admin, Author at Striving For Felicity

6 Practical Tips To Move More Gracefully And Elegantly – Tips for Modern Women

Sometimes it feels like we are doomed to move clumsily and brutish for the rest of our lives while others appear born to make graceful and elegant pirouettes.

But the way you move can be trained. Just look at the Next Topmodel shows and how the aspiring models learn to walk on runways.

Perhaps you can remember a time when you altered something about your handwriting. For example, I changed my ‘i’ dots to circles. And I managed to change that habit surprisingly quickly once I was determined to do so.

The point is, there are few things we are stuck with from birth on. The majority of things we can improve if we dedicate ourselves to it.

And since you are reading this, I assume you are motivated to move more gracefully and elegantly.

Well, let’s get into the tips.

1. Take your time when picking up things

One of the easiest ways to appear and feel more graceful and elegant is to pick things up more slowly and deliberately.

I’ve noticed it in myself that I tend to hurriedly grab for things, which not only looks rushed but sometimes also ends up being somewhat noisy.

Instead, I now try to pick things up as if they were delicate and easily breakable.

It might feel silly initially, but the goal here is to counteract your habit of madly grabbing for things so that you will automatically settle for an elegant middle way in the long run.

2. Find a “mentor” and copy them

It is always easier to learn something by example. Suppose you are not lucky enough to have a real person in your life that moves as gracefully and elegantly as you desire to move. In that case, you can simply use the unlimited internet for inspiration.

One of my inspirations on that topic is Magnus Bane from the Shadowhunters TV show.

He is so suave and graceful in everything he does. It is fascinating to watch his mannerisms and try to copy them.

If you keep your eyes open from now on when watching series, movies, music videos, or such, you will quickly notice people that move gracefully.

Focus on small things that they do first, like sitting down or moving their hands when talking or perhaps turning around.

3. Broad and fluent movements

Often times, people that look clumsy move in a swift and unprecise manner. They just seem to always be in a rush.

And as the Princess Diaries taught us: A queen is never late. Everyone else is simply early.

Part of that graceful elegance that royals portray comes from them taking their time.

They don’t hastily gulp down their drink or almost fall over because they try to put their shoes on quicker.

Allow yourself the time for fluent and broad movements.

Whether it is with your hand gestures, while taking off your jacket or getting in and out of the car.

If you take more time for the way you move, you can do so in a much more precise manner.

4. Dress accordingly

Let’s be real, it is pretty hard to come off as graceful and elegant wearing baggy pants and a dirty oversized t-shirt.

I’m sure some people manage to pull off even that, but you are most likely not at that level of elegance yet, if you are reading this.

So do yourself a favor and dress to impress.

This doesn’t need to be in an overly chic way. Simply try to keep your clothes neat and matching.

You also don’t need to choose feminine colors like pastels or nudes or the like to exude feminine elegance.

Just take a look at Isabelle Lightwood from Shadowhunters. She wears lots of black and bright red, and her clothes are emphasizing all her feminine assets.

But that doesn’t stop her from appearing elegant.

5. Sit down in a controlled manner

You know those people who flop down onto chairs? Or those who sit down only to wiggle the chair forward until its position is perfect.

Well, both of these behaviors are far from graceful to watch.

Practice sitting down in a more controlled and slow manner.

To test out whether it looks like a natural movement, do it around your family or friends for a while.

If it’s too strange, they’ll comment on it for sure.

6. Take dancing lessons

I often get the impression that dancers just move gracefully in everyday life.

And it makes sense. They practice those fluent and elegant dancing moves so often that they naturally start moving like that in daily life.

If you are reluctant about going to a dancing class all by yourself, take a look for online classes.

They indeed aren’t the same as having a real-life mentor who can show you the moves, but they’re better than procrastinating on that endeavor.

And if you don’t want to pay for that, go and find that Just Dance game from your childhood.

And have fun! All beginnings are awkward, so might as well jump into that awkwardness as fast as possible to get it over with.

I hope these practical tips help you on your quest to move more gracefully and elegantly.

I am currently working on my own gracefulness as well, so I get the struggle.

I’d be very grateful for any additional tips on the topic to help me and your fellow Felicity Seekers embrace their elegance more easily.

Stay safe!

Sophie

11 Things To Do Before The New Year

Blog, Personal Development

The new year is just around the corner, and it’s an exciting time for a fresh start. But, before we dive into the festivities of new year’s eve, there are some important tasks to tackle to make sure the upcoming year kicks off on the right note. If you’re tired of just coasting into the new year with fireworks and toasts, I’ve got a more intentional approach for you. An approach that lets you take the reins and design the year ahead according to your own dreams and goals. If that’s what you’re after, hang on tight, because we’re about to take this journey together. Let’s make it the best year yet!

Read also: 14 Books I’ve Read This Year

1. Ticking off your Bucket List

Many of us start the year with high aspirations and a list full of New Year resolutions. At the same time, most people have the bad habit of not accomplishing most of these goals.

These last few weeks before the ball drop offer a golden opportunity to tackle those lingering items on your bucket list. By accomplishing them, you not only wrap up the year on a high note but also kickstart the next year with a sense of determination. No more carrying the weight of unfulfilled resolutions into the new year!

So, what’s left on your list?

2. Tidying up your home

As fun as the holiday season can be, it often leaves a trail of mess in its wake.

If you are organizing a big Christmas dinner, your kitchen might look like a tornado went through it.

Maybe you are letting close friends or family members stay at your place for the holidays. And don’t forget about all that ripped-off wrapping paper and the presents lying around everywhere.

You get the point.

When crossing over into the new year and with it a fresh start, you want to do it with a clean slate. Literally.

So clean up! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of waking up on January 1st to a clean and organized home, ready to start the year on the right foot.

3. Going over your yearly expenses and planning ahead

The start of a new year is an excellent time to examine your financial situation. Many expenses recur annually, such as rent, insurance, and maintenance. By forecasting these costs, you can alleviate the stress of unexpected bills. Understanding your financial obligations for the coming year allows you to plan your budget more effectively, helping you save, invest, and spend with greater confidence. It’s a crucial step in your journey toward financial peace.

4. Reviewing the successes and lessons of the year

Even the most successful year ever will bring some small failures you can draw lessons from.

Before you bring out the champagne and shoot your fireworks, you should celebrate the past 12 months’ wins and what lessons the year taught you.

Whether big or small, write them down, so you can review and truly memorize them.

And don’t feel bad about these mishaps! You should feel excited about the opportunity they provide you with.

Each new lesson you’ve learned reduces the chance of you making mistakes. So celebrate each lesson as another step towards a wiser and more successful self.

5. Writing your goals for the next year

This is always a fun part of entering a new year.

A new year gives you 365 new chances of accomplishing things to be proud of, something that takes you closer to your dream life.

So what do you plan on accomplishing next year?

But remember, you want to set goals and not just resolutions. The difference is that the latter is achievable, and you commit to following a plan to accomplish that goal.

Resolutions are often vague hopes that people have already forgotten by January 21st.

Depending on your goals, you have to decide between setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, Time-Bound) or more loosely formulated goals that leave a lot of room for the flow of life.

Personally, I am not entirely happy with S.M.A.R.T. goals. I’ve tried setting goals like that once. It didn’t work for me.

It was hard for me to anticipate how much I could actually accomplish in a year concerning tasks that were entirely new to me.

It’s easy to set the goal to pass an exam with at least 9 points. But it’s harder to grasp how much money you will be able to make in one year with your new blog.

So, just find what works best for you.

6. Updating your vision board

When was the last time you refreshed your vision board?

I can guarantee that you have evolved in the last year – you are a Felicity Seeker, after all.

The new year is a perfect chance to embrace that new you and its new dreams. Even better, you can leave your old dreams behind by throwing out the vision board images from the past year that don’t inspire and excite you anymore.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s create a vision board for a successful new year.

7. Decluttering your phone

Digital clutter often goes unnoticed, but it can impact your well-being.

But I can almost certainly say that your phone, tablet or laptop is overflowing with stuff.

Take a look at your pictures. Do you need them all? Of those you do not need, which ones don’t make you happy when you see them?

Take a look at your social media. Are you only following accounts that inspire and motivate you, or also the ones that make you feel bad?

Delete or mute those toxic accounts. Tools like social media are meant to benefit you and not make you feel bad!

What about the apps you’ve downloaded? Which ones haven’t you used in the last 6 months? Could you perhaps order them in a more structured and less cluttered way?

Does the background image still inspire you and make you happy? If not, change it!

And lastly, make backups and update your devices.

Oh, and thoroughly clean your phone! There have been genuinely gross statistics about the bacteria on our phones. So at least clean it before the new year!

8. Choose your word/mantra of the year

Consider adopting a single word or mantra to guide your journey throughout the year. This word serves as a touchstone, a reminder of your overarching theme, and a promise of what’s to come, regardless of life’s challenges. The power of such a word or phrase can provide strength, inspiration, and resilience on your path to personal growth.

This year my mantra was ‘Grace and Ease.’

At the end of last year, I was incredibly stressed with uni since so much was going on. All the stress was fuel to the fire that is my acne-prone skin.

So, all in all, I decided that enough was enough. I had to work on my stress management. I was simply sick and tired of stressing over such unnecessary things in the grand scheme of things.

So I dedicated this year to flow through life with grace and ease.

Every time I was nervous about something, I used to tell myself, ‘I will rock this with grace and ease.’ I remembered that mantra so often throughout this year.

And you know what? I not only managed the stress around uni AMAZINGLY! I also had an overall very successful year!

So what word or mantra does appeal to you? What do you want the overall theme of your life to be?

9. Change calendars and note essential dates

As the new year approaches, remember to replace your old calendars with fresh ones. Make sure that you transfer essential dates and commitments from the old calendar to the new one, including birthdays and significant events. This simple act keeps you organized and prepared for the year ahead.

10. Start a new project ahead of the New Year

For some reason, we are all always waiting for the new year, the new month, or the new week to start something new.

It just feels like this is the perfect time to start.

But guess what? The time you spend waiting for that moment to come, you could already have been working on that new project.

They say it takes 10.000 hours of focusing on a topic to become an expert. How many of those 10.000 hours could you have already ticket off had you not waited for January 1st?

I found myself in that situation in 2019. I wanted to step up my Pinterest marketing game and planned to buy a course to help me with that.

Ultimately, I decided not to withstand the urge to wait until the new year and instead started the course a few weeks prior.

Thank god I did because otherwise, I’d be a few weeks short of where I am now.

So stop waiting for the new year’s day and start already! Get that head start!

11. Truly Relax

When the New Year comes around, we are all motivated to start the year on a high and hustle our butt off.

As noble as that goal is, it won’t do you any good if you are already in a stressed and tired state. Truth be told, the holidays before the end of the year can be exhausting.

Family get-togethers, the hunt for gifts, cooking extravagant meals, having other people sleep at your place, and such can keep you from thoroughly relaxing; especially if you are leaning more to the introverted side of the spectrum.

That’s why it’s so important to give yourself the rest and quiet time you need and deserve. If you do that, nothing can stop you from crushing the beginning of the next year!

As we wrap up these simple yet effective steps to prepare for the new year, remember you’re not alone in this journey. We’re all striving for a fresh start, setting new goals, and looking forward to a year filled with opportunities. So let’s raise a glass to decluttered homes, well-defined goals, and refreshed vision boards. And let’s not forget the power of a single word to guide us through the upcoming adventures. This is your chance to embrace the future with open arms, unburdened by digital clutter, and well-prepared for the year ahead. It’s time to enjoy the holidays, take a deep breath, and enter the new year as the best version of yourself.

Do you have any additional tips on what must be done before the new year? Share them with the community down below!

Cheers to a fantastic year filled with personal growth and exciting opportunities. Here’s to a great year ahead!

11 Books I’ve Read This Year

Blog, Personal Development

Another year has passed – a year full of fantastic books!

I know that at times we all need some new inspiration on what our next read should be. That’s why I love book lists like the following so much.

That’s also why I’ve created my Reading List for Personal Growth as one of the Blog’s first posts.

So if you want a more extensive and ever-growing list of non-fictional books to read, you should definitely check out that list.

However, if you want more details on those books’ content and my opinion, you should look out for these kinds of posts.

With that being said, here are the books I’ve read this year:

1. Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance

I started off the year with quite a demanding book.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a mixture of a novel, an autobiography, and a book on philosophy written in 1974.

I purchased it because one of my favorite YouTube Channels, Alux.com, recommended it as a philosophical must-read.

I have to say, my feelings towards it were mixed.

First of all, I have to mention that there was indeed a lot of motorcycle maintenance talk through the first third of it—much more than I expected.

Also, the storyline was somewhat weird and dull initially (for me, at least).

But through the second half of it, my interest was peaked, and things got much more enjoyable. Mostly as I figured out that the story was somewhat of an autobiography.

2. Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba

After that demanding and lengthy first book of the year, I decided to go for something more light and inspiring.

Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba was everything I hoped it to be.

Easy to read and with inspiring stories, it got me full of Boss Babe vibes and ready to create the extraordinary life of my dreams as an empowering woman.

I’ve been listening to Cara’s Podcast The Champagne Diet for a while now, and I love her mindset and vibes.

If you want to know what she’s like, listen to a few of her episodes – actually listen to them anyway, whether or not you intend to buy the book.

I’m sure you’ll love her just as much as I do.

3. Goddesses In Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen

Next, I took upon rereading a more demanding book: Goddesses In Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen is a book on women’s psychology.

The author uses seven of the main Roman goddesses (Hera, Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis, Athena, Persephone, Hestia) as archetypes for female behavior.

Through them, she created behavioral patterns typical for relationships with parents, children, friends, lovers, your goals in life, your academic path, and more.

She also names famous (although nowadays probably not anymore widely known) women as examples of this archetypal behavior.

The book fascinated me.

I was genuinely able to see some of the women’s behavioral patterns around me explained in the book.

And even more critical, the book provided me with more inside into my own psyche and the archetypes that I embody.

It’s definitely an exciting read for any woman!

4. Love Her Wild by Atticus

My first dip into poetry!

If you read quotes on Instagram or Pinterest, you might have stumbled over some of Atticus’ work already.

It’s a perfect coffee table book and nice to look into every once in a while.

If you like his poems, you might also want to check out Nacked On Cashmere, a Podcast where these small poems are read aloud.

5. The Rational Optimist

I’m sure you can discover a pattern by now. This year I somewhat alternated between more demanding and lighter reads.

The Rational Optimist is definitely among the former group of books.

You know how the news and a lot of literature paint such a negative image of the world’s future?

How so many people are like, “I wouldn’t want to bring children into this world” and “Everything was better in the past.”

Yeah, well, those opinions have always p#ssed me off.

That’s why I feel particularly drawn to those rare people with a positive yet realistic outlook on the future.

The first book I read in this direction had been Factfulness by Hans Rosling, which I can HIGHLY recommend to everyone.

The Positive Optimist also uses facts, sometimes from studies but mostly from history, as the foundation for its optimistic outlook onto the future.

This book truly challenged some beliefs I’ve held for a long time now and made me overthink them.

After reading this, you won’t feel anxious anymore when the next wave of apocalyptic prophesies are broadcasted through talk shows and social media.

You will have a well-informed tool kit that allows you to create your own – most likely optimistic – opinion on our future.

6. The Lost Symbol (#3 Robert Langdon Series) by Dan Brown

You most likely heard about the Illuminati or the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. First, the book was a bestseller, and then they even made a movie with Tom Hanks about it.

The Lost Symbol is the third book in the Robert Langdon series, and I have to say it was AMAZING!

What I love so much about this series is that they are not merely thrillers but include so much of accurate information about architecture, history, numerology, science, religion, and more.

The books never fail to introduce me to new topics that pique my curiosity. In this particular book, I was introduced to Noetic science.

This science field conducts experiments and research around topics like the limitations of our consciousness, the interconnectedness of mind and matter, and transformational experiences (like healers that can heal simply with their touch and thoughts).

In the book, there is also some talk about how much the soul weights.

This science reminds me a lot of the law of attraction.

Anyway, this is just one of many exciting topics that Dan Brown dives into throughout the thrilling chase through Washington DC.

7. In The Flow by Alisa Vitti

This is an ABSOLUTE must-read for every woman out there!

Alisa Vitti teaches you that period issues of any kind are NOT normal. They are common, and that’s why everyone believes they are normal, but this couldn’t be further from the truth!

It’s time we truly learn to appreciate our second clock, the 28-day cycle and learn to treat our body in the best possible way.

We need to stop buying into quick fixes like the pill that don’t actually solve our problems but merely mask them while simultaneously creating many more issues.

If you are ready to take back the control over your body and live the best life possible without medications that could damage organs or cause depression, this book is for you!

Check it out!

8. The Prince by Machiavelli

Over the years, I’ve read one or two good quotes from Machiavelli. So I thought I should check out one of his works.

I went for The Prince. It’s a nice short booklet – perfect for introducing you to Machiavellis writing.

I’m not sure what exactly I expected from the book when I started reading it. But it surely wasn’t a how-to-guide on becoming a successful ruler and maintaining that position.

Still, it was quite interesting to read about the strategy and psychology that comes with that endeavor.

Particularly since Machiavelli based his tips on many historical examples, that were sometimes more sometimes less familiar to me.

If you’re interested in the strategy behind war and politics, this book should interest you.

9. The Titans Curse (#3 Percy Jackson Series) by Rick Riordan

If you love greek mythology and Fiction books, you HAVE to start reading the Percy Jackson Series!

I originally started reading it somewhen in my early teenage years, I think. Anyway, I didn’t make it further than the second book for whatever reason.

And as my interest rekindled this year, I decided to continue with the third one. It was just as great as expected!

I love how each book introduces me to new mythological stories and how I can test my knowledge through it.

Give it a try!

10. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson

This book I had been eying ever since it was on those bestseller bookshelves in the book stores.

Finally, I got around to reading it.

I have to admit, I’m not entirely happy with it. Don’t understand me wrong. The rules he mentioned are definitely wise. They were elucidated through many exciting stories, biblical interpretations, and historical analysis.

However, sometimes I felt those chapters got a bit lengthy when he could make his point more quickly. But hey, maybe it was just me being in an impatient phase.

Anyhow, it is definitely worth a read.

11. Limitless by Jim Kwik

After over two decades of helping people improve their memory, reading speed, and overall brain performance, Jim Kwik has finally gifted us with a book that sums up all of his experiences and tips.

Since fast learning is becoming increasingly important in today’s informational age, this is a must-read for everyone.

This book also gives you some tools at hand to keep your brain healthy even throughout old age.

And Jim Kwik is a great teacher. So get out your wallet and get yourself that book!

That’s it. Those are the books I’ve read this year.

What did you read? Comment down below your favs from this year.

Also, what’s on your reading list for next year? Mine is steadily growing, it’s not even funny even more -_-

I hope you have a fantastic day!

Sophie

11 Things You Should Not Spend Money On

Blog, Success

For many of us, money is a big topic in our life. Particularly if you don’t have enough to just forget about it. It is vital to be clear about the things you shouldn’t spend money on in that situation.

When I started this business, I was still studying at uni and had no income. In a situation like that you have to be very intentional with your spending.

That’s why I want to share with you the 11 things I did not spend money on when I couldn’t afford it.

These are things that I know other people who are in a similar financial position are spending money on, so chances are high you might be doing it as well.

Read the list with an open mind and be honest with yourself if these are expenses you could cut out of your life until the income flows more steadily.

Read also: 11 Ways To Spend Your Money Wisely

Now, let’s get into it!

1. Cars + fuel

Now, there is something you need to know about me.

I LOVE driving! And I mean, LOVE!

So unsurprisingly, I also adore fast and luxurious cars. Honestly, my car, even though it is “just” a VW Polo, is one of the biggest joys in my life.

Still, as much as I love driving and cars, I don’t spend more money on them then I can afford.

Interestingly enough, I’ve noticed that the parking spots of both of the factories I’ve worked in over the years are full of fancy and tuned cars.

Now, I am aware that you can buy them used and then pay off the price monthly so that the price is smaller than one would think.

Still, from my experience, factory workers are not the best-paid employees out there.

Some do get a decent income but, in my opinion, still not enough to be able to afford to put money into a car that loses its worth with every passing day.

Those seem to be people who don’t plan or work towards a financially better future. Otherwise, that money would be going into investments or savings.

Another thing is fuel. For obvious environmental reasons, you shouldn’t burn much of it.

But also the financial reasons are noteworthy. Fuel is expensive! I really don’t drive much because I don’t have many places to be at, and if I do, they are close by. But even I spend around 50€ a month on fuel.

And if I think back to my last year in school, when all the 18-year-olds one after the other got cars. I remember hearing from some people how much they’ve already driven in one week. It was more than I had driven in two months!!!

And I can assure you it was just for the fun of driving around – which again, I LOVE as well, but not at the expense of my bank account and the environment.

So I urge you to carefully consider what car you get yourself and how much you drive with it. I’m sure there is money to be saved there.

2. Subscriptions

One thing that always makes alarm clocks go off in my head are subscriptions.

It’s one thing to spend your money on something once. It’s an entirely different thing to spend that money each month again and again.

Even though it might not seem like a lot, it will easily compile over the time of a year. In the end, you could have used that money for a business course or tool that could have brought you closer to financial freedom.

If I purchase subscriptions for non-work-related reasons, they are always such that can be canceled at any time.

I often cancel them immediately after subscribing so that I don’t forget about it at the end of the month.

Take a look at your finances. Are there subscriptions that cost you each month? Do you need them?

3. Skincare + Haircare products

I am a curly girl, and I have acne-prone skin. Combined, these things mean I could spend a FORTUNE on skincare and haircare products if I had the financial means to do so.

I regularly find myself researching for better products only to end up finding +20€ products.

Now, this topic has the same problem as the subscription topic has. Cosmetic products are rarely a one time expense.

You have to buy them, again and again, every few months.

If you don’t buy them all simultaneously, you might not realize how expensive they actually are.

But let’s say I buy a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer for each 20€ that’s 60€. And over a year, I might have to rebuy them once or twice, so that makes 120-180€ a year for cosmetics.

And that doesn’t even include haircare or makeup products!

I really get the urge of wanting to buy the best products out there. But you have to make a sacrifice if you want to save money in favor of your long-term goal of financial freedom.

Also, you might be surprised at how good cheap products can be.

In recent months, I’ve made an effort to look for non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable products – so products that are vegan, not pore-clogging, have recycled bottles, don’t have microplastic, alcohols, sulfates, parabens, are cruelty-free, and more of these good things.

To my utter surprise, I found products that fit these categories and are incredibly cheap. Like, I’m talking below 10€ if not even below 5€ cheap!

Now, usually, I do believe that quality has a price. Still, I’ve done a lot of research, and these cheap products seem to be much better than the pricier alternatives.

So take some time and do research on cheaper products that fit your needs. You might be surprised what you can find.

4. Premium plans

I know that premium plans often fall under the category of subscriptions mentioned under No. 2.

However, I thought that they deserved a special mentioning because it is a topic worth considering separately.

Premium plans promise you more features compared to the free or limited plans.

“More” always sounds good to us but realistically speaking, more really isn’t necessary most of the time.

I, for example, am still using the free Spotify plan. Why? Well, I mostly use Spotify on my computer at home, so I don’t need the download function most of the time.

And sure, the ads can be annoying, but they don’t bother me too much, so I might as well save myself those additional expenses.

Other examples of premium plans I don’t spend money on are Tailwind and MailerLite.

Each of their premium plans would be nice to have, but if I’m honest, they won’t make a big difference, so I don’t spend money on them.

What premium plans are you spending money on that you might not need?

5. Alkohol + Cigarettes

It’s one thing to waste your money on an unnecessary luxury. But it is an entirely different thing to waste money on something that actually hurts you!

It’s like paying someone to punch you in the face. Why would you even do that?

Sure there might be some short-term benefits from purchasing alcohol and cigarettes. Still, they seem so minuscule compared to the big picture.

If you can’t (read: are not disciplined enough or lack the motivation) to live without them, then at least reduce the amount you consume.

You will be doing yourself not just a financial but also health-wise a favor.

6. The newest phones, tablets, video games, etc.

Each year brings new technological advancements and the latest version of phones, tablets, videogames, etc.

Not rarely do people jump into the bandwagon and buy the newest version of their phone or tablet.

Yet, most of the time, the new technological advantages compared to the old version are simply not worth their price.

Do you really need that slightly better camera or that slightly faster speed? Would you even notice or use it?

And do you have to buy that game the moment of its release, or could you wait 6 months until the price is slightly reduced?

There is a lot of money to be saved if you don’t pursue the newest shiny object.

7. Shipping + Returns

Online shopping is fantastic! You can do it from the comfort of your own home, and you have access to more shops than you could ever find in one place.

However, I know how easy it is to come across shops that are based outside of your country.

If you’re lucky, they offer free shipping. If not, depending on what you want to buy, you might even consider paying the shipping fee.

But careful! How often do you return parts of your order? If it’s clothing, I almost always return half of it.

That means you have to pay for the return shipment as well.

That can get very expensive very quickly.

You should carefully consider if the things you are ordering are worth those expenses.

For me, the answer has pretty much always been no. I only order in shops that offer free shipping and returns.

Even though I fall in love regularly with shops that don’t offer this. And as painful as it is to forget about them, it benefits my wallet.

8. Quick fixes

Suppose someone offers you a product or service that will solve a problem you have (e. g. losing weight, building a business) seemingly overnight or in any ridiculously short time span. In that case, all of your alarm clocks should go off.

In life, there are rarely quick fixes for any problem you have. And if they actually do fix your issue, then chances are high it isn’t a long-term solution.

Quality solutions take time. Therefore don’t waste your money on courses, tools, mentors, or other products and services that make wild promises.

In my experience, you should trust your gut. Take your time to get to know the person behind the product or service. Consume their free content if they have any.

If you feel like you can trust them after a few days or weeks, and you still want that product/service, then go for it.

But don’t spontaneously buy into quick fixes!

9. Stocks, Bonds and Cryptocurrency

By now, everyone knows that there is money to be earned on the stock market. That’s why so many people jump into it.

However, the stock market is incredibly complex. You need to have a well-thought-through strategy in place to not lose your money.

Books like Money: Master The Game (see also on my Reading List for Personal Growth) can be a great guide.

Still, I believe it’s wise to hire someone with experience and expertise to look after your investments and counsel you through it all.

Finding the right person to do that is a challenge in itself, considering the multitude of offers on the market. Money: Master The Game gives you some tips on that as well.

Until you find someone, or at least until you have in-depth studied the topic, I believe it wise to save your money instead of potentially losing it through a bad investment.

10. Rental car upgrades

Ok, so this is a fantastic life hack I’ve learned early on.

If you travel to a foreign country and you reserved a rental car for yourself, always turn down the upgrades the guy from the rental car service offers you.

It happened multiple times to my family that the car we had actually rented wasn’t available anymore. So the rental car guy wanted to lure us into paying for a car with better features.

He kept proposing multiple upgrades, but after we had denied them all, he had to relent and tell us that because our car wasn’t available anymore, they had to give us a better car without any additional costs!

Obviously, they can’t give you less than what you reserved just because they failed to keep the car available. So in the end, they’ll give you a better car.

You wouldn’t believe what a fantastic car we once received because of that! It was honestly amazing. And we didn’t pay a cent more than for the cheaper version we had reserved.

Also, if they don’t offer you something amazing, you could still go back and agree to any of the suggested upgrades if you want to. They’ll certainly won’t stop you from paying more.

11. Cheap jewelry

There are so many gorgeous necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and more to buy online.

There is only one issue. Most of them are made of cheap material that oxygenates with time.

This is frustrating. Finally, you’ve found a necklace you love, and you start wearing it regularly only to see it going all black a few months down the line.

Instead of keeping buying cheap jewelry with a short life span, invest in real gold or gold plated jewelry, which can last you years if not decades to come.

That is spending your money wisely.

Alright, there you have it. 11 Things to not spend your money on.

Do you have any additional recommendations? Comment down below!

Until next time.

Sophie

11 Fashion Hacks For Stylish Women

Fashion, Miscellaneous Topics

Since clothes are such an essential part of every moment in our life, we can never get enough fashion hacks for stylish women.

I have spent the last few years with the task of improving my style. On that journey, there had been specific fashion tips that have helped me more than others.

Today I want to share with you 11 of my favorite fashion hacks to elevate your style.

If you are a petite woman like myself, you should also check out my 9 Fashion Hacks For Petite Women.

Now, let’s get into it.

1. Mix up textures

Playing with different textures in your outfit can make it more interesting. While denim on denim, for example, can look harmonious, it is rather dull.

However, suppose you combine the roughness of denim with the smoothness of silk or softness of velvet. In that case, it creates an enticing contrast for the senses.

This play with textures can be especially useful to spice up monochrome outfits that otherwise might look too dull.

2. Use a belt

Belts can help your pants or skirts to stay in place when you move.

However, just because you’ve found a pair of pants that sit correctly and don’t need a belt doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear one.

Belts are a real game-changer in outfits. It gives the style just a little additional spice. Even if it is just a very basic black belt.

Besides a basic belt, you should also consider getting more unique belts for statement purposes—perhaps one with an oversized buckle, or a chain-belt, or a thick one for your waist.

There are lots of options.

Just try it out for yourself and compare your outfits with and without a belt; I’m sure you will see a stark difference.

3. Don’t go overboard on jewelry

It can be fun to play around with jewelry. You can wear layered necklaces, an ear full of earings, hands full of rings, and whatnot.

But, you shouldn’t wear all at once.

If you wear too much jewelry combined, it can ruin your whole outfit and make you look cheap.

I’ve once heard the recommendation to stick with two body parts to wear jewelry. So you can wear necklaces and earrings, or earrings and rings, or necklaces and rings, for example.

On the one hand, I like that guideline because I do think it brings a balance to outfits.

However, I have a more loose take on it. I do think it is ok to wear earrings, rings, AND necklaces at once – and of course, you have to consider your watch as somewhat of jewelry as well.

But, I try to limit jewelry that stands out to two body parts. For me, that mostly means very basic and not too eye-catching earrings.

As always, I encourage you to try it out for yourself. This can also depend on your outfit. But it is definitely a guideline to keep in mind.

4. Use shoes to spice things up

Not just belts and accessories can be used to spice an outfit up. Many people seem to forget that shoes can also make beautiful statements and create excitement in your style.

To give you a very basic example, an all-black outfit gets a totally different vibe when you pair it with red boots.

That being said, I do recommend to first cover the basic shoe colors before you go out and spend money on more flashy items.

5. Try to stick to two colors

I always feel that if you stick to two colors and their shades in your outfit, you can hardly go wrong. It just tends to look super stylish.

Of course, there are many outfits out there with more than two colors in it. But if you want a safe choice, stick to two-three colors.

6. Decide on a color scheme

The point previously mentioned is especially easy to accomplish if you mainly purchase colors that fall under your chosen color scheme.

When purchasing clothes, I try to stick to five primary colors, more or less.

Mine are black, bordeaux, white, beige, rose/purple, and emerald green.

I’ve been doing this for a while now, and in recent months I’ve really noticed how things are falling more and more into place.

I have fewer and fewer pieces of clothing that I don’t know how to pair with other items.

And the two-color based outfits are much more effortless to put together.

7. Keep your shoes clean

I get it; cleaning your shoes is not really at the forefront of your mind unless they are covered in mud.

But you might want to consider giving your shoes a weekly or fortnightly once over.

Those grass stains on sneakers or the white sprinkles on your black boots from the salt on the streets in wintertime do indeed impact your outfit.

I feel like often times we only notice it unconsciously, but we can tell that something is not quite right with style.

So keep your shoes clean!

8. Synchronize the colors of accessories and details

Ok, so this is a very pro tip.

Your outfit will be elevated to a whole new level if all your accessories and details like zippers, buttons, and studs have the same color. So mostly that will be gold, rose gold, or silver.

In the beginning, you probably won’t be able to do it consistently. You will have jeans with a gold button and shoes with silver zippers, for example. And of course, you shouldn’t throw them out over such a tiny detail.

But now that you know about this importance of detail, you will keep it in mind when buying clothes and accessories, making the styling process later on effortless.

9. Loose goes with tight and wise versa

This has been one of the most groundbreaking yet simples tips I’ve ever learned about styling.

It tends to look more stylish to pair tight jeans or skirts with something more loose on top. Or the other way around.

So whenever you find yourself wearing an all skin-tight outfit, consider switching one part of it for something more loosely fitted and see how it looks.

The same goes for a baggy outfit. If both your top and bottom are loosely fitted, it can make you look like a sack of potatoes.

This is, of course, only a rule of thumb. There are tons of great outfits that don’t follow this rule.

However, some that do follow this rule and that I absolutely adore are, for example:

those wide-legged, long and thin summer pants with a tight cropped top (Rachel from Friends wore an outfit like that somewhere in Season 2, for example)
A tight business-sy pencil skirt with a flowy loose blouse tucked into it.

10. Skin on top or at the bottom

Like with the previous point, there is also a balance to be maintained with the amount of skin you show.

Sometimes less is more. And I firmly believe that is the case with looking sexy instead of trashy.

Showing a lot of skin can quickly be done by wearing revealing clothes.

Miniskirts, hot pants, and cropped or even see-through tank tops are your clothes of choice in this case.

But showing just the right amount of skin to grant a glimpse of what could be and let some delicious mysteries alive is a true art.

With a tasteful and flattering outfit, the skin of your arms, shoulders, and collar bone can look very alluring.

Of course, in the hot summertime, you might want to dress more lightly. If thin and long pants like the ones mentioned above aren’t your thing, you, of course, can go for shorts to combine with a camisole.

But you might want to consider whether it would look more stylish to wear around mid-thigh length shorts instead of hot pants that show half your arse.

11. Only buy fitting clothes

Obviously, you should only buy fitting clothes. That’s what different sizes are for, right?

Well, what I mean is genuinely fitting clothes.

For most of my life, I have been buying regular clothes in small sizes. But as a petite woman, that very often led to disappointments as shirts, jackets, or pants simply were too long.

And I can’t always just get them tailored because with some items, it’s not just about the length but the proportions in general.

I recently had another one of these bitter disappointments, and I am so done with them!

Form now on, I don’t think I will even bother with looking at the main collections of online stores. I’ll simply filter for petite sizes straight away.

I am trying to tell you here that you should know your proportions and buy fitting clothes accordingly.

Are you petite or tall? Are you plus sized or maybe very thin?

Buy clothes according to your unique proportions. I know it is easier to buy stuff of the reck. But if they don’t fit you perfectly, you’ll feel uncomfortable in them, and people will be able to tell.

Nowadays, you truly have so many options, so take advantage of them.

I hope you found these 11 fashion hacks helpful. Do you have any additional ones to share?

I’m looking forward to hearing your tips.

Sophie