H.J. Rangas

Feb

2021

Signs That You Are Falling in Love

Reading Time: 4 minutes

What are the signs that you are falling in love? When you watch romantic scenes in movies or dramas; you know exactly when the main characters have fallen in love with each other. But if you were one of the main characters, how would you know that you are falling in love? What are the signs?

Here are some signs that might signal that you are falling in love. Remember that not everything may work with everyone. Each person reacts differently to various emotional experiences after all. So check the list and see what applies to you.

1. You can’t stop staring

If you are falling in love with someone; you will find that you can’t stop staring at that person. You just can’t help it. Observe how a mother looks lovingly at their baby. That is how someone looks at the person they are falling in love with. After all, when you are looking at the object of your affection or admiration; staring at them is a natural impulse.

Try to control yourself though. Your constant staring might make the other person feel shy or scared even. So consider the other person’s feelings too.

2. They’re always on your mind

If you can’t constantly stare at them; they’re always on your mind anyway. Most of the time you are wondering what they are doing at the moment. Are they busy at work? Have they eaten? Are they also thinking of you? These concerns may cross your mind several times a day. At other times, you may be thinking where to take them on a date; or what to wear to impress them when they see you next time.

You may end up with sleepless nights or unproductive work days from day dreaming about the person you’re falling in love with. Try to stay focused on what you need to do so you don’t end up getting reprimanded at work or losing sleep.

3. You want to spend more time with them

Falling in love brings about a lot of pleasant feelings and you want to spend more time with the person you are falling in love with. You’re constantly thinking of an excuse to spend more time with them, even if it’s just talking to them. You take the time and energy to plan how you can spend more time with them whether at work or outside of work.

In fact, you will find a lot of reasons, or excuses, to be constantly around them. You can’t help but show your care for them whether it be getting them food when you go for a snack or sitting with them during a break. Just be sure you’re not bothering the person at work by your constant attention.

4. You become open to trying new things

Because you want to spend more time together with the person you are falling in love with; you might find yourself becoming more open to trying new things. Even if you are a little scared or intimidated; you somehow gather the courage to do something you’ve never done before. Like asking them out for example. If you are already dating the person, then you find yourself suggesting date ideas that are unique and interesting just because you want your time together to be a special memory.

Trying new things is always a thrill but make sure you don’t try something that you don’t feel good doing. If you thought at first that you can handle riding a roller coaster but find that you are too scared to even get on it; don’t force yourself. You don’t want to pretend to be brave then end up ruing the rest of the day because you felt sick. However, don’t prevent the other person from enjoying the experience without you. You can always do something else that both of you can enjoy.

5. You don’t mind when they do something unattractive

Most of us idealize the person we admire in our minds. However, when we see them doing something unattractive; we usually lose our admiration. When you are falling in love; you usually end up not minding or not noticing the things that may be unattractive about the person. For example, they might usually look cool in the office but when you see them out of work; they wear clothes that you won’t think of wearing out of the house.

When you are falling in love with a person, you usually don’t notice the small imperfections. You just want to dwell on the pleasant feelings you get when you are with them. This can be both good and bad. It’s good if the other person’s unattractive aspects are indeed minor or just a cute personality quirk. However, if you notice a negative behavior pattern for example; then it’s a red flag that you should take a deeper look at things.

6. You become a little bit jealous

One of the signs that you are falling in love with someone is when you become just a tad bit jealous that they’re focusing their attention on other people rather than on you. Yes, this is childish and bratty. But anyone who is falling in love wants to monopolize the attention of the person they admire, if they can.

It will be normal to feel jealous of their attention towards others and even of other’s attention towards them; but don’t get ahead of yourself. Try to be realistic about the situation or consult a friend who can give you a rational observation so you can calm your jealous heart.

7. You want them to be happy

A sure sign that you are indeed falling in love is when you truly wish for the other person to be happy. This is also why you want to spend more time with them and are always thinking about them. You want to be the one to do things with them and for them that will make them happy. Most importantly, you want them to feel happy when they are with you, just as you feel happy spending time with them. That’s why you also want to find out what makes them feel happy and loved.

You may find yourself making some sacrifices in an effort to make the other person feel happy. For example, you might make the effort to make lunch for them every day or surprise them with flowers just because. You might even find yourself taking time out from your busy schedule to help them accomplish a task at work. Just be sure that you’re show of concern is not being abused and you end up sacrificing what makes you happy instead.

These are just some of the signs that you might be falling in love. What other signs can you think of, or you have experienced, when falling in love?

Feature Image: Original Photo by Alan Quirvan on Unsplash.

Feb

2021

5 Habits to Adapt for Better Beauty

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Here are 5 habits to adapt for better beauty. These will help to usher you on your way to better beauty and even better health. Try to adapt one habit at a time each week so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Once you’ve integrated all these habits into your daily routine; you will feel better and your face and body will show it too.

In our pursuit of “getting things done” in our daily lives; we often forget ourselves. We have established a certain routine that enables us to accomplish all our tasks for the day. However, we often forget to take care of our personal needs. Then, one day we look in the mirror and we are surprised at the person looking back at us.

Our daily routine mostly consists of waking up, working on our jobs and clocking out from work. After work, we might watch some TV at home, or browse through our social media accounts on our phones. Finally, we go to sleep. Most of us really don’t schedule “alone time” or “me time” during our waking hours.

1. Start your morning fresh.

In the morning, take the time to enjoy your “alone time”. Freshen up to greet the rest of the day. Invest in a facial cleanser and moisturizer that you can use daily. Don’t start the day looking and feeling tired, even if you didn’t get much sleep the night before. This is one of the easiest habits that you can adapt for better beauty.

Pressed for time? Splash water on your face to wake up and look fresh. It’s better than facing the day with an oily or sweaty face. Start the day with some personal care to show yourself some love.

2. Treat yourself to a mini-pampering session.

All of us have low-energy times during the day. This is when we are least productive at work or when tiredness hits us; and we just want to sit or lay down and do nothing. That’s what 15-minute breaks at work are for. Use this time to really give yourself a period of rest.

Try to take a power nap. You can do this in your chair if it allows you to be in a comfortable position to do so. Or use your desk space. Use a small pillow to support your back or neck for taking a nap in a sitting position. Use an alarm to make sure you wake up after your break time.

Can’t take a nap? Then at least rest your eyes. Just sit in your chair. Put your feet up if possible, lean back and close your eyes for the duration of your break time. Ask your office mates not to disturb you while you’re resting your eyes.

Integrate these habits throughout your working day so you can get a rest in between intense work. It will revitalize you so you can be more productive and you will reduce eye fatigue.

If you have other mini-pampering routines that takes you 15 minutes or less to do; then try them out as well.

3. Slow down at night.

The night time is a natural signal for the body to slow down and rest. So take the time to prep your face and body for sleeping. Clean your face and moisturize and do the same for your body.

While you are hurrying out the door in the morning, do the opposite at night. Take the time to massage your face as you clean and moisturize. Take the time to massage your body too and imagine washing away the day’s stress as you scrub away. This is one of the leisurely habits that you will definitely enjoy in your beauty routine.

If you like scents, then spray your room or use a diffuser with your favorite calming scent such as lavender. This gives your space the ambiance of a spa and can really help you slow down. You will really feel that your beauty routine is a treat.

4. Keep things simple.

One of the best ways to be able to stick to a routine is to keep it simple. “Cleanse and moisturize” is the basic routine for maintaining clean and healthy skin. Similarly, stick to products with simple ingredients so you detoxify your skin as you apply your products. Keeping things simple ensures that you will be able to integrate these habits more easily into your beauty routine.

Check the labels and opt for natural products with as few ingredients as possible. Stay away from products that have a long list of ingredients especially the ones with ingredients you can’t even pronounce. Remember that not all products labeled “natural” or “organic” are actually natural or organic; so make it a habit to read the label.

Now, not all products with few ingredients maybe effective for you or to your liking. So take the time to try out the products. This way, you can find the one that suits you and your skin type the most. This is one way to show your skin and body some love.

5. Prioritize sleep.

When you’re young, you have the energy to not sleep for a couple of days. You are still able to show up bright and alert the next morning. However, sleepless nights take a toll on your skin and body. In the long run, the damage will show up in your face too. You can’t escape it but good sleeping habits can help delay aging.

So be sure to prioritize taking care of your health and get enough sleep. Going for a late night out once or twice a week maybe acceptable. More than that will definitely affect your immune system and your productivity at work.

If you’re a party animal, rein in some of that energy. Focus it on pampering yourself at night so you can enjoy a good sleep. Then maybe go out once a week to let the party animal in you have some fun.

The key here is moderation. Listen to your body. If the party animal in you is eager to enjoy another night out but your body wants some sleep; then take a rain check on that invitation and fulfill your sleep requirements instead. Your body will thank you for it.

Adapt these 5 beauty habits and in time; you’ll find yourself smiling each time you look at yourself in the mirror. You may even receive compliments about your skin and having a pretty glow to your face. But remember to keep everything in moderation, even the number of times you look at yourself in the mirror.

Updated. First Published on Pinoy Smart Living on 10.07.2018.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash.

Feb

2021

Lessons from “Think and Grow Rich”

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The lessons from “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill has inspired many other publications that expand on the many principles laid out in the book. First published in 1937, the book distills the principles of how to think and grow rich compiled from interviews of 500 successful people over 20 years.

1. Control Your Mind

All ideas that succeeded started from a thought. All inventions started in the mind of its creator. Similar to what we eat influencing our health; what we feed our mind also influences how we think. Your mind is a powerful tool that can also influence your actions. Only you can control your mind. A positive mindset is important for success. If you want to grow and be rich, then control your thoughts so you can think and grow rich. Guide your thoughts to the things that will make you productive and bring you closer to achieving your goals. Instead of reading negative newspaper headlines for example, start reading books on wealth and success.

2. Have A Strong Commitment

The Universe responds to your strong intentions so it is important to attach a burning desire to the outcome that you want. How do you prove your burning desire for something? By doing the actions that will bring you closer to the result. If you really want something; you will work hard for it and do everything you can to succeed. Just as you bring your best self when going out on a date with someone you like; do everything you need to do to show the Universe that you truly want something. Most importantly, have faith that you will succeed and believe in your own abilities to change your life for the better. You will notice that you will start attracting the resources that you need to help you succeed.

3. Have An Organized Plan

In order to start doing any kind of action; you need an organized plan. What does success mean for you? Take the time to plan out your vision and the things you need to do to achieve them. Break down major goals into smaller ones and work on those first. Specify your goals and what steps you need to take to succeed. Put a definite date on when you should have completed your goal and start working on your first steps right away. Remember that in order to change your life; you need to change your habits and replace old ones. Be consistent and persistent in your actions. Keep showing up daily until your new habits become automatic to you.

4. Use Your Energy Smartly

One of the things that can keep us or delay us from success are distractions. These are the small things in our daily lives that stimulate us strongly so that we end up using most of our time on these things instead of being focused working on our goals. Napoleon Hill identifies the 5 major stimulants known to man which you should manage wisely so it helps you in your goals instead of distracting you from them.

Sex (the most powerful)
Love
Music
Money
Friends

This is why you need to be smart about who you spend most of your time with. Be wise in choosing your friends. Surround yourself with people who share your vision and who support you in your goals. Spend more time with people who are also actively working on their goals and who will hold you accountable for your own goals. These are the people who will help keep you on track and focused towards success.

5. Be A Specialist

General knowledge is what we learn in the classroom. We decide what field to specialize in when we get to college. In many fields, generalists usually have lower incomes than specialists. If you want to grow rich, then specializing in a specific field will guarantee a higher income. The more specific but more in-demand the field of specialization is; the higher your potential income will be. Focus on one area of specialization and learn as much as you can and be good, or even the best at it. Maybe you can specialize in something related to what you are passionate about. Once you have succeeded in becoming a specialist in one field; then you can try your hand at learning more about your other interests. Most people who succeed in one field find that they don’t really need to specialize in anything else.

6. Learn from Masterminds

Just because you didn’t get a college education doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. How many high school and college dropouts have already achieved success in their chosen fields? What you can’t learn in the classroom, you can make up for by learning on your own. There are tons of free online resources from which you can learn from. A better way is to learn from more experienced people. The only way to do this is to get yourself a mentor or mentors; whether by knowing them personally or following them on their online channels, or reading their books and/or blogs. By learning from those who have already failed and succeeded; you reduce your own failures and shorten your time to completing your goals.

7. Conquer Your Fears

Most of our fears only exist in our mind and we can control our mind. Worrying constantly will only bog down our thoughts and decrease our motivation to work towards our dreams. There are 6 fears that plague most of our daily thoughts. Conquering these fears will enable us to move forward in the direction of our dream life.

Poverty
A symptom of this is indifference to money or a lack of ambition. To conquer it, tell yourself that what you have is enough and that getting more is easy. Turn your poverty mindset around so you can start putting action into getting out from your poor circumstances.
Criticism
It is normal for people to be nervous in the presence of others. This is usually because we worry about what other people will say about us. This attitude freezes you and destroys your initiative to take action. Instead, stop worrying about what others will say and focus on your own improvement.
Illness
The fear of getting sick can us lazy because we put ourselves in an unhealthy state of mind and body. Focus on maintaining your healthy habits instead. If you feel something wrong, don’t go online and check out what symptom it is. Stop looking for the symptoms and control your thoughts and see how you can start feeling better. Trust your intuition whether you need to see a doctor or you just need to rest for a day from vigorous exercise.
Loss of Love
Some of us don’t want to get into a relationship or are tied to an unhappy one because we fear losing a person’s love for us. Instead of dwelling on being single, try appreciate living by yourself. Learn to love yourself first. Once you’ve learned to have a good relationship with yourself; everything beyond that is a bonus which you will appreciate even more.
Old Age
Accept that growing old is inevitable and think of it as a blessing instead. Getting old makes us much wiser and we are able to make smarter decisions. Our experience and wisdom also enables us to help more people younger than us by sharing with them our own experiences and life lessons.
Death
Just like aging, death is inescapable. So the only way to cure this fear is to live your life to the fullest. Do the things that make you happy. Spend time with the people you love. Go out and experience different things that will become great memories later on. Learn to enjoy each moment and learn to rest when necessary.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash.

Feb

2021

Refreshing Date Ideas for Cheap or For Free!

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Don’t have the budget for a date? No worries! Here are some refreshing date ideas for cheap or for free that you can try.

Staying indoors is always an option with these staycation ideas. Watching movies? Spend on some popcorn and drinks or on other snacks of your choice. One of you got cable? Netflix and chill is definitely a fun option.

A “cheap date” doesn’t have to be a boring or even a negative experience.

No one wants to end up just sitting opposite each other (also called the dinner date) trying to talk. No one wants a date where you end up just sitting beside each other (the inevitable movie date after the dinner). It’s definitely time to try something new. Observing proper etiquette for the new normal when going out for your date is always a must.

Date at the Park

Exploring places near your area is a good way to spend a date without spending too much. Your local park is a good place to start and there are many things you can do. Be sure to check first the park’s opening and closing hours or if they are open at all.

Feed the ducks, the swans, or the fish (whichever animals they have)
Take pictures of things you like and/or of each other
Get a good place to sit and try to sketch each other
Play a board game at any of the available tables and benches (suggestions here and here)
Rent a bike and ride together or learn from each other
Make yourself a couple of sandwiches, bring some drinks and have a picnic
Bring your favorite instruments and practice together or serenade each other
Watch an actual game (e.g., basketball, etc.) or tournament (e.g., chess, etc.) for free
People-watch and make stories of the interactions these persons may have
Watch a concert at the park (usually for free)

Spend Time with Nature

Being surrounded by nature is always a good way to loosen up and get more bonding moments together. Here are some things you can do to get closer to nature and to each other. Time in nature is one of the often taken for granted date ideas that’s cheap or even free.

**Watch the sun set together.**
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels

Do some gardening together (try out these indoor plants)
Go hiking or trekking at a nature trail near you
Go biking thru a trail or a nearby location
Watch the sunset together at the beach or on top of a hill
Visit a public garden and take pictures
Join a free Tai Chi class (usually held in open, public spaces)
Do a photography walk of a local nature trail
Get out a mat and attempt some yoga moves together
Walk your dogs together

Be Sporty Together

Are you both sporty or just want to flex your muscles? Try out some non-contact indoor sports or check out your local listings for some free classes or fund-raising events where participants can join for free. Or, check out your neighborhood for convenient locations where you can indulge in sports activities and learn more about each other.

**Try wall climbing with your date.**
Photo by Allan Mas from Pexels

Workout together (indoors or outdoors)
Do your yoga (indoors or outdoors)
Go walking, hiking, biking or running
Go roller skating or skateboarding
Play badminton or tennis
Go wall climbing
Learn the hula hoop
Join a zumba class (usually for free, in the park and in some malls)
Make your own kite and learn how to fly one (may not be an actual sport but offers a great workout)
Join a free Tai Chi class (outdoors)
Cheer for your local team during their practice or an actual game

Go on A Cheap Adventure

People watching is the cheapest adventure of all. All you need is someone to talk to as you watch people and the world go by. Been there and done that? Try out these other cheap thrills.

A road trip is cheap and fun. — **A road trip can be a fun date experience.**
Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels

Volunteer for a cause (bonding moments + giving back = winner!)
Indulge in some art at the local museum (entrance fees are cheap and sometimes free)
Window shopping for the things you both like
Go to an antique store and browse around and maybe learn some history in the process
Go on a road trip with your local bus or jeepney (be sure to pay the full round trip fare) or on your car (check out these road trip tips)
Travel to the next town and pretend to be tourists
Watch a free movie or concert outdoors (check out your local listings)
Watch a free theater play at your local community
Go to a food market and enjoy some of the free taste offers
Go on a food trip of different street foods
Make a small fire outside and admire the constellations

Date at Home

The weather not permitting you to go out for a date? These are date ideas that you can enjoy indoors for cheap or even for free.

**Serenade each other for a romantic date.**
Photo by Mẫnn Quang from Pexels

Cook together (with whatever ingredients you have on hand)
Have a laugh night with YouTube videos
Draw or sketch each other
Get some crayons and/or water colors and learn how to paint
Play board games or video games (be sure to maintain the sportsman’s spirit)
Play a game of darts, pool, cards, etc.
Learn or practice your favorite instruments (and serenade each other)
Compose a poem or song together, or write a story for a play or movie
Get crafty and make DIY projects like repurposing and decorating shoe boxes
Learn crocheting or have fun with origami
Study a magic trick together
Practice a dance routine or sing-along to your fave songs
Plan a trip together (consider these under rated destinations and check out air travel in the new normal)
Make yourselves some great coffee and just have great conversation

Going out has restrictions at this time. Luckily, a virtual date can be fun. There are many online services offering virtual tours and other fun activities that you and your date can enjoy. Be sure to prepare to look your best for this virtual event.

These are just some refreshing date ideas that you can enjoy for cheap or even for free. Whatever your date plans are, be sure that you both have fun.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 24.10.2018.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Jonathan J. Castellon on Unsplash.

Feb

2021

Must Have Crystals in Your Home

Reading Time: 4 minutes

If you’re just starting out with using crystals, here are some must have crystals that you should consider for your home.

Crystals have been used since ancient times for different purposes. More and more people are adding crystals in their spaces and in their homes. Others even use them as jewelry but they do so for specific purposes. Since crystals are all minerals, their energies connect us with Earth and nature. Even people who don’t believe in their special properties appreciate them for their beauty alone.

SELENITE

Selenite is a good crystal to place in your home’s main entrance or near doorways, a corner of the room, on an altar or window sill. This crystal helps to keep the area free from harmful or negative energy and can raise the vibration of the place so it feels more light and airy. You can use this crystal to cleanse your other crystals especially those that you often use as jewelry. Just place them near Selenite over night and they are ready to use the next day.

HIMALAYAN SALT (HALITE)

Himalayan salt is a natural pink salt that is known for its cleansing properties. It produces ions when warmed which helps cleanse the space and protect it from negative energies. This crystal can be placed near entrances and doorways; in the corner of a room or bedroom and in your home office to ward off EMFs (electromagnetic fields).

BLACK TOURMALINE

Black Tourmaline has powerful protection energies. It helps protect your space from negative influences and negative energy in the environment. This crystal is also very grounding which is helpful for releasing stress. Similar to Selenite, you can place this crystal near doorways and window sills and in the corner of a room.

ROSE QUARTZ

Traditionally associated with enhancing love, Rose Quartz can help bring a calming and soothing atmosphere to the space. It helps in attracting and encourages loving relationships, bringing about family harmony in your home. This crystal is also helpful in developing self love as well as attracting new romantic relationships. Place this crystal in areas of the home where family members usually gather such as in the living room and dining table or in your bedroom.

CITRINE

Citrine is a crystal that is good to place in your home office as it helps to attract abundance, success and prosperity. Just like its color, it also helps to warm up the area with the energy of sunshine and encourages positive thinking. It is also good to place it on the dining table and the altar as well as in places where you usually store your money or valuables.

AMETHYST

Amethyst is a crystal with very high spiritual vibration. It works to transmute negative energies and offers psychic protection. For people who are deeply sensitive or intuitive; this crystal supports spiritual growth and psychic development. This is a good crystal to work with during meditation. Place this crystal on your altar, library, yoga or meditation space. Don’t place it near windows or direct sunlight to avoid fading.

CLEAR QUARTZ

Clear quartz is a crystal that enhances the energy of other crystals. This crystal can be programmed for any intention. Clear quartz has healing properties that helps to cleanse a space, enhance mental focus and mental clarity. This crystal can be placed in most parts of the home.

REMINDERS

For the home, bigger crystals in solid shapes or in their raw form are recommended. They also look great for decorative purposes.

Create a sacred space for where you put your crystals. Experiment by placing crystals in different areas and see where they feel and look most suited to be placed.

Just like you regularly clean your home, crystals should also be cleansed regularly. They are sensitive tools that pick-up different energies from people and places. Cleaning them regularly will keep their energies pure and effective. If your home has experienced challenging situations, your crystals will also need to be cleansed. This will help you and the whole family start anew or move on from the situation.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash.

Feb

2021

5 Steps to Create New Habits and Break Old Ones, people

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Check out 5 steps that you can start following right away to create new habits and break old ones.

The goal of new year’s resolutions it to create new habits and break old ones. We are all looking forward to changing our lives and ourselves for the better. We want to change some things in our life that we feel are not working for us anymore. Before listing down the things that you want to change; you need to understand first how to start forming new habits and how to change or break old ones.

For convenience, the first 4 steps are abbreviated into CURE. You can memorize these steps as CURE & REVIEW. So these are the steps to CURE you of your bad habits and create new ones.

1. Identify your CUEs.

Your daily routine consists of small habits that you do one after the other in regular succession. Identify what your current habits are. This way, you can see where best to insert a new habit in your current routine.

Write down your whole day’s routine. Find out which of your existing habits can best serve as a CUE. Your cue will remind or trigger you to add a new habit and/or change the habit after it.

For example, if you want to start a flossing habit, it’s best to do it right after brushing. If you want to start a meditation habit; maybe it’s best to do so right after you wake up, before you exercise, or before your breakfast.

Pick the current habit that provides the best time and mood to add in the new habit right after.

2. UNCOMPLICATE the process.

To further reinforce the new habit that you are trying to create; make sure you make it easy on yourself to follow the new habit and/or to break the old one.

For example, place all your flossing materials right beside your toothbrush and toothpaste so you can easily access it. To ensure silence for your meditation practice, pick early morning, right after waking up when everyone else is still asleep. You may also do it when everyone else has gone to work and/or school. This way, you can have the house all to yourself and won’t be interrupted. You can opt to meditate when you arrive early in the office instead of immediately going out to buy coffee. This is how you can create new habits and break old ones.

Make it easier for you to integrate these new habits. Make it easy to slide them into your existing routine so you don’t struggle to practice them consistently. Prepare everything you need to do it. Have them readily available and easily accessible. Work it into your daily routine little by little.

3. REPEAT until it becomes routine.

I’m sure you’ve heard that doing something consistently for at least 21 days (3 weeks) ensures that the habit sticks. This may or may not be true. However, the principle behind it is effective. In fact, why not go the whole length and practice for the whole month?

Different people need different lengths of time to repeat a habit until it becomes second nature to them. By that time it has already become part of their routine. The type of habit and the requirements to fulfill the activity are also major factors in determining the length of time needed for repetition.

What’s important is that you repeat the action required consistently; until such time that it has seamlessly integrated into your daily routine. Usually, after several repetitions, people are surprised to find themselves doing the new habit automatically; they don’t even need to tell themselves to do it. They just automatically reach for the floss and do it right after brushing, for example. Or they just automatically sit down and close their eyes for meditation right after waking up.

Be patient with yourself and repeat your new habit consistently until it becomes a natural part of your regular activities.

4. Remind yourself of your EXPECTATIONS with a reward.

When you successfully perform a new habit, don’t forget to acknowledge yourself for doing it. There is no need for an actual, tangible reward for this. A verbal or mental reward to remind you of how well you are doing, and why you are doing it will do. This is one secret to successfully create new habits and break old ones.

Your habits should be helping you achieve a larger goal. This is a good way to maintain a positive outlook throughout the habit-formation process. This will constantly remind you of the end result that you are expecting by forming these habits.

For example, right after you floss; tell yourself that you’ve been a good flosser today. Remind yourself that as you do this you expect to maintain your healthy teeth and gums. Make sure to smile to yourself in the mirror as you think or say these things to yourself. This will reinforce the idea that this habit is makes you feel good, and will make you feel even healthier as you keep doing it.

That was a lengthy explanation for what should be happening in your brain, your self-talk, as you integrate these new habits into your routine, but you get the drift. So be consistent and constantly reward yourself for your efforts and reinforce your expectations each time.

5. REVIEW and adjust your strategy.

Give yourself adequate time to integrate a new habit and lose an old one. However, if you find it difficult the first few times, make sure to review and try out new strategies. Be patient until you achieve a method or process that is successful.

Once you’ve successfully integrated a new habit; this is also a good time to review why it worked. Try to apply a similar process to integrate another new habit that you want to develop.

We hope that these tips help you create new habits that better yourself and replace old habits with better ones!

While you are in the process of breaking old habits; did you know that the most successful people in the world practice the same morning habits? Learn more about the morning habits of highly successful people. This will help inspire you to develop new, helpful habits to improve yourself.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 01.04.2019.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash.

Jan

2021

Must-Try Street Foods in The Philippines

Reading Time: 8 minutes

There are must-try street foods in the Philippines that you can enjoy from delicious desserts to treats that dare your taste buds.

One of the things we enjoy when traveling, especially on a road trip, is getting to enjoy the local food delicacies. These must-try street foods can be found in most cities in the Philippines. Some have even made their way on the menus of many popular restaurants.

Street Foods to Cool You Down

These cooling treats are good for a snack after you’ve been exploring the sights and sounds of the town. These street foods are popular snacks or breakfast items in the Philippines.

Buko Juice

A refreshing treat to any thirsty traveler, buko juice (juice from young coconut) is a popular item in the carts of most street food vendors. A deep ladle is used to scoop up a serving of the buko juice. The serving does not only contain the coconut juice but also shaved slivers of the coconut meat. It is a refreshing drink to cool you down and give you energy for your next activity.

Taho

If you have no time for an actual sit-down breakfast, then taho is a go-to morning fix. Taho is made of fresh, soft or silken tofu, topped with a few scoops of arnibal (sugar syrup) and sago pearls. The sago pearls are tasteless and just add texture to the whole thing. Some people prefer to consume their taho without sago pearls and just drink it like a smoothie. It’s a good protein energizer to start your day.

Sorbetes

Sorbetes is a Filipino ice cream. It is usually sold from colorful, wooden carts with wheels. It’s also referred to as “dirty ice cream” for being sold in the streets and not because it’s not clean. You can choose from popular flavors such as chocolate and even vanilla. Or try out Filipino flavors like ube (purple yam), queso (cheese), mango and coconut. You can have it served in a regular cone or cup or even a bread bun.

Halo-Halo

If you want layers of textures and sweetness in a glass, then go for a serving of halo-halo. Halo-halo is usually served in a tall glass or bowl and consists of crushed ice, sweet beans, jelly, tapioca pearls, sweetened fruits (usually banana and jackfruit), milk, ice cream, leche flan, toasted rice and purple yam.

Aside from how colorful it looks, the ingredients are supposed to be mixed together and then enjoyed. There are some variants with less ingredients. These are perfect when you want to cool down on a hot day.

Made from Bananas

Ripe, saba bananas are main ingredients in many must-try street foods in the Philippines. They are then deep-fried and sweetened with caramelized sugar.

Turon

Turon is a popular food for on-the-go office workers. It is made from ripe, saba bananas cut in half and slivers of jackfruit wrapped in lumpia wrapper, deep fried until crispy. This is similar to an egg roll without the egg. The treat is sweet and creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Banana Cue

You will usually find the banana cue or banana q sold right next to the turon. Banana cue is made from ripe, saba bananas and deep fried with brown sugar. Once bananas are cooked and sugar is caramelized; these are then skewered. 2-3 bananas can be on a stick depending on the size of the bananas.

The sweet banana and burnt sugar coating is what you will appreciate in this treat. An alternative is the camote cue made from sweet potatoes.

Maruya

Maruya are banana fritters made from mashed or sliced ripe, saba bananas. The banana is usually sliced to make it fan out. These are then dipped in a flour batter and deep fried. Traditionally, they are served dusted lightly with powdered, white sugar while still warm.

Kakanin Street Foods

Kakanin are Filipino delicacies made from glutinous rice. These street foods are popular in the Philippines for their different textures and sweetness. The ingredients usually include coconut milk and sugar.

Carioca

Carioca are round, sweet and chewy delicacies usually covered with a sugary syrup. They are made from sweet, glutinous rice flour, shredded coconut and coconut milk. The dough is shaped into small, round balls and deep fried until golden.

They are usually skewered and can be served plain or smothered in sticky caramel sauce. Another popular sauce is the creamy glaze of coconut milk and sugar known as latik.

Puto

Puto is a steamed cake snack which is usually made from ground rice, steamed and served with butter or grated coconut. Alternative recipes make it with cake flour. Variations also include ube (purple yam), pandan and even matcha. It can also be topped with cheese or salted egg. Some have even made ones topped with ham and/or bacon similar to an egg frittata.

Kutsinta

Kutsinta or puto kutsinta is a rice cake with a jelly-like texture. It is made from a mixture of rice flour, brown sugar and sodium hydroxide (or caustic soda also known as lye). Yellow coloring or annatto extract is added to give it its color. The puto is then steamed in small ramekins and topped with grated coconut or added syrp (latik) for more sweetness.

Holiday Street Foods

Some street foods are usually made during holidays and festivities. Make sure to note them down in your bucket list of must-try street foods in the Philippines. But occasionally, a street vendor may be found serving up some of these treats. These are mostly kakanin but they deserve their own section.

Biko

Biko is made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk. The cooking process is quite tedious and needs a lot of muscle to mix the the ingredients as the coconut milk becomes thicker and the brown sugar caramelizes.

The biko is usually served with latik on top. Latik is the crispy bits of coconut meat that was leftover from the coconut cream. This is usually taken out when the coconut cream has started thickening and before the glutinous rice is added for cooking.

Bibingka

Bibingka is usually eaten during the Christmas season. It is a popular street food for church-goers who are on their way back home after attending the Simbang Gabi (night mass). Thus, they are usually sold outside churches.

It is usually made from galapon; a slightly fermented, soaked glutinous rice, ground into paste. It is then combined with coconut milk or water. In modern variations, regular rice flour and secondary ingredients such as eggs and milk are used.

The cooking process is quite tedious involving a specially made clay container and banana leaves for cooking. The result is a soft and spongy flat cake which is usually slightly charred on both sides and infused with the aroma of toasted banana leaves.

Puto Bumbong

This is another street food delicacy served during the Christmas season. It is a rice cake made from black, glutinous rice (puto) called “pirurutong”. It is then cooked in bamboo (bumbong). Usually, it is served with margarine, grated coconut and granulated palm sugar. Puto bumbong and bibingka are usually sold together by street vendors during the holiday season and on other special occasions.

Suman

Suman is another rice cake made from glutinous rice, cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves for steaming. It is served sprinkled with white sugar or with latik. A variant of suman uses cassava instead of glutinous rice.

Cassava Cake

Cassava cake is similar to a rice cake, except that it’s made from cassava (yuca) root. The cassava is already starchy so some recipes use little flour or none at all. The ingredients usually include grated cassava, macapuno or sweetened shredded coconut, coconut milk, condensed milk and eggs. The cassava cake can be eaten at room temperature or cold.

Savory Street Foods

Of course, savory street foods are must-try street foods in the Philippines. These are grilled or deep fried foods that you can eat alone or pair with rice for a hearty meal. If you prefer to tusok (skewer) them straight from the pan; remember not to double dip on the sauce jars. Get a separate container for your own dipping sauce instead. Observe proper etiquette when traveling to another place.

Kwek-Kwek & Tokneneng

Kwek-Kwek are quail eggs while Tokneneng are chick or duck eggs. They are coated in an orange colored batter (annatto seeds are used for color) and deep fried. They are usually dipped in vinegar with chillies and onions before eating to get the savory taste. Another popular dipping sauce option is a sweet, soy dipping sauce.

Fish & Squid Balls

As the names suggest, fish balls and squid balls are usually deep fried together in the same pan. Customers use a skewer to pick-up as much of balls as they want to eat and pay the vendor afterwards. They can also be served skewered or not, in paper containers. Choice of dipping sauce include sweet or sweet and spicy made from caramelized sugar, garlic and fish stock or the plain vinegar dip.

Kikiam & Dinamita

Kikiam usually have fish meat, flour and spices and are about the size of a finger. Dinamita (dynamite) are green finger chillies stuffed with processed cheese and rolled in spring roll wrapper. They are both deep fried to a golden brown and share the same dipping sauce options as the other savory street foods.

Chicken Skin

Chicken skin is covered in batter and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. This is one of the popular choices to eat with rice. You won’t be able to skewer these though. They are usually served in cups with your choice of dipping sauces in separate containers.

Grilled Street Foods

Grilled street foods are mostly different meats with different marinades or basting sauces but usually sharing the same dipping options as savory, deep fried, street foods.

Dried Squid

If you want a chewy snack, then grilled, dried squid is one of the must-try foods you should search for in the Philippines. It is a chewy treat that is delicious and filling when dipped in the usual vinegar with chillies and onion cocktail.

Isaw (Pork or Chicken)

Isaw refers to barbecued pig or chicken intestines. These are thoroughly cleaned, then boiled, skewered and grilled. It is typically served with the spiced vinegar dip.

Helmets & Adidas

Helmet and Adidas is used to refer to chicken heads and chicken feet. Just like isaw, they are skewered and grilled over charcoal. The ever popular spiced vinegar is the dip of choice for this street food.

Walkman

Walkman refers to marinated pieces of sliced pig’s ears which are also grilled. The name is in honor of Sony’s iconic cassette player as this street food became popular as the same time as the said device.

Not for The Faint of Heart

As if grilled innards are not enough of a challenge, some must-try street foods in the Philippines take more courage to try out than others. If your motto is to try something once; then level up your street food experience with these items.

Balunbalunan

This is chicken gizzard prepared and grilled just like isaw. It has a chewier, more rubbery texture than isaw which is almost similar to that of fresh, grilled squid.

Betamax

Betamax got its name after the black tapes of the 70’s (before VHS) that it resembles. It is grilled, coagulated pork or chicken blood. Your read that right, but it doesn’t have any foul taste or smell. The taste mostly depends on the dipping sauce that you choose.

Balut

Balut is a fertilized chicken or duck egg incubated for 14-21 days, boiled and eaten directly from its shell. The ideal incubation time is 17 days where the embroyo is completely soft. Those who are regular customers of this fare like the “soup” and yolk part. Others won’t touch the embroyo. It is often seasoned with salt and/or a chili, garlic and vinegar cocktail. It can be eaten on its own if you don’t chicken out.

A version of this is the “penoy” which are eggs that don’t properly develop after 9-12 days. This is like a hard-boiled egg with no separation between the yolk and egg white.

These are just some of the must-try street foods that you can explore in the Philippines. A food trip to explore these local food items can be considered a worthy travel goal. Street food culture is continually evolving so there may be new delicacies to explore that are not on this list. What street foods have you tried?

Feature Image: Original Photo by Anh Vy on Unsplash.

Jan

2021

10 Ways to Help You Work Through Grief

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Grief is a journey that you go through as a natural response to the death of something or someone significant in your life. This journey involves going through a roller coaster of emotions – from shock, anger, guilt, denial, sadness, fear – all of which can be overwhelming. Going through grief also affects your physical health. Most people find it difficult to sleep, eat or even think about other things aside from their loss.

Going through a period of grief can be an intense experience which means that taking care of yourself while on this journey is even more important. There are ways to help you work through your grief while being able to live your life as normally as possible.

Grief has 5 stages and people usually go through each one to start the healing process. How long each stage lasts is different for everyone. Some people are able to easily accept their loss and are quicker to move on.

Denial – you can’t believe what has happened
Anger – you don’t understand why this has happened and you want to know who or what to blame
Bargaining – you want to undo what has happened in exchange for something that you promise you will do
Depression – you feel too sad about what happened that you can’t do anything else
Acceptance – you feel at peace with what happened

Whichever stage of grief you are, here are some things you can do to better take care of yourself in this period and start you on the healing process.

1. Accept Your Grief

Trying to hide your pain is not a cool thing to do. Everyone who learns about your loss will know that you are grieving so don’t run from the pain and sorrow. You need to accept the fact that you will be experiencing these emotions as you work through your loss.

2. Ask and Accept Support

You cannot work through your grief by yourself so don’t hesitate to ask for and accept help from friends and family and your community. During this time, let others take care of you and help you when you need assistance. A shoulder to cry on when you suddenly can’t fight the urge to cry and someone to just listen as you air your worries are very helpful at these times.

3. Listen to Advise from the Experienced

Words of encouragement from people who have gone through the same experience can provide you with guidance on how to process your own emotions. Learn their stories and how they coped and see how you can apply it to your own path to healing. This will help you work through your grief in your own way.

4. Learn More About Grief

Most people shut themselves out from the world when grieving. You might need some days to be alone but instead of just focusing on your sorrow and fears, try to learn about what you are going through.

There are many myths surrounding the process of grief like the belief that grieving should last about a year. Different individuals have different coping mechanisms and how long it takes to process their grief will vary with each person.

Learning more about grief can also make you aware if you are actually in a state of depression. Depression and grief often have the same symptoms so if you are depressed, then you will need to seek specific help.

5. Accept Your Feelings

Grief can bring up many different feelings some of which can be very intense. You may feel anger, sadness, regret and even longing. Don’t hold them in. Acknowledge them and accept that you need to express them as part of the natural grieving process. Know that once you have expressed these feelings, they can help you work out your grief.

6. Express Your Grief

The best way to work through your grief is to let it out. You can cry, scream and yell if you need to or express your emotions through music, art, writing, even dance. Grief usually hits us emotionally when we are alone so when you feel the urge to express your grief, don’t ignore it. Expressing your grief is the only way to honor your feelings, work through your grief and move you closer to acceptance and healing.

7. Make Sure to Rest

Grieving can be physically exhausting. It takes a lot of energy to let out emotions that you are feeling so intensely. So don’t push yourself too hard to get back to your normal activities. Rest when you need to instead of going out with friends or take a leave from work for a day or two if you think you need it.

8. Do Something You Enjoy

Raise your spirits by doing something that you enjoy. Indulge in a favorite hobby or learn a new one to distract you from your grief from time to time. Whether you do something by yourself or with others, doing something you enjoy will help you feel better instead of just focusing on your pain and sorrow.

9. Laugh More

Laughter is the best medicine and it works even with grief. Grieving people sometimes feel guilty about having fun. They feel that sharing a laugh with a friend is like dishonoring the memory of their loved one. However, if their loved one was still around, wouldn’t they want those left behind to still enjoy life? Not only will laughter help you feel better, it can also take you back to memory lane when you and your loved one had fun times. This is also a good way to process your grief. Start the day with a smile and see how your mood changes.

10. Keep Believing

Although it may feel that your grief will last forever, know that it will not. Keep believing that you will one day heal and be able to accept the loss of your loved one or a relationship with a peaceful heart. Believe that you will wake up one day feeling whole and complete again and be able to honor the memory of your loved one in everything that you do for yourself, for your family, your friends and your community.

The process of grieving is different for each person but the support of friends and family as well as colleagues at work is important during this time. If you know someone who is grieving, then make sure to offer your support to help them work through their emotions. Keep in mind these tips when offering support to those in grief.

Most importantly, don’t forget to cherish your loved ones while you still can so you don’t have too many regrets. If you have gone through a loss, what did you do to process your grief?

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2019.06.26.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash.

Jan

2021

Style Comebacks Is The 2021 Fashion Trend

Reading Time: 5 minutes

It seems that style comebacks is the 2021 fashion trend. Decluttering was one of the ways we tried to calm down our anxieties and our boredom last year. If you have organized your closet and are just left with your closet must-haves; then it’s time to look at what you could add to it this year.

If you haven’t thrown out your clothes from several seasons ago, then you’re in luck. This year, it seems that the fashion styles from the past are making a come back. So you might want to shop your parents’s and grandparents’ closets instead.

Here are some of the fashion trends that are predicted to be popular this year.

Comfortable Loungewear

If you still have that matchy-matchy top and bottom loungewear hidden away, then it’s time to take them out. Comfortable loungewear have been elevated to outdoor wear. You can wear them to your office or get togethers. Just make sure they still look appropriate and you don’t look like you’re wearing sleep wear instead. The point here is to dress for comfort without discounting style.

Stay comfortable and stylish in loungewear.
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Pastel Colors + Metallics + Khakis

For those who still want to retain the minimalist vibe, clothing in pastel colors and reliable khaki bottoms will keep you looking stylish. Matching pastel wear, like loungewear, are in. Khaki skirts and pants are also going to be reliable bottoms for almost any kind of shirt or blouse including metallic tops! Metallic clothing is also back in style so you can now rock that sleek, shiny number you have hidden in your closet.

Khakis will compliment your classic, minimalist look.
Photo by Marionel Luciano on Unsplash

High-Waist & Big Jeans

Something else you can pair your stylish tops with are high-wasted jeans or big jeans. While we are already familiar with the high-waisted jeans trend, big jeans are making a comeback. Now you don’t have to be relegated to the skinny jeans for your outings because comfy, big jeans are back in style. Who knew that mom jeans will be part of the style comebacks that is the 2021 fashion trend?

High-waisted and big jeans are back again.
Photo by Kai Gabriel on Unsplash

Bra Tops + Bold Shoulders + Sweater Vests

You can pair your khakis and big jeans with bra tops and blouses with bold shoulders. There are different styles to choose from so be as bold or as classic as you want or get a style that satisfies both categories. For plain tops , sweater vests can add that stylish flair and keep you comfy in cool weather too.

Pick a toned down, bold shoulder top for a casual daytime look.
Photo by Khaled Ghareeb on Unsplash

Oversized Button Downs + Cut-Outs

We’ve seen the boyfriend shirt. This year, it’s time to own that oversized look. Oversized button downs in different styles and colors will be a comfortable fashion staple this year. You can pair them with khakis or big jeans or shorts for your grocery runs. For a bit of flair, cut-outs are still in. Wear them for a casual lunch with the girls or an elegant dinner.

Cut-outs and crochet? They’re both back!
Photo by Monica Silva on Unsplash

Florals & Tie Dyes

Florals are making a comeback as well. You don’t need to wear them just for summer. Tie dyes on the other hand do have a place in your closet for doing your errands or for road trips. Since both styles are quite eye-catching, make sure that they are still appropriate wear for the occasions you wear them to. You don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons.

Floral patterns are in again.
Photo by Tamara Bellis on Unsplash.

Netting + Crochet + Cinched Waists + Stylish Collars

Accessories can help your style stand out even more. Layering your plain tops with netting or a crochet vest adds a unique touch to your attire. If you’re wearing clothes with a lot of volume or quite flowy; then a belt can come in handy to give you back your shape. Take out your stylish belts and use them to cinch your waist for added style. Want to achieve a classic look? Try a top that has an interesting collar or accessorize your plain shirt with one. By the way, turtlenecks are also still on trend.

A cinched waist is still on trend.
Photo by Tamara Bellis on Unsplash

Trench Coats + Statement Coats + Windbreakers

For colder weather, trench coats are still preferred in classic cuts and neutral colors but in trendier styles. If it’s not that cold then a bright, colorful, statement coat is a great way to stay warm and fashionable at the same time. For a more sporty feel, windbreakers can act as a fashionable top while battling windy or rainy weather.

Your reliable windbreaker is still in style.
Photo by Ed Zavala on Unsplash

Flat Platforms

If you’ve still got a pair of these still lying around then it’s their time to shine. Take them out and see which fashion trend you can try them out with. They can go with any of the clothes you have as long as they are in a neutral color. You can also go with plain colored or minimalist attire and let your bright colored shoes pop instead.

Sustainability + Androgynous Tailoring

One of the things you will love about the 2021 fashion trend is it’s focus on sustainability. Clothing manufacturers and fashion trend setters are now more aware and focused on choosing items that are made from sustainable materials and processed that way as well.

Also, for people who want to try out some items from the men’s isle and vice versa, androgynous tailoring will give you that opportunity. Now you can have a couple vest or couple blazer to match each other.

These are some of the style comebacks of the 2021 fashion trend that you can watch out for. Considering a new wardrobe? Try out these tips on how to get a new wardrobe.

Do you have any of these clothings items in your closet? If yes, then lucky you. If not, then what styles do you want to try? What other fashion trends do you wish to see come back?

Featured Image: Original Photo by freestocks on Unsplash.

Jan

2021

How to Move On In Life

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Almost all of us are wondering how to move on in life after the challenges we’ve been thru. Most of us end up lost and clueless after difficult times. We are usually uncertain of what our next steps should be. Life goes on but we feel stuck instead.

While we may not be in our best shape after going though life’s trials; we still need to do what we can to move on and get closer to the life we want. Here are some tips to help you get a move on and away from a negative life experience.

Accept and Be Thankful

Accepting that a situation is what it is should be your first step to moving on. That means accepting the fact that you and the other people involved made mistakes; that the situation maybe irreparable; and that it will take some time to mend each other’s hurts and clear up the situation.

Stop day dreaming about what could have been or the what if’s. Accept the fact that this chapter in your life is now a permanent part of your history. But remember that this chapter does not define your whole life. You can close this chapter whenever you want to.

Acceptance also means that you acknowledge your own flaws and mistakes but you don’t dwell on blaming yourself or the other parties. Remember that you are more than that one broken piece of you. Instead, you should use the situation to learn life lessons. What did you like and did not like about the persons/situation? What can you do next time to avoid the same issues? Take stock of what this person or situation has taught you and be grateful for it.

Being accepting also means that you allow yourself to feel what you feel. Don’t pretend like you’re okay. Cry if you have to; get a friend to whom you can rant to. Write a letter that describes all the gory details while you’re crying instead of bottling up your emotions. Just don’t send it to anyone though.

The point is to feel what you need to feel so that in the future, you can be more aware when a situation has taken a wrong turn; and that is, when you start feeling the same emotions again. Take the time to purge yourself of your negative emotions or to rechannel it. But don’t dwell too long in that negative space. Learn to forgive yourself and promise to do better.

Give yourself a day or two; then take a deep breath and take the next step on how to move on in life. This step is based on your own personal circumstances so it will be different for each one but the next tip should help.

Re-Invest in Your Self

Most of us forget to take care of our selves in our pursuit of success and happiness in the different areas of our life. One of the best things you can do for your self after a challenging life experience is to re-invest in yourself.

Take stock of your own self value. We often forget our own value as we try to please other people in our lives; be it our romantic partner, our work colleagues or boss, or even the expectations of our family members.

You have invested so much of your time and energy into other things that you might have forgotten to give your self some love. Now is the time to indulge in self-care practices to show yourself some love. This is also one way to start your own healing process.

Remember what you were passionate about as a child. As a child, what were your dreams then? What are you good at doing or making? What qualities do you like in other people?

Learning the wonderful things about yourself helps you to identify the qualities that you also value in others. This is what you can share with other people and what other people appreciate about you. We often forget these wonderful aspects of our personalities as we adjust our attitudes and behavior to blend in with our community and environment.

Remembering what makes you who you are and what you can offer to the world will not only boost your sense of self-worth and confidence; it will also help you to figure out how you can utilize your unique talents and abilities to transform your self into the successful person you’ve always wanted to be.

Focus on Change

The time after a storm is when you can see a clearer picture of what you can do and what you can change to transform things for the better. The same is true for personal challenges. When the storm of your life has passed, take stock of what you can do at the moment to change things and improve your situation. You can begin again.

Focus on what you can control. You can’t control what other people think, feel or do. So focus on what you can do on your own to start making change. Now that you have decided to close this chapter; it is the perfect time to start planning out the rest of your life.

Go back to your vision board; consult your bucket list. Review your goals and see which ones you still want to pursue and which ones to discard.

Define what success means for you. Plan out some fun times in your life. Envision the kind of people you want to hang out with; the relationships you want to have. Write down your ideal life story. Break down your goals into measurable chunks. Finally, outline the small steps that you can start working on to start making the change you want.

Of course, planning out the rest of your life will take more than a day. Taking the time to clarify what is important to you will be worth it in the long run. You are building the foundation for the rest of your future so don’t rush through the process. How you want to live your life is your personal responsibility so step up to the challenge.

Most importantly, be consistent in showing up for yourself and doing your best. Believe in yourself and trust that the Universe has your back.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash.