importance of inner work here, and there’s a reason for that. When you feel good on the inside, it radiates outward in ways that no botox, filter, makeup, or trendy outfit ever could. True self esteem, confidence, and contentment can’t be faked, they’re felt. When someone struggles with their sense of self, it’s often visible, especially in their eyes. No amount of external enhancements can hide the inner turmoil. That’s why doing the inner work is so transformative.

Manifestation is often misunderstood as simply wishing for something and waiting for it to happen. But at its core, manifestation is about aligning your thoughts, actions, and intentions with the life you want to create. It’s not magic. It’s a practice of clarity, commitment, and conscious action. Here’s how to manifest in a way that’s grounded, holistic, and transformative.

Life often tries to tame us, especially as women. Society imposes expectations and whispers rules about how we should live, love, and express ourselves. The Passion of the Wild Red Mother invites us to break free from those constraints. Not with bitterness, but with loving defiance. This is about reclaiming our right to live authentically, embracing the messy beauty of life with open arms.

Joyful defiance is not rebellion for rebellion’s sake; it’s a choice to live in alignment with our true selves, even when the world pressures us to conform. It’s about saying, “I refuse to dim my light, even when it makes others uncomfortable.”

While some plastics from beauty products are recyclable, the sad reality is that a significant percentage still ends up in landfills or incinerators. According to the EPA, only about 9% of all plastics ever produced have been recycled. Beauty packaging is often among the least recycled due to its small size, mixed materials, and contamination.

Many of us are naturally giving and thoughtful people. We offer our time, our hearts, and our attention freely. We care deeply, even about those we’ve just met. We listen to others’ pain, hold space for their emotions, and try to be the person who isn’t judging but supporting. But when the roles are reversed, when we find ourselves in need of that same care and attention, sometimes we realize that those we’ve given so much to are nowhere to be found.

These are energy leeches. People who take and take without reciprocating. It’s one of the painful truths of being human. We pour ourselves into others, and instead of feeling a mutual exchange of love and care, we end up drained. It can feel like a vampire has sucked the energy right out of us, leaving us hollow and longing for an explanation. Why do they take without giving anything back? What makes them incapable of showing up for us the way we’ve shown up for them?

Deciding to deactivate your accounts can be empowering, but it’s no surprise that platforms like Facebook and Instagram make the process tricky. Here’s a step by step guide to make it easier:

There’s an unspoken race to grow up that starts earlier than it should. Young girls often feel the pull to act older, to rush into being teenagers, then adults, and finally hitting that magic milestone of 21. Today, social media influencers amplify this rush, introducing the pressure for girls as young as seven to wear makeup, have artificial nails, and even use anti aging products. This isn’t empowerment. It’s a cleverly disguised marketing strategy.

Change isn’t about perfection or meeting societal expectations. It’s about alignment. Living in a way that reflects your values and aspirations. Whether it’s stepping away from a toxic relationship, pursuing a new passion, or simply prioritizing rest and self care, the goal is to honor your truth.

Take the vulture, for example. Many of us instinctively recoil at the sight of a vulture. They’re often seen as symbols of death, darkness, and decay. I’ve felt this myself, an unease, a quiet fear, a judgment that these creatures were somehow “ugly” or something to avoid. But when I paused to reflect, I saw something profound. The vulture doesn’t represent death; it represents renewal. It consumes decay, aiding in the cycle of life by preventing disease and returning nutrients to the earth.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a botanical treasure revered for its calming properties. Its intricate beauty and powerful benefits have made it a staple in herbal medicine for centuries, particularly as a remedy for soothing the nervous system. Whether used internally as a tea or tincture, or externally as part of a calming ritual, passionflower offers a gentle yet profound way to cultivate relaxation and balance.

2025 is not about becoming a “new you”. It’s about honoring who you already are and nurturing the potential within you. Intentions allow you to move forward without the weight of expectations, giving you the freedom to grow, evolve, and thrive. Let’s walk into this new year with grace, clarity, and purpose.

There’s a fascinating place where the lines blur. A space between the known and the unknown, the conscious and the subconscious, the physical and the spiritual. It’s not a place we can map or define in rigid terms, yet it’s one of the most profound areas of human experience. This liminal space is where transformation begins, where insights emerge, and where we connect with a reality beyond what we can see or touch.