Project Girl 2 Woman, Author at ProjectGirl2Woman

103 Small Joys & simple pleasures in life

This year has been yet another mess.

I’ll let you in on my little secret. Despite all the bad news, I am content. I am living in the moment and I love to be alive.

My method: Living in the moment through small joys and simple pleasures.

Each simple pleasure can brighten your day. Self-Care commercials are telling us that we need the next big self-care routine.

While self-care routines have their place small joys don’t give you extra stress. They bring real relaxation. Let’s dive right into my list of simple pleasures :

103 Small Joys & Simple Pleasures to Brighten your Day

1. Having your Back Scratched

2. Listening to Music in the Shower

3. The smell of Fresh Warm bread

4. Late Night Walks in the Moonlight

5. Reading a Book on a Rainy Day

6. cuddling into your blankets knowing you don't have to get up

7. A cup of Tea

8. The smell of Freshly cut Grass

9. Opening a fortune cookie

Do you know how exciting it is to open one of those yummy treats? No? Anyways you’ll get a cookie even if the message isn’t satisfying 😉

10. Checking Your Achievements

One of my most favorites activities at the end of the day! Checking all the things I’ve accomplished. Instead of blaming yourself for not getting things done make it a routine to check all the stuff you actually accomplished.

11. Look through old pictures

Now let’s come to something less exciting and more heartwarming: old pictures. I love to go through my whole phone and scan every picture in detail. Some make my heart throb of wanderlust while others just make me appreciate having my loved ones around me.

12. Take new pictures.

Create some small joys for the future. Take new pictures for your future selve “Look, child, that picture is from new years 2022″ – when we had no electricity. Fun times”.

13. Light some Sparklers in the Dark

What an incredible invention! Nothing looks more magical than lighting some sparklers, alone or with others.

14. Video chat with your loved ones

But some memories are better shared with family and friends, so why not call them if you can’t meet them? Maybe they also have sparklers and you can light them together? With apps like houseparty (unsponsored, just in case) you can also play games while calling!

15. Do something childish

Sometimes it is better to be alone and let our inner child free. Just for a moment. You can jump on the bed, drink milk from the carton and try to dance after professional dances on youtube. It is never a bad thing to laugh about ourselves and to just enjoy the moment.

16. Follow family traditions

It is a nice gesture to honor your family traditions by keeping them for this year’s new year eve. Not only will it make you appreciate your family more but als bring forth happy emotions your brain connects with these activities.

17. Be creative

There are tons of ways to start the next year inspired and/or maybe even with a newly created masterpiece, finished just minutes before the new year starts.

Examples

Craft a vision board
Write a fiction book about your journey
Draw yourself in this moment
Draw your future self or your future lifestyle
Make a song
Craft gifts or small decorations for your house
Learn/Edit a video or picture
Learn 3D modelling

There are so many small activities that can make you happy. The easiest way to choose is to follow your heart and do the things that give you joy and peace.

If you meet your family – please keep safety measures in mind and don’t risk infecting them or anyone else (In case of symptoms or doubt of being infected. )

Also, don’t feel sad for spending this year alone. There are millions of people in the same shoes who are ready to connect online and share those memories together!

We wish you all a happy and wonderful new year!

Like this post? Then come back on Saturday for more <3

via GIPHY

Topics that could also be relevant to you:

[Read] 17 Negative Habits to Get Rid of in 2020!

[Read] 15 Simple Life Lessons We Learned In Our Early 20s

If you want to get informed about the latest updates, please subscribe to our newsletter. Last but not least we update every Wednesday and every Saturday. So, it would be great to see you again. Also, for updates follow us on:

Pinterest: projectgirl2woman

Instagram: projectgirl2woman

Twitter: @girl2_woman

Love from Germany,

Carina and Julia

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9 Ways to be Less toxic in 2022

Project Girl 2 Woman

Last year was definitely a rollercoaster year and so is this year, full of ups and downs. Once in a while it’s time to sit down and take the time to self-reflect.

At the end of the summer semester of 2020, we had a very fun group work. But, during our last session, the presentation of our project, a group member threw me under the bus to catch a better grade.

Now it wouldn’t be a self-reflection if I wouldn’t reflect on my own behavior. I blamed her for doing me wrong. I was frustrated, angry, and even hurt as I thought she was a good friend.

But as much as it hurt, it was also a good lesson taught. How do I treat others? Do I make them feel the same way? Why am I doing it and when? Am I a toxic person?

It is easy to only concentrate on your own emotions and feelings, but how do you make another person feel?

7 ways to be less toxic in 2021

Don't Do's:

1. Stop blaming others!

The first thing you need to do is stop blaming other people. It is not their fault that you couldn’t afford your dream college. It’s not their fault that the boy/girl didn’t fall for you. It’s not their fault that you didn’t get the job.

Look at yourself. You could have worked a part-time job to afford the college. You didn’t have the necessary skills to impress the company. And no, it’s not their fault that you missed opportunities because you didn’t have the courage to give it a go.

Look at yourself. What can you do to change the situation? What can you do so it won’t happen again in the future?

2. Stop being Jealous!

Every time I think about jealousy I think about this green monster with ten eyes and an evil grin. It makes us feel bitter and say/do unreasonable things. Why else would we suddenly insult people close to us just for being better in certain activities or having better things/ a better running business?

In most cases we don’t even want to be that mean – It is just coming out of our mouth. But aren’t we as hurtful only because it makes us feel bad about ourselves? Maybe even guilty for not putting the needed work in?

So why are we jealous about others, if we actually should be angry at ourselves? I don’t like to admit that I used to be a jealous person. But accepting how it is and changing your own way of thinking can change how you treat people and how people treat you.

So to stop being jealous is definitely one way to be less toxic. How can you do it? Reflect on yourself every time you get jealous or angry at someone.

3. Stop guilt-tripping

Your best friend doesn’t have the time to come to your birthday? Fine. Then you tell her that she is a horrible friend who only looks only after herself.

To make sure she is coming you just add a little lie that your family also can’t make it and that you are all alone now on your birthday. It’s her fault you feel lonely. Guilt-tripping is not okay. It’s a major sign of a toxic behavior.

This is the most toxic behavior I have witnessed so far and I can just tell you to stop what you are doing. If you are angry that your friend doesn’t come to such an important event then simply tell her that.

It is not necessary to play with the emotions of your friends and family just so you get what you want. How would you feel if your friends would treat you this way?

[Read: How to get better at Talking to People]

4. Don’t use or hurt anyone!

There are so many examples I could give here. Like making your coworker finish your projects and then collect the rewards of his work.

Making friends just to gain a bit of popularity. Pretending to like someone just to bad talk about the person when meeting with others. Stop having bad intentions towards others. Stop looking for an opportunity to push yourself by making them feel bad about themselves. You don’t want to be used or hurt and neither do they.

5. Avoid judging people too Quickly

Do you think a person has acne because they didn’t wash their face? You think people who are chubby just don’t work out enough. You make fun of people who are “just” production workers. (Not only is that really mean you also don’t know the backtstory.)

6. Don't Manipulate and Control people

Do you use manipulation to get your way? Try not to manipulate people.

7. Don't make fun of people

Are you laughing at other people’s misfortune? Or do you make fun of their body character and so on? Become aware of your speech pattern and your behavior and stop being rude.

What other toxic behavior do you know? Let us know in the comments below 🙂

Do's

8. Start listening To be less Toxic

And I really mean active listening. Try to understand your friend or relative. Try to put yourself in their position. Yes, it is hard. We cannot feel what others feel. But we can do our best to try to understand them. If your friend sees you as trustworthy and heartbrokenly tells you her inner secrets, then don’t make it a competition. It is not all about you. Keep yourself out of the situation and be a bystander, a shoulder to lean on.

Example: Your friend tells you that her brother is really sick and that she was very close to him. Don’t tell her that one of your relatives even has it worse. Instead, comfort and support her.

[Read: 4 Reasons why you should improve your listening skills!]

9. Be vulnerable, honest, and open

Also, take the last example to be open to your friends. It is okay to show weaknesses. It’s okay to not always be okay. Most relationships are only superficial as everyone is too scared to be hurt. Be honest, don’t lie about yourself to make you look better. Lies will eventually be uncovered anyway. Rather be yourself and stop comparing yourself to others. Being toxic to yourself is also destructive.

10. Think before you talk

Most mindset clusters or habits are self-taught by books or videos. Most of them. But this one is something I have learned from my dad. Maybe that’s why it was so easy for me to follow this rule: I have heard it since I was a child. Think before you talk. Maybe my sister and I said mean things to him when we were small. Maybe he learned it from his own experiences. Or maybe he knows how important it is to be careful with one’s words. It doesn’t matter why he taught us but that he did. And I hope you also learn this lesson. The easiest way to avoid hurting people is to stop yourself from saying something nasty.

11. Learn to Apologize

You behaved badly? Time to accept your shortcommings. Admit to your mistakes and learn how to apologize to other people. It doesn’t only make you less toxic. People like people, who own their mistakes.

12. Make Positive Friends

You are who your friends are. Are your friends a bunch of meanies? Make some new friends. Get into a positive group.

Summary:

These are 9+ ways to be less toxic. Don’t forget that we are all in the same boat. Be kind to each other. Support. Help out. Just a small gesture can make the world a better place. And remember what you send out comes back. So if you are nasty to people, people are nasty back to you and when you are nice to people, people will be nice to you too.

Topics that could also be relevant to you:

[Read] 17 Negative Habits to Get Rid of in 2020!

[Read] 15 Simple Life Lessons We Learned In Our Early 20s

If you want to get informed about the latest updates, please subscribe to our newsletter. for updates follow us on:

Pinterest: projectgirl2woman

Instagram: projectgirl2woman

Twitter: @girl2_woman

Love from Germany,

Carina and Julia

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When Willpower Fails: Decision Fatigue and Christmas Gift Shopping

Project Girl 2 Woman

Today at work you have to organize and plan the Christmas event. You love Christmas so when it’s time to decide the decoration you are extremely excited.

You enthusiastically pick the music, decide on Christmas gifts, arrange the chairs, decide how to design the invitations — It’s fun!

But as the day drags on and you have to make more and more decisions you get more and more tired (and irritated). Your colleague asks you the 5^th time where to place the Christmas angels. And why can’t she decide herself?

And why did you have to end up preparing the event anyways?

And finally, after work your boyfriend asks you: Hey honey where do you want to eat out?

Tired you answer wherever you want. Ending up eating Greek food, when you would have preferred to just snuggle in front of the TV. This feeling is called decision fatigue.

You might wonder, what has decision fatigue to do with buying presents? If you are curious read on:

What is Decision Fatigue?

Your willpower is like a muscle. So, when you use that muscle you use energy. As the day goes on and you exert the muscle it gets increasingly tired. You get decision fatigue. James Clear defined it as follows:

Decision fatigue happens every day in your life as well. If you have a particularly decision-heavy day at work, then you come home feeling drained. You might want to go to the gym and workout, but your brain would rather default to the easy decision: sit on the couch. That’s decision fatigue.

So, in the evening, when it’s time to pick the presents for your family, your willpower muscle is exhausted. You chose the quick gift. The easily available one. You know it isn’t personalized at all.

You know it isn’t something your mum or dad would love, but because you are tired you chose it anyways.

Or you chose no present at all. You avoid making another decision and end up with time issues later.

Decision Fatigue can be a key element of Procrastination.

[ Read: 25-Day Gratitude Challenge for the Christmas season]

5 Ways to avoid decision Fatigue when you get Christmas Gifts

1. Make a Gift Idea List ahead of time

Whenever you are out with a family member or friend during the year and they show interest in something write it down. We all have our phone with us most of the time anyways.

Make a quick note and check the list for special events later.

I know for this year it might be already a little late. But the next birthday or Christmas is just around the corner!

For example,…

You are in the market with your mum. She checks out some earrings. When she isn’t looking take a picture. (Don’t get in trouble with the store clerk! — Be warned some don’t like pictures taken. Politely asking never hurts.)

or.. your sister is raving on and on about a new series.

Maybe you find one with similar content or a limited edition.

2. Decide on Presents in the Morning or the Day Before

In the mornings you still have plenty of energy and willpower. Because of that, the mornings are the perfect time to decide on presents.

You might still buy them later in the day. But if you have already planned them out you won’t fall back on simple knick-knack no one wants.

Make the buying process later as simple and decision free as possible. Decide the store or the online site you’ll buy from ahead of time. Make sure you have money on your Visa.

[Read: 13 Simple Ways to avoid this year’s Christmas Stress]

3. Pick the important presents first

You need presents for your family and distant relatives. You know your distant relatives will give you something simple anyway.

Pick the presents for your most important people first.

On whom do you want to spend your energy and willpower? The ones that matter or half strangers?

Simple…

Pick the important presents first to avoid decision fatigue and pick the “easy” presents later. Unless you really want to impress somebody .

[ Read: 6 Essential Self-Care Products in 2020 – Self Love Ideas ]

4. Stop if you get tired

You’ve had a long workday? Or you’ve decided on presents all day long?

Maybe now is not a good time to make more decisions. Instead you can make plans on what you will buy and postpone the buying decision until you are refreshed.

Eating a healthy meal can help you recharge. Or you can take a powernap!

As James Clear mentioned:

When you want to get better decisions from your mind, put better food into your body.

5. Schedule Christmas Gift Picking

Make space for the important decisions in your life. If you commit to a specific time you don’t have to decide after work will I buy Christmas gifts today or not. You will already know. It’s no longer a decision, but a fixed date.

And since you know that for example next week, it’s time to buy presents you will start thinking about what to get way before the actual gift picking date.

Your brain will start working on possible presents while you sleep.

When you walk around the streets your focus will be on what you might get next Thursday.

Scheduling is an extremely useful tool to plan Christmas gift ideas ahead of time.

To sum it up:

We all have a limited amount of willpower. If we exert our willpower too much and make too many decisions, we will get decision fatigue.

Decision fatigue causes us too avoid decision or to make rash and stupid ones. Like buying a crappy present.

To buy nice presents and to avoid decision fatigue you can:

Make a List ahead of time
Decide on Presents in the Morning or the Day Before
Pick the Important Presents first
Stop when you get tired
Schedule Christmas Gift Picking

If you want to get informed about the latest updates, or get more hands on tips and tricks, please subscribe to our newsletter. Last but not least we update every Wednesday and every Saturday. So, it would be great to see you again. For updates follow us on:

Love from Germany,

Julia and Carina

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