Whether it’s a job interview, launching your business, meeting someone on a date for the first time, or raising kids, we’ve all been there. We questioned our ability to make the right decision. Self-doubt usually floods our thoughts when we’re in a challenging or new situation. In my experience, it manifests through worrying, panicking, and selling myself short.
When you’re feeling like me and doubting your capabilities, it can feel like you’re in a battle with yourself. Sometimes you might have a voice in your head telling you that an opportunity is too good to be true, or that it’s something that doesn’t happen to the likes of you. You might hear yourself thinking:
“You’re just going to embarrass yourself.”
“You are not good enough.”
“You are bound to fail because you are not that smart.”
When you frequently deal with self doubt, leaving it unrealized and unchecked can be harrowing and dangerous. Cautiousness is not bad, but just like everything else, it can be harmful if overdone. When feelings of uncertainty are holding you hostage, you can miss opportunities by letting doubt overpower you. Even if you prefer your comfort zone, staying there will prevent you from reaching your full potential. So, this has to stop as early as possible. It will keep you stuck, with your time wasted and your chances possibly gone.
How to Stop Self-Doubt
So what causes it? Why is self-doubt a common occurrence?
Feelings of self doubt develop for a lot of reasons. One of the most common causes is past mistakes. Heartbreaks and work-related disappointments are an example of this. Somehow, when you experience frustrations, you try to build a wall to forestall future pains. Another cause is your upbringing which shaped your point-of-view, beliefs, habits, and personality. Fear of failure or success is a reason that is connected to comparing your life or performance with others. New challenges keep you on your toes in both your professional and personal life.
Even most experts experience self-doubt. The famous painter Vincent Van Gogh is said to be the epitome of self-doubt. He was posthumously recognized. I’ve read this quote by him “If you hear a voice within you say ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” His self-doubt is apparent in his works that show angst. It is often called the Imposter Syndrome, which is known to affect newbies and professionals alike. The internalized fear of not having the right skillsets and talents can make or break opportunities. I had my fair share of stories about this, and I’ll share with you some tips on how to stop self-doubt.
Stay in the Present
As I mentioned above, one possible cause of self-doubt is past experiences. When you’re in a relatively similar situation, an opportunity comes around, and your mind goes back to the past with apprehensions. What you can do is muster the courage to tell yourself STOP. Ground yourself and focus on what’s in the present moment. It is challenging but doable. You can save affirmations on your laptop or phone. It can be something you find on Pinterest or something you’ve written yourself. Examples of these are:
I am worthy.
I am enough.
I’ll start appreciating myself.
I’ll find prosperous ideas and efficiently act on them.
Aside from this, you can set up an inspiration board with photos of things and people that make you smile. Prepare your favorite snacks and play the music that makes you excited.
Change your Perspective about Mistakes
Mistakes are part and parcel of being human. We doubt our capabilities because we want to give our best, and we don’t leave any room for mistakes. What you need to remember is that it’s a solid ground for improvement and growth. Learning curves is essential in understanding life better. Everyone’s authentic self comes with unpopular decisions and wrong choices made.
Call Out Your Inner Critic
Your doubt is not the absolute truth. Challenge your reasons, practice self compassion, and be your good friend. If your inner critic is rearing its not-so-pretty head, write it a letter. Tell that voice that you’re in control and you are taking the reigns.
Embrace Discomfort
New things, new situations, new people can make you feel weird and uncomfortable. It’s part of growth. So, use that feeling as a gauge of your improvement. Maybe keep a journal where you list down what you’re feeling, then check your progress at the end of the week or month. Adjust your standard. Embrace learning. If you’re new to the position, then strive to be the best newbie there is. Spend time to set a timetable, then adjust your following goals.
Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparing yourself to others is inevitable at times. It’s part of human nature to take a peek at what other people have accomplished, what they gained, what they’re doing. Often, you forget that everyone has their path, and you can’t control some things. However, you can control what you feel and how you will act on something. It won’t change overnight, but as soon as you begin consciously trying to stop comparing yourself to others, you’ll begin to see that it is possible to overcome self doubt.
Try Journaling
Journaling is an under-utilized practice that is proven to improve your well-being. When you think of ways to practice self-care, journaling isn’t probably something you thought of right away, if even at all. But there are too many benefits to not at least give it a chance. As you work on overcoming self-doubt, try incorporating journaling into your daily routine. It can be as simple as writing down a few things you’re thankful for as soon as you wake up. You can also use it to gain a better understanding of where your feelings of self doubt stem from by writing down the situations that cause you to doubt yourself the most and identifying a potential pattern.
Remember That Progress is Not Linear
Some days, you ran out of creative ideas and plateau, and there are days when it’s abundant. Progress is the same, highs and lows, and often, this is not what you see on social media. It’s the winning seasons that take over almost everyone’s news feed, but it’s an open secret that life is not without bumps and humps. So, yes, it’s okay to be frustrated but always remember to pick your thoughts up. Accept that progress is complex. There are things about it that you can work on, and there are those that you can’t. Just keep on putting yourself out there. And embrace the imperfections of progress. Look at it as an adventure.
Seek Help if Needed
If you think working on your own is no longer cutting it, don’t hesitate to ask for support from a family member, friends, mentors, coaches, or a mental health specialist. Self-doubt can sometimes get the better of you, but that can be addressed.
However, for all the negative connotations linked to self-doubt, it also serves its purpose in self-actualization. When you doubt your abilities, you can turn that struggle into an opportunity to learn. When there’s a job opening that you’ve been eyeing for years, self-doubt motivates you to prepare. It keeps you learning because it opens your mind to possible vulnerabilities. Humility is another positive outcome of healthy self-doubt. It keeps you grounded and more attuned to situations and the people around you. In a turnabout way, it helps you build confidence.
Doubt is an essential part of living but don’t give it power. It’s in taking courage, in believing yourself, in stepping out of your comfort zone that you are truly living deeply.
Whenever we have too many things, clutter starts to show up. The fewer things we own, the easier it is to keep clutter to a minimum. The first step in managing your home to be clutter-free is to get rid of the extra items that have never been used and are not being used anymore.
Simply sitting in a cluttered environment can be stressful. You probably felt before that seeing an untidy environment can radiate stress, in Oriental beliefs they think of it (feng shui) words as “stagnant chi” in real-world terms cluttered space, room, or home is a visual reminder of how much work is still left to make your house tidy.
Our homes become cleaner when they are clutter-free. This, in turn, relieves us of all the anxiety that goes with home maintenance. People can then direct their energies toward more vital tasks.
Making a choice in sticking to a minimalist lifestyle is making a conscious decision to live a life that is meaningful. A minimalist lifestyle entails having fewer resources or possessions. It has become a part of one’s cognitive process to choose how to live with the bare necessities of life while remaining content.
You might have come across this post as you looked for ways to simplify your life. Or maybe you’re here in hopes of finding ways to reduce visual clutter in your home. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. I’m sharing my best minimalist organization tips and storage ideas that will benefit your home just as much as your well-being.
This lift-top coffee table has everything you would expect from a coffee table with storage: a lifting top, various drawers, and a durable structure that can be used as a coffee table or a seat. Comes with a distressed finish and is available in three colors.
2. Drawers
Under The Stairs | Cost: $200 to $500 do it yourself; $2,000 to $5,000 if built by a carpenter
– Kitchen Cabinet
Instead of making a pantry under the stairs, you may utilize it as a kitchen cupboard to keep your dinnerware, cutlery, and food trays! This under-the-stairs storage is especially ideal for storing Asian dinnerware or dishes that are only used on special events or for entertaining guests. In fact, this bookshelf works wonders if you don’t want to put them in drawers.
– Under Stair Pantry
Do you have a tiny kitchen with a limited amount of storage space? Creating a staircase pantry is an excellent way to make use of the idle storage under the stairs. One can store dry items of all kinds and sizes with a few rolling drawers, storage boxes, and floating shelves. This staircase pantry will give you more space in the kitchen.
– Under Stairs Storage Drawers
Sliding drawers are a simple and efficient method to make the most of unused stair storage space. They also serve as a means of concealing undesirable items, which makes them ideal for homes with limited closet space.
3. Under bed Storage
| $14 – $50
Under bed storage might be an excellent solution if you don’t have enough space in your bedroom. It enables you to make the most of every inch of available floor space. It’s also less expensive than other storage options, including wardrobes.
If you want to use under bed storage, ensure your bed is high off the ground. If you know you’ll be moving stuff in and out of your under bed storage on a recurring basis, consider storage with wheels on the bottom which can be rapidly removed and afterward pushed back when not being used.
Beds with built-in storage are also available. It can be in the guise of built-in drawers or storage within the bed which you can reach by pulling up the mattress’s foundation.
4. A Place For Every Item In Your Home
Every object needs to have a home if you want to be organized. One can’t just put something away unless it has a place to go. You’re just storing things and won’t be able to locate it again if you need to. When an item has a home, there should be just one reasonable area to check for it.
5. Drop Zone
The entry hall leading from your driveway or front door is a great place to establish a drop zone in your property that will help manage your household. Install Wall Hooks – Wall hooks are a great way to keep your bags, coats, hats, and keys off the countertop.
Whenever you would not want to wear shoes in your house, designate a space for them. A waterproof shoe rack is an excellent option. Install wall hooks to hang jackets and bags. If you have out-of-season things in your drop zone, relocate them to storage in another part of the house to free up room.
6. Take Advantage Of Vertical Space
| Can be included during a home renovation
Shelving is by far the most visible use of vertical space in your home. You just need a deeper shelf for a table, a stool, and you’re good to go. The usage of vertical space is excellent. Hanging your belongings vertically is also an alternative.
Hanging shelves help you make the most out of your vertical space. Hooks are excellent ways to utilize underutilized vertical space. Each square inch represents a new option for storage.
In the bathroom, racks are a must-have for maximizing vertical space. There are many gorgeous options available, ranging from simple to elaborate to stylish, depending on your personal preference. Racks can also help you save space on your vanity and in the shower by freeing up counter space.
7. Floating Shelves
| $20 to $80
A floating shelf is one with the wall fasteners hidden within the shelf board and no apparent support brackets. Floating shelves can be decorated in a variety of ways, making your area appear more formal and sophisticated or enhancing a more informal setting.
Floating shelves are an effective way of making use of vertical space in any room at home. And they can be adaptable based on the style of the shelf you select. Floating shelves that are thinner and lighter are ideal for displaying photographs. Candleholders, lamps, and little plants are all great suggestions to display on floating shelves too.
When determining where to put your shelves, think about your reach. Don’t put common goods out of reach, and make absolutely sure you have a strategy in place for getting to additional items, such as keeping a step stool handy. Don’t overdo it with the decorations on your floating shelves. Provide some room in between pieces so they can “breathe.”
8. Pegboards Wall
| $20 to $100
Pegboard is a toughened hardboard with pre-drilled holes that can handle most common home hand tools. In addition, pegboards in garages are a great way to keep your gears organized and visible.
Pegboard is easy to install and can also be done over drywall. It’s important to leave a 1/2-inch or bigger gap in between the wall and the rear of the pegboard while mounting it.
9. Storage Boxes
| $5 to $100
Plastic bins make excellent storage boxes since they’re easy to pile and secure your possessions from humidity, warmth, and everything else that could try to sneak inside. Plastic containers are also self-sealable, so you won’t have to use adhesive tapes. Be sure to get sturdy ones as the cheaper ones tend to be a bit more flimsy and break easier, especially when stacking. The clear bins are the best especially if you are trying to keep things organized and don’t want to put labels. You can easily see inside for the contents and not have to go through each bin. We love the ones from The Container Store pictured here. –>
Looking at the floor space of your home is the most straightforward technique to figure out how many storage boxes you’ll need. Because a larger home normally contains more belongings, floor area is a key element in calculating how many storage boxes you’ll be needing.
Remember to load heavy items such as textbooks, appliances, and grocery items in as tiny a box as possible to avoid making the storage boxes excessively heavy. Larger boxes can accommodate lightweight things. Comforters, plush animals, or garments should never be placed in larger boxes.
10. Hidden Multi-Use Storage Solutions
There are a ton of multi-use storage solutions that don’t actually look like storage. These items are great for someone adopting a more minimalist lifestyle and they’re super helpful with keeping things organized for day-to-day use.
This mirror with storage from IKEA is a great example of multi-use hidden storage. You can use it as a bathroom vanity or hang it in your bedroom or even your front hallway and use it to store everything from toiletries to your keys and mail.
You can also swap out some of your current furniture for pieces with hidden storage. From storage ottomans to a lift bed with storage underneath, there are numerous options to consider.
More posts to check out if you are new to the Minimalist space:
Real estate investment has long been touted as a lucrative avenue for financial growth. From single-family homes to commercial spaces, the options are diverse and enticing. Today, we’re diving into the often-stressful world of real estate investment, specifically focusing on short-term rentals. So, are short-term rentals a good investment? Let’s unravel this complex query.
Are Short-Term Rentals A Good Investment?
Real estate investment has numerous facets, each with its own unique challenges and rewards. Short-term rentals, often referred to as vacation rentals, cater to a different market compared to long-term rentals. They involve renting out a property for short periods, usually by the night, making them an alternative to traditional hotels. This flexibility can be both a blessing and a challenge for investors.
What Are Short-Term Rentals?
Short-term rentals, commonly known as vacation rentals, encompass properties rented out for brief periods, differing from the more traditional long-term rentals. These rentals could range from apartments and condos to single-family homes, often managed directly by property owners or through property management companies. Their allure lies in providing a personalized experience for guests while offering property owners a chance to earn higher nightly rates.
What To Know Before Buying A Short-Term Rental Property
Before delving into short-term rental investments, it’s crucial to understand the nuances. Factors like location, local regulations, property management, and market demand heavily influence the success of these investments. Prospective investors must weigh these considerations to make informed decisions.
Benefits Of Short-Term Rentals
1. Higher Income Potential: Short-term rentals often yield higher nightly rates compared to long-term rentals, boosting overall income for property owners.
2. Flexibility for Owners: Property owners can use the property themselves during vacant periods, allowing personal use alongside rental income.
3. Catering to a Niche Market: Short-term rentals offer a personalized experience, appealing to travelers seeking a unique stay, thus attracting higher-paying guests.
Disadvantages of Short-Term Rentals
1. Occupancy Fluctuations: Seasonal demand or market fluctuations can lead to irregular occupancy rates, impacting consistent income.
2. Maintenance and Management: Managing a short-term rental property requires constant upkeep, including cleaning, maintenance, and guest communications.
3. Regulatory Challenges: Local regulations and restrictions may limit the operation of short-term rentals in certain areas, affecting profitability.
For those venturing into the short-term rental market, understanding these pros and cons is vital to navigate the intricate landscape of real estate investment.
Investing in short-term rental properties offers enticing prospects but requires a meticulous approach. It’s crucial to research the local market, understand the dynamics of the vacation rental sector, and calculate potential cash flow against expenses such as property management fees and maintenance costs.
For those interested in delving deeper into the world of short-term rentals, resources like How to become a co-host on Airbnb and Crafting the ultimate Airbnb guidebook can provide valuable insights into property management and maximizing rental income. If you are looking to book an Airbnb, please take a look at my properties here.
In conclusion, short-term rentals can be a lucrative investment for those willing to navigate the complexities of the real estate market. With careful planning, understanding the local market trends, and leveraging the benefits while mitigating the challenges, investing in short-term rentals can indeed be a rewarding endeavor in the realm of real estate investment.
Running an Airbnb business (or any kind of business) often involves interacting with various types of guests. While most guests are pleasant and easygoing, encountering difficult guests is unavoidable. Dealing with these challenging individuals requires special attention to customer service and the ability to resolve conflicts professionally and effectively. In this blog post, we will explore different types of difficult guests and provide valuable tips on how to handle them without jeopardizing your business.
How To Deal With Difficult Guests:
Resolving Conflict Without Losing Your Business
Difficult Guest Types:
1. Guests Requesting A Refund:
These guests are dissatisfied with their experience and demand a refund. They may express their dissatisfaction due to various reasons, such as unmet expectations or unforeseen circumstances. Addressing their concerns promptly and finding a mutually beneficial solution is essential.
2. Guests That Damaged Your Property:
This type of guest may have caused damage to your property, intentionally or unintentionally. Dealing with property damage requires tact and assertiveness to ensure appropriate compensation or resolution.
3. Guests With Unreasonable Demands:
Some guests may make unreasonable demands, expecting special treatment or additional services beyond what you offer. Handling these situations delicately is crucial to maintain customer satisfaction and avoid potential conflicts.
4. Guests With Communication Issues:
Communication barriers can arise when guests have difficulty expressing their needs or understanding your instructions. Patience, clarity, and finding alternative ways to convey information are key to overcoming these challenges.
5. Guests With Aggressive Behavior:
Encountering angry or aggressive guests can be intimidating, but it’s essential to remain calm and composed. Properly addressing their concerns and diffusing tense situations can help resolve conflicts and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
6. Guests With High Expectations:
Some guests may have exceptionally high expectations, leaving them frequently dissatisfied. Managing their expectations through transparent communication and setting realistic boundaries is vital to avoid disappointment.
Tips for Dealing with Difficult Guests:
1. Actively Listen:
When dealing with upset customers, listen carefully to their concerns. Show empathy and understanding, allowing them to feel heard and acknowledged.
2. Stay Calm and Composed:
Maintain a calm demeanor, even in challenging situations. Responding with anger or frustration will only escalate the conflict further.
3. Use Body Language Effectively:
Your body language can communicate your willingness to help and diffuse tension. Maintain an open posture, make eye contact, and use gestures that convey empathy and understanding.
4. Keep Conversations Professional:
Maintain a professional tone throughout the interaction. Avoid taking the guest’s behavior personally and focus on finding a solution to the problem.
5. Involve Supportive Team Members:
If you have a team, communicate and collaborate with your colleagues to handle difficult customer situations effectively. Sharing the workload can also alleviate the stress of dealing with challenging guests alone.
6. Give Customers Time to Talk:
Allow guests to express their concerns fully without interruption. This demonstrates that you value their perspective and are committed to addressing the issue at hand.
7. Practice Empathy:
Put yourself in the guest’s shoes and try to understand their point of view. Showing empathy can help de escalate conflicts and build stronger customer relationships.
8. Find a Win-Win Solution:
Instead of focusing on “winning” the argument, strive to find a solution that satisfies both parties. Look for compromises and alternatives that meet the guest’s needs while protecting your business interests.
9. Prioritize Customer Satisfaction:
Remember that customer satisfaction is essential for customer loyalty and positive reviews. Going the extra mile to resolve difficult situations can lead to improved guest experiences and long-term relationships.
10. Utilize Social Media Responsibly:
In the age of social media, unhappy guests can quickly voice their frustrations online. Monitor and respond to feedback promptly, addressing concerns publicly and privately to showcase your commitment to customer service.
Dealing with difficult guests is an inevitable part of running a business. By following these tips and adopting a customer-centric approach, you can effectively handle challenging situations while safeguarding your reputation and fostering strong customer relationships. Remember, your ability to handle difficult customers professionally can turn conflicts into opportunities for growth and improved service quality.
When it comes to dreams and deepest desires, some people I know prefer to keep theirs in secret, afraid that putting it out into the world will jinx it. I believe in the Law of Attraction which is the core of making a manifestation list.
Writing it is somehow solidifying those dreams and desires, and I think that makes it more real. When you see your goals on a piece of paper, it makes you more accountable, maintaining a positive mindset.
We all have our big and small dreams -a vacation in the Maldives, enrolling at a prestigious culinary school, finding a house with a good pool and backyard, meeting your favorite musician, or getting a raise. To dream and have specific goals can be a bit scary and overwhelming if they’re just swarming in your mind. You think about what to prioritize first and what is not that important.
With a manifestation list, you can sort out which genuinely makes an impact in your life and which are fads and crazes. Writing about your dreams can help you assess where to best put your energy in and starts taking simple steps to achieve them.
These manifestation techniques foster positive thinking. It is essential because it helps in stress management and in overcoming negative thoughts and self-perception. The most critical part of this is having faith and trusting the process. In this blog post, let me share with you how to create a manifestation list so you can start writing yours.
How To Write A Manifestation List
Write On A Specific Manifestation Notebook
First of all, carefully choose your manifestation journal or notebook. It should be something that resonates with your personality. I prefer mine to have affirmations and quotes with pretty colors and floral patterns. If a more minimalistic aesthetics appeal to you, then choose a journal with this vibe. The same goes for if you would prefer to use vision boards. This is a great option for more creative types.
Your manifestation notebook is an extension of yourself, your dreams, and your hopes, so it’s essential to be intentional in choosing it.
Clearing Your Mind
You can meditate, do yoga, listen to your favorite music, or look at the lake nearby, whichever helps your clear your mind. Being centered and focused is an important step as it helps to keep the stressors and distractions at bay. To manifest your dreams, you need you to be grounded because it’s with a clear mind that you can be open to receiving and seeing what truly will make you happy and at peace.
Visualizing Your Success
After clearing your mind and heart from stressors and distractions, it’s time to start writing. There’s no limit nor pressure in what you write. You can write in paragraphs, sentences, phrases, or just words as long as what you write is all about what you deeply wanted and desired to have. Visualize your success like it’s already happening.
Writing Down The Details of Your Vision
Be specific about your goals. If manifesting a trip, write the country, if it a house, write the number of bedrooms and other specific parts of it, if it’s a date, write the kind of personality and relationship that you see yourself happy to have.
Checking How You Feel About Your Manifestation List
Now it’s time to assess how you feel about your list. Review what you’ve written and organize them. Categorize the item based on how they make you think if they evoke a strong emotion or not. Don’t overthink this part. Let your feelings flow so you can visualize your list better.
Writing In The Present Tense
By writing your list in the present tense, you are already claiming them to happen. It is the essence of manifesting. It’s believing that what you want, even your dream life, is what is real and very possible. here are some examples of how you write your list in the present tense:
*I enjoyed strolling along the French Riviera.
*I always go on international trips for summer. And;
*I enjoy riding in my pink Tesla.
Using Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations are powerful when it comes to changing your thoughts and actions for the better. You might find that they were the most useful tool when looking back at how you manifested your desire to improve your life, because of the self-confidence they gave you.
Updating Your Manifestation List
Rewriting your manifestation list is part of the process. Add events in your life that made you extra happy. If it’s your dream job as a teacher or having a supportive spouse, you can create new manifestations from these and feel grateful for all these beautiful amazing things.
There you have it! Use this step-by-step guide to help make your manifestation list. Try it now and see for yourself how you’re going along with your manifestation list.
It can be something you find on Pinterest or something you’ve written yourself. Examples of these are:
vacation rentals, cater to a different market compared to long-term rentals. They involve renting out a property for short periods, usually by the night, making them an alternative to traditional hotels. This flexibility can be both a blessing and a challenge for investors.
attracting higher-paying guests.
reasons, such as unmet expectations or unforeseen circumstances. Addressing their concerns promptly and finding a mutually beneficial solution is essential.
their concerns and diffusing tense situations can help resolve conflicts and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
workload can also alleviate the stress of dealing with challenging guests alone.
alternatives that meet the guest’s needs while protecting your business interests.
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