May
2023

7 Secrets to a Better Sleep

categories: Welcome to The Real World

Getting a good night sleep is so so important. It affects your overall health and well-being both mentally and physically. Sleep is SO important to me that I even conducted my own little study to see how sleeping 8 hours a night affected me. Many people struggle to get enough sleep or even decent sleep. If you fall into this group, here are 7 things you can do to improve your sleep.

1. Stick to a Regular Sleep Schedule

This is no fun but this is one of the most important tips. Establish a consistent sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This will help regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and promote better sleep. Eventually your body will know when it’s time to sleep and you’ll be able to fall asleep (and stay asleep) easily.

2. Create a Bedtime Routine

Take a warm bath, read a book, or do some gentle stretches before bed to help your body relax and prepare for sleep. Avoid electronics, which emit blue light that can disrupt your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. One of my favourite ways to wind down for bed is reading for 30 minutes. That way I get to tackle my TBR AND get a good night’s rest.

3. Make Your Bedroom Sleep-Friendly

By this I mean, you should make sure that your bedroom is quiet, cool, and dark. Keep noise levels down, use blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block out light, and set the temperature to a cool, comfortable level.

4. Invest in a Comfortable Mattress and Pillows

Okay I am still in the process of locating a comfortable mattress but I had a coworker admit that once he invested a significant chunk of money in his mattress, it paid off for him immensely in the long run.

Your mattress and pillows can have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows that support your body and help you maintain good posture while you sleep.

5. Limit Your Caffeine and Alcohol Intake

Caffeine and alcohol can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Try to limit your intake of these substances, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime.

6. Exercise

Regular exercise can improve sleep quality and duration. However, it’s best to exercise earlier in the day rather than right before bed, as exercise can be energizing and make it harder to fall asleep. Experiment and see what works for you.

7. Manage Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Manage your stress levels through relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. It is also helpful to write down your worries and feelings before bed so that you are able to clear your mind.

A good night sleep is essential for you to function at your best. By following these tips, you can improve the quality of your sleep.


May
2023

5 of My Favourite BookTok Reads

categories: Books

BookTok has revived the book industry and while I will always be grateful for that, some of their recommendations are bit..questionable. Especially when it comes to the romance books. Why aren’t cute and sweet romance books not given more attention? BRING BACK SAPPY ROMANCES!

Anyway, here are a few of my favourite BookTok books that I believe were definitely worth the hype. (Note: The below links are all Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

1. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Karen M. McManus can do no wrong, okay? Thank you and goodbye. “One of Us is Lying” is a breakfast club YA mystery that follows a group of teenagers in detention. Five kids enter detention…only four of them leave alive. This was one of those books that you can’t stop reading.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Not everyone is a fan of Maas (or this series) but ACOTAR remains one of my all-time favourite series. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with fairies. Twisted, dark, scary fairies. The world-building in this series is incredible so this is definitely worth a try if you enjoy fantasy.

3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

We need more recommendations like this. The Hating Game is an absolutely adorable enemies-to-lovers book set in a publishing company. This book has all the warm, toasty feels.

4. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Summer, secrets, stealing. That is a basic summary of “We Were Liars”. Yes, like all fans of this book, I am telling you alot without actually telling you anything at all. Just read the book.

5. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is reaching a brand new level of popularity thanks to BookTok. And while I know people either love or hate her, this is definitely one of her better works. Trigger warning: This is a book about domestic abuse.

What are your favourite BookTok reads? Let me know below!


May
2023

5 Tips for Branding Your Blog

categories: Blogging Tips

Branding is an essential aspect of any successful blog. It’s what sets your blog apart from the competition and helps build a loyal following. If you’re just starting out with your blog or looking to rebrand it, here are some tips to help

1. Define your brand identity

Before you can start branding your blog, you need to define your brand identity. This includes your blog’s mission, values, and voice. What is your blog about? Who is your target audience? What values do you want to communicate? What is the tone of you writing? Defining these elements will help you create a consistent brand image across all your blog content.

2. Create a logo and colour scheme

Once you’ve defined your brand identity, it’s time to create a logo and colour scheme that reflect it. Your logo should be simple, memorable, and relevant to your blog’s theme. Your colour scheme should consist of two or three colours that complement each other and align with your brand identity. Canva is a great tool to help you figure out your colour scheme. If you need help, play around with the Canva colour palette generator. This is a quick way for you to see what colours look good together.

3. Design a visually appealing website (with your chosen colour scheme)

Use your logo and colour scheme in your website design. Make sure that your website is easy to navigate. Use a clear and readable font

4. Develop a consistent content strategy

Your blog’s content is the main way you’ll communicate your brand to your audience. Develop a content strategy that aligns with your brand identity and communicates your values. Use a consistent tone (i.e the brand tone you identified previously) and style in your writing, and make sure your content is relevant to your target audience.

5. Promote your brand on social media

Again, using your brand tone and colours. Promote your blog on social media to grow your audience. Use your logo and color scheme in your social media profiles, and share your blog content regularly. Engage with your followers and respond to their comments and messages. Your brand will become more familiar to them as time goes on which helps you gain brand loyalty.

Branding your blog is essential to building a strong following. By following these steps, you can create a powerful and effective brand for your blog.


May
2023

Things to Know Before Making a Transition to Start-Up

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Welcome to The Real World

So you got an amazing job offer. At a start-up. No biggie. After all, a start-up is just a company that is just beginning to grow, right? Here are a few things to consider before transitioning to that start-up.

Job Security

Firstly, what is the job security like? Start-ups are noted for randomly closing. However this isn’t always the case. Of course if you’re leaving a stable job or if you’re a new graduate you want that assurance that your job is safe. Do your research on the company and the industry beforehand to get an idea of how secure your job is.

Are Your Values Aligned?

As someone who had grown distant from my former company because of misaligned values, this one was a biggie for me. Start-ups are full of chaos. This is made up for when you and the company have the same or similiar values. This also helps get you through the 3AM work (see below).

Little to No Structure

Start-ups lack the formal processes that an established company has. You might hate or love this depending on the type of person you are. Of course you can be the person to bring in the structure and processes but that depends on how willing everyone else around you is to change.

Weird Work Hours

Start-ups can sometimes be go-go-go ALL THE TIME. This is my favourite part because I tend to be widely awake in the middle of the night so I’m fine to work then but this does take its toll on you if you have a family.

Anything Under the Sun is Possible

Whereas a corporate role would have red tape or you’re limited in your specific department, in a start-up you could do anything and most likely will be doing more than a few things. In my role as a Content Writer in a start-up, I wrote content, edited content, wrote copy and even weighed in on a few internal branding and Customer Care scenarios because of my corporate background.

Would you ever consider working for a start-up? Have you ever worked for a start-up? What are your thoughts? Let me know below.


Apr
2023

Book Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

categories: Books, Reviews

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have so many mixed feelings about this book. Where do I even start?
“We Were Liars” has always been a really hyped book.
Which is why it took me so many years before I finally picked it up.
Whenever I asked fans of the book to explain to me what it was about, they never could. So I had this theory in my head that it was just a bad book with lots of fans.
No, it is not.
This is a YA mystery set in Summer with a bunch of privileged teens. Every Summer, a wealthy family gathers on their private island to spend time with each other.
Until one Summer where there’s an accident that changes everything.
What happened in the accident? Why won’t anyone talk about it? Why are they pretending like nothing has changed when everything has changed?
These are questions that can only be answered by reading this book.
This was a really well-written book that I couldn’t put down. This book tore my heart to pieces but I eagerly picked up “Family of Liars”. I loved spending time on the island with this family and couldn’t wait to go back.



View all my reviews


Apr
2023

5 Must-Read Personal Finance Books

categories: Books

Personal Finance is not a topic we learn in school. However it is a vital skill to learn especially as you grow older and start to earn an income. Here are the books that I consider essential reading if you want to learn more about personal finance.

1. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki

Still a classic (and for good reason). “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” takes a look at the differences in thinking between “rich” and “poor” people. This was a book that was both educational and entertaining. I actually read this at 8 (interestingly enough, I was forced to read this by a wealthy relative). I don’t know if I understood what I was reading at the time but I picked this book up a few months ago and could definitely relate to it. In my job I have seen both “rich” and “poor” and this book definitely highlights the different ways both groups see the world

2. “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi

This is another good book that offers a practical and no-nonsense approach to personal finance. Sethi covers a range of topics, from managing credit card debt to negotiating a salary increase, and provides actionable advice for building wealth and living a rich life.

3. “Managing Your Money Like a F#cking Grown up” by Sam Beckbessinger

This book is like sitting down with a friend to discuss your finances. I loved it! Beckbessinger offers a practical but funny guide to managing your money as an adult. Immediately after reading this, I had to start implementing her tips and I definitely saw a difference in my finances.

4.”The Latte Factor” by David Bach

This book changed my life. I know we all know that you cannot save money just by skipping a latte but this book made me really think about what was important to me when it came to my money. “The Latte Factor” looks at the importance of prioritizing spending and investing in oneself, rather than frivolous daily purchases. It doesn’t just look at money as money. It looks at what financial freedom means to you.

5.”The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey

I finished this book in one go. “The Total Money Makeover” offers actionable advice to help you get your finances in order. Ramsey teaches readers about his “baby steps” approach to financial success, which includes strategies such as creating a budget, building an emergency fund, and paying off debt.

Reading these personal finance books can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to achieve your financial goals. Whether you’re looking to build wealth, pay off debt, or simply improve your financial literacy, these books are a great place to start.


Apr
2023

Book Review: When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

categories: Books, Reviews

When Women Were Dragons: A Novel by Kelly Barnhill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I am so so SO EMBARRASSED by how long it took me to pick up this book especially since I was drawn in from the second I opened it.
I received a review copy of “When Women Were Dragons” from Jonathan Ball Publishers. Unfortunately, I only got around to reading it now.
I have a really short attention span but this was the first book I tried not to put down (I say “tried” because I am old and eventually had to put it down to sleep…but I was up at 4AM the next morning to continue reading.

“When Women Were Dragons” tells the story of a mass “Dragoning”- an event where women started transforming into dragons. Society dealt with this in a very predictable way- they pretended it never happened.
The main character, Alex tells the story of her childhood and how the Dragoning affected her family and their lives.
What I really loved about this book was that it read like a coming-of-age book mixed with a documentary on how female problems were avoided simply because they were female problems.
This was a really well-written book that I enjoyed immensely. It brought out many intense emotions inside me. I was annoyed, I cried, I wanted to scream (but I didn’t- obedient females don’t do that after all).

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I LOVED THIS WORLDBUILDING! This book needs to be required reading in schools. I have never felt more seen in my life.


Mar
2023

Book Review: The Maid by Nita Prose

categories: Books, Reviews

The Maid by Nita Prose

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ve wanted to read this book for a while but it was nothing like I imagined.
Molly the Maid is a kind, cheerful lady who is always ready to help those around her. But when she finds a dead body in one of the rooms she’s cleaning, Molly doesn’t realize that she is in danger.
While this book made it clear that Molly is different, it annoyed me that she didn’t realize at first that she would be considered a suspect for murder.
There were a few times I had to put the book down and just scream.
Basically this is a story about a kind-hearted soul who is just too optimistic to realize that there are bad things and bad people in the world. (Kinda felt like I could relate).
This was a really heartwarming read once I got past being mad at Molly. I have never had a mystery novel leaving me feeling all warm and gooey but this one did. I especially enjoyed the little twist at the end. It seemed overdone but by that time I was craving a little drama.
This isn’t the book for you if you’re looking for a hardcore thriller or suspense novel. But if you have a few hours to kill and want to escape into a book, I definitely suggest this one.
I was not expecting to grow attached to Molly but I did.



View all my reviews


Mar
2023

Book Review: Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling?

categories: Books, Reviews

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I don’t know how but I keep forgetting how hilarious Mindy Kaling is. I have had this book on my shelf for a really long time and picked it up because I kept stumbling across quotes from it.
I am not usually a big nonfiction fan (especially if the book is written by a celebrity) but this was a really funny and well-written book.
Mindy shares bits and pieces of her life as well as relatable and sage advice. It was like sitting down to chat with a friend.
This was a great read that I strongly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Mindy Kaling. I will definitely be tracking down her other books next.



View all my reviews


Feb
2023

On Rage-Applying for All the Jobs

categories: Uncategorized

Ah yes, rage-applying. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the year 20xy (I am not specifying the year because I am very public with my life and you can easily investigate where I worked) and I had an absolutely horrible team leader.

She was incompetent. She was rude. She shouted at the staff and made them cry. But the head of the department had chosen her for the role of team leader (despite her lack of experience) and now she was my problem.

My former manager- the team leader’s direct manager- noticed a change in me and asked me about it. I explained to her what was going on. She was sympathetic…to a point. And then she told me that my team leader was my team leader and my options were either to support her or leave.

I was still relatively young in my career so the first thing I did was cry. I couldn’t believe that it was okay that our team leader was an awful human simply because she had the right connections. EVERYONE could see her making the staff cry and no one cared? She wasn’t even good at her job!

But nonetheless, I knew what I had to do. I had to get out. There was clearly no place for me in this department.

Desperate and full of hurt and anger, I started applying to every job that came my way. And that was when my life changed.

I was called for Marketing roles, Copywriter roles, Recruitment roles and even a really memorable Teaching Administrator role (it was clear that the guy had no intention of hiring me but their campus looked amazing). It was a major confidence boost. Although I wasn’t getting the jobs, I loved that so many amazing companies considered me. It was then that I began to think about what I called “My Exit Plan”.

I had always loved the idea of working in Marketing. Marketing was the only subject that made me feel the same way I felt for writing.

So I decided to try a Marketing short course to see if that spark was still there. It was.

And that was how I found my way into Marketing. Kinda. Well it’s a bit more than that but rage-applying was the first step.

So if you feel like you need to rage-apply for all the jobs. Go for it. You never know where you might end up.

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