myanook

Category: Wellness

  • Library resources you probably don’t know about that will change your life.

    Howdy!! All of these are online library resources available on Kindles, phones, and web browsers, so you can have some variety. I know you sometimes want to get rid of your phone altogether, too. For me, it’s always important for people to know exactly what resources are out there because I once was one of those people who did not!  

    Note: Some libraries may not offer all of the resources I list. If they do not, try chatting with your librarian to see if your local library has the funding to support the addition of the resources listed. If not, check with other county libraries and see if they offer them there. Branches are quite wide and enjoy extending resources.

    Where to find these online resources: Look up your local library website and then search E-media/ Online resources.

    Resource 1: Flipster is an online magazine app available on the web and phone. Here you can find a variety of magazines that date back to the early 2000s. On my current list, there’s Woodworking, Better Nutrition, Better Homes & Gardens, Astrology, and Bon Appétit. Whatever you’re into, they have it on here! If you enjoy bookmarking, they have tabs for note-taking and saving pages. Great if you enjoy magazines but don’t want them collected in your home.

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    Resources 2: Rosetta Stone/ language learning: My personal Favorite!! A passion of mine is actually language learning! A goal of mine is to speak multiple languages to broaden my communication with people. So, to see the library offer this FOR FREE was honestly mindblowing! Different libraries offer different languages, but a few I’ve seen are: Arabic, Chinese, German, English, French, Greek, Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, and so much more. Personally, I’ve been using it to learn Mandarin Chinese and wow… I really enjoy it. They offer extensive classes that focus on pronunciation and grammar. and helps you build up context clues through multiple speech and text questions.

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    Resource 3: Hoopla: Free web and phone app that gives you access to audiobooks, movies, TV shows, comics/ manga, and music! Depending on your library, you can access 5-7 borrows each month, and it resets each month! If you finish something, you can return it to get more borrows. I am currently reading: Braiding Sweetgrass and a Chinese medicine book.

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    Resource 4: Libby: online library literally!! Amazing for newer book releases & audiobooks. Suitable with Kindle, which I find amazing! Has over 1 million books available.

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    Resource 5: Kanopy: This one is for my movie watchers!! Kanopy is the place for you, especially if you enjoy older, historical, educational films, or just classic TV and movies! I was browsing the other day and came across one of my favorite childhood movies. CLUELESS!! Some categories they offer: the arts, business, education, global studies & languages, health, media, science, social science, and series.

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    Resource 6: Universal class: Last but not least, and my ultimate favorite! Yes, still free. Universal class. Universal Class is an online learning resource with over 1,000 classes. I currently have a strong interest in nutrition and found a nutrition 101 class that offers 11 lessons with exams! I find that super cool. Some categories offered: accounting, business, finance, science, medicine, law, crafts & hobbies, personal development, writing, psychology, etc!!

    Bonus resources: In-person free clubs and activities within the library: check your local library’s calendars to see when they have group classes like yoga. Craft and yap, language classes, book clubs, and garden clubs. Archives: art prints + old stories + research papers

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    That is all I have for you today!! Please remember, even in times of overconsumption, resources are out there that you can engage with that will bring fulfillment. With a balance of both online and in-person free resources, a nice shift can be made. If you wish to watch my related videos I will link them here! Happy Learning!

    Focuses on physical media within libraries, clubs, garden accessibility, and more!!

  • Gentle Self-Care Tips for When Life Feels Heavy

    Some days just feel heavy. Today is one of those days for me. I feel sad, not for one specific reason, just life in general.

    But even in the sadness, I’ve been learning how to care for myself in small, gentle ways. I’m not trying to fix my mood or force myself to be okay. Instead, I focus on reconnecting with myself through things that feel peaceful, comforting, or creatively fulfilling.

    Here are some of the things that help me connect back to myself when life feels rough:

    1. Baking

    Baking helps me get out of my head and into something simple. Mixing ingredients, putting something in the oven, and waiting for a warm treat to come out brings me comfort.

    When I’m feeling a little more creative, like today, I’ll try developing a new recipe. I’ll set up my phone to film the process and jot notes in a notebook. It doesn’t take much out of me, but it makes me feel present and peaceful.

    What I baked Today: Cinnamon Rolls

    Recipe Video linked here: https://myascottage18.wordpress.com/2025/07/01/delicious-cinnamon-rolls-a-quick-and-easy-recipe/

    2. Meditating

    Meditation didn’t always come naturally to me. In the beginning, it felt a little awkward, and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be doing.

    But once I found what works for me—headphones, a neck pillow, and frequency music—it became a way to slow down and hear my thoughts without judgment.

    As someone who overthinks a lot, I’ve realized how important meditation is, especially for creatives. We carry so much in our minds and bodies. Meditation helps us sort through that and actually connect with our vision.

    3. Writing

    In person, I tend to trip over my words or blank out. I leave things unsaid without meaning to.

    But when I write, I can finally express what I’m trying to say. Writing is how I process things and how I find clarity.

    It’s the reason I started this blog. I needed a space to speak freely in my own way. Writing is also where I get most of my video ideas from, especially when I’m stuck in a creative block.

    4. Creating with My Hands

    I love anything that lets me get my hands messy. Clay, painting, drawing, anything creative.

    On sad days, I don’t force myself to make anything perfect. I just let myself explore. Sometimes I go for something super chill and simple, other days I try something new. Either way, I always feel a little more energized afterward.

    5. Watching Slow and Beautiful Films

    There’s something about slow, peaceful movies that helps calm my mind.

    Studio Ghibli movies are my go-to. They’re soft, immersive, and beautifully animated. They don’t feel like background noise. I actually have to sit and watch. When I do, I leave feeling inspired and re-centered.

    6. Moving My Body

    Sometimes the best thing I can do is just move.

    Whether it’s dancing around my room( which I can do for hours), stretching for five minutes, or doing a super light workout, movement helps me release tension.

    I don’t push myself too hard. I just let my body move the way it wants to. The goal is to shake off the stress and feel more grounded.

    7. Nourishing Myself

    Taking care of my body helps me feel safe and supported.

    That could mean doing my skincare routine, breathing deeply, or gently parenting myself through a tough emotion. These little acts of care remind me that I’m allowed to slow down. I don’t have to push through everything.

    8. Doing What I Want to Do

    So much of life is spent doing things out of survival. Jobs we don’t like, routines we never chose.

    But when I let myself create the way I want to, live how I want to, and follow what feels aligned for me, I start to feel like I’m actually living intentionally.

    The day-to-day doesn’t feel as draining when I give myself permission to build a life that reflects who I am. Not someone else’s version. Not society’s idea. Just mine. Currently, doing what I want is me creating on Youtube and my blog. No hassle no expectation just creation.

    9. Rethinking My Phone Habits

    Yes, it really is the phone sometimes.

    But instead of forcing a full disconnect, I’ve learned to reprogram the way I use it.

    I unfollow people who drain me. I follow accounts that make me feel inspired and uplifted. I delete apps that flood my mind with negativity. For me, that’s TikTok.

    One app I’ve been loving lately is Substack. It gives me something nourishing to read each morning, which is helping me get back into long-form content.

    Here are a couple of Substack Post that i have been loving:

    Even if I can’t take a month off social media, I try to unplug for just one week out of the month. During that time, I only use my phone to talk to the people I care about. That small change makes a big difference in how I feel.

    10. Resting and Sleeping

    Sleep is the reset button I forget to press.

    Sometimes I feel guilty for resting, like I should be doing something more productive first. But I’m learning that without rest, my body has no fuel. And without fuel, I can’t build the life I want.

    You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to stay up one more hour to check something off your list. Just sleep. Let your body recharge so you can wake up with new energy and a clear mind.

    Lately, I’ve been trying to take the moment to sleep slightly longer or just take power naps. Honestly, It’s something I have to grow used to, just giving myself the space to sit and do nothing for a bit.

    Final Thoughts

    You don’t need to be perfect to deserve peace. You don’t need to always be happy to care for yourself.

    On hard days, you’re allowed to move slowly. You’re allowed to pause and tend to your spirit.

    These rituals are what help me reconnect with myself. Gently, honestly, and without pressure. I hope they remind you that you’re allowed to return home to yourself too.

    Questions: How do you make yourself feel better when you are in a slump? What methods works for you that you would love to share?

    YouTube video that pairs with the article:

    10 Gentle Ways to Reconnect With Yourself When Life Feels Heavy

  • Gentle Self-Care Tips for When Life Feels Heavy

    Some days just feel heavy. Today is one of those days for me. I feel sad, not for one specific reason, just life in general.

    But even in the sadness, I’ve been learning how to care for myself in small, gentle ways. I’m not trying to fix my mood or force myself to be okay. Instead, I focus on reconnecting with myself through things that feel peaceful, comforting, or creatively fulfilling.

    Here are some of the things that help me connect back to myself when life feels rough:

    1. Baking

    Baking helps me get out of my head and into something simple. Mixing ingredients, putting something in the oven, and waiting for a warm treat to come out brings me comfort.

    When I’m feeling a little more creative, like today, I’ll try developing a new recipe. I’ll set up my phone to film the process and jot notes in a notebook. It doesn’t take much out of me, but it makes me feel present and peaceful.

    What I baked Today: Cinnamon Rolls

    Recipe Video linked here: https://myascottage18.wordpress.com/2025/07/01/delicious-cinnamon-rolls-a-quick-and-easy-recipe/

    2. Meditating

    Meditation didn’t always come naturally to me. In the beginning, it felt a little awkward, and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be doing.

    But once I found what works for me—headphones, a neck pillow, and frequency music—it became a way to slow down and hear my thoughts without judgment.

    As someone who overthinks a lot, I’ve realized how important meditation is, especially for creatives. We carry so much in our minds and bodies. Meditation helps us sort through that and actually connect with our vision.

    3. Writing

    In person, I tend to trip over my words or blank out. I leave things unsaid without meaning to.

    But when I write, I can finally express what I’m trying to say. Writing is how I process things and how I find clarity.

    It’s the reason I started this blog. I needed a space to speak freely in my own way. Writing is also where I get most of my video ideas from, especially when I’m stuck in a creative block.

    4. Creating with My Hands

    I love anything that lets me get my hands messy. Clay, painting, drawing, anything creative.

    On sad days, I don’t force myself to make anything perfect. I just let myself explore. Sometimes I go for something super chill and simple, other days I try something new. Either way, I always feel a little more energized afterward.

    5. Watching Slow and Beautiful Films

    There’s something about slow, peaceful movies that helps calm my mind.

    Studio Ghibli movies are my go-to. They’re soft, immersive, and beautifully animated. They don’t feel like background noise. I actually have to sit and watch. When I do, I leave feeling inspired and re-centered.

    6. Moving My Body

    Sometimes the best thing I can do is just move.

    Whether it’s dancing around my room( which I can do for hours), stretching for five minutes, or doing a super light workout, movement helps me release tension.

    I don’t push myself too hard. I just let my body move the way it wants to. The goal is to shake off the stress and feel more grounded.

    7. Nourishing Myself

    Taking care of my body helps me feel safe and supported.

    That could mean doing my skincare routine, breathing deeply, or gently parenting myself through a tough emotion. These little acts of care remind me that I’m allowed to slow down. I don’t have to push through everything.

    8. Doing What I Want to Do

    So much of life is spent doing things out of survival. Jobs we don’t like, routines we never chose.

    But when I let myself create the way I want to, live how I want to, and follow what feels aligned for me, I start to feel like I’m actually living intentionally.

    The day-to-day doesn’t feel as draining when I give myself permission to build a life that reflects who I am. Not someone else’s version. Not society’s idea. Just mine. Currently, doing what I want is me creating on Youtube and my blog. No hassle no expectation just creation.

    9. Rethinking My Phone Habits

    Yes, it really is the phone sometimes.

    But instead of forcing a full disconnect, I’ve learned to reprogram the way I use it.

    I unfollow people who drain me. I follow accounts that make me feel inspired and uplifted. I delete apps that flood my mind with negativity. For me, that’s TikTok.

    One app I’ve been loving lately is Substack. It gives me something nourishing to read each morning, which is helping me get back into long-form content.

    Here are a couple of Substack Post that i have been loving:

    Even if I can’t take a month off social media, I try to unplug for just one week out of the month. During that time, I only use my phone to talk to the people I care about. That small change makes a big difference in how I feel.

    10. Resting and Sleeping

    Sleep is the reset button I forget to press.

    Sometimes I feel guilty for resting, like I should be doing something more productive first. But I’m learning that without rest, my body has no fuel. And without fuel, I can’t build the life I want.

    You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to stay up one more hour to check something off your list. Just sleep. Let your body recharge so you can wake up with new energy and a clear mind.

    Lately, I’ve been trying to take the moment to sleep slightly longer or just take power naps. Honestly, It’s something I have to grow used to, just giving myself the space to sit and do nothing for a bit.

    Final Thoughts

    You don’t need to be perfect to deserve peace. You don’t need to always be happy to care for yourself.

    On hard days, you’re allowed to move slowly. You’re allowed to pause and tend to your spirit.

    These rituals are what help me reconnect with myself. Gently, honestly, and without pressure. I hope they remind you that you’re allowed to return home to yourself too.

    Questions: How do you make yourself feel better when you are in a slump? What methods works for you that you would love to share?