Efficient way to make yourself happy
Why I left Instagram for a week
After Donald Trump got banned from Twitter I felt like I had withdrawal symptoms. Throughout the election I got addicted to his Twitter feed, because this man is truly special – when you think it just can’t get any worse, he proves you wrong. Every. Single. Time. But I wondered how much time he’s gained by being excluded from the platform…
Continue reading “Why I left Instagram for a week”My 2020
For the past week and a bit my Instagram and Facebook feed has been filled with everyone’s highlights of 2020, and this was the first year when I simply wasn’t ready to look back on 2020. Until now.
It’s been a very different year. Most unusual. Most unexpected.
Continue reading “My 2020”Self-care challenge this lockdown
Here we go, lockdown 2.0!
This time it should be easier: we’ve all been through it already, and it should be shorter. Fingers crossed.
Continue reading “Self-care challenge this lockdown”3 events that broke my heart this week
Wherever you look, there are always sad news. I feel blessed to live in such a safe country, where you can tune out the terrible things that happen in the world, because they simply don’t affect you – most of us do it, right?
But three things happened this week, that are so close to my heart, made me so outraged and sad, that I wanted to raise a little more awareness.
Mauritius Oil Spill
Mauritius has a special place in my heart. This is where my husband and I spent our honeymoon, and it’s the most beautiful place I have even been to.
Last week we saw disturbing stories on Instagram and this week it’s reached the world headlines – because it’s THAT catastrophic.
Despite all the efforts to pump off the oil and save the coastline with hair, tights and straw, the damage that’s already done is huge. I remember the beautiful coral reef, but the locals pointed out that only years ago, there was so much more colour.
I feel so lucky that I got to visit this place, and so heart-broken that I’ll never get to see it the same again.
If you would like to support the cleaning efforts, here is the campaign you can donate to.
Russian Covid19 Vaccine
I saw the news breaking through one of the Russian News Telegram channels – hours before the news hit BBC headlines. Vladimir Putin announced that he’s approved a Covid-19 vaccine. The first in the world. They even named it Sputnik V, as a nod to the first ever satellite that went in space.
I wasn’t surprised. This is so Putin. What an absolute evil genius.
The guy, who hid his daughters away for decades, is now saying that his own daughter tried the vaccine. The President wouldn’t put his daughter’s health or his reputation on the line, right?
The state channel TV (read: key propaganda tool) – Yes, I endured 4 hours of it – is pouring all sorts of patriotic references – just look how amazing we are, comparing to the Decaying West! Not only Russia has one of the lowest Covid19 mortality cases (or do they?), this is the country that will save the world! And the West is just jealous, and will try to stall us, because they don’t want us to win. This will give us leverage with China!…
Here is a great article ‘We have no idea if the Russan Covid vaccine is safe or effective‘ that breaks it down better than I ever could, but the point is – Russia simply has not done enough testing to approve anything.
Put Russian propaganda tools, are unfortunately, very strong. And this is the easiest, fastest way to run a study – right? On all the patriots? On conscripted soldiers and civil workers?
My husband’s reaction was ‘It’s a marathon, not a race’, but not for Putin.
I just truly hope that this vaccine doesn’t have side effects. Russian people deserve better.
Belarus Elections
On Sunday the 9th of August Belarus had their presidential election, and the current president Aleksander Lukoshenko (aka the dictator) of Belarus, who has been ruling for 26 years – that’s the longest ruler in Europe, by the way! – simply stole the election.
Firstly, he arrested all viable candidates, and when one (ex-)candidate’s wife – Svetlana Tikhanovskaya – decided to run instead of her husband, Lukashenko didn’t think that she could become a threat – what would a housewife know?
But then the wives of other opposition candidates joined her campaign, and those ‘Amazonians’ became the true symbol of opposition and resistance.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is practically the Belarusian Katnis Everdeen
Fast forward to the election day – Lukashenko’s won by a landslide, which wasn’t just corrupted – the numbers were taken out of thin air. So people took it to the streets to protest. And Lukashenko, armed with the national guard was ready.
Despite the protests being peaceful, thousands of people were detained and beaten up: policy brutality is approved, if people didn’t vote ‘correctly’.
But there are no riots, no looting, no burning cars. There are people, who had enough, whose democratic choice was stolen and who are trying to get their voice heard.
They are doing it peacefully, and they are being met with force, and they will never forget.
How many more people have to get hurt before it’s the end of Lukashenko?
Which star sign should I be???
A couple of weeks ago the news broke that left a lot of people in shock. NASA has added a brand new zodiac sign, so everyone’s star signs got shifted! Social media blew up with mixed reactions – some were outraged, whilst others welcomed it, as the new signs seem to suit better… So I decided to look into this too.
My birthday is on the 12th of January, so I have always been a proud Capricorn:
Ambitious, hardworking, analytical and disciplined, but very stubborn
Do these traits describe me? Pretty sure they do!
But now, apparently, I’m a Sagittarius.
Energetic, adventurous, optimistic and independent, but brutally honest
These fit in too… So I decided to go to the most trustworthy source of any information: memes, and would you look at that, both Capricorn and Sagittarius fit!
So what am I supposed to do? Stick to the ‘old faith’ and traditional astronomy (as a true Capricorn would do), or embrace the new view and proclaim to be a Sagittarius?
Which star sign should I be?
Why should I even care?
I’m very skeptical of astrology. Horoscopes, let’s be honest, are a joke – why should you be more careful not to offend someone feelings, just on that day, just for that star sign? Or focus your energy on work to achieve great results, just on that day, just for that star sign?
Why? Because the starts are aligned? Surely you should be doing it every day? Yet many of us read them, and relate to them.
The star signs give us an excuse for our negative traits or actions:
It’s not my fault, it’s because of my star sign!
Ultimately, NASA shut these news down – let’s not forget that they are the experts in astronomy, not astrology. 
Despite this, many of us started looking at different signs, trying to figure out which ones we can relate to more – but:
is this to explain some of our shitty not so positive traits
or
to aspire for the new sign’s wonderful traits?
Let me know your thoughts.
Love,
Pox
How to handle WINTER: 8 tips to stay warm
I grew up in Estonia – the country that, unlike England, has four real seasons.
In summer we get the sun and swim in lakes, in winter we get the snow and go skiing.
Growing up in cold and snowy winters wasn’t so bad, and we always hoped that the temperatures would fall below -24C, because that would mean that we don’t have to go to school!
Most Northern (enough) countries have a saying, which goes something along these lines:
“There is no such thing as bad weather. You’re just not dressed up right.”
Within my childhood, I’ve adopted some habits, which I haven’t seen Brits to be consistently following, and seeing how we’re supposed to have the coldest winter in 30 years, I thought I’d share some tips with you on how to handle the winter without being miserable.
- Surround yourself with layers
I’m not discovering America here – we all know that layers are super-important when it gets cold, but I’m suggesting to take an extra step, and strategically place your layers exactly where you might need them. Keep a layer – a blanket, a hoodie, a scarf – whatever your style is – around all places where you can normally get cold. Your office, your car, extra blankets on your sofa and bed, multiple dressing gowns in the bathroom… Plan ahead, and you’ll always be warm!
- Gloves are your best friends
I can’t stress this enough – get yourselves some gloves – you won’t regret it! Whether it’s £1 pair from Primark, or a good pair that adds to your personal look, gloves are SO useful.
Imagine – it snowed! And let’s be honest, the first snow has this special magic – it turns everyone into kids… And BOOM, you have a pair of gloves, meaning that you can actually build this bloody snowman without losing the feelings of your palms, or even better, are able to throw snowballs for longer.
Or when you have to scrape the ice from your car’s windscreen, and it’s windy and cold – gloves are suddenly truly your best friends – unless you relish the feeling of almost losing your fingers?
Seriously, get yourself at least a pair. And a second one, to keep in your car.
- Get yourself some gadgets
If your bedroom is cold, get an electric blanket; hot water bottles are great for cuddles on the sofa, and everyone should have a couple of hand warmers – the ones that heat up with one click. If you already have what you need, get them out, be prepared for the cold weather – relish it in, don’t complain about it.
- Own a pair of waterproof shoes
It can be a cheap pair wellies, or a good pair of Timberlands – doesn’t matter – make sure you have a waterproof pair. If it snows (and it will), it’s likely that the snow won’t stay there for long enough. On one sunny day, the gorgeous white streets will turn into slush… and there is nothing worse than to continue your day with wet feet.
…which brings me to my next item:
- Stock up on socks
If you’re not too sure about your boots, put some spare socks in your bag! I’d recommend using a reseal-able bag (I use Ikea) – that way the socks in the bag stay clean, and if you need to swap them, you can seal your dirty wet socks. Having extra can really win points and make you some new friends – simple Primani pair, can literally save someone’s life!
- Set timer on your heating
The temperatures usually hit the low just before dawn, so set the temperatures for early morning, 4am until 7 or 8am – you’ll wake up in warm house, which will make it more bearable to get dressed in layers and head out. Time it a couple of hours before you wake up, and turn it off an hour before you usually leave the house. Unless you have a cat. Then keep the heating on.
- Eat well & stay healthy
Hearty home meals are great for such weather. I love all sorts of stews and soups, as they are comforting, but also have valuable nutrition (read – vegetables!). Stay active, especially if you’re outside, and try not to be by yourself outside if you’ve had some alcohol. Look after your drunk friends with extra care when it’s cold. And as much fun as snow angels can be, unless you’re wearing skiing gear, warm yourself up after, even if you don’t feel cold at all (alcohol blanket is a real thing)
- Know the weather
Stay informed! Anticipating the weather helps you to plan in advance – what you’re going to wear, the means of travel. Make sure to download a weather app and follow your local council on social (I follow Oxford Council on Twitter – they are great with key updates – especially when it snows). I’ve learnt to zone in, if I see the weather on TV [Sky News is on the screens in our office kitchen, and I can stumble upon it up to 15 times throughout the day #quickmath].
Stay warm, and stay safe!
Photos by Tempting Matter
Lots of Love,
Po
Sexual Harassment – who’s got the power?!
Just over two month ago the news broke that Harvey Weinstein is accused of sexually assaulting a number of women, leading to many celebrities and role models to speak out. The media and many influences started to praise the bravery of those who have come forward.
It didn’t stop with Harvey. Continue reading “Sexual Harassment – who’s got the power?!”
‘I don’t vote. I don’t see the point…’
I was recently involved in a conversation about the upcoming General Elections and one lady said that she doesn’t believe in elections:
‘I don’t vote, I don’t see the point. One party promises to cut taxes, another to increase benefits, but all these things are small and unimportant. No matter who’s elected, they will still go and drop bombs on people and make huge nation- and life-changing decisions without public’s input.’
She was mostly opposed, with others in the discussion suggesting that she should show that she feels this way and still go to the polling station and just cross out the ballot as a sign of protest.
Estimated 64% of 18-24 year old didn’t bother voting in Brexit referendum, and look where it got us.
I don’t get to vote at the general election, but if I did, I would 100% go to the polling station and vote to make a point of my views.
You should too. Don’t forget to register to vote before 22nd of May.
polina.rocks 