Blogmas | The biggest lesson I learned this year

I was recently scrolling through TikTok and some someone post about what the biggest lesson that they learned this year. Without even watching the full post – I immediately thought about mine…(goes to show how mindless show intense my multi tasking is!)

I figured it would make a great blogmas post…

The biggest lesson I learned this year was maintaining consistency with my self growth practices.

Now as I’m saying that I realize it sounds very simplistic. But I realized not being consistent actually creates bad habits. Or rather, being consistent creates good habits. And for me those habits are helping me grow and develop.

So here’s the kicker: I find myself only being consistent with my self growth and development rituals (quality journaling, outdoors walks, forrest baths, deep meditation, creating content, making art, reading, learning) when I’m needing to change* something. And then, as soon as I achieve* that something I for some reason decide to de-prioritize those rituals.

Maybe that de-prioritization comes naturally because that thing I achieved takes up more of my time. But I’ve realized that I can’t let it. I need to be consistent with my rituals because they are the only thing that will support me in the long run.

Want more? Follow my Blogmas 2022 journey here!

Blogmas | Do THIS before you create your reality with a #VisionBoard

We are 18 days out from 2023.  I hope between the get togethers, holiday meals and gift giving your are making time for YOU.  As a mom of daughters, with a full fledge and progressive career with ambitions of growing my business – goal setting has always been my thing.

But with the new year I definitely try to be more intentional.

Below is the process I’ve developed over the years + sharing my vision board capturing visual cues of all the areas I’m setting goals in (wellness, learning, career promotion, financial abundance, family, friends and world travel).

  1. Retrospective on the past year: I use the life audit wheel and do an audit of the areas of my life that went really well (10) and the areas that I felt I could have put more effort towards or that could have gone better (1 being the lowest on the scale)
  2. Write in words what the life audit showed me: This is really about writing down what went well and what didnt.  So now you have two representations of the past year.
  3. Get clear on what you want to achieve: Now taking the written retrospective, write down all the things you want to achieve.  Be as detailed as possible.  And also make room to jot down the feeling you have when you think about these achievements.  And most importantly, write down actionable steps to get where you want to be (full disclosure: this will take you more than one sitting)
  4. Pinterest, pinterest, PINTEREST! You are gonna grab all images that show you achieving everything you clearly articulated in step 3.
  5. Make you vision board: Now you are going to make a visual representation of what you wrote in 3. Before you make your vision board, make a gratitude list, meditate, light a candle, clense your crystals – just be in the most receiving space you can be in!  Once you love what you’ve created (also: this could take a few tries) PRINT it out, save to all of your desktop wallpapers & make sure you look at it multipe times a day.

You’ll notice a pattern here, we think, write and visualize.  Repeatedly.  Why? Because the brain can’t tell the difference between something actually happening/how it feels when you achieve something vs when you just think about achieving it & feel the feelings.  Once you brain believes you’ve achieved it, you’ll starting behaving in a way and taking actions in the direction of that achievement.

BONUS: Do future journalling – everyday of the new year, potentially as part of your morning journalling practice.  This is where you write down everything of the day as it it’s already happened (ie: these will be the actionable steps you wrote down in 3 aboce).  Again tricking your brain into thinking you’ve already achieved the accomplishment but on a daily basis.

Vision Board, Pinterest, Mood board, Future, Goals, New Years Resolution, Goal Setting, Happy, Abundant, successful, wealthy, prosperity, vitality, wellness

Want more? Follow my Blogmas 2022 journey here!

Blogmas | Podcasts I’m listening to right now

I don’t know what I’ll do if they ever make it a full subscription model for free learning mediums like podcasts and youtube!  But grateful I get access to virtual mentors world wide through podcasts!

I am really into personal success stories, biographies & female empowerment when it comes to my taste in podcasts.   Read below to learn more about the podcasts I’m into these days (in no particular order):

Diary of a CEO: is hosted by Steve Barlett (an investor from Dragon’s Den) who is able to get the most comprehensive and value add stories from his guests.  I really love that given all of his experience he still breaks it down so anyone listening can gain the knowledge that he already knows to be true.  My only qualm is that each episode is over an hour.  

CEO School: is hosted by Suneera Madhani.  A brown girl unicorn founder and CEO.  She shares her own lived experienced lessons that are so relatable.  She also talks about smart topics such as how to level up in business and in life.  I really love wine-down Wednesdays, episodes are not over 25 min

*are we seeing a pattern here*

Goal Digger: is hosted by Jenna Kutcher (who’s amazing success story had me hooked from day 1: she was a SAHM, bought a DSLR and built a 7 figure biz).  She talks about EVERYTHING from crypto, to side hustles, to daily finances to biohacking.  I recently found her and so glad I did!

Podcast, podcast episodes, goals, productivity, entrepreneurship, business, corporate girlie

Affirmation Babe: hosted by Ashley Diana (what a beautiful name!). Her episodes are affirmations on important topics for most women. The episodes are less than 20 minutes and serve the dose of positivity and optimism you need to fill your mind with to change your story. One word of caution: some episodes contain explicit words so read the titles before playing on speaker!

Leadership Babes: is hosted by Atena Morelli & Laura Wizman. I’m new to this podcast but their topics are all about the journey to success: mindset, manifestation, and creating the consistency to build the life of your dreams. (if you are looking for a planner spread: check out my digital wellness and agenda pages here)

The Daily Motivation: Is hosted by Lewis Howes. You might know him as a lifestyle entrepreneur or best selling author – annnddd he was actually a footballer player. I really enjoy this podcast because each episode is less than 10 min and include the real impact & actionable steps of his longer episodes

Want more? Follow my Blogmas 2022 journey here!

Blogmas | AM Self talk

I was listening to a podcast the other day, and the speaker was talking about a morning ritual she did for several years and found that it elevated her mental well being consistently, filled her cup and she personally attested that this process created more abundance in her life.   Essentially is all about speaking to yourself with love, kindness & grace – like one would a plant.

How it works:

  1. Stand in front of the mirror & look yourself deep in the eyes.
  2. Say your full name and celebrate you!  This means you need to say 7 things that you did yesterday, last year or within your entire life that you are proud of.
  3. Next, say your full name again and release the shackles.  You want to say 7 things you forgive about yourself.  They may be the same things everyday but the need here is to free yourself of shame, blame, regret, guild and anger.
  4. Finally, say your full name and commit to yourself.  Again here, before you make promises to other people, you need to make promises to yourself!

Boots (similar) | Denim (similar) | Faux Leather Jacket (similar) | Cap

*All self portraits taken using iphone, tripod & timer remote on the apple watch

Want more? Follow my Blogmas 2022 journey here!

Blogmas | I launched a digital planner!!

I need to raise a glass!  A cocktail glass full of a strong espresso martini!

Today is the day that I finally launched the digital planner that I first realized I needed to create 5 years ago!

And I realized that I needed to say something about ideas.  All the ideas that ever was and every is have already been ideated.  The only thing left is for us to uniquely execute the idea.  The uniqueness comes when we put our own spin on an idea – that’s the easy part!  But execution is where perfection and fear can get in the way!  And it’s the fear and perfection that prevented me from executing!

Suffice to say – we should keep practicing the execution.  Because success comes from 10% of an idea and 90% of execution!

So without further ado – my digital undated wellness journal & vertical agenda!

Would love for you to check it out, support and share 💕

Want more? Follow my Blogmas 2022 journey here!

Blogmas | Free & Cheap festive things to do in TO

Toronto is a great city and there are no end to the fun, festive and free things to do around the city during the holiday season!  Be sure to bundle up and be sure to check out the list below on some ideas on how to enjoy the season (on a budget)! 

*NOTE* images are not mine and have been referenced below.

Distillery District

The last time I went to the Winter Village was 2019, and the photographer in me wants to re-create this magic through my lens! This place is full of beautiful sights (every corner is perfect for a selfie) and tastes (thank you coffee and chocolate)! Entrance is free on weeknights before Dec 27th + children under 9 are free of charge!

Image from BlogTO

Holiday Yorkville Village

Yorkville is beautiful any time of year, but having it all lit up makes it amazing. The best photo op would be in the light tunnel! And the christmas tree totally gives Rockefeller Center vibes!

Image from BlogTO

Skating at Nathan Phillips Square

This rink is ALWAYS jam packed so keep the little ones close to you and on the edge of the rink. The best part about skating here (other than – it’s FREE as long as you bring your own skates and snacks) is the MUSIC. Whether it’s 90s christmas pop or top 40, you’ll have a great time whipping across :)

Image from Curiocity

Hudson’s Bay & Fairmount Royal York Hotel Windows

Miniature displays and twinkling lights? Sign me up! I’ve yet to check our the Royal York windows but I’ve heard that they are enchanting. Grab your mocha or hot chocolate and enjoy the stroll past these beautiful displays!

Image from Torontoist

Want more? Follow my Blogmas 2022 journey here!