Dear reader,
This week I’m chatting to Lauren from Her Inner Glow about self-care, her mental health journey and how she finds the time to prioritise herself.
I absolutely love Lauren’s ethos as I feel like we’re on the same page when it comes to rest and self-care. So, I hope you also find comfort in Lauren’s words and they inspire you in some way.
Enjoy,
♡ Thalia xx
About Lauren
Hello. My name is Lauren and I run a self-care inspired stationery business called Her Inner Glow.
I first opened my online shop in March 2021 with the dream of having my own planner and journal range that was focused on self-care and well-being.
My goal is to encourage women to make more time for themselves and have more routines, so they can look after themselves better and prioritise the things that make them feel good without feeling guilty.
My current products range from planners and prints to journals and notebooks.
More on my wellness journey
My wellness journey officially began in 2017.
Years prior to that, I had been experiencing mental and physical health issues, to the point where I struggled to leave the house. I wasn’t working, I could barely eat and I was going through a pretty rough break-up.
It felt like I was trying everything and nothing really felt like it was working.
It wasn’t until I started working with a different counsellor, that I decided to put myself first rather than focusing on others, that things slowly started to shift.
2017 was the first time in years I really felt like I was connecting to myself again and having moments where I felt better.
I was starting to live for myself and not for others. I was putting myself first, I was working through my fears and understanding more about mental health and emotions.
In 2018 I hit rock bottom again and needed to start over.
So 2019 was the year I felt like my wellness journey really kicked off.
And I am proud to say that it hasn’t stopped. I’ve continued to choose myself.
Like with any journey, there have been highs and lows. But I know how to ride those lows now and I understand they are part of the process.
Wellness Q&A with Lauren from Her Inner Glow
What does a healthy work-life balance look like to you?
For me, I don’t ever feel like a work-life balance will ever be 50/50 which is why I tend to focus more on myself and life than on work in my daily routine.
I’m very privileged to be able to work freelance for myself alongside running my business so I can manage my day in a way that works for me. So this looks like a slow morning routine where I can practice self-care and take some time for myself before I get started on my to-do list. This really helps to set me up for the day.
I also take breaks throughout the day to recharge my energy and take a moment for myself.
I find I work so much better this way and I get so much more done as a result.
I’ll switch off each evening at roughly the same time to focus on hobbies, relationships, self-care or just relaxing in general.
I also take days off in the week so whether it’s at the weekend or a couple of days during the week.
It’s really important to set those boundaries and to give yourself permission to rest regularly because burnout and overwhelm aren’t fun.
One of my goals for 2022 is to take longer periods of time off after burning out last year.
How do you make sure you are regularly prioritising your mental and physical well-being?
I make sure I prioritise my mental health and well-being by planning time for it in my daily routine.
A daily routine just isn’t about all the stuff you need to do or the events you need to attend. It’s also about you and making time for yourself. So prioritising myself in this way is important to me.
I try to schedule time for myself throughout my day and if I need longer time for myself then I’ll make that time on my days off.
There are little habits I do each day that help me to prioritise my mental health and well-being. These include daily walks, journaling, taking breaks, practising yoga or some form of movement and reading.
Another thing I like to do on a daily basis is to check in with myself. When I check in with myself it gives me a clear indication of how I am doing and what I might need.
I find on the days when I don’t check in as much and I don’t give myself what I need, I can then become very irritable and anxious, so my body and emotions usually give me some signs that I need to prioritise myself.
How do you show yourself self-love and self-care? Are there any particular activities you indulge in and what inner work do you do?
Self-love has definitely felt more of a journey for me than self-care has.
I feel like I know self-care so well now and it has almost become automatic, whereas self-love I have to work a little more on.
I find there are more highs and lows with self-love.
Some things I do to practise self-love are to watch how I’m speaking to myself and reframe it, write a gratitude list and affirmations, celebrate my wins and allow myself to be proud of myself and I try not to beat myself up for feeling a particular way or making mistakes or having setbacks.
I think that part about not beating myself up has been quite life-changing for me. It’s definitely changed my relationship with myself and how I relate to my mental health issues.
In terms of self-care, I love journaling, practising yoga or moving my body in general, going out for some fresh air and walking, doing my skincare routine, reading books, that kind of thing.
It’s really anything that will connect me with myself and gives me a chance to take a moment for myself.
What is your favourite productivity hack?
I’ve found time-blocking to be a game-changer!
I feel like it is such a good way to structure your day and I get so much more done when I time block even if it’s just AM and PM tasks.
You are so much more focused and manage your time so much better when you time-block.
It enables me to make that time for myself because I know exactly what I am doing when and I take action on that.
Which self-help or personal development book would you recommend and why?
I recently read Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith and it was such a refreshing read for anyone wanting to understand their mind and mental health more.
I also think the Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters is just mind-blowing.
It taught me so much about how the body and mind work.
What would you say to your 21-year old self?
I feel emotional thinking back to my 21-year old self because she was really just then starting this journey.
I want to say hold on. Keep going.
You think this pain is going to last forever but it doesn’t. I can’t promise you that it will always be easy or that there won’t be difficult times ahead, but you do things you never thought you’d ever do. You face so many fears, you feel genuine happiness again, you feel good enough, and you will heal. Lighter days are ahead and everything you have been through will feel so worth it when you start your own business and use your experiences to help others.
I believe in you and I am so proud of you!
And lastly, what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
That it’s okay to hit rock bottom because once you’ve hit the bottom the only other way is up.
Where to find Lauren
To shop Lauren’s self-care stationery and journals, head to herinnerglow.co.uk, and for more mindful tips on routines follow @herinnerglow on Instagram and TikTok.
One last thing…
If you are a health and wellness entrepreneur and would like to collaborate with me on a guest Q&A and reflect on your well-being journey, then please get in touch via my contact form
*Please note, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links then I will be rewarded at no extra cost to you. Any money earned through affiliates will be put towards running my blog and newsletter.
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