My entire life, I have always stressed that only dog people are able to comprehend how difficult is to have a furry friend leave you. My family lost one of our pups, Sammy, a blue heeler, roughly a year-and-a-half ago. It was quite honestly one of the most difficult experiences I have had to endure, … More Can losing a dog be harder than losing a person?
The other day, I was chatting with my mom about how expensive Christmas is for the average Joe. I was telling her all of the people I need to purchase gifts for, and we agreed that gift exchanges really are a great way to save money during the Christmas season. Think about it. Say that … More The beauty of gift exchanges
How often, when you were growing up, did you encounter people telling you to stop crying, or to suck it up? I certainly did. I would think most of us did, and still do, and further that we hear this statement from a variety of different individuals, whether they be family, friends or partners. What … More It really is okay to cry
“Statistics Canada says police-reported sexual assault cases went from 59 per day to 74 in three months.” This statement comes from a CBC article released Thursday. The article explains that despite a spike in reported assaults, an increase in criminal charges hasn’t occurred. “After sexual assault allegations against movie executive Harvey Weinstein first surfaced in October 2017 … More A rise in reports of sexual assault
In case you haven’t seen any news over the past, say, five years or so, let me begin by stating that the state of our world is complete shit. Yes, complete shit. I said it. Whether you’re arguing this from an environmental perspective, a social perspective, a human rights perspective, an economic perspective, whatever perspective … More A sad societal state
Since starting a new writing job back in August, my writing style has had to undergo a rather significant adjustment. My entire life, I’ve been criticized in my writing for being too vocabulary-heavy or using flowery language, if you will. I just friggen like words, and it’s hard to change something you’ve been doing for … More Changing writing styles
I started seeing a counsellor for my anxiety about a month ago. I was unsure of what to expect before I went in for my first session, but I’m definitely beginning to get more out of the sessions each time I go. The last time I saw my counsellor, she expressed the importance of work-life … More The importance of work-life balance
Being pushed around sucks. One might think that this typically happens during our childhood years, during which it is commonly referred to as bullying. Spoiler: it still happens when we’re adults, and it’s still called bullying. Standing up for oneself is such an important thing to do in warranted situations, but sometimes, depending on the … More How to stand up for yourself (respectfully)
The other evening, around the dinner table, my mom, sister and I got into a discussion pertaining to just how incredible women are. Specifically, how women are absolute troopers for going to work with a smiling face, through menopause and PMS and menstruation and all of the other joys the female body has to offer. … More Here’s to women
Yes, it’s early to be writing this post, but Christmas tends to creep up on us far quicker than we may have anticipated. So, I thought it may be useful to share some tips and tricks I use to save a few bucks when doing my Christmas shopping. I think one of the most important … More How to save money this Christmas season
I really don’t like annoying people. I personally am not a fan of being pestered, or nagged, so I try m absolute hardest to refrain from doing what bothers me to others. That being said, the way the world is going, nagging will soon become the new normal. I’m not sure if I’m the only … More A need for pestering
We often ask ourselves this question, specifically when we observe a relationship that is not only unhappy, but further unhealthy. It is difficult to understand why people remain in unsatisfactory relationships, however, according to a University of Utah release, the answer could come as a surprise. The University of Utah study examined whether people who … More Why do people stay in unhappy relationships?
In a world that’s more inundated with distractions, consumerism, and technology more than ever before, it can be quite difficult at times to set aside some ‘me’ time. Perhaps when you do finally take some time to sit down and relax, you actually find yourself feeling guilty, because you know there are things waiting for … More Making time for yourself
I have addressed the topic of toxic friendships here on my blog more than once, but I feel like it is a topic I can revisit since it is, unfortunately, relevant to so many of us. What comes to mind when you think about a healthy, positive friendship? Arguably support, understanding, fun, entertainment, trust, communication … More It’s time to cut off that negative friendship
No one likes to be told that they have a flaw. Becoming conscious of something we need to improve upon makes us uncomfortable and wary, but ignoring constructive criticism really is far more consequential than simply coming to terms with what we need to work on. I started a new job almost two weeks ago, … More Recognizing your flaws
Last week I was an unfortunate victim of vehicle theft. I work in Guelph, and upon going outside to get something out of my truck, I came to the realization that it was gone from where I had parked. Rather dumbfounded, I convinced myself I had simply parked elsewhere, or that it had perhaps been … More Vehicle theft really does suck
I haven’t whipped up one of these bad boys in a while, and I always enjoy doing them, hence why you’re reading another get to know me right now. I’ll admit that the more of these blog posts I do, the harder they become. Perhaps it’s an indication that I’m not an overly interesting person, … More Another get to know me
“There are some things in life you simply cannot change.” This phrase, and affiliated variations, is something I remind myself of when I am feeling particularly stressed or my anxiety is getting the best of me. I am the type of person who prefers control over spontaneity. Do I perceive this trait as negative? Not … More Stubborn Acceptance
I’m assuming you’ve already heard the news, but in case you haven’t, Nike caused quite the stir when they debuted Colin Kaepernick’s face as the lead of their 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign. Kaepernick’s personal slogan for the campaign reads “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Kaepernick is best known as … More Nike’s sales are only going up
This past Sunday, Serena Williams was fined $17,000 for supposedly violating three match codes in her loss to Japan’s Osaka. The referee at the match fined Williams $10,000 for verbal abuse towards chair umpire Carlos Ramos; $4,000 for being warned for coaching; and $3,000 for breaking her racket, according to an article from Global News. … More Here’s why the Serena Williams fine is so sexist
The recent passing of my Oma has encouraged me to contemplate the concept of both funerals and celebrations of life. Although I have never attended a celebration of life, I know many people who have, and by the sounds of it, they’re a lot more meaningful than funerals. Don’t get me wrong; funerals are important. … More Funerals vs. celebrations of life
An article by Rachel Manfield really hit home for me regarding its subject matter. It discusses the devastation Paul Davidson encountered when his daughter, Christine, was abducted from a mall parking lot six years ago, never to be seen or heard from again. Davidson decided to use what happened to his daughter as an incentive … More This convenient device could save your life
When I was younger, I heard the saying, ‘Be kind to everyone. You never know what someone is going through.” This saying has become a sort of mantra for me, if you will, because I truly believe this sort of sentiment is needed in today’s world more now than ever before. Society is full of … More Be Kind
Often times when I mention my food intolerances to someone in conversation, I am asked what exactly I eat in a day. I imagine this is because my food intolerances sound rather dramatic when said aloud (I can’t eat gluten, dairy or egg), and while my diet can get a little lack-lustre, it really isn’t … More Everyday Eating With Food Intolerances
Being in a funk is a rather unfortunate experience. You feel sluggish, unmotivated, and for me, personally, downright sad/glum. Funks can happen in a variety of situations; perhaps you’re feeling rather stuck at work, and can’t seem to designate any light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak; maybe it’s with your partner, … More How To Get Out Of A Funk
Religion is an incredibly controversial topic, specifically Catholicism as of late, but as someone who attends mass each Sunday and has come to acknowledge just how hypocritical the Catholic religion is, I wanted to take it upon myself to dissect one reading in particular and its blatant perpetuation of sexism and male patriarchy. This passage … More Hypocrisy In the Bible
I am rather fortunate to still have three out of four grandparents living. My grandfather passed away ten years ago, and his wife, my grandmother, is in good health. My other set of grandparents, my Oma and Opa, are 90 and 92, and my Oma is going downhill in terms of her health. My family … More Dealing With Death
I got my first tattoo when I was in my second year of University. I had a semicolon tattooed on my left wrist, the semi-colon representing its affiliation with mental health awareness and the semicolon movement as a whole. I have been wanting to get another tattoo for a couple of years now, but I … More DistINKtive Arts Studio
I feel like Port Dover is a little gem in Ontario that often fails to get credit for how darn cute and nautical it is. My family and I have been visiting Port Dover yearly since I was a toddler, and over the years I have come to appreciate this little town and all it … More Port Dover
“Enjoy the simple things in life.” This is a quote I have always strived to live by, as I strongly believe it is far too simple to become wrapped up in materialistic concerns and desires in today’s society. I thought I would compose a list of my own ‘simple things’ in hopes of encouraging others … More What Are Your ‘Simple Things’?
