Tag: mental health

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! ♥

November Goals | Autumn 2023

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Hello everyone. I wanted to let you know that I am alive. Although I’m not feeling well. I’m currently dealing with a nasty head cold, but thankfully it is not COVID. I took a rapid test at home to confirm. I have been sick for the past 4 days, but I am starting to feel a bit better now. Despite feeling more human, I am still significantly behind on everything, which is causing me additional stress. Not to mention, I am feeling quite grumpy today as nothing seems to be going my way.

Am I creating extra stress for myself? Probably, even though I’m not even taking on extra tasks right now. In fact, I’ve started saying no to a lot of things, not because I don’t want to, but because I simply don’t have the energy or time. I am exhausted 80% of the time and not functioning at my optimal best. In the new year, I hope to be in better health. It seriously sucks not having the physical and mental energy to do the things that I want to do.

𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝑜𝑜 𝒪𝓁𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓈 🍂

Image source: https://pngtree.com/freepng/hello-november

Everything is Not Awesome

I have never liked the month of November, and perhaps there’s a reason for that. The days are getting colder, although it has been quite pleasant this past week. This could be attributed to a chinook, as it is not typically this nice. November is often considered an unpleasant month – it’s cold, there’s not much to look forward to since Canada celebrated Thanksgiving last month, and the days are getting shorter. To be honest, I feel incredibly fortunate that my daughter arrived a week before her due date in November. Back when I was pregnant with her, I had been praying for an October baby instead, as I have a personal dislike for the month of November. Even the birthstone associated with this month is not particularly appealing to me. However, I want to clarify that my feelings towards this month do not in any way diminish the significance or joy of those who celebrate their birthdays in November. 😅🍂

Moving forward, it is important that I share my goals for the month of November to hold myself accountable. Without these monthly goal blog posts, I doubt I would be able to accomplish as much. Stick to what works, right?

NOVEMBER GOALS 2023

Career Goals:

  • Go back to work with a fresh outlook on things
  • Reply to manager’s email regarding COVID swab result
  • Catch up on work emails
  • Complete BLS renewal
  • Complete 80 total designs for #Redbubble

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Send email to SW regarding International Gov form
  • Attend Domestic seminar this month → fee has been paid
  • Complete Application B Questions (bonus)
  • Complete and submit International Seminar Questions
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 → keep the streak going

Health Goals:

  • YMCA 2x per week minimum
  • Buy a new bathing suit for the pool
  • Finish Kool-Aid and Nuun drink mixes
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine☀️
Does anyone actually like this stuff? Image source: https://www.runnersworld.com

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

After indulging in all the tempting Halloween candy last month, I realized it was time to break free from the calorie restriction mindset. But don’t worry, I’ve found a balanced solution. In order to counteract any extra calories, I’ve taken up a healthy habit of going to the YMCA twice a week. Not only does this help me stay on track with my fitness goals, but it also has positive effects on my overall physical and mental well-being. Rest assured, I am committed to continuing this routine because of the tremendous benefits it brings.

As I reflect on last month, I still have the desire to try a social media detox. However, I don’t believe that going cold turkey is the solution. Instead, I believe that if I focus on creating more content rather than consuming, social media can be a beneficial tool for me. For instance, blogging is okay as long as I am writing content and engaging with people, rather than just engaging or replying to comments. Redbubble is great because I get to focus on what I love, which is creating vector designs, particularly stickers. Despite recent slow sales, I remain determined and refuse to be discouraged. Here are some designs are currently available in my shop.

(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.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

October Recap | Fall 2023

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This blog post is overdue, and I must admit that I lack enthusiasm for blogging. However, I did successfully renew my blog plan and downgraded to the Personal Plan without any difficulties. It’s unfortunate that I was unable to directly contact the WP engineers via chat like I have done in the past. When the time came to renew it, the only option available was email. While email still got the job done, it was a bit more time-consuming and annoying. Fortunately, they knew exactly how to assist me and were able to switch me to the Personal Plan. I didn’t have to worry about losing my data or deal with exporting backup files.

Looking back at October, it was an incredibly busy month. “Busy” is an understatement. There was so much going on that my memory is hazy. October came and went in a blur. Between my daughter’s birthday, the birthday party, seminars, and appointments, it was a lot to handle.

Am I Bored of Writing? No, just frustrated.

So I did end up posting an article on Medium and engagement was absolutely pathetic. I guess it wasn’t a complete failure because I did end up making $1.98 CAD for doing absolutely nothing with it. My account on Medium is is still pretty dead at this point, and I really hate how the algorithm punished writers who aren’t active on the platform. It’s the same phenomenon on all platforms, and I am not singling out Medium here. All I’m saying is that if you aren’t active on all platforms at all given times of the day, then good luck lol Since it isn’t hurting me to keep my Medium profile, I will continue to post the minimum on it to keep it active, but don’t expect much more from me.

I am more concerned about my lack of commitment to blogging as of late, and I am less and less enthusiastic about writing altogether. I haven’t been actively blogging like I would have liked to, and just want to be making designs for Redbubble. I also have some frustrations with Redbubble, especially when it comes to their payment method, namely PayPal. I have never used PayPal before, and it is quite frustrating that my commissions are not showing up in my PayPal account. Will I have more luck contacting Redbubble to try and sort this out? Probably not. Enough of my complaining.

👉 Follow me on Medium: @sereneluna

👉 Follow me on Redbubble: @sereneluna

OCTOBER RECAP 2023

Career Goals:

  • Figure out the orientation dates for work This got sorted out for the most part. Do I feel confident now that I did the orientation? Not really…
  • Print and review orientation notes + reply to manager’s email I reviewed my notes and I did reply to that email. However, I now have another email to reply to so it’s really a chain of emails.
  • Catch up on work emails + attend workshop on Oct 12 Yes, I did both of these things.
  • Work on side hustle if there’s time I added quite a few new designs to the shop. There’s currently 78 designs to choose from! You can check out my #Redbubble designs here.

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap I posted a blog post that was also published on Medium. Unfortunately, the Medium article didn’t generate any traffic, which suggests that the algorithm penalizes inactive users. You can read my blog post here.
  • Complete and mail a paper copy of international form to Gov. We finally accomplished this, but I was instructed to seek guidance from another person, which I have not done yet.
  • Update planner with due dates, appointments, etc. At this point, I have completely abandoned paper copies. Paper books simply do not work for me at all.
  • 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. With the constant brain fog I’ve been experiencing lately, I honestly don’t know how I manage.
  • Complete and submit Application B Nope, that didn’t happen. We still need to submit Applications B & E, which are more extensive. We also need to answer the questions from the first seminar.
  • 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.

Health Goals:

  • Exercise every day (hula hooping, treadmill, chores, etc.) I have mixed feelings about how I did. In my mind, I think I did okay. I joined the YMCA last month so swimming has been helping A LOT.
  • Finish Kool-Aid and Nuun drink mixes The artificial drink mixes have become increasingly unpalatable. Despite my strong dislike for them, I find it difficult to throw them out. The only drink mix that tasted good was the low-calorie lemonade.
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine ☀️ Some days were so cold and miserable that I hardly left the house, but on the nicer days, I did leave the house and got some sunshine. I could do better with this and it might be time to break out the sun lamp again.
Leave a comment if you want my IG handle. I’m not active in Instagram.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Unfortunately, my daughter’s picture day didn’t go as planned, and there isn’t an opportunity for a picture redo-day. On the bright side, my son’s picture turned out great! This year, I had hoped to have both of my kids’ photos professionally taken in a studio. However, my husband suggested that we prioritize saving money instead. He does have a point – the cost of in-studio photos has alarmingly increased over the years. Last month, my daughter celebrated her 7th birthday with a fun-filled birthday party. We were delighted to have 18 kids attend, making it a great turnout. Additionally, we took the kids trick-or-treating, and my daughter had a blast!

A sleepy skeleton and Mommy Long Legs

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! ♥

October Goals | Autumn 2023

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Hello, everyone! The leaves are falling and the days are getting colder to the point where I find it difficult getting out of bed in the morning. I apologize for the delay in this blog post. As you can imagine, my main priorities have revolved around family and work obligations. Lately, I’ve been swamped with responsibilities and haven’t had the chance to dedicate much time to my blog. In fact, I am contemplating downgrading my WordPress plan when it’s time for renewal next month.

Moving forward, I am not sure if I will have enough time to upload more designs to my #Redbubble shop. Sales have experienced a slump, and I am not receiving the level of engagement I used to. In an effort to improve this situation, I recently subscribed to Twitter/X, hoping it would enhance engagement and increase overall exposure. While I am enjoying the perks, I have yet to witness significant changes in this department. I am not giving up or anything, I am just confused as to where I should put my focus. Should I prioritize writing informative articles for Medium, focusing on digital art designs for Redbubble, or finishing up the 50+ drafts I have on WordPress?

♡ Quick Link: Sereneluna.redbubble.com

♡ Quick Note: Apologies for the oversight, everyone. I didn’t realize that the video I posted had sound, which is quite embarrassing on my part. Rest assured, I will upload a new version of the video at a later time. In the meantime, please refer to the link provided for your convenience. Thank you for your understanding and patience. 😂😭

𝒜 𝒞𝑜𝓏𝓎 𝒯𝑜-𝒟𝑜 𝐿𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒪𝒸𝓉𝑜𝒷𝑒𝓇 🎃🍂

I’ve Just Been So Busy

I often feel stressed and anxious these days, as there is oh so much to do! Like the lyrics from Peppa Pig go, “Miss Rabbit is busy. Busy, busy, busy. Miss Rabbit is busy, she’s got so many jobs to do!” I often feel like I have multiple responsibilities, which can become overwhelming at times. Lately, I have been decluttering my house and letting go of items that no longer serve me. This has helped with my anxiety to an extent, but now my anxiety is in overdrive. I have a significant amount of work to do this month, including unanswered emails, cleaning and organizing my house, and helping my daughter with her homework. Additionally, I have forms to complete, invitations to write, and appointments to schedule. It can feel overwhelming to have so many tasks to juggle at once. How does Miss Rabbit manage to do it all?

OCTOBER GOALS 2023

Career Goals:

  • Figure out the orientation dates for work
  • Print and review orientation notes + reply to manager’s email
  • Catch up on work emails + attend workshop on Oct 12
  • Work on side hustle if there’s time

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Publish 1 article on Medium
  • Complete and mail a paper copy of international form to Gov.
  • Update planner with due dates, appointments, etc.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Complete and submit Application B
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 → keep the streak going

Health Goals:

  • Exercise every day (hula hooping, treadmill, chores, etc.)
  • Finish Kool-Aid and Nuun drink mixes
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine☀️
Does anyone actually like this stuff? Image source: https://www.runnersworld.com

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I started falling back into the pattern of calorie restriction, and it’s something I know is not beneficial for my well-being. This behavior usually stems from the overwhelming stress and feeling powerless in this turbulent world we live in. As a potential solution, I am contemplating a social media detox, even though it may seem like just another item on an already overwhelming list. However, acknowledging the importance of prioritizing my mental health is paramount in overcoming these challenges.

Next week, my daughter has picture day and I must admit, it’s adding to my stress levels. On top of that, her birthday is this month and I want to throw her a party. As if that isn’t enough, Halloween is also just around the corner, and I genuinely want to ensure that the kids have an enjoyable experience. It’s quite a busy month you guys. October is filled with numerous commitments. I am curious to know how you handle an overwhelming to-do list. Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment below ↓ Your suggestions are most welcome.

Halloween 2022 with the kiddos!

(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.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

September Recap | Fall 2023

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How did your September go? Mine was surprisingly more productive than usual. I managed to stay productive throughout the month and it made me wonder if listening to productivity podcasts every day had anything to do with it. It always saddens me when a favorite content creator disappears or stops uploading new content. I heavily rely on their content for motivation, so it’s truly disappointing when they are no longer active. #firstworldproblems

During the month of September, I didn’t go to doctor appointments and have been procrastinating on scheduling them. However, I did make progress on the extensive paperwork for the social worker and I am halfway through completing the applications. The last two sections are time-consuming and extensive, but I hope to complete them by the end of October. As for expenses last month, not gonna lie it was a lot. Hopefully, October will be kinder to us.

Redbubble ≥ Medium

By dedicating a lot of time and effort, I successfully achieved my target of having 60 designs in my Redbubble shop by the end of September! It’s safe to say that I have been tirelessly working on creating new and captivating designs. I did hit a roadblock where sales have plummeted and I am unsure why this is happening. I haven’t changed anything, have been adding new designs, and have kept the prices low. I am determined to find the motivation to push through and keep going. After all, I only have a limited amount of time to devote to my hobbies and side hustles, and digital art requires a significant investment of time.

Even though I have nearly given up on Medium, I still need to post there to maintain my qualification for the Medium Partner Program (MPP). Therefore, I will continue to upload content periodically if the content is deemed suitable for Medium. Kindly remind me to upload something soon. I completely forgot to upload something on Medium because I was so preoccupied with Redbubble. Here are the links where you can follow me:

👉 Follow me on Medium: @sereneluna

👉 Follow me on Redbubble: @sereneluna

SEPTEMBER RECAP 2023

Career Goals:

  • Bid on shifts as they become available I didn’t have to bid on shifts because I had enough shifts for the month of September.
  • Catch up on work emails + finish CCP requirements I renewed my license and fulfilled my CCP requirements. As someone who has undiagnosed ADD and can’t function without some kind of organization system, I now have a binder full of notes to keep everything in order.
  • Work on side hustle → goal is 60 designs I added my 60th design to the shop and reached this goal! You can check out my #Redbubble designs here.
👉 This is my 60th design! 🦀💕

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap I posted more blog posts than I thought I would, but that was partly because I was procrastinating on emails and working on the application for the SW. Here are the latest blog posts in case you missed them:

♥ 44 Superfoods that fight fat
♥ How to Snack Smarter
♥ Take Charge of Your Appetite
♥ Find Peace in the Madness
♥ 8 Ways to Sleep Better [Edited]

  • Scan paper documents → turn into digital copies I scanned a few documents but I didn’t scan the ones I eventually plan on discarding. I have way too much paper clutter.
  • Start habit tracking using Posh Planner LOL nope, that certainly did not happen. Although it is a beautiful planner, I have no desire to use it as I am still keeping track of everything on my phone.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments Managing my family’s busy schedule is exhausting. Text message reminders are helping me stay on track with all of my appointments. We had so many appointments in September!
  • Complete and submit Application A We not only submitted Application A, but we also submitted Applications C & D. However, we still need to submit Applications B & E, which are more extensive.
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 I have been performing poorly in the leagues, but I have reached a point where I no longer care. Due to time constraints, I have been unable to complete one lesson per day. My main concern now is maintaining my 262-day streak. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough gems to freeze my streaks anymore, so I must remember to use the app every day.

Health Goals:

  • Exercise every day (hula hooping, treadmill, chores, etc.) I have mixed feelings about how I did. In my mind, I think I did okay. However, my clothes are still a bit too tight for my liking, and I still feel uncomfortable. I have not been actively tracking my fitness.
  • Finish low-cal lemonade and Kool-Aid drink mixes I finished the low-cal lemonade and still need to finish the Kool-Aid drops. The low-cal lemonade actually tastes good whereas the Kool-Aid drops are more artificial tasting.
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine ☀️ I did pretty well with this one because I have to take my daughter to the bus stop every morning. However, I didn’t get to enjoy much sunshine on the weekends, which made me miserable.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

And there you have it! Throughout the month of September, I spent most of my time at home following my daily routine. Given my busy schedule, I seldom have any spare moments. Although I am still procrastinating on emails, application forms, and doctor appointments, I am relieved to say that the CCP notes are finally complete. Overcoming this particular challenge was a significant accomplishment that had been weighing on me for quite some time.

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! ♥

8 Ways to Sleep Better

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Some of you know that I struggle with depression and it seems to come in waves. I am going to be totally honest when I tell you that I am struggling with situational depression this month. If we were having coffee and you asked me how I was doing, I would tell you that I am not fucking fine. I don’t swear a lot so I want to emphasize and drive home the fact that things are not sunshine and rainbows over here. Mentally, I am struggling to come to terms with things. I am in no mood to explain what these things are but I might write about it in an upcoming blog post. I am just tired of receiving bad news all the damn time and I do not want to drag all of you down with my negativity.

Whenever I am really struggling with situational depression, my sleep schedule is usually the first thing to go. This week, I have been extremely sleep-deprived as I was staying up until 0500 – 0600 and waking up at 1030 to send my daughter to school. It is hard to find balance when I am dealing with these strong, negative emotions and lack of motivation. I am barely functioning from lack of sleep. Last Wednesday, I missed sending my daughter to school because I slept through my alarm. I feel like I am failing as a mother and this is not one of my prouder moments.

Redefining the Way You Sleep ✨🌙

In case you missed my post about Improving Sleep Hygiene, I highly recommend reading it first. From years of struggling with insomnia as well as excessive worrying, I know that sleep is vital for a person’s health and well-being. I also know that sleep is even more important for those who struggle with #mental-health and mood regulation. If you are currently experiencing sleep problems, then I suggest checking out my list below ↓ Here are some ways to help you get some sleep for a more productive day! 💁‍♀️

Redefining Sleep: 8 Ways to Sleep Better

1. Figure out how much sleep you need. If you are not getting enough sleep, then your body and mind are not going to function the way they should. You will feel tired and groggy, even when you wake up early. If you don’t address it now, then sleep deprivation can ultimately wreak havoc on your health. If you want to get some rest, you can start by making a plan to determine how much sleep is right for you. While some people can get away with 4 hours of sleep each night, others require more sleep.

2. Have a nighttime routine. Do you find yourself waking up during your sleep cycle? Chances are, you’re probably not getting enough REM sleep. During REM sleep, your body is working hard to replenish and repair itself. Having a nighttime routine can help get you into bed faster and fall asleep quicker, and it may even help regulate your circadian rhythm by teaching your body to start winding down at the same time each day. This might sound counterintuitive, but having a set bedtime and morning routine can actually make it easier to fall asleep at night.

3. Be consistent. We are all guilty of not always following what we say we are going to do. However, one good way to keep a consistent sleep schedule is to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, including weekends and holidays. Also, don’t doze off for an hour in front of your computer or TV late at night; if you can’t fall asleep by 2200, get up and go to bed anyways.

4. Hello, sunshine! 🌞 If you’re having trouble sleeping, then a lack of natural light might be to blame. Spend some time each day getting at least 15 minutes of sunlight and your body will get used to feeling more awake (and alive) in the morning. Sunlight also helps reset your circadian rhythm, which is your internal clock and plays a role in sleep regulation. Since we associate darkness with going to bed, getting sunlight will trick your brain into thinking it’s time to wake up! ☕💕

5. Reward Yourself. When you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep, make it easier on yourself. You could try starting your day with a refreshing shower or a short walk outside. Exercise can also help improve your quality of sleep as well. Making time for #self-care is an important part of sleeping well at night. If you still can’t fall asleep, try adding some relaxing activities before bedtime such as taking a bath or listening to relaxing music.

6. Plan the Next Day. It is natural to have an off day or a bad week from time to time, but it can also be difficult to get back on track if you fail to plan for these mishaps. Instead of waiting for the morning, plan your next day prior to bed. In 30 minutes, you can figure out what needs to be done tomorrow and how much time each task will take. 

7. Turn off social media. The blue light from social media keeps you up at night. If you have trouble sleeping, I suggest that you deactivate your account and read a book. And please don’t bring your phone with you into bed. If you must use your phone as an alarm clock like many people do, then you need to check out this blog post for a sans phone solution.

8. Eat light before bedtime. While a few crackers won’t hurt, too many late-night calories could lead to weight gain. It is important not only to avoid eating close to bedtime but also skipping meals altogether, as that leads your body and mind into starvation mode, which can leave you feeling tired and cranky in addition to losing precious hours of valuable shuteye.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Sleep is a critical part of staying healthy and it is not just limited to your physical or mental well-being. Like eating well and exercising regularly, it is important to make sleep a priority in your life. If you want to be at your best, then you need your beauty sleep. And while everyone has their own way of sleeping better, there are some general tips that can help you start getting more—and better—sleep every night. Do you agree with this list of suggestions? Is there anything that I missed? Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment below ↓

Before You Go ✨🌙

I recently had the pleasure of talking to fellow blogger who shared her blog, www.fingerprintsforsuccess.com. She provided some intriguing insights and research-backed tips on enhancing sleep quality. I highly recommend taking a look at this specific article on her blog, which you can find here:

♡ Related Article: Sleep and Mental Health: the key to boosting your wellbeing.

This article also included 8 ways to correct sleep. Moreover, she provides valuable professional coaching services, such as a comprehensive 9-week Vital Wellbeing program. Through this program, individuals can acquire essential skills to manage anxiety efficiently and strengthen emotional resilience. It’s certainly worth checking out! #Sweet-dreams

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

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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! ♥

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September Goals | Autumn 2023

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Hello, everyone! As we find ourselves well into the beautiful month of September, I am thrilled to finally take a moment and share my goals with all of you. It has been quite the productive month for me so far, although my focus has primarily been on the responsible aspects of life – those adulting tasks that we all must conquer. Yes, I have fully embraced the art of adulting!

Lately, I haven’t been feeling very energized when it comes to writing, even though I have been more active on my blog. In a perfect world, I would have all the time in the world to work on designs for Redbubble, but adult life doesn’t work like that, especially one with responsibilities. To date, I have 54 designs available in the shop, and I plan on adding a few more before the end of the month. Initially, I had hoped to have 100 designs by the end of September but I would be lucky to have 60 designs in the shop by the end of the month. Due to my busy schedule, I won’t have much time for hobbies, and it may be challenging to meet that goal.

♡ Quick Link: Sereneluna.redbubble.com

♪·♫ 𝒜 𝒮𝑒𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝑜 𝑅𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 ♫·♪

Image: https://www.thisisourbliss.com

Summer Drink Days Are Over

As the summer days at MCDs came to an end, many other things bid farewell with the start of a new school year. Gone are the days of sleeping in until 1:00PM, staying up late unless it’s a work night, and being scatter-brained 24/7. Okay, the last one is still mostly true but I have been improving. September is the month to embrace structure, discipline, and a renewed focus on responsibilities. September brings an opportunity for growth and success – so let’s make the most of it!

Summer treats at MCDs

SEPTEMBER GOALS 2023

Career Goals:

  • Bid on shifts as they become available
  • Catch up on work emails + finish CCP requirements → due this month
  • Work on side hustle → goal is 60 designs

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Scan paper documents → turn into digital copies
  • Start habit tracking using Posh Planner
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Complete and submit Application A
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪

Health Goals:

  • Exercise every day (hula hooping, treadmill, chores, etc.)
  • Finish low-cal lemonade and Kool-Aid drink mixes
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine☀️
Becca enjoying the sunshine and her cats.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I have decided to adopt a more mindful approach to eating, going back to the days when I trusted my body’s natural intuition. It’s time to break free from the unhealthy habit of turning to food for comfort or out of boredom.

As you can see, my health goals for this month are quite modest, mainly because I am extremely busy with various life responsibilities. Last week, my daughter started school, and this week she will begin tutoring three days a week, in addition to her weekly piano lessons. Hopefully, my son will be starting daycare later this week.

Baby Aaron says hi! 🙂

(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.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

August Recap | Summer 2023

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Another belated blog post, another monthly recap. I am not apologizing this time! (see? I’m learning!). I often find myself losing track of time. It’s hard to believe that another month has passed us by, and just like that, September is here. But before I get too carried away, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the month of August.

August was a busy month, which included spending the first half of the month in Ontario. My birthday was also in August so August is a significant month for me. Lately, my top priority has been my family. I’ve been busy preparing my daughter for back to school after her time at summer camp. Additionally, I have been busy with paper work and expenses (which I’m not quite ready to discuss). There’s lots of paperwork and associated fees that have demanded much of my attention. Also, with the start of the school year comes a wave of additional expenses to handle. From tutoring fees for my daughter to license renewals, it feels like there’s an overwhelming amount of costs piling up. This is the first time I’ve experienced such discomfort in having to allocate so much money towards these necessary expenses.

My Side Hustle(s)

Although I have almost given up on Medium, I still need to post there in order to maintain my qualification for the Medium Partner Program (MPP). This means that I will continue to upload content every so often. However, my earnings from it have been quite disappointing. As a result, I have redirected my energy towards digital art. There are currently 54 designs available in my #Redbubble shop. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to work on this hobby in the past week, but I hope to dedicate some time to it again if I have any “down time.” I’m pleased to share that I continued to make sales throughout the month of August, which was absolutely fantastic! The valuable support and encouragement I receive from others serve as a powerful motivation for me.

👉 Follow me on Medium: @sereneluna

👉 Follow me on Redbubble: @sereneluna

AUGUST RECAP 2023

Career Goals:

  • Go back to work on August 27 This was the only shift I had in August. Going back to work after being OOP for a month was rough.
  • Catch up on work emails + look at CCP requirements I now check work emails on my phone, which saves time. The CCP is due soon, so it’s on my to-do list.
  • Work on side hustle I only added a couple of designs to the shop while I was in Ontario and hardly spent any time on a laptop. You can check out my #Redbubble designs here.

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap I did the bare minimum in August and only started posting more at the end of the month. In case you missed it, I recently posted a random blog post titled “So What!” which you can read here.
  • Find my Posh habit-tracking planner → I need to start using it Did I find it? Yes, I did. Did I use it? No, I did not. I think I will use my planner for habit tracking instead.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments Managing my family’s busy schedule is exhausting. Text message reminders are helping me stay on track with all of my appointments. I have been swamped with appointments!
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 I am doing so badly in leagues but I have stopped caring. I dropped down to Ruby league. Instead of overwhelming myself with marathons, I have adopted a more sustainable approach by committing to completing one lesson per day.
  • Watch the Barbie movie in movie theaters I added it to the list to ensure that I would actually accomplish the goal. Priorities, man. Anyway, I ended up watching the Barbie movie a few hours after posting this online. Manifesting works! 🙌
The 2023 Posh Planner that I’ve been neglecting 🙊

Health Goals:

  • Use new water bottle once it arrives (2000mL bottle) I decided to discard the water bottle as I struggled to assemble it. It was of poor quality and didn’t meet my expectations. I saw no reason to attempt returning it. I advise against purchasing water bottles from #Temu.
  • Hula hooping for 35-40 minutes daily for a minimum of 30 days I managed to stay committed for a couple of weeks to my fitness routine, but unfortunately, I hit a roadblock. My bedroom became cluttered with donation boxes, leaving me with no space to work out. As a result, I couldn’t complete the 30-day challenge and now feel hesitant about writing a blog post on my experience.
  • No buying junk food from Walmart, Dollarama, etc. I was doing fine until my mom took me to Dollar Tree! Since coming back home, I haven’t visited Dollar Tree or Dollarama. Instead, I’ve started shopping at Bulk Barn for snacks instead of Walmart. My go-to snack is coconut date bars—they’re my favorite!

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

And there you have it! During the month of August, I spent two weeks of August in Ontario. My daughter also had summer camps and I have been busy getting her ready for school. I am also drowning in a pile of paperwork right now and should probably do something about that. Procrastination at it’s finest! am sure you guys can relate.

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.

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! ♥

Belated August Goals | Summer 2023

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Although I am very late writing August Goals blog post, rest assured that I have been diligently working towards achieving my goals this month. In fact, I have them written down on my phone. If you haven’t had the chance to catch up on my latest blog post explaining the reasons behind my absence, you can easily find it here.

It should not come as a surprise to you that I have not been able to maintain an active presence on #Medium. As a result, I have unfortunately neglected the platform for the time being and haven’t had the chance to provide fresh content by adding new posts. However, I still prioritize engaging with my readers by responding to their comments, despite being a bit slow in doing so.

Lately, I haven’t been feeling very energized when it comes to writing. I much rather work on designs for #Redbubble. To date, I have 52 designs available in the shop, and I plan on adding a few more before the end of the month. Initially, I had hoped to have 100 designs in the shop by the end of September. However, due to my busy schedule, I won’t have much time for hobbies, and it may be challenging to meet that goal.

♡ Quick Link: Sereneluna.redbubble.com

𝒜𝓊𝑔𝓊𝓈𝓉: 𝐵𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒, 𝓈𝓊𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉!

☀️ Hello August Image from https://www.thisisourbliss.com ☀️

My Blog Posts Can Wait

Lately, I have been giving my full attention to my children, who require a lot of my time and energy. Additionally, I am striving to improve my skills as a housewife, and household chores consume a significant portion of my day. I have also taken up cooking more dishes, which is enjoyable but can be time-consuming. I have great ideas for blog posts, including recipes, but unfortunately, I lack the time and energy to write these blog posts . As a result, these ideas remain stuck in limbo….

There is so much I still want to do which is why I haven’t given up on blogging completely. No, I am not going to abandon my blog. Is it worth the renewal fees? Probably not, but if I need money, I can simply work more hours. Money is not the main concern here. You can always earn more money. What I truly need is more time and time is limited. Moving forward, here are my goals for the rest of August:

AUGUST GOALS 2023

Career Goals:

  • Go back to work on August 27
  • Catch up on work emails + look at CCP requirements → due sometime in September
  • Work on side hustle → there are currently 52 designs available

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Transfer appointments to my Posh Planner
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Phone call with social worker Aug 25 → be prepared with questions
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪
  • Watch the Barbie movie in movie theaters

Health Goals:

  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app
  • Track water intake on Water Llama app
  • Use new water bottle once it arrives (2000mL bottle)
  • Hula hooping for 35-40 minutes daily for a minimum of 30 days
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine☀️

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

As you can see, I have decided to give up on the Pikmin Bloom app. While I do love the app itself, I have grown tired of counting steps and using the treadmill without seeing noticeable results. I am the type of person who needs to see tangible progress in order to stay motivated. Rather than walking, I have opted for an infinity hula hoop instead. So far, I am really enjoying it! My objective is to strengthen my core and reduce the excess weight around my midsection. The spare tire needs to go.

I am currently engaging in targeted exercises to assist me in achieving this goal. I’ll check in with you guys after 30 days, but in the meantime, you can follow me over on the #Twitter/X platform for daily updates. Let me know in the comments below ↓ if you have ever tried an infinity hula hoop or use hula hoops to work out.

(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.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

A Belated July Recap | Summer 2023

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Warning: A Little Rant Ahead 🔜

I admit that I’m growing tired of feeling like I need to apologize for writing late blog posts. Are we still doing this monthly blog recap thing? Yes, we are. I know that that July has long passed, but that’s beside the point. The important thing is for me to continue showing up, even if my blog posts are late.

Mixed Feelings About Everything

After spending a month in Ontario and unintentionally taking a hiatus from blogging, I have been reflecting on the value that blogging brings to my life. It occurred to me that despite creating the illusion of friendship groups and circles online, the truth is that there isn’t really a deep connection within the blogging community. Earlier in August, I celebrated my birthday and it made me realize that unless I loudly announced it on a social media platform, nobody bothered to wish me a happy birthday. However, I don’t remember many birthdays myself, nor do I expect others to remember mine.

I have even contemplated whether there is any point in sending birthday cards or snail mail these days, even though I still love sending snail mail. What is making me feel unhappy is the lack of reciprocation and the amount of maintenance and upkeep. I find myself wondering if there is any point in doing anything these days. Perhaps, instead of writing for an audience, I should consider writing for myself. It seems that I have lost sight of the ultimate objective when it comes to blogging.

A Lack of Emotional Support

I recently became aware that both my immediate family and extended family read my blog. Sharing my opinions openly was once something I craved, but now I find myself doubting if using my real name was a wise decision. Regrettably, the negative reactions I have received in person have made me hesitant to address certain topics that I wanted to write about, such as future plans in my personal life. While I consider myself a fairly private person, there are certain aspects that I am currently grappling with and feel emotionally overwhelmed. Furthermore, it’s disheartening to feel restricted in expressing myself freely. Perhaps Alias accounts had it right all along, but it is too late for me to start over. It’s frustrating to have to filter what I say once again, knowing that certain eyes are reading my writing.

End of Rant 🔚

JULY RECAP 2023

Career Goals:

  • Possibly bid on available shifts I only worked 1 shift in July. I cancelled the other shift d/t unresolved stomach pain.
  • Catch up on work emails + check MLL courses I haven’t really looked at my work emails and need to catch up on them.
  • Work on side hustle → have 60+ designs by end of July I currently have 50 designs available in my shop. I believe I only uploaded 3-4 designs throughout the month of July. I didn’t spend much time on my computer while I was in Ontario.

➤ Click here to visit my Redbubble shop 

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap I am behind on everything right now.
  • Transfer appointments to my Posh Planner Did I find it? Yes, I did. Did I use it yet? No, I have not. I didn’t bring my Posh Planner to Ontario, so now that I’m back home, I don’t really have an excuse.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments These days, I use my phone to keep track of everything. It’s just faster and more convenient.
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 I stopped tracking Duolingo leagues end ended up dropping several ranks. The only thing I care about is maintaining my daily streak. Instead of overwhelming myself with marathons, I try to complete one new lesson per day.
  • Finish photo album for my dad → due July 12 I completed the photo album and gave it to my dad. He loved it! I had some extra photos and framed them for my room.
In Memory of my pug, Zoë.

Health Goals:

  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app → advance to Level 45 🌸 Unfortunately, no progress has been made on Level 44 even after numerous tries. I’m still stuck there!
  • Track water intake on Water Llama app I still have the app on my phone but I haven’t been using it.
  • Leave the house once a day and get some sunshine☀️ Ontario was warm and sunny, making it easy to get enough sunshine in July. However, I often get sunburns, especially on my face, so I have to be careful.
Baby Aaron enjoying the sunshine! ☀️

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

And there you have it! During the month of July, I unexpectedly ended up spending an entire month in Ontario. Consequently, I had little time to work on my hobbies, which include writing and designing stickers, among other things. Now that I am back in Calgary, my schedule is extremely busy, and I am prioritizing my children who require my undivided attention. I am also contemplating how much time and energy I want to throw at blogging. In the meantime, you might find me uploading new designs to #Redbubble.

BTW, I forgot to mention that I recently got promoted to the Premium tier on Redbubble! I’m extremely thrilled about it because it means I no longer have to pay any additional fees from my sales. I get to keep the full commission I earn, which really motivates me to keep pushing forward. Additionally, Redbubble is having this awesome sale where all merch is 30% off for the rest of August!

(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.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥