Tag: mental health

100 Self-Reflective Prompts | Part 2 of 6

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👉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! ♥

About that December 2024 Recap….

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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.

December Goals | Winter 2024

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 Goals | Winter 2024

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Hello everyone! Do you still remember me? It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I last shared my goals with you. I promised myself I’d write this post for December 2024, but here we are, on the 18th, and I’m just catching up with how fleeting time has become. I’m honestly shocked and a little heartbroken that Christmas is nearly upon us. There’s this tug-of-war in my heart; I’m excited for the joy of the season, yet so sad because every Christmas marks another year gone, another year older, and I’m not ready to face that reality. It’s like my biological clock is racing, and I can’t keep up.

Rebecca at her Christmas concert 😊

My daughter’s been ill this whole week, so I’ve had very little sleep. Not much has changed goal-wise since my last update, except I’ve completely given up on dieting. Surprisingly, ditching dieting altogether works better for me – my appetite naturally decreases when I eat freely. I’ve decided against fasting though; just thinking about it makes my stomach growl.

Ⓒⓗⓡⓘⓢⓣⓜⓐⓢ ⓘⓢ Ⓒⓞⓜⓘⓝⓖ

Image generated using AI ✨

Feeling Unsettled This Year

I don’t know about you, but I feel unsettled. Something seems off. Maybe its the looming future, not knowing what’s going to happen to us, and worrying too much about all the bad things happening in the world. I can’t help but worry about the Canadian dollar tanking, seeing it crashing day after day and me being angry at the Federal Government for screwing us hard-working Canadians over. I purposely leave politics out of this blog, but as of late I’ve been ranting more and more about politics to people who clearly don’t want to listen to me drag on about it. I am genuinely worried about the future and it keeps me up at night.

Also, I don’t know if my fellow American friends follow Canadian news (unlikely) but Canada Post was on strike for the last 4 weeks. They are finally off strike, but I have mail that’s still stuck in the states, which I ordered from a small business that specializes in beauty products. Also, I didn’t send out Christmas cards this year due to Canada Post being on strike, and now it seems pointless to send out Christmas cards. That being said, here is what the rest of the month looks like.

Image generated using AI (Please don’t use without asking first) ✨

DECEMBER GOALS 2024

Career Goals:

  • Plot availability for January 2025
  • Organize work backpack and drawer(s)
  • Add 2 new designs to #Redbubble
  • Promote winter designs on this blog and #Twitter

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Organize upstairs hallway closet
  • Organize downstairs bookshelf
  • Donate 1-2 big boxes of items to charity
  • Reschedule photos with Santa → December 24, 2024

Health Goals:

  • YMCA 2x per week minimum
  • Clear out the cupboards → Finish 3+ food items
  • Make honey lemon lozenges
  • Start using Stanley cup → start tracking water intake again

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I finally gave in and bought myself a Rose Quartz Stanley cup – not for Christmas, mind you, since I’m planning to start using it right away, but it’s still sitting in its original packaging, looking all brand new lol 😆 It was on sale for $38.00 CAD and who can resist a good deal? I’m really hoping this will be the push I need to get back into the habit of drinking water again. I’ve been plagued by headaches and migraines lately, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m dehydrated or if it’s just the weather being totally rude.

On a brighter note, my husband bought me a cute pair of winter boots, which I’m absolutely thrilled about. They’re ideal for our chilly Canadian winters 🇨🇦 And my mom gave me a hoodie and some gourmet hot chocolate. I can’t wait to cocoon myself in that hoodie, savoring that rich hot chocolate, perhaps even using my new Stanley cup if I can get around to unpacking it. On another note, I treated myself to a new pair of Nike sneakers during Black Friday week. They might not be as cute as my previous ones – just plain black with white detailing – but my old sneakers with the hot pink laces have holes in them now. I’m still using them for treadmill workouts and not quite ready to say goodbye to them yet.

I am sad to let these old sneakers go 😔

(っ◔◡◔)っ FYI: If you’re not already following me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), you can get real-time updates [and rants] about my day-to-day life there. I purchased the Premium subscription to gain access to Grok 2.0, which makes the subscription completely worthwhile.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Should I Change my Blogging Style?

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In the blogging world, there’s a constant struggle between creating high-quality content and posting consistently so readers remember you. Recently, I’ve been dealing with this challenge. I usually take great care when crafting each blog post. I meticulously refine every sentence. I make sure that everything is perfect down to the last detail. Still, I’ve realized that I need to be more relaxed in my approach. I also need to be more spontaneous. Some bloggers easily share their thoughts as they come. They embrace imperfection and authenticity. They do not worry too much about details like I do. This contrasts sharply with my perfectionist tendencies, where every comma and phrase must feel just right before I hit “publish.” If you’re anything like me, then keep reading.

••◦ ❈ ◦••

Like a diary but not like a diary 📖

Blogging like it was someone’s open-book diary has always irritated me and it still does to this day. Still, you’ve got to admire bloggers who have a total disregard for perfectionism. The lack of polish, the disregard for aesthetic perfection, and the casualness of their content seemed, frankly, unprofessional to me. Yet, as time passed, I found myself envying their freedom. They post at odd hours. They use stock photos from the internet. Sometimes, they don’t use any photos at all. Their posts can range from a few lines to lengthy rants on controversial topics like politics. God forbid if you disagree with them. They do all of this with an audacity that I secretly admire.

Image generated using AI ✨💫

This brings me to a pivotal question for my blog:

Should I adopt this approach? There’s a certain allure to the idea of blogging more spontaneously, from the heart, without overthinking every detail. These bloggers, with their unfiltered posts, seem to embody a raw honesty that resonates with readers. Ultimately, these bloggers aren’t just creating content; they’re sharing their lives, unedited and unfiltered. I’m thinking about changing my blogging style. I want to shift from focusing on quality over quantity to emphasizing quantity over quality. This change will help me prevent long-term burnout.

What do you prefer? Would you enjoy more frequent, less polished posts that include off-the-cuff thoughts, diary-style entries, or even the occasional rant? Let’s be real. Most of my blog posts are about me whining about how hard life is. Or do you appreciate the current format? I spend considerable time on each post. That’s if I even bother posting it at all.

Image generated using AI ✨💫

Most importantly, I’m not aiming for my blog to be just another lifestyle and goal-oriented blog. There are countless blogs out there, many of which are deemed superior in terms of presentation or content depth. Yet, what sets a blog apart is its voice. It has a unique perspective and its ability to connect on a personal level. Additionally, the writer needs the ability to keep going. ✍️

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Do you want to see more spontaneous, less edited blog posts? Would a diary-style entry resonate with you more than a polished article? Do you value the effort I put into each blog post? Even if that means it takes me a century to publish something? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below ↓ I want to hear from you. 😊🤍

P.S. Please follow me on Twitter/𝕏 (@serene_hilz) if you aren’t already. You can learn more about AI image generation there, if that’s your thing. While some believe AI is bad, I view it as a valuable tool with endless possibilities~! I have an unpopular opinion, but that’s fine with me.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Halfway to Morning

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Disclaimer: This poem was originally posted as a separate daughter page, so nobody stumbled upon it. I am editing and re-publishing all of my poems (I know I said I’d do this over a year ago, haha) to reflect the direction that this blog is headed in. Thank you for understanding. If you like this poem, feel free to check out my other poetry musings here. ✨

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About This Poem 💫

I’ve been struggling with chronic insomnia for years, and this isn’t my first poem that I’ve written about it. Whenever I can’t sleep, I toss and turn all night as I struggle to get some sleep. I’ve tried herbal teas and hot baths, but nothing helps, which makes me more frustrated and even more exhausted. My mind is filled with thoughts and worries that stop me from relaxing at night. If anyone has a remedy that works, please share it in the comments below ↓

Thanks for reading! ♡

great-vibes.regular (1)

July Goals? What Goals?

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July went by so fast that I didn’t even write a July Goals blog post. This isn’t my best work but at this point, I don’t care as long as I publish something.

🅹🆄🅻🆈 🆆🅰🆂 🅽🅾🆃🅷🅸🅽🅶 🅱🆄🆃 🅳🆁🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃.

This is an old photo from a few summers ago. Photo is my own.

Sorry I was AFK.

I spent a lot of time away from my laptop. Most of my time was devoted to caring for my kids and the neighbors’ children. Whenever the neighbors’ kids visit, it’s essentially a party at my house. I’ve tried to discourage this because it’s exhausting, and the other moms are exhausted too. I don’t want this blog post to sound like a rant, but I’m in a bad mood. You have been warned.

The Mental Struggle

Being a mom is hard and it’s even harder trying to find the time to sit down and write a blog post. Also, I am beginning to think that my used iPhone 14 hates me. Apps don’t work like they should which is incredibly frustrating, especially when I need that phone for blogging. I really don’t know what’s going on with this phone and I am in the process of waiting to get a replacement. The only problem is that it could take several months since I bought this phone used from a reputable third party store.

The Physical Struggle

Lastly, we had a drought lasting the whole month of July and nothing but hot temps averaging above 30°C every damn day. I did go to the Calgary Stampede this year but didn’t take photos this time. It was a different experience, being able to fully immerse myself in the festivities without the distraction of capturing every moment through a lens. Additionally, I started walking again to maintain an active lifestyle, but the relentless heat has been taking a toll on my energy levels. The scorching sun seems never-ending, making it challenging to enjoy outdoor activities. Hopefully, the forecast will bring some relief soon, as we desperately need rain to alleviate the dry spell. As I don’t have AC in my house so the persistent heat has been quite taxing, leaving me feeling irritable and uncomfortable.

The Emotional Struggle

As you probably know by now, my mental health isn’t the greatest and I am struggling with some stuff that is emotionally draining. I want to talk about it, but I am afraid of sharing too much personal information on here regarding this subject which isn’t really anyone’s business other than my own. I just wish I had someone to talk to because it feels oh so lonely. Also, while I am on the subject of mental health, I am very worried that the custom bridesmaid dress I ordered won’t fit. I leave for Ontario at the end of August, which leaves no time to prepare for my friend’s wedding in September. These are the things that keep me up at night, along with worrying about the unforeseen future.

🅿🅴🆁🆂🅾🅽🅰🅻 🅶🆁🅾🆆🆃🅷 🆃🅷🆁🅾🆄🅶🅷 🆂🅴🅻🅵-🆁🅴🅵🅻🅴🅲🆃🅸🅾🅽.

Image source: https://wallpaper.mob.org

The Struggle IS Real!

I find myself still struggling to accept and love myself as body dysmorphia has been a real issue this year. I dislike the way I look, which is mainly why I haven’t taken photos, and now I can’t even hide behind the filtered ones because Snapchat doesn’t work on my phone (I’ll save that for another blog post), which leaves me feeling very vulnerable. The custom dress I ordered is due to arrive mid-August, and I am beyond scared to try it on. I ordered a size slightly smaller because that was the size I was at the beginning of July. Somehow, I let my exercise routine slip, stopped exercising completely, and started drinking diet drinks, which caused me to gain weight. Lesson learned: stay away from diet soda and artificial sweeteners!

I am back to getting 10,000 steps a day and let me tell you, it is hard. I spend most of my days outside walking, and I force myself to go outside in this heat so I get Vitamin D from the sun. My mental health is not good at all, so I need all the help I can get from mother nature, despite it being so hot outside. There are days when I want to quit, but then I remember how easy it is to gain weight if I quit. I am way too hard on myself, but at the same time, I have to be because I am not happy where I am right now. It is incredibly frustrating to never be satisfied with the present moment. Sometimes, I find myself wishing that I could just accept where I am and what I have achieved. I long for the ability to appreciate the progress I have made, to celebrate the small victories instead of always focusing on the next goal. It is a constant struggle to silence the inner critic and embrace self-compassion. I hope that one day I can find peace within myself and cultivate a more positive relationship with my journey. 🧘✨

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

If I did anything right during the month of July, I leaned more towards basic living and started spending more time with myself. Although I didn’t really create anything, if at all, during the month of July, I cut back a lot on consuming content. Yes, I still watch a lot of YouTube videos, but I use it mainly for educational purposes. I still need to cut back on Twitter/𝕏 as I find myself using that app way too much. Spending time in nature has probably been one of the best antidotes for depression, and during that time, I like to listen to spiritual podcasts on iTunes.

The second best antidote for my well-being and overall health has been diving into the world of cooking and baking nourishing meals using fresh, real ingredients instead of relying on inflammatory, ultra-processed foods. It’s a journey of gradual improvement, as I continue to reduce my intake of junk food, acknowledging that it’s a work in progress. I’ve moved past denial and accepted that I made a few slip-ups in July. Believe me, I’ve experienced firsthand the negative impact that junk food has on my body. 😖

For those following me on Twitter/𝕏, I’m still active there, sharing my current hobbies and interests. If you have an account, feel free to follow me, and I’ll follow you back! I’m also open to DMs. Twitter/𝕏 is where I feel comfortable expressing my thoughts daily. I am still trying to cut back on social media, but you can still find me tweeting about something. You can follow me using the link below:

♡ Quick Link: https://mobile.twitter.com/serene_hilz

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

May Goals? What Goals?

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Let’s pretend that May did not happen. I totally let my blog posts slip this month and did not post any May Goals at all. Should I even bother? Is there even a point?

🅼🅰🆈 🅼🅰🅳🅴 🅸🆃 🆁🅰🅸🅽.

Image source: https://wallpaper.mob.org/

No Laptop, No Blog Posts.

Simply put, I didn’t use my laptop and I only write blog posts using a computer. If I am active on WordPress, I’m usually using my phone, but I only write blog posts using my laptop. So, why didn’t I use my laptop this month? Well, there are a bunch of reasons, but mostly it’s because I was either babysitting kids who invited themselves over to our house almost every day this month, or I’m avoiding my laptop on purpose. I won’t go into details, but I have been procrastinating on a few things. Rather than deal with the dumpster fires that the the rain did not put out, I have been running from them. Now that it’s the end of May, I can’t run away from my problems anymore.

Lately, my mind has been preoccupied with other things other than blogging. I am afraid that if I were to start a new thing that I will get overwhelmed as it is one more thing for my brain to process. Does that make sense? There’s a lot of stuff for my brain to process that eventually it gets “overheated” and I just can’t function. I am at that point right now and it’s a little overwhelming. Like I mentioned last month, “I take responsibility for this lack of engagement as I haven’t been very active here. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate those who come across my blog and take the time to read my content.”

🅸’🅼 🆃🅰🅺🅸🅽🅶 🅰 🆂🆃🅴🅿 🅱🅰🅲🅺 🆂🅾 🅸 🅲🅰🅽 🆃🅰🅺🅴 🅰 🆂🆃🅴🅿 🅵🅾🆁🅴🆆🅾🆁🅳.

Image source: https://wallpaper.mob.org/

I find myself still grappling with my procrastination and am committed to finishing my overwhelming list of tasks by the end of May, or at the latest, early June. I must allocate time to sit down, open my laptop, do some online bridesmaid dress shopping, take body measurements, place the order, sift through emails, and revisit a social media platform I have neglected since 2017. Unironically, I have some items to sell on that social media platform, which means I must log into my account whether I like it or not. My husband has had success selling his used stuff on that platform, and I don’t want to list my items on his account anymore because I feel like I’m burdening him.

I feel like I spend way too much time mindlessly scrolling on my phone and it’s taking a toll on my productivity and mental well-being. I need to take a step back and reevaluate my relationship with technology and social media. Deep down, I know that I need to step into nature and go back to basic living. I need to stop consuming so much content and start creating again. I think it’s time for a digital detox, and I’m determined to reclaim control over my time and attention. The biggest thing that prevents me from deleting apps is that I listen to podcasts and lectures all day, every day. I like learning new things and need to listen to something to help me cope with stress.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Despite the challenges, I have to find a way to push through and complete these tasks on my own schedule, which means ditching the May Goals and focusing on the things that are most important. I also hope to declutter my space and make some extra money doing this because why not? I still have my notebook so perhaps I should start using it more and my phone less. Aiming to complete 5 critical tasks a day sounds ideal for me. I am just thinking out loud here so I hope I didn’t bore you too much with this blog post.

If I delete the app, I will lose the pink aesthetic.

For those following me on Twitter/𝕏, I’m still active there, sharing my current hobbies and interests. If you have an account, feel free to follow me, and I’ll follow you back! I’m also open to DMs. Twitter/𝕏 is where I feel comfortable expressing my thoughts daily. I am seriously thinking about deleting the app off my phone and only using it on a laptop, so I might not be as active on there as I once was. You can follow me using the link below:

♡ Quick Link: https://mobile.twitter.com/serene_hilz

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

January Recap | Winter 2024

12 Comments

So, my blogging goals took an unexpected turn when I decided to dive into a fitness journey mid-January, leaving me with little time for my usual hobbies like uploading poetry and updating you all on my whereabouts. I haven’t even had time to add more sticker designs to my Redbubble shop! 🤦‍♀️

Where was I? Spending way too much time tracking my daily steps, tracking my exercise routine, and tracking my water intake. Yeah… that was not what I had in mind for January 2024 but now that I have gone done the rabbit hole of “glowing up,” I will continue to go down that rabbit hole until I recognize myself again.

Posted on Jan 30 • Follow me on Twitter/𝕏

Oh yeah, and I figured out my word for 2024 since many people on the internet are doing this. My word for this year is discipline. You can find me using the hashtag #discipline over on Twitter/X.

January was one big blur.

Reflecting on January 2024, I honestly can’t remember much of it. Between appointments and workouts, I found myself too exhausted to care. A lot of people said that January was a long month that seemed to go on forever and I agree with them. For me, it was also one big blur where I couldn’t remember much of anything other than focusing on one day at a time.

Posted on Jan 26 • Follow me on Twitter/𝕏

I didn’t refer to my January Goals at all so I am not sure how accurate my goals are compared to what I actually accomplished. Keep in mind, for my February Goals blog post, I will be making some changes so next month’s goals accurately reflect what I am doing these days. Anyways, here is a recap of how January 2024 went down:

JANUARY RECAP 2024

Career Goals:

  • Start bidding on shifts for January I didn’t work that much in January but have shifts lined up in February and March.
  • Catch up on emails and sign up for N95 fit test Yes, I attended the N95 mask fitting and sent an updated email.
  • Complete 100 total designs for #Redbubble I have a total of 92 designs in my shop. I haven’t had any time to upload new designs since starting a new fitness program on January 16, 2024. You can check out my #Redbubble designs here.

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap I did upload a poem which you can read here in case you missed it. I apologize for the lack of original content this month. It will likely stay this way unless I can figure out a way to find time for my hobbies.
  • Complete questionnaires + submit digital copies for SW We completed and submitted the questionnaires a while ago.
  • Complete Application B Questions Yeah, no… I haven’t finished it yet. I’m having a bit of a disagreement with my husband because he decided that we’re not going to go through with the plan (he already submitted his answers). So now I’m at a standstill, feeling frustrated and vulnerable.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments I have been managing just fine with just my iPhone.
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 I’m still doing the bare minimum and repeating easy lessons just to maintain the streak. Honestly, it’s not worth it at this point, so I won’t include it as a monthly goal for February.

Health Goals:

  • YMCA 2x per week minimum I have been going to the YMCA 1-2 times per week depending on my husband’s work schedule. On the days I don’t go to the YMCA, I do workouts at home.
  • Buy a new bathing suit for the pool I still need to do this and I am procrastinating.
  • Healthy/clean eating 80% of the time I actually changed this to healthy eating 90% of the time which includes no cheat meals.
  • Buy new scrub pants and long-sleeve shirts I just bought new work pants from Lululemon, and surprisingly, they are really comfortable. However, I’m still wearing my old long-sleeve shirts. The new long-sleeve shirts I bought from Walmart have a weird spandex texture that I don’t like. I lost the receipt and I don’t think they’re worth returning.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

It’s already 10:00 p.m. and I still haven’t finished editing this blog post. It happens to be Groundhog Day today. Wouldn’t it be great if we could go back and repeat today? I wouldn’t mind having more time to complete my unfinished blog posts. Plus, it would give me the opportunity to create new sticker designs for Redbubble. 24-hours in a day just isn’t enough for me!

Have something to share with me? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below ↓ Currently, email is NOT the most efficient means of reaching me. Leaving a comment is the quickest way to get in touch, and even then I am slow replying and often miss comments. It sometimes takes me weeks to reply to people, so please be patient with me.

(っ◔◡◔)っ FYI: If you’re not already following me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), you can get real-time updates about my day-to-day life there. Every day, I share updates on my fitness journey, daily objectives, and a mix of other interesting topics.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

She Was Never One of Us

25 Comments

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! ♡

January Goals | Winter 2024

23 Comments

As the new year approaches, I will continue to plan out my monthly goals because it proved to be incredibly helpful for me last year. Surprisingly, it kept me on track and gave me the motivation to not abandon this blog. It compelled me to show up not only for myself but also for my readers. Not only do I take criticism personally, but I also carry a chip on my shoulder. To the person who called me a hypocrite and a jerk, what did you do last year? You ran away from your blog, switched it up three or more times, changed its name once, started a business, scrapped the idea before even launching it, and abandoned a couple of social media platforms as soon as things got tough.

Meanwhile, I have remained here, consistently showing up month after month. My goals are not mere empty promises, but well-thought-out objectives. But I don’t need to tell you that. In fact, I believe the results speak for themselves. I don’t blame the pandemic, a car accident, a surgery, or even the government for my circumstances. I take full responsibility for everything. What about you? Are you still placing blame on others for your current circumstances? I firmly believe that nothing will change if we don’t change our mindset first. Personally, I started making changes last year and will continue to do so heading into 2024. Have you started thinking about your plans yet? How will this year be any different than last year?

*Drops Mic* 🎤 And that’s the end of my rant. I feel compelled to share this because I genuinely believe that some individuals need to focus on self-improvement before pointing fingers at others instead of themselves. For those who have been keeping up with me on Twitter/𝕏 (@serene_hilz), you’ll know that I’m active on that platform. If you’re interested in getting to know me better and learn more about my personal development journey, please feel free to follow me over there. I’ve been stuck at 1300 followers for a while now and would truly appreciate seeing some familiar faces.

♡ Quick Link: https://mobile.twitter.com/serene_hilz

𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕁𝕒𝕟𝕦𝕒𝕣𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕞𝕖!

Yes, we are doing this again in 2024 📆

Are you familiar with these monthly goals and recaps? That’s great! And if you’re new here, that’s fantastic too! I personally find monthly goals and recaps to be highly beneficial and therapeutic for personal reflection. That’s why I’ve made the decision to continue doing them this year. If you want to read my previous blog posts, please use the search bar on my blog. I believe it would be less distracting for you to manually search for them, rather than me listing all of those blog posts here. Moving forward, here are my goals for January 2024. Let’s get started, shall we?

January Goals 2024

Career Goals:

  • Start bidding on shifts for January as they become available
  • Catch up on emails and sign up for N95 fit test → Check MLL
  • Complete 100 total designs for #Redbubble

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Complete questionnaires + submit digital copies for SW
  • Complete Application B Questions 
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪

Health Goals:

  • YMCA 2x per week minimum
  • Buy a new bathing suit for the pool
  • Healthy/clean eating 80% of the time
  • Buy new scrub pants and long-sleeve shirts

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

And there you have it! While it might appear easy on paper, sticking with it long-term can actually be quite challenging. I have found that New Year’s Resolutions don’t work for me because I prefer goals that can be broken down on a month-to-month basis. It feels less overwhelming that way. However, it’s important to find what works best for you and go after it.

I am curious to know what your goals are for the month of January. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below ↓ I enjoy connecting with like-minded bloggers on here.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

December Goals | Winter 2023

13 Comments

Hello everyone. I wanted to inform you that I am still alive. I have been quite antisocial for the past two weeks as I have been dealing with the aftermath of COVID. Although I have been managing chronic bronchitis for some time, I have recently been experiencing symptoms similar to tracheitis. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of searching my symptoms online last night, and according to Google, it suggested that I might have mouth cancer. Currently, I am experiencing an extremely painful throat that is so raw that swallowing properly has become difficult for me.I have been experiencing a painful mouth, which has been a recurring issue since my jaw surgery. Additionally, my cough has been persistent and has significantly intensified this week. Furthermore, I am once again feeling fatigued.

Instead of trying to explain myself to everyone who contacts me, I have been ignoring text messages, emails, and comments. I also haven’t been leaving comments on other blogs, as I had promised.It’s not that I have antisocial personality disorder; I just feel terrible. Depression has resurfaced, and my mind is overrun with negative thoughts. Simply navigating through each day feels like an overwhelming task. I want to sleep all day, but I cannot due to the coughing. So, I just lie in bed like a lazy potato.

ℑ𝔰 𝔇𝔢𝔠𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔱𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔶𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔱𝔬 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩 𝔪𝔢𝔯𝔯𝔶 𝔬𝔯 𝔰𝔞𝔡?

Image source: https://ladybird.beauty/hello-december-quotes

Going Through the Motions of Life

Life seems to be passing me by as I find myself thinking about my death, as morbid as that sounds. I reflect on the winter season, where plants wither away and animals seek shelter, knowing that there is little to be found outside in the cold. Plants and animals are aware of the gloomy and cold days when the sun occasionally shines. Some days can be dark and dreary, with cold and icy conditions outside. Personally, I dread stepping out into the freezing cold.

This month, I had planned to mail Christmas cards and had even bought a bunch to send out. I had good intentions. However, the Christmas cards are still sitting on my shelf. Additionally, I had plans to bake and wanted to try some of my late grandmother’s recipes. But instead, I have no desire or motivation to do anything worthwhile. Yet, I am still going to share my goals for the month of December to finish off the year. Amazingly, I managed to keep this up for 1 whole year which shows me that I do follow through with what I say I will do when I put my mind to it. Like I said last month, without these monthly goal blog posts, I doubt I would be able to accomplish as much.

DECEMBER GOALS 2023

Career Goals:

  • Plot availability for January 2024
  • Catch up on work emails
  • Send BLS certificate and mask fitting records to manager
  • Complete 100 total designs for #Redbubble

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Frame seminar completion certificates (bonus)
  • Complete Application B Questions 
  • Get an eye exam 
  • Get a massage
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 → keep the streak going

Health Goals:

  • YMCA 2x per week minimum
  • Buy a new bathing suit for the pool
  • Clear out the cupboards → Finish 3+ food items
  • Make honey lemon lozenges

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I am still going to YMCA two times per week (most weeks) which helps a lot with my mood. I think my mood would be worse if it wasn’t for swimming. I also feel overwhelmed with all of the stuff that I have been accumulating and am hoping to start clearing out the cupboards before the new year. I don’t know what we have half the time and I get frustrated not being able to quickly find the things I need. If I don’t end up baking anything for Christmas, I still want to make some honey lemon candy to soothe my sore throat. In my opinion, homemade candy is better than store-bought candy.

Finally, my goal is to have a total of 100 designs on Redbubble by the end of the year. I believe this is a highly achievable target, considering that I already have 88 designs. I remain hopeful that I will be able to grow my small shop and continue adding designs that people want. In case you were curious, here are my top 3 most popular designs based on the number of sales:

1st Place 🥇
2nd Place 🥈
3rd Place 🥉

(っ◔◡◔)っ FYI: If you’re not already following me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), you can get real-time updates [and rants] about my day-to-day life there. Tweets have been slow lately since I haven’t been as active as usual. Once I feel better, I will start posting more frequently.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

November Recap | Fall 2023

15 Comments

I was sick with COVID last week (yes, I had the plague) and was unwell throughout the entire week. I am now starting to feel slightly better but still taking it easy for the time being. Unfortunately, my entire family also fell ill last week and we all spent the week bedridden. As November 30 arrived and it was time to reflect on the past month, I found myself too unwell to engage in any activities. Instead, I decided to ride it out until I am able to blog again.

When reflecting on November, I can confidently say it was a consistently busy month. There was always something demanding my attention, whether it was attending appointments, taking my children to their appointments, or working diligently. It seemed as though time flew by, and before I knew it, it was the end of November.

Sick and Sick Some More

At the beginning of November, I fell ill and thought I had recovered completely. However, to my dismay, I soon developed a persistent cough which turned out to be COVID. It seems like my immune system didn’t fully recover from my earlier illness in November. If I learned anything, it’s to never take your health for granted. One day you could feel fine and the next be completely bedridden. So be prepared for anything.

It should come as no surprise that I haven’t had much motivation to write recently because I was sick and it’s hard to write when you are sick. I did renew my WordPress plan, but I downgraded from the Premium Plan to the Personal Plan. Honestly, I haven’t noticed much of a difference and I don’t miss the Premium Plan as much as I thought I would. Additionally, I would like to mention that I have successfully resolved the PayPal issue I encountered last month, and the money is now visible in my PayPal account. Although I have not transferred it yet, it is reassuring to see it there, and Redbubble has reset my earnings on their end. Overall, Redbubble has been a super slow month, but I did manage to make a few sales during Black Friday week.

(っ◔◡◔)っ P.S. I am currently accepting sticker requests for anyone who is interested. Feel free to visit my shop and browse through the designs I have uploaded so far. Currently, you have a selection of 87 designs to choose from!

👉 Follow me on Redbubble: @sereneluna

NOVEMBER RECAP 2023

Career Goals:

  • Go back to work I did go back to work, but then I got sick again and missed more shifts.
  • Reply to manager’s email regarding COVID swab result I sent not one but 2 emails because I ended up with COVID in the end.
  • Catch up on work emails I am mostly caught up. There’s a couple minor things I still need to do.
  • Complete BLS renewal Yes, I completed it. This reminds me, I should probably email work a copy.
  • Complete 80 total designs for #Redbubble I currently have 87 designs in my shop. You can check out my #Redbubble designs here.

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap This is the monthly recap lol Additionally, I have compiled a list outlining what I am able to do and what I cannot do, which you can find and read here. I also wrote about a week that was almost laughably crappy, but it pales in comparison to what was to come the following week, which you can read here.
  • Send email to SW regarding International Gov form In the end, we decided to scrap the idea after encountering a roadblock.
  • Attend Domestic seminar this month Yes, we attended the seminar. The process is still super slow and frustrating.
  • Complete and submit International Seminar Questions Yes, I submitted all 11 pages but again, we ended up scrapping our plan in the end.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments Managing my family’s busy schedule is exhausting. Text message reminders have been a lifesaver for me in staying on track with all of my appointments.
  • Complete and submit Application B Nope, that didn’t happen. We still need to submit Applications B & E, which are more extensive. We have hit a bit of a roadblock with the application process as well.
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 I have managed to keep the streak going, but that’s pretty much all I am doing with it at this point. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the time to learn German these days. When I looked back at what I did this year, the results were surprising.

Health Goals:

  • YMCA 2x per week minimum I have been going to the YMCA on twice a week on weekdays when I am feeling well, and this routine has greatly benefited my overall mental and physical health.
  • Buy a new bathing suit for the pool My bathing suit is falling apart and I need a new one badly. I haven’t been to the store.
  • Finish Kool-Aid and Nuun drink mixes I am considering getting rid of the Nuun drink mixes, but for now, I occasionally add them to my water when I am working. However, these days, I prefer using Gatorade drink mix, as I find it much more enjoyable. While it may not be the healthiest option, if it helps me drink more water, I don’t really care.
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine ☀️ I fell ill twice in the month of November, which resulted in me staying home most of the time. The limited exposure to sunshine had a significant negative impact on my mood and further exacerbated my feelings of depression.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Wow! Can I just say that November was a challenging month? Not only was I sick at the beginning of November, but I also fell ill again towards the end of the month and unfortunately caught COVID. On top of that, I had a rough couple of weeks. However, despite feeling nervous about returning to work, I am grateful that I am now [mostly] healthy again. You don’t realize the importance of your health until you fall sick. Immunity is something that should never be taken for granted. I still need to write a blog post about my December goals, and I plan to do so either tomorrow or sometime next week. In the meantime, enjoy listening to some soothing beats that will help you stay focused on your work..

Have something to share with me? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below ↓ Currently, email is NOT the most efficient means of reaching me as I behind in relying to emails. Leaving a comment is the quickest way to get in touch, unless you are one of the lucky ones who has my phone number.

(っ◔◡◔)っ FYI: If you’re not already following me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), you can get real-time updates about my day-to-day life there. I recently made the decision to join X/Twitter and I’m excited to see what it has in store for me.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥