How-To Here’s How You Can Become Your Best Self In 2021 8:18 AM There’s never a better time to wipe the slate clean and start again than at the end of a year. After everything that happened in 2020, that’s especially the case this time around. The last 365 days certainly haven’t been great for many of us, but that just gives us all the more reason to approach 2021 with the determination to be our best selves. If you’re interested in how to put 2020 behind you and make the most of the next year, here are some ideas to consider. Here’s How You Can Become Your Best Self In 2021 Set Worthwhile Goals Most people set themselves goals at the start of the year, such as losing weight, taking up a new hobby, or finishing a passion project. The problem, though, is that these goals are typically less motivated by what people want to do, but rather by what they feel they have to do. It’s no good setting yourself resolutions that you aren’t completely sold on because otherwise, you’ll just end up ditching them before the end of January. Sit down and ask yourself what it is that you really want out of the year, and then focus on your goals for the next 365 days. Speak With A Therapist Too many people view vulnerability and a willingness to seek help as a weakness when it’s actually a sign of strength. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you’re struggling and allowing others to get you back on your feet. Whether you were having trouble before 2020, or the last year was the cause of it, it may be in your best interests to speak with a therapist. If you’re looking for someone with decades of experience in the Austin area, you’ll find a good match in therapist Dr. Mike Brooks. His client-centric approach to therapy will help you to break through whatever’s holding you back, so you can end 2021 feeling like you’ve conquered some of your demons. Find A Work-Life Balance If it weren’t for our jobs, a lot of people would struggle to pay the bills. However, just because work is an essential part of our lives, that doesn’t mean it should dominate our every waking moment. To be the best version of yourself in the new year, it’s important that you learn to balance your work priorities with your personal ones. You need to remember that relaxing and doing the things that you enjoy are just as important as reaching those deadlines and hitting your targets. If you find it impossible to take a step back from work during your downtime, you may want to consider whether your job is really what’s right for you or not. How can you feel truly fulfilled if you never have any time for yourself? Share Your Gratitude A lot of people went into 2020 believing that it would be the year they finally got everything that they wanted. However, by December, many of them realized just how grateful they were to have all the things that they do in their lives. All those months being locked inside and trying to stay safe during a worldwide health crisis really put a lot of things into perspective. For 2021, one of the best things you can do is hold onto that gratitude and share some of it with the world. Gratitude combats negative emotions, so if you treat every day like it's Thanksgiving, you might find the new year a lot easier to deal with than this last one. Plus, there are probably plenty of people in the same position as you who could probably do with a reason to smile. There are so many ways that you can become your best self, some of which might require more than just a new year to be realized. These are great starting points to consider for the start of 2021, though, and they should help you to find plenty of happiness and fulfillment moving forward.
Listicle Digital Transformation As Standard (4 Channels Your Organization Should Be Focusing On) 8:39 AM Digitally transforming any business is a long and slow-burning process. It's not something that can be planned in a morning meeting and then implemented that afternoon. When the right digital innovations and processes are put in place throughout your organization, it will change the way you do business, it will also change the working roles of your employees and crucially, it should create a better customer experience. Ultimately, as a business owner, you want to build a positive reputation and brand recognition, generate more leads, make more sales and hang onto as many clients as possible, all by spending as little as possible. It’s a big-ask but transforming your business and bringing in digital changes can open the door to all kinds of possibilities. Wondering where to start? Here we’ll take a look at the digital transformation channels your organization should be focusing on. 4 Channels Your Organization Should Be Focusing OnDigitizing your brand assets As a growing company, a strong connection between your brand and your clients is essential and the money you spend on developing your brand and company identity is one of your biggest overheads. By keeping your brand well managed and consistent, you’re able to stand apart from your competition and attract more customers. Traditional channels would have you handle huge amounts of paperwork, files and scanned copies of your trade show materials, print and direct mailings, press releases, blogs, sales presentations etc, making it all incredibly difficult to manage and to maintain continuity throughout your organization. By utilizing brand management software as part of your digital transformation, your marketing team will benefit from increased organization and continuity in your brand. You’ll also continue to excel in brand recognition and continue to build a strong customer base. Social media and digital advertising Traditional marketing channels would have included anything from TV commercials and radio ads to printed media, flyers, and mail campaigns. By embracing a digital transformation, you can save money, time and get a bigger ROI by switching to social media as a way to specifically target your chosen demographic with photo and video ads and increasing your brand awareness. Other digital channels such as email marketing, search engine optimization and PPC ads can generate leads and if done well, can transform clicks into sales. You’ll get the benefit of detailed analytics with every campaign so you can see what’s working and what’s not, reducing time, energy and your marketing budget. Ecommerce sites Traditional bricks and mortar shopfronts used to be the dream for many business owners, but embracing a digital transformation means you can offer the very same experience but online instead. Moving to an E-commerce site instead of a physical store eliminates expensive utility bills and it won't hold you back in terms of expansion and growth! And finally, customer service We’ve all felt the frustration that comes with being placed on hold to a customer help desk. These days, a digitally transformed business uses social media as the forefront of their customer service department. It’s faster, yields quicker results and gives organisations like yours a chance to show their high levels of care and their willingness to resolve customer issues.
Fashion & Style oNecklace Breast Cancer Charm Bracelet Review 12:22 PM This oNecklace breast cancer charm bracelet review is dedicate to all pink warriors.When you hear the word warrior, what comes to mind? Someone who goes to a battle, right? A person trained for combat. Wounded, bruised, brave. Someone who fights 'til death. Definitely not a damsel in distress. What about pink? Pink is a color associated with femininity; soft, gentle, sweet, nice, charming.And what if you put them together? Pink warrior. That's what they call breast cancer survivors or fighters. A pink warrior or warrior in pink. I find that cute and clever. It's like saying:Don't mistake my gentleness with weakness. I may be sweet but I am strong and I can fight. That pretty much sums up what being a woman is. And as a woman, pink warriors will always have my support. Breast cancer and womenBreast cancer is more prevalent in women than in men. According to US Breast Cancer Statistics, for women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.American Cancer Society stated that about 2,700 men were projected to develop breast cancer compared to 270,000 women. In support of pink warriorsI personally know someone who was a pink warrior. I've also met a few of them about seven years ago.My college friend who's an oncologist helped found St. Luke's Corridor of Hope GC. Every week, they held a small event or fun activities for pink warriors and their families. Coming from a week of graveyard shift, I would attend the event and help out. Sometimes I'd help arrange the tables, give out name cards, giveaways, foods, assist in the games and interact with them.I'm always in awe when I see strength and hope in their smiles, and their eagerness to learn new things during the events. They still exude joy and optimism.The fight with cancer is no joke. Indeed it takes a warrior to face it head on.oNecklace Breast Cancer Charm Bracelet ReviewI ordered this gorgeous charm bracelet from oNecklace. It has a pink stone, the breast cancer ribbon symbol and my initial.It's 0.3" thick Sterling silver, with easy adjustable chain. What I like about my oNecklace breast cancer charm braceletShipping: They sent via DHL which is a wiser choice than the regular post to avoid delays due to this pandemic. I placed my order on the 3rd of November and it arrived on November 17th. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Packaging: I super LOVE the black with red ribbon Airmax bubble envelope they used! It's so cute and it's best for gift giving this holiday season. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐What's inside the airbubble envelopePersonalized: You can add your initials to personalize the bracelet. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity: They sent it with the Certificate of Authenticity. This proves that the metals they use are hallmarked and met legal standards. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Design: I'm all for simple and elegant design and this charm bracelet checks all two categories. The easy adjustable chain makes it a breeze to wear and take off. Pink stones make me happy. I noticed that the stone they used here is not as sparkly as the ones in my oNecklace birthstone necklace. But it's still as charming and the tone of pink is as dark as I personally prefer it to be. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Bonus: With your purchase, oNecklace will donate 15% of the proceeds towards cancer research, working together to help find a cure. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Unboxing of oNecklace charm braceletI'm quite sure you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer one way or another. I lost a friend to it. This new piece in oNecklace's Pink Ribbon Collection is a great way to honor them and show our support. It's a great reminder that we're in this together. That we can kick cancer's butt. After all, we're not only warriors. We are warriors in pink. 💟💪
Lux Thinking Aloud Favorite Comfort Movie: Julie & Julia 12:58 PM I just had my worst breakup and was still picking up the pieces of my shattered self-worth.I turned to blogging to distract myself. Who am I kidding? I wrote my bleeding heart out hoping my ex would read how I felt after he left. So he'd realize what a monster he was.After slaving myself away in a job that sucked the life out of me, I’d come home to a noisy, chaotic house I shared with other OFWs. I'd watch movies until I was too sleepy to think about anything. Until I was too numb to feel anything.Then I found Julie and Julia.Favorite Comfort Movie: Julie & JuliaJulie Powell was a frustrated writer stuck in a job she hated in a house she didn’t like. She lived in a city where dreams were made of but she felt as though her life was a nightmare.Her only escape from reality was cooking. She loves American cook Julia Child so much. She’s her heroine. After her husband suggested she blog about her cooking, her life turned around. The recipes on her blog were from Julia’s cookbook.BloglovinIn a different time, Julia's life in Paris began. She was traveling with her husband who works for the US government. They lived in a gorgeous big house in the City of Light. She's learning the culture, enjoying the savory food and exploring things, trying to find her passion.Primo GifThe movie was about their lives intertwined; their struggles in searching for their purpose, finally finding what they’re good at, the obstacles in pursuing what they love and the imperfections of their personal lives.Aside from these amazing women's journey, I love the gentle forces behind them---their partners. I adore their husbands. Hurting as I was back then, I didn’t swear off love. And every time they show how supportive, loving and encouraging Julie and Julia’s husbands were, I find myself whispering a prayer, “Lord, I want a husband like that.”Julie and Julia became my comfort movie.It gave me hope that someday, I’ll get out of the job I was stuck in. I will find what I truly love to do and earn while doing it.GiphyJulia wrote award winning cookbooks and became a TV personality despite having zero knowledge in cooking at first. Julie’s blog became a hit that her story was turned into a book and a movie.Julie’s story is every blogger’s dream. It was my dream. Maybe not in the same scale. But the thought of getting something out of what I spend most of my time on sounds appealing to me.Fast forward to today, there are brands and clients who trust me to feature them on my blog (THANK YOU!). I get paid for writing and by God's grace, I've found my dream husband. But I'm still a frustrated cook. 😂Julie and Julia’s husbands possessed the traits I was looking for in my ideal life partner. TumblrI saw this movie at a time I NEEDED to know people like them exist. Real people. Not fictional. It was refreshing to see that there are real men who are sweet and supportive but also strong and reliable.If it wasn't for their husbands' encouragement, push and humor, they may not have soared as high as they did. Sometimes, it only takes one person to believe in your dreams and push you to become the best that you could be.GiphyLet me borrow Julie’s words describing Julia as I explain why I love this movie so much:“It saved me. I was drowning and it pulled me out of the ocean.”What's your favorite or comfort movie?Contains affiliate links.
Dating How To Master At-Home Couples Therapy 8:08 AM Couples of all walks of life can benefit from therapy. Relationship counseling gets a bad rep in popular culture. With many considering it to be the final alternative to a breakup or divorce. When in fact, the happiest and healthiest of couples can profit off of the advice given to them in these sessions. Unfortunately, couples therapy is costly. The average 1-hour session ranges from $150-500 after health insurance - if it’s even accepted. And, if you and your significant other need months of therapy, you might need to resort to a more accessible option. Luckily, there are hundreds of effective, low-cost substitutes available. And the best part of them all? You can practice them from the comfort of your home. How to Master At-Home Couples TherapyIf you and your partner are trying to nourish your relationship, the practices below may help you pave the way for a stronger, long-lasting bond. Here are some ways to master at-home couples therapy. 1. Harness the power of rituals Chances are you and your partner already have a ritual or two. Whether that is serving them coffee in the morning or watching an episode of your favorite series at dinnertime. These small gestures play a huge in keeping your relationship afloat, and enforcing them will only strengthen it. Next time you pour them a cup of coffee, compliment them. Or, next time you sit down to eat dinner, ask them about their day before pulling up Netflix. 2. Invest in your quality time Humans get bored easily, it’s just the way we are programmed. This, however, is a concerning factor when it comes to being in a committed relationship. Making sure you’re investing in your downtime is essential to the overall success of your partnership. Get off your phone an hour before bed, go to your favorite restaurant, dance around the living room, or have a picnic - the possibilities are endless! 3. Download Relish Asking for outside help is not a sign of defeat. Sometimes we’re not able to solve our problems on our own, and that’s ok! Like we mentioned before, counseling can be expensive, but luckily, there are affordable, mobile versions available. Relish is a personalized dating coach that provides 24/7 evidence-based assistance to get you and your partner on the path to success. We’re very fortunate to live in an age where we have access to excellent relationship-aid resources. Bettering your connection with your partner can be as easy as going out for a nice meal, to downloading a personalized coaching app. Working from home can be stressful, especially during this time. But making some small adjustments, such as the ones above, every day can make the biggest difference in your romantic life.
Love and Relationship 5 Reasons Why It's Good To Marry Your Best Friend 6:29 AM Marry your best friend.You may have heard that line many times before that it’s already lost its profundity. I used to not take that seriously. I thought it's impossible for all people to marry their best friend. And that it's unnecessary...Until I got married.Now, I couldn’t emphasize enough the importance of this truth. And I’m one of those annoying people who will remind the singles out there to marry your best friend!Before you protest...I'm not telling you to start forcing yourself to love your best friend. Or pressure your best mate to marry you.If you and your best friend are already falling for each other and there's a high chance of tying the knot soon, congratulations!If it's far from reality, don't fret.My husband and I didn't start our relationship as friends. We went from meeting to getting to know each other and dating. But I can say I my husband has become my best friend.Why is it good to marry your best friend?5 Reasons Why It's Good to Marry Your Best Friend1. Instant and constant support.Your best friend will cheer you on and support you. Even when no one else does. Even when you're not entirely confident with what you're pursuing.No matter how strong you are, it's good to have a sturdy shoulder to lean on from time to time.You can always count on your partner's emotional support. And that means a lot especially when you are second guessing yourself.Life is not easy. But knowing you have a partner you can count lightens the load.2. Round-the-clock conversation.Remember when you were in high school? You'd sleepover at your best friend’s house and talk all night. It feels like time flies when you’re together. And you never run out of topics.Marriage is like sleeping over with your best friend every night.When you couldn’t sleep because worry keeps you up, it’s good to have someone you can talk to. It eases the anxiety somehow.When you’re both wrinkled and grey, and your hip and joints ache of old age, what you'll have left is conversation.Find someone you'll be comfortable sharing even your deepest darkest fears with.Be with the person you can talk to about anything at anytime without worrying about being judged.3. Sacred silence.Spending time in silence together is equally important as having a meaningful conversation.When you’re weary and you need a day of doing nothing, it’s reassuring to have a best friend who can sit with you in comfortable silence.To know when to be quiet and enjoy that precious moment is vital. Especially when your partner is an introvert.Silence is a soothing and gratifying remedy for the toxicity of the world. 4. Worst critic.Your best friend will tell you what you NEED to know, not what you want to hear. Because your growth and success are as important to them as they are to you.There may be misunderstanding and fights along the way. That happens to the bestest of friends. Let it strengthen your relationship and not shatter it.TIP: Be careful with honesty. Don't use the truth as an excuse to be cruel.5. Unconditional love.Your best friend can give you unconditional love.I've heard this from one of the talks in The Catholic Marriage Summit: As humans, we have a deep desire to be known by another soul. And to be loved despite the knowing is a beautiful gift.There is something liberating and satisfying in the knowledge of being bound to a person who loves you despite of and not because of who you are. Beautiful isn't it?I'm thankful and blessed to marry someone who puts my needs before his. Who considers me in all things even with something as trivial as deciding what to eat. Who listens patiently and loves me for who I am flaws, pimples, moods and all. 😁So marry someone you like to be with, talk to, and someone who brings out the best in you. Marry your best friend or work towards becoming best friends with your spouse.Forever sounds like a long time. Might as well spend it with someone you love and like. Spend it with your best friend.
Fashion & Style Forever In My Heart: oNecklace Birthstone Necklace Review 4:10 PM We were on lockdown. I didn't get to visit my family for months. This dark time reminds me of what truly matters in life: I already have everything I need. And that even when I don't get to see them all the time, my loved ones will forever be in my heart. oNecklace birthstone jewelry seems to be the perfect way to remember the special people in your life. I ordered a customized heart-shaped pendant necklace adorned with gemstones. Each birthstone represents every person I'm keeping in my heart forever.Before the review, let's talk about birthstones.What is your birthstone? January Birthstone: GarnetFebruary Birthstone: AmethystMarch Birthstone: AquamarineApril Birthstone: DiamondMay Birthstone: EmeraldJune Birthstone: Pearl or AlexandriteJuly Birthstone: RubyAugust Birthstone: PeridotSeptember Birthstone: SapphireOctober Birthstone: Tourmaline or OpalNovember Birthstone: Topaz or CitrineDecember Birthstone: Tanzanite, Zircon or TurquoiseWhat's the most expensive birthstone?The most expensive birthstones are diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire. They're still qualified as "precious". Amethyst was once considered as a precious gem, too. But its value went down when large reserves were discovered in Brazil.What's the rarest birthstone?According to National Geographic, Aquamarine (March) is the rarest birthstone.Why are there more than one birthstone for some months?Some months have more than one birthstone to provide alternatives that are less expensive.How did birthstones started?The idea of owning something sentimental and valuable may be the reason why birthstones appeal to humans."The origin of birthstones is believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron which contained twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The idea of birthstones has a place in many traditions, customs, and belief systems." -American Gem Society.oNecklace Birthstone Necklace ReviewI love jewelries that symbolize something special. My engagement ring has an ichthus sign ><> representing Christ. The stone my husband chose was pink because...he knows I love pink. 😊 My oNecklace order was a:sterling silvercustomized heart pendant necklace (0.7mm / 0.03″ thick)box chainlobster clasp18" longThe 5 birthstones I chose represent the birth months of people closest to my heart.It came with an elegant black box with desiccant. A black paper bag. Certificate of Authenticity and a thoughtful note from the oNecklace team.What I love about oNecklacePackaging: Well-packaged inside an Airmax premium bubble envelope so there was no damage. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shipping: Despite the lockdown and inconvenience brought by this pandemic, it arrived earlier than expected. I'm thankful they shipped it through DHL and not through snail mail this time. The last time they sent me my ichthus necklace, it got lost in our post office. 😒 Not their fault. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Personalized: They have jewelries you can customize with your name, monogram or initials. In my case, it also came with a personal note. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity: They'll send you your proof of authenticity with caring tips. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Customer service: My contact person was patient and considerate. The turnaround time was fast. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Appearance: The actual item varies slightly from the one online. But I love how it sparkles when the silver chain and the stones catch the light. ⭐⭐⭐⭐Video edit: @carlounderscoreIt's so pretty to look at. Agree?For a fabulous customized jewelry at an affordable price, this sterling silver birthstone necklace is a wonderful and perfect gift. For your loved one or yourself.📷: XamanthaHoliday is coming. You should visit their site. Explore their big assortment of beautiful jewelries from necklaces, rings, bracelets, and what have yous.About oNecklaceoNecklace offers:free shippingsecure payment90 days return and exchangebest price guaranteedThey have options for 14k gold, 24k gold plated, sterling silver and rose gold jewelries (like these cute earrings I've got). They have zirconia and of course, birthstones for everyone.My oNecklace birthstone jewelry is a wonderful symbol of the people I will carry in my heart forever.Your turnWhat's your birthstone?Do you love or own a customized jewelry?Note: I've received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and are not in any way influenced by the provider.
