“I’m bored!”; a catchphrase we use often when we run out of things to do or when we get tired of always performing the same repetitive tasks. Although feeling bored is not amusing, it can be used as a tool of being productive. How’s that possible? Well, keep on reading and I’ll get you out of your boredom.
What it means to be bored
When we think of boredom, we think of ourselves sitting down and just staring at the wall. Some of us even lie down, and close our eyes. Boredom makes us sleepy because our brains are drawn to be creative, and if we do nothing, the brain starts to shutdown and therefore, we fall asleep.
It can be daunting sometimes to feel bored, we as human beings want to enjoy ourselves and be entertained. We try to find entertainment in hopes it would help relive our boredom. What if we can use our boredom to our advantage and create ideas and goals we had been holding off?
How you can use boredom to bring in creativity
Being bored can help you come up with objectives which can have an impact on your future. It can be as simple as taking a short walk. While taking a stroll to help relieve your boredom can lead to daydreaming. While daydreaming, ideas will pop out of your head. Say you want to start a business or you wanted to do a project you have been procrastinating. If you become bored the right way, doing so can open your mind too many possibilities.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Does the title make you feel sleepy? Good. Is it simple to get a goodnight’s sleep? Probably not.
How can we be able to get a goodnight’s sleep in this 24/7 world we live in?
The Importance of Sleep
As we know, adults need seven to eight hours of sleep in order to function properly the next day. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. With life getting in the way, it can be a challenge to get the recommended hours of sleep, despite being essential to our health.
Having a lack of sleep will at the very least make us feel cranky, and can also have negative consequences on our health. Sleep deprivation has been associated with negative impacts on our hormones, exercise, and our performance in work and school.
According to Statistics Canada, Canadians averaged a little over seven hours a sleep per night. About one in every three Canadians reported less than seven hours a night while only 3 percent sleep more than nine hours. The report did not explain why Canadians barely get the recommended hours of sleep, but we can assume it could be related to their personal and financial situation.
Why People Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep
Although most people are aware of the benefits of sleep, some just do not have the time to get the recommended hours of beauty rest. People who have more than one jobs or work in the middle of the night are not able to get the sleep they so desperately need. Another factor is when people have different work shifts in their schedule. For example, if one works during the day on Monday and Wednesday, and having to work on Tuesday night and Thursday night, we can see the change in work shifts can affect the sleep schedule as one will have little sleep or will not be sticking to a regular sleep schedule, a must for obtaining a goodnight’s rest.
Tips on Getting a Goodnight’s Sleep
A commitment to a goodnight’s sleep may be difficult for many people. With a few small changes though, it can be done. Here are a few tips which can help get a goodnight’s rest.
1. Read a book before going to bed
Instead of watching TV, it is a good idea to read while laying down in bed. It will help you settle down and relax with very little light.
2. Avoid Using Technological Devices Before Sleeping
Exposure to blue light can reduce hormones such as melatonin, a chemical that helps you relax and fall asleep. Keeping away from technology at least an hour before going to bed will help you reduce blue light exposure.
3. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
This may be an obvious one because we usually have our caffeine first thing in the morning to keep us awake. Having caffeine before sleeping may prevent your body from relaxing at night, and therefore you may have trouble falling asleep. Consuming alcohol can also prevent you from sleeping.
4. Avoid taking long Naps During the Day
It is recommended that poeple take no more than 30 minutes a nap a day. While it can be tempting to take a long nap, doing so can cause sleeping probelms at night.
Overall
Getting a good night’s sleep is very important to our well being. It will help us feel much better and more alert throughout the day. If you can make some changes in your life, you can get on track and get the beauty sleep you so rightfully deserve.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
It can be a challenge to get our feelings across. We don’t know how others will react. Will people understand or be judged? How can we have the courage to speak out? What is at stake?
Emotions
We are all social creatures. Communicating with others is something we desire. It is human nature to reach out to other people.
Some people hide their feelings because they are worried about receiving negative feedback. When someone opens up and receive a bad response, the experience will make them less confident of opening up and consequently may start to have feelings of anxiety and depression. It also doesn’t help when two or more people are not on the same page of a discussion. Whenever there is a dispute, they must agree to disagree to keep things civil and not let a disagreement sour their relationship.
Being able to express a thought may be based on their personality. For introverts, it may be difficult for them to let out their feelings as they are more likely to keep their thoughts to themselves compared to extroverts. Introverts may feel safe to keep their opinions to themselves because it keeps them protected from having a conversation. Introverts are also more likely to confide in a small circle of people whom they trust.
Extroverts may have an easier time expressing themselves because they have a better desire to reach out to others. Extroverts are more likely to want to help people feel and are able to understand how people are reacting in a particular situation.
If you are not sure of your personality type, take this free quiz to help discover who you are.
How To Get Over Criticism
The tough part of letting yourself out. The fear of negative feedback is most likely why people keep their feelings to themselves. While the fear of being criticized is normal, it is still important to overcome this obstacle. One way to get over criticism is talking to people who you trust the most. They are the ones that will less likely criticize and will support you no matter what. Another thing is to not worry about what other people think. You are letting out your demons, and doing so should be a reason to celebrate.
Why It’s Important To Express Yourself
Regardless of your personality, it is important to let things out because it will unleash a feeling of greatness out of you. You will feel better and more confident with yourself. With that being said, you may want to start off by confiding with the people you trust the most first.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Having self-confidence can be very difficult for human beings. A lot of people are unable to trust themselves for many reasons. They include but not limited to:
not being good enough
being judged by others
not having the support they need and/or want
It can be difficult to gain the self-trust they deserve. How can one learn to boost their self-esteem?
Keep on trying
Although it sounds very cliche, keeping up with your effort can help boost your confidence. For example, when one starts a sport that one has never played before, he or she will not have the same momentum as someone who had been playing the sport for a long time. The only way to get better is to keep practicing. It takes practice and patience to get better and when that happens, it will help boost your self-confidence.
2. Promote your Idea or Product
Do you have an idea you want to share? Or maybe you have a product you want to sell?
Advertising your product can help boost your self-confidence because you will have people who can support you. They can also spread the word through their contacts. The more people you have helping you, the better the chances are for success. It will also help you carry on with your projects.
3. Keeping a Clean Space
Although it seems kind of small, keeping a clean space can help you feel good and confident. For me personally, having a clean desk helps me with my work as I have the space to feel organized, and to take down notes. When my desk is messy, I feel there are too many things in the way. Grooming yourself can also boost your satisfaction as doing so keeps you nice and fresh.
4. Get to Know Yourself
This may be the most challenging, but also the most rewarding. Getting to know who you are can help determine your strengths and weaknesses. This is an obstacle that many people face. A good tool to which can help you learn more about who you are, is to self-evaluate yourself. Ask yourself what are your likes and dislikes, and please be honest with yourself. Once you learn more about yourself, you can use that to your advantage by looking at what you excel at, and improve on skills that you have trouble with.
Conclusion
On a personal level, making the effort has helped me stay committed to my objectives. Completing a project takes time and sacrifice. It can be daunting when obstacles come into your way of reaching your goals. From personal experience, I have learned that the best way to boost your self-confidence is to keep being productive. What I mean is to keep yourself busy rather it is by reaching a specific goal, completing an assignment or even reading a book, being productive and staying on track has me feel more confident in my own being. So, keep at it. The more effort you put in yourself, the more you will feel better about yourself and you will feel more powerful.
You got this!
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
What does it mean to be productive? Does it mean you must work continuously until you burnout?
The answer to this question,
Not necessarily.
Although being productive means having to work, the type of environment you are in can make working a lot of fun.
What it Means to be Creative
In February 2020, this blogger looked at why it’s important to express your creativity. I mentioned that creativity will help you grow as a person. Exploring your creativity can be a lot fun because it means discovering your hidden talents.
As we have busy schedules with work and/or school, it can be difficult to find time to get creative. It is important to find a bit of time in your schedule for yourself. Doing so is critical in exploring creativity. It can be through your personal hobbies such as writing, photography, cooking, among others. Starting from there can be a beginning of something. Make sure to tell a friend about your projects so that you can have their support.
The Human Mindset
As humans, we may not be able to adapt to change very easily. Our brain is met to protect us to help keep us safe. It can be resisting to not pay attention to what your mind is telling you. If that’s you, then you are in the majority. What you can do though is to tell your brain that being productive is not dangerous and there will be plenty of good results in the aftermath. The six key mindsets in creative thinking are great tips on how to strategize your ideas, and make them into something bigger.
Personal Projects
As a content creator and writer, working on personal projects can be fun and scary at the same time. Working on something new is always the hardest part? “Where and how do I get started?” “What does it take to create?”
These are some of the questions you will be asking you are self when you are trying to get your feet going. Once you get started, it becomes easier as you will start to get ideas on what to do. There will be roadblocks along the way, which is ok. We all make mistakes and what’s important is learning from them.
So start by doing something that you enjoy, and keep following your path to success.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Right before the COVID-19 pandemic took over the way we live our lives today, this blogger got to get away from winter, and travel to Los Angeles, California.
This blog will look at the different places visited, and why you should visit Los Angeles when it is safe to do so.
Located 20 minutes from LAX, this gem is definitely an attraction where you will want to visit on your next trip to Los Angeles. Scrolling down the boardwalk which runs from Marina Del Ray to Santa Monica is an excellent way to enjoy the ocean views, and to explore its thrift shops.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Santa Monica
Just north of Venice Beach lies the city of Santa Monica. It is definitely more upscale than Venice with its restaurants and shops. It also serves as the terminus of the metro A Line which brings passengers to downtown Los Angeles as well as other connecting metro lines. The city is perhaps well known for the Santa Monica Pier. Opened in 1909, the pier is a popular tourist attraction which features restaurants, cafes, and the Pacific Park. Spending sometime at the famous pier will definitely bring you a great time. The pier also serves as the western terminus of Route 66.
The Santa Monica Pier
Downtown L.A.
Not much to feature here but this blogger explored a couple of museums and a library. With my fascination with the art world, I explored the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). MOCA features different exhibits concerning the art world. If you love and appreciate art, a visit to MOCA is definitely something to consider. Right across from MOCA is another art museum called the Broad. With free admission, The Broad also features different exhibitions that visitors can enjoy.
If you like books, then I would suggest checking out The Last Bookstore. This gem offers new and used books at low prices. You can also sell books that you probably haven’t used in a while as well as CDs and DVDs. It is definitely worth visiting if you like to read.
Hollywood
When one thinks of Hollywood, one envisions celebrates, movies, and anything TV related. This blogger would say that it is not as glamorous as the art world makes it too seem. However, it is still worth visiting if you want to see Hollywoods walk of fame which are embedded on the main streets of Hollywood.
Hollywood sign
Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway is an excellent route to take to explore California’s coastal towns. From Malibu to Laguna Beach, it is definitely worth the drive if you like long drives along the beaches.
Laguna Beach
Getting Around
With Los Angeles being known for its brutal traffic, it can be a pain to get around the city, especially on weekdays. It all really depends what part of the city you are coming from. In my opinion, taking the metro is a good way to get to downtown L.A. if you are not far from a metro line. Costing $1.75 for a one way, the L.A. metro network connects from downtown L.A. to Santa Monica, Hollywood, Long Beach and Pasadena.
For short distance routes, I highly suggest trying out the electric scooter they have in Los Angeles. It is an efficient and fun way to get around town. It helped me get from Venice Beach to Santa Monica very quickly.
Recap
The trip to Los Angeles was an amazing experience. From attending a LAFC match to exploring the nightlife in Hollywood, it was definitely awesome to explore and discover what the city of angels had to offer. It was especially special considering that this all happened right before the world shutted down. With travelling being off for the foreseeable future, I was glad that I got to travel one last time before living with this new (and temporary) new normal.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Travelling is what a lot of people like to experience. People normally travel to get off their everyday routine, and to explore the world. The idea of getting away to travel is a tempting idea. We are always exposed to different attractions that we see in the media. We just want to go to these attractions and visit them. Advertisements make it seem simple for us to pack our bags and go right? Well, a lot of us do not travel like we want to because we simply cannot afford it. So how can we travel while living on a budget? This blog will look at how we can make the best of our travels while avoiding unnecessary spending.
How to Travel on a Budget
Travelling on a budget can be a difficult challenge to accomplish. It involves downsizing on spending money which can be a struggle. Although cutting costs in travelling means giving up on luxuries (ex. Fancy Hotels, Expensive Restarurants), there are ways that you can spend less, but getting the most out of your trip.
Take a coach bus instead of a plane
If your destination is a day’s drive from your original destination, you may want to consider bussing there instead flying. Although not the most efficient way of getting to Point B, it will save you money, and you get to enjoy the scenery which can be rewarding. You will also have arrived at your destination the same day you would if you had taken a plane. You would just need more time to get to your destination.
2. Stay at a Hostel
Staying in a Hostel may not be an ideal situation for some travellers since it involves sharing a dorm with roommates. However, Hostels are generally inexpensive, and it beats going to a inexpensive hotel or motel which may not be clean. Staying at Hostels are particularly great for solo travellers because they usually offer activities which is a great opportunity to meet fellow travellers, and to explore the city you are visiting. If you like to socialize, staying at a Hostel is definitely for you. If you are a reserved person, staying at a Hostel is not bad because the majority of travellers are kind, and you should not have any problems getting along with them regardless. Just remember to bring earplugs, in case you have that snoring roommate.
3. Avoid Dining at Expensive Restaurants
While it may be tempting to dine at a fine restaurant, it may be more worth going to a less expensive restaurant, and have a decent meal. This blogger recommends looking at a tour guide book for the cities you are visiting. Most of the books should have a rating system based on the quality of the restaurant, and the price range. You can also ask a friend who has been or lived in the city you are visiting for the best place to dine.
4. Only Shop for Items That You Need
Aside from shopping to buy souvenirs for you and your loved ones, it is best to avoid spending on items that you already have at home.
These tips should help out your next budget friendly vacation. If you have any other ways to save money while traveling, feel free to write down on the comments below.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
This blog will take a different approach this New Years Eve. Normally, I would be writing about motivation and topics concerning society. On this last day of 2019, I shall review of what this blogger has been through and goals that I hope to accomplish in 2020.
Comfortable in Social Science (2010-2012)
The last ten years has been a bumpy one has I have struggled of I want to do in life. The direction of where I want to go in life as changed constantly. At the beginning of the decade, I was at Vanier College in Social Science. After graduated from Vanier College in December 2011, I enrolled at Concordia University, majoring in Urban Studies, and minoring in Sociology. My first semester saw me enrolled in 4 classes. I did poorly in my classes as the amount of work could not have been kept up and therefore was placed on academic probation in May 2012.
Travel Sales (2012-2014)
In September 2012, I gave a shot of getting a Trade, and therefore enrolled in Travel Sales at the John F. Kennedy Business Centre. The program was a year long and received my Diploma in 2013. However, I didn’t find work in the Travel Industry, and decided that I wanted a higher education.
Continuing Education (2014-2017)
In the summer of 2014, I became interstate’s in going into the business world. Perhaps because I am good with numbers or the taught of business fascinated me. Of course, to get into a career program in Accounting in a University Level required that I had advanced math. By then it was 2014. That summer, I basically “restarted”, and enrolled at a adult education centre to receive my advance grade 10 math. It was indivalized, and it took me a year and a half to complete my math. At the same time, I enrolled in the Continuing Education program at Vanier College. During that time, I enrolled in a couple of courses related to accounting and business. I was enrolled from January 2015 to May 2016 when I shifted my focus on getting my pre-calculus math.
The Return to Concordia (2017-present)
In 2017, I applied for re-admission to Concordia. A week letter, I got the permission of being re-admitted and was very happy that I had gotten a second chance. The goal was to get my pre-requisites to get into the Statistics program at Concordia. In September 2017, to avoid the mistake made in 2012, I enrolled in two sociology courses for the Fall and Winter Semesters. The transition went well and despite some bumpy roads ahead, I completed enough credits for me to receive a minor in Sociology in December 2019. I registered in a Pre-Calclus math course to help me warm up my mathematical skills. The class was a struggle, and only passed after attempting the course for a third time. Realizing that I wanted to go into creativity, I finally stopped taking math courses after passing pre-cal in April 2019.
Seeking Discomfort (2019-Present)
The past year has had my life go into a different direction. After learning about Yes Theory, I was inspired to seek discomfort, and reach my goals. I have learned that the only way that I will accomplish many things in life is to get out of my comfort zone, and put in the effort and time to achieve your dreams whatever it takes.
As the decade comes to an end, I am finding myself interested in focusing on my creative side. I plan on doing so by attending meetups and networking events that are relevant for me; as well as to create content that will motivate people to achieve their dreams; regardless of their disability or any roadblock that stands in their way.
So for 2020, I hope to launch my personal projects, and to keep on travelling. In terms of continuing my education, I plan on switching my major to Communications or Creative writing for the Fall 2020 semester.
It is been a absolute pleasure on blogging in the past, and you can expect new material throughout 2020!
Until next time, take care and thanks for reading.
Recently, this blogger took a bus from Montreal to New York City. The ride to New York was long, but comfortable. When arriving in New York, I was amazed by all of the hustle and bustle of the crowded city. As one can expect when walking through the streets of Manhattan, there was so much traffic all over the city with cars, buses, and taxis trying to get by. It is impossible to imagine driving in Manhattan.
The purpose of this trip was to experience the Christmas season in New York. It was lovely to see the city being decorated for the holidays, from the window view at Macy’s to viewing the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. This blog will feature the best of New York City during the Christmas Holidays; as well as the various attractions that I visited.
Rockefeller Center
Passing by Rockefeller Center in December is a must. There is this huge gigantic Christmas Tree located in Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th streets. It is lit every year starting the Wednesday night after Thanksgiving, and you can enjoy looking at the tree through early January. Skating in Rockefeller Plaza is also a popular activity to do. There is a skating rink right below the plaza. It can get crowded though as the rink allows up to 150 people at a time. The cost for General Admission is up to $35 during the Holiday peak season.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in all its glory
Macy’s Herald Square Christmas Windows
Each year, the Macy’s department store in Manhattan presents a Christmas display on their store windows. The department store has six displays, and attracts up to 10,000 people during peak hours. It is something that you can not miss while walking through 34th street and Broadway. The display will continue to delight people passing by through January 1st.
The “believe” sign featured during the Christmas holidays in front of Macy’s.
Other Activities That This Blogger Enjoyed
Other than browsing through the Christmas decorations of New York, this blogger went to several places in the city.
New York City Museum: The New York City museum features the history of New York City dating back to the 1600s. It is a great place to visit if you are interested in learning meow about how New York City became the city that it is today. It is located on East Central Park Avenue and 103rd streets in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Eataly: An Italian institution that has 37 locations around the world, it is a great place to experience the Italian food culture. The place features a restaurant, bakery, and more. It is located on fifth avenue and W 23rd street. They also have a second location on Liberty Street near the 9/11 memorial.
Zibetto Expresso Bar: This little gem that is located on Avenue of the Americans (sixth street) between 48th and 49th avenues features paninis, sweets, and coffees. Personally, I had the soppressata pinion with a cappuccino, and I must say that they were amazing. Anyone that needs their cafe fix while walking through the city should pass by this gem. They also have two other locations in the city.
Enjoying a nice cappuccino!
Friends Apartment: The friends apartment refers to the apartment on the corner of Bedford and Grove streets in the Greenwich Village of Manhattan. Although the series was filmed in Los Angeles, the exterior shots were filmed in Manhattan. It attracts about a dozen people a day as they pass by to take pictures of the iconic apartment.
The friends apartment
Brooklyn Bridge: This delightful bridge is a popular attractions too towards. Perhaps it has to do with the gorgeous views of the city, especially at night when the bridge is light up.
Little Italy: A proper spot to experience Italian cuisine. It is home to many Italian shops, restaurants, and pastries.
Times Square: Also known as the crossroads of the world, Times Square is home to several shops and broadway shows. It is well known as the sight of the ball drop that occurs every year on New Years eve.
9/11 Memorial Museum:The museum is located underneath where the Twin Towers once stood. General admission is $26, and it will take you directly below two where the owners once stood. Be prepared to bring tissues as it will bring back memories of the horrific events of September 11, 2001. It is very lovely on how the museum is designed, and is a wonderful way to pay tribute to those who were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
Top of the Rock: Located in Rockefeller Center, the top of the rock refers to being on top of the Rockefeller building. It offers 360 views of the city and beyond.
Central Park: This adoring green landscape is located in the heart of uptown. It stretches from 59th street, all the way up to 110th street. It composes 840 acres.
Recap
My trip to New York City was a remarkable experience. It was exciting to see the spirit of New York during the Holiday season. For those that love Christmas, I would highly recommend that you take a trip to New York. The city is filled with Christmas cheer, and going to places like the Christmas Market (which I unfortunately didn’t end up going), and Rockefeller Center will definitely put you in a cheerful and festive mood. It is recommended that you get around the city by subway or even walk around if the attractions aren’t far apart.
Unfroutantely I did not get to pass by all the neighbourhoods of the city. New York is just too big to do so in one trip. I will try to cover the neighbourhood that I did not get to visit, the next time I come back.
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
Life can be very cruel. There appears to be negative energy around us rather it is people that brings us down or we are constantly thinking negative thoughts. Although we try to keep the good thought, it seems that bad ones keep rushing back inside. We tend to look at the worst case scenario. Why is that? What can we do to make ourselves feel better, and at ease. This blogger will try to tackle why anxiety seems to be in a way of everything that we want to accomplish and how we can change that.
Worst Case Scenario
The reasons why we tend to have negative thoughts on our mind is because we constantly worry about our worst case scenario. The reason why we set our minds to the worst case scenario is because we do not want to feel, and then… Boom! Something bad happens.
All of a sudden, our world comes crashing down, and we just do not have the energy to think positive thoughts. The worst case scenario can assist of a death of a loved one, not getting the job you wanted, being stood up by your crush, or finding out that you can not go on vacation anymore, among others.
The Dreadfulness of Anxiety
When we feel anxious, we start to feel this huge sense of dread. Sometimes, anxiety can come rushing straight to us because we are in a situation that gets us nervous or because negative feelings come to us out of nowhere. It is frustrating and stressful when feeling anxious when we cannot figure out what is bothering us. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to take a brisk walk, talk to someone about it or try to remember a moment when we felt proud about ourselves.
Why it is Critical to Stay Positive
While the world we live in can be a cruel and unfair place, it is important to try and find positive thoughts. The way to have positive motivation is to be around people that are open-minded, and will not throw their personal problems to your face (or at the very least will not start yelling when doing so). If you feel that you have a friend or a family ember that brings in negative energy around you, you may want to hang out with them less, or go even further and not talk to them. An excellent way to stay positive is to have motivational sticky notes around you. You can place them on your fridge, your lamp, or on your laptop. Positive notes can include “Smile”, “You are awesome”, “Be yourself”, “You got this” or anything that will make your day going. Other methods of staying positive is to meditate for 15 minutes everyday. That way, you will have taken out all the negative energy in your body as well as feeling relaxed and calm. Another way to stay positive is to keep smiling. A smile is contagious as spreading happiness.
Blog Recap
Recapping this blog, having a positive attitude is key into feeling good and confident about yourself. Although it is not easy at times to stay positive, keeping the good thought will have you feeling less stressed about things. The feeling of anxiety may creep you in, but it is important to tell yourself that no matter what happens that you will be still standing and everything will workout. Remember, whenever there is a problem, there is always a solution. So, keep on smiling, write positive sticky notes, and the feeling of positivity will come creeping to you faster than any sense of dread can do! 😀
Until my next blog post, take care and thanks for reading.
