Authentically Nita

Valentine’s Day is a special time to celebrate the bond between two people in love. If you’re looking for some ideas to enjoy with your significant other, there are plenty of ways to make it extra special without leaving your home. Here are just a few ideas that will make this year’s celebration unique and unforgettable. Create an Indoor Picnic An indoor picnic is a fun and creative way to spend quality time with your partner while getting cozy inside. Put together a spread of delicious food and drinks, grab a blanket, and find a spot in the living room or bedroom to set up the picnic. The important thing here is to set the scene so the mood will be just right. Add some candles or fairy lights and flowers around the area to make it extra romantic. Select the right mood setting music, or pick a movie you'll both enjoy. Have a Wine & Cheese Game Night Set up a romantic charcuterie board with cheese, crackers, nuts & fruit and pair it with wine or sparkling juice (whatever sui

Too often, we think of romance as something that only women want and need - sending flowers, holding hands, saying sweet nothings. But men want to feel connected to and loved by their partners too! Loving gestures can look different for each person but being romantic doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes the simplest things can make all the difference in making your man feel loved and appreciated!  Photo by Keira Burton Here are six things you can do to make your man feel loved: 1. Show Interest in His Thoughts and Feelings   Men love it when the woman in their life takes an interest in their thoughts and feelings. Ask him questions about his day, his hopes and dreams, his innermost thoughts and feelings. Genuinely listen to his answers without judgement or criticism. 2. Give Him Your Undivided Attention When He's Talking It’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget to show our partners that we are fully present when they talk to us. Show your man

Do you know what the problem is with being a self-sufficient, middle-class woman with a restraining order in her hand?  You're on your own.  That is the problem. Photo by Ron Lach Domestic violence affects women of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Unfortunately, however, many middle-class women are not getting the financial support they need when it comes to domestic violence. People often don’t think of middle and upper class women as being victims of abuse because they are the women who appear to have it all together. These are the women who may have gone to college and have a career. They are also the SAHM, with the beautiful house and the lovely family; the hard-working husband. You see them out in the world and they look like they are thriving. But, whatever the narrative, assuming people's picture perfect lives means that they can't be domestic violence victims is simply unfair. There are different types of abuse and many women that are in a higher income bracket are fo

When you're in a relationship, it's natural to have disagreements and arguments. But if your partner is consistently treating you badly, or if the relationship has become toxic, then it may be time to reassess the situation. In this blog post we'll discuss seven signs that suggest you're in a toxic relationship and provide advice on when it's time to leave. Photo by Timur Weber 1. He doesn't respect your boundaries. If your partner is constantly pushing the boundaries of what makes you feel comfortable, then this should be seen as an immediate red flag. This could mean disregarding how much physical contact you want to have, or trying to control how you spend your time and who you spend it with. 2. He insults or belittles you regularly. No one deserves to be insulted or belittled by their partners, especially not on a regular basis. If your partner is constantly putting you down or making derogatory comments about your looks or intelligence, then this is not ac

Divorce is never easy, and for many of us, it can be a particularly painful experience. When we take our vows with the intention of spending forever together, it can be difficult to accept when things don’t go as planned. It can be even more difficult to come to terms with what life looks like without that person in it. In dealing with my own divorce I found it very difficult to accept that my life was not going to be how I had envisioned it at this age. I felt let down, and that made me angry. Getting over my divorce has been a process. Not getting over my Ex, I was over him. But, getting over the disintegration of my marriage, that was a different story. To those out there who are still struggling to make peace with their divorce, this blog post is for you. Photo by Austin Guevara Grieving Your Loss When a relationship ends, even if it was the right decision and the best thing for both parties, there is still loss involved. You have spent years of your life with this person as a par

Self-love is the act of loving oneself. It involves accepting yourself and having high expectations for your own happiness and well-being. Over the last few years, I have been on a journey of self-love and it has been full of ups and downs. But, it has been worth every minute because I am now in a healthier place mentally, physically, and emotionally. I think it is important that as women, we recognize what love is and what it isn't. Learning how to love yourself is a great place to start that journey, because loving yourself will attract healthier relationships with others. Photo by Loe Moshkovska My Self-Love Journey I started my self-love journey with small steps — setting boundaries for myself, being mindful when making decisions, practicing positive affirmations each day, taking care of my physical body through exercise and healthy eating habits. These are all things that I had to work on within myself before I could start expecting anyone else to treat me differently or bette

The Law of Attraction is a positive mindset philosophy that encourages us to focus on what we want, instead of what we don’t want. The law states that whatever we focus on will come into our lives. So, if you focus on negative thoughts, negative experiences will come into your life. On the other hand, if you focus on positive thoughts and experiences, those things will manifest in your life as well. But what exactly is it and how does it work? Here are some basic fundamentals to answer those questions. Photo by Min An What is The Law Of Attraction? The Law of Attraction is based on the idea that we have control over our own lives and our own destinies. Basically, it states that whatever you think about most often and focus on, will start to manifest in your reality. If you’re constantly thinking negative thoughts and focusing on what you don't want in life, then those negative things will start to happen in your life. However, if instead you focus on what you do want and only think

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Do it with grace?” Many of us have experienced moments where we had to hold our chin up and face a situation that felt uncomfortable or difficult. We should not let those moments tear us down, or make us hard. We should choose to live with grace instead. Living with grace means having the ability to face life’s challenges with poise, elegance, humility, and forgiveness. It is about finding the beauty in life despite the negativity around us. Even when things seem bleak or uncertain, when we live with grace we are able to see the silver lining.  Here are some tips for living with grace and ease despite the challenges you may face in life. Photo by Ogo 1. Find Your Center When facing a challenging situation, take a deep breath and find your center. This will help you remain grounded in the present moment so that you can make decisions from an informed place rather than from a place of reactivity or fear. Take your time to assess the situation and determin

Infidelity is one of the most difficult ordeals a couple can face. If your spouse or significant other has cheated on you, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the decision of whether to stay, or leave. While there is no single answer that applies to everyone, there are some important questions you should consider before deciding what’s best. Photo by Liza Summer How Serious Was His Cheating?  The first question to ask yourself is how serious the infidelity was. Was it a one-time mistake, or was it an ongoing affair? Was it physical or emotional? Answering these questions can help you determine whether this was merely a momentary lapse in judgement or something more serious that could indicate deeper issues in the marriage. If his cheating was a one-time thing, then perhaps it’s something that can be worked through together with counseling and communication. However, if his cheating was part of an ongoing pattern, then this could be an indication of deeper problems for which counseling ma

In life, it can be easy to take the things we have for granted. We often get so busy that we forget to take a moment each day to recognize and appreciate all of the blessings in our lives. Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to bring more joy into your life. Here’s why you should make time every day to count your blessings and live with gratitude. Photo by Kristina Paukshtite The Benefits of Gratitude Gratitude has been proven to help people sleep better, reduce stress levels, boost happiness, and even increase self-esteem. Studies show that expressing gratitude increases positive emotions and strengthens relationships with others. It also creates a sense of purpose and helps us stay grounded and focused on what really matters in life. When we practice gratitude, it can help us see situations from a different perspective and look for silver linings even when times are tough. It helps us focus on the good instead of becoming overwhelmed by the bad. Taking time each day to appreciate

Along with time and money, energy is one of your most valuable resources. And if you're a professional woman, it's a resource that's most likely in short supply. With the myriad number of professional and personal tasks you need to accomplish, while taking care of your family, you have very little - if any - energy left over for you. It's easy to understand your dilemma. Energy is defined as "having the internal or inherent power or capacity to act, operate or produce an effect." Mental, physical and emotional energy is the fuel that drives your creativity, your thinking and your ability to take action. Energy drains limit your capacity to act and create. They also deplete the inspiration and motivation that is such a crucial part of a complete and balanced life. Here are the top 5 sources of energy drain I see most often in my clients' lives, as well as some suggestions for how to eliminate them. Energy Drain #1: Keeping Details In Your Head, Instead Of I

Have you ever felt scared of being alone? It’s a common fear many of us have. We worry that if we take time to be by ourselves, we won’t find love or value in our lives. But what if it was the opposite? What if spending time alone can actually make us stronger and more confident in ourselves? Let’s take a look at how embracing loneliness can help boost your self-confidence. Photo by Thiago Alencar Benefits of Being Alone Being alone means you get to spend quality time with yourself. This is something many people forget to do, but it’s essential for self-care and mental refreshment. When you are alone, you can focus on yourself, your dreams and passions, instead of worrying about other people or trying to please them. You can also practice mindfulness and meditation which will help relax your mind and body while clearing away any negative thoughts that may be filling up your headspace. By being alone, you also get to discover yourself better! This is an opportunity for self-discovery as