Tag: writing

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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Should I Change my Blogging Style?

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

••◦ ❈ ◦••

Like a diary but not like a diary 📖

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

Image generated using AI ✨💫

This brings me to a pivotal question for my blog:

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

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

Image generated using AI ✨💫

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

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

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

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Halfway to Morning

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

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About This Poem 💫

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

Thanks for reading! ♡

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July Goals? What Goals?

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

🅹🆄🅻🆈 🆆🅰🆂 🅽🅾🆃🅷🅸🅽🅶 🅱🆄🆃 🅳🆁🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃.

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

Sorry I was AFK.

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

The Mental Struggle

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

The Physical Struggle

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

The Emotional Struggle

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

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

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

The Struggle IS Real!

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

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

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

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

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

May Goals? What Goals?

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

🅼🅰🆈 🅼🅰🅳🅴 🅸🆃 🆁🅰🅸🅽.

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

No Laptop, No Blog Posts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

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

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

She Was Never One of Us

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

Thanks for reading! ♡

Thanks for reading! ♡

12 Days of Finals

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Disclaimer: This was an older post that I am reposting because I don’t have time to come up with a new idea tonight. As we all know, it’s Christmas tomorrow so I am going to go ahead and wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas elf-ryone! 💚 Thanks, @ElsieLMC for coming up with that clever introduction. It’s very punny and I hope you don’t mind that I used your intro here. This year, I wanted to dress up my son as a cute elf but was unable to find an elf outfit. Maybe it will happen next year! 🎅🎄 I wanted to share with you some photos of our little Christmas tree. Most of the decorations came from Dollarama. As many of you know, this girl is frugal. Even this trademark wrapping paper came from Dollarama. 😊

12 Days of Finals 📖

When I was in university, I wrote a rough outline for a parody of the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” I never got around to editing and uploading this parody and at one point, I even forgot that I had the rough draft on my notepad. I figured that there is no better time than Christmas Day to upload this parody for all of my readers. If you enjoyed reading this parody, feel free to check out my other poetry musings here.

[Verse 1]
On the first day of finals,
My professor gave to me
A ton of anxiety.

[Verse 2]
On the second day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 3]
On the third day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 4]
On the fourth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 5]
On the fifth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 6]
On the sixth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Six study parities,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 7]
On the seventh day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 8]
On the eigth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 9]
On the ninth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 10]
On the tenth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Ten people praying,
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 11]
On the eleventh day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Eleven temper tantrums,
Ten people praying,
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 12]
On the twelth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Twelve clocks a-ticking,
Eleven temper tantrums,
Ten people praying,
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety!

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This or That? Christmas Edition

24 Comments

I find Christmas-themed blog posts a bit overdone. Everyone and their moms seem to be doing Blogmas this year. You will not find me participating in Blogmas or other holiday-themed blog challenges. Ever. They’re just not my cup of tea. Why? I feel like I shouldn’t feel the need or pressure to publish a daily blog post for the sake of publishing something. I care more about high-quality blog posts than I do about quantity. Nobody should ever feel pressure to write, because I can assure you, that is when blogging stops being fun.

Is This Déjà Vu?

Similarly, I did a Would You Rather? blog post 2 years ago which was a hit and I wanted to do it again this year. In case you missed that blog post, you can check it out here:

♡ Related Blog Post: Would You Rather? Christmas Edition

I’m writing this from our new desktop PC and it feels strange, but it’s noticeably faster than my slow-poke ASUS laptop. I need to buy a new laptop, and I’ll do so after Christmas. Recently, I saw this particular idea on Instagram, out of all places, even though I rarely use Instagram. This specific This or That? challenge was created by Beth @blushing.ginger and Julie @gladyourehereco. Rather than answer one per day, I am answering them all in this blog post. After all, I prefer not to do daily holiday-themed daily challenges.

A Couple Things to Note

I just wanted to clarify that my numbers in this list are not the same as the numbers on the board. My lists used to be numbered. However,I ran into some trouble and now my list items are in a bullet point form; it’s not terrible, but the spacing is off and that bothers me. The original board shows numbers 1 to 31, with 16 total squares. I am unsure of whether or not that is intentional, so I just wanted to clear that up for you first!

Before we get started, I am not tagging anyone. You are all welcome to participate if you want to join in! ⭐Let’s get started, shall we?

#thisorthatholiday

  • Cosy or holiday cheer? My daughter would choose Holiday Cheer, there’s no doubt about it. As for myself, I care more about coziness than anything else. I would always pick “comfortable” over “cheerful”, especially this time of year when depression starts to get me down.
  • Snow globe or snowflakes? Do I own any snow globes? No. Do I like snow globes? Yes. There’s no need to bring the snow home when there’s snow outside. We get a lot of snow where I live and I am over it. I love how you can catch the snowflakes on your tongue when it’s snowing. So I would still choose real snow over a snow globe.
  • Candy canes or gum drops? Candy canes, duh! I don’t like gum drops or jujubes so I think my answer is obvious.
  • Baubles or bows? I like baubles because they’re spherical and delicate. I also like the variety, whether they be cheap ones from the dollar store or expensive ones.
  • Something red or something green? Personally, I don’t care for the color red, so I default to green. Even though we only have basic red and white Christmas wrapping paper this year, which clashes with everything else, red is a very bold color. Of course, my husband decided to buy me red wrapping paper to wrap presents this year. even though I hinted to the colorful, non-traditional paper. I guess he didn’t get the hint.
  • Wreath or garland? My mom decorates her stairwell with garlands. It looks so pretty lit up in festive lights and I think that it would be even prettier with garland on the railing. Even though I don’t currently have a garland in my own home, I think that it would be an excellent addition to my home as well!
  • Postcard or letter to Santa? I never cared for Santa Claus when I was young, and I still don’t care for him. He seems way too commercialized. That being said, I prefer to send a Christmas card instead of a postcard, but a postcard is better than nothing.
  • Nutcracker or elf? My mom has a big collection of Nutcrackers, including a Viking Nutcracker. I still think Nutcrackers are creepy looking but the Viking Nutcracker with the Hollywood horns is cute. I wish I had a picture of the Viking Nutcracker to show you but sadly, I don’t have one.
  • White Christmas or no snow? I think we already established that we get a ton of snow where I live, so I highly doubt that we will have a green Christmas this year. It’s almost always a white Christmas.🎄✨

  • Let It Snow or Happy Holidays? What does this even mean? Are these song titles? I don’t go around saying, “Let It Snow!” to everyone I talk to, but I might say “Happy Holidays.” Preferably, I say, “Merry Christmas!”
  • Gingerbread house or cookies? Personally, I prefer cookies because less mess. My daughter would choose the gingerbread house. We are planning on making a gingerbread house this weekend. A few years ago, I made some mini sugar cookies to give to the in-laws. I think miniature cookies are really cute, plus you can eat a lot of them without feeling too guilty about it.
  • Presents or stockings? While I agree that stockings are adorable and festive, I find them to be quite impractical. Not only are they difficult to fill to the brim with all sorts of goodies, but they also have a tendency to snag and leave a mess on the floor. This year my kids will be getting stockings sent from my parents (grandparents) so they will actually be getting stockings for now on. We won’t be spending Christmas with them this year because they live far away and my parents don’t like traveling d/t the pandemic.

  • Sledding or ice skating? I haven’t been on the ice since I was 12, but I would choose sledding. It feels safer. My daughter would probably choose both, as she is learning how to skate.

  • Winter fox or penguin? I enjoy both foxes and penguins, but I feel that penguins are a bit more traditional. That being said, I can’t help but notice how adorable winter foxes are too.

  • Hot chocolate or champagne? Let’s save the champagne for New Year’s Eve!🥂 I would have to go with hot chocolate. By the way, if you are looking for a hot chocolate recipe, I have the perfect recipe for you!

♡ Hot Chocolate Recipe: Stovetop Hot Chocolate

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scrabble-tiles

Thanks for stopping by!

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Social Media Anxiety

29 Comments

First, let’s start with some housekeeping. I am re-sharing my Medium article on the blog (same article but listed under a different title). If you use the following link to read this article, I will earn a small commission. It might be only a few pennies but it’s better than earning nothing at all. This article is behind a paywall on Medium but I want to make it available for everyone to read.

♡ Medium Article: Is Social Media Making You Anxious?

Photo by Rahul Chakraborty on Unsplash

Social Media Anxiety

It is no surprise that technology has become predominant in everyone’s lives in the past 20-something years. People now have smartphones and smart TVs, and they don’t even bat an eyelash. Smartphones especially have been making life a whole lot easier by enabling people to stay in touch with friends, classmates, and family at any time of the day. It can be hard to not check your social media sites or text your friends constantly but we love being connected. With the click of a button, we can find pictures and videos of animals, recipes for some of our favorite foods, or any photo from friends’ latest vacation. We have everything at our fingertips and everything that we could want in the palm of our hands.

(っ◔V◔)っSerious Question: What is Social Media Anxiety?

Social media sites can make people feel anxious when they use them too much. It’s important to think about how checking the sites impacts you and try putting the phone down even if you don’t want to stop using the site for good. We can all relate to the feeling of being sucked into the vortex of social media. It’s hard not to get distracted by all the yummy recipe videos and adorable photos of our family pet, but it doesn’t come without a cost. Look at that mouth-watering slice of pie and think about how your homework isn’t going to do itself. One more scroll is time that could be spent doing something more productive.

♡ Related Article: It’s Time to Stop Procrastinating

Down the Social Media Rabbit Hole

Image Source: https://www.deviantart.com/aya-mei/art/

If it’s not the perfectionist’s rabbit hole, then it’s the social media rabbit hole. You may find it hard to get out of the Facebook and Twitter loop when you spend too much time scrolling through social media. It’s important to take time for ourselves, but these days it seems like it’s almost impossible to do so. With the world at our fingertips and the internet constantly online, it can be difficult to unplug. You are always expecting someone to contact you even if you’re not that social yourself. When your phone is constantly in reach and within sight, it’s hard to avoid distractions from all of this constant connectivity.

Social media can have a negative effect on your life if you mostly use the platform for negative engagements such as arguments or venting frustrations. This manifests as social media anxiety where you worry about updating social media and partake in this compulsive behavior because you feel obligated to check in constantly. And it’s not just the social media platforms themselves that are the cause for concern; some experts say that engaging with these platforms too much can lead to a number of mental health problems, such as depression, depression, and FOMO. 

You might have social media anxiety if you answered “yes” to the following questions. Keep in mind that these behaviors could lead to symptoms of anxiety:

Questions
1. Have you ever compulsively checked your phone, laptop, or tablet?
2. Do you spend hours scrolling through social media feeds?
3. Do your friends and family think you spend too much time online?

What can you do about it?

There are a few ways to stay off your phone when you don’t want to. For instance, if you’re talking with someone in person, keep your phone in your pocket. Other tips include turning off all notifications and using an app like Freedom, which automatically blocks apps that cause addictive behaviors while blocking notifications. This is a way to control your social media scrolling by not splitting attention. Stop reminding yourself that there will be more to look at. If you’re unable to access your social media for a while, it will create anxiety in the short term and make you more productive. It’s worth standing up for your social media rights as they allow people to communicate, with friends or family. Pictures are a great way to show people where you’ve been or what’s happening in your life. You can send me photos of your pet any day!

(っ◔◡◔)っKey Takeaway: It’s important to remember that social media is supposed to be fun. If you find that it’s not fun anymore, then it might be time for a break.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I am mindful of the impact social media can have on mental health, so I make a conscious effort to limit my usage. The upside is that by limiting my use, I am not exposing myself to social media as much. Less time on social media means less anxiety. These days, I am mainly active on Twitter and this blog. I’m not active on Instagram (@serene_hilz), but I do check it occasionally. As for Facebook, my account has been collecting virtual dust for some time.

You can also connect with me on Twitter (@hellokitty8404) and I encourage you to subscribe to my website at http://www.sereneluna.net so that you can receive the latest updates from me.

Thanks for stopping by! ❤

Would You Rather? Christmas Edition

28 Comments

I find Christmas-themed blog posts a bit overdone. Everyone and their moms seem to be doing Blogmas this year. You will not find me participating in Blogmas or other holiday-themed blog challenges. Ever. They’re just not my cup of tea. Why? I feel like I shouldn’t feel the need or pressure to publish a daily blog post for the sake of publishing something. I care more about high-quality blog posts than I do about quantity. Nobody should ever feel pressure to write, because I can assure you, that is when blogging stops being fun.

Recently, I saw this particular blog post floating around the WP sphere. Apparently, this specific Would You Rather? quiz originated on Pinterest. Who knew?! Normally, I give credit to the person who gave me the idea, but who started this thread? Was it a blogger or was it someone on Pinterest? This inspiration came from various sources and you are all welcome to participate you want to join in! ⭐

Would You Rather⁉

  1. Have to sing Jingle Bells loudly every time you walk into a room or wear a Santa suit to work every day for a week? My workplace consists of lounging at home and I basically live in pajamas. I am not a loud person so you will not find me singing songs on a whim. If I had to choose, I would pick the Santa Suit even though I do not like whimsical Santa Clauses and snowmen. A Santa Suit counts as pajamas, right?

  1. Not celebrate Christmas this year or not celebrate your birthday this year? We are not party-animals so I seldom celebrate my birthday. And if I do celebrate it, then it is pretty low-key and chill. Christmas on the other hand, is kind of a big deal to people. Sadly, we will not be visiting my parents or in-laws this year but it is still nice to relax on Christmas day, nonetheless. This year, I plan to spend Christmas at home with my husband and daughter.
  1. Have Frosty the Snowman as a friend or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Like I stated before, I usually do not care for fictional snowmen, whether they are found on mugs, plates, socks, cards, characters like Frosty the Snowman, or Olaf from Frozen I & II. If I had to pick Frosty or Rudolph, it would have to be Rudolph. Honestly, I find these fictional stories childish and overrated so Rudolph and I probably wouldn’t be like Anna and Olaf.

  1. Have mistletoe hanging in your bedroom doorway or have a large decorated Christmas tree in your bedroom doorway? How would a Christmas Tree fit in my bedroom doorway? Are we talking about a miniature Christmas Tree? Because that might work. Even though I appreciate a nicely decorated Christmas Tree, I would choose the mistletoe because of its minimalistic design and its anti-clutter approach when it comes to interior decorating.

  1. Write a five paragraph essay about the meaning of Christmas or solve a page of Christmas themed math problems? As much as I enjoy writing, I would not want to write a 5-paragraph essay about the meaning of Christmas because 1) Nobody including myself would want to read it and 2) How boring! 😴 Oh, how grinchy of me! I mean, there are better topics to write about, and being passionate about what you are writing is the true meaning of blogging. I much rather solve the math problems, even though I suck at math as an adult. As a kid, math was actually one of my stronger subjects.

  1. Have a job wrapping presents at the mall or have a job taking photographs of children sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall? I LOVE wrapping presents so presents all the way! I have been wrapping presents since I was 4 years old and volunteered to wrap relatives’ presents too. Wrapping presents is one of the few things that I actually find enjoyable and quite therapeutic. This year, I do not have any presents to wrap. 🙇‍♀️
I cannot take credit for wrapping this present. My mom wrapped it for Christmas 2019!
  1. See the Nut Cracker or dance in the Nut Cracker? I cannot dance to save my life so I would choose to see the Nut Cracker. However, it would be cool if I was a ballerina dancing in the Nut Cracker in a past life.

  1. Be given $100 for Christmas to spend on yourself or be given $1K before Christmas to buy presents for other people? $100 does not get you much in Canada. If I needed $100 quickly, I could sell unwanted items on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace. I much rather spend money on other people so I would choose the $1K to spend on other people. Giving gifts to people and seeing their faces light up is very gratifying.

  1. Have a nose the glows like Rudolph’s or have pointy ears like an elf? Like I said before, red noses and Rudolph in general is too overrated for me. Elves however, have the potential to be “cool.” Besides, aren’t elf ears considered kawaii these days? Hasn’t there been a recent craze of e-girls and elf ears taking over the internet lately, or is it just me? Elf Girl Makeup Tutorial Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPgU-GblHYM

  1. Be one of Santa’s elves or one of Santa’s reindeer? Isn’t this the same question as #9 only worded differently? Duh, I would be one of Santa’s free spirited elves. Let’s keep Christmas classy this year, rather than tacky (or trashy). 🧝‍♀️🎄

Thanks for stopping by!

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7 Ways to Get Inspired About Writing

39 Comments

“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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