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11/12
For those who may not know me on a deeper level, it could come as a surprise that I don't quite fit the typical Type "A" personality mold that many might assume. In reality, I see myself as more of a Type B personality with some unique organizational tendencies. However, the art of organization has become the cornerstone of my success, and I've come to rely on it in every aspect of my life.
Over the years, I've explored various methods of personal organization, from physical agendas, notebooks, and journals to digital applications and computer notepads but it was a fortunate discovery of Notion, an online organizational tool, that marked a significant turning point in how I approach life.
For those unfamiliar with it, Notion is an incredibly customizable tool that can be tailored to your specific needs. From the moment I started using it, I was hooked. Initially, I used Notion to bring a long-conceived business concept to life. I created a project within it to seamlessly compile lists, track tasks, take notes, preserve sources of inspiration, and even upload images, all in a meticulously structured manner. I adhered to my plans and diligently worked through my tasks for a whole month. Encouraged by this success, I expanded my use of Notion to organize my work and clients, and eventually I decided to commit to organizing every aspect of my life in December.
When I say "every aspect," I truly mean it. I migrated all my projects from other applications to Notion and created new systems within it. I designed a "Habit Tracker" to monitor my top five habits, systems for tracking my progress in reading the Bible (almost completing it in a year), cataloged my capsule wardrobe, maintained a checklist for wardrobe updates, tracked my finances, monitored the shelf life of skincare products, managed work rotations, and even kept a personal journal – all within Notion.
So, when I say "everything," I sincerely mean everything. This comprehensive approach to organization has made it much easier for me to stay on top of my goals throughout the year. Last year, I spent just three days creating a "Personal Development" PDF that delved into self-assessment across various aspects of my life, including finances, spirituality, career, and personal connections. This helped me establish a Notion-based system divided into trimesters, each with a set of tasks to be accomplished within three months.
My goal was to create actionable, realistic goals for each trimester, without overwhelming pressure. Instead of fixating on specific deadlines, I agreed with myself that unfinished goals from one trimester could be carried over to the next. These goals ranged from simple ones like "drink more water" to more substantial ones, such as getting out of financial debt, completing crucial online courses, renewing my passport for future travel, launching a business from scratch, and starting the process of obtaining Brazilian citizenship.
At the beginning of each trimester, I revisited my lists and took small steps toward achieving them. I made calls, enrolled in courses, attended appointments, shopped for my capsule wardrobe, interacted with government authorities, set up a business account and more. Gradually, I made progress without feeling overwhelmed. After nearly a year of dedicated effort, I'm proud to say I've successfully completed 42 out of the 60 goals I set for the year. As for the remaining 18, I've already taken steps to ensure their completion before 2024.
Some might view this level of organization as excessive, but for someone like me dealing with mental health challenges, it's been a lifeline. It has allowed me to thrive, even in the most challenging situations. For instance, in one trimester, I accomplished a remarkable 22 goals, but in the next I only achieved three major objectives due to my deep involvement in launching a new business, which required most of my energy and financial resources. Nevertheless, I approached the following trimester with the same hope and optimism.
Notion has remained my steadfast companion in organizing my life and maintaining a balanced pace of progress. It has streamlined client onboarding, supported my pursuit of long-term goals, facilitated systematic learning, and brought positive changes to my life and relationships.
In the coming month, I plan to share some of my Notion templates for free. However, the true beauty of Notion lies in its adaptability. You have the freedom to customize it to meet your unique needs and make 2024 a year of profound self-improvement. If you haven't explored Notion yet, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so by following this link.11/11
Testing the mic. Hi. Anyone there? — OK, I know it seems like I fell off the face of the earth... and I sort of did, but wait, it was for a good reason. Or should I say reasons? Yes, I took some time off this (whatever this blog has become) to focus on some things and people that I love dearly and one of those things was a project that I’ve had in mind for ages now.
After (literal) years of not having or making time for writing, I sat down one day after pondering an idea for what seemed like a split second... and I decided to write a guide to help you—yes you, Pinterest-obsessed human—to make passive income off of your Pinterest efforts. And here I am months down the line, having completed it, to tell you, "Hey! How about turning your Pinterest obsession into a money-making machine?".
We all know times are tough, and we all could use an additional stream of income, right? — Well, I decided to go ahead and just write because I’m one of the lucky ones who’s benefited from turning my Pinterest into a business and seizing many opportunities that come from it... so why don’t you hop into this boat and start capitalizing on something you probably never thought could be more than a hobby or a distraction? I think I heard a "Yes!".
In my new guide, “Curated”, you will learn the nooks and crannies of Pinterest... and you'll be able to stack the odds in your favor. I’ve managed to write everything you’ll need, to go from Pinterest user to Pinterest Boss in a 90-page e-book... and let me just say, I know for a fact you won’t be disappointed.
So go ahead buy my book and turn your Pinterest world upside down.
© hover over images for credits07/19
No, you didn’t read it wrong. I put "melancholic" and "holiday" in the same title. Let me tell you why: Here in our neck of the woods, beachgoers suffered a significant beach withdrawal, which seemed to have no end during the pandemic; and those who had always just taken it for granted started regretting not having taken advantage of ocean life more often. So when they magnanimously freed us, we and our pets flocked to the beaches, which smacked of a cautionary tale for a new variant... so as a mostly responsible, post-pandemic being, I decided to continue not to partake in the beach festivities—until one day we decided to take a day trip to a beach 2 hours away from home to satisfy our desire to splash about in the warm ocean water. It happened to be a very quiet, secluded beach... and as we reached our destination, we realized it had gone from a very sunny, blue-skied day to drab and overcast.
Long story short, it didn’t rain that day but it remained moody.
We took a stroll down the quietest stretch of beach I’ve been to in years; the air was chilly and it felt incredible. We ended up staying the night at a petit hotel owned by a French man who exalts privacy and peace to the point of not welcoming children... while admitting pets. That day is fixed in my mind as a beautiful memory of a short-lived, moody holiday.
© hover over images for credits07/13
I don’t remember too much about my early years, but something I think about a lot – especially recently – is what it was from my childhood that made me so daring and so determined. It might be a side effect of feeling that over the years I’ve become less and less the daredevil protagonist of my life and that I’ve fallen into the back seat, taking the place of a spectator.
Maybe it’s a natural process in life to become more fearful and less fearless... or maybe it’s that I’ve gone through an unfortunate series of adverse events in the past couple of years – but recently, I’ve felt as if life has slammed shut on me like an indecipherable book.
For the first half of 2018, I’ve been listening to a little voice in my head telling me, “2018 was supposed to be the year… this isn’t supposed to be happening…” – driving me to my next panic attack and making me race through my days in desperation. No, there haven’t been any quiet mornings with a teacup in hand. Instead, my rude inner clock has punched me in the gut and propelled me out of bed through sheer anxiety.
I’ve reminded myself in an equally rude way, every single morning, that this is not how I’M supposed to react, that feeling this way and running the gauntlet of every emotion wasn’t like me. What about everything else I believed in? What about optimism, faith, mindfulness, relentlessness… what about all that? I dismissed my thoughts as quick as I could, jumping with both feet into my work and ridding myself of them in a fluster – like swatting mosquitoes flying overhead… until something forced me to truly put everything in my life into perspective. A new one that is.
The reality is that I haven’t by any means been taking care of myself. I have ignored all of the tell-tale signs that I’m not in good health and the lessons learned... and gone back to being a taciturn lady – ready to die from fatigue. My endorphin-underloaded brain wanted to trick me into staying in that same old, comfortable, even butt-marked cushion on my office chair – but a familiar voice reminded me of something. And that is that character is more important than skill.
My true self wouldn’t let the things I do be a power struggle. I wouldn’t hold on to things for the sake of it… and I wouldn’t refuse change, to be molded and to be humbled.
So what does this all mean? As I take the driver’s seat again, for me it means closing some old chapters – one in specific: Taking Blog Milk Shop down and going back to my roots. Going back to working independently and putting myself somewhere at the top of my priorities each day.
I’m not going to lie. The thought of saying goodbye to something I created with such dedication, felt like folding up the proverbial tent and moving on to an unknown place before I was knocked down for good... but the further I’ve moved on from that comfortable place, the more I realize how I’m allowing myself the chance to experience that old fearless attitude in me. And for that, I’m grateful.
What’s new here, anyway? Everything!
The New Site
Worked On
February - June 2018
Collateral
Art Direction
Brand Identity
Development
Description
A step back from the traditional minimalistic hard lines and an invitation of my physical environment into my online presence, focusing on seaside nature with earthy and warm sub-tones.
Rationale
ANAAR came into being from the conjunction of my first and last name, but is also derived from the farsi name "Anar", which means "light and radiance". The studio is located on the Brazilian North-East coast and at its core exists to create and co-create in line with minimalist and mindfulness practices.
The personal-approach design serves as an invitation to the senses. Rich, textured and sultry imagery combine to create a brand focused on offering a particular taste and experience – unique to that of the author.
Get Aqquainted
Ph. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 12/30
A new year is starting. And up until 2 nights ago, I was feeling hopeful and excited. I felt the same anticipation and excitement as I did when I was a kid and the first day of School was just around the corner. I used to collage all my notebook covers and wrap them in waterproof paper myself, I'd plan a new routine and hang my new uniform right outside my bathroom door–I felt prepared.
I admit that's not the same sentiment I'm feeling as I write this. The truth is, these last couple of years have been mostly a downer for me. SO much has happened to me, to my loved ones and to my life in general that I cannot help but feel a mixture of excitement and reservations for what 2018 has in store for us this time around.
While dwelling on this subject last night I started to remember those tidbits of good that I've also had this last year . . . and I realized that the only certainty we can have when starting a new cycle or phase is that we will look back and there will be things that rescue our worst years, things that are relatively small, that cost nothing but have a profound meaning in our lives.
I looked back to 2017 and was able to savor my successes. I let go of things that once stopped me from feeling at peace. And I also changed. I'm sure I've become a more resilient and more flexible person as a result of all the not-so-positive gremlins that still rummage around in my life.
Apieceapart and Emily Laye
So why always the *hope* that the New Year will bring the changes and chances that we so long for? Why leave it to the New Year to somehow, *hopefully* be so much better–when we can actively decide–when we can shift our focus to what is truly important, to what's permanent and meaningful in our lives and forget the added stuff?
The secret to treating myself to a perfect 2018 will be to live it intentionally and to not be afraid of whatever happens–and when December 30th, 2018 also comes knocking on my door–there I will be, marveling at the good and seeing how all the bad affected me positively in the end.
If you are also feeling anxious about closing a difficult year, try this instead of scribbling down your New Year’s goals: reflect on the year that has passed. What's been your greatest lost and how do you feel about it now? What has been your biggest success? How did 2017 changed you? ... And lastly, what did you worry about the most in 2017 and how has it turned out?
Hope is essential. We need it. We need to be hopeful for a new start, for a new chance . . . and when that's difficult, looking back and realizing it was all OK in the end can bring us the peace of mind that we need to rest assured that the next cycle we’re about to embark on can be anything–it can be easy (or maybe not) but in the end, there will be many things to hold onto.
I wish you a fantastic 2018. May you enjoy every single bit of it.
Love,
Ana12/15
Ah! How beautiful life is, it is truly a gift, isn't it? I'm sure of that because the past 2 years haven't been even slightly on the easy side . . . and all I can feel as my birthday and the end of the year approaches is overwhelming gratitude and hope.
Yes, through these ups and downs, "celebratory" hasn't been a word that describes my mood, especially after my father's passing–but life has been "pretty good"–maybe not superb and maybe not awesome all the time–but yes, when it's mattered.
Bonergent
These months have taught me invaluable lessons–some that I hope stay with me forever: about seizing moments of closeness with my loved ones, of hugging people tighter and of showing up for them as the best version of myself every day. Then there are some lessons that I'm crossing fingers I have learned so that they don’t need to be stuck on replay next year.
Birthdays bring out the best in all of us when we let them; when we truly ponder and when we allow ourselves to be taken care of by others, hugged, celebrated and spoiled by the ones who love us. It took me a handful of years to learn that. To give up being an introvert for a day and allow people to care in whichever way they wanted to. Today, I'll let the people that love me do that, to be here for me and to make my life more fun.
As a celebratory game and because I love to read this kind of threads:
5 peculiar things you might not know about me
1. I laugh a lot, even at my own misfortune.
2. Spicy food is my favorite: I have an unusually high resistance to chilli and I love it like life itself
3. I love music and I once in a while I put on makeup and go dancing
4. I swear... a lot in real life and when it feels like I’m not fully expressing myself
5. To continue to travel is the only thing on my bucket list
Where I want to be this day next year
I want to be in a place of zero regrets. I want to be able to look back on an entire year of my life where I can fully say I lived it to the last bit. I want to have opened up myself and dared more. I want to have been truly my unique self without overthinking things or caring about what others think. I want to have learned a something new, something that makes me excited. I want to give myself a pat on the back for loving myself enough to care for myself every single day and I want to have laughed louder and dreamed bigger along with my beautiful little E-P.
Thank you for sharing my birthday thoughts with me.
Cheers!07/17
Photography © Evelyn Bencicova
Last year after I wrote my book I was left with an urgent feeling of wanting to embark on that 30 day journey again, this time taking the place of the reader rather than the writer and experience the rebirth of my own brand.
Having committed to several projects in the first quarter of the year meant there wasn’t much time left for that . . . and so it was a time to take a step back and take an important decision. That of practicing what I preach and being mindful of my time, my work and myself.
Going through the process from start to finish was eye-opening. I realized that my blog and my workflow was no longer satisfying to me. I was in a different place emotionally, I had grown to value connection over achievement and no longer craved feeling live like a productive “boss” in any area of my life.
We live at a point in time where it sounds almost irresponsible to not want to be busy at all times, or not attempt to keep all the plates spinning simultaneously . . . so, giving in to those personal impulses is exactly what I didn't do.
I realized soon enough that spending hours researching material, publishing posts and working on endless projects that not longer represented me was a waste of my time . . . and that sadly, no-one would benefit from anyways. Don’t get me wrong, the passion for my work is still there — I just decided that something needed to be done now so that I could allow myself to write and work on things that bring me fulfillment in other areas of my life.
Going through my book's guide for the entire month of June was what opened up endless opportunities in my brain. I had even forgotten a few pieces of advice I'd given you . . . and then I realized how much of what I wrote can be perceived as a contradiction — a fortunate one, that is.
That entire month I felt like I wasn’t doing anything because I had taken a step back from the blog and social media for so long — but at the same time I was doing it all: I was transforming, I was creating methods and mindfully re-routing my life. I was thinking of myself, I was enriching my experience and my visitors' experience. I was creating something that could reflect who I am and fulfill me.
These days, not actively partaking of social media, not having an online presence and not forcing ourselves into a thousand commitments is going against the grain . . . but sometimes that's exactly what we need to come out on the other side fully grounded and fully prepared to take on the future with determination.
I’m ready to get more personal, I’m ready to embark on a new more mindful and more caring season and I thank you for joining me.
Welcome to my new blog! If you’ve subscribed to be part of the community, you’ll receive a newsletter detailing what has changed and why.12/22
Photography © Anna Kubel with thanks It took me more than a while to get into the Holiday spirit this year. It usually takes a little time for me to fall into that frame of mind — with family being miles away from us the excitement for celebrating fades very quickly in this house, although, we always seem to manage have a decent time.
This year, we’re enjoying a gift-free Christmas. We’re also not hosting a party this year and instead we will play the roll of guests. We’ve never had a Holiday with no presents and I’m hoping this experiment allows us to hug each other tighter and to focus all our energies into loving one another rather than having to divide our emotions with the expectations of material things.
I won’t lie… I’ve thoroughly enjoyed not feeling the rush to buy presents or the worry that someone would over-spend on a present for me. It’s been lovely to stay at home instead of pushing my way through crowded markets and malls but what I've loved the most is channeling that time into one very important thing: The science behind the perfect Chocolate Cloud Cake — which will be my contribution to the party, so... wish me luck.
Having said that this will be a gift-free Holiday for us, it doesn’t mean that I will miss the opportunity to thank you* with a gift this Holiday. Each one of you who comes to my blog, leaves a comment, emails me, follows me on social media or that simply lurks around deserves a big virtual hug and an extra one for all your light and the good energy you send our way on the daily.
Get a 25% discount on non-promotional themes using the code: HOLIDAY25 and the same discount on my book 30 Days To Minimal Blogging using the code: CHANGE at check out. A lot of people have been telling me they are saving the book for this break so they can read it intently and silently. I hope you get to do that as well.
The biggest gift for me would be that you read my book and send through a review so I can feature you on my book’s landing page. I want to know how the book is changing your vision, how it’s helping you but most importantly how much meaning is adding to your life and blog.
Enjoy a wonderful, meaningful and love-filled Christmas break with your loved ones.
Hugs,
Ana12/15
Photography © Sara Medina Lind It’s my birthday today and I cannot help but to go into full introspection mode and think about how the last year for me has been. If you follow me, you know how terrible it was at times... but for the gift of resilience and for the constant love I’ve gotten from my little one all year long, I’m profoundly grateful.
Clearly, nobody wants to go through loss and hardship the way I did this year - but deep in my heart I know and understand how momentary everything is. So much so that the only way to have no regrets is to learn to embrace people wholeheartedly. To love our families, to make material things secondary, to hug people tight... and to be kinder to ourselves.
I have 2 birthday wishes: one is cake and... the other one is to be able to pass on some of my happiness and feeling of being celebrated and loved today.
There's a code for you ready to be used. Use the code: CAKE at checkout to get my book, 30 Days To Minimal Blogging at 25% off today.04/30
Photography © Mikkel Mortensen The older I get the more I feel like I'm failing at life by killing everything green that comes into my home. I've mastered killing indoor plants in such way that succulents have passed away in my living room. I'm actually a big fan of green so I decided it was time to tackle that horrible habit of buying plants and tossing them in the trash a few days later and learn how not to kill them. I recently bought 4 new plants for my apartment and did a bit of research. This article I found via Apartment Therapy helped me the most. It's simple, to the point and makes all the sense in the world. My hope is that in a few months my home would be a cozy retreat, like shown in the images above taken my Mikkel Mostensen for Elle DK and not plant-slaughter house that is right now.
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