A New Year is an excellent opportunity to reset and set out goals (not resolutions that usually become broken after only a few days). To keep myself accountable, I will share my goals for 2025.
1. Graduate 👨🎓
I am only six credits away from completing my degree. It has been a long but great process, and I am excited to graduate. Once I reach that milestone, I plan to find remote work that will allow me the flexibility to travel and live a more nomadic lifestyle.
2. Improve my Network Connections 🤝
I want to continue to make more connections and collaborations with my niche as a mental health advocate. I hope to be able to continue fighting for what we believe and to help raise awareness of the struggles of mental health, particularly for men, as they are more likely to hide their feelings than their female counterparts or those who are binary.
3. Improve my Musical Skills 🎶
Over the past couple of years, I have participated in a series of improvisation workshops where I discovered my talent for playing the Ukulele, which I bought myself. I hope to expand my talent and start playing music in a public setting, such as a park or at an event.
4. Publish my Book 📕
For almost a decade now, I have been writing a creative non-fiction book on an autistic teenage boy who is struggling to make friends and fit into the culture of High School Life. I am basing it on my own experience. My goal is to have the book either published or self-published by 2026.
5. Running 🏃
Two years ago, I ran the Montreal 5K.
Last year, I ran the Montreal 10K.
To challenge myself further, I am excited to announce that I will participate in Montreal’s Half-Marathon in September. This challenge will keep me accountable for training and improve my cardio.
6. Travel ✈️
Oh, how I want to travel. Circling back to my main objective, I plan to travel more after graduation. While not sure of my destination yet, I hope to spread my wings and explore different cultures while being able to make income no matter where I go.
I hope this inspires you.
What are your objectives for 2025?
I would love to hear from you.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Oh my! It has been a while since my last blog post.
Today, though, as I reach the end of the first half of my 30s, I feel the need to write down and reflect on the past year.
As I sit down in the Vanier Library on the Loyola Campus at Concordia University, I am surrounded by students getting ready for mid-terms. I, too, am getting ready for another wave of assignments and tests due. While typing, I am listening to relaxing music to smooth my concentration. The music is pleasant and has me focused.
As I approach 35, I am in my last year at Concordia in English Literature. I feel the world coming to my hands as I figure out my next awaited stage in life.
Reflecting on the last year, 34 has been quite the ride. I found myself working for Uber Eats and got an internship at a cute little non-profit organization called MiniBiblioPLUS. My gig work for Uber has helped me make a little income on my own terms, while my internship taught me to work independently and ask questions whenever I feel stuck on a task.
I also embraced adventure this past year. The most notable adventure was going on a train ride with someone I had only met in a mutual community. The trip was one of the greatest adventures I have ever had.
Other amazing highlights of the past year include meeting two guys from the YouTube channel Yes Theory, who inspired me to become the man that I am today, the total solar eclipse, learning the Ukulele, launching my YouTube channel, and most recently running the 10KM marathon.
Reflecting on my highlights, I should write a blog post on these great moments to inspire my readers like you.
In my blog post last week, I wrote about my trip to Italy. After several days in Italy, my extended family and I went on a cruise. Our cruise ship was the Explorer of the Seas. For this blog post, I will tell you about the cruise and excursions we visited.
Explorer of the Seas
We sailed on the Explorer of the Seas ship. The ship ported from Ravenna and did a seven-day cruise around through the Adriatic Sea, with stops in Croatia and Greece. When I say it’s huge, it’s huge! As someone who has been on his first cruise, I got to try out a whole new experience. The ship is fifteen stories long and has everything you can ask for. From the pool on top of the ship to the buffet hall, from shopping to the casino, the Explorer of the Seas was an experience I will never forget.
Ship Rating: 9.5/10
The ship in all its glory.
Split
The day after we went to sea, we stopped at our first excursion in Split. Split is a city in Croatia right by the coast of the Adriatic Sea. We only had several hours to explore and experience this amazing coastal city. Throughout our journey, we passed by the Old Town, which consisted of a market and amazing architecture. The highlight of Split was climbing the Marjan Hill stairs. The weather was very hot, which made this hike a challenge, but once we got to the top, we were amazed by the views of Split below and the sea beyond. I was in awe of the scenery.
Prior to boarding the ship, we passed by the beach, where beachgoers can cliff jump into the water. Unfortunately, time was not on our side and had to return to the ship before it disembarked. The following day we were at sea enjoying a relaxing clear day. The day after, we embarked in Greece.
Climbing up the steps was quite the challenge, but it didn’t stop me from giving it a two thumbs up.
Athens
Athens is known for being the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and the first-ever Olympic games. Being in an ancient city was surreal, with its history dating back thousands of years.
The ship docked in nearby Piraeus. Once we arrived, we had to board a shuttle bus to get to Athens. The shuttle dropped us off at the Acropolis.
The Acropolis was stunning. There were so many glamorous views of the monument and the surrounding area. We didn’t go inside due to the long lineups. While in Athens, we took a tour bus around the city, where we saw many historical monuments and buildings, including the site of the first Olympics dating back to ancient Greece.
Athens is a beautiful city full of rich history, but I personally felt that there are other parts of Greece that are more worth exploring.
City rating: 8.5/10
Tourists admiring and waiting to get into the Acropolis.
Santorini
The beauty of the island. Santorini is what you can expect Grecce to be. An island with white buildings with blue skies matching the colours of the Greek flag. Getting up to Santorini, though, was a different story.
For starters, our ship does not actually dock on the island. To get access we had to book tickets to get into the water taxi which brought us to shore. We arrived, and all is good, right?
Not quite.
There were only two ways to get up there. The main way is to ride the gondola. The line was long and disorganized, and took us an hour to get to the gondola. The other option is the steps. More on the steps later.
Once we arrived at the top, we booked a shuttle taxi where the tour guide and driver drove us to many viewing spots. There were many sights to see.
It would not be a trip to Greece without having souvlakis. The souvlakis were the best I ever had.
The last pit stop brought us to the beach. The beach was beautiful but did not get a chance to enjoy it due to lack of time.
While heading down, some of us in the group, including myself, took the steps down. The steps weren’t too bad, but the challenge was not just the heat, there were donkeys going up the steps and left poop on the stairs. You must watch out for that while walking. Otherwise, it was a rewarding experience and would take the steps again over waiting for the gondola. The steps are a 20-30 minute walk.
Island rating: 9/10
Amazing blue skies with white designed buildings is just what Greece is all about.
Dubrovnik
Fans of Game of Thrones will find this town in Croatia familiar as the TV series is filmed in Dubrovnik. The weather did not look promising, as it was raining when we arrived. Interestingly, it was the only time when it rained throughout the trip. The weather didn’t stop us from exploring the old town. After some exploring, we booked a sightseeing tour van that brought us to different viewing point points. The views were astonishing from the top. Dubrovnik is located in the southern part of Croatia by the Adriatic Sea. With the town’s location, we got to see parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. By then, the weather started to clear out. Unlike the other cities, we only had till 2PM to explore before the ship set sail back to Ravenna, which marked the end of the seven-day cruise.
Island rating: 9/10
My first cruise experience was one that I will never forget. I enjoyed being out at sea and just relaxing and not worrying about cooking and cleaning. The only downer about the cruise is the lack of time spent on different excursions. Time is expected to be a factor on European cruises. Otherwise, I had a lot of fun eating, relaxing, and spending time with my family.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
This blogger recently went on a trip to Italy with his extended family. Let me tell you that Italy is a country that will not disappoint. For this blog, this blogger will give the scoop of some of the cities visited and what to expect.
Rome
We started our trip in the Italian capital of Rome. Rome is known for the Vatican and the Colosseum. While in Rome, my family and I explored the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, and W asked around the Colosseum. Let me tell you right now that it is essential to bring a water bottle with you, especially during the summer. There are many fountains across Rome, and in other cities across Italy, where you can refill your bottle.
The Vatican was absolutely stunning. I was in awe of the decor and the architecture. While exploring the Vatican, you can expect there to be crowds as tourists admire the Vatican and its surroundings.
The Spanish Steps are known as a meeting point for fashion shows and other important events. Climbing up the steps may not be for everyone, but getting to the top gives you some good views of Rome. We also visited the Trevi fountain, where tourists can throw a coin and make a wish. The trevi fountain is historic as it traces back to 19 B.C.E.
The Spanish steps may seem like a challenge, but climbing to the top gives out impressive views of Rome.
While we did not go inside the Colosseum, we were admired by the structure of the Colosseum. Walking around the Colosseum was surreal as we were at a historic structure that traces back thousands of years. A lot has happened at the Coloessum throughout modern history. Seeing the Colosseum in person is something that will stay with us forever. It was truly amazing to be able to be there and experience its grandeur in this way.
Rating my visit to Rome, I would say exploring the city is worth your bucket list, but I did find the streets too crowded, and the traffic in Rome was crazy.
Visit Rating: 8/10
Visiting the Trevi fountain. It is an iconic and sacred attraction for the Romans.
Pescara
After spending two nights in Rome, we ventured off to Pescara. Pescara is located in central Italy, right by the Adriatic Sea. Pescara is the place to be for their beaches. The city has beaches that stretch for several kilometres. The palm trees were absolutely stunning to look at and admire. The beaches reminded me of beach towns along the east coast of the United States. The water in the sea was nice and warm. Pescara is also known for its nightlife. There are plenty of clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants to visit.
At night, we walked through the center of town. It was lovely to walk around the plaza and to find a restaurant where we had pizza. The following day, we went to nearby Montesilvano for a day at the beach. I had a relaxing time lying down on the chair and going into the water. There was a celebration in the town on the night that we visited as Italy was getting ready for their annual construction holiday, which occurs throughout the month of August.
Patreon enjoying the first night of summer vacation in Montesilvano.
Pescara is known as a beach town and nightlife. If you just want to relax, Pescara is the city for you. As someone who appreciates nature, Pescara was definitely one of my favourite cities.
Relaxing at the beach in Montesilvano just north of the city of Pescara.
Visit Rating: 9.5/10
Sulmona
Sulmona has a medieval-style feeling in the town. When we went to visit the town for the day, we encountered their annual medieval festival. There were people wearing traditional medieval wear with knights riding on horses. We also visited the confetti museum. The museum has traditional confetti that is actually candy. The town is about a 30-minute drive from Pescara.
Visit Rating: 9/10
The annual medieval festival brings out crowds during their parade.
For the second of our trip, we went on a cruise over the Adriatic Sea. I will have more on the cruise and excursions on my next blog post.
Once we returned from the cruise. We went to Florence for two nights. It was by far the most beautiful city I had visited throughout this entire trip. Save the best for last, right?
Florence
The last city we visited was Florence. Florence is my favourite city for several reasons.
First of all, Florence has the most beautiful architecture I ever laid my eyes on. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore reminds me of a jigsaw puzzle. The structure will amaze you if you ever have the chance to explore Florence.
The Santa Maria del Fiore at night.
Secondly, Florence has spectacular views from the Forte di Belvedere. Florence is smaller than Rome, making the city easy to access.
Thirdly, everything is close to each other. You can get your groceries and get a coffee without going all over town! A car is not necessary to get around Florence. In fact, it is faster to simply walk around the central part of Florence. The train station is also a 20-minute walk which is worth going if you like to walk and are travelling light.
Florence is simply a city that you must pass by while in Italy. The attractions and the market make Florence a city to explore and experience the culture.
Visit Rating: 10/10
A wide shot of the glamorous city of Florence.
This trip is something that I will never forget. It was a privilege to get to see the different cities and experience the culture of Italy. As someone of Italian descendant, I appreciated getting to see the motherland.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
The Maritimes refers to the eastern Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.). They are perhaps known for their seafood and easy going quality of life. I recently explored the maritimes, and got to visit amazing places.
Peggy’s Cove
A must see when visiting Nova Scotia, Peggy’s Cove is a popular site, particularly for its lighthouse. You can’t go wrong with its iconic views of the ocean, and its boulders. It is for sure going to amazing you. Just watch out for waves coming from the ocean regardless of the weather. Peggy’s Cove is located an hour west from Halifax. Try to arrive early as parking is sparse.
Peggy’s Cove with the lighthouse in the background.
Halifax
The capital of Nova Scotia, and the maritimes largest city. While in Halifax, I took a walk on the Halifax Waterfront which features various museums, waterfront restaurants, and boutique shops. This 4km boardwalk will leave you satisfied. You can also a ferry that takes you to Dartmouth, another popular spot located across the river.
While on the boardwalk, I explored the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. It is best known for its Titanic Exhibit, not the movie, but the real tragedy of the ship. It is really moving to see. Halifax can be seen as being haunted due to historic events that devastated the region. Halifax was devastated by the Halifax explosion in 1917 which left over 2,000 people dead and many more displaced. The bodies of the people who perished from the Titanic are buried in Halifax.
P.E.I.
Getting to Prince Edward Island (a.k.a P.E.I.), you have a few choices. The most well known way to get to the island is to drive along the confederation bridge which stretches for approximately 13 km. It is the largest bridge over frozen water. While getting to the island is free, you will need to pay a toll of $50. 25 to leave the island.
The other option is to take a ferry, which was how I got to the island. For a $75 round-trip, we took a ferry ride from Pictou, NS to P.E.I. Once you arrive on the ferry leave your car parked and proceed up onto the deck. The ride is 75 minutes long. While on the ferry you can relax and look outside. They also have a restaurant where includes a breakfast menu in the morning.
Once arriving in P.E.I., I went directly to Charlottetown, the P.E.I. capital. Queen street is the main hub of Charlottetown with its boutiques and cafes. At the bottom of Queen street, there is a sign that says “Love.” On the sign, there was many combination locks with the names of couples on them. Don’t ask me how it comes off if the couple has broken up. Just return to Charlottetown with a wrench and cut it out.
After Charlottetown, I went on a drive through P.E.I. The agriculture wads absolutely stunning. Definitely felt the country lifestyle. P.E.I. is known for its potatoes and ended up buying some from the side of the road.
A P.E.I. Sign right by the confederation bridge.
Cape Breton
The Cabot trail stretches for nearly 300 km, along the northern part of Cape Breton island. There are many viewing points to take advantage of. You will also pass by their National Park where you can camp, hike or fish. While driving along the trail, ended up driving up to the clouds. It was very incredible to drive through the clouds. Suddenly, the weather got misty and cool. On top of the Cabot Trail is the Skyline trail, a hiking trail. Exploring Cape Breton is a must for tourists exploring Nova Scotia.
One of many viewpoints of Cape Breton. Notice the top of the mountains hanging over above the clouds.
Fundy Bay
Tidal waves are very common in Nova Scotia. With its tidal waves, dinosaur fossils and whales, we can see why the Bay of Fundy has been named as one of the seven wonders of the world. Exploring the Bay of Fundy is a fantastic spot to catch the waves. While exploring, I was amazed by how quickly the tide was rising.
Grand Falls
A trip would not have been completed if I didn’t take on the Zig Zag Zip-line in Grand Falls, New Brunswick. Located in the northwestern part of the province, this popular zipline comes in two parts. First you zig down, then you zag back up.
How?
At the start, you will need to sign a waiver. Once you’re down, your instructor will help you set up. Once set up, follow your group to the zag line. Once everyone has completed the task, you will proceed up to the next line. Same as the first one, the zag line gives you incredible views of the nearby falls. Once everyone has competed the zipline, you can take pictures with zipline in the background.
Reservation to this gem is not required, but will guarantee you a space. For more on the rates and there opening hours click here.
Just finished the zig zag zip-line. It was a thrilling moment.
Conclusion
It has been an absolute pleasure to have the chance to explore the Canadian Maritimes, particularly Nova Scotia. The peaceful lifestyle of the Maritimers has me thinking about where I would eventually want to settle. Going to the maritimes is basically miles of fields, hills, and windmills, a far cry from the big metropolis of Montreal.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Our brains. The power of the brain helps us function. Without it, we would be unable to do the everyday things we take for granted. We would not be able to walk, eat, talk, write, read, think, among other abilities. The way our brains work functions differently for everyone. Some people are unable to do the simple things like walk or even talk.
Physical health is easy to have some awareness because we see people who are physically handicapped such as those who are on crunches or on a wheelchair. Although it’s very important to be in good health, we must also take care of our mental health. While on the surface people may seem normal, in their mental mind, it may be anything but. Let’s dive deep into this critical issue.
Mental Health Awareness
Our moods shift all the time. There are times we are happy, and times we are sad. Some of us may react to situations more differently than others. Some are anxious while others may not think straight. There are many types of mental illness including, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, among others. Over 6.7 million Canadians are living with a mental illness or have a mental problem; three times more than those who have type 2 diabetes.
The Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had most of us go through lockdowns, and staying home to quarantine over the better part of the last two years. It seems when things were starting to get back to normal with the arrival of vaccines, there is always something that threatens to make us go backwards such as the Delta, and Omicron variants.
While it may seem easy for some to quarantine at home, it may not be the case for people who live alone, people who live in small places, people who live in abusive households or for those who feel trapped. With the feelings of being alone for a long period of time, it is only natural that we want out, and to see our friends and family.
There are people who are anxious about going back into the real world. Some are very afraid of being exposed to COVID-19 for their own reasons.
There has been an increase in people who have reported having stress and anxiety over the course of the pandemic. Teens and young adults are more likely to suffer from symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is because they have been missing out on meeting up with friends, and family. It is important for our well being to socialize with other people, away from the screen while staying safe.
Mental Health: The Next Pandemic
Prior to the pandemic, there has been an increase of people feeling anxious and stressed. Mental health has been the talk of the conversation as people were using their phones a lot, especially for scrolling on social media. With the pandemic, it has made this situation much worse.
Solutions
While there isn’t a quick fix with this mental health crisis, there are ways that can help cope with feeling pressured and stressed on a day to day basis. Little daily changes like healthy eating, exercising, and meditating can help deal with this ever changing challenging time in our lives. Having a conversation with anyone you trust will help you. Tomorrow is Bell Let’s Talk Day. Let’s start a conversation.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
These past few months have been filled with quite a few historical events. First came the COVID-19 pandemic which caused may shutdowns and quarantining us into our homes. Just has restrictions were beginning to be eased, we were reminded of a pandemic that has been ongoing for many centuries. That pandemic is Racism. As most of you are aware, 46 year old African-American, George Floyd was killed after he was arrested and faced-down while the officer arresting Floyd positioned his knee to Floyd’s neck. The killing has sparked major outrage in the United States and elsewhere around the world. Protests have been happening all over the world, demanding justice for Mr. Floyd’s cruel death. It has also sparked renewed discussions about racism, and how it is still alive and well even though it has been decades since the Civil Rights movement. It also sparked riots as people are taking advantage of a fragile situation.
Timing of the Protests
There have been nightly protests in the United States since George Floyd’s murder. The timing of these protests comes as the United States is leading in COVID-19 cases. Concerns abut social distancing has had Health Officials worry about a spike in cases. Yet, despite the COVID-19 threat, thousands of people are marching to the streets demanding justice and an end to racial profiling. This shows the serious of this situation of people marching down the streets despite the risks of getting infected due to large crowds. It is amazing that people of all races are coming together to end a pandemic that has been going on for way too long.
Violence Solves Nothing
Although the protests are largely peaceful, people coming to take advantage of the situation has vandalized businesses. What does businesses have to do with protest? Answer, nothing. They are just criminals willing to make a bad situation much worse. It is important to note that when one wants to go out and express themselves, they must do so peacefully so no one else gets hurt. Looting only hurts business owners that will have to pay for other people’s crimes and in causes that they have nothing to do with.
Why Black Lives Matter
The term Black Lives Matter is a movement to address the racism that blacked-skinned people have to go through every day. Their lives matter because they are people just like everyone else. They should not have to go through the discrimination they face simply because they are black. As a white male living in Canada, I am what is known as white privilege. It means that I do not have to fear about getting arrested based on the color of my skin. Heck, I do not even have to worry about getting shot and killed because of who I am on the outside. However, if I was the same guy but with dark skin, then my privileges would magically disappear and I may become a victim of racial profiling. I am not saying that all police officers are bad, but there are not enough rotten seeds on the force that has made every officer look like they’re bad. We must have a conversation and learn how to get along despite our physical differences.
Conclusion
Right now, we are going to two major crisis piling on top of each other. While this blogger believes that everyone has the right to protest peacefully, it is important to do so safely given the ongoing pandemic. If you are going to go and protest peacefully, you should wear a mask or any face covering, try to keep two meters or six feet from others, and bring a hand sanitizer to wash your hands. Stay safe and stay out of trouble.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
It can be a challenge to balance work with college life. I know because I am one of them. For this week’s entry, I will be giving out my view on how to successfully balance these two commitments while still being able to have a social life.
Here is a list of steps of what you should do to make this balance work.
Prioritize your work and school schedule.
Add your commute within your schedule.
Set your study schedule. Make sure you put in at most 2 hour study sessions for one block. (ex. 9:00-11:00, 1:00-3:00).
Take a day off from work and classes to run weekly errands or housework.
Add sleep in your schedule. 7-8 hours a night is recommended.
Add in the times that you go out with your friends.
Important to Take Note Of
It is important to note that there are 168 hours a week and about a third of these hors should be devoted to sleep. This means that there are 119 hours left assuming that you put in eight hours a sleep per night. When you are in school during the fall and winter semester, try to only work 10-15 hours a week. Working and studying full time can be very hard to come by because you will not have enough time to study, and you feel very tired. While it is possible to work full time and study part time, it is very important that you put in your education first if you want to reach your academic goals.
Form a Study Group
It might be a good idea to pair up with a few people from your classes and form study sessions together. The best place to do so would be in the school library. It is because the library is a very convenient place to get work done. If your school library has group study rooms, be sure to book them. Make sure that the time is convenient for most of the group.
Avoid Late Night Cram Sessions
Although it is tempting to pull an all nighter, and cram for an exam, it is not a good idea to do so. If you pull an all nighter, you will end up feeling very tired the next day, and you will have a hard time concentrating on work or school. It is best to stick with your weekly routine, and if possible, ask your boss for time off around midterms and finals so you can catch up on studying or finishing off your term paper.
Life Events Beyond Your Control
Now of course balancing life and work will vary depending on the week. There can be “life bombs” (sickness, car accident, death in the family) that can derail your schedule. However, if you have to miss something important like a deadline or an exam, you will need to bring in documentation to prove that a “life bomb” had happened. It can be a pain to get the documentation but it is necessary so you don’t get penalized.
I hope these strategies has helped you. Come back next Monday as I discuss gender roles and how the gender role has changed in society.
Until next week, take care and thanks for reading.
We all need an escape from this hectic world that we live in. Work, responsibilities, and stress gives a toll on our bodies. It is important to take care of ourselves, and to seek self-care when we need a break from our everyday lives.
Going to a spa resort is a relaxing way to help relieve the stress of everyday life. This blogger recently went to the Scandinavia spa in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. Just a 90 minute drive from Montreal the spa features all the facilities that every spa lover can wish for. The bathing experience includes a sauna, a steam room, a jacuzzi, a cold plunge, a bistro, and plenty of hammocks and chairs to relax and enjoy.
Arriving at the spa, I was awed by the tranquility of the spa as it is located by the mountains besides a river. Right way, I knew I was going to have a great experience. Arriving at the reception, I received a robe and two towels which are included in the thermal bath experience. There is also the option to get a message at a higher price. Once changed, I stepped outside and wondered into blissfulness.
The first thing I normally do is go straight into the sauna. It was nice and toasty. You just sit down on the benches and relax for several minutes while the sweats come in. Afterwards, I took a nice cold plunge to remove the sweat. Boy was it freezing! The final step is to simply relax on the benches or chairs where you can read or sleep. For me, it is the best part as I got to relax in the quietness of the resort. Another relaxing spot is the Jacuzzi.
The benefits of going to the spa are to enjoy a peaceful day away from the hecticness of this crazy world we live in. On your own or with your significant other, it is for sure going to be a good detox. Best not to take your phone with you in the resort, you are not allowed phones at the spa anyway, and leave it at your locker in the changing room.
I give this spa 5-stars and would highly recommend for anyone looking for a day away from the outside world. For more information on the Scandiva spa, click here.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
The tulip festival in Ottawa is the largest festival of its kind in the world. The festival attracts tourists to come to the Canadian Capital to see the tulips. The tulips come in different colors. I recently went to Ottawa and got too see the tulips. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were hundreds of thousands of tulips out there in the gardens reflected by the gorgeous sunshine. It is a flower lover’s paradise.
Although I am no tulip expert, looking at the different types of tulips had me in awed with beauty. The tulips are also a sign that spring is finally here. Here are some of the pictures I took while walking through this flowering experience.
Beautiful rows of tulips lying along the park.
More colourful tulips with tourists admiring the beauty in the background.
Up close shots of these beauties.Yours truly just had to take a selfie with these beauties!
The festival runs from May 12th to the 22nd 2023. Go before the season ends!
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
You may have seen this word before. What does it mean to declutter?
Decluttering is a term used when someone removes any unnecessary items they own. Decluttering is associated to my previous post on minimalism. For this blog post, I will dive into the idea of decluttering and how it will be beneficial for you in the long run.
Decluttering: Where to Start
Cleaning up can be a daunting process. Piles and piles of clothes never worn is piled up higher than Mt. Everest. You are not sure what to get rid of. They are so many precious clothes to keep. To help clean out your closet, divide the pile into two ; one goes in the trash while the other pile of clothes that are still wearable can be donated to the nearest clothing drive.
First and foremost, get rid of clothes that have holes in them or if you have started to outworn them, especially socks and underpants. If you see any signs of threads coming loose, you may need to throw them out.
For clothes that are still good, but not sure which ones to get rid of, have a look at them and ask yourself if you want to keep them. If you know you are not going to wear them, donate. If there are clothes which mean something to you, such as a shirt of your favorite band or you got one from a benefit event, consider putting them in storage.
Whatever you do with your wardrobe, make sure you have more than enough to last a week without needing to do laundry.
Cleaning out Unnecessary Furniture
Now that you have cleaned out your clothes, it’s time to get rid of furniture you do not need. Sometimes, we have way more than enough around the house. Having a lot of furniture around can be tough for when you need to do your weekly cleaning. Taking up so much space can be time consuming, and exhausting. Perhaps you still have that old small fridge you never use or maybe you still have some old stuff you have not had the heart to throw out.
If you are in a similar situation, you may want to rethink, and cleanout some useless items, products or furniture that is simply in the way. You can either sell the furniture, donate them or simply throw them away, depending in the condition of the furniture.
Declutter: Social media
Scrolling through hours of social media has had a negative effect on our day to day lives. Having many social media apps or following a lot of accounts can have us unwittingly connected for a long period of time. In the end, we feel guilty about doing so, and we vow to reduce the amount of time spent on social media. You can start the process of decluttering social media by taking out the apps you hardly use, and even those you use often such as instagram or twitter. Deleting the app, but not your account, can stop you from spending useless time staring at a screen. Unfollowing accounts you do not care as much as you likely did in the past may also be a good idea (just not Robert’s Views please!) 🙂
Overall, I hope this helps you think about what you need and what you do not need. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to comment at the bottom of this page.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Minimalism refers to people who live a simple lifestyle where they only have things that they basically need. The idea of living a minimalist style has grown over the years. People practice minimalism for a variety of reasons listed below. There are a lot of advantages of living as basic as possible. Here are the reasons why people adapt to a minimalist lifestyle.
Money
Not everyone is interested in buying items that are not important. Some people just like to buy their basic needs for everyday living. If you are interesting in practicing minimalism, shopping quality over quantity can help you save money by only buying items you absolutely need. For example, it’s not really necessary to go to the apple store just to buy their latest product.
2. Space
Moving in to a new apartment? Would you like some space to breathe?
Decluttering items you never use can help you give space for you to work. There is no need to keep everything all together. Having a clean desk will help ease anxiety you may have and give you the space you need to get some work done. If you are moving in to a new apartment, try to keep the place as spacious as possible by buying only essential furniture. It will make cleaning up easier and faster as there will be more space to move around.
3. Appreciating what They Have
Minimalists who do not own many items will likely appreciate the items they have. Having gratitude is important for us to have. It shows we cherish the things we have and do not ask for more.
4. Prioritizing Life Experiences
Many minimalists prioritize life experience over getting expensive items which has little to no quality in their lives. For example, minimalists will go on a trip overseas rather than purchasing a new car, unless it’s absolutely necessary.
5. Having Control of your Life
Easier said than done, having control of yourself will help you choose what is important to you. Taking out the toxicity of your life will help you feel confident and help you control what is best for yourself.
Recap
Practicing a minimalist lifestyle has significant benefits on everyday life. As someone who is interested in adapting a more minimalist lifestyle, I can see right away that simply decluttering reduces anxiety and makes me focus on myself. Having too much can be anxiety wrenching, and it also has me not knowing where to start cleaning. The idea of having less is more in the long run as having so little can end up being so much rewarding.
For more on how to practice minimalism, click here.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Having your own business. It feels satisfying just to think of it. Having the power in your own hands. You have your own control. With the idea of leading a company, what does it mean to be a entrepreneur?
Being a Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship is defined as someone who starts their own business, embracing the risks and enjoying the rewards. A lot of people jump into owning a business for their own reasons. Some do so to challenge themselves while others like the idea of having their own company. Of course, being an entrepreneur has its own set of challenges, and rarely does it became an overnight success story.
Deciding to become an entrepreneur takes time. There are so many things to think about prior to owning a business. Financial situation, and having the tools to succeed are things to think about.
Advantages of Being an Entrepreneur
Independence: It can be a amazing feeling to be in a position where you are your own boss. Also a bonus, there is no need to rely on your employer as you are one!
Flexible: Good bye 9-5, and hello working anywhere, anytime! Having the flexibility means being able to work when it is convenient for you. Depending on your business, you may not need to wake up early nor you have to sit in traffic to get to your place of work.
Always Learning: We learn something new everyday, and it is especially true while being a CEO of a company.
Exciting: Challenging yourself has the potential of making things better.
Disadvantages of Being an Entrepreneur
Working a lot: As a CEO, you will need to put in lots of hours to keep your company flowing. Making sacrifices and adjustments are necessary to keep your business afloat.
Everything’s on you: Being a CEO means you are responsible for everything that happens with your business. You will have to deal with employees and if they are not happy, you will need to fix that otherwise you may lose them.
Overall View
Taking the dive into entrepreneurship has its pros and cons. It is certainly great to be able to work at your own time. Having complete control of a company is something to be proud of. While it is challenging to run a business, with the right proper tools, running a business will be a success. You just got to have confidence, and the right people to keep your company running. Taking a few courses in the world of business is also a helpful tool to learn about the world of being a entrepreneur. There should be classes in your hometown that teach you to run a business. If you decide to become an entrepreneur of already have a business, I wish you all the best!
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
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