New Years Resolution: No Shopping Challenge

Inspired by Leo Babauta and his Buy Nada Challenge I wanted to challenge myself as well. This past year I've thought a lot about Clearing my Clutter and me wanting less, because materialistic things do not make me happy. Read my first I want less, here and now post here and the second one about clothes and clutter here. 

Last week, I came up with the idea: well why not stop shopping for half a year since I've also wanted to save up money for a big trip in the summer. I thought it over and over again and was like: hmm.. I might not be able to do it, but maybe step by step? One month, then three months and then finally six? However, this morning, I just read an article about The Trouble with 2nd Hand Clothes by BOF and the very last part was really insisting:

“It doesn’t do justice to us or to fashion. Fashion should be about cherishing clothes and creating an identity, [but today it's] based on constant adrenalin and the excitement of purchasing. There is no anticipation or dreaming. Nothing lasts or is looked after. We each have a mini-landfill in our closets.”

As I mentioned before: I want less, here and now is a work in progress, so this will be Step #2 about clothes and clutter. I've set up myself five rules to follow by for the next few months.

1. Today, I am making a commitment that I will not shop clothing, accessories, beauty products for myself until June 30th, 2014.

 2. Except necessities like running shoes or underwear, if they break, or essential products like shampoo, which ran out. 

3. If I need a sweater or a cardigan or something super badly, 

I will find other ways to get it. Maybe borrowing,

trading with friends, making my own?

4. Be creative: I try to be creative with my 'old' clothes as much as possible. Try to create new and different outfits and to try out some Do-It-Yourself-Projects. 

5. If I should give in, I will not be too hard on myself. I will reflect my consumption and move on with my commitment.

What do you guys think about the rules I've set for myself? Are you into it, too? What is your new year's resolution? Do you have any? I would love to hear from you and what you think about my No-Shopping-Challenge :) Of course, I will keep you updated and tell you about my experience :)

Happy New Year 2014

Happy New Year friends ♥

I wish you all the best for the upcoming year,

many wishes, much health and many hugs and kisses.

So much love to share with you.

2013 was full with ups and downs, but I'm stepping into the new year with more strength, happiness, motivation

and confidence. 

Thank you to everyone who was there for me when I was down,

and thank you to everyone who laughed with me during my ups
:) I love you ♥

And thank YOU for everyone who is reading my posts
and sharing the same ideas and thoughts with me.
I will definitely keep up the blog and 
cannot wait for 2014 and what it has in store for me :)
♥ Super excited and ready to spread out more love ♥  
 xoxo

Mindful Monday: Thoughts on 2013

I actually wanted to show you guys a lovely book, which I got for my birthday, but this will be for next Mindful Monday then ;-) So, I came across these 25 questions to ask yourself before the end of the year by MindBodyGreen and tried to answer a few of them. Now, I want what I've thought while answering the questions.

What lessons have I learned?

You are NEVER too old to learn something new. JUST DO IT.

No doubts, no fear. Embrace yourself, do whatever you want. Stay strong, everyone else is going through the same feelings and the same issues, they are going as far as you do, 

but can and will you make it further?

Always be nice and grateful, be the best version of yourself!

Do not hang around too much with people who don't understand you or drain your energy. Turn to those who inspire and bring out the best in you.

Always be open and stay curious, you never know what will happen next. 

Stay true to yourself and don't regret decisions and situations. 

How did I spend my free time?

With new hobbies. I've started a new passion called Longboarding in May this year. 

Read my longboard story here ;-)

Additionally I've found my way back to blogging.

When did I feel most creatively inspired?

When I met strangers, some became friends and the 2nd half of the year was very inspiring: with my internship at LesMads, with longboarding and fellow skaters,

with Off Color and Dreams, 

with small moments in life like taking a walk with my mother

or doing random acts of kindness :)

When have I felt the most alive?

Longboarding ♥ 

How can I improve my relationships?

More patience, my dear. 

Learn to let go of the past, forgive people and you have a decision to change your behavior every single day. 

Read my Flexible Mind post :) 

What would I like to cultivate?

Do more of what I love, have more fun. 

Don't take life toooo serious, but hey,

play hard, work hard ;-)

I want less and clearing clutter.
Trusting my gut more, decide intuitively.

How can I be kind to myself?

Stop watching and comparing to others, 

start doing and be the best YOU you can be!

As you can see, one of the best moments was getting into longboarding, which gave me so much. More freedom, more creativity, more action and more fun :) I truly love it and after the small tour today, I don't want to miss it anymore. Other than that I'm still learning, it's a lifelong journey and I am grateful for all these magic moments that happened this year, next year it will be even better ;-) Do you have any new year's resolutions? I will post mine soon, so stay tuned!

What else did I learn this year? 

Take the good, leave the bad. Making new friends is so inspiring and YES, life is good.

It ALWAYS depends on how you look at it.

Be KIND to strangers, life is full of surprises

and magic moments ♥

Tips on how to get well soon :)

Yes, why? Because I was sick over the christmas holidays and I thought, why not give my get-well-soon tips to you? And here they are :)

1. Sleep and Rest
Nothing new, same story every time ;-) I think, whether or not you're a working bee, you just have to give in. At the latest when your body calls for it and says: STOP! Your body will force you to go to bed, to rest and to yes, stay there for a bit...  It's always hard for me to admit that I didn't get enough sleep the last few weeks and then, to really take my time to rest.

2. Hot Lemon/Ginger Water
This is my Go-To-Water whenever I feel sick or have a cold because lemon will detoxify your body and ginger will cure your illness. My mum always tells me to drink lots of hot ginger water and you can even eat a small piece of raw ginger to help your throat. Read more if you want to know why you should drink warm water with lemon.

3. Herbs, Greens, Vegetables and Fruits
As always, fuel yourself with lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. Especially right after the holidays when I ate heavy food, I'm longing for something light and fresh :) That's why I made myself a Green Juice yesterday. It's so fast to make your own, for instance this one consisted of a kiwi, half an avocado, some zucchini, a few slices of lemon, some ginger et voilá you'll have your dose of vitamins and essential nutrients :) Read more about Green Juices here.

4. Frozen Berries 
This is a tip for anyone who is suffering a sore throat: my friend's mum told me to buy frozen berries, to suck and to eat them. They will work better than any cough drops you have from the pharmacy. Try it :)

5. Fresh Air
Go out, have a walk, not a jog ;-) and let the sun shine in your face (if there's some), breathe in some fresh air and be out in the woods, your body and mind will thank you for!

I hope you're getting better with these tips and really stay at home when your body calls for it! The holidays are over, I'm almost fit again, but will take it slow the next few days :) 

Slow down and breathe,
xo Minh

Merry Christmas x Happy Holidays!

I wish you guys lovely holidays and lots of fun with friends and family. Enjoy the days that you're home and cherish the few moments you have with them. And if you cannot be with your friends, send them Do-It-Yourself Postcards ;-) and let them know that you're thinking of them ♥ If you still need some nice recipes, check out the cookies and cakes!

Unfortunately I'm super sick right now.. again and wasn't able to post this week's Mindful Monday topic, but stay tuned for next week's thoughts ;-) My How-to-Get-Well-Soon-Post is coming up, too :) 

Sending you love and greetings from Berlin, 

xoxo M.