my lockscreen + home screen

Hey everyone! So many of you have been asking about how I get my phone looking so uniquely "me," especially that little "thingy" widget on my home screen! It's actually super fun and easy to personalize your lock screen and home screen, and I'm excited to spill my secrets so you can create your own aesthetic vibe. First off, let's talk about those custom widgets. My absolute go-to app for photo widgets, like the cute heart-shaped one of my boyfriend, is Widgetsmith. It's a game-changer! You can pick any photo, choose from different sizes (small, medium, large), and even add text or a border. It’s perfect for displaying your favorite memories, affirmations, or even just a cool aesthetic picture. For something more social, the Locket widget is amazing – it lets you share live photos with your closest friends right on their home screens, which is such a sweet way to stay connected and see what everyone's up to. Beyond photos, think about what you use most. Music widgets, like the one I have showing 'MERCEDES' by Brent Faiyaz, are fantastic for quick control and adding a visual element to your screen. Calendar widgets keep me organized with my '8-9PM workout' reminders, and other productivity widgets like Notes or custom shortcuts can streamline your daily tasks. Don't forget about app icon customization too! While my screen shows some standard icons like Instagram, Schoology, and Amazon, you can totally change their appearance. Apps like PicsArt are perfect for designing custom icons, and then you can use your phone's Shortcuts app to replace the original app icons with your personalized versions. I even love adding small, themed icons, like those adorable Hello Kitty icons at the bottom of my screen, for an extra touch of cuteness and personality. It's all about making your phone feel like an extension of your personality. My biggest tip for a cohesive look? Plan a color scheme or a specific theme. Whether you're into pastel aesthetics, dark mode vibes, or something super playful like Hello Kitty, sticking to a theme makes everything look so much more put-together. You can also match your wallpaper to your widgets and icons for a truly seamless design. Don't be afraid to experiment with different app layouts, widget placements, and icon styles. There are tons of free resources and inspiration online (hello, Lemon8!) to help you discover new ideas. Your phone is your personal canvas, so have fun with it, play around with different 'thingys,' and make it truly yours! What's your favorite way to personalize your phone?