18 Questions to Ask Yourself

So every once in while, you might get the feeling that you’re stuck in a rut, monotony, a cycle of doom, or whatever else you might call it. It’s important to really check in with yourself, mentally and emotionally, so that you can figure out a way to move forward in life. If you’re finding it a bit difficult to get the ball rolling, it’s helpful to have a list of questions to ask yourself, to get to know yourself, your needs, your desires, a little better.

Here are 18 questions that I often consider whenever I’m going through one of those “I’m stuck, poor me” moods!

Questions to ask yourself

Do I enjoy my daily activities?
Do I like my current job?
Do I prefer to work for a company, or do I want to run my own business?
If I had to listen to my friends speak frankly about me, would I like what they have to say about me?
What are my top 3 positive personality traits?
What are my top 3 negative personality traits?
What am I insecure about?
Do I feel energized after spending time with the people who are around me the most? Or do I usually feel drained?
Do I feel confident when talking to someone new about my work, career, accomplishments, etc.?
Do I prefer to have a structured schedule, or to just go with the flow?
Do I prefer being indoors, or being outdoors?
Do I like working on my own? Or do I prefer to work in a team?
Do I feel like I can express myself as freely as I’d like to?
Is there a certain way I typically handle conflict with other people? Does it actually help, or often make things worse?
Do I have any habits I want to quit?
Do I feel comfortable at home?
Do I tend to hold onto things for a long time “just in case”, or do I let go of things I have no need for?
When I see someone doing something I’ve wanted to do, do I feel genuinely happy for them? Or do I feel jealous?

There are so many more questions I sometimes ask myself, but we’re not going to turn this post into a whole novel. Ha ha. What are some questions you consider when you’re feeling like it’s time for a change in your life? Let me know! 💖

2021-04-30 2

Demystifying Tarot cards

Confession: I own a few decks of tarot cards. Clarification: I don’t use them for fortune-telling.

Everyone has intuition and everyone uses it. Some people are just a lot more aware of their intuition than others. There are numerous different tools to help you tune into your intuition. The Tarot is one of those tools.

When I mention to people that I like doing tarot readings for myself and for my friends, they think it’s a joke and ask, “You believe in that stuff?”

As a matter of fact, yes! I believe in tuning into your intuition, that “gut feeling” about things. I believe in seeking clarity. I believe in relaxing and quieting your mind, and then concentrating on the situation you are wanting to improve. What is so mystical about that?

For me, it works hand-in-hand with prayer and meditation.

You have to use your intuition in order to read tarot cards for yourself or others. Each card may have a standard meaning or message, but really, each reading is up for your own interpretation. We all view the same world through different perspectives; the tarot is no different. Every sign or message we are presented with, we each interpret in our own way. Even if you don’t “believe” that there is any substance to tarot readings, trust me, you will still get the message that you were meant to hear. Just trust your intuition.

20170308_001220_001 — Don’t mind my “long-lasting” gel manicure…can you “feel” or “think” with your hands?

2021-04-01 7

Faith

What if I’ve been shunned, removed, exiled?

Am I still a part of the movement?

Or have I been deserted?

Do I have what it takes,

Or has all my energy been exerted?

In the light of day,

Do I appear to be sublime

But when it gets dark out,

I am less than divine?

I ask because I truly wonder

Do I dare feel confident

Or have my dreams been plundered?

If the moon should shift

And show the other side,

Should I be afraid?

Should I run and hide?

What if I don’t feel safe, secure, sheltered?

Am I still courageous?

Am I quick to fall

When it gets too heavy?

I know I need to keep going

Keep pushing through

But are you really out there?

Is it really true?

One day I dream,

One day I don’t.

One night I see,

One night I won’t.

If the sun should fade

And put away its glow,

Will it all freeze up?

Will I turn to stone?

2021-01-25 0

Bedtime Tea

Just like this tea, I am in need

Of some sugar, honey, and maybe cream

So hot and spicy

This ginger tea

To ease the pain

Of my unsettled woes

To ease the strain

On my severed hopes

To soothe my throat

After all this crying

To give me life

When I feel I’m dying

Just like this tea

I can heal my pain

Forget the sadness

Ignore the rain

Take joy in each sip

From the cup that’s life

Go on with my day

Until it turns to night

Just like this tea

I am in need

To be poured into a vessel

And be held

And ease

2021-01-19 0

Impromptu Break

For the past month or so, I haven’t posted anything on my blog. And I barely posted and interacted on social media in general. For some reason, I just felt… blocked. Each time I tried to post something, it just didn’t feel right. I know what you might be thinking, and trust me, I’ve thought it too: “Just do it!” Right? But I’m big on energy. The energy didn’t feel right. And so, to preserve my own energy, I decided to just take a break from the online world.

It was a much needed transition from 2020 into 2021.

Often, we act like things will automatically change when the year changes, or when the month changes, or when the season changes. And that’s not truly the case, which is why new year’s resolutions often fail. Small, gradual lifestyle changes are much more likely to stick. And these lead to greater, more profound changes that will really make a nice impact on your life. This year, instead of coming up with resolutions that I know I won’t stick to, I’ve been thinking about what I want to experience and how I want to impact people. And the little changes I can implement here and there to help me reach those goals.

A few things I will do my best to commit to are…

Consistency. This one is difficult, as a full-time employee and single mother. Getting anything else done, besides working for my regular paycheck and taking care of my little one, is a struggle more often than not. My number one priority is my son, and I don’t want to take away from quality time with him during the very important toddler years. He’s learning and growing so much everyday! Lately, we have been working on ways to keep him happily occupied while I take care of other tasks.

New Content. When I first started this blog, it was really just a place where I’d upload travel pics, random thoughts, poems, and even recipes. I ended up deciding to stick with mainly poetry and travel pics. But I would like to try expanding my blog and test out a wider range of topics. Feedback is always appreciated so please let me know what you like and what you want to see more of!

Interaction. In the past few months, I’ve come to learn that the blogging world mostly consists of bloggers encouraging, uplifting and supporting each other! I love the community energy and will do my best to engage more. 💗

Confidence. I’ve been doing self-healing work, acknowledging my shadows, and letting go of the need for perfection. Throughout my life, I’ve dealt with bouts of low self-esteem and perfectionism (a terrible combo). So I aim to just flow more freely and openly going forward. One baby step at a time though 😅

Anyway…

That’s an update on where I’ve been. Not missing in action, just working on my energy. I love you all and can’t wait to share positive vibes!

If you’ve got any tips or advice for any of my commitments, or any feedback in general, I’m all ears!

2021-01-14 3

Everyday is a Holiday, a poem

From the day you were born

And almost 9 months before

I knew that I’d love you

Forever and more

From your cute little curls

To your ten little toes

The way that you hug me

Really warms up my heart

The smile on your face

Is all that I need

I never imagined I could love someone this much

And I never thought I could be so loved in return

So this holiday season, I give thanks to the Universe, Source, God, etc.

For everyday is a holiday

Because I have you in my arms

2020-12-09 1

Childhood Holiday Memories

Flashback to my childhood… my whole extended family gathered together on Christmas eve. Afro-Latino party music playing in the background. Sometimes merengue, sometimes salsa, sometimes bachata. Always the right mood.

Kids all running around, trying to not get in the adults’ way. Playing together. Joking together. Catching up in the way kids do.

Dinner served. Drinks served. Jokes laughed at. People dancing. People being outrageously loud.

Kids waiting anxiously until midnight, so we could start opening gifts. Quickly getting sleepy. Going home at 1 or 2 in the morning. The cold, winter chill in your face.

Quick change into warm PJs. Snuggle up in bed with a cozy comforter. Lights out and off to dream worlds.

Wake up early in the morning, open up any remaining gifts that were left at home. Mom fries empanadas. Hot chocolate to wash it down.

A relaxing day at home with mom and dad and siblings. No school. No work. Nothing important to do except to be in each other’s company.

These are the memories I have of Christmas, growing up in New York with all my family around. Things may not be exactly the same, but I’m fond of the memories and fond of newer memories and traditions. I hope my son can look back at his childhood in a similar way.

What are your holiday traditions? Will you pass them on to your children (if you have any or plan to have any)? What are your fondest memories of holidays growing up? I want to know! 💗

2020-12-07 2

Woke

Nervous
Because the memory, of things which haven’t occurred, haunts me
And I am bound with these invisible yet burdensome chains
To a spirit of enlightenment
That no one will believe
Unless they, too, are free

2020-11-19 0

I Wonder

What does it feel like

To be in your shoes?

I wonder

As I sit here sulking

Soaking in the madness of my life

I wonder if it’s better where you are

Do you, too, look up at the stars

And wonder if they’re brighter

To someone worlds apart?

2020-11-08 0

31 Random Things I Love 💖

1. When my baby giggles and then squeezes me tightly. 👶🏻

2. Actually understanding something in a new language I’m learning. 📙

3. When someone understands exactly what I’m saying even though I’m overcomplicating what I’m trying to say. 🙌

4. Finding a new song that expresses exactly what someone makes me feel. 💞

5. Being able to share that song with that someone. 🎶

6. Good night calls and good morning texts. 📱

7. Making a dessert for people I love and watching the joy on their face as they eat it. 🍰

8. The way my eyebrows look once I get them done (myself) after growing them out for a while. 🤨

9. Floating around in the ocean water, when the sun and the water are both warm. 🌊

10. Meeting new interesting people, even if I never see them again. 👥

11. When I look good in a selfie with minimal effort. 🤳

12. When my best friends understand the exact meaning of any of my facial expressions. 😏

13. When a tarot reading confirms something I already kind of knew. 🃏

14. My toe nails, freshly polished. 👣

15. When I complete a craft project smoothly! 📐

16. Creating a playlist full of songs that match one of my moods. 🎼

17. Good, cheesy, flavorful pizza. 🍕

18. My bed, just made with freshly laundered sheets. 🛌

19. Sleeping with a fan on. ❄

20. The flickering of candlelight in a dark room. 🕯

21. The scent of fresh cut flowers. 💐

22. Everything about autumn. The colors, the air, the foods, the festivities. 🍂

23. When my little one just wants to snuggle with me at the end of the day. 👩‍👦

24. Long weekends at home, relaxing! 🛋

25. The butterfly feelings when talking to a crush. 🦋

26. An ice cold drink on a hot day! 🥤

27. Writing…anything! ✍

28. Finding a new series to watch, and being hooked on it from the start. 📺

29. When the exact outfit you want to wear fits perfectly! 👗

30. Freshly trimmed-down finger nails. 💅

31. Perfect lighting to fit the mood. 💡

2020-09-24