How A 21-Day Writing Challenge Can Help Unlock Your New Year Goals

Jess Ekstrom
Jan 08, 2021

When Brit + Co asked me to be a coach for their first installment of Selfmade, I thought it could be a fun way to give back and share what I'd learned over the past eight years since launching Headbands of Hope.

But I had no idea how much more I was going to get from it.

Let me give you a little backstory. When I was in college, I interned at a wish granting organization and realized that kids who lost their hair to chemotherapy loved wearing headbands after hair loss... but they were only given wigs and hats. So in 2012, I launched Headbands of Hope: for every headband sold, one is given to a child with an illness.

To date, we've almost donated 1 million headbands to kids with illnesses all over the world.

It's been a pretty incredible ride, but I'll admit, I was starting to forget what it felt like to be a beginner. When you're running a multi-million dollar business and taking care of employees and doing a bunch of legal stuff, the spark of starting a business can feel like it's in the rearview mirror.

Enter Selfmade.

While working with these amazing women on their ideas, I was reminded of the fire that I felt eight years ago starting Headbands of Hope. I was reminded that businesses are built to solve problems. And I was reminded that there is nothing more powerful than your founder story that you're living right now.

In fact, I was so ignited through coaching Selfmade that it pushed me to go all-in on a new idea that I've been toying with for about three years.

I decided to finally build and launch Bright Pages: a guided online journal for doers and creators.

When you sign up for Bright Pages, you get your own private online journal with daily prompts built especially for people who want to create something: a business, a podcast, a blog, a craft, a book, a talk.

Because I want to help people work through their ideas through journaling, I also created a feature that no other journaling service has ever done: Prompt Pathways™️. You pick the goal or interest you're working on, and we'll deliver guided prompts around that specific goal.

We send daily prompt out via email Monday through Friday, and you can even reply to the email and we'll archive it for you. My belief is that just 15 minutes a day of journaling can be the difference maker between thinking about our ideas and actually doing them.

When we journal, it takes the clutter in our heads and makes sense of it on paper. It's like power washing our minds before we allow anything else inside of it. Journaling helps us get the clarity we need to pursue our ideas and swing for the fences, which is what Bright Pages is designed to do.

But it hasn't been easy. I've never built a technology product before so I've run into tons of issues: bugs, glitches, credit cards not running, emails not sending. You name it, it has happened.

However, with Selfmade fresh on my mind, I'm taking my own advice that I gave to hundreds of women starting their ideas.

Starting a business isn't supposed to be easy, it's supposed to be worth it.

So all of the issues that you run into when you try to bring your idea to life aren't signs that you're not ready or the idea isn't working, it's just research to help you build something even better. Once you're eight years into a business idea (like I am with Headbands of Hope), you'll be able to look past and connect the dots between the things that didn't work and the innovations that came from those failures.

I want 2021 to be the year that you went for it. I want it to be the year that you look back on eight years from now and feel reminded of the fire you had when you started your idea.

That's why I'm hosting You 2.0, a 21-day journaling challenge and community to discover who you want to be and what you want to do in 2021. You'll leave with a mission statement, a new bio, and a game plan to bring your bright ideas to life.

Plus, Brit Morin will be one of our guest speakers in You 2.0 and she'll be our first guest prompt takeover on Bright Pages following the challenge.

The challenge starts January 11th and you can sign up here (it's totally free).

See you on the inside!

5 Easy Journal Prompts To Turn Your Day Around

Last night I realized I was pregnant during the height of the pandemic and the 2020 election cycle, but I didn't have any self-care practices in sight. I was chronically stressed and spent way too much time on social media when I should've been finding ways to ground myself. After a tough four years of navigating everything from motherhood to starting my career, I've finally started utilizing gratitude journaling as a tool to get through tough days.

I don't know how you may be feeling today, but I've created journal prompts you can refer to when you're scared, anxious, unsure of the future, and more. They're not meant to replace meditation or seeking therapy, but they are here for moments you need to check in with yourself.

A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Worried About The Future

Arina Krasnikova

Write Down 5 Things You're Grateful You Can See, Touch, Hear, And Smell

This is actually a practice I picked up in therapy to help redirect my anxious thoughts. It's something I often refer to when I'm fixated on the future and things that might happen. Any time you feel yourself not being present because you're worried about what's next, focus on things that are immediately in front of you or around you.

For example, here's what's reminding me to be present:

  • I can hear one of my favorite gospel songs playing and the subtle humming I'm doing.
  • I can see two lime green books on my desk.
  • I can smell the clean laundry my fiancé took out of the dryer.
  • I'm touching the keys on my keyboard as I type this.
Although they seem small, I'm grateful they're helping to keep me rooted in the present moment. So, what are you grateful you can see, touch, hear, and smell today?

Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Experiencing Sadness

Darina Belonogova

Write Down 3 Things You're Grateful For Today

Practicing gratitude when you're sad isn't so you can pretend the sadness doesn't exist. It's a very real emotion that calls for us to be curious about why we're feeling that way. However, if you feel like you're 'stuck' in your sadness, you can try writing down 3 things you're grateful for right now. Again, they don't have to be grandiose. They just have to make sense to you.

You could be grateful for:

  • Eating a delicious meal
  • Having a good night's sleep
  • Hearing your favorite song at the right moment
  • Morning snuggles with your pet or toddler
  • Having access to binge watch your favorite TV show when you need to escape reality for a bit

Antoni Shkraba

Write Down The People You're Grateful You Can Rely On

My hope is that everyone has at least one person they can rely on during difficult moments in life. I know everyone doesn't have huge villages for different reasons, but I'd rather focus on who is there.

This gratitude journaling idea doesn't require you to go in depth about why you're grateful for the people in your corner unless you want to. You can simply write their names down if that's all you have the bandwidth for.

Pavel Danilyuk

Recount A Memory That Always Makes You Smile

When in doubt, think about a moment that was hilarious or filled you with joy. It can be from your childhood, first year in college, or even your wedding day! The one memory that always makes me smile is from an interesting moment I told one of my uncles he looked like Santa Claus. I was around 5 or 6 years old, so it was a super innocent comment, but still it was hilarious nonetheless. No one in my family has let my uncle or me forget that moment. It's small, but it's one of the memories I'm grateful I can remember when I'm feeling sad.

A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You Feel You're Not Doing Enough

Antoni Shkraba

Write Down 1 Thing You've Grateful You've Accomplished

I know some journal prompts ask you to list multiple things you've recently accomplished, but I've found that makes me a little more anxious that necessary. If this sounds like you, I see you and think it's just as impactful to be grateful for one thing you've done that you're proud of. It could be as simple as:

  • "I had the strength to get out of bed today after wanting to do nothing more than hide under the covers."
  • "I did laundry and put everything away."
  • "I made myself a meal instead of ordering lunch like I usually do."
  • "I stuck to my budget this week."
  • "My presentation at work or school went really well."
  • "I made that scary phone call I've been putting off."
  • "I went for a walk around my neighborhood or local park."

Follow us on Instagram for more seasonal and daily inspo!

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Your Favorite 'Only Murders' Star Is Hosting SNL Season 50

SNL season 49 had some seriously memorable moments (the unhinged Scooby Doo sketch with Jake Gyllenhaal and Sabrina Carpenter lives rent free in my mind). And this year, we're coming up on a huge moment for the series: its 50th season. SNL season 50 is sure to be memorable, and if you ask me, there's one person that would make the perfect host and musical guest: Taylor Swift. And it's not too late!

Here's everything you need to know about the SNL season 50 hosts & musical guests for 2024 and 2025.

Who is hosting the SNL premiere?

Jake Giles Netter/Max

SNL Season 50 Hosts & Musical Guests

It's no surprise that SNL season 50 picked some incredible hosts. Hacks star Jean Smart hosted the SNL season 50 premiere alongside musical guest Jelly Roll. They were followed by Nate Bargatze on October 5 with musical guest Coldplay, Ariana Grande on October 12 with musical guest Stevie Nicks.

Check the full list of the hosts and musical guests for SNL season 50 below:

  • Jean Smart & Jelly Roll on September 28, 2024
  • Nate Bargatze & Coldplay on October 5, 2024
  • Ariana Grande & Stevie Nicks on October 12, 2024
  • Michael Keaton & Billie Eilish on October 19, 2024
  • John Mulaney & Chappell Roan on November 2, 2024
  • Bill Burr & Mk.gee on November 7, 2024
  • Charlie XCX as both host and musical guest on November 16, 2024
  • Paul Mescal & Shaboozy on December 7, 2024
  • Chris Rock & Gracie Abrams on December 14, 2024
  • Martin Short & Hozier on December 21, 2024

How can I get SNL season 50 tickets?

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Brit + Co entertainment editor Chloe Williams has seen SNL multiple times — and it all comes down to mastering the lottery. Reservations for each week's Saturday Night Live virtual standby lineopen at 10 am EST the Thursday before a show. We recommend getting on the page at least five minutes beforehand because as soon as the reservation opens up, you have to move quickly. Check out our SNL ticket guide for more info!

Who is Domingo from SNL?

Will Heath/NBC

Domingo became SNL season 50's hit sketch, and features fan favorite Marcello Hernández as a flirty, musical man who's ready to serenade you at any moment. He crashed a Bridesmaid's speech, a baby moon, and even Sabrina Carpenter's Short 'N Sweet tour! "Came all this way, had to explain, direct from Domingo!"

When is SNL season 50 premiering?

Will Heath/NBC

SNL Season 50 Release Date

SNL season 50 premiered on NBC Saturday September 28, 2024. This is the first time since 2020 that Saturday Night Live has premiered in September instead of October, and we're not mad about it! The final episode of 2024 is coming on December 21, 2024.

Who is playing Kamala Harris on SNL season 50?

NBC/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Maya Rudolph returned to SNL season 50 as Vice President Kamala Harris following the announcement that Harris is running for President. This role, which won Rudolph the 2020 Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, has already led to plenty of viral moments — especially when VP Harris showed up on the show.

Is Taylor Swift hosting Saturday Night Live season 50?

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

While we haven't gotten an official update on whether Taylor Swift will join this season's SNL hosts, I'm hoping she will! She's already appeared on the show a number of times in a number of roles. She's hosted, made guest appearances, and been musical guest. And if you ask me, after a record-breaking Eras Tour, a special season like SNL50 is the perfect time for Taylor to reappear.

Pairing up Sabrina Carpenter (an Eras Tour opener) and Jake Gyllenhaal (one of Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriends) for the SNL49 finale feels like the kind of Easter egg Taylor herself would orchestrate!

Will there be an SNL 50th anniversary?

Will Heath/NBC

Yes, in addition to SNL season 50, we're getting an anniversary special! The 3-hour special will premiere February 16, 2025.

Who has hosted SNL the most?

Will Heath/NBC

Actor Alec Baldwin has hosted Saturday Night Live a total of 17 times.

What year was season 45 of SNL?

Will Heath/NBC

SNL season 45 ran from 2019 to 2020. Host Woody Harrelson and musical guest Billie Eilish opened the season, while host Kristen Wiig and musical guest Boyz II Men were apart of the finale.

Who do you want to see during SNL season 50? Let us know in the comments and check out How To Get SNL Tickets to get ready for the new season.

This post has been updated.

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Collaboration Hacks Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Therise Edwards, founder/CEO of Teshley Solutions, an education consultancy firm that helps students and families navigate the complexities of the education system K through 12.

What is an unexpected business challenge that you faced and how did you overcome it?

I wouldn't call myself a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) expert, but I ended up having to know a lot more about it than I ever anticipated. FAFSA is what administers Pell Grants, which is what a lot of colleges base their financial aid on. I knew about the application changes, and some were excellent, but they made a series of critical errors and a lot of parents were scrambling. It was not my intent to have this as my area of focus; it just became a necessity.

What's a recent small win for your business?

Recent small wins are my collaborations. I formed partnerships with one organization that focuses on students with special needs. I hosted a webinar with the executive director of that organization. I formed a partnership with members from an insurance company on planning and paying for college. That was my first corporate sponsorship. And I've got a series of events coming out because others actually reached out to me. One of them I met through another networking platform, but I got to that platform from one of the sessions that I did with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program.

How did you start to collaborate with external partners?

Just changing my strategies and my approach, and just being more secure and more emphatic in making connections. It ends up being this continual cycle.

Is there a woman in business that you admire or that you look up to?

I have two. Leontyne Anglin, who runs a nonprofit called Beyond Expectations. She works with a small pool of students, but she just gives them enormous exposure and opportunity. She's brilliant with collaborating with individuals and businesses and really bringing the students what they need. And then the other on a bigger scale is Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, who taught her Business Plan Bootcamp through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. She is just a dynamo. She is just so supportive of women entrepreneurs. She's awesome.

How did the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program help propel your business forward?

All of the collaborations and partnerships with the exception of one all came from joining the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. I’ve taken all of the free classes and the one on projections and pricing, something every entrepreneur struggles with, was very helpful. There have been so many of them. Sometimes you're completely ignorant in a category so you take the class and it's like, okay, that's good to have. But then sometimes you sign up for it and it's like, oh, yeah, I did know 90 percent of that, but this other 10 percent is going to be very, very helpful.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Teshley Solutions.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces


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I'm Obsessed With Jason & Kylie Kelce's Tinder Love Story: "Thank Goodness You Swiped Right Too"

After learning that Kylie Kelce's pregnant with baby no. 4, we couldn't wait to revisit her relationship with Jason! From meeting on Tinder (can you imagine matching with an NFL star like that?!) to having three adorable daughters, this is one couple whose love feels truly genuine. All we can say is maybe there's hope for single people who haven't completely ditched their dating apps yet? If you're not convinced, keep scrolling to lean more about Jason and Kylie Kelce's sweet marriage!

Let's take a look at Jason & Kylie Kelce's relationship timeline from the beginning!

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

2014

Apparently Jason and Kylie Kelce were one of the lucky few who found true love on Tinder because that's how their relationship began (via PEOPLE). The news was shared in the documentary Kelce on Amazon Prime and featured Kylie saying, "Jason won't let me lie about this. We met on Tinder."

Funny enough, she didn't know Jason was a football player until she and her friends said, "Hold my mule" so they could do some deep diving about his background. It didn't take long for the dots to connect even though Kylie didn't want to believe what she was seeing. "It can't be him; it's a catfish."

When they finally met up for the first date, Jason remembers falling for her instantly. "Right away when she walks in the door, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." However, he revealed a date fail occurred on his part during an episode of New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce. He said he "definitely fell asleep" because he "got a little too inebriated."

Luckily, Kylie didn't think he was a complete loser for turning their first date into a snooze fest.

November 2015

The following year, Kylie shared a cute black and white photo of the couple with the caption, "Thank goodness you swiped right too."

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

August 2017

The couple continued to date until Jason decided it was time to put a ring on Kylie's finger. She shared another pic of them standing together on Instagram August 7, 2017 where it was clear she was wearing an engagement ring. She wrote, "I'm the luckiest girl in the world 😍." A quick scroll through the comments shows plenty of congratulatory comments which we love to see!

Last year, Jason admitted the way he proposed wasn't something out of a fairytale on his and Travis' New Heights podcast. Not wanting to ruin his plan to surprise her with a proposal, Jason came up with an odd reason to walk back into her parents' house to ask for their permission.

"I couldn’t figure out how to inconspicuously go back into the house…So when we got in the car I said ‘Ky, I’m sorry, I have to take a s–t right now,'" he remembered saying. However, he made her suspicious because his poop sessions don't happen that quickly. She said, "And then he said, ‘This is not the most romantic way to do this, but can you get out of the truck?’ So sweet."

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Dove

February 2018

When the Eagles beat the New England Patriots in 2018's Super Bowl game, Kylie was there to support her fiancé Jason Kelce (via Page Six). She posted a celebratory photo of them standing on the football field and it was clear they were both ecstatic about the victory.

April 2018

According to this photo, Jason & Kylie Kelce got married April 15, 2018. A year later, she posted a few more BTS photos of their big day and it was clear they had a gorgeous outdoor wedding. She wore a pretty A-line dress and chic veil while looked handsome in a tailored suit.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

October 2019

In 2019, they welcomed their first daughter, Wyatt Elizabeth Kelce October 2, 2019. Jason posted a cute picture of Kylie holding baby Wyatt and wrote, "Chunked up the Deuces on her way out," as part of his caption.

March 2021

Their middle daughter Eliotte Ray Kelce was born a couple of years later in 2021. Kylie posted the sweetest photo of her on Instagram, making sure to note, "Elliotte Ray Kelce has arrived. 🥰 🎀" Little one had the chubbiest cheeks that we're sure Jason & Kylie couldn't stop kissing.

February 2023

And just last year, their third daughter arrived before spring! Kylie also posted her cute baby face on Instagram with the caption, "Yesterday little lady #3 joined us. Bennett Llewellyn Kelce. 8lbs. 5oz. and 21inches long."

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

March 2024

Earlier this year, Jason Kelce decided to retire from the NFL and had the loving support of Kylie (via Page Six). He'd spent 13 years playing for the Eagles so, naturally, it was an emotional time for the former athlete. First his thanked his younger brother Travis by saying, "There is no chance I would be here without the bond Travis and I share...We did almost everything together — competed, fought, laughed, cried and learned from each other. We invented games, imagine ourselves as star players of that time."

He apparently took the moment after that to reminisce about the funny first date he had with Kylie and how it's led to the family they have now.

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

November 2024

All of that has led to this moment: Jason and Kylie Kelce's family is growing! Kylie announced that she's pregnant, and they're expecting baby no. 4 and couldn't be more thrilled to add a sixth member to their household! We can't wait to learn more news about the new "little lady" that'll be joining them!

If you can't get enough of Jason & Kylie Kelce, you'll love revisiting Patrick & Brittany Mahomes' timeline. For even more celebrities couples we love, follow us on Facebook!

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Only Rihanna Could Pull Off A Fuzzy Blue Outfit During Date Night With A$AP Rocky

We hear a lot about celebrity breakups, but thankfully this doesn't apply to Rihanna and A$AP Rocky. Their relationship hass blossomed before our eyes like a modern day fairy tale, and we're here for our pop culture king and queen. It seems like just yesterday the loving couple welcomed their second baby while dodging marriage rumors.

Rumors have circulated about whether the pair are married or not, but they've been pretty quiet about it. What Rihanna has done is open up about how her relationship with A$AP Rocky began in a new candid interview. Below, she covers everything from that infamous VMA's performance to what's in store for their growing family

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's Relationship Timeline

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

2012

While going down memory lane with Interview's Editori-in-Chief Mel Ottenberg, Rihanna opened up about her and A$AP Rocky's relationship timeline. She revealed the two didn't know each other prior to her 2012 VMA's performance of her single "Cockiness." No one can forget that A$AP Rocky was a part of her set and that he managed to spice things up by grabbing a handful of her bottom onstage.

2013

Although people assumed the two were dating when she appeared in the video for A$AP Rocky's song "Fashion Killa," Rihanna admits they weren't. It's easy to see how people would've assumed that because they've always had chemistry. She told Ottenberg that their friendship throughout the years was due to having similar perspectives. "We saw fashion the same. We saw creative the same. We ended up in the same circles a lot. And past that, when we grew up, we ended up supporting each other’s brands and products and creative all the time. I would wear his shit, he would show up to my launches."

Image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

2019

Although it would be juicy if Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's relationship stemmed from a steamy text, she alluded in her conversation with Interview that their love was more organic. She said, "We’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve seen him in relationships. He’s seen me in relationships. We’ve seen each other outside of relationships. We knew what we’re capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other’s lives. We can make or break each other’s hearts. And so, we started dating with a lot of caution."

She also said COVID had a huge impact of the solidifying their romantic relationship and that she doesn't regret how things unfolded for them.

2021

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky debuted their love — and style — on the red carpet of the 2021 Met Gala. By then, it was undeniable how they felt about each other.

Image via Rich Fury/Getty Images for Fenty Beauty & Fenty Skin

2022 — 2023

The couple welcomed their sons — Rza and Riot — between 2022 and 2023, something they love gushing about. They're not shy about expressing their adoration for their growing family and have even admitted they're open to having more children if that's in the cards for them. Rihanna specifically told Interview, "I don’t know what god wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl. But of course if it’s another boy, it’s another boy."

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFC

December 2, 2024 — Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Hit The Red Carpet

Mom & dad stepped out for London's 2024 Fashion Awards' red carpet last night looking as stylish as ever. While A$AP Rocky chose to wear a utilitarian outfit that's on par with other looks we've seen him wear, Rihanna pushed the envelope even further with her outfit. She wore a furry light blue dress and matching hat that were accentuated by other black pieces like leather gloves and denier tights.

Just a couple of months ago, she told E! News that she's loving spending time with her family. "Motherhood, wifehood-ish, just being a homebody—I love it," she said. She also admitted, "I love to be a homemaker. I just like to be exciting and celebrate things. I'm trying to build new traditions for our little family that we built."

Did A$AP Rocky call Rihanna his wife?

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Yes! During his performance at the 2023 Cannes Lions Festival, Rihanna was seen grooving to her love's music. Once he reached the second half of his performance, he gave her a huge, shocking shoutout. “I’d like to dedicate this song to my beautiful wife in the motherf–king building!”

Um, are you kidding us right now? His "beautiful wife?" We could hardly contain our excitement when we learned the news, and it seems Rihanna couldn't either because she was seen with a huge grin on her face. Ah, to be in love!

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

We can't help but wonder if their latest Met Gala look was a nod to their nuptials. I mean, a white dress and a tux? At fashion's biggest event? Seems suspicious, if you ask us!

Still, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky haven't issued a statement to the media about their marriage or a wedding ceremony. While we respect their privacy, we would be open to fawning over the beautiful bride and groom if they ever decide to release pictures.

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

As if that wasn't enough, A$AP Rocky released a song last year called "Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)" that gives a little more relationship insight. In one lyric, he raps, "My wife is erotic, I’m smokin’ exotic."

We think they've been telling the world - "What's understood doesn't have to be explained."

Touché Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.

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This post has been updated.

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