Skyler Nelson

When your home feels a little blah, your brain usually follows. As a psych nurse, I've always been fascinated by how our environments influence our mood, energy, and sense of comfort. These are paint colors I'd choose to make a space feel calmer, brighter, cozier, or more motivating, without needing a full renovation! Think of this as a mood-boosting menu for your home, using color psychology and all available linked below where you'll be able to test out how it would look in your own home!

When my nervous system is fried and I don’t have the energy to “do a whole routine,” these are the sensory-based resets I actually use as a psych nurse with chronic illness. This list uses all 5 senses to calm your body quickly… with a mix of low-effort products and free tricks that work even on bad days. If you feel overstimulated, exhausted, or stuck in fight-or-flight, start here.

If you have pale skin with neutral undertones, finding makeup that enhances your complexion without looking too warm, too cool, or washed out can feel like a challenge. The key is choosing neutral undertone makeup: products with balanced shades that flatter fair skin without leaning yellow or overly pink. From luminous foundations and base products to natural eyeshadow, neutral lip colors, brow products, and soft blush, the right shades create a flawless, natural-looking makeup finish that’s wearable every day and camera-ready.

Winter absolutely wrecks sensitive, inflammation-prone skin, so I’m picky. These are the products I repurchase every single winter because they actually protect the skin barrier, prevent flare-ups, and don’t sting, burn, or break me out. No trendy junk- just reliable staples that get me through cold, dry months without my skin revolting. If your skin hates winter as much as mine does, this list will save you time, money, and trial-and-error.

This is my personal lineup of scent-layering combos that get me constant compliments from coworkers, strangers, patients, people at the grocery store- everyone. These are mixes built for vacation air: sophisticated vanillas, soft woods, warm florals, fruity notes, and skin-hugging musks that bloom in the summer. Perfect if you want to smell like a soft, warm, expensive beach blanket that feels indulgent AND simple.

As a nurse who's fought a rare disease my whole life- I've come to realize how many SCAMS are out there in the skincare industry! Through experience and collaboration with many different specialty areas of the healthcare field, these are some simple products I recommend that won't overcomplicate your skincare routine, and are backed by SCIENCE! Including a wide range of budget options from drugstore, to high-end/luxury as well as spa-grade skincare options, you'll be able to find products for everyday essentials OR, maybe find your next fave splurge for the ultimate self-care skin routine!

From tech gadgets to home essentials, these are the items I bought this year that completely paid for themselves—saving time, money, and stress. As a psych nurse and chronic disease warrior, intentionality in my environment is EVERYTHING! Perfect for healthcare workers, creators, or anyone ready to make smarter purchases in 2026.

As a registered nurse (and small business owner/artist myself), I wanted to spotlight nurse-owned Etsy shops doing amazing work — from cozy self-care to medical humor to handmade art. Nurses are out here creating beauty, laughter, and comfort in between 12-hour shifts, and it’s honestly magic.

I grew up with a mom who was both a medical esthetician and a professional makeup artist, so clean, effective beauty was literally my childhood baseline. Add in my own autoimmune sensitivities, and I’ve spent decades testing what actually holds up for sensitive, inflammation-prone skin. These are the brands that have withstood the test of time in both professional and personal settings - and they’re the ones I still trust today!

When your brain feels like molasses + you can’t move off the couch, these are my go-to sensory tricks that actually shift my mood. Some are free, some are little upgrades-but all are low-energy friendly. Use this as a serotonin-boosting menu, for anyone that has off-days with a little side of guilt complex… These are quick & easy ways to trick your brain out of the negative loop!