Beyond Resolutions — Building Systems for the New Year That Actually Work
Tomorrow’s the start of the New Year. Today I grabbed a sheet of paper and listed down my top 10 goals for the new year. I don’t know about you, but the chances of my losing this piece of paper and forgetting all about my goals next week are pretty high. The problem with this method is that my goals seem so abstract, so intangible, and so unreachable without steps and systems in place to reach them. Writing “I want to lose 20 pounds by December 2026” solidifies your intention, but how do you exactly go from point A to point B? You need a system, a protocol of steps and solutions you put in place to actually reach your goal.
Practical Techniques to Manage Anxiety
Modern life is growing in complexity, and with it are our stress levels. With the constant attack of stimuli and tasks on our todo lists, as well as relationships and career goals and financial issues to juggle, we can quickly feel overwhelmed by the daily life.
7 Cozy Games For Fall Therapy
I recently got Steam again, which is a game store filled with interesting, inexpensive games to play on PC or MacBook. I’m not a heavy gamer, but I’ve been wanting to find new ways to destress and alleviate negative feelings. I was browsing on Youtube and found some videos on top “cozy” games that help you unwind and destress, so I decided to give it a try.
More Room for Hygge — Finding Joy in Simplicity and Comfort
Hygge, pronounce “hoo-gah”, is a Danish concept that describes a feeling of coziness, comfort, and contentment that comes from enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It’s less about materialism and more about creating an atmosphere of warmth and cherishing meaningful moments with loved ones, or alone. Think of curling on the couch with a blanket and a book on a rainy day, sipping tea after lighting up a scented candle, having a slow dinner with close friends, or feeling safe and at peace in your bed as you are watching Netflix. Hygge is the art of slowing down, being present, and finding joy in simplicity.
Breaking Old Habits, Making New Ones
Habits aren’t just behaviors — they are neural patterns.
Neurons that fire together wire together. Every time you think, act, or feel the same way, the same neural circuits are fired by your brain. Eventually the circuits become automatic, becoming a neural groove.
Meditation helps you interrupt these automatic patterns. By sitting still and observing your thoughts instead of acting out your thoughts, you are weakening the neural circuits. Over time, you can reprogram your mind by making new patterns of thinking and acting.
Brown Butter Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies
About a year ago, I discovered the wonders of brown butter.
Brown butter, or beurre noisette in French, is simply butter that has been melted and cooked until the milk solids turn golden brown. The process unlocks a deep nutty aroma (similar to toasted hazelnuts) that transforms ordinary butter into a gourmet ingredient. It has a nutty, rich, caramelized flavor that pairs well with the bitter, earthy, aromatic taste of matcha.
Here is a recipe for brown butter matcha white chocolate chip cookies that will be sure to elevate your palate.
My Skincare Routine - The Science and Tea Behind Skincare Products
I got into skincare a couple of years ago, having developed an interest in Korean skincare. One of my friends had a blog where she reviewed and rated Korean skincare products, and that got me hooked. Before I knew it, I was obsessively googling and looking up skincare products on YesStyle and Amazon, not to mention Sephora and Ulta Beauty. I was really interested in the science behind skincare, having double majored in biology and chemistry in college. I’d like to explain the science behind the various steps of skincare routines and share some skincare products I’ve been loving as well.
10 Life Lessons from my 20’s
I turned 33 recently, and I feel I’ve grown so much since my 20’s. From obsessing over grades and internships and jobs, fantasizing over crushes, crying over relationships that didn’t work out, figuring myself out to learning to love myself has been a long journey in and of itself. And one of the most important things that I’ve gained throughout those years was a love for God, which has helped me love myself. Here are some life lessons I’ve learned along the way.
What I Think About When I Think About Running
I recently started running again at the gym after renewing my gym membership. My plan was to run for 1 hour without stopping, after months of not running. Ultimately I ran for 45 minutes at a pace of 4 miles per hour. A slow pace, but it got the job done. Afterwards, I had runner’s high for a solid amount of time, and I hadn’t felt that happy for a long time.