Olive & June’s Founder on Creating the Dreamy Nail Salon You’ll Want to Live In

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"

SUPPLIES

Surface

I love white or black foam core board for creating vision boards. There are LOADS of sizes and options for this, so have fun picking the right one for you.

Adhesive

Glue sticks, Washi tape or pushpins work equally well. I prefer something non-permanent so I can revise my board as the year moves along.

Cutting tools

X-acto knife, ruler, scissors or a paper cutter are all great tools to have on hand.

Images

Magazines, old books, photographs all work well.

Set the vibe

A good playlist to inspire creative vibes, a big work area (floors work great for this!) and light some candles to keep it dreamy and inspiring.

Nosh and nourish

A cheese board, some wine, and good chocolate. All things are better with chocolate, right?

GET TO MAKING

Set an intention. Or many.

I like to make one vision board for my entire world — work, family, love, hobbies, wellness, travel. Others prefer to have a separate vision board for each area of their life, or to only focus on one for the entire year. Let your intuition guide you here and decide the best approach for you. Really think about what you want to accomplish in the coming year. What emotions do you want to feel more of? Less of? How do you want to live?

You might find it best to journal about this prior to starting the image-gathering process to really bring clarity to mind. This intentional thinking will be important as you select images for your 2025 vision board. Try some Winter Journal Prompts For Improving Your Relationship or go for Emma Watson's Daily Journal Prompts!

Curate images.

Find images that support your intention, and the life you want to build in the year ahead. Images should not just portray the WHAT of what you want, but also the EMOTION. The colors, people, and objects that show up on your final board should bring a smile to your face. I collect LOTS of images in a Pinterest board when I'm in the intention setting phase to have an abundance to choose from as I start my planning. Great resources for images are favorite blogs, Pinterest, Instagram, and Unsplash — really any image that speaks to you is vision board worthy.

Build your 2025 vision board.

A reminder, this board is JUST FOR YOU so arrange the images in a way that speaks to your soul. You could organize each area by focus (work or home, for example.) Or let the colors of the images guide you in how they are arranged. There is no right or wrong way to do this — so just arrange and rearrange until you find what works for you. Stick the images to your surface once you've found a layout that you love.

Find a home for your board.

Pick a spot in your home or workspace that you'll see your board regularly. The magic of this work comes in not just the building, but the visual reminder it gives you to give your time, energy, and resources to the things that support the life you want to build.

Review often.

I'm a big fan of viewing these boards as evolving pieces of work. Take time to review it often and rearrange, add, or remove as needed to keep it as aspirational and inspiring as you need to move you toward your goals.

Giving yourself space, time, and a creative outlet to dream about your future is such a gift. One that can bring more positivity, intention, and purpose to your year ahead.

Follow us on Pinterest for more 2025 vision board ideas and check out our online classes for tons of inspo!

This article has been updated from a previous post.

Jill Elliott is a creative consultant, strategist, and thinker constantly seeking inspiration and balance. As a writer, artist, and founder of The Color Kindshe seeks to inspire others to live creatively every day. She can often be found making art and messes alongside her daughter and Goldendoodle puppy.

Aries (March 21 - April 19): Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Bold, fearless, and always ready for a fight, Aries will love Buffy's courageous spirit and kick-ass attitude. She's got all the makings of a fire sign who means business.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Friends

Taureans appreciate stability and comfort. Friends offers warm, familiar characters and a cozy, sitcom vibe. If you really want to tap into this vibe, call your besties and have an impromptu watch party!

Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Felicity

Curious and ever-changing, Geminis will relate to Felicity's journey of self-discovery and her endless quest for knowledge. There's also the inevitable complicated relationship Felicity has with Ben and Noel that's hard to resist.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Moesha

Cancerians are nurturing and empathetic. They'll connect with Moesha's family-oriented values and emotional depth. Though she didn't get everything right, Moesha always tried to remedy things whenever they went wrong — just like a true Cancer.

Leo (July 23 - August 22): Beverly Hills, 90210

Leos love the spotlight and drama. 90210 delivers glamorous characters, high-stakes situations, and plenty of over-the-top moments.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22): The X-Files

Virgos are analytical and detail-oriented. The X-Files offers a perfect blend of mystery, science, and a touch of the paranormal. What's not to love?

Libra (September 23 - October 22): Sex and the City

Libras appreciate beauty, balance, and social connections. Sex and the City explores love, friendship, and fashion in a stylish and sophisticated way.

P.S. We won't be shocked if some of you discover you're more of a 'Charlotte' than a 'Carrie.'

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Charmed

Intense and passionate, Scorpios will be drawn to the supernatural world of the Charmed Ones, filled with dark magic and powerful sisterhood.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Adventurous and optimistic, Sagittarians will enjoy the Fresh Prince's witty humor, vibrant personality, and knack for getting into trouble.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Dawson’s Creek

Ambitious and disciplined, Capricorns will appreciate Dawson's intellectual pursuits and the show's exploration of complex relationships and coming-of-age themes.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Daria

Quirky and independent, Aquarians will identify with Daria's unique perspective and her ability to see through societal norms. It's also not surprising that Daria has what some call a 'black cat' personality because Aquarians can have a dry sense of humor that's borderline sarcastic.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

Dreamy and imaginative, Pisces will love Sabrina's magical adventures and her ability to navigate the challenges of adolescence with a touch of magic.