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crying for attention?

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Recently I read an article that said how the recent flood of crying selfies/videos that all of a sudden flooded social media platforms serves the purpose of destigmatizing mental health. A person cries and then snaps a video, shares their vulnerability with his or her followers, showing that he/she too, is a person with everyday struggles, sorrows, and bad days, and in that way, connects more with their audience.

There is a truth to that claim, but I couldn’t help but wonder, isn’t vulnerability becoming another marketing tool, not necessarily wittingly, but maybe on a more subconscious level? Isn’t it too exhibitionistic? And is it really helping people struggling with mental illnesses or is it a literal cry for attention?

Social media gives us the opportunity to watch other people’s lives as if they’re scripted reality shows, and I think that we all sometimes forget that on both sides of accounts are actually real persons.

For me, grief, and distress are highly private emotions, and I do not prefer sharing them with a great audience. They are reserved for a close circle of people who also have the privilege to get the best of me on a sunny summer afternoon.

And although I am in no position, nor do I want to order people how to handle their grief for example losing a loved one, or a pet, or just frustration about a really bad day, I find it triggering and bizarre in a way.

If we are so comfortable and understanding when keeping our love lives private, why are we praising sharing the last moments of our loved ones online?

beauty post

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One of my last year’s resolutions was to get back to writing my blog, and as we can all see, that didn’t happen. But I keep renewing the subscription for this little internet corner of mine, as I am apparently emotionally attached to my social networks, so I have decided to give it another try, once again (eye roll, I know, I know).

As you may know, I am a profound lover of everything aesthetically pleasing, and I tend to photograph things that inspire me. So this time, I’m gonna share some of my favorite beauty products.
Vichy Mineral 89

I do love a good hyelarunic serum, and I tend to purchase either Vichy Mineral 89 or Hada Labo Tokyo Gold Hidrator they go well with any moisturizer and are great primers for any makeup. And they do make your skin look more plump and hydrated.

The star of the show, and my holly grale product, is retinol, for sure. I have tried using the Ordinary one, as many of us did, but then I heard about a cult like favorite retinol called A313 and let me tell you, this thing has transformed my skin more than I have imagined it would. If you would like to read more about this product, from someone that has more expertise in the field than me, here is the blogpost that helped me decide to try it.

In the slideshow you can see how plumpier and healthier my skin looks like after a year of using it (October/April with spf 50, as recommended). And the sun spots I had are a loot less visible. Note that I am not wearing foundation in any of the photos.

And last, but not least, the product that I have been using for a few months but I’m already in love with, Key Molecule Exfoliating Lotion. Key Molecule is a Serbian brand with a less is more approach to beauty, and this lotion is a much cheaper (and in my modest opinion better) alternative to Biologique Recherche P50. Of course, don’t mix it with your retinol, but use it once or twice a week, at night, and your skin will be grateful.

2021 calendar

downloads, printables

I’ve been thinking of my abandoned blog for some months, I must admit, but somehow never had the time or energy to get back to it. This year has been… a lot, to say it nicely, and I felt like I don’t have anything to share, or at least not anything particularly nice, and I believe that nobody wanted to read my most of the time, anxious ramblings.

Although I am often anxious about the future, I am in my core, an eternal optimist. I’m aware that there is no redo nor there will be a magical end to the pandemic & rest of shitstorm that is going around the globe, but I do hope with all my heart that we will learn to manage life better in the year to come.

And also, I made the cutest calendars that I want to share with you.

Here you can download this pretty beige one.

A4 Monday StartDownload
Letter Sunday StartDownload

If you like these, I have matching 2021 Monthly Planners on sale in my Etsy Shop, check them out here

I really like this neutral/beige/nude palette, so I decided to share these babies for free, instead of a classic black & white one, but maybe I was wrong? Do you prefer color or monochrome when it comes to printables? Let me know in the comments below.

april 2020 aka quarantine diaries

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I decided to write a post not to tell you to use this time to be productive or learn a new skill, to workout or read or DIY and redo your wardrobe, but just to try to stay sane. If I read yet another piece of advice on how to spend the time at home, I swear to God… This is not a normal time, we are, yet again, witnessing a big moment in history. And it is scary. And we do not all cope with it easily.

Some days I am paralyzed with fear and worry about the future, about my family and friends, my work as a freelancer, I worry about my brands, and how will corona virus affect the economy and world in the years to come, and some days I am happy and creative and optimistic. I read a book on my balcony and sunbath with my cat with a big glass of ice coffee. This month was an emotional rollercoaster and I just came to terms that it is normal.

How are you spending these days in quarantine? How are you feeling? What brings you joy? For me, it is a solitary walk I take on my way to the grocery store when I bring my camera with me and capture the spring on empty streets of Belgrade. Or a beautiful sunset or the most beautiful golden hour light in our apartment. Little things I do usually take for granted. Another cliche that turns out to be so true, I know. The hardest thing for me is being patient and waiting and I am still learning to let go of all the things I can’t change and just stay still until the storm passes. And then I will rebuild parts of my life if necessary. I guess the change is good, it helps you grow, although you might not be aware you need to.

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analog

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R1-08267-0031One of my nye resolutions (or as would my sister described it, a list of demands from myself to myself) was to write more, and generally be more creative without second-guessing my actions, and ideas, as I tend to do it a lot, and it seems it is gotten much worst with time, even more, influenced with social media.

I tend to spend hours editing photos for Instagram or my blog, even tho I do it for the pure pleasure, just because I love everything to be aesthetically pleasing. I’m well aware that nobody but myself care if my insta squares match or not. Lately, I’m trying to post photos just as they are, not edited, just to push myself to get out of my comfort zone and to push my imagination in other direction, the one I wouldn’t normally take.

Hence, here’s a blog post written in approximately 10 minutes, with photos from the test roll I took on my new Olympus Mju II and surprisingly, didn’t edit at all, except the size correction on a few of them.

For anyone reading this, thank you that you’re still here, let me know what do you think about the photos, and let me know if you have some tactics to bust your creativity.