Real talk: How to be more effective in your everyday life

arnel-hasanovic-375269-unsplashI recently read an article on Signal vs. Noise, called ‘Let’s bury the hustle.’ I got very inspired, as it talked about how we obtain that extra amount of succes that we’re all so busy looking for. That it’s not on the 14th hour of work, when we’re falling asleep at our desk, that it will suddenly come to us. It’s when we live a happy life, get enough sleep, exercise etc.

So since now I work from home and have my own routine (which isn’t always that inspiring), I thought we could talk a little bit about how to be more effective in you everyday life. Something we can all get better and better at. When you work in an office you obviously have specific times set for when to be there in the morning (mostly 9PM here in America) and when you can leave again (often between 5-7PM in America). But how are you the most effective during these hours? I have had many colleagues, who like to talk more than they work, or like to work slower than I would like. Also it’s very important to look busy over here although you might not be. Something I don’t give much for, so let’s get to it:

Get a good night’s sleep.
I have always been a morning person, so it has never been a problem for me to go to bed at night. That means I’m always in bed by 10PM and getting my 8 valuable hours.

Get out of bed.
If you work from home or are going to an office, the coffee shop or where ever you work from it’s so important to have a good morning routine. Get up a little bit before, 15 minutes can give a lot. I always turn the news on, make a cuppa coffee. Then I usually hit the gym, come home and get dressed to be ready in front of my computer pretty early. I’m very productive in the morning hours (probably because I’m a morning person), so I try to get going as fast as possible.

Take breaks.
No one can stay concentrated in front of their computer for 9 straight hours, so take a break here and their. Get some fresh air, jump ten times, get the blood circulating. I try to go for a 30-40 minute walk during lunch, just because that fresh air brings so much inspiration and many new ideas, and gets the energy level up again.

Exercise.
Get a good workout in a couple of times a week. Not only will it make you feel good, I both got more energy and naturally want to eat healthier when I work out often. I try to go everyday right now, just because bikini-season is coming, but otherwise 2-3 times a week is a good amount.

It’s not cool to be busy.
I always write a good to-do list with 5-10 thing I know, I can handle during the day, and then I write one for the things you didn’t get to yet. This way I can finish a list, but still keep organized about upcoming projects or things to tackle in a couple of days etc. It’s really not cool to just be busy because you’re not organized, so get to it and check off those things. This way you can take some time at night to relax, pamper, watch your fave TV-show or whatever you want.

I hope this inspired or helped you if you feel like you could be more effective, I definitely feel like these steps help me a lot. Let me know down below how you stay effective in your everyday life!

Xx Christina

Girlboss books I’m currently reading & re-reading

Hey angels! How are you all doing?

It’s time for some Book Club talk again, and today I have one new book and two books I’m re-reading. I love picking up a good book while drinking a cup of tea or coffee. I read a lot, and my favorite spots are at home on my couch, in a cozy café, or while on the subway. I hope these three Girl Boss books can inspire you!

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THE F WORD

Youtuber Lily Pebbles recently wrote her first book, and I had obviously pre-ordered it waaaay ahead of it’s release on International Women’s Day (pretty awesome day to be releasing a girl boss book, I must say). I have only read the first two chapters, but I’m already loving it. I’ve been reading it on the subway, and I almost get sad when it’s time to get off at my stop, because I just want to keep reading. Lily’s writing is so lovely and she had made me love and appreciate my girlfriends even more.

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BLOOM

Another Youtuber-book, but not just another. This is a favorite of mine! Estée Lalonde released this book a while ago, but I recently picket it up again. I really don’t mind re-reading a good book (same goes for movies and TV-shows) and this one is definitely on the list. It’s somewhat of a memoir of Estée’s life (although she’s still in her 20’s) and she talks about how she battled anxiety and depression, what inspired her to start making YouTube videos way back when, to feminism, beauty, and home decor, and to her personal relationships.

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#GIRLBOSS

The story of Sophia Amoruso’s Nasty Gal, which she started from her bed, because she was bored at work. Sophia is a bad-ass woman, and I love how encouraging her story it. This is such an inspiring book that I had to re-read it this Spring. If you can’t get enough of this book after reading, I recommend watching the Netflix comedy Girlboss, and give Sophia Amoruso’s podcast, Girlboss Radio, a listen.

If you have read any of these books and want to recommend other brilliant girl boss books let me know down below!

Xx Christina

New Year, New Me… Blah!

38824e33-58b1-46cb-ba12-8ee75c233f1bI’m so happy to see you guys loving the giveaway! Thank you for all your nice comments, that’s really the joy of blogging. Talking to all you guys. Even if it’s just one comment, it makes me insanely happy. So I just wanted to thank you! <3 Click here to enter the giveaway.

Lately has been all about relaxing and trying to get out the rut that’s been taking me down a bit. All about warm baths, good entertainment, long walks, talking to good friends, and hugging my boyfriend a little extra. I definitely don’t feel that ‘New Year, New Me’-vibe, but maybe this rut also brings some kind of new me at the end. I’m waiting for the creativity to bloom! If you guys are also experiencing less of a ‘New Year, New Me’ here’s a few things I’ve been doing, that really makes a difference:

Talking to people I love.
That is really so important. Although I’m really an introvert, I love people and how they can spark some inspiration into me. Both good friends, but also strangers.

Long walks.  
This is really when I relax and get inspired. I often listen to a podcast to zone out, but I also love just taking in the surroundings. I always have the note open on my phone ready to write things down.

Being creative.
Writing, drawing, taking and editing photos.

Cooking.
Or let’s say baking. I don’t love cooking, but baking I love!

Tidy.
The other day I found myself suddenly decluttering my inbox, which felt extremely good. Then I continued with my bedroom drawers. Then some cleaning. I was on a roll, and it made me feel really good.

Let me know if you guys have any tips on how to get out of a rut, or if you find the ones above helpful. I would love to hear from you.

Xx Christina

TV-shows I’m enjoying

January is my favorite month when it comes to TV-shows. This is when all the shows come out with second seasons or continue after their Holiday break. Edward and I are definitely going to be watching Designated Survivor, Special Victims Unit, and The Bachelor (I already think I know who Arie he’s going to end up with!). Here are three TV-shows I’ve been binge watching lately.

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The Crown

Second season came out in September, but since I hadn’t even finished the first season I didn’t pay much attention. It definitely isn’t a show for Edward, which is probably why we stopped watching in the first place, but I started watching again in December and I’m now onto the second season which is a little more dramatic in the romance area, whereas the first season focused a lot on Churchill and the rules of the Crown. I’m loving the old days of Britain, the beautiful scenery, and the language. If you’re up for a piece of history this one is very enjoyable.

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The Good Doctor

I’ve always loved ‘hospital’-shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy. They made me dream of becoming a doctor when I was a teen. Not that I ever went forward with that. Suits made me want to become a lawyer… I’m not a lawyer either. The twist to this show is that Shaun Murphy, the main character, is autistic. He also dreams of becoming a surgeon, and he is extremely talented. I love all the layers of the show and diving into why we’re so afraid of something different. Here the ‘different’ aspect is Shaun having a mental disease. I think it’s very healthy for us all to get to know more about diseases like that.

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This Is Us

Edward and I have been watching from the beginning last year, and we love this show. If you thought your family was fucked up, you should watch this show. Growing up I always thought it was a tragedy when there was trouble in my family. I am a divorce child, an only child, an have two stepsisters and two half sisters. My parents both have new spouses. We all have our flaws. This Is Us is about a family full of those – flaws that is. It is so dramatic and full of love & laughter.

Let me know down below if you’ve watched any of these shows? If not, I would love to know what you’re watching!

Xx Christina

What I Wish For In 2018

7b4d38a1-7df7-41dd-8113-a661b6cc2dafIt’s that time of year. As promised yesterday, it’s time for my New Year’s Resolutions. There aren’t that many (You can also check out my 2017 high lights and last years New Year’s Resolutions), but I guess less is more!

Here’s my new year resolutions for 2018:

Vlogging

I want to continue vlogging into 2018. More videos to come everyone! You can find my YouTube channel right here and catch up on the first 5 ones if you want. <3

Work out regularly

A classic one! But since I’ve struggled quite a bit with my back injury the last years I’ve worked out less and less. You all know I just bought a bike, so that I can bike to work, but I actually also joined the gym again. Wauwza. I bet I’ll feel much stronger and energized in a couple of months. We’ll see how my back likes it…

Reading

I want 2018 to be the year I started reading Harry Potter (don’t judge me, I have not read a single one). Am actually not quite sure how many books there are? But I’ll see how far I get in the saga. I do have Steve Jobs biography to finish first, but then I’ll start.

Economy

This is the biggest New Year’s Resolution! Since we moved this year my credit cards have suffered just a bit, and for 2018 Edward and I have made a deal to make budgets and save up A LOT! I know it’s such a boring thing to put as a New Year’s Resolution, but also pretty important because we want to buy an apartment/a house in the nearest future.

Xx Christina