DIY: How to make your own comfort box.

A comfort box is a very simple DIY, if you feel like you need comfort most of the time when you're alone a recommend it to you to try and make a comfort box.

Take a small, or big box and fill it with anything that gives you comfort, easy right? If you know you get comfort from hugging a pillow, put a small pillow in your comfort box.

Don't know where to start? here are a few idea's.

• Stuffed animals/pillows to hug.
• a blanket.
• Your favorite book or poem.
• Your favorite over sized t shirt.
• tissues. 
• Nail polish (it is optional, but I fin painting my nails very calming) 
• a journal and pen to write down all your thoughts and emotions of the moment.
• comedy films or TV series ( NO TV series/films that will make you sad, which I used to do a lot of the time which would get me even in a worse mood then before).
• Drawing material
• a CD with your favorite playlist (Happy songs, songs which remind  you of something good, maybe songs that will remind you of something good about the past that made you happy).
• scented candles.
• A bubble wand to blow bubbles and distract yourself a bit ( it may sound silly but when you feel terrible weird stuff like a bubble wand can make you so happy).
• body lotion with your favorite scent.
• pictures of your favorite people, or good memories.
• Tea (works always for me).
• a stress ball ( doesn't always work that well if your stressed but it's fun to play with once you calmed down a bit)
• encouraging notes and letters you get from loved ones.
• a jar filled with your favorite uplifting quotes.
• Your concert tickets
• Old postcards that cheer you up.
• Glitter.
• Play-do

Beside this kind of comfort box you can also make a food comfort box with your favorite chocolate and any sweets and candy you like!

What is something you wouldn't want to miss in your comfort box?

Tell 'em that it's my birthday!

Hey guys, a very personal blog post today!

It happens to be my 19th birthday today. I started off my day with blasting this song. And went to school. I got such lovely presents! I just want to thank my friends for all the lovely presents, I have such good friends.

The biggest present though was that they came in the class singing happy birthday with a birthday cake.   It was during my journalism class, so we got to eat the cake in the break.

They are the best! I love them, here's how they surprised me.

Appreciate your friends, I know I appreciate mine.

Have a good day guys!

10 ways to be confident.

Being confident isn't always as easy as it may look to some people, we all have our own weaknesses that make us feel less confident. But being confident is so much more fun, and you enjoy life so much more.

So, I here are some things that make you look confident. Because confidence is hot!

1. Clean your room. This may sound stupid, but I promise you it works, a messy room equals a messy mind.
2. Listen to songs that make you happy. Stop listening to music that make you want to be alone and be all emotional or just sad music. Listen to music that makes you want to dance, music which you can enjoy and make you happy. Maybe listen to it while cleaning your room and dance while you're cleaning. Get a little crazy, that is totally fine.
3. Smile. It may sound simple, but it really helps. If you enjoy something, show it off with a smile. And you will brighten other people their day too.
   
   
   
4. Believe that you're confident, even if you're not. Fake it if you need to. Just be in a confidence bubble.
5. Love what you wear. When you love what you wear, you show it off with confidence. When you look good, it changes the way you feel anyways. 
6. Walk with purpose. Walk like you've got somewhere to be. Just try it, it will change the way you feel while you're walking, it seriously gives a confidence boost.
7. Make eye contact. While talking, while ordering something, while paying for your grocery shopping, make eye contact. A good way to make get used to make eye contact is to make yourself remember the color of the eyes of the person you're talking too.
8. Stop comparing yourself to others. Focusing on your positive qualities, rather then comparing yourself to others. You are you, and they are nothing like you. And just like Sofia Vergara says:
   
   

    

9. Next time you're at a party or meet up or anything else with a lot of people meet someone new. The girl standing all by her own staring at her phone is a good one to start with...
10. Write down at the end of each day something you did, which made you proud. For example, I met new people today. It will make you realize how much good things you do. It helps you focus on the positive. 

I hope these 10 ways to be confident will help you! 

Standards don't define you.

A couple months ago a Viner named Nash Grier.

This guy.

made a YouTube video ranting about girls and what "guys" look for in girls. If you're into social media you probably have seen it because this video went viral and got a lot of attention by the way he started ranting about girls with his two friends.

Let me get a couple things straight about Nash.

• He got a lot of subscribers on YouTube because of his successful vines.
• He vines a lot with his little sister which is an adorable little blonde, very blue eyed girl.
• Look at Nash, his eyes are really blue too. 
• Girls just really fancy him and think his sister is adorable so he got best of both worlds.

That is why he got so much hate for doing what he did. And it made me pretty mad too, especially because girls are usually insecure about themselves.

BUT.

That is not what this blog post is about. Because he made this video, he got a lot of responses from other YouTubers.

Girls are insecure most of the time, that is because the standards are insanely high. And what Nash did, making this video, is making the standards only higher for the girls that fancy him and look up to him.

One of the YouTube respond video's he got really spoke to me. This girl called Savannah Brown made a slam poem as response to the video. This video is so mature and it is so full of good messages, and so well done. It is a fine piece of art right there. Very original.

So watch it, Listen to it, Think about it.

Standards don't define us, they never did, they never will.

Storytime; Job Fail.

Back in the days I would be so hard on myself, I wouldn't allow myself to make any mistakes. Looking back I realize how stupid that is, how am I supposed to learn anything if I don't allow myself to make mistakes?

Here's a funny story.

A couple months ago I applied for a job at this restaurant, and keep in mind I had no experience whatsoever. I had never worked in a restaurant. So everything went okay, I got the job. I was a waitress. Knowing I had a lot to learn, I started to have this weird feeling about it all. I just thought it was because I had a lot to learn. And I knew it would be a lot to handle. But I was feeling adventurous and went along with it.

So the day I got to meet my colleagues and we had this little presentation about working at the restaurant I already got lost and I arrived way too late. So I sort of met everyone and we got to see the restaurant, which was a new one. 

My first workday was a Saturday, and honestly I have never humiliated myself more.... It just didn't make any sense to me, I couldn't remember which people I've helped and which one I haven't. I didn't get how I had to take the orders with this small box I've got which looked like a calculator to me. Oh and let me not start about taking the drinks and food to the tables, I feel so lucky I didn't drop any sandwiches or drinks. But the amount of forks, knives and spoons I've dropped is infinite. Seriously. 

So while the day got worse I started to panic more and more. Up until this point I just disordered the entire restaurant. No joke. I seriously messed up the entire restaurant. I started to order wrong stuff for people, and didn't know which order belonged to which table. I left people waiting for like twenty minutes until they got mad. It was baaaaad. 

It got to the point my boss had to tell me to calm down, after the day was done, which felt like forever, we got to eat, sit down and talk about the day. And we came to the conclusion I just basically made all the mistakes that are possible to make.

So the Sunday I worked in another restaurant, and just my luck. The "big boss" came to eat there and wanted to talk to me because he saw how messed up I felt. And literally everything happened all over again. I just disordered the entire restaurant all over again. The girls I've worked with didn't even wanted me to help cleaning up after the restaurant was closed. So that was another disaster day. 

Long story short, I humiliated myself the weekend, and have never been that tired. It was the worst weekend, and I looked up so badly to the next weekend. I really, really didn't want to have another disaster weekend. 

The end of the story? I got fired the Friday night before I could start my next weekend of working. I seriously worked one weekend before I got fired. I was honestly so happy I got fired, because I  just came up with the conclusion being a waitress is nothing for me. I sucked at it. It was pretty hilarious looking back to it. 

The End!

Well, this was a funny life experience for me afterwards, and at the moment I didn't know if I had to laugh or cry about it. Everyone made fun of me, and weirdly enough it made me realize I shouldn't take myself too serious. These things happen, at least I know I'll never work in a restaurant again. 

What have you learned from mistakes in the past? Feel free to share your life experiences with me, I'm always in for some life lessons or a good laugh. 

The only disability in life is a bad attitude.

What is the first thing that pops up in your mind while reading this title?

At this moment I think of the Paralympics in Sochi. I'm pretty sure we all know about the Paralympics! It's the Olympics but then for people with a disability. So this post is dedicated to all the people in the Paralympics to give them some credits for what they do.

These people have a disability, but they are the best trained, hard working people. Some of them don't even see their disability as one, others choose to make their disability a  reason to show how much you actually can achieve even though you miss a leg, or anything else.

The paralympics are very inspiring, and I never realized it. They are very inspiring!

So, do you watch The Paralympics? Who's your favorite? And which sport is your favorite? 

Positivity around the internet.

We all have these moments when we we're just done, when insecurity's could eat you alive. And most of us still have these moments. It sucks, but that's just how life is. Everyone has their insecurity's and everyone feels bad sometimes. We're humans, no one is perfect. If you're going through a rough time right now, keep going. Because time will pass, and while times passes life will get better. I promise you, how cheesy and not helpful it may sound, it really does get better.

When I don't feel okay, I tend to isolate myself from the entire world. I lock myself up in my room, or go for a walk all by myself. And these things are okay, they sort of help. You could try it yourself, go outside for a walk.

And if these things don't help and you don't feel like moving, I am here to help you!

I found some websites which are so helpful, I have used them myself. Just give it a go and go along with it, you won't regret it.

• If you're looking for a quiet place this is where you need to be. 
• If your thoughts are getting too much to handle go to the the thoughts room and get rid of them.
• If you want to escape 'your world' for a moment go a couple through The secret door. 
• If you want to relax but you just can't, have a guided relaxation.
• If you're looking for distraction this will help for sure, just find out for yourself what it is.
• If you just need a hug , this is your place to be. 

Do you feel better already? I hope so! If you feel like saying something, you can always leave me a comment, right under this post!

Much love, let me end with this adorable gif!

Spreading love with "Give Back Films".

So I am a little sick at the moment and decided to stay home today. I was wandering around YouTube to kill the time. Being sick isn't the most fun thing, especially not with this amazing weather outside. It is so damn sunny, I just wanna go outside and enjoy it.

Anyways, I discovered this YouTube channel called 'Give Back Films'. The name made curious, so I watched some videos. They have 13 video's at the moment but they have over a 300.000 subscribers which is a lot! So this guys literally give to people, things like money to homeless people. What they do is providing stuff for people which costs money, and you can also donate money to them so they can make this video's.

This one was my favorite video, watch 'till the end to understand why I liked this one!

Now the videos are very uplifting and cute, and I loved watching it. And on one side I do love the idea's they come up with. But on the other side, do you really need money to "give back". 

What do you think?

"No stop dreaming, be realistic."

That's what I always thought. And it made sense back then...

Yeah that is right I don't think like that anymore, and you know why? Because being "realistic" was so boring and it didn't make me happy. And for a long time I thought why can't I just be realistic and happy? Why do I have to be so complicated. But listening to others, and letting others make your future may look save but it is not realistic at all, and honestly? It's the stupidest thing I've ever done. 

Let me tell you a little story:

When I graduated from High School I sort of really started stressing out, it was time for the real deal. I gotta choose a course which will eventually become my future. But I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I decided to play it save and did the course "International Business Studies". And it was my worst decision. I hated it, I hated every little piece of my course. 

Looking back then I realized where I went wrong, I shouldn't have looked at courses that I would see myself find work for later because I need to work for a business. But I should have kept it way more personal and ask myself, what do I enjoy in life? What are things I actually enjoy to do and for me it was simple. I love media and communication. So I started studying it, and it was the best choice I've made. 

Do I regret the year I spend in International Business Studies? No absolutely not, I learned from it, like I learned from every mistake I made. And I am thankful for my mistakes because how else are you supposed to learn stuff?

But what I'm trying to say is:

Do what makes you happy, because that will be something you'll be good at. Because you enjoy doing it! makes sense, right? Even if people don't believe you can achieve whatever you want to achieve.

I mean the people with the biggest succes are the ones who are crazy enough to believe in their dreams. 

Just look for yourself!

I found these on Tumblr and it's so inspirational right? It's crazy how many times these people got turned down, but they kept believing that their idea would be successful. And I'm pretty sure you know what Starbucks is, and you know where and what Disney Land is, and you know who Harry Potter is. These people had some crazy success, because they believed in their own idea more then anyone else, and that's why they eventually became successful! 

So believe in yourself! And go for your dreams.

TAG: "Get to know me" (21 questions)

I got tagged by my lovely blogging friend www.ambernaomi.blogspot.nl for doing this tag! So yeah let's do this! 

1. Are you named after anyone?
Nope don't think so, my dad came up with the name.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Super embarrassing to say but yesterday got a little watery at the cinemates (youtubers) their new video starting off their new season. I think the main reason for me tearing up to it was because I was just very proud, and I had actually met Peter from the cinemates that same day. Which was like a little happiness moment for me. The last time I actually properly teared up and had to get tissues was when the trailer for The Fault In Our Stars Movie came out, I just couldn't contain my excitement for the movie. ugh, I'm such a girl hahah. 

3. Do you have kids?
I actually turn 19 at the end of this month and I'm happy to say that I don't have any kids at the moment.

4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

Uhmm.. I'm not sure, I have some bad quality's I sort of not like so maybe now yeah, but if this question was asked last year I would've probably said no.

5. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

All the freaking time, and the worst is that some people think I'm serious all the time. And I promise my kind of sarcasm is VERY obvious.

6. Will you ever bungee-jump?

oh my god yes!

7. What’s your favorite cereal?

I don't really am into cereal to be honest. But anything with Chocolate is okay so any cereal with chocolate.

8. What's the first thing you notice about people?

The hair and eyes.

9. What is your eye colour?

Brown.

10. Scary movie or happy endings?

When I'm alone I prefer happy endigs, but with friends I'd love to go for a scary movie.. The thing is, I get scared very easily so I just don't have the guts to watch a scary movie all by myself.

11. Favorite smells?

Freshly baked croissants, Cinnamon, Apple's & minty smells 

12. Summer or winter?

SUMMERRRRRRR. I hate the cold.

13. Computer or television?

Computer, I can watch back whatever I want, whenever I want.

14. What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?

Morocco, which is also where I originally come from.

15. Do you have any special talents?

I take pictures who turn out pretty good sometimes. 

16. Where were you born?

Amsterdammmmm.

17. What are your hobbies?

Reading, Watching soaps/youtube/anything, taking out my camera to the city. Walk around in Amsterdam. Hanging out with friends, and music. Just anything that has to do with music.

18. Do you have any pets?

No, But I wish I had a cat though.

19. Favorite movie? 

hard one.... Don't make me choose... Please...

20. Do you have any siblings? 

Yes, two younger sisters

21. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to do something with media & communication. And I want to be amazing at filming and photography!

Those were the questions of this tag. 

I hope you got some fun information out of it, if you have any questions feel free to drop them in my commenting box!

Review: Staying Strong 365 days a year.

Last year Demi Lovato came out with her first book. Titled Staying Strong 365 days a year.

I look up to Demi Lovato a lot, so I was very curious about the book. And as soon as it came out I ordered it and gave it a look.

The book is a very interesting book, and I am very happy with it. It was totally worth my money. I keep it next to my bed and I start the day by reading it.

The book starts on January 1st and ends December 31st.

Every page starts off with the date of the day, a Quote, sometimes Demi's quote, sometimes others. Then a short personal message from Demi, and it ends with a goal for the day. 

I think it is very inspiring to start off every day with a quote who will get you to think about anything that has to do with life. The short message from Demi is just her explaining her thoughts and experiences about the quote of that page and why she chose to put it in her book. It is basically Demi Lovato giving you life advice.

I love learning something from Demi every day of the year, she starts off my day good. It is a very personal book, and if you're a fan I totally recommend it. And if you're not I totally think you should give it a go anyways. She's been through a lot on a very young age, which is inspiring and uplifting to see someone who had it that bad to end up this successful in career and in life.

I think the right way to end this blogpost is by this Quote from Katie Couric on the backside of the book. I couldn't agree more! :)

The City and its beauty.

When I don't feel okay I tend to do weird stuff, a couple weeks ago I felt sort of bad and decided to walk around in Amsterdam at 7 in the morning before school started. Why? I have absolutely no idea, did it work? yeah!

I died at this, isn't it gorgeous?

through the day it's actually hard to walk fast through these streets.

It was so quiet, and so calming. And admit it, Amsterdam looks pretty amazing when it's that empty.

I cleared my head, walking around that early, and seeing the sun come up. And this comes from someone who appreciates her sleep more then anything. So I was a bit in chock of my weird idea, but it made me realize something.

Walking around, all alone is good from time to time. Just walking around, clearing your head. And appreciate the city, or village you live in. It took me two early, quiet mornings to realize how beautiful the city is I live in.

I live in Amsterdam, but this isn't just meant for anyone that lives in Amsterdam, it doesn't matter where you live. Go walk. On your own, or with a close friend. Walk quietly or talk as much as you want. But don't take the usual way, take another one. And look around, put your phone away and really look at everything and everyone around you. You'll be surprised. At least I was! You start noticing things you would've never noticed. It's kind of a meditation.

So when I discovered all this small interesting streets and all these beautiful canals I started looking in a different way to everywhere I went even places like dam square where I walked around daily, and believe it or not, I discovered Amsterdam's beauty all over again. So I made a video to show you pretty Amsterdam, and I liked to see even more and film it so you could enjoy the view with me.

"The bad news? Everything ends. The good news? Everything ends."

This quote is straight up honest, and so freaking true. It doesn't matter how bad life gets, it doesn't stop so you could feel better again. It goes on, it always will and it always have. So when something bad is happening, I always keep in mind to that it isn't forever. And weirdly enough it helps.

But it doesn't mean you need to wait for life to get better, because every minute you didn't spend being happy is 60 seconds of lost happiness that you won't ever get back.

The thing is, life goes on. How stupid it may sound, it is true. And it took me actually a couple years to realize.

And since then I realized something else, if something bad is going on in your life, stay strong, because it isn't going to be forever. And if life looks good for you, enjoy it as much as possible and appreciate it. It won't be forever. Good and Bad things are a part of living, if there are no ups and downs you're dead (think about it).

Everyone wants happiness, no one wants pain, but you can't have a rainbow, without a little rain.