Vibes, energy, positive mindset. We talk a lot about these things and how to maintain them. Everyone wants to be high vibe all the time, but in reality, that's just not possible. There are times when you just want to repeatedly hit your pillow or sulk while listening to that one song that always makes you cry.

But there are other times when you feel in a slump, have a case of the Mondays, or want a little happiness boost to power through your day. 

The good news is, raising and or/maintaining your positive energy is easy to do. Many times, it's a matter of choice. Being able to choose to transform your thoughts and amp your vibes is a powerful thing! If you want to change something, be it your current vibes or a situation in your life, you have the ability to make a different choice, shift your thinking, and come out better on the other side. 

Gabby Bernstein said it beautifully:

Really think about that.

​There have been many times in my life when a shift in my energy made a difference. One particular moment that stands out was my last day in high school.

During my sophomore year I decided I wanted to drop out of school, get my GED (the high school diploma equivalent), and go straight to university. I was in a low state, self-esteem non existent, thought the world was against me. I thought my fellow students hated me, thought I was weird and ugly and didn't want to have anything to do with me. I needed to get out and get away from my surroundings. 

But here's the thing: on my last day, my vibe shifted. I was elated knowing that I'd no longer have to sludge through another 10th grade day. I smiled, I laughed, and I might as well have skipped through the halls.

During that day I noticed people reacted to me differently. People seemed more friendly. People I had never spoken to said hello to me in the hallway. Honestly, I was a little freaked out because it seemed like everything had changed overnight. 

The truth is, I had changed. My high vibes were reflected back to me. It took me many years to realize people never hated me or thought I was weird or ugly (okay, maybe...definitely weird, but in a good way). That was how I saw myself and that energy radiated out and mirrored back. 

Think about people you love being around versus those you don't. People's energy can drain or uplift you. Likewise, your energy can do the same. 

You have the choice. If you want to have a sad or angry day, go ahead. Maybe you need a day to cry or yell or take a nap to chill. But if you want to raise your vibes and pull positive energy towards you, try these high vibe suggestions.

(This is a guest post by the folks at Hello Rory.)

In our world of social media and smartphones, it’s much too easy to stay glued to a screen during your free time. Whether you're checking your Instagram likes or firing off work emails, this habit can become damaging over time. That’s because you’re focusing all of your energy outward, instead of spending time introspecting and figuring out how you’re really feeling.

In order to help you stop checking your phone and instead check in with yourself, below are 16 self-discovery questions from the health experts at Rory. Take time every day to ask yourself some of these questions so you can make sure you’re at a healthy place emotionally and mentally.
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I've been thinking a lot about money mindset and healing from money blocks and fears (The Money, Manifesting, + Multiple Streams of Income Course is helping loads with this). Sometimes it feels like I'm grasping at prosperity, so afraid that I'll never have enough (even though I have more than enough). Sometimes, a lot of times, I think I don't deserve to have wealth, especially when there are so many people who barely get by.

Who am I to want more?
Who am I to be blessed with more?

My freelance work is going through a bit of a dry spell at the moment (taking the blame for this one) and it's scary, but also refreshing. It's given me time to enjoy and appreciate what's already in my life, practice gratitude, and explore new money-making avenues. I tell myself that I haven't lost any work, I'm just making room for new and better projects (re-framing: thank you years of therapy).

The thing is, I'm blessed beyond belief because I've been given this day. I know a man who's battling cancer and may only have less than a year to live. The other day he told me how unsettling it is to not know if today will be his last. When he wakes up each morning, he thinks, okay, I'm still here so I want to enjoy one last (fill in the blank). One last sunset, one last drink with friends, one last kiss. Because it very well may be, and isn't that true for all of us?

You and I are here on this earth for whatever reason, so shouldn't we enjoy it? Shouldn't it be as easy and fun as possible?

I don't want to feel like I have to suffer or have less than in order to make up for all the wonderful things I've experienced in life. 

The better off you and I are, the more we can help others and the more joy we can bring to life. Give and receive. Flow. Ease. We don't have to try so hard or beat ourselves up. 

We can be excellent containers of money, use it responsibly, enjoy it and share it. 
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Now that all that's out of the way (and thank you for reading), I'd like to share an abundance ritual with you. 

I have no idea where this came from. I was flipping through my magical journal (a grimoire of sorts) and found it, but there's no indication of where I snagged it from. Maybe Veronica Varlow or a witchy book I read. 

Basically, the credit for this ritual goes to someone else. I appreciate you, whoever you are. 

Abundance Ritual in 7 Easy Steps

Step 1: Be aware of the negative ideas you have about money that might be blocking you from attracting more. Write them down, then destroy them (burn, bury, etc.).

Step 2: Practice gratitude by writing down the abundance that's already in your life. Look around you. Everything you see is something you wanted, you created, you manifested into your life. Do you appreciate these things? Do you appreciate your relationships? Write it all down. Dig deep.

Step 3: Be clear on what it is that you want to magnetize. Be specific and visualize what you will do/how you will feel when the money/object/moment appears.

Step 4: Help bring what's in your imagination to life by creating an abundance altar (like mine above), carving candles with sigils, cutting out pictures and making a dream board, etc.

Step 5: Create an abundance magnet and place it on your altar or somewhere where you'll see it often. My abundance magnets include a vintage key (to unlock doors of prosperity) and a piece of green aventurine. 

Step 6: Five days after completing the ritual, list five things that have come your way (even if they aren't what you asked for). This is to simply show you what beautiful blessings are already flowing into your life.

Step 7: Continue to let the abundance flow, and as it does, ask yourself what you can give back. 

Magical tools from (or related to) the ones you see on my altar:
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• Breakthrough Beeswax Candle
• Summon Perfume
• Green Aventurine Skulls
• ​Pyrite Stone

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Please note that these links, as well as the one mentioned at the top of the post, are affiliate links.

Biophilic design is a way of decorating your home that focuses on reconnecting with the natural world. This way of thinking is based on biophilia, the idea that humans have an innate attraction to nature. 

You know the feeling you get when you’ve hiked a mountain and you’re standing at the top enjoying the view with the wind brushing past your face? Or when you are standing with your toes in warm sand staring at the ocean waters that expand for miles and miles?

This attraction to the natural world is something that we often block out in our homes, offices and schools. We create functional buildings that separate us from nature.

To combat this, you can try incorporating the 14 patterns of biophilic design into your home. These patterns include sensory items that will reconnect you with the natural world. Something as simple as adding shells or plants to your space can lead to more positive emotions in your daily life.

ApartmentGuide has created a guide on biophilic design to help you incorporate it into your home. Browse through to see which patterns you already have and which you should consider adding!

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​I grew up in Texas. More specifically, west and central Texas, both with vastly different landscapes (flat desert/hills and rivers), but one thing in common: no ocean. 

I remember moments staring out into the cotton fields, pretending that the blanket of white buds were waves. And when my family did make it down to the Texas coast, I savored everything and collected memories like tiny grains of sand in a charm bottle.

And of course I combed the beaches for shells, little reminders of a place that felt more like home than the deserts and rivers I was used to.

Little did I know that all that yearning and dreaming would manifest into the life I live now. For nearly seven years I've called the Philippines home and I've never lived more than 10 minutes away from the ocean. 

I've collected a lot of shells and sea glass and pieces of jade. And as I've grown in my witchyness, I've learned a lot about how to use the ocean and shells in my magical practices. 

Shells can teach us many things and can be used as tools to help you meditate, manifest, and create magic in your life. 

Whether you already have a vast collection of seashells or plan on starting one next time you're near the sea, keep these magical uses for shells in mind.
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MAGICAL USES FOR SHELLS

• Healing and grounding
• Connection (put in your bath with sea salt to connect to the ocean and the shells' properties)
• Divination (like runes)
• Casting sacred circles
• Gridding
• Meditation (like you would with crystals)
• Altar decor
• Spell work (write sigils on them, put in a wish or spell bottle, use in your spells)
• Wear as an amulet
• Crafting (attach to your wand, adorn boxes, chests, besoms, and candles)
• Charge with your crystals​​

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SHELL MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Best shells for:

Grounding: auger, barnacle, pearl

Creativity: radiant, spiral, pearl, spindle

Healing/Cleansing: spiral wand, dish, pearl

Grief/Loss/Sadness: heart shaped cockle, spiral, pearl, barnacle

Energy boost: spiral, radiant, sand dollar, starfish

Protection: coral, pearl, starfish, auger

Beauty/Love: heart shaped shells, pearl, clam, conch, oyster, nautilus

Abundance/Growth/Strength: coral, starfish, cowrie, scallop, whelk

Meditation/Serenity: starfish, moon shell, spindle

Radiant shells include scallops, limpets, and cockle shells. 

Spiral shells include long and round augers, nautilus, harp, cowrie, and cone shells. Round spirals are best for energy flow and enhancement. Long spirals are best for connecting with spirit (when pointed up) and earth (when pointed down).

Dish shells like clams and abalone act as a container and can support us in healing and cleansing. 

Scallops are the quartz crystals of the ocean, as they can be used in place of any other shell, as well as amplify your shell magic. ​

5. Crochet a Stuffed Animal

Despite what others say, you're never too old for stuffed animals. And if you don't want to keep your creation for yourself, give it to a relative or friend. Giving gifts can improve your mood and encourage gratitude. Brighten someone else's spirits along with yours.

Make your stuffed animal out of virtually any material — use a pair of denim jeans, lightly worn socks or a t-shirt. Sew old clothing for a straightforward process, or crochet a pattern for a homemade look and feel.

6. Create a Mason Jar Pendant Light

Light up your home with a unique twist by designing pendant lights out of empty mason jars. You'll need a nail, hammer, pliers and shears in addition to the bulb and container. Use the light socket to trace a circle on the lid, and cut this shape out. Line this opening with smaller holes to allow ventilation — your jar will heat up quickly when the light is on. Put the socket through the opening and screw on the lightbulb. Choose an Edison lightbulb for a rustic look, or go with a modern LED.

7. Build a Twine Ball Lamp

Twine lamps embody refinement, but maybe you're reluctant to spend tons of money on them. Thankfully, making your own is cost-effective and stress-free. All you need is a balloon, yarn, paint and glue.

Inflate the balloon to your desired lamp size. Fill a bowl with clear-drying glue and dip the ball of yarn into it. Unravel the yarn and wrap it around the balloon until it's fully covered, then tie the rest of the thread to the balloon knot. Let it dry overnight before popping the balloon. Make it your favorite color using paintbrushes or spray paint.

8. Design Wallpaper Notebooks

Create a handy notebook using wallpaper, scrap paper and a stapler. Your scrap paper can be lined or graph paper, so long as it folds well. Cut your wallpaper to match the size and wrap it around the writing paper. Glue the front and back of the scrap paper to the wallpaper to reinforce it, or staple it for a finished piece.

Relax and Renew

Sit down with a fresh DIY project whenever you feel stress rearing its head. Your tension will melt when you participate in meaningful and fun activities. Grab a couple friends and turn it into a group stress-relief session.​