Non-Negotiables
Perhaps you have seen the viral video where Kim Kardashian is asked what she cannot live without, and she genuinely answers with, “can’t live without my KKW contour.” Of course, this blew up on social media as other celebrities such as Selena Gomez responded with things like family and not a makeup product. One thing led to another, and it wasn’t long until other influencers were chiming in on the conversation and sharing their more heartfelt and wholesome responses to the things they cannot live without, also known as their non-negotiables.
Non-negotiables are things that make you happy, bring comfort and joy, and are done solely for you. Identifying and declaring your non-negotiables allows discipline to shape your life. Prioritization of yourself and your needs during busy and mundane days and seasons of life leaves room for self-discovery, compassion and growth.
Tinx, an influencer on TikTok and Instagram and the host of the podcast It’s Me Tinx, is an advocate for non-negotiables, and her most well-known one is The Rich Mom Walk. This walk is simply a hot girl walk with incredible PR. The Rich Mom Walk is all about attitude and mindset and plays off the age-old idea of fake-it-til-you-make-it. Walking with confidence, purpose, and ambition sets the tone for your day and life and can provide that jolt of energy and inspiration you need to be your best self.
We at the Edge love a good hot girl or rich mom walk and have compiled a list of our Beauty and Wellness Team non-negotiables that you may want to add to your arsenal.
Move your body!
Finding time during your busy day to go on a run or attend a fitness class can be challenging between classes and meetings; however, declaring it as a non-negotiable component of your life prioritizes it in your schedule, making it equally as important as your Gen. Chem class. We promise you will feel amazing afterward!
A tried and true nighttime routine
Ending your day with a relaxing, reflective routine ties up your day in a pretty little bow and allows for closure and restorative rest. A hot shower paired with a multi-step skincare routine and time to journal and read without a screen is the perfect recipe for a good night's sleep, and it can be adapted to fit the amount of time you have available in the evenings.
A morning routine to look forward to
When the shrill of the alarm clock sounds at 5 am, sending you into fight or flight mode, you may feel inclined to press snooze and bury your head under the pillow for seven more minutes of sleep. We’ve all been there, and that seven minutes quickly turns into sixty, and the next thing you know, you’ve slept through your 8 am. Taking agency over your morning and creating a routine you look forward to engaging in will make waking up and getting out of bed immeasurably easier. Our morning routine includes time to read a chapter of a non-academic book (hello, Colleen Hoover fans), screen time to catch up on what you missed as you slept, the curation and consumption of your favorite caffeinated beverage, and a facial ice roll or ice bath (another nod to Tinx, thanks queen) to wake your body and brain up.
Uninterrupted work time
Cramming work in at the last minute is never peaceful. So, make a plan, scope out a study spot and make a list. Completing and checking a task off a list provides a sense of achievement and boosts productivity. Likewise, predetermined, uninterrupted times to work in a distraction-free location provide you with the tools needed for time-efficient study and work. Our favorite places to do so include the newly built Innovation Quad, Oak House, and The Blend and Co.
What are your non-negotiables? Let us know by tagging @theedgemag on Instagram!