SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, March 30, 2020

You to Thank: Ahava


This winter I have started to take more care of my skin. And one of the big things that has meant for me has been taking care of my hands. I have SUPER dry skin, to the point that during most winters my hands crack and even bleed because of the dryness.


Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Work vs. life balance as an entrepreneur


Something I get asked about often is how I balance work and personal life as an entrepreneur, and oh boy - this is a tough one. I'll start off with telling you what life was like for me when I first became an entrepreneur and then I'll explain where I am now and how I'm taking steps to get out of workaholism, and logging off when I need to step away and focus on my family.

When we moved to Finland, it was my first time experiencing being fully self-employed and I dove into it hard-core. I felt a strange guilt any time I was taking time to just sit and watch telly or wasn't actively doing something to progress my business. Which meant that any time I was spending at home, I was working. I would be sitting on the couch, watching tv with Kieran, and would have my laptop out, doing work at the same time. Or I would be constantly writing social media posts. Or replying to emails and messages the second (and I really mean second) they came through.

Monday, March 23, 2020

Choose joy. Choose hope. Choose faith.



In these times of uncertainty it can be easy to get pulled into fear, anxiety or panic. But weirdly - I feel nothing but peace, confidence, gratitude and joy. I am viewing all of this as an opportunity to get back to the basics, to the core of why I do what I do and to shift my focus and attention back to the things that really matter.

Can I speak some truth to you for a moment?

I see your fear. I see your struggle. I see your turmoil and anguish. And I raise you a point that may not be easy to hear, but one that changed my life forever.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Support Small Businesses: Papershop Helsinki


In the midst of these slightly uncertain times, I wanted to start highlighting a few small businesses that I am incredibly proud to support and that I think you should consider supporting as well.

The first on this list is Papershop Helsinki. If you're anything like me and you love stationary, this shop is literally the stuff of dreams. This is a place that I frequently refer to as my "happy place" and I think that fits it so well. Not only is the staff wonderful, but their products are also high quality, full of colour, variety and basically just wonderful all around.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Corona virus as a business owner.


Currently the situation is as follows:

I have had five events and two projects rescheduled, which means that all of my business income this month is as of this moment - nonexistent.

I don't say this for you to pity me or feel bad, I say this so that you understand exactly what the majority of small business owners are going through at the moment. Whether it's a lack of customers wandering the streets and into stores, or whether it's needing to pay rent next month with no clue where finances are going to appear from, that's the reality we are in. Whether it's just a business of one, or whether it's a company with multiple employees - it's a stressful time to be a business owner.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Hobbies as an adult: Rock-climbing


Seriously, finding hobbies as an adult sucks balls. When did it get so difficult to figure out interests and find time to try new things?

I've found that the busier life gets, the more things I pack into my calendar, the easier it is to forget to take time for things that recharge my batteries. On the flip side, the more I notice how desperate I am for that same time to do things that energise me and make me feel alive.

So after working for two weeks straight for 16 hour days, I decided to take two days off.


Monday, March 09, 2020

The Depression Edition: THE STORY


THE DEPRESSION EDITION:


To kick this off, I'm diving deep. I don't do surface relationships, I don't do small talk and I take pride in being open and honest in all things, always. So here's the introduction to todays topic: depression.

I started struggling with depression and anxiety at age thirteen. I hated myself and my reflection. I would look at myself in the mirror and cry because I didn't want to be reminded of my existence. I heard so many voices in my head, convincing me of what a shitty person I was, that I was convinced I was going insane. That meant I pushed everyone close to me away, to "protect" them.

This all sounds ridiculous writing this now, but that was my reality.

Multiple times I even contemplated jumping off of the roof at my workplace, but every time I got close to making that decision, someone showed up. I now know that this was immense grace and protection over my life, but at the time - it felt like my pain was being prolonged.

Sunday, March 08, 2020

Meet Our Famalam.



So who are The Moody Otters?

As of right now, we are a famlam of four (two crazy kids in love and our two cat babies).

Viivi (me) is a Finnish weirdo who loves life. I'm a wedding and couples photographer and I love documenting love stories. I travel around the world telling these stories and capturing memories that will last a lifetime.

Kieran works in construction, plays WOW in his spare time and is just a wonderful human bean. We met while I was living in the UK and after a year of dating, we decided to set off on an epic adventure and move to Finland together.

Echo (the big brother) lived with us in the UK and moved with us when we came over (which was an adventure of its own), and Hugo joined our little family unit in the Summer of 2019. Echo is a very relaxed and calming presence in our home, whereas Hugo is an absolute basket-case. He runs around our home whenever he has a chance to chase a hairband, and provides hours of entertainment.

We live in a little neighbourhood called Kauklahti in Espoo, Finland and we VLOG our day to day life, which you can see by following this link.

So why blogging?

We've decided to start up this blog along with our VLOGs, mainly just to have a place to spout random thoughts and ideas, to share products we love, and to have a place to gather memories for the next few years. Let's see where this adventure takes us! x

What would you be interested in seeing from us?