We have all heard it before; think positive, create your own happiness, love yourself etc. But these are just words, if you do not know how to truly believe in them. Anybody can tell you to stick to these guidelines, but do you put them into practice? Create a positive mind and lifestyle.

We all have dreams and endless wishes. We have some ideals and perfect pictures in our minds of what our life should look like. An image of what it would be like when we feel complete and happy. But is this realistic? Is it even doable what we imagine? And once we have it, don't we want more in the end? Is having everything we want, really what we want?

Life is full of surprises and unexpected events. Happenings that we did not see coming and expectations turning into illusions. Even if we have planned out everything perfectly our ideas and goals can be turned upside down. This can make us feel overwhelmed and lost. How are we supposed to deal with disappointment and adjustments? Sometimes life will force or guide us into different directions to a new purpose or a new goal. 

Now more than ever before is it important to stay fit and healthy. However, this is not always easy for the people being in full lockdown currently. The places where there are fewer restrictions to move around freely, offer more possibilities to do sports and get some outside time. Even though we are limited one way or another we should open up to some creative solutions. Besides staying physically fit we also need to stay mentally fit; these two factors are undoubtedly strongly connected.

As the quarantine time prolongs, the reality is sinking in. More and more we start to feel the loneliness and the lack of social activity. The feeling of being isolated and being a prisoner in our own home is growing. The feeling of not being able to move freely is driving many of us crazy. Replacing our active outside sports activities to limited exercises at home, from going out for dinners and having a drink in the bar, to now cooking at home every night with a bottle of wine from the fridge. Yes, this is a huge change and can be very discouraging, but let's open up to a different perspective.

Here we are in a world that has changed from one day to another, into a place where many of us are suddenly afraid of what is about to happen next. Afraid of something that is out of our control, a spread of a disease, a virus that we currently cannot stop or get a hold on. The most interesting thing of all is that some of us either overreact or decide to do nothing at all and ignore the issue completely. However, this matter involves us all whether we like it or not. Let me tell you why and let me give you an insight on how to get through these next weeks. Whether you are afraid or not, we need to adapt. It is time we stick together and wake up!

Is this a thing..? In our daily hectic lives we need distraction to disconnect, a way to release stress and enjoy. We all have our different ways of doing so. Maybe you like to read, do sports, watch Netflix, meet up with friends or you go out. However, we get influenced by invites, by posts on social media and people around us. Those moments that look like the real thing, that we want to be involved in and feel related to.

So here we are, A new year, a new start. How about your resolutions for this year? Are you going to lose weight? Going more to the gym? Drink less alcohol or get the job you always wanted?? Wait... Why is it that we need the new year to make resolutions and changes? Ok, it is a new start and yes a new year in numbers. I admit, it is a good moment to rethink our strategies and to set our new goals. But can't we do that anytime when we want to? 

How often do we get misled by successful people? Influencers from around the world make it seem like the way to fortune is a quick and easy journey. They promise us wealth and success from the get go once you sign up for their course, read their book or attend their workshops. And doesn't it sound tempting from time to time? We are all seeking success and happiness. And when someone is convincing enough we tend to believe that all they say is true.

How often nowadays do we apologize for our acts or for how we make another person feel. I can tell you, not so often anymore and most likely not often enough. Why does it seem to be more difficult to admit our mistakes, or even to make someone else feel understood. Is it our egos that cannot handle this state of submissiveness? Or is it because we have been taught this way. But what if it indirectly helps us as well? To be able to apologize. What if it makes us all feel better and makes space to grow? To understand and forgive, to move on and learn. I believe it requires strenght to apologize. I will explain.

From time to time we might find ourselves looking back at our past and the expectations we used to have. We look at our neighbors our friends and role models and see their wealthy lives. Maybe we realize that we are not where we thought we would be by now or that we do not have what we expected to have. However, comparing ourselves to others does not make us grow or get better. It will only make us feel bad, less important or less successful. But what we see from others will mostly be their better sides. Why is that? Because we only see a very small part of what their lives look like, maybe even a few seconds. We tend to think that everything is equally as great in their lives. But.. what we forget, is that we just see what they are showing us from the outside, a brief moment of joy, an accomplishment, a new expensive purchase, or we listen to one of their success stories. But this is not all there is.

Every time I am on the plane for one of my trips, I get inspired. It is one of those moments when I do not get distracted by messages, calls, tv or anything else that we find at home or at work. I come up with new ideas, I read and I write. Without distractions, I can focus on all that is on my mind. I can then relax and reflect. I sit back, take a glass of wine (obviously depending on the time of my flight..) and I let my thoughts flow. And there I go, to my inner-self, make my analysis on life and reflect on things that have kept me busy most recently. Even though I am not crazy about flying, I try to get the most out of my time on the plane. If you want to travel, this is part of the deal, right? So I better turn the situation into something fruitful and beneficial.