[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":619},["ShallowReactive",2],{"cms:/api/categories?fields[0]=name&fields[1]=slug&pagination[pageSize]=100&sort=documentId":3,"cms:/api/authors?populate=*&filters[slug]=tonia":45,"cms:/api/homepage?fields[0]=updatedAt&populate[navigation][fields][0]=name&populate[navigation][fields][1]=slug":82,"cms:/api/articles?populate=*&filters[author][id]=4&pagination[limit]=9&pagination[start]=18&sort[0]=bylineDate:DESC&sort[1]=createdAt:DESC":87},{"data":4,"meta":40},[5,10,15,20,25,30,35],{"id":6,"documentId":7,"name":8,"slug":9},8,"agm3bwiivq9ytkopje139uoj","Voices","voices",{"id":11,"documentId":12,"name":13,"slug":14},6,"fxhrufaspnwq0yurrk98sas3","Wellness","wellness",{"id":16,"documentId":17,"name":18,"slug":19},14,"gj8d0n6sxxe1mqfb0ticcamv","Style","style",{"id":21,"documentId":22,"name":23,"slug":24},12,"pra84h71qx5yo2kq8g18uy9h","After Hours","after-hours",{"id":26,"documentId":27,"name":28,"slug":29},2,"pregl64gjxpa6tec7l94j5fb","Career & Finance","career-and-finance",{"id":31,"documentId":32,"name":33,"slug":34},10,"vf2luiz1aic436stak4yr339","Nourish","food",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39},4,"y4wuht99krufymt1c62zqtk1","Mindset","mindset",{"pagination":41},{"page":42,"pageSize":43,"pageCount":42,"total":44},1,100,7,{"data":46,"meta":79},[47],{"id":36,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":57,"avatarImg":76},"icgwz3s97g2n48u37fiimghg","Tonia","tonia","https://www.instagram.com/liolioutonia/","https://www.facebook.com/tonia.lioliou","If you could find one person combining physical strength and mental ability it would have her name. Tonia is also a teacher, but she has serious experience in all kinds of jobs. She can do whatever you ask her. She is also a big fan of remote work -and she is not afraid to admit it. This is why she loves writing about it.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonia-lioliou-078949202/","2026-09-06T10:31:19.662Z","2026-09-06T10:31:19.677Z",{"id":26,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":60,"focalPoint":61,"width":62,"height":62,"formats":63,"hash":74,"ext":65,"mime":69,"size":75,"url":76,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":78,"updatedAt":78,"publishedAt":78},"gfgmy2adzscaae1xtj3lgthk","the working gal author-0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png","the working gal author",null,250,{"thumbnail":64},{"ext":65,"url":66,"etag":67,"hash":68,"mime":69,"name":70,"path":61,"size":71,"width":72,"height":72,"sizeInBytes":73},".png","https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png","b9461d2a3487761391a49d227832c79e","thumbnail_the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd","image/png","thumbnail_the working gal author-0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png",39.76,156,39762,"the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd",22.17,"https://assets.workingal.com/the_working_gal_author_0342f993d3a4dd174b82424b63d1aea3b73f052b98e1df69dbfeb1f8a5fac8dd.png","@strapi/provider-upload-aws-s3","2026-09-06T10:31:19.590Z",{"pagination":80},{"page":42,"pageSize":81,"pageCount":42,"total":42},25,{"data":83,"meta":86},{"id":42,"documentId":84,"updatedAt":85},"nhhccnp3ibbyv1cn1er78o9h","2026-09-06T10:40:24.841Z",{},{"data":88,"meta":614},[89,159,216,275,331,389,447,502,558],{"id":90,"documentId":91,"title":92,"content":93,"slug":94,"coffees":26,"seo_title":92,"keywords":95,"seo_desc":96,"bylineDate":97,"bylineTimezone":98,"createdAt":99,"updatedAt":100,"publishedAt":101,"featuredImage":102,"category":152,"author":155,"img":150},914,"spv7bqpkiyrb6f6nudxvt570","Sunday Prep: The Digital Declutter Guide (Clean Phone, Clear Mind)","It’s Sunday evening, and you’re scrolling through your phone—again. You have 47 browser tabs open, 127 unread emails, a camera roll bursting with duplicates, and apps you haven’t touched since 2023\\. Your phone feels as chaotic as your mind, and honestly? They’re feeding off each other.\n\nResearch from the University of California found that we touch our phones an average of 2,617 times per day. That’s not just a physical action—it’s a constant pull on our mental energy. When your [digital space is cluttered](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-organize-your-digital-life), it creates what psychologists call “cognitive load,” which basically means your brain is working overtime just to process the chaos.\n\nYour Sunday prep ritual shouldn’t just be about meal prep and laying out your Monday outfit. A digital declutter deserves a spot on that list, too. Think of it as spring cleaning for your phone—except you can do it year-round, and it takes about 30 minutes instead of an entire weekend.\n\n## Why Digital Clutter Affects Your Mental Clarity\n\nWe don’t often think about our phones as physical spaces, but your brain treats them like one. Every notification, every unopened app, every screenshot you took six months ago that you’ll “get to eventually”—they all take up mental real estate.\n\nAccording to research published in the Journal of Consumer Research, [physical clutter produces the same stress response in your brain as digital clutter](https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-health#:~:text=In%20other%20words%2C%20a%20cluttered,has%20a%20limited%20processing%20capacity.). Your nervous system doesn’t distinguish between a messy desk and a messy phone. It registers both as incomplete tasks competing for your attention.\n\n![digital declutter on sunday](https://assets.workingal.com/digital_declutter_on_sunday_3ad5fed652.webp)\n\nThe constant visual noise of digital disorder creates decision fatigue. Should you delete this? Archive that? Respond now or later? Every micro-decision drains your willpower, leaving less mental energy for the things that actually matter—like that presentation you need to nail on Tuesday or having an actual conversation with your partner at dinner.\n\n## The Sunday Digital Reset Routine\n\nThis routine takes about 30 minutes and transforms your phone from a source of stress into an actual tool. Pour yourself a cup of tea, put on a good playlist, and let’s get started.\n\n### Delete Unused Apps (10 minutes)\n\nStart by checking your screen time settings. Most phones have a feature that shows you which apps you haven’t used in weeks or months. If you haven’t opened it in 30 days and it’s not seasonal (like a tax app), it’s taking up valuable space.\n\nBe ruthless. That meditation app you downloaded with the best intentions? If you haven’t used it by now, you won’t. Delete it. Same goes for those three different to-do list apps, the workout program you tried once, and whatever that random game is that your phone suggested six months ago.\n\nPro tip: if you’re worried about deleting something you might need later, remember that you can always re-download apps. Your purchase history is tied to your account, so you won’t lose anything except the clutter.\n\n### Organize Your Home Screen (5 minutes)\n\nYour home screen should contain only the apps you use daily. Everything else can live in folders or on secondary screens. Think of your home screen like your kitchen counter—only the essentials should be visible.\n\nCreate intentional folders:\n\n* Work: Email, calendar, Slack, work-specific apps  \n* Finance: Banking, budgeting, investment apps  \n* Wellness: Fitness trackers, meditation, health apps  \n* Entertainment: Streaming, reading, games  \n* Social: Instagram, TikTok, messaging apps\n\nBonus points if you arrange these folders so the ones you want to use less (ahem, social media) require an extra swipe to access. Out of sight, slightly more out of mind.\n\n### Clear Your Camera Roll (10 minutes)\n\nYour camera roll is probably a disaster. Screenshots of recipes you’ll never make (guilty as charged\\!), 17 versions of the same selfie, blurry photos from that concert last year—it all adds up. Not just in storage space, but in the mental overhead of scrolling past digital debris every time you want to find an actual photo.\n\nSet a timer for 10 minutes and start deleting:\n\n* Screenshots you’ve already acted on or that are no longer relevant  \n* Duplicate or nearly identical photos  \n* Blurry or accidental photos  \n* Memes you’ve already sent to your group chat  \n* Photos of receipts or temporary information you’ve already logged\n\nFor screenshots you want to keep (like recipes or apartment inspiration), create albums to organize them. Most phones let you create custom albums, so make one for recipes, one for home decor ideas, one for [workout routines](https://www.workingal.com/articles/our-new-workout-obsession-calisthenics)—whatever makes sense for your life.\n\n### Email and Messages Maintenance (5 minutes)\n\nYou don’t need to achieve inbox zero (that’s a myth anyway), but you can make your email less overwhelming with a quick Sunday scan.\n\nUnsubscribe from at least three email lists you no longer read. If you’ve been deleting emails from a sender without opening them for the past month, it’s time to hit unsubscribe.\n\nFor text messages, delete old conversations that are just taking up space. That back-and-forth with the delivery driver from three weeks ago? Gone. Group chats from events that already happened? Archive them.\n\nEven clearing 20 emails and three old message threads makes your digital space feel lighter.\n\n## Making the Habit Stick\n\nA one-time digital declutter feels amazing, but the real magic happens when it becomes a weekly ritual. Your Sunday reset should be as automatic as your morning coffee.\n\nStack it with something you already do. Maybe it’s during your [Sunday afternoon beverage](https://www.workingal.com/articles/15-fall-beverages-to-warm-your-soul), while you’re waiting for your meal prep to finish cooking, or as part of your evening wind-down routine. Habit stacking—pairing a new habit with an established one—is backed by behavioral psychology research and significantly increases the likelihood you’ll actually do it.\n\nSet a weekly reminder on your phone. Yes, the irony of using your phone to remind you to clean your phone isn’t lost on anyone, but it works. Sunday at 7 pm? Perfect. Add it to your calendar as a recurring event.\n\n## Maintaining Digital Clarity Throughout the Week\n\n![digital declutter on sunday](https://assets.workingal.com/digital_declutter_on_sunday_a3a324b201.webp)\n\nYour Sunday declutter sets the foundation, but small daily habits keep the chaos from building back up.\n\n### The One-Minute Rules\n\n\\- Delete photos immediately after taking them if they’re blurry or unnecessary. That extra second right after you snap the photo saves you minutes of cleanup later.\n\n\\- When you finish with a screenshot, either save it to the appropriate album or delete it. Leaving screenshots in limbo is how you end up with 400 random images cluttering your camera roll.\n\n\\- Unsubscribe the moment you realize you’re not reading emails from a sender. Don’t just delete—scroll down and hit unsubscribe. It takes five seconds now instead of five minutes every Sunday.\n\n### Set Digital Boundaries\n\nA clean phone is great, but it’s even better when paired with [healthier digital habits](https://www.workingal.com/articles/digital-detox). Consider implementing some boundaries that protect both your time and your mental energy.\n\n**Turn off non-essential notifications**. You don’t need to know every time someone likes your Instagram post or when that sale at your favorite store starts. Keep notifications for texts, calls, and genuinely time-sensitive work apps. Everything else can wait.\n\n**Use focus modes or do-not-disturb during specific times.** Many phones now have customizable focus modes that limit which apps can send notifications during work hours, personal time, or sleep. Set them up once, and they run automatically.\n\n**Designate phone-free zones in your home.** Maybe it’s your bedroom after 9 pm, or the dinner table, or the first hour after you wake up. Physical separation from your device reduces the constant pull to check it.\n\n## The Bigger Picture: Digital Wellness as Self-Care\n\nHere’s what most productivity advice gets wrong: digital decluttering isn’t just about having an organized phone. It’s about reclaiming your attention, reducing decision fatigue, and creating space for the things that actually matter.\n\n[Research found](https://law.temple.edu/aer/2024/01/06/are-we-no-better-than-goldfish/#:~:text=The%20first%20problem%20is%20the,the%208%2D9%20second%20claims.) that the average human attention span has decreased from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 seconds today—shorter than a goldfish. Our phones aren’t solely responsible, but they’re definitely not helping. Every cluttered screen, every unnecessary notification, every moment of digital overwhelm chips away at our ability to focus on what we actually care about.\n\nWhen you clear your digital space, you’re not just deleting apps and photos. You’re choosing to value your mental energy. You’re acknowledging that your cognitive resources are finite and worth protecting. You’re making a statement that your attention deserves better than constant digital noise.\n\nYou don’t need to completely overhaul your digital life in one Sunday evening. Pick one section of this guide—maybe just the camera roll cleanup—and do that. Next Sunday, tackle your apps. The following week, organize your home screen.\n\nProgress beats perfection every time. A slightly more organized phone is better than a chaotic one, even if it’s not an Instagram-worthy minimalist. The goal is sustainable clarity, not unsustainable perfection.\n\nYour Sunday reset ritual is about setting yourself up for success in the week ahead. A clean phone means fewer distractions, less [decision fatigue](https://www.workingal.com/articles/decision-fatigue), and more mental space for the things that actually move your life forward. That’s not just productivity—that’s self-care.","sunday-digital-declutter","digital declutter, clean phone, Sunday reset, organize phone, digital minimalism, phone organization, mental clarity, digital wellness, weekend prep, phone cleanup","Transform your Sunday with this digital declutter guide. Learn how to organize your phone, clear mental clutter, and start your week with a clean digital slate. 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Wellness Habits to Start December 31st (Not January 1st)","\n>**Key Takeaways: Wellness Habits to Start in December**\n\n- _**Move your body:** Even a 10-minute walk can be extremelly helpful for your overall wellness._\n\n- _**Hydrate Strategically:** For every glass of wine or extra coffee, drink one large glass of water to support digestion and energy levels._\n\n- _**Prioritize Sleep:** Protect your 7-8 hours of rest to regulate hunger hormones (ghrelin/leptin) and manage holiday stress._\n\n- _**Be Grateful**: Even if it's a little everyday thing, it's important to recognize it._\n\n***\n\nIf you are [on PTO](https://www.workingal.com/articles/pto-vacation-guilt) these days and you're scrolling through Instagram, [watching influencers](https://www.workingal.com/articles/do-social-media-and-influencers-damage-our-body-image) prep their \"new year, new me\" transformations, and feeling that familiar pressure building. The gym membership ads are everywhere. Your feed is full of juice cleanses, 5 am morning routines, and people promising to completely reinvent themselves by January 2nd.\n\nAnd you're exhausted just thinking about it.\n\nWhat if you didn't wait until January 1st to start? What if you began one day early, on December 31st, with zero fanfare and way less pressure? That small shift—starting December 31st instead of January 1st—changes everything about how you approach wellness in 2026\\.\n\nStarting on December 31st removes the \"fresh start\" pressure that makes most [New Year's resolutions](https://www.workingal.com/articles/new-years-resolutions-have-you-made-yours) fail by February. It transforms wellness from a dramatic reinvention into something quieter, more sustainable, and actually achievable for working women who don't have time for perfection.\n\n## Why December 31st is Actually Better Than January 1st\n\nJanuary 1st carries impossible weight. It's the day you're supposed to become a completely different person—the one who wakes up at 5 am, [drinks green smoothies](https://www.workingal.com/articles/smoothie-alert-try-the-best-smoothies-ever), never misses a workout, and has their entire life optimized. That version of you doesn't exist, and trying to become her overnight is why resolutions fail.\n\nStarting December 31st strips away that pressure. It's just another Wednesday. There's no symbolic fresh start, no \"new year, new me\" energy, no promise of total transformation. You're simply beginning a small habit one day earlier, which paradoxically makes it easier to stick with.\n\nWhen you start on December 31st, you remove the [perfectionism trap](https://www.workingal.com/articles/perfectionism-at-work-how-to-manage-it-and-increase-your-productivity). If you mess up on January 1st after a big, dramatic fresh start, it feels like failure. But if you started on December 31st and stumbled on January 1st? You're already a day in. The streak isn't broken before it began. You just continue, imperfectly, which is exactly how sustainable habits actually form.\n\nThere's also something powerful about starting when everyone else is still in the \"I'll start Monday\" mindset. While others are planning their dramatic January 1st transformations, you're already practicing. By the time they're beginning, you're three days in. That quiet momentum matters more than grand gestures.\n\nMost importantly, starting December 31st forces you to choose habits you can actually maintain during a regular day, not just during an idealized \"fresh start\" moment. If a habit works on December 31st—when you're tired from the holidays, your routine is disrupted, and motivation is low—it'll work in real life. January 1st energy is misleading. December 31st energy is honest.\n\n## The 7 Wellness Habits Worth Starting Today\n\nThese are small, sustainable practices that actually stick because they work with your real life, not against it.\n\n### 1\\. The Morning Water Ritual (Before Coffee)\n\nBefore you reach for coffee, drink [16 ounces of water](https://www.workingal.com/articles/water-is-a-beauty-elixir). That's it. Not lemon water with cayenne pepper and a meditation practice. Just regular water, room temperature or cold, first thing when you wake up.\n\nYour body is dehydrated after 7-8 hours of sleep. Starting with water instead of immediately caffeine-loading helps with energy, digestion, mental clarity, and even skin quality. It's one of those simple habits with disproportionate benefits.\n\nThe key is making it automatic. Keep a water bottle or glass on your nightstand, filled the night before. When your alarm goes off, you drink it before doing anything else. No decisions, no willpower required, just a physical object right there reminding you.\n\nThis habit pairs beautifully with your existing morning routine instead of requiring a complete overhaul. You're not waking up earlier or changing your schedule—you're adding 90 seconds to what you already do. Coffee still happens, just after water.\n\n![7 wellness habits to start december 31st](https://assets.workingal.com/7_wellness_habits_to_start_december_31st_d75077ae3a.webp)\n\n**What you need:** A 16-20oz water bottle or glass you actually like using. Stainless steel bottles keep water cold if you prefer it that way, or a simple glass carafe by your bed works perfectly. The less friction, the more likely this becomes automatic.\n\n### 2\\. The 10-Minute Movement Guarantee\n\nYou don't need an hour at the gym. You need 10 minutes of intentional movement, daily, non-negotiable. Walking, stretching, [yoga](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-yoga-poses-for-immediate-stress-relief), dancing in your kitchen, a quick workout video—the type doesn't matter as much as the consistency.\n\nTen minutes is short enough that you can't talk yourself out of it with [\"I don't have time\" excuses](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-stop-making-excuses), but long enough to actually impact your mood, energy, and physical health. It's also the gateway to longer workouts on days when you have more time and energy, but it doesn't require them.\n\nThe mistake most people make is tying movement to specific times or locations. \"I'll go to the gym after work\" fails when work runs late. \"I'll do yoga in the morning\" fails when you sleep through your alarm. Instead, commit to 10 minutes somewhere in your day, wherever it fits.\n\nMaybe it's a lunchtime walk around your building. Maybe it's stretching while your coffee brews. Maybe it's a YouTube workout video after dinner. The flexibility makes it sustainable for working women whose schedules change daily.\n\n**What you need:** Comfortable clothes you already own (no special gear required), a yoga mat if you prefer floor exercises, and a bookmark folder of 10-minute workout videos for days when you're working from home. Resistance bands add variety without requiring much space or investment.\n\n### 3\\. The Protein-First Breakfast\n\nEat protein within an hour of waking up. Eggs, Greek yogurt, protein smoothie, last night's leftovers, nut butter on toast—it doesn't need to be elaborate or Instagram-worthy. Just protein, early.\n\n[Protein at breakfast](https://www.workingal.com/articles/busy-mornings-20-healthy-breakfast-ideas-if-you-don-t-have-time) stabilizes blood sugar, reduces mid-morning energy crashes, decreases cravings throughout the day, and keeps you fuller longer than carb-heavy breakfasts. This single change impacts your entire day's eating patterns and energy levels.\n\nThe cultural default breakfast—toast, cereal, pastries, juice—is designed to spike your blood sugar and leave you hungry within two hours. Then you're reaching for more quick carbs by 10 am, starting a cycle that's hard to break. Protein first interrupts that cycle.\n\nThis doesn't mean eliminating carbs or following some restrictive diet. It means ensuring protein is part of breakfast instead of an afterthought. If you love your morning bagel, add an egg. If you always have oatmeal, stir in protein powder or top it with nuts. Build on what you already eat instead of starting from scratch.\n\n**What you need:** Quick protein sources that require minimal morning effort. Greek yogurt, hard-boiled eggs you prep on Sundays, protein powder for smoothies, or even rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. A good blender makes protein smoothies possible on rushed mornings.\n\n### 4\\. The Afternoon Screen Break\n\nSet a recurring 3 pm alarm. When it goes off, stand up, look away from your screen, and move for five minutes. Walk to get water, stretch at your desk, step outside, or just stare out a window at something farther than two feet from your face.\n\nAfternoon energy crashes are real, and they're worsened by sitting in the same position staring at screens for hours. Your eyes get tired, your posture suffers, your focus declines, and you start relying on caffeine or sugar to push through. A five-minute break prevents this spiral.\n\nThis habit also creates a boundary in your workday, which is increasingly important for remote workers. When your home is your office, work can bleed into every hour without natural stopping points. A 3pm break acts as a reset button, dividing your day into manageable chunks.\n\nThe timing matters less than the consistency. If 3 pm doesn't work for your schedule, pick a different time. The point is building a daily pause that prevents the marathon push from morning to evening without coming up for air.\n\n**What you need:** Phone alarm set to repeat daily, comfortable shoes under your desk for quick walks, or a foam roller/stretching mat if you prefer stationary movement breaks.\n\n### 5\\. The Evening Wind-Down Window\n\nCreate a 30-minute buffer between work and sleep where you're not on screens, not solving problems, and not consuming information. This is a transition time, and your brain desperately needs it.\n\nMost of us go from work emails to [scrolling social media](https://www.workingal.com/articles/i-stop-scrolling-in-the-morning) to watching TV to trying to fall asleep, wondering why we can't shut our brains off. We're consuming information and blue light right up until we expect ourselves to immediately relax and sleep. It doesn't work that way.\n\nA wind-down window gives your nervous system permission to shift from \"on\" to \"off.\" This could be reading physical books, taking a bath, journaling, stretching, skincare routine, preparing tomorrow's clothes, or simply sitting with tea without doing anything else. The activity matters less than the absence of screens and work.\n\nThis isn't about rigid bedtime routines or forcing yourself to meditate if that's not your thing. It's about recognizing that transition time is necessary, not indulgent. Your brain needs a bridge from productivity mode to rest mode.\n\n**What you need:** Physical books or magazines, a journal, quality tea or [other calming beverages](https://www.workingal.com/articles/15-fall-beverages-to-warm-your-soul), comfortable loungewear that signals \"work is done,\" and possibly blue-light blocking glasses if you absolutely must be on screens during this window.\n\n### 6\\. The Weekly Meal Prep Hour\n\n![7 wellness habits to start december 31st](https://assets.workingal.com/7_wellness_habits_to_start_december_31st_ef87bf58e3.webp)\n\nBlock one hour every week for basic meal prep. Not elaborate cooking, not Pinterest-perfect meal plans—just washing vegetables, cooking protein, prepping a few simple components that make weeknight eating easier.\n\nThis habit isn't about becoming a meal prep influencer. It's about eliminating the 6 pm \"what's for dinner\" panic that leads to takeout three nights a week, not because you want it, but because you're too tired to think, and nothing is ready to cook.\n\nThe key is keeping it simple. Roast two sheet pans of vegetables. Cook a batch of quinoa or rice. Grill chicken or bake tofu. Wash and chop salad ingredients. Boil eggs. Prep overnight oats. These components mix and match throughout the week without requiring you to follow specific recipes.\n\nChoose a time when you typically have space—Sunday afternoons work for many people, but if Saturday mornings or Wednesday evenings fit your schedule better, use those. The consistency of the weekly rhythm matters more than the specific day.\n\n**What you need:** Quality food storage containers that are actually pleasant to use, sheet pans for easy roasting, a sharp knife to make vegetable prep less tedious, and a meal-prep mindset that prioritizes \"good enough\" over perfection.\n\n### 7\\. The Gratitude Check-In (30 Seconds)\n\nBefore you go to sleep, think of three specific things from that day that were good. Not big, life-changing moments—small, concrete things. Your coworker made you laugh. Your lunch was delicious. You finished a project. The sun was out. Your dog was being cute.\n\nThis isn't [toxic positivity](https://www.workingal.com/articles/toxic-positivity-when-positive-thinking-becomes-too-much) or pretending difficult days didn't happen. It's training your brain to notice good things alongside hard things, because both exist simultaneously, and we tend to fixate on what went wrong.\n\nThe specificity matters. \"I'm grateful for my family\" becomes automatic and meaningless after a week. \"I'm grateful my sister texted me that funny meme about our childhood\" is specific, real, and actually shifts your focus.\n\nResearch on gratitude practices consistently shows benefits for mental health, [sleep quality](https://www.workingal.com/articles/sleep-hygiene), and overall wellbeing. But most gratitude advice suggests elaborate journaling practices that feel like homework. Three things, 30 seconds, in your head while lying in bed—that's sustainable.\n\nYou can write them down if that helps, but you don't have to. The thinking is what matters. On hard days, this might be difficult. That's okay. \"I'm grateful this day is over\" counts. The habit is the noticing, not the performing of gratitude.\n\n**What you need:** Literally nothing. This is a mental practice. If you prefer writing things down, a simple notebook by your bed works, but it's not required.\n\n## How to Actually Start (Without Overthinking It)\n\nYou're not implementing all seven habits perfectly on December 31st. That's still the dramatic overhaul mindset that doesn't work. Instead, you're choosing one or two to start with, practicing them until they feel automatic, then adding more.\n\nStart with the habit that requires the least effort, given your current life. If you already drink coffee every morning, the water-before-coffee habit has a built-in trigger and takes 90 seconds. If you already have a bedtime, the gratitude check-in slides right into your existing routine.\n\nPhysical items remove friction. If the 10-minute movement habit appeals to you, put your yoga mat in a place where you won't trip over it. If the protein breakfast habit makes sense, buy Greek yogurt and hard-boiled eggs today so they're available tomorrow morning. Don't rely on motivation—rely on making the easy choice the obvious choice.\n\n![7 wellness habits to start december 31st](https://assets.workingal.com/7_wellness_habits_to_start_december_31st_ea30f5e4c3.webp)\n\nExpect imperfection and plan for it. You'll forget the afternoon screen break. You'll skip meal prep some weeks. You'll drink coffee before water occasionally. This doesn't mean the habit failed—it means you're human. The goal isn't perfection; it's slightly more consistency than you had before.\n\nTrack if it helps you, but don't make tracking another source of pressure. Some people love checking off habit tracker apps. Others find them stressful and guilt-inducing. You don't need to document every instance to benefit from the habit. Do what actually works for your personality.\n\nPair new habits with existing ones whenever possible. Water before coffee. Gratitude before sleep. Screen break when your 3 pm meeting ends. Meal prep after grocery shopping. Protein with your existing breakfast. These connections create automatic triggers instead of requiring you to remember seven new isolated behaviors.\n\n## What Happens When You Start Before Everyone Else\n\nBy January 3rd, when most people are still in the \"I'll really start tomorrow\" phase, you're already a week in. The habit isn't new anymore—it's something you've done before, multiple times, which makes continuing easier than stopping.\n\nYou also skip the January perfectionism trap. If everyone starts January 1st and you start December 31st, you're already a day ahead when the pressure hits. While others are white-knuckling their way through dramatic resolutions, you're just continuing what you already began.\n\nThe quiet confidence of already being in progress matters. You're not waiting for the \"perfect time\" or the \"right Monday\" or the \"new year energy.\" You started on a random Wednesday in December, which proves you don't need special circumstances to take care of yourself. That realization changes how you approach wellness long-term.\n\nStarting December 31st also protects you from the February collapse. Most resolutions fail by mid-February, about six weeks in. If you start December 31st, you hit that six-week mark in mid-February already having weathered the initial difficulty. You're past the phase where most people quit.\n\n## The Anti-Resolution Mindset for 2026\n\nThese seven habits aren't about becoming a different person. They're about supporting the person you already are. You don't need to wake up at 5am or eliminate entire food groups or develop a completely new personality. You need small, sustainable practices that make your existing life feel slightly easier.\n\nWellness isn't a destination you reach on January 1st after a dramatic transformation. It's the accumulation of small choices, made consistently, that compound over time. Drinking water before coffee doesn't sound revolutionary. Doing it daily for a year impacts your energy, skin, and digestion in ways that feel revolutionary.\n\nThe working woman's approach to wellness recognizes that you don't have unlimited time, energy, or willpower. You have a job, responsibilities, and a real life that doesn't pause for Instagram-worthy morning routines. These habits work because they fit into your actual schedule, not some idealized version of your schedule.\n\nStarting December 31st is permission to begin without the pressure of beginning. You're not making a resolution. You're not promising to be perfect. You're not committing to anything except trying something today that might make tomorrow slightly better. That's enough.\n\nThe new year will come whether you're ready or not. But if you start December 31st, you'll meet it already in motion, already practicing, already one step further than you were yesterday. Not because you're superhuman, but because you started one day earlier than everyone else expected. Including yourself.\n\n#### [*Get your FreeGentle Reset Workbook, a tool that will help you make 2026 your most wholesome year\\!*](http://subscribepage.io/gentle-reset-2026)\n\n","december-wellness-habits","wellness habits to start, healthy habits to start before new year, wellness routine for working women, sustainable wellness habits, starting habits December, new year wellness tips, realistic wellness goals","Why waiting until January 1st sets you up to fail. Start these 7 simple wellness habits on December 31st for lasting change in 2026. 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Maybe it's the way they film Paris—all golden hour light and perfect café scenes. Maybe it's how French films make even the mundane feel poetic. Or perhaps it's that effortless elegance that seems baked into every frame, every outfit, every perfectly timed sip of wine.\n\nWhatever it is, French movies and shows offer us something American content often doesn't: the permission to slow down, to savor, to appreciate beauty and complexity without needing everything tied up in a neat bow. They remind us that life isn't always about the big moments—sometimes it's about a conversation over coffee that lasts two hours, or the way afternoon light falls across a Parisian apartment.\n\nIf you've ever wanted to cultivate that French girl energy, understand [what makes French women seem so effortlessly chic](https://www.workingal.com/articles/parisian-vs-american-style), or just escape into a world where afternoon wine and philosophical conversations are normal Tuesday activities, this guide is for you.\n\nWe're covering actual French films, shows set in France, and movies that capture that indefinable French aesthetic—whether they're shot in Paris or just embody that *je ne sais quoi* we're all chasing.\n\n## Why French Cinema Feels Different\n\n**Pacing that respects complexity.** French films don't rush. They let scenes breathe, conversations develop, and emotions unfold naturally. There's no need to wrap everything up in 90 minutes if the story needs more time.\n\n**Focus on human experience.** French cinema excels at exploring the nuances of relationships, identity, and everyday life. The \"plot\" might just be two people talking, and somehow it's captivating.\n\n**Aesthetic without trying.** That effortless elegance isn't just in the fashion—it's in the cinematography, the set design, the way Paris becomes a character itself.\n\n**Comfort with ambiguity.** Not every question gets answered. Not every relationship gets resolved. French films embrace the complexity of real life.\n\n**Romance without the formula.** French love stories don't follow Hollywood beats. They're messier, more honest, and often more interesting because of it.\n\nNow, let's get to the good stuff: what to actually watch.\n\n## Essential French Films\n\n### 1\\. \"Amélie\" (2001) \\- *Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain*\n\n![best of french cinema.webp](https://assets.workingal.com/best_of_french_cinema_a503def902.webp)\n\n_[Photo](https://share.google/BqlySwcgUdghECSkT)_\n\nIf you only watch one French film, make it this one. Amélie is a shy waitress in Montmartre who decides to secretly improve the lives of people around her while struggling with her own isolation. It's whimsical, visually stunning, and will make you want to book a flight to Paris immediately.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: This is Paris at its most magical. The color palette, the accordion music, the quirky characters—it's everything you imagine Paris to be.\n\nThe vibe: Whimsical, romantic, life-affirming  \nPerfect for: When you need to remember that small acts of kindness matter  \nWhere to watch: Various streaming services, check current availability\n\n### 2\\. \"La La Land\" (2016)\n\nWhile this is an American film, it's deeply influenced by French cinema, particularly Jacques Demy's musicals. The dreamy cinematography, the bittersweet romance, the way Los Angeles is filmed like Paris—it captures that French sensibility of beautiful melancholy.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: It shows how French cinema influences art worldwide, and it's gorgeous.\n\nThe vibe: Musical romance, bittersweet, dreamy  \nPerfect for: When you want the French aesthetic with English dialogue  \nWhere to watch: Netflix, various platforms\n\n### 3\\. \"Portrait of a Lady on Fire\" (2019) \\- *Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu*\n\nAn 18th-century painter is commissioned to paint a portrait of a young woman who's about to be married. What unfolds is an achingly beautiful love story about two women, art, and the meaning of truly seeing someone. Every frame is a painting.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: This is cinema as art. The cinematography, the performances, the quiet intensity—it's breathtaking.\n\nThe vibe: Romantic, artistic, intense  \nPerfect for: When you want something that feels important  \nWhere to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime\n\n### 4\\. \"Before Sunset\" (2004)\n\nThe second film in Richard Linklater's \"Before\" trilogy finds Jesse and Céline reuniting in Paris nine years after they first met. They walk through the city, talking, reconnecting, and we watch in real-time as they rediscover their connection. It's dialogue-driven, intimate, and captures Paris perfectly.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: This is what French cinema does best—deep conversation, complex emotions, and Paris as the perfect backdrop.\n\nThe vibe: Conversational, romantic, philosophical  \nPerfect for: Slow Sunday afternoons when you want substance  \nWhere to watch: HBO Max, various platforms\n\n### 5\\. \"The Intouchables\" (2011) \\- *Intouchables*\n\nBased on a true story, this film follows an unlikely friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic and his caregiver from the projects. It's funny, heartwarming, and became one of the most successful French films internationally.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: It proves French cinema isn't all melancholy and philosophy—it can be purely joyful too.\n\nThe vibe: Heartwarming, funny, uplifting  \nPerfect for: When you need a feel-good movie with substance  \nWhere to watch: Various streaming platforms\n\n### 6\\. \"Blue Is the Warmest Color\" (2013) \\- *La Vie d'Adèle*\n\nThis coming-of-age story follows Adèle as she discovers herself and falls in love with an older art student named Emma. It's intense, raw, and won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: It's an unflinching look at first love, self-discovery, and growing up.\n\nThe vibe: Intense, emotional, coming-of-age  \nPerfect for: When you're ready for something deeply felt  \nWhere to watch: Various streaming services  \nNote: Contains mature content\n\n### 7\\. \"A Good Year\" (2006)\n\nRussell Crowe plays a London banker who inherits a vineyard in Provence and rediscovers what matters in life. While not a French film, it captures the beauty of French countryside living and that fantasy of leaving it all behind for wine and sunshine.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: Pure escapism into the French countryside dream.\n\nThe vibe: Romantic, picturesque, wine-soaked  \nPerfect for: When you need to escape to the French countryside  \nWhere to watch: Various platforms\n\n### 8\\. \"Midnight in Paris\" (2011)\n\n![midnight in paris french cinema movie](https://assets.workingal.com/best_of_french_cinema_1d1c730f7a.webp)\n\n_[Photo](https://share.google/4pcwpTvTA0EzTarke)_\n\nWoody Allen's love letter to Paris follows a screenwriter who mysteriously travels back to 1920s Paris every midnight. He meets Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Picasso while questioning his present life. It's magical, nostalgic, and makes you fall in love with Paris.\n\nWhy you need to watch it: It captures the romanticization of Paris perfectly—which is exactly what we're here for.\n\nThe vibe: Magical realism, nostalgic, romantic  \nPerfect for: Paris daydreaming  \nWhere to watch: Various streaming platforms\n\n## French TV Series\n\n### 9\\. \"Emily in Paris\" (Netflix)\n\nYes, French people hate it. Yes, it's unrealistic. But if you want beautiful Parisian locations, fashion inspiration, and pure escapism, this show delivers. [Emily, an American marketing executive](https://www.workingal.com/articles/do-it-like-emily-in-paris-5-professional-skills-to-boost-your-career), moves to Paris and navigates work, romance, and French culture with varying degrees of success.\n\nWhy you should watch it: Sometimes you just want pretty scenery and outfit inspiration. This show is a guilty pleasure, and that's okay.\n\nThe vibe: Fashionable, light, escapist  \nPerfect for: Easy background watching or fashion inspiration  \nWhere to watch: Netflix\n\n### 10\\. \"Call My Agent\\!\" (2015-2020) \\- *Dix pour cent*\n\nThis series follows the daily chaos of a Parisian talent agency representing France's biggest stars (who play themselves). It's funny, smart, and gives you a peek into French entertainment culture.\n\nWhy you should watch it: It's genuinely good TV—well-written, funny, and very French without being pretentious.\n\nThe vibe: Comedy-drama, insider peek, ensemble cast  \n Perfect for: When you want something bingeable with substance  \n Where to watch: Netflix\n\n### 11\\. \"Lupin\" (Netflix)\n\nA modern retelling inspired by the classic French stories about gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. Omar Sy stars as Assane Diop, who uses his knowledge of Lupin to pull off heists and revenge plots. It's stylish, smart, and became a global phenomenon.\n\nWhy you should watch it: Fast-paced, clever, and shows contemporary Paris.\n\nThe vibe: Thriller, stylish, clever  \n Perfect for: When you want something exciting set in France  \n Where to watch: Netflix\n\n### 12\\. \"The Romanoffs\" \n\nAn anthology series where each episode tells a different story about people who believe they're descendants of the Russian royal family. Many episodes are set in Paris or feature French locations and that European aesthetic.\n\nWhy you should watch it: Each episode is like a mini-movie with gorgeous cinematography.\n\nThe vibe: Anthology, dramatic, visually stunning  \n Perfect for: When you want variety and elegance  \n Where to watch: Amazon Prime\n\n## Movies That Capture the French Aesthetic\n\n### 13\\. \"Julie & Julia\" (2009)\n\nHalf of this movie is set in Paris, following Julia Child as she discovers [French cooking](https://www.workingal.com/articles/quiche-lorraine-recipe). Meryl Streep is perfect, the food is gorgeous, and it makes you want to cook, move to Paris, and live boldly.\n\nWhy you should watch it: Paris in the 1950s, French cuisine, and life inspiration.\n\nThe vibe: Culinary, inspirational, dual timeline  \n Perfect for: Sunday afternoon viewing  \n Where to watch: Various platforms\n\n### 14\\. \"Sabrina\" (1954 or 1995)\n\nThe chauffeur's daughter is sent to Paris and returns transformed. Both versions (Audrey Hepburn or Julia Ormond) capture that idea that Paris changes you, makes you more sophisticated, more yourself.\n\nWhy you should watch it: The Parisian transformation fantasy.\n\nThe vibe: Classic romance, transformation story  \n Perfect for: Old Hollywood glamour meets French elegance  \n Where to watch: Various platforms\n\n### 15\\. \"Ratatouille\" (2007)\n\nYes, it's a Pixar movie about a rat who cooks, but the way it captures Paris, French cuisine, and the art of cooking is genuinely beautiful. Plus, the message about anyone being able to create is powerful.\n\nWhy you should watch it: It celebrates French food culture and Paris with genuine love.\n\nThe vibe: Animated, heartwarming, food-focused  \n Perfect for: Family viewing or solo comfort  \n Where to watch: Disney+\n\n## How to Watch Like a French Woman\n\nNow that you have your list, here's how to elevate the experience:\n\nMake it an event. Don't just throw something on while scrolling your phone. French cinema deserves your attention.\n\nPair with appropriate refreshments. Wine, cheese, a baguette—lean into the experience. Even just a [nice cup of tea in your favorite mug](https://www.workingal.com/articles/15-fall-beverages-to-warm-your-soul).\n\nEmbrace subtitles. For the French-language films, don't shy away from subtitles. You'll catch nuances you'd miss in dubbing.\n\nWatch with intention. Notice the cinematography, the pacing, and how scenes are lit. French films are visual feasts.\n\n[Don't expect Hollywood endings](https://www.workingal.com/articles/favorite-old-hollywood-movies). French cinema often leaves you with questions, ambiguity, or bittersweet conclusions. That's the point.\n\nCreate atmosphere. Dim the lights, light a candle, make your space feel like a little cinema.\n\n## What You'll Learn From French Cinema\n\nBeyond entertainment, watching French films and shows can actually influence how you live:\n\n**The art of conversation.** French cinema shows us that talking—really talking—is valuable and interesting.\n\n**Aesthetic appreciation.** Notice how the French create beauty in everyday moments. It's not about perfection; it's about attention.\n\n**Slowing down.** You don't have to rush through experiences. Some things deserve time and attention.\n\n**Embracing complexity.** Life isn't neat. [Relationships are complicated](https://www.workingal.com/articles/self-sabotage-the-signs-that-you-undermine-your-relationships). French cinema reminds us that's okay.\n\nStyle as self-expression. Watch how French characters dress—it's intentional without being overdone.\n\nFrench cinema offers us an escape, sure, but it also offers a different way of seeing. It reminds us that beauty matters, that conversations can be art, that [romance](https://www.workingal.com/articles/date-night-ideas) doesn't have to follow a formula, and that sometimes the most interesting stories are about ordinary people [living with intention](https://www.workingal.com/articles/intenional-living).\n\n![parisian home watching french cinema](https://assets.workingal.com/best_of_french_cinema_f8c8d20636.webp)\n\nYou don't need to speak French or move to Paris to appreciate what French cinema teaches us. You just need to be willing to slow down, pay attention, and let yourself be transported.\n\nSo pick a film, pour yourself something nice, and let yourself be swept away to those cobblestone streets, those perfect cafés, and that effortlessly elegant world that French cinema does so well.\n\n*Bon visionnage\\!* (Happy watching\\!)\n\n### Readings you will love:\n\n#### * [12 Shows to Binge While Waiting for Emily in Paris Season 5](https://www.workingal.com/articles/shows-like-emily-in-paris)  \n#### * [The Secret to French Girl Skin: Your Complete French Pharmacy Skincare Guide](https://www.workingal.com/articles/french-skincare-guide)  \n#### * [Jane Birkin: Style Icon, Actress & Inspiration | The Complete Story](https://www.workingal.com/articles/inspirational-women-jane-birkin)\n\n","best-of-french-cinema",3,"french movies, best french cinema, classic french cinema​, best of french cinema,french cinema best movies​, ","Discover the best French movies and shows to capture that effortless Parisian elegance. From romance to drama, these films and series will transport you to cafés, cobblestones, and the art of French living.\n","2025-11-04","2025-11-04T01:35:43.684Z","2025-11-04T01:55:50.335Z","2025-11-04T01:55:50.332Z",{"id":230,"documentId":231,"name":232,"alternativeText":233,"caption":234,"focalPoint":61,"width":107,"height":108,"formats":235,"hash":264,"ext":111,"mime":115,"size":265,"url":266,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":267,"updatedAt":267,"publishedAt":267},423,"p89gr82wrlpva96ls2dw6fig","best of french cinema-34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp","tour eiffel for french cinema","best of french cinema",{"large":236,"small":243,"medium":250,"thumbnail":257},{"ext":111,"url":237,"etag":238,"hash":239,"mime":115,"name":240,"path":61,"size":241,"width":118,"height":119,"sizeInBytes":242},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp","060994546cd5426e0e7e03620879f97e","large_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4","large_best of french cinema-34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp",64.44,64442,{"ext":111,"url":244,"etag":245,"hash":246,"mime":115,"name":247,"path":61,"size":248,"width":127,"height":128,"sizeInBytes":249},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp","29792864dc83540a08f98e1bfb17d40c","small_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4","small_best of french cinema-34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp",22.97,22972,{"ext":111,"url":251,"etag":252,"hash":253,"mime":115,"name":254,"path":61,"size":255,"width":136,"height":137,"sizeInBytes":256},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp","dbd1a1654ac3f0099eb7c582153626fd","medium_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4","medium_best of french cinema-34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp",42.54,42542,{"ext":111,"url":258,"etag":259,"hash":260,"mime":115,"name":261,"path":61,"size":262,"width":145,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":263},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp","3152f54525c24a0f2a234a4764b68a6c","thumbnail_best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4","thumbnail_best of french cinema-34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp",7.5,7498,"best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4",127.39,"https://assets.workingal.com/best_of_french_cinema_34fc3cdb87f5c0901494de4cd17b1d0c1058b790ca9413bbdefe7729a4fef9d4.webp","2026-09-06T10:37:41.318Z",{"id":21,"documentId":22,"name":23,"slug":24,"createdAt":269,"updatedAt":269,"publishedAt":270},"2026-09-06T10:31:17.364Z","2026-09-06T10:31:17.407Z",{"id":36,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":272},{"id":26,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":60,"focalPoint":61,"width":62,"height":62,"formats":273,"hash":74,"ext":65,"mime":69,"size":75,"url":76,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":78,"updatedAt":78,"publishedAt":78},{"thumbnail":274},{"ext":65,"url":66,"etag":67,"hash":68,"mime":69,"name":70,"path":61,"size":71,"width":72,"height":72,"sizeInBytes":73},{"id":276,"documentId":277,"title":278,"content":279,"slug":280,"coffees":222,"seo_title":278,"keywords":281,"seo_desc":282,"bylineDate":283,"bylineTimezone":98,"createdAt":284,"updatedAt":285,"publishedAt":286,"featuredImage":287,"category":326,"author":327,"img":324},802,"okpeswml0oimm3gcr7j7x86l","12 Shows to Binge While Waiting for Emily in Paris Season 5","*Your December watch list just got très magnifique*\n\nIt’s official. Emily in Paris Season 5 is coming in December and we couldn’t get more exited\\! And between rewatching the show and going around [Gilmore Girls and other favorite fall shows](https://www.workingal.com/articles/shows-like-gilmore-girls), I wanted something more… professional to watch: aka, gorgeous fashion, workplace drama, international romance, and that je ne sais quoi that makes you want to book a one-way ticket to somewhere fabulous. \n\n[Emily in Paris has taught me a lot about my career](https://www.workingal.com/articles/do-it-like-emily-in-paris-5-professional-skills-to-boost-your-career), and the show also offers insights (some true, some exaggerated) into the Parisian lifestyle and the je ne sais quoi of Parisian girls. And a lot of insights about [American vs Parisian style](https://www.workingal.com/articles/parisian-vs-american-style). So, until we cancel all plans and start binging the new Emily in Paris season, why not enjoy some other shows similar to our favorite Emily to fill the time until December?\n\nWhether you're looking for more [European escapism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/europe-on-a-budget-5-affordable-european-destinations), fashion-forward storytelling, or ambitious women navigating career and love, these 12 shows will keep you thoroughly entertained until Emily returns to our screens.\n\n## 1\\. The Bold Type: Your NYC Fashion Fix\n\n![the bold type show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_fe82288a18.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/4oXR7nGSK65QzsizQ)\n\nIf Emily in Paris satisfies your fashion magazine dreams, The Bold Type delivers them with a side of genuine female friendship that'll have you texting your besties immediately. Following three young women working at Scarlet magazine (think Cosmopolitan meets Vogue), this show serves up the same career ambition and stunning work outfits, but with a more grounded New York sensibility.\n\nThe workplace fashion is impeccable, the friendship dynamics are refreshingly honest, and watching these women navigate their careers while supporting each other feels like the grown-up version of Emily's journey. Plus, the magazine setting means constant fashion inspiration and industry drama that'll remind you why you fell for Emily's marketing world in the first place.\n\n#### Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix  \n#### Seasons available: 5 seasons  \n#### Binge factor: High—you'll burn through this faster than Emily goes through berets\n\n## 2\\. Younger: The OG Working Woman in Publishing\n\n![younger TV show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_28b8ab0ac1.webp)\n\n_[Photo](https://share.google/images/9mscqAxfslSY3xQTK)_\n\nBefore Emily was conquering Paris, Liza Miller was living a double life in New York's publishing world. This Darren Star creation (yes, the same genius behind Emily in Paris) follows a 40-year-old divorcée pretending to be 26 to restart her career. Think of it as Emily in Paris meets [The Devil Wears Prada,](https://www.workingal.com/articles/miranda-priestly-management-style) but with more millennial jokes and equally fabulous fashion.\n\nSutton Foster brings the same fish-out-of-water charm that Lily Collins perfected, the New York fashion scene rivals Paris any day, and the workplace dynamics at Empirical Publishing will remind you of Savoir's chaos. Plus, there's a love triangle that'll have you switching teams faster than Emily bounces between Gabriel and Alfie.\n\n#### Where to watch: Hulu, Paramount+  \n#### Seasons available: 7 complete seasons  \n#### Binge factor: Extremely high—this is your weekend sorted\n\n## 3\\. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Vintage Glamour Meets Career Ambition\n\n![the marvelouus mrs maiser tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_168c22cd47.webp)\n\n_[Photo](https://share.google/images/cuHwRjkTuk5D7P9pv)_\n\nTransport yourself to 1950s New York, where Midge Maisel's journey from Upper West Side housewife to stand-up comedian serves up the same blend of fashion, ambition, and finding yourself that makes Emily in Paris so addictive. The rapid-fire dialogue and stunning period costumes create a completely different vibe while hitting all the same pleasure centers.\n\nMidge's wardrobe will have you searching \"1950s fashion\" on Pinterest for hours, her determination to succeed in a male-dominated field echoes Emily's professional journey, and the show's wit and charm make every episode feel like a mini fashion show with a side of empowerment. The Paris episodes in later seasons are just the cherry on top.\n\n#### Where to watch: Prime Video  \n#### Seasons available: 5 seasons  \n#### Binge factor: Moderate—you'll want to savor this one like a good French wine\n\n## 4\\. Love, Victor: Coming-of-Age with Heart\n\n![love victor tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_91848e8c48.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/14rNoCeTC3gFdBkHn)\n\nWhile not set in a glamorous city or fashion world, Love, Victor captures that same feeling of self-discovery and navigating relationships that makes Emily's journey so relatable. Following Victor as he navigates high school, family, and his sexuality, this show brings the same warmth and optimism that make Emily in Paris a comfortable viewing experience.\n\nIt's got that same hopeful, everything-will-work-out energy that Emily brings, the family dynamics add depth without being heavy, and watching Victor find his authentic self mirrors Emily's journey of self-discovery in a new place. Plus, the soundtrack is absolutely stellar.\n\n#### Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+  \n#### Seasons available: 3 seasons  \n#### Binge factor: High—perfect for a cozy weekend watch\n\n## 5\\. Bridgerton: Regency Romance Meets Modern Sensibility\n\n![bridgerton tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_342ce8d6b9.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/LCObHneaqCt5qig3L)\n\nSwap Parisian cafés for London ballrooms and [marketing campaigns](https://www.workingal.com/articles/career-advice-from-influencers) for marriage marts—Bridgerton delivers the same escapist romance and stunning visuals that make Emily in Paris irresistible. The costumes alone are worth the watch, but the modern take on historical romance will fill that guilty pleasure void perfectly.\n\nThe fashion is absolutely bonkers gorgeous (haute couture but make it 1813), the romance drama rivals any Emily-Gabriel-Alfie situation, and Lady Whistledown's newsletter is basically the Regency era's version of social media drama. Plus, each season follows a different love story, so you get variety with your romance.\n\n#### Where to watch: Netflix  \n#### Seasons available: 3 seasons (with more on the way)  \n#### Binge factor: Off the charts—clear your calendar\n\n## 6\\. The Morning Show: Workplace Drama at Its Finest\n\n![the morning show tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_3009765f74.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/loUWDnyZjBEehjq09)\n\nFor those who love Emily in Paris for the office politics and professional ambition, The Morning Show delivers workplace drama with A-list star power. Following the behind-the-scenes chaos at a morning news program, this series brings the same workplace tension as Savoir but with higher stakes and Jennifer Aniston's wardrobe.\n\nThe power suits are incredible, the workplace dynamics are deliciously complex, and watching women [navigate sexism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-handle-sexist-people-in-business) in media feels both timely and empowering. It's like if Emily in Paris decided to tackle \\#MeToo while keeping the fashion game strong.\n\n#### Where to watch: Apple TV+  \n#### Seasons available: 3 seasons (with season 4 confirmed)  \n#### Binge factor: Moderate—it's intense, so pace yourself\n\n## 7\\. Never Have I Ever: Teen Drama with Global Flair\n\n![never have I ever tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_30c0ff48c4.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/vAiRMJHNYBWGBncvk)\n\nCreated by Mindy Kaling, this coming-of-age series follows Devi, an Indian-American teenager navigating high school, family expectations, and multiple love interests. While younger in scope, it captures that same blend of cultural exploration and romantic chaos that Emily perfects.\n\nThe love triangle drama is top-tier, the cultural elements add depth without being preachy, and Devi's ambitious nature mirrors Emily's go-getter attitude. Plus, the narrator (tennis legend John McEnroe) adds an unexpectedly delightful element.\n\n#### Where to watch: Netflix  \n#### Seasons available: 4 complete seasons  \n#### Binge factor: Very high—you'll finish this in a weekend\n\n## 8\\. Uncoupled: Starting Over in Style\n\n![uncoupled tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_64a1359333.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/yxPnC4RLyLJJHWK8B)\n\nNeil Patrick Harris stars as a newly single gay man navigating New York's dating scene after his partner of 17 years leaves him. While the premise is different from Emily's Parisian adventure, the show captures that same feeling of reinvention and finding yourself in a new phase of life.\n\nThe New York setting provides endless fashion and lifestyle porn, the humor balances perfectly with genuine emotion, and watching Michael rebuild his life has the same inspiring quality as Emily's career journey. Plus, the supporting cast is absolutely stellar.\n\n#### Where to watch: Netflix  \n#### Seasons available: 1 season  \n#### Binge factor: Perfect for a day-long binge\n\n## 9\\. Inventing Anna: Scammer Chic at Its Peak\n\n![inventing anna tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_5a0e0b17e9.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/OHymM0C1ulQaD3VFc)\n\nBased on the true story of Anna Delvey, the fake German heiress who scammed New York's elite, this limited series brings fashion, ambition, and drama in spades. Julia Garner's performance and the incredible wardrobe make this a must-watch for anyone who loves Emily's fashion-forward storytelling.\n\nThe fashion is absolutely insane (in the best way), the New York setting provides that big city energy, and watching Anna's schemes unfold has the same can't-look-away quality as Emily's romantic entanglements. It's like Emily in Paris if Emily was a con artist with a questionable accent.\n\n#### Where to watch: Netflix  \n#### Seasons available: 1 limited series  \n#### Binge factor: High—you'll need to know how it ends\n\n## 10\\. And Just Like That: Sex and the City's Modern Evolution\n\n![and just like that tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_9d1268d1d9.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/JTaK7p8C4B6PwgyiJ)\n\nThe continuation of [Sex and the City](https://www.workingal.com/articles/sex-and-the-city-commentary) brings Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte into their 50s, navigating friendship, loss, and reinvention in modern New York. While more mature than Emily's adventures, it delivers the same fashion obsession and city-as-character vibes.\n\nThe fashion remains absolutely spectacular, the friendship dynamics feel authentic and evolved, and watching these women navigate new chapters in their lives brings surprising feelings (not always positive, but still). Plus, the New York locations will satisfy your wanderlust between Emily's Parisian scenes.\n\n#### Where to watch: Max  \n#### Seasons available: 3 seasons  \n#### Binge factor: Moderate—savor it like Sunday brunch\n\n## 11\\. Wednesday: Gothic Meets Prep School Chic\n\n![wednesday tv show](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_32b57615dc.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/PZIa3R9Aq8hFYWAGI)\n\nWhile tonally different from Emily's bright optimism, Wednesday Addams' adventures at Nevermore Academy bring their own addictive quality. The Tim Burton aesthetic, mystery elements, and Jenna Ortega's captivating performance create a completely different but equally bingeable experience.\n\nThe gothic fashion is a fun palette cleanser from Emily's colorful wardrobe, the boarding school setting brings its own drama, and Wednesday's outsider status echoes Emily's fish-out-of-water experience. Plus, the mystery element adds something Emily doesn't offer.\n\n#### Where to watch: Netflix  \n#### Seasons available: 2 seasons  \n#### Binge factor: Extremely high—you'll finish this in one sitting\n\n## 12\\. The Summer I Turned Pretty: Beach Town Romance\n\n![the summer I turned pretty](https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_pariswebp_e4b1d9fb7b.webp)\n\n[_Photo_](https://share.google/images/17kwR5HjtEPISOUMj)\n\nBased on Jenny Han's beloved novels, this series follows Belly's coming-of-age story during summer vacations at Cousins Beach. While aimed at a younger audience, it captures that same romantic tension and beautiful settings that make Emily in Paris perfect escapist viewing.\n\nThe beach setting is gorgeous (trading Parisian streets for coastal views), the love triangle is genuinely compelling, and the nostalgic summer vibes offer a different but equally escapist experience. It's like Emily in Paris meets your favorite beach read.\n\n#### Where to watch: Prime Video  \n#### Seasons available: 3 seasons  \n#### Binge factor: High—perfect for a weekend escape\n\nWhile nothing can truly replace the specific magic of Emily in Paris—that perfect blend of fashion, romance, career drama, and Parisian backdrop—these 12 shows offer their own unique pleasures that hit similar sweet spots. Whether you're craving more fashion inspiration, workplace drama, international romance, or just pure escapist fun, this list has you covered.\n\nThe key is not to look for an exact Emily replacement (nothing could be), but to find shows that capture different elements of what makes Emily's world so addictive. Mix and match based on your mood: feeling romantic? Bridgerton awaits. Need career inspiration? The Bold Type has your back. Want something completely different but equally bingeable? Wednesday's gothic charm might be exactly what you need.\n\nDecember and Emily in Paris Season 5 will be here before you know it. But until then, you've got 12 incredible shows to keep you entertained, inspired, and thoroughly distracted from the wait. Happy binging, and remember—just like Emily would say, \"Très bien\\!\"\n","shows-like-emily-in-paris","Emily in Paris alternative shows, shows like Emily in Paris, fashion TV shows, romantic series to binge, workplace drama series, December 2025 TV shows, best shows for working women, Netflix fashion shows, binge-worthy series 2025","Missing Emily in Paris? These 12 addictive shows deliver fashion, romance, and workplace drama to fill the void until Season 5 arrives in December 2025.","2025-10-22","2025-10-22T19:10:24.758Z","2025-10-22T19:43:36.462Z","2025-10-22T19:43:36.459Z",{"id":288,"documentId":289,"name":290,"alternativeText":291,"caption":292,"focalPoint":61,"width":107,"height":108,"formats":293,"hash":322,"ext":111,"mime":115,"size":323,"url":324,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":325,"updatedAt":325,"publishedAt":325},415,"rsq7kzhre2v32vyt67fckzvw","shows like emily in paris-8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp","emily in paris tv show","shows like emily in paris",{"large":294,"small":301,"medium":308,"thumbnail":315},{"ext":111,"url":295,"etag":296,"hash":297,"mime":115,"name":298,"path":61,"size":299,"width":118,"height":119,"sizeInBytes":300},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp","2fbe0f454bb55ad0b55620076523b828","large_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0","large_shows like emily in paris-8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp",56.39,56388,{"ext":111,"url":302,"etag":303,"hash":304,"mime":115,"name":305,"path":61,"size":306,"width":127,"height":128,"sizeInBytes":307},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp","389ca5ba3bc4395840049f97a296336f","small_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0","small_shows like emily in paris-8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp",23.15,23146,{"ext":111,"url":309,"etag":310,"hash":311,"mime":115,"name":312,"path":61,"size":313,"width":136,"height":137,"sizeInBytes":314},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp","814205bf41592302862822d42c876299","medium_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0","medium_shows like emily in paris-8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp",39.21,39214,{"ext":111,"url":316,"etag":317,"hash":318,"mime":115,"name":319,"path":61,"size":320,"width":145,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":321},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp","f09349148b060c7c61d37bbeb30935e5","thumbnail_shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0","thumbnail_shows like emily in paris-8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp",8.25,8248,"shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0",108.25,"https://assets.workingal.com/shows_like_emily_in_paris_8da3768c4174b8894f16743963b2744ea59391d7a7cccbd688b4c29739ec50c0.webp","2026-09-06T10:37:34.075Z",{"id":21,"documentId":22,"name":23,"slug":24,"createdAt":269,"updatedAt":269,"publishedAt":270},{"id":36,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":328},{"id":26,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":60,"focalPoint":61,"width":62,"height":62,"formats":329,"hash":74,"ext":65,"mime":69,"size":75,"url":76,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":78,"updatedAt":78,"publishedAt":78},{"thumbnail":330},{"ext":65,"url":66,"etag":67,"hash":68,"mime":69,"name":70,"path":61,"size":71,"width":72,"height":72,"sizeInBytes":73},{"id":332,"documentId":333,"title":334,"content":335,"slug":336,"coffees":222,"seo_title":337,"keywords":338,"seo_desc":339,"bylineDate":340,"bylineTimezone":98,"createdAt":341,"updatedAt":342,"publishedAt":343,"featuredImage":344,"category":384,"author":385,"img":381},786,"jn9yppkzycs5fxc9io7wic6r","The Brain Dump Method: How to Clear Your Mind Before Bed (And Finally Sleep Better)","If you've ever lain awake at 2am with your mind racing through tomorrow's meetings, that email you forgot to send, and whether you left the stove on, you're not alone. Nobody can argue that our brains often feel like they're running at full capacity 24/7—including when we desperately need them to power down.\n\nI discovered this firsthand last weekend while doing what I do best: deep diving into social media for work. As someone in [marketing and communications](https://www.workingal.com/articles/career-advice-from-influencers), scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, and [Pinterest](https://fr.pinterest.com/the_working_gal/) isn't just procrastination—it's literally part of my job. I'm constantly researching the latest trends, [productivity hacks](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-game-changing-technique-to-boost-your-productivity), and expert advice that could help both my clients and my own chaotic life.\n\nThat's when I stumbled upon ADHD activist and author [Ellie Middleton's post](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elliemidds_10-tiny-habits-that-keep-my-adhd-brain-a-activity-7378333976647639040-RDsv/) about something called a \"brain dump.\" The concept stopped me mid-scroll. Here was an expert arguing that to genuinely improve our mental health from one day to the next, we need to create what she calls a \"warehouse of thoughts\"—a designated place where we literally dump all the information swirling around in our brains. And the best part? We categorize it all before bed.\n\nIntrigued? Same. Let's dive into what brain dumps actually are, why psychologists swear by them, and how to make this simple practice work for your busy life.\n\n## What Is a Brain Dump, Really?\n\nA brain dump is exactly what it sounds like—transferring everything taking up mental real estate in your head onto paper (or a digital document, if that's your style). Think of it as a mental [decluttering session,](https://www.workingal.com/articles/messy-home-psychology) similar to cleaning out your closet, but for your thoughts.\n\nThe concept isn't new. Productivity experts, therapists, and life coaches have long recommended various forms of journaling and thought recording. But the brain dump takes it a step further by being intentionally unstructured at first—you're not trying to make it pretty or profound. You're simply getting it out.\n\n[Research from the University of Texas at Austin](https://uthealthaustin.org/blog/aging-memory-and-tech-could-screens-be-slowing-cognitive-decline-in-older-adults#:~:text=%E2%80%9CConditions%20that%20cause%20memory%20impairment,the%20management%20of%20shared%20responsibilities.) found that when we hold too many thoughts in our working memory, it actually impairs our cognitive function. Dr. James Pennebaker, a leading researcher in expressive writing, has shown that the simple act of writing about our thoughts and feelings can improve both physical and mental health. When we transfer these thoughts to paper, we free up mental bandwidth for what actually matters—like, you know, sleeping.\n\n## Why Your Brain Needs This (Especially at Night)\n\nThe thoughts, ideas, and information we receive daily are countless. Our brains process somewhere between 6,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, according to various studies. Many of these aren't even useful to us for the next day—they're just mental clutter.\n\n![woman brain dump before bed](https://assets.workingal.com/brain_dump_before_bed_437961042a.webp)\n\nHere's what happens when we don't deal with this clutter: it keeps recycling through our minds, especially when we're trying to fall asleep. You know that feeling when you finally lie down and suddenly remember seventeen things you need to do tomorrow? That's your brain's way of trying to process and hold onto information, except it's doing it at the worst possible time.\n\nAccording to the [National Sleep Foundation](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/anxiety-and-sleep), racing thoughts and anxiety are among the top reasons people struggle to fall asleep. When we don't have a system for managing our mental load, our brains essentially stay in \"work mode,\" making it nearly impossible to transition into rest mode.\n\nThis is where the brain dump becomes invaluable. By writing everything down, you're essentially telling your brain: \"I've got this documented. You can relax now.\" It's permission to let go.\n\n## The Science Behind Why Writing It Down Actually Works\n\nThere's legitimate neuroscience backing up why this simple act is so powerful. When we write things down by hand (or even type them), we engage different parts of our brain than when we simply think about them. This process of translating thoughts into written words helps create distance between us and our worries.\n\nDr. Matthew Walker, a sleep scientist and author of \"Why We Sleep,\" explains that one of the prerequisites for falling asleep is a decrease in core body temperature and a reduction in mental stimulation. When our minds are actively problem-solving or trying to remember tasks, we're keeping ourselves in an alert state. The brain dump helps transition us from \"doing mode\" to \"being mode.\"\n\nMoreover, a [study](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5758411/) published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that making a specific to-do list at bedtime helped participants fall asleep significantly faster—an average of 9 minutes faster, in fact. The key was the specificity; vague worrying keeps the brain active, but concrete planning allows it to relax.\n\n## Ellie Middleton's Four-Step Brain Dump Method\n\nSo how do we actually do this? According to Middleton, it's more structured than just word-vomiting onto a page. Here's her recommended approach, broken down:\n\n### Step 1: Start with Gratitude (3 Things That Made You Smile)\n\nAbout 30 minutes before bed, grab your journal—whether that's a beautiful leather-bound notebook or a simple spiral from Target. The first thing you'll write down is three things that happened during the day that made you smile.\n\nStarting with gratitude serves two purposes: it shifts your brain from stress mode to appreciation mode, and it primes your mind for positive thinking before sleep. Research from UC Davis's psychology department shows that [practicing gratitude](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-power-of-being-grateful) can improve sleep quality and duration.\n\nThese don't have to be big things. Maybe your coworker brought you coffee without asking. Perhaps you caught all green lights on your commute. Or you had a really good hair day. Write them down.\n\nExample:\n\n* My manager complimented my presentation today  \n* Got a surprise call from my best friend  \n* Found the [perfect blazer on sale during lunch](https://www.workingal.com/articles/confidence-capsule-wardrobe)\n\n### Step 2: Tomorrow's To-Do List (What MUST Get Done)\n\nNext, create a list of what you need to do tomorrow. This is your non-negotiable list—the things that absolutely have to happen. Be specific here. Instead of writing \"work stuff,\" write \"finish quarterly report by 2pm\" or \"email client about project timeline.\"\n\nThe specificity is crucial. Vague items keep your brain engaged, trying to fill in the details. Concrete items give your brain closure.\n\nExample:\n\n* Send Q4 budget proposal to Sarah by 11am  \n* Dentist appointment at 3pm (leave office by 2:30pm)  \n* Pick up dry cleaning before 6pm  \n* Respond to James's email about Friday's meeting\n\n### Step 3: The \"Someday/Maybe\" List (Important But Not Urgent)\n\nThis is where it gets interesting. After your tomorrow list, write down things that need to happen eventually, but not immediately. These are the tasks floating around in your head that aren't time-sensitive but keep popping up, demanding attention they don't need right now.\n\nBy capturing these somewhere, you're acknowledging them without the pressure of immediate action. Your brain can finally stop reminding you about them.\n\nExample:\n\n* Research new project management software  \n* Schedule annual physical exam  \n* Plan weekend trip for next month  \n* Update resume  \n* Look into that networking event in December\n\n### Step 4: Random Ideas and Thoughts (The Mental Junk Drawer)\n\nFinally, write down any other thoughts, ideas, or random mental notes that are taking up space. These are the things that don't fit into any category but are still occupying mental real estate. Maybe it's a gift idea for your friend's birthday in three months, a podcast recommendation someone mentioned, or a random business idea.\n\nThe point isn't to act on these; it's simply to get them out of your head so they stop circling around demanding attention.\n\nExample:\n\n* [Book recommendation:](https://www.workingal.com/articles/books-for-fall) \"Atomic Habits\"  \n* Gift idea for Mom: that scarf she mentioned  \n* Funny thing Alex said about coffee shops  \n* Look into [meal prep](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-tips-for-meal-prep) containers  \n* Instagram content idea: fall capsule wardrobe\n\n## Customizing Your Brain Dump Practice\n\nMiddleton's method is an excellent starting point, but the beauty of brain dumps is that you can tailor them to your specific needs. Here are some variations:\n\n**The Categorized Dump:** Create sections for different life areas—work, personal, health, relationships, finances. This helps you see where most of your mental energy is going.\n\n**The Timed Dump:** Set a timer for 10 minutes and just write everything that comes to mind without stopping. Don't worry about organization; just get it all out.\n\n**The Digital Dump:** Not into pen and paper? Use note-taking apps like Notion, Evernote, or even just your phone's notes app. The medium matters less than the consistency.\n\n**The Morning Alternative:** Some people find brain dumps more helpful in the morning, helping them start the day with clarity rather than ending it that way. Experiment to see what works for you.\n\n## The Benefits Beyond Better Sleep\n\nWhile improved sleep is the primary draw, regular brain dumping offers additional benefits:\n\n**Reduced Anxiety:** When you know everything is captured somewhere, you stop carrying the mental burden of trying to remember it all.\n\n**Increased Productivity:** You'll start your day knowing exactly what needs to be done instead of spending the morning trying to remember and prioritize.\n\n![woman brain dump before bed](https://assets.workingal.com/brain_dump_before_bed_1c5a73087b.webp)\n\n**Better Decision Making:** A clearer mind makes better choices. When you're not mentally juggling fifteen things, you can focus on what matters.\n\n**Enhanced Creativity:** Once your brain isn't working overtime to remember tasks, it has more space for creative thinking and problem-solving.\n\n**Improved Relationships:** When you're less stressed and better rested, you show up better for the people in your life.\n\n## Common Obstacles (And How to Overcome Them)\n\n\"I'm too tired to write at night.\" Start with just the gratitude list. Three things. That's it. You can build from there once it becomes habit.\n\n\"I'm not a journal person.\" This isn't traditional journaling with long prose about your feelings. It's literally just lists. Think of it as admin work for your brain.\n\n\"I forget to do it.\" Set a phone reminder 30 minutes before your target bedtime. Or attach it to an existing habit—after you brush your teeth, after your skincare routine, etc.\n\n\"My list is too long and it stresses me out more.\" Remember, the point isn't to complete everything on the list tonight. It's to get it out of your head. Tomorrow's list should be realistic—3-5 items max. Everything else goes in the \"someday\" category.\n\n## Making It Stick: Building the Habit\n\nLike any new practice, the brain dump works best when it becomes a habit. Research suggests it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit, so give yourself time.\n\nStart small. Commit to just two weeks of trying Middleton's method. Keep your journal and pen on your nightstand so there's no barrier to starting. Some nights you'll write pages; other nights it might be a few bullet points. Both are valid.\n\nTrack how you feel. Notice your sleep quality, your stress levels, how prepared you feel each morning. When you start seeing benefits, it becomes easier to maintain the practice.\n\n## The Bottom Line\n\nIn our hyper-connected, always-on world, our brains rarely get true downtime. We're constantly bombarded with information, requests, and stimuli. The brain dump isn't just about [better sleep](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-tips-to-sleep-better) (though that alone would be worth it)—it's about reclaiming control over your mental space.\n\nAs Ellie Middleton suggests, this simple practice of writing things down helps us relax, \"empties our heads,\" and might finally help us sleep for more hours. We'll definitely sleep more easily. At the same time, this recording helps us stay organized and practice gratitude for everything that happened during the day.\n\nThe beauty of the brain dump is its simplicity. You don't need any special tools, training, or time investment. Just 10-15 minutes before bed, a notebook, and a commitment to getting those thoughts out of your head and onto paper.\n\nYour brain will thank you. Your sleep will improve. And tomorrow's version of you will wake up clearer, calmer, and more ready to tackle whatever comes your way.\n\n","brain-dump-before-sleep","Brain Dump Before Sleep: The 4-Step Method That Actually Quiets Your Mind","brain dump before bed, how to do a brain dump, brain dump for sleep, brain dump method","Can't stop thinking at 2am? The brain dump method takes 10 minutes before bed and tells your brain it's allowed to shut down. Here's exactly how to do it.","2025-10-13","2025-10-13T18:37:03.489Z","2026-04-15T02:18:07.380Z","2025-10-13T18:46:18.974Z",{"id":345,"documentId":346,"name":347,"alternativeText":348,"caption":349,"focalPoint":61,"width":107,"height":108,"formats":350,"hash":379,"ext":111,"mime":115,"size":380,"url":381,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":382,"updatedAt":382,"publishedAt":383},407,"dltsb5hm4c0vdq6o3oar2tyh","brain dump before bed-2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp","woman brain dump before bed","brain dump before bed",{"large":351,"small":358,"medium":365,"thumbnail":372},{"ext":111,"url":352,"etag":353,"hash":354,"mime":115,"name":355,"path":61,"size":356,"width":118,"height":119,"sizeInBytes":357},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp","568da7aa14890cc2d593496b41e54632","large_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289","large_brain dump before bed-2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp",28.72,28722,{"ext":111,"url":359,"etag":360,"hash":361,"mime":115,"name":362,"path":61,"size":363,"width":127,"height":128,"sizeInBytes":364},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp","86311f181ae5b7ae4314eab78dca80d7","small_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289","small_brain dump before bed-2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp",12.57,12572,{"ext":111,"url":366,"etag":367,"hash":368,"mime":115,"name":369,"path":61,"size":370,"width":136,"height":137,"sizeInBytes":371},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp","6841dc2c140f0c63d26d2c4d6b99a18e","medium_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289","medium_brain dump before bed-2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp",20.31,20306,{"ext":111,"url":373,"etag":374,"hash":375,"mime":115,"name":376,"path":61,"size":377,"width":145,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":378},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp","b76d126c60bcfdc33c5924e2d9d5991c","thumbnail_brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289","thumbnail_brain dump before bed-2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp",5.04,5038,"brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289",53.32,"https://assets.workingal.com/brain_dump_before_bed_2194244ed4a1bd6203a119242cba55f5c848d93107e1aee02eed61ff8d712289.webp","2026-09-06T10:37:26.447Z","2026-09-06T10:37:26.448Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":153,"updatedAt":153,"publishedAt":154},{"id":36,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":386},{"id":26,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":60,"focalPoint":61,"width":62,"height":62,"formats":387,"hash":74,"ext":65,"mime":69,"size":75,"url":76,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":78,"updatedAt":78,"publishedAt":78},{"thumbnail":388},{"ext":65,"url":66,"etag":67,"hash":68,"mime":69,"name":70,"path":61,"size":71,"width":72,"height":72,"sizeInBytes":73},{"id":390,"documentId":391,"title":392,"content":393,"slug":394,"coffees":222,"seo_title":392,"keywords":395,"seo_desc":396,"bylineDate":397,"bylineTimezone":98,"createdAt":398,"updatedAt":399,"publishedAt":400,"featuredImage":401,"category":440,"author":443,"img":438},778,"m4mgy213yslwmunsdh8tbpg5"," 5 Body Language Hacks That Instantly Boost Your Authority in Meetings","Did you know that your body language speaks before you do, louder than you do, and more convincingly than your actual words? Research shows that in communication, 55% of impact comes from body language, 38% from tone of voice, and only 7% from actual words.\n\nThat means even the most brilliant idea loses its power if your body language undermines your authority. Conversely, mastering a few key body language techniques can transform how colleagues, managers, and clients perceive your [competence and confidence](https://www.workingal.com/articles/confidence-at-work).\n\nThe good news? You don't need to overhaul your entire personality or become someone you're not. Small, strategic adjustments to how you physically [show up in meetings](https://www.workingal.com/articles/zoom-calls-make-up) create significant shifts in how you're perceived. These five body language hacks are not only science-based, but we tested them thoroughly, and they can be implemented immediately in your next meeting.\n\n## Why body language matters more than you think\n\nYour brain processes nonverbal cues faster and more automatically than verbal ones. Within milliseconds of seeing someone, you've made unconscious judgments about their confidence, competence, and authority—all based on posture, facial expression, and gesture patterns.\n\nPeople form impressions of competence in as little as 100 milliseconds. They decide if someone is trustworthy and confident before a single word is spoken. Once formed, these impressions are sticky—difficult to change even with contrary evidence.\n\nHere's where it gets interesting for women: Studies show that the same body language can be interpreted differently based on gender. Behaviors that signal authority in men can be perceived as aggressive in women. This doesn't mean you should make yourself smaller—it means you need to be strategic about how you project authority.\n\nThe five hacks below are specifically chosen because research shows they work universally, signaling confidence and competence regardless of gender.\n\n## Hack 1: The power pose before (not during) the meeting\n\nHarvard researcher [Amy Cuddy's work on power posing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phcDQ0H_LnY) revolutionized how we think about the body-mind connection. Her research showed that holding your body in expansive, \"high-power\" poses for just two minutes increases testosterone (associated with confidence) by 20% and decreases cortisol (the stress hormone) by 25%.\n\n![woman speaking in meeting with confidence](https://assets.workingal.com/body_language_hacks_for_meetings_c40f3aa5be.webp)\n\nWhat does this look like in practice? Before your meeting—ideally in a private space like a bathroom or empty conference room—stand with your feet hip-width apart, hands on your hips or raised overhead, chest open, and chin lifted. Hold this position for two full minutes while taking deep, steady breaths.\n\nIt feels absurd. Do it anyway.\n\nStudy participants who power-posed before mock interviews were rated as more confident, enthusiastic, and captivating by evaluators who had no idea about the posing. They also reported feeling more powerful and in control.\n\nThe important detail here is to do this *before* the meeting, not during. Walking into a meeting with your hands on your hips reads as aggressive or impatient. But the confidence boost from pre-meeting power posing carries into the meeting naturally through your overall demeanor.\n\n## Hack 2: Take up appropriate space\n\nWomen are socialized to make themselves smaller—crossed legs, hands in lap, shoulders hunched inward, arms tight to the body. This protective posture signals insecurity and low status, even when you feel confident internally. Been there, done that for a long time.\n\n[Research from Columbia and Harvard business schools](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10635978/) found that people who take up more physical space are perceived as more powerful, regardless of their actual status or role. The key word is \"appropriate\"—not sprawling aggressively, but claiming your rightful space with confidence. For instance:\n\n### When sitting at a conference table:\n\n* Sit with your back against the chair (no slouching or perching on the edge)  \n* Place both feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart (no ankle-crossing or leg-tucking)  \n* Put your arms on the table or armrests (not in your lap)  \n* Lean slightly forward when speaking (signals engagement)  \n* Maintain about 18 inches of personal space around you\n\n### When standing or presenting:\n\n* Stand with feet hip-width apart, weight distributed evenly  \n* Keep arms at your sides or use purposeful gestures (no fig-leaf position)  \n* Maintain an open stance—no crossed arms or hand-holding  \n* Move purposefully when presenting (not pacing, but not statue-still either)\n\nOne study tracked meeting participants and found that those who took up more table space (by placing papers, notebooks, or arms on the table) were more likely to be called on, have their ideas attributed correctly, and be remembered after the meeting.\n\nFor your next three meetings, consciously check your posture every five minutes. Ask yourself: \"Am I making myself smaller than necessary?\" Adjust accordingly. After these three meetings, the new positioning will start feeling natural.\n\n## Hack 3: The strategic pause\n\nThis hack is about what you don't do. People who use deliberate pauses before speaking are perceived as more thoughtful, confident, and authoritative than those who fill every silence or rush to speak.\n\nFor instance, think about when someone asks you a question or you're about to contribute an idea. Instead of immediately launching into your response, pause. Take a visible breath. Count \"one, two\" in your head. Then speak.\n\nThis works for multiple reasons:\n\n* It signals confidence: Confident people don't feel compelled to fill every silence. They're comfortable with a beat of quiet.  \n* It creates attention: A pause makes people lean in and pay attention. Contrast this with jumping in quickly, which suggests you're afraid someone will interrupt if you don't talk fast enough.  \n* It gives you composure time: That two-second pause lets you organize your thoughts and start strong rather than rambling your way to your point.  \n* It reads as thoughtful: Pausing before responding signals that you're actually considering the question or point, not just waiting for your turn to talk.\n\nHow to do it right:\n\n![woman speaking in meetings with confidence](https://assets.workingal.com/body_language_hacks_for_meetings_e7ae8e5aed.webp)\n\n* When asked a question: Pause for two seconds, then respond  \n* Before making an important point: Pause, make eye contact, then speak  \n* After someone interrupts you: Don't rush to regain the floor. Pause, then calmly continue where you left off  \n* When you finish a point: Don't keep talking to fill silence. Stop, pause, let it land\n\n## Hack 4: The confidence triangle\n\nYour facial expression and head position communicate more than you realize. Research in social psychology identifies three key elements that together signal confidence and authority: eye contact, a neutral or slight smile, and keeping your head level.\n\nThe key isn't just making eye contact—it's the pattern and duration. Studies show that confident people maintain eye contact while speaking (not just while listening). They also distribute eye contact across the room rather than focusing on one person, which includes everyone and signals leadership.\n\n### The specific technique:\n\n* When speaking to a group: Make eye contact with one person for a complete thought (3-5 seconds), then move to another person  \n* When someone else is speaking: Maintain eye contact with the speaker (not your notes or phone)  \n* When challenged: Hold eye contact for two full seconds before responding (signals you're not rattled)  \n* In one-on-one conversations: Aim for 70% eye contact while speaking, 80% while listening\n\nYour head position also matters: tilting your head to the side signals uncertainty or questioning—fine when listening, problematic when presenting your own ideas. Keeping your head level and centered signals confidence and conviction.\n\nA neutral expression or slight smile projects confidence. But be aware of \"resting nice face\"—oversmiling or nodding excessively while others speak can undermine your authority. Research shows that women smile more than men in professional settings, and it's often interpreted as uncertainty or eager-to-please behavior rather than warmth.\n\nThe adjustment:\n\n* Be conscious of oversmiling, especially when making important points  \n* Smile when appropriate (greeting, agreeing, genuine warmth), not as a default  \n* Keep your expression engaged but neutral when listening to others' ideas  \n* Allow your face to show appropriate seriousness when discussing serious topics\n\nImplementation: Record yourself in a Zoom meeting (with permission) and watch it back with the sound off. Observe your eye contact patterns, head position, and facial expressions. Most people are surprised by what they discover.\n\n## Hack 5: The vocal-physical alignment\n\nYour voice is technically body language—it's your vocal cords, breath, and resonance. Research shows that voice tone and volume significantly impact perceived authority, and these elements are directly influenced by your physical positioning. When you're nervous or trying to make yourself smaller, you breathe shallowly from your upper chest. This creates a higher, thinner vocal tone that lacks authority. Deep breathing from your diaphragm lowers your pitch and increases vocal power.\n\nBefore speaking in a meeting:\n\n![woman speaking in meeting](https://assets.workingal.com/body_language_hacks_for_meetings_08d0960723.webp)\n\n* Take one deep breath from your belly (your shoulders shouldn't rise)  \n* This lowers your pitch slightly and increases volume without shouting  \n* It also activates your parasympathetic nervous system, reducing anxiety\n\nNervous speakers rush. Confident speakers vary their pace strategically. Research from Columbia shows that people who speak at a moderate, varied pace are rated as more competent and trustworthy than fast talkers.\n\nThe technique:\n\n* Slow down by 15-20% from your instinct (what feels slow to you sounds normal to others)  \n* Pause at the end of sentences (not in the middle, which sounds uncertain)  \n* Use a lower pitch for important points—research shows lower pitches are associated with authority  \n* Project from your diaphragm, not your throat\n\nEliminate vocal undermining: Studies identify several vocal patterns that undermine authority, particularly common in women:\n\n* Uptalk (ending statements as if they're questions—voice rising at the end)  \n* Hedge words (\"I just think...\" \"Maybe we could...\" \"I'm not sure, but...\")  \n* Excessive qualifiers (\"Does that make sense?\" \"If that's okay?\" after making a point)  \n* Apologizing before speaking (\"Sorry, but...\" when you have nothing to apologize for)\n\nThese body language hacks aren't about faking confidence or pretending to be someone you're not. They're about ensuring your external presence accurately reflects your internal competence.\n\nYou already have valuable ideas. You already have the expertise. These techniques simply ensure that your body language isn't undermining the authority you've earned.\n\nYour body language should match your capabilities—not diminish them.\n****\n\n### Related Articles:\n\n#### [7 Ways to Build Unshakeable Confidence at Work](https://www.workingal.com/articles/confidence-at-work)  \n#### [How to Build Your Confidence Capsule Wardrobe (Even on a Budget)](https://www.workingal.com/articles/confidence-capsule-wardrobe)  \n#### [The Unsung Strategist: How Pauli Murray's Legal Brilliance Paved the Way for Today's Working Women](https://www.workingal.com/articles/pauli-murray)\n\n","body-language-hacks-for-authority","body language hacks, how to be confident at work, how to be confident in meetings, body language tricks, body language for confidence","Master these 5 science-backed body language hacks to instantly boost your authority in meetings. 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Not to mention, my [favorite influencers](https://www.workingal.com/articles/career-advice-from-influencers) are swearing by it.\n\nSo naturally, I went down the rabbit hole. And here's what I discovered: this isn't just another fleeting social media trend that'll be forgotten by next week. The Great Lock In is actually tapping into something we're all craving right now—a structured way to finish the year feeling accomplished instead of just surviving until January.\n\nIf you're like me and you've been feeling that [familiar September energy](https://www.workingal.com/articles/fall-essentials), aka, that [back-to-school](https://www.workingal.com/articles/back-to-school-nails) motivation mixed with \"holy crap, where did this year go?\", then you're going to want to hear about this trend that's quietly revolutionizing how we approach personal growth.\n\n## What Exactly Is The Great Lock In?\n\n![the great lock in trend](https://assets.workingal.com/the_great_lock_in_trend_67f65d482c.webp)\n\nAt its core, The Great Lock In encourages people to \"lock in\" on their goals for 121 days, typically running from September 1st through December 31st. The phrase \"lock in\" comes from Gen Z and gaming culture, where it means concentrating fully on a task or mission. Think of it as the antithesis to \"coasting through the holidays\"—instead of waiting for January 1st to make [resolutions](https://www.workingal.com/articles/new-years-resolutions-have-you-made-yours), this trend challenges you to start now and finish the year strong.\n\nAs TikTok creator Tatiana Forbes explains, \"75 hard, the Winter Arc, the Great Lock In, they're all the same thing. It's all programming your mind to 'go hard' for a sprint of time.\" But here's what sets The Great Lock In apart from other viral challenges: it's not about completely overhauling your entire existence overnight. Instead, it's about identifying specific areas where you want to see meaningful change and committing to consistent action.\n\n## Why 121 Days Is the Sweet Spot for Transformation\n\nYou might be wondering why exactly 121 days. While it's similar to challenges like 75 Hard, but instead of 75 days, focuses for 121 days to see success, there's psychological wisdom behind this timeframe. Four months provides enough time to develop genuine [habits](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-identify-your-bad-spending-habits) while still feeling manageable and sprint-like rather than marathon-overwhelming.\n\nAs Patrick Regan OBE, Author of Brighter Days and 12 Steps to Strengthen your Wellbeing, [notes](https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/853544/tiktok-trend-the-great-lock-in-what-is-it-why-should-you-care/): \"Marathon runners don't start by running 26.2 miles; they start small and keep going. The only way to get to the end is to write word by word, line by line, and to keep going.\"\n\nFor busy working women, this timeline is particularly appealing. It takes you through the back-to-school energy of September, the momentum-building months of October and November, and concludes with the satisfaction of ending the year having accomplished something meaningful rather than just surviving the holiday season.\n\n## The Science Behind Writing Down Your Goals\n\nOne of the most powerful aspects of The Great Lock In trend is its emphasis on documenting and sharing [goals](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-smart-financial-goals). As Jennifer Teplin, the Founder and Clinical Director of Manhattan Wellness, explains: \"Goals are over four times more likely to happen if you write them down.\"\n\nWriting down your goals isn't just motivational speaking, it's actually backed by research. When you write down your goals, you're engaging multiple cognitive processes: visualization, [intention-setting](https://www.workingal.com/articles/intenional-living), and commitment. Add the social accountability element that comes with sharing your Great Lock In journey on social media or with friends, and you've created a powerful [framework for success](https://www.workingal.com/articles/habits-of-successful-women).\n\nShadds: \"Sometimes, we'll get it done, but having that checklist or that check-in moment with yourself helps you realize if you're on track to getting where you want to be.\"\n\n## How to Customize The Great Lock In for Your Life\n\nThe beauty of this trend lies in its adaptability. Unlike rigid challenge formats, The Great Lock In can be molded to fit your unique circumstances, goals, and lifestyle. Here's how to make it work for you:\n\n### Career-Focused Lock In\n\nMaybe you're eyeing that promotion, wanting to have a [career change](https://www.workingal.com/articles/significant-career-change-here-is-what-you-need-to-do), or finally ready to launch that [side hustle](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-gig-economy-is-it-right-for-you) you've been dreaming about. Your Great Lock In might include daily skill-building activities, networking commitments, or consistent work on your passion project. Imagine where your career could be by January 1st if you dedicated just 30 minutes each day to intentional [professional development](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-free-coursera-courses-to-boost-your-career).\n\n### Health and Wellness Lock In\n\nThis doesn't have to mean extreme fitness challenges or restrictive dieting. Your wellness-focused Great Lock In could involve consistent [meal prep](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-tips-for-meal-prep), [daily walks](https://www.workingal.com/articles/9-ways-to-walk-a-bit-more-every-day), prioritizing [sleep](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-tips-to-sleep-better), or finally addressing that chronic stress through meditation or therapy. The key is choosing sustainable practices that enhance rather than exhaust you.\n\n### Creative Lock In\n\nBeen putting off that novel, photography project, or art class? Four months of consistent creative practice could transform not just your skills but your entire relationship with your artistic side. Even 15 minutes of daily creative work adds up to over 30 hours by year's end.\n\n### Financial Lock In\n\nWhether it's paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or finally understanding investing, a [financial Great Lock In](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-manage-your-finances-as-a-freelancer) could set you up for long-term success. Small daily actions—like tracking expenses, reading one finance article, or automatically transferring money to savings—compound dramatically over 121 days.\n\n### Relationship Lock In\n\nThis could mean dedicating time to [deepening friendships](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-maintain-friendships-when-busy), improving communication with your partner, or even focusing on your relationship with yourself through therapy or personal development work.\n\n## The Psychology of Timing: Why September Starts Work\n\nJennifer Teplin affirms the timing of the Great Lock In, saying: \"The second half of the year is an amazing time to reset goals and hold yourself accountable. I like to see the fall season as the final lap of the mile. You know what's behind you, and there's a lot of potential ahead, but not too much time that it feels unattainable.\"\n\nThere's something energizing about September that goes beyond back-to-school nostalgia. Psychologically, it feels like a natural [reset point](https://www.workingal.com/articles/fall-career-reset)—summer's over, routines are re-establishing, and there's just enough time left in the year to accomplish something meaningful without the pressure of a full 365-day commitment.\n\nFor working women, this timing is particularly strategic. You're likely settling back into [fall rituals](https://www.workingal.com/articles/fall-wellness-rituals) and routines anyway, making it an ideal time to layer in new habits and goals. Plus, completing a Great Lock In sets you up to enter the new year from a position of strength and momentum rather than starting from scratch.\n\n## Practical Steps to Start Your Great Lock In Today\n\n### Step 1: Choose Your Focus Areas\n\nResist the urge to transform everything at once. Pick 1-3 areas where you genuinely want to see change. Remember, the Great Lock In isn't about achieving perfection, but it's about progress and consistency.\n\n### Step 2: Define Specific, Measurable Actions\n\nInstead of \"get healthier,\" try \"walk 8,000 steps daily and meal prep every Sunday.\" Specificity eliminates [decision fatigue](https://www.workingal.com/articles/decision-fatigue) and makes tracking progress much easier.\n\n### Step 3: Write It Down\n\nWhether it's a journal, phone notes, or a [dedicated planner](https://www.workingal.com/articles/fall-essentials), physically document your goals and daily actions. This simple act significantly increases your likelihood of success.\n\n### Step 4: Create Accountability\n\nShare your Great Lock In goals with trusted friends, family, or even on social media if that motivates you. Regular check-ins with an accountability partner can be incredibly powerful.\n\n![the great lock in trend](https://assets.workingal.com/the_great_lock_in_trend_5582bc4712.webp)\n\n### Step 5: Plan for Obstacles\n\nLife will happen over the next 121 days. Plan for [travel](https://www.workingal.com/articles/travel-hacks-for-long-flights), busy work periods, illness, and other disruptions. Having a flexible mindset and backup plans helps you bounce back quickly from inevitable setbacks.\n\n### Step 6: Track Your Progress\n\nCreate a simple system for monitoring your daily actions. This could be as basic as checking off items on a list or as sophisticated as using a habit-tracking app.\n\n## Common Pitfalls to Avoid\n\nWhile The Great Lock In offers an excellent framework for transformation, there are several mistakes that can derail your success:\n\n**Going Too Big Too Fast:** Starting with overly ambitious goals often leads to burnout within the first few weeks. Begin with actions that feel almost too easy, then build from there.\n\n**All-or-Nothing Thinking:** Missing a day doesn't mean [you've failed](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success). The goal is consistency over perfection. Build in flexibility and self-compassion.\n\n**Ignoring Your Current Life Demands:** Your Great Lock In should enhance, not overwhelm, your existing responsibilities. Be realistic about what you can reasonably add to your plate.\n\n**Focusing Only on Outcomes:** While end goals matter, celebrating daily actions and small wins keeps motivation high during the middle months when initial enthusiasm might wane.\n\n## The Ripple Effect: How 121 Days Can Change More Than You Expect\n\nWhat makes The Great Lock In particularly powerful is how a focused effort in one area often has a positive impact on others. Committing to daily exercise might improve your sleep quality, boost your [confidence](https://www.workingal.com/articles/habits-than-ruin-your-self-confidence) at work, and inspire [healthier eating](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-balance-healthy-eating-and-work) habits. Working on a creative project could reduce stress, expand your social circle through classes or communities, and even open unexpected career opportunities.\n\nThis interconnectedness means that your 121-day commitment could catalyze changes far beyond your original intentions. Many participants find that the discipline and self-efficacy developed during their Great Lock In become a foundation for continued growth well into the following year.\n\n## Making It Social: The Community Aspect\n\nOne reason this trend has gained such traction is its inherent social component. Within the framework of the Great Lock In, many are choosing to write down their goals, to share them with their audiences on social media, and to work together with their friends.\n\nThis isn't just about showing off on social media—it's about leveraging the power of community for sustained motivation. Consider joining online groups, finding a Great Lock In buddy, or even starting your own circle of friends committed to finishing the year strong.\n\n## Beyond the Trend\n\nWhile The Great Lock In may have started as a TikTok trend, its principles align with proven strategies for sustainable behavior change. The focus on consistency over intensity, the emphasis on written goals, the social accountability component, and the manageable timeframe all contribute to lasting transformation.\n\nThe real magic happens not just in achieving your specific 121-day goals, but in proving to yourself that you can commit to and follow through on meaningful change. This builds confidence and creates a template for future goal-setting that extends far beyond any viral challenge.\n\n## Your Great Lock In Starts Now\n\nNow, knowing everything you need for the Great Lock In, you have a choice. You can scroll past The Great Lock In like countless other trends, or you can recognize it for what it really is: a structured, time-bound opportunity to transform specific areas of your life before the year ends.\n\nThink of it as a late-year New Year's Resolution. Instead of coasting into the holiday season, you can use the next 121 days to build momentum, create positive habits, and set yourself up for success in 2026 and beyond.\n\nThe question isn't whether you have time for The Great Lock In—the question is whether you have time not to try it. With less than four months left in 2025, this might be exactly the framework you need to turn intentions into reality and finish the year feeling accomplished, energized, and ready for whatever comes next.\n\nSo grab a pen, open your notes app, or start a new document. What do you want to lock in for the next 121 days?","the-great-lock-in-trend","Great Lock In, TikTok trends 2025, goal setting, personal transformation, habit formation, year-end goals, productivity tips, self-improvement, working women goals, 121-day challenge","Discover how TikTok's Great Lock In trend can transform your life in 121 days. Expert-backed goal-setting tips for busy working women to finish 2025 strong.","2025-09-11","2025-09-10T23:19:12.886Z","2025-11-29T21:28:07.578Z","2025-09-10T23:58:35.421Z",{"id":460,"documentId":461,"name":462,"alternativeText":463,"caption":463,"focalPoint":61,"width":107,"height":108,"formats":464,"hash":493,"ext":111,"mime":115,"size":494,"url":495,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":496,"updatedAt":496,"publishedAt":496},373,"en2ggjuwo6c863ybj60e4aqc","the great lock in trend-c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp","the great lock in trend",{"large":465,"small":472,"medium":479,"thumbnail":486},{"ext":111,"url":466,"etag":467,"hash":468,"mime":115,"name":469,"path":61,"size":470,"width":118,"height":119,"sizeInBytes":471},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp","8e9f1ed430a080b3bcddab00162da57e","large_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458","large_the great lock in trend-c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp",44.01,44012,{"ext":111,"url":473,"etag":474,"hash":475,"mime":115,"name":476,"path":61,"size":477,"width":127,"height":128,"sizeInBytes":478},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp","f2ae8d66fb4f6b47c6152cba34a44bf7","small_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458","small_the great lock in trend-c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp",13.84,13844,{"ext":111,"url":480,"etag":481,"hash":482,"mime":115,"name":483,"path":61,"size":484,"width":136,"height":137,"sizeInBytes":485},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp","df36f42686435679dc7bc349e0870efc","medium_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458","medium_the great lock in trend-c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp",28.19,28192,{"ext":111,"url":487,"etag":488,"hash":489,"mime":115,"name":490,"path":61,"size":491,"width":145,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":492},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp","d6a18358e167f1f6e49cde3aa4bcaf56","thumbnail_the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458","thumbnail_the great lock in trend-c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp",3.63,3626,"the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458",95.6,"https://assets.workingal.com/the_great_lock_in_trend_c0216a8f5307e91625de4f1fe767146fac2e61b1467ceadc0f96dbc55b55d458.webp","2026-09-06T10:36:54.557Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":153,"updatedAt":153,"publishedAt":154},{"id":36,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":499},{"id":26,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":60,"focalPoint":61,"width":62,"height":62,"formats":500,"hash":74,"ext":65,"mime":69,"size":75,"url":76,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":78,"updatedAt":78,"publishedAt":78},{"thumbnail":501},{"ext":65,"url":66,"etag":67,"hash":68,"mime":69,"name":70,"path":61,"size":71,"width":72,"height":72,"sizeInBytes":73},{"id":503,"documentId":504,"title":505,"content":506,"slug":507,"coffees":222,"seo_title":505,"keywords":508,"seo_desc":509,"bylineDate":510,"bylineTimezone":98,"createdAt":511,"updatedAt":512,"publishedAt":513,"featuredImage":514,"category":553,"author":554,"img":551},704,"yt9iu5jsshtz12rce0xwuju7","5 Things I Learned From Influencers as a Digital Marketing Manager","When I first started my career in digital marketing, I had some preconceived notions about influencers. Like many people in traditional marketing roles, I initially thought influencer marketing was solely about creating visually appealing content and product placements. Boy, was I wrong. Over the past few years, working as a Digital Marketing Manager at [EDL Digital Services](https://www.edl.gr/), a digital marketing agency, I've had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with dozens of influencers across various niches. What I discovered completely transformed not just my approach to marketing, but my entire perspective on career growth, personal branding, and work-life integration.\n\nThe influencer economy isn't just changing how we market products—it's revolutionizing how we think about entrepreneurship, creativity, and building meaningful connections with audiences. These digital entrepreneurs have mastered skills that every working woman can apply to her own career, whether she's climbing the corporate ladder, launching her own business, [working as a freelancer](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-5-mistakes-i-did-as-a-freelancer-that-kept-me-back-professionally), or simply trying to find more balance and authenticity in her professional life.\n\nHere are the five most valuable lessons I've learned from working with influencers, and how they've not only made me a better marketer but also a more confident, strategic, and fulfilled professional.\n\n## 1\\. Authenticity Is Your Most Powerful Asset (And It's Completely Free)\n\nBefore working with influencers, I thought \"professional\" meant having a perfectly polished facade at all times. I believed showing vulnerability or [admitting mistakes](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-steps-to-manage-your-mistakes-at-work) would undermine my credibility. Then I started collaborating with micro-influencers who built their entire following by being refreshingly real about their struggles, [failures](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success), and learning curves.\n\n\n![influencer shooting a TikTok](https://assets.workingal.com/influencer_marketing_career_advice_e3b26000ba.webp)\n\nA bright example of this is a lifestyle influencer we worked with at EDL Digital Services for a wellness brand campaign. She openly shared her journey with anxiety, her messy [morning routines](https://www.workingal.com/articles/this-is-your-morning-beauty-routine-checklist), and the days when her \"healthy lifestyle content\" consisted of takeout pizza and [Netflix](https://www.workingal.com/articles/netflix-august-new-releases). Rather than damaging her credibility, this authenticity made her audience trust her more. When she recommended products or shared advice, her followers knew it came from genuine experience, not a marketing script.\n\nThis revelation hit me like a lightning bolt. I started incorporating more authenticity into my own professional brand. Instead of pretending to have all the answers in client meetings, I began saying, \"That's a great question—let me research that and get back to you with a thorough response.\" Rather than posting only polished success stories on LinkedIn, I started sharing lessons learned from campaigns that didn't go as planned.\n\nThe result? Stronger client relationships, more meaningful networking connections, and a significant reduction in the exhausting mental load of maintaining a \"perfect\" professional persona. Clients appreciated my honesty and felt more comfortable sharing their own challenges and concerns, which ultimately led to better campaign outcomes.\n\nThe Career Application: Authenticity in the workplace doesn't mean oversharing or being unprofessional. It means being honest about your knowledge gaps (so you can fill them), owning your mistakes (so you can learn from them), and letting your genuine personality shine through your professional interactions. This builds trust, which is the foundation of every successful career.\n\n## 2\\. Content Batching and Systems Are Game-Changers for Productivity\n\nOne of the most eye-opening discoveries was learning how successful influencers manage their content creation. Initially, I assumed they were constantly creating and posting in real-time. The reality? The most successful influencers I work with are masters of batching and systematization.\n\nAnna, a beauty influencer we partnered with for a [skincare](https://www.workingal.com/articles/skincare-5-truths-we-wish-we-knew-sooner) campaign, showed me her content calendar during our strategy session. She had three months of content planned, photographed, and scheduled. She dedicated specific days to photography, others to writing captions, and had templates for different types of posts. What seemed like effortless, spontaneous content was actually the result of strategic planning and efficient systems.\n\nThis inspired me to completely overhaul how I approached my marketing responsibilities at EDL Digital Services. I started batching similar tasks together—dedicating Monday mornings to [strategy and planning](https://www.workingal.com/articles/strategic-productivity-how-to-work-smart-not-hard), Tuesday afternoons to content creation, and Friday mornings to analytics review and reporting. I created templates for common client communications, social media posts, and campaign briefs.\n\nThe transformation in my [productivity](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-proven-ways-to-increase-productivity-in-the-workplace) was remarkable. Tasks that previously felt overwhelming became manageable. I had more mental space for creative thinking and strategic planning because I wasn't constantly switching between different types of activities. Most importantly, I reclaimed hours in my week that I could dedicate to professional development and, yes, actually [leaving the office at a reasonable time](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-avoid-late-nights-at-work) (at least most of the days!).\n\nThe Wellness Connection: This systematic approach significantly reduced my [stress levels](https://www.workingal.com/articles/stress-management-these-5-techniques). Instead of feeling like I was constantly playing catch-up or forgetting important tasks, I felt in control of my workload. The mental clarity that comes from having organized systems extends beyond work—it created space for better [work-life boundaries](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-and-preserve-boundaries) and more intentional personal time.\n\n![influencer in digital marketing live streaming](https://assets.workingal.com/influencer_marketing_career_advice_6acb793249.webp)\n\n## 3\\. Building Genuine Relationships Is More Valuable Than Any Marketing Strategy\n\nThe influencers who consistently deliver the best results for our campaigns at EDL Digital Services aren't necessarily those with the largest followings—they're the ones who have cultivated genuine relationships with their audiences. They respond to comments, remember followers' names and stories, and create content that feels like advice from a trusted friend rather than a sales pitch.\n\nThis relationship-first approach revolutionized how I think about networking and career development. Instead of viewing networking as a transaction (what can this person do for me?), I started approaching it as a relationship-building exercise (how can we mutually support each other's goals?).\n\nI began following up with new connections not just when I needed something, but to share relevant articles, congratulate them on achievements, or simply check in on projects they'd mentioned. I started offering help and resources before asking for anything in return. I made an effort to remember personal details from conversations and reference them in future interactions.\n\nThe shift in my professional relationships was remarkable. Colleagues started coming to me with interesting opportunities, clients began referring new business to EDL Digital Services specifically because of their positive experience working with me, and I developed a network of professional contacts who felt more like a supportive community than a transactional database.\n\nThe Long-term Impact: These genuine relationships have become one of my most valuable career assets. When I'm looking for new opportunities, facing challenging projects, or seeking advice on career decisions, I have a network of people who genuinely want to see me succeed because I've invested in their success as well.\n\n## 4\\. Personal Branding Isn't Vanity—It's Strategic Career Development\n\nBefore working in influencer marketing, I thought personal [branding](https://www.edl.gr/blog/branding-name-it-like-a-pro) was self-indulgent or superficial. Watching influencers strategically build their brands opened my eyes to the power of intentional reputation management and thought [leadership](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-most-effective-leadership-books-you-will-ever-read).\n\nSuccessful influencers don't just post random content—they have a clear brand identity, consistent messaging, and strategic goals for their platform. They understand their unique value proposition and communicate it consistently across all touchpoints. This isn't about ego; it's about clarity and strategic positioning.\n\nI realized that every professional has a personal brand, whether they're intentionally managing it or not. The question isn't whether to have a personal brand, but whether to be strategic about it or leave it to chance.\n\nI started applying influencer branding strategies to my own career development. I identified my unique strengths and expertise areas (data-driven creative campaigns, wellness brand marketing, and client relationship management). I sought out speaking opportunities and volunteer positions that aligned with my brand values and expertise areas.\n\nAt EDL Digital Services, this strategic personal branding enhanced my professional credibility. Clients began requesting to work specifically with me based on my reputation and expertise. I was invited to industry panels and conferences, which provided additional learning opportunities and expanded my professional network. Most importantly, having a clear personal brand gave me confidence in my professional interactions and career decisions.\n\nThe Authenticity Balance: The key insight from influencers is that effective personal branding amplifies your authentic strengths rather than creating a false persona. It's about being more intentional and strategic about showcasing the value you already provide.\n\n## 5\\. Diversification and Multiple Revenue Streams Create Stability and Freedom\n\nPerhaps the most valuable lesson I learned from influencers is the importance of diversifying income streams and not putting all your eggs in one basket. The most successful influencers I work with don't rely solely on sponsored posts—they have [courses](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-free-coursera-courses-to-boost-your-career), affiliate partnerships, product lines, consulting services, and various other revenue streams.\n\nThis entrepreneurial mindset completely transformed how we approach business growth at EDL Digital Services. I've seen firsthand how watching influencers build diverse income streams inspired us to expand beyond traditional web design and development services.\n\nWe began incorporating complementary revenue streams that aligned with our expertise and our clients' evolving needs. We developed educational workshops and masterclasses for small business owners who needed to learn [digital marketing basics](https://www.edl.gr/blog?category=2&page=1) before they were ready for full-service support. We created done-with-you programs that combined our expertise with clients' internal teams for more [budget-conscious businesses](https://www.edl.gr/blog/limited-budget-for-digital-marketing).\n\nWe also expanded into strategic partnerships with other service providers—copywriters, photographers, and business coaches—creating referral income streams while providing our clients with comprehensive solutions. Additionally, we developed digital products like marketing templates and audit checklists that could serve businesses at different budget levels.\n\nThis diversification didn't dilute our core services—if anything, it strengthened them. The insights we gained from teaching workshops informed our client campaigns. The partnerships we built expanded our capabilities and allowed us to serve clients more comprehensively. The different service levels meant we could work with businesses at various stages of growth, creating long-term relationships that evolved with their needs.\n\nThe Business Growth Factor: Having multiple revenue streams provides both financial security and business resilience. It reduces the risk that comes with relying on one type of client or service and creates opportunities to serve your market more comprehensively. For any working woman building her own business or leading business development, diversification creates stability while allowing you to test new markets and services with calculated risk.\n\n## The Ripple Effects: How These Lessons Transformed My Career and Life\n\n![influencer working in digital marketing](https://assets.workingal.com/influencer_marketing_career_advice_e91fe392e6.webp)\n\nImplementing these five lessons has created positive changes that extend far beyond our marketing results at EDL Digital Services. My increased authenticity has deepened relationships with both clients and team members. The systems and productivity strategies I learned from influencers allowed us to scale our operations while maintaining quality and gave our team better work-life boundaries.\n\nBuilding genuine relationships has made our agency work more fulfilling—we're not just delivering services, we're partnering with businesses we genuinely care about and want to see succeed. Having a clear personal brand has enhanced our agency's reputation and credibility in the market. Diversifying our service offerings has created business resilience and opened opportunities to serve our community in new ways.\n\nThese changes have made me a more effective leader. I bring fresh insights from our diverse client experiences, I'm more confident in business development conversations, and we have the systems and relationships needed to deliver exceptional results consistently across all our service lines.\n\n## Implementing These Lessons: Practical Next Steps for Working Women\n\nIf you're inspired to apply these lessons to your own career, start small and choose one area to focus on initially:\n\n### For Authenticity\n\nIdentify one area where you've been hiding behind [perfectionism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/perfectionism-at-work-how-to-manage-it-and-increase-your-productivity) and experiment with being more genuine. This might mean admitting when you don't know something, sharing a [professional challenge](https://www.workingal.com/articles/real-stories-my-biggest-challenge-at-work) you're working through, or letting more of your personality show in professional interactions.\n\n### For Systems and Productivity\n\n[Don’t be busy, be productive](https://www.workingal.com/articles/don-t-be-busy-be-productive). Choose your most overwhelming recurring task and create a system or template to streamline it. This could be batch-processing emails, creating templates for common communications, or designating specific times for different types of work.\n\n### For Relationship Building\n\nCommit to following up with new professional connections within 48 hours, not with a request, but with something valuable, such as a relevant article or resource.\n\n### For Personal Branding\n\nWrite down your unique strengths and expertise areas, then look for one opportunity to share these insights, whether through a LinkedIn post, volunteering to present at a team meeting, or participating in an industry discussion.\n\n### For Diversification\n\nLook at your current skills and expertise, then identify complementary services or products you could offer to better serve your existing market or reach new audiences. This could be educational content, strategic partnerships, or different service levels that meet various budget needs.\n\n## The Future of Work Is Here\n\nThe lessons I've learned from influencers aren't just marketing insights—they're glimpses into the future of work. As traditional career paths become less predictable and more professionals seek flexibility and autonomy, the [entrepreneurial skills](https://www.workingal.com/articles/interview-an-inspirational-young-entrepreneur) that influencers have mastered become increasingly valuable for everyone.\n\nThe most successful professionals of the next decade will be those who can build authentic relationships, create systematic approaches to productivity, develop strategic personal brands, and diversify their skills and income streams. These are no longer just \"nice to have\" skills—they're becoming essential for career resilience and fulfillment.\n\nWorking with influencers has taught me that success in the digital age isn't about having the perfect strategy or the most followers—it's about being authentic, strategic, and genuinely valuable to the people you serve. Whether you're serving clients, colleagues, or an online audience, these principles create the foundation for sustainable, fulfilling career growth.\n\nAs I continue to grow in my role and expand my professional horizons, I'm grateful for the unexpected mentors I've found in the influencer community. They've shown me that the most powerful marketing strategy is simply being genuinely helpful, consistently valuable, and authentically yourself.\n\nAnd for any working woman reading this: you already have unique insights, valuable experiences, and distinctive strengths. The question isn't whether you have something valuable to offer—it's whether you'll be strategic about sharing it with the world.\n\n_Tonia is the Editor of The Working Gal and a Digital Marketing Manager at EDL Digital Services, a full-service web design, development, and digital marketing agency. She specializes in influencer marketing campaigns and helping brands build authentic connections with their audiences. You can connect with her at_ [_tonia@edl.gr_](mailto:tonia@edl.gr) _for more insights about digital marketing and career development._\n\n### About EDL Digital Services\n\nEDL Digital Services is a Web Design & Development, and full-service Digital Marketing Agency dedicated to helping businesses build strong online presences and connect authentically with their audiences. From influencer marketing campaigns to comprehensive website overhauls and SEO Marketing along with Paid Advertising, EDL Digital Services offers strategic, results-driven solutions for businesses seeking to expand their digital presence. [Learn more](https://www.edl.gr/).","career-advice-from-influencers","influencer marketing tips, lessons from influencers as a digital marketing manager, career advice from influencers, influencer marketing tips","Read what a Digital Marketing Manager from an established Digital Marketing agency learned about her career progress from working with influencers for marketing campaigns.","2025-09-02","2025-09-01T22:39:05.511Z","2026-08-19T01:02:09.531Z","2025-09-01T22:47:06.227Z",{"id":515,"documentId":516,"name":517,"alternativeText":518,"caption":519,"focalPoint":61,"width":107,"height":108,"formats":520,"hash":549,"ext":111,"mime":115,"size":550,"url":551,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":552,"updatedAt":552,"publishedAt":552},366,"wshynejtfllmbvudb8kpwuec","influencer marketing career advice-47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp","influencer giving digital marketing advice","influencer marketing career advice",{"large":521,"small":528,"medium":535,"thumbnail":542},{"ext":111,"url":522,"etag":523,"hash":524,"mime":115,"name":525,"path":61,"size":526,"width":118,"height":119,"sizeInBytes":527},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp","b344b572848aa4998cd345bd3dd1c9c0","large_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240","large_influencer marketing career advice-47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp",33.26,33264,{"ext":111,"url":529,"etag":530,"hash":531,"mime":115,"name":532,"path":61,"size":533,"width":127,"height":128,"sizeInBytes":534},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp","17205247eeb3b2ca417785eaa2321e13","small_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240","small_influencer marketing career advice-47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp",14.85,14854,{"ext":111,"url":536,"etag":537,"hash":538,"mime":115,"name":539,"path":61,"size":540,"width":136,"height":137,"sizeInBytes":541},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp","1c09be10483ba993b9ce12acbc8b602c","medium_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240","medium_influencer marketing career advice-47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp",23.86,23856,{"ext":111,"url":543,"etag":544,"hash":545,"mime":115,"name":546,"path":61,"size":547,"width":145,"height":146,"sizeInBytes":548},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp","bd1ebb5348d1f1d990e55cdee559a293","thumbnail_influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240","thumbnail_influencer marketing career advice-47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp",6.26,6262,"influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240",59.32,"https://assets.workingal.com/influencer_marketing_career_advice_47d63bbfa222e443f431607f452be34609ef4ddecb5b36491994303ea9be3240.webp","2026-09-06T10:36:46.874Z",{"id":26,"documentId":27,"name":28,"slug":29,"createdAt":441,"updatedAt":441,"publishedAt":442},{"id":36,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":555},{"id":26,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":60,"focalPoint":61,"width":62,"height":62,"formats":556,"hash":74,"ext":65,"mime":69,"size":75,"url":76,"previewUrl":61,"provider":77,"provider_metadata":61,"createdAt":78,"updatedAt":78,"publishedAt":78},{"thumbnail":557},{"ext":65,"url":66,"etag":67,"hash":68,"mime":69,"name":70,"path":61,"size":71,"width":72,"height":72,"sizeInBytes":73},{"id":559,"documentId":560,"title":561,"content":562,"slug":563,"coffees":222,"seo_title":561,"keywords":564,"seo_desc":565,"bylineDate":566,"bylineTimezone":98,"createdAt":567,"updatedAt":568,"publishedAt":569,"featuredImage":570,"category":609,"author":610,"img":607},700,"gjxbgrbnr0u46vbsvcui7zuk","5 Fall Wellness Rituals That Actually Fit Into Your Schedule","Every time I scroll, I see those gorgeous wellness routines all over Instagram—you know, the ones with the perfectly arranged crystals, hour-long morning meditations, and elaborate smoothie bowls that probably took longer to photograph than to make. They're beautiful, aspirational, and absolutely nothing like my actual life.\n\nIf you're anything like me, your [morning routine](https://www.workingal.com/articles/this-is-your-morning-beauty-routine-checklist) involves hitting snooze three times, checking emails while brushing your teeth, and considering it a win if you remember to grab coffee on your way out the door. The idea of adding lengthy wellness rituals to an already packed schedule? Yeah, that's not happening.\n\nBut here's what I've learned after years of trying (and failing) to implement those [Pinterest-perfect](https://fr.pinterest.com/the_working_gal/) wellness routines: the most effective [self-care practices](https://www.workingal.com/articles/6-weekend-self-care-techniques-to-prepare-you-for-the-week) aren't the most elaborate ones. They're the small, consistent actions that actually fit into your real life—not the life you think you should be living.\n\nAs fall settles in and we start craving more comfort and coziness, I've been experimenting with wellness practices that work with my schedule, not against it. And I’m talking about revolutionary concepts or trending superfoods. I am talking about simple, science-backed rituals that take minutes, not hours, and can seamlessly blend into the life you're already living.\n\n## Why Fall Is Perfect for Wellness Reality Checks\n\n![forest with fall leaves](https://assets.workingal.com/fall_wellness_routine_7e88a4dcec.webp)\n\nThere's something about autumn that makes us want to slow down and take better care of ourselves. Maybe it's the shorter days naturally encouraging more rest, or the way the fall breeze makes us crave warm, nourishing things. Whatever it is, fall energy is perfectly suited for sustainable wellness practices.\n\nDr. Maria Rodriguez, a behavioral psychologist specializing in habit formation, explains it perfectly: \"Fall aligns with our natural inclination to 'nest' and prepare for winter. This psychological shift makes it easier to adopt nurturing practices that might feel forced during other seasons.\" This means that you're more likely to stick with wellness habits you start in September than those ambitious January resolutions that fizzle out by February.\n\nThe key is working with your existing routines rather than trying to overhaul your entire life. These five rituals can easily integrate into your existing routine, making them more sustainable and, honestly, more enjoyable.\n\n## Ritual #1: The 2-Minute Morning Moment (Yes, Really Just 2 Minutes)\n\nForget elaborate morning routines that require waking up an hour earlier. This ritual takes exactly two minutes and can happen while your [coffee brews](https://www.workingal.com/articles/is-caffeine-good-for-our-health) or your car warms up.\n\nHere's how it works: Before you check your phone, take two minutes to simply notice how you're feeling. Not to fix anything, analyze anything, or plan anything—just to check in with yourself.\n\nPlace your hand on your chest and take three deep breaths. Ask yourself: How is my body feeling today? What's my energy level? What do I need more of today—patience, energy, focus, calm?\n\nThat's it. No journaling, no apps, no special equipment. Just two minutes of intentional awareness before the day takes over.\n\nWhy it works: Research shows that even brief moments of mindfulness can reduce [cortisol](https://www.workingal.com/articles/what-is-cortisol-detox-and-how-to-do-it) levels and improve emotional regulation throughout the day. Plus, starting your morning with [intention](https://www.workingal.com/articles/intenional-living), rather than immediately diving into emails and social media, sets a completely different tone for how the day unfolds.\n\nHow to make it stick: Link it to something you already do every morning—while coffee brews, during your [skincare routine](https://www.workingal.com/articles/skincare-routine-do-you-know-how-to-safely-mix-ingredients), or even while waiting for the subway. The key is consistency, not perfection.\n\n## Ritual #2: The Strategic Hydration System\n\nOne might think that drinking more [water](https://www.workingal.com/articles/water-is-a-beauty-elixir) isn't exactly revolutionary wellness advice. But keep reading, because this isn't about forcing yourself to drink gallons of water or buying expensive bottles with time markers.\n\nThis is about making hydration so easy and automatic that it just happens, especially during fall when we tend to drink less water and more coffee, [wine](https://www.workingal.com/articles/these-are-the-movies-you-need-to-watch-if-you-re-a-wine-lover), and other dehydrating beverages.\n\nHere's the system: Keep a large water bottle or glass on your desk and make a deal with yourself that you have to finish it before you can have your afternoon coffee or check social media. Choose your preferred \"reward\" and stick with it.\n\nThe fall upgrade: Add warming elements that make hydration more appealing as temperatures drop. Keep herbal tea bags at your desk, add lemon and ginger to warm water, or invest in a good insulated bottle that keeps drinks at the perfect temperature.\n\nWhy it works: Proper hydration improves everything from skin clarity to mental [focus](https://www.workingal.com/articles/white-noise-for-calm-and-focus) to energy levels. But the real magic happens when you create systems that make healthy choices automatic rather than relying on willpower.\n\nPro tip: If plain water bores you, try the \"spa water\" approach—add cucumber, mint, or berries to make it feel more special without adding calories or effort.\n\n## Ritual #3: The Power of the Perfect Fall Salad Formula\n\nLet's talk about something that actually matters for busy women: eating well without spending hours [meal prepping](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-tips-for-meal-prep) or thinking about what to eat.\n\nI've developed what I call the \"Perfect Fall Salad Formula\"—a framework that ensures you get nutrients, satisfaction, and flavor without decision fatigue or complicated recipes.\n\n### The Formula for the Perfect Fall Salad:\n\n![fall wellness routine salad](https://assets.workingal.com/fall_wellness_routine_ed99f16354.webp)\n\n- Base: Dark leafy greens (spinach, arugula, kale—whatever's on sale)\n- Protein: Rotisserie chicken, canned beans, hard-boiled eggs, or nuts\n- Fall element: Roasted butternut squash, apples, pears, or roasted sweet potato\n- Crunch: Pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or crispy chickpeas\n- Creamy element: Avocado, goat cheese, or tahini\n- Simple dressing: Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper\n\nThe genius part: Prep components on Sunday (roast vegetables, hard-boil eggs, wash greens) and mix-and-match throughout the week. No thinking required, just assembly.\n\nWhy it works: This formula ensures you get protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins in one meal. The fall elements satisfy seasonal cravings while the protein keeps you full and energized. Plus, having a go-to template eliminates the daily \"[what should I eat?](https://www.workingal.com/categories/food)\" decision that drains mental energy.\n\nMake it even easier: Many grocery stores now sell pre-cut butternut squash and pre-washed greens. Yes, it costs more, but sometimes convenience is worth the investment in your well-being.\n\n## Ritual #4: The Strategic Social Media Cleanse (Without Going Full Digital Detox)\n\nI'm not going to tell you to delete all your social media apps or do a [complete digital detox](https://www.workingal.com/articles/digital-detox). That's not realistic for most working women, and honestly, social media can be a source of connection, inspiration, and even professional opportunities.\n\nBut I am going to suggest a much more sustainable approach that can dramatically improve your mental health without disrupting your entire digital life.\n\n### The 3-Step Social Media Wellness Ritual\n\n![fall wellness routine social media detox](https://assets.workingal.com/fall_wellness_routine_e55772f277.webp)\n\n1. The Evening Cutoff: No social media after 8 PM. Use this time for reading, skincare, conversations with people in your actual life, or just mindless TV that doesn't require engagement.  \n\n2. The [Morning Delay](https://www.workingal.com/articles/i-stop-scrolling-in-the-morning): Don't check social media until after you've completed your morning routine. This prevents starting your day by comparing your behind-the-scenes to everyone else's highlight reel.  \n\n3. The Weekly Audit: Every Sunday, unfollow three accounts that make you feel bad about yourself and follow three that inspire or educate you. This gradually transforms your feed into something that actually adds value to your life.  \n\nWhy it works: These boundaries protect your mental space during the most vulnerable times (first thing in the morning and right before bed) while still allowing you to stay connected and informed. The weekly audit ensures your social media consumption becomes more intentional over time.\n\nThe fall connection: Use the extra evening time to embrace cozy fall activities—[reading by lamplight](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-books-that-every-working-gal-should-read), trying [new recipes](https://www.workingal.com/categories/food), or having actual conversations with friends and family.\n\n## Ritual #5: The Sunday Reset That Sets You Up to Win\n\nSunday anxiety is real. That creeping feeling of dread about the week ahead, combined with the pressure to meal prep, clean, and somehow transform yourself into the organized person you think you should be by Monday morning.\n\nInstead of trying to overhaul your entire life every Sunday, focus on three simple actions that create calm and momentum for the week ahead.\n\n### The 20-Minute Sunday Reset\n\nMinutes 1-5: Quick [tidy of your most-used spaces](https://www.workingal.com/articles/10-things-you-should-get-rid-of-your-house). Not deep cleaning—just clearing surfaces and putting things back where they belong.\n\nMinutes 6-10: Check the weather and lay out clothes for Monday. This eliminates one [decision](https://www.workingal.com/articles/decision-fatigue) from your morning and ensures you'll feel put-together even if everything else goes wrong.\n\nMinutes 11-15: Write down three things you want to accomplish this week (not everything, just three) and three things you're looking forward to. This creates focus and anticipation rather than dread.\n\nMinutes 16-20: Do something purely for enjoyment and [mood boosting](https://www.workingal.com/articles/laughter-good-mood)—light a candle, make tea, call a friend, or listen to your favorite song. End the reset ritual with something that brings you joy.\n\nWhy it works: This ritual addresses the practical aspects of weekly preparation while also nurturing your emotional well-being. It's long enough to make a real difference but short enough that you'll actually do it consistently.\n\nFall enhancement: Use this time to embrace seasonal rituals—light fall candles, play cozy music, or set out your favorite fall tea blend for the week.\n\n## The Science Behind Small, Consistent Actions\n\nHere's what wellness influencers don't tell you: the research overwhelmingly shows that small, consistent actions are more effective for long-term health and happiness than dramatic lifestyle overhauls.\n\nA study published in the [Journal of Health Psychology](https://journals.sagepub.com/home/hpq) found that people who made small, manageable changes to their daily routines were 40% more likely to maintain those changes after six months compared to those who attempted major lifestyle transformations.\n\nDr. Sarah Johnson, a habits researcher at Stanford, explains: \"The brain loves consistency and abhors dramatic change. When we try to implement too many new practices at once, our cognitive load increases and our willpower depletes, making us more likely to abandon everything.\"\n\nThis is why these five rituals work—they're designed to slip seamlessly into your existing life rather than requiring you to become a completely different person.\n\n## Making It Work in Real Life: Troubleshooting Common Obstacles\n\nLet's address the elephant in the room: even simple wellness rituals can feel overwhelming when you're juggling work deadlines, family responsibilities, and the general chaos of adult life. Here's how to troubleshoot the most common obstacles:\n\n\"I forget to do them\": Link each ritual to something you already do consistently. The morning moment occurs while coffee is brewing. Hydration is tied to afternoon coffee. The [salad](https://www.workingal.com/articles/salads-of-the-month) formula is your default lunch option.\n\n\"I don't have time\": These rituals are designed to take minutes, not hours. But if even that feels overwhelming, start with just one. Master the 2-minute morning moment before adding anything else.\n\n\"I feel guilty when I miss a day\": [Perfection](https://www.workingal.com/articles/perfectionism-at-work-how-to-manage-it-and-increase-your-productivity) is not the goal—consistency over time is. Missing one day doesn't negate the benefits of the other six days you did remember.\n\n\"They feel too simple to make a difference\": Simple doesn't mean ineffective. Often, the most profound changes come from small actions repeated consistently over time.\n\n## The Compound Effect of Wellness Rituals\n\nHere's the beautiful thing about these simple practices: their benefits compound over time. The morning mindfulness moment improves your stress response, which in turn makes you more likely to make healthy food choices, resulting in increased energy, and ultimately, a greater likelihood of maintaining your evening social media [boundaries](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-and-preserve-boundaries).\n\nWithin a month of implementing these rituals, most women report feeling more in control of their days, more connected to their bodies, and more intentional about their choices. Within three months, these practices often become so automatic that they require no willpower or decision-making at all.\n\nBy next fall, what feels like conscious effort now will simply be how you live. And that's when wellness stops being something you do and starts being something you are.\n\n## Your Fall Wellness Action Plan\n\n![fall wellness routine action plan](https://assets.workingal.com/fall_wellness_routine_bc2ef9d21a.webp)\n\nReady to get started? Here's how to implement these rituals without overwhelming yourself:\n\n**Week 1:** Choose one ritual that appeals to you most and commit to it for seven days. Don't add anything else yet.\n\n**Week 2:** If the first ritual is feeling natural, add a second one. If not, keep practicing the first one.\n\n**Week 3-4:** Continue building, but remember—it's better to do two rituals consistently than to attempt all five sporadically.\n\n**Month 2:** Evaluate what's working and what isn't. Adjust timing, locations, or specifics to better fit your life.\n\n**Month 3:** These should be starting to feel automatic. This is when you can fine-tune and add seasonal variations.\n\n## Wellness That Works With Your Life\n\nThese five fall rituals aren't about becoming a different person—they're about becoming a slightly more intentional version of yourself. They work with your schedule, not against it. They enhance your existing life rather than requiring you to build a completely new one.\n\nYou don't need to [wake up](https://www.workingal.com/articles/this-is-when-you-should-wake-up-every-day-if-you-want-to-be-happier) an hour earlier, spend hundreds on supplements, or completely transform your daily routine. You just need to choose practices that fit into the life you're already living and commit to them one small step at a time.\n\nFall is the perfect season for this kind of gentle, sustainable approach to wellness. The energy of the season naturally supports nesting, nurturing, and preparation. Use that energy to build practices that will serve you not just through the changing seasons, but through all the seasons of your life.\n\nThe goal isn't to have the most impressive wellness routine. It's to have one that actually works—for your schedule, your energy levels, and your real, beautifully imperfect life.\n\n","fall-wellness-rituals","fall wellness rituals, working women wellness, realistic wellness rituals, fall wellness practices for busy women","5 realistic fall wellness rituals that fit into busy schedules. 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