Tag: weight-loss

June Goals | Summer 2024

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Okay, so there wasn’t a May Goals blog post so I didn’t feel like it was necessary to write a May Goals recap, for obvious reasons. Now that it is June, it is a new month which for me, which also means new beginnings. I am in a sense, starting over. I will give you more context later on in the blog post. Oh, and in case you missed last month’s blog post, I will post a link down below:

May Goals? What Goals?

Ⓗⓔⓛⓛⓞ Ⓢⓤⓜⓜⓔⓡ Ⓗⓔⓛⓛⓞ Ⓙⓤⓝⓔ

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Who I Want to Become •̩̩͙*˚＊

Remember how I started off strong at the beginning of January? Like any habit, we lose them if we don’t use them. Over time, I started slipping to the point where I abandoned the 75-Hard program completely. Despite that, I still lost some weight, but it wasn’t enough.

The hardest part was coming to terms with it instead of living in denial. I knew that I was disproportionate in my waist compared to the rest of my body, but I didn’t know by how much. I still mostly wear the same clothes, but they don’t fit comfortably. Then I took my tape measure because I had to get measurements for my dress, and well, it wasn’t pretty. I cried after coming face to face with reality. I don’t want to live in a fantasy world and I do consider myself a realist. I see things for how they are in present moment. So I came to terms with it, wiped away my tears, and started over yet again. I have until September to fit into one of the 3 beautiful dresses that I ordered online!

Here We Go Again (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )

I guess you could say I am not doing the 75-Hard program as intended, but I do not care. I am here to lose my belly pooch and am hyper-focused on diet and exercise. I don’t want to read a non-fiction book or any book for that matter, so I am not going to. I still wanted to incorporate some kind of discipline/mental toughness task into my routine, so instead of 10 pages of reading a day, I have decided to do 30 minutes of creative work, whether that is blogging, journaling, or completing an intimidating task that I have been putting off for weeks. It could be a design for my #Redbubble shop since I haven’t worked on that hobby in several weeks, decluttering items and writing ads for them, or bracelet making. Whatever it is, it needs to be creative work and not some kind of chore or busy work. And this is on top of the goals I have for June 2024!

June Goals 2024

Career Goals:

  • I have 7 shifts this month. Bidding is optional.
  • Catch up on emails if there are any.
  • Have 100 sticker designs in my #Redbubble shop → 3 designs away from this goal
  • Promote my Spring & Summer stickers online → From $1.63 CAD (Ignore the $1.98 price)
➤ Click here to visit my Redbubble shop 🐈‍⬛💕

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts
  • Log into #Medium at least once/week
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Log into FB for the first time since 2017
  • Pay any outstanding invoice(s)
  • Figure out our flight schedule(s)

Health Goals:

  • Aim for 10,000 steps/day → leave the house at least once/day ☀️
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee
  • Intermittent fasting. No food after 7:00pm
  • Track hydration on Water Llama app
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app
🌸 ℑ’𝔪 𝔟𝔢𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔳𝔲𝔩𝔫𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔬𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔟𝔩𝔬𝔤, 𝔰𝔬 𝔞𝔩𝔩 ℑ 𝔞𝔰𝔨 𝔦𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲’𝔯𝔢 𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔡. 𝔑𝔬 𝔫𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔶 𝔢𝔪𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔰 𝔱𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔢 ℑ’𝔪 𝔞 𝔥𝔶𝔭𝔬𝔠𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔬𝔯 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔴𝔥𝔬 𝔡𝔬𝔢𝔰𝔫’𝔱 𝔩𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔲𝔭 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔦𝔯 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔡, 𝔬𝔯 𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔟𝔞𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔞𝔠𝔠𝔲𝔰𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔞𝔱 𝔪𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔞𝔰𝔱 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔟𝔢𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔬𝔭𝔢𝔫 𝔞𝔟𝔬𝔲𝔱 𝔪𝔶 𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔲𝔤𝔤𝔩𝔢𝔰 🌸

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

There are a few appointments that I need to book this summer, but I didn’t include them in my general list of goals. I have them written down on my phone, and I plan to complete them close to September. Both my husband and I need to travel to Ontario, but at different times, so I don’t know what’s happening yet. Overall, I think my goals are reasonable and not too extreme. I know I’m strict about my diet, but I have limited time to accomplish what needs to get done. And when you’re under pressure, you find a way to get it done. My next weigh-in is tomorrow. Wish me luck! 🙏💕

I am curious to know what your goals are for the month of June. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below ↓ Also, I would really appreciate it if you followed me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), that is, if you aren’t already a follower. Trying to grow on Twitter/𝕏 is hard and I’m constantly having to weed out those pesky bots and fake accounts—it’s so annoying! If you’re a real person, you don’t have to worry about me removing you. I can spot those bot accounts from a mile away, so you can trust me on that.

(っ◔◡◔)っ You can find all of my links and socials here!👉 https://linktr.ee/sereneluna

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

April Recap | Spring 2024

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I didn’t keep up with my daily reading goal in April. However, I know that reading is beneficial and helps me unwind at night. Moving forward, I’ll turn off my phone from 8 PM to 6 AM and read books to calm my mind before bed instead of listen to podcasts and scroll the internet. Last night, I was we working on this blog post from my laptop and staring at another screen late at night, even though my inner voice says not to do it. Unrelated, but I almost used this cover photo for my blog a while ago because it’s calming and pleasant to look at.

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Am I Evolving? •̩̩͙*˚＊

I had my last physical therapy appointment at the end of April and “graduated” from physiotherapy. PT told me that I’m allowed to return anytime, but for now, I don’t have any more appointments scheduled. Does this mean I passed? Yes and no. I know what I need to do, but I’m not as diligent as I should be, so more work can be done in this area. I have to still work on my core exercises and drink more water.

Lately, I have been sleeping a lot, but that’s not new for me. I do tend to sleep a lot, but I have been exceptionally tired lately. Sleeping during the day wastes a lot of time, so I’m not accomplishing what I want to. In terms of exercise, I do what I can, but I don’t have a set schedule these days. When it comes to diet, my weight has stayed the same, and I seem to have reached a plateau. I’m not very hungry these days and only eat when I’m hungry, so I don’t eat much. The biggest problem I had with HCLF was that I had to eat often and frequently, and I eventually got so sick and tired of eating sugary, sweet foods all the time. It was “too much of a good thing” as they say. These days, I’m not counting calories and try to cook at home as often as possible. Any treats I buy are heavily discounted, and I stopped shopping at Dollarama because I was no longer getting a good deal there.

I want to continue cutting back on expenses as much as possible because: a) I hate debt if any kind (this includes mortgage which is my only debt right now); b) clutter/junk gives me anxiety; and c) we are headed towards a recession if we aren’t already in one.

April Recap 2024

Career Goals:

  • Bid for shifts for the second half of April I ended up getting more shifts without having to bid on them. I ended up with 7 shifts for the month of April which is below my goal of 10+ shifts/month. I don’t get nearly as many shifts as I did last year.
  • Catch up on emails if there are any I am pretty much caught up and to-date on emails.
  • Have 100 sticker designs in my #Redbubble shop I am currently at 97 sticker designs and am still working on reaching this goal. Sticker designs were not my priority during the month of April and I only added 1 new sticker design in April. Btw, it’s cherry blossom season and a kind soul from Spain just bought 2 large cherry blossom themed stickers. Thank you~! 😊🌸
  • Promote my cherry blossom stickers Twitter/𝕏 → From $1.63 CAD (Ignore the $1.98 price) I didn’t do much promoting during the month of April but once I add some new designs to the shop, I plan on posting more often on Twitter/𝕏.

🌸 My Redbubble Shop: @sereneluna 🌸

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

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts I published 3 blog posts this month, in addition to the usual monthly goals and blog recaps. I didn’t see a significant boost in engagement, but it’s encouraging to have frequent readers. You can catch up on these blog posts below ↓ and yes they are clickable links:
  1. “Spot the Gnome” Game
  2. Blog Posts Left Unwritten
  3. Is Blogging Right For You?
  • Write 1 personal development article for #Medium I don’t think I added any new articles to Medium. Instead, I focused more on blogging.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments I somehow manage by using my phone calendar. My son’s forms for Montessori were sent and SLP received the necessary paperwork they needed. Also, my husband and I finally got our medical forms completed and sent them to SW.
  • Read 10 pages of a personal development book each day Nope, it did not happen. I miss reading but my current personal development book is boring. I still plan on finishing it before moving on to the next book.
  • Purchase tickets for Otafest 2024 I bought tickets and I will be bringing my family with me to Otafest this year. I have no idea what to expect, so expect the unexpected I guess?

🌸 I’ve never been to a convention but always wanted to go to one! 🌸

Health Goals:

  • Aim for 10,000 steps/day I have been averaging 4,500 – 6,000 steps/day which isn’t great. Some days, it’s much less than 4,500 steps.
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee I already do this but started adding very diluted 100% fruit juice for some more variety.
  • Track hydration on Water Llama app My water intake really suffered during the month of April but this app still helps me when I’m actively tracking hydration. It takes caffeine and different beverages into account.
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app The app helps keep me motivated, and I still recommend this free app to anyone who likes to gamify fitness. You can read my review about this app here.
  • HCLF diet 90% of the time No more HCLF dieting for me 🙅‍♀️ In the beginning, I loved it but I got tired of it real quick. It’s definitely not for me but was fun while it lasted. Also, having no overt oils doesn’t work with my family’s diet and lifestyle.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I also want to mention that I completely forgot about my “Power List” again, so this system isn’t going to work for me long-term. My husband suggested that I try blocking time out of my day, so I might try that and see if it works better. Has anyone tried block scheduling other than in university? Is that what it’s called…block scheduling? Here is an example of what I’m talking about.

Source: https://www.deskbird.com/blog/time-block-schedules

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

April Goals | Spring 2024

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First and foremost, thank you for reading my blog posts month after month. To my loyal readers, I see you and appreciate all of you. I also value new readers and even the ones who lurk – you know, the ones who read my blog posts but never leave a like or comment. I’m aware of the lurkers based on my stats, even though there hasn’t been much engagement lately. I take responsibility for this lack of engagement as I haven’t been very active here. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate those who come across my blog and take the time to read my content.

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

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

𝒜𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓁 𝓈𝒽💮𝓌𝑒𝓇𝓈, 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑀𝒶𝓎 𝒻𝓁💮𝓌𝑒𝓇𝓈.

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Who I Want to Become •̩̩͙*˚＊

I know I should be working on hobbies during my free time, but when is there ever free time? lol You know what I mean. I find myself struggling to work on hobbies, which includes writing blog posts, posting recipes (I have a bunch that I want to share with you), and building and creating things. Instead of creating things, I often find myself trying to fill a void – a shopping void. Yikes. I try not to be materialistic, but lately, I have found some comfort there. It’s weird, and I need to pause, breathe, and reflect. I have tons of crafting supplies, so it’s just a matter of starting. Instead, I keep wanting to accumulate more supplies because I am afraid to start, and this is my way of distracting myself. When I am not browsing the internet, window shopping, or wanting to buy things to fill this empty void in my life, I just want to sleep, play a dumb game on my phone, or do some other mindless activity.

Building and creating things brings me joy, so why is it such a struggle? I need to work through this resistance, and there is no better time than now. So there’s that, and possibly revisiting my Power List. I do need to find my planner, so perhaps I can start with that, and monthly goals of course.

April Goals 2024

Career Goals:

  • Bid for shifts for second half of April
  • Catch up on emails if there are any
  • Have 100 sticker designs in my #Redbubble shop
  • promote my cherry blossom stickers Twitter/𝕏 → From $1.63 CAD (Ignore the $1.98 price)
♡ You can browse my designs here: http://shorturl.at/otvxQ

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts
  • Catch up on #Medium articles, comments, etc.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Get forms from Montessori for SLP
  • Complete medical forms for SW → Appt April 10, 2024
  • Purchase tickets for Otafest 2024
🌸 I’ve never been to a convention but always wanted to go to one! 🌸

Health Goals:

  • Aim for 10,000 steps/day → leave the house at least once/day ☀️
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee
  • Track hydration on Water Llama app (3000mL water/day)
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app
  • HCLF diet 90% of the time
Photo is my own. Pineapples are life! 🍍🍍

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

My mental health has been questionable lately, but I find comfort in writing on WP. I don’t know why I don’t do it more often, to be honest. Putting my thoughts into writing helps me process emotions and solve problems. I don’t feel like I’m talking to a wall because I know people are reading my blog posts, and that brings me comfort. Just knowing that there’s someone out there who cares, even if we don’t talk face-to-face, helps me feel less alone. I hope I can pull through this slump and thrive for the rest of April.

I am curious to know what your goals are for the month of April. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below ↓ Also, I would really appreciate it if you followed me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), that is, if you aren’t already a follower. It is so hard to grow on that platform but I really do enjoy using it to connect with like-minded bloggers.

(っ◔◡◔)っ You can find all of my links and socials here!👉 https://linktr.ee/sereneluna

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

March Recap | Spring 2024

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Continuing from where I left off last month, I didn’t keep up with my daily goal of reading 10 pages a day because I chose to spend that time on other things. If I were to resume reading, I would prefer to do it at bedtime rather than first thing in the morning. The book I had been reading before I stopped this habit was a bit boring, but I do intend to finish it eventually. It’s not a terrible book; I just don’t want to invest too much mental energy into it right now.

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Who I Am Becoming •̩̩͙*˚＊

Ever since my PT appointment at the end of February, I have been struggling to maintain my strict daily routine of two 45-minute workouts, having a clean diet, reading 10 pages, and drinking close to a gallon of water. I managed to follow a program called 75 Hard for 30 days (I won’t go into detail about it here), but I did learn a lot from it. I discovered what doesn’t work for me and what is beneficial, even if it’s not what I feel like doing. Wanting to do something and actually doing it are two different things. It’s important not to make decisions based solely on emotions and feelings.

I had another PT appointment at the end of March, and I need to start tracking my water intake because the headaches have returned with a vengeance. Drinking 2-3 large bottles of water is non-negotiable for me, even though I struggle to drink plain water if I’m not actively tracking it. I’ve also started adding 5-calorie drink mixes to my water, which makes it much more palatable for me. However, the artificial sugars and food coloring in these drinks could be making my headaches worse. I also tried cutting out caffeine, but I experienced withdrawal headaches, so I’m back to drinking orange pekoe tea again. The goal here is to stay hydrated. Speaking of goals, here is a recap of my monthly goals for March 2024:

March Recap 2024

Career Goals:

  • Bid for shifts for March as they become available When it came time to bid on shifts, the shift callouts were super last minute so I decided not to bid on them.
  • Catch up on emails if there are any I am mostly caught up on emails. There is a random MLL course that I need to take though.
  • Add 5 new designs on #Redbubble Redbubble fixed the pricing issue, so I’m not sure what was up with that. All of my stickers are priced from $1.63 if you buy any 10 stickers in my shop. I don’t know how many designs I added in March because I got distracted by another hobby. I currently have 96 designs in my Redbubble shop. Btw, it’s cherry blossom season and I’ve added several cherry blossom sticker designs to my shop!
  • Design more art for my Ko-fi gallery + do more research I’ve decided to pivot away from this and focus more on local markets. I’ll start locally and see how it goes from there. I want to test the waters first, so I’ll probably try Facebook Marketplace, even though I haven’t used my FB account since 2017. Before I start selling anything, I need to build my inventory, so that’s what I will be working on in the upcoming months.

🌸 My Redbubble Shop: @sereneluna 🌸

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts I’m not doing much extra in terms of blogging because I make $0 from blogging. It doesn’t seem like a good use of my time. That being said, blogging helps keep me accountable so that’s why I upload blog posts month after month.
  • Write 1 personal development article for #Medium Yes! I actually did this mainly because you have to stay active if you’re part of the Medium Partner Program (MPP). Because my article is about writing for Medium, I didn’t share the article separately on my blog. However, if you would like to read my article, you can read it here.
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments I somehow manage by using my phone calendar. Tomorrow will try and get forms from the Montessori that I need to fill out for my toddler.
  • Read 10 pages of a personal development book each day Nope, it did not happen. I miss reading but my current personal development book is boring so I’m not too eager to read right now.
  • Send snail mail before end of the month Yes! I sent snail mail and everyone got their mail by the end of the month so that makes me happy.

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

Health Goals:

  • Aim for 10,000 steps/day I have been averaging 4,500 – 6,000 steps/day which isn’t great.
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee I’m pretty good with this, but I do struggle to drink plain water. I much rather drink orange pekoe tea. The 5-cal drink mixes help me drink more water but I try to drink plain water most days.
  • Track hydration on Water Llama app I frequently forget to monitor my water consumption, but my physiotherapist has advised me to track it regularly and be more diligent about it.
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app The app helps keep me motivated, and I still recommend this free app to anyone who likes to gamify fitness. You can read my review about this app here.
  • Healthy/clean eating 80% of the time I follow a HCLF diet these days. If you’re not familiar with this acronym, please google it. I’m tired of constantly having to explain myself and deal with others’ opinions. This diet may not be popular, but it’s common in Asia and Africa. I’ve noticed that many people in the Western world are overweight or obese, so I’m making an effort to distance myself as much as possible from the Standard American Diet (SAD) and trendy diets like low carb, paleo, keto, etc. By default, my diet is mostly vegan but I do eat meat and dairy as long as it qualifies as low fat.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I also want to mention that I completely forgot about my “Power List” because I don’t like writing things down in a notebook and often forget to write things down in a notepad on my phone. The power list absolutely does work if you’re actively keeping on top of your critical tasks. For me, it’s remembering to do the thing that I’m struggling with the most. I have tried productivity apps. I have tried sticky notes. I have tried a notebook only to lose the notebook on multiple occasions. I wish my ADD brain would remember to do things without needing constant reminders. I need to find a better way to remember everything each day. I tend to get fixated on one or two things and forget about everything else. That’s the unmedicated ADD brain for you, minus the hyperactivity. I don’t have the hyperactive aspect of ADHD.

👉 This is my 💩 to do notebook, where I write down my tasks. Doing the tasks is still hard for me.

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

March Goals | Spring 2024

8 Comments

I apologize for the delay in writing this blog post; I’ve been preoccupied with tasks other than what I should have been doing. Lately, I’ve been catching up on sleep and playing a mobile game called Eatventure, which has taken over my life since the devs added the “Clubs” feature. Having reached level 120 and completed two full rounds of this game, I think I’ll be taking a break for a while. I’ve also managed to catch up on sleep, although I tend to crash and sleep for 10-12 hours at a time. My energy levels fluctuate between being wide awake and completely exhausted.

For those following me on #Twitter, I’ll be sharing updates on my workouts, water intake, daily steps, and occasionally posting creative works like poems, unpopular opinions, and photos. Twitter/𝕏 is where I feel comfortable opening up and sharing my thoughts on a daily basis. You can follow me using the link below:

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

ℑ𝔱’𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔩𝔲𝔠𝔨 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℑ𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔥🍀

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Who I Want to Become •̩̩͙*˚＊

I still have the dream of becoming the person I want to be. I aspire to be a confident girl who feels comfortable in her own skin. While I don’t care much about becoming a social media influencer, I do want to inspire others to take accountability and responsibility in their lives. I may not be a leader as I am more of a follower, but I have creative ideas and gifts that I want to share with the world. I believe that if I don’t share my gifts, it would be a waste not to use my talents. It’s frustrating to try to stand out when everyone else is competing for the same thing. Sometimes, I feel like my thoughts get lost in a sea of words.

Lately, I haven’t been sticking to my water goals and fitness goals. Instead, I have been doing whatever I please to try and figure out what brings me joy. Moving forward, I believe that a daily to-do list (aka. Power List) is honestly the way to go. As exhausting as it may be (I have tried this in the past), I feel like it is the most sustainable option long-term because it would not be a generic list but rather a personalized list. I need to find a way to incorporate all three areas of my life (career, personal, and health) into a list that I can check off each day to help move the needle forward. These are just my thoughts—I am thinking out loud!

March Goals 2024

Career Goals:

  • Bid for shifts for March as they become available
  • Catch up on emails if there are any
  • Add 5 new sticker designs to my #Redbubble shop
  • Design more art for my Ko-fi gallery + do more research
♡ You can browse my designs here: http://shorturl.at/otvxQ

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts
  • Write 1 personal development article for #Medium
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Read 10 pages of a personal development book each day
  • Send snail mail before end of the month
I miss sending snail mail to pen pals who live far away 😓

Health Goals:

  • Aim for 10,000 steps/day
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee
  • Track hydration on Water Llama app (3000mL water/day)
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app
  • Clean eating 80% of the time

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I feel like I have lost my way since the beginning of March and am still trying to find balance in my life. Most days, I feel too tired, and on other days, too lazy to tackle big projects. I also sense that things have changed on WordPress, and I’m not sure if it’s due to a recent update, but I am not getting the same level of engagement as before. I acknowledge that I have been MIA, so this is probably my fault. It’s strangely quiet here these days. Perhaps I need to reach out to more people and see if I can boost the algorithm or something.

I am curious to know what your goals are for the month of March. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below ↓ Also, I would really appreciate it if you followed me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), that is, if you aren’t already a follower. It is so hard to grow on that platform but I really do enjoy using it to connect with like-minded bloggers.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Like what I do? Your support goes a long way! 👉 https://ko-fi.com/sereneluna

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

February Recap | Winter 2024

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

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

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Who I Want to Become •̩̩͙*˚＊

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

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

February Recap 2024

Career Goals:

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

Personal Goals:

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

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

Health Goals:

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

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

February Goals | Winter 2024

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I’m super late writing this blog post only because I have been busy working on myself. And by that, I mean personal health and well-being. It takes up most of my free time, which leaves me with no time for anything else. I haven’t forgotten about you all and you are the reason why I keep coming back to this blog. I want to try and keep you guys updated on my whereabouts.

For those of you who have been following me on Twitter, I will continue to add updates of my progress regarding my workouts, water intake, and daily steps. Additionally, I may post small pieces of creative work, like poems, unpopular opinions, and photos of my family. Twitter/𝕏  is where I tend to open up and share my thoughts. You can follow me via the following link:

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

𝒫.𝒮. 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝒶 𝐿𝑒𝒶𝓅 𝒴𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒴𝑒𝒶𝓇!

＊˚*•̩̩͙ Who I Want to Become •̩̩͙*˚＊

I have made the decision to shift my monthly goals for February and March. This means that I will be focusing more on fitness and wellbeing. I am doing a [free] program right now and I’m 1/3 of the way through the program. It’s not really a fitness challenge but rather a mental toughness challenge. I cannot talk much about it unless you ask me directly on #Twitter since I am a novice and don’t feel competent to give advice about whether this program is right for you.

February Goals 2024

Career Goals:

  • Try to aim for 9-12 shifts this month
  • Catch up on emails if there are any
  • Bid on shifts for February as they become available
  • Add 1-2 new designs on #Redbubble

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts
  • Figure out a posting schedule for #Medium
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Read 10 pages of a personal development book each day
👉 Elsie LMC got me into reading books again! This is the current book I’m reading.

Health Goals:

  • Two 45-min workouts per day + upload progress on Twitter
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee
  • Track hydration on Water Llama app
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app
  • Healthy/clean eating 90% of the time
Timon the cat helps keep me accountable 😆

Finally, I would like to end on a positive note, but I do want to address one more thing. I have been receiving numerous requests for pictures of myself, and I want to clarify that I am not currently posting them. I have set a personal goal to achieve my desired physique before sharing more photos. Until then, you can expect to see my daily stats on Twitter/𝕏, which some people may find boring. Don’t like it? There’s the door. I don’t owe anyone anything and love myself enough to know my self-worth and where I stand regarding this.

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Take Charge of Your Appetite

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

Image by Freepik

8 Strategies for sensible, healthy eating

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

44 Superfoods that Fight Fat

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

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

Image by Freepik

44 Superfoods that Fight Fat

Nuts and Seeds

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

Fruit

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

Beverages

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

Vegetables

  • arugula
  • bell peppers
  • broccoli
  • cabbage

Herbs and Spices

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

Fish

  • flounder
  • salmon
  • sole
  • tilapia

Other Category

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

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

May Goals | Spring 2023

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Okay, I know what you’re thinking – I’m so late getting around to this monthly goals blog post for May 2023. You’re right, I am late but let me explain. Last weekend, I was working from Friday to Sunday, so I was M.I.A. It was also my seven-year (marriage) anniversary. At least we had cake, but everything was so rushed that I didn’t get a chance to enjoy it. I wish I could say that May has been a piece of cake so far, but that’s not the case at all!

For those of you who have been following me on Twitter, I will continue to add updates of my progress, such as completing a challenging workout or achieving another Duolingo lesson. Additionally, I may post small pieces of creative work, like poems, pictures of my cat, and photos of my favorite beverage lol Twitter is where I tend to open up and share my thoughts. You can follow me via the following link:

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

🌸 𝒜𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑀𝒶𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒻𝓁𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝓈! 🌸

👉Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik

I’m Tired and Grumpy. That’s a fact.

May has so far been exhausting, with mundane assignments and monotonous daily duties. My workload is especially demanding this month to the point where I am completely drained and lack the energy to do anything else. Fortunately, I haven’t experienced burnout yet, but tiredness and lack of interest in things are affecting me. I’ve been feeling quite anti-social lately, but I’m still managing to remain organized and productive. My secret? Writing out my monthly goals lol It has given me a sense of direction and purpose in life that I didn’t have before. Though I’m still trying to figure out how to maintain my productivity on a daily basis, the process of setting goals each month has at least given me a sense of accomplishment and control over my life. Yes, I believe this is something to celebrate! Please pass the cake!

MAY GOALS 2023

Career Goals:

  • Don’t call in sick this month → Stay healthy!
  • Catch up on work emails + check MLL modules
  • Reorganize backpack + print notes

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly recap
  • Publish 1-2 articles on Medium + share articles on blog
  • Announce the winner of the giveaway in a blog post
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 + finish diamond tournament 💎

Health Goals:

  • Continue to track steps + upload progress on Twitter
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app → advance to Level 45 🌸
  • Track water intake on Water Llama app → 1 Gallon of water per day
  • Simplify my diet and reduce my intake of processed food

And there you have it! I am curious to know what your goals are for the month of May. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below ↓ Also, I would really appreciate it if you followed me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), that is, if you aren’t already a follower. Additionally, I am hosting a giveaway for my Canadian readers to celebrate my 7th blogiversary!

➤ Click here to enter the giveaway

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

March Goals | Winter 2023

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You guys, it’s March 2023! I’m feeling excited to see what this month brings, but I’m also a bit overwhelmed. There’s so much I need to do and the days are flying by! It feels like I barely have enough time to check in with everyone and make sure you are doing well. To be completely honest, I’m still unsure if I will continue with these blog posts in the foreseeable future or not, but for now I will try to stay consistent. These monthly goal blog posts go hand-in-hand with my daily updates of what my life is like, which I will continue to post on Twitter. If you’d like to follow me and get a glimpse into what my day is like, please feel free to click the following link:

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

ℑ𝔱’𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔩𝔲𝔠𝔨 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℑ𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔥🍀

Turning Over a Renewed Leaf

This is not exactly a new season or month for me, instead, it is more of a continuation of the last two months in terms of my monthly goals. I have made some small adjustments to my diet and have been exercising regularly, so I am not making any drastic changes or starting a new diet, etc. In fact, I intend to remain consistent with my current habits and continue to make subtle improvements that will help me ultimately achieve my goals. This month is a particularly busy one for me, as I am juggling my work commitments and parenting responsibilities, while also trying to get ready for an upcoming vacation next month. The pressure of having to finish all of these tasks in a timely manner while still having the time and energy to prepare for the trip is causing me a considerable amount of stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with any details about my travels yet, but I can assure you that I won’t be very active on social media while I’m away. All I can say is that my destination is a warm and sunny place! 🏝️

January Goals 2023

Career Goals:

  • Stay up-to-date on my work schedule
  • Attend in-class sessions on March 14ᵗʰ & 15ᵗʰ
  • Request March 26ᵗʰ off as it no longer fits my schedule
  • Complete the Connect Care modules on MLL

Personal Goals:

  • Publish 1-2 blog posts + monthly goals/recap blog posts
  • Publish 1-2 articles on Medium + share articles on blog
  • Sign up for a 1-month Medium Membership trial ✨
  • Keep tabs on doctor’s appointments/pending appointments
  • Daily Duolingo practice 🇩🇪 → I want to go at my own pace

Health Goals:

  • Treadmill on days I am not working + upload progress on Twitter
  • Limit drinks to water, tea, and coffee → cut back on spending $
  • Track steps on Pikmin Bloom app → continue to plant flowers 🌸
  • Healthy/clean eating 80% of the time
Selfie taken March 17, 2020 🍀

And there you have it! My goals this month are very similar to those of last month, with an emphasis placed on getting fitter and healthier so I can feel more comfortable in my own body and potentially even wear my pre-pregnancy clothes again. My goal is to build a positive self-image, not only in regards to physical appearance, but also for my mental health. It is not only about accepting your body but also feeling good about it and not waking up every morning with self-hatred. Mental and physical health are equally important and should be given priority in order to achieve inner peace.

I am curious to know what your goals are for the month of March. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below ↓ Also, I would really appreciate it if you followed me on Twitter (@serene_hilz), that is, if you aren’t already a follower. Though it is often a struggle to gain traction on that platform, I still find it really enjoyable to establish connections with fellow bloggers.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

S.L.E.E.P.S. 7-Day Challenge | Day 6

comfortableToday is day 6 of the 7-Day S.L.E.E.P.S. Challenge and it is bittersweet. In a way, I am relieved that this challenge is almost finished because my schedule is starting to get busy again. After this challenge is over, I need to complete a few collaboration posts (did I say that right?) that I have been putting off for way too long. But once I have published these posts, I don’t plan on posting for a while so that I can focus on school. You can still find me in the WordPress community but I probably won’t be creating much content.

Last night, I was in physical pain and had a difficult time falling asleep. I knew that there was only one thing to do – call the doctor’s office this morning. It is better to nip it in the bud now than to ignore it and make a trip to the ER later. My schedule doesn’t allow for much free time so I knew that I had to get this issue taken care of now. Like anything in life, nothing happens without action. You can talk about making a change but what good is it without taking action? Ignoring the issue or procrastinating isn’t going to make the problem go away, so you are better off taking care of the annoyance now.

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 6 ~ May 23, 2018 

S – Have you ever taken the time to appreciate the little things in life? This week has required me to tap into my emotional well being and do some deep reflective thinking. We are wired to avoid deep thinking and instead, we prefer to take the easy route, to distract ourselves, and to avoid conflict. By working on personal development in order to become your best self, you have to become uncomfortable. Most people don’t want to feel uncomfortable because being in a vulnerable place feels wrong to them.

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This is exactly why I love podcasts so much. Usually, I would dive into a good book but this conflicts with my best interests. I am trying to practice minimalism which means that I try not to buy paperback copies anymore. Besides, I never understood the point of a kindle when the iPad does the same thing. Over time, I have learned to embrace audiobooks and podcasts. I also find that I pay more attention while listening to a podcast than I do from reading a good book. This is how my brain is wired, and in case you are wondering where my advice comes from, I did not make this stuff up. Nobody on this planet is born full of knowledge. We learn from others. I can only tell you what works and what doesn’t from my personal experiences.

L – What did I learn today? To take action when there is a problem! My main reason for taking action was physical pain, and fear of being in even more pain by Monday. Don’t procastinate. It is only the mind’s way of playing a trick on you. Procrastination is nothing more than an illusion that tricks you into feeling fine when in reality, you will need to face the problem eventually. Chances are, the problem will escalate into a worse case scenario the longer you put things off. Now if only I could apply this to school work. I came up with a plan last night to make a chart on the computer that includes all of the due dates week-by-week, similar to the one that was provided to us last semester.

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Spongebob Squarepants speaks to me on a spiritual level •◡•

E – I saw the doctor on campus today and got some exercise. I could feel the tingling in my legs while I was walking home. Every day, I can feel my body becoming more and more toned which is definitely a result of my walks to and from campus. My clothes are starting to fit better and I am feeling more confident these days. If you are trying to lose weight, ditch the scale. You can tell if you are getting healthier based on how your clothes fit along with knowing where you stand in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI).

E – Here are my plans for today:
(1) Figure out a carpooling schedule for tomorrow morning
(2) Write up a document with week-to-week due dates
(3) Call in-laws to see how my daughter is doing
(4) Send some important emails this week

P – I haven’t made any phone calls yet because the day is still young. I am planning on calling the in-laws again to see how my baby girl is doing. I decided to write this blog post earlier in the day so that I am not overwhelmed by it later tonight. Tomorrow is a very busy day for me and I need to prepare for it. Also, I have been thinking about a family friend who is expecting. I often wonder how she is doing. As much as I dislike making phone calls, I really think that I should call her. I have been putting it off due to social anxiety but this is exactly why I should do it. Getting uncomfortable is the key to becoming a better person.

S – What made me smile today? Today, I talked to another student who is in my program and she was very friendly. We chatted for a while and I learned that we share a lot in common. Talking to her made me smile. In contrast, the doctor who accompanied me wasn’t particularly friendly. I could tell that she was in a hurry and didn’t tell me why she was taking my blood pressure, which is very unprofessional in my opinion. I believe that all healthcare professionals need to show more compassion towards their patients which should be their primary focus prior to providing treatment.

Will you join me on this 7-day challenge? Please leave a comment below ↓ and feel free to leave a link to your blog if you decide to join me. I would love to read about your S.L.E.E.P.S. Let’s spread some love while crushing our goals!

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