During the development of Self:Essentials and Self:Partnership, my main intention was to learn how to love myself truly. I wanted to upgrade self-care and learn how to receive for myself. All relationships take effort – including the one we have with ourselves. I think it’s a relationship we take for granted while we give others all our time, love and care.

So, every month, I’ll compile a list of my ‘Liv Loves’ to share with you!

Of course, it goes without saying that absolutely none of these products are sponsored or are endorsed either by gift or payment. I have stumbled across them and I bought them to try. I’m sharing them because I think they are awesome and you may like them too!

So here’s a list of (some of the) things I’ve been loving this month:

Listening: Realizer 

The ultimate music to ‘chill’ to, Realizer takes me to another place while either working or relaxing in the bath. Think smooth, silky guitar instrumentals - yes please!

Listen.

Reading: My Grandmother's Hands:Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

My Grandmother's Hands is a compassionate look at racial disharmony that honours trauma in all bodies. It introduces a therapeutic view of what we can do to grow beyond our entrenched racialised divide.

Read.

Watching: Dead to Me on Netflix 

So much chaos and so much humour!

Following on Instagram: We're Not Really Strangers

We're Not Really Strangers is actually a purpose driven card game and movement all about empowering meaningful connections. They are about deepening your existing relationships and creating new ones. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read an insta tile and raised my hand. Oh yeah - they’re talking to me!

Follow.

Hair: Shampoo andConditioner by Sans Ceuticals

I have really fine hair and so I’m very picky about what I put on it! It just feels really natural and kind for my hair.

Shop.

Diffusing: Hug time by Perfect Potion

I need hugs right now! So I got this purely for the name. I bought a diffuser about a year ago and never used it (yip, tried to care for myself but didn’t get around to buying oil). So finally, COVID pushed me into finding hugs somehow. Lavender, Sweet Orange, Palmarosa, Geranium, Patchouli, Ginger, Ylang Ylang and Rose absolute.

Diffuse.

Smelling like: ClaryCalm® Monthly Blend for Women

I’m not a perfume wearer however if I’m going to adorn myself in a fragrance I feel more wholesome if it’s an oil and not synthetic.I have it sitting on my desk and I quite often reach for it ‘gimme some Calm!’ [dabs in a frenzy on temples] (I learnt through a friend to dab it on my temples. It looked interesting but I’m not sure what effect it’s supposed to have on my temples!) A feminine blend of Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa, and Vitex.

Smell nice.

Touching: Cetaphil Moisturiser

Um, how did it take me 44 years to slow moisturise!! Yip this brand is simple, totally not natural but does the trick.

Business: Words With Heart

I recently discovered this incredible Sydney based business who we ended up working with to print our new Release Wand product inserts. Words With Heart is a social enterprise. They help you create beautiful stationery products that are kind to the environment, and with every purchase you fund education programs for women and girls. Yes, yes, yes!

Explore.

That’s all for now! If you have recommendations of things you love, I’m always looking for things to try.

Have a beautiful week and I hope you manage to love yourself through receiving, whatever self love looks like for you.

Love,

Olivia

P.S. We are Hiring: A part-time web and technical support role!

If you’d love to work with us, now is your chance to join the S:C team. We are expanding our team and are on the lookout for a highly-skilled, web developer to work part-time with us at S:C. If this is you, or if you know of anyone who would be the perfect fit, please email us here.

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