Hello! Monday and a new week filled with new opportunities has started again! Anyone else excited? I just sent a text of mine to the local newspaper and I'm happy how it turned out. A lot of my life has been around work recently but that's how I like it to be. It has felt inspiring! Now I decided to ask myself 30 important questions and share them with you guys. I like these types of posts and questions because it gives you a chance to take a close look at yourself and it gives you the honest truth, regarding what to be grateful for and what to improve in your life. I hope some of you will answer these questions on your own. Because, I really do wish that people would not be afraid of working on themselves and become their greatest version! Have a great week! ☕ The questions are taken from this website:
https://www.craftdeology.com/30-important-questions-to-ask-yourself-if-you-want-to-live-a-good-life/

1. What are the things I deeply value?

Friendship, understanding, compassion, knowledge, emotional intelligence, art, the creative process, discussion, people who never give up and people who go out of their way to be there for others.

2. Am I happy? If not, why?

In general, yes. Even being alive makes me feel happy. Although I do not think it's possible or realistic to be happy all the time. Also improving yourself and discovering new things and the ability to enjoy the process of achieving something brings one true happiness. I also think suffering leads to knowledge which leads to happiness.

3. Am I making a difference?

In my own way. I like to help people around me and I like to inspire people to achieve whatever they want in life. My lifestyle choices are made from a healthy perspective and I try my best to think about and respect the environment. I like to think that I make a difference by being a good friend as well but only my friends can give you the correct answer to that. I think we are pressured to make a difference on a grand scale and most of us tend to forget that we could make a difference by doing small things every single day.

4. What can I offer to humanity? Is it important?

Conflict management. I'm great at solution oriented thinking. Too many conflicts = no time to focus on what is important. However I'm not always good at following my own advice. Maybe even the power of words and seing beauty in everything could help the humanity in someway. But my greatest gift is the ability and willingness to understand and start over when needed. I can't count how many times I've had to start over.

5. Where do I spend most of my time?

In my head. I'm being honest. Nature is also where I love to spend my time. I always prefer to be outside unless I'm working on something or feeling like being lazy, then I prefer to be at home.

6. How can I become a better human being?

By learning how to be more present in the moment and stand behind my own mistakes. And by learning the difference between being kind and too kind.

7. What makes me excited or fascinated or curious?

People. I love to meet new people, get to know them, talk to them, learn something from them. Exercise also brings out the best in me and like following an exercise routine & the feeling of reaching new personal goals. Making home life more pleasant by cooking good food for example always makes me excited. Documentaries about various topics is a huge favorite of mine. I also like to get nostalgic and look back at the good memories in the past. New experiences are also something I strive for, even if I'm not as extremly active in that field - I like a balance between adventure and just being at home. Art and culture & good music always make me excited. And ofc, sharks but everyone knows this.

8. What inspires me to work hard and achieve my goals in life?

The fact that I could be the person I needed when growing up for someone else. I want to be the change that I want to see in the world so to speak. I want to create opportunities and hope, inspire people to become their most authentic selves.

9. What kind of struggle I’m willing to experience?

Bring it on, I say! Without a doubt I have, will and will continue to struggle just like all of us. But I have understood that without struggle there is no growth or improvement or change. In other words life would not be life anymore it would be more like comfortable existing. I rather be struggling and learning.

10. How can I help people?

I can help people by showing them their worth and building them up. I have the gift of seeing good and potential in everyone.

11. Am I always reacting, instead of responding?

I would say I'm reacting by responding which is bad I know but I'm trying to control my temper and nerves the best I can. With kids and teenager however, I am very patient. I never overreact, I always just respond.

12. Do I love what I do (job or business)? Is it meaningful?

I do. I love working with people. I appreciate all the people I have worked with a lot. It is very meaningful getting to see how someone learns something from what you say, show or teach. But even more meaningful is the opportunity to learn from your students and improving from your past teaching mistakes. And when it comes to my other career, writing that is; it offers me a way to be the most authentic and true version of myself, to explore creative and to express myself.

13. Why I’m doing what I’m doing?

I was being honest. What can I do, what am I good at? I asked myself those questions. And I always keep asking those questions. If the answer changes I change my work or my education the way I feel is needed at that moment.

14. What makes me stressed?

Not getting enough sleep, my anxiety acting up and reminding me of its existence, uncertainty.

15. What are the things I worship?

God. My friends. Nature.

16. Am I doing the things I love? Do I really love them?

I am. But I could do more and there are some changes I'm ready and about to make but time will tell how and when.

17. Am I getting healthier? How can I be healthy?

Definitely! I pay attention to my health a lot but I try to keep a balance of not being too strict or too unhealthy. I exercise a lot because I enjoy it and it makes me feel good. Healthy food is something I thankfully enjoy as well. My mental health has gotten a lot better too! Because I listen to my mind and body better than ever before and I try my best to meet my own needs.

18. Are my childhood dreams still my dreams?

Being able to paint and draw are still my dreams and to to live near the ocean. I also still wish to become an author and to dive with and research sharks.

19. Am I building the foundation I need to become the person I want to be?

I am. I focus a lot on routine and healthy habits right now, and in my opinion those are the building blocks towards success.

20. What are my bad habits? How can I replace them with good?

Overthinking. Most other bad habits I have gotten rid off over the years. I guess I'm naturally a very neurotic person which is why this is the most difficult for me to get rid off. However, there is hope, when I start writing the overthinking stops.

21. Where I’m good at? How can I cultivate it?

I have excellent manual dexterity. But I must try to use it more for career rather than just at home or for fun. My communication skills which I definitely wasn't born with but have trained over the years also are a big asset.

22. What am I doing with my money?

I buy art and writing supplies, decorate my home and use it to meet friends and have adventures with them. Sometimes I use it to decorate my home or to change up my style in some way. I also save money for other goals such as travel.

23. Do I really need all the stuff I own?

No and yes. I think I do but that may not be the real truth.

24. Am I turning my ideas into reality?

Yes.

25. How can I stay calm?

By spending enough time swimming, doing yoga and taking beautiful long walks in nature. Calling a friend also helps me to stay calm and in general being surrounded by a lot of people.

26. Am I learning the things I need to learn?

Yes and no again, hahaa 😂 I learn some of the things I need to learn but I still need some more knowledge on a bunch of different subjects.

27. Am I really thinking?

I'm even thinking about thinking.

28. What are the things I can’t control and can control?

I can control how I feel, how I think and how I react, but I cannot control how someone else feels, thinks or reacts.

29. Am I living the life I want for myself?

I am. And it gets better every single day!

30. What if money were no object? Will I still do what I do?

I would! I'm given so much more than money could ever give. I am rich in spirit.

/Rebecka

A considerable amount of Finnish people feel fatigue, loss or an increase in their appetite, a more negative attitude towards life etc. during the autumn. We talk about is as something that should be fixed, seasonal depression. A seasonal depression can be healed with light since the absence of light seems to be the reason behind it. Me however, have a different theory behind why we suddenly behave like this during the autumnal darkness. I personally think that people are meant to have a hibernation period just like many other animals, but we are ignoring this natural need of ours and seeing it as a problem. It isn't the same as with animals of course but I think we do have this natural need to slow down. This doesn't mean that it would be suddenly okay to throw away ones healthy lifestyle but it means that you might need some more sleep and perhaps crave more sweets but you don't have to act upon it. My point is that it happens naturally and there is nothing wrong with you for experiencing it, you are not a problem. So what if you sleep in one morning it is just one morning.

I think we should be compassionate regarding our bodies and their needs. Not everything needs to be about mind over body and trying to fight away all human aspects of oneself. We should be seeing this "hibernation of humans" as something that is okay to have. I think genes also play a big role regarding how you will survive winter. I have so "old" genes since I'm partly inuit that I have this connection with my body and nature. If nature changes my body changes. It is not always fun and it doesn't fit into modern society but my point is that we are walking around ignoring our human side, the side of us that isn't really ready for this fast paced modern life and our bodies are trying to tell us just that. Yet, we keep seing everything human about us as a problem or diagnosis instead of seing it as something that is really very normal.

So if you are like me having to deal with this seasonal fatigue and modern life together then try to not be so hard on yourself. Try to organize your work and studies so that you aren't doing to much on a daily basis, instead work a little everyday and take pauses in between. My greatest tip is probably taking naps. Even if you don't normally take naps you might want to, during your seasonal fatigue. And again be kind to yourself. This feeling doesn't mean that you are lazy or unmotivated or sick in someway, it simply means that your body is trying to adapt because the season just changed or is currently changing and for your body it really is a big deal. Something that also could help with the feeling of hopelessness that often tags along with the tiredness is having something to look forward to, whether it is meeting a friend, waiting for Christmas or having an upcoming trip planned - these are all great ways to keep your spirit bright! And we all know that when your mind stays happy, your body feels it too.

I hope this helps someone out there whom feels understood after reading this! I've probably spent hours trying to find an article written in a compassionate perspective regarding the topic but I couldn't really find one, which is why I wrote one myself. Mine is supposed to be less scientific and more understanding. So if science is what you seek for there are plenty of great sources of that elsewhere. So everyone; don't beat yourself up due to tiredness, this is just one period in your life and it will pass. You are fine. You are okay. Sleep if you need to sleep. Eat if you need to eat. Exercise if you need to exercise. Your body knows what it needs.

PS. Feel free to share your advice on how one survives winter!

❤: Rebecka

Hey! I've recently read a lot of "10 facts about me" - posts and because I love reading them so much I'm gonna write one myself. It might not be the exact tone I usually have when writing here but maybe someone will like it! This style of writing reminds me of those books everyone brought to school in the early 00's where they would ask their friends to fill out a page with questions on their favorite things etc. Those were always called something like "my friends". Anyways this is a very VSCO girl post compared to my "serious posts" but hope some will find it interesting!

1. I'm an empath to the point that it becomes almost too much to handle

I frequently find myself answering someone by saying; "I understand". And I mostly do but very often this need of understanding is in conflict with my own values. I try to remind myself that if I don't understand someone or something it's okay and I can leave it like that.

2. I'm a nature person

I'm not a pro at hiking and camping but I do get a lot of enjoyment from those activities and try to do it as much as possible. At the very least I take a walk in nature.

3. I believe that people are made for walking

This is something most of you might know but I thought that I would still include it here. I don't think that all of us should own a car, instead I truly believe we humans are made for using our own feet as a form of transport. Therefore I think walking should be made easier through certain changes in infrastructure. I also think that people should share a ride with the help of apps like Taxify.

4. I don't really like cake or lemonade

Never really had a burning desire to consume either of these two. Their okay during a Birthday but that's about it for me. I have my own treats.

5. I have a strong desire to be alone and handle things on my own which sometimes feels like a burden

Sometimes it feels amazing to know your own limits and at other times you feel that your limits are getting in your way.

6. I believe in past lives and I do think those lives reflect the way we are today

This is something I love to discuss with my friends, one of my favorite topics to be honest.

7. I've changed my worldview many times

Due to age and experience mostly.

8. I took 205 courses in upper secondary school

Difficult to believe but still the truth. But how I got there wasn't beautiful. I worked almost day and night, even during the weekends.

9. I love sleeping maybe even a bit too much

Sometimes I find myself asleep in very strange places.

10. I eat cashew nuts everyday

The are so freaking delicious!

/Rebecka

Before I fell asleep in the bus.