A note to myself 10 years from now.

I've always loved writing letters. I think that it helps me process emotions, I suppose sort of like blogging over here does as well. So I wanted to write myself a letter, for future me to look back on.

Morning Routines

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been trying to focus on setting up morning routines to make sure I start my days off right. Here are the things that I have tried and am trying to put in place so that I'm actually activating my brain early in the day and making sure that I am also taking care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally.

Lumene Lähde

The other day a little package arrived at the post office for me and it included something that I've been waiting for about a week. Part of this whole "me searching for a skincare routine" journey came around at a time when I ran out of face cream as well, so I decided to try something new that I have heard such good things about.

It's time to renew and restore relationships.

 

"I want my love for God to be seen and measured by my love for people." - Bill Johnson

This morning I woke up and immediately I knew that I wanted to start my day off differently. Usually, it looks like making a cup of tea and watching Grey's Anatomy, or some other TV show to switch my brain off, while I scroll through the latest news happening throughout Finland or the world, before then starting working.

Today I decided that I am challenging myself this week to start my mornings in a bit of a different way. I decided that I want to start it with something productive or something that takes me forward spiritually, emotionally or mentally. So today I listened to a sermon by Bill Johnson about the season we are in.

It challenged me and I wanted to extend that challenge on to you as well.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES: KAARNA KNOTTING

As I've spoken about over on this blog a few times now, I really think we are in a critical time worldwide to be supporting small businesses. And as I want to do so more and more on a daily basis in general - this series is an effort to bring forth some of my favourite small businesses in Finland and just pour some love out on them.

Kaarna Knotting is someone I have followed on social media for a long period of time and I have admired all of her macrame work for ages, and FINALLY - I got my hands on a pair of earrings by her! And they are everything and more than I could have dreamed of.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.