Creating your own essential oil blends can be a great way to develop your intuition and improve your emotional (and physical) wellness.  Blending essential oils can seem to be an intimidating task!  Perhaps you've gotten yourself a starter kit or you've collected essential oils that you feel drawn too, but you're not sure how to blend them to get the best emotional and/or physical benefits.  Well....let's get you on your blending way.

 I've share quite a few seasonally specific blending guides as well as an in depth look at traveling with essential oils but this post is all about helping you create your own blends for your own needs.  Below is the exact way I started to learn about blending essential oils and I can't wait to share it with you.  You can also find some information on using essential oils topically here.  Check out all the essential oils posts on the blog here.  Let's get started.

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Read the full blog post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/09/beginners-guide-to-blending-essential.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

Sometimes our spiritual practices might weird people out.  Why do you have all those rocks? people ask.  What's all this stuff on this table? they'll say.  Often as their picking items up and turning them over in their hands.  Keeping a discreet altar - whether in your home, office, or dorm room - can have an array of benefits with out having to explain things to curious folks.  Though, I am always down for it personally...it can be kind of distracting.

Creating an altar in your personal space is important.  Whether it is for ritualistic practices or a place for peace and meditation, we often don't want to have our personal spaces invaded or feel odd for having them in the first place.  Keeping a discreet altar space can be perfect for those still in the broom closet or those who share a common space - like a shared apartment or dorm room, or for a more intimate office setting.  Personally, I have a big ol altar at home in my spare room that I don't care if anyone sees but when it comes to keeping somethings on my office desk - for personal power, calming vibes, and just all around comfort - I choose to do something discreetly that doesn't even seem like an altar at all!

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Read the full blog post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/09/how-to-create-personal-altar-in-shared.html

Ostara Dollar Tree DIY :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/02/make-it-monday-diy-dollar-tree-ostara.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

Becoming a better person.  That's what we all want to do with our lives, right?  We want to be the best versions of ourselves.  We're now quite far into the year and may have found that our goals haven't shaped out the way we thought they would have.  This could be good or bad...but we don't have to wait until the new year to start bettering ourselves!  In fact I think there are 3 times in the year we can start ourselves anew - January at the new year, March/April at the Aries New Moon, and September when we're used to going back to school.

September has always had the air of a fresh new start - we've got fresh pencils, notebooks, and sneakers, the leaves are slowing turning and nature moves into a new phase.....its just a very magical time of freshness. Plus we'll have Samhain in October which is known as the Witches' New Year. So the Fall in general can be a time of change - to shed the old and prep for the new!

We don't have to upend our whole lives to work on personal development.  Nor do we have to feel pressured to change our entire beings to be these better, fantasy versions of ourselves.  Personal development is a journey where the only person you need to be better than is the person you were yesterday.  It's not a journey of comparison or defeat, its a journey of betterment.  So, here are 10 ways to begin your personal development journey.

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Read the full blog post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/09/10-ways-to-begin-your-personal.html

Mindful Morning Routine :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2017/05/my-mindful-morning-routine.html

Post on Visualization :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/03/four-tips-to-get-started-with.html

Post on Self-Deprecating Behavior :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2017/08/mindful-journey-why-i-stopped-being.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

Ever since I've gotten really (and I mean really) into this planner thing others have said "I think I'd like a fun planner like that but I'm not really that busy"  Well I'm here today to tell you that, once, I felt the same way.

I'd been blog planning (or creating an editorial calendar) for quite a while and so my planner really started out as a way for me to keep track of that but it evolved into so much more.  Sometimes, it's not necessarily for making plans but four housing all of the things I think about.  So I think of my planner as less of a planning tool sometimes and more as an organizational tool.  When I have an idea I write it down there.  Then I know where I've written it down and it doesn't get lost.  I can also keep all my thoughts organized - I used to have a ton of sections in my planner but now, not so much!  It can be a brain dump area for me, a place to future plan, and place to make sure ideas are organized.  Anything I ever need to know is in there and that's really why I like it.

Here are three reasons you need a planner, and you don't even know it!

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Read the full blog post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/11/3-reasons-why-you-need-planner-you-dont.html

Writing Actionable to do lists :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/09/how-to-write-actionable-to-do-lists-and.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

I was sick for like 3 weeks or so, so when I tried to get back to the grind of blogging and creating other content I had a bit of a struggle.  Thought I've created a content calendar outline (click here if you want to read about my OG blog planner!) and that's helped me get back in my routine, sometimes I still feel a little stuck. When I feel this way there are a few things I like to do to get my full mojo back.  I work with existing content I've created and I interact with content that I love hoping to spark inspiration within myself!  Sometimes I just need a little push.  So I hope that these 6 tips help you to get back into your groove:

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Read the full blog post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/11/boost-your-blog-6-productive-things-to.html

Authentically gaining Instagram followers :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2014/08/four-ways-to-gain-followers-likes-on.html

Social Media stickers :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2016/01/free-printable-social-media-tracking.html

Canva image tutorial :: https://youtu.be/a8U9uYh06EY

Creating Pinterest Friendly Images :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/search?q=creating+Pinterest+friendly+images

Boost Your Blog Articles :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/search/label/boost%20your%20blog

Bloogging eBook at the end of the blog post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/11/boost-your-blog-6-productive-things-to.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

Over the last few years I've taken it upon myself to develop a spiritual practice.  It's been a priority of mine to dive deeper into my authenticity and outline exactly what I believe & why I believe it.  In fact, I used to not like the term spiritual or spirituality because it leaned too close to religious for my liking.  But as I've grown through a few things in the last year or so I've realized that personal development and spirituality have become almost synonymous for me.  My personal development has been enhanced by my understanding of many woo woo things.

Today I want to share with you three spiritual practices that the modern, self reflective babe should get behind.

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Read the full blog post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/12/top-spiritual-practices-modern-babe.html

Cultural Appropriation in my Communities :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2017/07/cultural-appropriation-in-my-communities.html

Essential Oil blog posts :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/search/label/essential%20oils

Tips for Creating Diffuser Blends :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/09/beginners-guide-to-blending-essential.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

One of the very first spells I did when I started exploring witchcraft, paganism, and all around woo woo things was a candle spell.  Then the next spell I did was another candle spell!  Then I got away from candle magic and focused on a few different things.  In the last year or so I haven't done too much spell work but as we move into our new house I'm ready to focus more on my practice/craft so I think I'm going to jump right back in with the simplicity of candle magic!

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

How to Use the Moon Phases for Self Development :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/06/how-to-use-moon-phases-for-self.html

All Essential Oils blog posts :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/search/label/essential%20oils

4 Ways to Cleanse your Space :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/07/three-ways-to-cleanse-your-sacred-space.html

All Tarot blog posts :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/search/label/tarot%20cards

My Favorite Tarot Decks :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/05/current-favorite-oracle-tarot-decks.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

About 2 years ago I became a brand new mom.  I was immediately thrown into a whirlwind of a crying baby, sleepless nights, raging hormones, and the struggle to communicate with my partner.  I honestly have never been the person I was in those first few weeks.  It was scary for me.  Being thrust into motherhood is something I thought I was prepared for but I totally wasn't. For some mothers, motherhood comes easy.  And that is great for them!  For others its a couple week long train wreck of survival.  Neither of these is wrong.  If you fall somewhere in the middle, that's not wrong either.  There was once a time that I confessed to my mother that I regretted doing this, I didn't want to be a mom any more, and I wanted it to stop.  Postpartum was hard.  Postpartum IS HARD.  As someone on the other side of a time I thought would never end (and now dealing with a sleep regression) I wanted to share with you the things I've learned that have kept me sane.

TRIGGER WARNING : I talk about postpartum anxiety, trouble coping with being a new mom, breastfeeding troubles, and the like.  If this is something that is triggering to you please do not listen to this episode.  If you are feeling anxiety and not yourself around being a new mom, please consult your doctor or care provider.

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Read the full blog post here :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2019/12/top-five-survival-tips-for-new-moms.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

Let's start this off with the punch line - at my 2 week postpartum check up I was down 10 pounds.  By my 4 week postpartum check up I was down 20 pounds total.  To a lot of people that sounds great, right?  Personally, I was at the lowest weight I'd been in a long, long, long while.  But being 20 pounds down wasn't cause for celebration.

I'd lost 20 pounds in a month because I flat out wasn't eating.

Today, we're going to talk about that.

TRIGGER WARNING - I do talk about diet, diet culture, eating, breast feeding, postpartum anxiety, and the like.  Pls do not listen if this is triggering for you.  I also want to say I do use the word 'women/woman' a lot in this episode.  I am a cis woman and this is my personal experience I am recounting.  However, I do know these feelings can apply to any birthing person and do not want to discount or diminish anyone's birthing experiences.  So many different types of people bring life into this world and it is beautiful and it is hard.  In this episode I just hope to share with you that you're not alone.

- Show Notes -

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) :: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!

If you've ever been super envious of those perfectly styled blog photos you see all over Pinterest, I've got the solution for you!  You don't have to spend a butt ton of money to build your library of styling props you just need a keen & creative eye. First off, make sure you have a rough idea of your blog's style.  You can start by understanding and creating a style guide and creating a brand board of inspiring images over on Pinterest.  When you do this you're less likely to say 'hey that looks nice!' to something that may not fit in with your blog's (or other social media outlet) vibe.  Understanding the vision of the posts your write and the presence you want to create will help you say yes to better photo props.

- Show Notes

Download the corresponding planner insert for this episode in 5 planner sizes over on Patreon :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Boost your Blog Articles :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/search/label/boost%20your%20blog

Understanding/Creating a Style Guide :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2016/03/boost-your-blog-what-is-style-guide.html

Spring Decor Dollar Tree DIY :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2018/02/make-it-monday-diy-dollar-tree-ostara.html

Scene Creators (affiliate links)

- The Hungry Jpeg

- Creative Market 

- Etsy

-Design Bundles.

Creating Graphics in Canva :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8U9uYh06EY

Creating Graphics in PicMonkey :: http://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2017/07/make-it-monday-branded-blog-image.html

Sign up for the newsletter and get the ebook in this post :: https://www.fivesixteenthsblog.com/2020/02/boost-your-blog-6-places-to-find-photo.html

Thank you to the episode sponsor Achor.fm!  I decided to launch this podcast on Anchor (using mostly my phone!) because it seemed easy and it was free.  And it hasn't disappointed me.  So download the app or visit Anchor.fm to get started. Don't forget to subscribe & share the podcast!

Find me on Patreon + Printable of the Month Club :: https://www.patreon.com/MoeHoward 

Instagram :: http://instagram.com/fivesixteenths 

YouTube :: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoeHoward516

Thank you for listening!