The last days of the year always prompt review and reflection. What did I do this year? How did it measure up to my expectations and hopes? What do I (dare to) wish for the year ahead?

​I alternate between thinking this kind of reflection is a necessary vs. a foolish exercise. Necessary because introspection and reflection are key to feeling aligned, valued and at peace with life, but foolish because it can sometimes put a heck of a lot of pressure on you when, really, January 1st is just a continuation of life as it was last week.

If you already followed me 12 months (and some 100 blog posts) ago, you might remember that I started 2017 off with 3 keywords as a theme for the year: abundance, passion and peace.

It was the first year where "feelings" really took center-stage in the vision I created for myself. After all, how you are feeling is the best measure of how you are really doing along your path, right?

I wished to be more mindful, more peaceful with my decisions and with life's curveballs, and more confident in my words, actions and personal policies. I focused my energy on achieving growth -- for my business, my career and my personal mindset. ​

I poured my passion, time and energy into Veni Etiam like never before. I made some bold decisions and ventured outside of my comfort zone more often than I stayed sheltered within it. I traveled to new places, absorbed them and photographed them with my heart wide open, and created new collections to channel part of their character. I applied the same sense of curiosity and appreciation for my own city, planning "staycations" to carve out time to experience and photograph it with different eyes. I participated in a ton of markets and shows where Veni Etiam was not known yet, forged new collaborations that felt aligned with my ethics and my vision, created exciting new products and met some stellar clients whose words of support have honestly stayed tacked on a billboard in my mind, fueling my passion and motivating me to keep creating. 

I poured my heart out in hundreds of blog posts and social media posts on Facebook and Instagram, striving to show you a personal side of me in each post, even though I feel quite vulnerable in doing so. I gave two interviews that I even feel shy to read over, and jam-packed my calendar with pop-ups, markets and shows so I could introduce you to my world in person. (Seriously, I felt like a travelling circus this year, but it was so worth it to interact with you offline! Thank you for coming by and for your loving reactions to Veni Etiam!).

For the first time in my life so far, I prioritized self-care, mindfulness, alignment and positivity as much as I humanly could. I realized this year how incredibly hand-in-hand mindset and abundance go. There is so much truth to principles of attraction and positivity, yet it is such a challenge to implement those good habits in our everyday frenzied existence. In my choices this year, I opted to make time for myself over social activities. I spent early mornings journalling, afternoons working from environments that inspired me, and evenings cooking and eating outdoors. I opted to be present and peaceful at home, to write, to exercise, to be accepting and to let go. These practices have reduced my anxiety and boosted my creativity. Despite some recurring challenges, my body and mind feel stronger and better able to cope with uncertainty, risk, fear and loss. 

​Because of these benefits, I made it a point to share these strategies and micromoments of wisdom with you this year, in posts focused on inspiration, balance and mindfulness.

In all my activities, I strove to let kindness, generosity and transparency guide all my interactions, while also paying closer attention to any energy unbalances - if what I put in was far greater than what came out of it, such that it cost me my peace, I learned to set new boundaries. I said no to what made me feel less valued. I said no to self-deprecation and doubt. I said no to worrying too far in advance. I said no to anything that perturbed my peace.

I continued to work with my team at Etsy Montreal to empower independent local businesses, doing part of the marketing and event photography for our shows, which are growing SO fast! I am also proud to have been an advocate for women's health on the sidelines, fighting daily for awareness and early detection of endometriosis and female cancers.

This year was nothing and everything I expected. It took me on a ride of experimentation, self-discovery and growth in every realm. Of course, it was not all shiny and perfect. There were also tears, fears, deaths, frustrations, days spent in bed, rejections, difficult conversations and difficult choices. Not to mention my beloved watch broke twice and I killed more plants this year than I ever have...

But, all in all, it was a good year.

I am carrying forward so many of these lessons and feelings that I want to amplify even further in 2018, and so much gratitude for all those encounters and experiences that made my heart feel full of passion and optimism.

This year, I wish to pour even more energy and passion into making my (many) dreams and projects reality. I wish to work even harder on maintaining that delicate balance and inner peace on as many days of the year as I possibly can. At the brink of this new year, I wish for magnetism - a beautiful pulse that attracts amazing connections and experiences my way so that I can be as creative, generous, energetic, passionate and kind as I feel like I'm meant to be in this life.

My dear followers, THANK YOU for a tremendous 2017 and for keeping me motivated and excited for what 2018 has in store. 

Leave me a comment below to tell me your 3 keywords for 2018. If you could conjure up a phenomenal year for yourself, what would it look like? I'd love to hear from you.

From my heart to yours.

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Entrepreneurship, like anything in life, involves quite a lot of trial and error. It starts with passion, curiosity and a vision. It requires a leap of faith, jumping into the void, experimenting, listening, adjusting. It takes a lot of motivation, patience and - yes - even a bit of luck.

It is rewarding, empowering, frustrating, liberating, discouraging, maddening, inspiring, head-consuming, thrilling and doubt-provoking. Entrepreneurship is often a journey involving many risks and resilience, a path that curves through unexpected but beautiful territory, a collection of several rights and many wrongs. 

When I launched my travel art shop, I initially didn't even realize that I was launching a business. I was a full-time scientist and had never ventured into entrepreneurship in any form, aside from selling lemonade like your average five year-old.

​I learned by doing, by being and by meeting inspiring individuals along the way.

It's easier said than done when we are consumed with hundreds of other voices each day. But, this remains the golden rule. Just be you. That is when you can be most consistent, most unique and most magnetic. No one else is you, so no one else can quite offer what you offer, in the way that you offer it. In the overwhelming face of competition, learn to shift your focus back onto who YOU are and how that fuels what you create. There is a place for everyone, because everyone has their own unique twist. It seems rather basic, but it takes mental training to hold onto this mindset in the business world.

We are storytellers. We gather, we tell, we live by sharing and consuming stories. It's only natural, then, that stories help people connect with us and what we offer. Stories allow your voice and your personality to shine through. They help people get to know you and want to keep you in their life - whether you are half a block or half a world away from them. It helps them relate to you and trust you. On your website, in your social media posts, in your tutorials, share the stories behind your brand.

When we first create our businesses, we base ourselves on our vision, our talents, our training and our values. We work SO hard before launching our special offering (whether it's a new collection or a new course), it's tempting to just shout out, "Here it finally is! Go get it!" and to want to sink back into our chairs and wait for the rest to take care of itself. But if you speak to very successful entrepreneurs, they will confess that it was not an overnight success. The key for many business owners has been to, simply put, give the people what they want, even if their first launch was something completely different (and often a true flop). 

It's really key to welcome and use feedback from your ideal customers to fine-tune what you offer. Be attentive to how others' react to your work and how they describe your business.

If you sell physical products like I do, this is what is so great about being present at pop-up shops or shows. Who are you connecting with? What words are they consistently using? Which products spark conversation or evokes an emotive response in them? If you mostly sell online, consider sending a short survey to your customers or encourage them to leave you a review. Listen to the traits they focus on when they describe you. Then, work to amplify those traits in everything you create and the way you present your creations. 

Whether we like it or not, this is how we roll. Social media with a strategy is vital to getting our message out there, interacting with our target audience, and sharing our story. Without a strategy, social media is ineffective at best and actually harmful to the brand at worst. It can suck up a HUGE amount of time, energy and motivation. To avoid feeling stuck on a hamster wheel, it takes thinking, planning and consistent execution. It is better to create content with a purpose in mind then to spread yourself thin by pouring effort into showing up just for the sake of showing up. 

Some of us might really hate putting ourselves out there online. It's one thing to put together a website or Etsy shop with descriptions about ourselves, our story, our business and our work, but the worst part is that once it is all out there, we still have to repeat it! It took me a while to realize that not everyone would know the text on my website by heart (ha ha!) and shoppers landing on my Etsy shop would probably not even read the product descriptions! It's important to repeat ourselves now and then, so that people who just stumble upon us have a sense of what we are all about. You'll notice that even your Facebook friends (who follow your personal page and regularly see your shares from your business page) may take time to become familiar with you and buy from you!

Trust yourself, what you offer, what your brand is all about and what your price-point is. It's easy to feel imposture syndrome now and then, not only when you are just starting out. But, at the end of the day, trusting your value and expertise will attract others to trust you as well. You are doing this because you believe in its mission. When something happens to shake that belief up, don't let it derail you.

You may not be an expert in ALL the facets related to your work, your craft and your business. That is okay. Actually, it's GREAT! You don't have to wait until you are an expert in order to be successful. It's better to start, dive in and learn by doing. You'll invest in yourself to develop those areas that are further outside of your comfort zone, or you'll collaborate with someone whose strengths are your weaknesses. As sole owners of our businesses, we have to wear so many different hats and do so many different tasks, so we come to expect ourselves to be good at all of them. But, that false belief can be paralyzing and can lead to a whole lot of procrastination. 

It's good to say no. Did I just say that? It took me SO LONG to learn this, in all areas of my life! If something is not sitting well with you, if it is causing you to want to vent, it means it is not aligned with your essence, your priorities, your values or your vision.

Ask yourself: Is this going to bring me closer to my goals? Is this something that will be brand affirming? Will it take me in a direction I'll be happy about? Do I have time for it without burning out or compromising my other priorities? 

Pay close attention when the answer to any one of these questions is NO. And, if it is, please remember that you have your reasons and your reasons are always valid. Although you may be tempted to express them as a justification to the person you are turning down, you don't really need to justify your choices. 

We are constantly learning. That is the beauty (and curse) of life! Train yourself to look at every circumstance, success and failure as constructive, as fluid and as a blessing. Adjusting as you go along is part of the process. Feeling proud of little milestones - even negative ones, like your first bad review or first refund request - is important. Growth is never all positive, all the time. 

Invest in your professional development. Schedule it in. Create opportunities for learning. It is daunting but necessary to take up opportunities that are outside of our comfort zone and that involve a certain degree of risk. Sadly, there cannot be growth without risk. When you don't risk anything, you get too comfortable. If you take a risk to invest in yourself financially or with respect to your time commitment, you naturally strive to succeed to pay back that investment. It helps to add a little extra fire up your butt! 

It's important to leave breathing room in your schedule to create empty spaces for reflection and re-alignment. Carve out the time to revisit some approaches and practices - even the content on your website. Either schedule this time regularly or give yourself mini hiatus every year to systematically evaluate what worked, what worked less and where to go from here. 

​Sometimes, it’s not about where you go. It’s just about going.

It’s about changing your pace, your mindset, raising your eyes from your screen, stretching your neck, your back, your legs, breathing … and being.
 
It can be a place fifteen minutes away from your home, a place that is just simple enough that you (I!) won’t feel compelled to take 1364 photos and feel the overwhelming need to sort, edit, post and share urgently. Sometimes, disconnecting becomes urgent, and the only way to truly stop doing is by going.
 
Sometimes, the closest and simplest places can do a whole world of good for the body, mind and soul.

Last weekend, something snapped in me. I had experienced a string of sleepless nights, some mild anxiety and a noticeable (to me, at least) slump in my creativity and focus.
 
My to-do lists have been exceedingly long and complex this month, with tasks for vastly different projects bleeding into one another. A new collection, a new product line, a new season for events and buyers, new ideas for my content calendar, co-organizing and co-hosting a huge event (this one, if you’re curious), scientific deadlines, creative writing, health advocacy volunteer work and thoughts of a brand new project bubbling behind the scenes. Too many tabs open on my computer, too many thoughts competing for brain space. Colored post-it notes have been trying to rescue my ideas before they disappear like muted fireflies into the night, trying to catch them like an open palm tries to catch confetti.  
 
What’s to be stressed about?

​So, by Friday, I had decided that I needed Nature, time away from my devices, fresh air, an open space, the comfort of crickets and sunshine, a body of water and a canoe.

​We set out to a National Park which, contrary to any of the parks we have been to thus far, lies just beyond the urban city limits. Destination: the Boucherville Islands. We packed wholesome food, clothing that allowed for Nature to throw either hot summer or crisp autumn air our way, and we left the burden of time behind us on the mainland.
 
On the canoe, I let myself feel the waves of other bigger boats. I appreciated the infinite ripples on the water’s surface when the breeze picked up. I took notice of the scraggly sea plants under the clear water reaching up to grab hold of us, and let the sun warm my face and my arms as my paddle sliced through the river again and again.

​In sunset light, I walked for a long time, in golden fields livened by a symphony of crickets, cicadas and frogs. The light played on wild flowers and in my hair. In the cool shady spaces between rows and rows of slender trees, I came within a couple of feet from deer - they watched me watch them, each of us curious of the other. I let butterflies and dragonflies circle me, chase me, land on me and continue on their way, with their own secrets carried on their colored wings. 

It is amazing how the heart opens up in nature, hushing the mind a little, making sure the sounds of rustling reeds and crickets silences worry, stress and doubt.

One foot in front of the other, over roots, leaves, footpaths and grass, with the path becoming visible only little by little, revealing itself only at every bend. If a bending path can feel so good in sunset light, it can surely feel good in everyday life. ​

​Last weekend, I threw myself into Nature’s arms, like a little girl running in the fields and befriending butterflies.
 
If there is one thing I have learned over the last two years - in life, academia and business - it is to listen to the needs of your body and mind, and to recognize the need for a shift in mindset and pace when it comes.
 
And if there is one thing I have always known, it is that places call, and that we feel whole when we listen.
 
From my heart to yours.

It's no secret to you by now that I love to write. But, now and then, I do love to lose myself in others' words and photographs. 

Here are 5 books that I keep handy on my shelf and LOVE to flip through:

• 52 lists for happiness. I LOVE THIS BOOK! I can't get enough ot it, or its sequels. This book's mission is actually to inspire you to fill its pages - it is a book of lists, as the title suggests, that prompt you to contemplate what brings you joy, to reflect on your past experiences, and to invest in your values, passions and goals. When you read Moorea Seal's table of contents, her 52 lists may seem daunting at first. But, the truth is, they are extremely rewarding to explore. At the bottom of each list is a little "take action" bubble, which gives you the impetus to do something with the list you just thought up -- something that will align you more clearly with what brings you happiness and makes you feel fulfilled. I have tremendously enjoyed sitting in my little urban garden each morning and taking 10 minutes at a time with this book. I like to open it up a random page and see whether the list speaks to me at that moment. Focusing my thought and my energy onto this exercise of reflection has left me feeling content, fulfilled and empowered each time! You have to try it! Find out more about 52 lists for happiness and 52 lists for Calm (for soothing anxiety and creating a peaceful life). 

• Falling Cloudberries. I have always had a weak spot for cookbooks, but those written by Tessa Kiros are just dream-inducing. I first discovered Tessa's series of cookbooks when I landed on her book called Venezia, which is essentially THE perfect combination of scrumptious recipes, dreamy storytelling and gorgeous photography. Fun fact: it was Venezia that made me fall in love with the art of food photography and changed my way of looking at things very early on, when I first began to experiment with a camera. Falling Cloudberries is replete with Tessa's family recipes that blend cultures and generations. As usual, the photography by Manos Chatzikonstantis makes you drool as much as the ingredients do. I highly recommend all her books, but I find this one has a great variety of recipes at different levels of complexity. Find out more about Falling Cloudberries.

• How to Be a Wildflower. My Mom gave me this book and it is literally filled with inspiration, childish wonder and fresh air. Katie Daisy is an illustrator who is deeply inspired by the natural landscape that surrounded her during her childhood. Wildflowers, creeks, cornfields, hummingbirds, fireflies, and star constellations are alive and well between the colorful pages of this magical book of illustrations and quotes. As you flip through its pages, you can feel the summer breeze, smell the earth, the trees and the flowers, you can see the golden light of the setting sun in the cornfields, and the movement of the fresh linen hanging on the line. Katie has captured childhood and nature in her pages. She calls it a field guide and encourages you to travel with it and record your own inspirations, even giving you space to press flowers between the pages. Reading it, you can't help but feel more aware, more grounded and more connected to nature and life. I loved it so much, I bought some of Katie's prints for my garden. The book makes a wonderful gift for anyone who loves nature, illustrations, quotes and the simple joys in life. Find out more about How to Be a Wildflower.

• 111 Places in Venice that You Must Not Miss. If you know me a little bit, I don't have to go into extreme detail about why I love this book! I stumbled upon Gerd W. Sievers' book this summer and I was instantly hooked. For someone who has known and loved Venice for decades and has even studied Venetian art history, I was over the moon about how this book has made me discover new interesting facts about my lagoon city. It goes sestiere by sestiere, dedicating two pages to a place - sometimes a monument, an architectural detail or a food - and interwoven in its description are elements of history, culture, myth and legend. It is written in a style that is enjoyable and easy to follow; you can easily pick up where you left off. Photographs and practical information (about opening times, vaporetto stops and other visitor tips and trivia) make the book a multi-purpose guide for Venice lovers. Find out more about 111 Places in Venice that You Must Not Miss.

• The Mindfulness Pocket Book. This book is the perfect book to own if you want to improve in your practice of mindfulness on a daily basis. Gill Hasson has filled this book with meaningful, realistic exercises to help you to slow down, to notice, to feel aligned and peaceful and in control of your perspectives and reactions. What I love about this book is the way the content is organized - it is concise, impactful and super easy to immediately get value out of its pages. You don't have to read the chapters in order and, although it is a small book, it is so rich that you can learn from revisiting its content more than once. It is also filled with quotes to reflect on. I have gifted this book to friends and family, and I love keeping it accessible so that I can refer to it often. Find out more about The Mindfulness Pocket Book.

I hope you found a little bit of inspiration in this post!

Tell me: Have you read any of these 5 books? Which one is up your alley?
Leave me a comment and let me know. I love to hear from you!

From my heart to yours.

Lately, I've made it a priority to pause and make a mental note of the simple joys that make a difference in my day. It helps me become better attuned to what influences my mood, my mindset, my health and my productivity. 

On Instagram, I shared one of my simple recipes for a positive day:
(click on each item to learn more about it)

• Strong morning coffee in my #LoveIsLove heart mug
• A perfect book of lists by Moorea Seal to open on a random page and feel empowered and inspired
  
• ​A blank to-do list, ready to host the day's ambitions
• ​My favorite notebook which houses my outlines and notes for my book, my blogs and my scientific aspirations
• The blue pen I carry e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

What are some of your tools for a positive day? Leave a comment and let me know. 

From my heart to yours.

That time of year has come. The time to pull myself away from to-do lists and into vacation mode. I recently mentioned on Instagram how I have been on the go for months now, with my mind in super overdrive to achieve my goals in business and in science. If you followed me last summer, you might remember how challenging it was for me to snap into mindfulness and to let go of anything that kept my mind from being still. It was one of my major resolutions this year to practice mindfulness in ways that felt reasonable and accessible to me – in other words, without having to dramatically change my lifestyle in a way that would be difficult to uphold. 

In the spirit of this resolution and to mentally prepare myself for my vacation so that I actually enjoy it when it comes, I made a list (of course!) of what I would like to consciously work on to slow down my pace.

Without further ado, here are the 40 pieces of advice I offered to myself to be less wrapped up in a hurried existence, and more peaceful this summer.

1. Wake up to a feeling, not a device. Take two minutes each morning to notice, breathe, visualize, stretch or cuddle, before you reach for any device.

2. Wait your turn. When sharing food or conversation, be aware of turn-taking.

3. Walk slowly. Leave earlier to get where you need to get, and don’t rush.

4. Accept what you are presently doing. Stop thinking of what you are not doing or where you think you should be instead.

5. Reflect on the silver lining. Every day has at least one.

6. Read, don’t skim. It becomes a tough habit to break and, before you know it, you won’t be an attentive reader anymore.

7. Write a handwritten letter. Pay attention to your handwriting. Don’t hurry.

8. Make a to-do list. Then make another one. Why? Because in the first one you mistook yourself for a superhero on steroids.

9. Pretend you’re retired for a day. What will you choose to do?

10. Stop yourself from getting annoyed by slow walkers or slow waiters. Why are you so impatient?! (If it's because you're in a rush, go back to #3)​​

11. Get some morning sun. No matter how busy you are, ten minutes of your face pointed to the sun is always worth it.

12. Have a to-be list. Think not only of what you want to do in a day, but also want you want to be.

13. Wait for the light to turn. In the grand scheme of things, waiting a few extra seconds for a green light won’t hurt.

14. Put your fork down between bites. Either that or use chopsticks to slow down your eating.

15. Remember that being busy is a choice and completely within your control.

16. Schedule a mid-day “check-in” with yourself. How are you feeling? How are you breathing? Have your priorities changed? Are you being kind to yourself?

17. There is no such thing as a wasted day. A different day than you planned, perhaps. But wasted – never.

18. Stop measuring your self-worth in “likes”. Be yourself and let go of all else, before you tumble into self-doubt.

19. Let the waiter come to you. Don’t call him/her over if it’s not urgent.

20. Buy yourself flowers. Then, stop to look at them.

21. Go to bed. When the thought crosses your mind, you are tired. Don’t cram anything else into your day.

22. Picture a place where you have been at peace. Lose yourself in that imagery while you are in bed in the morning or at night. While doing so, relax your eyebrows and jaw, unclench your fists.

23. Stay. If you can’t travel, book a “staycation” and pretend you’re away. It takes discipline but it is so rewarding to be off exploring your own city.

24. Stop checking the weather. It’s not a certainty anyway. Instead, be prepared to accept whatever comes.

25. Hear the birds. I mean, really hear them.

26. When you eat, eat. If you work or read while eating, you will gobble it up without even tasting it.

27. Tidy an area once a week. Whether it’s your desk, your clothes or that stash of receipts you keep in your wallet – going through a small area once a week helps feel lighter.

28. Swim. Inside, outside, in the tub – wherever. Just carve out time to be immersed in water.

29. Set boundaries. Don’t let your work expand to fill all the time you have.

30. Make a point to go to nature. It does so much good for the soul and puts everything into perspective.

31. Slow down your speech and the questions you ask. It will automatically slow down your mind.

32. Enjoy the silence. Don’t fill it with anything.

33. Say NO to notifications. Almost nothing is urgent enough to require you to know about it (and respond to it) in a fraction of a second. Especially not Facebook. Nope, not even Instagram.

34. Transition between work and home. Make time to slowly unwind between the two rather than rushing between them.

35. Tell yourself: “Everything is going as it should. I am happy”, and watch your reality follow.

36. Look up. Notice the sky or the leaves of a tree.

37. Sit quietly with a notebook in your hand. What will you write when your heart is still?

38. Lose track of time. Remove your watch, put away your devices and enjoy not caring what time it is for a day.

39. Save it for tomorrow. Truth is, sometimes our to-do lists are too ambitious. Transferring an item or two (or three) to another day won’t cause the Earth to implode.

​40. Watch your mouth. Cut out any negativity in the words you use, especially to talk about yourself. Be sure to balance complaints with gratitude, until positivity wins over.

It is my dream to be able to do all of these effortlessly, knowing that with a slower pace and increased patience comes a sense of acceptance and calm. Resistance and tension then dissipate to make room for clarity and inspiration, which unlocks so much of our potential. Our ability to cope with challenges strengthens and we begin to attract all sorts of good into our daily life.

TELL ME:
Which ONE of these do you swear by?
Which of these do you want to try?
I would love to know your thoughts. Don't forget to share this post if you think a friend could benefit from this list!

From my heart to yours!

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I am one of those odd freaks of nature who thoroughly enjoys organizing and cleaning. So much so, that I do it habitually, before tasks accumulate to a daunting level. That being said, there are some tasks that I only do once or twice a year, usually with the change in seasons (we all know Montreal has only two main seasons: winter and not-winter).

There is something wonderfully liberating and uplifting about putting some order to your world.

If you absolutely dread it, here are 6 straightforward strategies to focus on this spring. They may be simple, but they will have a positive impact on your space and your own energy.

Follow your normal dusting and vacuum routine but spend more time being extra meticulous. Get to baseboards, inside cupboards, tops of furniture, door frames, ceiling fans, window sills, under appliances, inside frequently used drawers. 

To gear up for a new season (and new fashion trends), force yourself to mercilessly throw or give away old shoes, boots and clothes. Be extra strict with that elusive "clothes-I-might-wear-someday-once-I-get-through-wearing-all-the-other-things-I-like-better-and-all-the-new-things-I’ll-inevitably-buy-or-maybe-I-should-keep-this-just-for-painting" category. You’ll feel hugely liberated when that is done
(Confession: it’s the task I personally find most daunting). 

Cleaning the windows and window-tracks is one of the things I am most eager to do once the snow finally melts. Wait for a cloudy day so that the glass cleaner doesn’t evaporate and leave streaks on your windows. It’s incredible how the light in your place changes once this is done.

Everyone, even the most organized folks, have a spot that is notoriously known for being their temporary dumping ground. Dedicating some time to decluttering that space provides great relief. 

As someone who is sensitive and highly responsive to how my space feels, I try to practice this on a daily basis. The idea is to leave a room in a state where it doesn’t look like you’ve been there (and shoving everything into the cupboards or under the bed doesn’t count!). It adds effort to your daily routine but the advantage is that it doesn’t feel as much like a massive “spring cleaning” if you do it little by little. It may even turn into a happy habit!

​To celebrate the beginning of spring and summer, adding something fresh to your decor serves as a wonderful pick-me-up. Whether it’s a new rug or pillow, coffee table or art on furniture or on your walls, your eyes will be drawn to your new addition and it will make you feel good. 

As a general tip, start with the smallest task and give yourself 20 minutes to get into it. It takes the pressure off of having to devote a whole day to spring cleaning.

Have a crucial tip to add? I’d LOVE to hear it! Leave a comment below.

Happy Spring!

From my heart to yours.

​The winter blues are a real thing. Many people experience a slump in their mood over the long winter season, and feel themselves breathe deeply with relief when spring finally arrives at our door. Spring intrinsically brings a sense of renewal -- new energy, a clean slate and budding opportunities. The sunlight has a different quality, the days are longer and, once the rain washes away the drab and dirt of winter, colors are saturated and the air is crisp.

It sometimes takes me a bit to truly get into the rhythm of spring, to feel lighter both in terms of my wardrobe and my mood, and to prepare myself for all that will inevitably blossom over the next months.

This spring, I am trying to exercise a “good vibes only” mindset, which can sometimes – due to our reactions to extenuating circumstances – be challenging to maintain.  

​I have been consciously trying to hold onto certain mantras that keep me focused on the good, while pushing out anything that - however momentarily - might bring me down.

Here are 8 'mantras' I have been prioritizing to maintain a positive mindset this spring.

​We hear this a lot, and yet it is such a luxury to practice this when we are caught up in our busy, stressful, fast-paced routines. I feel so much better when I drop some tasks to just do something I love, like sit in the park, write, swim, sing, go for an ice cream or work on my business. Stressors tend to dissipate when you are emotionally equipped to deal with them, and emotions tend to respond well to a change of pace and environment that allows you to just be you. 

​I have had the fortune of discovering and practicing this mindset over the last 10 months or so. It stems from a solid understanding of what matters to you at your core, and what only brings you anxiety because it clashes with those very values and goals. If you have an idea in mind of what you want your day or week or season to be, feel free to distance yourself from whatever (or whoever) does not fit with that feeling you want to create for yourself. As you do this more and more, you’ll soon be surrounded ONLY by the opportunities, people and tasks that you truly want for yourself. As a result, you’ll find yourself complaining a lot less about peripheral things that you have eliminated. 

I have this written on a post-it note on my desk. It helps stay optimistic but also serves as a reminder for a person to know his/her worth. When one thing doesn’t come to you, trust that something else soon will, because you deserve it. 

​This is a trick my Mom trained me on. It’s essentially a total distraction / consolation strategy, but it works in elevating your vibes to a higher level, so that good things come back to you rather than the negativity you may be putting out. It’s a fun exercise to take your bad mood and to feed it all the things you love about your life, all the faces you cherish, all your favorite places and memories, all those flattering things people have told you that have uplifted you at a moment in time. Let your mind cycle through this collection of vignettes at light-speed, and be attentive to how your face softens around the eyes and mouth!

This was an epiphany I had thanks to Alex Beadon, when we were talking about sudden and unexpected shifts in passions, careers and brands, and the feelings of guilt and pressure that are often associated with making such changes. Alex made me realize that everything we do, study, work on and create leads us somewhere, even if we can’t always draw a straight line from point A to point B. If, with the skills we acquire and the people we meet along the way, we realize that our mission has shifted, we should not judge the path that led us there, nor should we ever think something is a waste or a detour. Often, life events culminate in our current reality in messy (but beautiful) ways, and we don’t have to judge ourselves or feel affected by the judgments of others for those beautifully curving roads along the way.

​This is SO HARD if you are like me and setbacks or irritations stick to your skin for longer than you’d wish. Going back to #2, think: “Is this essential in any way?” and, if it’s not, try to keep it at bay. It helps me to visualize a sort of impenetrable white beacon around me, with me safely going on with my life with all the crap deflecting off the shield. This is eventually how you learn to float above hurdles and annoyances (admittedly, I am not there yet).

​I recently read a quote that made me blatantly realize that nothing in nature blooms year-round, so why should we expect ourselves to be in a constant state of bloom? Comparison and competition (with others or oneself) is such a plaguing habit. It’s healthy in some ways, but so detrimental in that it can rob us of joy and mindfulness. These days, I try to appreciate everything I do, no matters its speed, reminding myself that life is not meant to be a race, and it is much more valuable when it is enjoyed. For ambitious folks (like me), this mindset feels impossible to maintain, but practicing it at least a little helps to alleviate some of the crippling pressure. 

​No matter what is going on in our lives, there are small pockets of momentary bliss where we feel okay - whether it’s a moment bracketed by laughter during an evening with friends, or the tranquility brought on by a sip of wine, or sunshine on your face, or gratitude for a bus you happened to catch. In those micromoments of happiness, however fleeting, I consciously tell my brain, “I’m happy”. It sounds silly, but relief, optimism and gratitude follow – all of which are feelings that attract more good things.

Tell me: Can you relate to any of these?
Leave a comment to connect – I would love to hear from you.

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1. Follow your heart

It sounds incredibly cheesy as business advice, but sometimes I am just incredibly cheesy. Pay attention to what you gravitate towards, what you love to do, what you’d love to share with others. You may not want to start a full-time business out of a hobby – and that’s totally reasonable – but if there’s something you’re passionate about and want to do more with, the first step is searching within yourself to pinpoint exactly what you can do. Sometimes life has a way of showing you what you’re good at, again and again and again, until you decide to make something more out of it. 

2. Believe that you can

​It can be daunting to chase a dream – even more daunting to dabble in things you have no idea about, like websites, licenses and accounting. But there is nothing more important than constantly reminding yourself that you can do anything with a little motivation and time. Finding the right balance between pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone yet being kind to yourself is really key. Often, we dwell on what we think are limitations to our success, but as someone wise consistently points out - these are only excuses! Think about all the crazy things you let your mind believe in a day. Why wouldn't you believe in your own potential? It takes time to retrain your brain to be on your side. You’ll have to be patient until you get the hang of it. 

3. Be clear on your mission and be yourself

​Doesn’t it feel like most people are entrepreneurs nowadays? Aren’t there tons of people on Etsy or in your community who do something similar to what you do? That’s why it’s so important to be clear on your mission and to find your own spin or niche. Most often, the fresh spin is related to your own personality, your own story and your own strengths. Those are the characteristics that set you apart from others and that make your mission appealing to others, so channel your uniqueness in your business. 

4. Don’t be afraid to jump

​It sounds like permission to be reckless. But what it is, is permission to take risks. There are always risks involved with starting something new, shaking up your status quo. There are also risks to business. There is always a lot to learn, and with the rate at which things change in our modern world, you can never learn it all. You should thoughtfully reflect, brainstorm, research, read up on resources and plan. But ultimately, you’ll have to take a leap of faith and learn as you go. 

5. Invest in resources and find a mentor

​It still astonishes me daily just how there is a wealth of information online FOR FREE, and how even incredible courses from world-renowned individuals can be FREE of charge. Make sure that "professional development" is on your routine to-do list for your business. This is something I only started doing at the end of last year, in the 2nd year of my business. I can honestly say that investing time in reading, watching videos, finding mentors and subscribing to their resources has accelerated my personal and professional growth in ways that could not be underestimated. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and to fall behind, so carve out time to find, digest and implement information from resources.

I hope you enjoyed these 5 tips and this collection of Etsy shops whose owners are chasing their dreams! Are you thinking of starting your own business?

Let me know in a comment which one of these tips resonated with you.
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This was Part 3 of the Birthday Blog Series. Veni Etiam Photography is celebrating its two-year birthday this month. Stay tuned for more of the 7-part blog series and take advantage of the special PAIRDEAL birthday promotion until January 31st.  

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