Tag: self-help

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! ♥

100 Self-Reflective Prompts

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

100 Self-Reflective Prompts: Part 1 of 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

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Is Blogging Right For You?

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I originally wrote this article for Medium but it got no engagement whatsoever. I posted it on March 25, 2024. As of late, I am finding Medium to be a bit dead. The only reason why I still post on there from time to time is to stay active so I can still be a part of the Medium Partner Program (MPP). If you are already a Medium subscriber and want to support me, reading my article will earn me a few cents. The following article, er, blog post, is basically the same as the one I wrote for Medium. I am replacing Medium with blogging for the purpose of this blog post.

♡ Medium Article: Is Medium Right For You?

Photo by Bench Accounting on Unsplash

(っ◔V◔)っ Serious Question: Why are you here?

Maybe you joined this writing platform for superficial reasons that were similar to mine. Perhaps you saw it as a way to earn some extra money or to expand your reach to an existing audience. Maybe your friends are also bloggers and you wanted to join in on the fun! It could be a combination of reasons.

(っ◔V◔)っ No seriously, what is the actual reason for being here, and when was the last time you logged into WordPress, Medium, etc.? It might be time to get real with yourself.

If you’re anything like me, you may have logged in to check your stats and see if anyone is actually reading your content. That’s why I logged into Medium earlier today because let’s be real. While I may not be as active as I would like, I realize that I serve a greater purpose on this platform and that I do have a voice, no matter how small it may be, and so do you. There have been many times when I have questioned which writing platform is right for me, and at the end of the day, it ultimately boils down to four things that you should consider.

Medium, WordPress, etc. might not be for you if any of the following apply to you:

✤ You are impatient.

✤ You want overnight success.

✤ You want your article to go viral article every week, month, etc.

✤ You don’t know why you are here.

✤ You get demotivated by not seeing significant results in a few days.

I understand that nobody wants to hear this, but this applies not only to Medium but to any personal blog, website, or social media account. Anyone striving to gain traction, popularity, and success really needs to evaluate their purpose and their “why.”

Photo by energepic.com: https://www.pexels.com

👉 Feeling frustrated? If so, here’s what you should do instead.

1. Have a plan from the start.

To attract readers and gain exposure, it is essential to have a solid plan and consistently follow through with it over time. While I may not be an expert in marketing techniques, it is crucial to stay mindful while navigating the constantly evolving digital landscape. Without a long-term vision, achieving lasting success may prove challenging. A clear vision establishes meaningful goals and helps steer decisions in alignment with your values, offering a roadmap during uncertain times.

2. Have a strong vision.

Having a strong vision is necessary for success in any endeavor. Stay determined and persistent in pursuing your goals, as each step brings you closer to your dreams as long as you keep moving forward. Without commitment to your vision, you will miss out on growth opportunities in al areas of your life.

3. Learn as you go.

Although I don’t have a detailed plan for what I hope to accomplish in the years to come, I am continuously learning and adapting over time. What sets me apart from many other writers is my relentless drive to persevere, even in the face of obstacles, rather than giving up too soon when challenges arise. To prove my point, I have been blogging consistently for 8 years, although infrequently, but I haven’t quit yet! Furthermore, I highly recommend checking out a similar article I wrote about the dangers of dabbling.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ CONCLUSION ♥

It’s normal to feel stuck when creating content for an audience, whether you’re writing articles for Medium or creating new social media content. The important thing is to persevere and stay dedicated to your goal, even when you’re facing a mental block. Remember, any effort put into writing is better than none. Focus on conveying your thoughts in a meaningful way; that’s what really counts in the end. Keep pushing forward and don’t give up. Take it from someone who is a professional procrastinator without a set schedule for writing and uploading blog posts.

Buy Me a Coffee ☕💕

Because I don’t run ads on WordPress, I don’t have the ability to make money from my blog, www.sereneluna.net. If you’d like me to write more blog posts like this, you can support me on Ko-Fi with a small donation or by buying me a coffee for $2.00 CAD.

Link: https://ko-fi.com/sereneluna#paypalModal

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Living Rent-Free

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No, I am not talking about the literal definition of living rent-free. If you are allowing someone else to live rent-free in your head, that could be a problem.

Disclaimer: I believe this idea is more of an advanced concept in personal growth and development because the hardest part is being able to identify and address it as it is happening. This means that we need to already have developed a type of mindfulness that is often found in more advanced personal-development practices. It’s also a lot harder to teach people about the benefits of this concept for themselves, so I want you to keep an open mind while reading. Let’s begin, shall we?

♡ Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

My husband often tells me that I unintentionally give other people free rein to live rent-free in my head and it has been really affecting me in a negative way. I know he is right, and that’s why I want to address what living rent-free actually is and how we can catch ourselves doing it before it consumes us. It’s not just about mental health — living rent-free is also very taxing on the human body in all aspects. It takes up space in our brains, causing us to not have the energy or room to be the best version of ourselves, and drains our stamina to do more productive things. Yikes.

It’s important to always stay aware of the cause and identify what you can do about it so that you get relief. Figuring out how to break the cycle of negative thoughts is hard, but it does get easier the more you work at it. Furthermore, it’s important to know that there are a number of ways to help you break out of this cycle by learning the underlying causes behind your energy drain and where this “energy zap” is coming from.

(っ◔◡◔)っFYI: What does it mean to live rent-free?

Rent-free is a term used by young people to mean, “allowing someone to occupy your thoughts.” It is also a slang expression and catchphrase used to describe how someone holds a grudge or allows an individual to occupy their thoughts, often meant to mock that person. This can be seen as an insult because it suggests that the person does not have any control over their own mind. Believe it or not, this is becoming a major problem in today’s society and people are too lenient with themselves and others. It’s interesting to think about how negative energy affects our mental state.

♡ Related Article: Boundaries Matter

What are the consequences?

Living in someone else’s head can be difficult to deal with, especially if the relationship is one-sided. One of the many side effects is constantly thinking about them and letting their presence linger in your thoughts. This can be very difficult to live with, not only because it feels like you’re never getting a break from that person, but also because it tends to make your mental state worse. If you don’t do anything about it, it could manifest into feelings of guilt, self-doubt, and depression — all of which are detrimental to our mental health.

Struggling with these thoughts and feelings can be a painful experience, but the only way to truly move on is to process them. Other people may struggle with intrusive thoughts and feelings as well, but this doesn’t mean that they are alone because there are many ways to overcome these difficulties. Trust me — I have experienced it first hand. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing about this topic.

“Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.” — Ann Landers

If you are experiencing intrusive thoughts and feelings, it is important to be aware that these can really leave you feeling overwhelmed and weighed down emotionally. However, the most effective way to deal with these emotions is to learn how to process them and understand them. If we try to ignore these negative emotions or push them down, then they will continue to live in our heads.

Remember, you are not weak because you have let someone live rent-free in your head. You have been strong and you have prevailed. The last thing I want you to think is that you’re the victim because that’s just not true. You have more control over the situation than you might think! 💪

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Finally, I can’t tell you how to process this stuff. All that I ask is that you get the help you need if therapy is a good option for you. Everyone has their own way of dealing with people, but if your strong and negative emotions are making it hard for you to function, then therapy could be the right option for you. Thus, I encourage you to explore different options and find what’s best for you.

If you have any thoughts that you would like to share with me, please leave a comment by joining the conversation below ↓ I had previously posted this blog post on Medium, which now has a paywall. If you want to support me on my writing journey, I would greatly appreciate it if you read my articles over at Medium (a starving writer needs to eat), but if you don’t have a Medium Membership that’s totally understandable.

Thanks for stopping by! ❤

Best Quiet Activities for Insomniacs

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Are you surprised that I pulled an all-nighter last night? Apparently, I give good advice but I seldom follow it despite my best intentions. I write about this topic a lot because insomnia is currently something that I am majorly struggling with these days. I absolutely hate the feeling of being wide awake when I should be sleeping, which really throws off my sleep schedule and negatively impacts my #mood. Whether or not we are conscious of it, everything from the air we breathe to the things we do are interconnected.

Whenever I have insomnia, I know how tempting it is to just lie in bed and do nothing. However, doing nothing often makes my insomnia worse. Last night, I was up until 0600 after I promised myself that I would be in bed by midnight. Not gonna lie, I can barely function today. However, on rare occasions, insomnia has been a creative outlet for me. For instance, I often end up writing #poetry when I can’t sleep, which you can find under the page titled “Poetry.”

REDEFINING SLEEP [CONT…] 🌙✨

In case you missed my previous blog posts about Improving Sleep Hygiene and 8 Ways to Sleep Better, I highly recommend reading them first. Now that we got that out of the way, what do you do when you have tried everything and still cannot sleep? 🙄 What do you do when you find yourself tossing and turning in bed at 0200? If you happen to be scrolling through your phone at an ungodly hour because you cannot sleep, then you picked the right blog post to read! 💁‍♀️ In this blog post, we will discuss five quiet activities that you can try when insomnia strikes. Hopefully, these tips will help you get the sleep that you desperately seek.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and I am not here to give you medical advice. Please talk to your doctor if insomnia is a persistent problem to rule out any underlying medical conditions. There may be an underlying cause for your insomnia that can be treated. Additionally, your doctor can recommend other treatments or strategies that may help you sleep better.

Redefining Sleep: Best Quiet Activities for Insomniacs

1. Write in a journal. Keeping a journal is one of the best ways to work through anxiety or stress and fall asleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try writing out your thoughts in a personal journal. The act of writing your thoughts down will help you organize your ideas and let go of some stress that may be contributing to your insomnia.

♡ Photo by Miesha Maiden on Pexels.com

2. Listen to instrumental music. Listening to calming music when you’re trying to fall asleep is a great idea, in theory. Studies suggest that vocal-free music can actually help keep you awake since it activates our brain’s auditory cortex, which is known for being overactive in insomnia sufferers. Instrumental and/or ambient sounds like rainfall, wind chimes, or nature sounds (ocean waves, anyone?) tend to be more soothing. Personally, I love listening to BTS piano music on YouTube and the best YouTube channel in my opinion is Smyang Piano 🎧 Here are some songs that I listen to on repeat:

♡ Photo by Yuri Yuhara on Pexels.com

3. Read a book. Books are one of many quiet activities you can do when you have insomnia. Books don’t require all your attention, which means you can easily read one while also doing another task that requires less focus. This makes it a great activity for winding down at night before bed. Plus, reading about topics that interest you may help get your mind off any problems keeping you up. That being said, try not to read anything that is too exciting or makes you think critically.

4. Take deep breaths. Breathing deeply can help you relax and fall asleep faster, which is important if you have trouble falling and staying asleep. I cannot stress this enough, but it is best not to look at your phone, TV, or computer while practicing deep breathing—all of these activities stimulate your brain and body. In a previous blog post, I talked about using the 3-7-8 breathing exercise which you can read more about here.

5. Clean the house. Keeping your house clean isn’t just good for your mood; it can also help you de-stress, clear your mind and possibly even improve your sleep hygiene. The habit of cleaning before bed is a useful one because it can prevent unwanted distractions at night and make you feel more peaceful when it comes time to fall asleep. I recommend checking out this related blog post which includes a daily checklist to help you stay organized and in control of your environment.

♡ Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Insomnia can be a frustrating condition that makes it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. When you find yourself tossing and turning in bed, you can refer to my list of five quiet activities to help you wind down and drift off to sleep. 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 ↓ #Sweet-dreams

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

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Affordable Self-Care Ideas

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Are you one of those people who could use a self-care day to recharge? Me! Pick me! 🙋‍♀️ If you happen to fit into one of the two categories below, then you would probably benefit from a self-care day. Personally, I fit into both categories depending on where I stand in my work and personal life. When I am unemployed, I learn more towards #2 and when I am employed or taking courses, I learn more towards #1. Not to mention that we are also dealing with a freaking pandemic, which has taken a toll on people’s mental health.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ So tell me, what kind of person are you? ♥
1. You are overwhelmed because you feel that you need to stay busy, or you have a hard time relaxing when you do have free time.
2. You do not know what to do with your free time so you end up doing nothing productive or rejuvenating.

Below, I have compiled a list of affordable self-care strategies that will not break the bank and will hopefully help you recharge and reground yourself. I cannot stress how important it is to take care of your mental health and well-being, especially during these difficult times. Obviously, I am not a party planner nor am I going to plan out the whole day from morning to night. What I will do is give you some free or budget-friendly suggestions for a self-care day. Self-care does not have to be elaborate or expensive! Let’s get started, shall we?

Go For A Walk Outside

What? You don’t walk your cat?

When my cat was sick, my husband took him to the vet. Afterwards, my husband spoiled the cat by letting him venture outside. And the cat loved it! ❤ Pet parents do not hesitate to take their dogs (and cats) out for walks, but when was the last time you took yourself out for a walk? Are you spending way too much time indoors and not enough time in the great outdoors? If you live in Canada like me, I totally understand why you may choose to stay inside the house. Canada is cold AF, especially in this province. If the weather is nice where you are, depending on what your definition of “nice” is, I encourage you to stand barefoot on the grass as a way to ground yourself and reconnect with Mother Nature.

Spending time outside can be incredibly therapeutic. I encourage all of you to leave the house at least once a day if you can, and spend some time outdoors. Right now, I am not getting my daily walks and my mood is suffering as a result. I am probably Vitamin D deficient because I hardly ever see the sun 🌞 My blinds are closed as I write this and I keep my windows shut due to the frigid cold. Also, the paths are icy AF outside so I try not to leave the apartment. The affordable solution is to suck it up and spend time outdoors, but knowing how terrible my balance is, I rather not deal with a sprained wrist or ankle. If you live in a warmer climate, then you are incredibly fortunate! 🌴

Enjoy A Hot Beverage

You can make a soothing tea at home for a fraction of the price!

There is something soothing about sipping a hot beverage any day of the week ☕💕 A hot beverage is fairly inexpensive if you make it yourself at home. Also, it is easy to make a basic coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, so there is really no excuse not to enjoy a cup or two. My favourite thing to do first thing in the morning is to enjoy a hot beverage while I read the latest blog posts from my fellow WP bloggers!

Read A Book

Got a book that you had every intention to read, but never got around to reading? Now is a good time to pick up that book and yenno, actually read it. I cannot tell you how The life-changing art of tidying up ends because I never finished reading it. Seeing my pile of unread books made me realize that there is no reason to buy more books when I haven’t even finished the ones I have. Reading can turn into an expensive hobby, which is why I encourage you to shop your own house first before buying more books.

Take a Bath

Source: Miku Hatsune from wallup.net

I used to be a shower person, but I have evolved into a bath person over the years. I take a bath 3-5 times per week, and thus, the shower gel and body butter did not last long. Enjoying a warm bath is honestly one of my favourite ways to relax. Also, I noticed that taking a bath is the fastest way for me to warm up after being outside in the frigid cold. Not to mention, baths can elevate a crappy mood, relieve muscle aches and pains, and reduce stress levels. Although I prefer to take a bath midday, I still recommend taking a bath at the end of day before bedtime. Why? Because baths have the tendency to calm an overactive mind, relax you, and make you sleepy. If you suffer from insomnia or anxiety like I do, then try adding this bath ritual to your schedule to help you wake up feeling more refreshed the next day.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Final Thoughts ♥

Finally, I would suggest journaling. However, I do not find it very relaxing. I use a planner to stay organized but that’s as much journaling as I do these days. I used to enjoy writing letters to pen-pals and still do to an extent, but it has been difficult for me to find the motivation and energy to send snail mail. I apologize to anyone who I have not responded to via email; I haven’t had the motivation to write my wordy, thought-provoking replies. It is not that I have forgotten about you ❤ Same goes with pen-pals – I have not forgotten about you either and I will send more mail when I find the desire to write again 💌

Thanks for stopping by!

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7 Ways to Get Inspired About Writing

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“I never put off till tomorrow what I can possibly do the day after.” — Oscar Wilde

I am probably not the best person to give advice about blogging. This is coming from someone who lacks the motivation to open her laptop every day. This is coming from someone who much rather use her phone to read blog posts and leave thoughtful comments on other blogs instead of creating her own content. Yeah… that girl 🙇‍♀️

And who can blame me? Anything else is more exciting than this 🤷‍♀️

I don’t even enjoy writing blog posts but I write because I have something to give to the world. I have ideas that need to be expressed to an audience rather than keep these ideas to myself. Honestly, social media just isn’t cutting it for me anymore. Being obligated to write lame status updates or leave superficial likes/comments does not make a lasting impact in my opinion. I don’t know if blogging is a waste of time but it is a risk that I am willing to take. Tbh, the WP community is important to me so I will continue to write blog posts for them. I don’t write for myself anymore.

Inspiration is Where You Find it

writing-828911I am sure that any writer, including bloggers, have faced some kind of roadblock throughout their writing journey. If you have ever lacked inspiration to write a blog post that you are actually proud of, then welcome to the Writer’s Block Club! Just know that you are not alone if you are lacking inspiration. Personally, I do not really struggle from a lack of inspiration or creativity; my issue is motivation and laziness.

I want you to know that there are ways to overcome resistance, and often, the solution is pretty simple. I want to share some tips to help you find your spark in writing again. Here are some tips to get you back on track:

7 Ways to Find Inspiration

1. Write it on a Cue Card. Yenno, those little note card things you can buy at Walmart for less than $1.00? Do yourself a favor and buy a pack of cue cards. Whenever random ideas strike, write your ideas down on these cards and store them in a place where you won’t lose them. I actually use sticky notes for this hack but the type of paper does not matter. A notepad on your smart phone works too. However, if you lose your phone, then you’re out of luck.

2. Write it down on paper! Similar to point #1, writing your ideas or thoughts down on paper frees up space in your brain so that you can focus on the things that matter. Even if your ideas seem stupid or silly, write them down anyways! I also encourage you to write down those brilliant shower ideas. You could potentially use these ideas for future blog posts. #just-saying

3. Reconnect with the reason why you’re writing. Why did you start writing? What inspired you to start a blog post? Why haven’t you quit blogging yet? What is that spark that keeps you blogging? What is your “why”? Reconnect with your “why”. Surprisingly, I have a why, even though it’s a dim flame right now. I may be an inconsistent blogger but it really does not matter, as long as I do not quit. Winners will tolerate the mundane and the monotonous. Losers will quit.

4. Remember mindfulness? Yeah, mindfulness. If you haven’t been practicing mindfulness on a consistent basis, start reconnecting with it by silencing your mind. By living in the present, you break away from focusing on the past or future. Instead, you train your mind to focus on what’s right in front of your nose. Mindfulness closely relates to the concept of realism, but you don’t have to be a realist to be mindful.

5. Change your environment. You need to love your writing space. I don’t particularly love my writing space so I often face resistance. Why would I want to spend time at my desk when I can lounge on my comfy couch and watch TV reruns all day? If the weather is nice, I will occasionally write posts from my balcony. Writing blog posts from my balcony sparks joy. Writing blog posts from my bedroom does not spark joy. Find a writing space that sparks joy for you.

6. Move your body. It is incredibly difficult to become a productive human if you don’t know how to snap out of being lazy. Laziness often occurs as a result of environmental cues (I’m looking at you, comfy couch). You must find a way to snap out of your laziness, and sometimes, simply getting your butt off of the couch and cleaning the house for 10 minutes is enough to switch productivity gears. Incorporate movement into your day to break the laziness spell. Remember, long-term laziness is not sustainable, especially if you are trying to be a productive human.

7. Take a break. There is nothing wrong with taking a blogging hiatus, but there IS something wrong with deleting your blog when things begin to lack luster. If you feel burnt out, by all means take a break! Blogging is meant to be fun and it should not feel like punishment to you. And when all else fails, walk away from your blog for a while to clear your mind. You’re doing yourself a disservice by forcing yourself to write sub-par blog posts just for the sake of publishing something for your readers.

1941cf28de72a936b283224927879ac8Whether you are working on a blog post, essay, poem, or short-story, remember that laziness or lack of inspiration does not have hinder your writing goals and dreams. Turn off the TV, put your phone away, get your butt off of the couch and go write something. Good luck and happy writing! 💌

Thanks for stopping by!

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3.2.1 Quote Me! – Love

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I was nominated by the lovely Ilona Madam, who is one of my favourite bloggers in the WordPress community. I love the casual, French vibe she brings to her blog and I feel like we share a lot in common. For example, we are the same age, we are only children, and we are cat moms. She’s also an aspiring model and I’m like, totally not a model.🤷‍♀️

Mes amis, we can all learn from Ilona Madam to dream big in life and persue our passions. If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to check out her blog. Merci beaucoup! 

Rules: 3.2.1 Quote Me!

“3.2.1 Quote Me” was created by a guy called Rory https://aguycalledbloke.blog/

⭐ Please note that Rory will be re-blogging your responses unless you wish for him to NOT do so ⭐

“Once a week, I will pick a random topic, post two quotes on that topic and nominate 3 bloggers, who in turn will post 2 quotes on the topic and nominate 3 bloggers of their own.” – Rory 

  1. Thank the person who tagged you.
  2. Post two quotes for the dedicated Topic of the Day. → Topic is LOVE ❤️
  3. Select three bloggers to take part in “3.2.1 Quote Me!” → I’m keeping the same topic: LOVE ❤️

➡️ My 2 quotes for the dedicated topic Love:

“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.”
– Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
– John Lennon

➡️ My nominees:

Huguette

PoojaG

Michelle

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Meeting you 6 1/2 years ago was the best thing that ever happened to me ❤️

♥ HILARY TAN ♥

3.2.1 Quote Me! – Attitude

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I was nominated by Ribana who runs a lovely blog called Popsicle Society. Thank you for nominating me, especially since I have been dealing with major depression and haven’t had the motivation to post new content. I hate to admit that this is the first time in 3 weeks since I’ve used my laptop. I appreciate that you thought about me, Ribana! ❤️

If you haven’t already done so, please check out her blog. She has a very positive outlook on life and helps me see things from a different perspective as I continue to challenge my self-limiting beliefs. It is easy for me to get lost in a sea of negative thoughts, and sometimes I need a reminder that there is hope for us all.

Rules: 3.2.1 Quote Me!

  1. Thank the person who tagged you.
  2. Post two quotes for the dedicated Topic of the Day.
  3. Select three bloggers to take part in “3.2.1 Quote Me!”

➡️ My 2 quotes for the dedicated topic Attitude:

“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.” John C. Maxwell

“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” Hans Selye

➡️ My nominees:

easydiet.blog

Nova’s Namaste 365 Online

Photography Trails

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This elegant image of Miku Hatsune illustrates depression in an artistic way. Source: https://weheartit.com/entry/253679447

♥ Hilary Tan ♥

 

S.L.E.E.P.S. 7-Day Challenge | Day 7

53893244-businessman-feeling-tired-and-low-battery-This is the final day of the 7-Day S.L.E.E.P.S. Challenge and I am happy that some of you want to try the challenge too! If you end up participating in this challenge, please let me know by sending me a link to your first day so that I can follow along. I am currently experiencing an ocular headache so my vision is really wonky right now. However, I need to finish the 7-Day Challenge regardless of how I’m feeling. I have a lot of respect for bloggers who write on a daily basis. How do you do it?

The rest of this journal entry is practically routine by now. I don’t know if I will have time to blog this weekend since the semester is starting to become more intense. After typing up a schedule for Term 4 yesterday, it finally occurred to me that I actually have homework to do. I am a visual learner so I need calendars and charts to keep me on track.

If you would like to read about the S.L.E.E.P.S. 7-day challenge, you can find my first posting here. This challenge was originally mentioned on a podcast called Operation Self Reset. The purpose of this challenge is to document personal progress, crush goals, and conquer fears over the duration of 7 consecutive days. Here is the breakdown from Day 1:

The acronym is S.L.E.E.P.S.
S – Smile: what made you smile yesterday?
L – Learn: what did you learn today?
E – Exercise: how did you exercise?
E – Execute (x4): what are your goals and what are you doing to achieve them?
P – Phone call: who did you call/text today? Show them gratitude.
S – Smile: what made you smile today?

Day 7 ~ May 24, 2018 tired-and-gaining-weightS – This morning was a blur. I struggled to fall asleep last night and I am still full of worry and doubt. I worry about clinical and keeping up with school. I tried to calm my nerves by taking a shower before bed but I still couldn’t fall asleep 😴 I also tried drinking some strawberry rhubarb parfait tea for the first time and it was delicious. I have several tea samples so I am planning on trying something new tonight.

L – Today, I learned a lot of new skills because I spent the day at my clinical placement. I have very long clinical days which is another reason why I wasn’t in the mood to blog tonight. I have readings to do for tomorrow and need to get ready for bed in a couple of hours. I cannot tell you what I am doing for confidentiality reasons, but clinical is interesting and scary at the same time. I was surprised by the amount of psychology that is directly related to the nursing field. I am actually starting to apply the knowledge that I learned from my psychology classes and I’m using it in real life!

E – I spent the entire day at clinical and have been awake since 5 AM this morning. When I got home, I had zero motivation to do any homework and wasn’t in the mood to blog. I should be doing readings right now but I’m too damn tired. I’m fighting to stay awake as I write this blog post. Also, the dress that didn’t fit me 3 months ago fits me now, so I must have lost weight. I wore this dress two years ago so it makes me happy that I am closer to reaching my pre-pregnancy weight.

E – Here are my short-term plans:
(1) Attend the [protest] meeting tomorrow
(2) Complete Week 2 lecture notes
(3) Finish EBP readings/worksheet for Monday
(4) Write Week 2 anecdotal notes

P – Yes, I actually made several phone calls today! I’m hoping to continue to build on my social skills. Also, I hope to improve my listening skills. If anything, I learned that I shouldn’t be too hard on myself. At least I am taking action by doing something about it. At the end of the day, I can feel good about stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying new things. I believe that uncomfortable situations will eventually become comfortable to you as you continue to make positive changes in your life. You will acquire a higher threshold for tolerance and over time, you will adopt a new level of “normal” in your life.

S – Treating myself from time to time actually puts me in a better mood. Think iced cappuccino. I don’t treat myself very often but if it’s linked to a social event of some kind, then I will allow myself a small treat. I went out with my clinical group so it ended up being a social gathering. Also, given the fact that I was suffering from an ocular headache, the temporary boost of dopamine and sugar spike did help.

Summary

Why did I try this challenge? What was the true intention behind it? Ideally, I wanted to become a more consistent blogger by writing consistently for 7 consecutive days, regardless of my schedule. Also, I was hoping to improve my social skills, focus on fitness, as well as brush up on my writing skills. Because the semester is still young, this was the only opportunity I had to partake in this journey if I was going to do it at all.

I believe that we should start journalling about our S.L.E.E.P.S. on a daily basis. The limitation of this experiment is the time frame. 7 days is not long enough to develop long-lasting habits or do deep reflective work. It takes a lot longer than 7 days to grow as a person and develop long, lasting habits. On a happier note, having the ability to envision your future and develop a detailed plan of action will help you accelerate your progress and enable you to get the results you desire.

I hope that you decide to try this challenge! 😊 Please leave a comment below if you are interested ↓ and feel free to link me to your Day 1 of S.L.E.E.P.S. I would love to read about your journey. Let’s spread some love while crushing our goals!

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