Only a couple of life updates this month, since we’re unfortunately still in lockdown. The Netherlands has been the slowest country in the EU to start vaccinating, which is both frustrating & dissapointing. In addition, the Dutch government recently extended our quarantine and also started a curfew. But this time around it does feel a little different, because of one bright spot.
We’re planning to buy a house this year! It’s one of my 2021 goals, and the silver lining is that quarantine gives me an excuse to save more than I normally would. Even though prices are high in Amsterdam, buying a house in the Netherlands is actually easier than it is in California. Mortgage rates are lower here, and the bank will cover 100% of your home price. That means that technically you don’t need a down payment; although you do need to cover if you bid over the appraisal value, which happens pretty frequently here. Hence the saving!
I’ve been working a lot this month, but I’m going to be hiring on my team soon! I’m also doing my best to manage work stress. For me, that means keeping my inbox clear (tough since I get at least 30 emails per day), and managing meetings (also tough… since I typically have 8-10 meetings per day).
But upon reflecting, I actually think it’s been a more peaceful & balanced month for me. Read below for what I loved in January, and some of the the things that have been keeping me sane this month.
xx,
Mercedes
What I’m reading: this 2020 bestseller
I received a copy of The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue (US link // EU link) for Christmas, and finished it a couple of weeks into January. It’s truly the best book I’ve read in the last year. The premise is not new (making a deal for your soul), but the execution is inventive. The book has short, exciting chapters, but still has a few twists – it’s a page turner! I liked V. E. Schwab’s Darker Shade of Magic series, but this has wide appeal and really solidifed her as an excellent writer.
What I’m doing: planning, planning, planning
I used to be huge at paper to-do lists. But in 2020 I found myself feeling disorganized and having difficulty prioritizing things. So recently I was inspired by my amazing sister-in-law to invest in paper planner – and it’s had a huge impact shifting my moods & productivity. Every Sunday I try to do the following for the week:
- Meal planning: I often try to do this Friday so I can pick up items at the farmer’s market, but Sunday is when I organize meals by day
- Workout planning: I pre-save all of my morning workouts to YouTube playlists for easy access (here are my current favorite workouts)
- IG planning: prepping & saving the posts for my blog Instagram
- Habit tracker: which healthy habits I want to build during the week, like daily reading or no screens after 10pm
- Goal planning: what I want to accomplish for the week personally & at work – including a few easy “10 minute accomplishments”
That might seem excessive, and I’m not going to lie – it can feel exhausting & time consuming. But it keeps me focused, fed, and fulfilled when I have long busy weeks with work. Honestly it’s made such a difference, and I recommend trying it for a month. I’ve linked out my favorite planner & some free printables in this post.
What I’m listening to: this lifestyle podcast
I recently discovered The Simple Sophisticate podcast based on a recommendation, and I’m pretty into it lately. She has a really calming voice, an appreciation (…maybe an obsession :)) with French culture, and a ton of valuable list formats. Here are three of my recent favorites:
- How to live a life with less stress
- 7 components to building your signature style
- 28 life & style tips from a Parisian woman
What I’m using: this LED mask
Ok… hear me out. There are a lot of hyped up beauty tools out there, and LED masks are no exception. But this hype is real. LED light treatment was originally invented by NASA to stimulate plant growth, and it does the same thing for your skin: red LED light stimulates collagen proteins. This helps your skin look smoother, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and reduces inflammation to give you a healthy glow.
I saved up & just invested in this mask (US link // EU link) over the holidays during a 25% off sale. There are a few versions out there, but this one is used by a lot of trusted beauty influencers – and it’s completely worth it. Not only is my skin fuller, but I have this crazy “inner glow” thing everytime I use it – and it’s perfect for depuffing after a night of drinking (….wine at home lol). There are some other similar masks linked below.
Leave a Reply