Here are 7 Tips for enhancing you and your overall environment. Everyone loves a level up!

Thank you for your continued support of TK newsletters. Be sure to share posts with family, friends and colleagues who slowly turn into framily. Trill Kitchen, your cultural hotspot, is nothing without you. Be sure to sound off in the comments below about what you’d like to see us cover. This week’s post is a comprised list of spicy things we’d love to share. And well, who doesn’t love a measurable, attainable and relevant list? This week’s list includes personal life hacks that have either helped to enhance my environment or better, my overall well being. We can all use life hacks. Please join me on another journey:

1. Candles

Candles almost always enhance any room you place them in. This can be a bathroom, bedroom or an open styled family room. Are we talking ambiance or aroma? Either way, candles can bring about a sultry vibe that is sure to add a little warmth. Personally, I see candles as multi-functional. Although there is no substitute to a thorough cleaning, candles can do the trick. Some candles are strong enough to mask unpleasant smells in any home. When made with quality essential oils, candles can even present health benefits. Aromatherapy for example, using aromatic plant extracts and essential oils like in that of a massage or baths is a feature of well made candles. Whenever essential oils are present your stress is alleviated, your anxiety is lessened and your relaxation goes off the richter. If not for the essential oil, there is just something about the dancing of the flame in contrast to a dim room. Let the magic begin.

Featured (Black Owned) Companies:

- Comfort Candle Collection A Memphis based candle company where all candles are hand poured.

-Frerés Branchiaux Candle Co. is an artisanal candle company based in Washington, DC created and managed by 3 brothers. 10% of their profits go towards DC homeless shelters.

*Of course, safety first. Never burn longer than 4-hour intervals. Set candle on heat-resistant surface and avoid drafts. Always burn within sight and extinguish before leaving room. Don’t burn near things that catch fire. Keep away from children and pets. Don’t extinguish with water. Always let wax harden before relighting, touching or moving.

2. Flower Power

With so many colors with thousand of species, each of us should have our very own favorite flower or at least a top five. Flowers almost instantly enhance any environment, whether real or faux. Now let’s be honest, everyone will not have a green thumb nor have the desire to recreate the New York Botanical Garden greenhouse in their humble abode, but you can’t deny the power of flowers.

3. Setting Intentions

With one life to live you might as well do it with purpose! Have a reason for your something. Learn your “Why”.

4. The gift that is Music

If you’re anything like me sometimes you don’t have the words.

“Music therapy is an established form of therapy to help individuals address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs,” said Mirgain. “Music helps reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure and cortisol in the body. It eases anxiety and can help improve mood."

Take advantage of streaming sites or if you’re budgeting, there’s always Youtube. Fill the silence or cover the noise with music that speaks to you.

5. Exercising Boundaries

There are people in our lives who we love but we might find ourselves asking do they love us? Some time their best just isn’t good enough nor close to how we crave to be loved. People can only give what they have. We all love at our own capacity however someone’s inability to meet you where you are and vice versa is an opportunity let them go or to exercise appropriate boundaries. Not setting boundaries is a form of self-harm. There is no use in complaining or being unhappy about that which we can change or control.

6. The infamous and powerful ACV: Apple Cider Vinegar

A shot before bed or half a shot on an empty stomach first thing in the morning: The choice is yours. So is the chaser. Thank me now or thank me later. Good gut health is underrated.

7. Your network - Family, Friends, Colleagues

Feeling taken for granted, being unappreciated. However you slice it, these are the undesirables. Drawing closer to the persons in your network is how we create small scale community. Community includes your family, friends, colleagues, even friends of friends. It is not a cliche that your network determines your success. Timing, talent, access are all important but not as important as the quality of your individual relationships with those in your network. In this fast paced society, I think we can all work on building tighter bonds. Some of us are better at it than others. My mom for example is a social butterfly, naturally. I’ve watched how she engages with friends and even people she doesn’t know and how she always leaves them better than how she found them.

I remember a time we were driving and there was somewhat of a mishap in the local grocery store parking lot. She prides herself on the fact that she’s been driving since the 70’s and has NEVER been in an accident. On this particular day, a woman lost control of her vehicle and felt that our vehicle somehow intimidated her. She exited her car with fury, ready for combat, not knowing the warmth in which my mother would use would turn her ferocity into friendship. I’m not sure what was said but their conversation ended in laughter and hugging.

We all won’t be social butterflies, able to turn nemeses into allies but we can all work on valuing the connections we already have by staying connected, fostering communication, and by being proactive. Thanks for reading. Have you tried any of these 7 Life hacks before? Why or why not? Be sure to share and comment on your personal life hacks below.