10 Thing You Can Buy on Amazon to Make 2019 Better
We are three days into 2019, so by now you've probably broken most, if not all, of your resolutions, and that's totally fine.
New Year's resolutions are an invention created by Babylonians thousands of ago, and honestly they should have stayed in that era. In modern day, they're now usurped by gym brands and wellness products to body-shame and make people feel bad about not meeting unrealistic goals based on the arbitrary unit of measurement of 365 days.
So instead of setting yourself up for failure, why not soothe the burns of last year's toxic garbage with some retail therapy? Here is an incomplete list of things you can buy (on Amazon, because I'm a convenience-whore) that will boost your well-being in the New Year. no matter what your goals are. Don't shame yourself, treat yourself.
Plants
Did you know you can buy plants on Amazon? I didn't. But one thing I do know is that plants make you happy, according to science. Cognitive psychologists have thoroughly proven the psychic effects of nature on the brain, and when you see green in your everyday life, your brain sends out neurochemicals that lower your stress levels. Not to mention plants create oxygen and good smells in your apartment, which are also good things. I recommend snake plants and rubber plants, which don't require a lot of maintenance or sun, but a fiddlehead fig will also never disappoint.
Acid, Salt, Fat, Heat by Samin Nosrat and Wendy Macnaughton
Look, cooking is hard, I get it. Every year you put "learn to cook" on your list of New Year's resolutions, and you never pull through because you're scared to learn, or when you try to learn you totally fail, or all the terminology and measurements are too much to take in and the end result doesn't look anything like that time lapse chicken samosa video you saw on foodstagram. Samin is here to make things easy for you, teaching you the very best basics of cooking by breaking the culinary process into four basic categories. The first half of the book teaches, the second half gives you delicious and foolproof recipes, all illustrated by gay icon Wendy Macnaughton! You're in good hands.
A Rose Quartz Roller
It doesn't matter what your skincare goals are, everyone need this. To be honest I'm still not totally clear on what this thing does, but I love mine. So shiny, so pink. This gorgeous tool reduces the appearance of puffiness and wrinkles, and according metaphysics, rose quartz calms your heart chakra. Plus, it stays cold at room temperature, so when you roll it across your face, it feels like an instant spa. Try it with some rosehip oil or a gentle serum.
Fire Cider
Juice cleanses are almost always a scam -- an overpriced alternative to the original cleanse, which is shots of apple cider vinegar. This amped-up version of a centuries-old tradition can be taken straight up, or added to your favorite sauces and dressings. The effects of vinegar shots are many, but simply put: you'll avoid illnesses and help your digestive tract with each and every spicy pound-back.
A Nice Water Bottle
You know what else is better than juice cleanses? Water. And most people don't drink enough of it, myself included. Water helps energy, digestion, skin, weight-loss, body temperature -- everything! Encourage yourself to get your eight glasses a day by buying a very fancy water bottle. Everytime you need to drink water but don't feel like it, "Ooo, pretty water bottle." Simple psychology.
Scentered Aromatherapy Sleep Balm
Getting a good night's sleep is perhaps one of the most important but also most disregarded things you can do for your everyday well-being. But if you deal with insomnia, or just have a hard time turning off that problem-solving mechanism inside your brain like me, aromatherapy might do the trick. With different aromas to choose from, a dab of this balm to your pulse points, neck, and wrists will help relax your mind and body before hitting the hay.
Papaw Ointment
Oh no, another balm. As an earth sign, I love all balms and can't help it. But regardless of your opinions on balms, this is one I know you need. Made from the pawpaw, a fruit native to Australia, this magical ointment can be used for boils, bruises, burns, cuts, pimples, wounds, eczema, and so many other date-ruiners. But even if you don't have any of these skin maladies, simply applying it every now and then to your lips, cheeks, T-zone, and eyelids will leave you with that healthy, lucious glow you've been liking on those beauty bloggers.
Bulletproof Unfair Advantage
To be honest, I'm weary of recommending a supplement because there is no prescribe-all vitamin, protein, or rare Cameroonian bee pollen that will be a bodily fit for everyone. Your body is a very specific machine and everyone has different needs and deficiencies to amend with supplements. Bulletproof, which is a protein and coffee brand popularized as the post-workout caffeine fix, has created this energy shot that gives you a quick burst of energy without the jittery caffeine vibe or the crash after. Stay clean, focused, and ready for anything at the cellular level -- literally! This shot helps support your cells and mitochondrial health.
The Pocket Pema Chodron
If you are reading this article right now on Out.com, you are likely gay. If not gay, maybe queer or trans. I bring this up because queer and trans people historically have an aversion to organized religion and practices, and well, I'm about to recommend a religious thing. If you don't know a lot about Buddhism, you may not know that it's often regarded as less of a "religion" and more a philosophy. The teachings and tiny aphorisms of Pema Chodron, who is basically the Oprah of the Buddhist world, are worth reading over and over again. It's also pocket-sized so you can read uplifting and centering messages from your purse while you wait in line at the post office, or other stressful places.
A Good Portable Charger
Please stop showing up to bars, restaurants, and people's houses asking if you can borrow a phone charger. No seriously, it's embarrassing. Not to mention, your phone is perhaps the greatest tool you have to manage your everyday life, so running out of juice is not an option. This super light, super compact phone charger is the one you've been looking for, and it doesn't cost a jillion dollars. Plus it comes in a few cute colors.
