Tag: #positivevibes

Gratitude for Nature and Time Outdoors- Day 16 2025

Reflections

Four days away from work and I finally feel refreshed. What a blessing! The funny thing is that now my brain feels like it has all its tabs open. I have not been able to focus on anything. I feel like I am in overdrive. 🤷🏽‍♀️

This year, my garden surprised me twice. The Bearded Iris that my aunt gifted me about 5 -6 years ago finally flowered. I was delighted. Today, I looked out the window and discovered that the onion I planted about a month or two ago rewarded me with four onions. I had to throw one away because it looked like a monkey or another animal had bitten into it. My lilies flowered for the first time in two or three years. I had been so disappointed the last couple of summers when they did not flower. I love lilies.

My onions
My Bearded Iris

I got to experience sunrises and sunsets in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Ballito this year. I am always in awe of Mother Nature’s work. She never paints the same picture twice and each one is breathtakingly beautiful.

The Blood Moon
Sunrise over Ballito
Path to the Beach in the south of Durban
Winter sunrise in Johannesburg
A view of Durban central from a soccer training field in Durban

All Pictures taken by the author

Let me leave you with a quote as always:

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

– John Muir

Image: Canva

What are some the wonderful experiences you have had with nature this year?

Thanks for popping in. Bye for now!

Grateful – Day 5 2025

Today I am grateful to have made it through the first week of December. I love that December (or Dezemba as we like to call it in South Africa) is a culture. It’s a whole vibe! It is the license we give ourselves to say I will chuck “it “in the f*ck it bucket and deal with “it” another time.

Today was a bright and beautiful day and it was a sweltering 32 deg C. A reminder that summer is just around the corner. Everyone is counting the days until they go on a break. I also had a fun morning creating content ideas with our brand team. I really enjoy working with them. When I think of how miserable I was at work a few years ago because I didn’t feel valued by some of the team members I worked with, it’s a reminder that nothing stays the same and that “this too shall pass”. I guess it’s another reminder to always just get out of my own way.

I am also grateful for the little weekend break I am getting as my son is away. Let me also take this opportunity to thank God for the favour he has granted over my son this year. My son achieved a subject award once again this year, played for the 1st team and was appointed as a prefect. That can only be God.🙏🏽

Image: Canva

What are you grateful for today? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for popping by.🌼

Getting back to me – Day 4 2025

A few months ago, I think I was listening to a podcast. One of the topics was about getting back to being yourself to de-stress. At the time I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with my job and new team. I took a moment to remember those times in my life when I was most relaxed. What did I do every day or most often?

I used to journal often. I have never really being a daily journal writer but I have used to write in my journal a few times a week. I also used to read a lot. So started to journal more often. I had become so lackadaisical about it that my entries were months apart. (Much like my blogging 🤪) I am back to journaling a few times a week. It really helps to clear my head.

Photo by Jess Bailey Designs on Pexels.com

I have always read but I had gotten into the habit of only reading non-fiction. I still enjoy them, but I didn’t realise how much I missed fiction until I decided to tackle the many unread books on my bookshelf. I have gotten back to enjoying Michael Connelly and Jonathan Kellerman. I have finally started reading Stephen Leather novels. I do find them a little slower than Connelly and Kellerman. It also drives me insane that his books do not have chapters. There are just paragraph breaks. Dan Shepard has grown on me though so I will continue to read Stephen Leather’s books. I also like the fact that his stories are set in the UK. I love just about everything British. The slowest books though are Robert Galbraith’s (aka J.K. Rowling). They seem to follow a similar story arc as the Harry Potter books. The bit in the middle can be quite convoluted but it always comes together pretty well. I do like Robyn and Comoran Strike so i will continue to persevere through all the convoluted middles.😁. I am really enjoying reading again and am grateful that I can read.

Photo by Prajwal on Pexels.com

I am always on the lookout for new authors, so do share any murder mystery or spy authors you enjoy.

I have to say that both reading and journaling have helped me get back to feeling like my old self again and this has helped lower my stress levels, and helped me gain perspective and clarity on certain things.

What have you done differently to relive stress this year? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for popping by.

Don’t forget to be amazing!