Softening Series: Rituals for Self Care
How to Work with the Softening Series Exercises.
Start with the first chapter of the course to get familiar with how everything works. Then, each day, begin your practice by pulling a card from the Copper & Brass Soft Life Affirmation Deck. I recommend doing this in the morning, or the night before, so you have time throughout the day to reflect and complete the activity.
The card you pull becomes your focus for the day. You can choose to move through the course daily for 30 days straight, which can be a powerful but time-intensive experience. Or, you might prefer to complete one activity each week or follow a more flexible rhythm. What matters most is that you find a consistent and realistic pace that works for your life.
After you pull your card and take a few moments to reflect on the prompt, return to the course page and choose the lesson that best matches your card. The lesson titles are intentionally named to closely reflect the affirmations in the deck, making it easier to find the corresponding activity.
You’ll notice a “Complete and Continue” button at the bottom of each lesson. This is a default feature of the course platform and will automatically move you to the next lesson. However, you are free to revisit lessons in any order and explore content based on what feels most relevant that day. While the course is designed to work with the affirmation deck, you can also choose to complete the lessons in the order they appear.
Both the deck and the lessons are organized around five key themes:
Physical Wellness
Mental Wellness
Spiritual Wellness
Financial Wellness
Life Goals & Visioning
Each day, pick the exercise that resonates most with you. Take what feels meaningful and leave what doesn’t. This course is about shaping your own version of a soft, intentional life.
If you run into technical issues, broken links, or have any questions or feedback about the course, feel free to reach out to us at mindingmygarden@pm.me
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This short lesson gives tips for navigating The Softening Series.
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Move Your Body.... Just 20 Minutes a Day
It only takes 20-minutes a day to help get into shape and see significant health benefits. Think about how you will consistently incorporate at least 20-minutes of exercise into your daily routine.
It only takes 20-minutes a day to help get into shape and see significant health benefits. Think about how you will consistently incorporate at least 20-minutes of exercise into your daily routine.
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My body is a temple. Healthy Eating
This session is about healthy eating, and not necessarily joining in a new diet fad. Today we will intentionally make healthier choices with our food selections and also think about ways to consistently choose foods that are good for our bodies.
This session is about healthy eating, and not necessarily joining in a new diet fad. Today we will intentionally make healthier choices with our food selections and also think about ways to consistently choose foods that are good for our bodies.
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Taking care of myself is important. It's a Spa Day
It is a day to treat yo self!
Today is a spa treatment day. Today’s exercise is all about setting aside time to indulge yourself, whether you have $5 or $500.
It is a day to treat yo self!
Today is a spa treatment day. Today’s exercise is all about setting aside time to indulge yourself, whether you have $5 or $500.
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Rest and relaxation are not just designated to the weekends. Take a 30 Minute Nap
Today’s exercise is to take a nap, and to think about how to improve your own sleep hygiene.
Today’s exercise is to take a nap, and to think about how to improve your own sleep hygiene.
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I deserve to simply exist. Do Nothing Day
The affirmation card that tells you to do nothing for today may not be possible for you. But you do deserve to just exist, you don’t have to always be doing something! Today is about either taking your “do nothing day” or planning for your “do nothing day.”
The affirmation card that tells you to do nothing for today may not be possible for you. But you do deserve to just exist, you don’t have to always be doing something! Today is about either taking your “do nothing day” or planning for your “do nothing day.”
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Mini Vacations are Big Fun
Today’s exercise is to book a mini vacation. You may not have the funds to book reservations today but, what time can you plan for yourself to get away? Today’s exercise is to make plans, and we have some ideas for you.
Today’s exercise is to book a mini vacation. You may not have the funds to book reservations today but, what time can you plan for yourself to get away? Today’s exercise is to make plans, and we have some ideas for you.
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It is not my job to fix and rescue others. The Myth of the Superwoman
One of the affirmation cards talks about choosing to rescue yourself because you are not Super Woman. What does the meme say? “I’ll do it.” - A Black Woman. This exercise is about exploring the Myth of the Superwoman. Maybe the new motto should be, “find somebody else to do it.”
One of the affirmation cards talks about choosing to rescue yourself because you are not Super Woman. What does the meme say? “I’ll do it.” - A Black Woman. This exercise is about exploring the Myth of the Superwoman. Maybe the new motto should be, “find somebody else to do it.”
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I have well-intended people in my circle of friends. Asking for Help
Why is it so hard for us to ask for or accept help sometimes? Today’s exercise is about doing just that, how will you tap into your circle of supporters for help?
Why is it so hard for us to ask for or accept help sometimes? Today’s exercise is about doing just that, how will you tap into your circle of supporters for help?
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If I don't have to struggle then I won't. What Does it Mean to Choose Ease?
In the affirmation deck there is a card that says, “struggling is not my portion.” Today’s exercise is to think through what it means to choose ease.
In the affirmation deck there is a card that says, “struggling is not my portion.” Today’s exercise is to think through what it means to choose ease.
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Daily Affirmations
Today we will focus on changing our internal soundtrack about ourselves. As the affirmation card reads, daily affirmations can help eradicate negative self talk.
Today we will focus on changing our internal soundtrack about ourselves. As the affirmation card reads, daily affirmations can help eradicate negative self talk.
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I need and deserve a break from my own reality. Unplug a little bit today
As the card reads, you deserve a little break from your own reality, watch some bad television. Or, find an alternative to take an escape like reading a book, going to a movie, or a local show.
As the card reads, you deserve a little break from your own reality, watch some bad television. Or, find an alternative to take an escape like reading a book, going to a movie, or a local show.
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Music is therapy for the soul. Create Your Soft Life Playlist
Today’s activity is to create your own soft life playlist. Here’s one from Spotify created already just for you.
Today’s activity is to create your own soft life playlist. Here’s one from Spotify created already just for you.
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Just like it is important to exercise my body, it is important to exercise my brain. Exercising Your Brain
Today’s affirmation card emphasizes the importance of exercising your brain daily, and encourages you to start a new book. You might be in the middle of another book, or not feel ready to commit to a new text. The point of today’s exercise is to think of different ways to work out your mind.
Today’s affirmation card emphasizes the importance of exercising your brain daily, and encourages you to start a new book. You might be in the middle of another book, or not feel ready to commit to a new text. The point of today’s exercise is to think of different ways to work out your mind.
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I believe time alone is valuable. Solo Lunch Day
Time alone is valuable. Today you are giving yourself a solo lunch.
Time alone is valuable. Today you are giving yourself a solo lunch.
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Exercising Good Boundaries
The affirmation card for today instructs you to say true to yourself and say no to certain people and activities. Today, think about reasons why maintaining your boundaries and saying no is so important.
The affirmation card for today instructs you to say true to yourself and say no to certain people and activities. Today, think about reasons why maintaining your boundaries and saying no is so important.
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I believe in pouring into myself and into others. Paying it Forward
You may not be able to buy breakfast for a stranger but, you can pay it forward in some small way. The goal of today’s lesson is to cultivate the power of compassion and kindness in our lives.
You may not be able to buy breakfast for a stranger but, you can pay it forward in some small way. The goal of today’s lesson is to cultivate the power of compassion and kindness in our lives.
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Happiness lives within me. Dance Like No One's Looking
Today, you will dance like no one is looking. The point, is to cultivate and bring out the happiness and joy that lives inside of you. Celebrate just being alive.
Today, you will dance like no one is looking. The point, is to cultivate and bring out the happiness and joy that lives inside of you. Celebrate just being alive.
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Journaling is Therapeutic
Even though many of the daily exercises involve journaling, your goal for today is to think intentionally about what a journaling practice could look like for you. Do you want to create a consistent schedule to journal? Is there a particular issue you want to work through using journaling as a tool? Today is your day to journal, and to consider what journaling could look like for you as part of your self-care routine.
Even though many of the daily exercises involve journaling, your goal for today is to think intentionally about what a journaling practice could look like for you. Do you want to create a consistent schedule to journal? Is there a particular issue you want to work through using journaling as a tool? Today is your day to journal, and to consider what journaling could look like for you as part of your self-care routine.
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Too much of anything is never good. Social Media Detox
Today is a social media detox day, but also, consider your own relationship with social media.
Today is a social media detox day, but also, consider your own relationship with social media.
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Gratitude is a Necessary Part of My Self-Care Routine
For so many reasons, cultivating a spirit and a practice of gratitude is a great way to enhance our wellbeing. As the card reads, we can give thanks that where we are today is not where we were yesterday!
For so many reasons, cultivating a spirit and a practice of gratitude is a great way to enhance our wellbeing. As the card reads, we can give thanks that where we are today is not where we were yesterday!
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I will indulge in things that make me smile. Daily Joy
Today you will be intentional about doing things that make you smile and feel happy.
Today you will be intentional about doing things that make you smile and feel happy.
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Life isn't always easy. Extending Grace
Life can be tough, today is all about extending grace to yourself and to others.
Life can be tough, today is all about extending grace to yourself and to others.
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I want to be financially literate. Financial Literacy: What is your relationship with money?
The deck contains an affirmation card asking you to work on your budget because being financially literate is important. Let’s be honest…. money literally makes the world go round. In the current framework of the economy we live in the way we eat, where we live, and all aspects of our life are shaped by how much money is under our control. So what’s your relationship with it?
The deck contains an affirmation card asking you to work on your budget because being financially literate is important. Let’s be honest…. money literally makes the world go round. In the current framework of the economy we live in the way we eat, where we live, and all aspects of our life are shaped by how much money is under our control. So what’s your relationship with it?
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I Believe There is Wealth and Abundance in My Life
The affirmation deck states, “I believe there is wealth and abundance in my life. Today, I am attracting money easily and effortlessly.” Your exercise is to think creatively about concrete ways to make that happen.
The affirmation deck states, “I believe there is wealth and abundance in my life. Today, I am attracting money easily and effortlessly.” Your exercise is to think creatively about concrete ways to make that happen.
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You Deserve Nice Things
One of the affirmation cards says that you deserve nice things. Today, get yourself something special and treat yourself! Make sure its within your budget (remember financial wellness!) If you have no coins to spend, find something free to do in your area to indulge yourself.
One of the affirmation cards says that you deserve nice things. Today, get yourself something special and treat yourself! Make sure its within your budget (remember financial wellness!) If you have no coins to spend, find something free to do in your area to indulge yourself.
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You Can Have the Best of Both Worlds: A 9 to 5 and the Soft Life
As the affirmation card reads, “today, I recognize that having a 9 to 5 may help ease me into the ‘Soft Life’ I desire.” Today you will think about what that means for you, and do some intentional financial planning.
As the affirmation card reads, “today, I recognize that having a 9 to 5 may help ease me into the ‘Soft Life’ I desire.” Today you will think about what that means for you, and do some intentional financial planning.
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I have beauty and brains. Writing Down Big Goals & Working with an Accountability Partner
Today’s exercise is about putting pen to paper and writing down a big goal because, you have the beauty and the brans to accomplish it! The easy part is usually envisioning the goal, this exercise helps focus on the accountability partner piece.
Today’s exercise is about putting pen to paper and writing down a big goal because, you have the beauty and the brans to accomplish it! The easy part is usually envisioning the goal, this exercise helps focus on the accountability partner piece.
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I am really a BIG deal. Celebrating Wins
You are a really, really BIG DEAL! Yes…… You are!! Today is a day to celebrate your wins. Today, write out a list of your accomplishments no matter how large or small and celebrate all of your wins.
You are a really, really BIG DEAL! Yes…… You are!! Today is a day to celebrate your wins. Today, write out a list of your accomplishments no matter how large or small and celebrate all of your wins.
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My definition of "Soft Life" is different than that of others. Running Your Own Race: Your Version of the Soft Life
The affirmation card for this lesson talks about being ok with your own definition of the soft life. It mentions running your own race and checking in with yourself.
The affirmation card for this lesson talks about being ok with your own definition of the soft life. It mentions running your own race and checking in with yourself.
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Success is within my reach. Create or Update Your Vision Board
Today is about visualizing what it is you want to manifest in your life. You can do a virtual vision board using an app like Pinterest, or create one with magazine clippings or other creative mediums.
Today is about visualizing what it is you want to manifest in your life. You can do a virtual vision board using an app like Pinterest, or create one with magazine clippings or other creative mediums.
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Time is Valuable
Time is a commodity, and it it frequently feels like we don’t have enough of it. Today you will set aside time to plan and benefit your future self.
Time is a commodity, and it it frequently feels like we don’t have enough of it. Today you will set aside time to plan and benefit your future self.
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