Words of 2016 - January

Focus

It's time to go back to work. Keep it simple. Don't fill your calendar too full. Stay focused on what's truly important. Remember your goals and do your best to achieve them. Focus so you don't get overwhelmed. 

Christmas Blog Changes

Hey you!

I'm changing things here on my blog! I'm super excited!

First of all: New name! 

After all these years I finally came up with a name that, I actually like. So from now on, my blog is Mintspiration. I'm going to write about the story behind the name soon. I'm also buying my own domain name. But first, I'm going to celebrate Christmas with my loved ones.

I'm also changing the design. It's going to be really different. Really simple so the images will pop out. 

There's so much to do, so it might take some time before everything is ready (like social media, email...)

I wish you a wonderful Christmas! 

Yours,

M

My very first reading challenge!

I noticed that Claudia is hosting the 4th annual Monthly Keyword Reading Challenge. It sounds so fun that I'm going to join her. 

The idea "is to read one book each month whose title includes one or more of the keywords for that month". The keywords can be tweaked and it's ok to use variations. 

Keywords

January: Crowd, Girl, The, Bad, Soul, Soft

February: Veil, Kiss, Her, Break, Love, Stars

March: Game, Fire, Darkness, School, Like, Change

April: Far, Life, Stay, One, War, Thorns

May: Cure, Trial, Family, Key, Thief, Bend

June: Moon, In, Only, Whisper, Sleep, Trap

July: Rose, Sun, Clock, Day, Angel, Unto

August: Prince, Boy, Glass, Heart, Lost, Now

September: Wind, Color, Touch, At, How, Sweet

October: Rock, Ghost, Fall, Away, Sky, Storm

November: Dream, Holiday, And, Of, Dawn, Beautiful

December: End, Promise, Everlasting, Ice, Snow, My

Why I didn't quit blogging though I lost my inspiration and readers

Fall 2014 was exciting time for me from the blogging point of view. My blog was growing like crazy and I had lots of ideas and time to write. For example, I more than doubled my blog traffic. Susannah played a huge role in all this. She was my blog mentor.

But then something happened. 

I started to loose blog inspiration. And that led to fewer posts and fewer readers. I was also questioning my blogging motives. 

Is this really something I'm so suppose to be doing? Is my blog an addiction to me? Could I be using my time to do something more useful and meaningful?

The lack of inspiration, loosing my readers and questioning my motives nearly made my quit. I almost deleted the whole blog. 

But I couldn't do that. Here's why:


1. I've worked so hard for my blog. I don't want that hard work go to waste.

2. I still love the reason why I started to blog.

3. I love to have a space of my own that allows me to use my creativity.

4. I still have things to say - not as often but still!

When I remembered all the lovely blogging things, I made some serious changes so blogging would be a joy to me - not a chore. 



1. Forget statics

I used to check Google Analytics daily. Now it's been almost 2 months! It's so liberating not to blog to get page views. 


2. Don't force it

One of the biggest blog worries that led to my blog burnout was  the need to post often and regularly. Now, I refuse to worry about that. If my blog is quiet for a while, it's ok. I'm not going to post just to fill my editorial calendar. If people forget my blog, it's ok. 


3. Break the rules

To me blogging is about freedom. The blog rules took that away from me. So now I refuse to worry about them. For example I don't have and Instagram account for me blog, because I don't like Instagram. I don't advertise regularly on Twitter of Facebook. Freedom!


Read more:

Why you should stop caring about your blog

Gift Guide - Gifts that make a difference

Are you trying to find a gift to someone who has a huge heart and loves the idea of making a world a better place? Here are couple ideas:

Eden

Eden sells beautiful jewellery. Their goal is to help women of Asia's red light districts by offering them a chance to have a better future: freedom and dignity.

I just bought the necklace above and it's stunning!

VAI-KØ

They sell ecological and ethical products, from beanies to dog collars. And they give 5% of their sells to provide clean water to rural villages in Cambodia. Cool, huh?

A21

I love A21. They fight against modern day slavery - human trafficking. They also sell cool products in their online shop! 

I want a Thanksgiving too!

I'm a bit jealous of the Americans, because they (or you) have a Thanksgiving. 

Because of the whole globalisation thing we are taking things from other cultures and making them part of our own lives. Unfortunately, at least in my opinion, Finns have taken the wrong holiday from the Americans: Halloween.

We already have a similar holiday on Palm Sunday, when little kids dress up like witches and go door to door with decorated willow branches to get candy. So we really don't need Halloween.

But we sure do need Thanksgiving! I think everybody needs a day that makes you count your blessings. Maybe tomorrow I'll count mine.

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!

Love a Muslim

After all the heartbreaking things that have happened this week, I can only imagine what it feels like to be a Muslim. 

The innocent, hard working and extremely nice people have to experience contempt and physical and emotional violence.

I'd like to challenge you to love a Muslim. Show him or her unconditional kindness.  

Why?

If you're a Christian, that's what God is asking... NO! He is expecting you to do that.

If you're not a Christian, do it for the humanity.

#PrayForTheWorld #LoveAMuslim

When blogging feels so vain

I had couple posts I was suppose to publish this weekend, but after the horrible attacks in Paris, I decided not to publish them. They felt so irrelevant and superficial. 

But then I realised, blogging isn't disrespectful. It's actually a celebration of life. I want to celebrate this wonderful life God gave me. I want to write about it!

Perfect is boring

This week I guest posted on Claudia's blog! I hope you'll like my post. Read it HERE.

Getting back to blogging - GIVEAWAY

There's a reason I haven't posted anything for a while. It's not that I'm feeling lazy or tired. I'm not even going through a blog burn out. I feel empty. Like I have nothing to give to my readers.

A month ago I started in my new job and there's been so much to learn. And I've given so much of myself to my new colleagues and students, that I feel like I'm empty. When I come home from work, I don't feel creative. And there's nothing inspirational on my mind to share. I just want to go for a run and watch Netflix. 

But I feel like I'm slowly getting back my creative drive (not related to work stuff). And today when I was sitting on a train, I experienced the familiar "brain storming thing" that happens before my every post. Yay! 

I think It's time to celebrate! That's why I'm hosting a giveaway. (I'm sponsoring this giveaway myself)

The prizes:

25€ (about 27 us$) gift card to VAI-KØ online shop. They sell amazing  ethical and eco friendly products, like really cool beanies. Oh! You have to read about their 5% rule!

AND an in post ad for 6 months (worth 24 us$). 1 winner, 2 prizes. International.

So enter away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm going to run a half marathon

I'm trying to find a nice place to run a half marathon. Germany? Iceland? Sweden? Or my home country Finland?

— MrsK (@iammrskBLOG) 13. lokakuuta 2015

Running a half marathon is part of my 30 before 30 list. I started training today with my S Health app. I feel really motivated, because the app is like a personal trainer and it's so fun to see the miles and steps I take on my way to my goal: a half marathon.

Now that I'm serious about running, I need better shoes. Mine are a bit too small. I want to find perfect shoes keeping in mind how my foot pronates etc.

Can't wait to go shoe shopping!

People etc. you need to follow on Twitter

@breeluvsshoppin

If you like giveaways, you need to follow her. 


@NeilVermillion

If you're a Christian and like encouraging and inspiring tweets, follow Neil.


@FemaleBloggerRT

If you want re-tweets, they'll help you.


@A21

If you want to be part of the fight against human trafficking (modern-day slavery) follow The A21 Campaign.


@arwaCNN

If you want to get Arwa's interesting tweets about what's going on in the world, follow her. She's a CNN correspondent. 

What does it feel like to grow up abroad

I'm a third culture kid, which means I spent a significant amount of my childhood abroad. Many people have asked me, what's it like to grow up abroad. Here's my short answer:

1. You realise your own language is very limited, so you need to use phrases from the other language

2. You always miss someone

3. You say goodbye a lot

4. You always miss something (food, candy, TV, weather, buildings...)

5. You don't know where you're from

6. You most likely love airports and planes

7. When you go back to your "home" country, you feel like an outsider

8. Being a foreigner feels normal. And when you're not, it's WEIRD.

9. Cultural and practical differences abroad don't bother you

10. You have more political, religious and cultural knowledge than your peer's back "home"

I started my new job

I just wanted to write couple words about what's going on in my life right now. Things have been pretty hectic. I started my new job and moved into my tiny new apartment. And of course, we have a long distance marriage now. 

I haven't been able to blog or read other blogs, but I hope things will calm down a bit. I miss the blogging world.

Are you sabotaging your marriage?

My husband and I have great conversations and we like to dig deep when it comes to issues like our relationship, personalities, habits etc. I'm a lucky girl, because my husband likes to talk to me and with me. He challenges me intellectually, and I love it.

We started to think how couples can sabotage their marriages. I've been thinking about this topic for couple months now. I've been reflecting my own habits and actions. I've also thought about the people around me. Now finally I decided to write this post. I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

1. We expect our husband to feel and think the same way as we do

2. We feel bitter when the hubby wants to spent time with his friends or has a hobby or a passion that does not include us

3. When he does something sweet, we remind him of the times he was an a-hole

4. We pressure him to speak 

5. We act like martyrs

6. We forget that we have different personality types

7. We forget that we have a different family background

8. We are disappointed when he doesn't act like you think a good husband does

9. We criticise him in front of your friends and family

10. We respect our parents' opinions more than his

11. We don't give him space

12. We want special date-nights and "do stuff together" when he just wants to take it easy and keep it simple

13. We rarely show contentment

14. We forget that we might not have a same love language

15. We act like we are his mom

16. We compare him to our friend's spouse, or to our dad, brothers, cousins...

17. We blame him for not making us happy

18. We expect him to read our minds

19. We think we have a same sex drive

20. We don't make an effort to get to know him deeply

30 before 30

My goals and dreams for the next 3 years. What do you think? Can I make these happen?

1. Become a mom

2. A road trip from San Jose to Vancouver

3. Learn to handstand

4. Run a half marathon

5. Learn to cook Indian food

6. Witness a miracle

7. Own solar panels

8. At least for 1 month, eat a warm meal everyday

9. Read the whole Bible

10. Own a Tolix chair(s)



11. Do at least 1 thing every year to help end poverty

12. Read 2 classics every year

13. Study more to be qualified to teach a third subject in school

14. Learn to sew a dress

15. Buy a beautiful painting 

16. See Wicked on Broadway

17. Learn to eat fish

18. Go to a big concert

19. Go to a ballet

20. Learn to play tennis



21. See what happens when I stretch twice a week for 2 months

22. Do the 30 Day Water Challenge every year

23. Donate blood at least once

24. Create a smash book

25. Choose a small independent shop, cafe, restaurant etc. over big  chains at least 10 times

26. Choose organic cosmetic products over "skin on cancer" products at least 10 times

27. Learn to make soap or candles

28. Donate my wedding dress (March 2016)

29. Manage to do at least 1 pull-up

30. Learn self-defense


Do you have a bucket list or dreams you'd like to come true before your next big birthday?

5 resources I couldn't blog without

1. PicMonkey

I love using PicMonkey, because it's easy and free. You can do so much with it. 

2. Canva

First I didn't like Canva, but eventually it showed my how amazing it is. 

3. Photobucket

For me, Photobucket is the best image host option. 

4. Evernote

I love using my virtual notebook to keep all my blog stuff in order. It's so convenient when I'm not home or can't use my own laptop.

5. Stock photo sites

I'd like to only use my own images, but unfortunately I am one of THOSE people. Therefore I try to find pretty and free images from Pixabay, Unsplash and morgueFile. They are my favorite.



What are your favorite blogging resources?

My must-have fall things

Scarves. When it gets chilly, I can't live without scarves. I have many, but I'm constantly looking for new ones. 

Jazz. There's nothing better than Renee Olstead's smooth voice when it's getting cold outside and the leaves are changing color. 

Candles. No explanations needed.

Hot Chocolate. American bloggers (yes I generalise) need pumpkin lattes. I don't. Fist of all, I hate coffee. Secondly pumpkin is not "a big deal" here in Finland. What I need, instead, is hot chocolate. With whipped cream. From a pretty mug.

Rubber boots. I love Hai rubber boots. They are perfect when you have to walk across puddles. I think I need the pretty mint green ones!

What about you? DO you have any must-have fall things?

A Message to Taylor Swift

If you agree, please retweet! It would be amazing, if Taylor Swift saw this tweet.

Wouldn't it be amazing if @taylorswift13 wrote a song to help Syrian refugees! #TaylorSwift #refugeecrisis #SyriaCrisis #syrianchild

— MrsK (@iammrskBLOG) 4. syyskuuta 2015

5 On Friday

1. Liz Lemon

I've been sick almost a week. I'm better now, but I had a high fever plus other annoying symptoms. I ended up watching 2 seasons of 30 Rock in my bed. I love love love Liz Lemon and Kenneth!

2. Lists lists lists

You know I got a job and blah blah. Now I'm making lists of things I need to pack with me, buy for my apartment (which I still don't have) and things I need to remember to do.

3. Minutes

There's a song that's really been on my mind this week. It's Minutes by Praise Unit (you can check it out on Spotify). 

"What you do with your life this minute, can change your life forever."

4. Remember to link up!

Next Tuesday remember to link up your craft projects etc. to Awesome Things Tuesday! Such a fun link up!

Last week I shared my Cheese Delights and Small Magazine Bowl Project there there and found lots of new interesting projects!

5. Twitter

Wanna make me really happy? Follow me on Twitter.

3 teacher outfits

I'm not only preparing myself for the new job spiritually and mentally. I'm also updating my wardrobe. Here are 3 outfits I'd love to have! 

1. Everything from Zalando

2. Everything from Zalando

3. Everything from H&M