“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.” ― Harvey Fierstein

People with good self-esteem know how to acknowledge that they’re not perfect, and recognize that they too have faults. That in every flaw, it makes them who they are, and they totally accept this with open arms, mind, and heart. Regardless of all the imperfection, they still feel good about themselves, appreciate their own worth, and take pride in their capabilities, abilities, talents, strengths, and weaknesses.

Most people get confused about what self-esteem means and think that it’s just all about your looks, how popular you are, or how many friends you have. Some people believe that to have good self-esteem, you need to accomplish something massive in life, the greatest misconception of it all. 

However, self-esteem simply means acknowledging yourself for who you are, what you do, your faults, shortcomings, and all the little tidbits that make you, you.

The low self-esteem phase beats you up tremendously. It’s a cycle of feeling bad about oneself, stressing obsessively about a mistake, allowing yourself to believe that you are simply not good enough. The cycle repeats unless you break it! Although they often thought of low self-esteem to be a character trait such as humility, it’s absolutely untrue! 

Low self-esteem has damaging effects on everything, including yourself, your career, and your relationships with the people around you. It can leave you insecure, uninspired, unmotivated, and uncertain. 

What are the symptoms of low self-esteem?

1. Negative self-perception
2. Self-neglect
3. Lack of boundaries
4. Critical/Abusive internal dialogue
5. Difficulty making your own choices
6. You don’t trust your own opinion
7. Feeling guilty for your everyday action
8. Worry what others might think of you
9. Follow along with what others say, wearing, or going
10. Difficulty speaking up your own needs, feelings, and wants
11. Anxiety 

So, don’t drag yourself down and beat yourself up. Find a way to boost your self-esteem and build your confidence to be the best you can be. 

Here are some top tips to help you improve your self-esteem:

1.Accept failure as it is, it’s part of growth.

Failure is part of life. When you fail, it only means you have the chance to learn and grow. Elevate your perspective and shift your thinking that failure is an opportunity to learn more, to know more. 

2. Find a new hobby or learn a new skill.

Learning something new helps cultivate your skills while gaining new experiences. There’s a sense of delight when we take on a new hobby, especially the ones that correspond with your talents and interests. It enhances your capabilities and broadens your mind, therefore, adds to your self-worth.

3. Restore your integrity.

Know what you believe in, your core values, and make sure you don’t compromise it no matter what. Ensure that you live by your character, it is essential for your mental growth.

4. Stop comparing yourself to others. Always, do you!

Comparing yourself to others is lethal to your self-esteem, so don’t! Do not base your life by how others live theirs, it’s destructive to your self-worth. Living in comparison will never match-up! Why? Because we keep focusing on what we lack, what we don’t have, what we can’t do, and the list just goes on. So, refrain from falling into this pit of despair and change the way you view yourself. Instead, aim your attention on being a better you and focus on your goals.

5. Accept who you are.

Each of us is different in our own way, we are all unique, we have different talents, traits, and capabilities. First, to be able to love yourself, you must accept yourself. Embrace who you are, define your strengths and accept your weakness. Be in your element and share it with the world because you are extraordinary, we all are! 

6. Draw a line in the sand. 

Having boundaries isn’t just saying no to an invitation or an offer, it’s more than that. Establishing how you want to be treated and how people should communicate with you is essential to your self-worth. By drawing the line in a relationship, is a decision that serves you regardless of what others think. Sure, we all have over-assertive family members or friends that can weigh heavily on our mental state whenever we are around them. Don’t let them make you feel inferior, let them know where your lines are drawn.

7. Let negative people go.

The unparalleled way to find and improve your self-esteem is to surround yourself with confident, positive, and supportive people who appreciate, respect, and value you. If there are people in your life who like to put you down and have a negative aura around you, be gentle with yourself, and let them go. They don’t deserve a spot in your life. 

8. Surround yourself with a supportive squad.

Let’s lift each other up because we’ve all been there before, so don’t be a downer! Each one of us has experienced an awful day or two, so be the glare to someone’s melancholy. Boost each other up and fix each other’s crowns.

9. Nobody’s perfect.

Perfectionism is a destructive habit. So, don’t be! Do not be crippled from taking action just because you are afraid that you can’t match the standard. This is a sure-fire downturn to your self-esteem! Always remember that perfection is an unrealistic goal because reality can clash with your expectations. However, go all out to be the best version of yourself and don’t use this excuse to slack off, there’s something called good enough. Rather than never getting things done! 

10. Develop an inner dialogue and be kind to yourself.

This may seem crazy, but no, it’s not! We all have an inner critic deep within us, and we need to learn how to handle and take over the voice of our own inner critic. Inner talk is substantial because nobody knows you better than you, and it’s also good to remind yourself of your strengths and values. 

When you finally like yourself more, when you are at peace with who you are, then you become less destitute, and your life becomes lighter and calmer. Don’t fall into the trap of self-sabotaging your self-esteem and self-confidence, motivate yourself to not succumb to uncertainty. 

Everything takes time, it’s a process, and sure it won’t happen overnight but, these things will surely help you get started and keep moving forward. When you boost your self-esteem and improve your self-confidence, you can handle tough times ahead. You’ll be happier. 

Working from home in pajamas sounds fun, like a dream come true, but how does that affect our productivity? Now that working from home is the new normal, that only means that many people are starting to establish a working from home routine. 

Let’s face it when working from home is now part of our daily routine, a concept that we never thought possible. We became excited, the idea of spending our working days on the couch, watching tv, snacking, and drinking our choice of beverage whenever we feel like it, sounds pretty amazing! And in our pajamas, all day long is indeed a luxury.

It’s easy to forget to make ourselves look presentable when we aren’t going anywhere, right? But if we get ready every day, it prepares us for anything. 

Why should you? Why should I get ready every single day? Here are my reasons:

Getting Dressed to be More Productive

Getting dressed is the perfect way to get your day going like a Boeing. If you want to cross out all your to-do list for the day, stay focused, and get things done, then start your day by looking your best. Create a routine and system that works well with you. Getting dressed will jump-start your productivity and get you moving all throughout the day. 

Getting Dressed for your mood

Getting dressed every day helps you feel you’ve got something going on and will really help boost your mood. There are days when we don’t want to get out of bed, but we must stay motivated. Freshen-up and get ready for the day like you’re going out somewhere. That will automatically boost your mood and make you feel better! Try switching up your look, based on your mood, it will help you dress for success.

Getting dressed builds your self-confidence

Staying in your pajamas all day long won’t help with your self-confidence. So, get up, dress-up, and face the new day with enthusiasm. I always believe in looking good and feeling good. It is my daily mantra to stay proactive. So, fix your hair, put a little lipstick on, and embrace the day with open arms!

Getting Dressed will Prepare you for whatever comes your way

Don’t let time pass you by, align yourself with the world around you even when you are working from home. Getting dressed every day will keep you ready for whatever comes unexpectedly. Keep your spontaneity going!

Keeping a routine going when we work from home is crucial for our wellbeing and our mental health. It helps us to stay focused and motivated. So, feeling comfortable and combining fashion and function is our best bet for being productive. I usually opt for stretchable fabric pieces for comfort and style. You can start looking for pieces in your closet that will be your favorite work from home outfits that won’t compromise your ease. 

One of the simplest and effortless parts of the routine is to make sure you change out of your pajamas and into your preferred clothes for working. Change clothes with a change of mindset. So, we need to rethink what drives us to get ready for the day and make it a habit. No matter what! 

What are your thoughts about getting dressed every day (even when you are working from home)? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to know! 

Stress is no joke. It’s inevitable in today’s society and is a silent killer. We get stressed out daily and depletes our energy more than we realize it. Have you tried being tired even before your week has begun? Yes, stress somehow creeps in shadows and jolts your confidence. You may get overwhelmed in the process and leave you with less concentration. However, there are things you can do to cope with or minimize stress. 

So, take action and don’t let stress walk over you. 

Luckily, you can learn how to manage and relieve stress. There are many helpful rituals or habits you can change and beat stress for good. 

What can you do about it? 

Here are 10 of my favorite tips to live a less stressful and calmer life. 

1. Pay attention to yourself.

When you start to feel exhausted and drained, and you feel like crashing down, then it is your body’s clue that you are under stress. Recognize it and listen to your body’s needs. Learn how to take care of yourself regularly. Make it a habit and prioritize your health! Health is wealth.

2. Slow down

Slowing down helps you reconnect with the present, and it helps you bring back to the here and now. Use this time to regroup, refresh, restore, and breathe new life into your day. Your mind will be sharper and thoughts clearer.

3. Make time for the things you love to do.

Make time for your hobbies and the things you love doing. If you enjoy doing it, then it matters, so set aside some time for it. Try to do something that makes you feel good, whether it be reading, writing, playing music instruments, or doing art. Prioritize your passion because it will relieve your stress, and ultimately, it will energize you.

4. Be here

An easy way to reawaken with the present moment is to stop reliving the past or dreaming about the future. So, focus on the now and don’t get lost in the past or future. Take everything that is happening around you. See it, feel it, smell it, and break off stress. 

5. Talk it out with someone and vent your emotions

It’s not always a bad idea to vent your feelings out, especially if you are stressed. Allowing yourself to take those feelings out will help you release off steam and will make you feel lighter. So, talking out feelings with a ride-or-die friend can put your mind at ease and helps validate your feelings. It helps ground yourself and knows that someone truly cares.

6. Enjoy some green tea

Drinking green tea has lots of benefits and improves your mood. It is rich in amino acids L-theanine and promotes relaxation. My daily go-to drink because it makes me calmer and puts my stress under control. Considered as the healthiest beverage on the planet and this magical green tonic can soothe you.

7. Take it easy and have a piece of dark chocolate

Dark chocolate has loads of nutrients that have a positive effect on your health. It’s full of antioxidants that help counteract free radicals in the body. Boosting your brain’s health and reducing stress. So, grab a piece or two of dark chocolate and enjoy a quiet downtime and improve your mood. Remember, everything in moderation.

8. The benefits of writing

Writing helps you process your thoughts and emotions. To put your feelings on a piece of paper serves as an outlet. It will help you analyze the situation in a different light and will give you a new perspective. And if there are certain things you cannot disclose with others, writing is your best therapy. 

9. Listen to your favorite stress-free playlist

Listening to music can have enormous relaxation benefits on your mind and body. It is a great aid, preventing the mind from wandering too much. Whether you are angry, suffering from grief, or fatigued, listening to music can soothe your soul and make you feel calm.

10. Breathe. Just breathe.

Taking slow and deep breaths help stress relief and can calm you down. Deep breathing is a method that enables more airflow into your body and helps calm your nerves. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is also known as a relaxing breath. It’s a breathing pattern involving breathing in 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds.

Bypassing stress is something we all want to do. Dealing with it varies drastically from one person to another, leading to some harmful elements that can affect us mentally, emotionally, and physically. However, you need to master your relationship with yourself and find a way on how to deal with it. 

Creating trust within yourselves, knowing what you value, who you are, and what you desire will have a positive force in your wellbeing. To live in a constant state of stress isn’t viable. So, make sure that you have the right level of chill and enjoy a stress-free life.

I hope you’ll find a few favorites among these habits and tips and live a lighter, and more relaxing life.

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Awareness of your vibrations and its levels will help raise your positive vibration level and can help manifest your positivity, light, happiness, and love with everyone around you. 

I am not an expert when it comes to a thorough explanation about vibration and the law of attraction. It’s an intuitive feeling which makes you connect with your small inner voice rather than the screaming outer voice. Stay afloat and tune in to your higher emotions of compassion and empathy. Connect and believe in your intuition!

Have you ever tried when someone walks into a room, and you suddenly feel eerie? You know you need to keep your distance while there are people that draw you closer to them. 

Yes, vibes!

Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results. – Willie Nelson

The law of attraction. Whatever you offer out into the world will return back to you (good or bad). You are responsible for the life you make and can manifest change to how you direct your thoughts and emotions. So, use your thoughts wisely. 

If you are feeling stuck, bored, and uninspired, chances are your vibrations are low. When you feel happier, lighter, peaceful, and satisfied with your life, you are vibrating at a higher level. 

The Law of Attraction states that whatever you focus on, think about, read about, and talk about intensely, you’re going to attract more of into your life. – Jack Canfield

Let’s raise your vibrations higher in 4 simple ways:

1. Thank Your Lucky Stars Every Day

Being grateful is one of the quickest ways to raise your vibration. Make a list of the many things you are thankful for rather than what you don’t have. When your day gets more into fear and anger, shift your focus, and make gratitude a habit. Gratitude will change your outlook in life and will help you appreciate the little things. 

Gratitude brings your whole mind into closer harmony with the creative energies of the universe. – Wallace Wattles

2. Manifest Love

Love is one of the highest forms of vibration you can have. Your vibration will soon soar the moment you welcome love in your heart. Love has the power to lift you from your limitations. Love can pull you out of your deepest gully. Love heals. Let love be the fuel of your passion and do great things. Then you will feel growth, happiness, and peace within you, vibrate higher in love.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart. – Confucius

3. Fuel Your Body Right

By eating nutrient-dense, fresh, colorful, and vibrant food, your body will absorb all these things and will supercharge your frequency. Local or organic fruits and vegetables are your best options. You will feel alive, full of life, and in tune with everyone around you. High-vibration food makes a person’s vibration higher and makes you glow. So, fuel your body right by eating nutritious food.

Let medicine be thy food and food thy medicine / Nature itself is the best physician. – Hippocrates

4. Surround yourself with beauty

Create positive, beautiful, calming energy in your home. Everything in your home needs to reflect beauty, warmth, and excitement. Use colors, lighting, and meaningful items that will inspire you. Create a harmonious home and reduce clutter. Your environment has a big impact on how you feel on the inside.

Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece after all. – Nathan W. Morris

So, learn how to observe your thoughts, instead of simply attaching emotions to them, and learn to let them go. Sure, there are things in life we can’t control. It’s part of life! But always stay in check with your energy, do not dwell on things you can’t control. The choices you make makes you, your thoughts, your attitude, and your intentions are all part of your energy. 

I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet. – Mahatma Gandhi

Release yourself of all the stories you’ve been telling yourself and let go of the victim role. Be aware of your environment, who you listen to, what you eat, and all the little things that matter. Raise your vibration to live a life with more joy, clarity, peace, serenity, health, and loving life.

Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. – Albert Einstein

Allow yourself to flow in a state where you feel your best! 

How do you raise your vibration? Do something that gives you joy, always.

Self-care is a fundamental reminder that you and your needs are imperative in your daily life. Maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself is vital because it produces positive energy and feelings that automatically boosts your self-confidence and self-esteem. Self-care is being kind to yourself as you are to others. 

Caring for your body, mind, and spirit has a sweeping impact on your wellbeing. So, permit yourself to slow down, create your own space, and pay more attention to yourself and your needs. Don’t feel guilty giving time to yourself. You are worthy of that! 

There are different categories when it comes to self-care. Sensory, Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, and Social. All are equally significant and play a big role in taking care of yourself. 

So, let’s break it down!

Here are my list of self-care ideas you can do at home:

1. Sensory Self-care helps to calm the mind and allows you to live in the present moment.

 (touch, smell, sound, sight) 

• Soak up the sunshine

• Feel the water on your skin during a hot bath or shower

• Kick back and listen to music with your eyes closed

• Take a bite of your favorite chocolate

• Enjoy a cup of green tea

2. Physical Self-care is a physical activity that is good for your body and wellbeing and helps you relax.

• Do yoga

• Dance to your favorite song like nobody’s watching

• Make your bed

• Play with your dog or pet

• Commit to 8 hours of sleep every night

3. Emotional Self-care is to engage in your emotions. You are not to blame for the emotions you feel even if it is good or bad, accept them, and move on.

• Write down new affirmations

• Keep a daily journal where you can be honest about your true feelings

• Allow yourself to feel vulnerable and cry when you need to

• Sing along to songs that best express your emotions

• Be responsible for your actions

4. Spiritual self-care, get in touch with your values in life, and what matters most. 

• Make a daily list of what you are grateful for

• Meditate daily

• Read an inspiring and uplifting book

• Spend time in nature and reflect on the beauty around you

• Pray

5. Social Self-care, connecting with others is essential for happiness by choosing to do it with people who make you feel good.

• Make time to call or video call your mom

• Write an email to a friend or family who lives far away

• Reach out to someone you like but haven’t seen or spoken to in a while

• Consider joining a group of people you share the same interests with (Online groups works for now)

• Stop socializing with those who undermine you

You need to implement self-care into your daily routine. It is a step closer to achieving happiness in your life, especially in times like these. However, the main aim of self-care is to know your limits and finding a way to decompress throughout your day. 

There are many proven benefits of self-care, feeling better, boosting immunity, increase in positive thinking, more productivity, and improved self-compassion. 

Sure these are the things we need to focus more while in isolation. The more we practice daily self-care, the calmer we become. Self-care is taking the time to love yourself and that there’s only one you. So, find the balance in your daily routine and identify what you enjoy doing. Take time to get to know yourself better.

Have I missed something? What are your self-care ideas at home? Leave a comment below!

Mother’s day is an exceptional time of the year when you get to honor and celebrate your 1st best friend. Mothers hold a special and unique place in our hearts. They shape us to be the best versions of ourselves, protected us, guided us, comforted us, and loved us unconditionally. 

Let’s show our love and appreciation for all the wonderful women in our lives. Show your mom, grandma, sisters, aunts, and friends how special they are. For being flawed yet so strong.

Here are 40 beautiful quotes about mothers:

1. “Behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.” – Mitch Albom
2. “The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” – James E. Faust
3. “A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.” – Victor Hugo
4. “Mother’s love is peace.” – Eric Fromm
5. “The most precious jewels you’ll ever have around your neck are the arms of your children.” – Author Unknown
6. “There is no role in life that is more essential than that of motherhood.” – Elder M. Russell Ballard
7. “A mother understands what a child does not say.” – Jewish Proverb
8. “The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children.” – Elaine Heffner
9. “No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love.” – Edwin Chapin
10. “You are evidence of your mother’s strength.” – Criss Jami
11. “To a child’s ear, “mother” is magic in any language.” – Arlene Benedict
12. “If evolution really works, how come mothers have only two hands?” – Milton Berle
13. “A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.” – Emily Dickson
14. “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
15. “She raised us with humor, and she raised us to understand that not everything was going to be great – but how to laugh through it.” –  Liza Minnelli
16. “I will look after you, and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say.” – Maya Angelou
17. “We have a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” – Laura Stavoe Harm
18. “Moms are as relentless as the tides. They don’t just drive us to practice, they drive us to greatness.” – Steve Rushin
19. “Being a mother meant sacrificing everything. Her words had the ring of truth.” – Milan Kundera
20. “Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had.” – Linda Wooten
21. “There is an endearing tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart.” – Washington Irving
22. “A mother is clothed with strength and dignity, laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks her words are wise and she gives instructions with kindness.” – Proverbs
23. “The mother memories that are closest to my heart are the small, gentle ones…They have carried me through the years and given my life such a firm foundation that it does not rock beneath flood or tempest.” – Margaret Sanger
24. “A Mother’s heart, a Mother’s faith, and a Mother’s steadfast love were fashioned by the Angels and sent from God above.”
25. “Motherhood is the exquisite inconvenience of being another person’s everything.” – Unknown
26. “When you are looking at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” – Charlie Benetto
27. “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” –  Abraham Lincoln
28. “Motherhood is the biggest gamble in the world. It is the glorious life force. It’s huge and scary – it’s an act of infinite optimism.” – Gilda Radner
29. “Mothers are like glue. Even when you can’t see them, they’re still holding the family together.” – Susan Gale
30. “Mother’s love is bliss, is peace, it need not be acquired, it need not be deserved. If it is there, it is like a blessing; if it is not there, it is as if all the beauty had gone out of life.” – Erich Fromm
31. “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.” – Maya Angelou
32. “We are born of love; love is our mother.” – Rumi
33. “There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”  –  Jill Churchill
34. “A mother understands what a child does not say.” – Jewish proverb
35. “For when a child is born the mother also is born again.” – Gilbert Parker
36. “A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” – Cardinal Mermillod
37. “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still she will cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” – Washington Irving
38. “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” – Unknown
39. “Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” – Stevie Wonder
40. “There is no velvet so soft as a mother’s lap, no rose as lovely as her smile, no path so flowery as that imprinted with her footsteps.” – Archibald Thompson

To my mom, there are no words that can describe your steadfast love. You are my shoulder to cry on, and you supported me near or far. Thank you for everything you have sacrificed for me! I am blessed to have someone like you, the wind beneath my wings.

To my son, you are the reason why I celebrate this day. Thank you for the lessons your tiny hands have taught me. Thank you because, without you, I will never know what unconditional love is. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful and selfless mothers!

What are your favorite mother’s day quotes? Share your thoughts about your mom and your favorite quote in the comments below.

I still can’t believe I’m 38 today. I made it to 38! Though I don’t count the years, so I say. But the experiences in life. 

What makes it different this time? Well, this is my first birthday under lockdown. Cheers, Corona! I mean the other Corona (wink). 

My birthday has never really been a big deal since I celebrate life every waking day. I am always grateful the moment I open my eyes in the morning. But since becoming a mom, I celebrate my birthday in a more meaningful way because I get another chance to celebrate it with my son. Just the excitement I see on his face when he sees birthday candles on a cake makes my heart skip with happiness. Priceless!

Getting older, I mean getting wiser, allows you to pay more attention to yourself and everyone around you.

Here are my 38 life lessons in the last 38 years:

1. To know yourself is the answer to loving yourself.
2. Forgiveness is an endowment you can give yourself.
3. Giving is so much better than receiving. 
4. Compassion is a more fulfilling way to live than closing your eyes to suffering. 
5. Learn the art of empathy and stop judging people based on inadequate information. 
6. Mistakes are your best teacher. Don’t be afraid of it. 
7. Don’t be too anxious about the future and stop living in the past. 
8. Don’t let life make you bitter.
9. Learn how to swallow your pride and stop being too proud to apologize. Saying sorry goes a long way.
10. Freaking out doesn’t change the outcome of anything.
11. We don’t always get what we want. 
12. Failures are our instrument to success. 
13. Change begins with changing habits. 
14. Material things are worse than useless. It adds no value to life. 
15. Wisdom is wealth.
16. All emotions are beautiful. See the light even in your darkest days. 
17. The greatest joys are free. Warm hugs from someone you love is all you need. 
18. Don’t strive for perfection. You will always feel incomplete.
19. The best way to clarify your thoughts is to write it down. Spell it out and express yourself. 
20. Don’t let your expectations stop you from experiencing reality. Accept it as it is and be happy.
21. Regret is a waste of time.
22. Gratitude is finding contentment in life. 
23. Gossip is poison. Fulfilled and happy people don’t waste their time and energy on putting others down.
24. Slow down. Life is more enjoyable when you do it at a slower pace. Stop and smell the flowers. 
25. No. It’s a complete sentence. You don’t have to explain yourself. 
26. I’m not that cool and it’s fine with me.
27. Rest is more valuable than you think.
28. People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. 
29. Who you decide to spend your time with is one great decision. So, be relentless. 
30. Trust is something you have to do to experience it. 
31. Always spend time with someone you love. Tomorrow might be gone.
32. Surround yourself with people who shine bright because these are the ones that want to see you shine brighter. 
33. Choose your friends wisely because they’re your chosen family. 
34. You are here to make a difference in your unique way. 
35. The destination is just a tiny piece of the journey. Make sure you don’t miss out on the other details.
36. Always be open to new ideas. 
37. Don’t forget to open your heart and take the road less traveled. 
38. There’s more left to learn. Life has many lessons left to teach me, and I am looking forward to it all. 

Thankful for the 38 years of life. I’ve learned so much! The twist and turns of life taught me to be still in the middle of the storm. I may have fallen so many times, but I always get back up. 

These years won’t be as worth living if it wasn’t for the people I have in my life. Thank you for the inspiration, love, and acceptance that I am perfectly imperfect, and you embraced it with open arms.

Cheers to life!

P.S. Looking forward to better days, where I can be on a beach somewhere, rolling on the sand and looking at the sky full of stars.

We all get caught up in negative self chats and some restricting beliefs. Just like a dark, gloomy cloud of unfavorable contradictions swinging over our heads, holding us back from living our full potential and becoming the best version of ourselves, don’t be a victim of all the negativities. It will eventually rob you of your true freedom, peace, and joy that you truly deserve. 

But wait! Now, guess who’s the main culprit? Us! Our selves, if we allow it. That is the hard truth! 

So, do not self sabotage yourself. When you try to call yourself out on something you think, you didn’t do right or you didn’t deserve, pause for a minute and ask yourself how it makes you feel? If it made you feel sad, little, and angry, then I encourage you to change how you speak to yourself. Stop the negative talk! Positive self-talk is one of the greatest things you can do to feed your senses and nourish our spirit.

5 Self-love affirmations that will help you be the best you:

1. I am loved.

Let’s start with ourselves. When you love yourself, you will propel love and positive energy into the world, and will surely find its way back to you. Did you know that love is the most powerful emotion that we can feel? True love is finding the purest joy and greatest happiness. Loving and being loved are imperative feelings.

2. I design my life with purpose and dreams.

Step into your  greatness and follow a life of purpose. Do you know which way to go? Have you set your path? If not, then when? Slow down and rediscover yourself. Take the time to rediscover all the things you love. Choose to expand your life in a new direction and don’t settle until you are on the right track in finding your purpose. Nothing can stop you now! When you pour your heart and soul into it, it’s magical. So, chase the dreams that are in your heart!

3. I respect my intuition and allow it to guide me.

I will not outguess my inner guide. When you trust your instinct, you may have a good chance of making the right decisions in life.  Let your inner voice become louder and clearer. However, find balance with your instinct and all the other aspects of your life so that you can express your full array of awareness.

4. I choose to forgive myself and others and let go of the past.

Letting go is easier said than done, I know. Let go of the pain of the past and everything that hinders you from moving forward. Always remember that the past is gone, but the future is yet to come. Two emotions can’t take up the mind at the same time.  Clinging on the past and the pain will stop you from moving on. Forgive, let go, and move on! It may not be the easy way, but it is the best way.

5. I am fearless and fierce.

Fear a normal part of life. Everyone has fears, but how do you overcome it? Do not let it stifle you from completely living and savoring your life. Try to inhale confidence and exhale fear and self-doubt. Always remember that challenges are opportunities to become better, to evolve, and to flourish. Be the best version of yourself every day.

The words you speak to yourself during a moment of frustration can uphold or harm your chances of getting where you want to be. We talk to ourselves almost every day. Be kind to yourself and choose words with compassion and tenderness. Fill your daily mantras with optimism, inspiration, and love. 

Which of these self-love affirmations did you need to tell yourself today? Let me know in the comments below! 

I appreciate and thank you for reading.

Till next time!

Let’s face it, work from home or at the office, it is the same. Work is work! Isn’t that right? Especially now, in times like these for sure, most of us are working from home amidst this pandemic. 

For sure you can well imagine the advantages of being able to work from the comfort of your own home, that is without a doubt. The downside? Well, it can get boring real quick! 

Somehow, it doesn’t affect me because I am an introvert. I function alone, doing my thing in the comfort of my home. But for some, this can be a real struggle.

So, let me tell you some of the things no one has told you about working from home.

1. Bye-bye daily commute

Can you imagine the time and money you save every single day? Goodbye to the daily commute to work, the traffic, and of course the transport expenses. Making you more productive by the time saved every day!

2. It’s still work

People who don’t work from home consider it as not work at all. Well, it is very much still work because you still have long meetings, and pretty much don’t lounge around the whole day. True! We all have a schedule that we follow through. Monday’s are still the same, crunch time! However, the benefits are far better than an ordinary office day. That’s for sure!

3. Feel comfortable but don’t fall into bad habits

No shower, okay? Not really! Every morning get into the habit of preparing yourself to go to your home office/ space or whatever you want to call it. Dress up and show up, just like when you’re going to an office! The good thing is, you can be barefoot! Now, that is a great deal. I mean, a huge plus! You don’t have to call in sick, why? Because you can work from your bed, in your pajamas when you need to. That’s just some of the perks!

4. You’ll discover how darn good you are

Working from home with kids will certainly teach you how to tune in to your superpowers. Kids can scream, run around the whole day, so you need to master your concentration skills like a superhero. We deliver our best every single day even if we work with less supervision and less support system. We always thrive!

5. Have a designated workspace

Choosing a work area where you feel comfortable is very important when working from home. It is essential to draw the line between work and home space. Do not fall for the trap! Create a working space that will make you work your best, free from distraction from home life. More productive days ahead!

6. Take care of yourself

Working from home takes self-mastery, a method where you learn how to discipline yourself. You need to find your groove, a daily routine you can follow. Eating healthy meals and having scheduled social lunches is vital to good work and life balance. So, don’t forget to go out and meet family and friends and have those social connections outside the comfort of your home.

7. Be positive, be grateful

Work is work. Although it is natural in any job situation to feel down at times, we need to find the balance. A positive attitude and thinking will help you get through a stressful day. Be grateful for the job that you have and focus on where you want to be in the future. Growth is essential!

Having all those things said, do you think it can work for you? Working from home is a change in lifestyle. Will you thrive? Are the benefits better than the downside? And if you prefer the solitude and enjoy having control of your own time, then maybe you’ll love working from home. It is always a preference, a choice that will make your life easier and happier. 

Are you working from home? Do you want to work from home? I hope you get a clear viewpoint after reading this article. I’d love to hear what you think about working from home. Whether you love or hate it, share it in the comments! 

There’s no perfection in mastering the art of happiness. It is learning from our daily life that we get in tune with what matters and what doesn’t. Are you tired of the mundane? Is it draining your energy to its last bit? 
Then, it is time for a little change. Something we can teach ourselves to be a little happier every day.

15 Simple ways to master happiness every day:

1. Be Grateful

A grateful heart awakens the soul and lets joy come in. Count on your blessings and never your shortcomings. Always practice gratitude.

• It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack. – Germany Kent

2. Practice Forgiveness

It is the key to a more meaningful life. Forgiveness, a decision to let go of resentment or vengeance. It is what we do for ourselves to let go and move on. 

• The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.  – Gandhi

3. Be Kind

Kindness. It doesn’t matter if it is big or small. Helping someone without asking for anything in return is as powerful as the mightiest supernatural powers.

• The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention. -Anonymous

4. Keep a Journal

The power of writing. Make it a habit, write your way to happiness. Expressing your feelings through writing helps you process and blackout the negative ones, allowing more space for positive emotions. Write more about joy rather than pain.

• Journal writing is a voyage to the interior. ― Christina Baldwin

5. Be an optimist

Resilience. The power of positive thinking! Believing in positivity makes you happier and healthier. It is a chain reaction. Find the good and be grateful for it.

• How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. – Anne Frank

6. Live in the moment

When you focus your attention on what’s happening right now, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you become more aware of your thoughts. There are times that we drift our thoughts about the past or the future. However, we need to learn how to redirect those thoughts and pay attention to the moment. Today is important.

• The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences. – Eleanor Roosevelt

7. Savor good memories

Scientists claimed that the more positive memories we have, the more positive outlook we have in life and the world around us. Our brains tend to dwell on the negative ones. But the good thing is, we can help it by collecting and keeping more good memories by savoring the positive experiences and emotions.

• We should learn to savor some moments to let time feel worth existing. – Munia Khan

8. Don’t worry about what others think of you

Tune out gossips. If it’s not true, it will die out. You don’t have to fill your mind with worries. So, don’t!

• Care about people’s approval, and you will always be their prisoner. – Lao Tzu

9. Cut out negativity

If you want to improve your life and stay happy, then cut out the negativity and toxicity in your life. What do you consider unhealthy? Is the situation mentally and emotionally draining? Then it is time to step away and move on. It is not worth your life.

• Two kinds of people to avoid in your life; 1. Those who love your lies and 2. Those who hate your truth. Avoid them. – Israelmore Ayivo

10. Take risks

If it makes you feel good, do it! We only live once, do not waste it. Experiencing things in life will make us feel alive. So, take those risks and enjoy life.

• Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. – Helen Kelle

11. Watch the sunrise or sunset

It is for free, and it happens 365 days a year. There’s a burst of beneficial effect sunshine has in our mood because it boosts our serotonin. Be grateful for that moment when you see the beautiful color and light. The magical stillness brings healing to our soul.

• Each time I see a beautiful sunset or sunrise, I have to pinch myself because I can’t believe that I’m awake and not dreaming. – Anthony T. Hincks

12. Read a book

Allowing your mind to break away from the norm can boost your happiness. So, open up a good book and let your imagination run wild.

• Books are a uniquely portable magic. – Stephen King

13. Smile

It can lower your stress, lift your mood, and boost your immune system! Smile often and be happy, it is the small things in life.

• More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate. – Roy T. Bennet

14. Treat yourself with love

Be gentle with yourself. Remind yourself that you are lovable, you are worthy, and you are more than enough. You cannot preach what you don’t practice. So, start with yourself and everything else will follow.

• It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack. – Germany Kent

15. Learn to rest

Time and time again, we often have setbacks in life. Take a break and think about how to achieve your goals. Strategize, change, but always get back up. Do not quit!

• If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit. ― Banksy

Now, give it a try and master these simple ways to be healthier, happier, and live a more meaningful life. Inject some enthusiasm in your everyday life. 

P.S. While you give these a try, sip some green tea. It is my secret start of a happier day. The healthy benefits while injecting caffeine into my eyeballs are so crucial in times like these. So, boost your immune system and smile often. 

P.P.S. I’d love to hear what’s your secret to a happier day. Share it in the comments!