Audiobooks' superpower

Recently, I’ve picked up a lot of audiobooks and I’ve been listening to them in my free time. It’s the best feeling when I have a book that I love and can’t stop listening to. You’ve ever had that feeling of not wanting to stop because it’s so interesting to read? I get so many new insights on topics. At the same time, I get to challenge myself to look at new perspectives and be prepared to change my thoughts. Other times, I am more sure than ever on my values and beliefs because of science studies. I feel like I grow a lot because of audiobooks! I really love to learn new things!

It’s important for me to set aside time to reflect on things. I always do this at the end of the year or when I’m on vacation in summer. I reflect on my days and what I want to do more of and what I want to do less of. I sometimes write a weekly schedule and try to follow it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don’t work. I experiment, move around activities in the week, I try again. I listen to my body and mind. Do I feel relaxed? Does my body like it? Most importantly - Am I having fun? If I’m constantly stressed and feel tired and grumpy, then what’s the point?

It’s so easy to just go along with activities and not take the time to evaluate them. Right now, for example, I really think about all the good benefits of spending less time on social media and more time outside. To summarize it all, in order to do more high value activities, I need to spend less time on low value activities.

Will tell more about the high and low value activities some other time! ~ヾ(＾∇＾)

what i learned at a japanese spa

the importance of creating time and space to relax your mind.

this is is something to truly prioritize in an everyday life that is filled with activities, errands and different types of goals. to just lie down on your back and close your eyes have done wonders for my mind and health. when i visited a japanese spa, i got to learn a valuable lesson. the lesson that I haven’t taken that much time to stay relaxed.

when i slowly walked in the japanese garden i practiced the art of being in the moment and i sat on a sun heated wooden deck in the warm sunlight and i just closed my eyes and listened to the nature around me. the birds chirping, the gentle breeze in the tree crowns, the water pouring down the rocks. i was somehow at the center of my universe.

i remembered thinking it was too long time ago i was this calm. when i left the spa, i promised myself to implement this calming practice when I returned to the hectic city life. I felt that i just needed this, that my mind needed this to function better.

these days, i try to meditate everyday but there are of course days i miss this habit, but that’s okay because i don’t strive for perfection. when i’m not meditating i try to stretch, drink tea and water, take a nap, take a short paus and just breathe in and out. even if it’s short moments, i just keep reminding myself to relax and many moments grow to something greater.

i can see many great effects of doing this. sometimes, when my mind is calm i can see more clearly when it comes to situations or people. sometimes, ideas appear when i’m more relaxed and i feel a lot more open to trying new things. i come up with more ideas these days, something i didn’t get that much earlier. it just pops up in my head.

how about you? what makes you calm? what do you like to do when you feel like you need a break? when was the last time you sat down and relaxed?

take care and stay calm

⊂(･ω･*⊂)

anime rokuhoudou yotsuiro biyori

one of the most complicated anime titles i've so far watched.

i can already feel that autumn is here. this weekend was the last summer weekend, so the camp sites were filled with campers - ready to see the clear sky filled with stars, ready to enjoy the warm sun in the cold weather.

unfortunalety, i couldn't camp because i was ill. you know the feeling when you feel like your head is filled with cotton? that's the feeling i had most of the time. but i'm not gonna complain! when i wasn't feeling too awful i was eating ben and jerry's ice cream, the one with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and cookie dough and chocolate brownies and a huge caramell core in the middle of it all (my favorite!)

one of the most cozy things to do when you're ill is to watch slice of life animes, one of the best i know is called "rokuhoudou yotsuiro biyori". it's about four guys running a café. (quoting wikipedia here because i'm too lazy):

Sui - is the shop owner and manager. although his tea is excellent, he totally sucks at cooking, and as such, his cooking is feared by everyone. he is a big fan of cats.

Tokitaka - is the main chef and he has a gentle disposition and gives pottery lessons to the retired elderly

Gure - is the barista. although his coffee is extremely delicious, he is totally clueless about his bad latte art. he is cheerful and outgoing.

Tsubaki - is the terrific pâtissier, he is an introvert, and tends to get nervous from people's eyes. he has an extreme sweet tooth, and goes around to other cafes to have their sweets and restaurants when they have sweets buffets.

Kinako - Sui's pet cat, but adored by all the members.

i completely love this anime because it's cute and funny and easy-going and i really like the anime style, bishounen. the guys are not that toxic macho but really sweet and emotional and friendly. more of this kind of tv-shows, please!

and can we talk about the food? i have a weak spot for watching food shows.

(i pretend that the meaty stuff is veggie stuff, hehe)

take care

（´・｀ ）♡