Drop 011

Author

Kris Crews
March 20, 2023

Welcome to Drop 011 of the 1AND1 newsletter, your weekly dose of 1% Better. This Monday is a little different. Before we get into the Monday drop we've actually got some BIG news to share with you, fam...After years of work, a ridiculous amount of user testing, research, and tons of other nerdy stuff that we won't spend time explaining, we FINALLY launched V1 of the 1AND1 app in the App Store! 🥳The app is a truly one-of-a-kind platform that will help you transform your life through the power of habit-forming. Our habit-tracking technology, personalized goal-setting system, and expert driven content library are designed to help you commit to one habit at a time, and become 1% better, together. We feel extremely grateful and humbled to be able to share this passion project with our community first. We haven't done any REAL marketing of the app yet, and after a few days in the App Store we have already surpassed 200+ downloads! 🥺What's even better is that you guys are LOVING the app so far. Here are some quotes from verified users:“I love this app – from the aesthetic, to how user friendly it is…it’s clear, animated, everything. It’s amazing!” - Imani *Verified User*"I really love it!! Most apps charge for this! This being free? Wow. I think the 7 dimensions of wellness are very well put. The goals are realistic/attainable, but also desirable. Chefs kiss!" - Audrey *Verified User*"Beautiful, beautiful app. Well-designed UI, intuitive and informative. My head has been a mess lately with so much going on and this will help so much." - Janelle *Verified User*"This is literally what every person needs to be using. I’m SO impressed. This is the first thing that’s gotten me excited in a while. You took something that people struggle with every day and turned it into a fun, user-friendly way to become an active part of your own life. Am I allowed to share it with friends?!" - Ally *Verified User*"It’s SO user-friendly. I set up my goal in about 5 minutes. I love the articles and different categories for articles that you guys have! Definitely sharing with my other friends. You can tell your team put so much thought into the layout. The navigation is so simple, and the information you offer is plentiful!" - Corey *Verified User*

"The design is so dope. I love how it forces you to interact right off the bat – forces users to learn the app quicker and not be lazy and just download it and never use it. The light mode is amazing because my whole phone is on dark mode. And so if I have this app that’s supposed to keep me on track, it will be able to differentiate from all my other apps by being in light mode. You guys are genius!" - Sarah *Verified User* 

The 1AND1 App is free to download in the App Store! Click here to check it out for yourself. *We're only on iPhone now but will be shipping Android soon*If you do download the app, you have to promise us one thing: ONLY share it with a friend or write a positive review if you LOVE it! Only liking it is not enough. You're putting your name on the line when you share a product with someone else!! Ya gotta love it. 

Now, for today's Drop! Here's what we've got ⬇️

  • Tips and reminders for practicing mindfulness

  • Suggestions for incorporating physical activity into your workday

  • Tips for managing your finances effectively

  • Suggestions for supporting your partner's mental health

  • A story about how manifestation and "pretending" to be confident led a young woman to accomplish her wildest dreams

Let's dive in 🏊‍♀️

1 Dose For Your Mind 🧠

Want to practice mindfulness but not sure where to start?

Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to renew your perspective and focus on mindfulness. Here are some reminders and tips to help you practice mindfulness effectively:

Start small: Begin with just a few minutes each day to focus on your breath or senses. Gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable with the practice.

Find a comfortable position: Choose a comfortable posture, whether sitting on a chair or cross-legged on the floor. Ensure your spine is straight, and your shoulders are relaxed.

Breathe: Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Focus on your breath as you inhale and exhale. When your mind wanders, bring it back to your breath.

Observe your thoughts: As you focus on your breath, thoughts may come up. Don't get caught up in them. Observe them like clouds passing by.

Be present: Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment. Notice the sensations in your body, the sounds around you, and your thoughts without judgment.

💊 How To Take Your Dose:

This week, challenge yourself to practice mindfulness for 5 minutes every day in the morning before starting your day. Set a timer and find a quiet place to focus on your breath or senses. Remember, mindfulness is a practice, so be patient and don't worry if your mind wanders. Just bring your attention back to your breath or senses and keep practicing. Let us know how it goes and how you feel after completing this challenge!

1 Dose For Your Body 💪

Struggling to maintain your physical wellness while at work?

Your physical wellness is important, especially in the workplace, where work demands can take a toll on your body. Here are some tips to help you prioritize your wellness while at work:

Take regular breaks: Schedule time to stretch, walk around, or step away from your desk or computer to reduce stress and increase productivity.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent fatigue, headaches, and poor concentration.

Eat well: Bring healthy snacks or meals to the office, or try those provided by your workplace to feel better physically and increase your focus.

Incorporate physical activity: Take the stairs instead of the elevator, schedule walking meetings with your co-workers, or walk to the office if you live nearby.

Set boundaries: Prevent work from taking over your personal life by turning off work notifications outside of work hours or scheduling time for self-care activities.

💊 How To Take Your Dose:

This week, challenge yourself to take at least three 10-minute breaks throughout your workday to stretch, walk around, or step away from your desk or computer. Set reminders on your calendar or phone to ensure you take these breaks regularly. Take note of how you feel before and after taking these breaks, and if you notice an improvement in your productivity and focus. Share your experience with us and challenge a colleague to do the same!

1 Dose For Your Wallet 💵

Are you ready to take control of your finances and improve your financial literacy?

Talking about finances can feel overwhelming, but by starting with small steps, you can build your financial knowledge and gain more confidence in managing your money. Here are some crucial tips to help you get started:

  • Create and stick to a budget to manage your money effectively.

  • Understand the different types of debt and develop a plan to pay it off as soon as possible.

  • Learn about your credit score and how it affects your ability to borrow money.

  • Start saving for retirement early to take advantage of compounding interest.

  • Research before investing your money to understand the risks involved.

  • Protect yourself from financial losses by investing in insurance.

  • Maximize your tax savings by understanding how taxes work and how to file your tax returns.

💊 How To Take Your Dose:

This week, challenge yourself to create a budget and track your expenses daily using a budgeting app or spreadsheet. Set a realistic goal for how much you want to save each week or month and track your progress. At the end of the week, review your budget and expenses to see where you can make adjustments to reach your savings goal. Share your experience with us and challenge a friend to create a budget too! Here's more on The Importance of Financial Literacy and Education. 

1 Dose For Your Relationships ❤️

Supporting your partner and their mental health can strengthen your relationship. Here's how:

It can be tough to watch your partner struggle, but there are many ways you can support them while also taking care of yourself. Check out these tips on how to support each other's mental health:

Listen and offer emotional support: Listening to your partner and being there for them is essential to help them feel seen and heard.

Encourage seeking help: Encouraging your partner to seek professional help is key to managing their mental health issues. They can speak to a therapist, counselor or primary care physician.

Help with self-care: Encouraging your partner to take care of themselves by helping with tasks such as cooking healthy meals, exercising or taking time for relaxation can make a big difference.

Be patient and understanding: Recovery from mental health issues takes time, so it's important to celebrate small victories and offer support when they're feeling down.

Educate yourself: Learn more about your partner's mental health issues to better understand what they're going through.

Take care of yourself: Supporting a partner with mental health issues can be emotionally taxing, so it's important to take care of yourself by taking breaks, practicing self-care, and seeking support from others.

💊 How To Take Your Dose:

This week, make it a goal to ask your partner how they need support and check in on them throughout the week. Additionally, educate yourself further on mental health issues, and take some time for yourself to practice self-care. Remember, open communication is key, and by working together, you can find the best strategies for both of you.

Real Stories From Real People 

How The Power of Manifestation + "Pretending" Helped Hanani Achieve her Dreams

"The first time I stepped on stage, I felt a current run through my body. At three years old, I had my first out-of-body experience when I first stood up to sing for the first time in front of people other than just my parents. Immediately, something inside me changed. Something told me that I belonged and that I could do anything. I could be anything. I was unstoppable.

I grew up with education at the forefront of my life. I was raised by attorneys, educators, activists, historians, and business owners. I was lucky enough to receive an education from prestigious institutions and was privileged with much access to knowledge. With this, I continued my growth in many fields, but the arts had my heart. While my pursuit of the arts was strongly encouraged and greatly supported by my family, I was the first to be a full-time artist. As a teenager, I followed my heart and decided to take a leap and move to Los Angeles to continue my already budding career as an actress. It was scary, terrifying even. I was young, naive, and alone in the big city, whereas before this, I hadn’t spent more than a week away from my mom. I was nervous, but I was determined. Being in a stage of life that is already so fragile, I had so much self-doubt. However, I knew I would never know the outcome unless I tried.

On my first full day in LA, I sat in my new Ikea bed in a cozy white bedroom my mom had set up for me before she flew back to my hometown. I stared into the high ceilings, wondering if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. That moment is when I decided to find myself in the pretend. For a living, I already pretended to be different people in different situations with different backstories. If I could do that, then I knew I could pretend that I was already leading the life and had the successes that I desired. I closed my eyes and saw myself on a studio lot in a little trailer. I saw myself going over my lines with a set of “dailies” in my hand before hearing a knock on my trailer door telling me I was needed on set. I even “pretended” to be confident. It’s not that I was insecure, but confidence was definitely a stretch. I pretended. I manifested. I affirmed. I prayed. I wished. Whatever you call it, I did it. I had no idea what I was doing, what I wanted, or who I was, but I knew that if I believed something so deeply that my soul rejected any ideas of failure, I could make my wildest dreams come true. 

A few years later, I was on set for the “Punky Brewster” show on Peacock TV, where I had a regular role. On my 15th or 16th day on set, I popped out of my trailer for a minute to grab a coffee. At that moment, I looked up to see the large “Universal Studios” sign before me, and I remembered that unsure moment in my room a few years before. Like deja vu, I was there. I was living in the dream that I had felt so deeply in my heart that day. I had “pretended” my way into this moment. I made the “pretend” reality by never letting go of that feeling I had while sitting on my bed that day. It has led me to put in the work, as well as to gain a whole lot of trust in myself and my abilities. So, pretend. Be delusional if you must. Create the reality you desire and know that dreams are not just achieved; they are created… sometimes from nothing."

Hanani Taylor, Actress and Singer 

***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 011!  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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