This is a sponsored post. My friends at Villain Esteem sent me a complimentary Working Sh*t Out subscription box in exchange for a candid review. Review the full disclaimer here.
Working Sh*t Out subscription boxes. I know what you are thinking. Why is a Christian bipolar disorder awareness blogger using language such as this?
I would be lying if I pretended that I never used words like sh*t—and even worse—sometimes. I live with bipolar disorder, and there is darkness inside of me.
I won’t apologize for that darkness, but I will be honest about it. It is important to be honest about those dark places so that the world has a real picture of what living with mental illness—and other mental health concerns—looks like.
For too long, mental health subscription boxes have targeted a very specific demographic—ultra-feminine women, while missing out on an opportunity to serve a broader audience.
Villain Esteem noticed a demographic not being served, and their Working Sh*t Out subscription box is their response to that untapped market.
So, without further ado, let’s learn more about Villain Esteem and their Working Sh*t Out mental health subscription box.
About Villain Esteem
Licensed mental health counselor, Michela “McDeath” Dalsing, and small business development consultant, Alyssa “Moist” Johnson, are girlfriends and roller derby aficionados who created Villain Esteem in August 2020, in response to the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on so many people’s mental health, including their own.
Villain Esteem’s mission is to provide relatable and reliable information that demystifies mental health concerns, reduces the stigma surrounding those issues, and increases the accessibility to mental health resources. They aim to promote resilience and empowerment to individuals who may be struggling to cope with mental health concerns.
They are unapologetically dark. They curse in their blog posts and podcasts because that is the reality of many of those who deal with mental health concerns. They believe that not talking about your dark places doesn’t make them any less dark. Villain Esteem is committed to talking about hard things and keeping it real.
Pink, Glitter, and Bath Bombs…Oh My
Villain Esteem’s current campaign, mental health subscription boxes, aligns perfectly with their agenda of demystifying mental health concerns and ending the stigma.
They noticed that mental health subscription boxes target ultra-feminine women. Think women who love pink, glitter, and bath bombs.
And while there is nothing wrong with that demographic, or those products, Villain Esteem wanted to create a mental health subscription box that was more inclusive and that less feminine women (and even men) could relate to.
Working Sh*t Out Subscription Box
Villain Esteem didn’t reinvent the wheel. Many of the products and resources they provide in their Working Sh*t Out subscription box are similar to what’s already out there—but with a twist.
There was the standard affirmation card, a scented candle (my personal favorite), small notebook and pen. But there was also a bath bomb shaped like a grenade, and a succulent in a green and black skull-shaped planter.
For a complete look at the products and resources found in the Working Sh*t Out mental health subscription box I received, watch my IGTV unboxing video.
What I Loved About the Working Sh*t Out Subscription Box
1. Villain Esteem noticed there was a demographic not being served in the mental health subscription box market, so they curated their subscription boxes to target that audience.
People who deal with mental health concerns are not one size fits all. Yet, the subscription box market really focuses on ultra-feminine women.
I love that Villain Esteem’s subscription box targets women who don’t fall into that stereotype and men who would usually not purchase mental health subscriptions boxes.
2. Villain Esteem infuses a lot of humor into the contents of their mental health subscription boxes.
Mental health concerns are dark subjects, but I love that Villain Esteem infuses the products in their subscription boxes with a sense of humor. I think finding levity in such a difficult subject is important and much needed.
They are not afraid to laugh at themselves, which is evident in the poop-shaped toilet fizzies included in my subscription box. Honestly, I don’t really know how toilet fizzies fit into the mental health arena, except that it made me laugh when I realized what the product was.
3. Villain Esteem’s mental health subscription boxes have three different price points, and they offer scholarships to those who can’t afford to purchase a box.
I thought it was very smart that Villain Esteem has three different price points on their mental health subscription boxes to assure that anyone who wants a subscription box can afford one.
I was particularly impressed that Villain Esteem offers scholarships to those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to purchase a box. That spoke volumes to me about their integrity and that making money is not their ultimate goal. They really want to help as many people as possible.
What Could Be Improved in the Working Sh*t Out Subscription Box
1. Villain Esteem could improve the way they deliver information about the products in their subscription box.
When I first opened my complimentary Working Sh*t Out mental health subscription box, I was confused about what some of the products were. There were too many inserts, and none of them systematically listed the products and their purposes. Some products were obvious, while others were not.
I later found an email, buried in the promotions folder of my email account, that explained what the products were, who made them, and how to use them.
While I think an email is a great way to get the information into the right hands, I believe that also providing an insert in the box listing the products, who provided them, and their purposes would be beneficial.
2. Villain Esteem should proofread their printed materials more thoroughly and improve readability by using a more traditional font.
Villain Esteem has an edgy and cool vibe, and they choose their fonts accordingly. The problem is that those fonts are difficult to read and make their printed materials look less professional.
They could also benefit from better proofreading. I found spacing and grammatical errors on Villain Esteem’s informational pamphlet and on one of their mental health resources, and the font on the affirmation card was so small that it was almost impossible to read.
I believe if Villain Esteem used a more traditional font, the presentation of their printed resources would be improved. While I appreciate their vibe, readability is important.
The Takeaway
Villain Esteem has a worthy mission that I fully support. I truly believe that if we demystify and humanize mental illness and other mental health concerns, it goes a long way toward ending the pervasive stigma.
What gravitated me toward Villain Esteem’s take on the mental health subscription box is that they saw a market that was not being served and they targeted it.
Is this mental health subscription box perfect? No. There are some minor issues that can easily be fixed.
Is this subscription box for everyone? No, it’s not, and that’s okay. Actually, that’s the point.
Purchase a Working Sh*t Out Subscription Box
If you are looking for mental health-related products and resources that are more than pink, glitter, and traditional bath bombs, the Working Sh*t Out subscription box may just be perfect for you.
Click here to purchase your own Working Sh*t Out mental health subscription box, and visit Villain Esteem’s website to stay up to date on their latest blog posts and news. Be sure to follow Villain Esteem on Instagram and Facebook.
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