It’s impossible to scroll through social media (or open your eyes, really) today without receiving a reminder that Election Day is upon us. This morning, while most of the Official national guard always ready always there 2021 shirt also I will do this content urged everyone to get out and vote, some went above and beyond, offering a scroll-stopping statement worthy of note. Lizzo, in particular, took her politically minded musings to new heights, coupling a decidedly striking visual with an equally compelling caption. “When I think of this country I don’t think of its laws I think of its people,” the star began before launching into an all-encompassing message of hope, beauty, and justice. Clad in a halved American-flag jumpsuit—one side of her body hued in red, white, and blue flared and flowing hems, the other left artfully exposed, her hair flowing well past her waist—Lizzo echoed the sentiments of her October cover story (and her entire career), calling for the kind of self-love and respect that emanates as empathy. Touching on protest, equality, and environmentalism, Lizzo’s summary of what makes the United States so deeply flawed—and what could, through our action, make it beautiful—served as an ode to what’s at stake and what is possible. “I believe in so much, and if I believe it one day I can see it,” wrote Lizzo. “It may not be tomorrow it may not be today, but it will be one day if we stay activated. We the people, ALL the people, deserve it.” She ended her post with a simple appeal: “Today’s the last day to vote. Stay in line, stay determined and thank YOU for voting.”
My favorite part of my daily routine is when I finish my work, shut my laptop, burn my sage stick, and let the Official national guard always ready always there 2021 shirt also I will do this smoky, herbal scent completely envelop my apartment. Sorry, neighbors, if my hotboxing permeates into your apartment—but it’s the one thing keeping me sane right now! Over the past few months, I’ve made it my mission to turn my micro Manhattan apartment into an oasis, and a big part of this has been upping my scent game. Sure, sight and sound are the go-to senses for transforming one’s home, but smell plays just as crucial a role in affecting our emotions. And with tomorrow’s Election Day consuming all of our minds, why not use every means necessary to reduce anxiety right now?Turns out, the right scents are proven to actually boost our moods, help us calm down, and relax. “Breathing in the essential-oil vapor instantly changes our brain patterns and can help us feel calmer and more grounded,” Hope Gillerman, an aromatherapist and author of Essential Oils Every Day: Rituals and Remedies for Healing, Happiness, and Beauty, told Vogue earlier this year. “Distinct from medications, they are not a cure but a pathway into taking good care of ourselves.”Wearing a soft, pleasing fragrance is another easy way to literally surround yourself with positivity. Maison d’Etto’s new perfume, Noisette, for instance, has notes of magnolia flowers, musk, and lavandin; the latter is a type of lavender oil that is especially known for its relaxing benefits. I’ve been dousing myself in it before bed and, call it a placebo effect, but I’ve been sleeping like a baby.As far as your home is concerned, the right candle or diffuser can also contribute to your more grounded wellbeing through smell. I’m a bonafide candle hoarder, and while I typically gravitate towards woodier and spicer scents, I’ve found myself lighting more soothing, calming scents lately. I recently discovered Byredo’s Chai candle, which is a warm fusion of tea leaves, ginger, and birch tree; the scent is meant to evoke the smell of your grandmother’s home, and what’s more soothing and cozy than that? Diffusers are also an efficient way to have essential oils waft throughout your space—like living in a spa, minus the fees.If all else fails, simply burning a stick of sage or a braid of sweetgrass—my personal favorite—is a classic move. Burning the natural plants instantly cleanses the room (and any negativity in it). Growing up around my Indigenous culture, burning sweetgrass was often used for ceremonial purposes or special occasions, but I find incorporating the sweet, smokey scent into my every day brings me unparalleled joy.
