There’s no doubt about it that this year has been different from the rest. We are all stuck in lockdown and chaos amidst the Covid 19 situation. Our professional lives are suffering because of that and our romantic lives as well (at least to some extent). We cannot go out to discover the town or for fancy dinners, and enjoy our partner’s company. Even after the chaos settles, we may not be able to go out and do things like before.
As much as we hate this, we cannot help but accept it is necessary to stay low when there’s a pandemic outside. But who says you cannot have your dates right from the comfort of your homes?
You definitely can. Thank us later, because we are here with plenty of ideas for you to enjoy your dates like nothing has changed.
10 Romantic at-home Date Night Ideas
1. Have a movie night
What sounds like a perfect combo is a romantic movie and your beloved. If you cannot go out for movies, you can very well create a theatre right at your home with the help of a portable projector. You can also use a laptop if you cannot acquire a projector.
While you are at it, set up an ambiance, decorate the room with dim lights, cook delicious food, and cuddle up for a romantic movie marathon.
2. Have a game night
This is the best alternative if you want to make your dates both romantic and fun. Just get the table ready with your favorite games, be it poker or any other board games that you both like to play.
3. Wine and dine
Or perhaps you can just go simple and classy by having an at-home dinner with a glass of wine. To make it even more romantic, you can try and cook for each other.
Once again, you can set the ambiance accordingly, by adding in some dim lights, playing some romantic tracks, and lighting candles, all that you think can make your date perfect.
4. Karaoke nights
If you are a bad singer, don’t be afraid; just be assured that any relationship is incomplete without your partner listening to your bad, off-pitched singing voice. That is the fun right there.
You can set up a karaoke night for yourself, sing at the top of your voice, jam on your favorite songs, and laugh your ass off later.
5. Cook together
Using the three words to describe your feelings is just too mainstream. Ever thought of doing so the other way? Perhaps by cooking your partner’s favorite food or just cooking together? If you haven’t yet. Please do. Let your relationship be tasty as the food you will cook.
6. Have a dance-off
They were right when they said that we are the happiest when we dance. Well then imagine, dancing with the person who makes you happy? What will it look like – double happiness? Yes, why not!
So, both of you, get in your dancing shoes, be your craziest self, and dance like no one’s watching.
7. Simply watch the stars from your terrace or backyard
Imagine just laying and doing nothing but watching the stars holding each other’s hands. Feels so magical! No wonder why they do it in all the rom-coms. It’s just so romantic.
8. Paint together
Your special someone is the one with whom you can act like a kid, and they won’t judge you, but be all in. So, go get hold of your painting brushes, and paint canvases, or each other’s faces, have all the fun you can.
9. Read a book together
You might have watched a movie together, but have you ever read a book together? It’s just so uncommon that your partner will never anticipate it, and enjoy it at the same time if they are an avid reader.
If you find it hard to read through one book, you can consider switching to an audiobook instead.
10. Video games
Board games and video games are not the same. Video games deserve a different mention because they are addictive and fun at the same time. Just switch on the play-station, and be ready for a game battle.
Well, that’s it. I hope we helped you create a perfect date night right from the comfort of your homes. So just snuggle up, in the warm blankets (or not) and have one of the most beautiful nights of your life.
Have some ideas to share! Great, we are all ears. Feel free to drop them in the comments section.
Becoming a mother is life-altering in more ways than a woman can imagine. You find yourself swept up in the bustle and beauty of raising your kid(s), and it is a rewarding journey indeed. However, with motherhood comes so many difficult responsibilities, and somewhere between all the dirty diapers and the homework help, it’s easy for a busy mom to start losing parts of her identity slowly until the only identity she has is that of a mom.
And yes, it takes great perseverance and patience to be a mom. But, it’s not necessary that just because you are a mom, you cannot be anything else. Motherhood is a big part of your identity, but not the entirety of it. There is a life waiting for you outside motherhood. And you are only killing your own dreams and desires by depriving yourself of them.
You have to realize, you are a talented, hard-working woman who has dreams of her own, interests of her own, and you need to nurture that part of you as well. After all, you cannot be a good mother if you cannot set an example for your child on how important it is to love yourself.
Carving out a part of your world outside motherhood is something you owe to yourself. It’s time to stop neglecting the inner you and start showering her with love instead. Here are a few pointers on how you can find yourself beyond the identity of a mother.
How to have a Life of your own Beyond Motherhood
1) Spend some time with your friends instead of being cooped up in the house all day with the kids
It is so important to have some time when you can socialize with people of your own age and interests. You are allowed to have dinner with a friend or two once a week, to rejuvenate and recharge yourself. Not just an emotional vent, but being around people who share the same interests and life goals as you also helps you find your inspiration once more.
2) Be content with what you have while also striving for improvement
Life is a paradox of being satisfied with what you have while also working for more. And the key to mastering that balance is to stop comparing yourself with others, or your past self. Yes, there can be a genius mom who is also a business mogul, but if that’s not you, it’s still fine. You have your own talents, and you should focus on how you can nurture them while still being fair to your kids.
3) Learn the language of self-care
This is probably the most important and most neglected aspect. You need to take care of yourself while also taking care of your children, because if you don’t, there will come a time when you will burn out, and that’s neither good for you nor your kids.
So, consider having a day for pampering yourself while your hubby looks after the kids. Make sure that you are just as looked after as your children.
4) Alone time is important
Just like spending time with your friends is a way of recharging yourself, spending some time on your own is a way of realizing what you want from life in the long run. It can be just those fifteen extra minutes when you wake up in the morning, but it needs to be maintained regularly.
5) Remember what your lust for life was
Often, you get so swept up in family life that everything in your life becomes family-related. You forget where your passions lay as a youth, along with your hobbies, and your interests. It’s time you dust the cobwebs off and start engaging in an old hobby or find a new one to keep you motivated and happy beyond motherhood.
Being a mom is no piece of cake. But, it’s important not to lose your sense of self in the process of becoming a good mother. Your children learn from you, and the onus is on you to set an example for them on how to love yourself and work on your dreams while also being a successful mother and a wife. If you were lost, let this be your wake-up call. It’s time for you to carve your identity beyond motherhood.
The term ‘love language’ stems from Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages. In the original book, Dr. Chapman wrote about the five different ways of expressing love to your spouse. Those five ‘love languages’ were quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and receiving gifts.
While originally meant for romance and lovers, this concept has now broadened itself to self-care and self-love. Finding your self-love language is important for you to understand what kinds of self-care practices bring you the most emotional fulfillment. You can rely on this any time you need, but especially when you want to look outside yourself instead of to yourself.
How to find your self-love language
Find out which of these five self-love languages rank highest for you.
1)Receiving Gifts
How to find your self-love language
The most prominent way someone can show they love you is through gifts, then your love language is receiving gifts. But, come to think of it, how many times do we think of gifting ourselves?
The whole sentence might be laughable to many, and therein lies the issue. We are allowed to pamper our own selves with something nice from time to time. It doesn’t have to be expensive; it doesn’t have to be a big deal.
Just invest your money in something that makes you feel good about yourself. It can be as simple as treating yourself with an ice-cream twice a day.
2)Quality Time
Spending time with yourself is underrated. We should all have times in the day when we are alone with our thoughts.
Often, the pressure can be overwhelming, and the only way to deal with setbacks is through self-talk and introspection. Look inside and search for the solutions. Practice mindfulness or meditate. You will come out with a fresh perspective.
But that’s not all. Here are some other ideas that you can try to spend quality time with yourself–
Go on a solo date or trip.
Watch a movie that you absolutely adore.
Go on a hike.
Journal your thoughts.
Go out shopping.
Spring clean – organize everything and donate the items that you don’t want.
Have a spa day at home.
3)Physical Touch
You might be wondering how physical touch can relate to self-love. Well, it can, when you focus on your physical well-being as well as your emotional it can work wonders.
Get enrolled in some physical activities like Zumba or weight lifting or anything that you prefer. Find out which physical activity gives you the most joy. Start eating healthy and take care of your health. Do not slack when it comes to your physical fitness.
4)Words of affirmation
This is one of the easiest, most important, and yet often undone self-care practices. Self-talk and positive affirmations are the foundation of self-love. It’s so much easier for us to talk negatively to ourselves, then it is to say positive things.
We tell others what we admire about them, but how often do we care to pat our own backs on a big triumph? You deserve a compliment from yourself once in a while. Self-affirmations are often needed when you lack motivation. Celebrate your highs and lows with positive words of affirmation.
Here are some ideas for the same –
Figure out the positive affirmations that resonate with you and recite them daily.
Write a loving letter to yourself.
Compliment yourself.
Create a vision board to remind yourself of your dreams.
Forgive yourself for the mistakes you made in the past.
5)Acts of Service
How to find your self-love language
A lot of you might connect to this particular love language. Doing something kind for others or for yourself can lead to tremendous emotional satisfaction.
Be it donating to a charitable cause, indulging yourself in humanitarian activities, or giving yourself permission to relax, show kindness to others, and to yourself in whatever you do.
So, that’s all from my side. Now, it’s your turn. Find out which of these five self-love languages rank the highest for you. Implement them into your daily self-care routine. Later, come back and share your experience in the comments.
Before the arrival of the coronavirus, working from home was a privilege available to only a small fraction of society. It was reserved for Work from Home Moms, and many thought it was the easiest thing ever. Post the pandemic, everyone is working from home. And as easy as it sounds on paper, working from home is anything but a piece of cake. Many people cannot find the motivation to work in the place they have always known as home – a center of repose and rest.
The pandemic shows no signs of going away soon.
50 insane work from home productivity hacks
Here are 50 insane work from home productivity hacks to help!
Get dressed for work. For many, the feeling of getting dressed for office is a motivation in itself. So, wear what you normally would when you go to work. Then sit down in front of the computer. This will send signals to your brain, characterizing home as an office.
Get some sunshine. If you are feeling overwhelmed after working for hours, just pause and take a breather. Go for a walk. Don’t take your phone with you.
Don’t take your phone to bed with you at night. Switch off the email and social media notifications.
Coffee is your savior in the work from home environment. But don’t drink too much of it. Or else, you won’t be able to catch a good night’s sleep.
Get a good night’s sleep.
Get some houseplants to make your workspace green.
Never work in the kitchen.
Use Ethernet whenever you can, especially on deadlines.
Use noise-canceling headphones or earmuffs to block the unnecessary chatter out.
Say hello to Zoom and learn how it works.
Switch off your social media alerts when you sit down to work. Do not turn it on.
Take formal breaks like you would if you were really at the office.
Go out of the house after work is done. And recharge.
Create a designated workspace in your house.
Create a dedicated schedule.
Eat vegetables and fruits, drink plenty of water.
Trade your regular chair for an ergonomic, adjustable one from Amazon.
Don’t schedule back-to-back video conferences.
Change positions every now and then, instead of sitting straight for hours.
Never work in bed.
Put on shoes, as you would for going to work. This also gets you in that office headspace.
Make a habit of going to the gym. Or working out at home.
Wake up at least a couple of hours before work. So that you don’t just head off into work the minute you wake up.
Create a bedtime and morning ritual.
Use apps like Evernote to replace sticky post-its.
Set definite work hours.
Create a priority list.
Plan your days so that you don’t end up doing the same thing every day. For example, you could be doing A, B, C on Mondays and Thursdays while you do X, Y, Z on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Set boundaries with your friends and family. Create ‘Do Not Disturb’ hours and let your close ones know.
Stay in touch with your team, so that you do not slack off.
Get up and move, take your eyes off the computer screen for five minutes every hour.
Keep optimizing your workspace.
Don’t work on a laptop for long. Get a desktop installed.
If you have a pet or a baby or a sick child, adjust your work environment accordingly. Do what would be comfortable for you.
Invest in a standing desk.
Wireless keyboard and mouse are your saviors.
Use flexible monitor arms and touchscreens.
Focus on one task at a time.
Make sure you create backups.
Stay flexible.
Look for coffee shops nearest to your house in case your server is down and you have a deadline to meet.
Set up your workspace in natural light, and then next to an indoor plant. It will also lead to a more pleasant state of mind for working.
Stop working at the end of your scheduled work hours. Do not overwork.
Set simple, achievable goals so that you can get the most work done.
Listen to music while working, if that’s your thing.
Listen to audiobooks while you go to sleep.
Declutter your workspace and also keep it as neat as possible.
Use apps in full-screen mode.
Join Discord servers with people who have similar interests, so that you can socialize after work.
Hope this list helps you to kick butt at work and stay focused enough to get things done!
Despite being in the present, we are never in it. We are either still stuck in the past, or we try to stay in the future. Either way, we miss out on what we have right now, we take it for granted.
The key to happiness is just this, live every moment the best you can. One and the only way to do that is to stay in the present and value everything that you are doing and everything you have. That’s what you call mindfulness. In three words – STAYING IN THE MOMENT
Mindfulness has become quite an important concept in recent years because it can change lives. It can empower you to understand your thoughts better, live a peaceful life, and facilitate you to be stronger in your time of need. I feel it becomes more relevant when vacations or breaks come about, like summer or winter break.
If you haven’t practiced mindfulness yet, it’s time you should. We will be guiding you throughout.
7 practical ways to be more mindful
1. Do one thing at a time
When your focus is to be mindful, then you need to divert your attention to just one thing, not many. For instance, if you have piles of files to read, and a few more tasks like application filling, or anything else, do one thing at a time. While you are at it, focus on what you are doing right now, and nothing else. Doing so will not only boost your concentration but will reduce your stress and anxiety as well.
If you have many things to focus on, my favorite thing to use is this timer cube to set specific amounts of time to work on things. I try to use it when I have major deadlines and also need to shop for products for the next home renovation project we have going. It really does allow me to have a set deadline to work on things and when it beeps, I get to take a break or focus on something else. I feel it keeps me on track more and lets me focus on one thing at a time instead of trying to work on all the open tabs at once.
2. Focus on your breath
Do you know why breathing is integral in any kind of meditation? Because it helps in linking your body with your mind. When you are conscious of every breath you take, you are being in the present. I have learned to focus and actually breathe through stretching and yoga the most. Before I started doing those two things, I unconsciously would hold my breath and then be gasping for are doing the simplest of tasks. If you are going through something hard, focusing on the breath may be the thing that gets you through.
That’s not it; doing so can tremendously boost your concentration levels, and help you stay more productive throughout.
3. Practice active listening
There are a hundred noises that exist but you don’t hear them when you are engrossed in something. But these almost inaudible noises can help you become mindful, every day. You can listen to clocks ticking, or the sound of the fan. Literary any noises that you neglect daily.
My family knows I can hear almost everything, even when the room is noisy. I practice active listening and it allows me to remember and see and catch most things people miss because they are too worried about what they are going to say next and have no idea what is happening around them.
4. Listen to an Audiobook
If you happen to be a book lover, this is just for you. Listening to audiobooks can be entertaining and at the same time a great exercise to practice mindfulness and develop your listening skills. While you are at it, make full use of your imagination skills. Imagine as if you are in the book itself. Imagine every detail, picture everything the author is saying.
5. Go for a walk
You might not get a lot of ideas at your home, but walking in a park can offer you many. You just have to see everything there is to see on your walks. If there’s a kid in the pram, look at it, if a man is tying his shoes, look at him. Looking at things around you is a great way to practice mindfulness. If you have pets or kids, a walk is a great way to show them a new perspective as well as get out some energy. They might even give you some new ideas you didn’t think of as well.
If you happen to take a run as well, then notice how you breathe after being exhausted and tired. Notice the movements of your chest and stomach while you gasp for breath after the run. It’s just another way to sync your body and mind.
6. Practice meditation
Meditation and mindfulness go hand in hand, so much so that meditation is about mindfulness because it makes you focus on your thoughts and body at the same time. Meditation helps you discover things about yourself you didn’t think possible. When I first started meditating, I couldn’t quiet my mind so I used guided meditations. Then, as I did it more, and was used to it, I was able to quiet my mind on my own. Now, I use quiet moments throughout the day as a sort of meditation because I know what it feels like to be quiet in my mind. I find myself being much calmer when I take the extra moments to meditate.
7. Don’t count the pages
How often do you find yourself counting pages that are left to cover? I bet all the time. Stop doing it because it is the opposite of mindfulness. When you are worried about the remaining pages, you are not in the present but somewhere in the future for a few seconds. You don’t have to do that. Instead, you have to focus on the pages you are currently reading or writing, and that’s how you practice mindfulness.
As a kid, when we had to take the reading tests in school, to “win” I would read the first chapters of the book and skip to the end to take the test and read the most books. I didn’t work because I usually didn’t get all the questions right to pass the test. I learned then and there, it’s so important to take in all the in between not only the beginning and the end.
That’s all we had to say. But there are a million more ways to practice mindfulness; you can practice it while doing any activity that you do.
If you find these tips helpful, please let us know in the comment section. We also welcome suggestions or feedback that you would like to provide us.
2020 has not been a great year for most of us. We were stuck in a pandemic (we still are), and life has been at a standstill since then. But do you ever find yourself thinking that maybe, just maybe you could have made 2020 your most productive year ever? With the lockdown on, you could have pursued your hobbies that you abandoned long ago because of the 9 to 5 schedule.
You could have tried to develop yourself, or perhaps read a little more. If you do feel that, it has not been late. Covid-19 is still there and partial lockdowns as well, at least in some parts of the world. The opportunity still presents itself to make better use of it.
(We don’t mean to be harsh here, and we do pray that everything stays fine with you),
This means that you can still reinvent your life, and go back to the COVID-free world as a whole new person.
Wondering how? Lockdown or no lockdown, we have got you sorted.
5 ways to reinvent your life in 2021
1. Develop a routine
We don’t know if you relate to it or not, but lockdown did fulfill our sleeping needs. So much so that we slept throughout the day, and stayed awake at night. We don’t need to tell that if it was your routine then, it was quite damaging. This is especially true now that school is officially out for summer and the kids have nothing to do.
Nonetheless, you can still change and adopt a productive routine. You can start by following a morning routine to calm your body and soul. Add exercises, meditation, journaling, or short walks to it. In short, keep good care of your body and mind.
Later add plans to your routine to fulfill your professional and self-development commitments by setting daily targets.
2. Learn a new skill
Back then, learning a new skill required you to be physically present. However, now because of the COVID situation, the dynamics have dramatically transformed. Everything is online now, from college classes to courses. You can acquire any skill, right from your home without moving a step. So…what are you waiting for?
Here’s a bonus – every skill that you learn will be ribbons and glitters for your resume.
3. Improve your vocabulary
An enhanced vocabulary would always be your highlight, regardless of any field you belong in. You can make it your goal to learn at least one word every day. However, you have to make sure that you keep on revising what you learned from time to time to keep them in your memory.
To make it all easy and more motivating, you can create your vocabulary flashcards or vocabulary notepad to be more thorough and systematic with your endeavor.
If you plan to start today, consider Outlandish your first word of the day!
4. Work on your flaws
The social media world says that you have to admire your flaws. True, you should, but you should also work on the flaws to make yourself better. This applies to flaws you can change.
Thus, be honest with yourself and identify your flaws. Then find ways to work on them. For instance, if you have anger issues or lack confidence, find ways to work on them. Make it your goal, and get there one step at a time.
5. Lastly, practice consistency
5 ways to reinvent your life in 2021
Do you know what makes dreamers and achievers different from each other? Dreamers envision their goals, work towards them, and then become inconsistent. While on the same side, achievers are consistent. They know they won’t get the results if they are not consistent with it.
You have to do the same. When you have sworn to reinvent yourself and are working towards it, then stay consistent and believe in yourself.
Before we ask your leave
Every day is a good day to start so do not waste time thinking, just get to it. You can reinvent yourself. You just have to believe that you can, envision your goal, and as mentioned before, be consistent with it. That’s all it takes.
That’s all we have to say. I hope this article helps you in your endeavor. If you have new ideas or tips for us, feel free to drop them in the comments section.
because you are a mom, you cannot be anything else. Motherhood is a big part of your identity, but not the entirety of it. There is a life waiting for you outside motherhood. And you are only killing your own dreams and desires by depriving yourself of them.
and interests. You are allowed to have dinner with a friend or two once a week, to rejuvenate and recharge yourself. Not just an emotional vent, but being around people who share the same interests and life goals as you also helps you 
yourself while also taking care of your children, because if you don’t, there will come a time when you will burn out, and that’s neither good for you nor your kids.
You forget where your passions lay as a youth, along with your hobbies, and your interests. It’s time you dust the cobwebs off and start engaging in an old hobby or find a new one to keep you motivated and happy beyond motherhood.
your physical well-being as well as your emotional it can work wonders.
do one thing at a time. While you are at it, focus on what you are doing right now, and nothing else. Doing so will not only boost your concentration but will reduce your stress and anxiety as well. 
But these almost inaudible noises can help you become mindful, every day. You can listen to clocks ticking, or the sound of the fan. Literary any noises that you neglect daily. 
to see everything there is to see on your walks. If there’s a kid in the pram, look at it, if a man is tying his shoes, look at him. Looking at things around you is a great way to practice mindfulness. If you have pets or kids, a walk is a great way to show them a new perspective as well as get out some energy. They might even give you some new ideas you didn’t think of as well. 
because it is the opposite of mindfulness. When you are worried about the remaining pages, you are not in the present but somewhere in the future for a few seconds. You don’t have to do that. Instead, you have to focus on the pages you are currently reading or writing, and that’s how you practice mindfulness. 
slept throughout the day, and stayed awake at night. We don’t need to tell that if it was your routine then, it was quite damaging. This is especially true now that school is officially out for summer and the kids have nothing to do. 
make it your goal to learn at least one word every day. However, you have to make sure that you keep on revising what you learned from time to time to keep them in your memory.
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