My goals for 2021

Since my last post was all about the things I didn’t achieve in 2020, I wanted to make a new list for 2021. The year started off with a new lock-down periode, at least here in Norway. And I totally still feel like I’m stuck in the middle of December of 2020. I thought it would be beneficial for me to write down some goals for this year. It’s great to have something specific to work towards. We might not be over the pandemic just yet but I can already feel that this year will be better than the last. It has to be! So let’s begin, shall we.

My goals for this year:

• Learn a new Surah
• Read more books
• Get a full time job
• Have a YouTube schedule
• Post on IG again
• Learn the box step when jumping rope
• Finish a 5k run in 30 minutes

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For now this is my list. I struggle to find books I can relate to so if you have any suggestions, please comment down below. I have also started to post on my public Instagram so if you want to check it out I will link my IG here.

Lots of love,

Elizabeth

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Reminiscing over summer memories

It’s been a minute since I’ve written for you. To be honest I don’t know how to start again. But the longer I procrastinated the more I missed it. 

The last you heard from me was when Ramadan was ending. I was genuinely sad that such a blessed month was leaving us, and I guess I was scared not to be able to continue on with my new habits after Ramadan had left. I took a 30 day cleanse from social media which I desperately needed and to this day I have still not installed Instagram on my phone – more on that in a later post.

I was one month in to a new job which I love. I now work in retail, a wish of mine came true to be able to work with what is my passion – clothes. Endless amount of clothes have been bought with personal discounts but I’m not complaining, I just have to keep my spending spree in check.

Throughout the summer I worked a lot which was just what I wanted after being home for such a long time with my son. I was also able to enjoy our hot Norwegian summer, and I actually mean hot. Never before have we Scandinavians had such a tropical weather. My mum and I were also in Italy which I will share with you in my coming posts.

That was a bit of a summer update for you even though we’re well into fall now, it being the beginning of October and all.

New memories are being created and a new chapter is upon us. I can’t wait to share my adventures with you again. I promise, it won’t be long until you hear from me again. 

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Elizabeth

Lighted candles and cozy jumpers

It’s been a minute since I’ve been back here. Lately I haven’t really known what to write or share about. My life goes on with the same routine every day. My little one is almost eight months now, and I can’t believe where the time has gone. I only have three months left of this – being a stay at home mum. Even though it can become a bit too much at times I know I’m going to miss it.

Fall is upon us and I can already feel the colder air and the change of colors on the leaves. In my opinion fall is the best time of the year. Getting to snuggle up in cozy jumpers and warm socks. Drinking hot coco while enjoying the early evenings with lighted candles. There is no better time.

Elizabeth

An eventful day with my favorite people

Here I am getting lost in the endless space called the world wide web. Because it truly is a big web you get cough up in. But suddenly a lightning thought hits me and I remember  I wanted to update you. Today was such an eventful day and spend with two of the handful of my favorite people.

For the longest time I’ve been wanting to go mini golfing and today we finally drove 30 minutes into the city and found a wonderful place. It was a bit crowded when we arrived but all the school kids who occupied the playground eventually left. And after lunch we slowly went our way to the park.

In deep concentration while figuring out how to make this shot. I actually ended up with 57 points in the end which is average but I did win the match between my mum and I.

6 pounds for 18 holes and an hour later we finished. Just in time before the rain started to pour down. Luckily the little one fell asleep just as we started our game and woke up just before we finished.

The sun only picked out a couple of hours in the early morning and afternoon before it turned quite cold and cloudy so I’m glad I wore something warmer. Not bad being a hijabi in Scandinavia when the summer is very bearable.

Elizabeth

Book review: How to be a Bawse

I was hesitant to buy Lilly Singh’s book because it seemed as if every YouTuber had a book release and this was yet another way to make a few bucks.
Nonetheless, against my better judgment, I bought the book. And honestly, I was pleasantly surprised.

 

She uses a lot of analogies to her own life and colorful metaphors to describe a scenario. There are a lot of stairs and ladders you have to climb because there are no shortcuts to success.
There are fifty short chapters which makes it easy to read, with a lot of feel good colors. The book gives you an even deeper insight to her life and her way of thinking. She writes in a way that is authentic to herself, but if you don’t know who she is, than you might find her style of writing odd.

Half way through I got the feeling that I have to do more in my 24 hours. I had this stressful feeling inside me every single day. The book does give great motivation but it’s all cramped in a couple of hundred pages and it can get a bit too much too fast.

Watching her daily vlogs I also know that not every day is productive in her life. But she’s right, we should be more productive in our life. Overall, I’m glad I bought the book, it exceeded my expectations and I will try to implement some of her life lessons in a day to day basis.

Elizabeth

A woman in hijab

You may think I’m oppressed by the way you stare at me. That I’m not free to make my own decision. Maybe you think I’m forced to cover up my beauty.
I guess it bothers you that I choose what to show and withhold from the world. But the truth is that a veil like the hijab represents so much more then what you see.
We don’t lie or steal, drink or smoke. We think before we talk and watch our tongue.
We choose to wear it, to be among the best of people.
I hope one day you can see past my veil and see who I truly am. Because my freedom is not determined whether I show my hair or flaunt my body. And remember that the hijab represents so much more than a cover to your hair.

Elizabeth

5 things to do..

..when you’re bored.

For the last two weeks I’ve been at home, organizing, cleaning, doing laundry – simply getting everything ready before our little one comes home. After checking off my to-do list one by one, I find myself very bored. I don’t work at the moment and I can feel that I miss that time I had away from home amongst my colleagues.

1. Write a letter to a friend. We’ve gotten so consumed with our social media, only snapping or posting when something important is happening. But what about a hand written letter to an old friend? I must admit that I miss getting post. It might take a little longer to get an answer back than sending an email or snap chatting, but I think it’s worth the wait. 
2. Paint your keys. If you are really bored, why not take some nail polish and decorate your keys. You’ll probably never use the wrong key again and it’s a fun way to test your artistic skills. 
3. Take a bath or long shower. Whatever you have available, you should pamper yourself once in a while. It’s completely relaxing and with some lighted candles and a good exfoliator you’ll feel as good as new. 
4. Organize your phone or computer space. Maybe not the most fun, but completely rewarding and you’ll have more memory space when you’re done. A win-win situation. 
5. Look at old photos. Take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about the old times. Perfect now that this year is coming to an end. Maybe even make a photo album online which you can save or print out later. 

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Pictures from we heart it – follow me: mylifelizabeth

Elizabeth

Monday

When I’ve got one day off I try to squeeze in as much as possible. I maximize the time I have and do multiple things at once. I know this can be quite distracting and not always the most effective. But I like to multitask. Right now I’m transferring pictures from iCloud to my hard drive whilst I’m writing todays blog post and drinking coffee. On top of that one of my two cats also wants to cuddle. On that note, don’t you just want to cuddle and squeeze all these baby animals at once? That baby penguin just melts my heart.

weheartit

I often set too much up for myself. I’m certain will make it, but half way through it time ran out. Still ahead are several things, cooking, cleaning and maybe starting a sewing project. They always inspire me but also scare me. I never seem to finish and if I do I’m never a hundred prosent happy with the result. The struggles of a perfectionist. I’ll keep you posted.

Elizabeth

Colorful mind

I had so many ideas for what I could write next. I the bathroom whilst brushing my teeth I came up with several ideas but I promise you I have the short-time memory of Dory. There are so many times I have to take ten steps back to figure out what was on my mind. Maybe because I have too much on my mind?

I must say it’s getting quite a challenge to mix something up on the keyboard. But somehow my fingers tip away and I always manage to click publish. When I do sit down to write a few words, I find myself scrolling down we heart it at the same time, and maybe taking one too many breaks on YouTube. On another note, I can’t believe I’ve almost hit 200 followers!! Argh, what?! So many people actually read my stuff..? Usually I just look at the pictures. I’ve been on WordPress approximately 3 years now, with the occasional one week, or month, break. But I find my way back to the writing block because I do like to have my words published. Even though it’s sometimes just clutter, I’m able to empty my mind.

Elizabeth

First autumn day

I’ve been looking at this blank space for a while now. It’s been empty the last couple of weeks – and it’s been empty in my head too. I don’t know how to fill this space. I don’t know how to start even though I’m aching to write again. I want to be an inspiration, share my thoughts and mind with you again.

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It’s September 1st, summer is officially over, even the weather can agree on that. It’s windy, it’s cold and rainy. What I have learned is that time is always moving. We cannot stop it even though we want to capture a moment and stay in it. That is why you have to live in the moment. Don’t let it pass you, don’t feel the need to document or capture every other second on a picture. Sometimes it’s better to live and let go.

Elizabeth