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My favourite hack: mise-en-place
Mise-en-place (meez-ahn plahs). Origin: French, used by chefs worldwide to indicate professional standards. Yes, this fancy-sounding French term is really my favourite hack! Although its origins are based in French cooking, and the standards to which professional chefs are held, it works as a tool for all areas of life. Mise-en-place means to literally “put…
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Letting go of an expectation
According to the Oxford dictionary, the word “expectation” means a state of anticipating or believing something will happen. It can also refer to the thing itself that is anticipated, or to the basis for expecting something. Expectations can be beliefs, anticipations, hopes or desires. This season, is there an expectation–or belief, anticipation, hope or desire…
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The joy of solo travel:
Me, myself and I in Montreal A recent solo trip (read: vacation) to Montreal, Canada, led me to reflect upon both the anticipated joys and unexpected challenges of travelling on one’s own. The following is a list of things to consider before you embark on a solo vacay: Some of the many rewards of travelling…
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Pack light, travel well
As I prepare to spend a week in Montreal, Quebec (yay!), I remind myself to both pack light and to travel well. As it turns out, the two are linked! This sentiment is perhaps best expressed in the following quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “(S)he who must travel happily, must travel light.” Leave the physical,…
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7 Simple Ways to Encourage Yourself
We all hit moments when motivation runs low, self-doubt creeps in, or things feel… stuck. Whether you’re chasing a goal, dealing with a setback, or just trying to get through a rough day, learning to encourage yourself is a powerful skill. Here are seven simple, effective ways to give yourself a much-needed boost. 1. Talk…
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8 tips for when you are frustrated
As much as one might practice patience and mindfulness, the complications of modern technology and modern life-hacking can easily lead a person to frustration. Whether line-ups, traffic or computer glitches, the urgency of time and the necessity of productivity feel ever-present. How, then, to maintain composure and self-regulation in the face of it all? The…
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What is Beautiful Minimalism?
At first glance, the concept of ‘beautiful minimalism’ and the namesake of The Beautiful Minimalist may seem an oxymoron. If you have a visceral reaction to the word ‘minimalism,’ perhaps ‘beautiful simplicity’ rings more true to you? There is a seeming paradox in the act of minimizing, simplifying, and reducing while at the same time…
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How to Get Your Happy On
Tips on boosting your happiness
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Gentle Decluttering: 10 Items You Won’t Miss
There is a gentler approach in a world consumed with acquisition and decluttering: gradually leaving behind things of no significance. These items do not bear sentimental, legal, financial or personal consequences. They can be disposed of quickly–much like removing a bandaid. You can gain both momentum and results with a short burst of effort. If…
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What is the orientation of your year?
Ten years ago, I came across a tool called “YearCompass.” At the time, I was looking for a way to understand what had been a challenging year. I had a calendar, planner and goal-tracking templates but lacked motivation, inspiration and insight. The circumstances of my life and those close to me felt overwhelming, and I…
- Beautiful Minimalism
- Decluttering
- Frustration
- Happiness
- Mise-en-place
- New Year
- New Year
- New Year
- Tips
- Travel
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