Creative + Productive Outfit For Freelancing Success

Creative + Productive Outfit by lifeofsn featuring fitted jeans

I've been narrowing down what makes me feel professional since I've been working as a freelance writer. At home by yourself, it'd be easy to lapse and wear pajamas all the time with sleep still stuck in the corner of your eyes or I'd be eating carrots from the fridge crouched over like a feral rabbit, skittering away with any sudden movements. Fortunately for the carrots, I created habits that make me feel professional which in turn make me feel creative and productive. 

Want the 411 to shape success from the outside-in?

*Dress to impress... maybe it'll only be your cat commenting on how good those pants make your butt look but by dressing with the aim to promote your professionalism you solidify that feeling. Wear comfortable jeans, a nice top and pick out a blazer to bump your seriousness up a step. Nude shoes go with anything add comfy into the mix = double win. 

*Camera. Practice looking at the world like it's a canvas full of surprises and you'd be delighted by the fuel these pictures bring to your psyche. Also, they're perfect to use on your blog and stock up on. 

*Pocket planner. Nothing feels better than getting your sh*t in order. Find a pocket planner that suits your creative needs. I like one with plenty of space for brain-storming, doodling and freeform thinking. 

*Fun book. Yes! The self-employed burn out easily because they don't incorporate any guilt-free space from work. You need a break, find something fun to read/do and plan your day around it. You work harder for a treat. 

*Laptop. Set up your work-space to be clutter free and professional. Ideally, it's fitted out so that you don't develop RSI. Laptops are great to take with you for a breather and switching up your space. 

*Bag. For that mid-day coffee run into town.

*Coffee. But of course. The elixir of the Gods. Although, it can make you jittery make sure to counteract it with heaps of water. 

*Nail polish/perfume/make-up. I feel like a pro when I have my nails well taken care of, some perfume/scent splashed on and a bit of make-up on. My image conveys how well my job is going/social status. If I slouch around wearing sweats and meet someone on the street, I'm less-inclined to be outgoing, confident and friendly. Whereas by taking one more step, I can project more confidence and self-assurance, which is the body language people look for in a freelancer.

What small tips do you do to help yourself feel professional when freelancing at home?

Explore the Web!

Monday is here and for the Antipodes, it's Tuesday! Let's moan together as the beginning of the week starts and we pray fervently it goes well. 

And if that doesn't work, start your week exploring the web!

Lately, I need an extra face-punch of motivation, which is why this pocket planner and I are BFF's.  Also, I adore the designer who also did these hilarious side-projects: 'Mom This is How Twitter Works' + 'Should I Work For Free?' 

Need help changing your lifestyle? Be motivated by the top 5 regrets of the dying and live differently today. 

Sweet potato burgers, you sound incredible with your crunchy Panko outside and sweet, smooth insides. Yum. 

10 things nobody warned me about my twenties. My particular favorite? 'I still don't know what it's like to be an adult."

This is the mother load of all trendy DIY's and then some. You're welcome.

Things to do in Geneva, Switzerland.

I adore cauliflower, especially roasted but when I found out I could use it as a pizza crust, I hollered with glee! 

The French fascinate us with their high in fat diets but lean physiques, let's get an insider's view of French women. 

Spot on! How to country-hop without breaking the bank. 

Italy + romance + trails = Via dell'Amore. 

10 survival tips for changing your life. 

What's been making you happy on the net?

If You Feel

Travel Like a Local

Hey friends! 

TLAL is getting geared up for it's take-off. Before we can fasten our seat belts and start traveling like a local and sharing like a homebody, I need your input to make it successful.

First:

*Are you dreaming/planning a vacation to a unknown destination in the future? Do you want to land on terra nova and see a smiling face that will reveal all the unknown wonders? 

*Bored with where you live but needing to stay rooted for a little while longer? Renew your love for where you are by sharing all the insider's tips with a new friend. See your wonderful town from new eyes and fall in love again. 

Then send an email with subject 'Looking for a local' or 'Sharing like a homebody' (feel free to do both!) to lifeofsomethingnew@gmail.com 

Second:

*Would everyone prefer to have these connections put up as a monthly public blog post or as a monthly private newsletter?

Thank you for your opinion, your helping create an amazing, international, friendly travel network.

I'm really looking forward to hearing from you! 

Extinguishing Burn-out

Burned-out. Empty. Drained. 

My creative juices are on temporary hiatus. I imagine; moving twice; flying half-way across the world; losing my mom; beginning my own business, would scare away many a ephemeral idea. Which is why I'm not fighting it. I'm going with it. The next three days (weekend) I'm extracting maximum fun and relaxation from my time. All-about-me-time only.

This is what pops into mind for tentative weekend plans (no concrete here);

* Watch Seinfeld/ Curb Your Enthusiasm with low-key friends preferably while eating Chinese food out of a carton

* Cuddling with anything furry or human (alligators need not apply)

* Meeting up for after-work drinks and focusing on being silly + fun

* Drawing/doodling/sketching

* Organize clothes (only ten minutes allowed on this one)

* Staying in bed till noon and then having Eggs Benedict from local cafe

* Painting nails a bright, cheery color 

* Bake something temp-licious

* Go on many walks

It can be tricky to fight burn-out. To extinguish it. 

You're done. You've been giving it 100% for so long that you can't imagine taking one more step. Even if you love what you do, aspects of it need changing. Which I think you definitely need to change.

Take a break first. Do what you keep telling yourself there isn't time for. 

Forget about your problems.

Give in. 

Relax.

Recharge.

And you'll extinguish burn-out.

What do you do when you feel 'burned-out'?

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl

Clearly I adore this video because of his transformation. Not only that, but it also has both Japanese and French influences which is a sweet and salty mix of cultures. The cherry on top being the awesome 90's feel.

I'm home.



What songs are stuck in your head due to the music video?

Celebrate Love!

What if we celebrated love for humanity today, instead of a love for our romantic partners? What if we took to the streets and reminded ourselves that we are connected? I'd adore going out and seeing strangers  passing on kindness like a hot potato in the streets. It'll be a radical social change... for a day! I want people to be opening doors, paying for bus fares, complimenting each other like it was their sole reason in living. 

So why not?

This year we need to show our love for humanity. 

Let's brainstorm! 

Ways to share the love (for humanity):

• Pay for a stranger's coffee
• Hold open the door for a stranger
• Compliment someone
• Text your friends a simple, sentimental note
• Leave a candy on a random desk with a note saying 'Enjoy'
• Offer to help someone with a task
• Smile at your bus driver
• Take a dog for a walk from a local SPCA
• Scatter the world with love notes like these
• Give your neighbors flowers 

How would you show your love for humanity?

Ps - I did a guest post over at Lape Soetan about 'Going Places' and vacations. Check it out!