15+ Ways to Practice Self-Love in Quarantine

Hello beautiful!! If you’re new here, let me first introduce myself! I’m Candace, a boudoir photographer based in Dallas, Texas.  I love helping women see their God-given beauty through boudoir photography. As you can imagine, right now during the coronavirus pandemic that’s a little difficult. However, though we’re in quarantine, I want to remind ladies how important it is to continue taking care of ourselves! Here’s some ideas for ways we can fill our minds with peace rather than being riddled with anxiety, boredom, & loneliness. Some of these resources are free, some are not. Most are being provided by Dallas women, some are not. All of this is a great way to stay in community even if you can’t get out. I’ll be updating this post with additional resources as I come across them. Enjoy!!

1. Affirmation Coloring Books These stress-relieving, adult coloring books all have tons of pages filled with uplifting messages. Bring a little positivity back into your life while you color!
   • Book 1 (Free)
   • Book 2 ($6.99)
   • Book 3 ($6.27)
2. Art Classes One way to get out of headspace filled with anxiety is to create. Here’s some fun online art classes!
   • Oil & Cotton (based in Dallas, offering virtual classes) Cost: Varies
   • Brit & Co Cost: Varies
   • Skill Share Cost: Varies
   • Creative Live Cost: Varies

3. Self-Love Pinterest Board
Check out our brand-new self-love Pinterest board for daily affirmations you can download to boost your confidence & so much more! Cost: FREE

4. Vibrant Living & Inspired Confidence
Minneapolis-based Confidence Coach Dorothy Inez Del Tufo is a member of the Beautiful You Studios community that I originally met 10 years ago in Savannah, Georgia. Her bubbly, light-filled presence gives you joy just being around her. As a life coach, she helped me gain the confidence to pack up my car & move across country to Dallas knowing no one. She regularly does lives where she hosts various speakers in her Facebook group to help women learn how to push out fear, anxiety, & self-doubt while bringing in confidence. Be sure to check out her group linked above! Cost: FREE

5. Life Revised, PLLC
Dallas-based Michelle Palacios is a licensed professional counselor who’s part of the Beautiful You Studios community. She provides cognitive behavioral therapy via video to help manage depression and anxiety. She’s more than a good listener, you will learn skills like how to change your thoughts and behaviors to help you change how you feel. She’s also a life coach that helps people to finally feel successful in getting what they want out of life. You can sign up for a free 15 minute consult to see if she would be a good fit for you on her website. Cost: Varies

6. Lift a Sister Up: Daily Inspiration Posts Dallas-based author, speaker, & photographer Jo Davis is a member of the Beautiful You Studios community & runs Lift a Sister Up where she posts daily inspirational quotes on Facebook to lift your spirits. Be sure to follow her page at the link above!

7. Confidence Audiobooks Did you know? Many local libraries will allow you to listen to audiobooks virtually for free. All you need is a library card. Download the Libby app & away you go! If you’re wondering what to read, here’s a list; note that I haven’t had a chance to read any of these books yet myself, but I’ve heard good things:

• Captivating by John Eldridge
• Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
• The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance–What Women Should Know by Katty Kay
• The Confident Woman by Joyce Myer
• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
• The Self-Love Experiment: Fifteen Principles for Becoming More Kind, Compassionate, and Accepting of Yourself by Shannon Kaiser

8. Inspirational Videos

• Change The Way You See Yourself & Reach Your Potential by Ashley Graham
• 5 Self-Love Habits That Changed My Life by Carrie Rad

9. Therapeutic Yoga
Provided by AP Counseling and Yoga in Dallas by licensed therapist & yoga teacher Angela Prior, these trauma-sensitive classes utilize a variety of therapeutic methods to deliver treatment and support for anxiety, trauma, disordered eating/eating disorders, depression, body image, perfectionism, self care, addictions and more. Cost: Varies, see website

10. Zumba
Provided by Sonrisa Palmer Lopez, a certified Zumba Fitness Instructor, these high-energy dance classes are sure to get your blood pumping & the sweat moving! Follow her Facebook page linked above for more info. Cost: Donations welcome

11. Fitness, Food, & Community
Christine Finklea & Mary Kathryn Loomis are part of the Beautiful You Studios community & owners of the Facebook group Barbelles Before Brunch which exists to connect women from all over DFW. They meet up for a different workout and fitness events followed by a shared meal together! During the coronavirus pandemic, they’re continuing to promote health & community by posting free workouts that are quarantine-friendly (i.e, with things you have around the house), along with healthy recipes. Cost: FREE

12. Workout Classes
GRIT Fitness is a Dallas-based gym created just for women. This is where I used to go to get my workouts on before the coronavirus pandemic! During this time they’ve converted to being an online gym & are offering a wide variety of daily workout videos. These classes don’t require equipment & include everything from Dance Club Cardio to Body Sculpt & Yoga. Cost: $49/mo

13. Virtual Makeup + Selfie Class
I am going to be hosting a virtual makeup & selfie class in the very near future! If you’re going to work virtually & doing Zoom calls, or just hanging out with friends on Facetime, this class will be a fun way to learn not only tips & tricks on how to do your makeup for the camera, but also how to get a great selfie since you can’t come to us at this time. Must RSVP in advance. Details will be provided in our Beautiful You Studios community in the near future; go join it now if you’re not already a member! Cost: FREE

14. Mary Kay Satin Hands
During this quarantine, we’ve all been washing & sanitizing our hands like crazy which probably means they’re starting to feel like sandpaper. If you’re wanting softer hands, check out Mary Kay’s Fragrance-Free Satin Hands. This three-step, spa-like treatment revitalizes and rejuvenates the look of hands so they feel renewed and instantly look healthier. The link above will take you to my Mary Kay store where you can purchase it online.

15. Color Street Nails: Home Manicures Made Easy
Dallas-based nail stylist Cheryl Massey is part of the Beautiful You Studios community and offers Color Street Nails. These beautiful nail strips require minimal tools to get a quick & easy, professional-looking manicure so that you can make sure your nails still look great, even if your salon is closed. Check out the link above to see all the beautiful colors available! Cost: Varies

16. Book a boudoir shoot. One of the most powerful ways to practice self-love & feel beautiful is by booking a boudoir session. When you book, you’ll also be helping a great cause; 10% of all profits during the entire year of 2020 will be going to support those in the Beautiful You Studios community who are currently out of work. We’re quickly filling up May, June, & July spots so go get yours now!