Apr
2024

What to Do When You Hate Your Job

categories: Career, General Career Advice

Hating your job is perfectly normal IMO. Maybe you’ve just worked there too long and the little things are now starting to get on your nerves. Maybe you’ve been there just for a while but you can’t take it anymore. Believe me, I’ve been there. But what do you do when you hate your job?

1. Admit Your Feelings

I’m the type of person who can very quickly move to hating a job simply because I’m bored (or haven’t had enough sleep for more than 3 days). If you’re starting to feel negatively towards your job, own it. Try and figure out what it is that’s making you so unhappy. Is it a project that is more difficult than anticipated? A toxic work environment? Micro-manager from hell? Name your issue or issues.

2. Can You Fix It?

Can the issue be resolved? If it’s just a matter of a stressful project, when will it end? If you’re having an issue with your work environment can you move to another team? If it’s something that CANNOT be fixed, are you willing to leave the company based on this or stay and accept the problem?

3. Develop Your Exit Strategy

Ah, exit strategies. My favourite. I’ve done alot of those throughout the years and while they’re alot of work the end result (a better job) has always made me really happy. Start off by listing your current skills as well as what roles you’d be interested in. This is also a great time to make a list of what your ideal job looks like. If you have any contacts in the industry, reach out to let them know what you’re going through. I had casually mentioned to a few people that I needed a new role and within a week, they had found me a new gig.

4. Start Networking (If You Haven’t Already)

Start networking with others in your field or in fields that you want to work in. LinkedIn is great for this. If you know an organisation that you’d like to work for, reach out to the people in the hiring team. This might sound intimidating (I know it felt super intimidating to me) but I did this once after a friend pushed me into it. I didn’t get the role but I also discovered that the organisation wasn’t a fit for me and my experience anyway.

5. DO Remember You Might Not Find a Job Immediately

This is very important. I had been job searching for 2 months straight and still didn’t find a role. It was really demotivating- and at the time, I still HAD a job. Make peace with the fact that it might take you a while to find a job. Because of this, it might make sense for you to check if you have enough funds before you try this next step.

6. Quit

Never have I ever quit from a job without something lined up. I mean I’d love to but as I get closer to 30 I can feel that window closing. If you’re really unhappy in your job and you have the means to, you might want to quit. Personally I feel like life is too short to be working in crappy jobs but also all those bills aren’t going to pay themselves.

Hating your job is tough but it doesn’t have to be something that defines you. You can decide at any moment to turn things around. Yes, society has conditioned us to believe that almost everyone hates their job but it’s possible to work a job that you love too.


Mar
2024

Branding Your Blog for Beginners

categories: Blogging Basics, Blogging Tips

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your online presence, understanding the what and why of branding is crucial. Here are a few tips for beginners on branding your blog- what it is, why is it important and how to do it:

What is Branding?

Picture this: you’re strolling down the street, and you catch a glimpse of iconic golden arches. Immediately, you know it’s McDonald’s. That is branding. When it comes to your blog, branding is more than just a fancy logo or a catchy name. It’s the overall experience, the feeling that your readers associate with your content. Branding is about creating a cohesive identity that resonates with your audience.

How to Brand Your Blog

Building a Consistent Brand Identity:

Think of your blog as a person. To create a strong brand identity, you need consistency. Choose a color palette that represents your blog’s vibe. Are you all about bright and cheerful or sophisticated and minimalistic? Pick out your visuals, fonts, and style. When your readers see your blog, they should instantly know it’s you.

Creating a Unique Tone:

You have a specific way of speaking. Just like that, your blog needs a distinctive tone that expresses who you are. Are you the sarcastic blogger who keeps it real, or the helpful friend who offers practical advice? Find your style and stick to it. A consistent tone makes your writing authentic and helps you connect with your readers.

Establishing Trust and Credibility:

Imagine you’re scrolling through a blog. The colors are all over the place, the writing style changes from casual to technical (Chat GPT, is that you?), and it feels like a wild rollercoaster of inconsistency. Would you trust that blog? Probably not. Building a strong and cohesive brand helps establish trust and credibility. A well-branded blog appears professional, reliable, and like it knows its stuff. You want your readers to feel like they’re in good hands, so consistency is key. If you’re just starting out or if you’re blogging for fun you probably don’t care about branding. But in the world that we live in, almost everyone can be found online and whether you care about branding or not, people WILL find your blog and they will make assumptions about it (which will then affect your personal brand). I used to think that this blog was private (way back in the beginning when I didn’t have anything personal about me posted here) but I was always hearing friends and family stumble across my blog. Eventually this blog got me my first Marketing job and then my first writing job. By that time I knew I had to do something about the branding.

Increasing Brand Recognition and Recall:

You know that feeling when a song gets stuck in your head and refuses to leave? That’s the power of recognition and recall. When your brand is strong and consistent, it becomes memorable. It’s like having a catchy jingle that’s impossible to forget. The more your readers recognize and remember your brand, the more they’ll share it with others, and that’s great for growing your blog.

Tips for Branding Your Blog as a Beginner:

If you’re just starting out, here are a few tips to help brand your blog:

  • Choose a color palette that reflects your style and niche (a great hack for this is to do some research on colours and their meanings)
  • Create a logo or wordmark that captures your blog’s essence
    Be consistent with your fonts and typography choices
  • Develop a style guide for your blog, including image filters and design elements
  • Maintain a consistent tone throughout your writing


Branding your blog isn’t just about looking pretty; it’s about creating an unforgettable experience. By having a consistent brand identity, a unique tone, and building trust and recognition, you’re setting yourself up for success in the blogosphere.

Looking for more Branding and Digital Marketing tips? Follow my Marketing blog, The Digital Unicorn for more tips.


Mar
2024

Life Update: March 2024

categories: Uncategorized

It feels like everytime I do one of these life updates it’s after I get burned out and then sick. But hi, I’m back (kinda. Still trying to conserve energy but at this stage I’m not sure if it’s me recovering from the flu or an iron issue).

So what have I been up to? Besides getting sick. I WAS trying to get into cozy hobbies (I love them so much) in an attempt to connect with my inner child and keep my stress levels down. Cozy hobbies are big on TikTok and I love that community so much. Cozy hobbies can be stuff like adult colouring books, novels, video games, etc.

If you haven’t tried cozy hobbies, I strongly suggest you do. As an adult, I feel like all we do (okay well in this case, all I do) is work and pay bills. Cozy hobbies are a cute way to return to the joy of childhood. And this time no one can tell you no to your cozy hobby because it’s your money. This may or may not be a bad thing.

I don’t have energy for extended screen time which is why I haven’t really been blogging. Blogging/writing for work is difficult enough without adding this blog to it but I am hoping to get back into the swing of things.

Well that’s my life update. Hopefully I will be back with more blog and bookish content soon.


Feb
2024

6 Money Mistakes To Avoid in Your 20s

categories: Finance, Lifestyle

Your 20s are tough enough without having money woes. Financial issues in your 20s tend to follow you into your 30s making for a very miserable experience. If you’re still in your 20s, here are 6 mistakes to avoid:

1. Living Beyond Your Means

Listen. I get it. YOLO or whatever the kids are saying now. Why shouldn’t you enjoy your life? (Answer: You absolutely SHOULD! Within reason). Create a budget and stick to it. And I know that budgeting doesn’t sound very appealing but when done properly a budget should include fun stuff like nights out or saving for that new handbag. The key is to ensure that you’re able to enjoy yourself without overspending.

2. Not Having an Emergency Fund

You might not think much of not having an emergency fund but this is one of those things where you only know you need it when you don’t have it. I wish I had put more of an effort into building an emergency fund in my early 20s because there were several instances where I had to dip into my retirement savings for unexpected expenses. Also part of me wonders if maybe I would have had enough to retire if I hadn’t dipped into my retirement fund so often (illogical? Maybe, but let me dream). A decent emergency fund should be enough for 3 to 6 months of expenses (Also, a bonus is that when you have this money you don’t need to stress as much in a toxic job. If you want to leave, you know you DO have a back-up plan).

3. Not Saving for Retirement

Yes when you’re 21 retirement seems like ages away but you have the advantage of time. By saving a small amount now, you get into the habit of saving AND you get the added advantage of compound interest. It may not be as exciting as that concert ticket you’re eyeing, but future you will appreciate the financial peace of mind it brings.

4. Buying a Car You Can’t Afford

Ah, that new car. It’s shiny, it’s sleek, and it’s… way out of your financial league. Having reliable transportation is important, but buying a car beyond your means can put a serious strain on your budget. Do your research beforehand, set a budget, and consider buying a used car instead. Remember a car loses it’s value over time so it’s less of a loss to you if you skip buying brand-new.

5. Ignoring/Not Building Your Credit Score

It’s easy to ignore your credit score but here’s the thing- having a good credit score can open doors for future loans, cellphone contracts and so much more. So, get familiar with your credit score and take steps to build it up. Credit cards can be your BFF here, just use them responsibly! Start with a low limit, make small purchases, and make sure to pay off your balance in full each month. (That last bit is VERY important).

6. Going Into Debt for Items You Don’t Need

Debt is an unavoidable part of life. But when it comes to things that are not a necessity, think twice. Yes you NEED new shoes but can an existing pair not do the job until you have the cash? If you swipe your credit card now, will you be able to pay off the balance by the end of the month? Another thing that might be worth the debt is a course that could lead to a better paying job. But imagine having to go into debt for shoes AND a course? These things add up quickly.

By building good habits now you’re going to have an easier time when your 30s hit and you’ll be surprised at how much easier it will be to manage your increased income.


Feb
2024

Recommended Reads: If You Enjoyed The Love Hypothesis

categories: Books, Reviews

The Love Hypothesis was a cutesy romance book with all the tropes. (Well, except for one very important bed trope but I won’t get into that here). If you were a fan, here are 5 other romance books that you might enjoy.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

“The Unhoneymooners” follows two people who hate each other- Olive and Ethan- as they embark on a fake honeymoon and of course, fall in love. This was a really cute read and I loved that I genuinely hated Ethan on Olive’s behalf. (I’m a loyal reader).

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Another enemies-to-lovers and fake dating trope, “The Spanish Love Deception” has Catalina Martin enlisting her colleague, Aaron to pretend to be her fake fiance. Catalina has been lying to her family for years that she’s engaged and now that there’s a family wedding, Catalina needs to show up with said fiance. It was so obvious from the start of the book that Aaron has the hots for Catalina and she was just oblivious. But I loved seeing her colourful and crazy family so this was a win for me.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Lucy and Joshua hate each other. So much so that it’s making their other coworkers uncomfortable. And when a spot opens up for a promotion, both Lucy and Joshua compete to win (and get rid of the other person). But along with the competition, there is something else brewing between them. This was/is and possibly will forever be one of my favourite books of all time.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

“People We Meet on Vacation” is a cute fun-in-the-sun book that I highly recommend for summer. Alex and Poppy are two best friends who always take a vacation together every year. Until something happened to tear them apart. Now they reconnect and decide to try another vacation. But in between their not-so-perfect trip lies something that neither of them want to face. (They have feelings for each other. What a shocker!) What I really loved about this book is that it was incredibly well-written. I felt like I was on holiday with them. This was the only book I’ve ever read by Emily Henry but I’ve been hooked.

The Catch by Amy Lea

The third in “The Influencer” series, this book can be read alone. “The Catch” follows fashion influencer Melanie who lands up in a fishing village with grumpy B&B owner, Evan. The two are extreme opposites but when Melanie accidentally causes an accident that injures Evan she pretends that she’s engaged to him in order to follow him to the hospital.

One thing leads to another and then they’re pretending for his entire family. This was probably my favourite in the series. Again, it’s a colourful family which entertained me so much!

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Do you have any other recommendations? Let me know below!


Feb
2024

Book Review: The Catch by Amy Lea

categories: Books, Reviews

The Catch by Amy Lea

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book on Netgalley in exchange for a free review.

This is probably my new favourite romance book.

Fashion influencer, Melanie visits Canada in an attempt to capture content and restore her dwindling brand. Unfortunately for her, Fate throws her in the way of a grumpy fishman, Evan (though his grumpiness might have something to do with Melanie insulting the inn that he works/live in). Melanie instantly grows to love the people in the small town but an accident leads to Evan’s family thinking that he and Mel are engaged

Hoping that their fake engagement will bond their family and make them forget about past issues, Mel and Evan agree to fake an engagement followed by a very public break-up.
Eventually the two of them fall for each other. But if I haven’t made it clear by now- Mel and Evan have absolutely nothing in common. Mel is a fashionable city girl while Evan is a surly fisherman who loves the outdoors.

One of my favourite things about this book is how Mel and Evan make zero sense on paper but it’s clear that they’re head over heels for each others. This was a fun cute romance and I’m really disappointed that it’s over.



View all my reviews



Jan
2024

6 Job Interview Red Flags

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Job Hunting Tips

Once upon a time, applying for jobs was my part-time job.

Atleast that’s what it felt like. I would apply for anything and everything that came my way. I actually aimed to have atleast one interview a month.

Bizarre right? But I was young and desperate to escape the toxic environment I worked in.

What I didn’t realise at the time was that the jobs had major red flags seemed to hint that it was a toxic work environment. Now that I’m older and a more experienced job hunter, I know better. So if you’re in the process of interviewing for a new job, here are 6 red flags to keep an eye out for.

1. These Four Questions

These four questions absolutely should not be asked. If they are, you already have reason to be alert for more red flags. Sometimes people ask these in an attempt to get to know you but these questions more often than not lead to bias.

2. Vague or unclear job description

Marketing Gurus, Digital Ninjas and Unicorns unite. If the job description doesn’t clearly state what you would be doing, chances are great that this company is going to give you a medley of tasks that might not even fall under your responsibility.

3. The Interview Process Drags On

An unnecessarily long interview process- especially for a junior or middle position-is either a sign of dysfunctional HR/recruitment or a really picky company. In these cases you can check who held the position before you and for how long. It might be that the company has unrealistic standards.

4. The Interview is Too Short

A interview that is too short or even an interview process that is too short is a MAJOR red flag. This company might be desperate for a hire. Ask yourself why this is. This is something that I fell for only to later discover that the previous employee vanished (okay she didn’t vanish- she quit but no one talks about it and I find that super-suspicious. She was also referred to as “problematic” by the recruiter- which if you didn’t know is another red flag).

5. The Staff are All Relatively New

This is often disguised as “we’d had quick growth recently so we have hired many new people”. This could be true but it could always be number 6 down below.

6. The Company is Always Hiring

Another thing passed off as “we are growing so fast we just can’t keep up”. In cases like this you can locate previous employees via LinkedIn and question them about the company. They might not be able to come straight out and mention that the job is problematic but you will be able to gauge this from their tone and response.

Job hunting is tough especially if you’re stuck in a toxic role or unemployed. But moving from bad situation to another is not the solution. Use this list to evaluate your next interview to reduce the chances of you landing in a toxic work environment.


Jan
2024

5 Budget Friendly Ways to Upskill Yourself

categories: Career, General Career Advice

So you’ve decided on a career change or you want to learn something new? But the prices for formal education is a bit much for you. No problem. Here are 5 easy ways to upskill yourself without harming your wallet.

1. YouTube

Okay this may or may not be news to you but YouTube actually has pretty helpful tutorials. I dismissed YouTube as a learning source until I discovered that tons of Marketing organisations have YouTube channels with really helpful videos. Simply search the topic you’re looking to learn more about and let the social media algorithms do their magic.

2. Spotify

Spotify has a great array of podcasts on almost everything. If you’re a Spotify user, this is an easy way to upskill yourself while you’re commuting or running errands.

3. Udemy

Udemy has courses on everything and they are always having sales. Simply add courses to your wishlist and you can purchase them when the price drops.

4. Free Resources

Ah, the good old-fashioned way to learn- the library. Pop in to your library and see if they have a book on the topic you’re looking to learn more about. Be warned though, if your library is anything like mine (i.e outdated) you might not find exactly what you’re looking for. I went in for a Copywriting book and while they weren’t able to assist, I did come back with a book on writing Sales Letters (close enough).

5. Free Online Resources

Lots of websites or blogs have resources that can help you learn more. For example, Hubspot has great Marketing resources. Scour your social media network of choice (Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok) and connect with creators or brands who offer free online resources.

Are you going to look into upskilling this year? What is your favourite educational resource? Let me know below.


Jan
2024

Book Review: The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini

categories: Books, Reviews

The Woman on the Ledge: A Novel by Ruth Mancini

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


WHAT A RIDE!

I loved this book so so much!

Unreliable narrators are always my favourites and honestly this narrator got on my nerves. It’s clear she has something to hide but what? Why is she hiding? What is she hiding? Is she guilty or not? I could not read fast enough. I hated that her story kept changing and I did not trust him but I have never connected to a character like this.
At several times while reading, I screamed out loud in frustation.

“The Woman on the Ledge” tells the story of Tate, a temp employee who may or may not have pushed someone off a ledge. Tate claims the lady was suicidal. Tate claims she didn’t know her. Tate claims to have been inside the building. Tate claims to have been nowhere near the building. Whatever the truth is, it’s clear that Tate has some part in this whole thing and something to hide.
This book came together piece by piece and I loved it! I devoured this book in one sitting and no matter how much I didn’t trust Tate, I was still sad when this book ended.



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