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There’s Still Time To Cross Off Some 2018 Goals
I recently read a quote from Sarah Jakes Roberts that says, "We don't need a fresh start, we can finish strong."
It resonated so strongly with me because this season is always an interesting one. A lot of us are getting ready for the hustle and bustle of Christmas but at the same time trying to achieve this weird balance of preparing for all that 2019 will offer and making sure we reflect on 2018 and all that it was… or I guess I should say, still is.
I think that's part of the conflict. 2018 is still here and most of us have already said "thank u, next" and are thinking about all of the amazing things we'll do in 2019 that we didn't get to check off this year. It's like we're over the things we didn't accomplish or things that didn't go the way we expected, so we can't wait for 2019 to get here so we can show out the way we always knew we could. My question is, why wait?
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You Don’t Have To Wait To Pick Yourself Up Again
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for forward thinking and anticipating what's to come. But this year doesn't have to be a complete wash… at least not yet. Most of the time, it's so easy to beat ourselves up if we had an "off year." I mean, time goes by so fast these days that it feels like we go from January to July to December without getting a chance to catch our breath and recover from any unexpected punches this year came with.
I went through a major transition this year, so I can definitely understand that this year wasn't the best year like you thought it would be this time last year. But who says it's too late for that to still happen? I guess the mentality of waiting until the New Year to accomplish something bugs me because it's as if we're putting our lives on pause in hopes that we'll feel different about accomplishing that task in 2019, when in reality, it could just serve as another day. We might not feel any different. And after a couple of weeks, the momentum could have already died down. But as long as we're writing 2018 at the end of the date, there's still time to get in some of those goals you had for this year.
On the flip side, as long as we're waiting for something new (like a new year to arrive before we get started), will we ever really get to the finish line?
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You Don’t Have To Wait Until 2019 To Press Go
It literally just hit me that this time last year, we were doing the same thing for 2018 and that we're now doing for 2019. It's a never-ending cycle. So who says we have to wait until 2019 makes its highly-anticipated arrival to start on those goals? Of course, time is definitely ticking and waits for no one. Most of us have realized that time is going by faster and faster as we get older, so the realist in me knows that at this point in 2018 might not be the year to lose all the weight I wanted or start that business. But it can definitely be the year you start. And how you start is just as important as how you finish.
You can intentionally embrace a healthier lifestyle that has the potential and power (if you let it) to jump start you with even more motivation when the clock strikes 12 AM on January 1. If you had a dream of starting a business, you can at least develop a plan and start getting your contacts together. Whatever it is, I would bet that there's something no matter how small, that you can do toward the goals you had for this year, and the ones you've set for 2019.
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You Can Stop Taking That Ish Now.
This is typically the time of year we see viral memes and messages that say we won't take the same crap we did the year before. You know homegirl with the high bun that's stepping on all things she had to go through the year before as she walks into the door of a new year? It reminds me of this post I saw on Facebook that said 2019 is going to be the year they get everything back that the devil took from them. But again, why wait?
There's no reason the things you want to do next year can't be done now. I'm not trying to be super serious or even a Debbie Downer 'cause I hate that, but I just never realized how our culture can sometimes make us subconsciously feel like we have to wait until a new year before we start on our goals or to take on a new mindset; like standing up for ourselves or being confident. I've had to learn that I don't need the excuse or justification of a new year to live my best life and be my best self.
I get that 2019 is an exciting thought because it feels like a fresh start; just like a new month or a birthday typically does. You might not believe it after this post but I'm actually one of those people who loves a new season, new month, or new birthday because it just feels like I get to press start again and forget about the past. Still, I've embraced this new thought that we don't need a fresh start sis, we can finish this year strong right where we are.
It might be almost over, but it's not completely over, which means it's not too late to go after what we really want this year.
Featured image by Getty Images.
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
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“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
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The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
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Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
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This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
Looking for ways to level up your solo sex sessions or your partnered sex play? Entering the wonderful world of arousal oils might be exactly what the doctor ordered. As its name suggests, arousal oil arouses. And they might very well be the pleasurable vessel through which your mind-blowing orgasms can be beckoned. Specifically, arousal oils are a pleasure-enhancing sex lubricant intended to increase the sensitivity to your nipples, your vulva, or your clitoris, just to start.
With an ingredient list that can include the likes of CBD, ashwagandha, and essential oils, arousal oils act as an aphrodisiac in a bottle, maximizing intensity and heightening the levels of pleasure you feel, thereby making your climax that much more attainable.
Keep reading for our selection of some of the best arousal oils in the game right now.
Bloomi Luxe Arousal Oil
Described as a "sensual pleasure oil," the Luxe Arousal Oil by Bloomi is clean with plant-derived organic ingredients. With 2-4 pumps, a gentle massage with this oil-based intimacy oil is formulated to intensify pleasure to your clitoris, your vulva, your thighs, or anywhere else you care to use it, before and during the act.
Foria Awaken Arousal Oil
Not only do reviewers rave about the "incredible o's" from Awaken Arousal Oil, but this best-seller is also known for its sensuous aroma, slip, and feel. With the uncanny ability to enhance sensations, users of the product have reported reinvigorated orgasms and renewed sex lives. And all we have to say is, say less.
Mood Maker Pleasure-Enhancing Intimacy Oil for Couples
Amazon
The Mood Maker had us at hello. Christina Aguilera's sex oil is where luxury and intimacy meet. Thanks to the relaxation facilitated by magic mushrooms and pleasure-enhancing adaptogens, the Mood Maker lays the groundwork for easeful foreplay, sex, and even an encore. With its texture like silk and warm scent, the oil effortlessly sets the perfect mood for pleasure play and allows your body to follow suit.
Lure Deluxe Intimacy Oil
Sultry, clean, and moisturizing are the cornerstones of this intimacy oil. The oil is formulated with organic ingredients like MCT coconut oil and CBD, so there is no need to worry about throwing off your pH balance or leaving behind a sticky residue when using it for intimate moments. The silky texture provides a sensual slip that is all gas no brakes, creating a slip n' slide glide during partner play, as well as solo play.
Bonus points: since it's all-natural, it's also oral-friendly. So Deluxe Intimacy Oil is queening-approved.
Green Compass Intimacy Oil
Green Compass
Entice and awaken your pleasure and your senses with the Intimacy Oil by Green Compass. An intimacy oil made for every body, this oil is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free and formulated with plant-based and organic ingredients. With ingredients like organic hemp flower extract, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, the pleasure felt and experienced in intimate areas becomes even more intense upon application.
FOCL CBD Arousal Oil
Loved by users for its "perfect texture," its "warm wonderful feeling," and the fact that it's "non-irritating," the CBD Arousal Oil by FOCL is definitely worthy of a spot in your tox boy. Like other CBD oils, the hemp-derived product is said to ease tension and promote blood flow, which are major keys to enhancing and maximizing your sexual pleasure.
Sensuva On Arousal Oil
Amazon
Looks like we saved the best for last. Available in Lite, Original, and Ultra to give you the ability to choose the intensity that suits your intimate moments best, the On Arousal Oil by Sensuva is said to be one of the most powerful arousal oils on the market with good reason. With a "unique, buzzing vibration sensation on the clitoris," in 1-2 drops, On Arousal delivers more sensation during sex, helps women achieve orgasms quicker and more intensely, and can also help curb any issues with vaginal dryness.
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Featured image by Getty Images