Posted on

6 Ways to De-Stress These Holidays

A massive congratulations to all University students for competing another year of being a citizen in stress city !!!

Let’s face it, stress is one of the most common factors in our lives. Although it might not be externally noticed, stress is so sneaky that it happens without us even realising. Internal stress is the type most likely causing those pimples or wrinkle signs. That’s why I’m here, to tell you how it’s possible to de-stress these holidays. Because after all those exams, it becomes pretty difficult.

Processed with VSCO with g3 preset

(1) Listen to Oh Wonder’s entire album. 

Instantly #Stressfree

(2) Read poetry by Lang Leav

Love and Misadventure is such a beautiful book and available on Book Depository for only $12.40. Bargain.

0d2c7df7e2576fb755ec2cc6d3f21c8c.jpg

(3) Go for a Run 

Just don’t do what I did the other day (a.k.a, faint whilst running and getting a random stranger to drive you home). That’s what happens when you have low iron and haven’t exercised for over 4 months. Or when Childish Gambino is playing hectic tunes in your ears and you don’t realise how fast you’re actually running.

(4) Relax in Botica Bliss Bath Tea’s 

“Botica Bliss Bath Teas are all about you! Luxurious natural organic ingredients, blended for you to take time out to pamper yourself.”

Botica Bliss is an incredible product! While sipping on a cup of tea I relaxed in their Magnesium bath. I had a divine 1.5 hour bath. Completely forgetting the time! Possibly even falling asleep once or twice.

I love supporting local products and especially those as well crafted and packaged as Botica Bliss. 

Affordable, relaxing, and locally made; all three factors in one. A perfect way to de-stress these holidays or even a wonderful gift for someone.

Check out their website here to order: http://www.boticabliss.com/ 

img_3399img_3462img_3480img_3499

(Disclaimer: I wasn’t endorsed by Botica Bliss. I just very much enjoyed using their products).

(5) Read some positive quotes 

Reading words of affirmation and positive thoughts are also one of the best things in de-stressing my crazy lil mind. You can find some of them on Pinterest, type: Positive Words in the search bar.

60aaa202cfbefc48ba0c1e303c70c582.jpg(6) Go in the Ocean 

I was on the phone to a friend of mine today. We were both in full agreement about the benefits of the ocean. What a glorious yet frightening natural wonder! With the ability to make you float or make you sink.

What a soothing way to de-stress these holidays! Also, swimwear is optional if you find a private beach. Hehe.

988063975d8d98f9b40afc9cfb846640.jpg

Oh, and enjoy your holidays guys!

xxx –

Posted on

I Went to the Wrong Uni on my First Day

Hi hello hey, it’s been a while & I’m sorry for the absence but I just handed in my last assignment for this year so I thought I’d reflect on my experience of university this year.

I’m lying on my bed in a cream coloured pinafore dress after dying my hair violet from a cheap packet bought from Chemist warehouse. I feel like a kid. Perhaps, I still am. Maybe it’s because I keep escaping back to the Sunny Coast away from my adult responsibilities in the big city. Or maybe it’s because I’m hardly attending university at the moment- being a part-time student gives you that luxury. If you feel like you need to step away from hectic studies to focus on what’s really important than I 10/10 recommend this.

If my first year of university has taught me anything it is that it’s okay to be your kid-like self and pursue what makes your soul feel at its happiest.

Although like Ivy, (Read here: http://www.poisonandice.com/tuesday-talks/what-university-is-really-like) I didn’t expose my bra to an entire lecture room on my first week, I did however end up at the wrong university on the first day.

Hold up, let me try and redeem myself. I had my outfit sorted, my makeup done with a pop of bright lipstick and my tote bag full of the ‘Uni essentials’ (Which I later learnt was not even needed). I’d caught the correct bus but it was actually going the opposite way of my university. I was so focused on making my outfit on point that I had completed misinterpreted the Translink transport app.

Here are some things that I was wrong about:

(1) Dressing Up For Uni

I was completely wrong in thinking that university was a place that you had to dress up for. Some days I hardly even remember to wear a bra or shoes.

(2) Everyone is Stable

I was completely wrong in thinking that those who attended university were the ones who had their lives together.

(3) I Would Never Change Degree’s

I was completely wrong in thinking that I would be content with the first degree I started. Now I can confirm that I was in no way content, as I have now changed degrees three times in one year. I like to think it’s my way of working down my QTAC preference list. Or, you could look at it as indecisive Elly striking again.

A little bit of insight- Whether you’re having a gap year after school, changing degree’s copious times, studying too much or not studying at all, we’re all trying to deal with the crap and once you understand that, it makes university so much more bearable.

So, I’ve learnt that university ain’t what it seems (Hell, you could even miss out on your first day because you’re that stressed out!).

You create the path that is going to make you the most happiest and you follow it all the damn way.

Posted on

5 Random Acts of Kindness

So I pose this question to you, if I introduced you to you, how would you like to be shown?

Personally, I’d want to be someone who showed kindness through the random acts I did in my life. Comment your thoughts below.

One of the easiest things to do in life is to be kind.

It’s actually super simple and there are tonnes of ways to demonstrate kindness to a world who really needs it.

Watch this video before we begin:

This blog post is in collaboration with the beautiful Katie Kuo from Katie Passionfruit. Check out her blog for her self-love post linking to this one.

5 Random Acts of Kindness

(1) Good-morning/Have a nice day message…e.g *Thinking of you* 

A message like this is easy to send to someone on your mind. It doesn’t have to be a big deal, just click send and then wait for the reply of “Oh you just made my day”

(2) Saying sorry to someone you’ve hurt in the past which was never resolved 

I don’t think there’s anyone else who hates confrontation more than me. It’s some scary shit to bring up old-unresolved issues to someone. But if you were in the wrong and realised that you need to apologise then this is another act of kindness.

(3) Buying someone a small gift 

The gift doesn’t have to be expensive because the fact that it is spontaneous will be worth more than you’ll ever know. Everyone knows me as that girl who doesn’t buy people birthday presents, but will buy random gifts when someone has been on my mind. Personally, I find that more special.

(4) Making someone a cup of tea 

This is easily my favourite random act of kindness. Ask someone if they would like a cup of tea, boil kettle, make cup of tea. Easy done.

(5) Visiting someone unexpectedly 

Ah, simple. Just don’t scared them but it’s totally okay to visit someone unexpectedly. Hopefully if their being particularly nice, they’ll offer to make you a cup of tea.

About Katie Kuo 

A passion for the creative things in life. I grew up in the country side of Auckland and am currently living in Sydney. When I have spare time I like to write, read, take long walks, listen to music and discover new things. I have always felt the inspiration to write, draw, express and create as much as I can from a young age. I believe that people, creativity and imagination are the most special kinds of inspiration.

BLOG: https://katiepassionfruit.com/

IG: @katiekuo96

FB: https://www.facebook.com/katiepassionfruit88/

Image Credit: Pinterest 

Posted on

Exploring my Instagram Archives

Hacking the Instagram game means having killer captions, even if you have to lie about your feelings sometimes.

We all have those nights where we reminisce on the good times as we scroll through our Instagram profile. So I thought I’d take a trip down memory lane to some Instagram posts from last year and get real with what I was actually dealing with instead of what I said on my captions. (Most of them are selfies cause I’m usually alone so don’t judge). Who knows, after this blog post I might even start a series called “Not what it seems”. Highlighting the fact that other people’s lives are not always how they appear on social media.

So let’s hop to it. 

What I said

fullsizerender-23

fullsizerender-32

What I should have said

“I just travelled over 5000km’s and got my heartbroken by a guy”

 

 

 

 

What I said

fullsizerender-5fullsizerender-8

 

 

What I should have said

“These French boys really pissed me off so much and I really wanted to go to sleep”

 

 

 

What I said

fullsizerender-18

fullsizerender-3

What I should have said

“I really have no idea what I’m going to do in 2015. I have deferred from University, I don’t have a job and I’m shit scared”

What I said

  fullsizerender-35fullsizerender-11

What I should have said

“I have a huge crush on the boy next to me so quick take a photo  so he will notice me”

 

 

 

 

What I said

fullsizerender-17

fullsizerender-13

What I should have said

“I actually stole this apple and I can’t remember where I stole it from but I know I stole it cause I’m running out of money and I’m hella hungry. Side note, I’m in Shakespearean territory and I’m going to go watch a theatre performance by myself tonight”

 

 

fullsizerender-12

What I said

fullsizerender-24

What I should have said

“I don’t really want to return to Australia just yet but I’ve been working illegally and they just figured it out”

 

 

 

 

fullsizerender-31

What I said

fullsizerender-9

What I should have said

“If my brother has to take one more photo of me I swear he’ll disown me from the family”

 

 

 

What I said 
fullsizerender-20

fullsizerender-14

 

 

 

What I should have said 

” Yep, this is the first and last time I’m going to have a healthy breakfast”

 

Head over to my Instagram (dancinginviolentfields) to see my caption writing these days.

Posted on

10 Tips for Being A Good Friend

Good friends are hard to find these days. But when you do search high and low for that quality person, you’ll want to hang onto that friendship. However, it goes both ways. A friendship can hardly flourish if it is just one sided.

I sat down with my beautiful friend, Katie Baird at Born to Explore the World and discussed what it means to be a good friend.

screen-shot-2016-10-06-at-9-30-10-pm

  1. TAKE THE TIME:

    Taking the time to listen to each other’s Spotify playlists, knowing full well their blood and sweat went into creating their own little slice of heaven.

  1. VISIT THEM:

    When they’re sick, and provide any sort of comfort food. They will remember this next time you’re sick.

  1. BE NATURAL:

    Be raw with them. Make sure you give your friends the privilege of knowing the real you at all times, even if it drags a whole range of emotions with it.

  1. BE HONEST:

    Call them on their shit. It’s 100% okay that if you feel they are making a crazy life decision to pull them up on it. However, when they’re being over emotional, let them cry and rant to you as well. Sometimes you might not have the wisdom to give to them but they will find it comforting just knowing that you are listening.

  1. ANSWER CALLS:

    Answer their Skype calls or phone calls when their overseas and need your help ASAP and be willing to spend hours on the phone with them talking about every situation with them, and wishing you were together again. We get it, everyone has busy schedules so if you can’t answer their calls then just send them a message saying you’re thinking of them. It’s simple.

img_4633Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

  1. SUPPORT THEM:

    Celebrate with them. They’re victory is your victory. Seeing them happy makes you happy. So make sure you show it.

  1. SHARE:

    What’s mine is yours. Be so comfortable around them that there is no boundaries and what you can and can’t borrow and share…just not boyfriends.

  1. LOVE THE FAM:

    Treat their family like you’d treat your own. Ask about them, because almost instinctively you already care about them.

  1. DON’T BE OVERPROTECTIVE:

    And don’t be overly clingy. Be happy in who you are, and your confidence that the friendship makes you both shine – not one of you hiding behind the other.

  1. ESCAPE WITH THEM:

    They will escape with you when you feel the need to get away. Even if it’s just to pick you up for an ice-cream or a long road trip. They will be there.

img_4645

ABOUT BORN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD 

Born To Explore The World is a travel and self-inspiring blog that follows the life lessons of a young woman as she takes risks, and runs through life hoping to find what she’s looking for. Always writing of distance places, lovely faces and the perfect contraption that is, to be in love. It’ll always leave you wanting more.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/katiejbaird/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/borntoexploretheworld/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/katherynjbaird

Have Pinterest?? REPIN THIS

img_4648

Image Credit: Shelby Campbell