Gabriella Slade's Blog: The JOY of Writing

7 Indie Books On My TBR

Honestly the best part of this blog post is going to be looking back at it in a year and seeing how many of these books I still won’t have read. If that’s the case, then hi future me!

Author Interview: Magdalene G. Jones

I’m super excited about today’s blog post!! Today is another author interview. I have followed this author for about as long as I’ve had an author presence online and she’s been a big encouragement to me in my own writing journey so when she announced her newer release, I knew I wanted to interview her. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Magdalene Jones!

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Welcome, Magdalene! Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself in case someone here is meeting you for the first time? Hey guys! And thank you for inviting me to do this interview, Gabriella! I am a sixteen-year-old author and TCK–Third Culture Kid–living in “Wakanda.” (Basically, I live in an African country that I cannot share for security reasons ;)) I have written nine books and have just published my sixth, with the aid of movie soundtracks and too much coffee and hot chocolate. I am a home-schooled, travel addicted, aesthetic loving theatre junkie with four younger siblings. In short, I am a well-rounded geek. Nice to meet you! 
I’m so excited about your latest release, The Kelpie Of Ivory!! Tell me, what were some of your biggest challenges with writing this story? So, The Kelpie of Ivory is the first in the Concrai Records. The series came to me years ago, and in no time, I knew how I wanted it to end. I had no idea how to write the first book. It took years of serious brainstorming to get a solid picture. But during the writing process, I’d say the hardest part was pacing, especially at the beginning. I wanted my readers to have a firm grasp of Eira (my MC), her character, and her world, before diving into the plot. Yet, I didn’t want to bog down the first chapters. Finding that balance took lots of work.
What was your favorite part about this particular project–the thing that motivated you to sit down and write it? I don’t know if I have a favorite part! I love it all so much! I have always wanted to write an epic, dark fantasy series with my world and rules. My passion for this story, my themes, and the uniqueness of the world motivated me to write. And as I fell more in love with my characters, it became easier to pump out those words. So many things made sense in writing this book, and I think it unlocked another part of me as an author.
What does a ‘typical’ writing day look like for you? Do you write every day? Do you have an average page/word count you like to strive for? I try to write every day, or at least edit or outline. My daily goal is one-thousand-five-hundred words, but that’s for when I am in the throes of a draft. A typical writing day when I am drafting looks like me glued to my computer for hours on end. But when I am brainstorming or editing, I let myself rest. I try to get some words in on an upcoming project, but I prioritize other things in my life that get shoved aside in the drafting stage. 
I know you’ve written both Historical Fiction and Fantasy. What are the unique challenges that come with writing each genre? Is there one you prefer more to another? The main challenge with historical fiction is dealing with real history in real life, and the trial with fantasy is that it requires you to deal with your history and your world. Historical fiction takes research. There are so many pieces that you can mess up because of how the media portrays the past (like corsets were great if you didn’t tie them too tight.) But in fantasy, there are elements that you forget to think about. I remember having a crisis half-way through this book because I hadn’t mentioned the name of the continent once in the whole book. Editing in both genres is challenging, and that’s when the genre sticks. As to preferring one to another, I’d say fantasy is my favorite? But I love historical fiction too, especially when it confronts your perception of history.
What hobbies do you like to pursue outside of writing? A life outside of writing? Do people have that?? *sweats and laughs nervously* No, in all honesty, I struggle to find a balance with writing, school, my social life, and other things I enjoy. I love bike riding, reading, and singing, but I don’t get much time for those things. I hope to start a flower garden whenever I get home, and hopefully, that will ground me in work outside of my head. I am a junior (nearly senior gosh) in high-school, and this coming school year will be my last at home in Africa. So I am pushing myself with my writing projects now, and maybe when I get to college, I can try some new things.
So, I know you, like me, are a teen author! Do you have any favorite books by teen authors that you’ve read? Are there any you hope to read in the future? You know, this has been a funny dilemma for me. As a teen author who does not have a substantial following or many readers, I look for writers like me with less well-known books. But books get promotions when they are good. And when they don’t, well, you have a fifty-fifty chance of finding a nugget of gold. As my writing and editing skills have developed, so has my inner book critic. There are only a few books by teen authors I have finished satisfied. Again, I haven’t read many of the hyped ones (like Fifty Days by Brittney Kristina, Millie Florence’s works, or Olive J. Bennett’s, A Cactus in the Valley.) I know those books are exceptional, but they aren’t my style or preferred genres. So my favorite teen author works are ones that aren’t released yet, but I have beta read. Corrie Parks has an excellent book coming; she is rewriting it for the second time. Riley Rawls’s writing is INCREDIBLE, and she sold me on her book, even though I typically don’t read contemporary. Isabelle Thom writes in several genres, and when she gets around to publishing, the world is going to love her. And of course, I am thrilled about your book, Gabriella.

5 Things I Have Learned During The Pandemic

If you had told me back in mid-March that the COVID-19 pandemic would stretch for months and months and test me in ways I wouldn’t expect, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

The global pandemic has been a hot spot topic on the internet. Our whole lives have been flipped upside down, twisted in unnatural ways, and pushed us to the limit. And even though when I write this, the end is nowhere near in sight. So today, I want to share some of the things I’m learning amidst this historic moment in time.

To give you some context, I’ve been at home for 11 weeks on quarantine and on lockdown for 8 of those weeks. I’m an essential worker who stocks shelves and checks people out at a local health food + supplement store. I live with eight other people–all family. We don’t get out of lockdown until at least May 28th and that’s if it’s not extended for the fourth or fifth time.

Lessons I’ve Learned During The Pandemic

Lesson 1: God is Here in the Good and the Bad: He hasn’t gone anywhere. Sometimes, it feels like he has–especially on days when I haven’t intentionally spent time in prayer and worship.

But God is constant and He is here for me no matter what. He’s helped me through trials before and He will continue to help when I ask–even if it’s not in the ways I want.

Lesson 2: Productivity Is Going To Look Different Everyday: I’ve had some REALLY lazy days like I’m sure most of us have. The screen time on my phone has had some obnoxious numbers and I’ve had days where I don’t even check my to-do list.

Now, I’m not justifying these choices of mine in any way. I think I could’ve chosen to handle my bad days in a healthier manner.

The point is that sometimes, productivity might mean working extra hours at work. On maybe it’s only 500 words in my book. Maybe it’s finally gutting my desk like I’ve been meaning to. Celebrate the small wins and don’t expect your productivity levels to look the same right now.

Lesson 3: Appreciate The Small Things: In a time where we’re at home all the time and nothing super exciting is happening, you have to learn to take notice of the small moments throughout the day that you can have a greater appreciation for.

For me personally, that includes: baking in the kitchen, going on walks with my dogs, staying up until 2 in the morning reading and long FaceTime calls with my friends. I find that when I have more joy in my days. I smile more and I feel like I’ve achieved something even if it’s not a lot.

Lesson 4: God Creates Seasons Of Rest: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve complained about being so busy all the time and wishing I could just pause and rest for a while.

Well…my wish came true and I’m still not happy. If anything, there are two lessons here: I’m always going to want more and God creates rest seasons for us. God is in control no matter what and it’s in these seasons of slowing down when we need to be pressing into God even more and wanting to get close to Him.

Take advance of the time we get to slow down and breathe. Yes, things are out of the ordinary and in many ways, they are very, very scary right now. I have lots of my own personal fears. But I know when I look back on this time, I’m sure I’m going to wish I’d appreciated this slow period of my life more.

Lesson 5: God Wants Us To Run To Him: I’m not going to lie, the past couple of weeks have been tough and my spiritual life unintentionally went on the back burner. I’ve battled more anxiety than I’ve had in a long, long time.

And even though I keep beating myself up for not spending more time in worship and prayer, every time I do, God always welcomes me with open arms. He doesn’t push me away. He forgives me every time I trip and make mistakes. I don’t deserve His love.

My faith is growing stronger. Even on the days, I let the fear set in and push God away. Situations like a global pandemic challenge my faith and force me to affirm my beliefs–even standing up for it when necessary. I’ve set some boundaries in order to protect both my mental and spiritual health and they’ve really helped in the long run.

Remember: We’re going to get through this together.

Let’s Chat!

How are you? Really? What have been some of your challenges during this pandemic? Is there any way I could pray for you? Let’s talk in the comments!

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My All-Natural Skincare Routine

Self Care is an important part of mental health and skincare plays a big role in my own self-care journey. Personally, I’m super self-conscious about my own skin and have always admired those who manage to pull off clear skin without the use of makeup to cover up ugly blemishes.

My goal with my skin was to never resort to making up to mask my imperfections. I almost never wear concealer or foundation and I use powder on a very rare basis. And I don’t have hundreds to dump into chemically produced skincare products that’ll probably just mess with my skin negatively.

So, I went to the internet. I have oily skin so I listened to lots of skincare videos and looked into several recipes before investing in all the ingredients. And today, I’m going to be sharing my routine with you guys. I’m so excited to give you guys the recipes I use to make my own products.

Note: Just because this routine works for me personally does not mean it will work the exact same way for you. No one has the exact same skin. We’re all beautifully different! Feel free to modify this for your own usage.

My All-Natural Skin Care Routine

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Step One: Face Wash: So the first step is to cleanse my face and get rid of all the dirt and bacteria. I use a foaming face wash because it’s smooth and gentle on my skin rather than being harsh and oily like other options I’ve tried. I got my foaming soap bottle on Amazon: (https://www.amazon.com/Jarmazing-Products-Mason-Foaming-Dispenser/dp/B07D3Y5R1L/ref=sr_1_4?crid=19M25BN2TL6B7&dchild=1&keywords=mason+jar+foaming+soap+dispenser&qid=1587660555&sprefix=mason+jar+fo%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-4). Here are the ingredients I use: Unscented Castile Soap, Castor Oil, Water, and Lemon essential oil.

Here’s The Recipe For The Face Wash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMiAgIGI8cQ&t=539s

Step Two: Facial Toner: The only step in my skincare routine that is not a recipe is my toner. I use the brand Thayers Witch Hazel Toner. Witch Hazel is recommended for my skin type and it works great at balancing your skin color. Personally, this is probably my favorite product because it’s a great natural concealer! When I have an acne buildup, the toner evens out the red, therefore hiding the acne from the eye’s sight. It makes my skin look super clear.

You can buy the toner I use here: https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Petal-Formula-12-Facial/dp/B007HD570Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=LEDV8QZNJN5C&dchild=1&keywords=thayers+witch+hazel+toner&qid=1587658291&sprefix=thayers+witch+hazel%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMUtYNzM3NDFUVzhSJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTgyNjAyM01YUk44QjcwMEtMQSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzEyMzU3S1kwMzdKS1EyUkhOJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Step Three: Moisturize!: And the last step in my main skincare routine is to moisturize. I use an amber bottle and a dropper. I can’t track down the source I found my recipe from but essentially I use aloe vera juice and tea tree oil. I drop that on different areas of my face and rub it in so it absorbs into my skin. PLUS, it works AMAZING as an acne treatment. I put a bit more onto those areas with acne and within 2–3 days my zits and whiteheads have disappeared! It’s amazing!

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Bonus: Makeup Remover: Now, I don’t use this on a daily basis–only when I wear heavy makeup. However, this is another homemade product so I might as well share it with you. And if you made these previous recipes, you’ll already have most of the ingredients. This recipe includes Castile Soap, Witch Hazel, Coconut Oil, and Essential Oils. I put it in this glass jar and use cotton pads/cotton balls, dip it in the makeup remover, and use it to remove all eye makeup–including mascara–with very little effort. Truly is a game-changer in my own skincare routine.

Here’s the Full Recipe: https://graceblossoms.com/2017/01/30/toxin-free-makeup-remover/?makeup-tips=6520526303

Let’s Chat!

Are you going to try any of these recipes? If so, which one? Have you tried any of these previously and liked them? Let me know in the comments below!

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How I Use Notion As A Book Series Bible

This post is one I’ve had in my head for a long time. I’ve avoided writing it until now because it feels really daunting. However, I know it’ll be a valuable resource for many of you series writers and therefore, I’m determined to not let the intimidation get the best of me!

How To Practice Self Care During The Pandemic

We’re deep in the COVID-19 Pandemic and like most of the world right now, I’m stuck in quarantine. While already being a homeschooler, my church and youth group is currently online, my library is closed until further notice, and I can’t really go anywhere except my job (I work in a local grocery/supplements store so I’m essential!)

I’ve had a LOT of anxiety since this all went down and as we’ve all learned, mental health and self-care are going to be super important to help us get through the next month or however long this pandemic lasts for.

Therefore, today I’m going to be sharing with you 11 ways you can practice self-care during this pandemic. These can, of course, be applied to any time, but as we’re all stuck at home with limited access to resources, these are great options to take care of yourself and your mental health during this stressful time.

Let’s dive straight in!

Self Care During The Pandemic

Journal Your Thoughts: In 20, 30, 40, even 50 years, this is going to be considered national history. Imagine how valuable information like your journals will be! You can give an inside look at what life was like during this time in history. Not to mention, this is fantastic self-care! Remember, your feelings are valid and I think it’s super important to be entuned with your feelings and thoughts. You can also write out your prayers.
Avoid The News: There is a difference between staying informed and getting caught up in the drama and opinions associated with it. One of the reasons my anxiety skyrocketed to the level that it has is because I spent a LOT of time pouring over the news, the updates, and the posts on social media from everyone I knew corresponding with Coronavirus. To battle the anxiety, I’m avoiding going to the news pages unless necessary. While I believe it’s important to stay up-to-date with executive orders and restrictions, I think listening to everyone complaining is enough to drive all of us crazy. So. Don’t do it.
Move Your Body: Since we’re all stuck in the house, it makes sense to want to just sit on the couch all day eating chips. I’ve never been a huge fan of doing workouts but let’s be honest–doing them makes us feel so much better in the long run. However, there are many ways to move your body and get your blood moving: Take a walk, stretch, do some yoga or pilates, dance in your bedroom, there are many possibilities depending on your interests. Either way, getting up and moving your body can be an instant mood booster.
Create Morning & Evening Routines: These don’t have to be complicated! Make a list of 3 to 5 habits you want to incorporate into your morning/evening. Pinterest can be great for inspiration. Personally, I love Brittney Kristina’s morning routine (read it here!) and I suggest you try hers if you’re stuck. I’m experimenting and trying hers for a week to see if it works for me. If not, I will adjust as needed. I thinking having a morning routine is SO important. Try implementing one during the pandemic and I encourage you to keep it up even after it’s over.
Declutter Your Spaces: Springtime has just arrived so as it’s the season for spring cleaning, a great method of self-care is cleaning out your spaces and getting rid of stuff! Oftentimes, we hold onto way too many clothes, papers, coffee mugs, etc. and they tend to stack up! Since we’re all going to be in the same spaces all the time for the foreseeable future, it makes sense we ought to take the time to tidy our spaces. It’ll make our mental space also feel way more clearer if we don’t have to stare at our mess.
Write A Happy List: Sure, it’s easy to focus on all the things we can be upset about right now. Things are not the way we want them to be, but maybe that’s because we’re right where God wants us to be right now. So, take the time to make a list of things you’re happy about. I’d suggest specifically focusing on things we have/can do right now. Maybe your list includes your favorite book, chocolate, the ability to stay connected with people through technology, and so on. One of the things that I’m happy about right now is all the free and cheap ebooks available! I’m making it a point to support other artists right now because that makes me happy.
Create something: If you’re like me, you probably create in some or multiple forms! If you can/want to, I encourage you to create a lot right now! Obviously, if you’re not mentally or emotionally up for it, don’t, but if you are feeling good, go for it! Write, draw, sing covers, do your thing! And even if you’re not totally up for it yet, maybe discipline yourself to do it anyways–even for just a little while. For me at least, creating even when I don’t feel inspired, has helped me manage my anxiety. Obviously, I don’t want anyone to feel pressure because not everyone is feeling the way I do.

10 Ways To Maximize Time At Home

If you are anywhere on the internet right now, you know about the news of Coronavirus and the essential shutdown of life as we know it for like the next month. Well, since we’re all essentially quarantined (and us Introverts are thriving right now) I thought that it’d be fun to compile a list of things we can do while stuck at home.

If you’re like me, you’ve been constantly refreshing your phone feeds over and over in a cycle and scrolling on constant social media posts with people panicked over this virus. Well, with all this spare time at home, we might as well be doing something with the time we have! Let’s get right into some ideas!

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How To Maximize Time At Home

Read: I feel like this an obvious but of course: reading! Start a new book series and binge read it during your time home. Since a lot of libraries (including my own

Guest Post: Olivia’s Smit Most Anticipated Releases

I’m so excited about today’s guest! Today, I have Olivia Smit here as a guest and she’s going to be talking about some of her most anticipated releases for 2020. Olivia is the author of Seeing Voices which is releasing on April 14th! (PRE-ORDER NOW)

Olivia Smit’s Most Anticipated Releases

I never used to understand the hype behind pre-orders and books that were “coming soon.” As a teenager, if I couldn’t read the book ASAP, I’d forget about it and check in again in six months. Only when I could check the book out of the library and read it immediately would my interest grow.

Now, as a soon-to-be-published author myself, I’ve realized that there’s a whole publishing journey full of excitement that takes place before a novel releases … and part of the fun is joining the hype and sharing the excitement!

Because of that, I’m thrilled to share my five most anticipated 2020 releases with all of you today.

March 1st

BAREFOOT MEMORIES by Taylor Bennett (Mountain Brook Ink)

If you love tropical settings, family stories, and maybe even a hint of romance, this series is for you! This is the 3rd book in the “Tradewinds” series, which means you can start at the beginning and read all the way through – you won’t have to wait months for the final book to release!

Taylor and I met via Instagram earlier this year and quickly connected over our shared love of Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables. I have an e-copy of her first book waiting for me on my tablet, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in a light summer story (especially in this gloomy time of year)!

April 21st

THE SILENCE OF BONES by June Hur (Feiwel & Friends)

June’s book is everything atmospheric and mysterious, featuring a strong female protagonist and a thrilling historical setting! THE SILENCE OF BONES is a murder mystery set in Joseon Dynasty Korea (early 1800s), and also a coming-of-age tale about a girl searching for home. I have a pre-order sitting in my cart at Amazon.ca and I’m just waiting until I can get free shipping to hit the “purchase” button!

June is a fellow Canadian author (as is Tara, who I mention below) and she is so honest and authentic in sharing the ups and downs of her writing journey on social media! She also just announced the title of her sequel, THE FOREST OF STOLEN GIRLS. Doesn’t that sound amazing?!

May 15th

VICTORIA GRACE, THE JERKFACE by S. E. Clancy (WhiteSpark)

Victoria sounds like the perfect mixture of sassy and sweet, and I can’t wait to join her as she leaps into a search for a friend’s long-lost family. Based on the blurb (and what I know of the author) this is going to be a funny one … and I have a hunch it’s going to be pretty endearing, too.

S. E. Clancy is a fellow WhiteSpark author – and her debut comes out a month after mine! It’s been so fun getting to walk this journey together. (If her awesome personality is anything to go by … VICTORIA GRACE, THE JERKFACE is going to be a TREAT.)

May 30th

*COVER COMING SOON*

FADE TO WHITE by Tara K. Ross (Illuminate YA)

I am HERE FOR books that deal honestly and sensitively with mental health! YES! I had the joy of reading an advance copy of FADE TO WHITE, and I’m so pleased to say that Tara’s vivid writing caught me from the start. This was the perfect book to read before bed (and gave me a massive craving for a warm London Fog drink).

Tara is the only author on this list that I have the joy of knowing in person (we both live in Ontario – close enough to meet for coffee, as it turns out!) and I can tell you now, you want to get to know this lady. She is buoyant, encouraging, and passionate … and FADE TO WHITE is, too.

July 21st

DUST by Kara Swanson (Enclave Escape)

Stop everything because this is a PETER PAN RETELLING. (!!!!) Peter’s stuck in London, Claire has lost hope in the world after the abduction of her twin when they were children, and of course there’s magic involved! (And a sequel!)

I’ve read some of Kara Swanson’s work before, so I know she crafts an excellent story – and the fact that this is a retelling of a classic story that I grew up with makes this a total win for me! I am GIDDY because I have an advance copy of this book on my phone RIGHT NOW! I can’t wait to give it a read!

 

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know that these are five authors I’m constantly recommending – not only because they are wonderful people, but because they’re great storytellers, too! If you give any of them a read, please reach out and let me know! You can find me @oliviamsmit on Instagram and Twitter.

While I haven’t included myself on this list, I have a novel releasing this year, too! SEEING VOICES comes out on April 15th and tells the story of Skylar Brady, a high school student who totally had a plan for her life … until a car accident robbed her of the ability to hear. Now she has to figure out a new way to reach the people she loves, which is made more difficult by her family’s summer vacation, a brand-new library job, and her brother’s strange behaviour. Skylar doesn’t remember the accident … but does he?

Thanks again for spending some time with me today! I’d love to chat books anytime – so please do reach out!

Olivia Smit loves baking, visiting small towns, and writing stories that face hard truth with hope and encouragement. Olivia has an Honours Specialization in Creative Writing, English Language, and Literature and lives in Canada with her family. Seeing Voices is her first novel.

CONNECT WITH OLIVIA!

Website: https://oliviasmit.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviamsmit/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivia.smit.904

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...\

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviamsmit

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10 Ways I’m Decluttering My Life In 2020

Society wants so much from us nowadays. They want our time. Our energy. Our money. So many things vie for our attention: social media, the latest sales, emails, trends, YouTube…

With so many things calling to me, I find it’s been soo hard to keep my attention on the things that really matter: My faith. My passions. My family. My future.

My big goal for 2020 is to simplify. I want to get rid of distractions and noises that don’t really matter to me. This includes physically, mentally, and emotionally. So, today, I am sharing with you the ten things I’m decluttering this year so my life can be clutter-free and I can put my energy into focusing on the things in my life that truly matter.

10 Ways I’m Decluttering in 2020

Reducing items in my spaces: This is a big one for me. When I am mentally struggling or am overwhelmed, my space reflects that. I’ve told my family members before that if my room is a mess at all, that probably means I’m stressed about something. I don’t like living in a messy environment and I think if I can keep the number of belongings I have down quite a notch, it’ll keep my room from becoming as big of a mess when I do get stressed, which means I’ll also be less overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning it up.
Getting rid of unused clothes: I’ve gotten pretty much my entire wardrobe hand-me-down. It’s pretty rare for me to go out and buy a clothing item brand new with the tag still on it. So basically when we get a bag of clothes from someone, I like going through it and essentially claiming anything that will fit me. Oftentimes, there are items such as graphic tee shirts that seem appealing at the time or that I try to convince my self I just love that really I get bored of a month later. I’m working on slimming down my wardrobe to a specific color palette and keeping the items universal so I can mitch and match, but I still love what I have. I’m weeding out everything else.
Deleting old computer files: I inherited my mom’s OG Macbook Pro when she got a new one and there are still all of her old files downloaded on it. She’s a VA/blogger, so this includes the combination of both of our own stock photos, Word Docs, downloaded fonts, free E-books, etc…it adds up! All of that slows my computer down, and when I need to load something, usually one of two things happen: 1. my computer runs slowly because of all the stuff on it, or 2. I can’t find what I’m looking for. So we’re finally going to go through and delete EVERYTHING that I no longer need, including all my mom’s own files. I want to better organize what I choose to keep as well so it’s easier to locate.
Spending less time on my phone: Not going to lie, this one is probably one of the harder things for me to do, but I know it has to be done. I spend too much time on my phone. Period. I’m checking my socials. Watching YouTube. Checking socials again. Texting/Snapping friends. Checking socials again… (I think you get the idea) Just this week alone, I’ve been on Instagram 6 hours 37 minutes. (Don’t judge…please.) Imagine what I could do with all of that time instead of scrolling. I could be writing more. Reading. Spending more quality time with my family. I encourage you to also check on your own screen time regularly and practice cutting back on it.
Making fewer commitments: Right now, in this season of my life, I have too many commitments. But they are ones I can’t just drop right now, unfortunately. On top of working three days a week, I am doing Fine Arts with my Youth Group, I’m VP for my student council at my homeschool Co-op, and in between those meetings I sometimes have to find time for myself, time to write, time to be with my friends and family without any pressure, time to do school…you get the idea. Once Co-op ends, I will no longer have to be on Student Council and I also won’t have to stress as much about Fine Arts after March and I can’t wait to just have fewer appointments on my calendar.
Carving out more rest periods: Going along with what I said above, With having less commitments to live up to, I want more times to just rest. And these rest periods may all be different. They may come in the form of coffee and a good book. Or a Face Mask and YouTube Video. Or a day out of the house going to a concert with friends. Rest is my form of self-care. When I can do something I love without any pressures or expectations, I find it to be very relaxing and actually helps my productivity in the long run.
Spending less money on useless items: With getting a job this past October, I feel like I’m still getting used to the idea of having a regular paycheck and along with that, having to learn how to save that money. Oftentimes, I see a snack or a T-shirt, or a lipstick I just want right there and then and more often than not I tell myself no to those items.
Setting fewer goals + creating more realistic action plans: Last year, I set a LOT of goals. I mean, a LOT. And then, when I didn’t complete all or at least most of them, I got really discouraged. So, already this year, I’ve set fewer goals and I’m also writing out detailed and REALISTIC action plans to achieve the goals I do have. I’m constantly learning still how to write better goals and make plans to achieve them. Feeling more realistic about these goals has already made me feel less stressed. I’ve also achieved more of my goals after slimming them down which is amazing.
Using my bullet journal to plan my productivity out: One of my biggest tools for productivity and setting goals in 2020 has been my bullet journal. Not only is it a creative outlet for me, but it’s a very practical tool so I can write down the plans to achieve the goals I set. I actually have plans to write some blog posts about using my bullet journal as a writer and a creative entrepreneur. I will say now though, that it’s helping me make my life way more simple.
Letting go of the past: Oh boy. We saved the best for last. If there’s anything I’ve allowed to mentally and emotionally hold back it’s my past. I’ve had a good childhood. I grew up with an amazing family which I know is a blessing a lot of people have not had. However, like everyone, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. A LOT of mistakes. And some of these mistakes led to long term consequences. It’s so easy for me to want to hold onto the past and dwell on the mistakes God’s already forgiven me for. I need to remember that if I’ve already confessed the sins and the mistakes I’ve made, then I am forgiven and I need to forgive myself and let go of what’s already done. What good am I doing to myself if I let myself be weighed down by something that really doesn’t matter anymore?

That’s it! These are the 10 ways I want to simplify my life in 2020. Now, I do want to say that of course I’m not going to just be able to implement all of these things at once. It’s going to be a process. But I can’t wait to see the rewards that come from living a more simple and minimalist lifestyle.

Let’s Chat!

Are you going to be implementing a simpler life in 2020? How? Did any of these tips resonate with you? Do you have any ideas I didn’t share on simplifying your life? Share all your thoughts, questions, and comments in the comment section below!

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6 Ways To Boost Your Creativity

I’m a very creative person. I love having ideas and producing works of art out of those ideas whether that’s through writing, drawing, journaling, etc.

However, the struggle that comes with being a creative person is having to deal with burnout. If I don’t find new ways to boost my creativity, I find my content can become stale or I get bored. Or Artists block hits. Then, slowly, my creativity is being further and further deprioritized in exchange for more YouTube.

Does this sound like you? Well, in today’s blog post, I’m going to show you Six Ways To Boost Your Creativity. AKA: What to do when you need to be more creative/inspired. Let’s get right into it!

How To Boost Your Creativity

Surround Yourself With Other Creative People:

How do you expect to be creative if you aren’t around other people who are also creative? As much as we artists like to think we can do everything in our rooms wrapped up in blankets drinking hot tea for eternity, that’s just not healthy.

It’s important you communicate with other artists. Maybe that’s through a local group at your library, or through people, you follow on your Instagram, or friends you’ve made over the years who are also creative. Either way, it’s important to make sure you’re getting that healthy dose of interaction. I find when I spend time with creative people, I’m more likely to want to create more afterward.

Keep Lists Of Your Ideas: 

Oh, lists. How I love thee. The amount of comfort and therapy they bring to me. (Haha that rhymed XD) I make lists for everything. Books I want to read. Character names. Quotes I like. I find it’s important to capture any and every idea I have, no matter how big or small. If that idea is not written down somewhere, it could easily be lost.

My favorite places to take notes are handwritten in journals, Evernote, or my new favorite, Notion. (I plan on making more than one blog post in the future on my love for this website and how to use it. Keep your eyes peeled!)

Take Breaks: 

Guys. Guys. Please listen to me when I say it is essential to take breaks. Trust me. If anyone knows the feeling of not getting any work done, it’s me. But it’s so important to set boundaries for ourselves because if we don’t, we’re going to burnout wayy faster.

To give you an example of this…I’ve been working hard since the start of 2020. I work 2 to 3 days a week–primarily 3–at a local health food store. I am a homeschooled junior in High school who also has a Co-op once a week. Plus, I am a part of two life groups for my church: one hosted at my house, and one at my Youth Pastor’s house (AKA my second home) twice a month. Then I have Church and Youth Group on Sundays. On top of all of this, I write and am trying to start up an online business that generates a steady income.

I haven’t had much time to rest. The result of all this is that I am writing this post while I’m down sick with a cold that I woke up with yesterday. Rest is so important and there can be some severe consequences physically, mentally, and emotionally if you don’t take time off to take care of yourself.

Fill Your Creative Fuel

Immerse yourself in art. Read lots of books. Watch movies/TV shows. Listen to music. Scroll through Pinterest for some inspirational drawings. For me personally, I find that some of my best creativity is based on other people’s art. Maybe I’ll find inspiration for a character through another character or the lyric of a song will become the theme of the book. (I know I’m mainly discussing novel writing here but I do use other forms of art and they are also applicable to them.)

I know not everyone wants to read/watch/listen to art forms in their own genre so if that’s not your vibe, then, of course, do your thing. I’m not here to micromanage. However, I find that reading other fantasy novels makes me want to work on my own more.

Try Something New

If your art is feeling stale, switch it up a bit. If you’re used to drawing, maybe color in a coloring book or try your hand at watercolors. If you always write books in first person, write a chapter in third person. Maybe you even need to take a complete break from your usual creativity to try something new. When I had Writer’s Block, I started practicing playing guitar as a way to be creative without overwhelming myself. It actually helped me get back into writing a lot.

Have A Creative Outlet

THIS. This is probably my favorite and most beneficial of all the tips offered today. At least for myself, that is. I’ve found that starting a bullet journal and art journal in 2020 has actually boosted my motivation to write. For some reason, the idea of being able to create with no pressure from anyone is super helpful for me. Plus, scrapbooking and doodling things in my journals is super therapeutic for me and I have a friend who loves to come over and work on her own journal with me as well! (See tip #1)

Here are some ideas for your own Creative Outlet (this is not an exclusive list)

Learning A Musical Instrument
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