Issue #2 | September 6, 2019 |
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Hey, friend! We made it to Issue #2 of SHE DOES. Welcome new subscribers, and thanks to everyone who gave feedback on the first issue! Feel free to continue to share what you'd like to see by simply replying to this email. I appreciate you! In all candor, I’m heading into one of the busiest seasons of my life, facing probably the biggest challenge I ever have: full-time work + part-time law school. (Peep my first day of school Instagram post for more on why I made this decision.) Honestly, I’m grateful, excited, and a bit intimidated. And I wonder if many of us are in that space in life: excited and on top of the world while also being a bit intimidated. So I wanted to share a couple affirmations that have been carrying me through this time, in hopes that they encourage and empower you too: ✨“I can do hard things.” ✨“If it can be done, I can do it.” ✨“I can do anything, but I can’t do everything.” These affirmations remind me of the part in Michelle Obama's Becoming when she talks about the high school guidance counselor who told her that “people like her” don’t belong at “schools like Princeton.” But her response of DOING IT ANYWAY is a big *mood.* I challenge you to channel your inner Michelle Obama and take this DO 👏 IT 👏 ANYWAY 👏energy into your day. Believe that you can do hard things. Because, I promise you, nothing could be truer. Be well, friends. Xx Taylor |
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Who inspires YOU? Share your real life she-ro (i.e. mentor, friend, teacher, role model) with us here and she may be featured in a future SHE DOES. And yes, yes, I know--there are too many to choose from and you can't possibly narrow it down to just one inspiring woman... so nominate them all! We LIVE to be inspired by amazing ladies. And don't be shy--feel free to shout yourself out too!! ✨✨✨ |
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How I plan to spend my weekend... ...You know, if completing homework ahead of deadlines counts as magic✨ Photo by Karly Santiago on Unsplash |
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MIND One piece of career advice an executive once gave me was "never lose your curiosity; always be excited to learn." So in this space, we'll *love our minds* by exercising curiosity and perhaps learning something new. Confession: I can’t get enough Elizabeth Holmes drama. I know it’s a bit old news now, but from The Dropout podcast to HBO’s The Inventor documentary, and also the Bad Blood book currently reserved on my library eBook app, I am ENDLESSLY fascinated. From Holmes’ (artificially?) deep voice to her Steve Jobs-esque black turtlenecks to her company Theranos’ not-actually-functional “nanotainers”--possibly the biggest scam in health tech history--you guys... #cantstopwontstop. Still, while I’m a huge sucker for Theranos clickbait, it honestly bums me out a bit that the first major breakthrough female Silicon Valley inventor turned out to be peddling a scammy product. Anyone feel the same? BUT, if we women keep channeling our inner Michelle Obamas (see intro) I have no doubt one of us will burst onto the scene one of these days!!!! ✨ BODY In this season of extra-busyness, I’m recognizing an even greater need to focus on physical wellness, from eating right, working out, to sleeping. But when it comes to fending off seasonal sickness, my go-to goods are essential oils. No, I’m not going to invite you to join my MLM downline (LOL I buy my oils on Amazon) but I will 100% vouch for the potency of EOs in keeping me healthy. The uses for oils is endless, but I'll share my secret sauce recipe for what I call my Healthy T (yes, T for Taylor). I make this at work almost every day, especially when people at the office around me are coughing and sniffling. |
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"Healthy T" Recipe Ingredients Instructions Splash a couple drops of Thieves and Peppermint essential oils onto the dry tea bag. Place tea bag in empty (reusable) mug, squeeze in some honey, add piping hot water, and steep. Viola! DIY personal essential oil diffuser, immune system reinforcement, and yummy afternoon treat all in one. Win-win-win. |
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SPIRIT Religious, or not, or somewhere in the middle, research has made known the positive effects that prayer and meditation have on our mental health. According to Success, “[Prayer] can influence everything from how stressed we are to how well we bond with other people. It can increase our positive brain chemicals—like dopamine and serotonin—while also leading to improved self-control.” Wait, what? Yes, please! 🙏 Also, 10/10 would recommend downloading super cool (free) mindfulness apps like Headspace. Here's my thing: I hope our generation of empowered (read: busy) women can conquer the world while maintaining our mental health and relationships. Ultimate goals, amiright? So I challenge you to spend 60 seconds today practicing this: whether guided meditation, praying, or just talking to whatever is *out there.* I’d love to hear how you felt before vs. after! Because #science. Can I get an amen? |
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WORK Ah, the elusive, proverbial work-life balance. Have any of us ever found it? Or made it stick? To me, the "balance" term sounds tenuous, like it’s a zero-sum game of 50:50 or 80:20 ratios. So I donned a sort of work-life *integration* mentality, as it resonated with me much more than the image of a balancing act... but still didn't quite scratch the itch. Earlier this year, I came across this Forbes article on work-life fulfillment, and that term, for me, hit the nail on the head. The overall concept is that mindfulness leads to effective prioritization, which fosters productivity and a sense of fulfillment. “When you are mindful about it, there is always enough time." "There is enough time for work, for family and friends, for exercise, for sleep, and for other things that we enjoy, find meaningful, or need for our health and well-being.” The piece goes on to spell out the magic formula of living with purpose and mindfulness to achieve fulfillment, which will lead to more peace than a balancing act ever will. Game changer! RELATIONSHIPS As explained in Issue #1, this section focuses on building and maintaining healthy relationships throughout our seasons of life. As I begin my four years of law school + full-time work (can we make #prayfortaylor a thing?) I joke with my husband, “It’s been nice knowing you!” and “See you in 2023!” 🙈 Jokes aside, keeping my primary relationship a priority is going to be a challenge in this season. Those of you who know me know I’m a list-maker, so I’ve been compiling a list of ideas on how to stay relationally healthy and connected. I’ll include a few below, but would LOVE to hear your ideas as well. - Love notes | maybe sticky notes at home, quick surprise notes mailed to work, “thinking of you” emails during the day
- Coffee dates with a side of homework
- One actual, no-business-allowed date a week | even if it’s just a bottle of wine on the roof at 10pm
- Going to the gym together when possible
Reply to this email with your best tips on staying close to your S.O. when you have close-to-zero spare time. Big thanks from Phil and me! WORLD Sustainability is something that has been important to me as long as I can remember. And, for me, it was never about “saving the world." It was about utilizing the resources we’ve been given--water, trees, animals, oil, etc.--with intention, gratitude, and care. I had formed great habits in terms of my personal sustainability efforts, but moving to NYC has challenged my lifelong routine of toting a giant lunchbox full of glass Pyrex containers to work (NOT a sustainable practice on these crowded subways and walks to work). In this transition, I've discovered a few *sustainability at work* hacks I wanted to share. More like a list of utensils to keep on hand at your desk to help avoid single-use items. - One fork, spoon, and knife from your home silverware set
- Cold drink tumbler
- Coffee mug / hot drink tumbler
- Microwavable Pyrex container with a lid (pro tip: in a pinch, container = bowl, lid = plate)
- Dish towel
- Bonus: Actual salt and pepper shakers--no more of those ripped paper pouches that get more salt on your fingers than the food
(Now do you believe me that I like lists?) ANYWAY, I just signed up for MealPal, which means I pick up a quick $6 lunch every day now. Yummy & convenient, but there is So. Much. Packaging. Actual question for people who often eat on-the-go: How can we be more sustainably-minded while buying lunch from our favorite grab-and-go's? STUFF So I’m new to crystals and stones. I don’t own any and I’m largely uneducated on their benefits, but I am well aware that our computers and devices emit EMF / radiation / ions that can be harmful to our bodies. I’ve also heard that Shungite stone, along with salt lamps, can absorb some of those concerning particles and waves. As such, I have a salt lamp that glows warmly at my desk, but I have yet to try out Shungite. Anyone out there have any insight? Crystal retailer Energy Muse has a nifty Shungite stone with adhesive to stick to a device. What a cool idea! I mean, if it works to mitigate radiation exposure, shut up and take my money right now. But for now, BRB, doing more research (and making more lists). Speaking of lists, I'm thinking the adhesive Shungite just might find itself on my Christmas list... 🤷 |
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Here, we believe in women supporting women. Support your SHE DOES girl gang by celebrating each other's achievements, big and small. Drop these achievers a congrats comment, give them a follow, or send them good vibes. And don't forget to share your own achievements too so we can return the favor. |
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✨ SHE DOES higher ed: Lauren began her final semester of college. Then it's off to grad school in the spring! Get it girl. ✨ SHE DOES own a home: Briana just became a first-time homeowner of a gorgeous, brand new townhouse. Can't wait to visit what will soon be the cutest home in SoCal! ✨ SHE DOES it all: Stephanie just began her fourth season coaching collegiate women's soccer, all while working full-time and obtaining her Masters degree and coaching license. #goals (LOL get it? ⚽) ✨ SHE DOES stay fit: Bérénice mastered the headstand, like a boss, and is absolutely killing the gym game. Peep her stories for major fitspo. (Seriously, she's a machine.) ✨SHE DOES get promoted: Amanda started a new role at her University as Director of Student Life & Leadership Development. Yasss queeeen!!! ✨ SHE DOES go new places: Haley relocated for the first time ever from Texas to Pennsylvania and started a new position as a Football Academic Support Assistant at Penn State University. Love seeing women make big moves in the sports industry! |
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Your turn! Don't be shy!! Share your achievements--big or small--with the SHE DOES community so we can send all the virtual hugs and high fives to celebrate all that YOU do. 🎉🎉🎉 |
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✨ While we should celebrate and amplify all that we do--this newsletter is titled SHE DOES, after all--always remember that there is so much more to us than the things we do. |
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"I am a human being, not a human doing." -Kurt Vonnegut, Author |
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✨ Got some words of wisdom? Share a favorite helpful, encouraging, or poignant quote here and inspire the SHE DOES ladies to toss up some *praise hands.* |
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Share the love! share \'sher\ verb - To forward this newsletter to your friends and ask them to subscribe
- To respond to this email and let me know what you'd like to see in future issues
#shamelessplug #sorrynotsorry |
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