100 Self-Reflective Prompts | Part 2 of 6

👉But First, Some Housekeeping.

This is a continuation of Part 1 of 6. I’m sorry for taking so long to create Part 2 of 6 and I might have taken on more than I can handle 🙈 I haven’t touched my laptop in a few weeks, and since I write and edit all my blog posts on it, that’s been a huge barrier preventing me from blogging. I don’t like blogging from the main computer, and using my phone to write isn’t my preference either. My laptop only gets used if it’s sitting on the dining room table—nowhere else. I attempted to set up a workspace upstairs, but it’s too cold and unwelcoming up there.

Background: I’m not telling anyone to participate, but I invite you to join the conversation and share your insights. Shoutout to @Coolbeans4 who gave me a Pingback and tagged me in a blog post! I appreciate the Pingbacks and tags, especially for anyone who decides to do this challenge. I’d love to read your answers! I’ve divided the 100 questions into six blog posts, each focusing on different themes to encourage meaningful discussions. My answers reflect my personal experiences, which vary for each individual.

100 Self-Reflective Prompts: Q17 – 33

17. What kind of person do you want to be known for? I want to be known as a kind soul and a person who lives with integrity, someone who consistently demonstrates compassion and empathy towards others. I aspire to be remembered as someone who not only stands by their principles but also uplifts those around them through acts of kindness, understanding, and support. 😊💕

18. Who inspires you the most? How would you describe their character traits? I draw inspiration from multiple individuals. What these people share is a knack for influencing others authentically. They’re bold in voicing their thoughts, unafraid to stand out, and they frequently hold views that go against the grain—views that, more often than not, turn out to be true.

19. What builds up your confidence? What deflates your confidence? My confidence grows when I’m at a healthy weight where I feel good, avoiding the discomfort of being overweight (tight clothes are the worst), and sticking to my own values and principles—like my unique approach to diet. On the flip side, my confidence takes a hit when people raise their voices at me, put me down, or act rudely right to my face, whether online or offline. Rudeness, no matter the medium, stings and drags me down.

20. Who supports you in your life regardless of what happens? My family stands by me through thick and thin. My husband may not fully get me and I don’t expect him to, but he’s always by my side. My parents are usually supportive, even if they don’t completely understand me either. I used to lean on online friends for encouragement, but lately, I’ve been finding answers in communities and forums instead. I’ve also got a dear friend back home who’s there for me. She’s the one who really knows everything I’m navigating personally right now.

21. What qualities are you drawn to in other people? Are they healthy or unhealthy? Alright, this might come off as a bit shallow, but this is my blog so anything goes. I’m naturally drawn toward people who radiate confidence and have a beauty that’s both internal and external. I’m attracted to those who are self-assured and have a clear sense of direction in life. I admire people who are born teachers—those who can guide a group and sway a crowd effortlessly, for the greater good. Fame doesn’t matter much to me; it’s more about their character and the values they uphold.

22. What makes you feel the most like yourself? I feel most authentic when I can freely express myself and share my passions with others without restraint. My interests—like gaming, anime, nutrition, and nutraceutical sciences (NANS)—might come off as quirky to many. I’m happiest when I’m with people who get me, whether we’re digging into the science of health and wellness or enjoying games like Infinity Nikki. Idk about you but I’m looking forward to playing InZOI on Steam. I’m hoping to get the game sometime in April.

23. What makes you so happy you lose track of time? I often get lost in my passions, especially when I’m digging into research and find myself spiraling down a rabbit hole. Time seems to vanish, especially when I’m locked in on something that captivates me. Recently, I’ve poured all my spare time into Infinity Nikki, but now that I’m caught up, there’s not much left to do in the game at the moment.

24. What could you give a TED Talk on if you were asked to present tomorrow? If I had to give a TED Talk, I’d probably speak on optimizing clipart and vector designs—something I feel pretty solid about. Nutrition? Not so much. I’m still deep in the research phase and wouldn’t call myself an expert by any stretch.

25. When do you feel most alive? When I’m awake.

26. What qualities do you possess that you dislike about yourself? Honestly, I can get a little too caught up in trying to nail every detail, perfectionism creeps in. It’s a drag when it slows me down or makes me second-guess myself. Also, I’ve got a tendency to over-explain things sometimes, which might come off as long-winded when I’m just trying to be clear.

27. What qualities do you look for in a friend or partner? Essentially the opposite of what I’ve experienced with past friends and partners. I’ve faced plenty of inconsistency, untrustworthiness, and closed-mindedness, so I’d seek someone who comes across as reliable and sincere, even if that’s tricky to spot, while also being receptive and truly invested in our friendship.

28. How do you present yourself in relationships? I think I’m someone who shows up with a lot of heart, aiming to be steady and real for the other person. I try to listen and understand where they’re coming from, even if I don’t always get it perfect. I’m big on being open and keeping things honest, though I can sometimes overthink what I bring to the table or how I’m coming across. I’d say I’m supportive and willing to put in the effort, but I also value having my own space to recharge.

29. What drives you internally? I am internally driven by curiosity and the search for truth.

30. What habits that your parents/guardians process that you see in yourself today? I’m not sure if I understand the question. Are you asking about the habits my parents possess that I see in myself, or are you asking about the habits my parents see in me that I also recognize in myself?

31. What is your personal elevator pitch? (How do you Introduce yourself? Hi [insert name]. My name is Hilary. I try to be funny to lighten the mood—some people may even find me hilarious.

32. What does your space say about you? What do you want to change? I’m unclear on the question—are we referring to my physical or personal surroundings, or my online footprint? My physical space looks like it belongs to someone with ADD. I’m always misplacing stuff, and no matter how much I tidy or declutter, it never feels orderly. I avoid collecting things since that just fuels the chaos I call my “space.”

33. Do other people’s opinions impact your life on a daily basis? I would say it is a mix of yes and no. Their words hang around and drag me down daily, but in the big picture, I live on my own terms and don’t give s*** about their opinions of me. Only I know the truth about myself—not them.


If you’ve completed Part 2 of this series, congratulations! There are only 4 more blog posts like this to go! 😆 Writing this took ages since I was nowhere near my laptop and absolutely despise drafting posts on my phone. Anyways, feel free to leave your thoughts and/or feedback in the comments section below ↓

P.S. Please follow me on Twitter/𝕏 (@serene_hilz) if you aren’t already, as I frequently share insights, updates, and engaging content related to my latest interests. DMs are open if you follow me there. You can also find me on Bluesky if Twitter/𝕏 isn’t your thing (@sereneluna.bsky.social) but DMs are deactivated on Bluesky.

Image generated using AI (I’ll add more of these to future posts if you want me to) ✨

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

100 Self-Reflective Prompts

Background: I’m not tagging anyone in this post, but I invite you to join the conversation and share your insights. If you write a similar blog post with the following prompts, please tag me your blog post. I’d love to read your answers! I’ve divided the 100 questions into six blog posts, each focusing on different themes to encourage meaningful discussions. My answers reflect my personal experiences, which vary for each individual.

100 Self-Reflective Prompts: Part 1 of 6

1. How do you feel you presented yourself to the world today? I am mostly content with what I have accomplished in my life so far, but I have no desire to become famous or create change in the world. Have I met society’s standards for how a 33-year-old should show up in the world? I would say yes.

2. How do you feel you treated others this week? I don’t usually talk to people unless it’s online or I’m at work. It’s just an ordinary week. I mostly interact with my family. Honestly, I was cranky this week and wasn’t the friendliest person to be around.

5. What is bringing you meaning to life currently? My family is my top priority, and my job comes second. I work casually, which suits me best at this time in my life. I want to find a sustainable and enjoyable side hustle to bring more meaning to my life and give me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

4. What 3 words would you use to describe yourself? Introspective, Introvert, Impatient.

5. How would you describe myself in 10 words or fewer? Creative, intellectual, blogger, strong-willed, hates being cold, loves animals.

6. How would/does isolation impact you? Too much isolation from others makes me uncomfortable. I need some interaction. However, isolation doesn’t seem to affect me as negatively as it does extroverted people.

7. Do you need people around you to feel happy? For my mental health, yes. I have my husband and 2 kids.

8. What do you feel your purpose is in the world? My purpose is to serve others and make their lives a little better.

9. How do you want others to feel about you? Depends. I’ve had people call me fake. I’ve had people call me a b**** and a hypocrite. These are the same people who have never met me in person yet think they know me because I’m open when conversing with others. Superficial conversations are usually a waste of time.

10. What problems do you have in life currently? How can you work to resolve them? I am dissatisfied with my country and the incompetent federal government. There’s so much corruption, and I worry about the economy. Yes, I have a job, but nothing is ever guaranteed in life. I want to leave Canada, but our kids are happy here, and it’s hard to just pack up and move. We are figuring out which state we will move to.

11. What makes you feel excited to wake up every morning? A hot beverage and perhaps a new podcast to listen to, or maybe a new YouTube video from a favorite YouTuber to watch, are little things to look forward to every day.

12. How would your younger self feel about you currently? I’m impressed and in disbelief. I never expected so much of myself when I was younger. I never thought I would get married at 24 and have two kids in my 20’s. Becoming an RN in my late 20’s seemed like an unachievable dream too.

13. What moments altered your life fundamentally? Hitting rock bottom financially, failing a university course, and becoming rebellious at 21 were pivotal moments that fundamentally altered my life.

14. If you had one year to do whatever you wanted, what would you do? I honestly don’t know. I’d like to win the lottery, but I don’t think that’s even an option. Maybe travel the world? As long as I have no obligations weighing me down.

15. What would you consider to be “your element”? Um, my element is fire🔥because I was born in August. I don’t think that’s what this question is asking though.

16. How does life look compared to what you expected it to look like? Well, I thought I would still be living with my parents in my 30s. Luckily, I was able to move out at 23 and haven’t had to move back in with them yet! I moved across the country and live in a different province. So, I guess my life looks very different from what I thought it would.


If you’ve completed Part 1 of this series, congratulations! There are only five more blog posts to come! 😆 Moving forward, I need to focus on writing instead of just thinking about it. I started this to help me break free from my rut and stop scrolling through social media. Feel free to leave your thoughts and/or feedback in the comments section below ↓

P.S. Please follow me on Twitter/𝕏 (@serene_hilz) if you aren’t already, as I frequently share insights, updates, and engaging content related to my latest projects and interests. DMs are open if you follow me there. You can also find me on Bluesky if Twitter/𝕏 isn’t your thing (@sereneluna.bsky.social) but I deactivated DMs.

Image generated using AI (I’ll add more of these to future posts if you want me to) ✨

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

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About that December 2024 Recap….

Hi everyone! I am coming out of hibernation and opened WordPress on my laptop for the first time since December 2024. I realize how much I’ve missed connecting with all of you through my posts and updates. I’ve also missed leaving comments on your blog posts. Reading your blogs on a regular basis has been something I missed too. In case you missed my last blog post from December 2024, you can read it here. I never did update you on which goals I ended up accomplishing. Honestly, I don’t really remember the details because I didn’t write them down.

No Motivation for Anything

I am not proud of completely abandoning my blog. What you witnessed here was my last blog post that I had written. Yes, it dates back to my goals for December 2024. To summarize how December went, everyone in my immediate family got sick during Christmas break except me. Usually, my immune system is terrible, but for some reason, I didn’t get sick, so that remains a mystery. That being said, I was sick last week and spent this week recovering from a nasty head cold.🤷‍♀ ️

Rethinking My Game Plan

I recently discovered that a work colleague of mine is making good money with digital marketing. She was kind and told me what it’s about without gate keeping her strategy, but I don’t want to get into digital marketing. I also don’t want to actively use Instagram or TikTok to sell courses. However, this makes my #Redbubble side hustle feel more like a waste of time than ever before. My Redbubble earnings are peanuts compared to my colleague’s impressive 5-figure income from her side hustle. This realization also made me rethink my entire strategy. On top of everything, the algorithm on #Redbubble is punishing me for being inactive on their site. It would mean the world to me if you check out my little shop on there. I am 2 likes away from reaching 2,000 favorited items! ❤

🌸 My Redbubble Shop: @sereneluna 🌸


♡ You can browse all of my 108 designs here: http://shorturl.at/otvxQ

The CAD prices have changed due to recent inflation. Unfortunately, the inflation that we are all experiencing to some degree has impacted many small businesses and their pricing strategies. Thus, I had to offset the costs to maintain my profit margins. It was also necessary to justify continuing with this side hustle, because otherwise, what’s the point of doing it? I know that I am passionate about this side hustle and want to keep doing it. And the best part? It’s zero inventory so less clutter (except digital clutter) in my house. If I make zero sales by the end of the month, I’ll probably readjust the prices back to what they were before. I truly value my customers and want to keep my prices affordable.

Honestly, I think it’s more of an algorithm issue. It’s not as much of a price issue because visibility and reach often play a crucial role in sales performance. Right now, my prices are set to $2.04 CAD. The Canadian Dollar is so bad right now. This makes it difficult for me to sustain this hobby (time + effort) without making these adjustments. I am hopeful that as market conditions improve, I can revert to more competitive pricing.


(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I know this is an unconventional blog post yet again. I want to explain why I haven’t been blogging lately. I’m feeling overwhelmed with everything in my life right now and I need to determine what I need to do to get my life in order and back on track. I’m also struggling with depression and anxiety, which makes it hard to find motivation. I often blame the long winters and lack of sunshine in Alberta, but I also hold myself accountable. Still, I’m trying to remain hopeful, even when I feel lost. My goal for this year is to create at least one digital product related to this blog, aimed at people who, like me, are struggling with mental health and trying to get their lives on track. Not only that, but I want to figure out how to market it, preferably in USD.

Do you struggle with everyday life? Do you feel completely lost like I do? Do you feel scatterbrained with no clear path? Feel free to leave a comment below ↓ I would be grateful if you followed me on Twitter/𝕏 (@serene_hilz). This is, of course, if you aren’t already a follower. It is harder than ever to grow on that platform. I really enjoy using it to connect with like-minded bloggers.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

December Recap | Winter 2022

I know I said that I wasn’t going to make these diary-style blog posts but I am even less inclined to write anything if I am going to stick with the original plan. So out with the old plan and in with the new plan! And right on time for the New Year.

You can read my blog post about the 6 Most Annoying Types of Blogs, right here.

♡ Related Blog Post: The 6 Most Annoying Types of Blogs

Do I care if this makes me a hypocrite? Maybe. But honestly, who is keeping tabs on me and who cares?! 🤷‍♀️

░J░u░d░g░e░ ░m░e░ ░w░h░e░n░ ░y░o░u░ ░a░r░e░ ░p░e░r░f░e░c░t░.░


(っ◔◡◔)っ Serious Question: Are you familiar with the game, Never Have I ever?

1. Never have I ever written a monthly recap blog post.

I’ve never written a monthly recap before but I think now’s a good time to start. I want to write this post in order to encourage myself and hold myself accountable, but also so others can take something away from what I’m writing.

I am still a little confused about what I am doing with my Medium profile. Traffic has declined a lot but I am still gaining followers. I have currently reached 1,100 followers and it is crazy to me. Whoever is reading my articles, thank you for your support!

In case you haven’t been following me on #Twitter or #Medium, I forgive you. Seriously though, you haven’t been getting updates from me if that’s been the case.

2. Never have I ever had COVID-19 😷

December sure didn’t start out that well for me. I got sick the first week of the month and had to call in for 5 shifts. That’s a lot of work! I ended up getting laryngitis and bronchitis, which resulted in this awful cough that wouldn’t go away. I’m glad I’m finally feeling better, though, and haven’t had a coughing fit in three days now.

One would think that I had been diagnosed with the COVID-19 plague, but I still haven’t been diagnosed with COVUD-19! It annoys me when people incorrectly claim to have had COVID-19 and refuse to get tested by a medical professional. You don’t actually know IF you have it unless you take the test. Honestly, I don’t know how I haven’t gotten it yet but I have a theory that I may have caught it in the earlier days before we had to get tested. Who knows!

Now that I feel better, I will be returning to work this weekend and need to make some money to cover the expenses this month. It’s a relief that I live debt-free and don’t have to live paycheck-to-paycheck, but now I’m trying not to feel overwhelmed by the bills this month.

Other Life Updates

My daughter got her ears pierced. My husband was hesitant about it, but he quickly got over it. I took my six-year old to get her ears pierced on December 26, 2022, which is what we call Boxing Day here in Canada. My daughter’s earrings are the color of her birthstone which happens to be October.

My kids had a lot of appointments this month. With so much to do on a day-to-day basis it can be a struggle to keep track of it all. My calendar is pretty crappy and I am ready for a new one! Looking forward to some new stationary in January 2023.

I had a massage last week, for the first time in years. The last time I had a massage was 2019 before the pandemic happened. Although the massage was quite painful, I felt so much better afterwards. This weekend, I am less achy than usual. I plan on going back for another massage in the new year.

I started using the treadmill again. I was using it religiously during the summer, but then I stopped for some reason, and noticed that I have been maintaining my weight. This does not make me happy because I have 20 pounds to lose and most of it is belly fat. All I want to do is wear cute clothes and feel good about myself. And being skinny fat does not feel good. There is no denying that, and I do want to mention that “every size is beautiful” is an empty statement which does not change my reality. It’s not enough for me to tell myself that I look great when I don’t feel the same way about myself. The most important thing for me right now is getting in shape.

We did not see family this Christmas, and nobody visited us either. My mom is afraid of flying in an airplane, my dad doesn’t like to fly by himself, and my parents fear COVID-19. There is no convincing them to visit us this year as they are worried about their safety. My husband didn’t want to use his vacation days to visit family in Ontario this year because they would all be gone anyways since most of his extended family weren’t going to be there. Our Christmas was very scattered and uncoordinated. We didn’t do much at all.

My ASUS laptop is dying a slow, painful death. I need a new laptop and am at the point where I won’t even turn my laptop on. I have been having issues with my laptop for a while and know that I need a new one but am having a hard time choosing which brand. I currently have an ASUS and I am not interested in getting a MacBook. In case you missed my blog post about my experience with owning a MacBook, you can read about it here:

♡ Related Blog Post: RIP Old Friend 💀❌

My ASUS laptop got me through nursing school.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I have a feeling that this will probably be the last blog post for December. I don’t typically reply to blog posts on days that I am working, and I happen to be working this weekend.

I really appreciate it when readers take the time to read my posts, and I hope that you found them interesting. I know they were pretty straightforward and uneventful, which is why I want to hear from you. What was your December like? Are you enjoying the holidays so far? Feel free to join the conversation below ↓ And if you don’t hear from me, I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year! 🎉🥂

Thanks for stopping by! ❤️

31 Life Lessons Learned

Hey you guys! I am in the midst of packing for our upcoming trip to Ontario to visit family & it has just occurred to me that I should probably update this blog post because a) it is my birthday 🎉🥳 and b) I just turned 31 years old. I am not sure how I feel about that tbh. Yes, three years have passed since I uploaded this blog post. This blog post might look familiar to you if you were following me three years ago because it is. This is something that many bloggers do and I figured why not go back to what already works?

Birthday Blues

This year, my birthday was a bit depressing. I didn’t do anything special and it felt like any other day. The magic that I once felt as a little kid seems elusive as an adult, which is disappointing. I still wanted to do something special on my birthday, so to celebrate, I wanted to share with you 31 things that I learned in 31 years. This list is in no particular order except for the last three points that are supposed to reflect life lessons learned from 2019 – 2022. It is important to note that each item on the list has shaped me into the person I am today.

31 Life Lessons Learned in 31 Years

1. Life is unfair. Get used to it. #tough-love  

2. Insomnia is real and can be really debilitating if you let it rule your life. 

3. Cats and dogs make fantastic friends. Lizards….not so much. You can’t cuddle with a lizard but they make great conversation starters when forced to awkwardly engage with people.

4. And you fall, and you crawl, and you break many times over. Avril Lavigne got it right. #complicated

5. Life isn’t static. It’s constantly changing, so it’s better to change along with it than to resist change.

6. Being uncomfortable is a GOOD THING. You need to step outside of your comfort zone in order for real growth to happen. And you’ll be one step closer to reaching your goals.

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All credit goes to Sarah Andersen → Sarah’s Scribbles

7. Quality over quantity. The number of likes and followers does not matter in the grand scheme of things. Social media is also quite meaningless unless you’re trying to brand yourself or provide value to people. Blogging provides tons of value IMO and it took me several years to discover that I really enjoy writing for an audience.

8. Minimalism is a great concept and we can all benefit by learning how to live with less stuff. If you would like to learn more about how minimalism has positively impacted my life, you can read about it here.

“The secret to happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” —Socrates

9. Don’t treat your body like a dumpster. Respect yourself by being kind to your body. 

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10. Learn to accept and make peace with yourself because nobody else can do that for you.

11. You don’t need friends to be happy and being extremely introverted is not a flaw in your character. 

12. Most people will lie to you or let you down, including family. Be prepared for friends to disappoint you as well. If anything, lower your expectations to live a happier life.

13. There is truth to meditation. We should learn to embrace this ancient practice. 

14. I am scared of aging and looking my age. I really don’t want to live to be 90+ years old. Genetics suggests that I will live well into my 90’s. A vivid dream I had when I was a little kid suggests that I will live to be 64 years old.

15. Failing at something does not make YOU a failure. It’s tough to get up when you fail, but that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Everyone struggles sometimes, and it’s about figuring out what works for you. I know it’s hard but keep going! I never quit, I just kept trying and eventually became a nurse out of all things.

16. Not everyone is going to like you no matter how hard you try to please them.

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17. There is truth to mindfulness and finding greater consciousness. Make it your ultimate goal to aim for self-actualization by referring to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. At one point, Maslow’s Pyramid was the background image on my desktop. Can you tell that I like psychology? 🙊

18. After all these years, The Amazing Race is STILL my favourite reality TV show. I watch the Canadian version as well even though it’s not as good as the original series. I don’t keep up with the latest TV shows on Netflix because TV is a HUGE time waster, but I will make a scene if I miss out on watching “The Great Race.”

19. Strong negative emotions are meant to protect you, that is if you are still living in the stone age. 

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You can find my latest Instagram stories @serene_hilz

20. There is no need for cookbooks as long as you have an internet connection. You can find everything you need online for FREE! I enjoy learning how to make delicious recipes that are kinder to my body since I am intolerant to white flour, dairy, and refined sugar.

21. Sugar is highly addictive and should be considered a drug. It’s impossible to quit. I even published a post about how to give up sugar, and even I cannot follow my own advice. Hypocritical of me, eh?

22. You can grow bean sprouts in a jar. Bean sprouts are not only cheap, but they’re also nutritious. You can find affordable jars at your local dollar store. You don’t need a special lid or anything fancy to grow bean sprouts. I used a tutorial from YouTube to grow beansprouts. The whole process is very easy and straightforward.

23. If you don’t have dental insurance in Canada or the US, do yourself a favor and get dental insurance. Since the problem wasn’t resolved years ago, I’ll have to pay for orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery. I have no choice but to go back to nursing school and face that beast. These “luxuries” in life cost $$$.

24. I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t smoke. Marijuana recently became legal in Canada but I still have no desire to smoke weed. The cannabis culture does not appeal to me and actually disgusts me. NO THANKS. 👎

25. It is OK to spend money on things that bring you joy. Cats, unicorns, steeped tea, etc. Cats bring me joy so we adopted a kitty in April 2019. Steeped Tea from Tim Horton’s also brings me joy. I stopped buying steeped tea in April 2019 to save some pocket change but later decided that the benefits of saving money did not outweigh the enjoyment I get from drinking my favorite beverage.

26. Have a growth mentality instead of a shrinking mentality. Do not settle for less than you deserve in life. Always look for opportunities for growth, whether that means aiming for financial security or finding a career that will sustain you. My husband deserves credit for teaching me this life lesson.

27. I believe that there is a soulmate for every person on this planet. Ladies, if you are still single, consider this as a plausible reason:

“Someday my Prince Charming will come. Mine just took a wrong, got lost, and is too stubborn to ask for directions.” —Unknown

28. It is OK to be yourself even if people don’t always get you. For example, I am hypersensitive to noise and a little neurotic at times. My automatic response to loud noise is to cover my ears and cry. I have cried at a loud football game, I had cried at a loud pub full of drunk people when I was 3 years old and when I was 23 years old. Oh, there ain’t no other way because baby, I was born this way!

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29. Comparison is the thief of joy. Most people agree that they are their own person and should never compare themselves to others. There is nothing better than embracing your individuality. Remember, there is only one YOU!

30. Stick to what you know works for you. You could always experiment with new products., and end up spending a significant amount of money OR you could only purchase brands that actually work for you. Doing this will allow you to always get the most out of things. This applies to pretty much anything in life.

31. Friends can be unreliable and break your trust. This might not come as a surprise, but it’s important to be careful because people who you considered to be good friends can turn out to be shitty in the end.

Well, there you have it. I could keep going but I am feeling 31 right now. Which life lesson(s) did you relate to the most? Please join the conversation and leave a comment below ↓

Thanks for stopping by!

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My Favorite Quotes: Tea Time

Right now, I am sipping a cup of raspberry leaf tea while I am trying my best not to fall asleep at my computer desk. Even if I close my eyes for a few minutes, I would not get adequate sleep. No naps for me today. 😴 If we were having tea at my house or virtually via a Zoom meetup, I would share some of my favourite tea quotes with you. In May 2016, I printed these tea quotes and added them to cute frames to use as table placements. I wanted a safe place to keep these quotes because #memories but didn’t want to keep the original document. It’s only logical to write a blog post about my favourite tea quotes, right? 🍵💕

This blog post is as random as my mood today, and my mood happens to be a mix of depression, gloom, envy/jealousy, and frustration. Yes, it’s a weird mix of feelings and I and I am riding an emotional roller coaster right now. No, I am not dealing with PMS symptoms….yet. My depression seems to come and go in large waves, and these waves usually knock me off my feet. I will be okay; it’s just another wave that comes and goes like ocean tidal waves. As the saying goes, this too shall pass. 

Honestly, I could not find the energy or motivation to finish writing a decent blog post last week, despite multiple attempts. This morning, I resorted to reading fellow bloggers’ blog posts for inspiration, because my classic listicles and how-to guides weren’t cutting it. I was inspired by blogger Lucy, who runs a blog called Elsie LMC. If you aren’t familiar with her blog, I recommend that you check it out! She writes about similar topics, but goes into greater depth about her personal life which is a breath of fresh air. If you are currently following my blog (thank you~!), then you will probably like her content too!


It’s Time for Tea! (◡‿◡✿)

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Back in 2016, I didn’t use editing apps so the quotes were not as colorful as these ones. By the way, I am curious to know which tea quote is your favourite. It does not have to be one from my list. Also, do you enjoy drinking tea? If yes, what is your favourite kind of tea? Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment below ↓

Thanks for stopping by!

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28 Life Lessons Learned

I had good intentions to publish this blog post on August 4 which was my 28th birthday. Fast forward two weeks, only to realize that I had forgotten to edit it. Now I am finally getting around to publishing the damn thing. 5+ hours later, my back aches, my feet hurt, and I am surprised that nobody has kicked me out of the food court where I am mooching off of A&W’s WiFi. My husband is meeting clients today so I really have no excuses while I wait for him downtown.

It’s the Thought that Counts!

Overall, my birthday was OK. Nothing too eventful happened unless travelling 7+ hours counts as an exciting trip. Even tough I only flew across Canada, there were many stops along the way which extended the trip. Since moving out west, flying has become the norm for me so my birthday was just an ordinary day. To celebrate my very belated birthday, I wanted to share with you 28 things that I learned in 28 years. This list is in no particular order since I wrote the outline while waiting in the airport, but each item on the list has shaped me into the person I am today.

28 Life Lessons Learned in 28 Years

1. Life is unfair. Get used to it. #tough-love  

2. Insomnia is real and can be really debilitating if you let it rule your life. 

3. Cats and dogs make fantastic friends. Lizards….not so much. You can’t cuddle with a lizard but they make great conversation starters when forced to awkwardly engage with people.

4. And you fall, and you crawl, and you break many times over. Avril Lavigne got it right. #complicated

5. Life isn’t static. It’s constantly changing, so it’s better to change along with it than to resist change.

6. Being uncomfortable is a GOOD THING. You need to step outside of your comfort zone in order for real growth to happen. And you’ll be one step closer towards reaching your goals.

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All credit goes to Sarah Andersen → Sarah’s Scribbles

7. Quality over quantity. The number of likes and followers does not matter in the grand scheme of things. Social media is also quite meaningless unless you’re trying to brand yourself or provide value to people. Blogging provides tons of value IMO and it took me several years to discover that I really enjoy writing for an audience.

8. Minimalism is a great concept and we can all benefit by learning how to live with less stuff. If you would like to learn more about how minimalism has positively impacted my life, you can read about it here.

“The secret to happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” —Socrates

9. Don’t treat your body like a dumpster. Respect yourself by being kind to your body. 

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10. Learn to accept and make peace with yourself because nobody else can do that for you.

11. You don’t need friends to be happy and being extremely introverted is not a flaw in your character. 

12. Most people will lie to you or let you down, including family. Be prepared for friends to disappoint you as well. If anything, lower your expectations to live a happier life.

13. There is truth to meditation. We should learn to embrace this ancient practice. 

14. I am scared of aging and looking my age. I really don’t want to live to be 90+ years old. Genetics suggest that I will live well into my 90’s. A vivid dream I had when I was a little kid suggests that I will live to be 64 years old.

15. Failing at something does not make YOU a failure. I still haven’t made peace with my failures yet, since my recent experience with failure is still raw and painful.

16. Not everyone is going to like you no matter how hard you try to please them.

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17. There is truth to mindfulness and finding greater consciousness. Make it your ultimate goal to aim for self-actualization by referring to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. At one point, Maslow’s Pyramid was the background image on my desktop. Can you tell that I like psychology? 🙊

18. After all these years, The Amazing Race is STILL my favourite reality TV show. I watch the Canadian version as well even though it’s not as good as the original series. I don’t keep up with the latest TV shows on Netflix because TV is a HUGE time waster, but I will make a scene if I miss out on watching “The Great Race.”

19. Strong negative emotions are meant to protect you, that is, if you are still living in the stone age. 

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You can find my latest Instagram stories @serene_hilz

20. There is no need for cookbooks as long as you have an internet connection. You can find everything you need online for FREE! I enjoy learning how to make delicious recipes that are kinder to my body, since I am intolerant to white flour, dairy, and refined sugar.

21. Sugar is highly addictive and should be considered a drug. It’s impossible to quit. I even published a post about how to give up sugar, and even I cannot follow my own advice. Hypocritical of me, eh?

22. You can grow bean sprouts in a jar. Bean sprouts are not only cheap, but they’re also nutritious. You can find affordable jars at your local dollar store. You don’t need a special lid or anything fancy to grow bean sprouts. I used a tutorial from YouTube to grow beansprouts. The whole process is very easy and straight-forward.

23. If you don’t have dental insurance in Canada or the US, do yourself a favor and get dental insurance. Since the problem wasn’t resolved years ago, I’ll have to spend thousands of dollars to pay for orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery. I have no choice but to go back to nursing school and face that beast. These “luxuries” in life cost $$$.

24. I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t smoke. Marijuana recently became legal in Canada but I still have no desire to smoke weed. The cannabis culture does not appeal to me and actually disgusts me. NO THANKS. 👎

25. It is OK to spend money on things that bring you joy. Cats, unicorns, steeped tea etc. Cats bring me joy so we adopted a kitty in April 2019. Steeped Tea from Tim Horton’s also brings me joy. I stopped buying steeped tea in April 2019 to save some pocket change but later decided that the benefits of saving money did not outweigh the enjoyment I get from drinking my favourite beverage.

26. Have a growth mentality instead of a shrinking mentality. Do not settle for less than you deserve in life. Always look for opportunities for growth, whether that means aiming for financial security or finding a career that will sustain you. My husband deserves credit for teaching me this life lesson.

27. I believe that there is a soulmate for every person on this planet. Ladies, if you are still single, consider this as a plausible reason:

“Someday my Prince Charming will come. Mine just took a wrong, got lost, and is too stubborn to ask for directions.” —Unknown

28. It is OK to be yourself even if people don’t always get you. For example, I am hypersensitive to noise and a little neurotic at times. My automatic response to loud noise is to cover my ears and cry. I have cried at a loud football game, I have cried at a loud pub full of drunk people when I was 3 years old and when I was 23 years old. Oh there ain’t no other way because baby, I was born this way!

img_2937_19727604261_o.jpgWell, there you have it. I could keep going but I am feeling 28 right now. Which life lesson(s) did you relate to the most? Please join the conversation and leave a comment below ↓

Thanks for stopping by!

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