Tag: gratitude

Lifestyle, Minimalism

10 Things I Do Now That I’m A Minimalist

mindbeautysimplicity

Ever since I decided to practice minimalism & live a more intentional & simple life, I’ve noticed so any wonderful changes. My perspective on life is quite different now that I don’t revolve it around consumerism & “Keeping up with the Joneses”. Although it may seem abnormal to go against the grain & live happier with less, I strongly believe EVERYONE would benefit by just simply adding one of these changes into their lives. Here are 10 Things I Do Now That I’m a Minimalist

1. I Look For New Experiences

When I stopped wanting for the next trendy piece or expensive item, I realized adding these things into my life left me feeling empty. Or, they would bring me joy for a short period of time but I would quickly want the next best thing. Instead, I look for new experiences to enrich my life & help me grow. And when I talk about experiences, I don’t just mean extravagant vacations overseas. I also mean local adventures like hidden hiking trails, new restaurants & activities. Simply trying a new drink on the Starbucks menu counts as a new experience. I’m more inclined to spend money on these forms of happiness than material items that just sit in my home because it’s another story to tell. It’s an added memory that makes us who we are or want to be.

2. I Actually Use Up Products I Buy

I try to adopt the rule of using what I have before I purchase a new one. It’s not to say, I don’t have a few backup products in the hall closet; but most duplicates are essential to daily living. I no longer experiment too often & I stick with what works. You know the phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” That’s the mindset I try to keep when advertisements try to entice me with something new & trendy.

3. I No Longer Try To Keep Up With The Joneses

Comparison & competing with people is honestly so exhausting. You can never really keep up. And why are we so wired to prove things to people? We need to feel more content with the lives we create for ourselves. In a world where social media snatches joy from right under your feet, we can’t allow ourselves to see highlight reels as the only depiction of success. Wouldn’t it be more refreshing if people showed all sides to the story? And if you still find yourself comparing yourself to other’s feeds, maybe you need to consider getting rid of the platforms that aren’t serving you well. For instance, I deleted my Instagram & haven’t looked back since.

You Might Also Like: Social Media Detoxes Are Good For the Soul

4. I Enjoy The Little Things

I used to feel like my life had to be so extravagant. I had to spend tons of money, visit the most fancy locations for what? To show people I can? To make myself feel more whole? This year has taught me happiness can be found in such simple ways. I embrace that type of life now. I’ve become a real homebody. I don’t go searching for things to fill a void any longer. I’ve become a stronger person this way. And like I said about experiences, sometimes the more simple moments are the most precious.

5. I Have Better Relationships With People

I was someone who focused on my own happiness harder than others. Not in a spiteful way either. More like an oblivious way where I would stay in my own safe bubble. Now that I’m more aware, I ask people how they are doing more often. I listen to their stories instead of quickly telling them mine. I listen harder instead of being a burden. And sometimes keeping things to yourself is ok. There’s a difference between vulnerability & word vomit. Those who practice a minimalist lifestyle, tend to focus on decluttering material items. But the decluttering process can be useful for all aspects in your life. When you choose your friends wisely, the ones that remain can be the best ones for you.

6. I Know Who My Real Friends Are

I love the friendships that are there for your highs & your lows. The type of friends who love coming over your house, sit on the floor with a glass of wine & talk about life. Each stage holds different phases of friendships. They change & you evolve as well. Rarely does anything ever stay the same. Find the tribe of individuals that encourage you & show off your best self. Let go of everything else.

7. I Show More Confidence

When I was a teenager, I would get myself so upset if my outfit wasn’t perfect. I was too much of a try hard & honestly the outfits weren’t that great. I worried about not being pretty enough, not having the latest trends or whether people would notice of my boots were knockoffs. Now that I’m older my fashion sense has improved so much. The only reason for this is my sense of confidence has improved. I don’t own the most unique clothing pieces. But I know what works for me & I rock it.

You Might Also Like: How I Boosted My Confidence During a Pandemic Year

8. I Save Money

The amount of pointless purchases I’ve made in my life is astronomical. I try to be more intentional with my purchases. And no, the joggers from Target were probably not on my NEED list, but during quarantine, they were an essential. When I do decide to treat myself, I appreciate it more. Before, I would spend so often that I stopped being grateful. “Oh that $50 Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlight Palette? Trash! And like that palette, it just sat in my drawer untouched. I try to maintain the mindset of purchasing items that are purposeful, fit in my capsule wardrobe or would truly benefit me evolve as a person.

You Might Also Like: How To Save Money The Intentional Way

9. I Have Gratitude

That house you live in. The nice bedding you sleep on. The pets you own. Never take those things for granted. I used to have the mindset of always wanting the next best thing. Although I do own less, I’ve learned to really appreciate what I have. I still love owning nice things. I just don’t let them define who I am or my happiness. I try to keep things into perspective & prioritize the people, animals & experiences I have in my life above all else.

You Might Also Like: I Wrote in A Gratitude Journal For An Entire Year

10. I Live A Happier Life

Minimalism wasn’t the end all be all cure to my life but it has made me happier. I thought I knew what happiness was before, but I’m more enlightened. I didn’t realize I used material items to hide from my problems, my emotions & people. In no means am I a perfect person. I am still a work in progress. But I will say practicing this lifestyle has helped open my eyes to the important parts of life.

Twitter / Pinterest

-B

blogtober, blogtober, Self Growth

Why You Should Own a Gratitude Journal

mindbeautysimplicity

Having a sense of gratitude for life is truly transformable. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I kept a gratitude journal for an entire year & wrote in it almost daily. And not to be dramatic, but it seriously changed my life. If you are currently in a place in your life where you’re feeling kind of stuck or constantly seeing the worst in most situations, maybe you need to head to the store & pick up a journal & pen & start writing down what you are grateful for.

You May Also Like: I Wrote In a Gratitude Journal For Entire Year

Here’s why you should own a gratitude journal…

Reflection Helps You Grow As An Individual

I personally love spending time with myself & my thoughts & just reflect on where I’ve been, where I’m going & where I want to be. But sometimes when you are keeping those thoughts floating in your mind, your thoughts can become blurred & jumbled together. I find when I take the time to write my thoughts & feelings down on paper, those ideas become more clarified. Have you ever had those moments where you are so overwhelmed that you can’t get your mind off said situation? Maybe if you sat & wrote them down on paper, you’ll release them from your prisoned mind & perhaps your vision or goals will become more clear.

When You Focus on The Good The Good Gets Better

Like magic almost, if you focus on the positives more so than the negative, you will find yourself more at bliss. The reason I started a gratitude journal in the first place is because I was tangled up with negative situations too much, I was becoming a Debbie Downer & I wanted to get back to the person I was before I was jaded by life. Believe me, I know life’s obstacles & tribulations can change even the most bubbly of people, but I was adamant NOT to give in. And writing down even the most smallest forms of gratitude helped me get through those ruts.

Your Mental Health Benefits As Well

Not only will your mindset shift, but your mental health will benefit as well. When you become more thankful, you release the tensions & frustrations & in turn, lower stress levels, anxiety, improve your sleep & even your interpersonal relationships. No longer will you be tossing & turning about the what ifs of life. You will sleep soundly knowing you have much to be grateful for. I think when you become more aware of your emotions & what goes on in your mind, you can better articulate situations & relationships. They say communication is key & you must not forget to communicate with yourself most of all.

You Become Happier

When you show gratitude, this means you are acknowledging the good things happening in your life. By focusing on the good, you become less cynical & start having faith in your life again. Having that sheer optimism, strong relationships & connections as well as an urge for more experiences results in a much happier existence.

You Gain Self Worth

When you start taking control of your mind, your perspectives & mood…you are no longer accepting or needing validation from other people. You know yourself better than anyone else. Quit holding those judgements, falsehoods, or even critical statements that may have some truth to them. How are we supposed to better ourselves & learn from mistakes when we are bombarded by those situations forever? By writing your blessings, you automatically down the road to success & improvement. No longer see yourself as a lost cause.

Would you consider keeping a gratitude journal after reading this list of benefits?

have you read yesterday’s blogtober post? my current fall obsessions

-B

self care

Guest Post: 5 Self Care Habits For Living A Healthy Life Daily

mindbeautysimplicity

Today we have a guest post from Riyah Speaks! She is a lifestyle blogger who talks about the importances of self care & our mental / physical wellbeing. I hope you enjoy reading her post & to check out her blog!

Our lives are so jam-packed with business and chaos that we tend to put ourselves on the back burner sometimes. Regardless of who you are, you should always put yourself first. As I mentioned in my post about the dimensions of self-care, not practicing self-care can lead to mental health issues, sickness, and even death. 

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Self-Care isn’t a chore that must be completed at all times of the day. There are simple and quick ways that you can practice self-car without interrupting your daily routines or work schedule. Here are 05 self-care habits for living a healthy life daily. 

Daily Self-Care Habits To Use 

Practice Deep Breathing 

When you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax, and this message is sent to the body.  It also comes with major health benefits such as pain relief, improved immunity, lower blood pressure, posture correction, and increased energy.

Here are a few deep breathing exercises to try. 

  • Focus on positive imagery
  • Slow down your breathing 
  • Alternate breathing from nose and mouth 

Practice Gratitude

Being grateful means that you focus on the positive aspects of your life without contempt. Gratitude celebrates what you can do now, and avoids dwelling on decisions you could have made previously. The point of practicing gratitude is to get in the habit of changing your mindset, blocking negative energy, and gaining a higher sense of self-worth. There are many ways to cultivate gratitude, and my favorite way is with a gratitude journal. 

Take Breaks 

Taking breaks is important for maintaining your emotional and mental wellbeing. It allows your brain to recover from being overworked and stressed. It’s important to take breaks as necessary to avoid experiencing mood swings, lack of motivation, and extreme exhaustion. Taking breaks regularly increases productivity, boosts mood and energy, and helps to maintain your body’s performance throughout the day. Take about 10-15 minutes a day to be with yourself and to do nothing. Trust me, it’ll help you in the long run. 

Journal

For the sake of mental health, everyone should journal. Journaling helps with clearing up scrambled thoughts and ideas, boosts creativity, and comprehends your emotions. 

Take some time before and at the end of the day to reflect on your mood, mental state, and health. Think about why you’re feeling a particular way and what you can do to address those emotions. There are many different styles of journaling such as: bullet journals, art journals, diaries..etc. Find the format that works best for you and your wellbeing needs. 

Eat Healthy and Drink Water 

It’s important to eat healthy and drink water whenever you can. Healthy eating and drinking water leads to an overall healthier lifestyle and decreases your chances of developing obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, and high blood pressure later in life. Also, studies have found that making healthier drinking and eating choices boosts self-confidence, self-love, and self-worth. 

Why is Self Care Important?

Self-care is important because it helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle.  It helps you to produce feelings of happiness and transmit those feelings to the people around you. With our daily schedules becoming jam-packed with school, work, and family, it’s even more important now to make sure that you take time off to practice self-care and to be alone. 

I get it. Sometimes you just don’t want to or don’t have time. That’s why you must find small and convenient ways you can incorporate it into your daily routine. Self-care isn’t meant to be disruptive or inconvenient to your life. It’s there to relieve the pressure off your back and to make being active easier. 

AUTHOR BIO

Hi! I’m Seriah Sargenton, but my friends call me Riyah. I’m the writer behind riyahspeaks.com, a self-care and wellness blog dedicated to helping women to healthier and more fulfilling lives by practicing self-care, self-love, positivity. I have a degree in Journalism and have a strong passion for helping others. I hope you enjoy my perspective on life and find the strength to overcome life’s obstacles.