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Pre Beauty Sleep

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‘Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.’

– Albert Einstein

Evening routine

1. Write

 

Sometimes I like to practise writing without having any structure, just letting the mind say what it has to say. I like the thought of not thinking too much about anything. But usually, in the evenings, my mind wish to be a complete mess of thoughts, and I allow it. Letting the mind completely unwind and relax is very important. You need that. Your brain needs that. I try to focus on not focusing too much. Something like that. Doesn’t always turn out the way I want it. I have become to realise that I sleep much better, more beautifully, if I write down my mind’s stories before bedtime. Like when you were a child and your parents read good-night-stories (hoping that you would fall a sleep before the news).

However, now we are old enough to create our own stories. Although, we were actually around 4 when we started creating all kind of different stories. Already then is the mind filled with creativity. The creativity of a child is limitless, since the mind of a child (usually) has no fear. A child can easily see the joy and happiness in the simplest of things. We can never take that away from her, instead we should let her teach us. The child do not care about what others think about her story. She creates from her heart, simply because, she loves her heart. And she will love her heart until the day when she grows older, and the real world tells her not to.

 

his voice, an echo in her mind, like she could hear all the lovely thoughts so clearly, truthfully for what they are. words are simply words. it is the meaning you attach to them that allows you to make sense to them. like grabbing forgotten memories and breathing them into life. and then you realise they become something much greater than a word. much more than a memory. because all of a sudden they become everything. they become life. they become your heart pumping hundred times faster. they become we.

as she sat there in stillness, all these words, the echo of his voice, came running through her body. she came to realise, and finally, she could fall a sleep with hope and faith peacefully resting in her heart. 

2. Fall a sleep.

And just like that she falls a sleep.

 

‘sleeping allows the soul to awaken.

creating dreams from out of nowhere?

 

we dream our biggest dreams,

we dream our biggest lives.

 

that’s why sleep is so important,

you allow yourself to come alive.’

 

i wonder what i look like in your dreams

Pumpkins & Halloween

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‘By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.’

– William Shakespeare, Macbeth

 

Is fall my new favourite season? It might well be. However, I do still love summer, but autumn… I believe you stepped up your game. Halloween & pumpkins – Let the festivities begin!

And how can one not fall in love with October? Dark nights, colourful days, fuzzy socks, books, creative writing, candle lights, spicy soups, a sky full of stars, cosy sweaters and ice cold fingers. If I only had a dog. Then it would be picture perfect. Ha! One can at least wish…

Photos: Emelie Lassfolkh

Breathing in the crisp air

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‘When seeking pure awareness the best thing one can do is to silently witness the beauty of nature. How effortlessly she’s unfolding her treasures. So transparent, yet so forceful. Copy her, and let yourself be amazed.’

 

– Linda

 

The best thing one can do in order to relax and unwind is to spend some precious time close to Mother Nature. Especially those days when she’s picture perfect, taken straight from a fairy tale; crispy autumn breeze, colorful leaves and the October sun caressing our souls.

Whenever I’m in doubt, or in need of some motivation & inspiration, I usually go for a walk and breath in the serenity of nature. It works wonders, every time. She’s magic, no doubt.

After a 90 minutes walk I’ve been sipping on a large, green smoothie, cleaning out my closet, editing pictures, writing, and thinking about going to the gym. Weekends like these, when October is spoiling us with her kindness, I’m extra grateful for crispy, sunny autumn days.

Heartbeats

You’re not here,

but that’s simply because you’re in my heart.

I saved a warm and sacred place for you.

I can feel your heartbeat,

like a whisper in the wind

dancing along my every footsteps.

One, two, three,

one, two, three.

I’ll never stop counting,

never stop believing.

Four, five, six,

seven, eight, nine.

Dancing with my heartbeat,

stepping on my toes.

Ten.

What I learned working in Customer Service

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”A simple act of kindness costs very little, but the dividend is remarkably powerful.”

Most of my adult years I’ve been working in customer service, either as a full-time job or as a part-time job while studying. You might not expect a slightly introverted person to be working in customer service, but besides being more of an introvert I’m very kind-hearted, and I don’t mind helping people. In other words; I thrive off being able to help others. Even though some of the jobs drove me a bit crazy at times I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for all the experiences I’ve gained.

In my opinion working in customer service is a wonderful life lesson. It’s the most perfect way to learn more about human beings, and the way we behave in different situations. With that said, I’ve gathered some of the most important things I’ve learned after many years of serving people.

Don’t take anything personally 

What a person says to you says more about the person than it says about you. Don’t take anything personally. Nothing other people do or say is because of you, it’s because of themselves. Don Miguel Ruiz explains it very well in his book The Four Agreements;

‘Whatever people do, feel, think, or say, don’t take it personally. If they tell you how wonderful you are, they are not saying that because of you. You know you are wonderful. It’s not necessary to believe other people who tell you that you are wonderful. Don’t take anything personally. Even if someone got a gun and shot you in the head, it was nothing personal. Even at that extreme…..

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As you make a habit of not taking anything personally, you won’t need to place your trust in what others do or say. You will only need to trust yourself to make responsible choices. You are never responsible for the actions of others; you are only responsible for you. When you truly understand this, and refuse to take things personally, you can hardly be hurt by the careless comments or actions of others.’

– Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

Be kind and treat everyone with respect

We are all humans, trying to make the best out of the short time we have on this earth. You don’t know what the person in front of you have been going through, or what obstacles he or she is facing at the moment. Be kind, always be kind, and treat everyone with respect. In the end we are all humans, as simple or complicated as that might be.

Listen when someone is talking to you

If someone is talking to you – listen (But don’t take anything personally) Focus on the person in front of you, be present. The real life communication is oh so important in this digital world. Sometimes people just want to talk to someone; express their feelings, concerns, happiness, whatever. Let them feel noticed.

Keep calm in stressful situations

Nothing good will come out of stress. Still, every now and then a healthy amount of stress might be good for every one of us, BUT stressing over things you can’t control is definitely not healthy. If you’re facing a challenge or a problem, and there’s nothing you can do about it at this particular moment – let it go. Don’t overthink, don’t overanalyse, just let it go. If you stop stressing over it, after a while you might come up with new ideas how to solve the problem; Usually this occurs when you least expect it, at times when you’re calm and at peace.

Patience is key

To understand the importance of being patient – In all aspects of life. Sometimes things don’t happen as quickly as you hoped for. Don’t stress. Take a breather. Do your best and work hard. If you always strive to do your best things will eventually fall into place.

Not everyone will be nice to you

We are humans, and humans have bad days every now and then. Usually people working in customer service experience other people’s bad days, some more often than others. However – be nice. Strive to always have a positive attitude towards every situation, and every person you meet. Life will become much easier. In the best case scenario you might turn someone’s bad day around. Watching a person leave with a big, fat smile on his/her face will most probably even make your day.

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Having said that, these are things I will always carry with me. Working in customer service is not my only purpose in life, nevertheless, I’m grateful for all that it has thought me. Everything we do in life matters. Although you might not have nailed your dream job yet, everything you’ve done, and everything you’ll do, will bring you one step closer. Trust the process. Trust yourself.

❤ Linda

A sunny weekend in Vienna

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‘Autumn killed the summer with the softest kiss.’

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d.j.

Hello from beautiful and sunny Vienna. I’m visiting my childhood friend Anna for the weekend and we’ve been enjoying a couple of lovely autumn days here in Austrias capital city.

It’s my first time in this gorgeous city, and I really like the atmosphere – all the beautiful buildings, the architecture, the market places, and of course, the Wiener Melange – a speciality coffee drink similar to cappuccino. Not to forget all the traditional Wiener cafés. We’ve been eating delicious vegan food (which is by the way very easy to find), strolling around the city, drinking coffee and enjoying apfelstrudeln, visiting Schönbrunn, and yesterday we visited the art museum Belvedere. I’m flying home tomorrow so still one day left to explore.

Below you find a mix of pictures from the past days. The sun has been shining the entire weekend. Just lovely.

Liebe Gruesse aus Wien ❤

The power of now

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‘You don’t have to move mountains in order to find the answer. Sometimes all you need is to embrace the stillness. Listen to that inner voice. It knows the way. It always does.’

_____________

Linda

5 things I noticed after meditation

I’ve introduced a new habit. A new daily routine. Meditation. For 20 days straight I’ve been dedicating 5-15 minutes a day to meditation. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Already after 5 days I noticed how easily it had become a new habit of mine. A habit I most likely will stick to, like brushing my teeth.

  1. A sense of calmness. I might seem as a calm person on the outside, nevertheless, on the inside, my mind is constantly chatting. I easily get anxious, nervous and caught up in negative thoughts, but meditation has helped me a lot already, only after 20 days. Some days though, I can’t seem to concentrate at all, and the 5 minutes of meditation seem more like 5 hours. However, most of the time the time flies by without me even thinking about it. Leaving me with a sense of calmness.
  2. Being more present. I have a tendency to drift away in my thoughts, forgetting all about the now. I’ve become to appreciate the present more and more. All the beautiful moments that happen during a day – let them embrace you.
  3. Being content. I trust I have the answer. I trust my gut. I trust myself. I’ve become more at peace, hence I worry much less than before. And when I notice the anxiety building up inside of me I can smoothly make a stop to it, before it has completely taken over my mind. Rather, I focus my thoughts more wisely and thoughtfully.
  4. Better sleep. The days when I meditate late at night, right before I go to bed, I’ve noticed that I fall asleep much faster.
  5. More patience. I get impatient and restless at times, especially at work. However, I’ve become to fully understand the importance of breathing and not letting the emotions run over. Just breath and count to ten.

And this is only after 20 days, imagine what the benefits might be after a year. Although I shouldn’t be focusing on the future too much 😉 Instead, breathe in the now.

One important note – Although keeping in mind the importance of being in the present, one should neither neglect setting personal goals nor the future per se. One should always strive to improve, and to grow as a human being, but be mindful of the actual journey. You are more likely to achieve a goal if you enjoy the process. The process of becoming.

 

5 THINGS I LIKE ABOUT FALL

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‘It’s during rainy nights his soul wanders away, leaving him with nothing but thoughts of her. Early morning the sun comes out, his soul returns and she’s gone.’

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Linda

 

  1. The tranquility that suddenly appears. A sense of calmness arrives when the evenings get darker. Candle lights are burning inside while the nature is changing its colours. Heavier rains, stronger, brisk winds and a mind at ease.
  2. Heart-warming soups & spicy veggie stews. Even though I love a creamy smoothie bowl my body is longing for warm, flavourful foods when the days get colder. How wonderful isn’t it to cuddle up with a spicy dish after an hour walk breathing in the cool, crisp air.
  3. Nature at its finest. I’m definitely a summer person, but I have come to appreciate the fall more and more. Especially September. The colours of the trees, the fresh air and cooler nights.
  4. A creativity that blossoms. Take today for example – It has been raining non stop. I tried going outside but I almost blew away, and by the time I got home I was soaked in water. So why even bother? I’ve been sitting on the computer, writing, and the hours have passed by unnoticed. It’s late evening already? When the mind is engaged, stimulated, the world outside fades away.
  5. Time to take a breather. Fall is the perfect time for relaxation and taking care of oneself. Acknowledge the present, simply cause the now is wow. Why not try out a new hobby or start an online course? One can never have too much knowledge. I love the fact that I have time to read books, practise yoga, write and cook. Impeccable ways to unwind.

Dear September…

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… you’ll be filled with power and heart.

‘She’s never alone with a soul full of heart. A sky full of stars, and a world full of hope. Never alone. Never afraid. With a soul full of passion.’

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Linda

With a gentle breeze you came, dear September. The wind so warm it makes our worries melt away. A mild and pleasant fall is a hundred times better than a cold and rainy summer. Dear September, embrace our hopes and dreams with your colourful and humble character. You’re exactly were you should be. Here amongst us.

September is for faith. Love and compassion. It’s for knowing ones worth, and the ability to shine light in another person’s life. Taking care of the body, as well as the soul. Exploring new cities and friendships. It’s for constantly learning, constantly progressing. Small steps in the right direction. Appreciating every minute. It’s about the ability to inspire other human beings. Improving the quality of life. Challenging the body. Loving the body. Loving life.

‘Your greatness is not what you have it’s what you give. Give kindness, love and passion. Sprinkle your heart everywhere -paint the world, colour your life, as well as everyone else’s. Never, ever hide the beauty of your heart. The beauty of you.’

– Linda

This September is all about being present in the now. It’s about finding humour in everyday life. Expecting, and enjoying, the unexpected. About growing and learning. It’s about eating blueberries and spending time with family. Working hard, never giving up on dreams or hopes. It’s about visualizing, being aware of the power within. The power of the thoughts. It’s about mindfulness and creativity. A creativity that never dies, only growing stronger. It’s about a life that’s flourishing and exciting. Beautiful and unexpected. It’s about life.

I welcome you. The colours of your soul, absolutely ravishing. You’re one of a kind, dear September. One of a kind.

Headspace

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‘Try not to overthink the process too much. Instead, enjoy the feeling of pausing to balance and catch your breath.’

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Headspace

 

Stressed out? Meditation has been shown to reduce daily stress and perceived stress. A couple of days ago I’ve found this app called Headspace, a meditation and mindfulness app.  Since I’m new to meditation this app is perfect. I appreciate the simplicity of it – meditation made simple. 

I must say I’ve been enjoying it very much, although it’s only been three days – it’s easy and you can choose from 3, 5 or 10 minutes sessions (the Basic theme). There’s definitely a theme for everyone since you can choose from different topics such as health, brave, happiness, work & performance, sport etcetera. The health theme has sessions such as anxiety, stress, sleep, depression, pain management while the work & performance theme has sessions such as productivity, focus, creativity and balance. The sport theme focuses on topics such as motivation, focus, training, competition, communication and analysis. Perfect for any athletes!

There are also these super-short exercises you can do at any time; breathe, unwind and restore. Furthermore you’ll find meditation sessions for ‘anxious moments’ which might come in handy for a lot of people before important interviews, difficult conversations or when experiencing fear of flying.

I’m trying out the 10 days free meditation. The monthly subscription is around 13 EUR.

The benefits of meditation;  (www.headspace.com)

  • Stress less
  • Sleep better
  • Happier, healthier relationships
  • Manage anxiety
  • Sharpen concentration

You can download the Headspace app on the App Store or get it on Google Play.

Health Food & Other Stories

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‘The most effective way to do it, is to do it.’

__________

Amelia Earhart

 

Update! After much thought and careful consideration I’ve decided to change my blog name, as well as my Instagram name. However, cleaneatingbylinda.com will still be the blog URL (at least for the time being).

I’m still CleanEatingbyLinda though; I simply view the name change just as it is – a name change or more or less – Health Food & Other Stories by cleaneatingbylinda. While CleanEatingbyLinda is the brand name, Health Food & Other Stories is the blog name.

After four years I felt it was time for some fresh vibes to sweep in and change things up. As I wrote in an earlier post: ‘Although CleanEatingbyLinda is evolving, growing up, the main purpose will always be the same as from the very beginning; A wish to inspire to a healthful and holistic lifestyle.’

‘Health Food & Other Stories is going beyond eating clean. It’s about awareness. It’s about feeding the body, as well as the mind & soul. It’s about passion. It’s about listening to your own, unique body. It’s about writing and following dreams. It’s about poetry. It’s about creativity and the ability to connect with people. It’s about staying active. It’s about yoga and relaxation. It’s about plant-based food and eating the rainbow. It’s about the planet. It’s about positivity and joy. It’s about colourful smoothie bowls. But most of all it’s about love and an earnest affection to inspire other humans.’

To inspire other humans towards a healthful lifestyle is one of my passions, and is something I’m planning on doing many more years to come. Feeding my soul with purpose.