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"I have faith in myself."
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We hope you've had a great week so far! Today, we're talking about:
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Did You Know?
When we sleep, we still hear ___% of sounds around us.
Scroll for the answer!
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The Important Role Earwax Plays in Protecting Our Ears
Have you ever pulled an earbud out of your ear only to see it covered in wax?
While this can be a gross experience, ear wax isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's good for our bodies and plays a very important role in protecting our ears.
As shared by Better Health Channel, ear wax traps "micro-organisms, dirt, and other irritants" before they can get through your ear canal and to your ear drum.
This helps prevent infections, damage, and irritation!
Wax may be harder or more soft and "wet," and some people may produce more than others — so it may be noticeable.
While it may be annoying or even yucky, know that ear wax protects our hearing and keeping us healthy and safe!
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Is It Actually Bad To Use Cotton Swabs To Clean Your Ears?
When they notice a buildup of earwax, some people may reach for a common bathroom item: cotton swabs.
However, you may have also heard that you shouldn't put cotton swabs in your ears. (There's often even a warning on the packaging not to use them that way).
But how bad is it really to use a cotton swab and clean up extra wax in your ear canal?
While some wax may stick to a cotton swab, the shape of it can actually cause the wax to get impacted further into the ear — making it harder to get out, and even blocking your hearing.
When that wax gets impacted, it may require a trip to the doctor, where they have to use special tools so they can get out the hardened wax and you can hear.
Putting something like a cotton swab into your ear canal can also potentially puncture your eardrum, permanently damaging your hearing.
On the whole, experts say you can use a cotton swab on the outside of your ear — like around the lobes — but they should never be put into the canal.
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5 Unique Art Forms To Try At Home
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Ice Painting: Harness the beauty of melting ice to create ephemeral works of art. Freeze watercolor paints or colored water in ice cube trays, then use the melting cubes to paint onto paper or canvas. The melting ice creates unique watercolor-like effects as the colors blend and flow.
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String Art: Explore the tactile and geometric world of string art by hammering nails into a wooden board and wrapping colorful threads or strings around them to create intricate patterns and designs. With endless possibilities for shapes and color combinations, string art allows for endless creativity and customization.
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Marbling: Dive into the mesmerizing world of marbling, where you can create beautiful swirling patterns on paper or fabric using liquid starch, shaving cream, or even nail polish. Simply drip or swirl your chosen medium in a shallow container of water, then transfer the design onto paper or fabric for stunning results.
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Mosaic Making: Transform ordinary objects into stunning works of art with mosaic making. Gather small, colorful tiles, glass pieces, or even found objects like pebbles or bottle caps, then arrange them into intricate patterns or images on a base surface like wood or cement. With a little patience and creativity, you can create unique mosaic masterpieces to adorn your home.
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Stained Glass Art: Explore the beauty of stained glass art using materials like tissue paper, wax paper, or translucent plastic sheets. Cut out colorful shapes and arrange them on a clear surface to mimic the look of stained glass. Use a black marker or paint to outline the shapes and add detail, then display your masterpiece in a window to catch the light.
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More You Can Do With Art
When incredibly rare and valuable assets come up for sale, it's typically the wealthiest people that end up taking home an amazing investment. But not always…
One platform is taking on the billionaires at their own game, buying up and fractionalizing some of history’s most prized blue-chip artworks for its investors. In just the last few years, its investors have realized annualized net returns of 17.8%, 21.5%, 35% and more from these opportunities.
It's called Masterworks. Their nearly $1 billion collection includes works by greats like Banksy, Picasso, and Basquiat, all of which are collectively owned by everyday investors. When Masterworks sells a painting – like the 16 it's already sold – investors reap their portion of the profits.
It's easy to get started but offerings can sell out in minutes. However, as a trusted partner, Note To Self readers can skip the waitlist to join with this exclusive link.
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Thank you to Masterworks for sponsoring Note To Self. Past performance is not indicative of future returns, investing involves risk. See disclosures masterworks.com/cd
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How To Safely Clean Your Ears
So — if you can't use cotton swabs inside your ear, how do you get them clean? Do you just have to deal with the extra wax?
When cleaning your ears, avoid:
- Cotton swabs
- Inserting anything into your ear canal — including bobby pins, other sharp objects, and even at-home tools and kits
- Ear candling
Here are a few ways experts say you can remove excess wax at home:
- A bulb and syringe: Warm (not hot) water or a saline solution and a bulb syringe can help gently irrigate the ears.
- Drops: Over-the-counter drops are inserted into the ear, sit for a specified time, and then drained or rinsed.
- A washcloth: A damp washcloth can help remove excess wax on the outer areas of the ear.
If you sense you have a buildup of wax that's not coming out at home, a doctor — either a general one or an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) — can use special tools to safely remove it.
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How To Make A Collagen-Infused Summer Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup frozen berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 scoop collagen powder (unflavored or flavored, according to preference)
- 1/2 cup coconut water or almond milk
- Handful of ice cubes
Instructions:
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Place the sliced banana, frozen berries, Greek yogurt, honey or maple syrup (if using), collagen powder, coconut water or almond milk, and ice cubes into a blender.
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Blend on high speed until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the smoothie is too thick, add more coconut water or almond milk until you reach your desired consistency.
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Taste the smoothie and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding more honey or maple syrup.
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Once the smoothie reaches your desired consistency and taste, pour it into glasses and serve immediately.
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Optionally, garnish with fresh berries, sliced banana, or a sprinkle of collagen powder on top for an extra boost.
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Enjoy your refreshing and collagen-infused summer smoothie as a delicious and nutritious snack or breakfast option to keep you energized and glowing throughout the day!
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Restore Your Youthful Glow
Collagen loss as you age may result in weaker joints, wrinkles, and a decline in overall vitality. It’s a natural process, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to slow it down. Replenishing collagen can restore your vibrancy and power, and the journey starts with NativePath.
NativePath’s grass-fed collagen powder features a premium formula that absorbs rapidly, rebuilding strength and enhancing beauty from within. Simply add one or two scoops to your daily routine and witness the transformative effects.
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Thank you to NativePath for sponsoring Note To Self.
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Parting Thoughts:
- Did You Know: 100%! Our ears never turn off, and they still work with our brains to process the sounds around us while we rest.
- 🏼♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week!
- Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Earwax plays an important role in protecting our hearing! While it may be okay to clean the outer areas of our ears, we need to protect our inner ears and avoid that area.
- How To Create A Capsule Wardrobe: Ever felt overwhelmed by the mountain of clothes piling up in your search for something to wear? We've all been there. But what if we told you there's a way to simplify your life and help the planet at the same time...
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Share the love
Know a fellow self-care lover who would benefit from joining the Note To Self Community? Forward this email or refer them at readnotetoself.com!
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Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at care@readnotetoself.com!
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