10 Things I've Learned in 2020

As we put a close to 2020, I'm taking a look back on the year that changed everything, for everyone. We started the year off with the theme of 20/20 vision - hoping to achieve our goals, dreams, trips, and more. Little did we know that the entire world was going to be shaken up. We were forced to rethink everything, take a step back from the hustle, and refocus on the things that matter most. A clearer-than-2020-vision, if you will. My year was full of hard work, focusing on my goals, adjusting to change, overcoming fears, and welcoming new challenges. Without further ado, here are just a few of the things I've learned from the year that was... 2020.

1. Connection is everything.

Even if it's a short FaceTime or coffee date, connecting and catching up with someone can change your entire day. We all experienced the power of connection this year - both virtually and with the ones we love. I haven't seen many of my closest friends much at all this year - some are in other parts of the world - but weekly FaceTimes are pretty much a ritual at this point. It's amazing how much one person can boost your mood!

2. You're not superwoman, and you don't have to be.

You can try as hard as you want, but you have to remember to rest. I started the year very ambitiously with 4 design courses while working full time, and although I knew I could do it, I eventually broke down from the workload, and had a panic attack in a line-up at Staples. I fainted, as my old self tended to do, and woke up to a bunch of strangers staring down at me making sure I was okay. It was a major wake up call to go back to the basics: nourish, move, sleep, repeat. I was going 8383729 miles an hour, and I needed to take a moment to slow it down, rest and just breathe. Little did I know this was some major foreshadowing for the year ahead.

3. Discipline is no easy feat.

This year, like everyone else, I was forced to stop attending my fitness classes and seeing my yoga fam, and that was a big part of my self care routine that was completely cut off. Thanks to quarantine, I had two, sometimes three workout buddies to run or workout with almost everyday, but I was still missing my yoga studio deeply. Having said that, self-discipline is hard. Working out from home is NOT my forté, because I'm someone who needs external encouragement to push harder and keep going. Adapting to the workout-from-home lifestyle has been a struggle and a half to this day!

4. Family time is underrated.

Quarantining with my brother and his gf was definitely one of the highlights of my year. It was nice to avoid isolation during such a trying time, and the cooking-cleaning-workout rotation was VERY much appreciated! It was also a great chance for me to spend time with my brother before he moved away, so that was a blessing in itself.

5. When it rains, it pours.

Along with the rest of the world, I felt like bad thing after bad thing kept happening, and as a mostly positive person, the negativity was really weighing on me. Just as the pandemic was starting, Dash was attacked by the neighbour’s dog, then attacked again 2 months later. A month after that, my Grandma was diagnosed with cancer. The whirlwind of events in combination with my school workload, the travel industry dwindling, and the uncertainty of it all was very heavy, but I kept reminding myself to look on the bright side. At the same time, we were all asked to take a big look in the mirror and recognize our privilege across the globe - we all have tons of it. Recognize it, and find ways to support those who don’t.

6. It's okay to have a bad day.

It's ok to be sad and to have a bad day. You wouldn’t be human if you had beautiful, blissful days all the time anyway. The bad times are what build character and make you who you are. But remember: you can still find golden nuggets in each day. Journaling in the morning and in the evening can help you recognize those nuggets - and make you appreciate each day that much more. Highly recommend it.

7. Friends are real-life heroes.

I have some of the greatest friends a girl could ever ask for, so it's very important to be the best friend I can be in return. Spending any amount of time with my friends immediately lifts my spirits, and my girls trips this year did wonders for my mindset and overall happiness. My book club also didn't die in 2020 - we remained strong over Zoom, and even got to meet our newest bookie irl this summer (2 more coming 2021)! I love each and every one of you!!

8. Clear communication trumps all.

Lessons are constantly learned, unlearned, and relearned again. Remember not to force anything; clear communication is the only way any relationship can work. If you’re not communicating (or being communicated to) effectively, you’ll end up in a huge misunderstanding at the end of the day, and that’s a waste of everyone’s time.

9. If you want something, go and get it.

Want to switch careers? Do it. Go back to school if you have to. Want a new job? Find one you're passionate about and go get it. Want to conquer your fears? Go and do something that scares you. After years of not needing to drive much, I’m finally driving again, and I have no idea why I waited so long. Something so basic and trivial was accomplished in one day of being back on the road. Our fears are often much bigger in our minds than in reality. You might be surprised at how easy some of them are to overcome!

10. Trust the timing.

Time. Is. King. There are so many events in my life that I never understood at the time, but you have to trust the timing. If something doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to, at that time. If something comes back, maybe now is the right time. This has happened to me time and time again, and it couldn't be more true. You never know unless you trust the process and let things be when they need to be.

And with that, my friends, I welcome 2021 with open arms. Not that it will be any less difficult - it will be full of its own challenges - but perhaps we'll all have a slightly better, less self-focused outlook on life, and on what matters most. Sending love and light to all of you for this new year! ✨

xo

Linnea

10 Healthy Habits for a Fulfilling 2020

1. Wake up earlier and establish a productive morning routine

   I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m not a morning person! But I recently bought a wake-up light alarm clock to get my butt out of bed a little earlier, and it’s made a huge difference. Here’s to establishing a peaceful, slow morning routine that includes self care, coffee, reading, and diffusing some bright essential oils.

2. Listen deeply

   I’m a communicator by trade and by sign, but listening can always be improved. I hope to listen deeply to every conversation I have, and only jump in when they’re looking for input.

3. Give to others

   Over the past few years, I’ve focused a lot on growing and healing myself, so this year, I’m looking forward to focusing on others, giving my time and support whenever possible. As manager of the Employee Volunteer Program at work, I’m lucky enough to see the generousity and compassion of all the people I work with, so it’s in turn, inspired me to give back to more charitable causes this year.

4. Make more sustainable choices

   I’ve done all the basics: reusable bags, reusable coffee cups and water bottles, portable straws, stashers, reusable/silicone sponges, etc, but we can always do more! This year I hope to incorporate a few more items to do my part as much as I can for the environment.

5. Read once a day

   As a book club member, this is key! Reading before bed every single night might just be the key to falling asleep faster. This will also encourage me to go to bed earlier, shortly after I get home from school.

6. Prep wholesome foods for a nutritious week

   Even though I meal prep every week, I get tired of my healthy meals pretty fast, and I usually make too much of one dish. I get hungry when I’m at school, and found myself going to the cafeteria way too often than I’d like to admit. This year’s prep will include choosing meals with similar ingredients for the week, shopping, chopping my veggies as soon as I get home from the store, and using them in different combos for different meals. That way, I won’t get tired of what I make!

7. Increase water intake

   I already drink quite a bit of water, but there’s always room for improvement. Instead of snacking at work “just because”, I’m aiming to down more water instead. You know what they say, hydration is the fountain of youth.

8. Create an in-depth bucket list

   I have started a list, but I’d definitely like to expand on it, and sit down to ask myself what I really want to do in my life. This list has been put off for too long!

9. Invest in relationships

   Relationships are super important to me, and I’ve managed my friendships pretty well in recent years. The other ones, not so much.

10. Give it your all

    Commit, focus, and give it your all. If you want it bad enough, you’ll get it. I’m aiming to multi-task to the max this year, doing side hustles and projects all year long. It will mean exercising my workhorse muscle with very little free time, but I’m already used to that. This is the mentality I’m embracing for everything in my life this year. Ya girl is coming into 2020 fearless!

What are some of your healthy habits you’re aiming for this year?

xo

Linnea

Looking Back on the Past Decade

I thought about doing a 2019 recap post similar to last year’s recap, but it wouldn’t be fair to ignore everything that’s happened in my life that’s made me who I am over the past decade. Here’s a look back on each year, and what I’ve learned from the good, the bad and the ugly. It was the best 10 years of my life thus far, but also the hardest. I grew so much as a person, had a ton of fun, travelled the world, met so many new friends, learned that everyone’s path is different, and finally put myself first. Here’s the decade in a nutshell:

2010

+ Winter Olympics, Heineken House too many times to count, served, studied, partied, went to San Fran, Oregon, Pender Harbour and Whistler, met new friends, started a new relationship, learned how to compromise

2011

+ Partied every weekend, travelled to Costa Rica for a wedding, went to the Stanley Cup playoffs, worked as a Marketing Assistant downtown while serving and studying at the same time

2012

+ Moved out of my parents house into an apartment downtown, got an internship at Tara Parker Tait PR, threw an event for the Man Repeller herself, Leandra Medine, learned more than I could have ever imagined working with big brands like Joe Fresh, Gap and Old Navy, completed my degree, started an online business, and donated $500 from our business to the BC Cancer Foundation

2013

+ Officially graduated with a BBA in Marketing Management, got hired full time at TPT while continuing to serve on weekends, attended 7 weddings, travelled to Cabo, San Francisco and Vegas, got let go from my job when my boss shut the company down, started working with a friend and mentor, Tamara Taggart

2014

+ Freelanced, worked multiple jobs, had the pleasure of working for Jillian Harris, left to work another corporate job, got let go again, attended 7 more weddings (14 in 2 years, to be exact), travelled to Kauai, Chicago and Green Bay, started to get my first taste of the travel bug, and eventually found myself back in PR at Reformation

2015

+ Bought my first condo, managed and planned events for so many clients including Hudson’s Bay, Smash + Tess, Joyride, BC/Calgary Home + Garden Show, Vancouver/Calgary Home + Design Show, started my obsession with YouTube, travelled to Cabo for a wedding, got engaged, and genuinely thought I was on the right “path” to happiness

2016

+ Left my PR job for my current job, adopted my pup Dash, planned a wedding that never happened, got blindsided with a breakup, rediscovered who I was, learned how to live alone, religiously went to Zumba 3-4 times a week, attended a bestie’s bachelorette and wedding, visited the fam in San Francisco, picked up the pieces and jumped into the scary world of online dating

2017

+ Staged and sold the condo, moved back into my parent’s place, completely transformed their games room into my very own studio apartment (oh hey, it’s your interior design passion calling), jumped religiously back into hot yoga, celebrated with a soul-searching trip to Bali, went on girls trips to San Francisco and Whistler, bought my very own condo, travelled to Hawaii, and lost my Lola at the end of the year, making the holidays an extremely emotional time for my family

2018

+ Started the year celebrating my Farfar’s 80th bithday, but lost him suddenly 3 days later. It hit us like a ton of bricks - the loss stung more than any other loss I’ve felt before, and a few months later, we lost my Great Aunt too. I decided to start this blog as a new outlet, focused on gratitude and mental health, travelled solo to New York and Toronto, travelled to Mexico, Italy, Paris, and Sweden, then surprised my mom with an epic 60th birthday party

2019

+ Started my first day of school, spent my reading break back in New York, planned my bestie’s desert bachelorette in Scottsdale, bumped up the frequency of sponsored content and brand collabs including my kitchen updates with Wayfair and my patio refresh with H&M Home, found multiple streams of income to put myself through school, focused on making my friendships a priority, went on road trips to Portland, Seattle, and the Okanagan, stood at the altar for my best friend’s wedding, got a promotion, drained myself by completing 3 full semesters of school while working full time, and completed a few side projects

Despite the jobs lost, family members who passed, and the curve balls thrown my way, I’m so grateful for the last 10 years. I’m as happy as ever, and I’m so blessed to be able to live this little life of mine with so much love and support around me. 20teens, thank you for everything. 2020, let’s get it!

xo

Linnea

A New Year of Intentions

As we transition into a new year with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the year prior, I can’t help but think about all the endless opportunities and possibilities this new year will bring. To start the year off right, I’d like to share some of my intentions with you, put them out into the universe, and potentially help you find yours. Here we go!

1. Share more. I’ve been encouraged to share more of my life, more of my real thoughts, rather than just my interiors, so that’s what I intend to do. I want to be as authentic as possible on here, so if sharing more of my personality and what’s really going on in my life can do that, let’s do it!

2. Start the day earlier. This is a tough one for me, because I’m not a morning person, and I struggle waking up if it’s pitch black out. I looove waking up to natural sunlight. But where I live, that only happens a few months out of the year, so I’m making an effort to wake up earlier, and in turn, go to bed earlier. I’m going to try to do 2 morning workouts a week (in addition to my evening ones), and hopefully see a difference in my productivity and energy!

3. Start meditating. As a frequent yogi, meditating isn’t far fetched for me, but I’d like to start making time for it. I hope to create a new morning routine that incorporates meditation (along with gratitude) to start my day off on the right foot.

4. Listen to the body. I did pretty well with this last year, but I want to continue listening to what my body is telling me. I also want to start lifting more weights and mix up my workouts. I used to love lifting weights, so I’m excited to get back into it.

5. Let the soul sing. This one might be a little woowoo for some people to understand, but it’s pretty obvious that people often ignore what their soul is trying to tell them. Friendship not working out? Cool, maybe it’s not the right one for you right now. Job is draining you? No worries, find something that doesn’t. Not happy in your relationship? Maybe it’s not meant to be. Is your home stressing you out? Ok, maybe it’s time to KonMari your entire place. It’s times that we cut out the noise, ignore the excuses, and listen to what our soul is trying to tell us that we find the right path.

6. Challenge yourself. The first few months of my year will be busy to say the least. Longer work hours, school, the blog, and making time for my dog, fitness, my well-being, family and friends is a lot to juggle, but I’m up for the challenge. I’ve created a schedule that I think will set me up for success, so I’m excited for the challenge, and can’t wait to start learning.

7.  Be more present, especially with the ones I love. Even though this blog requires tons of screen time and social media attention, I want to make an effort to be more present, whether that’s with loved ones, having dinner with friends, or exploring a new place, I want to continue living in the now. It’s so important to remember that this is the main event. We aren’t living in some limbo mode just because our life isn’t where we thought it would be. So live like it’s the main event! Don’t waste your time thinking what if, maybe later, it’s not the right time... because wake up! There is no better time than now.

8. Enjoy what you have. As we head into the new year, I want to start enjoying everything I have, and spending way less. I regularly practice the KonMari method in my home (and omg the show is so relaxing - she’s killin it), and it’s made me realize that I really do have everything I need. I shouldn’t be spending money on material items, because I don’t need them. So I’ll be focusing on enjoying the simple things I have, releasing what I don’t love, and living more of a simple life.  

9. Laugh everyday. Once my Farfar passed away, I realized just how much he made me laugh. I have certain friends that I literally have stomach cramps from being with all night because I’ve been laughing so hard, and I honestly believe that laughter really is the best medicine! Even on days that I’m laying low, I want to be able to laugh at least once that day. And if that means cracking jokes in the mirror, then that’s what I’ll do lollll.

10. Go out less. As I’ve got older, going out has become way less important to me. And when my friends have similar mindsets and lifestyles to mine, we honestly don’t find a need to go out or drink our faces off. Instead, we catch up on life, have deep convos, watch movies, cook meals, and just enjoy each others’ company. As weird as it sounds, I’m actually looking forward to drinking less, staying in more, enjoying dinner parties and living the hygge life.

11. Get active outside. As active as I was last year, I wish I got outside more. That’s an intention I’d like to set this year - embracing the fresh air, more hikes, more runs, longer walks with Dash, and maybe even a few bike rides.

12. Accept that this is where you’re supposed to be. Even though I never imagined being where I am today, I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m starting a new journey, expanding my knowledge about something I love, and so stoked for what’s to come.

I’m sure this list will grow and evolve as the year progresses, but it’s a great starting point. Let me know if any of these intentions resonated with you. I’d love to hear yours too! 

xo

Linnea