lifestyle - Women of Rubies

In Fashion June 6, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Deola Sagoe, Founder Of Deola, And The Leading Lady Of African Haute Couture Fashion in Nigeria

Deola Sagoe, founder of Deola is the leading lady of African haute couture fashion from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989 and became the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004.
Her globally appealing style has earned her an enviable clientèle that ranges from Africa’s first ladies, to society girls like Lydia Hearst, top model Alek Wek, and famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

In life, you choose certain things and sometimes, you don’t have the luxury of choosing some things, they choose you instead. In Deola’s case, she didn’t choose fashion. Fashion came calling and she had to respond to the call.

“I didn’t choose fashion, it chose me, … I think the only way I’ve managed is because I know fashion was my destiny. African designers face so many challenges, producing collections and working hard to rise above the manufacturing infrastructure problems. For me, it’s about rising to the challenge and I think it’s made me a better designer. I feel I produce more intelligent clothing as a result.” In her words.

Deola, a mother of three, studied at the University of Miami and University of Lagos and earned a Masters in Finance and Management.

She was appointed Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations World Food Program ‘Catwalk the World: Fashion for Food’ with the goal of raising money towards halving the number of hungry people in the world, particularly children, by 2015.

Deola frequently exhibits her couture collection at Cape Town Fashion Week and has been an invited guest of New York Fashion Week in the past.

The rave-maker employs a simple secret to stay relevant in the rapidly changing world of style. She pours all her heart into each of her collections, but none of them defines her. She is rather defined by her astounding ability to blend with the times, to make attires that speak to the spirit of the age.

The reinvention of her Deola Sagoe brand to House of Deola is just one indication of her willingness to tweak her identity to maintain her pride of place in each era.

As her advice for entrepreneurs, Deola said, “I just had this can-do spirit. I was just so convinced that my product was so genuine and would no doubt conquer the world. As an entrepreneur, you must believe in yourself and in your vision.”

In fashion&style May 30, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Eva Sonaike, The Brain Behind The Eva Sonaike Luxury Home Décor And Accessories Brand

Eva Sonaike is a London-based interiors and lifestyle brand, creating luxurious textiles, home-décor and accessories with a distinctive and vibrant West-African aesthetic. Inspired by the cultural mélange of West-African textile tradition and European craftsmanship, a passion for interior design and an exuberant love of colour.

‘I’m completely self-taught; I don’t have a degree in textiles but I can draw and have an eye for what works together,’ says the German-born, London-based former fashion journalist, who set up her eponymous company 11 years ago. ‘I start by creating moodboards using Pantone cards and colour swatches that reflect the essence of a theme connected to West Africa. After lockdown, I decided to take things back to basics. Until now, all my prints have been vibrant and bold. This collection still uses strong shades but it feels calmer than anything I’ve done before. I want to show that something can be simple but still make an impact.’

She is a journalist and has experience working in the creative and lifestyle sector. She had a great career as a journalist and couples with her ability to multitask and the experiences she has garnered from working as a TV producer, magazine journalist and fashion PR over the past 12 years affords her that expertise needed to run a business.
She is also multilingual (fluent in German, English and French and a bit of Yoruba). These play a role in how well she has been able to run and manage her business.

Eva Sonaike is a motivation and a strong proof that you don’t have to limit yourself to your field of study. Regardless of where you work at or what you’re studying, you can still dream and act on your dreams. As long as you have a passion for it, you believe in it and you work smart, you can reach your goals and make that dream of yours a reality.

As a piece of advice to other women looking to venture into a start-up, Eva says ‘First of all, you have to have a great product, idea or service. The market is over-flooded with so much these days, that you really have to stand out! Then be persistent and don’t be discouraged if there is a ‘no’ or some doors won’t open. You have to have a lot of stamina and keep going. It is a ongoing journey, which can be very frustrating sometimes, but if you stay positive and focused, unexpected things may happen!’

Image credit: https://www.evasonaike.com/

In Inspiration May 29, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Sia Alexander-Brume, Founder of The Children’s Art Workshop Lagos

Art, relates to any creative pursuit which stirs the soul, uplifts the artist and the viewer, reconstructs and deconstructs societal and conceptual limitations, and broadens the scope of human potential.

The Children’s Art Workshop initiative exists to provide free art-based workshops and field trips to local Lagosian youth from impoverished communities.
It is a place where children in the local area can eat, play, dance, create, make music, design, write, perform, etc.

It was born out of the need for a viable, healthy, and constructive after-school and weekend activities for the marginalized Lagos youth who have nothing but the streets to play in. It is for the Lagos youth community who live on the margins of the larger society, have little access to creative artistic expression, and though talented and bright, are not being afforded with basic opportunities for self-development and holistic growth. She aims to replicate this workshop in other communities around Lagos, throughout Nigeria, and Africa. .

Sia believes art is and can be a tool for transformation of both personal and global challenge. In her words, “through art we aim to develop the African youth’s ability to solve global as well as personal challenges.”

“Art is a healing modality that can empower the lives of marginalized African children, helping them to build a stronger sense of self as they approach adulthood, and preparing them to successfully take on the challenges facing their communities, countries, and the continent as a whole.”

Sia Alexander-Brume and some children at the Art Workshop

As her advice for women entrepreneurs who want to start-up, “Never take no for an answer. Always look up and see your dream realized and it will surely pour out before you in due time like abundant rain.”

In lifestyle May 27, 2021 By Women of Rubies

How to Be a Better Parent: 11 Important Things to Do

Two of the most challenging jobs in the world are raising a human being and being the best parent possible for them. Raising a child without implementing specific rules is not enough, however. The job has to be done in such a way that when you’re “done,” you’ve already created a loving, responsible, self-sufficient, kind-hearted, thoughtful, empathic, and respectful persona. Hence, it is ideal to lower the bar a little and start learning how to be a better parent.

Don’t get me wrong; mistakes will be made along the way. You won’t be perfect, regardless of how hard you try.

And no matter how great a job you do, your child may have issues beyond your control. Remember, they will be born with a will of their own that may conflict with yours.

Nevertheless, carrying out the following tips will provide you with the best chance to create a fantastic human being of whom you can be proud.

1. Listen

Children are interesting, funny, and curious, and they look upon you — their parent — as a hero. They have a wealth of knowledge and a great perspective on life. Listening to your child is one of the greatest gifts you can offer. They will feel valued and grow up knowing that they matter.

It’s not always easy to listen. Sometimes, children will carry on without saying anything profound. But if they believe you’re listening, they will feel important and provide you with amazing nuggets of information.

Note: Make a real and honest effort when you are listening to your children. Don’t listen while multitasking and muttering, “Hmm, that’s nice, dear!”
In his book, The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck, M. D., wrote, “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time. True listening, total concentration on the other, is always a manifestation of love.”

2. Provide Unconditional Love

Providing unconditional love creates a secure bond and a healthy person. Knowing you have your parent’s love no matter what makes a fantastic anchor for the child. They know they can mess up and still be loved. They know they can come to you with their worst offenses, and while you might get upset, your love will remain intact.

3. Teach by Example

Children watch and listen to you very closely. You may think that they’re not paying attention, that they’re in the other room, playing with their Legos, but they are listening.

If you want to teach your child, lead by example.

For instance, if you want them to eat healthy foods, eat healthy foods. If you don’t want them to pick up bad habits, like smoking, don’t smoke. If you don’t want them to be violent, be peaceful. If you wish to raise a trustworthy child, keep your word.

If you want to teach your child how to communicate, speak kindly and listen with an open heart. Whatever you want your child to learn, be willing to do it yourself. You are the best teacher for the job!

4. Spend Time Together Often

Life is full of work, errands, get-togethers, appointments, etc. It’s easy to get lost in all the hustle and bustle and not leave enough time for your children.

You can avoid being an absentee parent by spending time with your children every day. Talk to them about anything; ask about their day. If you can, allow them to help you with household chores. E.g., cleaning, folding laundry or stacking dishes in the dishwasher.

5. Follow Through

Following through creates trust in your child. They will believe that what you say you’re going to do will genuinely be done.

Children are very perceptive, they are always watching and listening. You see, when parents say things and end up not doing them, they become empty threats — words without any back-up.

Following through is critical in raising a responsible adult. You need to be kind, clear, and concise.

The child has to know that you mean business. If you tell them they’re not having a sleepover unless their homework is done, then the homework better be done. If it’s not, there will be no sleepover. Just make sure that whatever the consequences are for your kids’ bad behavior, you can back it up with action.

6. Focus on Positive Qualities

There is an old American proverb that says, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil.” It is used to communicate the notion that the most clamorous problems are the ones that will more than likely get noticed.

If your child is well-behaved and minding their own business, you might be tempted to let them be. On the other hand, if they are acting out and making a raucous, they may get a lot of attention.

This sends the message that the kids have to misbehave before you focus on them. Bad attention, after all, is better than no attention.

Positive attention is paramount. If you only pay attention to your child’s negative behavior while ignoring their positive qualities, you are robbing them the chance of being their best selves.

7. Apologize When Necessary

We all make mistakes. There are some parents, however, who don’t apologize no matter how many mistakes they make with their children. They incorrectly assume that apologizing is a sign of weakness.

“Apologizing to your child is a sign of respect for the overall relationship you have with him.”

Making mistakes is human. I guarantee you that your child will not think less of you. If you fail to apologize, you miss out on a teachable moment about the importance of taking responsibility.

You may find it difficult to apologize because you feel superior or fear losing your authority. In truth, your child will see you as a human, and they may feel closer to you than ever.

Show your kid that no one is perfect, that you all make mistakes in life. Apologies can correct so many wrongs. Just a few simple words can cure the worst transgressions.

8. Allow Kids to Be Who They Want to Be

Allow your child to be who they want to be, not who you think they should be. After all, it is their life — their journey. You’re just there to watch and provide guidance whenever necessary.

9. Grow Along With Your Children

Children grow and evolve, just like us. It’s important to grow with them and adjust the way you discipline and talk to them.

For example, if your 4-year-old misbehaves by bending the truth or whining, you may ignore their antics and stay calm with regards to the lying. This is common for this age group.

If you’re dealing with an 8-year-old, your child understands the difference between right and wrong and looks to you for guidance.

Meanwhile, teens need to be addressed in another way. That is a difficult and challenging age group — one that deserves great care and attention. You cannot talk to your 16-year-old as if they were still 9!

10. Validate Their Feelings

While growing up, lots of things that generate a multitude of feelings happen. As a parent, you want to take the time to validate your child’s feelings. Don’t be dismissive and act like their feelings are not important.

If you do not validate your child’s feelings, they will think that their feelings are unimportant and learn not to share them at all. You don’t want that, of course.

You want to have your finger on the pulse of their emotions. You need to make sure they come to you in the future when heavier things come down the pipe. Listen and communicate with compassion.

11. Ask Open-Ended Questions

This not only works with children but also with adults. For example, when you ask someone, “Do you like your job?”, they may answer yes or no. But if you say, “What do you like or dislike about your job?”, you’ll get a lot of information.

Open-ended questions are the key to getting more information than you’ll know what to do with!

Final Thoughts

Being a good and responsible parent can be one of the most rewarding tasks in the world. It is not effortless, however. It takes a lot of work and patience.

Implementing the above-mentioned 11 suggestions won’t guarantee a perfect family, but you will have a solid base to build and grow upon.

Your child is a reflection of you. What do you wish them to reflect?

In lifestyle March 12, 2021 By Women of Rubies

6 Perils of Cohabiting and How to Avoid Them

Moving in with a partner is a big step for any couple. And for some couples, it can actually spell the end of the relationship as each party finds out things about the other that they’d rather not.

Before you move in together, it’s easy to maintain a bit of illusion — you’re not thrown together all the time, you can keep your finances separate, and you don’t have to deal with arguments over whose turn it is to do the dishes. But once you’re living together, little things can take on huge significance.

Here we explore some common problems faced by couples moving in together and how you can get around them.

Fighting over Finances.

This is probably the single biggest danger to be aware of when you move in with a partner. Ideally, you should probably have a conversation about finances before you move in together.

If one of you is prudent in spending and the other is an impulsive buyer, doesn’t stick to budget and doesn’t mind having debts, it’s a bit of a recipe for a disaster.

This can lead to arguments and even more pervasive problems such as an overall lack of trust.

So, if you’re about to take the plunge and move in together, it’s time to sit down and have a very serious chat about how you’re going to manage your finances. Whether it’s opening a joint bank account, setting up payment plans and direct debits or simply setting up a household budget, make sure you’re on the same page.

And if you’ve already moved in together and find yourselves fighting over finances, don’t despair. You can still have that conversation and put plans in place to make sure you get things straight. The important thing is to find an arrangement you’re both comfortable with and that is manageable for both of you.

Not Aligning Life Goals.

Another big issue that cohabiting couples can face is finding out that they aren’t on the same page when it comes to long-term life plans. One of you wants marriage and kids, the other’s not sure. One of you would like to work abroad, the other can’t bear to be away from family.

The thing is that moving in together is often seen as a step towards marriage and kids. So, even if those things aren’t on the table yet, if you’re thinking about making the commitment, you need to be sure that you both want the same long-term goals.

Losing Your Personal Individual Identities.

You’ve moved in together because you love each other and want to spend more time together. But let’s face it, even the closest of couples can get frustrated if they’re together all the time. And going from seeing each other maybe a few times a week to seeing each other every single day can be a bit… well, much.

That’s why it’s vital to still have a bit of alone time now and again. If you’ve lived independently for any length of time, you’ll still have your own friends, so keep up with these as much as you can. Make sure you still both do things for yourselves as well as a couple.

You should also recognize when the other needs a bit of space and respect that. You’ll likely find that you naturally end up spending more and more time together.

However, keeping separate lives to a certain extent will allow you to build your own new routine without forcing things. You should also make time together to go on dates and spend time doing things you both love. Don’t lose your identities as individuals or as a couple!

Always Merging Your Interests.

Just because one of you loves nothing more than a ten-mile run on a Saturday morning, it doesn’t mean you both need to get those sneakers on. Likewise, if you enjoy a good Peaky Blinders binge session but your partner’s more of a Game of Thrones fan, you don’t have to suddenly know everything there is to know about the politics of Westeros.

If you had a particular set of interests before you moved in, you should try and maintain at least some of these. On the other hand, you may find new hobbies and interests to pursue as a couple through living together! Tuscan cookery class for two, anyone?

Not Accentuating the Positive.

When you’re suddenly thrown together all the time, those little quirks that you once found endearing in your partner can suddenly become infuriating. Maybe they never put their socks in the laundry basket. Maybe they insist on loudly singing show tunes when they’re doing housework. Or maybe they’re just so incredibly stubborn that they’ll happily argue chalk is cheese until the end of time.

Whatever annoys you about your other half, you can guarantee they’ll have a list just as long about you. So, pick your battles. Figure out what you can live with and what really drives you both nuts.

Then, talk about it to find a way that you can manage each other’s little foibles. Also, try and focus more on the things you love about each other. It could be how your partner always leaves little notes for you or how he or she will give you a back rub after a tough day without being asked. You’ll find that this makes the annoyances a little bit easier to cope with.

Arguing Over Chores.

If there’s one thing most couples argue about more than any other, it’s housework. It’s not the most fun thing in the world, but it needs to be done. And if you’re cohabiting, then you both need to accept your fair share of the burden.

Talk to your partner about what you each expect and what each of you really loathes doing. Maybe you hate doing the dishes but your partner is fine with it. In which case, you can do the cooking or the vacuuming. Alternatively, take turns in doing different chores.

A major cause of arguments can be if one partner is tidier than the other. If that’s the case, you need to come to some sort of arrangement where the tidy partner is not constantly picking up after the untidy one. Try and do a bit of tidying every day to keep things at a manageable level or have a blitz every weekend. Do whatever works for you. Alternatively, if all else fails and you’ve got the budget for it, hire a cleaner!

Final Thoughts

The underlying theme behind all of these issues is communication. It’s vital to communicate with your other half to make sure that you’re both happy with any arrangements, bank accounts, chore rotas or long-term relationship goals.

Remember to keep talking. Make time for each other and always remember why you love each other in the first place.

Happy cohabiting!

In Health March 7, 2021 By Women of Rubies

How to Stay In Shape In Just 3 Easy Steps

Staying a shape for a lot of people can be rocket science as it seems not just impossible but difficult. For some, it is even harder because they have to work from home and are used to sedentary lifestyle.

How then do you stay in shape without doing too much?

Healthy Eating

Here are some healthy hacks for fat loss:

Keep tinned and preserved food in storage for emergencies, but eat fresh on the daily. Purchase or procure real food like vegetables, fruits, and meat whenever you can. A lot of people are now turning to urban homesteading. If you can’t grow your own greens, find out where you can get your fresh foods in your immediate vicinity.
Leave out processed food out of your grocery cart. You can’t eat something that’s not present in your home no matter your midnight cravings.
Follow food blogs who prepare healthy meals that you are partial to. Avoid videos about desserts and sweets.
Keep a journal and take photos of your healthy meals.

Not only will these improve your eating habits, these tips also double as healthy hacks for fat loss.

Movement

Coming from a day of hard work (while trying not to catch anything) or having to stay at home for days on end, especially if you work from home, it’s easy to just Netflix and chill, literally. The body’s natural response to stress is usually a surplus of sleeping or eating, or both.

To keep your health and your immune system up, make sure you are doing healthy movement everyday. And yes, this means some form of exercise. Instead of passively gaining weight, you can take this opportunity to build the body you’ve always wanted.

Here are some tips to get you moving:

If you like dancing, build a library of your favorite zumba or dance routines on YouTube done to your favorite songs. It’s a great way to keep motivated when you enjoy the instructor and love the songs your bopping to.
There is a plethora of free exercise videos on YouTube. Take your pick from gentle tai chi, heart-pounding cardio, or stretchy yoga. Mix it up every other day to keep it exciting.
If you prefer using an app, find a free exercise app on the App or Play Store. Even better, they have tracking features that will let you see your progress.
If you are blessed with a lawn or a backyard, take advantage of the warm weather by doing some gardening. Plant greens that can be harvested fast and/or regrow food from scraps. Not only will you be moving your body, you’ll also be getting sunshine and healthy greens for your meals.

Now, if your goal is weight loss, here’s something interesting. Most health experts believe that weight loss is a combination of exercise and diet. However, exercise is often said to be 20% responsible for a person’s weight loss.

Cardiovascular exercises like jogging, aerobics, and biking are excellent for circulation, heart health, and increasing lung capacity. Strength-training exercises are excellent for protecting bones and disease prevention. Once you lose weight, you still want to maintain a long, healthy lifestyle.

Hydrating

Did you know that stress and water are directly linked?

When you are undergoing stress, your heart rate goes up and you breathe more heavily. This results in the body losing more fluid. To add to that, people often forget to eat and drink when they are heavily distracted by anxiety triggers. Keeping this in mind, make sure to stay hydrated during these stressful times.

If you’re in a space where you feel a hunger pain, drink some hot water with lemon first. In many cases, people eat with the assumption that they’re hungry. In reality, the body is craving more water. If you love the fizzy, carbonated sensation, pour some carbonated water on ice.

When the body remains hydrated, you’ll give your body the foundation it needs to work efficiently. Plus, juice, lattes, and other sugar-filled drinks are loaded with calories. Decrease your intake of liquid calories by drinking lots of water instead.

In Fashion March 6, 2021 By Women of Rubies

A Quick Guide to Finding the Best Nail Shape for You

Playing with different kinds of nail colors is fun and relaxing. But when it comes to truly making your hands beautiful, it’s not all about the color or finish of your manicure. To have beautiful nails, don’t just look at your polish. You also have to know how to find the best nail shape for you.

Each hand, finger, and nail shape is different, and we are all born with various features. However, with the right nail shape, short fingers can look longer and hands can look daintier, edgier or more sophisticated to go with a particular look.

Get the right shape that accentuates those beautiful hands with these tips on how to find the best nail shape for you:

Round

This type is the simplest and most natural look that you can do for your nails. It is effortless to maintain, especially if you have time growing your nails.

To achieve this look, simply cut your nails to create an arc similar to the arch of your cuticles. Then, file off any of the rough edges.

A round nail is best when you are after strong nails. If you have visually long nails even after cutting, this makes your hands look very feminine and beautiful. Gel manicure would look lovely over it.

Oval

This shape is quite difficult to execute. The form should be symmetrical, and the point is a little between oval and almond. If you file it too much, you could end up getting either one so it would take time to file your nails to get the perfect shape.

It’s perfect for people with long fingernails who want a beautiful, sophisticated look because it creates a more feminine vibe.

Almond

Almond shape looks lovely on glamorous, eye-catching events. It looks a little like an oval, but it is more tapered on the sides to shape more like an almond. To make it noticeable, you have to have longer nails.

To get the perfect shape, make sure to ask your nail salon to do it for you. It is one of the most playful designs you can get because it works for medium length nails. When you get tired, you can turn it into a squoval – a square or even an oval shape.

Square

Square nails are the easiest to make. To achieve this look, just file your nails down and make sure that ends become perpendicular to the nail. It is one of the most versatile looks because it works for either short or long nails.

However, if you already have short nails, the square may make your nails look even shorter. If that’s the case, go for an oval, round or squoval to make the shortness look less noticeable.

Squoval

It seems the most natural because most people are already born with this kind of nail shape. That’s why it is suitable for both long and short nails.

For the nails you currently have now, you only need to file a little bit to get the perfect squoval shape and you’re good to go. If you want the square look but hate how sharp it is around the edges, this would work best for you.

Ballerina

As the name suggests, the ballerina is a nail shaped like a ballerina’s pointed shoes. It is a longer version of a square, but it is a little more convex with a straight tip. It is slightly tapered like the oval. Instead of an arc, the tip is flat.

The ballerina works best for people who love growing their nails long or for people who love going to nail salons. It’s ideal for people who love putting on gel manicures or acrylics to achieve a longer nail and avoid damage to the natural nail.

Stiletto

Stiletto nail design looks intimidating and deadly. Both sides are tapered to create a pointy end. It’s very dramatic, edgy, and can be best left in the hands of professional nail salons.

For this, you need the help of nail extensions or gel overlays to create the look. Your nail techs will shape and design your overlays to create the pointed tip for each nail. It also works best for gel manicure because the polish makes the design look more prominent.

Lipstick

Going for an out of the box look for special avant-garde events? Choose the lipstick.

The lipstick is like a simple square nail but only longer and asymmetrical, meaning it is just tapered at one side of the nail. It creates an uneven look that is too risky, eye-catching, and highly unusual. It works best for an equally experimental or innovative fashion style.

There are plenty of options for you to choose from, but what would be best would totally be up to you. This guide on how to find the best nail shape for you is just here to help you out.

If you want feminine looks, you can make your hand look dainty and slender by choosing rounder nails shapes like round, oval, almond or squoval. If you want strong, intimidating nails, you can choose between the square, ballerina and stiletto.

In lifestyle March 5, 2021 By Women of Rubies

5 Reasons Why You should Travel Alone

Do you usually feel stuck? Are you tired of your hectic, daily routine? When did you last take a break to unwind and treat yourself? Are you truly free? In fact, when have you ever had a whole day to focus on your desires, thoughts, and needs?

In truth, life can sometimes feel so overwhelming, and you need to take a break to freshen up your mind and to sharpen your focus. But which is the best way that will make you feel this alive again?

The answer is pretty simple; adventure solo travel! Of course, for a majority of people, the idea of solo travel can be a huge challenge. Yes, it makes us uncomfortable, causes too much thinking, and we often have to face our fears alone. However, once we choose to ignore such awful feelings, there are several incredible benefits of solo travel especially when it comes to personal development. Take a look!

Teaches You to Be Brave

What is ‘fear’?

We can describe it as hard work, taking risks, letting go, and jumping deep into nothingness. If you’re willing to accept those things, you’ll enjoy a high sense or exhilaration, excitement and most importantly, achievement.

Now, traveling solo requires a significant amount of courage. Remember that you’ll be in the woods or in the wild alone trying to pass through different obstacles. Here, ignoring the problem or sleeping it off will not work.

Instead, you have to tackle the challenge head on! The good thing is once you make it through, the realization that you did it by yourself is quite empowering.

It Teaches You How to Accept Uncertainty

So, you’ve chosen the best place to travel solo, but keep in mind that things are bound to go wrong. For instance, the bus may break down, you might misplace your passport or even get food poisoning after overeating in a fancy restaurant. However, you’re exploring a fantastic destination and you have no time to be sad or miserable.

You’ll have to accept the course of things, search for solutions, and make the most out of the entire experience. We should definitely adopt such an approach in our daily lives. After all, it would make us happier, more relaxed, and focused on attaining our goals.

Travel for Development of Personal Authenticity

You’re just a traveler moving from one country to another. No one knows you or your past. They don’t know what type of car you have, how ‘perfect’ your marriage or relationship is, and they don’t even follow you on social media.

Amid such anonymity, there’s a strong feeling of equality. It’s complete freedom where you have the chance to be anything you want to be with no pressure or expectations.

As you travel for development, you’re like a blank page with the perfect setting to have a fresh start. It’s here that you’re reduced to the core of your essentials without the ‘distractions’ of friends or even family. Eventually, in such clarity, you’ll realize your destiny.

Understand the Importance of Connection

Don’t forget that you’ll be alone almost every time. You’ll go searching for a fun conversation or maybe just a friendly gaze. Once you get what you are looking for, it’s hard to hide the excitement and high feeling. It almost feels like a huge part of you has changed.

These moments can actually increase your well-being and happiness, especially while traveling. As human beings, aren’t we here to connect and love each other?

It Improves Communication

Have you ever talked to a local who didn’t know your language or speak it well? If you have, then why do you think you were able to converse flawlessly without using words?

Now, you might not know this, but it’s because you were not only curious but also made an effort.

How do you think your daily encounters would change if you adopted such a method?

Try turning off your cell phone and give a friend or colleague your undivided attention. You’ll realize that it takes a lot of energy to listen to and connect with someone’s feelings and experiences.

If you can’t let go of your device, then you could also open a travel blog or website.

We’ve discovered that travel blogs have become an excellent avenue for sharing exciting outdoor experiences. Here you can share the ‘beauty’ of solo travel with your readers. Tell them all how you’ve learned from a journey you took to South America or Asia and create a section where they can write their comments.

Conclusion

We all know that transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a well-executed plan and a strong support system. So, jumpstart your transformation and soon, you’ll reap the benefits of traveling solo.

Be brave, be authentic, learn how to talk, and come up with solutions. Know how to connect with diverse people as well. After all, don’t you feel that these traits are all you need to be successful?

In lifestyle March 3, 2021 By Women of Rubies

10 Reasons Why Should You Travel

There are plenty of things one can gain from exploring different places. The list includes gaining new friends, new experiences, and new stories.

When you start exploring new places, you get a better understanding of the people living there, including their culture, history and background.

Studies show that travelling can improve your overall health and enhance your creativity. Therefore, you need to take time out from your daily tasks, office responsibilities, hectic schedule, and everyday pressures at least once in a year. Plan a tour to a new city with an open schedule and let life present you with the numerous opportunities.

If you need more convincing, here is a list of all the benefits of travelling.

1. Improves Social and Communication Skills.

One of the main benefits of travelling, especially to areas where your native language is not widely used, is that you learn how to communicate better with other people. Brushing up your knowledge on the most commonly used phrases or questions tourists ask can help you reach out to and relate better with the locals.

2. Ensures Peace of Mind.

We all have stress and tension in our lives. Travelling forces us to temporarily disconnect from our normal routine, helping us appreciate the people and things we have around. As per a famous saying “we never know what we have until we lose it.”

3. Helps You Get Original and Creative Thoughts.

It is believed that if someone gets out of their comfort zone, the mind gets more creative. To develop new neural connections that trigger original and creative thoughts, you must explore new places and break out of your daily routine.

4. Broadens Your Horizons.

Travelling helps you connect with different people from different cultures. This gives you the opportunity to see issues and daily life challenges from a different angle.

5. Enhances Your Tolerance for Uncertainty.

While travelling, you will find yourself stuck in situations where things don’t always go as planned. Such situations will help you learn to cope with the uncertainties in life.

6. Boosts Up your Confidence.

Being in a place where you do not know anyone will assist you to gain confidence and presence of mind. You will develop the ability to cope with obstacles, which will make you a confident person.

7. Gets You Real-life Education.

Meeting different people from vast cultures and societies provides an education that is impossible to get in a traditional school, college or a university. There is no substitute for the real thing.

8. Creates Memories for a Lifetime.

If you travel with friends and family members, traveling helps you build stronger bonds and make memories. You can also save memories of a lifetime by creating photo albums or sharing photos in social media.

9. Helps You Have Fun.

No matter how young or old you are, there is always a time when the child in you wants to have some fun. When you travel, you do not care what you do at all and you can just break free from the norm.

10. Aids you Get to Know Yourself.

While travelling, you might find yourself stuck in situations you won’t normally experience in your daily life. This can help you understand yourself and how you react to such circumstances, preparing you for future similar situations.

Although travelling offers many benefits, it also has some disadvantages if not planned carefully. If you are a patient and taking medication for a disease, do not forget to carry your medication. Keeping jet lag pills handy saves you from unnecessary discomfort.

Those susceptible to allergies should carry allergy medication. Plan your tour in advance, prepare a checklist to keep yourself healthy while traveling, and pack important items before you travel.

Travelling is good for the health so decide a place now and pack your bags. Remember, you only live once, so start travelling to different places and get some life-altering experiences.

In Health March 1, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Two Steps To Building Resilience

When life is shaking us up and we’re feeling stressed … it can be tough to feel resilient.

Resilience helps us to deal with the chaos and overwhelm … but how to we create it when we feel like we’re underwater?

The first step is to remove things that are adding unnecessary stress. The second step is to do things that help us feel replenished.

Those two steps won’t get us all the way to full resilience, but they’re a huge huge start.

Remove Extra Stress…

Some stress is inevitable — wishing for a life where we feel zero stress is just going to add more stress.

But if we are flooded with stress, removing some of it can help us to clear the space to create even more resilience. If we don’t remove the extra stress, we’ll never do the things we need to take care of ourselves, or to train our minds to be more resilient.

So removing unnecessary stress is the first step.

Some examples:

If you’re drinking a lot, reduce down to 1-2 glasses of wine a night. Zero might be even better for some, but it’s useless to ask someone to quit alcohol when they’re flooded with stress.
Similarly, reducing smoking or other narcotics or drugs would be a big help.
If you’re working late into the night, creating a stopping point earlier would be a big help, if possible.
Cut back on your workload a bit, if you’re able to. Delegate the ones you can. Create a to-do list and prioritize the ones you can’t delegate.
Stop saying yes to everything, and take fewer meetings. Don’t be afraid to turn down excess workload as well.
If you’re fighting a lot with someone, refrain for a bit. Take a breather and let yourself settle.
If you’re watching things or playing games late into the night and getting little sleep, cut back on that.
If you’re watching news or reading things online that really get you angry, stop that for awhile.
Cut out social media if that gets you anxious.

And so on.

Removing these stressors will help you catch your breath.

…Then replenish yourself.

I don’t mean that you have to take a spa weekend (though that would be great!) … I mean doing little things that help you feel more recharged and settled.

These things fill you up, so that you can better take on the world.

For example:

Go for walks out in nature.
Create space for reading, having tea, taking a bath, journaling.
Talk with someone regularly, in person or over the phone.
Take naps.
Get better sleep.
Take a weekend off.
Get some sunshine, if there’s any where you are.
Take moments of stillness and deep breathing during your day.

These little things can make a huge difference.

You won’t get all the way to resilience with these two steps — but you’ll have given yourself what you need to take the further steps of shifting your thinking patterns and practicing resilience.