Showing posts with label weekly wishes. Show all posts

Weekly Wishes: Back in the Game

02 December 2013

Hello my friends, and welcome to December! I can hardly believe that we are in the last month of 2013. I simply do not know where the time goes. Christmas is already upon us, and right after that the new year, and it seems there is so much to do in that short amount of time. And that is why I am joining up with Weekly Wishes once again.

I'm not promising to stick with this on a weekly basis- December is not a good month for promises. What I would like to do this week, is to share what are some of my wishes for this month. I've been feeling overwhelmed with all that I want to do, but have yet to make a list, and I end up just wasting time on Twitter and Facebook, which is about the worst thing for my mental well-being this time of year.

So, my December wishes are:

1. Listen to all of the podcasts in my queue. I've gone podcast crazy and just might have to do a sequel to my I Heart Podcasts post. There are so many good podcasts and so little time.

2. Learn to meditate. I have yet to find a good intro to meditation, so if you know of something, I am open to recommendations!

3. Finish reading Austenland. Mainly so I can start Rebecca, which seems like a good Winter read.

4. Decide on and make Christmas gifts for my siblings.

5. Finish this photography tutorial and start practicing regularly.

6. Go see Zoolights for the first time.

7. Decide on and bake a bunch of different Christmas cookies.

8. Watch Love Actually.

9. Find inspiration and come up with a loose editorial calender for the blog for December.

I think this is a good start, and I'm confident that I can make good headway on these goals this week.

What are some of your goals this month? Do you have a particular cookie you like making for Christmas? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Slowing Down

23 September 2013

Happy first Monday of Fall, my friends! I'm still not quite ready for the cold and the darkness, but I accept that it is here. If anything, drinking hot cocoa will no longer have to be done in shame (yes, I still drink hot cocoa in the Summer).

Anyway, it is time again for Weekly Wishes!

Last week, my wish was to write something non-blog-related every day. Well, I didn't. I did when I had time, but frankly, I just feel time slipping through my fingers these days. I simply don't have enough to do all the things I want to do.

And that takes me to this week's wish. My blogging confidence has been waning, and to me, that means it's time to slow it down. I might not post every day this week. I will definitely be stepping away from Twitter. And I'm probably not going to be commenting on quite so many blogs this week. Instead, I want to take some time for myself so that I can focus on the content of my blog, since that is the main course of this blog. This is something that I need to do for me, and I am hoping it will help me get back on track.

Have you ever found that you don't have quite a good grasp on time? DO you ever find yourself needing to slow down? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Anti-SAD and Writing

16 September 2013

Bonjour mes amis and happy Monday! Once again, it is time to link up with Melyssa for Weekly Wishes.

Last week, I discussed putting together an Anti-SAD kid as my wish. How did I do?

Well, the project turned out to be a bit bigger than I'd intended, so at this point, what I have is a list. It is going to take me a little time to physically pull all of these things together and put them in one easy-to-reach location. So, be on the lookout in the next few weeks for a post highlighting the contents of my Anti-SAD kit.

So far on the list for my kit are:

this tea
chocolate
happy song playlist
happy pictures
happy movies
this book
fuzzy socks
hand warmers
Little Hotties
blanket
lamp
yoga DVD
favorite chocolate chip cookie and brownie recipes

As for this week, I would like to boost my writing confidence. And I'm not talking blogging. My goal is to write something unrelated to this blog every day this week. A poem, a journal entry, or even a bit of fiction. I stumbled across an idea in my mind last week that I would like to begin putting to paper (or screen), so this goal should help me jump-start that process.

Do you have any suggestions to add to my Anti-SAD kit? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Weekly Wishes for Confidence: September 9

09 September 2013

Is it just me, or did this weekend fly by? I could use another weekend.

Reality is, it's Monday, and that means Weekly Wishes!

Last week, my wish was to complete the first seven days of the 30 Day Squat Challenge. I managed to keep up with it for the most part, skipping one day due to being so worn out I passed out on my couch at 9pm. Yep, some days I'm just an old lady. But I don't care, especially since I did some new, hard yoga classes this week. I do feel my glutes getting stronger, and my sister even pointed out that I"m finally getting a butt. Score.

As for this week's wish, I want to prepare a S.A.D. kit for the coming Fall and Winter. I get hit pretty hard by S.A.D. so I would like to be prepared this year. Nothing strips me of my confidence more than being in a low mood. This week I want to come up with an action plan for when I feel it hitting me, and a kit of things I can use to help fight it. I will share my kit with you all next week, and hopefully it can help anyone else who has the same issue.

What is your wish for this week? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Leave a Comment happiness, self confidence, strength, weekly wishes

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Labor Day Edition

02 September 2013

Happy Labor Day, folks! This post is coming to you late because I have decided to enjoy the holiday weekend by spending less time online. It's been pretty nice so far.

Today I am linking up with Melyssa for Weekly Wishes, and if you recall, last week's wish was to dance with confidence during my belly dance performance on Wednesday night. How did I do?

I did great! It had been 9 months since I last performed solo, so I wasn't sure how I was going to do. I can get really nervous and shaky when I'm performing, but this time, I didn't! I was also particularly nervous because I had never performed a taksim before (this is a piece where the musician improvises with their instrument, and the dancer improvises with the musician- it is usually very slow), but afterward, one of the women in the audience told me it was the best she'd seen at this venue! It was such a great experience, and has renewed my passion for the dance.

Pre-performance smile test. Always dance with a smile!

For this week's wish, I want to build up some strength in my legs. Strong legs always make me feel confident, like I am capable of anything. You need strong legs to take you the places you want to go! So this week, I intend to follow along with the first seven days of the 30-day squat challenge. I've had trouble with my right knee due to weak glutes, so I am hoping that this will help me get stronger so that I can do all of the things I want to do, without pain!

How would you like to boost your strength or confidence this week? Have you ever done a fitness challenge? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Leave a Comment belly dance, bravery, happiness, self confidence, strength, weekly wishes

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Hair and Dancing

26 August 2013

Happy Monday, my friends! It is that time again- linking up for Weekly Wishes with Melyssa at The Nectar Collective.

If you recall, last week my wish was to style my hair differently every day, and to not throw it into a ponytail or messy bun. How did I do?

Check out this picture recap and see for yourself:

I do not have a picture of Sunday's hair, mostly for symmetry's sake, but also because it was a simple double French braid, since the only time I left my house was for a yoga workshop. Braids are perfect for yoga.

I followed tutorials for hairstyles #2 & #3, which can be found here and here. Hairstyle #4 is simply a double French braid, braids tied together, and then the ends are tucked and pinned. I had a lot of fun trying out new styles, and I'm inspired to try more.

As for this week's weekly wish, I am scheduled to belly dance on Wednesday night, and it will be my first time performing at this particular place. So, my wish is to project confidence when I dance. I tend to get really nervous when I perform, and despite having fun, I always panic and do the same two moves over and over again. So, this week, it is chest up, chin up, put on a smile, and dazzle the crowd!

How about you? Do you have any wishes for this week? What are your tips for being confident in front of a crowd? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Leave a Comment bravery, self confidence, self love, weekly wishes

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Posture and Style

19 August 2013

Hey everybody and happy Monday! I am back this week to participate in the Weekly Wishes linkup!

Two weeks ago, my weekly wish was to work on my posture. How did I do? Well, this past week I have been pretty good at reminding myself to put my shoulders back, chest up, and chin up. Sure, I had plenty of times that I did not have great posture, but I was more aware of it than usual, and that's a start. Years of bad posture are not going to go away in a week, but awareness is the first step.

As for this week, my wish is to do something different with my hair every day. I get into ruts with "styling" my hair (second day hair is almost always in a messy bun), and that tends to make me feel a bit boring with my look, which takes my confidence down. So this week, I want to try out a few new styles and gain some confidence by feeling good about my hair.

Are you linking up for weekly wishes? Does your hair affect your confidence? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Back to Basics

05 August 2013

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm back for another round of Weekly Wishes with Melyssa.

Last week, my goal was to go to a networking event and introduce myself to 3 new people. How did I do?

It was a partial fail. I met one new person. I felt incredibly nervous as I approached the event, seeing a bunch of strangers mingling and interacting. I headed straight to the bar, ordered a vodka grapefruit, and observed from the sidelines. Someone then approached me and we chatted for longer than I was comfortable with (he talked a LOT about himself and the company he works for). Once we parted ways, I spent the remainder of my time with a phone call (not entirely planned- long story), and that was that. I did learn that I would do best at an event like this if I give myself time to observe from the side and work up courage to jump in and talk to people- I am an introvert after all.

As for this week, I'm going back to basics. I want to work on my posture. Even as I type this, I am hunched forward at my desk (ok, part of that is due to being cold). So this week, I will repeat the mantra, "shoulders back, chest up, chin up." It is the posture I need to assume as a bellydancer, and since I have a performance at the end of the month, I really need to get my posture in line. Besides, what better way to project confidence than through good posture?

How is your posture? Do you have any tips or tricks for maintaining good posture? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Reverse Bucket List Part 1

29 July 2013

Happy Monday, my friends! Sorry, was that a little too chipper for a Monday morning? Well, I'm hoping to get the week started off right by checking in with last week's Weekly Wishes, and sharing my new wish for this week.

If you recall, last week I wanted to write down my "Reverse Bucket List," as inspired by my blogging buddy, Erika. How did I do?

Oh, I wrote it down, and I got to number 258 and stopped. I am overwhelmed by how many awesome things I have done already in my life. As in, I have nothing to be ashamed for having done all of this by the age of 30.75.

So, since I have 258 things on the list, I will share with you just the first 30 (in honor of my being 30 and all- I like numbers to have reasons).

My Reverse Bucket List, part one:

Ride a horse
Own a pony
Go to Summer Camp
Be an outdoor school counselor
Go to the Statue of Liberty
Go to a renaissance faire
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
Swim in Lake Michigan
Ride a roller coaster at Cedar Point
Visit every park at Disney World (yes, ca. 1995 & 2002)
Work at Disney World
Go to Disneyland
Ride Thunder Mountain Railroad while fireworks are going off
Ride a speed water slide
Show my pony at the county fair
Drive a miniature horse
Show my miniature horse at the county fair
Show my miniature horse at the state fair
Go on a mission trip
Go to the Grand Canyon
Visit Amish Country (in both Ohio and Pennsylvania)
Go to Cooperstown and visit the Baseball Hall of Fame
Go to Hershey Park
Visit the Walk of Fame in Hollywood
Visit Graumann’s Chinese Theater
Go to New Orleans
Play the washboard with a Cajun band in New Orleans
Visit Pike’s Place Market
Drive along Hwy 101 and Hwy 1 along the Oregon and California Coasts
Visit Olympic National Park

Not bad if I do say so myself! I will try my best to share more from the list in the coming weeks!

Until then, I have this week's new wish! I'm going to be bold and go out on a limb. I am wishing that I can get myself to go to a networking event and introduce myself to 3 new people. Yikes! The only way to build my confidence is to challenge myself, and I think this is one way to try it!

So friends, what are your wishes for this week? What is something from your "Reverse Bucket List" that you are particularly proud of? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Leave a Comment bravery, happiness, nostalgia, self confidence, weekly wishes

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: Strength and Pride

22 July 2013

Happy Monday, folks! This week I'm back to check in with last week's weekly wish and to share this week's new wish.

Last week, my goal was to do strength training 3 times during the week. So, how did I do? I failed. I only strength-trained once. My week was so full of activity, the times that I had planned for doing strength training simply got pushed around until I had no time at all. I tried my best, but when it comes down to it, I have a lot of priorities in my life right now. So, I will try to fit in bouts of strength-training when I can, but yoga will have to remain my primary source of strengthening until my schedule lightens up.

This week, I'm going for something a little different. Several weeks ago, my friend Erika wrote an inspiring post about her reverse bucket list. When I read it, I was reminded of a similar (albeit shorter) list that I wrote out around my 30th birthday to remind myself that I have done a lot of amazing things in my life so far. Instead of wallowing in the comparison game, I thought of all the things that I've done that others might be jealous of me for. So this week, I would like to pull out that list and add to it, creating my own sort of reverse bucket list. Next week, I will share with you what I came up with (this may require plunging into the depths of my aging memories).

So friends, have you ever had time get in the way of your good intentions? What do you wish for this week? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Leave a Comment self confidence, weekly wishes

Weekly Wishes for Confidence: July 15

15 July 2013

Happy Monday everybody! I hope you all had a great weekend. Today it's time to check in to see how I did with last week's weekly wishes, and set some new wishes for this week.

Last week, my wish was to wear bright lipstick every day. I want to build my confidence, and since I always think of women who wear bright lipstick as being confident, I wanted to emulate that. I succeeded in wearing bright lipstick every day, and when I wore it, I did feel more put-together. I actually got sick for two days and still wore the lipstick, and though I felt quite yucky, the lipstick made me feel a little more presentable. All in all, I would say last week's wish was a success!

If you're interested in trying out bright lipstick for yourself, but you're a little bit hesitant, here are a few tips for wearing bright lips in Summer:

Keep it simple. Don't go all-out with your makeup, or you can look a bit clownish. Instead keep a clean face (I used BB cream with sunscreen), put on some mascara, then swipe on your bright lipstick.
Stick with lighter colors for Summer. I have one or two darker reds, but they're just not appropriate this time of year. Instead, opt for bright pinks and lighter reds.
Smile! Just have fun with it- bright lips show off your best asset- your smile. Go ahead and rock that bright lipstick!

This week, I want to build my strength to build my confidence. I already practice yoga 2-3 times a week, but I really want to focus on getting some strength, especially given my knee issues. So this week, I would like to do some strength-training 3 times this week. Hopefully this will help me prepare for some more challenging hikes coming up this Summer, as well as make me feel like an all-around badass.

So my friends, how was your weekend? Do you have any plans for the week to boost your confidence? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

16 comments happiness, self confidence, self love, weekly wishes

Weekly Wishes and a Giveaway

08 July 2013

This week I am linking up with Melyssa over at The Nectar Collective for her Weekly Wishes. What's funny is that I had envisioned something like this for my blog before I published my first post on May 1. I wanted to create a little challenge for myself, and allow others to join me for the little challenges in order to create a community of encouragement, as well as hold myself accountable. When Melyssa published her first Weekly Wishes post, I wanted to jump right in, but I needed to wait until I had the time to put together a post properly.

So now I'm joining in. I intend to make my Weekly Wishes confidence-based, meaning I want to do something each week that boosts my self-confidence. I was not born with it, certainly was not raised with it, and as an adult I've been trying to get the kind of confidence that others seem to have in spades. So, for my first Weekly Wishes challenge:

I wish to wear bold lipstick every day this week.

I hope that this will help me to feel a little more confident, as I think you have to have some confidence in order to pull off a bold red or pink. As an added bonus, I will try to document said bold lips- follow me on Instagram to see how I do!

Meanwhile, I'm also joining Melyssa by co-sponsoring a giveaway with some lovely ladies on her blog! Here is what she has to say:

Whether or not you're a world traveler, seven of my friends and I have got you covered so that you can go on an adventure no matter where you are! Like seeing the world in new ways? Cool, you can get a free copy of the popular book, How to Be An Explorer by Keri Smith. Want to kick back at home and go on an adventure with a glass of wine? Sounds like you might like owning Into the Wild! Want more? Jeez you people are demanding. ;) Not to worry, we're also giving away a Moleskin Postal Notebook (you can mail it, as is, anywhere in the world! Talk about snail mail heaven), a Tibetan silver compass necklace, and a chevron luggage tag!

Enter the giveaway below to get this uniquely adventurous prize pack. Woop woop! By the way, this giveaway is INTERNATIONAL so anyone can enter! Your prizes will be shipped to you from JAPAN! Wooooo! Now take a look at the awesome sponsors of The Nectar Collective who brought you this fabulous prize pack:

The Nectar Collective | Call Me Sassafras | Side Street Style | Found Love. Now What?

Lost in Travels | Daisy Bisley | Tossing the Script | 91 Dash

How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith | Tibetan Silver Compass Necklace |

Into the Wild DVD | Moleskin Postal Notebook | Chevron Luggage Tag

Remember, this giveaway is international so anyone is welcome! Your prizes will be sent from Tokyo!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

1. Winner WILL be verified. If one of your entries proves to be invalid, you will be disqualified.

2. Winner will be contacted through email by July 17th. You will then have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail with your address. If 48 hours has passed and you haven't responded, we will pick a new winner.

18 comments giveaway, self confidence, weekly wishes

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