Home 8 Simple Housekeeping Tips I've Learned From Living Alone 12:42 PM I've decided it's time to live alone after experiencing several traumatic experiences from sharing a space. I was hesitant at first, but I'm glad I did. Living solo is an ongoing fun adventure! Every day, I'm learning to be a, dare I say, homemaker. Here are eight simple housekeeping tips I've learned from this journey,Housekeeping Tip #1: Schedule it. Schedule your laundry time (you'll save more if you wash your clothes). Schedule your grocery trips. Schedule your house cleaning. Schedule even charging your gadgets. Scheduling saves you time, electricity, water, and money.SenorgifHousekeeping Tip #2: Vinegar is magical! I didn't know vinegar could be so versatile. I used to think it just made a good dip, flavor enhancer, or salad dressing. Here are some of its uses: 1. Showerhead cleaner.Wrap your shower head in a plastic bag with vinegar and let it stay overnight. Result: clean and disinfected showerhead in the morning. 2. Toilet, sink, and bathroom cleaner.The tiles and toilet bowl are cleaner if you wash them with baking soda + vinegar and rinse with water. 3. Ant deterrent.Put vinegar in cotton or drench used clothes with it.Place the cotton or clothes in the area ants usually occupy (by the door or kitchen sink). These are just three of what I've learned first-hand, but through the internet, I've discovered that vinegar can also be used to:Clean your PCclean the windowsremovecarpet stainsburnish scissorsunclog drainIt can also be used as a facial toner and dandruff remover. It's like magic! Giphy Housekeeping Tip #3: Baking soda powder. My neighbor's cat loves doing his business in the hallway outside my door. Sometimes I wake up not to the alarm but to that horrible smell.Sprinkling baking soda in the gap under the door almost instantly eliminates the odor and blocks the odor from coming in.I also scrub the bathroom floor and kitchen counter with baking soda.When used with vinegar, it can unclog the sink. Gfycat Housekeeping Tip #4: You can live without TV.Living alone has taught me that less screen time often means a tidier home. Without the constant distraction of TV, I naturally became more productive and intentional with my time and space. Let’s be honest:TV tends to become background noise while dishes pile up, laundry waits, and clutter builds. But when you cut it out (or at least reduce it), you’ll be surprised at how much more you get done around the house. Here’s what happens when you unplug more often: You stay more present – You notice messes and deal with them immediately instead of zoning out in front of a screen. You get more done – Tidying, organizing, and even deep cleaning become natural ways to fill time. You use your time intentionally – Instead of passively watching something, you might read, journal, exercise, or catch up on personal projects. You don’t have to give up entertainment completely, just be mindful of how much time it takes up. Streaming and binge-watching can quietly steal hours you could’ve used to make your home feel more peaceful and put-together. Why is this a housekeeping tip?Because a clean home isn’t just about scrubbing and sweeping—it’s also about creating habits that support a tidy lifestyle. Cutting back on TV helps reduce distractions so you can stay on top of the little things before they become big chores. Giphy Housekeeping Tip #5: Unplug if not in use. Though turned off, appliances still use power when plugged in. Unplug unused appliances, especially before leaving the house, to save electricity and to be safe.Live sustainably. GiphyHousekeeping Tip #6: Keep your food storage full and emergency kit ready.You'll never know when a storm or flu will hit you. Things you must always have: Food Oatmeal or cereal Milk or a chocolate drink Crackers or biscuits Bread Peanut butter or your favorite sandwich spread Granola barPotable Water!!! Medicine/Emergency Kit Povidone Iodine Band-Aid Alcohol Ointment/Balm Cotton Bug Repellent Petroleum jelly OTC Antipyretic/Analgesic Medicine for different types of stomachache (Antidiarrheal, Antacid, Antispasmodic) Medicine for menstrual cramps Antihistamines for allergySanitary pad GiphyHousekeeping Tip #7: Clean as you go. You won't have a hard time cleaning if you see to it that you keep things orderly. Put things back where you got them. Organize documents and label them for easy retrieval. Giphy Housekeeping Tip #8: Stick to your budget. Identify your needs and your wants. You can splurge if you have extra. But it's always better to live within or below your means. Giphy Living alone is a way of getting to know yourself better. You learn things you were oblivious to when living with your parents. Now I know how to read electric bills! I also realized that this is a good learning curve for the near future when I'll be blessed with my own family to take care of. Living alone is a good test to see how responsible and capable I can be. For now, the best time of my day is coming home to a quiet, peaceful, and organized space. Every time I close the door, I can heave a sigh of relief and sincerely say, "It's good to be home." I couldn't do that when I was sharing a space.What housekeeping tips have you learned or would like to share? Excited to read them in the comments below.
Books Why We Need More Luna Lovegoods And Hermione Grangers 11:51 AM It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be. -J.K. Rowling We need more Luna Lovegoods and Hermione Grangers in a world full of Pansy Parkinsons. Well, this is not a review of the book itself, but a few of the life lessons I got from the Potter series. I love that quote because (1) I'm a Potterhead, and (2) because if you know Luna Lovegood, Hermione Granger and Pansy Parkinson, you would agree. Luna Lovegood is one of the characters in Harry Potter that you will learn to love. She is weird, she was called Loony Lovegood because she's odd and she doesn't fit. Pansy Parkinson is your typical mean girl at school. She's not pretty inside and out. She sticks with people who thinks they're powerful and bully everyone. She talks trash about you and makes your life miserable. She's your worst nightmare. Hermione Granger is just as famous as Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. She's one of the popular trio in Hogwarts. So, I'll presume you know who she is. Why We Need More Luna Lovegoods And Hermione Grangers They speak their minds Luna Lovegood speaks her mind even if it means being the laughing stock of the school. She believes in what most people in her world think is baloney. She can make you uncomfortable because she points out the truth that no one else would dare. Pansy Parkinson may have a field day every time she say something foolish but she doesn't care. How many of us can freely say what we want to say like Luna? Humility Hermione Granger is the smartest witch of her age. Yet despite being number one in her class, she doesn't brag about it. Pansy Parkinson is not even half as smart she is but loves to call attention to herself. And she always say bad things about Hermione. Sounds familiar? In our world, those who are pulling you down are already below you. They're not half as successful as you are and since they can't beat you, they will try to discredit you instead. Sometimes people in your life will try to expose what's wrong with you because they can't handle what's right about you. -Anonymous Defining standards Luna Lovegood and Hermione Granger define their own standards. Luna has weird fashion sense that even Harry was quite embarrassed when he was with him because he was conscious of people laughing at Luna openly. But Luna doesn't give a damn about what people say. She's comfortable with who she is and goes for what she believes is beautiful that no critic can tell her otherwise. Hermione Granger is looked down for being a Muggle born (witch born from non magical parents). In our world, she is the favorite subject of bullying and racism. The name calling and the discrimination though didn't stop her from being the top of her class. Both girls were victims of harassment, verbal abuse and torment, but neither backed down or got intimidated. Neither stooped down to their critics' level. Talk about taking the high road. Unswerving loyalty Luna Lovegood and Hermione Granger fought with Harry up to the very end. Especially Hermione. She saw everything that Harry went through and she stayed with him loyally. Both Luna and Hermione are your ideal best friends---with unquestioning loyalty and who are willing to give up what they have and risk everything to fight with you and for you up to the very end. Standing out Luna and Hermione were brave enough to not go with the crowd. When everyone else were taking the easy way out by going with the majority, they were not swayed. They have independent minds. And I think it's beautiful that it so happened they found like-minded people. Friendship They value friendship. One of the many things I love about Harry Potter series is the way they all value one another despite being different. They all have uniqueness and quirks but when it comes to friendship, they all jive. Today, you'll seldom find people who are genuine and sincere. Sometimes you have to think hard and long before you'll know what the other person's motive is. Sincerity is a big issue. So when you find people who are real, it becomes a rare opportunity. Standing up for others Although both Hermione and Luna are victims of bullying themselves, they don't sit around and watch the likes of Pansy Parkinson bully others. They may sometimes stay quiet and ignore the name callings in the halls, but they do stand up for those who are being bullied. They protect other people as much as they can. Selflessness They both tried to stop the most powerful and evil wizard of all. While Pansy Parkinson would have followed and caved in to Voldemort's threats, they were both willing to sacrifice their youth, and put their lives on the line, fighting side by side with their friends who are just as young and vulnerable as they are. They're both selfless. Careless and brave yes, but selfless nonetheless. Irreplaceable Harry and Ron would have been lost without Hermione. She was the brain in their group. She thinks in advance and she thinks...well like a woman does. That saved them from a lot of trouble in their journey. Luna was the one who talked Harry back into his senses when he tried to isolate himself from the crowd. If it wasn't for Luna's carefree insight, Harry would have ruined his friendships and he would have been more vulnerable to Voldemort. She was also the one who was there when Harry felt alone. Men then, couldn't have done so much or survived without them. Both Luna and Hermione embody Girl Power. They are both fighters. They are both very smart and wise for their age. They are both looked down by the self-righteous and the fault-finders. But, they both remained confident, staunch and unwavering that no Pansy Parkinson can put them down or stop them. Photos and gifs from Google images. Header photo fan art by courtneygodbey Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Life Lessons Leave Your Baggage And Move On 10:17 AM If you want to move on, you need to learn to let go. -Bo Sanchez Originally written for and published on The Praying Woman Sins. Hurts. Problems. Past Mistakes. Criticisms. Limitations. Regrets. What is your baggage? Whatever it is, leave your baggage and move one. Leave Your Baggage And Move On Sins. Let go of sins. In our weakness, in our frailty we commit sin. We sometimes take the easy way out and compromise our values. After sinning, instead of repenting we choose to live in the shadow of our sins. Instead of facing the consequences, we let it define us. We sin and we feel like we're done. Like there's no more hope for us. Good news! Even the worst sinner can be has been forgiven. All we need is to accept the mercy from the Ultimate Forgiver, so we can forgive ourselves and move on. Let go of the baggage of sin and move one. Hurts. People will always, always hurt us no matter how much we try to live in peace with them. It's not about us, it's about them. Hurting people hurt people. People who are unkind to you have issues with themselves and not with you. You may have been abandoned by your parents. Your friend might have said something that hurt you in the past. Someone may have broken your heart. Yesterday, a week ago, a month ago, maybe a couple of years or a decade ago...it doesn't matter. You feel hurt and it's normal. It's normal because you care. It's normal because you're an emotional being. That abandonment, that betrayal, that pain hurt but it's not your end. It may feel that way, but it's NOT. Let go of the hurt. Leave your pain and move on. Problems. As long as you're alive, you will encounter problems. Problems may vary from minor ones---what to have for breakfast, to major ones---how to get out of your debts. Your problems will not be around forever. Behind every problem is a solution. Behind every trial is your triumph waiting. Leave your problems and move on. Past Mistakes. If you are alive today, it means you've made mistakes in the past. Nobody's perfect. Everybody fails. It is not the falling that will define you, but your getting up after the fall. Let go of your past mistakes and move on. Criticisms. Some people make it their life mission to scrutinize you, criticize you, and even shame you. Know this: if you've accepted your flaws, no one can use it against you. If you know your worth, no one can shortchange you or make you feel inadequate. How you see people is a reflection of how you see yourself. How you treat people is an extension of how you treat yourself. So when people only see the wrong in you, or treat you harshly all the time, take pity on them. They must be living a very hard life. They could be desperate for help. Again, it's not about you, it's about them. Let go of criticisms. They're just noise. Limitations. You may have been told by someone important to you that your dreams are too big for you, that you are unrealistic. Someone may have instilled in your mind that you are not capable. They're just as imperfect as you are. The only person who can limit you is yourself. Let go of limitations. Regrets. We have our could-have-been. We feel like we've missed something and regret our decisions at some point. We can choose to dwell in what we cannot change, or let go of the regret and make a brand new start. We can feel sorry for ourselves forever or make the mind-shift that everything happens for a reason. Behind all our baggage is shame. If we get rid of the shame, we get rid of the baggage and start to move one. We hang on to toxic people and stay in trashy relationships because we feel that's what we deserve. Because we're ashamed of ourselves, of our baggage. Bo Sanchez said, "You are not a garbage collector. Get rid of the garbage in your life." Gratitude defies gravity. When you feel pulled down by your past mistakes, turn it around and be grateful instead of who you are and what you have. You can't get on a plane unless you surrender your baggage first. You can't get on with life unless you let go of your emotional baggage. It's not easy, but you'll get there if you start shedding them now. Leave Your Baggage And Move On From Talk 2: Desperate of Women Gone Wild series at The Feast. Watch the video here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Lux Thinking Aloud Striving To Be Childlike 5:36 PM Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. -Matthew 18:3 Striving To Be Childlike I'm striving to be childlike. A child lives a less complex, stress free life. A child may worry, but not for long and not over serious matters. I am striving to be forgiving. Notice how easy it is for children to forgive one another? Sometimes, they don't even have to apologize. After a while, they start playing or talking again like nothing happened. No hang ups, no grudges. They forgive easily because they don't make a big deal out of it. They forgive easily because they forget about the offense. They put their friendship over their differences. And a little misunderstanding can't stop them from having fun. I want to be as forgiving as a child. I am striving to be trusting. The ugly part of being an adult is that you've been exposed to many events that somehow removed your ability to trust fully. Too many betrayals. Too many promises broken. Too many plans that did not pursue because somehow the people involved were not able to live out their commitment. It's sad really. You become too cautious you build a strong and tall wall around you to protect yourself from further damage, because you fear that you might not be able to take the hurt anymore if it happens again. I want to be childlike in the way I trust people. Like I've never been hurt before. Like I will never be betrayed again. The way a child laughs when he's being thrown high on air by his father knowing that he will catch him no matter what. I am striving to be dependent on God. I want to be dependent on God like a child is dependent on his parents. To wake up knowing that my day will be alright because my Father sees to it that all my needs are taken care of. That my way is safe. That my convenience is always considered. I am striving to be worry-free. Worry is not of from God, it's from the enemy. Because God does not want us to worry, He said that so Himself. A child is worry-free because He knows He's in good hands. He can sleep soundly in his parent's arms despite the chaos going around him because he is sure that he will be protected. That he will not be abandoned. That he is loved. I am striving to be childlike in a way that I never lose my sense of wonder. To look at things in amazement. To expect beautiful surprises in the face of uncertainty. To believe in miracles, in magic, and that all wishes come true. To be always in awe even of the little things that adults take for granted. To never stop being appreciative of even the small things and gestures. I am striving to be forgiving, trusting, dependent, worry-free, appreciative. I am striving to be childlike. A child who is confident that he is loved. A child who knows his place. A child so full of dreams and belief in himself. A child who is sure that he can do anything he sets his heart to. I am striving to be childlike, and you should too. This post is based on today's Didache Reflection. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email Photos: Google images
Dating 5 Common Worries Of A Single Woman & What To Do About Them 12:35 PM 5 Common Worries Of A Single Woman & What To Do About Them Is being single worth losing sleep over? It’s 2 AM. The world is quiet and sleeping. But here you are. Lying awake in bed wondering if you’d ever find The One. You wish you could fast forward and skip to the good part.But you can’t.You’re single AF. Uncertainties start to overwhelm you. Self-doubt begins to dampen your spirit.The future looks scary...mainly because you feel alone.You try to shake off that negative feeling and ask, “How do I stop worrying about being single?”Don’t fret. For every anxiety, there is a remedy.What do single women worry about the most?Here are five common worries of a single woman and what to do about them. Worry #1: All my friends are getting married or pregnant!When you see your peers celebrating milestones and feel like you’re stuck, it’s easy to feel insecure.You start questioning what’s next for you.When am I going to meet my spouse? Will I ever be able to start my own family?You don’t want to feel left behind.People will be pressuring you to settle down.Some of them are well-meaning. But it does feel intrusive and disrespectful sometimes.So what to do when you start to worry about your friends moving forward and ahead of you? Remedy:It pays to be patient. There’s nothing wrong with taking your time. How you spend your lifetime is at stake here, so don’t jump into hasty decisions and settle for just anyone.Don’t sabotage your future just because you’re lonely at present.Strip away envy.Be genuinely happy for your friends’ achievements and breakthroughs.Celebrate your victories too. You may not have found The One yet, but the freedom of being single is priceless. Seize every moment. Unlike you, your friends may enjoy their time with their new baby but cannot sleep as much as they want. You can go to bed and wake up at any time.You have everything in your hands to experience life as you please.No commitments. No hassles.Embrace your alone time.Because one day, when you least expect it, it will all be over.Gratitude is the best antidote for envy. Be thankful for what you have and for where you are. Remember when you used to pray for those things? And you have no idea how many people wish they could trade places with you. Giphy Worry #2: My biological clock is ticking! Age affects the fertility of men and women.Studies show that as women age, the chances of conceiving drop.Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, and as they get older, the eggs get fewer.A woman’s fertility starts to reduce in her early 30s. By age 40, only 1 in 10 women will get pregnant per menstrual cycle. Remedy:Freeze your eggs.Believe in miracles.Consider adoption.If you really want to be a biological mother, your age may be another source of worry if you’re still single.Thanks to modern technology, though, there are ways to increase your chances of having a baby and a healthy one even when you’re 35 and up. Some women opt for other fertility options like IVF or donor eggs.If you can afford it, you can freeze your eggs until you’re ready to have a baby.Remember the stories of Sara and Elizabeth in the Bible? Some people don’t believe in miracles or God, but that’s their call. If God can make Sara a mother at the age of 90 and Elizabeth was 88 when he gave birth to John...Don’t you think you also have the chance to get pregnant even when you’re beyond the ideal age? Hopefully, not as old as these legendary women in the Bible, of course.Nothing’s impossible with a God who can turn water into wine and raise the dead.Believe that you are just as highly favored as the people in the Bible.Or maybe the child for you is already out there, from another family. Waiting for a parent who can give them a better life. GfycatWorry #3: When is Prince Charming going to rescue me? The problem here is all in the head.Maybe because Disney conditioned us to believe that Prince Charming is the only way to get us to the life we want.So when it takes too long for your knight in shining armor to come and get you, you wonder if he’ll arrive.Or if there’s something wrong with you because why wouldn’t anyone want to rescue a fair lady like yourself?Remedy:Get rid of your Cinderella complex. You’ll get disappointed if you depend on others to give you what you need. Waiting for The One will be easier if your love tank is full. Then, it will be an exciting adventure.Remember: You’re not a damsel in distress who needs saving. You’re capable enough to take care of yourself. Stop waiting for love, marriage, and Prince Charming to come along and rescue you, and start designing a life you don’t wish to be rescued from. - Mandy Hale Gfycat Worry #4: I’m not desirable enough. Am I not pretty?Am I too short? Or too tall?Am I not smart enough?Don’t I have the right personality?Am I not dating, girlfriend, or wife material?What is wrong with me? Remedy: Carry yourself with grace.Work on finding your self-worth.Believe that you are enough. Because you really are.Be careful how you talk to yourself because you listen (Lisa M Hayes).God doesn’t create rejects. Just because the glossy pages of beauty magazines tell you you’re not the standard of beauty doesn’t mean they’re right. Who are they to say? They’re just as imperfect as you are.Those women are loaded with heavy makeup and are Photoshopped.Remember that you are beautiful and worthy just the way you are.Nothing is more beautiful and irresistible than confidence. GiphyWorry #5: I’ll end up alone and miserable!Maybe you’ve met old single women who are grumpy and hateful.Maybe you’ve been watching too many movies where they portray women beyond their marrying age as desperate and hostile characters.Or maybe you’ve been putting your happiness in other people’s hands.That’s why you’re worried that you’ll never find joy if you don’t find a partner.Remedy:Choose to be happy! You are as happy and as lonely as you decide to be. Happiness cannot and will never be found in another person or from an outside source. Find the pros of being alone. Being alone is not tantamount to being miserable. You can be in a relationship and still be discontented and lonely. Two happy individuals make a happy relationship. If you’re unhappy in your own company, don’t expect others to be. Giphy Summary: Common Worries and Remedies for Single WomenThe next time worries about being single rear their ugly heads, you know what to do.Kick envy with gratitude.Believe you are favored.Design a life you don’t need rescuing from.Know your worth.Choose to be happy. Never ever compare your story with others, especially those in the movies. Your story is unique. Don’t insult your Maker. It’s not hard to be single. There are many perks to being alone.You’re free. You have a blank canvas.It’s actually exciting if you think about it.Knowing you have many options is like walking at a buffet table.Don’t listen to those making you feel like an outcast because you’re not in a relationship.You’re not!And they don’t hold your future. Stop overthinking and start believing.Stop betting against yourself and start being your own cheerleader.You’re exactly where you should be. But no, you won’t be stuck there forever. Unless you want to. Are you single? What worries you, and what do you do about them?
