How to spend time alone

To start with, I am an introvert which means that I recharge and gain energy by being alone. And it doesn't mean that I am unsocial, don't like people or spend time with them. No, not at all. But only those who are an introvert knows what I am talking about.

So I often spend time alone, sometimes because I need it and sometimes because there is no one to meet. And I know that feeling when you don't know what to do, how to spend time. Lately I stopped worrying about it and decided just to enjoy myself. Here are a couple of my ideas what to do while being alone:

Read.
The ability to live a hundred of lifes and visit different worlds. And you don't want company in these journeys, believe me. But of course, not everyone likes to read.

Watch tv-series.
Or movies. But I prefer tv-series to watch alone. I am just obsessed with them, almost live with the characters. Today there are so many shows so that everyone can find something they like.

DIY projects.
Why not to be crafty sometimes and express yourself?

Color.
It's a new popular thing - coloring therapy, helps to relax, relief stress. Special coloring books for adults can be found in bookstores.

Ride a bicycle.
You can ride in your own speed, where you want and how much you want.

Go for a walk.
I prefer walks with someone else but lonely evening walks are nice and helps me relax, rethink, reset my mind.

Cook/bake.
It is great to try out some new recipe by yourself. You won't be embarrassed if it doesn't come out well, because no one apart you will not try it.

Experiment with makeup.
Sometimes I like to try out some new makeup looks on me. Practice makes perfect, also it is a great way to discover what looks good on you and learn something new.

Meditate.
Or just have some time to think about the current day, what are you grateful for, put your thoughts together, restart your mind.

Go through old photographs.
Bring those memories back. And appreciate them once more.

Redecorate room, reorganize bookshelves, sort out the clothes.
Why not to take that alone time not only to sort out yourself but also your things? With good music in the background and a cup of hot tea on the side. Helps me also to put my thoughts together.

Got any other ideas? Share them in the comments below.

Best books of 2015 so far | Update on reading challenges

It is July already that means half a year has gone now (whaaaat?). As always I don't believe in it, it is not real probably (yeah right, Victoria, it's just your imagination..)

In today's post I want to talk about my progress in reading challenges and share best books that I've read this year so far. 

Firstly, the Goodreads 2015 Reading challenge. This year I set a goal for myself to read 24 books. It should be about 1 book per 2 weeks. So far I've read 12 books and according to Goodreads I'm right on track. I've been ahead most of the time but last month or so I am having a huge reading slump and I can't get back on track with reading. Hopefully this will go away soon. Maybe there is some suggestions how to get over the reading slump? Share it! I would like to know.

Second challenge that I decided to take this year is the 2015 Reading challenge by Popsugar. I've wrote about it in one of my posts here. 

My result so far is 18/50. Not a lot, I know but I don't seek to cross off everything on that list. I know already that some of them I won't complete, so it's not my main priority. I don't even choose books by this list, I read a book and then mark if it applies to something from that list. 

Now to the best books I've read this year. 

Cross roads by Wm. P. Young

This was the first book this read as well. It is about a rich man who loves only himself but after felling into coma, he find himself in this strange state when he can appear in other peoples mind, can communicate with them. He has given a chance to make a difference in life. 

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Source: goodreads.com

Second glance by J.Picoult

I like J. Picoult's books. This time it is about ghosts. Very interesting story that keeps you read more. Rating: 5/5 stars.

Source:goodreads.com

Not without my daughter by B.Mahmoody

A true story about a woman who comes to Iran with her husband and daughter and soon becomes trapped. She tries to escape but she will go only with her daughter which is more difficult. Rating: 5/5.

Source: goodreads.com

Steppenwolf by H.Hesse

A classic and philosophical one. Not really my style but this one had great point about life. I liked the Steppenwolf probably because I can relate some of his traits to me. Rating: 5/5.

Source: goodreads.com

Hopefully my reading slump will go away soon so I could get lost in books again.

Have a great day!

What 3 years at university gave me | Graduation

While writing my last post, I remembered my studies and graduation and some thoughts popped. As I have told before, my time at uni wasn't the best. But beside that I am thankful for that 3 years, because it tough me something.

It was a special moment, I was very happy and proud of myself for doing it, for finding strength to finish something I didn't enjoy and wasn't really interested in. But I didn't give up and graduated. 

Probably I won't work in that area but still a degree is useful to have. It was an experience and those 3 years of studies taught me something. Of course, it gave professional knowledge but also I've learned more important stuff: I've understood what I don't want to do in life, I've learned which are my strong sides and where I am weak at and I accepted myself as I am. I understood that everyone are different, that every person has its own way of working, socializing, living. I've discovered my way and accepted it and now I am not trying to change myself and never want to. Those 3 years thought me that I am strong enough to make something happen, to keep it up and finish what I have started.

Through out that period I met people that made my studies a little easier. We made our own friendship group. I never argued with other people in our class, I would interact with everyone but still I was staying aside, by my own. I remember that the first year I was mostly alone. I tried to make friends but all of them made into other groups. I was upset at first but then I realized that being alone isn't bad. After understanding it, somehow I became friends with other girls that also was a bit aside. And at our last year we where all together, always doing projects together, spending breaks together, while still we were aside from others. But this didn't bother me. 

Those 3 years at uni gave me an understanding that being alone or being different isn't a bad thing. You just need to admit it and embrace. Right people will come eventually. 

Even though I didn't like my studies and major, I am grateful for this experience which changed me. 

I would like to advice all to always, even in the worst cases, search for something good. There is always something useful and positive. 

"Everything happens for a reason" - I believe in it and it makes my life easier.

Picture source: http://www.iliketoquote.com

Update

Hey there!

It's me again. Long time, no post, unfortunately. But it's life, life as it is. So let me tell what have been happening in my life in my absence. It's not a lot but I want to share and try to come back to blogging, starting with this post.

Last time I posted 3 months ago. So, whole 3 months, a quarter of the year, one season. A lot of time but still so little. Those of you who read my blog earlier know that I've graduated in January, after what I started searching for a job. I couldn't find anything for some time. And let me tell you it was a hard time. I felt  useless, down, apathetic. After 2 months of unsuccessful search I lost hope. But not only hope to find job, no, it was worse. I lost hope for everything. To show the situation I should point out that I always was a person that even in the darkest scenarios had hope, I always believed for the best. But at that point in my life I had lost hope. I didn't believe I will find a job, meet love, be happy. Now when I look back, I was probably near to depression (or maybe it was already an early stage). 

But in March everything has changed. I found a job! Everything went really quick: I remember that I send my CV, the other day they called to invite me to an interview, day after I went there and was offered a job which I had accepted and the other week I've started the training.
I couldn't believe my luck. After all that time of unsuccessful tries, time with no offers and no interviews, I have got the job! I was really excited and happy. Even my friend told me that I have changed. Like he said my eyes lightened up again. 

So, I had a month long training and now I am working almost three months already. Time went so fast, I didn't notice. 

Everything is fine now, I like my job, I've met there new people, made some friends. And oh, I got back my hope. Now I hope for the better tomorrow, again, how I used to.

Don't know how my blogging will go on from this point but I would like to start posting again. I will try but I won't put pressure on myself. I have some post ideas that I want to write, so I'll get to them as soon as possible. 

What would really help me is knowing what those who read Minty way would like to see on the blog, what types of posts would you be interested in. Questions are also warmly welcomed. I will answer to all of them.

Hopefully, see you soon.

March favorites

For the last 2 weeks I was busy. But it's not the main reason why I haven't posted anything through out this time. The main reason - blogger's block. I had no motivation or desire to write. In my opinion, it is normal and every blogger, vlogger or writer should have some time off, just to relax, think and find new inspiration. Hopefully, my block is over and I'll keep posting as often as I can.

For today's post I would like to share my March favorites. In the begging I would like to point out that the month of March wasn't as successful and interesting as I would like it to be, so I don't have a lot of favorites. 

BEAUTY. Maybelline Colorama Crayon Khol

 Fell in love with it again. It is a great color for everyday.

BOOK. Second glance by J. Picoult 

It is a mystery book about ghosts and eugenics project. I like J.Picoult's writing, her books are easy to read and very interesting, she writes about real life issues.

Source: goodreads.com

TV SHOW. Stalker

Amazing show. It's similar to those crime-drama tv series (like CSI) but I like this one, because here crimes are explained from a psychological side. Hopefully new episodes will come out soon. Can't wait!

Source: imdb.com

What were your favorites in March?

The Infinity Dreams Award

Source: emilysbeautythoughts.blogspot.com

I was tagged by lovely Emily for The infinity dreams award. Thank you Emily! Check out her blog as well.

Rules:

1. Thank and follow the blog that nominated you.

2. Tell us 11 facts about yourself

3. Answer the questions that were set for you to answer

4. Nominate 11 bloggers and set questions for them

11 facts about me:

1. I graduated from university not so long ago and earned a bachelor's degree. 

2. I would like to be able to speak as much languages as I can. It is one of my dreams. 

3. I'm 22 but I look younger. This always bothered me but recently I started to appreciate it.

4. It is my second blog. I wrote a blog in the past, firstly it was beauty blog, then I've made it about books. But after some time I deleted it. 

5. I like coffee a lot.

6. Even though I finished my studies already, I still don't know what I want to do in life.

7. I prefer tv series to movies.

8. I am an introvert.

9. Only book I have reread a couple of times (and will be reading again in the future) is The Little prince by A. Saint Exupery.

10. Throughout my life I had 2 guinea pigs, 2 hamsters and a gerbil.

11. My zodiac sign is Sagittarius. 

Emily's questions:

• Favourite music artist? At the moment it is Ed Sheeran.
• Whats the last picture you took on your phone? It was a picture of my friends that I took last night.
• What is your perfect pizza? With chicken, pomatoes, a lot of cheese, no onions and no peppers.
• What cheers you up? A dessert and a friend.
• Who is your hero/idol? I don't really have one. Probably it is bad.
• Whats your occupation? If you're a student, what are you studying? I am a graduate searching for a job right now.
• Favourite film? The Pursuit of happyness.
• Whose your style inspiration? Again, don't have one. But I like Emma Stone's, Rachel Bilson's, Kristen Stewart's, Taylor Swift's style.
• What's something you don't tell many people? That my father passed away when I was 13 years old.

Thank you Emily once again for the nomination. In my turn I nominate:

Abbie 

Amy 

Ella 

Katie 

Jodie

Krista

Samantha

Shannan

Charlotte

Vicky

Kelsie

Here are my questions for you:

1. If you could choose a superpower, what would you choose?

2. Favorite season?

3. Morning or evening?

4. Where is your happy place?

5. What was your best travel experience?

6. What do you like the most about yourself?

7. Do you have a nickname?

8. Do you prefer books or movies?

9. Favorite piece of jewelery?

10. How would you describe your style?

11. What music do you prefer?

Have a nice day!

PS I'm on on Bloglovin!

My wishlist

1. Tangle Teezer

I heard a lot of positive things about it and want to try it myself. My hair is hard to handle and this brush seems to be the best choice.

Source: douglas.pl

2. Garnier Micellar Water

Bioderma's Micellar water is almost gone, so I'll need a new one. But this time I want to try Garnier's one. People who tried both products say that they are very similar, although price is different. So Garnier Micellar Water is on my to buy list.

Source: boots.com

3. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

It would be great to try out this perfume. (In search of my favorite perfume).

Source: fragrantica.com

4. Phillip Lim Pashli Mini Satchel type bag

I don't need the original, designer's bag but I really like the style of this bag, so anything similar to it would be great.

Source: www.31philliplim.com

5. Sony Alpha A5000

I want a camera to film and make short films and videos. I like this one, because of it size, video quality, lenses, flip screen.

Source: photographyreview.com

___________________________________________________________

Bloglovin  | Twitter

Back in time

Here is a question for you: if you could go back in time, would you change anything? 

A lot of people answer that they wouldn't change anything, that everything that has happened made them who they are today, that we learn from mistakes etc. Yes, I agree, mistakes are experience and learning from them makes us stronger. 

But if I could go back to the past, I would change some things.

I'm not talking about changing every mistake I have made, no, those mistakes thought me a lesson. But I know that I would make one change for sure - I would choose other uni and other study program or even I would take a gap year after finishing school. I didn't like what I've been studying. Of course, I could just quit but there have been some reasons for me not doing that.. Today I am  proud of myself that I put all my effort, strength and graduated. Yes, I did it but if only I could go back, I would definitely change it.

Other thing for which I would like to go back in time is the ability to talk to my younger self. For this it's not necessary to go back to the past, writing a letter would be enough.  But this is a different subject, not for this post. 

What I want to say that it is alright to want make some changes in your past. I agree, past made me the way I am today but I feel that changing some things would made me better. 

So, if you could go back in time, would you change anything?..

Trip to London in pictures

Hello. 

Last week I've come back home from a UK trip. Firstly, I've gone to Scotland, been there a couple of days and then flew to London. I haven't been to London before so I was very excited to see it. 

It was a great trip. London was incredible, I loved it and miss it. 

Here are some pictures that I took in London:

___________________________________________________________________