Tag: Lifestyle

February Recap | Winter 2024

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Where have I been, you might ask? I have been busy during the month of February because I have been working out and reading books instead of writing blog posts and reviews. It seems odd, but I actually read 2 self-help books and have just started reading my third book. This is even surprising to me, considering that I haven’t picked up a book to read since I was in University.

  1. You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero was just okay. The author comes across as overly happy, full of sunshine, rainbows, and feel-good vibes. While I used to resonate with her book, I find it less appealing now. Some readers may not mind the use of made-up words like “Source Energy” instead of God and “The Big Snooze” instead of ego, but to me, it dilutes the concepts and major points she is trying to convey.
  2. “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo was a better book overall, but it took me a total of four attempts to read the whole thing. Instilling the habit of reading 10 pages a day forced me to finish her book, which turned out to be a good thing. I believe she introduces many fresh ideas to an otherwise mundane topic, but there were a few aspects that bothered me. Not everyone can clean their homes in one go as she suggests. I later discovered that she has an online shop selling storage items and trinkets, which seems hypocritical to me, given that the goal is to declutter and eliminate excess items that do not spark joy.

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Who I Want to Become •̩̩͙*˚＊

I have been focusing on my word this year, which is discipline, but it has grown to be much more than that. I am working on cultivating healthier habits that need to stick long-term. This isn’t just for vanity reasons, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t. This is for overall health and well-being, and more importantly, to hopefully slow down the progression of my health issues. I started going to physiotherapy as an adult and was told that it is very rare to see someone as young as me seeking therapy for vestibular/balance issues. Also, my eyesight is absolutely terrible and I just recently had to get even stronger prescription glasses. I have astigmatism and a few other issues that had the eye doctors stumped for weeks.

During the month of February, my main focus was health and fitness, which unfortunately led to neglecting my blog. Moving forward, I believe I should return to using a “Power List” instead of a task list solely focused on mental toughness. I felt burnt out from completing tasks, which affected my motivation for blogging, my sticker side hustle, and exploring other avenues to earn money. Additionally, my work shifts were reduced, resulting in inconsistent work hours compared to before. Anyways, here is a recap of how February 2024 went down:

February Recap 2024

Career Goals:

  • Try to aim for 9-12 shifts this month I thought I had enough shifts but a couple of them were cancelled. I am a bit disappointed that I didn’t get nearly as many shifts as I would have liked.
  • Catch up on emails if there are any I often I check my emails even if it takes a long time to reply to them.
  • Bid on shifts for February as they become available There haven’t really been shifts to bid on and any shifts that are available don’t work with my schedule.
  • Add 1-2 new designs on #Redbubble Redbubble just increased their prices without telling me and I am not happy about it. It has killed my motivation to upload new designs. Prices now start around $2.00 CAD but it seems to change on a daily basis depending on how the Canadian dollar is doing….
🌸 Follow me on Redbubble: @sereneluna 🌸

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts Like I said above, I have been busy focusing on working out and other life commitments that I haven’t had time to blog. I hope to blog more next month.
  • Figure out a posting schedule for #Medium I actually want to start uploading articles to Medium again, especially since work is so slow and I need to find other ways to earn money.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments I have been doing surprisingly well at this despite not using a planner. I track all appointments on my phone, which I know isn’t a good idea but it’s what I’m using for now.
  • Read 10 pages of a personal development book each day Yes! I have stuck with this habit and am really enjoying it so far.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Want to buy me a coffee? Now you can! 👉 https://ko-fi.com/sereneluna

Health Goals:

  • Two 45-min workouts per day + upload progress on Twitter Yes! I have been exercising on a daily basis. It is exhausting and I might cut back on the 90min workouts or just aim for 10,000 steps/day since two 45-min workouts isn’t really sustainable long-term.
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee Yes! I have been really diligent about this. Also, I finally used up those Nuun tablets btw.
  • Track hydration on Water Llama app Yes! I have been doing this consistently and I’m happy with my progress so far. I seem to forget to track my water intake if I’m not sticking to a routine, so I need to remember this for next month.
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app Yes! I use the app everyday and have finally moved up to Level 45 (insert blog post)
  • Healthy/clean eating 90% of the time Um, more like 80%. Even though I cut out take-out food and processed snacks, Tim Horton’s donuts, and all food from MCDs, I still eat Asian processed snacks which I know makes no sense. I really like the Pineapple tarts and White Rabbit Candy and Lucky Strawberry Candy, m’kay? My husband is Singaporean and buys the snacks, and then I eat the snacks.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I know I am not perfect, nor am I trying to be perfect. I am doing my best. I am aware that I still have a sugar addiction that may be hindering my weight loss goals. I’ll know that I have reached my goals when my clothes fit comfortably again. This journey can be frustrating, so I am focusing on how I feel internally and making decisions based on that, rather than living by strict rules.

Sadly, my infinity hoop keeps breaking so I am afraid to use it now. Once the last remaining piece breaks, I can’t replace my hoop. I have decided to get a weighted hula hoop but not sure where to get one. My husband wants me to buy one from the store rather than purchase one from Amazon, but I can’t find one anywhere. So if anyone happens to know where I can get a weighted hula hoop or an adult-sized hula hoop that I can use for workouts, please let me know.

Finally, I am curious to know what your goals were for the month of February and whether or not you accomplished what you were hoping to. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below ↓ Also, I would really appreciate it if you followed me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), that is, if you aren’t already a follower. It is harder than ever to grow on that platform but I really do enjoy using it to connect with like-minded bloggers.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

She Was Never One of Us

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Oh, Canada! 🇨🇦 I have lived in Canada my entire life; I was born and raised here. Canadians are often recognized for their friendly and apologetic nature. On a personal level, I have come to realize that I possess these traits, often giving people numerous opportunities and extending my trust to them. As you may have noticed from the title, I am throwing some maple leaf shade here. I won’t give you much context for privacy reasons, but publishing this poem on January 4th was intentional. If you like this poem, feel free to check out my other poetry musings here. ✨

Thanks for reading! ♡

Thanks for reading! ♡

When Everything Goes Wrong

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Have you ever experienced those days when it feels like the world is against you, and everything, from the smallest details to the biggest challenges, seems to be going wrong? It can be incredibly demotivating when nothing seems to be going your way.

Drowning in a Sea of Sadness

Why is this happening to me? Who knows! 😖 And please don’t tell me that this is happening for me instead of to me; that is a bunch of BS created by self-help gurus to reframe the situation. No amount of self-help is helping me right now, which is worth mentioning because I listen to a lot of self-help guru advice. But I digress.

I could have also been been influenced by the news, something I read online, or a combination of various factors that are completely out of my control, all of which are highly likely. Either way, I’m struggling with depression and anxiety this week.

Image source: https://www.deviantart.com/

A Stressful Weekend

It all began last Friday when I went to work. The following days, Friday through Sunday, were incredibly busy, leaving me with no time to eat during the few breaks I had. By Sunday, my nerves were on edge and I desperately needed a steeped tea. However, my husband informed me that the line was too long, and I would have to go without it.

Over the weekend, my plastic Nalgene water bottle completely shattered into pieces. Can you believe it? I’m just as puzzled as you are. How does a plastic water bottle smash like that? RIP Nalgene water bottle ☠️

A Stressful Monday

Due to a stressful weekend, I ended up with a migraine on Monday. As a result, I wasn’t able to do piano practice with Rebecca, and I also forgot my swipe card by the time I arrived to the YMCA. Despite having my gym bag with me, I couldn’t sign in. Eventually, the kind lady at the front desk allowed me to enter, but it was a waste of valuable time and I felt rushed. Moreover, I didn’t get to enjoy a cup of steeped tea that day either.

When I feel stressed out, I like to create digital vector designs which I then turn into stickers and other merch for #Redbubble. On Monday night, I uploaded a seemingly innocent design, only to have it temporarily suspended, which kept me up all night. Karalee, who runs a blog called Tales of Belle, pointed out that there were similarities between my design and LOL Surprise Cats, specifically the one called Royal Kitty. This connection might be the reason why my design was flagged for review.

A Stressful Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, Redbubble unsuspended my Kawaii Royal Kitty, but the whole ordeal was still nerve-wracking, to say the least. Unfortunately, due to my chronic insomnia, I ended up sleeping in late again. However, yesterday I made it my mission to treat myself to a steeped tea and take Aaron out for a stroll. But to add to my frustration, the zipper on my jacket got jammed, and I ended up looking like a fool wearing this jacket with an uneven, stuck zipper. You know what I’m talking about, right?

Photo by Danik Prihodko. Link: https://www.pexels.com/photo/

This Week Continues to be Crap-tastic 🧻💩🦄

The rest of the week hasn’t gotten much better. On Wednesday evening, something unfortunate happened – I consumed an almost lethal amount of erythritol. Who puts erythritol in their beverages? It’s a bad idea, guys. I didn’t realize there was erythritol in it when I purchased it.

Yesterday morning, I woke up with yet another migraine. In an attempt to alleviate my discomfort, I decided to pour myself a glass of freshly squeezed juice. As I went to pour myself a glass, beet juice splattered all over my kitchen, resembling a crime scene. The kitchen island, baseboards, and floor were covered in beet-stained splats, creating a truly dreadful sight. Cleaning up the mess was even more dreadful. ಠ෴ಠ

Which brings us to Friday. Well, it’s Friday, so only time will tell what challenges I’ll be dealing with today. Unfortunately, my toddler is sick, so he will be staying home. On top of that, I have a 6-hour online seminar scheduled for today, and I haven’t quite figured out how I’ll be able to take care of him while fully participating in the seminar. However, I am confident that I will find a solution because there is always a way.

Do you ever have those days where nothing seems to go right? How do you handle it? Feel free to join the conversation below ↓ and I’ll do my best to reply to your comments within the next 24 hours.

(っ◔◡◔)っ FYI: If you’re not already following me on Twitter/𝕏 (@serene_hilz), you can get real-time updates about my day-to-day life there.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

How to Snack Smarter

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I am unsure whether to put this blog post under my recipe page since it includes more than one recipe. To avoid redundancy, I will publish it as a stand-alone blog post. If you’re looking for more delicious recipes, be sure to check out my recipe page:

Recipes 🍌

Got a Snack Attack?

When you’ve got a snack attack, you bite back! #chomp

Disclaimer: I did not come up with these recipes – I found them in a magazine, and these recipes were written by Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D. I cannot take credit for any of these recipes. I am unsure which magazine it was, but it contained these “recipe cards.” However, I decided to recycle my collection of magazines, including these recipe cards. The reason behind this decision is that I am aware they would likely end up sitting in my drawer indefinitely, without being put to use.

It is similar to how I hardly ever use the Pinterest recipes that I save 🤦‍♀️ I have good intentions but buy the time I pin them on Pinterest, I had already forgotten about the recipe I wanted to try. Oh yeah, if you are new here you might not know about my Pinterest account that I seldom self-promote. You can find my Pinterest account here:

👉 Follow me on Pinterest: @serene_hilz

Before I get started, I also want to mention that these recipes include calorie counts. Although I personally don’t adhere to the concept of counting calories and believe in a more holistic approach (aka. intuitive eating), I understand that some of my readers do count calories. Hence, I have made sure to include the calorie counts in each recipe. Additionally, I understand that a portion of my readers follow vegetarian or vegan diets. Please feel free to substitute ingredients in the recipes to cater to your dietary preferences. Let’s get started, shall we?

Photo by S’well on Unsplash

1️⃣ Best Morning Booster

Mocha Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients:

  • instant coffee
  • low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • sliced strawberries
  • low-fat granola
  • other berries (optional)

Directions: Mix 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee with 6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt until coffee is dissolved. Spoon half the mixture into a bowl and add 1/3 cup sliced strawberries. Blueberries and raspberries are optional. Top with remaining yogurt and garnish with 1 tablespoon low-fat granola. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? Granola provides a healthy dose of glucose (aka. fuel for the brain) to help jump-start your morning. Calcium-rich foods help increase fat loss.

Photo by S’well on Unsplash

2️⃣ Best Afternoon Pick Me-Up

Superfood Trail Mix

Ingredients:

  • dried cherries
  • golden raisins
  • sunflower seeds
  • roasted soy nuts
  • mini chocolate chips

Directions: Combine 1 tablespoon each dried cherries, golden raisins, sunflower seeds, and roasted soy nuts with 1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips in a zip-lock bag; mix. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? For steady, long-lasting energy, choose snacks with a mix of protein and fiber. String cheese and grapes is another smart combo, as is low-fat cottage cheese topped with fruit. Soy nuts have more protein and fewer calories (just 126 calories an ounce) than most tree nuts.

3️⃣ Best Postworkout Refuel

Blueberry-Pineapple Protein Shake

Ingredients:

  • low-fat milk
  • frozen blueberries
  • frozen pineapple

Directions: Combine 1 cup low-fat milk, 1/4 cup frozen blueberries and 1/4 cup frozen pineapple in a blender; puree until smooth. (140 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? The protein and carbs in milk help repair muscles and replenish cells’ energy stores after a workout. Eat dairy within 45 minutes of exercising, when the recovery process is at its peak. The pineapple contains bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, which may reduce post-workout pain.

4️⃣ Best Stress Booster

Hummus and Red Pepper Bites

Ingredients:

  • hummus
  • whole-grain crackers
  • diced red bell pepper
  • dried oregano

Directions: Spread 2 tablespoons hummus evenly over 5 whole-grain crackers. Top with 2 tablespoons diced red bell pepper and a pinch of dried oregano. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? Red bell peppers contain vitamin C which has been shown to help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Steer clear of coffee and soda if you’re having a hectic day. Caffeine triggers your body to pump out adrenaline, which can make you feel jittery and agitated.

5️⃣ Best Way to Satisfy a Chocolate Craving

Indoor Raspberry S’more

Ingredients:

  • raspberry jam
  • graham crackers
  • large marshmallow
  • dark chocolate

Directions: Spread 1 teaspoon raspberry jam on 2 graham crackers (don’t break the crackers apart), Top with 1 large marshmallow and 1/2 ounce square of dark chocolate. Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds until marshmallow begins to melt. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? Don’t deny yourself chocolate. Research suggests that indulging in a little bit can help control your cravings for it. Satisfy your sweet tooth with dark chocolate. It’s made with more antioxidant-rich cocoa beans and less sugar than milk chocolate. Look for bars with at least 60% cocoa.

6️⃣ Best Nighttime Snack

Pear and Almond Butter English Muffin

Ingredients:

  • whole-grain English muffin
  • almond butter
  • pear slices
  • ground cinnamon

Directions: Top 1/2 toasted whole-grain English muffin with 2 teaspoons almond butter and slices of 1/4 pear. Sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? The carbs in English muffins may help you get to sleep quicker, according to recent research. This may be because they help boost levels of the sleep-inducing hormone serotonin. Avoid fatty and spicy snacks at night; they may upset your sleep cycle.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Make sure to keep these quick and healthy recipes on hand for those moments when you find yourself having a sudden snack attack. With these delicious and nutritious options at your fingertips, you can satisfy your cravings guilt-free while still nourishing your body.

Would you like to ask me anything? Your questions are more than welcome! Please feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment below ↓ and I will do my best to respond. Just keep in mind that I might be super slow replying to comments.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Find Peace in the Madness

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant chatter in your mind? Discover the transformative power of meditation. By stilling the internal chaos, meditation guides you towards serenity and inner peace. View meditation as a valuable practice to nurture a peaceful mind. It offers relief from concerns about hypothetical future challenges and enables you to concentrate on what truly counts in the present. By practicing meditation, one can find tranquility and perspective amidst life’s demanding chaos.

It’s a fascinating fact: breathing slowly through your nose, rather than just your mouth, can actually help alleviate stress. Give it a try and experience the relaxation it brings.

Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/

3 Steps to Inner Peace

1️⃣ Breathe Deeply

  • Inhale deeply for five seconds, inflating your stomach like a balloon, then exhale for twice as long. Focusing on your breathing helps tune out distractions and slows your heart rate, so you produce less of the stress hormone adrenaline.
  • Continue as you follow steps 2 and 3.

2️⃣ Visualize Peace

  • Close your eyes and think of a place that makes you feel happy and calm.
  • Envision as many details as possible – the sights, the sounds. The positive associations you have with this place will help lower both your blood pressure and your levels of cortisol, another stress hormone.

3️⃣ Pick a Mantra

  • Continue doing steps 1 and 2.
  • Silently repeat a calming statement. Try “I am peaceful” or “I will succeed.” While your conscious mind is focused on breathing and visualizations, your subconscious is absorbing this mantra. Soon, you’ll begin to actually believe it.
A meditating Patrick Star

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ If you found this blog post enjoyable, then I strongly recommend exploring my other posts that focus on techniques for reducing anxiety. You can find a collection of my most popular blog posts by visiting the link below ↓ Your journey towards a calmer and more peaceful state awaits.

Managing Your Anxiety

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

great-vibes.regular (1)

Take Charge of Your Appetite

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Disclaimer: The captivating excerpt, Take Charge of Your Appetite, was derived from a popular fitness magazine. While the precise details regarding the year or edition remain unknown, I still wanted to share this snippet with you, seeing that it could provide value to my readers. Also, I added additional context to the original points, which were written by yours truly. I’ll try and keep this short and sweet (pun intended). Let’s get started, shall we?

Image by Freepik

8 Strategies for sensible, healthy eating

  1. Make a plan and stick to it. By incorporating a consistent rotation of staple foods into your diet, you can shift your perspective on meals. Instead of viewing them as rewards, you’ll begin to appreciate the nourishment and sustenance they provide. This approach helps create a healthy mindset towards food and promotes balanced eating habits for long-term well-being.
  2. Don’t munch on the run. Make it a point to have your meals in your kitchen or dining room whenever you can. By doing so, you’ll establish a healthy eating routine and avoid conditioning yourself to eat anywhere and anytime, such as lounging on the couch while watching TV.
  3. Avoid snacking in the car. When it comes to eating in the car, your brain may not perceive it as a proper meal. As a result, you might find yourself prone to snacking habitually while on the road.
  4. Have a healthy snack, like fruits and vegetables, 30 minutes before you eat a meal. Boost your nutrition and satisfy your hunger by enjoying a nutritious snack, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, half an hour prior to your main meal. This smart habit not only promotes a healthier lifestyle but also ensures that you make better food choices during mealtime.
  5. Downsize your dishes. By simply using smaller serving dishes, you can create the illusion of a larger portion while actually consuming a more appropriate amount of food. This small change can have a significant impact on your overall calorie intake, making it easier for you to achieve your health and wellness goals. So, why not give it a try and witness the positive effects it can have on your eating habits?
  6. Bust your eating triggers. If you find it difficult to resist snacking while watching TV, it’s best to avoid sitting in front of the television with a tempting bowl of snacks. By removing the temptation, you can better manage your snacking habits and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
  7. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine not only aids in maintaining a healthy weight but also acts as a natural deterrent against compulsive eating. Similar to food, exercise promotes stress relief and enhances overall well-being, creating a positive cycle of self-care for both your body and mind.
  8. Be mindful when trying to break old habits. After incorporating healthy habits into your routine, the satisfaction of resisting overeating is just as rewarding as the pleasure you once found in indulging. It’s a remarkable feeling to have control over your choices and prioritize your well-being.
Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik

And there you have it! In addition to everything I’ve mentioned above, I would like to take a moment to address a topic of great importance. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the course that Ang generously gifted to me. While I don’t personally struggle with binge eating disorder, I believe her course could be immensely helpful for those who struggle with it. Ang runs a blog called, Lose Weight with Ang. Her course, titled “Weight Loss for Binge Eaters,” is designed specifically to provide effective strategies and tools for individuals struggling with binge eating habits.

Despite my inability to complete the course personally, I strongly encourage you to explore it further if this topic interests you. Investing in your well-being and finding support in overcoming obstacles such as binge eating can truly be life-changing.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

44 Superfoods that Fight Fat

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Disclaimer: This list was derived from a popular fitness magazine, although I don’t have the specific details regarding the year or edition. It’s worth noting that superfoods were incredibly popular and is still widely discussed. People were particularly fixated on diets that aimed to burn fat and achieve their desired fitness goals.

While millennials are well-versed in the concept of superfoods, it remains uncertain whether younger generations are as familiar with this term. So, let me explain what superfoods actually are. Superfoods refer to nutrient-dense foods that offer exceptional health benefits due to their rich content of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other valuable compounds. These foods have gained popularity for their potential to enhance overall well-being and support a healthy lifestyle. I have compiled a list of 44 superfoods that help burn belly fat. Let’s get started, shall we?

Image by Freepik

44 Superfoods that Fight Fat

Nuts and Seeds

  • almonds (raw, unsalted)
  • flaxseeds
  • sesame seeds
  • walnuts

Fruit

  • apples
  • blueberries
  • cherries
  • grapefruit
  • oranges
  • pomegranates

Beverages

  • blueberry juice (unsweetened)
  • cherry juice
  • green tea
  • pomegranate juice
  • vegetable juice

Vegetables

  • arugula
  • bell peppers
  • broccoli
  • cabbage

Herbs and Spices

  • basil
  • black pepper
  • cardamon
  • chives
  • cilantro
  • cinnamon
  • cloves
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • parsley
  • tumeric

Fish

  • flounder
  • salmon
  • sole
  • tilapia

Other Category

  • egg whites
  • yogurt (plain, non-fat)
Image by Freepik

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I am curious to know what you think of this list of 44 Superfoods that fight fat! Do you think that there is merit to this? Let me know what you think in the comments section below ↓ I will make every effort to respond to your comments. Please understand that I am currently catching up on comments from previous blog posts, and I can only reply to 2-3 comments at a time before feeling mentally exhausted. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

So What!

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Disclaimer: I did not write this on my own. This blog post is composed of excerpts from an old Seventeen magazine. Over the summer, I spent a few weeks at my parents’ house where I ended up dedicating a significant amount of time to reading and recycling my old magazines. Before recycling the magazines, I saved a few pages that I wanted to share with all of you.

The blog post is titled “So What!” is actually from Seventeen Journal. I felt moved by it because I realized that my own physical and mental clutter (ahem, pages I ripped out from old magazines) is actually hindering my decluttering efforts. How ironic! I am unable to provide a proper citation for this article as I do not have the information regarding which Seventeen magazine it came from, the article number, or the year.

Let’s get started, shall we?

So What!

You have big dreams, and you want to achieve them now. But what you might not realize is that sometimes what’s holding you back isn’t coming form the outside (your friends, your family, school)—but from you! When you let go of all the negative stuff—regrets, times you felt embarrassed, anything that’s killing your confidence—it’s like taking all the obstacles out of your way. So use this space to get it all out, and give yourself permission to say, “So what!” and move on!

  1. I’ve been beating myself up about….. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …..but so what!
  2. I feel ashamed that….. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …..but so what!
  3. I can’t stop cringing about….. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …..but so what!
  4. I’ve been holding in the fact that….. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …..but so what!
  5. I felt like I effed this up….. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …..but so what!

“I know it’s easier said than done, but acceptance starts with looking at yourself in the mirror and just saying, Okay, I don’t have muscles on top of muscles. Fine! All right. I don’t have long, flowing blonde hair. Cool. Once you learn to be cool with who you are, you won’t care what anyone else thinks.”

 — Ne-Yo
Source: https://www.europosters.eu/marketplace/

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

This journaling exercise is applicable not only to teenagers but also to adults. Even as an adult, I still face similar challenges to those I experienced as a teenager, but I handle them differently now that I am older and wiser. I am curious to know if you journal. Personally, I don’t, but I can understand why it would be helpful for gaining insight. Feel free to join the conversation below ↓ and I will do my best to reply to the comments within the next 48 hours.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Last Chance to Enter the Giveaway!

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Hey everyone! This is your final and last-minute reminder that the giveaway is closing tomorrow at midnight ET, so don’t forget to enter for a chance to win! I’ll be randomly drawing the name of the lucky winner later this week, so be sure to watch this space. If you need a reminder of the rules, they are listed in detail below ↓ Just click on the link to enter the giveaway and you’re all set!

•✧ GIVEAWAY RULES!! ✧•

1️⃣ This contest is limited to WordPress bloggers only. To qualify, you must have a blog on WordPress and be following this blog. Following me on Twitter (@serene_hilz) is optional.

2️⃣ This contest is limited to Canadians only. If I don’t get enough entries, I’ll include the United States too.

3️⃣ No purchase is necessary to enter or win. I will pay the shipping fee.

4️⃣ You’ll have to be comfortable sharing your email and address with me if you win.

5️⃣ Entries close at midnight ET on May 22. I will announce the winner during the week unless the winner chooses to remain antonymous.

6️⃣ The winner must provide their address via email or text message to claim their prize by June 1. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

➤ Click here to enter the giveaway

✰ MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOUR ✰

Things that Make Me Happy

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I recently published a blog post about the Things that make me unhappy and it seemed to have resonated with a lot of readers. If you haven’t read it yet, here is the quick link to that blog post so you can catch up:

♡ Related Blog Post: Things that Make Me Unhappy

Naturally, it made sense to make another list, but this time focus on the Things that make me happy. Such an original title, I know! 😅 Anyway, here is my list of 11 things that make me happy. Please keep in mind that this list is not presented in any particular order. Each list is unique to the individual, so my list will likely differ from your list. Let’s get started, shall we?

A List of Things that Make Me Happy

1. My cat, Timon. Timon is an absolute blessing in my life. We adopted him in Spring 2019, when I was really depressed and feeling overwhelmed with anxiety. Even now, when I’m anxious, the warm cuddles from my cat bring me immense comfort and joy 🐈‍⬛💕

2. My family. Apart from my immediate family which includes my children and husband, my parents who live across the country are also a key part of my family. Despite our past issues, we try to stay connected through phone calls and have found that it is much easier to get along when we aren’t living together.

3. Steeped tea & MCDs coffee. I’m a huge fan of Tim Hortons steeped tea and McDonalds coffee. Even though I can make the coffee from home, nothing beats the joy of buying it. Steeped tea is something that I simply can’t replicate and will go out of my way to get, even though these feelings of happiness are fleeting.

4. Bubble tea. I think I enjoy bubble tea more than the average person, even though the pleasure is only temporary. Unfortunately, I can’t afford it on a regular basis, so it has become something of a guilty pleasure! Although I can make it at home, I still prefer to buy it at a tea shop. It’s more fun that way!

5. Bubble baths. I absolutely love taking hot, bubble baths to warm up on cold days where I live. They give me a much-needed break from the chill and serve as an escape for some relaxation and self-care. Not only that, but it also helps to reduce stress levels and soothe my mind.

6. Walks in nature. On a beautiful day, I will take a pleasant stroll outside. 🌞 Walks outside are far more enjoyable than walking on the treadmill. I try to limit my indoor time to three days or less, as feeling trapped indoors for extended periods of time can be mentally exhausting. The longest period of time that I stayed indoors without going outside was a depressing 3 weeks – something that I never want to experience again!

7. Saving money. I tend to prioritize saving my money rather than spending it because the feeling of having a substantial amount of money in my bank account is much more satisfying than the fleeting pleasure of buying something. Moreover, I enjoy living a debt-free life as I have worked hard to get to this point and would like to maintain it.

8. My iPhone. Despite my struggles with smart phone addiction, which I previously mentioned in [this post], I am incredibly thankful for my iPhone SE. While it may not be the newest model on the market, it still works and brings me immense joy every day. My iPhone allows me to stay connected with people all over the world! 🌎

9. My blog. I am eternally grateful for having my blog and access to the awesome WP community, as it has allowed me to build strong connections with people who share similar interests and passions. I’m filled with joy to respond to comments and connect with my friends on this platform. Every single one of you leave such beautiful and kind comments, which I always look forward to reading each day.

10. Podcasts. If you see me with airpods in my ears, it’s almost certain that I’m listening to an educational or self-development podcast. Podcasts are my go-to source of entertainment and I often find myself learning something new. Occasionally, I’ll listen to some music, but almost exclusively instrumental pieces; lyrics tend to distract me too much.

11. Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) has been a source of great fun to me. Even though there’s other games to play on the Nintendo Switch, I still find myself playing ACNH often. Animal Crossing has provided me the opportunity to step away from my depression and concentrate on building something beautiful.

Screenshots are my own → I am always improving my 5-star Island!🏝️🍒

(っ◔V◔)っ Please Note: Unfortunately, I cannot give players a tour of my Animal Crossing Island without renewing the online subscription first, which is a scam in my humble opinion. I am not paying for it this year! 🙇‍♀️

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

As you can see, there are 11 items on my list again which was intentional btw. I wanted to ensure the negative list and positive list were evenly balanced. And like I said last time, if I sat down for an hour to really reflect and journal about it, the list would be much longer. Overall, I think that it’s important to take time out of your busy day to think about the things that bring you joy and to practice gratitude. I highly encourage you to create your own list of the things that make you happy.

Thanks for stopping by! ❤️

Forever Stuck Leveling Up: A #PikminBloom Review

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Before I begin, I am reposting my original Medium article on the blog. However, this blog post is the most comprehensive and up-to-date version of the article, as I have edited it to reflect some updates. I am not being endorsed or paid to write this review. However, if you are already a Medium subscriber, I might earn a small commission for my Medium article. It might only be a few pennies, but it’s better than earning nothing at all. Here is the link to the original Medium article:

♡ Medium Article: Forever Stuck on Level 42

Since fall of 2021, I have been playing this cute little step-tracking game called Pikmin Bloom. It is very similar to its older cousin, Pokémon GO since both mobile games were developed by Niantic.

I’m not going to explain how this game works, so if you’re interested in learning more, I’ll leave a resourceful link for you here:

👉 https://pikminbloom.com/en/

At one point, there were 60 levels but the game has since been updated to reflect the need for additional levels. In the beginning, the levels are simple and easy to complete, but as you progress in the game, it becomes more difficult with each level. The game is very simplistic and adorable in my opinion, and it has a lot of decent side quests to occupy your time with.

Personally, I am absolutely obsessed with this adorable little game that is available as an app on my phone. My followers on #Twitter are probably annoyed by my tweets and rants about it! This game has become such a big part of me that I have even included it in my Twitter bio 😅 I am indeed a #PikminBloom enthusiast and I am not ashamed.

What Makes This Game so Great?

The Pikmin Bloom mobile app is a spinoff from the Pikmin Bloom video game(s) which I have never played. Sure, leveling up can become a grind, but I think that’s what makes the game exciting to play. Those things that we have to work hardest for are often the most rewarding.

At first sight, this game may appear to be just like any other fitness game but there are hidden depths to it. There are side quests and other challenges which you can complete, helping you stay motivated and engaged with the game for longer. Despite my best efforts, I found myself stuck at level 42 for 8 freaking months!

When I wrote this article, I was struggling to advance to Level 43 because of the number of flowers needed. However, I managed to move on to Level 44, which I am currently stuck on. Unfortunately, I am still having difficulty advancing any further as there is a necessary flower requirement that has proven to be an obstacle in my journey. Ironically, the flower requirement for Level 44 is the same as the one I had for Level 42 😑 This is an ongoing struggle of mine and it is almost laughable at this point.

As you can see, I have let my steps accumulate but I am disengaged with the game itself. I tried doing additional side quests, collecting cool postcards from around the world, and leveling up with team players who I found on #Twitter, but that’s where the fun stops.

I stopped caring about the steps. I stopped putting in the hard work and I have become complacent. At one point, I resorted to my treadmill back when I still cared about steps. Then I quickly learned that there was an additional challenge to this game: You need to plant flowers!! 🌼

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬?

I’m having a hard time leveling up because it takes too much time and effort to plant more flowers, and the inconveniences outweigh the benefits. I know this is a lame excuse, but please hear me out. Living in Canada is already quite challenging as it is, and here’s why:

🌸 My grass is not that green

I live in Canada, and the grass here is not nearly as green as it is where you are. Rather than being sunny and warm, it’s snowy (and cold!). So why would I want to go out when I could stay inside? It might sound a bit ridiculous, but when it’s below freezing and there’s snow on the ground, the chore of planting virtual flowers in a game is humorous because it doesn’t represent real life.

I would like to see the game’s design reflect the real-time weather conditions in more immersive and realistic ways like it’s done with Flight Simulator. My husband is excited about the future of the Flight Simulator update, so he’s been telling me a lot about it.

🌸 Treadmills are only good for steps

I used to use my treadmill when I first started this game. But then I found out that there was an additional challenge of planting flowers. You can’t plant flowers on a treadmill because the game does not count walking in one spot as square footage for planting. Treadmills are only good for adding to your daily step count.

(っ◔V◔)っ Game Update: After I posted this article, I like to think that the developers listened to me, as now I can plant flowers while on the treadmill. As you can see, I still suck at planting virtual flowers.

🌸 I have limited phone data

I live in Canada where phone plans are expensive for what they are. I have limited data on my phone, and have used up my data trying to plant flowers outdoors. I seem to have a 50% success rate planting flowers at locations with free WiFi but the game eats up my phone battery like it’s a snack.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I am very curious to know if you have played the Pikmin Bloom mobile game. What level are you currently stuck on? Please leave your comment below ↓ and join the conversation!

P.S. You can also connect with me on Twitter (@hellokitty8404), and I encourage you to subscribe to my blog so that you can receive the latest updates from me. Additionally, I am hosting a giveaway for my Canadian readers to celebrate my 7th blogiversary!

➤ Click here to enter the giveaway

A Giveaway, Maybe?

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Lucky Number 7️⃣

For me, the number 7 has always held a special significance and has been linked to luck in my life. On May 7th, I married my SO and this year marks our seventh anniversary together. Additionally, this is also the year of my 7th blogiversary and coincidentally, it is also the same year that my daughter turns 7 years old – making it an even more remarkable milestone to celebrate.

Celebrating my 7th #blogiversary with a #givesway! 🎉🥳

⑦ ⑦ ⑦ ⑦ ⑦ ⑦ ⑦

I knew that I had to do something special for my readers and decided to try a giveaway for the first time. This is a great opportunity for me to give back to you guys who have supported me all of these years. The prize is a Meditative Adult Coloring Kit from Costco, which might be useful to anyone who enjoys this activity. You may be wondering why I chose this particular item as the giveaway – and let’s just say it’s a long story that I rather not get into.

If you want to see what the adult coloring kit looks like, I took a some pictures with my phone. You might have noticed that the price tag is still on it. I am not going to bother removing the price tag because it will make a sticky mess.

•✧ GIVEAWAY RULES!! ✧•

1️⃣ This contest is limited to WordPress bloggers only. To qualify, you must have a blog on WordPress and be following this blog. Following me on Twitter (@serene_hilz) is optional.

2️⃣ This contest is limited to Canadians only. If I don’t get enough entries, I’ll include the United States too.

3️⃣ No purchase is necessary to enter or win. I will pay the shipping fee.

4️⃣ You’ll have to be comfortable sharing your email and address with me if you win.

5️⃣ Entries close at midnight ET on May 22. I will announce the winner during the week unless the winner chooses to remain antonymous.

6️⃣ The winner must provide their address via email or text message to claim their prize by June 1. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

➤ Click here to enter the giveaway

✰ May the odds be ever in your favour ✰