Redefining Self-Care: A Real-World Series for Real-Life Humans
When you hear the words self-care, what comes to mind?
A bubble bath? A fancy smoothie? Maybe some overpriced candles?
Here’s the truth: self-care isn’t about luxury—it’s about survival.
It’s not something you earn. It’s not selfish. And it doesn’t have to cost a dime.
At The Headway Project, we believe real self-care is about meeting your basic needs with compassion, not perfection. So this week, we’re breaking it down in a way that makes it actually doable.
On Monday we talked about how self care is more than just bubble baths and spa days. Yes, bubble baths are great. But so is brushing your teeth. Or saying “no.” Or resting without guilt.
Self-care is anything that helps you restore, not escape.
✨ Real self-care is:
Setting boundaries
Going to therapy
Getting enough sleep
Noticing your needs—without judgment
🗣 Ask yourself: “What do I need today, and how can I meet that need with kindness?”
Day 2 of our series covered Physical Self Care and tending to our body’s basic needs. You don’t have to turn into a gym rat to care for your body. Here are five facts highlighting the positive impact of our physical health on our mental well-being.
5 Simple Truths About Physical Health & Mental Health:
Sleep deprivation can mimic anxiety and depression
Dehydration affects focus, mood, and energy
Moving your body releases feel-good chemicals (even if it's a 5-minute stretch)
Hunger and blood sugar crashes affect emotional regulation
Small wins (like flossing or standing up to stretch) = confidence + stability
🎯 Start simple: Drink a full glass of water. Take a few deep breaths. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier.
Download our FREE “26 Simple Things to Boost Physical Health” Checklist NOW!
Day 3 of our series will cover Emotional Self Care and making space for our emotions, not ignoring them or trying to “fix” them.
Suppressing your feelings doesn’t make them disappear—it just buries them deeper.
Try this instead:
Naming what you’re feeling
Writing it out
Crying (yes, it's self-care)
Talking to someone who listens without trying to fix it
💭 You’re not “too much.” You’re human.
Download our “Name It to Tame It” emotion regulation activity NOW.
Day 4 of our Self Care series discusses Mental Self Care and clearing space to think, rest, and refocus.
Your brain has tabs open, notifications pinging, and a never-ending to-do list. Here are some ways to help clear your brain of that clutter:
Journaling
Doing a brain dump
Taking a screen break
Unfollowing that account that makes you feel bad
Reading something just for fun
📦 Clear the clutter so you can hear yourself think.
Day 5 of our series looks at Social Self Care and surrounding yourself with people who respect your boundaries, affirm your worth, and support your growth.
We’re wired for connection so making and keeping healthy connections is essential to our mental health.
Some ways to care for our social health are:
Saying no to draining relationships
Asking for help
Making time for laughter, not just logistics
Sending a friend a funny meme as a check-in
🌱 You’re allowed to be independent and need community.
Finally, Day 6 of our series will discuss Self Care as a Lifestyle, not an easy fix.
Self-care isn’t something you pull out when you're on the verge of burnout.
It’s a daily practice—woven into your habits, your choices, and your self-talk.
Start small. Be consistent. And most of all, be compassionate.
💡 Self-care isn’t about becoming a different person.
It’s about returning to yourself.
Final Thoughts
If no one’s told you today:
You deserve to rest. You’re allowed to take up space.
Your needs are not a burden.
🧡 This series was created to remind you of that—one small habit at a time.
Want to Go Deeper?
Check out our printable self-care checklists, mental health tools, and guided journals at TheHeadwayProject.com
And don’t forget to follow along on social media for more daily encouragement.
Why Connection Matters More Than Ever
The Power of Connection: Friendship & Kindness Activities That Truly Work
We all want our children to feel included, understood, and confident. But for many kids, building friendships and navigating social situations can be tough—especially in new environments like school, summer camp, or after a move.
That’s why I created the Friendship & Kindness Printable Bundle—a heart-centered collection of engaging activities designed to help children build meaningful connections while learning empathy, self-awareness, and communication skills.
Benefits of Friendships for Children with ADHD
1. Boosted Self‑Esteem & Confidence
Engaging in shared hobbies like sports, art, theater, or martial arts helps kids develop skills and make friends—giving their self-esteem a major lift additudemag.com+15additudemag.com+15additudemag.com+15.
Strong friendships—especially even just one close bond—can reinforce confidence, emphasizing, “friendships are not a luxury; they’re a necessity” proceduresonline.com.
2. Enhanced Social & Emotional Skills
Friendships present natural opportunities to learn key competencies like sharing, turn-taking, flexibility, empathy, and perspective-taking additudemag.com+3additudemag.com+3additudemag.com+3.
Through social interactions, kids practice managing impulsivity—like learning not to interrupt—helping them gain essential self-control proceduresonline.com.
3. Increased Resilience & Coping Strategies
Social skills training and close peer bonds act as protective tools against teasing, bullying, and low mood additudemag.com+11proceduresonline.com+11en.wikipedia.org+11.
Friendships improve emotional well-being by lowering risks of anxiety, loneliness, and depressive feelings .
4. Improved Mental Health
Having close friends is linked to increased happiness and stronger mental health .
High-quality, stable friendships help shield against psychological issues and school dropout rates en.wikipedia.org.
5. Better Social Adjustment
Letting children play with slightly younger kids or those with gentler social interactions supports social confidence and smoother integration additudemag.com+15additudemag.com+15additudemag.com+15.
Friends from similar-interest group settings create easier social environments for learning social norms and smooth peer interactions .
6. Academic & Behavioral Gains
Peers can model appropriate behaviors—like sharing or listening—that kids with ADHD may not pick up naturally additudemag.com+9additudemag.com+9additudemag.com+9.
Encouraging cooperative schoolwork partnerships supports both social development and academic resilience.
In Summary
Friendships provide children with ADHD more than just companionship—they’re a lifeline to growth. Through the unwavering support and opportunities friends bring, children can:
Build stronger self-confidence
Develop critical social and emotional skills
Gain protection against stress, loneliness, and bullying
Reinforce academic and behavioral strengths
Even a single meaningful friendship can spark significant progress. As ADDitude notes, “having one close friend is enough to develop self-confidence”
That’s why we created the Friendship Skills Camp Workbook—a heart-centered collection of engaging activities designed to help children build meaningful connections while learning empathy, self-awareness, and communication skills.
What’s Inside?
This printable pack includes:
✅ Friendship Conversation Starters
✅ Kindness Scavenger Hunt & Challenges
✅ Loving-Kindness Mindfulness Card
✅ Friend Fact Files & Birthday Calendars
✅ Coloring Sheets & Creative Prompts
✅ Interactive Sorting Activities
✅ Mini Books for Reflection
✅ … and so much more!
Each activity is thoughtfully designed to be age-appropriate, inclusive, and easy to implement—perfect for classrooms, therapy sessions, homeschool settings, or family bonding time.
Who Is This For?
These printables are ideal for:
Teachers creating an inclusive classroom
Parents supporting social skills at home
Counselors or therapists working on emotional regulation
Camp leaders or after-school educators building connection
Whether you're prepping for Back to School, supporting a shy child, or simply encouraging more kindness in your home or group, these tools work wonders.
Ready to Start?
👉 Grab the complete printable bundle here.
And start building a culture of kindness and connection—one smile at a time.
Plan It, Feel It, Live It: Your New Mindful Growth Partner
Ready to make real progress without the pressure of perfection? Meet the Making Headway Journal & Planner — your new favorite tool for mindful growth and goal setting.
Some days you’re on top of your goals. Some days you’re just trying to remember where you put your coffee. Either way, your journey matters — and it deserves tools that meet you where you are. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce the Making Headway: Self Improvement Journal & Planner — created to help you organize your goals, honor your emotions, and celebrate every small step along the way.
If you’re looking for a planner that does more than keep your schedule in check—something that helps you take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing—we’ve created the perfect tool. Introducing the Daily TEACH Planner + Journal — This isn’t your average daily planner. It’s a powerful mental health tool grounded in our signature TEACH model, helping you stay centered, organized, and emotionally in tune.
What is the TEACH Model?
TEACH stands for:
• Thoughts – cognitive check-ins & reframing
• Emotions – processing how you feel
• Attention – building focus & reducing distractions
• Connections – nurturing your relationships
• Health – tracking sleep, hydration, movement, & more
Each day our planner rotates through one of these five core areas, helping you stay balanced and intentional with your energy.
What You’ll Find Inside:
• Daily thought prompts and journal space
• Easy mood and sleep tracking
• Coping strategies and wellness tips
• Space to reflect on progress and set small goals
• Encouragement for your emotional and mental wellness journey
So, what makes this journal different from all the others?
✔ Scientifically Backed Structure
Created by therapists who understand real-life growth (hello, setbacks and all!), this planner walks you through a step-by-step approach to building a better mindset.
You’ll find daily prompts, weekly reflections, and space to track your wins—because yes, even the small ones count.
✔ Interactive QR Codes
Need a little extra guidance or inspiration? Just scan the QR codes throughout the journal to unlock exclusive online content, helpful tools, and deeper insights. It’s like having a mini coach in your pocket!
✔ Pre & Post Self-Assessment
We start with a snapshot of where you are—and check in at the end to celebrate how far you’ve come. It’s powerful to see the growth in real time.
✔ Mindfulness Meets Productivity
This isn’t just about checking off boxes—it’s about being present. Learn to tune into your thoughts, emotions, attention, relationships, and physical health through journaling that’s thoughtful and actionable.
✔ Beautifully Crafted Design
Let’s be honest—a journal that looks and feels good makes you want to keep using it. Ours is thoughtfully laid out, easy to use, and crafted with care so you’ll enjoy every page. (Not to mention our team is made up of ADHD’ ers!)
We even created a community for our Making Headway Planner/Journal Family! It’s a space for encouragement, goal setting, messy progress, and celebrating the wins (big and small). A place to connect with others who are growing right alongside you! We hope the Making Headway Journal & Planner Community becomes a space where your dreams feel a little closer and your heart feels a little lighter. (You will get a link to join the group when you get your planner!!)
SO, If you’ve been waiting for the right time to start…. this is it.
There’s no perfect way to grow. There’s just showing up — one day, one breath, one page at a time.
Click below to grab your copy — because the best kind of growth starts from exactly where you are.
Get the Making Headway Self Improvement Journal and Planner HERE
Let’s build better habits, one page at a time.
Hop Into Mindful Fun with Our Easter Workbook for Kids
Social-Emotional Learning Meets Springtime Fun
Spring is the season of new beginnings—and there’s no better time to help kids grow their kindness, friendship skills, and emotional awareness. At The Headway Project, we’ve created an Easter Workbook for kids in K–2nd grade that blends fun and learning in a playful, purposeful way.
What Makes This Workbook Special?
We go beyond the usual coloring sheets. This activity book includes:
• Lessons on what makes a good friend
• Interactive games that teach kindness, turn-taking, and empathy
• Social scavenger hunts to build peer connection
• Emotional vocabulary activities using Easter eggs and creative cut-outs
• Calming coloring pages, mazes, dot-to-dots, and tracing exercises
Everything is created with early learners in mind—offering opportunities to practice fine motor skills while engaging in activities that support positive mental health.
A Parent-Approved, Counselor-Loved Resource
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or school counselor, this workbook is a gentle way to bring emotional learning into your Easter celebrations. It’s screen-free, printable, and full of meaningful moments you can share together. So this spring, give kids a chance to hop into friendship, understanding, and fun.
Click Here to Get the K-2nd Easter Activity Book
Click Here to Get the Upper Elementary Easter Activity Book
Happy Spring from all of us at The Headway Project!
The Power of Reading
Since this week was Read Across America week and Dr. Seuss’ birthday was March 2nd, this week, we explored the many benefits of reading in our social media posts. There are so many things to love about this simple yet powerful habit. Whether you’re flipping through a novel before bed or sharing a favorite children’s book with your little one, reading has a way of improving our minds, emotions, and even our relationships. Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the key takeaways from our posts this week.
1. Reading Reduces Stress and Boosts Mental Health
One of the biggest benefits of reading? It helps calm the mind. Research shows that just six minutes of reading can lower stress levels by up to 68%! When we shared this fact, many of you resonated with how a good book can transport you away from daily worries. Whether it’s fiction, poetry, or even a self-help book, reading gives our brains a break from stress and helps us reset emotionally.
2. Reading Builds Stronger Connections
In one post, we highlighted how reading together—especially with kids—can strengthen emotional bonds. Shared reading time fosters communication, creates special memories, and even improves a child’s emotional intelligence. Many parents in our community commented on how reading bedtime stories has become a cherished routine in their home. And honestly, is there anything better than snuggling up with a book at the end of a long day?
3. Reading Improves Focus and Cognitive Skills
In today’s fast-paced digital world, our attention spans are shrinking. But here’s the good news: reading helps strengthen focus, problem-solving skills, and memory. We loved hearing how some of you use books as a way to disconnect from screens and refocus your mind. Even just 10-15 minutes a day can help train the brain to concentrate better!
4. Reading Inspires Personal Growth
One of our favorite discussions this week was about how books can inspire self-improvement. Whether you’re diving into a mindfulness guide, a book on parenting, or a novel that shifts your perspective, reading encourages growth. Many of you shared how certain books have helped shape your mindset or guided you through tough times. That’s the magic of reading—it meets you exactly where you are and helps you move forward.
Final Thoughts: Keep Turning the Pages!
It’s been such a great week discussing the power of reading with all of you. Books have the ability to teach, heal, and connect us in ways nothing else can. Whether you’re reading for relaxation, knowledge, or connection, keep making time for it—you’re doing something amazing for yourself and your loved ones.
What book are you currently reading? Let us know in the comments! And if you haven’t picked one up in a while, this might be the perfect weekend to start.
Happy reading!
The Ultimate Self Love & Mindfulness Bundle: Your Guide to Self Compassion & Inner Growth
The Ultimate Self-Love & Mindfulness Bundle: Your Guide to Self-Compassion and Inner Growth
Have you ever felt like your inner critic is louder than your inner cheerleader? Do you struggle with negative self-talk, perfectionism, or simply prioritizing yourself? If so, you’re not alone—and it’s time to change that. Introducing The Ultimate Self-Love & Mindfulness Bundle, a powerful, printable toolkit designed to help you embrace self-compassion, challenge negative thoughts, and build mindfulness habits that support your well-being.
Let’s dive into what’s inside and why this bundle might be the missing piece in your self-care journey!
Why Self-Love Matters More Than Ever
Many of us were taught to be kind to others but never learned how to be kind to ourselves. We push through exhaustion, criticize our mistakes, and ignore our own needs. But the truth is:
✅ Self-compassion is not selfish—it’s essential.
✅ Your thoughts shape your reality—kind ones create a healthier mindset.
✅ When you treat yourself with love, you build resilience, confidence, and emotional balance.
If you’ve ever thought, “I want to practice self-love, but I don’t know where to start,” this bundle is for you.
🌟 What’s Inside the Self-Love & Mindfulness Bundle?
This comprehensive toolkit is packed with guided exercises, challenges, and worksheets to help you build self-compassion, mindfulness, and a more positive mindset.
✨ Here’s what you get:
✅ Self-Compassion Guide – Learn what self-compassion is, why it matters, and how to use it daily.
✅ Self-Compassion Journal Sheet – Reflect on your thoughts and emotions in a gentle, supportive way.
✅ 30-Day Self-Compassion Challenge – Build new habits with simple, actionable steps every day.
✅ Reflection Worksheet – Dive deeper into your personal growth and self-awareness.
✅ Breathwork Fact Sheet – Discover how to use your breath to reduce stress and ground yourself in the moment.
✅ Mindful Listening Exercise – Strengthen your connections by being fully present in conversations.
✅ Positive Self-Talk Exercises (2) – Learn how to quiet your inner critic and replace negativity with empowering affirmations.
✅ Mindfulness Exercises (3) – Practical techniques to bring calm and clarity into your daily routine.
✅ Gratitude Wheel – A simple way to shift your focus to appreciation and joy.
✅ Positive Affirmations (2 Pages) – A collection of powerful affirmations to boost self-worth and confidence.
✅ STOP Technique Guide – A powerful tool to pause, question, and reframe negative thoughts and emotions.
✅ Mindfulness Coloring Pages (3) + Quote Coloring Sheets (2) – Engage in creative self-care while reflecting on inspiring quotes.
📌 BONUS: Join the exclusive Facebook group for guided support, motivation, and community as you complete the 30-day challenge! (Optional)
💡 Who Is This Bundle For?
✔ Anyone struggling with self-doubt or negative self-talk.
✔ Parents juggling responsibilities who forget to prioritize themselves.
✔ People with ADHD who need structured, gentle self-compassion tools.
✔ Anyone looking to build self-love, mindfulness, and emotional resilience.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your self-love journey or looking to deepen your practice, this bundle meets you where you are.
🛍️ How to Get Your Self-Love Bundle
We offer two options so you can choose the level of support that’s right for you:
1️⃣ Self-Love Bundle (Digital Download) – $8.00
✔ Instant access to all printable materials
✔ Perfect for self-paced learning
2️⃣ Self-Love Bundle + Facebook Support Group – $16.00
✔ Everything in the digital bundle PLUS
✔ Exclusive access to a private Facebook support group
✔ Guided encouragement through the 30-day challenge
✔ Community support, additional tips, and Q&A
🔗 Click here to grab your Self-Love Bundle now!
💬 What People Are Saying
⭐ “I’ve always struggled with self-criticism, and this bundle gave me real tools to change my mindset. The 30-day challenge was life-changing!” – Sarah M.
⭐ “I never realized how hard I was on myself until I started using these journal prompts and exercises. This bundle helped me practice self-love in a way that finally made sense.” – Danielle R.
⭐ “I loved the mindfulness activities and breathwork guide—so simple, but so effective! Highly recommend.” – Jason T.
💛 Ready to Start Your Self-Love Journey?
It’s time to stop waiting for permission to treat yourself with the kindness and care you deserve. This bundle is your step-by-step guide to self-love, self-compassion, and a healthier mindset.
👉 Choose yourself today. Grab your bundle and start your journey!
🔗 Get the Self-Love & Mindfulness Bundle Now
📥 Have questions? Drop a comment or DM me—I’d love to help!
#SelfLove #Mindfulness #SelfCompassion #PersonalGrowth #MentalWellness #ADHDAwareness #SelfCareMatters
Self Compassion isn’t selfish!