Tag: Advice

May & June ’24 Mini Writings.

These two months have been eye openers. Maybe the warmer weather has changed my mental state or maybe good things really have been coming my way. I’ve been finding more of my motivation to be creative and that creative side is slowly coming alive again. I have so many ideas bouncing around that my mini writings are being pushed to the side a little. There’s just a few for the months of May and June.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

“But think of it, what if all you need in order to heal is just the realization that you’re a different person now than you were back then.”

– sally.things

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

“Absence demands to be felt.”

– sally.things

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Set boundaries and embrace ‘no’.

Every ‘yes’ to something is a ‘no’ to something else, often your own feelings and mental health.

– sally.things

Let’s Check In.

⋆˚✿˖° SPRING IS COMING, Happy March! ⋆˚✿˖°
Let’s take a second and do a check in with ourselves. We’re three months into 2024 and time isn’t going to go by any slower. It’s not too late yet to chase what you dreamt this year will be for you. If you follow me on instagram you might have already seen and done this check in, if not then take some time to answer and reflect.

Let’s get into it:
♡ How are you feeling?
♡ How are mentally overall?
♡ Are you positively taking care of yourself?
♡ Have you come up with your yearly goals and intentions yet? If not, get started even if it’s just a weekly goal for now!
♡ Have you started on your goals and intentions yet? If so, how far along are you?
♡ What has made you happy so far? How can you do more of it?
♡ What has made you sad or mad so far? What can you do to make things better for yourself?
♡ Any new goals you can add?
♡ Reflect on your growth in the last two months and celebrate it.
♡ Reflect on your lack of growth and give yourself a safe space for grieving and acceptance. After, leave it behind and start over. It’s not too late!
♡ Do something you love.
♡ Soak in some sun when you can.
♡ Take a walk, even if it’s a little chilly. Find your green space, be outside for a little.

Remember it’s never a bad thing to do a little reset if needed. Let’s make the best of this year. Happy March, may it bring you lots of love and happiness ♡

MY UPDATE

I am currently sitting in an airport by a huge window and soaking in the sun rays. Even though I’ve been up and traveling since 3 AM, today life is good ♡ I also can’t wait to write a food blog after the trip! It’s been a while since I last wrote one, but I promise this one will be worth the wait. New foods to try for your next trip!

Some people will say I’ve gone quiet, but really I’ve just been very occupied with my life, wellbeing and focused on other goals/have other priorities. I’m at a good place now where I feel like I’m rested and decently caught up with life. I feel more like myself than I have in a while. I can feel SALLY THAT GIRL again. She’ll be in full effect by the end of this year. I calmed down my lifestyle to prioritize school and it’s really my main focus. That’s really the main reason why I disappeared. Michigan has this wonderful program where they’ll pay for your semesters as long as you keep up with their requirements and I’m NOT going to lose that. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of and I’m doing exactly that.

For those that haven’t really worked on your goals for the year, it’s fine cause I haven’t really either. I’ve touched the surface, but haven’t done enough yet to say there was any visible progress overall. Some I goals are in the works, some none at all. SO that’s why we can do this check in together, not feel bad and start working on them NOW! We’re human, life and other things get in the way, we don’t feel motivated, fighting the winter blues are hard, I GET IT. I’m there with you. Two weeks ago was when I finally found my motivation to really get up and be active and make sure I use my time to do things that I love and that help me. I just got out of my funk two weeks ago. I wasn’t even able to get out of it myself, my friends in Wisconsin were the ones who really got me over it and that’s okay. It’s absolutely fine to get help from those close to you that you love and trust. Sometimes what you need is love, attention and support. I will admit that I’m definitely one of those people. After all, we are just human.

I am going to go enjoy this love filled vacation now, (my friends are getting married this weekend!). Enjoy your day, your weekend, your week. And to remember to show up for yourself the best you can. ♡

Protecting My Peace.

It’s something that has been talked about more and more each day, protecting your peace. So what does that actually mean? Basically protecting your space, your environment, not letting everyone take from you. You choose who gets your energy and those that don’t because they will drain you out. It doesn’t even have to be people, it can be actions or objects as well. Negative thoughts? Gone. Toxic family members? See you never. A gift that reminds you of a negative time in your life? Good bye.

I have a few stories of cutting certain friendships, relationships and connections that I really wanted to hold on to but no longer served, benefited or gave me joy. Now when I describe as ‘served me’ or ‘benefited’ I don’t mean it in a way that these were giving me something physical like money or material objects. I mean it in the way that they provided me with positive feelings, happiness, love, and support. Like they were there for me to lean on when needed without judgement or I didn’t feel like it was a competition of who does it better. People who are genuinely there for you, a two way relationship or connection.

Without getting into a lot of details because I still hope them the best, but I had to cut ties with a long term friendship, someone I knew the longest in my life. As we grew up, I think we grew apart and eventually that friendship started to drain me. I remained friends with this person for a long time after just hoping it would change cause I saw them as my #1 go to person. That friendship started to make me feel like we were competing with each other constantly. Eventually something happened, trust was broken and it was time to let go. As sad as it was to lose that friendship, I started feeling lighter, less drained. I no longer was in this negative mindset, it literally felt like I lost a storm cloud over my head. It’s just crazy how people can affect you negatively as much as they can positively.
Another way that I’m working on protecting my peace is being more private with my personal social medias. I had to learn that not everyone is rooting for you. They’re really rooting for your downfall and just waiting to kick you the moment you look like you’re starting to fall. With that even if I publicly outed them, it wouldn’t stop. I was actually fueling their fire, feeding into their ego and giving them the attention that they so badly seeked and needed without even knowing. So I went quiet, I went private. On personal pages of mine, you don’t get to see my life unless I allow you to. I show you what I want to be shown on the other pages that are a little less private. Did that make people mad? Yeah. Did it stop all the crazies though? About 85%, but I’ll take that over what it was before. Then it gave me the opportunity to create this blog to relate with so many out there. It gave me an opportunity to be able to make a safe creative space for myself. So remember, not everyone is there for you and not everyone is rooting for you. That’s fine though, just like how you don’t like certain people, certain people won’t like you. Not everyone is for you and you’re not for everyone. Protect your peace.

If you are feeling drained from certain connections or relationships, I hope you find your way too. I asked on my Instagram and facebook page how others protect their peace and here were some responses that I got back. Hopefully someone can find this useful. (Blocked out names out of respect!)

  • Learning how to not care so much about what others think or say
  • Having a self care routine and making time for yourself
  • Setting boundaries and having gratitude because everything happens for a reason
  • By staying home or limiting your time around certain people
  • When you start to overthink, repeat an affirmation over and over again

I appreciate those that share their thoughts on my Q&A’s and for all of you that read my blog post TONS ♡ I just want to connect with people even if it’s just on a social media level. If I can help, then why not you know? Always take what you need from the blog and leave what you don’t.
We’re out here to GROW, LOVE, and BE HAPPY.

Biggest Challenges of 2020: By Myself.

It is now December, for me the month of reflection. I usually try to do monthly reflections so I can pin point an area that I still want to work on for the next month, but with this year all of that went to trash. It was all over the place and no month was ever the same. 2020 has opened myself up to my own self about things I’ve never paid attention about or thought was a problem. 2020 has challenged me in many different ways in every aspect of my life. Really, 2020 got me f u c k e d u p. Just kidding, 2020 has brought what I needed heal about myself in plain sight and it’s a lot more than you think. You guessed it, a new series. Welcome to Biggest Challenges of 2020.

BY MYSELF.
Surprise! I do terrible being by myself or alone. I actually don’t like too much me time or doing things by myself. It’s the weirdest thing because I do consider myself as a pretty independent person. I’ll do what I need to do by myself, but I would much rather have some sort of company with me. I’ve been trying so hard this year with getting more comfortable with being alone by myself and trying to learn how to enjoy my own company. I grew up with three siblings and basically all my nieces, so yeah there was never a time where I was truly by myself. Not until a few years ago, but around then I still had Koko with me.

Living in a pandemic, where you should stay home – yeah, not ideal for someone who feels the same as me. I still find myself adjusting to not having my little Koko around me and I lost her almost two years ago. She didn’t need me as much as I needed her. (another story, another time) I get too much into my head, so having others around even if it’s just my brother’s cat napping next to me. It gets me out of my head. It’s like I’m a codependent-independent person and those two people/personalities don’t mix very well. I would like to be able to go to places by myself without having to talk myself into going. Just decide where and when, get up, get ready, and go.

I’ve been challenging myself to stay home and kind of forcing myself to being alone for two weeks now, but you know, you have your good days and your bad ones. This is probably the one of the hardest things that I’ve tried to achieve yet. Thankfully I do have the support of loved ones, friends, and my therapist. Although any other advice on how to feel more comfortable with your own company is highly and hugely appreciated. ♡ I have a feeling that this one will be something that will be a little harder to overcome.

SALLY ♡ T

If You Release The Past.

“If you release the past, you’ll move ahead and bloom at last. The heart grows and it knows you can glow.”

Gobi, Over the Moon

Whatever it is that you’re holding onto, I hope you’re not letting it hold onto you. Read it again. Whatever it is that you’re holding onto, I hope you can live on without it. Believe that you can. Whatever you’re holding onto, I hope you can move on from it. Let it go, you can. The time will come and your shoulders will be a little less tense and the pressure of the weight will lift, until then just keep going. You’ve made it this far already, you can make it more.

Some things just never feel fair and I’ll never understand why certain things have to happen. Maybe that’s the problem for me, I keep trying to understand the why and not just letting it go. I can recognize and acknowledge it, but how do I actually apply it and live it? I feel myself thinking, wondering, writing this over and over again. I can see the future without it, I can remember the past of it, but I just don’t know what to do with the present of it.

I’ve been told that my post have been relatable and has actually helped or brought some clarity and I’m happy that it has for those people. That’s one of the reasons why I started this blog. I hope as it has for you, that maybe one day it will for me. It’s so strange, but comforting at the same time.

Remember every moment we have is a chance for something new. Not every moment is the same, so allow it to come to you.

SALLY ♡ T

A Guide + Tips on Traveling During the Pandemic.

Hello, I’ve gotten asked a lot of questions about travel during this pandemic time, so here’s everything that I’ve experienced so far from using rideshares to air travels. Hope this helps with any questions or nerves that you may have!
Disclaimer: I do want to say that I am just sharing my experiences with traveling and that I’m not promoting or against anyone who decided traveling during this time is not for them. It’s really up to you and if you feel comfortable enough to travel right now, but if you really need too that this will be a nice guide for you. Thanks!

Rideshares/Ubers/Lyfts/Rentals:
All of these vehicles transportations are pretty much the same as before with the additional rule of wearing your mask the whole ride. All my drivers wear their mask as well. My concern is how the drivers clean or disinfect the car in between rides or if the drivers even follow through with it. I do always carry hand sanitizer with me and sanitize my hands before getting into the car and after getting out. Rental cars on the other hand, are definitely sanitized between customers. It’s just up to you if you want to wipe it down again with disinfectant. You definitely want to keep wipes or sanitizer in the car for when you pump gas or just need to clean a spill.

Hotels & Airbnbs:
Hotels – Every hotel has a different policy right now with their early and late check-in and check-out. Some need you tell notify them before you arrive for check-in and some you can just tell them once you check-in. Some just require an early notification so they can have time for the extra cleaning and disinfecting before the next guest. You do have to wear your mask whenever you are outside of your room and some hotels will check your temperature every time you enter. The elevators are also limited capacity, mainly one family per ride or up to two people if not in the same room. The elevators are not regulated by staff, you choose. Breakfast services that I’ve seen so far have been you order it and they bring it to your room for you or its still set up buffet style, but a staff member will grab the item for you. Some hotel restaurants/bar are closed, take out or available for dining in, depends on the state you are in and how open they are currently. Pools, gyms, and business centers are available in certain states as well. I would just ask the front desk before hand!

Airbnbs – There are plenty of airbnbs that are available. Before booking one, I would suggest messaging the host and ask if that specific airbnb is available for booking and and if there are certain restrictions. Especially for the ones where it’s part of a resort. The resort might have their own policy or rules. Once you get that information, then feel free to book! I know recently airbnb has sent out an email to all their guest stating that parties or people outside of the reservations are not allowed to come to the airbnb, which I can understand, but also up to your discretion on that. You didn’t read that from me though. A lot of the airbnb host hire an outside business to deep clean the place before the next guest, so they are very clean, but that also means that the fees are higher and airbnbs are more expensive right now. Airbnb has an option for you to rent certain places for a period of months instead of days, if whatever situation like that comes up for you. Please note that some host will ask you what you are renting the place for and if it seems like it’s not going to comply with social distancing, then they have the right to reject you.

Air Travel:
Flying during this time, for me, has not been a bad experience either. I do get a little nervous when I get a flight that is completely booked through vs. a flight where they leave at least 1 seat empty in each row. I’ve been on both and it really depends on what airline you choose to fly with. You do have to wear your mask the whole entire time at the airport and on the plane ride with the exception of actively eating. Any kids over the age of 2 must wear a mask as well. If that is something that you do not like, I would suggest not to fly at all then. The airlines are suppose to be cleaning extra in between flights, but I’ve seen some crumbs left on the seat still. My tip would be to bring your own hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Before you sit down you can quickly wipe your chair and the area around you before settling in. Most travelers suggested this even before covid has happened anyways. Some airlines are still serving their snacks and drinks on board, some have stopped it to minimize the traffic in the aisle, so packing snacks or buying snacks before is the best way to go. Some airlines will also include one small sanitizing wipe as well with their complimentary snacks if available. You can find most of this information of the airlines website or if you contact them. Through out the airport all lines will have signs up on on the floors on where to stand to keep the 6ft social distancing. Lines might seems long, but it’s just the space in between parties. I would still suggest getting to the airport two hours early like any other times. You just never know if it’s busy or not! You also get your temperature checked before boarding onto your flight and if it’s over 100.8 degrees fahrenheit they will ask you to sit back down and have you come up at the last call to see if that calmed your body temperature or not. If it continues to stay the same, I believe you will not be allowed on.

I hope that gave you some insight on how things are working now! Just always have multiple mask with you, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes! You can’t always rely on 100% cleanliness from others and it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you do decide to travel, REMEMBER to be kind to everyone and protect yourself as well as protect others! Also follow those social distancing rules and try not to touch rails around you and if you do sanitize or wash your hands! 20 seconds please!! Be safe now!

SALLY ♡ T

You are not weak for needing rest.

Let me repeat that again, you are not weak for needing rest.
Sometimes we overwork ourselves, sometimes life can become a handful, and sometimes we just get tired. We can only handle so much at a time, it’s called being human and it’s perfectly fine. Take some time for yourself and restore the energy that was lost.
This is something that I’ve been struggling to be okay with. I feel like there is never time to rest and if there is, I shouldn’t because it just means that I’m mentally weak. Like how can I not handle my own life? IT’S OKAY THOUGH, GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK! YOU ARE S T I L L AND W I L L BE THE SUPERWOMAN OR MAN THAT YOU ARE. Nobody is perfect and really no one is holding you to that standard, but yourself.

» A few things that I’ve been doing more during this pandemic that has helped me rest and restore:
◦  Working on my blogs
◦ Picking up hobbies that grab your full attention
◦ Getting my cards read for clarity and guidance
◦ Personal journaling
◦ Cuddling up with some poetry books
◦ Bath bombs/bubble baths
◦ Spending time by myself
◦ Using the time I have off discovering new foods, art, event, etc.
Bonus: Going to see my boyfriend more often (long distance relationships are a thing in itself) and being able to see my friends. Surrounding myself around their energy is probably the #1 thing that helps, they just radiate so much love.

Keep up the good work, you’re doing great. I can feel things around me getting better, I can feel myself piecing back together. You are making progress. Keep looking into every little message and keep communicating your feelings and thoughts. There’s been some rough weeks, but it’s coming to an end. It won’t last forever. If you fall backwards, it’s okay. You can get through it. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone either.

SALLY ♡ T