Is today one of those days where every single thing is bothering you?

Whatever the reason is, we all come across bad days every once in awhile. This article was created to show people some simple tricks to making your bad day into a good one.

Whether you slept badly, woke up grumpy, were late for work or forgot your lunch, don't let this bad day steal your sunshine. There are always ways to improve your mood. 

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Back in high school, I used to let the simplest thing ruin a perfectly good day. Mainly this was caused by not sleeping the night before but could have also started from an argument with a loved one, a small comment that hurt my feelings or any other little thing I chose to stress over. NOW, finally, I try very hard to not let the little stuff get to me. So much of our daily life is out of our control. Why stress? Yoga has allowed me to focus on the extraordinary things in life instead of the negative. It has let me escape negative thoughts, bringing awareness to what is really important to myself. I always suggest yoga for holistic healing so here are some other ways to cope with stress.


Now let's look into what you can do to make your day instantly better.

1. A big warm cup of tea. When I notice myself stressing over nothing, tea is always there for me. Put on your kettle and pick out your favourite flavour. If you do not have tea at home, head to a local coffee shop and ask for their favourite kind.
2. Sunshine. We don't always get lucky enough to feel the sun on our face everyday but UV light can 100% improve your mood. Have you ever seen someone mad at the beach? (Hopefully not.) Sit outside or near your window and let the rays hit your face for at least 5 minutes. Instant refresher.
3. Fresh air. Get outside and take a walk. Walking is an easy way to blow off steam. Put your phone away, look at what you have around you and get your legs moving. I particularly enjoy nature walks, searching for different types of flowers and herbs.
4. Listen to your favourite music. There is a reason it is your favourite. Put your headphones in and jam out alone for awhile. Maybe have a secret dance party in your car.
5. Read positive quotes. This one is huge for me. I try to post positive quotes and phrases on my social media often to let others now they are not alone when feeling upset or angry. Little words can really make a big difference. Check out my Pinterest board called "Time to Smile" if you need some inspiration. ( https://www.pinterest.ca/abbyverigin/time-to-smile/ )
6. Read a book. Get lost in the words. Travel to another dimension.
7. Have a sweet snack. What is your favourite dessert? Do you like chocolate or candy? Personally, I go for dairy free ice cream. I am never upset eating ice cream.
8. Talk to your friends. They care about you and even if you don't keep in contact every day, I am sure that one of them is willing to help you out on this crappy day. Tell them how you feel.
9. Talk to your family. They love you and always want to hear from you. A parent's voice can help calm you in times of struggle.
10. Find an animal to pet. Head to a dog park, the local SPCA or your neighbours backyard and give that furry friend as much attention as you can. 
11. Take a bath or a shower. Let the warm water water clear your mind of any negativity. Imagine the bad thoughts floating away with the water into the drain. Once drained, they are gone. You will feel refreshed and clean. When you look good and clean, you feel good and clean. Throw in some relaxing scents to really boost your mood.
12. Journal. List 10 things you are grateful for. 10 things you love about yourself. 10 goals for the future. 
13. Get into a child's pose. This one if my favourite. Stretching always seems to clear my thoughts. Starting kneeling, bring your big toes together and your knees out wide. Let your hips fall back onto your feet and your arms extend out in front of you. Hear your breath against the floor. 
14. Breathe. This may seem too simple for you but it is worth trying. Sit on the ground, roll your shoulders behind you and close your eyes. Imagine a giant flower on your belly that blooms with every inhale and closes with every exhale. Try this for at least 2 minutes.

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I'm sure we all have different ways of coping with stressors and hard times. If you have any ideas, please feel open to let me know on your own ways of coping. Thanks for reading. Enjoy your Saturday :)

Have you heard of Humanism? This can be a term used often in social sciences throughout multiple aspects of post-secondary education. I'm sure you know we are all humans....but are we all humanistic?

Before about 5 days ago I did not know the significance of Humanism in our world today and since then I have wanted to share my recent findings on this topic.

The definition of Humanism, as stated from The Humanist Society, goes as "The principles of humanism include helping others, concern for our environment, meeting in community with others of like mind, making connections and growing by connection with others who hold diverse beliefs, and building a legacy that makes our world a better place" (http://thehumanistsociety.org/about/humanism/).
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This may not make complete sense as of now but I intend to deepen your understanding of the definition and the importance of Humanism in our society today throughout this blog post.

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This concept came into my understanding during a Foundation of PE, Sport & Coaching class last week at Douglas College. We were given the following reading as homework which I became very interested in. 

If you have the time, I would encourage you to read through this article to fully understand this concept. The article is written for Sport Science students and relates back to sport and recreation often however it can be applied to more than that. If you are not interested in reading the article, I will be giving a summary of it along with my own thoughts and understandings throughout this post. Feel free to do both.

Is "both an old and new philosophy" (Lunn, 2013). Humanism can be related to our everyday lives, the future and the past. The reading states, "Its goal is “full and healthy human living” (Buhler & Allen, p. 1), and the growth of the “fully-functioning” person"" (Lunn, 2013). This is significant to myself since I am interested in human development and growth and of course, encouraging others to allow themselves to grow also. 


The main ideas of this concept are: 
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RESPECT (for oneself, other human beings and our surroundings)

BECOMING (the pursuit of potential)

HELPING (the helping relationship)


Now I will go into each with some detail.

The RESPECT aspect of Humanism is relating to how you value yourself and others. Each human is worthy of respect. What does respect mean to you? Do you respect yourself? Others? Your environment? This article states "To respect someone also means that you have a genuine concern for their growth and development" (Lunn, 2013). DO YOU care about others enough to give concern on their personal journey? Basic respect should be introduced at a young age however; many people may not portray respect in their everyday life until they realize how important it is to build relationships. We should all be respecting others to allow for positive connections and self-esteem. Respect can go a long way and is necessary is most aspects of life.

*If you notice yourself disrespecting someone, yourself or the environment, take a step back and ask yourself why? How can you change this?*

The BECOMING aspect of Humanism is relating to human growth and development. This article reiterates the importance of growth through our lifetime by saying ". One of the foundational beliefs of humanism is that people are meant to grow, that people want to grow, that people ought to grow. Just as an acorn is meant to grow into a healthy oak tree, each human being is meant to grow into a unique and happy person. Abraham Maslow asserts that each human being possesses “the ‘will to health’, the urge to grow, the pressure of self-actualization, the quest for one’s identity” (1968, p. 193)" (Lunn, 2013). 

Growing is a lifelong experience full of highs and lows. It can take time to find out what is right for yourself and along the way you may experience some trouble. Troubling situations allow for growth in a sense that they teach you how to handle it better in the future. You learn from your mistakes.

""The term “becoming” is used to refer to the pursuit of one’s potentials. It is the process of becoming the unique, expressive, fulfilled individual that you can be; that you were meant to be"" (Lunn, 2013). We are all becoming into our future selves. Although we do not know who we will become or how our experiences will shape us, we know that becoming is a necessity in the human cycle. In this process of "becoming", we can encourage goal setting, to allow personal development to reach its full potential. 

GOALS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ACHIEVE AND ACCOMPLISH. 

*Take some time today to write down one current goal, one short term goal and one long term goal*

The last part of humanism is the importance of HELPING. This is where the authors brings in the helping relationship (Lunn, 2013). A relationship where each partner encourages the other to grow, to flourish. This includes helping others realize their potential as they might not see it themselves. The helping relationship can happen between romantic partners, family members, teacher and student or coach and athlete. Whomever it includes, it is focused on wanting to aid the other in their own personal development to become successful throughout life. 

This relationship goes into depth in the paper of how it includes 3 core concepts.
1. Genuineness
2. Unconditional Positive Regard 
3. Empathy

If you do not know what these concepts mean, please refer to the text. They are all majorly significant to Humanism. 

*If you notice yourself judging others, try to put yourself in their shoes. Being empathetic can brighten many relationships*

Throughout this brief overview of Humanism, I have touched on the major concepts of what it is and why we should take part in it. Without Humanism, our relationships would be challenging and would not grow. We need growth. We need change. We need personal development. 

Growing is very important to me and is one of the main reasons I started my personal journey on this blog. I grew out of old relationships, old habits, old environments and you can too. If you are feeling lost, focus on positive fact that you HAVE the ability to grow each and every day. Whether that is physical, mental, social or emotional YOU are the one who needs to make the decision to start your personal growth.

Engaging in relationships that aspire to raise others up could lead to more personal and group accomplishments. I am hoping you can apply this to yourself or to others to inspire your holistic growth. I found this topic very interesting and like most of the information I am learning I ask myself "Why didn't I learn this in high school?". I continue to learn new things every day that I believe should have been taught in younger grades. This stuff is necessary for life.

I hope you enjoyed this read. Thank you for following How To Flourish.


Check out this link https://www.humanistcanada.ca/about/humanism to read about "The 12 Principles of Humanism". 
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Thankfully, I am in my second opportunity of attending school away from home. Was this a hard decision? Of course. Leaving my family, friends and connections for a brand new city where nobody knows me.

That's the beauty of moving. Nobody knows you. You can set out to be whoever you aspire to without any judgment or opinions. Don't get me wrong, if I could do my schooling in the Kootenays I would, but my programs aren't offered rurally. Living at home for school would be a heck of a lot cheaper so if you get the opportunity to do so, I think you should take it.

I recently asked on my Instagram page what others would like to see for topics on this blog and one of them was "How to deal with moving away for school". So I thought I would offer some tips that can help my peers when making these decisions and encourage them to flourish away from their family.

Some of you may be in a difficult time right now trying to adjust to this new setting. Take some deep breaths! New experiences help us grow.


The first time I moved, was to Penticton for Okanagan College. I went with my best friend, Rachel, and we had a blast. Although, I don't believe I was prepared for what was upcoming. 

I was eager to save money, get healthy and do well in my academics but we all know that doesn't always work out for us. I experienced a lot of anxiety throughout this first year of being away from the people I have spent the last 19 years with. Here are some tips on how I dealt with it.

1. Pictures: Place ones of your family, friends, pets, or any memories around your house to remind yourself of all the great times spent with them in the past.
2. Stay in contact: I get asked often how I put so much effort into staying in contact with so many people from my hometown and the truth is I don't. Staying in contact for me is a text every once in awhile, maybe a random phone call, or even something as simple as telling someone you miss them. You don't need to talk to every one of your friends every day to still love and appreciate them. Do not feel bad if your new life in this town is busy but always make a small amount of time to let others know they are important to you. Personally, I talk to my family every single day because hearing their voices cheers me up.
3. Build new connections. If you are depressed, anxious or upset about your new living conditions, seek to build healthy relations with new people. Getting to know the students in your program is always a plus and can help you do well in future classes. Don't be afraid to say hello to the person next to you on the bus or your neighbour next door. We are humans and we all crave connection; it is a part of our biology.
4. Remember why you moved. Is it to complete a degree? To start a new job? To escape from old memories? Whatever your reason, write it down and place it somewhere that you see every single day. This will remind you of your focus and determination.
5. Set goals. Try something new, or something old, it's up to you. When we are young and full of energy this is the perfect time to set short term, long term and lifestyle goals. Write them down and make them attainable. 
6. Try some yoga. (Did you know I was going to say this one? lol) Yoga helps EVERYTHING. It is medicine for the mind, body and soul. Search out free classes in your new area and bring a friend. It's a great way to hangout with someone even when you don't feel like talking the whole time. Breathe everyday and remind yourself that you are here for a reason.
7. Express gratitude. You received an amazing opportunity that many others in this world cannot attain. Being able to go to school is a privilege and should not be taken for granted. Give thanks to your parents, to your professors, to yourself for being so strong and outgoing. 
8. Get outside! It is so incredibly easy to come home everyday after classes, lay in bed with a snack and pass out. This can happen every once in awhile but if you notice you aren't leaving the house enough, recognize it. Explore what nature has to offer around you whether that is the beach, forest or mountains. 

We cannot forget the importance of taking care of our bodies. Each aspect (mental, physical, emotional, social) is necessary to observe to see how our holistic body is functioning. 

School can bring on many mixed feelings. Recognize what you are feeling and what you can do it make that feeling more positive. Is it less judgment? Less complaining? Less comparing?


We all need love and support when it comes to migrating to a new place. Whether you do this alone or not, remember your reason for moving. Imagine if you did not take the opportunity to move, where would you be now? Exploring and creating is an exciting part of being young and should always be encouraged. 

​Throughout this past month, I have been in the slow and ongoing process of moving from my little hometown of Fruitvale, B.C., to the big city of Burnaby, B.C. This is my biggest move so far. I am always trying hard to live a minimalist lifestyle which includes owning minimal items however each one of my family members told me I brought too much stuff (lol). I struggle with getting rid of things (as most of my family does as well) but am currently working on making my new home as minimalist and efficient as possible.

The most exciting part of the moving process for myself is... DECORATING. I love creating new space. Every room has potential to affect your energy, motives and moods. Some increasing positivity while others increasing negativity. 

In this post I will be discussing the importance of creating your space to fit your own needs and will include some tips on how to make things work best for you. Here is my number one rule to keep in mind throughout this read.

Maybe I should get this tattooed on myself. I constantly need to remind myself that less is more. This applies to many more aspects of life than just designing. Less decorations can lead to a more efficient work space. Less colour can calm the mind more. Less talking allows for more spatial awareness. 

When it comes to decorating your bedroom, living room, bathroom or other space,  take a look at what resources you have and tell yourself "Less is more". 

I especially use this when decorating my bedroom walls. A small painting can brighten up the room equally as much as a large tapestry would. I opt for simple art, homemade gems or important pieces of information (schedules, events, homework) to hang on my walls. If you have a desk in your space, consider a lamp and calendar to stay organized. Plants, candles and gems always bring an energetic glow to your space as well. 

The next piece of advice I have for your when creating your space is to notice the colours you are surrounding yourself with. Have you ever heard of Colour Therapy?

"The energy relating to each of the seven spectrum colours of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, resonates with the energy of each of the seven main chakras/energy centres of the body." (http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/colour-therapy/what-colour-therapy  ...check out this link to learn more).

Colours have a strong connection to the holistic body and can alter your mood, feelings and actions. They relate largely to your psychological, emotional, and mental well-being. Many alternative medicine practitioners would agree.

Years ago, my bedroom was bright yellow. It was a happy room but it did not make it easy to sleep. After that, I painted my room deep red. Red can bring your to connect to your base chakra and can also encourage passion. In this room I found myself sleeping a lot without letting much light in. It was not for me. My most recent year in Penticton ended up with my room being 3 different shades of bright blue. Blue can offer peace and relaxation however, I found it too bright for myself.

THANKFULLY, (Seriously I am sooooo thankful) my newest place has neutral colours. White/grey walls and flooring allows myself to decorate with whatever colours I choose. White encourages simplicity and purity which can relate to my holistic life goals. 

Since pink is my favourite colour, I chose to decorate with it often. Pink relates to femininity, self knowledge, health, creativity and happiness. 

I am encouraging you to notice the colours you surround yourself with and correlate them to your feelings. It will make a difference in our sleep, your energy and your emotional state. Check out this picture for some helpful colour information. (https://ciprianicharlesdesigns.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/emotional-and-psychological-meaning-of-colours.jpg)

Finally, the last piece of advice I can offer to you creating your new space is to fill it with things that you adore.

For instance, I love plants. All forms of nature to be exact. I surround my entire house with them. Trees in the living room, bamboo in the bathroom, ferns in the bedroom. Plants can clean the air surrounding you as well, offering fresh 02 for your lungs if you are stuck in a stuffy place.

Another thing I love is crystal healing. I recently, found my old rock collection from elementary school that had loads of healing gems. I placed these around the house and especially my bedroom window sill to encourage positive energy, happy thoughts and to clear any negativities that could be present.