Have you spent a lot of time in isolation during 2020? Perhaps you have used the time to improve yourself beyond where you were last year. I hope you did something more constructive than watching hours of television each night before falling asleep.

In my days of social isolation due to the pandemic, I was able to learn a lot about myself. I discovered that I am a person who likes to have friends around- but also that I needed to center my mind toward achieving the life I have always dreamed of.

Here are my…

 

5 Ways Isolation Gets You Back to Center

1. No pointless chit-chat.

   As much as I enjoy socializing and meeting new people, I really don’t love pointless chit-chat all that much. I am a lover of deep conversations where I can get beyond superficial masks. Chit chat takes time and brain power away from talking about real things. Not wasting time discussing mindless subjects was the first step toward reaching the real version of myself, and I am getting closer to it each day.

2. You can fully relax

   Feeling natural in your own skin is something that you might have taken for granted, depending on what you did before the 2020 Pandemic. I used to work in a very conservative environment, so the only times I could truly be myself was when I laid down my head at night.

   When you don’t feel like you can be yourself in your environment, you are pushed and pulled into the shapes of what other people around you want to see. You can’t relax because you are always trying to hold your new shape, and you don’t feel happy because you are in constant fear of being singled out. Isolation can provide you with the freedom to be yourself; and you will find ways to relax that you never thought were possible.

3. Slow your pace.

   When you are in isolation, you have the ability to slow your pace to a speed that works for you. I am not talking about loafing around all day- I am talking about achieving your goals at a pace that is not dictated by an external force like a boss standing behind you or a work whistle blowing. By moving at your own pace, you are able to take inventory of your process in ways that work for you, since your clock is the only one that matters.

4.  You are forced to think.

   When a trip to the grocery store will take you an extra 25 minutes to wait in a line due to the 2020 Pandemic, you are forced to think a lot more about whether you really need the item.

   It forces you to think whether an extra bottle of Vodka is truly necessary in light of how long and how much effort it will take. When you are in isolation, you may even need to consider things like your spending habits, which may have been in excess before the Pandemic. Being forced to think about how much you really need something is not a bad thing, since you will likely do just fine without it.

5. Promotes gratitude

   Isolation promotes your ability to be grateful for human relationships that fulfill your spirit. One quote that comes to mind is that “distance makes the heart grow fonder”. I think that in the absence of human contact, I have longed for that closeness that comes from great conversations and time spent with friends.

   I am so grateful for the people in my life that have supported me, and this became very clear to me during my time at home. I think that it is important to remember that each one of us is the by-product of every interaction and experience in life; so in order to have a genuine love for yourself, you must embrace those things as well.

 

What did you learn during time spent in isolation? Leave your comments in the section below, and thanks for stopping by.

Stephanie

 

So, you are in the process of changing your life. Maybe you are about to change your job, begin a new hobby, or some other exciting lifestyle change. No matter what it is that you are about to do, you have concerns that you may not be making a sound decision.

Sometimes we lie to ourselves through a lens of “toxic positivity”. Sometimes the person with the problem, is you, and the way you are seeing a situation. A great way to address this possibility is with my…

 

 

Three tips for breaking the honesty barrier with yourself.

1. Don’t ask for anyone’s opinion…yet.When you start this exercise, it might be wise to avoid asking anyone to contribute their opinions about you.

   More often than not, asking a friend or family member to identify areas where you could improve as a person will end up in hurt feelings. If you must ask- do so AFTER you have started your own process of reflection. Self-examine the key ideas that you have noticed about yourself, before bringing it up to anyone else.

2. Use plain language
   Using plain language about what you are feeling will help you in this process. If you are angry: say so! If you are jealous: be truthful.The reason isn’t important right now. You must first identify the emotion before you can start a dialogue with yourself.
3. Once you have found it…Write your honesty down. Don’t rely on memory. Real progress emerges when the results are measurable. The only way to measure this is by keeping track of where you are today.

At the end of the day, it is extremely important to be honest with yourself. How will you know what your true limitations are, if you do not mentally address them with yourself? Be sure to stay aware of your blind spots- or else you might not see what could be coming to knock you down.

Do you have other strategies to being more honest with yourself? Leave your comments in the section below, and thanks for stopping by.

 

Stephanie

If you are reading this post, you have a lot to be grateful for. You should be grateful for the ability to see, and to read my words; and you also should be grateful for access to technology that is connecting you to the internet.

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is something that will help you each day that you pursue your artistic passions.  You are likely to be practicing gratitude right now, so in that event here are my…

7 Ways to Cultivate Gratitude in Your Daily Life

 

Put things back

When you use one of your belongings, you should put it back where it came from when you finish with it. All of your belongings have a home, so an act of practicing gratitude is to return those items at the end of their use.

You will appreciate things more often when they do not exist on the floor, or cluttering up a hallway table. Put things away, and you will get a clearer picture of what you have to be grateful for.

 

Make your bed

Make your bed and tidy your bedroom when you wake each morning. When I was a child, my Jamaican Grandmother used to imprint this practice into my mind and I would ALWAYS make the bed. As I got older, this practice fell by the wayside and I became a bit more of a slob without her watchful eye.

Now that I am an adult with my own family, I realize the importance of making the bed each morning. When you walk into a room where the bed is neatly spread with sheets, and the pillows are fluffed perfectly, you FEEL calmer than you would if you walked into a messy room. The feeling of gratitude washes over you in a neat and tidy room because you can recognize the comfort that your bed represents, and appreciate the lack of visual clutter. Make your bed every day for a week, and I guarantee you will feel grateful that you did.

 

Write thank you notes

Writing thank you notes was a practice that was common in older generations. Now, people only write these notes for the guests that attended their gatherings like weddings or baby showers. It has largely been forgotten for young people, and I believe that it is a signal of our society becoming more self-centered, and less concerned with etiquette.

I think that “thank you” emails, notes, and texts are important because they allow the writer and the receiver to show their gratitude for the experience, as well as for the relationships they have. They are a physical representation of the high regard you feel for that person, and I think it only adds to the sentiment of being grateful for your life.

 

Count your blessings

We have all heard this saying (I hope), but you can also accomplish this by counting the things that you DON’T need to worry about. Are you debt free? Do you have great family members and friends who do not bring you down with their negativity on a regular basis? If so: you should be grateful for this! Count your blessings, by counting what you don’t need to worry about!

 

Volunteer

Volunteering your time to help your community is a great way to cultivate gratitude for what you have. If you can’t volunteer, donate to a local food bank by driving over to drop off food items.

 

Look Up

I have always been called a “dreamer” because my eyes are always looking up to the sky. If staring blindly into the sun isn’t your thing (lol), then take notice of the clouds. Take note of the shapes and symbols that appear to you. Make sure that when you look up, however, you are in a safe position to do so.

 

Celebrate your birthday

Each year that passes is an achievement. Sometimes we shy away from celebrating milestones because it reminds us of how old we are. Try looking at it this way: if you have made it to 85, rejoice! You have outsmarted and outlived many other people! Anyone who lives that long must be doing something right, so take ownership of that and celebrate it. Research shows that the celebration of milestones contributes to feelings of gratitude- so why not try it this year?

 

Do you practice gratitude in your daily life? What are your methods? I would love to read your comments in the section below. Thanks for stopping by.

 

Stephanie

Life can get crazy. I know that you know this already. Some of us get so wrapped up in our problems and fears that it seems impossible to notice simple things like the name of the store clerk helping you find something, or the colour of that traffic light you just went through.

Hopefully it was green, but if it wasn’t, I wish you a speedy recovery.

There is no easy way to change your mindset. It takes determination and a strong desire to want to be different. In helping you on your journey, here are my…

5 Ways to Appreciate the Little Moments in Life

 

Examine the colour of your favourite items.

Perhaps you tell everyone that your favourite colour is deep forest green; but many of your personal items are blue or gold coloured. I’m not trying to throw shade for asking, but how well do you know yourself? Take an objective look. You might be surprised at what you discover.

 

Count how many items you have that came from somewhere else.

Now I don’t mean to ask you to take inventory of how many things in your house come from China, or you will probably be counting for a long time. What I mean is that you should take a look at how many keepsakes you have that you acquired on travels to other places.

I have a decorative vase that I acquired while visiting the Portuguese island of Madeira. I also have a small and colourful dish from my trip to Mexico. Keeping sight of these items reminds me of how lucky I have been to be able to travel, and have experiences that bring warm memories to my thoughts. I appreciate those little moments because they remind me of my past accomplishments.

 

Open your refrigerator

Do you have a refrigerator that is filled with food? You should appreciate this! Now grab a healthy snack while you are there!

 

Linger longer.

When you are about to part ways with an old friend, or a new acquaintance, linger an extra two and a half seconds. Lingering longer will allow you to appreciate the moment, and to bask in the positive warmth and good feelings from that person.

 

Arrive on time to your next event or gathering.

Often times the only opportunity you have to thank the volunteers and organizers of an event is before it gets into full swing. Once other guests have arrived, it can become impossible to show appreciation for the time and effort spent putting the event together. Appreciating others promotes positive vibes, and allows us all to take notice of how lucky we are to share our moments together.

 

Do you have ways to help you appreciate life’s little moments? Leave your comments in the section below, and thanks for stopping by.

Stephanie

Being present in everyday life is like showing up to an important event. The sights and the sounds of an experience can be missed when you are not paying attention to them. When the event is over, you can be left feeling like you weren’t really a part of anything, or that your life is passing you by.

Seize those moments with a vice-like grip. Don’t get lost in your own thoughts. Wake up and stop ignoring the possibility of having the life you are dreaming of.

Here are my…

7 Ways to be Present in Everyday Moments

Count the ceiling tiles.

When you are tempted to lose yourself in your phone, take a few minutes to focus on the number of ceiling tiles, or the number of steps in your area. Take inventory of the architectural features of the room so that you can keep your mind in a state of awareness of what is around you.

Speak last in your meetings.

Wait until everyone else has spoken, then voice your opinion. Be sure not to seem impatient as if you are only waiting for your turn. Listen.

Recall other languages

In certain moments, try to recall phrases from different languages that you know. If you are fluent in other languages, even better! Try to describe what you see in the alternate languages that you know. You might even come across something that you cannot explain, which in turn can churn inspiration for a later date.

Put down your mobile phone

This one is self-explanatory. How can you be present in any situation if your eyes are glued to your phone?

Draw a sketch

Use a piece of paper to leave beautiful artwork for someone else. You might be surprised by how relaxing the sensation of a pencil moving across paper can feel.

Using your same paper…

Write an interesting quote or turn of phrase that you over hear in any conversations nearby. If you are in silence, think of one that resonates with you.

Chew, breathe, sip…

If you are eating, chew slower. Resist the desire to inhale your food.

Focus your breath to breathe deeper. When was the last time your lungs REALLY expanded?

Sip some water. We can all use a bit more hydration every now and then.

I hope you enjoyed my 7 ways to be present in everyday moments. Do you have any ideas that you practice? Leave your comments in the section below, and thanks for stopping by.

Stephanie

As you get to know me, (or if you already know me), it becomes evident that I get a kick out of frugal living. I enjoy finding life hacks that save me cash, or save the environment from accumulating more garbage. If I can accomplish both at once, I will have a smile on my face to last all day.

To save on production costs, I enjoy making my own art canvas. I have the advantage of tools and a space to do the work- so this definitely helps me to carry out my artistic passions.

I call it my “cheap canvas” because I am able to spend less money on materials than the cost of buying a similar size of canvas at the art store. When I create artwork on my cheap canvas, I am surprised by the results I arrive at. I believe that…

My best concepts as an artist exist on cheap canvas, and here are my three reasons…

Cheap canvas can take a beating.

I source high quality cotton canvas with an 8oz- 10oz thread weight for my canvas. I buy meters of the stuff with my Fabricland membership when there is a sale. It is so sturdy, and when applied with gesso from De Serres Art Store, the art canvas becomes resistant to everything. I can leave a wet field of paint to dry on the surface for many hours, with reapplication, and there will be no leaking through the canvas.

 

I am more apt to experiment on cheap canvas with art concepts I have been thinking about.

I think that creativity blooms when money is no object. Obviously that is not the reality most of us live in; but I also think that dreamers are meant to have tall aspirations for the world to be inspired by. When I create my own art materials, I think that I am reaching a compromise between ideals. I can paint things that are pure experimentation yet, are at risk of failing- but the risk is mitigated by saving costs/ being resourceful.

Luckily for me, my failures are simply the bricks that will build my palace of success.

No fear of failure

If you take a risk that ends in failure, and you cannot live with the failure staring back at you while sipping your morning coffee (having a laugh here!), you can relax! We are only talking about cheap canvas!

Canvas is what? A fabric material that has been stapled to a wood frame, with some primer painted on. At the end of the day, you can always pry the staples off, peel away the canvas, and start the process over again!

The beauty of using cheap canvas is that I am never overly “attached” to any concept that I paint. Nothing is truly lost, except the time it takes to start the project over. However, can the time truly be calculated as a loss when it was spent refining one’s skill as an artist?

 

 

I love using inexpensive materials in my artistic practice. What money or time saving strategies do you use? Leave your comments in the section below, and thank you for stopping by.

 

Stephanie

Positivity is something that I talk about a lot. I speak about it so much because it has worked to help me through very dark times in my life. I recall a conversation with my surgeon in 2012 (before my cancer operation). He told me that the biggest determining factor between cancer survivors and those who do not survive, is an outlook of hopefulness and positivity. I survived, so I believe that it is a beneficial practice.

Being positive can lead you on a direct path to happiness; and by happiness I mean a general contentment with the here and now. To be happy does not mean that you must be ignorant to suffering; however, even in moments of loss, we can still appreciate and have gratitude for what remains.

Here are my…

5 Reasons why happiness is a choice

You see what you see

Your focus depends on the beliefs and thoughts you hold. Your inner narrative can put you on a broken record of despair if you get stuck in negative beliefs and thoughts about yourself. If the record is always playing the song: “I’m a victim, I’m a victim”, and it is your number one hit; it may be time to change the song that is playing. Perhaps even throw the record out of the window to escape those self-defeating thoughts.

If you are experiencing this, it is no wonder that your focus (in the external world) will be one that focuses on things that tend to make you feel unhappy. You are seeing what you are concentrating your mind on seeing. Change your focus, and you will see things differently.

Your experiences give insight

At some point, you should get some guidance for future actions from your past experiences. You may have made a poor decision in the past; however after getting through it you should now have the experience to do things differently if the same situation presents itself again.

If you are not learning from your past mistakes, you should examine why not. There may be some reasons that need to be examined that will give you insight into your mistakes. Learning from your mistakes is a choice that will clear a path toward happiness. That choice is one that only you can make.

At any moment…

One of my favourite quotes says something like: “At any moment you can turn everything around.” I think this is a great quote because it challenges the belief that our lives are in a “predetermined continuum”. I like to believe that there is no singular future for anyone- but infinite possibilities that are constantly flowing out from what we think, say, and do. If this is true, then there are infinite future timelines where YOU are happy, and YOU made choices that took you to that outcome. Equally, there are timelines where you are in the same place as you are now, as well as others where things have become much worse.

Either way, these ideas are not unique to me. I think that many people accept this, and those people are often living successfully happy lives.

Not choosing is also a choice

Sometimes people think that not making a decision will delay the outcome of what making a decision would bring. This is to say, that they sit on their hands and wait to see what will happen by doing nothing. Choosing nothing means that you have equally chosen to be happy, and not to be happy. These are cancelled out, and leaves you in the same spot you continue to be in.

Change your perspective

If you have no control or choice over your life decisions, you may need to look at your happiness in a gratitude centered way. Spend a day, or an entire week practicing gratitude. Use post it notes, a journal, or your cellphone to record things you are grateful for in your life. You will start seeing a difference in your happiness levels when you consciously take inventory of what you are grateful for.

Do you have more ideas for this list? Leave your comments in the section below, and thanks for stopping by.

Stephanie