Playground of Randomness

19
Feb
2025

Where to Find Stock Photos for Your Blog

categories: Blogging Basics, Blogging Tips

A great blog isn’t just about words- visuals play an important part as well. Whether you’re crafting an in-depth guide, a quick listicle or a product review, the right images can enhance your content, boost engagement and make your posts more shareable. But where do you find high-quality stock photos that won’t break the bank (or worse, land you in copyright trouble)?

Here’s a roundup of the best places to find stock photos for your blog:

1. Unsplash- Beautiful, High-Quality Images

Unsplash provides stunning, high-resolution images that don’t look like typical stock photos. Photographers from around the world contribute their work, making it a goldmine for aesthetically pleasing visuals. Bonus: all images are free to use for personal and commercial projects without attribution (though crediting the photographer is always a nice gesture).

2. Pexels- A Little Bit of Everything

Pexels offers a vast collection of free stock photos and videos, covering a wide range of themes. Their search functionality is great and the images tend to be modern, vibrant, and diverse. If you need professional-looking visuals without the price tag, this is a great place to start.

3. Pixabay- Photos, Vectors, and More

Pixabay offers stock photos, illustrations, vectors AND videos. With over two million assets available for free, you’re bound to find something that fits your blog’s aesthetic.

4. Reshot- Unique and Authentic Visuals

If you’re tired of generic stock photos, Reshot is worth checking out. It specializes in handpicked, unique images that feel more natural and less staged. This is especially great if you want to stand out from other bloggers using the same stock photos over and over again.

5. Burst by Shopify- Perfect for Business and Lifestyle Blogs

Burst, powered by Shopify, is designed with entrepreneurs and small business owners in mind. It offers high-quality images that work well for e-commerce, lifestyle and marketing-related content. If you’re running a business-focused blog, this is a must-visit.

6. Kaboompics- Stylish and Color-Coordinated Photos

Kaboompics is a fantastic resource if you’re looking for cohesive images. It allows you to search by color palette, which is a dream for bloggers who want to maintain a consistent aesthetic. The photos are high-quality and work beautifully for lifestyle, fashion and creative blogs.

7. Gratisography- Quirky and Fun Stock Photos

For those who want something a little less conventional, Gratisography offers fun, whimsical and sometimes downright bizarre stock photos. If your blog has a playful, lighthearted tone, this is a great place to find visuals that match your personality.

8. Canva- Stock Photos with Customization

Canva has an extensive library of stock photos, including both free and paid options. You can edit and customize images directly within the platform, making it easier to create branded visuals for your blog.

9. Adobe Stock and Shutterstock- Premium Options

If you’re looking for exclusive, ultra-professional images and don’t mind paying, Adobe Stock and Shutterstock are for you. They offer millions of high-resolution images, vectors and videos with advanced search features. These are ideal if you need highly specific visuals for your brand but I don’t recommend it if you’re still in the early stages with your blog.

Finding the right stock photos for your blog doesn’t have to be a challenge. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and professional or quirky and unique, there’s a platform out there that fits your needs.

11
Feb
2025

5 Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health as a Remote Employee

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Mental Health

Remote work is great. You can wake up late, skip the commute and work in your gymwear- but while it does come with its perks, the flip side is that all that alone time can take a toll on your mental health.

Without the usual office buzz or face-to-face interactions, it’s easy to slip into unhealthy habits that affect your well-being.

Here are 5 ways to take care of your mental health while working remotely:

1. TAKE YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

Yes, I am shouting at you. That is how strongly I feel about this point.

You might think that you don’t need a break because you’re working from home but this is a huge no-no. Just like you would take a break at the office, it’s crucial to step away from your desk. Use this time to eat something nutritious, relax, or even take a quick walk. Giving your mind a rest can boost your focus and productivity for the rest of the day.

2. Make Time to Go Outside

It’s easy to get stuck in the bubble of your home office, but stepping outside, even for just a few minutes, can do wonders for your mental health. Whether it’s a stroll down the street or just sitting in your backyard, fresh air and a change of scenery help clear your mind and reduce stress. The physical movement also releases endorphins, which are your brain’s natural mood lifters. Plus the longer you WFH, the easier it is to slip into a habit of little to no physical exercise.

3. Chat with Your Colleagues

When you’re working remotely, isolation can creep up on you. It’s important to make time to connect with colleagues, even if it’s just a quick check-in. These virtual coffee breaks or team calls provide a sense of community and help break up the monotony of working solo. Talking to others can provide both emotional support and a welcome distraction from work.

4. Set Clear Boundaries

One of the toughest things about working remotely is finding the balance between work and personal life. Without the physical separation of an office, it can be easy to work late into the night or overextend yourself. Set clear boundaries by creating a dedicated workspace, establishing a fixed work schedule, and sticking to it. When your workday is over, truly disconnect from your job to recharge and enjoy your personal time. Which brings us to our next point….

5. Make Time for Self-Care

Whether it’s doing a quick meditation, stretching, or diving into your favourite book, make time for activities that help you relax and recharge. Your mental health is just as important as your job performance, and taking care of yourself ensures that you stay balanced and productive in the long run.

While remote work offers convenience and several perks, it’s important to invest time and effort into managing your mental health to make the most of it. Taking care of your mental well-being while working remotely is essential for staying productive and happy. By incorporating these simple practices into your routine, you’ll find that remote work can be both fulfilling and sustainable.

18
Apr
2025

Fiction Friday- Book Review: Sandover Beach Memories by Emma St. Clair

categories: Books, Reviews

Sandover Beach Memories by Emma St. Clair

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jenna returns home to Sandover Beach to wrap up loose ends after her mother’s passing. Recovering from a divorce with a cheating husband and processing her grief about her mother, Jenna’s plate is already pretty full.
But then there’s the fact that her mother’s neighbours are the parents of her high school sweetheart and her high school nemesis, Jackson runs the local store. Jenna hates Jackson due to a high school misunderstanding. (Personally I think her judgement is a little off but okay).
This was a good book but I feel like the characters got feelings way too soon. Nonetheless I loved this little island so I will definitely be returning to see the other characters.
I loved the depiction of faith here and it wasn’t something I’ve seen before. Some parts had me crying. I was here for the characters tbh and the romance, while cute, was only secondary to me.
This book has an accurate portrayal of grief and loss which I really liked seeing.

View all my reviews

11
Apr
2025

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Powerless by Lauren Roberts

categories: Books, Reviews

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from Jonathan Ball Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I love love LOVED the idea of this book. But when I learnt it was going to be part of a series, I held off on reading it until now. (I am getting old and can no longer remember books in a series so I thought I was doing a good thing).

I devoured this book over the weekend, but while I loved it, this is the first book I’ve read after Sunrise on the Reaping… and let’s just say there’s a little book hangover happening right now.

That said, I really enjoyed the beginning of the worldbuilding- it had me hooked! I did get a bit bored with the princes, though, but the ending? OMIGOSH!!!

Powerless tells the story of a world where people are divided by the powers they do or don’t have. The Elites possess special powers, while the Ordinaries live in poverty, struggling to get by. Paedyn is an Ordinary, but her father has trained her as a Psychic so she can blend in and live safely. However, when Paedyn saves the prince of Ilya, she’s thrown into the Purging Trials- an event designed to showcase the Elites’ powers, which Paedyn doesn’t have. To top it off, there’s a hint of something brewing between her and the prince (or princes? I’m still unsure).

I’ve got Reckless waiting for me, but my eyes are a little tired from reading, so I can’t wait to dive into that one soon!

View all my reviews

10
Apr
2025

5 Cozy Games for Beginners

categories: Uncategorized

Whether you’re brand new to gaming or just looking for something low-key to unwind with, cozy games are the perfect way to ease in. They’re like warm cups of tea for your brain- no timers, no pressure, just good vibes and wholesome fun. If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you. Here are five cozy games that are super beginner-friendly and guaranteed to melt your stress away.

1. Unpacking

Platform: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Genre: Puzzle, Zen, Narrative

It’s literally a game about unpacking moving boxes. Sounds mundane? It’s actually surprisingly emotional and peaceful. You go through a person’s life by unpacking their belongings from one home to the next, learning their story through the items they keep. This was my first game and I loved it so much. It can be finished in a single setting but it’s so fun with such a beautiful storyline.