Now for the scary part - making the merengue. You'll need an electric mixer for this part or you can expect a serious arm work out. Taking the egg whites out of the fridge, we're going to add only 1/3 of our sugar to our egg whites. It takes about five minutes for the mixture to get white and frothy and when it does, add 1/3 of the sugar again. Keep mixing until the mixture starts to thicken in consistency before adding in the remaining sugar. You're going to want to mix until the mixture resembles frosting in a sense where it doesn't move if you were to tip the bowl over. You'll also know when it's ready if stiff peaks form on the end of your mixing blades. If they don't - keep mixing. If they do, we can safely move onto the next round.
Merengue is starting to thicken up
Stiff peaks
Add merengue to egg yolk mixture
My bowl was a mess at this point, but I was doing my best to work fast; merengue works best if used ASAP. At this point, I started heating my frying pan on the lowest heat setting possible. Since I have a stove with burners, I waited until the last minute to start heating my pan up. I also wiped oil onto it to prevent sticking - you really don't need a lot either!
I add only a 1/3 of the merengue into my egg yolk mixture and mix it gently. Once mixed, I then add the remaining merengue to it, and fold it into the egg yolks. If you mix too fast, you can break the merengue, so really be gentle here and treat it like it's your baby. Mix only until incorporated.
Using a 1/4 scoop
Create circle for a nice shape
Cover with lid - or anything you have that's heat proof :)
Since I don't have a big scooper, I decided to use one of my measure cups - the 1/4 scoop. Scooping a good amount, I plopped as much as I could onto the pan, being sure to create a circle with the back of my measuring cup. I then added a dash of water to the pan which will prevent our pancakes from cracking and drying out on us. Cover your pancake with a lid and let cook for 3-4 minutes; I don't have a lid for my pan so I used one of my Pyrex bowls instead and it worked like a charm.
I hope you give these pancakes a try. It may take much more effort than your usual pancakes but they're totally worth it. They're fluffy, sweet, and such a nice treat if you want something new. Eating them made me feel like I was in Japan - without actually being there. How cool is that?
As a YouTuber myself who has received collaboration offers from brands, I know how exciting it can be when you're first approached. To think that a company wants to send you free products in exchange for a review - who could pass on that? Well...you'd be surprised. As tempting as it may be to accept every offer that comes your way, you need to do so with your best interests in mind.
When a brand reaches out to you asking for a collaboration, this is what that email will typically look like:
"Hi Sarah! My name is (blank) and I am the Marketing Director for (Companies Name w/links). We love your work and think you're a great fit for our brand. We would love to collaborate with you by sending you (products name) in exchange for a review for your audience. This product has a value of (product's price) and we believe you and your audience will love it. We look forward to your response!"
Now, before we jump into analyzing this email, it's important to know one thing. When I first started accepting free products in exchange for reviews on my YouTube channel, I did so because I knew I needed the credibility. I wanted to give the company the confidence they needed to know that I was able to follow through on my end and at the same time, build up my collaboration portfolio. Depending on your situation, you may or may not be in the same boat.
I personally think if you have no experience with collaborating with brands, it's worth getting the free products at first. After you have a few collaborations in your portfolio, you can then start charging companies. I say all of this now because many influencers are afraid to put a price on their time because they think working with big brands is enough - sorry to break it to ya', but enough doesn't pay the bills!
Now, another thing I want to say before we dive deeper into this, is that if you don't have a Media Kit - you need one ASAP! Media Kits are like resumes in the Influencer world that will give potential brands a better understanding of your style, your audience and your rates. I created a Media Kit using Canva - which is free - and every six months I make changes to it if needed. If you want to take your business as an Influencer seriously and get the best sponsorships, you need a Media Kit.
Now that this has all been establish - lets go back to that email and dissect it to see if it's worth our time.
1. DOES THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU?
You would think that it's basic courtesy for a business email to address you, right? Well, it's not. I've received so many collaboration emails where whoever was writing to me, didn't even take the time to type my name in. RED FLAG. If a company doesn't take the time to address you by your name - which if they found your email, they surely came across it - I would move on to the next.
Remember, as an Influencer, your job is to create content and it's important that companies treat you as a professional. After all, this is a Business Proposal we're talking about! Raise the bar high from the very start so that companies do not take advantage of you.
2. HAVE THEY RESEARCHED YOU?
For a company to want to work with you - it's 100% considered an investment. They are using their own resources and time for you to market their product with their goals being either more exposure or sales. The same can be said on the flip side; if you're marketing for a company, you're investing your time away from your regular content so that you can market their brand to your audience - an audience they currently don't have.
For a company to want to work with you, it's only necessary that they research you - after all, you wouldn't buy a car if you didn't have it thoroughly inspected, would you? Exactly. If you received an email from a company and they don't even mention any of your social media handles or your work even - odds are this company is simply looking for a quick collaboration, or they're spam.
3. IS THE PRODUCT RELEVANT?
I think as an Influencer, trying a range of products is great - but only if it's relevant to your content and/or if you're genuinely passionate about the product itself. You don't want to be that Influencer who makes content on Beauty hacks but you're promoting a Home Improvement brand.
It's not exactly bad if you can present in a way that isn't too commercial like, but it won't look great. Just because a company is offering you a free product and great money with it doesn't mean you have to accept it. Doing so could lead to your audience losing trust in you and you losing your credibility as an Influencer.
4. DO THEY MENTION A BUDGET?
A budget is a companies ability to financially compensate you for the work you do for them. If anywhere in the email budget is not mentioned; bring it up. Influencers should never shy away from the money talk because this is business after all. Remember, you're a professional with a business to maintain so compensation needs to be discussed. Something like this will work nicely:
"Hello (blank), thank you so much for reaching out to me with this lovely opportunity! Is there a budget for a project like this? I am currently only providing my services for paid collaborations only."
While you're at it, throw in your Media Kit too and briefly explain what they can expect by working with you:
"Hello (blank), thank you so much for reaching out to me with this lovely opportunity! Is there a budget for a project like this? I am currently only providing my services for paid collaborations only. I offer a range of services including (list your services) that your company can choose from to fit your needs. I have also attached my Media Kit to this email where you will find more information on my brand, my channel analytics, collaboration history, and my rates/packages. I look forward to your response and thank you again for reaching out to me!"
Keep it simple but straight to the point. By mentioning a budget first hand, you sift out the proposals that don't fit. If a company has a budget, all you have to do is negotiate with them. If all goes well, both parties should sign a contract (yes, as an Influencer, you need your own contract!) that finalizes the agreement. Now there are tons of resources out there that help you determine what you should set your prices at, but my favorite is a post from Tinuiti.
If they agree to your asking price - wonderful! You're on your way to a great collaboration that works for both parties. However, be prepared for a lot of companies that will try to low-ball you. I was appalled when a company told me flat out that they didn't think I was worth my asking price - um, EXCUSE ME? Yes, you guessed it - NEXT.
Don't let big companies fool you into thinking that they can't pay you - they have employees of their own, all of who perform work and get paid at the end of the day. So, why should you be viewed as being any different when you're marketing them? The only time I accepted an offer that couldn't pay me was when it was for a product that I genuinely wanted and I was excited just to have it.
5. DON'T BE PRESSURED
Do not be pressured into doing anything that makes you cringe on first impressions. A business proposal should feel exciting, professional, and worth while. If at first you're given bad vibes or the company shows signs that you're just another Influencer to mooch off of, don't accept it.
Remember, you're the one with the audience that they want to be put in front of. They're asking you because they want something from you. You've already proven that you have what it takes to be successful and your hand-crafted platform can back you up on this.
Think about it this way. Lets say you were to accept a business proposal where the company refused to pay you what you wanted. Here is everything you would most likely end up doing for them, while you walk away tired and unappreciated:
Spend hours researching their brand and products
Spend hours if not days recording content - using your own equipment
Spend hours taking social media pictures - using your own equipment
Spend hours or days editing your videos and picking music that you will most likely need to buy
Spend hours typing up a blog post that has back-links, personalized photos, and embedded videos
Spend days away from uploading content you normally upload
Spend hours sifting through the right photos and editing them for social media
Spend hours cross promoting any videos or pictures for your post
Spend hours traveling if traveling is required
Holding off on other paid collaborations as you dedicate your time on one campaign that isn't paying you what you want
Now lets take a look at everything they they will get just by you working for them either for free or at a pay you're unhappy with:
Personalized social media posts from you, a developed Influencer
Tags that increase their ranking on social media from you, a developed Influencer
Personalized videos that will lead to potential sales and brand recognition
Content that will be available to the public until you close your social media accounts - giving them years of exposure as you continue to grow as an Influencer
Well written blog posts that will drive up their google rankings
Exposure to your audience - an accomplishment that took you years to achieve and they got in just a few days.
Free or discounted services - as if in the real world you could ask a Dentist for a free cleaning or for a discount in exchange for exposure.
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So you see - it's not worth it to accept a low-ball offer. You're making your life unnecessarily harder when you can focus on opportunities that will compensate you and leave you feeling appreciated for all of the hard work you do to maintain your reputation. If you think my reasons for emphasizing getting paid for your work stops there - think again.
Here are some common excuses companies will use to convince you into accepting less than you're worth:
"You're not big enough...your views are low...we're offering you exposure...you can join our affiliate program...if all goes well, we'll pay you for future campaigns...your prices are too high...we can pay you but you will need to work more for us...blah, blah, blah."
The first paid collaboration I did went smoothly. They responded to me and liked my idea, then asked me how much I charged. I told them my price and they agreed to it; no excuses, no extra questions or having to go back and forth. Any company that tries to fight how much you should be compensated is a company you will regret working with later on.
If you're a bigger Influencer, you most likely have a Manager who is responsible for handling all of your collaboration offers - but majority of us don't and we're forced to learn on our own. To save yourself so many headaches, do everything proper the first time, and it's only a matter of time before the right opportunities land in your lap. Stay true to yourself though no matter how much a company tries to "buy" you.
Do you have stories to share about your collaborations with brands? What did you do to improve your chances of finding the perfect collab for you?
Until next time! xoxo - Sarah
For those who don't know - I love K-drama shows. I've shared bits of my interest in a few of my vlogs on YouTube but I've never gone into detail about them. I actually didn't start watching Korean shows until just a few years ago and since then, I have been hooked. I didn't realize how good TV shows could really be until I started to watch Korean drama shows. For any K-drama enthusiasts out there, I thought I'd share some of my favorites so far, and maybe even discover some new ones too!
* This post may contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See disclosure for more details.
* This post is not sponsored.
When it comes to K-drama shows, I have genres that are my favorite. For example, I love comedy, and Korean comedy is unlike anything I've watched before. Their comedy is heartfelt, relatable, and so refreshing compared to American TV shows - no offense. I also enjoy Romance too - I use to cringe to the idea of watching romantic shows because I could never get into them but the story telling on most Korean dramas is so well done, that you're immersed into them before you can second guess yourself.
With that said, I want to jump into my favorite K-drama shows. It's a long list and I may even cut this post into a second part in case it's too long. Also, if anyone has suggestions for me on new K-dramas to watch, please let me know in the comment section as I need new ones to watch! Heads up too, this posts has minor spoiler alerts so read at your own risk!
Playful kiss is a show about a young girl who has a love/hate relationship with a boy from school. While she struggles academically in school, a boy out of her league catches her attention despite their major differences. However, their relationship proves to be complicated as the two not only have a hard time getting along but they are constantly bumping into one another. The show itself has a nice amount of comedy, moments of sweet romance, and even emotional parts that are so relatable. This romantic comedy is a must watch and one of my top favorites! The fact that young Jung So-min is in it, is just an added bonus.
As you guessed, anything with Korean actress Jung So-min is bound to capture my heart. She plays her roles so well and she's so dedicated to every one of them that I can't help but adore her. Monthly Magazine Home is a show about a girl whos home gets bought out my a greedy wealthy business man. As she struggles to find a home she can call her own and to support herself even, she ends up dreadfully working with the same business man who took her home in the first place. This show has moments that really left me emotional - making me cry and laugh at the same time. It truly opens your eyes on how special a home really is and how success can help you achieve the home of your dreams.
Who doesn't like a good love triangle story? True Beauty may be known for it's romance, but to me it was much more than that. It was actually hard for me to watch this show because it covered topics that I myself could relate to; bullying, suicide, insecurities. The show revolves around a young girl who for so long struggles with accepting her looks. She turns to makeup to boost her self-esteem and later befriends a boy who also has a past of his own. Together they lean on one another for support, helping each other through their own troubles. This show not only opens up on the devastating effects of bullying, but also the importance of loving yourself for who you are.
Besides the fact that I have a crush on Park Seo-joon, this show is hilarious and full of romantic moments that take your breath away and put you in a feel-good mood. Not only is the chemistry between Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young on point, but the plot is so entertaining. The story revolves around a secretary who ends up leaving her boss to take time off to care for herself. The boss isn't used to be told no though and does whatever he can to win her back. This comedy/romance show has it's cute moments but also dips into hidden fears that bring the pair together. If you need a good show to cuddle up on the couch to - this is definitely one!
One of my absolute favorites - and one that I re-watch so often - this show wins my heart no matter how much time passes. This coming of age show highlights a young girl who aims to become a great athlete while at the same time she struggles to tap into her feminine side. As she discovers love for the first time and realizes she has no idea what to do with herself, the story unfolds to be so funny and romantic yet down to earth. Whenever I am having a bad day - or week for that matter - this show always cheers me up.
This show really hit big and for good reasons. The story line is intense and focuses on a young man who's life is turned upside down by a viscous business man. As the young man builds his wealth from the ground up, he experiences great competition along with it. This show tugs at your heart and sheds light on the importance of perseverance, no matter how hard life becomes. While this show is full of emotions that hit a nerve within you, it also has moments of love and even comedy. I had Dimitar watch this show with me and he was hooked after the first few episodes - which says a lot since he's not really into K-drama like I am!
Hello My Twenties
7. Hello My Twenties
Also known as Age of Youth, this coming of age show brings together five girls who learn to work around each other's unique personalities and needs - did I mention they're also roommates too? As you immerse yourself into the girls diverse lifestyle together, you also take a dip into all of their lives which reveals their own troubling past. Full of rich comedy, friendship, and heartfelt drama, this show reminds us of the importance of friendship, but also the importance of healing the past.
Crashing Landing On You is an amazing show! If you haven't watched it yet - do it - you won't regret it. A successful, yet relentless, business woman struggles with her own ties with her family and one day disappears after an accident. She ends up finding herself stuck in North Korea where her whole life turns upside in a flash. Just when she fears the worst, she befriends a North Korean Officer and his comrades. Full of action, romance, and heart felt moments, this show really leaves you on the edge of your chair out of anticipation. Also, Son Yen-jin's acting skills are incredible and really pull you deeper into the show to experience each scene for yourself.
This is another show that I find myself re-watching when I am having a bad week. It's so relatable to me on so many levels that it only adds to my admiration for Jung Son-min. The story is about a girl who is constantly moving around because she finds herself being surrounded by people who take advantage of her. She ends up meeting a man who is desperate for a trustworthy roommate that the unusual duo end up living together and marrying out of mutual interests. This feel good show not only left me emotional, but gave me so many good laughs too. Lee Min Ki and Jung Son-min work together so well and I look forward to watching more from them in the future!
Fight For My Way is such a motivating show to watch that it's easy to see why this show captured my heart. You take a dip into the lives of a young girl and boy who have known each other since their school years. As both grow up and encounter struggles that weigh heavy on their shoulders, they eventually rely on each other to lift each others spirits to pursue their dreams. The dynamic pair in this show really inspired me because it reminded me that with every success story, there are struggles behind them and it's through a strong support system that makes the journey worthwhile.
This cute story reveals the life of three friends who work hard to achieve their goals despite the struggles they endure. As fame and success are priority for all of them, they all adjust with finding their own identity in a demanding world. With hard work, passion, and the right mind-set, this show reminds viewers that while you may not know what to expect from life, it's important to stay true to yourself and to follow your heart. This show wouldn't be complete either if it didn't have a love triangle of it's own!
Live is one of the few Korean crime TV shows that I have come to really enjoy. It takes you on a journey of young cadets in the Patrol Division who follow the lead of their superiors. This show is more on the serious side as it reveals the everyday life of a Patrol officer, and it's not always pretty either. Filled with raw emotions and troubling cases, I love this show for the fact that it stays true to the issues Patrol Officers commonly face in real life.
Isn'tNam Joo-hyuk so dreamy - ugh - it's too much to handle sometimes. Anyways though, Start-Up is full of ups and downs that really leave you immersed in the story line. I cried so many times because of the hardships the characters end up enduring as they both strive for success. The story covers two young adults who are both hungry and determined to achieve their goals. With a first love that takes place at an early age, the story reveals a twist that only gets better as the show progresses. It's a must watch for sure!
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And there you go! These are some of my top favorite Korean Drama shows that I really enjoy as of 2022. I could definitely use some more suggestions though so if you have any recommendations for me, I'd love to hear them! Also, if you've watched any of the shows I've mentioned in this post, let me know your thoughts on them too!
Until next time! xoxo - Sarah
It's been awhile since I last went to a spa. I'm normally not the kind of person who craves physical stimulation to relax but Dimitar is the complete opposite. He needs physical touch to feel at ease and I need quality time instead. Since I don't enjoy giving massages either, we've both managed to stay relaxed together with massage tools and taking long hot baths. Occasionally we'll go get a massage together, but Dimitar can be quite picky when it comes to his masseuses.
* This post is not sponsored.
Last week, Dimitar was complaining about his neck aching - he's a stomach sleeper after all - and so he later told me that he made reservations for us at a place called Spa World. I've only heard of it once through friends, but I had personally never been there before. After doing my own research, I realized it was a Korean Spa Center based in Centreville that offered a variety of different spa services. I was actually excited to try it out so Dimitar and I both waited for Sunday to roll along, which is when we typically have free time together.
Sunday in general started off weird. For starters, it snowed! I had no idea it was going to snow either so it was a really nice surprise but it made the day very cold - perfect for the Spa! Since there was no set time for us to arrive at the Spa, we took our time getting there by running a few errands first. We also grabbed a quick bite to eat at an Italian restaurant. Since Dimitar wanted to watch the snow, we decided to eat in the car which was something we normally didn't do, but it was still nice.
It's snowed again!
Enjoying a Cannoli
From Alexandria, the Spa was roughly located half an hour away from us - which is pretty out there. Driving there really made the trip feel like we were truly getting away from everything. Also, It occurred to me on our way there that I had always wanted to go to a Korean spa - just like they do in Korean Drama TV shows like Because It's My First Life; Jung So-Min is my favorite Korean Actress!
When we arrived, the building itself was huge and located around many oriental shops and restaurants; something I was excited about coming back to visit. Once inside, we checked in easily where we were given spa uniforms to wear and directed to drop our shoes off into the lockers that were in the lobby. From there Dimitar and I made our way to the Women and Men locker rooms where we went our separate ways to change.
Since the locker rooms are connected to the pools and showers, it's worth mentioning that nudity is expected; I was already informed of this policy so I wasn't shocked. To keep the pools clean, no swim suits are allowed and everyone is directed to shower prior to entering any of the pools; creating a clean environment that everyone can enjoy together. Since I didn't plan on going into the pool though, I simply changed into my uniform and made my way to the Poultice rooms where Dimitar was waiting.
Locker Rooms
Poultice Rooms
Once we were in the Lounge area, we saw that the seven different Poultice rooms were all positioned around the room itself. For those who don't know what Poultice rooms are - because I didn't at first - they're basically similar to saunas except each one has different temperatures and are made out of different materials to help target certain holistic health benefits. For example, the first Poultice room we went into was called the Amethyst Gem Room which was great for balancing the body from within and had an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was hard at first to adjust to the heat since I enjoy being cooler than most, but after ten minutes of relaxing, it was easier to tolerate. The best part about being inside the Poultice rooms is how each one is decorated differently, which made me feel like I was immersed in a different world completely.
The Amethyst Gem Room Benefits
I should also say that while the lounging area is for cooling off and socializing, the Poultice rooms are quiet areas where talking within them is frowned upon. Also, for anyone who is not used to being in a sauna environment - like me - drinking plenty of water before and after each sauna visit is highly encouraged to avoid dizziness. The great thing about the lounge area is that there are water fountains on each side of the room which allows guests to drink from or to refill their own water bottles.
Once inside a Poultice room, you can either sit down on the benches provided and let your body do it's thing, or you can lay down if there is space. I honestly preferred to lie down as it allowed me to fully relax my muscles. I found that spending fifteen minutes in each room was as much as I could tolerate before I had to leave to replenish myself. Since Dimitar loves the heat though, he would often stay in the rooms much longer than I would and he'd always come out drenched in sweat; it was quite amusing.
Taking a break
Amongst the seven rooms, my favorite rooms were the Red Clay Ball Room and the Salt Room. Even though the Red Clay Ball Room was one of the loudest rooms to be in because of the little beads you have to lie on - it was the most comfortable. Unfornately, because of the noise from other people moving around on the beads, it was the room I spent the least amount of time in. The Salt Room though was the last room and the most detoxifying. I did my best to stay inside for as long as I could but Dimitar of course beat me by staying in a total of twenty minutes! Crazy crazy.
In case the Poultice rooms aren't enough to relax you, Spa World also offers massage services too. They even have a gym for those in need of something more rigorous which I thought was a nice addition. Overall, for my first time at a Korean Spa, I was very impressed. I loved how clean and organized the center was as it really helped me wind down from my everyday routine. Dimitar was also no longer in pain too and he couldn't stop raving about how great he felt.
So, if you're in the Northern VA area and you need to get away from your busy or hectic lifestyle, I highly recommend taking a trip to Spa World. It's unique amenities cater to everyone in need of a little getaway and relaxation.
For those who would like an immersive experience, I have documented my experience in my latest Vlog on my YouTube channel below!
Until next time! xoxo - Sarah
When it comes to negativity - I have had my fair share of it. Both growing up as a child, a tuned out teenager, and even today as a young adult. I'll admit too - and I'm sure I'm not alone - but I wish the world was a happier place filled with less negativity. Would it make our lives easier? Maybe not...but I do think it'd help us all tolerate each other a bit more.
Here's the reality about negativity though in all shapes and forms; it comes with being human. I'm sure you don't want to hear that because at this moment you're looking for every reason to believe in something bigger than yourself, but it's the cold hard truth. Just like I covered in my earlier post on The Law of Attraction, negativity may be part of living, but it doesn't need to define us. Or in some more drastic cases, it doesn't need to consume us.
Before I go over how you can handle negativity in your life, I'll give you a taste of my own life. I grew up being the youngest of three sisters where my opinion rarely mattered. Anytime I did what I felt was best for me, my own sisters would turn against me rather than try to understand me. I often forced myself to work with toxic coworkers who threw tantrums at work and even yelled at other coworkers - including me. To top it off, my own partner's family became a source of negativity as any achievements I made or interests outside of them, was just another outlet for them to put me down. So, I can say with confidence that I'm no newbie when it comes to this topic.
Despite this article though which is summed up in just a few hundred words, I've spent years working on myself just to be able to have the mindset that I have today. Now, it may not take that long for you to adjust, but lets be real - change takes time - and that's okay. Actually, the more patient you are with yourself, the more you'll learn in the end. The more you learn, the more likely your life is going to improve. It's important that you don't rush your own self-development and work at a pace that really matters to you.
I'll also say that to everyone's situation, there are scenarios that require you to assess your own boundaries. The points mentioned in this post do not have a particular order, but they do serve as guidance.
Lets get started.
1. It's Nothing Personal
One thing I remember reading online whenever I needed reassurance in my life, is that when it comes to dealing with negativity from other people - first assume that it's nothing personal. It's easy to forget that everyone has problems that it's bound to rub off on someone else. Is it right? No, because we should all be more considerate of others in general, but we are human and slips do happen. When it does, it's nothing personal. It may be hard to see it this way when in the heat of the moment and someone snaps at you or makes a remark at you that seems totally unwarranted, but emotions can have a way with people that makes us all say and do stupid things. I've done it. You've done it. We've all done it.
Word of advice; be the role model. We may not be able to understand why people say or do the things that they do, but by not allowing ourselves to be rubbed the wrong way, it helps us be the better person when faced with someone in need of a little bit of compassion. By allowing ourselves to be compassionate first before reacting, we remove our emotional response which can often be misleading. This in return teaches others to do the same, and creates more role models. I don't know about you, but the world needs more of them!
2. Pick Your Battles
I used to ignore my problems like no ones business. It's not healthy, I don't recommend it, so don't do it. What I do mean when I say ignore it though is to pick your battles. If a person is having a bad day and they're spitting fire but you're feeling on top of the world because you just got paid more than you were expecting - does it really make sense to jump in the line of fire? Unless you're looking for a character building day, it's important that you really take the time to prioritize what's important to you in any given moment. No one else has the power to bring you down but yourself, and no one is definitely making you jump in fire!
The truth is, unless the problem effects you directly, you're not obligated to get involved. I used to have this heavy feeling within me that whenever a problem came up and I was around, that it was my responsibility to fix it. Today though, I think twice before I burn myself because while it's great to be compassionate, it's not great interfering with other peoples business when it's not your lesson to learn in the first place. Do yourself a favor and pick your battles. You can avoid so many headaches and energy draining situations.
3. Empower Yourself
I used to be in a crazy dark space inside of my head ten years ago. After everything I went through as a child, there came a point in my life where I needed to change. I turned to reading self-help books because I was tired of my old ways of thinking. I was tired of trying to solve the same problem with outdated ways of being. I was tired of repeating the same toxic patterns in my life that weren't getting me anywhere. If at some point you find yourself faced with so much negativity that you find yourself alone and feeling desperate, reading may just turn your life around.
You see, we're all creatures of habit. We do what feels comfortable most of the time, even if it may not be right. We may not be able to control everything that goes on around us, but we can at least have the right attitude to enjoy the journey. The only way we can do this, is by empowering ourselves through learning. Read self-help books that lift your spirit, books that motivate you to be goal driven and help you shift your focus from the problems in your life to your very potential. Reading can't remove the negativity in your life, but it can change your perspective. So why not start now to see for yourself?
4. Evaluate Your Circle
Did you know that your character can easily be evaluated by the people you spend the most time around? That's how influential we really are; we're like sponges. Have you ever found yourself surrounded by a group of people who all wanted to do something that made you feel uncomfortable, but because of their pressure, you caved in and ended up regretting it? I know I have. Or, have you ever been around a group of people that encouraged you to try something new and it turns out that you enjoyed every minute of it? Exactly. When I talk about your circle, I really mean the people you surround yourself with.
It's no secret that human beings are social creatures, but there are levels to how social we all should be. Regardless of your age, we all should pay close attention to who we keep close to us. You may just find that you have more toxic people in your life than you realized! By removing or distancing yourself from toxic people that only hold you back, you'll realize how much power you really have because it's no longer being wasted. To find yourself, you need to surround yourself with loving energy and you can't do any of that with people who suck you bone dry. Think about it.
5. Recognize The Patterns
As mentioned before, I used to ignore my problems. I did it so often that the problems kept repeating in my life - creating toxic patterns. I eventually realized that I needed to face my issues in order to be happier. For example, I used to work for a company that made everyone burnt out. One day, I typed up a letter explaining solutions that could improve the work environment - something I had never done before - and I presented it to management. I was turned down immediately and as a result, I walked away from the job. I was disappointed at first, but the fact that I made an effort to improve my life was all that mattered and it made me much happier.
So, if you find yourself faced with the same issue that just keeps repeating in your life, it may just be a sign that you need to face an issue you're avoiding. Only you can know the very problem that appears constantly in your life and whether it's with people, yourself, or other things - tackling it head on is the only way you'll see less of that very thing. Whether it's changing a job, confronting a person, redefining what love means to you, or speaking your truth more in general - you'll realize that the sooner you adjust the patterns in your life, the more time you'll actually have time to being happy. Just like empowering yourself to have the right attitude is important when dealing with negativity, addressing unwanted patterns in your life can be just as beneficial.
6. Respect Yourself
Our interactions with people go both ways and it first starts with how we treat ourselves. Holding ourselves accountable when our internal dialogue is anything but nice to us is key to a happier life. Now, I know no one is perfect, but we all should strive to be our own best friend. Think about it. Would you want to be friends with someone who was constantly putting people down, being judgmental, or was just overall negative about everything? I didn't think so. So imagine looking in the mirror and all of your thoughts were suddenly played on a speaker - would you want to be that persons friend?
We can't control how others see us, or what they think about us or do for that matter, but we can always be there to support ourselves. Respecting ourselves first will help us pick better relationships, take care of our bodies more, prioritize what we spend our time on, and even the goals we strive for. When you take the time to respect for yourself, it's a clear message to others of what you want; respect. Even if the fire ends up finding you, you'll be able to decide easily if it's worth getting burned or not. This is the power of respect and the beauty about being human.
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While there are many ways one can effectively deal with negativity, at the end of the day it boils down to your own self worth. The value you hold for yourself is far more important than anyone else's opinion of you. We all have the right to be happy, but no one has the right to bring us down unless we let them.
Until next time! xoxo - Sarah
For those who don't know, I have been creating videos on YouTube for the past seven years now. It sounds crazy to even admit but it's nothing compared to some of the more original YouTubers who have been on YouTube for over a decade - wow!
Making art on YouTube was a way for me to let my guard down for a change and embrace who I really was; a creative person who often felt out of place. The more I dedicated myself to YouTube, the more I developed as a person because it helped me overcome many of my own faults like not investing enough time into getting to know myself.
After six years of making art videos consistently, I began to desire to make different videos. As much as I loved art, I had grown tired of making art videos because of the lengthy recording process and the time consuming editing. In 2021, when I moved into my first apartment, I knew it was time to make a change.
My desk during a typical recording
I made the decision to record Vlogs for my YouTube channel and to also document my experiences through Blogging. I knew my channel would need time to adjust so I slowly introduced my audience to the fact that I would no longer focus on uploading art videos, and it sure was scary!
Even though I was much happier uploading Vlogs and trying something that I wanted to do for so long, my views on YouTube dropped drastically; it also didn't help that the world was in a state of crisis. I often worried that I was making a bad decision but I pushed those thoughts to the side and continued doing what made me happy.
Now that 2022 is here and I have had a full year to upload Vlogs and create a great amount of articles for this Blog, it has really helped me get closer to myself. Like any change, it can be uncomfortable because you aren't sure what to expect, but I'm excited to see what another year of Vlogging and Blogging has to offer.
I want to be able to share not only my creative side with my audience, but also my life experiences so that I can inspire people from all over the world to be strong when faced with difficulties. I want to also document my life because for the majority of my childhood I felt awkward in my own skin, so documenting my life is now a way where I can open up and find myself.
I don't claim to know much, but if there is one thing I know for sure, it's that following your passions - no matter how long it may take to see the results - will always result in a happier you.
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