How is it already the end of the year? It feels like we were just celebrating the Fourth of July yesterday, and now we’re plotting our holiday plans. 

After eleven long months of productivity, the holiday season comes with much-needed breaks and time with your loved ones. But with those gatherings, there may also be hard questions that we’re trying to avoid. And let’s be honest: even though it’s an annual affair, there’s always that one curious family member who goes beyond the small talk and tries to get under your skin with deep questions.

But that’s why we’re here: to help navigate hard conversations during the holidays. We’re over brushing questions aside. If people want to ask something, let them. Here’s how you can prepare for unsolicited questions about your life.

What happened with you and so-and-so?

Annual holiday gatherings come with either showing up with your partner or not. And when you’ve been with someone for a while, people start to raise eyebrows when you arrive solo. Which, honestly, is exhausting. What if your partner decided to skip this one due to mental health reasons? What if y’all are on a break? Whatever the case may be, it’s nobody’s business. The less they know, the better.

A way to respond: “I decided to come alone today to keep my focus on you all.”

Are you still single?

Your relationship status is your own. You don’t have to hard launch your relationship status with anyone — especially in an era where partners are now “embarrassing” to have. Vogue recently explored a cultural trend in which women’s perspectives are shifting from essentially wanting a relationship to being better off alone. So next time someone asks about your personal life, why not have a cheeky response up your sleeve?

A way to respond: “Depends on who’s asking.”

When are you having children?

Being a woman comes with different challenges. Some of these challenges have to do with infertility, mental, physical — the list goes on. Unfortunately, sometimes people don’t know the levels of discomfort one gets when asked about reproduction. Without getting too deep into it, why not respond with a playful response that also serves as a topic changer?

A way to respond: “In this economy?”

What other questions are you trying to avoid this holiday season? We’re all ears and happy to help.

If you think building a self-care routine is intimidating, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know where or how to start. If this sounds like you, we’ve got you covered with products that can level up your daily routine without breaking your bank.

Today we’re taking a look into Latina-led mindfulness and wellness ritual kit company NOWFUL’s process and who’s behind it. Created by Mexican-American businesswoman, impact investor, and advocate for gender equality, Angélica Fuentes, NOWFUL’s holistic approach to self-care is something that’s both intriguing and innovative.

To get a better insight into their featured Wellness in Action Kit ($89 USD), Modern Muze spoke to the Miami-based creative about the process and intention behind her company’s affirmation cards, daily mushroom supplements, magnesium balm, and essential oils that aim to help create habits and rituals to empower your inner strength. 

How do your Mexican and American roots influence NOWFUL?

I was born into a very traditional Mexican family. From a young age, I was expected to follow a path that was already written for me. Like many Latina women, I often felt the quiet guilt that comes with wanting to break the mold, to lead, to speak up, to be free, to not only be the daughter, wife, or mom of someone, and to choose myself without feeling I was letting others down. In Spanish, we have a saying: “Calladita te ves más bonita”, which means “you look prettier if you’re quiet.” I couldn’t disagree more.

Those expectations were challenging to break, but they taught me something essential: that we already hold the power within to accomplish everything we want. That belief is at the heart of NOWFUL. Wellness begins with remembering that our strength, clarity, and balance don’t come from the outside, but from within. When we’re grounded, clear, and aligned with who we truly are, everything around us begins to shift. 

What’s your wellness/skincare routine like, and how do you incorporate your product into it?

My day begins with intention. I start by brushing my teeth and drinking a cup of hot water with lemon.  I take our MindThrive Mushroom Complex, rooted in ancient Eastern medicine and decades of scientific research. This precise blend improves clarity and memory, strengthens stamina and immune response, reduces stress, and supports the creation of cells critical for brain maintenance and repair. It’s my way of telling my body we’re ready to begin. 

Then I take one of our Smart Affirmation Cards, packed with hidden magic—tech that instantly connects with your phone and helps you supercharge your confidence, strength, and self-love. I let the app guide me into the mindset I want for the day. After that, I move. Exercise is non-negotiable in my life; it clears my mind, grounds me emotionally, and gives me the energy to show up fully. 

Gratitude is also a daily practice that keeps me grounded. Every morning on the way to school with my daughters, we each name at least three things we’re grateful for. It’s a simple ritual, but it changes the tone of our entire day.

During the day, I use our Anchoring Essential Oil whenever I need to refocus or find calm. It awakens my senses and intensifies my daily journey toward growth and self-discovery. Scientifically proven to activate your brain’s limbic system—the area responsible for emotions and memories—this oil triggers a calming effect on the nervous system and reminds me to come back to myself.

At night, I massage my feet, shoulders, and neck with our Sleep Magnesium Cream. Restful sleep is essential for living with presence, clarity, and strength. This cream, crafted with magnesium, valerian, passionflower, and lavender, promotes deep relaxation, alleviates stress, and improves the quality of sleep.

These daily habits aren’t complicated, but they are powerful. They keep me present and connected with my inner strength.

What have you learned in your wellness journey?

I’ve learned that true well-being doesn’t come from external achievements or routines—it comes from within. Wellness is not something you do; it’s something you are. It’s how you talk to yourself, how you listen to your body, and how you choose to live: intentionally, honestly, and with presence.

Wellness is the quiet rituals that hold you when no one is watching. It’s creating space for stillness, breathing through discomfort, resting without guilt, and nourishing yourself not just to look good, but to feel whole. Wellness is the practice of returning to yourself again and again, knowing that your worth isn’t defined by productivity or appearance, but by how rooted you are in who you truly are.

How is NOWFUL different from other self-care and wellness products? 

NOWFUL is a complete wellness system designed to work together seamlessly to help you feel your most centered, energized, and confident self. Everything we create is rooted in science and crafted with intention so that wellness becomes simple, accessible, and real. At Nowful, we’ve got you covered from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep.

It’s not about doing more; it’s about being more present. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. Every element of NOWFUL is designed to support small, sustainable habits, that are extremely powerful.  

You’ve done so much in your career. How do you personally keep up with self-care and wellness, too? 

I think it’s very important to understand that wellness should not be another task on your to-do list; it’s the cornerstone that supports everything you do. Wellness is what allows me to lead with purpose, to create, and to keep showing up with clarity, focus, confidence, and energy.

After many years in high-pressure environments, I’ve come to see that success without wellness isn’t sustainable. You can only give your best when you feel your best. In my life, taking care of myself keeps me centered and aligned.

Wellness is not something you treat yourself with only after you accomplish something or reach a milestone. Wellness is a daily practice, a commitment you make to yourself, not a reward you earn. When you nurture your mind, body, and spirit consistently, you create the stability that allows your dreams to come true and allows you to thrive. Wellness is not the opposite of achievement—it’s the foundation of it.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs as a Latina in the beauty/wellness industry?

My advice to other Latina entrepreneurs is to trust your vision and think big. Believe in yourself!

It’s important to remember that leadership doesn’t have to come from exhaustion or sacrifice. It can come from clarity, presence, and purpose. When you are grounded and connected to yourself, you lead differently—you lead from truth, not fear. In this industry, authenticity matters more than perfection. So, lead with who you are, be proud of your roots, honor your intuition, and don’t be afraid to rewrite the rules.

Tell us about your goal with NOWFUL and what you hope the audience gets from the brand. 

My goal with NOWFUL is to open the portal to your true potential and make wellness real and accessible for everyone. I want people to understand that wellness is not a luxury—it’s your superpower.

I hope that everyone who experiences NOWFUL feels more connected to themselves, learns to build small daily rituals that bring clarity and calm, and realizes that everything they need to live their best and healthiest life is already within them.

At NOWFUL we believe your best life starts now, fueled by the moments you create today.