Drop 009

Happy March! Welcome to a new month, with brand new opportunities for you to be your BEST you. This is Drop 009 of the 1AND1 newsletter, your weekly dose of 1% Better. Here's what to expect in today's drop ⬇️

  • How to help the women in your life during Women's History Month

  • Quick tips and easy ideas for some outdoor inspired movement

  • How you can spring clean your finances and get back on track

  • How to improve your open communication in your relationships

  • An inspiring personal story of how to build the life you want by getting unstuck

Let's dive in!

1 Dose For Your Mind 🧠

Women, all over the world, are facing unique mental health challenges every day.

With March being Women's History Month, we not only want to highlight the contributions made by women, but also some of the challenges they face. Here are some mental health challenges to be aware of and how you can help:

  • Hormonal fluctuations: Hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can lead to mood swings, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

  • Reproductive health: Women's mental health can also be affected by reproductive health issues. This can be related to infertility, miscarriages, and postpartum depression.

  • Caregiver stress: Caregiving responsibilities for children, elderly parents, and other family members can lead to stress, burnout, and depression - women often find themselves in these roles.

  • Economic disparities: Women often face economic disparities such as unequal pay, which can lead to financial stress and anxiety.

💊 How To Take Your Dose:

If you know a woman in your life that is struggling in these areas, try doing something that will bring them support. Ask them what they need, and how you can be of the most help to them. This could look like a simple phone call to check in, or offering to babysit their kids for them so that they can take a break. If you're feeling like your stress levels are beginning to take a toll on your mental health, make sure you check out our article on How To Calm Your Chronic Stress. ⬇️

1 Dose For Your Body 💪

Spring is upon us. It's time to go outside!

Now that spring has sprung, it's time to take your workouts outside. Whether you're looking for a solo workout or a social activity, here are some ideas to get you moving:

Run or jog: Enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery, and clear your mind.

Walk: Move your body, catch up with friends, and declutter your mind.

Cycle: Explore new areas and soak up the sunshine while getting some miles in.

Hike: Challenge yourself physically and take in the beautiful scenery.

Yoga or pilates: Practice your favorite poses outside in a quiet park or backyard.

    💊 How To Take Your Dose:

    Check the local forecast and grab a friend to join you in getting some exercise outside. Continue doing an outdoor activity once a week, and learn more in this article about other outdoor exercises you can try.

    1 Dose For Your Wallet 💵

    Been a bit inconsistent with your financial planning and goals? We're here to help.

    It's alright, and it happens to the best of us sometimes. Here are a few ways in which you can do some spring cleaning to your finances and get back on track:

    Review your budget: Review your budget and see if there are any areas where you can cut back on expenses. Look for any unnecessary expenses that you can eliminate, such as subscriptions/memberships you no longer use. Pro Tip: Live by the 50/30/20 budget rule.

    Set new financial goals: Review your current financial goals and determine if you need to adjust them. Set new goals if necessary, and create a plan to achieve them.

    Pay off debt: Make a plan to pay off any outstanding debts. Focus on high-interest debts first, such as credit card debt.

    Reduce unnecessary expenses: Look for ways to reduce unnecessary expenses, such as dining out or buying coffee every day.

    Seek professional advice: Consider seeking the advice of a financial planner or advisor to help you create a plan to achieve your financial goals.

    💊 How To Take Your Dose:

    Block out 30 minutes on your calendar this week to review your finances. Use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to track your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. Consider setting up automatic payments to pay off high-interest debt and set a specific amount to save each month towards your financial goals. Once you've made a plan, stick to it and check in on your progress regularly.

    Want some more tips on how to get your finances back on track? Make sure you read this article on The 52-Week Money Challenge.

    1 Dose For Your Relationships ❤️

    Open communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship. With these expert tips, you can take your communication skills to the next level.

    Sometimes when you're struggling with your emotions or in the heat of the moment, it can be hard to communicate effectively. Here are some tips to help with that:

    Listen actively: Listen attentively when your partner speaks and try to understand their perspective. Don't interrupt, or assume you know what they're going to say.

    Use "I" statements: When expressing your feelings or opinions, use "I" statements instead of "you" statements. For example, say, "I feel upset when this happens," instead of, "You always do this, and it makes me angry."

    Be respectful: Respect your partner's feelings and opinions, even if you disagree with them. Avoid name-calling, yelling, or other disrespectful behavior.

    Stay focused: Stay focused on the topic and avoid bringing up unrelated issues or past events.

    Use positive language: Use positive language to express appreciation and gratitude for your partner. Avoid criticism or blame.

    Ask open-ended questions: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your partner to share more about their thoughts and feelings. Avoid closed-ended questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no."

    Validate your partner: Validate your partner's feelings and let them know that you understand where they're coming from.

    Take a break if needed: If the conversation becomes too heated or emotional, return to it later when both of you have had time to cool off.

    💊 How To Take Your Dose:

    This week, try to actively listen to your partner during conversations, avoid interrupting, and show appreciation for their point of view. Using these tips, you can improve your communication with your partner and strengthen your relationship. Remember, effective communication takes practice, so keep working and be patient with yourself and your partner.

    For more on cultivating healthy relationships through communication, make sure you read our article on Why Communication Matters in a Healthy Relationship.

    Real Stories From Real People

    How Releasing Resistance Pushes You Forward

    "I always knew I wanted to quit my corporate job, but I wasn't sure when the right time would be. This was a struggle that lasted for years. I caught glimpses of the life I wanted, but each time I woke up, I fell right back into my old routine and habits. In hindsight, as a successful entrepreneur who earns a multi-six-figure income and has the freedom to manage my own time, I realized that I was focusing on the wrong thing. Rather than fixating on leaving my corporate job, I should have been addressing the habits that were keeping me stuck in my old identity.

    So I decided to make a change. Every day, I would spend as little as two minutes or sometimes hours building and ideating on my new identity. I wanted to be my own boss, have control over my schedule, choose my clients, and travel without having to ask for permission. It's often said that the ocean reveals more about us than any mirror can, and that's because we weren't built to work all day long.

    The day I quit my corporate job wasn't a fairytale of me telling off my boss or going viral overnight. Instead, I was laid off just three weeks before my wedding. Although this may sound less than ideal, I was actually relieved. As part of my new identity, I had become more aware of my spending habits and how much I had saved. I wanted to be ready to invest in myself and others at any given time.

    That, to me, was the true meaning of being a boss. Despite this less-than-ideal situation, I knew it was time to commit fully to entrepreneurship. You see, I didn't have control over when I would leave my corporate job and become an entrepreneur. But because I had aligned myself with my new identity, the Kahlil I wanted to become emerged on its own.

    Now, things aren't perfect, but I have the confidence and knowledge to continue building the life I want to experience. I have created the UNSTUCKKD podcast and platform, where I help people get unstuck in any area of their lives. By helping them start and change their habits over time, I have assisted thousands of individuals in shedding their old identities and cultivating new ones.

    Here are the keys to releasing resistance to changing your life so you can step into the life you want:

    You can start today by releasing that resistance by getting active. Going for daily walks, taking a shower, and moving your body. You can even journal at least once a week. This will help you get out of your head and back into the present moment. Talk to people who are living the life you want. Observe and ask questions.

    Believe you can, because if you don't, who will?"

    Kahlil Dumas, Startup Advisor and Founder of Unstuckkd

    ***If you'd like to be featured in our Real Stories From Real People section, fill out this form. You could end up in one of our weekly drops and inspire thousands of readers with your story.

    That's a wrap for Drop 009! We'll see you on Friday for some "Extra Sauce" 😏🍝 Remember 1 Step At A Time, 1 Day At A Time, 1% Better, Together. ☝️👆

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