Monday, February 3, 2025

Thank you, life

I wanted to publish my Monday post at the usual time, but to be honest, I was physically exhausted. At first, I thought I wouldn’t write anything at all today, but now that I have a moment to myself, the urge to write to you hasn’t gone away. Maybe it’s because, since I started this blog, I don’t think I’ve ever missed a post, and I wanted to keep the streak going. Maybe it’s because I need this. Honestly, I’m not really sure.


The reason behind my exhaustion is that this weekend has been an emotional rollercoaster. My grandpa suffered a stroke on Saturday, so life has been moving at full speed since then. I went to see him as soon as I could. That’s all I can really say, honestly. I’m not doing too badly —maybe because I can see some improvements in him— but I can’t say it’s easy either. I’m just grateful to be here for him. I can still see a sparkle in his eyes when he looks at me, and I’m trying to make sure he can see mine too.


I just hope everything turns out as well as possible —for him, for my loved ones, and for me.


Thank you, life


Monday, January 27, 2025

One of my nightmares: the lack of confidence

I wasn't sure what the topic for today's blog post would be, but suddenly I remembered one of my nightmares: the lack of confidence. However, I didn't know how to approach it. That's why I was interested in the perspectives that ChatGPT would offer. So, I asked it about the importance of confidence and the possible reasons behind its lack. Here is a summary of what we've been talking about:

Confidence can be a real challenge, especially when fear of change or the unknown creeps in. I know that feeling all too well—the anxiety that hits when a new day starts, leaving my mind blank and making it hard to even begin. It’s like this wall of self-doubt that stops me from taking action, and the fear of what’s ahead can keep me stuck. The tricky part is that often, I don’t even realize I’m worrying about the future in the moment. It’s like my mind just spirals into overthinking without me noticing, and before I know it, I’m paralyzed by the uncertainty.

I've tried to take breaks to recharge, but instead of helping, they often turn into distractions that just make me feel worse about wasting time. What I’ve realized, though, is that building confidence is a process. It’s not about being perfect right away; it’s about recognizing the small steps and celebrating the progress—even if it’s tiny. Shifting my mindset to see tasks as opportunities to grow, rather than tests of my ability, helps take some pressure off. The hardest part for me is letting go of the constant worry about the future and focusing on what I can control today. It’s all about trying to be present and taking action even when I feel uncertain.

To overcome uncertainty, we can focus on what we can control right now. This might mean taking small steps or setting achievable goals. It’s important to accept that uncertainty is part of growth —none of us have everything figured out, and that’s okay. Rather than waiting for the “perfect moment” to take action, we can start, even if it's imperfect. Moving forward, no matter how small, is better than staying stuck.

Another thing is to reframe mistakes as learning opportunities instead of failures. This shift in perspective helps us let go of the fear of getting things wrong. Practicing mindfulness can help ground us in the present, calming our tendency to overthink the future. Building confidence happens through small wins, no matter how minor they seem —they remind us that we’re making progress, even if it feels slow.

Journaling (or talking about it with someone) can also be really helpful. By writing down our thoughts, we can gain some clarity and release the mental clutter. And, most importantly, we need to practice self-compassion. It's okay not to have everything figured out right now. By embracing uncertainty, we can navigate it with more confidence and a little less anxiety.

So, even though I still struggle with confidence and anxiety, I’m learning that growth happens little by little, even when the fear feels overwhelming, and that I did incredibly things in the past, why would this time be different? 


Monday, January 20, 2025

A surprising love for The Crown

I'm currently watching The Crown, you know? But I must confess I didn't want to at first. History has never been one of my favorite subjects. Furthermore, remembering dates and events has never been my strongest skill—it caused me a lot of headaches and tears, to be totally honest. But I know I need to consume English content to improve my comprehension and articulation, and I also want to learn more about its culture and traditions. So, my roommate suggested I watch it with her, even though she had already finished the series.


Well, it's true that I don't always understand some expressions or situations, but I'm following the plot and enjoying it immensely. In fact—be careful, this is a mini spoiler—when I finished the first two seasons, I needed some time before continuing. I had grown used to admiring Claire Foy's portrayal of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and I didn't want her to leave. This happened around Christmas, so after a few more days, I gave it another try, and... yes, I missed her, but they did a great job with the transition, the ageing process, and I absolutely adore Olivia Colman's work.

Now, I have two seasons and a half left, and I'm sure I'm going to miss this series when I binge-watch the rest! 



 

Monday, January 13, 2025

Life starting to sync: being 25

Last Saturday was my birthday. Yeeey! But I must confess it's strange being 25. I mean... You're too young for some things, but too old for others. Don't misunderstand me, I feel grateful for being 25. In fact, I like this number, as my favorite number is 5. But it does feel strange to me, like too big, too powerful. And I still feel like a... Not a teenager, but not quite a 25-year-old woman either. However, it's a great time to keep rediscovering myself and trying not to cover up what I like or what I want to do. Every day that passes, life feels more and more in sync with me.


See you next Monday! I hope to write to you more and in more detail about what I have in mind :) 

Monday, January 6, 2025

Hi!

How are you? Did the Wise Men bring you lots of presents? The end of the year was a little strange, and so was the beginning. It reminds me how life can’t always be as perfect or as ideal as we’d like. Perfection holds beauty, yes, but the beauty in imperfection is beyond words. Soon, I’ll tell you more about this —what I just mentioned.


But first, as this is the first Monday of the year and the month, and since I’m trying to write to you every Monday, I didn’t want to miss the chance to show up, say "hi", wish you a great day, and tell you that this, for sure, will be our year.


With love,

Marta


Thank you, life

I wanted to publish my Monday post at the usual time, but to be honest, I was physically exhausted. At first, I thought I wouldn’t write any...