No the no-no word
Considering this word, another seems synonymous = fear The fear surrounding the word “no” is a great one. The people pleaser in all of us fear disappointment and letting others down. We are afraid of seeming lesser than, looking weak, being rude, getting rejected and being perceived as a failure. We also face guilt if…
Motivation
What does this even mean? I feel this word slipping from my vocabulary. Keeping up with friendships, tackling new projects or even just getting out of bed has never seemed more challenging than it does now. I feel as if I have lost something within myself in the past year and a half, that I…
WIFI…Connection – June reflection
It has become increasingly difficult for us to separate the WIFI from our personal connections. Surrounding ourselves with speakers, phones, tablets, computers, headphones and smart TV’s. This convenience is so integrated in our daily lives, that we don’t even notice the effect it has. Most of us are always stressing about our battery life, continuously…
MAY we gain insight through hindsight
This month was one of reflection. I catch myself daydreaming, digging into the past and thinking about the people I have met along the way. My thoughts shift between positive and negative events and I let it happen organically. Going through this catalogue of my life, I became more intrigued to discover what shaped my…
April guests
We have reached mid autumn and it seems like the world is moving faster again, catching up to its original rotational speed. While we are putting most of what happened behind us, we are all still trying to find our way in this new “normal”. But what does that even look like? For most of…
Every problem has a gift
When we are bombarded and overwhelmed, in the thick of things, we rarely see a way out. It is through struggle and a lot of hindsight, that we discover, we in fact, gained something. The lessons we accumulate in these tough times are what ultimately shape us. They form how we see the world and…
A take on happiness in March
As we close off another month in the most bazar of times, I encourage all of us to look back and forward to the things that bring us joy, in its most purest form. “If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.” —Carlos Santana Happiness to me is… Waking up to…
Check in
Do you always put in extra effort to check up on your friends and family? (especially during these times). A phone call here and a quick message there, maybe even a funny picture to share a laugh or to cheer them on. Catching myself doing so, got me thinking, do we ever give ourselves the…
Setting the stage in February
We are finally getting used to the rhythm of this year, and by using the discoveries from our journey thus far, we can confidently continue on a better path forward. They say it takes 21 days to break a bad habit, but how many days does it take to build a positive one? From what…
The Wall
Hitting a wall is ok, sometimes it needs to be there for you to lean on. We all walk through life in our own bubbles, facing different and individual challenges each day. One bitter sweet side effect from our current world state, is that we all seem to be hitting the same walls together. Whether…
January happened
How can a month feel like a blink of an eye and 20 years at the same time? Some days really felt like an eternity, and in others, I was surprised when the evening fell so quickly. Mid to end last year, my mind started wondering to the future. I felt like half of me…
Embrace the hygge
No, that is not a typo, hygge is a Danish word. The Danish concept of hygge, or hyggelig (adj.), refers to finding comfort, pleasure, and warmth in simple, soothing things such as a cozy atmosphere or the feeling of friendship. The Scandinavian term encompasses a feeling of coziness, contentment, and well-being found through cherishing the little things. While packing away all…
A new year
A new year… a new…..nope. We all know the “new year, new me” sentiment. Most of us have used this phrase at least once in our lives. Along with new years resolutions, this never materializes into a true outcome. The premise that we can start fresh, looking out at all the possibilities and endless adventures…
Closing 2020
A year like none other, 2020 brought so much experiences, some that will forever be imbedded in our minds as well as world history. I started the year uncertain, which quickly transformed into hopeful expectations. I began this blog, started yoga, dabbled in mediation, tried lots of new recipes and DIY adventures and also set…
November thoughts
This month was different for me. Watching the world change, some for the better and some for the worst, has made me reflect on my own life. I made the decision to scale back from social media, trying to stay present and in the moment with friends and family, instead of posting pictures etc… (as…
Raw honesty
Only when you reveal your deepest desires, darkest secrets and biggest fears will you truly be able to receive and give love fully. Let’s face the facts. We all hide a part of ourselves or fake our way through things sometimes. The thing is, we are lying to our partners and people closest to us…
Leave the past
Leaving the past behind us, isn’t always an easy task. I mean, the past is what shaped us. We learned from our mistakes to improve our future decisions. The history of the events in our lives, have formed the way we think and act. It has ultimately made us into the person we are today,…
Grateful for October
As October draws to a close, I wonder where it went. We have all settled into our new “normal”, things seems to be churning like it use to before. Most businesses are up and running, we no longer feel chained to our homes and the world (for the most part) has moved on to other…
We are tired
Tired of dealing with the social pressures placed on you? Constantly struggling to live up to the standards other people have set? Do you have the need to walk in the exact same footsteps you see before you, to please everyone else? Well cheers to that sisters! It is time to work on what WE…
Social circles
Friends come and go throughout our life cycle. They travel with us on our journeys, and get on or off at different stages. Sometimes its hard to let go, and sometimes its good riddance. You might encounter these types as you go: School friends – You grew up together or became “adults” together. They can…
One thing
We go 0-100 and back again everyday in our minds. Constantly thinking of what’s next on our mental checklist. Whirling from place to place with thoughts spinning in our heads. No wonder we get dizzy and fall sometimes. Housework never ends, being a parent/fur-parent isn’t always a breeze, family can be stressful and our day…
September in bloom
Even when our world is burning, nature is thriving. It’s really amazing how everything in connected to us. I always feel joy this time of year and it seems the world reflects it. There is so much to be grateful for words cannot describe it, so here is my September nature adventures, documented in pictures.…
Slump city
Have you ever just woken up and you already want the day to be over? Do you relate to that FRIENDS theme song ” When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year”. Maybe you have anxiety that day or face a random bit of depression. Perhaps you just have…
The mental load
Have you ever seen that funny video about the magic coffee table? This couple is having an argument, the woman comes storming in, seemingly out of the blue, yelling at the man about how tired she is that she is constantly doing everything and he is not contributing (wow doesn’t this sound familiar?). The man…
August is over, let’s fast forward
New years at the cusp of 2020 we celebrated, looking forward to to the adventures that awaited us. My friend boldly stated ” this is our year!” and we clinked our glasses with excitement. Well…here we are, way past mid 2020 (can’t believe it! I think most of us are still stuck in March). As…
Tracking calories
I have always struggled to change my weight. I have been around the same number since high school, with the exception, that then i had more muscle less fat and now more fat less muscle. Looking at myself in the mirror end May, i realized quarantine has not done my body any favours and i…
Soul clutter
What is Soul clutter? Heavy, unrelenting and disorganized, this type of clutter fills every crevice. We constantly cram in doubt, fear, negativity and stress, pilling on more and more, stretching our soul to it’s limits. We carry the burden for others, sweeping out their worries only to put more on ours. We loose faith and…
The humble apple pie
I find it very strange that our culture, this side of the world anyway, really doesn’t seem care much for this treat. We tend to opt for meat pies and savoury snacks, and if we are in the mood for something sweet, we reach for tarts and cakes Now more than ever, we need some…
Knock knock
When God calls to you do you answer? Walking with Christ has not always been easy. When I was younger I used to lay awake at night crying wondering if God has forsaken me. Why does he never answer me? As a child, certain narratives are thrust upon you, regarding faith. You are preached at…
A connected July
While July did present it’s own challenges, all in all, i feel this year is slipping away one week at a time. Not being a very eventful month (you know just because of this small pandemic), i filled my time connecting with my favorites. I must say, i have really enjoyed staying in touch with…
Take in the now, not later
The best gift you can give yourself is being present (pun intended). You are not doing yourself any favours, when you are currently doing something you have looked forward to for so long, but you are already looking to the next. We are exposed to so much in our day to day. Being bombarded with…
Being an adopted fur-mom
Have you ever considered adopting a pet, a dog in particular, and pondered if it’s even worth it? Having to go through the effort of grooming, training, cleaning up after them and oh my gosh what about the hair! I am here to tell you, if you have not jumped on the train yet, you…
Open
When you are closed off to the word, you can not even fathom the joy you are shutting out. You will never truly experience life or discover what it has to offer. However, when you are open and ready to receive, you uncover a world of possibilities. Traveling the path of understanding and open-mindedness is…
Feel good
People always refer to the adage “look good, feel good”. This is of course true to some degree, however i believe the opposite is also very true = if you feel good, you look good. I love getting dolled up as much as the next gal, i take great pride and care of my skin…
A chilly June
June brought the winter. I genuinely enjoy winter time since it inspires all my favourite things; Cozy-ness, soups, blankets and cuddles. While these cold fronts are super chilly, it has been a blessing to be home (I am sure the fur-babies agree). Work slowed down and i occupied myself with personal admin and house chores…
Just take it!
This is to serve as a reminder that you deserve that time off. For those of us who are fortunate to work from home during this time, home and work has melted into one another. As most businesses get back up and running and some return to their offices, there is a lot of catching…
Challenge accepted
Time to get out of our comfort zone… We love our routines, in fact i love mine so much, i have grown quite fond of it. Should we deviate from it, our moods tend to shift. This is unsustainable in the long run, so why not tackle a challenge or two and shake it up…
Find your space
Constantly zooming in and out of rooms, cleaning and ensuring the spaces are tidy for others, but do we as woman really have our own space? We are always faced with phrases like “But the whole house is yours?”, however in reality we don’t have a nook that we can call just ours (not to…
Don’t Jas-mind if i do
Find a little peace in this hectic year by setting aside a daily tea time. Relax, reflect and get all warm and fuzzy inside. I find joy in tea, and nothing makes me feel as great, as Jasmine tea does lately. Why take a sip? Here are some reasons Jasmine tea is good for you:…
My favourite C word
That’s right, i said it “Cozy”! If there was ever a mantra that describes my life right now that is it. Most of us are either one of two kinds of people. We either get dressed with the full getup ready to tackle the plethora of zoom meetings OR we lounge around in our pj’s…
The monster inside us
“You are not good enough” – Does this phrase sound familiar? We all carry a monster inside that encourages negative self talk. You are not a good enough friend, sister, daughter, mother….You need to do more. You are not enough to apply for that dream job or even enough to build long lasting, strong relationships.…
Goodbye May
With June around the corner and our lock down restrictions being lifted to level 3, most of us cannot wait for the new month to begin. As weeks turn into months and seasons change in the blink of an eye, our sunsets and sunrises seem to melt into one another. Keeping track of the date…
Super-natural
These days we are so quick to jump to medication at the soonest sign of discomfort. While this is sometimes necessary, other times the natural approach might be the best one for your mind and body. Here are a few of my favourite natural remedies with ingredients most of us have handy at home or…
Yin vs Yang
No matter how wonderful or terrible your life is, it is a constant battle between two paths. To cecum to the bad or to keep fighting for the good. Some of us fall into the hole of darkness and always see life through cracked glass. While others seem to only experience the beautiful aspects and…
Fight the chill
As the season turns and the chill creeps up, why keep fighting the change? Winter is almost here and i am all for it! There are many things you can do to create a cozy and warm space. This is especially important, since most of us are spending all our time at home, locked away…
Strong(wo)man
What does having strength mean to you? Is it your ability to endure life’s challenges? Is it linked to carrying literal or figurative weight on your shoulders? OR is it the fact that you can hide your emotions in a difficult situation? Whatever your definition of strength is, i believe all women have it. In…
Sleep type
Are you having trouble sleeping? Perhaps you are sleeping way to much? I have found sleep rather elusive my whole life. When i finally do, it is a very light sleep. With the help of routine and medication, i have managed to acquire the sleep i sought after. In our current times however, i either…
Relationship goals
Relationships can be difficult sometimes, however if both parties commit the same amount of effort and energy, you can reach #relationshipgoals. Here are some important things to note: Find the right partner – Sure, you will have to go through some frogs to find the prince, but its all about the process and how you…
April recap
Well here we are… the end of April. Since the whole world implemented lock down and we are all stuck in our homes, there is not really any new developments going on in our lives. It is so easy to fall into a negative mindset and think about the events we are missing out on.…
A mood
Has the weather ever affected your mood before? A bright sunny day might make you feel energized and ready to tackle the world, while a gloomy day might make you want to hunker down and crawl into a ball. Just like this, the people we surround ourselves with, has the same effect. Sure, if you…
Face it…
Your skin matters, specially your face. It’s a unique combination of features, muscles and colours that is unlike any other person, it is what makes you, you. It’s time to put a care routine in place or perhaps tweak your existing routine for better results. Here are a few things i have found to keep…
Reset your priorities
What are your priorities? Have you ever sat down to figure them out? Is it money? Is it fame? Is it admiration? Time to re-evaluate our priorities and take stock of what is really important in our lives. Today our world is undergoing a crisis. The priorities of our community, family, government and country are…
Hey you!
Yes you! Don’t look behind you, i am taking directly to you. You are important, you are loved and most importantly, you belong in this world. Sure you might have it rough right now, or even feel on top of the world, but things change. Know that you are not alone. You have the strength…
How will this change us?
Change is scary…with the pandemic it is inevitable…i can’t help but wonder how will our world be changed. Will face masks become the new accessory? Will we only greet our coworkers with an elbow? Will all public spaces be sanitized regularly? We are currently living through an historic event. Years from now, this time will…
Spice up your routine
Day in and day out we always stick to the same routine. Being creatures of habit, we drive to work the same route, generally eat the same breakfast and make dinner at a certain time every night. Like our life is on a loop, our week days become mundane. We look forward to the weekend,…
Desperate times call for different measures
While i consider myself a home body, i am also, a rather social person. I try to stay connected with my family by getting together every other weekend, and i schedule events with my friends at least once a month. Making the effort and staying in touch with our loved ones is so very important.…
The tool kit
Going through life there are so many lessons to learn. Each time you pick yourself up again collecting a tool to help you tackle next time. Now in my late twenties, i can already look at my partially filled tool box. The kit is compiled out of my accumulated life experiences and have shaped who…
Get your orchid blooming every year
Orchids can be temperamental. These days the plants we purchase are standardly not meant to bloom again, like a one use and then discard situation. This is so sad! Let’s put a stop to this and ensure delightful blooms every year. Firstly and most importantly, find the perfect place. Orchids like indirect light. Place them…
Let’s get crafty!
To be happy in life, develop at least four hobbies: one to bring you money, one to keep you healthy, one to bring you joy, and one to bring you peace. STAN JACOBS, The Dusk and Dawn Master Hobbies soothes the mind, while simultaneously keeping it busy with a pleasurable activity. I have always enjoyed getting…
How to make a cozy home
I love a cozy space. Whether it’s one room or a whole house, having a place where you can curl up on your own, or warmly entertain friends and family, has always been important to me. Since we are all spending more time in our own space, having a comfortable home, is important now more…
Tackling March – Long story
Can you believe we are almost done with March!? Since my retrenchment last year i have tackled 2020 head on and March is no exception. January brought my yoga journey and helped me get my head in gear, February brought abundance and mediation, helping me prioritize the important stuff and now March brings me a…
Self Quarantine
Yeah yeah, i know, we keep hearing this everywhere we go and see it everywhere we look. But just because we are in this situation, doesn’t mean we need to go crazy. Here are a few tips to apply when on lock down: Don’t hoard but plan ahead – Work out your meals/menu 2 weeks…
The dog life
DISCLAIMER : Being a fur-parent is a serious commitment and should not be taken lightly. You are required to be responsible while caring for another life. Like a child, your duties revolve around their needs, including: feeding, bathing, education and medical. With that being said, i feel the the pro’s outweighs the con’s, when it…
Skin care 101
Your skin health is important, not only for your appearance, but for the essential tasks it performs for your body everyday. Your skin protects you from the many viruses and bacteria that you are exposed to daily. It also protects you from the sun’s rays – specifically ultraviolet light – that can damage cells. Having healthy skin…
Girl Power
I was mostly raised by my mother and grandmother. My Aunt and my cousins, also had a vital role in my upbringing, allot of my after school time was spent with them. This was the foundation for my life. I have always seeked the company, opinion, approval and perhaps even the safety of other woman.…
Wine not?
Let’s break down the stigma of having a glass of red. People have been drinking wine for thousands of years, and the benefits of doing so has been well documented. Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as “heart healthy”. The alcohol and certain substances within, may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition…
Secrets to organising your life
While there are many downfalls living with Anxiety and OCD tendencies, it also presents a few benefits when it comes to organising. Here are a few of my secrets to help keep on top of things and live my best life: Scheduling is so important. Always set aside time for loves ones, even if its…
To tea or not to tea?
Nothing quite quenches that need to wind down, like tea does. The experience of pouring the freshly boiled water in your favourite cup, inserting the herbal tea bag or loose leafed defuser and enjoying the aroma is rather soothing. Then once its cooled to your perfect temperature, your first sip, ahhhhh. Did you know there…
Quicksand
Sinking, gasping for breath, it slowly devours you, until you are fully immersed and no longer see your way out. This is anxiety. It’s very real and very scary. Some people may not even know they have it, while others deal with the conscious struggle every day. You are afraid to go somewhere new or…
Kill them with kindness
A smile or small kind gesture goes a long way. Have you ever walked down the isle of a busy grocery store, not having your best day, and someone will move their trolley out the way for you or offer you a smile? It’s like that small gesture ignites a small positive response that intern…
Green is the new black
Succulents and other water wise plants are so in right now. Even though its on trend, there is definitely benefits of keeping these in your home. Benefits may vary from plant to plant but the general consensus are as follows: They Add Fresh Oxygen to Your Environment They Have a Low Water Requirement They Brighten a Home in Any…
Eat-Sleep-Cook-Repeat
Ah food! Our best friend, our comfort zone. Events are planned around you, our health depends on you and our celebrations are more fabulous with you. Coming home to a home cooked meal and getting that woft of fried onions is just the best. Not only do i love food and making it, i also…
February in abundance
Late in the afternoon, in the first week of February, my phone flashed incessantly. Unable to ignore it, I unlocked the screen and opened my messages. A group has been created and within seconds messages have already been posted. I eagerly read through the text. This is an open invitation to partake in Deepak Chopra’s…
January was the free trial, the subscription starts in February
With every new year we delude ourselves with what great things we can do staring in January. We pledge new year resolutions that never stick. We drop our guard and indulge in the festive time with the thoughts of what is to come. Don’t get me wrong, everyone deserves an extra piece of Christmas cake,…
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Life Stuff with Tania Snyman 