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The Goodbye – AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER <3

We're closing our doors. This is the final goodbye to our beloved retail brand. Thank you all for the past 5+ years. <3

Learnings – WEEKLY FOUNDER REFLECTION

An excerpt from our Weekly Founder Reflections: an email series from our founder, Rachael, about the ins and outs of building a progressive self-care brand today.

Toolkit – INHALE & EXHALE YOUR WAY TO GLOWING SKIN

Science says breathing can improve your skin. Here's the why and the how.

Sounds – SOUNDS FOR MENTAL WELLBEING

Inhale, exhale. Your newest soundscape to support your mental wellbeing is here. Curated by Sammy James - one of our absolute favourite Naarm-based yoga and meditation teachers.

Learnings – INDUSTRY INSIGHTS #2: WHAT IS A BEAUTY PRODUCT?

A look into the evolution of the beauty product, exploring the expansion of the product category, practices and rituals that support us in feeling beautiful today.

Learnings – WHY YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE?

With the mind-body connection and the very real impacts stress, anxiety, and perils of modern-life on the body, looking after our minds regularly, intentionally, and proactively should be a foundational element of our beauty routine.

Learnings – THE ROAD TO DISRUPTING BEAUTY

The 10-month journey that led to our shift into Beauty, as told by our Founder, Rachael Akhidenor

Learnings – INDUSTRY INSIGHTS #1: WHAT IS A SELF-CARE PRODUCT?

Welcome to Industry Insights – a look into the industry insights we found on our path to Disrupting Beauty. First up, an exploration into self-care products.

Learnings – WHAT IS PSYCHODERMATOLOGY?

At the intersection of psychology and dermatology, this field of medicine uses mental and emotional wellbeing practices to address, manage and treat various skin conditions.

Sounds – SOUNDS FOR FINDING PLEASURE

Sensual, soulful, pleasure - Our latest playlist, brought to you by one of Naarm’s most beloved DJ’s, Adriana has been intentionally curated to bring pleasure into our everyday.

Toolkit – HOW TO FIND PLEASURE THROUGH EVERY SENSE

Learn how to embrace the full potential of our senses to ground us in the present.

Toolkit – A SELF CARE GUIDE TO FINDING PLEASURE IN YOUR EVERYDAY

It’s easy in our modern world to be fixated on the future. But we all know somewhere deep, deep down that this is just a fallacy. Here are our tips to find pleasure, joy, and contentedness in the here and now.

Learnings – WHY EMBRACING PLEASURE IS AN ACT OF DEFIANCE

Embracing pleasure is an act of defiance. When we seek pleasure (over work, capitalism, the patriarchy), we are affirming our value. So, welcome pleasure. Make time for play. Embrace your worth. Seek your own happiness. And watch your self-confidence, self-acceptance, and self-love grow.

Sounds – SOUNDS FOR SLOW LIVING

Smooth, slow and just a little bit jazzy, our latest playlist is ready to ease you into that Slow Living state-of-mind. Use this set of songs to tune in, and provide a backdrop to the slowness of your day. Waiting for the kettle to boil. Walking to the grocer. Curling up with a good book.

Toolkit – SMALL WAYS TO LIVE SLOWLY

New to slow living and not sure where to start? Here's a few small, thoughtful actions to gently ease you into a slower pace of life. Sift through, feel how they resonate, and discern what works for you.

Toolkit – HOW TO SLOW DOWN (AND NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT)

Slow living isn't *just* about taking out your annual leave for a 3 week stint on a sunny, tropical holiday. It's about embedding moments for yourself throughout your day-to-day routine. Here's your dose of inspiration on how you can start living a little slower, without feeling guilty about it.

Learnings – WHAT IS SLOW LIVING?

'Slow living.' We say we want it. We say we need it. But do we know exactly what it entails? Learn about how we can benefit from this less-is-more attitude, and be inspired to take steps to implement it into our daily lives.

Toolkit – HOW TO UPLIFT THE WELLBEING OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU

Emily Coogan writes that "loving thy neighbour can be an act of self-care." But what does this actually look like? It turns out that whether you opt to phone a friend, or aim to be more present in your day-to-day interactions, putting this theory in to practice is a simple, effective way to ensure we're looking out for one another. In this piece, Emily delves into the importance of practicing collective wellbeing, and generously breaks down some how-to's on getting started.

Sounds – SOUNDS TO SHARE

Upbeat, energising and refreshing, our latest playlist 'Sounds to Share' has been carefully curated by Naarm-based DJ, C.FRIM. Push play when you're in the mood for a midday pick-me-up. Or perhaps use it to score your next gathering with a bunch of your favourite humans.

People – ARE WE TRULY WELL IF ONLY ONE OF US IS WELL? HOW SELF-CARE IS REALLY COLLECTIVE CARE

At Self Care HQ, we’ve been forever fascinated with the connection between our inner and outer worlds. How looking after ourselves helps us better look after others. Our founder, Rachael, explores this new brand value - providing the foundations for its existence, the importance of it being more widely considered, and the beneficial impact it can have on the world around us.

Toolkit – UNDERSTANDING NATURE'S CONNECTION TO SELF-CARE

We're not strangers to nature. We are nature. But far too often, we neglect to let this fact influence our regular self-care rituals. Tanesha Atkinson reminds us that we didn't come into this world, but rather, came out of it. Drawing on connection to Country and reinvigorating our senses by getting outdoors, she shares how this knowledge can reshape and realign the way we care for ourselves.

People – ONLY HUMAN INTERVIEW SERIES: THARINDU

In the Only Human video series we navigate all of the messy, beautiful moving parts that make us, us. This week, Tharindu speaks to his aversion to commitment, his experience of casual racism, the compliments that have stuck with him and the little things that move him towards warmth.

People – ONLY HUMAN INTERVIEW SERIES: SEVARA

It's that time of the week again. We're exploring resilience, boundaries, and kindness with Sevara in our Only Human Interview Series.

Toolkit – WHAT IS GROUNDING?

We know that humans share a symbiotic relationship with the earth, even though we don't always hold up our end of the bargain. But the healing benefits of energy transferral from the earth are relatively understudied. So, we asked Emily Coogan to dive deep into the practice of recharging through nature, AKA, grounding.

People – ONLY HUMAN INTERVIEW SERIES: RAHMA

Unpack with us. This week we sit down with the lovely Rahma to discuss themes around friendship, contentment, progress and privilege in our Only Human Interview Series.

People – ONLY HUMAN INTERVIEW SERIES: BENJI

We're back with another episode in our Only Human Series. This week we're leaning into feelings of love, rejection, joy and hurt with Benji.

People – ONLY HUMAN INTERVIEW SERIES: CHARNNIE

Ready for your weekly dose of self-reflection and connection? Meet Charnnie. The ever effervescent third guest of our Only Human Interview Series.

Sounds – SOUNDS TO FREE THE MIND

Created to help liberate your mind from its worries, anxieties, or just classic overthinking. Specifically curated to move you into a space of joy and liberation, this playlist for whenever your mind craves a mood shift, as you're waking up, or when you need a pick me up.

People – ONLY HUMAN INTERVIEW SERIES: SHIU

It's time to lean in and get a little person. Meet Shiu - the beautiful and endearing second guest who sat down with us and self-explored as part of our Only Human Video Series.

People – ONLY HUMAN INTERVIEW SERIES: SAM

It's time to lean in and get a little personal. We sat down with people in our community and asked them questions that explore all sides of themselves, both the light and the shadow. This week, we meet the beautiful, Sam.

Toolkit – 5-MINUTE MEDITATION YOU CAN DO ANYWHERE

We know meditation can be a little daunting especially if you're new to the practice. So we asked Mindset & Alignment coach Sejin Gunaradis to create a 5-minute meditation that you can do anywhere.

Learnings – THE BASICS OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

We asked Naarm / Melbourne-based Yoga teacher, certified Ceremonial Cacao Facilitator and certified Sound Facilitator, Ashleigh Dickinson to give us the down low of all things mindfulness meditation.

Learnings – WHY IS IT SO HARD TO RELAX?

'It’s absurd to think that the only times I feel it is valid to lean into being still for longer than just a fleeting moment between work and play, are during two contrasting states of being. So, what’s keeping us from embracing rest as a part of our everyday routines instead of saving it strictly for when we think we absolutely need it?'

Sounds – SOUNDS FOR SWEET DREAMS

For slowing down. For setting the mood. For putting yourself first. For investing in rest. Sounds like what you need? Sounds for Sweet Dreams. Curated by @samantharewild

Spaces – SENSE OF SELF: A PLACE TO REST YOUR MIND

You've probably heard of Sense of Self, a bathhouse sanctuary in Melbourne’s inner north. Providing an antidote to what’s come to be known as 'wellness', their beautiful space explores the notion that "idleness is essential to activity". We spoke to Co-Founder, Freya Berwick to learn more about it.

Toolkit – HOW TO ACTUALLY FIND REST THIS SPRING

Reading a book in the local park? A promise to yourself to wake with the sun? For a lot of us, spring can usher in a revival of sorts. Learn how we can choose and prioritise the perfect rest and relaxation rituals for spring with Dr Jo Mitchell, Director and Co-founder of The Mind Room.

Sounds – SOUNDS FOR SELF-DISCOVERY

Our first Self Care Sounds playlist 'Sounds for Self-Discovery' is live on Spotify. Carefully curated by our Self Care Originals team, it’s the perfect soundtrack to your morning walk, coffee, or journaling session. Tune in, tune out, lean in and discover yourself.

People – AN INTIMATE LOOK INTO MON BARTON'S BEDROOM

Now more than ever, our bedrooms are our very own sacred, personal sanctuaries. For Melbourne creative, Mon Barton (aka. @mons.monday), her bedroom is a space that directly reflects the qualities she needs amongst the chaos of life.

Toolkit – 5 JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR SELF-DISCOVERY

Grab a pen and paper, or open the Notes section of your phone and get ready to discover and explore your values. Spend as much or as little time as you like on each prompt.

People – WHO THE F*** AM I?

We’ve all had that 'Who the f*** am I?' moment. For Ben Ilobuchi, it’s realising that "there aren’t ‘dumb ones’ or ‘smart ones’ or ‘cool ones’, everyone is a mish-mash of everything and it all comes out in different environments and different ways."

People – 5 WAYS TO INCORPORATE SELF-CARE INTO YOUR BUSY DAY

We asked Genevieve Phelan, one of the busiest writers we know, for her top tips for restoring herself when her brain feels like it's working overtime.

People – A SELF-CARE REMINDER FOR EVERY DAY

Fun fact: Self Care™, as you know it, all started with one conversation that our Founder, Rachael Akhidenor had with a friend in 2018. A part of creating a revolution and movement that makes self-care inclusive, is about making it accessible. So here are Rach's self-care reminders: one for every day of the week.