Everyone involved in the podcasting industry knows about podcast descriptions, but don’t worry if you’re just getting started. Beginner podcasters are often overwhelmed by the amount of work that’s necessary to get a show running. From coming up with a good podcast name and being the podcast host to  setting up a social media account and recording a few podcast episodes, there’s a lot to think about! However, writing a good podcast summary can make or break your show’s growth. The good news is that it’s not too late to learn how to write a podcast description that will help promote your show!

There are actually two types of podcast descriptions. First, there are podcast episode descriptions. These are also referred to as the podcast episode summary, and it’s meant to describe what a specific episode is all about. Then we have a show description. This is what today’s article is about! Your show description is the podcast show notes that tell potential listeners what they can expect from your show and “sells” it to your target audience. It’s all about getting them to hit play and subscribe! So, without further ado, let’s get into the secret to writing a great podcast description.

How To Write A Good Podcast Description

Set the expectations for what your show will be like.

The whole point of writing a great podcast description is to tell potential listeners what to expect from your show! Your target audience needs to know what your show will be like and what topics you will be diving into. So that should be your first priority when you write your podcast description! Give yourself time to think, conceptualize your show, and write about it. Tell listeners what to expect, it’s as intuitive as that. Give some insight into what kinds of topics you’ll cover, if you’ll interview guests or not, and what the overall vibe of the show will be. Explain to your audience the value they can gain from listening to your show and all of the individual episodes.

Introduce the podcast host or hosts.

Who will be the podcast host of your show? That’s quite an important question since the hosts can determine a good chunk of the show’s success. Potential listeners want to know who’s voice they will be tuning into each week. So make sure to mention the podcast host at the beginning of your show description! Be sure to include a brief summary of who they are, what they do, and why they’re the hosts of the show.

Share your release schedule.

Do you post a new episode weekly, biweekly, daily, or monthly? Make sure you share that info in your podcast description. This lets potential listeners know how often they can expect a new episode from you. If you post weekly or biweekly, let them know which days of the week to check back for new episodes.

Make the podcast description engaging to potential listeners.

It’s all about making potential listeners engaged with your show description. How can you do this? Through questions and context words! First things first, questions are enticing and allow a potential listener to imagine receiving the answer or benefit you’re asking in the question. So for example, a question like “Do you want to live a more fulfilled life?” for a motivational podcast. Asking this kind of question immediately engages the potential listener and gets them to personalize the value they could gain from listening. It’s like you’re talking directly to them. It creates interest and makes them feel part of the narrative. Now, onto context words. Context words have been shown to increase interest and attention. These are the kind of words that create an impression for potential listeners reading your podcast description. You can view a giant list of context word examples here.

Use keywords for better SEO.

SEO refers to Search Engine Optimization, AKA the process that makes any online content rank better on Google. But for the podcasting industry, it also applies to podcast directories like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. So it’s extra important that you use keywords here! You can find the words that rank higher for your target audience through keyword research. This is the process of analyzing different search terms that your potential listeners might search. And then you pick the relevant keywords that’ll work best for you and your show description!

Be relatable to your target audience.

Potential listeners want to listen to shows they find relatable to their current circumstances, interests, or future ambitions. A true crime podcast’s show description will have a radically different tone from a comedy or a lifestyle show. So you need to speak as a friend or the expert advisor they need! Both in the podcast episodes and the show description. If you’re the podcast host, talk a little about yourself and tell potential listeners why they should listen to your show above others. This goes for podcast episode titles as well. Make them relevant to your audience! Don’t worry, we have a post on how to title podcast episodes that will save you tons of time drafting the perfect episode title.

Find the sweet spot in terms of description length.

Here’s the deal. Apple Podcasts allows for 4,000 characters for any podcast description. But that doesn’t mean you should write a blog post instead of your show description! Forget about that character limit and use common sense to write a good podcast description. Make it a single paragraph or two. The main point here is you want to get the value across. You want readers to understand who you are, what your show is about, and why they should subscribe.

Finish off with a call to action.

Call to actions are key when you want to motivate your target audience to hit play! You need to include a call to action that includes some sort of encouragement for potential listeners to get them to listen to your show. This could be a simple “tune in every Friday for a new episode”. Or something short and to the point, like “subscribe to learn practical strategies to improve your mental health”. You can also include a social media call to action, inviting your listeners to follow you on other platforms. Just be sure to encourage potential listeners to interact with you and your content at the end of the show description!

For more inspiration, take a look at all of these podcast description examples:

If you’re loving these tips but want to get a few examples to help you feel more confident writing your podcast description, we got you! Take a look at all of the Dear Media shows HERE. You can click into each individual podcast and see their show description! They are all slightly different, but you’ll see each one finds a way of adding the value needed to grab a listener’s attention. And if you’re looking for more inspiration on getting your podcast up and running, check out Balanced Black Girl: How I Became A Full-Time Podcaster.

Have you written your podcast’s description yet?

And that’s how you write a great podcast description! As you can see, you don’t need to worry or stress too much about your show description. If you follow these tips, both potential listeners and podcast directories will favor your description. Do the work and your target audience will hit play without a doubt! And if you’re curious about how you can measure your podcast performance, read THIS article to learn how to check how your show is doing. That’s all for now, podcasters. Good luck writing an absolutely epic podcast description!

Depending on who you ask, dating can be a total blast or a complete nightmare. But, no matter how you feel about it, boundaries are absolutely necessary. No, really. They’re so important, we wear a reminder across our chests!

Boundaries are a key ingredient to healthy relationships. There are tons of benefits to setting boundaries early on when it comes to dating, so we’re here to take the guesswork out of the equation. Not sure how to set boundaries in dating? We got you!! Let’s get into it:

How to Set Boundaries in Dating

Identify your needs first.

“Firm Boundaries Create a Soft Life,” just ask Ken Eurich of Dumber Blonde. But, before you can live your best life via setting boundaries, you gotta know WTH you need to be happy and feel safe and respected in romantic relationships. Think about what would make you uncomfortable or what would cause a problem in your relationship, then create potential boundaries based on those. 

Identifying your needs first is a great way to go into the conversation more confidently and prepared, and it ensures you can communicate your needs clearly (more on that in a bit).

Start early.

Set yourself, and your potential relationship, up for success by introducing boundaries early on. The longer you wait to set boundaries in relationships, the harder they are for both of you to get used to and stick to. Set some ground rules from the get-go, or at least as early as possible, so that you can integrate them into your relationship as you form habits and get used to each other. 

If you’re already in an established relationship, don’t worry, it’s never too late to set boundaries. For some great advice on setting boundaries, no matter where you are in the dating game, check out the episode of Being Her, Finally Set Boundaries And Amplify Your Feminine Energy and You’re Not Crazy for Expecting Respect: Setting Boundaries, Knowing When Enough is Enough and Knowing What You Want from Trying Not to Care.

Communicate clearly & use “I” phrases.

This is the kind of conversation that shouldn’t leave any questions unanswered. But, to make sure all your bases are covered, you have to communicate clearly and productively. So, what does that look like? 

Well, for one, it’s best to use “I” phrases, otherwise your sentiments might come off as accusatory and leave your partner feeling attacked. The point of this conversation is to prevent issues from popping up down the road, not to cause them to begin with. 

Also, be as specific as possible as you explain your thoughts, feelings, and reasons for setting the boundaries in the first place. And, finally, acknowledge that this conversation goes both ways. Give the other person a chance to share their own thoughts, feelings, and needs. For more tips on communicating your needs when setting boundaries, check out the episode of Balanced Black Girl called How to Set Healthy Boundaries.

Respect your partner’s boundaries.

In a healthy relationship, respect for boundaries goes both ways. This means if you want your partner to respect your needs and wants, it’s important that you also acknowledge and respect theirs. If it’s something that doesn’t come naturally to you, or that requires a lot of effort, showing respect for their boundaries through your words and actions goes a long way.

Examples of Boundaries in Dating

• Respect each other’s hobbies and interests
• No sexting until you meet in person
• Be mindful of public displays of affection
• Respect each other’s need for alone time
• No snooping around on each other’s phones
• Maintain honest and open communication
• Never invalidate the other person’s feelings
• Keep finances separate
• Agree on who pays for what ahead of time
• Respect each other’s work commitments 
• Value the other person’s beliefs
• Handle disagreements in a predetermined way 
• No posting each other on socials for a period of time 
• Understand each of you will do things solo or with friends
• Respect when each of you is comfortable doing family introductions 

Setting boundaries in dating is important for maintaining healthy relationships.

We would love to hear about your experiences with setting boundaries in dating. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

You can find more fantastic tips and practical advice in our posts on setting boundaries with family and how to set boundaries with a narcissist.

For more super helpful tips on dating, healthy relationships, and everything you need to live your best life, head over to the blog!

We’ve all made mistakes in our relationships. Sometimes, all it takes is one slip-up to mess things up. Other times, it’s not a little screw up but a BIG mistake, like cheating. 

Let’s not sugarcoat it: we all agree cheating is wrong and can do more damage to a relationship than pretty much anything else. But . . . is infidelity always black and white? Let’s remember, of course cheating hurts the person who’s been, cheated on. But let’s not forget that the person who cheated. Yep, they’re hurting too. 

If you’re the one who cheated, we see you. The aftermath of cheating can fill you with guilt, shame, and that persistent question: “How tf did I get here?!” You feel like you’re the villain in your own story, and it’s not exactly a role anyone wants to play. But, you need some self-compassion, this isn’t something you need to carry forever. It’s time to heal, guys!!! 

So, this one is for all of you out there who cheated, have taken responsibility, and are ready to take steps forward. You still deserve to find the one. But, first, you need to forgive yourself. Here’s how:

How to Forgive Yourself for Cheating

Step 1: Acknowledge you cheated.

The first step to forgiving yourself for cheating is to be accountable for your actions. It’s not easy to look in the mirror and say, “Yup, I really messed up there.” But, pretending it didn’t happen or making excuses will make you stuck in a cycle of guilt.

Acknowledgment is the first step toward breaking that cycle of guilt and forgiving yourself. You made a mistake who hasn’t?! Rip off that bandaid and say it out loud, “I cheated, and it was wrong.” It’s time to stop beating yourself up and start asking, “What can I do to make sure I don’t end up here again?”

Speaking of accountability, if you need some examples of how others have taken accountability after cheating, you have to listen to “Confession Corner: REDDIT CHEATERS” by Almost Adulting. 

Step 2: Figure out why you cheated.

Once you’ve said those three little words, “I was wrong,” you have to ask yourself another tough question: “Why did I do it in the first place?” No, this isn’t about blaming or beating yourself up. It helps you understand yourself better. You can’t fix what you don’t fully understand.

Maybe things in your relationship weren’t as peachy as they seemed, or perhaps it was an impulsive moment of weakness. Whatever the reason, you have to get to the root of why it happened. Were you feeling neglected? Did you feel disconnected from your partner? Or were you seeking validation in a way you didn’t even realize?

Figuring out why you cheated allows you to confront what was missing in your relationship (or within yourself). If you want to dive a little deeper into the nuances of cheating and why an otherwise pretty loyal person may cheat, listen to the We Met at Acme episode called Maybe Cheating Be Okay?

Step 3: Make things right with an honest apology. 

Here’s where the rubber meets the road where you try to make things right. This means apologizing, truly and honestly. We know that facing your significant other after a betrayal like cheating is totally nerve-wracking. Saying sorry isn’t easy, especially when you’ve hurt someone you care about deeply. But you have to suck it up. 

A genuine apology takes humility and shows emotional maturity. It’s a sign that you’re ready to move forward and take responsibility for your actions. 

So spill your heart, share your regrets, and let them know you hear their hurt and want to earn their trust back. And don’t panic if they’re not ready to accept it yet. Your effort is what matters. 

Step 4: Prepare to accept the outcome.

When you’ve been unfaithful, the ball isn’t just in your court anymore. Your partner might need time and space. Or, let’s face it, they might not be able to move past it at all. And we know that’s tough. 

But, you have to prepare yourself for any outcome, whether it’s reconciliation or separation. You can’t control how someone else responds, but you can control how you handle what happens next. 

Think about it. Would you want to stay with someone if the tables were turned? The answer is, most likely, NO! So, accept that their forgiveness is not a given, no matter how heartfelt your apology is. 

Take some time to really think through various scenarios and how you’ll handle each one. Then, visualize yourself staying calm and composed on the tough calls.  

Step 5: Cut ties with the person you cheated with.

If you want to truly forgive yourself and move on, you MUST cut ties with the person you cheated with. PERIOD!!!

We know they were fun in the moment, but that person you cheated with is totally off-limits from here on out. Block, delete, unfollow do whatever you need to do to remove all traces of them from your life so there’s no temptation to fall back into old habits. Once they’re out of sight, it makes it easier for them to be out of mind.

Cutting ties creates space for you (and your relationship, if that’s the goal) to actually move forward. Continuing any kind of relationship with the person you cheated with, whether friendship, flirty texts, or a follow on social media, is simply a recipe for disaster. 

You don’t need that energy in your life anymore. That ship has sailed, sunk, and is buried at the bottom of the ocean where it belongs.

Step 6: Work through your feelings.

Working through your feelings after cheating isn’t just important; it’s everything. Forgiveness requires you to acknowledge your feelings, sit with them, and then let them go. So bring on the ice cream, call up your girlies, and dive deep into reflecting on the guilt, shame, and sadness. Go through it all.

The emotions you carry after cheating are big, messy, and a total rollercoaster. But working through them will help you heal. Write in a journal, scream into a pillow, or listen to What We Said’s “I Cheated on My Boyfriend” episode for some emotional purging as they dish on their stories of infidelity. When you’re done, you’ll feel so free.

Step 7: Practice self-care.

You deserve to treat yourself with the same love and kindness you give others. Yes, you cheated. Yes, you made a mistake. That doesn’t mean you’re unworthy of love, especially your own. It’s not selfish. It’s important. Besides, how can you truly forgive yourself if you’re still punishing yourself?

Self-care might look like a long, uninterrupted bubble bath with your favorite playlist, a hot yoga session to release all that negative energy, or even a solo movie night in your fave Didn’t Cry Today Pink Crewneck with a mountain of snacks. It could also be listening to some inspiring podcasts like the Him & Her episode on Intimacy, Self Love, Cheating, Confidence, Victimizing Yourself vs. Fueling Yourself, Adversity, and Expectations. Or You Are Not Your Mistakes from Trying Not to Care.

The point is that you need to nurture yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally to fully embrace forgiveness.

Step 8: Create support systems.

Forgiving yourself for cheating isn’t something you have to do by yourself. What you need is a strong support system. Your very own groupies to help you through the tricky emotional maze. 

Our minds tend to be our worst enemies when we’re deep in guilt or shame. And, sometimes, the only way to pull yourself out of that spiral is to lean on people who love you unconditionally and keep it a real with you. 

Whether it’s your besties, parents, a therapist, or even a mentor, having people in your corner who accept you unconditionally is crucial to your healing process. Don’t be afraid to lean on those people. Tell them what you’re going through, ask them to check in, and plan fun distractions together. Their positive reinforcement will keep your head high.  

Step 9: Rebuild trust in yourself. 

Cheating can make you question your judgment, values, and future. You might start to feel like you don’t know yourself anymore. But, just because you made one mistake doesn’t mean you’ve lost the ability to make good choices. In fact, learning from your past is how you become stronger and wiser. 

Rebuilding trust in yourself takes time; there’s no doubt about that. You might feel a little unsure and doubtful at first, especially when you’re making new decisions in your relationships or your day-to-day life. But you have to trust those moments when you fall and can get back up, when you actively choose to be better.

To help speed up the process, listen to the episode of Trying Not to Care called Forgiving Yourself. Turning “I Should Have Known Better” to “Now I Know Better.” You need this one!

Step 10: Speak with a mental health professional.

Finding a therapist may seem extreme in this situation. But, sometimes, sorting through all the emotions of cheating guilt, regret, confusion is more than what your heart (or that group chat) can handle. And, you know what? That’s totally okay.

Seeking help doesn’t make you weak. It’s the total opposite. Accepting that you need expert guidance to move past what you’ve done shows that you’re not afraid to get vulnerable and do the work, even if it’s uncomfortable at first.

Having an unbiased third party to vent to, get an objective perspective from, and give you tools to process those big feelings will ultimately help you forgive yourself. 

Nobody’s perfect, so you can recover from your infidelity! 

Cheating isn’t the cutest chapter in your story, but it doesn’t define you. You have to learn to forgive yourself.

Now, forgiving yourself doesn’t mean you’re giving yourself a free pass. It simply means you’re human, you made a mistake, and now you’re ready to own it, grow from it, and keep moving. So give yourself permission to feel, to reflect, and, most importantly, to heal.

To help you get through all of life’s messy moments, make sure to jump into our huge catalog of podcasts. Each one is hosted by an ultra-wide and ultra-relatable Dear Media celebrity that can seriously help you get through it all!
Remember, we’re all here for you and we’re all rooting for you! 

But don’t be a stranger to Dear Media. We have a catalog of blogs and podcasts you can always turn to for some much-needed encouragement.

We’re rooting for you!

They say if you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life. Here at Dear Media, we firmly believe in this old cliché, which is why we’re devoting a whole blog post to hobbies that can help you make some serious cash! And let’s be honest, we could all use a little more cash these days!

Hobbies are the fun and fulfilling activities that we do in our spare time. There are many benefits to having hobbies! Not only are hobbies necessary for self care, they offer a ton of benefits, like making new friends, developing new skills, relieving stress, and getting out of your comfort zone. And the best part is, there are plenty of hobbies that can be profitable! That sounds like a win-win to us!

Normally, people don’t get into hobbies with the goal of making money. It’s usually more about the joy and fulfillment they get from the activity. But, if you’re the type of person who is super passionate and wants to take your hobby to the next level, you can totally turn your hobby into an awesome side hustle. And with dedication, your hobby could eventually be a steady stream of income! 

So, let’s take a look at 40 hobbies that can totally put some extra cash back into your pocket! 

40 Hobbies That Help You Make Money

Freelance writing

Always been a good writer? Freelance writing is one of the most lucrative hobbies, and it’s relatively easy to get started. Look for paid freelance writing opportunities online, in your community, or for your local newspaper. 

Podcasting 

In recent years, the podcasting world has literally exploded. With thousands of new episodes being released each and every day, now is the perfect time to jump in and try your hand at hosting your own podcast! Don’t know where to start? Check out: Everything You Need to Launch Your Podcast & How to Monetize a Podcast or listen to Balanced Black Girl: How I Became A Full-Time Podcaster.

Music production 

Nowadays, there are many easy and budget-friendly ways to create and profit from producing your own music. In fact, with apps like GarageBand and BandLab, you can produce music right from your phone! Let your inner rhythm flow and see where it takes you. 

DJing 

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of a DJ is $85,596 per year! If you’ve always loved music and you’re knowledgeable about music editing software, you can totally make a hustle DJing parties, events, weddings, and more. 

Graphic design

Always loved graphic design? In this digital age, there is no storage of graphic designers wanted for a variety of brands and businesses. To start, look for graphic design opportunities in your community, your local newspapers or magazines, or on freelance websites like Upwork or Fiverr. 

Video editing 

Like graphic design, video editing is becoming a more and more popular trade. With a small investment in editing software, you can turn your editing skills into extra cash. You can create and edit your own videos, record and edit weddings & special events, or even create content for brands and businesses. For tips on branding and content creation, check out The Dream Bigger Podcast: Babba Rivera: Tips for New Startups, Being Head of Marketing at Uber, Brand Building Tips.

Illustration 

For those of you who love to draw and paint, consider picking up some illustration gigs. You just might find your artwork on the cover of an awesome new book or magazine! 

Voice acting

Did you know that you could make money just by speaking? Businesses and brands require voice actors for a variety of projects like commercials, tutorial-videos, radio ads, and so on! Depending on your language and ability to speak clearly, you could make some serious cash just by reading and recording scripts! 

Coding

Are you a computer wiz with a passion for coding? If so, you could turn your hobby into a full fledged business in no time! From programming to software engineering, there are a multitude of ways to turn your computer passion into a steady stream of revenue! 

Website creation

If you’re knowledgeable about website creation and think you have the eye for aesthetics, try your hand at building websites. You can start by seeing if small businesses in your community need help creating websites or by selling your services online. 

Photography

Do you love taking photos? You can totally make some extra cash by selling your own photos as artwork or stock photos. Alternatively, you can sell your photography services at themed photoshoots, weddings, special events, and more! Did you know that you can use your awesome photography skills to become an influencer? For more info on influencing, check out: Work Party: How to Find and Tap Into Your Influencer with Danielle Bernstein

Modeling

Always dreamed of being a model? Try your hand at modeling by creating your own Instagram page or reaching out to local photographers and brands in your area! To hear more about influencing and creating your own brand, check out Life with Marianna: Influencer Lessons: 10 Things I Learned In 10 Years. 

Makeup artist

Do you love making other people feel beautiful? Take your makeup skills to the next level and become a makeup artist. You can make some serious extra cash doing makeup for birthdays, weddings, photoshoots, and other special occasions. 

Sell your artwork 

Take your artistic skills to the next level by selling your artwork. Profitable artwork includes, but is not limited to, paintings, collages, drawings, logo designs, decorations, photography, keychains, etc.

Make & sell jewelry 

When it comes to making jewelry, you can use beads, wire, clay, rope, crystals, rocks, and more to make beautiful and profitable items to sell. Try selling your handmade jewelry in an online store using websites like Etsy or Folksy.  

Cooking

If your home is in the kitchen, try your hand at catering! From birthday parties and weddings to large community events, there are plenty of opportunities to cater events in your local community. 

Baking

Cookies, cupcakes, muffins, you name it! If you can bake it, you can sell it. You can turn a profit by baking sweets for birthday parties, weddings, and other special events or by selling baked goods at your local farmers market. 

Playing music instruments

Turn your hidden musical talent into some extra cash by posting videos, playing at local bars and restaurants, or by playing at special events. Whether you play the guitar, the trumpet, the saxophone, or the piano, playing musical instruments is a great way to earn some extra money while doing something you love. For more practical tips, listen to Him & Her: How to Build A Career Doing What You Love.

Blogging

Do you enjoy the thought of sharing your lifestyle with others? Are you passionate about a certain subject? Consider starting a blog! Blogs can be about absolutely anything, and there are plenty of ways to monetize your blog (affiliate marketing, advertising, sponsored content, etc.) and start earning some easy cash on the side. 

Singing

Are you gifted with an ah-mazing singing voice? Do you love to perform? Earn money by singing at special events, at bars and restaurants, by posting videos on Youtube, or by joining a band. 

Dancing

Do you love to dance? Turn your awesome dance moves into a side hustle by becoming a professional backup dancer, performing at events, or by teaching dance classes! 

Gardening

For those of you with a green thumb, consider making gardening a source of income. You can grow and sell succulents, vegetables, fruits, vines, and more at local farmers markets and flea markets. 

Beekeeping

Hmmm…who doesn’t love some sweet and locally produced honey? If you love the outdoors and you’re not afraid of insects, you should totally try your hand at beekeeping. Selling honey is an excellent way to earn some extra cash in addition to reducing your carbon footprint. 

Interior decorating

If you love redecorating and finding the best and most unique pieces for each room of your home, interior decorating might be just the hobby you’re looking for. Plus, the average salary of an interior decorator is around $69,000. How’s that for a side hustle?

Sewing

If you know your way around a sewing machine, you can definitely earn good money on the side as a seamster/seamstress. Tons of people are willing to pay for clothing repairs, adjustments, and hemmings. You can even up-cycle used clothing and sell your own unique fashion pieces online! 

Up-cycle vintage thrift finds

Vintage fashion and decor is totally in this season! If you’re good at identifying unique and vintage finds at flea markets and thrift stores, you can use these items to turn a huge profit! Try reselling these items online or at local boutiques.

Restoring furniture

Like upcycling vintage thrift finds, you can restore and resell old furniture. Grab your sander and some paint and turn those drab old dressers and desks into shabby chic must-haves! 

Day trading

While day trading comes with its own inherent financial risk, it can also provide huge financial rewards when done correctly! And now, there are tons of online day trading apps to choose from that can help you make some extra cash right from your phone. 

Making YouTube videos

If you have a lot to say, and plenty of people who would be interested in hearing it, consider starting a YouTube channel. Once you accumulate enough views and subscribers, you can begin earning some decent money.

Comedy

Are you the comic of your friend group? If so, you might be a comedian in the making! To earn some cash by expressing your comedic side, you can perform stand-up, create hilarious TikTok or Youtube videos, or even start a comedy podcast. 

Professional video gaming 

While it’s not widely known, there are plenty of ways to earn extra money by playing video games professionally. Methods of profitable gaming include entering gaming competitions, posting gaming videos/tutorials online, and by beta-testing new and upcoming video games. 

Private coaching or refereeing

Are you good at sports? If you’re an expert in Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, etc. you can totally put your skills to use by teaching others. You could also earn money by coaching or refereeing at local gyms and ballparks. 

Personal training

Exercise and fitness is a super common hobby that can definitely earn you an extra buck. Not only can you sell training sessions in person, but you can also create and sell personalized training videos online or even create your own Youtube fitness channel! For tips on how to start making your own business moves, check out Ready, Set, Spill: Making Moves with Robyn DelMonte of GirlBossTown.

Pet sitting

Raise your hand if you love animals! Not only can you make money by pet sitting for friends and family, but you can also make some serious cash pet sitting/dog walking for people in your community. You can start by placing flyers in your community for your services or by posting an ad online. You can even download apps that connect you to pet owners such as Rover or PetBacker. 

Babysitting

Babysitting is one of the most common side hustles, and for those who love spending time with kids, it’s also one of the most profitable hobbies. If you enjoy hanging out with and teaching children, this is totally the gig for you! Start by creating service flyers or posting a babysitting ad in your local newspaper or online forum. 

Tutoring

Do you have a passion for teaching children? Put your knowledge to the test by offering tutoring services in your community. You can tutor for various subjects like math, writing, history, etc. or, as mentioned earlier, you can give music lessons, fitness lessons, or sports lessons. 

Bike repair 

If you enjoy biking and working with your hands, consider starting a small bike repair business! From making small repairs to creating rad, trick bikes, there are plenty of ways to expand your love of cycling while earning some money, too. 

Comic book trading

Wondering what to do with that old stack of comic books in the garage? Turns out, selling or trading your old comic books can be super lucrative! While most vintage comic books resell for between $10-$50, some rare comic books can sell for as much as $20,000 or more! 

Teaching a language 

Are you multilingual? Do you enjoy teaching? If your answer is yes to both of those questions, then you can totally earn some extra income by giving language lessons or classes. Unlike tutoring, you can teach a language to people of any age. This means you will have plenty of customers and an endless supply of excited new students! 

Party planning

Last but not least, if you love event planning and throwing awesome parties, be sure to try your hand at party planning. A lot of people enjoy hiring party planners to take the stress out of planning and executing their own events. Honestly, there is nothing better than doing something you love while helping others at the same time! 

Get ready to turn your favorite hobby into some serious extra cash!

Okay guys, are you ready to turn your favorite pastime into your next paycheck? If so, we are so excited for you and we can’t wait to see where your favorite hobby takes you! And if not, we totally get it! Hobbies are for relaxation, fun, and enjoyment and not every hobby has to earn money. For more inspiration on turning your hobbies into revenue, be sure to listen to Let’s Get Dressed How to Monetize What You Love with Tezza and Cole Herrmann.

We will leave you guys with one last piece of advice: with passion and dedication, you can accomplish anything! Once you put your mind to it, your hobby will be earning money in no time! For more awesome blogs like this one, head on over to our blog. If you have any additional questions about monetizing your hobbies, be sure to drop them below! Also, be sure to let us know what your favorite hobbies are and if/how you are using them to make some extra dough! We wish you guys the best of luck turning your hobby into a side hustle and encourage you to check back in soon for all the latest updates and releases!

Playing games shouldn’t end just because you grow up. Sure, nothing beats the fun and innocence of classic childhood games, but there are some pretty friggin cool games out there that are perfect for adults. As it turns out, a lot of those games aren’t only a fun way to pass the time, but they’re also good for your mental health. 

From board games to video games, there are a ton of games and activities that benefit you physically and mentally. But not all games offer the mental health benefits we’re talking about. So, today we’re sharing a round-up of mental health games you’ll want to try. 

What Are Mental Health Games?

Mental health games stand out among traditional games because of their emphasis on mental and emotional concerns. These unique games encourage you to be more mindful and typically require you to use skills that simultaneously benefit your mental health. 

Mental health games are one of the best (and most fun) ways to improve your mental health and relieve stress. Basically, there are a ton of benefits to playing mental health games! Want to know what they are? Here’s the DL: 

What Are The Health Benefits of Playing Games?

• Mental stimulation
• Relaxation 
• Mindfulness 
• Stress management
• Entertainment
• Social development 
• Emotional regulation 
• Problem-solving
• Overall well-being improvement

For more ways to take care of your mental health, check out these podcast episodes: 

• Feeling Burnt Out? How to Recharge and Reset from Real Pod
• How Can I Care For My Mental Health from Dear Gabby
• How to Master Emotions, Manage Stress & Anxiety, & Get Unstuck from Him & Her
• Wellness Check! Health Updates, Life Hacks, Combatting Stress & More from The Blonde Files

10 Mental Health Games For Adults

Head Rush

Head Rush might be your new favorite way to practice mindfulness. This one is at the top of our list of mental health games because it’s a fun way to improve confidence and open communication, no matter who you play it with. With little time to think, you’ll learn more about yourself and the people you play with. It’s like a game and therapy all rolled into one!

Canvas

For a super cozy and relaxing game that is doubly visually appealing, look no further than Canvas. It provides just enough competition to be fun without being stressful. Your goal is to make the most stunning artwork by following the rules of the game and layering transparent cards on top of each other. Sure, you’re playing against other players, but there’s so little pressure that you can play at your own pace and enjoy creating new artwork time and time again.

My Shelfie

What happens when you combine a love of organization with a passion for playing games? A game like My Shelfie is born. My Shelfie is an organization-themed board game centered around arranging items on a bookshelf. Talk about SO satisfying! 

Each player competes with the others to grab items from the shared living room board and put them on their own shelves, according to the rules, to accomplish their goals. It’s hard to beat the satisfaction you get from organizing the perfect bookshelf; it’ll do wonders for your mental well-being. 

Calico

You’ll have a hard time finding a game cuter than Calico. This tile placement board game involves crafting the best quilt to attract a bunch of cats. If the cats like your quilt, they’ll cozy up on it. This game is about as far from fast-paced as it gets, and we’re totally here for it. Seriously, this is one board game, cat lover or not, that will help you unwind and relax, all while you engage in creative competition with your pals.

Harvest

If you’re one of the millions of people who spent hours planting seeds and growing crops on Farmville, you’re going to love Harvest. This classic strategy game is all about doing just that so that you can bring in a bountiful harvest. It’s easy to learn, tons of fun, and super chill, which is why it’s exactly what you need for a mental time-out. 

Parks

When you don’t want to spend hours in a car or fly from one side of the country to the other, but you could desperately use an escape to one of America’s most incredible national parks, Parks is a fantastic substitute. Another award-winning game, Parks features all the mesmerizing natural beauty of the 45 US National Parks. 

Parks is one of the laid back and cozy best board games for 1-5 players. As you play, you collect sustainably sourced items as part of each experience, and use them to fill your canteen, take pictures, rack up gear, and visit parks. When playing with others, you’re competing to grab important resources at each stop. Parks is truly the perfect escape from monotonous daily routines, when you can’t actually run away and into the wilderness. 

Wingspan

Playing a game about birds doesn’t exactly sound like the most exciting way to spend your time, but trust us when we say, avian-obsessed or not, Wingspan is a game to consider. This award-winning engine-building board game is just as nice to look at as it is to play, and it’s up to you whether you want to play on your own or with up to four other players. 

To play the game, you act as a bird enthusiast, trying to attract remarkable birds to your wildlife preserve. You act as a researcher, bird watcher, ornithologist, and collector to build your habitat by gaining food tokens, laying eggs, and drawing bird cards. At the end of four rounds, the player with the most points wins. If you prefer the kind of game you can chill and play without worrying about intense competition, try Wingspan!

Better Me

Self-improvement in game form? Yes, please! Better Me is all about having engaging conversations, practicing mindfulness, setting goals, and being accountable as you “race to become fulfilled.” Play it with friends, your partner, or family members, and you’ll feel like you just completed the best, most entertaining therapy session of your life.  

Stardew Valley 

Yes, playing video games can be good for your mental health! Stardew Valley is frequently mentioned in online forums as a fantastic game to play when you need to unwind and relieve stress, but don’t want to be totally “numb” to the world. This popular video game is based on the idea that you just inherited your grandfather’s farm in Stardew Valley. You have old tools and a few coins to help you build a new life. Put those cognitive functions to new use and create a sprawling rural paradise!

Night In The Woods

Of all the video games ever created, Night in the Woods continues to stand out as one of the best to represent mental illness and to normalize it in a super approachable and unintimidating way. It’s a game that hits home for so many, and lights a fire in others, none of whom expected either one. This article from Medium can give you an idea of what we mean. 

Mental health games are a fun and entertaining way to improve your overall well-being.

Listening to podcasts, like the best health podcasts, will always be our favorite way to relax, reset, and recover, but playing games is a very close second. (Honestly, why not do both at the same time?) With so many games to choose from, we hope that this post gives you some ideas and inspiration. If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Then, head over to the blog for more useful info and practical tips just like this!

Making time for yourself in this busy world isn’t always easy. But, meditation can do everything from relieving stress and reducing anxiety to boosting creativity and enhancing clarity. This ancient practice has been around for centuries, and let us tell you, the benefits are endleesssss! Take a cue from Dr. Will’s episode on How To Use Spirituality + Meditation To Heal Your Body on his show The Art of Being Well.

Despite the ton of benefits it offers, one question we always hear is, “How long do I really need to sit to see the results?!” And, that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. 

Figuring out the perfect amount of time to meditate can feel like a bit of a guessing game. Should you aim for 20 minutes? 30 minutes? 45 minutes? Or, just enough time to get through a single Taylor Swift song? Spoiler alert: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But, don’t worry. We’re going to break it all down for you in this post. 

How Long Should I Meditate Daily?

There’s no formula for how long you can meditate. It all generally depends on what you’re looking to get out of your meditation practice. However, one thing is for sure you must be consistent.

According to Dr. Paul Greene, founder and director of the Manhattan Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, just 20 minutes of transcendental meditation (TM) two times a day can do wonders for your stress levels. But, if you’re feeling ambitious and can squeeze in 40-45 minutes, you’re golden! However, this is mostly recommended for mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).

So, when will you start noticing the benefits of meditation? Honestly, it’s different for everyone. But, if you commit to your practice and find your balance, you might start seeing those results quicker than you think. You can even reward yourself with this “Balanced” crew to show just how mindful you’re becoming. 

Now, we understand that your schedules aren’t always so flexible. That’s why consistency is just as important as the actual length of your sessions. Even just 10 minutes of meditation can provide MAJOR benefits if you do it daily. Some studies even found that as little as 12 minutes of daily meditation led to cognitive improvements. To make it a little easier, you can listen to the episode of Life with Marianna, titled 15 Min Meditation: Open Up the Possibilities in Your Life to pass the time while meditating. 

So, don’t stress if you can only carve out a few minutes. Just do you. At the end of the day, it’s all about what works best for you.

How To Meditate Consistently

Find your magic number.

One of the best ways to make meditating a regular habit is by finding your magic number. And by that, we mean deciding how many minutes a day you can dedicate to your mindfulness meditation. Once again, the trick is finding what works for you. 

It’s so much easier to commit to 10 minutes a day than wondering if you should go for 20 or 30 minutes and not be able to go through with it. You should also consider your lifestyle. Are you an office 9-5er or a busy mom of 3? Then, consider blocks of time that actually work for you.

Set a daily routine.

If you want to become good at meditation, you have to make it part of your daily routine. Having a set routine makes meditating a habit rather than something you’ll “get to when you have time.” So, find a time of the day you are most likely to actually follow through. It could be right when you wake up, during your lunch break, after dinner, or before bed.

The more you integrate meditation into your day, the easier it becomes. Over time, your meditation sessions will feel as natural as scrolling through Instagram (but way more relaxing!).

Start small and build up.

Slow and steady wins the race. No one expects you to dive headfirst into an hour-long meditation on your first day. If you do that, you’ll become overwhelmed and quickly get tired of it. So, start small and take it from there.

You can start with a few minutes a day. Yes, even 5 minutes counts. Meditate for 5 minutes for a couple of days or a week. You can listen to Dear Gabby‘s episode called 5 Minute Guided Mediations that Will Change Your Life, for some inspiration to start your 5-minute sessions. Then, gradually increase your sessions to 10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc., as the weeks go by.  

The most important thing is to stay consistent. Meditating for short periods is better than getting burnt out after one big session. Soon enough, you’ll develop a routine that fits your lifestyle. And before you know it, meditation becomes less of a chore and more of a feel-good habit. It’s just like how you wouldn’t expect to run a marathon without training, right?

Choose the right technique for you.

If you’re not sure where to start, try a few different meditation techniques and see what sticks. There are so many techniques out there, from mindfulness meditation to TM and beyond. So, just figure out what feels good to you and what will best help you reach your goals. 

You can meditate for manifestation through mantra meditation by repeating soothing sounds, or movement meditations like yoga or dancing. You could even try going on nature walks while listening to the 30 Minute Walking Meditation for Manifesting, Abundance and Self-Love episode of Life with Marianna. 

Once you’ve found a technique that you enjoy, it’ll become easier to spend time meditating. You probably won’t even notice time passing by.  

Find a comfortable spot.

If you’re not comfortable, you won’t stick with your meditation routine. So you have to find the perfect spot. With the right atmosphere, you’ll be way more consistent. This could be curling up by the window with a cup of tea, soaking up warm sun rays out in the garden, or cozying up in a aesthetic corner made just for the occasion.

Ideally, you want somewhere that helps you relax and get grounded. Once you’re comfy, those minutes will literally fly by. And you can take it a step further by customizing your spot and making it your designated relaxation retreat. So, throw in a soft blanket, light a candle, add some crystals or incense, and voilà, you have yourself a personal zen zone.

Use an app.

Using meditation apps is like having a personal meditation teacher in your back pocket. They help meditation become effortless. With just one click, you can have your perfect 10-minute session cued up no more stressing about what technique to try.

Examples of such apps include Calm, Healthy Minds Program, Ten Percent Happier, Headspace, and The Smiling Mind. They’re all available on Android and iOS, and some are totally free.

These apps can help you stay consistent, track your progress, and guide you with soothing voices that can make you forget you’re still on Earth. With these apps, you don’t even need to stress about what to think about when meditating. Just press play and let the app take you to your happy place.

Join a group or class.

You know how working out is more fun with friends? Meditation is no different. Sometimes, having other people who have the same goal as you can be all the determination you need to be consistent.

It can be very affirming to be surrounded by strong women like yourself who are crushing their meditation goals and achieving inner peace side by side. You can even form an accountability group and check on each other’s meditation progress. It’s easier to stay motivated when you have a group of like-minded people cheering you on.  

It’s easy to build a meditation habit that sticks.

So, how long should you meditate? The answer: it’s all about what works for you. Whether you’re clocking in a quick 20 minutes or going all out with a 2-hour sesh, just make sure you’re consistent and enjoying the journey. At the end of the day, it’s not just about the minutes of meditation, but how you feel afterward. 

While you’re setting up your new meditation routine, why not treat yourself to our Be Kind To Your Mind Tote Bag? You deserve a little something for all that consistency. But, don’t stop there. If you want more inspo on how to live your best life, head over to our Dear Media blog or check out our podcast page.

In today’s fast-paced world, it is so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of your busy schedule. Sometimes, it feels like there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done. How are you supposed to work, run errands, tidy your home, pay your bills, and have any sort of social life? This is where some time-management could really come in handy! 

Mismanaging your time can make you feel disorganized, stressed, and super unproductive. Ick! But the good news is, there are tons of ways you can organize your day to be more productive!

Organizing and structuring your day can help you maximize your time, improve your focus, and get you back on the right track for achieving each and every one of your goals. And, let’s be honest, a little more time-management, productivity, and efficiency never hurt anyone!

So, let’s go over some key tips that will help you organize your day, limit distractions, and improve your overall productivity at work and at home! And for additional information about time-management, be sure to check out these 30 time-management tips for work-life balance! 

How To Organize Your Day To Be More Productive

Go screen-free in the morning

The best morning routine for success starts with going screen-free in the morning! Research shows that checking emails, taking phone calls, and scrolling on social media first thing in the morning can make you feel more stressed and anxious throughout the day, thus reducing your productivity. Instead of screen-time, start your day by making your bed, making a list for the day, enjoying time with your family, eating a hearty breakfast, or any other task that better prepares you for the day ahead. 

Create time blocks

An absolutely fantastic way of planning your day and staying on track is to create time blocks. Time blocking is a process in which you divide your day up into ‘blocks’ of allotted time to complete tasks. This way, you divide up your day to handle various tasks, rather than focusing on everything all at once. We recommend utilizing Google Calendar for time blocking because each day is already divided into 30 minute blocks for you to fill in. Just as an example, your time block may look a little something like:

• 7:00 am – 8:00 am: Wake up, drink water, make bed, brush teeth
• 8:00 am – 9:00 am: Eat breakfast and journal 
• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Complete work task #1
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch 
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Complete work task #2 
• And so on! 

For more tips on using time blocking to maximize productivity, check out this episode of The Dream Bigger Podcast.

Set small, realistic goals

Instead of tackling whole issues or goals all at once, break down each goal into several smaller and more easily achievable goals. This will help you better organize your to-do list and make all those larger goals seem way less daunting, stressful, and overwhelming. This episode of the Him & Her Podcast on how to achieve your goals includes more practical tips to help you achieve success.

Keep a running to-do list

Keeping a running to-do list is not only beneficial when it comes to keeping track of your goals, but also for keeping track of your accomplishments. Completing items on your to-do list and physically crossing them off can be a huge motivating factor. Trust us, physically crossing goals off your list will motivate you to accomplish even more! Be sure to keep your running to-do list somewhere you will see it often so that it can remind you of your upcoming to-do’s as well as all of your recent accomplishments. 

Keep a tidy workspace

In a study conducted in 2017 on the impact of cleanliness on the productivity of employees, research proved that a clean and tidy workspace not only increases productivity and efficiency of employees, but also improves overall employee happiness, satisfaction, and self-motivation. To learn about how to design your workspace for max efficiency and organization, check out The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast: Top Celebrity & Professional Home Organizer Ria Safford on Setting A Zen Space, Organization, Minimizing Clutter, & How To Make Something Out of Nothing.

Find the routine that works best for you

When it comes to your day-to-day schedule, it’s important to find the daily routine that works best for you! Recognizing the times of the day when you are more or less productive or when your energy levels are at their highest or lowest will help you formulate the daily schedule that is the most efficient and productive for you. For tips on how to create the routine and develop the good habits that are the most beneficial to your life, take some time to listen to House Guest with Kenzie Elizabeth: Routines, Habits & How to Become Who You Want to Be and Life with Marianna: My Daily Habits + Wellness Routine.

Take small breaks often

When you’ve got a lot on your plate, a great way to stay productive without losing focus is to take breaks often. Taking several, small, 5 to 15 minute breaks throughout your day will allow you to gain clarity, avoid confusion, and clear your mind, all of which will help you achieve your final goals. This is one of many great stress management techniques you can use at work and at home. 

Identify distractions

In order to organize your day with the utmost productivity in mind, you should try to identify and minimize distractions before they take place. Luckily, there are many ways to do this! Let’s take a look at some quick tips for avoiding distractions:

• Plan ahead for meetings/virtual conferences
• Mute your phone during important tasks
• Place a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your office door 
• Have water & snacks on hand 
• Block out noise with headphones or earplugs
• Fight the urge to multitask 

Reduce multitasking

Don’t get us wrong, multitasking is an awesome skill! But, when multitasking turns into toxic productivity, you may actually find yourself being less efficient instead of more. Instead of focusing on many tasks at once, focus on accomplishing one item at a time. This will reduce errors and forgetfulness, make you feel much more confident about your work, and greatly improve efficiency of completing your goals. 

Automate tasks where you can

To give yourself more time to focus on what really matters throughout the day, try to automate and delegate tasks where you can. This will benefit you both in the short and long term. As the old cliche states, teamwork makes the dreamwork. If your workload is causing you extra stress and reducing your productivity, try bringing someone else into the picture for assistance. For tips on delegation, be sure to check out With Whit: Siffat Haider on Delegating Work and Her 6am Routine.

Tackling tasks in order of importance

When you have a lot to accomplish, a great way to stay organized is to make a list of your goals and organize them by importance from top to bottom. This way, you know which tasks have priority over others and you can accomplish tasks in order of true importance. This will relieve a plethora of stress and anxiety as well as allow your mind to focus on actually accomplishing goals, rather than trying to remember everything in your head. To learn how to recognize the symptoms of stress and reduce them, be sure to check out The Blonde Files: Wellness Check! Health Updates, Life Hacks, Combatting Stress & More with Brian.

Go easy on yourself 

And finally, always go easy on yourself! Each day is a new opportunity to achieve your goals and not every single day must be a fabulously ultra-productive day. Some days, you will need to relax and focus on self-care, and it’s important to allow yourself this time to rest. Otherwise, you may begin to feel burnt-out, stressed, and unhappy. But don’t just take it from us! Check out Confessions Of An Overachiever, How To Re-Define Success & Stop Being So Hard On Yourself.

How will you switch up your routine to be more focused, efficient, and productive? 

The most important thing to remember about organizing your day to be more productive is that everyone’s definition of ‘a productive day’ is different. Someone’s definition of a productive day may look way more or less productive than your definition. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you were as productive as you needed to be. Comparing your productivity to someone else’s will only serve as means of distraction, rather than motivation. 

So, with all that being said, we wish you the best of luck as you organize your days for increased efficiency and focus. We hope that these tips will help guide you through the creation of your new, exciting, and productive daily routine. Plus, that you begin to see improvements in your overall life as soon as possible! For any questions or comments about daily routines and productivity, be sure to leave us a comment below! And for more blogs like this one, head on over to the Dear Media Blog!

Have you heard about Allie and Gabe, two of our favorite, messy, and wild BFF’s from Bone, Marry, Bury? Please allow us, via this dynamic duo, to talk about friendship for a sec, namely how to know if someone is your ride or die best friend.

There are some friends that stick around for a season or two and then there are your real, ride or die friendships like Allie and Gabe’s that can last a lifetime. You can have a multitude of “friends” or “best friends”. But, a ride or die best friend is more than that. A ride or die best friend is someone that you consider family. Someone that you know will be there for you come hell, high water, or alien invasion. 

We can’t think of a better representation of a ride or die friendship than the amazing, yet totally drama-filled, relationship between Allie and Gabe. When it comes to ride or die friendship, there is A LOT we can learn from their dynamic. So, since we’re feeling especially inspired, let’s go over some telltale signs that will help you recognize a true, ride or die best friend. 

How To Know If Someone Is Your Ride Or Die Best Friend

They’ve seen you at your best & worst. 

True friends are those people that have seen you at your best and worst, and choose to stick around! These are the friends that are there for you during your high’s and low’s, through thick and thin, and are still here to brag about it. If there’s one thing we know about Gabe, it’s that he’s been there at Allie’s worst…several times. From letting Allie move in after her eviction in Chapter 1: Meet the Players, to supporting her latest booty-call, Gabe is always a supporter. 

They pay attention.

And when we say ‘pay attention’, we mean they really pay attention. This means the friend in your life who will put their phone down when you’re talking. They actively listen, they have body language and responses that show they’re truly paying attention, and they give meaningful and honest feedback. 

You literally read each other’s minds.

If you know Allie and Gabe, then you know that they can literally read each other’s minds. Gabe just knows when Allie is up to no good…

Like Allie and Gabe, ride or die best friends are always one step ahead of each other, brainstorming the same ideas, finishing each other’s sentences, and planning similar activities. You know you have a ride or die best friend when one look from your BFF can tell you exactly what they’re thinking! 

They respect your opinions & choices.

True friends always respect your opinion, even if it differs from theirs. Allie and Gabe are THE BEST at respecting each other’s opinion and choices and being there for each other no matter the outcome…especially when it comes to Allie’s choice of men and that whole selling pot thing in Chapter 2: Job Hunting and Bathroom F*cking.

They make your friendship a priority.

Ride or die best friends always make your friendship a priority. This means that they don’t flake without a legitimate excuse and that they make time to see you in their busy schedule. Just remember that making friendship a priority goes both ways. You should always be considerate of your friends’ time. Just because someone cancels doesn’t mean they aren’t your true friend…they could be busy, dealing with a personal issue, working, etc. 

They always keep your secrets and vice versa.

If there’s one thing we know about a fake friend, it’s that they always spill your secrets. A true ride or die friend would never share your secrets, no matter what. Just don’t forget that this goes both ways! As a true friend, you should never feel the urge to share secrets or gossip about your ride or die BFF. 

They always tell the truth.

Let’s say it louder for the people in the back: TRUE FRIENDS DON’T LIE! Need we say more? But seriously, Allie and Gabe never lie to each other. This is why they are always able to work as a team and shimmy their way out of a multitude of sticky situations. 

They accept you for who you are.

Ride or die BFFs will never ask you to change who you are as a person. They will accept you for who you are and also recognize that we are all individuals with our own thoughts, opinions, and feelings. As an example of this, let’s talk about Gabe. Even though Allie is a totally messy bitch who gets herself into all kinds of hilarious situations, Gabe is always there to support her wild and crazy antics without judgment or anger. This is especially true when things take a shocking turn in Chapter 3: The Pickle Prince. 

They genuinely want what’s best for you.

Ride or die best friends always want what’s best for you, irregardless of other factors. They support your hopes, dreams, and desires, and find small ways to support you and your goals. This could be shouting you out on social media, helping you manifest your dream job, being a supportive sounding board, and so on. True ride or die best friends only lift you up…they never try to lead you down a bad path or stray you from your goals!

Being a ride or die best friend always goes both ways!

Okay now you know what to look for in a ride or die best friend as well as how you should treat your ride or die BFF. When it comes to Allie and Gabe from Bone, Marry, Bury, they’re totally each others’ ride or die. Even when Allie is broke and needs a pep in her step, Gabe will give her a full makeover in a high-end beauty store…even if it means getting yelled at by the employees. If that’s not true friendship, we don’t know what is. 

If you guys haven’t listened to Bone, Marry, Bury, you absolutely need to head on over to Spotify or Apple Podcasts and check it out! This good ol’ fashioned whodunnit, but podcast style, is perfect for anyone who loves a little mix of comedy and suspense. Trust us, you don’t want to miss a single second of this absolutely hilarious, R-rated, and female-driven murder fiction podcast. To check out the trailer for Bone, Marry, Bury, check below. And if you have any additional questions or comments about ride or die BBFs, feel free to drop them below!

Boss babes like us are constantly hustling, so self-care should be non-negotiable. Sometimes, we just need to take a moment to breathe. And regular meditation is one of the best ways to do that. 

People have practiced meditation for thousands of years. So, you’ve probably already heard about how relaxing and life-changing it can be if you practice it daily. 

But at some point, you’ve probably thought, “Who the hell has time for that?” Between work, keeping up with friends and family, and just trying to do life, who has time to sit quietly and think about . . . ABSOLUTELY NOTHING?!

But the thing is, if you understand the goal and value of meditation, your perspective will totally change. Once you get what meditation is about, it’ll become a lot easier to make space for it in your daily routine. And trust us, once you see the benefits, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

That’s why today, we’re spilling all the tea on what the real goals of this ancient practice are so you can achieve that much-needed sense of calmness.  

What Is The Goal Of Meditation?

Reduced Stress & Anxiety

Who doesn’t need a little more calm in their life? Modern life already comes with a lot of pressure, from crushing deadlines at your 9-5 to drama with your friends or just feeling burnt out.

However, one of the major benefits of meditation is that it helps you find inner peace and say goodbye to those nagging worries. How? Well, when you meditate, you learn to slow your breathing and quiet the constant chatter in your brain. If you do it regularly, you’ll give your mind a chance to relax, hit reset, and always focus on the present moment rather than worry about the future.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed from work or something else has you stressed out, commit to just 10 minutes of meditation. Or, listen to the episode of Life With Marianna, titled Meditation and Sound Bath for Anxiety and Stress. You’ll be surprised by how much calm you feel after. 

Enhanced Focus & Productivity

These days, it’s easy to feel like your brain is running in 10 different directions at once. We almost always have ENDLESS to-do lists, with a GAZILLION things to get done, and somehow, we’re supposed to stay on top of it all. So it’s very easy for our minds to wander and get distracted. 

Meditation helps you to train your mind to focus on one thing at a time. No more getting sidetracked by random thoughts or that irresistible urge to check your phone for the 100th time. You’ll be able to give your full attention to whatever needs it, which will help improve your productivity. Soon, that mountain of work will start feeling a lot more like a molehill.

Increased Happiness & Positivity

You know, the kind of “can’t-stop-smiling” joy that you’re left with after a fun weekend or when the morning coffee buzz wears off. That’s the kind of happiness that meditation brings. And, when you’re feeling good, it shows in everything you do.

So, how does this magic happen? When you meditate, you train your brain to focus on the here and now. Instead of holding on to the past or stressing about the future, you focus on the present. And, before you know it, you start noticing the little things and appreciating life more. Suddenly, you’ll start to see those silver linings a lot easier.

Meditation allows you to let go of those negative emotions that hang around like unwanted guests at a party. It conditions you to experience more joy. Eventually, you’ll level up to spreading good vibes like the sunshine babe you are!

Enhanced Mental Clarity

Life can be one big, beautiful, chaotic mess. Sometimes, our thoughts can feel foggy and all over the place, and our brains just feel like they’re running a marathon without ever crossing the finish line. Meditation is like a mental detox for all that clutter.

Sounds perfect for us multi-tasking babes, right? After all, no one has time for mental fog when we’ve got a million things to manage every day. 

When you meditate regularly, you clear out all the mental junk, racing thoughts, and endless chatter that distract you from what really matters. It helps you slow down and actually breathe so you can see things as they are. Your thoughts flow crystal clear!

Improved Self-Awareness and Inner Peace

Have you ever wondered how on earth some people seem to have it all together (even when life throws them curve balls left and right)? Here’s the secret: meditation.

Being self-aware is about getting to know the real you. When you meditate, you block out the noise of the world and tune into your inner world. You start to notice your thoughts and how you’re feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically without judgment.

If you meditate regularly, over time, you’ll become more aware of who you are and what you want. You’ll also be able to self-reflect, and this helps you process negative emotions better, so annoying little things won’t easily ruin your mood.

Enhanced Emotional Resilience

It’s impossible to avoid stressful or unpleasant situations 100% of the time. We’ve all had those days where our emotions go through it, from raging with anger to stressing in sadness to spiraling into anxiety. And, as much as we don’t want to admit it, it can be soooo damn hard not to let our feelings completely overwhelm us sometimes!

But regular meditation practice builds your emotional resilience so you can stay cool, calm, and collected when life gets a little wild. You’re training your mind to handle stress and disappointment with calm and strength. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to handle whatever life throws at you with more grace and bounce back faster? 

So the next time someone gets on your nerves, or you have a fight with your new boo, remember that just 10 minutes of meditation will help you keep your cool.

5 Ways To Practice Meditation

Mantra Meditation

In mantra meditation, you silently repeat a meaningful word, phrase, or sound (aka your mantra) to try and focus your mind on the present moment. The basic premise is simple: you sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus only on silently repeating a word or short sentence over and over for the duration of your session. You can make your session however long or short you want it.

The mantra can be anything positive, calm, and meaningful to you. Some of our fave mantras are “I am enough”  or “I am peace.” Mantra meditation is a great way to meditate for manifestation because you can use phrases related to what you’re trying to manifest. You can say, “I am successful,” “Abundance flows to me,” or “Opportunities come easy to me.” You’re basically using the law of attraction to your advantage. 

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness is like meditation 101. With how chaotic daily life can get, this type of meditation should be your new BFF. It helps you become more aware of your emotions, reactions, and everything around you.

Practicing mindfulness requires you to just focus on something, like your breathing. Just you, right here, right now, focusing on what’s happening and how you feel. It’s kind of like hitting pause on life’s chaos and taking a breather.

So, find a comfortable spot to sit down or lie in your bed. Then, set a timer and relax into the natural rhythm of your breath without judgment. Notice physical sensations like your belly expanding or the air breeze on your nostrils. 

When your thoughts intrude, don’t fight them. You’re not trying to push them away (because, honestly, they’ll just come back), but instead, you’re just letting them exist without letting them take over. 

Next time life gets hectic, and you just want a break from it all, try this simple mindfulness technique. Your brain will thank you for it.

Movement Meditation

Sometimes, our racing minds just need an active outlet, which is where movement meditation comes in. If you’re the kind of girl who finds it hard to sit still for traditional meditation, then this one’s for you.

This meditation aims to sync your body and mind using gentle motion. So, whether you’re walking, doing yoga, tai chi, or even having a free-flowing dance session in your living room, the goal is to focus on your body and how it feels at that moment.

Our fave method right now is walking meditation. Just put on your favorite Calma T-Shirt, grab your sneakers, hit a trail if you can, or walk through a beautiful park, and try to be fully present with each step. Try to feel the sensations in your body and listen to nature’s sounds. 

If this sounds like your jam, check out Life With Marianna‘s episode 30-Minute Walking Meditation for Manifesting, Abundance, and Self-Love ASAP! She guides you through a manifestation walk that leaves you feeling positive. 

Transcendental Meditation (TM)

Transcendental meditation (TM) is simply about finding inner peace and calm, and honestly, who doesn’t need more of that? Unlike other forms of meditation that focus on your breath or body, transcendental meditation requires you to silently repeat a mantra for about 20 minutes, twice a day. Don’t worry about what to think when you’re meditating; just let your mantra do the work.

Sounds easy, right? That’s because it is!

TM allows your busy mind to settle freely and go into deeper states of self-awareness and inner peace. It’s almost a dreamlike state of consciousness. Personally, we find it frigging amazing for releasing built-up anxiety. There’s definitely a reason why the Beatles wanted us to give it a try! 

But before you start practicing TM, you should totally check out Will’s episode on The Mindset of A Manifestor, Culinary Alchemy, Transcendental Meditation + Self-Trust  As The New Self Care from Art of Being Well. Trust us, you’ll thank us later.

Loving-Kindness Meditation

For our babes who love surrounding themselves and others with positive energy, you’d love this! Loving-Kindness Meditation (aka metta meditation) focuses on sending out positive energy, not just to yourself, but to everyone around you, including that coworker who always eats your snacks. Yep, even them!

You sit down, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and start by directing warm, fuzzy feelings toward yourself with phrases like, “May I be happy, may I be safe, may I be at peace.” 

Once the feeling of warmth and compassion starts to envelop you, you direct them outward—to your friends and your family. You can start with someone you’re close to. Feel the love you have for them and repeat the phrases. Then you can start including other people, one after the other.

Meditation deserves a spot on your daily to-do list.

Sometimes, modern problems require ancient solutions, and meditation helps with exactly that. It does everything from stress relief and happiness to productivity and inner peace. No wonder celebs like Gwyneth and J.Lo can’t stop gushing about their practices.

If you’re ready to take your meditation game to the next level, don’t miss out on the 5-Minute Guided Meditations that Will Change Your Life episode from Dear Gabby. You can also check out more self-care wisdom on the Dear Media blog or podcast page. You’ll find plenty more ways to nurture your mind and spark positivity.

It’s no secret that we LOVE podcasts, and we’re not the only ones. Tons of people are getting hooked on podcasts, with more and more listeners tuning in each year. In 2023, there were 76 million podcast listeners in the US, compared to 49 million in 2020. See what we mean!? People looove podcasts! So much so that many are creating their own podcasting experience and becoming podcast hosts! 

But, curious minds over here at Dear Media have been buzzing with curiosity. What is it about podcasts that have people hooked? Why does everyone have a podcast? Why are podcasts so popular? We couldn’t wait another minute to find out, and now we’re sharing what we learned. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

Why Are Podcasts So Popular?

Easy Access

Throw your hand up if you enjoy waiting. Now raise the other hand if you also love having to work extra hard just to complete a simple task. Yeahhh, us neither. So, as you can probably imagine, one of the reasons podcasts are so popular is because they’re super quick and easy to access. A couple of clicks or taps, maybe a swipe or two, and voila! 

We live in a world where instant gratification reigns supreme, and there’s no shame in loving podcasts simply because of the lack of effort required. Thanks to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we have access to countless podcast episodes, all pretty much free of charge.

Convenience

You can listen to podcasts literally anywhere at any time. Whether you’re dealing with a long commute, working in the garden, going on a long walk, staying up late studying, or trying to motivate yourself to complete household chores, podcasts are there for you! You can always have one in your ear to keep you entertained while you do whatever it is you do!  

Genre Diversity 

Another factor contributing to the rise of podcasts is the wide range of diverse topics covered. From true crime, like Believable: The Coco Berthmann Story, and pop culture, like Not Skinny But Not Fat, to health and wellness, like The Art of Being Well, and self-help, like The Skinny Confidential Him and Her Podcast, you can find a podcast that covers whatever you’re looking for.

Niche Content & Community

We all crave a sense of community in that we want to feel like we belong, or at least like there are other people who share our interests. Podcasts, especially niche podcasts, make that possible, as they encourage podcast audiences to come together and bond over their unique hobbies and interests. Whether it’s on social media, in online forums, or at live podcasting events, these experiences are truly unique. 

However, a lot of listeners experience a sense of community without connecting with other listeners. For a lot of listeners, simply knowing there are others interested in the same topics and ideas is enough to feel understood, and like they’re a part of something special. To get a feel for what we mean, check out the best podcasts for women in their 20s or the best podcasts for women in their 30s. You’ll notice that, although each podcast is unique, all of them find ways to give listeners the sense of community they’re yearning for.

Entertainment 

Most of us would agree that podcasts are really f*cking entertaining! Whether you’re looking for a laugh, a temporary escape, or creative inspiration, podcasts deliver time and time again. Take it from us, we live and breathe FOR THE CONTENT (Better grab this shirt to totally embrace that) because sometimes, it’s those precious minutes spent completely absorbed in a podcast that makes everything else going on around us bearable.

Information & Education

In addition to providing entertainment, podcasts have become fantastic sources of information. There are literally millions of podcast episodes loaded with informative content across numerous subjects. This can be attributed to the vast number of experts, thought leaders, and enthusiasts who are given a platform from which to share their knowledge. But, what really sets podcasting apart from other types of media is the approach. Podcasts are great at making even the most complex information easier to understand and, in many cases, fun to learn! (BTW, there are a lot of benefits of podcasts for learning!)

Most Popular Podcast Niches

Below are the most popular podcast genres in the US and the percentage of US podcast listeners who tune into each one:

• Comedy – 22%
• News – 21%
• True Crime – 18%
• Sports – 17%
• Health/Fitness – 17%
• Religion/Faith – 16%
• Politics – 16%
• Self-Help/Productivity – 15%
• Finance – 13%
• Scripted Comedy – 11%
• Game Show – 10%
• Pop Culture – 9%
• Scripted Drama – 8%

The future of podcasting is bright!

If you’re not yet one of the millions of podcast listeners, here’s your sign. Podcasts are so popular for good reasons, and there’s no better time than now to discover them for yourself. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of new podcasts to binge. Or browse the Dear Media show catalog. Then, for even more insight into podcasting, head over to the blog!