Towards the end of the class, while waiting to unwind on our mats, the yoga teacher asks each of us to come up with a personal statement and silently repeat it three times with conviction. The affirmation needs to be short and positive, and my mind immediately jumps to a…
Wellbeing at Work: Coping Skills to Succeed
Years ago, the concept of wellbeing at work seemed alien to most employers and employees. That’s because jobs were typically associated with daily multitasking, tight schedules, and demanding bosses. There was little to no mention of wellbeing and mental health in the office. Although work-life balance remained a hot topic,…
Manage Time Like a Minimalist: Three Daily Big Things
What is the ultimate benefit of becoming a minimalist and enjoying a life of less? I would say: taking back your time and defining your priorities and passions in life. Being a minimalist is not just taking away and discarding useless stuff and clutter from your life. That is only…
Five Things Minimalism is NOT
When I first got acquainted with the term minimalism, I looked at the definition from various perspectives, through the eyes of bloggers like Leo Babauta (Zen Habits) or author Joshua Becker (Becoming Minimalist). It became clear that a pattern emerged. Minimalism was more than a new ideology or principle to…
Vision 2021: Simplify Life, De-clutter, De-stress
Every new year is a good time for new beginnings – which is the theme of this blog. I prefer using beginnings or opportunities to describe my intentions for 2021 instead of new year resolutions (which often feel daunting and rarely come to fruition). So, it’s time for a new…
Extended Lockdown: Coping with Fear and Stress
If you are feeling anxious, frustrated or visibly stressed during the current pandemic-induced circumstances, you are not alone. But you can, however, take small steps to improve the quality of life and restore balance in times of distress. Banish the Viral Fear and Panic Forget about fear. You see, fear is…
35 Things I Learned about Life
Some life lessons I learned, more often than not the hard way, in my thirty-five years of being on this planet. Words have immense power. They can uplift and inspire, threaten or destroy. Choose your words well. Or, as they say, think before you speak. It could mean the…
Lockdown Journal: Day Twenty-One of Twenty-One
Day 21 – Thursday, 16 April On the last day of the initial decreed quarantine of twenty-one days, the weather starts to turn for the better, announcing a pleasant weekend ahead, meaning outdoor braais, alfresco lunches and sun lounging on the patio. I publish two more blogs in the lockdown…
Lockdown Journal: Day Twenty of Twenty-One
Day 20 – Wednesday, 15 April Back to work. I write and publish three more blog posts as part of my daily lockdown journal. It’s turning out to be productive writing time, although remembering difficult times is perhaps not the best use of time. However, writing does help to acknowledge…
Lockdown Journal: Day Nineteen of Twenty-One
Day 19 – Tuesday, 14 April These days I am looking forward to my weekly outing to the supermarket and pharmacy – the only stores open during the first phase of the lockdown. My main goal each day is shifting towards fighting boredom and routine – and a short walk…