All posts filed under: Lifestyle

Lifestyle: Do You Enjoy Being Alone?

Published by

More and more humankind is seeking a life in solitude, at least that’s what I’ve read and hear and actually seen among my immediate connections at work, and among friends. Either embracing being alone, or wishing for some alone time. So with this topic in mind, I did some digging and here’s what I found – that if you like being alone then you have these 6 personality traits: You’re very particular about boundaries You value time, and not just your own You are comfortable with your thoughts You are calm and composed You are extremely loyal You are addicted to solitude and guard it zealously Here’s where you go for a more elaborate explanation Also you may find this topic interesting: In celebration of being alone, but not lonely – some helpful insights into understanding that choosing to be alone is not an absolute crisis or a red flag.  {featured image credit}    

Putting Your Life In Order Or On Paper

Published by

After the much needed purging/cleaning up the house, scheduling donations and curb-side pickup the entire month of January, I am finally ready to tackle the rest of putting my life in order. You know, documentation, files, passwords, and will. Believe it or not, it’s never to early but it is too late when something unplanned happens. So to make life easier for my beneficiaries, I have taken the following into consideration when organizing – simply put- how it should go down when I am no longer living and breathing. Apparently there are 12 documents we need to have ready and easily accessible. Will Why you need it: To choose an executor and spell out your final wishes for how your estate should be distributed after you die. What happens without it: You die “intestate” and your assets go through probate, where your state’s intestacy laws determine how to pay your debts and distribute your assets according to survivorship rights in that state, McMillan says. Living Revocable Trust  Why you need it: To retain control of your assets while …

Lifestyle: Changes Your Body Undergoes When Heartbroken

Published by

Four weeks later, and I am still experiencing sadness over the early-passing of a beloved family pet. What sucks the most is that I wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, wondering if there was more any of us could have done to prevent it. But then after a good cry-hyperventilation, I reflect upon all the signs in the past year, leading to his faith three weeks ago. Heartbreak sucks. Past the emotional pain, there is the physical aches I’ve never felt before, or rather some discomfort  worsened since January 22nd. Here’ what apparently happens to our bodies when we experience the worst of heart-breaks: Hormonal change – When you experience a heartbreak and are upset, the happiness hormones turn off and are replaced by cortisol and epinephrine; the stress hormones. All that happiness and joy is channeled and turned into anxiety and stress. When stress hormones chronically linger, a person’s ability to form and make new memories starts to reduce. It is probably a coping mechanism developed by the brain in …

How Do We Measure True Love?

Published by

We all do this. When in a relationship, we question commitment when it comes to the matters of the heart. Mostly wondering if we are loved just as we’ve read in novels, or seen in movies and learned of fairy tales  about happily ever after. But on this Valentine season, I ask, past all the fantasy, how do we measure true love? And here’s what I found. According to the book The Seven Laws Of Love – these are the terms:   According to a psychologist  – these are the five things that will help you fall in love or lead you to love  And then there are these helpful reminders: The simple facts are – love should be: When someone truly loves you, they will make “face time” a priority. There’s no substitute for it. There’s no volume of text messages or emails that can equate to the moments you spend looking a loved one in the eyes. Simply put, when we love someone, we will make it a priority to be near them. …

Health & Beauty: This and That

Published by

So many articles, so little time, I say about all that is offered up to better yourself, your appearance and even your outlook on life. I welcome them all and take from each suggestion whatever suits me. Or that I feel is obtainable. I don’t put too much pressure on myself to look more than I do. I prefer natural in all things makeup and hair color. Clothes I don’t go overboard – my closet, full of staple pieces and fashion that can be carried on throughout a few years, mixing and matching and creating my own simple style. I love how fashion has evolved now that we can actually wear flats to accentuate and feel sexy. Clothes have become more comfortable and consciously designed for the women on the go. I’ll elaborate more as time goes on – but for now, here’s my latest finds:    

Healthy and Beauty: Yoga Right About Now

Published by

Parts of the weekend didnt’ turn out how I expected – with my stress level elevating to highs so out-of-control that my body simply shut down. This is of course stress upon stress of every-day life and  some not-so-normal  nonsense. I realized after taking a step back and deep breaths, that I needed to re-start my yoga classes – without coming up with a dozen or more excuses that I need to be elsewhere first taking care of anyone else but myself. So the first thing I did, was add a weekly reoccurring calendar reminder for Fridays at eleven in the morning for me to simply disconnect from my life,  and go do yoga, followed by deep meditation. And naturally the internet sensing my needs, added a site for amazing yoga retreats to consider, to keep the momentum going.  Here are the ones I am seriously considering: Located in Bali, Blooming Lotus Yoga Retreat is set in an island paradise. The retreat offers daily Vinyasa Flow classes, suitable for all levels, each morning. There are …

Lifestyle: Personality Traits – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Published by

I do countless hours of self-reflecting – especially after every incident, good or bad, in my life. I wonder if my handling of a situation was the best approach. Or the fact,  why is it people are intimated by me, then there are days, I feel as if I am not getting through to anyone. So I evaluate, troubleshoot, and either I come out of it disappointed in myself, or I hold my head high, positive that I did or said the right thing, even if seemingly too objective or somewhat constructive, or totally negative to others. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad one – but I found an article that defines my strong personality – or they are simply labeling it as ‘strong’ – it could very well be perceived as  a bad trait. Who knows – but I am curious to hear your opinion, especially if you experience the same things. So here it goes – 8 Signs That You Have A Strong Personality That Might Intimidate Some …

Health & Beauty: What’s Good To Know

Published by

I took two Tylenol before heading out to a company belated ‘holiday party’ over the weekend, aiming to ward off any physical pains I was feeling because of my backache. And without much thinking, I ordered a glass of wine, during the cocktail hour. Then one more during dinner and by the end of the night, one more, totaling three glasses of wine. I usually pace myself at these events because, as we all know – moderation is key to success in any company function. By the time I got home, I felt light-headed and extremely dizzy – so did my date. That night I couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning and feeling an unexplainable high (not drunk), and of course I got online->Facebook at three in the morning hoping to distract myself, and this article popped up. I really hate the fact the internet knows me so well – sending my way article after article about all things that I should know about: More articles of interest – the meaning of a good friend and …

Health & Beauty: Core Exercises Without the Gym

Published by

I endured the worst backache recently – the pain so severe, it zinged down to my knees, and my entire body felt as if out of proportion.  Not sure what I was suffering from, a cold, a virus, a pinched nerve and by the time I could see a doctor, it sort of – well  almost – went away.  So on Sunday I went for a long walk, for the first time in a while, and I remembered a woman I was buying fruit from at a farmer’s market in Florence, told me walking is the best medicine to cure most ailments. And she was right – the walk helped and I feel like finally I am on track to recovery. Of course the internet sensed my latest issues, and sent this article my way  – 6 Best Core strengthening Exercises to do at home and I like the idea that they only take 10 minutes: 1. Bridge The bridge exercise strengthens the whole abdominal region, the lower back and the glutes. 2. Straight Leg …

Monday Morning Starts Off with Things Italians Do Better

Published by

Monday we all need a little push to get going, although right about now the day is winding down in some places, and others, oh, it’s the start of another day.  So, I want to keep the subject light – especially after last week, and although I am still not over the shock of losing a beloved family pet, I am going to do my best to move forward. This article had me amused and sort of longing I can’t figure out how to express. So here it is – 13 Things Italians Do Better: And of course Italian’s approach to aging – is something I’ve decided to adapt the older I get.