“Don’t Need to be In Silence and Cross your Legs to Meditate”- How Travel is a Form of Meditation and Can Help You Find Your Own Meditation

Posted on December 28, 2018December 28, 2018 by shikachica in Travel

When people think of meditation they think of sitting in silence with their eyes closed and no sound. Meditation to me is relaxing consciously and subconsciously and being aware of your body and your mind. This can be done by sitting down doing nothing, listening to great music while drawing, spending time with family and friends and talking about how you are or dancing your heart ours.

My ways of meditation are laughing, dancing to Latin music, sitting in silence and being aware of my breathing to reduce my anxiety and have a time unplugged from social media. So ask your self what is your way of meditation?

Now you know your way of meditation, time to ad the action of traveling. One of the many reasons I love traveling beside meeting people from all over the world is the temporary detachment from reality, familiar environment, and people. People feel uncomfortable and most cannot take the change. However, I see it as an opportunity to reflect on yourself, grow, learn and feel uncomfortable.

With so many amazing exciting things such as a huge project launch, changing my career over the past 4 months from a part-time interest into my career, traveling from home 1-2 weeks of the month and working from home, it has been an overwhelming change that I didn’t notice until I decided to leave Canada for a month to be with family In St. Lucia I reflect, work on my projects, enjoy the sun and nature. I have cried, I have had anxiety attacks, I have felt depressed, I have laughed, I have smiled, I have exercised, I have worked, I have eaten amazing home cook meals and I have enjoyed the outdoors including sunsets. After all that, one heals, grow and becomes more grounded in them self.

Every time I travel I learn about the country, culture and myself. It is something that no one in school, work or your family can teach you but the world itself.

Traveling, my experiences and meeting so many people has allowed me to learn my way of meditation and respect the ways of meditation for others.

I wanted to share this with you guys hoping that you are able to find a type of meditation that feels like home for you and use it to keep you sane, inspired, collected, growing and be you. I would love to hear what your ways of meditation are and if there is one that is your favorite lately.

Featuring @carlascakes- What’s in My Bag?

Posted on June 3, 2017December 27, 2018 by shikachica in Fashion, Home

Every girl has a huge bag that has countless items that we probably never use, just throw into our purse just in case or just want to smell like three different type of perfumes. I have teamed up with Carla’s Cakes, a local Ottawa bakery that does everything you need to satisfy that sweet tooth. From cupcakes to cakes to cookies to pies, with a creative spin and amazing attention to detail, there is a cake for everyone.

I decided to choose five items that I always have in my bag. These are my die hard items that I have regardless of the occasion:

1. Lotion

One of my pet peeves is having dry hands. No one liked having dry hands especially when you live in a country like Canada where the climate continuously changes and you love to travel to various destinations with various climates. I decided to choose Body Shops Grapefruit Body Butter. It’s a bright smell and it is lasting both in moisture and scent.

2. Liquid Lip Stick

I am sure everyone went through the stages of loving the Smackers lip glosses as a child (#90’s kid’s problems), though they can get sticky. Hence, I decided to choose a mate alternative that is still more hydrating than most, NYX Lingerie Liquid lipstick in the color Teddy. This is a great nude for all skin tones especially dark to olive skin tones. This literally makes me look amazing even when I got to the gym and I want to look maybe a bit more extra, I slide this bad boy on and I’m ready to go hard on cardio.

3. Perfume

From going t the bus and maybe encountering an unpleasant scent to touching up a bit in the bathroom during a dinner gathering with friends, I always have a small travel size perfume in my bag. I am one of those people that love having a scent. I think someone’s perfume is like a clue to someone’s character. Plus who doesn’t like smelling amazing? Here is one of my go-to staple faves, Candy Prada edition.

4. Saje Pharmacy Kit

Being a part-time team member at Saje, this is my die hard item I always have. I grew up using aromatherapy from my grandma and have seen it first hand how it has cured many people in my life including myself. The pharmacy kit has stress release to help my feel relaxed, immune so I am germ-free just in case I feel a cold coming along, pain release to rub myself down after going to the gym, peppermint halo for headaches and to keep me cool and eaters digest for tummy aches. I use this package daily as I have made it a staple to my lifestyle routine.

5. Face powder

The weather is getting warmer which means makeup can get a bit sticky. I like to throw my face powder in my bag to touch up and to avoid a greasy face. I am currently using the NYX Mate Powder.

So those are my staple items in my bag. I have a few extras if I want to be a bit extra (pun intended lol):

Deodorant
Hair brush
Face powder

Check out @carlascakes!

Self Growth- How to Not Limit Yourself

Posted on April 30, 2017December 27, 2018 by shikachica in Home

We all do it and if you are reading this say you don’t you are most likely lying. It is natural for us to doubt ourselves especially in situations that we are not used too, however it is better to be aware of it and push through the inner fears that we may have towards limitation in our life ( whether they are mental or/and physical).

So here are some tips on how you can work towards the best version of yourself while overcoming those limitations:

1. Balance

One of the hardest and sometimes neglected ingredients to ensuring you do not limit yourself isbalance. Ever felt like everything is falling apart in your life and you are continuously rolling down a hill hoping for it to stop? Yes? Well, it’s normal. Why it happens you ask? Lack of balance. Without the mental balance of ensuring that you allow your brain to have 30minutes to an hour a day to clear your mind (ex: meditation, listening to your favorite tunes, coloring in those cute adult coloring books) you allow external stresses and thought to continuously occupy your mind. Also making sure you have physical balance in your life such as going for a walk, hitting the gym, yoga or doing an activity you have never done before like paint night. Sometimes the reason why you are rolling down that hill is simply because you are letting yourself get lost in what is around rather then focusing on what is within you.

2. Change

No one likes change. Humans love being in a routine. Though without change you can not grow. It is uncomfortable, sometimes seems impossible and sometimes can be a risk. Though when you do decide to change for the best, it is the most self-fulfilling and liberating experience anyone can do. Find something in your life that you feel you are not benefiting from or is stagnant and change it. Usually making a change can be the best decision you have ever made. Remember, to FAIL means the first attempt in learning and during change you must be prepared to learn alot of things before coming to a solution.

3. Risk

Life is a continuous game of poker. Sometimes you will win and sometimes you will lose. Funny enough you win more than you lose when you decide to go with your gut and put everything on the line. In other words, take a risk. By everything being on the line, I don’t mean quit your job and decide to join the circus. By everything being on the line I mean use the tools you have currently, regardless if you are in a bad or good situation ( no bad situations just better ones), and take a risk that will let you grow. A great example is going into a profession such as singing which is a ‘make it or break’ it industry. Use the tools you have and make your play by play plan and do it. The last step is the most important, JUST DO IT (great line Nike). It is one thing to plan and it’s another thing to actually put those plans into action. Again, remember, to fail means first attempt in learning and while taking a risk get prepared to fall a few times and get back up again.

4. Motivation

The first 20 minutes of your morning determines your mood, energy, optimism and efficiency for the day. An individual’s most impressional time is the first minutes in the morning that you wake up. Instead of looking at your Instagram why not switch it to a 5-minute journal, motivational TedTalk or 10-minute meditation session. Use the first minutes of your day to prepare yourself for any limitations that can come your way (then you can check that Instagram feed). Down bellow is one of the most inspirational individuals that has motivated me to take steps forward in my life, Tony Robbins. Why not start your day with some uplifting words of wisdom and watch this amazing Ted Talk.

Those are my main pointers to limiting yourself. What are yours? Let me know I would love to learn and try your tactics too.