Sometimes running an enterprise at a small or mid-level can be more than enough to make an impact on your industry, offer something new, manage tens of thousands of happy customers/clients over the years, and give yourself the financial freedom you’ve always wanted.

Of course, the very real risks involved with business planning can put some people off, and that’s a value judgment each person has to make. For some, salaried life is much more dependable, and incorporates none of the financial risk. But with that in mind, if you have the inclination to, don’t let these common concerns stop you from striking out:

Insurance & Payroll

It can feel intimidating to learn how to implement business insurance for the first time, but have no fear! Many outsourced options allow you to integrate this at the modular level you need, making sure your baseline assets and liabilities are protected without leaving unattended-to holes. Moreover, payroll can also be outsourced if you have one employee, while outsourcing certain tasks will be conducted through invoices. Provided you pay tax on these transactions, you’re good to go, and services can always help with added bookkeeping.

Uncertainty About Market Demand

It’s quite impressive that in a world of interconnected online life, our “local market” doesn’t have to be the only market you target. It might be that you operate out of London, but people in Scotland seem to love your products most of all. This happens to many home businesses, as platforms such as Vietnamese seamstresses using Etsy might find a market for their goods in America, and vice versa. You never really can predict where your market will come, so be sure to promote yourself online and see how demand can shift!

Lack Of Business Experience

You don’t have to have experience helming many Fortune 500 companies to make a small business work. But if you have limited experience, or you only have employee experience, you might question yourself. Luckily, there are many excellent manuals, business advice columns, and even full explainers written by people who have been in your exact position. You don’t have to write an academic paper on this exercise, but there’s an online course, a blog advisor, a YouTube video, almost everything you need to learn smaller concepts to get started, like how to put together a unified branding presence and nail your writing copy. Knowing you have this background of potential can make a massive difference as you move forward.

With this advice, you’re certain to run your own business with confidence. Just give yourself the credit you need to begin with self-belief.

The post 3 Concerns That Stop Plucky Individuals From Running Their Own Business appeared first on InstantELLA.

The truth is that for a lot of women (and some men as well), that’s absolutely the case – they enjoy wearing makeup and the freedom and self-expression it offers. However, there are women who don’t see the point in wearing makeup because it’s time-consuming, difficult to get right, they don’t like how it looks, or they don’t feel it’s good for their skin, among other reasons. 

If that’s how you feel about makeup, don’t wear it. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t like something, don’t do it, especially when it’s something as unimportant as makeup (which, even if you love it, you have to admit is the case). 

Of course, knowing that you don’t have to wear makeup is one thing, but feeling confident not wearing it if it’s something you’re used to (even if you don’t like it) is something else completely, and with that in mind, here are some ways to feel confident without makeup to help you get started. 

Love Your Flaws

Sometimes, people wear makeup to cover up what they feel are flaws, which could be anything from scars to freckles – a flaw is basically any feature you think of as imperfect (and we all have them, no matter who you are). 

So instead of looking at these things as flaws, think of them as unique elements of you that make you who you are. Love them, and don’t be ashamed or afraid of them – when you get to that stage, you won’t feel the need to cover them up anymore. Remember, most of the time, the people around you – when they’re strangers, at least – won’t even notice you or look at you at all, even if it feels as though they are. In other words, don’t worry about other people and do what’s right for you because that’s what counts. 

Get Your Skin Looking Good 

Taking care of your skin can make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself without makeup – if your skin looks fresh and youthful, the last thing you’ll want to do is cover it up, and by putting a good skincare routine in place, you can ensure your skin does look great as much of the time as possible (there will always be days when it’s a little greasier or dryer, but that’s often to do with hormones and the weather, and it’s harder to regulate. 

Cleansing, moisturizing, and using sunscreen every time you go outside (not just when it’s hot) is vital and can really make a difference to how your skin looks. Another great idea is to go to a massage salon on a regular basis because that can ensure your circulation is improved and give your skin a youthful glow. 

Explore Subtle Enhancements

Sometimes, building confidence without makeup isn’t just about removing something from your routine — it can also be about thoughtfully adding things in. Whether it’s a new haircut, a shift in wardrobe, or a wellness treatment, small enhancements that align with how you want to feel can make a meaningful difference. For those interested in smoothing fine lines or enhancing their natural look, searching for Botox Near Me can be a subtle and effective way to feel refreshed. It’s important to explore what feels right for you and consult with professionals to find approaches that suit your preferences and lifestyle.

Think About Inner Beauty 

It might sound like a difficult thing to do or perhaps even something of a cliche, but the fact is that focusing on inner beauty is a much better option than focusing on external beauty, and it can help you feel a lot more confident to go out with no makeup on. 

Real confidence comes from knowing you’re doing good things and being as positive as possible. That means being kind to others, being compassionate, and having a positive attitude, among other things. If you can really shift your focus from how you look to how you act, you’ll realize that makeup isn’t important and you really don’t need it – although, of course, if you want to wear it, that’s fine too! 

Be Around Positive People 

Something else that can really help with your confidence and your self-esteem is to be around positive people as much of the time as you can – it really will make a difference, and it makes for a happier life all round as well. 

Look for the people who will lift you up and support you and who don’t feel it necessary to even comment on whether you’re wearing makeup or how your hair looks or anything else because it’s not important to them. They just want to be around you for who you are, and you can feel the same about them, which isn’t just confidence-boosting but freeing as well. 

Knowing that people like you for you will make you feel hugely confident, and makeup won’t even feature in your plans – think of the time you’ll save! 

The post How To Feel Confident Without Makeup appeared first on InstantELLA.

The truth is that insecurity is a normal part of life, and there are plenty of ways you can free yourself from the hold it has over you. However, there’s no one way to tackle this problem: moving past insecurity involves a holistic approach to your entire life. If this sounds daunting, don’t worry: it’s not as hard as it seems.  

Identify The Root of the Problem 

When you’re experiencing insecurity, it can be really hard to have a clear picture of the world around you. These feelings can cloud your judgment, perception, and self-image. That’s why it’s vital to find a way to take a step back, and find an objective view over your situation. Something, somewhere in your life, is causing you distress. Your job now is to pinpoint it. 

According to Psychology Today, there are three primary causes of insecurity. 

• Insecurity stemming from failure or rejection 

• Insecurity caused by social anxiety 

• Insecurity fueled by perfectionism 

Take stock of your life in an objective way, and ask yourself whether any of these three causes resonate with you. The fact is that there are tried-and-true methods for handling each one, so take comfort in the fact that insecurity isn’t a life sentence! There are ways to move past it by targeting the roots. 

While this approach is the most direct, there are other factors in your life that can make the problem far worse. Addressing them is central to a holistic approach towards tackling your insecurity. Let’s take a look at where you can begin. 

Take a Look At Your Routine 

Exercise, sleeping enough, eating healthy and drinking in moderation are all things that contribute towards reducing your insecurity. While it may not seem like your self-critical feelings are related to how much you slept last night, the truth is that the condition of our body dictates a lot of our emotional state. 

Simple habits for better mental health like these go a long way towards tackling anxiety. This involves a broad effort across many different elements of your life, but the fact is that this is key to tackling anxiety: a multi-front approach. You won’t get anywhere by changing only one thing. You have to take an active approach towards improving the quality of every part of your life. 

Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, bad habits accumulate and solidify. Once they do, it’s much harder to undo them. For example, exercising to prevent weight gain is far easier than exercising to achieve weight loss. Be proactive, get healthy, and kick those bad habits to the curb. You’ll find that your confidence and self-image will have improved considerably!

Pinpoint Negative People in Your Life 

We all know people who are seriously and unendingly negative. Often, they can’t help it! It’s as if complaining, criticizing, and groaning is built into their DNA. Their ability to turn any mundane event into a reason for fear and regret is almost impressive. There’s no two ways around it: avoid these people. 

Insecurity includes, in part, a defeatist outlook on the world. When you’re surrounded by people who constantly preach that life is terrible, and that nothing is worth doing, it can go to your head and make your struggle with insecurity a lot more severe. This is doubly true for those who can’t help but criticize you constantly – the serious effect of this behavior on your mental health is not something you should take lightly. 

However, what if you can’t walk away? Often those who drag you down the most are your very own family members, or a particularly cruel boss at your workplace. In these cases, you may simply have to confront them. For example, according to Lensa if your boss makes you feel incompetent, it’s important to stand up to him or her in a professional manner, even if it jeapordizes your employment! 

This is because putting your foot down about your boundaries and your mental health is vital. If standing up for yourself in a professional way means you may lose your job, then you’re probably better off finding a different place to work. When it comes to those who drag you down intentionally or unintentionally, they can’t be higher on your list of priorities than your own mental health. 

Take Care of Your Body 

While the real work that goes into tackling insecurity happens through changes to your mindset, habits, and environment, it’s important to find a way to embrace your physical beauty as well! Putting effort into the way you present yourself to the world is a great way to improve your self-esteem. 

Check out our article on 5 tips for a more confident you. Using some of these tricks, you can remind yourself that you are, in fact, beautiful! Simply feeling your beauty can help wash away insecurity, and strengthen the core self-image that gives you confidence. 

Find Perspective 

At the end of the day, remind yourself that insecurity is a normal part of life. Everybody experiences it, and often it’s simply a sign that there’s something in our inner selves or the world around us that we’d like to change. Instead of feeling resentful towards this negative emotion, think of it as a warning system that’s on your side. 

Insecurity is simply your brain trying to tell you that something doesn’t feel right. As soon as you feel it, look around at your life, and determine the problem. Once you do, it’s far easier to take steps towards fixing it. Insecurity isn’t something you need to fight, instead it’s a sign that there’s a battle to be fought elsewhere. 

The post 5 Tips for Tackling Insecurity appeared first on InstantELLA.

While I do agree that inner beauty is at the top of the necessities list, I also think it is important for women to feel beautiful in their own skin. There is nothing wrong with trying to be your best self and that includes looking your best. Here is a list of a few simple things to help you feel more radiant every day.

Hair

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As a rule of thumb sleeping with wet hair does not make for the easiest styling in the morning. If you need simple then I would suggest showering in the morning and then allowing the blowdryer and a small amount of product to do most of the styling for you.

Eyebrows 

Image Source

There is a huge push right now towards thick, perfectly sculpted eyebrows. While all of that is fine and good not all of us have time for that level of artistry in our daily makeup routine. Something simple for most women to do is get their eyebrows shaped at a salon and then keep up the shape by weekly tweezing the hair that grows outside the shaped brow.

Some ladies may prefer to wax their brows. The only problem with that is you have to allow the hair to grow in long enough to wax it off. If you just give yourself 5 minutes in the bathroom each week your brows will always look sharp and ready to go.

Teeth

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Do you wish your smile was more dazzling? There are a few options for obtaining that glowing grin that you’ve been searching for. Probably the simplest solution would be custom veneers. They help to quickly correct and brighten your smile. Another option, if you feel like being in there for the long haul, would be braces. This way you can have your permanently perfect teeth.

Teeth whitening is also a quick solution you can turn to for a brighter overall look. It only takes a week or so to start seeing noticeable results that will have you smiling at everyone you meet.

Lips

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A simple way to keep your face looking fresh and your smile looking clean are to avoid dry lips. Lip color is fun, but it doesn’t always fit the occasion. If you’re looking to just have a clean put together look than keep your lips moist. Chapstick works great on the go, but an extra shine from moisturizing lip gloss is a huge plus to a radiant smile.

Lashes

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A step that many women skip in their makeup routine is curling their eyelashes. This is usually for 1 of 2 reasons. First, they’ve heard some tragic story about a girl pulling all of her eyelashes out. A good way to avoid doing that would be to only curl your eyelashes when you are sitting on something stable. The second reason is that they just honestly don’t know how.

Curling your eyelashes opens up your eyes and makes your lashes appear thicker and longer. If you’re not sure how to properly curl your lashes then look up one of the many hundreds of tutorials on Youtube. It’s easy. It doesn’t take a lot of time. And it makes a huge difference in how open your eyes appear.

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A woman who feels beautiful in her own skin truly does stand out. Not because of the perfect lipstick or hair, but because her confidence and self-assurance are eye-catching. Do what you need to feel beautiful, and the people around you will be able to tell a noticeable difference.

The post 5 Tips for a More Confident You appeared first on InstantELLA.

Life is crazy and hectic most of the time, and it can feel like you are doing things for everyone and taking care of everyone else except maybe the most important person: yourself.

Taking care of yourself is something a lot of people put on the bottom of their list, putting everything else ahead of them. The problem with that is that by the time you actually get to the things that you need for yourself you will most likely be overly exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally.

And when this happens this exhaustion from not taking care of yourself and your needs can exhibit itself in negative ways such as being irritable, sick, or even through anxiety and depression.

Here are four ways to practice self-care today to make sure you are well-balanced in all that you do.

Take a break

Are you finding yourself overworked and constantly having way too much on your to-do list?

Part of self-care is understanding when you need to take a break and slow things down for a little bit. Take a break from social media and your phone for a while. Take a day or two off work, or get a babysitter and spend some time alone.

Doing these things will help to replenish and refresh you so you can go back to doing all the things you need to with more energy and gusto.

Make sleep a priority

Sleep And Your Health

Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health and can be an important part of self-care.

If you constantly deprive yourself of enough sleep it can cause some severe health issues, and somewhere down the line, you may find yourself visiting websites like tetoncancer.com because according to the National Sleep Foundation, not getting enough sleep can increase your chances of getting cancer.

Some things you can do are set a bedtime and make sure not to make any commitments that would interfere with it. Also, ask your spouse or family member to help out with kids when they can’t sleep at night so you can get sleep when you need to.

Fuel your body

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Eating healthy food is a great way to practice self-care, but it’s also good to allow yourself to indulge in the foods you love as part of self-care as well.

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Try your best to eat foods high in nutritional value like veggies, fruits, and lean proteins. But if you are craving something like chocolate or a cinnamon roll, allow yourself to enjoy those as well and treat yourself.

Avoid things and people that trouble you

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We live our lives surrounded by people, and sometimes those people can cause us stress, anxiety, and other issues.

When possible, try to remove the people and things that cause these emotions. Now if it is a case where you can’t necessarily do so because you work with them or maybe if they are a family member, make sure to only have interactions when necessary, and then to take a step back and have time and space away from them.

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Practicing self-care is an important part of your overall well-being and health, and it is not a selfish endeavor. Do what you need for you so you can continue doing what you need to for others.

The post 4 Ways To Practice Self-Care Today appeared first on InstantELLA.

So, why learn to sew?

Sewing offers many benefits beyond just being able to make your own clothes. Take a look!

Repairs

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Okay, so this kind of falls in line with making your own clothes. But being able to repair your own clothes is a huge benefit to learning to sew. You don’t have to throw your favorite pair of jeans out because the pocket started ripping. You don’t even have to mail them to your grandma to fix because you’ll be able to do it yourself!

A button pops off your shirt? Easy! Just grab some thread and a needle and sew that sucker back on.

Hand-eye Coordination

Learning to sew is like learning to write or learning to play a sport. Whether you sew with a needle in hand or with a machine, you need good hand-eye coordination to get a job done right. And the more you practice, the better you get at it! So learning to sew can help you increase your hand-eye coordination which you can use across many different hobbies.

Environmental Effects

27 Creative Sewing Crafts

If you really want to go green, then learn to sew. You’ll be able to repair your own clothes, as mentioned, and not have to throw them out. You can even upcycle your old clothes or clothes from thrift stores to fit you just the way you want them or turn them into something completely new! You could turn old t-shirts into a quilt, old towels into wash clothes, and torn jeans into a purse or skirt. The possibilities for recycling are endless and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint on your journey to learn to sew.

Social Impacts

6 Ways to Make Money Sewing

If you start sewing often and really enjoy it, you can take it a step further and join different sewing groups in your community. Or you can take classes in your community to improve your skills. You’ll meet new people who can help you along the way and probably even make a few new friends. Win-win!

Self-Esteem

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Our self-esteem is always improved when we feel like we are good at something. Learning to sew and doing it well, or even just finishing a project that you are proud of gives a great boost to your self-esteem. Developing talents and feeling productive always makes people feel better about themselves.

Therapy

Turn Your Hobby Into A Career

Sewing can be very therapeutic and stress-relieving for many people, especially if you get into a good rhythm with it. It calms the mind and body and helps you to relax and feel happier. Sometimes just doing something outside of yourself and focusing on the task at hand (like a sewing project) is all that is required for some much-needed stress relief.

Always Something New

6 Ways to Make Money Sewing

With sewing, like with most talents, there is always something new to learn – whether it’s a new project that you want to try or a new technique that you’ve been working on. You’ll never get bored because you can always try something new when you’ve mastered a technique or project type, continually improving and refining your skills.

Make Money

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If you feel that you are becoming a master seamstress and would love to make some money from it, try selling the things you make in the Facebook marketplace or on Etsy. Or if you don’t want to make your own things to sell but would love to do this for your job, look for a place like www.dwinc.org that does industrial sewing.

As you can see, learning to sew can do wonders for your emotional well-being and can become a lifetime skill that you can utilize whenever you need it.

The post 8 Benefits of Learning to Sew appeared first on InstantELLA.