How to cope with fear and anxiety during difficult times

March 27, 2020March 24, 2020 by Inhale The Good Shit

Before I start, let me clarify that I take our current global events very serious. And I hope you guys will do as well. Follow your governments’ and the WHO’s instructions at all times. And remember: this doesn’t just concern your health, but the health of others as well.

The intention of this post is to bring some mental relief to those who need it during these confusing times. As well as to maybe give you a new perspective that might help you cope better. And by no means I want to downplay the situation we’re in. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to look at the spiritual aspect of it, but it doesn’t make the physical reality less real. Many are going through difficult and painful times right now. Which is something we can’t ignore and respect.

I know what it’s like to be very anxious in life, because I’ve often experienced this myself. And because of my own experience, I also know there are ways to cope with fear and anxiety better. What I’m going to tell you helped me a lot. I hope my tips will make life a little easier for you too. That would be great!

During the past weeks my mind remained quite calm. But since yesterday, I have been feeling a bit anxious about everything that is happening in the world. And I know that many of you out there feel the same way as I did! But… I also realize the fact that fear is the very opposite of what is helpful right now. For yourself and for the people around you.

Let’s call it the ‘fear virus’

We are dealing with an pandemic now because of the corona-virus. And in a figurative sense, there’s another ‘virus’ succeeding quite well at the moment; the ‘virus’ of fear. Us, human beings, have a talent for making each other really scared. We all know stress and anxiety lowers our immune system, thus making us more vulnerable to become sick on a physical level too.

Fear causes people to buy loads of silly products 😉

So far fear has mainly resulted in empty supermarkets, a shortage of face masks and swabs for health care professionals, a run on weapons in the United States, in the Netherlands we had a run on marijuana :), and there have been fights over toilet paper?! (humanity at its best!). So it seems, fear is not very helpful so far. Fear has a function when we are truly in danger. But 91% of the time we fear something, those fears will never come true. And if they do come true, somewhere in the future, it’s still a waste of our precious time… being scared until it happens.

Switch off the fear-button!

Fear lowers our immune system. So, by being scared or anxious, you are more open to become sick. Most people who get the virus, didn’t feel sick at all or were only mildly affected by it. Which means that a lot of people have an immune system that is strong enough to fight it. So, in any case we’re better off when our bodies are not feeling stressed. No, it doesn’t mean you can’t catch the virus, or get sick, when you feel completely relaxed. It does mean that your immune system isn’t already weakened because of dealing with anxiety before. In any case it’s best to live as healthy and relaxed as possible under these circumstances. 😉 That’s why it’s important to switch the fear button off!

On the agenda for 2020: A collective shift in consciousness

To get rid of my own anxiety, I started to focus on what spiritual people had to say about these global events. And what they have to say is actually really beautiful. Looking at it from that perspective makes it to be a true blessing to be alive at this particular time in history. According to the spiritual people, there is a spiritual shift in the collective consciousness on the 2020 agenda. And I do believe that this is going to make changes in the behavior of humankind on earth. I’ve heard about this shift before, and I also noticed changes in the people around me in the last years. But still, I would have never thought, there was a change on its way to this extent. In one way it results in sickness, sadness and economy crises on a human level, it also results in us being more connected to each other than ever, and the planet seems to heal as well.

Up until a week ago, for many people saw, events that occurred elsewhere in the world, as a soon-to-be-forgotten distant reality. “War in Syria? Mehh, yeah, terrible, but what can we do about it? Starvation in Africa? Yeah, awful, but I won’t be able to change that. Pollution? It’s not that bad. No need to drive, fly, and consume a little less. Ebola? Ah yes, so sad, but that won’t hurt me anyway. These things happen in Africa.” However, the Corona-virus is a global crisis, and connects us again. Ironically, by keeping our distance from each other physically; on a spiritual level it brings us closer together, as well as to the essence of life.

We are one!

Us humans are interconnected. We are part of one and the same organism, meaning that each person’s suffering, is directly connected to you and will affect you as well as. For a long time we managed to justify this to ourselves. The reason why it is ok we are happy and healthy, whereas so many other people on the planet didn’t have the same basic rights as our Western society had. Anything in order to keep our ego satisfied. Anything to save our own skin, anything that will keep any responsibility towards that invisible other as far away as possible from us.

We can’t ignore each other anymore, and we really need one another to make this work in the long run. We’re more interdependent than ever. For where people on this planet live in poor health conditions, with no access to adequate health care, this may directly result in new outbreaks on the other side of the globe. Status, power, money, religion and race are no longer of any importance. This is something we must do together, because we are all tied to each other.

Stay away from the collective stream of fear

I believe that this will be a turning point for humanity. On a spiritual level, all of this can only result in a beautiful and positive outcome. Hopefully, this is the start of a new and better world, for all of us. Finally! But as always with change, it can also be frightening, painful and overwhelming.

For this reason we must help each other, instead of scaring each other. Don’t feed the fears! Just follow your governments guidelines, but don’t get caught up in all the scary reports and statistics. Stay awake, stay conscious. Focus on the beautiful things that will come again. And as with everything in life, you have the choice to make tthis experience as good or bad as you choose it to be. So, my advice to you is: strive to make the most out of this situation, focus on the positive aspects it brings, no matter what happens. Because beauty can be found everywhere.

The Kabbalistic perspective

According to Kabbalist teachings, our physical reality, which we believe to be the complete reality, is just a fraction of the total reality. Our perception of the Universe is limited by our senses, yet forms the perfect setting that we need to achieve spiritual growth. A learning school on an individual and a global level. And the more we support one another in this process, the faster we’ll be moving towards our final destination. The end-point where there is only unconditional love, where suffering is non existent, the place where all pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. And when you look at it from this perspective, it seems we’re getting much closer to that today!

Ego Vs. Inner Self

This learning school basically gives us two choices in every situation; the choice for the ego, i.e. fear and suffering, or the choice for our inner self, i.e. unconditional love, happiness and spiritual growth. And each time we are able to reject the ego, it brings us closer to where you and the entire world ultimately will be. Each and every action of each individual counts. Rejecting the ego will always bring us one step closer to the full reality, and to who we truly are. Our inner self knows that the ego – hence also fear – is an illusion. So now is definitely the time to stay aware of this at all times. According to Kabbalah, more ego, also means more chaos and suffering. Rejecting the ego will result in more peace and unlimited happiness.

In difficult times like this, we will see a lot of people are going to choose for fear. But remember, their fear is not your fear. Try not to get caught up in it. I always find comfort in the thought that everything happens for a reason and everything happens as it’s supposed to happen. There’s never a reason to be afraid. What is going to happen exactly? I don’t know. But I do know that we have to let go of the fear of the unknown, embrace the situation as it is and have unconditional faith in the changes it will bring about.

Other tips to cope with fear anxiety:

Watch Dr. Joe Dispenza’s video’s; he’s a neuroscientist and biochemist who tells you exactly how we respond to fear, how it affects you, its purpose, and how you can turn this around.
Watch Bruce Lipton’s video’s; Bruce Lipton is a biologist. He explains how illness can be caused by our own thoughts.
Take a course in mindfulness. Being mindful helps to take everything day by day and to stop worrying about the future. This is a course I recommend for beginners: Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation
Start studying Kabbalah! The Kabbalah is a blueprint of life. It explains why we live in this physical world, the purpose of it, and how we can stop suffering. Bnei Baruch has awesome classes online on YouTube. For free! Click the link for the first lesson: Introduction to Kabbalah
Let things go that are out of your control
Use this time to pause and contemplate. We’ve been running long enough.
Do your spiritual work. Work on yourself. Search for your higher self. And free yourself from your ego.
Check out the printables of Blessing Manifesting for Anxiety
Work out at home!
Eat healthy.
Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Do not constantly check the news. 1x a day (even less or not at all) to stay informed of new measures can be useful, however, filling your day with sad news reports will take you out of your positive vibration. And your positive vibration is exactly what you and the world needs right now!
Help someone by doing their groceries (if you’re healthy of course).
Facetime with family and friends.
Relax. We have been running for a long time. Use this time to pause and contemplate.
Let go of control.

Wishing you lots of strength, happiness, love and health!

Love,

Angie

What are essential oils and where to buy high-quality oils

April 4, 2020January 11, 2020 by Inhale The Good Shit

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are compounds that are extracted from benifical plants. They are obtained through distillation or by cold pressing. This results in aromotic compounds that give each essential oil its characteristic fragrance. However, only the oils obtained through distillation are considered to be the ‘real essential oils’. Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy and they are believed to have healing effects, open our chakra’s and to support our overall well-being.

How do you use essential oils?

You can use essential oils in several ways.

Inhale them directly out of the bottle
Steam them with a bowl of water
With a diffuser or humidifier
Dilute them with a carrier oil to apply them to your skin
Add a few drops with a carrier oil in your bath water
Use them with a carrier oil for massages
Add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner
A few drops on your pillow case for a good night of sleep
Add them to foods for extra flavor

Not every essential oil is suited for all purpose mentioned above. Always check on the label how to use them properly.

How to choose good quality essential oils?

When you purchase essential oil in a store, please remember you are not testing perfume. Directly applying the undiluted oil to your skin might cause allergic reactions. And don’t hold the bottle too close when you want to smell the oil.
If a company sells all their oils for the same price, this is a red flag. The process of extracting the oils, isn’t the same for each plant. The price should be based on the amount of raw material is needed to produce is. Which results in different costs and prices. When the essential oils are prices the same, they’re probably either synthetic or of low quality.
Choose oils from companies that list the botanical name, the country of origin, distillation date on the label.
Buy only oils that are sold in dark glass bottles. Clear glass can spoil the oil.
Good quality oils are never the cheapest oils on the market. Don’t buy it if the price seems to be good to be true.
Buy essential oils from specialized companies.
Quality oils are tested for the gas chromatography and mass spectrometry tests GC/MS. Check of the seller provides batch-specific reports on their website.
Look for organic oils. Pollutants on plants can be more concentrated in the essential oil.
Check if the oil only contains compounds of the plant, and are not diluted with synthetic additives
Purchase from a brand with a good reputation.

Quality brands for essential oils

Below my top 4 of brands for essential oils. I listed them here because they are reputable and honest brands. All of their oils are well-tested and they work with the best, sustainable companies all over the world. I chose a few more expensive and a few cheaper brands, so there are options for every budget.

doTERRA

Plant Therapy

Each oil undergoes testing by third parties.
All test results are available on Plant Therapy’s website.
They have organic-only oils, but not all their oils are organic. Look for the USDA-Certified organic oils. They have more affordable products, those are not the high-quality oils.
100% pure products.

Eden’s Garden

Each oil undergoes GC/MS testing by third parties.
Their plants come from their indigenous locations (where they grow naturally).
All oils are 100% pure.
They don’t add any bases, carriers, parafins or additives.
Their oils are free of pesticides, GMO’s, fertilizers and chemicals.
Their oils are organic as far as possible.
The product’s are animal-cruelty free.

Plant Guru

All oils go through third party GC/MS testing.
All oils are 100%.
No chemicals, pesticides or GMO’s are added.
All their essential oils are manufactured from sustainable sources.
They are a small family business.
They believe essential oils should be affordable so everyone can enjoy the healing power of their oils. This is why they are cheaper compared to other reputable brands on the market.

Essential oils and their benefits

Bergamot

Uses:

Reduces stress
Improves skin conditions; acne, eczema, rashes, sores
Sore throat
Bladder infection

Aroma: Citrusy fresh

Precautions / Side Effects:

Mild side effects may include dizziness, muscle cramos, heartburn
It might make the skin more sensitive to the sun

Goes well with:

- Lavender
- Patchouli
- Lime

My recommendation:

black pepper

Uses:

Restores emotional balance
Strengthens confidence
Strengthens self-worth
Antiviral; flu, cold
Promotes digestions
Supports endocrine system
Erotic Aphrodisiac
Increases circulation
It might help to quit smoking. The respiratory system is stimulated in a way that mimics cigarette smoke

Aroma: Mild, woody & spicy

Precautions / Side Effects:

May cause irritation to the sensitive skin
During pregnancy the skin is more sensitve. So, it's advised to avoid during pregnancy
Too much can over-stimulate the kidney's

Goes well with:

- Clary Sage
- Geranium
- Jasmin
- Rose
- Lavender
- Sandalwood

My recommendation:

black spruce

Uses / health benefits:

Purifying and cleansing
Antibacterial
Treats diabetes
Disinfectant
Cooling and soothing
Reduce pain and stress
Reduce spasms
Reduce redness

Smell / Aroma:

Rich, earthy and a bit woody evergreen scent

Precautions / Side effects:

Not for ingestion
May cause irritation

Goes well with:

Lavender
Tea Tree
Frankincense

My recommendation:

blue tansy

Uses:
- Great for relaxation
- Calming anxiety and stress
- Natural anti-histamine
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Skin healing effect
Aroma:
Sweet fruit, with a hint of herbal notes
Precautions / Side Effects:
- Make sure you buy Blue Tansy essential oil. Don't buy oil from the Common Tansy. The Commin Tansy has high concentrations of thujone, which is a toxic enzyme. Make sure it says Tanacetum Annuum on the label, that's Blue Tansy.
Goes well with:
- Jasmine
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Clary Sage
- Petitgrain

My recommendation:

Cardamom

Uses:

Uplifting and energizing
Helps with digestive problems
Halitosis (bad breath)
Reduce stress
Reduse spasms
Reduse nausea
Antimicrobial
Natural aphrodisiac

Aroma:

Sweet, spicy with wooden undertones

Precautions / Side Effects:

Can be irritating when you have sensitive skin
Pregnant and lactating women should not ingest cardamom oil

Goes well with:

- Citrus oils, such as:
  - Wilde Orange
  - Lemon
  - Bergamot

My recommendation:

Clary Sage

Uses:

It reduces menstrual cramps
It stimulates and regulates the menstrual cycle
For relaxation and calmness
Natural antidepressant
Reduces feelings of anxiety
Antibacterial properties
Stimulates the libido
Soothes skin that is inflammated
Helps with pain in muscles and joints

Aroma:

Soft, sweet, nutty with a slightly floral scent

Precautions / Side Effects:

May increase estrogen, but not all studies agree on this
May not be appropriate for use for people who have low blood pressure

Goes well with:

Geranium
Lavender
Neroli
Bergamot
Citrus
Sandalwood

My recommendation:

Coriander Seed

Uses:

Natural aphrodisiac
Antibacterial
Improves digestion
Lowers cholesterol
Improves hair and skin quality
Helps relieve muscle spasm and cramps

Aroma:

Spicy, slightly musky fragrance

Precautions / Side Effects:

Don't take this oil orally, unless approved by your physician.
Avoid when pregant because of mild muscle stimulating effects.

Goes well with:

Bergamot
Cinnamon
Ginger
Clary sage

My recommendation:

Davana

Uses:

Helps reduce anxiety and stress
Helps reduce menstrual cramps and ease menopausal symptoms
Regulates and balances the menstrual cycle
Bacterial infections
Nausea
Flu and colds
Stomach problems
Reduce muscle spasms
Natural aphrodisiac
It might help with drug withdrawal
Natural antidepressant

Aroma:

A medium strength, fruity, grape and flowery-like aroma with a subtle vanilla note.

Precautions / Side Effects:

Pregnant women should avoid it
It should only be used in trace quantities
It should never be consumed
It might cause some irritations

Goes well with:

Clary Sage
Vetiver
Frankincense
Neroli
Orange
Jasmine
Lemon
Geranium

My recommendation:

Frankincense

Uses:

Skin problems: acne, dry skin, reduces the appearance wrinkles, spots, stretch marks, discoloration scars
Indigestion
Colds, coughs
Reduces feelings of anxiety and stress
Relieves pain
Anti-inflammatory
Stimulates the immune system

Aroma:

Woody, sweet and spicy

Precautions / Side Effects:

It may cause rashes
It may cause stomach pain and nausea
It may cause irritation to the skin

Goes well with:

Citrus oils: Lime, Orange
Lavender
Geranium
Rose
Clary Sage
Sandalwood
Bergamot
Peppermint

My recommendation:

Geranium

Uses:

Reduces feelings of stress and anxiety
It improves the cognitive function
Balances the hormones and emotions
Enhances mood
Sometimes used as an insect repellant

Aroma:

A fresh, sweet, lightly floral scent with herbal notes.

Precautions / Side Effects:

It may cause irritatations / rashes when applied tot he skin
Not known what might bet he side effects when taken in larger amounts
As far as known it is likely safe for pregnant and lactating women

Goes well with:

Bergamot
Lime
Lavender
Orange
Clary Sage

My recommendation:

Grapefruit

Uses / health benefits:

Balances the mood
Helps to reduce stress
Lowers blood pressure
It may help with weight loss
Helps to treat acne.

Smell / Aroma:

Citrusy and sweet.

Precautions / Side effects:

May cause irritation when applying the oil to the skin
It can be dangerous in combination with certain medications

Goes well with:

Orange
Peppermint
Bergamot
Lemon
Lavender
Franincense
Geranium

My recommendation:

Jasmin

Uses / health benefits:

Natural aphrodisiac
Antidepressant
Uplifting the senses
Soothens menopause symptoms and PMS-symptoms
Improves concentration
Improves immunity
Helps with insomnia

Smell / Aroma:

Sweet, intense and alluring scent

Precautions / Side effects:

Considered safe
Might cause allergic reactions
Pregnant and lactating women only in food amounts

Goes well with:

Rose
Clary Sage
Lime
Bergamot
Ylang Ylang
Sandalwood
Frankincense

My recommendation:

Lavender

Uses / health benefits:

Calming and sedative
Treats anxiety, restlessness and depression
Anti-inflammatory properties
Fungal infections
Insomnia
Menstrual cramps

Smell / Aroma:

Floral, sweet and herbal notes

Precautions / Side effects:

May cause skin irritation, nausea and headaches.
Constipation
Increased appetite

Goes well with:

Geranium
Clary Sage
Citrusy oils
Vetiver

My recommendation:

Lemon

Uses / health benefits:

Stress relieve / Depression
Treats acne
Stimulates immune system
Helps with losing weight

Smell / Aroma:

Smells like ripe lemons, a refreshing, citrusy scent

Precautions / Side effects:

May make the skin more sensitive to the sun

Goes well with:

Lavender
Neroli
Sandalwood
Ylang Ylang
Geranium

My recommendation:

Neroli

Uses / health benefits:

Relieve stress and anxiety
Relieve insomnia
Calming and relaxing
Good for the skin: scars, stretch marks, wrinkles
Helps to prevent depression

Smell / Aroma:

Sweet, floral, honeyed fragrance.

Precautions / Side effects:

Inhaling Neroli oil can be dangerous to pets
Not to be ingested
It can make the skin more sensitive for the sun

Goes well with:

Sandalwood
Geranium
Lavender
Jasmine
Lemon
Grapefruit

My recommendation:

Orange

Uses / health benefits:

Enhances the mood
Antidepressant
Disinfectant
Supports clean skin
Helps to detoxify the body

Smell / Aroma:

Sweet, citrusy fragrance, like orange peels

Precautions / Side effects:

May cause skin irritation

Goes well with:

Franincense
Lavender
Geranium

My recommendation:

Palo Santo

Uses / health benefits:

Used to purify and cleanse from negative energies
Relieve cold, flu
Relieve stress, anxiety and depression
Relieve headaches
Insect repellant
Reduces allergies

Smell / Aroma:

Sweet and woody

Precautions / Side effects:

Avoid use if it has oxidized
May cause skin irritation

Goes well with:

Franincense
Lemon
Grapefruit
Orange
Lavender

My recommendation:

Peppermint

Uses / health benefits:

Relieve muscle pains
Relieve spasms and cramps
Calms inflamed skin
Treats irritable bowel syndrome
Helps with digestive problems
Relieve from itching

Smell / Aroma:

Cool and refreshing

Precautions / Side effects:

Large amounts of peppermint oil can be toxic
Don’t apply to face and chest of children
Allergic reactions
Heartburn
Diarrhea

Goes well with:

Grapefruit
Geranium
Lavender
Lemon

My recommendation:

Petitgrain

Uses / health benefits:

Relieve stress and anxiety
Relaxing
Helps insomnia
Anti-inflammatory
Treats skin problems
Helps cardiovascular system
Helps digestive system
Great addition to hot drinks

Smell / Aroma:

Fresh, floral and woody fragrance

Precautions / Side effects:

Pregnant and lactating women should avoid petitgrain oil

Goes well with:

Geranium
Ylang Ylang
Bergamot
Clary Sage
Lavender
Jasmin
Neroli

My recommendation:

Rose

Uses / health benefits:

Relieve stress and anxiety
Treats the skin; clears acne, wrinkles, dry skin, eczema
Anti-inflammatory properties
Relieve pain
Relieve menstrual cramps
Antibacterial
Aphrodisiac

Smell / Aroma:

Deep, warm, floral fragrance

Precautions / Side effects:

Inhaling too much may cause headaches
It may cause skin irritation

Goes well with:

Bergamot
Jasmine
Geranium
Neroli
Vetiver
Sandalwood
Frankincense
Ylang Ylang

My recommendation:

Sandalwood

Uses / health benefits:

Relieve stress and anxiety
Urinary and genital disorders
Treats skin diseases
Mental disorders
Hemorrhoids
Liver and gallbladder problems
Relaxing and calming effect
Reduce high blood pressure

Smell / Aroma:

Woody and earthy

Precautions / Side effects:

Not to be ingested: can cause itching, nausea, stomach and kidney problems.
May cause skin irritation

Goes well with:

Bergamot
Black Pepper
Geranium
Lavender
Rose
Vetiver
Ylang Ylang
Grapefruit

My recommendation:

Spikenard

Uses / health benefits:

Healthy skin
Enhances mood
Anti-inflammatory properties
Antibacterial properties
Relieve muscle pain
Relieve menstruation cramps
Helps with constipation
Relaxing and calming
Pancreatitis

Smell / Aroma:

Earthy and musky

Precautions / Side effects:

May cause irritation when applied to the skin

Goes well with:

Frankincense
Geranium
Lavender
Lemon
Rose
Neroli
Vetiver

My recommendation:

Tea Tree

Uses / health benefits:

Antibacterial properties
Anti-inflammatory properties
Treats and improves skin conditions such as acne
Also used as a natural deodorant and insect repellant
Antisceptic
Mouthwash
Nail fungus
Stimulates the immune system

Smell / Aroma:

Astringent, medicinal, woody and earthy.

Precautions / Side effects:

Not for ingestion
May cause skin irritation or swelling

Goes well with:

Bergamot
Grapefruit
Lavender
Lemon
Rose
Spruce

My recommendation:

Vetiver

Uses / health benefits:

Calming and relaxing
Helps with insomnia
Warming
Relieve stress and anxiety
Joint and muscle pain
Also used as insect repellant
Natural anti-oxidant

Smell / Aroma:

Sweet, earthy and woody.

Precautions / Side effects:

Must be avoided by pregnant women, it can induce miscarriages
Lactating women should also avoid vetiver oil

Goes well with:

Cedarwood
Lemon
Grapefruit
Orange
Jasmine
Ylang Ylang
Petitgrain

My recommendation:

Ylang Ylang

Uses / health benefits:

Relieve stress and anxiety
Relieve pain
Enhance mood
Good for the skin; wound healing and scars
Kill bacteria
Aphrodisiac
Lower blood pressure

Smell / Aroma:

Sweet, fruity and floral scent

Precautions / Side effects:

May cause irritations

Goes well with:

Bergamot
Geranium
Grapefruit
Lemon
Vetiver
Sandalwood

My recommendation:

Guest Bloggers Wanted!

January 5, 2020January 5, 2020 by Inhale The Good Shit

Dear you,

Are you also interested in everything spiritual, the Law of Attraction, yoga, affirmations, self-help, self-care, you name it and are you looking for a platform to share your thoughts with the world? Or maybe you already own a blog and you’d like to write guest posts for other sites, then I’m looking for you!

I’m looking for a guest blogger who can provide me with new, original, interesting content for inhalethegoodshit.com.Will you help me with spreading more light and positivity in the world? You can choose the subject if you like, but if you don’t know what to write about, I can provide you with some suggestions. I’m looking for at least 500-word posts (longer is great if it’s possible).

In exchange for your guest posts I will give you a backlink to your own website / social media and I will write a post about your guest blog on my Instagram.

PS: I write all my posts in English and in Dutch, so you’re post will be translated by me to the Dutch language.

Interested?

Send an e-mail to info@inhalethegoodshit.com

Love,

Angie

5x Beautifully Designed & Inspiring Affirmation Decks

January 30, 2020December 30, 2019 by Inhale The Good Shit

The power of positive affirmations

By setting the right intention every morning for the rest of your day, you can direct the course of your day in a positive direction. You can do this with the help of deliberate affirming positive thoughts. These affirmations are a positive reminder to stay positive throughout the day, no matter what is going on at this moment in your life. Affirmations help to stop the negative self-talk and remind you of the truth of life. They keep you out of the illusion of this physical reality we get caught up in so easily.

Affirmations are like magic to me. When I read them daily, I immediately feel a shift in my mood, in the things I attract, in my relationships and financially. The opposite also happens when I forget to read them and the negative thoughts feel free to take over again. This is why affirmations are extremely important to me. They raise my vibration and keep me positive. They bring hope and faith, that no matter what’s coming for you, you’ll be okay. They remind you of your inner strength, to trust your inner self and of the fact that everything that’s crossing your path today is nothing more than a new challenge that will help you grow.

What are Affirmation Cards for?

Affirmation cards also come with affirmations. The difference with just using affirmations and affirmation cards is that they can help you to answer your life questions. Each card has its own positive message for you. And by pulling a card every day, every week, month, year or actually, whenever you want, you can set your mind in a positive direction and get out of your thought patterns. Each message is meant to give you a new perspective on a certain situation in your life. Affirmation cards are a tool to practice self-care and to develop more gratitude for your life and for yourself.

You can use them to talk to when there is no one around and you need some good advise. A good set of affirmation cards is a good friend, that gives you positive advise whenever you need it. This is a friend that will never bring you down, but always chooses to be loving, understanding and to lift you up. A friend that shows you there is a silver lining in every situation. Just ask your question and the deck will help you to find the right answer.

Which affirmation deck should I choose?

There are tons of different affirmation decks available nowadays. They come in so many designs, shapes and with different affirmations and messages. Chosing the right affirmation deck is a very personal thing to do. You might need different affirmations, messages or artwork to still your mind with and fit your needs best than me. But either way, I’d like to share the sets with you that in my opinion come with great, bright designs and valuable affirmations, that I believe will be valuable for most of you.

How to use Affirmation Cards?

You can use them according to your needs. They don’t come with hard rules. Just ask a question, pull a card and see what message the Universe is giving you to work with today. Tip: Memorize the affirmation to repeat it to yourself throughout the day. You may pick a card as often as needed; once a day, once a week, once a month, or a couple of times a day, a few cards at the same time if you need more advise. And you can of course also use them to give advise to a friend or family member in need.

5 Beautiful Card Decks I recommend

I put together a list of the most beautifully illustrated decks I could find with the messages that I think will resonate with most of you. They’re all focussed on keeping a positive mindset and to see things from a new uplifting perspective. The decks that I chose raise your vibration and help you to get or stay in alignment with your source energy and the universe and are designed to brighten up your day. All of them deserve to be credited as the best Affirmation decks available today. So, here they come:

Super Attractor: A 52-Card Deck by Gabby Bernstein

This set of 52 affirmation cards is written by the amazing Gabby Bernstein. She is one of my inpsirations, one of my greatest teachers that taught me so much about the law of attraction, manifesting and the importance of each of us in this world and how we are all connected. She is a bestselling author and together with this affirmation deck she recently published her new book Super Attractor.

The cards are made to inspire you to live a life filled with joy and start manifesting your dreams into reality. Each of the cards comes with a mantra to support and guide you. Pick a card and the Universe will answer.This deck connects you to the Universe and helps to live in alignment with your source energy.

How to Love Yourself Cards: A Deck of 64 Affirmations by Louise Hay

This deck is authored by Louise Hay: the queen of affirmations. She is the author of one of my favorite books: You can heal your life. A book that changed my outlook on life completely in the most positive way. If there is any Affirmation deck that’s a must-have for every manifestor, than it’s Louise Hay’s deck, because manifesting and affirming starts with her. There are more affirmation decks by Louise Hay, but this one also comes with a beautiful, calm design.

This deck of 64 powerful affirmations and uplifting messages help you remember that you are safe and you are whole. Each card invites you to look within and become aware of the beautiful treasure that you are.

Lamare Affirmation Cards – 40-Piece Colorful Daily Positive Affirmations Set

This 40-piece card deck comes with beautifully designed colorful cards with positive affirmations you can use daily. The cards help you to be more relaxed and to meet your full potential. Negative thoughts that are holding you back have no place anymore in your life with this deck. Which results in you being able to live your life to its fullest potential. Reprogram your thinking, change your mindset and attract positivity in your life.

Happy Life Affirmation Cards

The ‘Happy Life’ Affirmation Cards is a card deck that consist of 54 bright cards with beautiful affirmations. And they come with an awesome wooden box, to make the cards easy to display in your sight during your day. They’re designed by the Australian company Bullet Planner, who also have many other self-love, self-help tools with designs I totally adore.

“Start your day with an inspiration and a smile.”
~Bullet Planner~

LSW Mind cards

Another deck that has a great design. I really love the minimalistic, bright, pastel colored design. It helps to feel calm, mindful and positive. These cards are designed to help you become more mindful of your thoughts and feelings and give you the tools needed to take back control of your happiness. They help to focus on being in the Now and. Just like the other decks you can pull a card every day and take the action stated on the card. This deck consists of 45 cards that come in 5 categories: kindness, ritual, gratitude, journal and reflection.

Hopefully I helped you on your quest to the affirmation deck that fits you best, or at least inspired you to find an affirmation deck to use in your daily life that will help you to manifest the every day life you desire.

Louise Hay – You can heal your life: Book review

December 17, 2019December 2, 2019 by Inhale The Good Shit

Another book that changed my life: “You can heal your life”, written by Louise Hay; the Queen of positive affirmations. Recommended by a colleague a few years ago. And I’m so thankful for that, because I use many of Louise’s affirmations on a daily basis.

Louise Hay: The Queen of affirmations

Louise Hay was one of the founders of the self-help movement in the world. Was indeed, because unfortunately she is not with us anymore today. Or at least not physically, but through her legacy of knowledge she is still present on earth. In the 70’s, when this way of thinking was still very new, she already spoke about the connection between the body and the mind. First, she wrote the book: Heal your mind – a book I haven’t read just yet and which is high on my ‘to-read’-list – and later she wrote “You can heal your life”. A book that has been of so much value to me, it needs to have a seperate blog post I dedicate to it. So here we go!

You can heal your life

Louise Hay explains in “You can heal your life” how our thoughts and beliefs control our lives. She explains how self-love is the key towards healing. She believes you can create your own faith and that we are able to transform negatives situations into something positive, by working on your mindset. She believes diseases, mentally or physically, are connected to your state of mind. According to Louise many people are struggling with the belief they aren’t good enough and aren’t worthy of love, of having enough money and to live a carefree life. Most of us are raised with similar beliefs and we’re not even aware we’re constantly limiting ourselves and bring ourselves down with these beliefs. “I’m not worthy of..”, “Why is this always happening to me?”, “I can’t…”, “I’m not beautiful/slim/smart enough for…” etc. Louise Hay helps you to figure out where your negative thought patterns originated. Which will make you more conscious about the way you live your life and to change your outlook on life. This book teaches you to use deliberate positive thoughts, also known as affirmation. This will help you to feel happier with yourself and with your life.

I learned so much from this book. It made me more conscious about my own negative beliefs and thought patterns. And when you’re more aware of your thoughts and beliefs, it’s easier to intervene and transform the thought to a positive one. There are many examples of affirmations in this book for several subjects that you can use for the rest of your life. Your healing lies within your own hands, or actually… mind. This book thought me I’m not the victim of my own story. And that being a victim oftentimes is also a choice. This book helped me a lot on my way to a more positive and happier life. By focussing on affirmations daily, my mindset is going into the right direction a bit more day by day.

You can never lose anything by thinking positive, at most you will win something. So, this book is really worthwhile reading if you’d like to give a positive turn to your life. Of course, your life won’t be without problems after reading the book, but you learn to change the way you look at them. And overtime, you’ll see that a lot of problems that seem big today, will seem much smaller after some practice. We’ve been taught happiness is the absence of problems. Which means our search for happiness will always end in disappointment again. The key lies not within finding a life without struggles, but in finding a life where you are able to handle life’s struggles in a more positive way. And that’s what Louise taught me.

Hopefully you enjoyed my review and if I inspired you to read the book, this is where you can buy it:

Love,

Angie

How To Set & Maintain Boundaries By Applying the Law of Attraction

January 25, 2020November 17, 2019 by Inhale The Good Shit

Affirmations To Protect Yourself From Negativity And Keep Your Boundaries

How can you keep a positive vibration while dealing with negative people or situations?

Going through life with a positive mindset sometimes comes with quite a few challenges in certain situations. I noticed that maintaining your own boundaries can be very difficult when you’re trying to keep a positive mindset. And I’m not the only one struggling with this. Whenever I’m talking to someone who lives a Positive Thinking lifestyle as well, keeping boundaries without ending up with a negative vibration afterward, is something we all struggle with.

Not sticking up for yourself is equal to attracting more of the same

Because, when you’ve decided you’re going to think positive, always, from now on, it also feels like you’re can’t be unfriendly or self-centered ever again. You know that you create what you think and you don’t want to create more negative feelings or situations.

But sometimes we need to be tough on others to make sure they’re not overstepping the mark. Sometimes you need to draw the line to make sure their bad energy will not be passed on to you. Not sticking up for yourself will cause you to feel more agitated over time, which then becomes the vibration you’re sending out. This results in more similar situations entering your life that match this negative vibration. Which you don’t want, of course.

When you catch yourself complaining about someone, because this person is treating you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable and unhappy, you’re actually already allowing this person to take over your positive vibes. This person triggers negative feelings to take over the positive mindset you work so hard for.

Why the real message comes from your vibration and not so much from the words of the message itself

If you already talked to this person before, but nothing changed, this means that for some reason your message wasn’t clear enough for this person to really understand how much his behavior is bothering you. This happens when the vibration you sent out while delivering your message, didn’t match with what you were saying. In fact, you didn’t ask this person to treat you differently, but you sent out to the Universe with your negative vibration, you would be delighted to receive a little more of it.

You probably learned in life that when someone is crossing your boundaries, you should tell them their behavior is bothering you. And from now on, this person should change his behavior towards you. The thing is, he didn’t change. This person is still acting the same. You probably think, hey, this person just doesn’t want to listen to me. It’s his fault, he doesn’t want to change. This is out of my control.

But as I said before, what if your message wasn’t receive well, because the vibrations you were sending out while sending the message are the real message here instead of the message itself? The problem lies never with the other person, it’s a bug in the programming of our inner self. And the world around you picks up on that.

You can influence the situation by applying the Law of Attraction. You have way more influence on the situation than you think, believe me! Now, you can either choose to accept the situation and the negative energy that comes with it (which will put a block on your own manifesting process), or you can choose to take back control over your feelings and energy.

The Universe is sending you a gift in the form of a situation you can grow from

We are here to learn. And as I see it, there is always a lesson we’re working on and every lesson appears in your life as a challenging situation you need to learn from. Each lesson is a big opportunity to grow, but when you don’t take the opportunity to learn the lesson that the Universe is trying to teach you in the first place, this situation will appear again in your life, until you decide to change and solve the situation for good. Most people, including me, need to experience each lesson at least a few times, because we tend to look for the solution outside ourselves (our ego) instead of looking inwards, which is where the solution can be found, always.

If you’re reading this blog, maybe ‘setting boundaries and learning to take back control over your energy’ is what the Universe is trying to teach you right now. And with this blog, I hope to bring some new perspective on this challenging situation you’re experiencing in your life. Hopefully, this blog will help you to move forward in your learning process, so you’ll be able to grow and remove this energy blockage as soon as possible! Beause you need your vibrations to be positive. Otherwise, you won’t be able to manifest the life you do want.

We accept unacceptable behavior of others because ‘they don’t really mean it like that’, or because you’re afraid it will disturb the relationship, because it’s a family-thing or work-related and you see this person on a daily basis. But when this means that the other person can do whatever he wants, while the positive energy you’re meditating so hard for directly vanishes into thin air, you’re not heading in the right direction and you won’t be able to move forward.

The solution is hidden in your inner self and not in the other person

So, instead of putting the blame on the other, first you need to realize that something in your vibration is sending out the message that people are welcome to treat you like this. You allow it. That’s why it’s time to look inwards. Find out why you are sending out these vibrations. We really teach others how to treat us with our vibration and by the thoughts we have about ourselves. Ask yourself the question: is it possible this has something to do with my own insecurities and my feelings of self-worth? Somehow you feel it is your job to please others, even if you need to pay the price by feeling unhappy in exchange. Why? Why does pleasing the other have a priority on feeling good yourself? Take a good look inside and try to find out what’s causing this and work on this issue.

Of course you can address your ‘boundary crosser’, but if you don’t work on the reason why you attract this type of behavior towards you in the first place, you will come across similar situations again and again in the future.

There are other ways you can make sure others won’t cross your boundaries, without giving up on your positive energy.

Ways to maintain your boundaries and positive energy

Write down a list of affirmations that give you strength in this situation and that will shift your focus to what you do want to attract from this person. What should this relationship look like? How will this person treat you then? What does the world look like when your boundaries are respected.
A few suitable affirmations:
- It’s okay to say no
- I have the right to feel safe en respected
- I’m responsible for my own happiness
- The happiness of others is not my responsibility
- I have the right to choose my own lifestyle
- I have the right to express my opinions, needs and feelings
- I give myself permission to be who I am
- I am enough
- I only attract people who respect me
- I only attract loving relationships
- I am a human being and my feelings are okay
Sometimes it can be necessary to talk to this person to make clear (once again) that his behavior makes you feel uncomfortable. Then, explain how you do want to be treated and put your focus during the conversation on the positive outcome. According to the Law of Attraction you have to express what you do want to receive instead of putting your focus on what you don’t want to attract. Then the good will follow.
Sometimes we are stuck in a web of loyalty, which makes us feel like we don’t have the right to set our own boundaries. But please bare in mind – especially when you’ve already expressed it several times and nothing changed – just as this person thinks he or she has the right to treat you like this, you also have the right to choose to not tolerate this any longer. Give yourself enough importance and don’t make yourself inferior to someone else.
I took my distance from people many times when I felt it was necessary. And in some cases this is what you need to do for yourself to be able to keep your positive energy. When someone causes you to feel unhappy on a regular basis and you never leave this person with a smile on your face, it’s a clear signal from your inner self. Taking distance is not selfish when the relationship only lowers your energy and takes you out of balance. I don’t mean you should distance yourself immediately when someone complained to you once, but when you notice this you leave this person more often with a lower vibration than the vibration you had before meeting this person, distance might be a healthy option to consider.
Negative emotions are signals that are trying to tell you that you need to change the situation. Take control of your own life and future experiences. Eventually, everything is a choice, even accepting unacceptable behavior of others. We tend to fall into victim-mode and in believing we don’t have a choice in situations like this, but you do have a choice. Search for the solution and you will find it!
According to the Law of Attraction we attract what we send out. That’s why it’s important to stop dwelling on negative thoughts and to go back to a higher vibration as soon as possible. Don’t dwell on anger and sadness because of what “the other person is doing to you”. It will only lead you to more similar situations. The Law of Attraction assumes that you desire more of the emotion you are experiencing. So, take the action steps that are needed and let go of the situation as soon as possible. Start doing the things that make you feel good.
You’re experience with the outer world, is a reflection of your inner world. The moment you stop believing it’s necessary to make compromises and to sacrifice yourself, it will immediately reflect in your physical experience in the outer world.

When you learn to set boundaries, manifesting becomes a lot easier as well. You’ll notice that similar situations don’t cross your path as often as before when sticking up for yourself is not an obstacle for you anymore. If you feel guilty for setting and maintaing your boundaries, this is connected to your inner belief that you’re only worthy as a person if you please other people in life. But you’re not responsible for the happiness of others. The moment you are able to let this limiting belief go, you’ll notice that this feelings of guilt slowly disappears. Without feelings of guilt, it’s a lot easier to stay in alignment with source. And when you’re in alignment, you won’t attract similar situations in the first place. You’ll automatically attract more loving relationships with people that treat you with love and respect.

Good luck!

Lots of love!

Angie

The 7 chakra’s: what do they mean + how to open them

February 2, 2020October 7, 2019 by Inhale The Good Shit

During your yoga-class you probably heard your yoga teacher say which chakra will be opened in this class. Or which asana (yoga pose) helps to unblock a certain chakra. Can you feel the energy flowing?

But what are chakra’s exactly? And what is the meaning of the chakra’s? What does it mean when a chakra is blocked? And how can you unblock them? It is important to know the basics of the chakra’s, because with this knowledge you will always know how to balance yourself and how to keep yourself balanced. You will read the basics here!

Chakra’s: the energy portals of the soul

What are chakra’s and what is the meaning of the chakra’s?

Chakra’s are energy portals located on different points in your body. They are located from the lower part of your spine to the top of your head and they regulate the energy flow in your body. Chakra’s can be balanced, then you feel great. But when one or more chakra’s are out of balance, it means you have a blockage and the life energy that should be flowing freely is disturbed. These blockages will present themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Every chakra is connected to a specific part of your body. Your body and mind communicate with you when a chakra is out of balance. By finding out which chakra is connected to the physical or mental complaints you’re suffering from, you will know which chakra is blocked. You now also know what you should work on to get yourself balanced again. Chakra-blockages can be removed with the different yoga asana’s (yoga poses), aromatherapy and stones/minerals.

There are many different chakra systems, but the system with 7 primary chakra’s is the one that is used the most, so I will use this system for this explanation about the chakra’s. I will explain for each of the chakra what it stands for, what it has an influence on, what happens when it’s blocked and which yoga poses or essential oils you can use to open it again.

The 7 chakra’s from down to up:

1e Chakra: Mooladhara

2e Chakra: Swadishthana

Mooladhara

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Meaning chakra:	Mooladhara means root in Sanskrit. It is your root chakra, your basis. It represents the physical, the earth, because it is the lowest chakra. This chakra touches the earth. This chakra is developed between the 1st and 6th year of life; the forming years. For a well developed Mooladhara chakra you need to develop a direct connection to the earth. Then it will bring safety and stability, financial securtiy and certainty.
Color:	Red
When developed:	Between the 1st and 6th year of life
Essential oil mix:	A mix of spikenard, frankincense, palo santo, vetiver Click here for more info about essential oils
Asana’s:	Standing poses
Element:	Earth
Location:	Perineum
Is connected to:	Pelvis, legs, muscles, bones, feet, hips, immunesystem
Balanced:	Financial security, safety, grounding
Out of balance:	Pelvis, hemorrhoids, sciatica, problems with the hips, knees, ankles, feet, feelings of insecurity, self-pity and irresponsible behavior.

Swadishthana

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Meaning chakra:	The sacral chakra. It stands for relations, creativity, sexuality and the discovery of freedom of choice. It’s when a person learns to listen to his survival instincts and to use the 5 senses. It’s also the phase when a person learns what is his and to defend that, his territory.
Kleur:	Orange
Wanneer ontwikkeld:	Between the 6th and 12th year of life
Essential oil mix:	A mix of coriander seed, geranium, orange, jasmin Click here for more info about essential oils
Asana’s:	Forward bends
Element:	Water
Location:	Lower belly, two finger-width above Mooladhara
Is connected to:	Sexual organs, colon, kidney’s, bladder, appendix, lower part of the spine
Balanced:	Sexuality, creativity, preferences, desires
Out of balance:	Lower back pain, gynecological problems, PMS, infertility, prostate problems, impotence, kidney stones

Manipura

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Meaning chakra:	Is also called solar plexus. It is the stage of life where a person learn to stand up for himself, to put yourself first. You learn to take control of your own life and you will discover the ability to transform (from weak to strong, unhappy to happy, etc.)
Color:	Yellow
When developed:	Between the 12th and 16th year of life
Essential oil:	Mix of black pepper, cardamom, davana, grapefruit Click here for more info about essential oils
Asana’s:	Twists
Element:	Fire
Location:	Bellybutton
Connected to:	Stomach, liver, spleen, gall bladder, pancreas, small intestine, middle part of the spine
Balanced:	Self-esteem, willpower, move forward in life
Uit balans:	Difficulties taking decisions, nervous in groups, diabetes, earting disorders, hepatitis, constipation, diarrhea, selfdestructive behavior, intolereance

Anahatha

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Meaning chakra:	Heart chakra. It represents stability and harmony in life. Realizing there’s a whole universe out there, seeing the bigger picture en the ability to love unconditionally.
Color:	Green
When developed:	Between the 16th and 21nd year of life
Essential oil:	A mix of grapefruit, rhododendron, bergamot, rose Click here for more info about essential oils
Asana’s:	Back bends
Element:	Air
Location:	Heart
Connected to:	Heart, blood circulation, ribs, chest, lungs, shoulders, arms, upper part of the spine
Balanced:	Compassion, sharing, unconditional love
Out of balance:	Depression, over-emotional, disappointment, high blood pressure, heart diseases, asthma, breast cancer, shoulder problems

Vishudha

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Meaning chakra:	Throat chakra. Learn to speak for yourself, but also learn when to be quiet. When Vishudha is opened you know how to express yourself.
Color:	Blue
When developed:	Between the 21st and 26th year of life
Essential oil:	Mix of ho wood, lavender, peppermint, blue tansy Click here for more info about essential oils
Asana’s:	Inversions
Element:	Ether
Location:	Neck
Connected to:	Larynx, thyroid, throat, neck, mouth, teeth
Balanced:	Wisdom
Out of balance:	Agression, difficulty to speak, sore throat, cold, gum infections, tooth problems, stiff neck, thyroid problems

Ajna

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Meaning chakra:	Third eye chakra, this is the chakra where wisdom is developed, you know how to deal with different situations with calmness, the senses are strongly developed: hypersensitivity. This chakra brings healing energy and sometimes clairvoyance.
Color:	Purple
When developed:	Between the 26th and 33d year of life
Essential oil:	A mix of grapefruit, clary sage, sandalwood, spruce Click here for more info about essential oils
Asana’s:	Balancing
Element:	Light
Location:	Between the eyes
Connected to:	Brains, nervous system, eyes, ears, nose, pineal gland, sight
Balanced:	Full self-realisation, intuition, wisdom
Out of balance:	Headache, insomnia

Sahasrara

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Meaning chakra:	Crown chakra, the opening to the spiritual. When this chakra is opened you’re selfless, you don’t ‘need’ anything anymore and you are able to stay in the Now at all times.
Color:	Violet-White
When developed:	After the 33th year of life
Essential oil:	Mix of frankincense, sweet orange, petitgrain, neroli Click here for more info about essential oils
Asana’s:	Meditation
Element:	Ether
Location:	Top of the head
Connected to:	Upper part of the brain, skeleton, muscles, skin
Balanced:	Open-mindedess, wisdom, knowledge
Out of balance:	Chronic fatigue, skin problems

Synchronicity signs: when it’s not just a coincidence anymore!

December 18, 2019September 22, 2019 by Inhale The Good Shit

Synchronicity signs: when ‘coincidences’ piling up on your way?

Are you also frequently experiencing that something happens in your life, that seems to be too coincidental to be just a coincidence? And do these moments keep piling up in certain periods of your life? Well, this happens to me a lot! Sometimes it feels like I am living in a very big puzzle and the pieces slowly keep coming my way. It feels like they’re all related in some weird way. You’re not the only one who is experiencing this and you are not losing your mind. It is experienced by many others and it even has its own name: synchronicity. All these moments are probably synchronicity signs. I like to see them as a big wink-wink from the Universe or your Inner Source to give you a signal that you are on the right path or to guide you in the right direction.

Synchronicity is an ever present reality for those who have eyes to see.
~ Carl Jung ~

My life really seems to be an accumulation of synchronicities. A friend of mine often tells me my life is like an unsolved mystery, which I am slowly unraveling. And it feels exactly like this for me. I’m always very curious what synchronicity signs will cross my path next 🙂 A small selection of the synchronicity signs I have experienced:

My first boyfriend and my husband share the same birthday.
On my late grandfather’s discovered I was pregnant. My due date: my dad’s birthday!
I’m born on Friday the 13th and my long-awaited desire to have children came true in the year I also had my birthday on Friday the 13th.
I receive amounts of money at exactly the right moments, that have very clear purposes.
My husband and I lived abroad for a while, where we befriended this amazing couple. In the days before we left, we tried to find a moment to say goodbye, but we didn’t manage to find a free spot in our agenda’s. So, we decided in app-conversation that there was not going to be a goodbye. One hour after this conversation we ran into them, in the middle of the city center of a very big city, when me and my husband were already heading back to our and on our way out of the city. They just got out of the bus and just arrived in the city They didn’t live close to the city centre, and they don’t come there very often either. But now ‘coincidentally’ they were there. We had a drink together and said our goodbye’s. 🙂
Before we were even thinking about moving abroad, images of this place popped up in my mind all the time.
When something special is taking place in my life, I oftentimes see the same numbers everywhere. Just before the birth of my saw the number 17 everywhere I looked. I still don’t know the exact meaning of it, but I think it was just a sign that everything was going to be okay.
For my job I was doing some product research for a client and the first product I sent him was a toy for babies I had never seen before. The day after my daughter was gifted the exact same toy.

Most of these examples are quite recent. They popped up in my mind now because most of them are still fresh in my memory, but the list of synchronicity signs is endless, really!

This is called synchronicity – a state in which you almost feel as if you are in a collaborative agreement with fate.
~ Wayne Dyer ~

Carl Jung came up with the definition ‘synchronicity’

Psychiatrist and psychologist Carl Jung also knew this phenomenon and named it synchronicity in 1930. He introduced the definition of the term when he determined that the principle of causality was insufficient to explain certain remarkable events. He frequently found remarkable parallels in the dreams, pathologies, and experiences of his patients. Jung believed that synchronicities mirror deep psychological processes, send messages and give our lives meaning and direction.

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Synchronicity means simultaneity. When two or more events occur approximately around the same time in a way that they have a meaningful connection to the person who is experiencing it, without it being causal. You experience it as more than just a coincidence because the two events don’t have anything to do with each other. They are small wonders that point to the existence of a bigger one.

The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it intuition or what you will, the solution comes to you and you don’t know how or why. – Albert Einstein

How do you recognize synchronicity signs?

We are often guided by our beliefs, religion, family, culture and other external factors. And we rather act on them instead of opening up to the signs of our Inner Source. Because a lot of our beliefs are actually blocking the signs. Maybe you receive sign after sign, but you’re so incredibly distracted, you can’t recognize them when they appear. But when you allow them into your life, you’ll find yourself on a magical path and you start to see the synchronicity signs everywhere. So, how can you start recognizing these signs?

Synchronicity sends you messages through your intuition and emotions. For example: you see someone who reminds you of someone else, you see an animal during a walk that has a special meaning to you. Or the same numbers or images keep appearing, you hear the same song every time you turn the radio on, you think about something that actually happens later, being at the right place at the right time, things from your dreams suddenly cross your path in reality, you hear people talking about a subject that is very important to you, matching birth dates of friends, partners and family… well, you get it, right?

Do you experience this too? Then my advice to you is to listen to them, give the signs attention because they can guide you to more. Because a path that is connected to synchronicity has the higher potential to help us move forward in life.

Don’t forget that there are also synchronicity signs in our challenges. Even challenges cross your path with a reason and they are part of the synchronicity. So be aware of the signs you receive when it comes to the difficult situations in life. It will help you to accept the situation as it is and they will help you to find your way out of them.

Open yourself up to synchronicity signs with these tips:

Meditate
A clear mind helps, make sure you’re not distracted by thoughts, worries and doubts
Ask a question about your life and look where your attention is drawn to later
Follow the signs you get, they will lead you to the next one
Try to remember the messages you receive in your dreams
Use oracle or tarot cards
Let the Universe know you are ready to receive the signs
Keep a synchronicity journal and write down every sign you received + write down what you think that might be the meaning of this sign. After a while you start to see patterns
Listen to your body
Trust
Use affirmations or prayers
And: don’t give up!

The Law of Attraction and Synchronicity

How is the Law of Attraction connected to synchronicity? If you apply the law of attraction to your life, you try to manifest that what you’re focussing on. When your manifestation becomes reality, this is synchronicity too. But synchronicity is mostly a good helper when you’re using the law of attraction. The signs remind you that your manifestation is on its way. When you apply the law of attraction your desire will not manifest itself immediately. There is some time in between. And during that time, those signs will come to you to tell you: Hang in there! You placed your order and your manifestation is on its way!

How did you experience synchronicity in your life? Let me know in the comments below!

Love

Angelica

The benefits of yoga for kids + great items for teaching yoga to kids!

December 19, 2019September 14, 2019 by Inhale The Good Shit

Now I became a mother I am so much looking forward to do yoga practices with my little princess. But how can you make yoga practice interesting and fun for your little one? How to let your child enjoy the advantages of yoga and mindfulness without the practice become dull? I searched the internet for the coolest books, yoga mats and games that will make teaching yoga to kids super fun and easy. Your child is going to love yoga, just like you when you use these items and tips!

The benefits of teaching yoga to kids

But why is it so important for your child to practice yoga and mindfulness?

First of all, you’ll connect and bond when you’re practicing yoga and mindfulness together with your child. You’ll enjoy some quality time together wherein you can just have fun and focus on each other. It’s a healthy and playful way to connect! Yoga also helps your child to establish positive habits in his/her life. Your child will gain strength, get a better coordination and more flexibility. And mentally you’re teaching your child to be aware of his/her body and to be self-confident. Yoga and mindfulness can help your child to cope better with anxiety and stress and to feel more inner peace. So, it improves your child’s well-being in any possible way, physically and emotionally. In my opinion, yoga should be integrated into the basic education of every child and it should be taught in every school. Especially in the world we live in today, which is full of stimuli every day and all day long. Many children (and adults) are really affected by that and don’t know how to distance themselves from all these stimulations. This is where yoga and mindfulness come into play. Because yoga and mindfulness actually can help your child to create some peace and quiet, which is very hard to find elsewhere.

Only benefits! But how can you make yoga and mindfulness fun for your child, without your child getting bored at point? Because we all know how fast children can be distracted, get bored and lose their focus. Luckily, there are many super fun products which you can use to let your child learn yoga and mindfulness in a playful way. I found children’s yoga mats, books, and games for you. Here are the ones I like the most:

Book: ABC Yoga For Me & ABC Mindful Me

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These awesome books with beautiful illustrations pair the letters of the alphabet with words that promote dreams and healthy living. In ABC Yoga For Me you teach your child the ABC while you’re also introducing them to many different animals and yoga poses for children. All the asana’s (yoga poses) are renamed, so children can remember them more easily. And in ABC Mindful Me you teach your child the concepts of mindfulness in a playful way, while you’re also teaching the ABC. The books encourage your child to move and learn at the same time!

Childrens Yoga Mat: Kindergie with Special Teaching Design

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Childrens Yoga Mat: Alex Active Yoga Mat

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Book: Itsy Bitsy Yoga Babies & Itsy Bitsy Yoga Toddlers & Pre-schoolers

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The Itsy Bitsy series are a great way to bond with your baby or toddler and improve their health at the same time. The poses in the books will help your child to sleep better and feel happier. The author is a certified yoga instructor in yoga and she developed 70 yoga postures + 35 series for babies and more than 50 poses for older children (18 months – 5 years), which you can enjoy together. Ages 0 – 2 can use the baby version of the book and the Toddler / Pre-schooler book is for the ages 18 months up to 5 years old.

Yoga will help babies to sleep better, get relief from gas pains and colic, have a stronger immune system and learn to relax. And for the moments your baby is upset there are special Magic Poses that will help to calm down your baby almost instantly!

And for your 18-month old to 5-year-old, yoga will help your child to sleep better and longer, increase coordination, listen better, have fewer tantrums, a higher self-esteem, and easier relaxation.

Book: Good Night Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story

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This book prepares your child for sleep in a playful way. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of the world that is ending the day and closing down for the night, while teaching your child a flow of yoga postures which are inspired by nature, such as Sun Breath & Butterfly. You can repeat the sequence every night before going to bed. It supports better sleep and relaxing the body and mind.

Card deck: Yoga Pretzels Cards

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Teach your child all the yoga poses with this card deck. How I love the illustrations of this one!

“Yoga Pretzels is a fantastic way of spending quality time with my kids. Together, we exercise our bodies and minds leaving us feeling energized and refreshed! I’d highly recommend it to anyone with children.”
Catherine Zeta-Jones

Card Deck: Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus and Calm

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Another card now for Mindfulness. It includes 50 cards with games, visualizations, and exercises. This card deck helps your child to feel grounded, improve his/her focus, practice kindness and relax in a fun way. For the ages of 4 and up.

Do you know other fun products for teaching yoga to kids? Please let me know in the comments below!

Enjoy your yoga practice with your little one!

Love

Angelica

Law of Attraction Anxiety & Depression Tools

March 10, 2020September 10, 2019 by Inhale The Good Shit

Dear positive-self-manifestor,

As promised I’m sharing everything on my blog that has helped me a lot when it comes to dealing with my anxiety and depression. The Law of Attraction and a positive mindset helped me a lot to cope. But if only I knew before there are plenty motivation, depression and anxiety tools that can help you cope better. So when I find new awesome tools that can really make a difference, I must share them with you too. I found this really amazing website with many beautiful, colorful Law of Attraction Depression and Anxiety tools that can really help you organize your mind, reflect and feel more in peace with yourself. Tools like these make me really happy. 🙂

The website I’m talking about is: Blessing Manifesting. The creative mind behind this blogsite/shop is a fellow blogster, who just like me dealt with depression and anxiety. We are almost the same age, we are both introverted, cat-ladies and bi-racial. So I do feel a connection with her! And as it is my passion to help others on their path of positivity, spirituality and self-love, so is it her passion as well! We both found a way to step out of our negativity spiral and to really make something beautiful out of life.

In the past, I made quite some visits to therapists in all different shapes and sizes to help me to step out of my depressions and anxiety. And I really don’t want to claim that it’s not working for others, I can say for me it wasn’t the right solution to stop this negative thinking spiral. In fact, for me, the constant digging in my past – the how-sad-for-you-that-you-needed-to-go-through-all-that stuff… worked extremely counterproductive. Why? Because I believe you need to keep your focus on the positive things in life as well as taking new action steps each day to improve the things you don’t like. Looking back, I really understand now why this didn’t bring me further in life.

Don’t get me wrong, please don’t quit your therapy sessions because of me, because there are probably a lot of people who actually really do benefit from it. And sometimes it can actually be necessary to dig in the past before you can start to make steps forward again. And combining your therapy sessions with a new positive mindset, never harmed anyone before I guess.:)

Staying focussed on the things in life I do want to attract is what did help me to move forward and grow. Instead of reminding myself about the things I didn’t want to attract again in life, I started to apply the Law of Attraction by reminding myself of the things I really wanted to attract in life. And to make it easier I use tools to keep myself on track. I use a gratefulness diary, I read my affirmations every day and I look at my vision board to keep my goals and desires within my focus. So by being proactive every day, which means I agreed with myself to day something every single day that will make my future-self happy. To keep yourself accountable Dominee’s Blessing Manifesting Law of Attraction Planner tools are the way to go. She made cute-looking, super handy, cool, downloadable and printable tools that will help you to keep on track for sure! I will mention my personal favorites below:

The best motivation, depression and anxiety tools:

Self-Love Workbook:

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A book full of suggestions to do some self-care. It includes a planner from January til December and you can stuff it it with literally anything that is concerning your personal growth. It helps you to make yourself aware of all your thoughts so you can transform to self-love. This planner is also used a lot by personal coaches by the way!

Breathe: Anxiety Workbook:

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Self-Care Planner 2020:

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Self-care: Waxing Moon Guide:

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Random Acts Of Kindness Cards:

So, take a look on her website and get inspired! There are many more fun tools, such as a worksheet for heartbreak, for fitness and for sobriety. And everything doesn’t just look beautiful, it’s also really affordable too!

Other Tips That Helped Me With Anxiety & Depression

Aside from working on your personal growth and a positive mindset, there are more things that have helped me big time with my anxiety and depression. The Blessing Manifesting Tools are focussed on the mental aspect, but to make a real and lasting change, it’s just as important to work on your physical health as well. I like to take long walks and do yoga, and I try to eat as healthy as possible. I start every morning with a cup of Matcha tea and in the evening I relax with a Turmeric latte with cinnamon, which both have an incredible amount of benefits for our mental health.

You can read more about all the benefits in the links below:

Concluding

Especially when you are dealing with anxiety and/or depression, you need to take extra care of yourself. I really believe many mental health problems, are caused by unhealthy lifestyles and stress. You can’t expect your brain to function well, when you don’t give your body the nutrition and care it needs. A car can’t drive without (the right) fuel. It’s the same for your body and mind. A good combination of work on your mental and physical health is crucial to get rid of depression/anxiousness. And if you feel like you need it, seek professional help.

Take good care of yourself!

If you have any questions or just like to talk, feel free to contact me: info@inhalethegoodshit.com

Lots of Love

Angelica