Words I Write

Words I Write | Rants And Rambles And Friendly Reminders

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If you follow me on Twitter, you will likely have noticed that I have this sort of tradition, habit, whatever you want to call it. Every morning (Monday – Friday, at least), my very first tweet will be a friendly reminder to love yourself. A gentle reminder to be a little less hard on yourself and to realize you are doing the best you can. A reminder that sometimes it’s ok to not be ok. They’re just some simple encouraging words that someone may just need to hear that morning.

It started out innocently enough. I sent one out one morning, to be honest – it was more so for myself than anyone else. I needed that reminder that day. I was surprised with the feedback, though. People thanking me, both publicly and in private DMs, for the encouragement and kind words; letting me know how much they appreciated reading it and how it put an instant smile on their face.

I continue sending out these messages every morning, and they increasingly get more popular. The number of retweets and likes keep increasing, but more importantly – more people are seeing the tweets and benefiting from them. And I’m benefiting from them.

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Oh, Look – There’s Jenn Again…Look At Her Sucking At Adulting #TypicalJJ

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I see people around me, with so much more responsibility – spouses, kids, multiple jobs, mortgage payments, hiding their receding hairlines, dealing with that one lone nose hair that refuses to give up, (it’s like – go away Hairy Larry* – no one likes you!) and I wonder to myself, “How the heck do they do it?!”

Then I’m left feeling like complete dirt about myself, more so than normal, because these functioning adults are kicking butt at adulting and doing all the adulting they can…and I’m sitting here having wine and ordering pizza for dinner…again.

I mean, not that there’s anything wrong with wine and pizza.

They’re two of my most favourite things in the whole entire world…but I mean, put a vegetable in your body once in a while, Jenn. Sheesh.

So as I stuff my face with another slice, slurping down wine in between bites – I had to wonder to myself…

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I Have A Confession To Make…I’ve Been Faking It

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jenn and the city

Have you ever had a moment where you looked at a picture of yourself, and just didn’t recognize what you saw in front of you? That happened to me the other day. This past weekend, I had to get some filming done for a video submission that was due this week – so my friend Jen graciously offered to come downtown and help me out. So we spent all day and night Sunday filming different clips, and then later that night I pieced them together to create my submission. As I laid in bed, at almost midnight, I re-watched the video again and again. I was just so uncomfortable with what I saw, how I looked.

Not for nothing, I pulled a muscle in my arm earlier that week and was comatose for the majority of the weekend until I was finally able to move again on Sunday without crying out in pain…so that MAY have had something to do with how exhausted I looked, but nonetheless…

If you’ve been following me on social media, or even here on the blog, you’ll know that over the past few months there have been some changes in my personal life. On top of that, what you wouldn’t know, is that there has been a lot more going on as well, professionally and personally.

Basically – I’ve hit a rut.

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Stress Relievers – Take A Chill Pill, JJ

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As you can probably guess from my Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat accounts – my life can get very busy. It can be hectic trying to juggle everything at once. From my full-time day job – to writing blog posts; from going to events – to going out on dates; from making the time to hang out with friends and family…it can all be a bit overwhelming and stressful when trying to coordinate everything.

stress-reliever-serenity-now

Side Note: I am not complaining. At all.

I am very fortunate to be in the position I am in and have the ability to do the things that I get to do. Believe me, I know this. But what I have come to learn over the past couple of years is that sometimes you need to take some time for yourself. Take a step back and think about what makes you happy, genuinely, to your core…and do more of that.

So what do I like to do to de-stress when life gets so crazy?
Rub A Dub Dub – Get In The Tub

There is something about filling up your tub with bubbles and/or bath bomb and just soaking away your stress. Seeing as I live alone, I leave my bathroom door open and my dog and cat often come in and lay beside the tub…those darn pervs, watching me take a bubble bath! I usually zone out and get lost in the latest season of Playing House on shomi or bury my nose deep into my latest book. By the time the water has turned cold and I’m all pruney – I get out and feel so much more relaxed than I did prior to hopping in the tub.

Run Jen(ny), Run

music on, the world off – running is my therapy

A photo posted by Jenn and the City (@thejennandthecity) on

Running is my therapy. I have a love-hate relationship with it, but running is seriously one of the things that keeps me sane. I love waking up bright and early, lacing up my fave kicks, and just running. I don’t always plan a route and to be honest, I don’t even always bring my phone. There’s something almost zen-like about being out there alone, running and hearing my feet hit the pavement.

Just never, ever call me Jenny. K? Thanks.

They Say Laughter Is The Best Medicine

jenn and the city toronto skyline stress RelieverI’m out so often for the blog that on the off-chance I do have a night without any work plans, one of my most favourite things to do is to spend some one-on-one time with someone who makes me laugh. We’ll open a bottle of wine and just let the conversation flow. No need to go out to a local hot-spot, no need to get all dolled up – just spending that quality time together is more than enough. And sometimes a view like that one above is part of the package…which isn’t too shabby if you ask me!

Sports, Go Sports

Rogers 4K Blue Jays #LifeIn4K stress Reliever

Ok, I often make the “Go Sports!” joke on Twitter, but the truth of the matter is I am actually a sports fan. While I may not be a “die-hard, be at the ball park or arena every week, know every single stat fan” – I do enjoy watching multiple sporting practices. Shocker, I know. So, as part of the #RogersSI team – when Rogers and Samsung reached out to partner for the launch of 4K streaming of the Blue Jays season – I was excited. Throw in the 55″ 4K TV from Samsung and Rogers’ NextBox 4K Cable Box and I was all set up to catch all of the Blue Jays games on from the comfort of my own home – and I was ecstatic! Having my family or friends over to watch a game is a great way to de-stress. My nieces are becoming baseball fans in their own right, so to have them over to watch the game(s) is a way to build these traditions and memories that will stay with us for years to come. We get to experience #LifeIn4K, “TV like never before with resolution that’s 4 times better than HD alone; with sharper images and realistic picture quality, everything you watch comes to life,” from the comfort of my own home. Really, what more could a gal ask for?

What are some of the ways you like to de-stress when life just gets to be too much and you literally can’t even?

Hit me up on Snapchat and show me!

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Chapter 7 of 12 – Bring On The Sunshine

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jenn and the city

Oh, hi guys! It’s been a minute since I checked in with y’all.

How you dooooin?

Life has been a bit hectic on my end and I’ve been left feeling like I am constantly playing catch-up. Couple that with my anxiety and it’s a recipe for trouble. #welp 

But I’m here, and I’m happier than I have been in a long time – and I feel like I’m getting back to myself…and my old ways. 😉

views from #the6ix

A photo posted by Jenn and the City (@thejennandthecity) on

So much has been going on, both in the #bloggerlife and personal aspects of my life. Truthfully – I kind of just needed a little time to pull myself back from being online as much and spend that time and energy elsewhere. Be it through my early morning solo runs that I consider my therapy, or spending some time with friends (both new and old alike) and family – I just needed some ME time. 

But – don’t you fret. I’m back, babes!

I have some GREAT stuff I’m going to be sharing with you over the next little while. I’m going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the events I’ve gotten to attend lately, and I have some killer recipes (both food and cocktail, because why the heck not) that I’m going to be sharing. I’ve partnered with some awesome brands and can’t wait to share all of that with you. 

I’m still continuing on my fitness journey and want to share that with you guys as well. I’ve had my ups and downs, some minor setbacks – but that’s life. Life happens and you have to find a way to power through and just do you. You know what I mean? There are no more excuses to be made. It’s all about living your happiest and healthiest life, however works for you.

And, of course, I’ll be writing more personal posts about life and love and everything in between. Sharing my stories has been therapeutic for me, and to top it off – getting such overwhelming responses from you guys through Twitter or Facebook messages and emails makes my heart so happy! 

Now I’m off to enjoy the long weekend and I hope you are too!
Sending all the positive vibes and sunshine your way.

jenn and the city

Letting Go And Starting Over After A Break-Up

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After a break-up, nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.

Break-Up

I’m the type of person who goes all-in. I give my all, my whole heart – loving unconditionally and fully. Jumping in without worry of consequences. Then, when things don’t work out as I had hoped – I’m left questioning myself, my worth – wondering what it was that I could have done differently. What is it that either of us could have done differently? But, it’s just not that simple. It’s never just that one thing that could have changed.

Sometimes, no matter how badly you want something to work out – it just isn’t right.

Life happens. Things happen – and you may not ever know exactly where things went wrong – but the fact of the matter is that they did, and you have to move on.

So then what do you do? I mean, besides spend a weekend surrounded by friends and family, and lots of wine – of course.

break-up

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You Deserve The Best – So Stop Settling For Anything Less

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dating and relationship advice

So often, single friends and acquaintances have come to me and asked me,

“Why can’t I find someone?!” or, “Why am I still single?!”

My first piece of advice is to cut out those “sort-of” relationships in your life.

By allowing those “sort-of” relationships to hold a place in your mind and in your heart – you are blocking out a space that could be otherwise occupied by something more worthwhile, more deserving.

It can be scary being utterly and completely alone. Trust me, I know this.

So you hold onto those “sort-of” relationships, thinking it’s better than nothing.

But believe me – it’s not.

Let go of the past, the what-if’s, and the sort-of‘s which are all poor excuses for relationships – and make room in your heart for the real deal…then you’ll be truly ready and it’ll come.

You’ve Laughed At My Suffering – Why Not Learn From It Too

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dating

UPDATE: I’m back on the market. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month or so, you’ll know that your girl JennJenn over here is officially off the market. Yup, that’s right – I’m a spoken for gal now.

#SorryNotSorry

That being said – I know that over the past year you guys have thoroughly enjoyed reading about my torturous first dates, but don’t fret – I think I’ve found a great solution. I’m going to share with you some tips that I’ve learned from a year of first (and second, third, and sometimes even more) dates.

Dating doesn’t have to be difficult.

You’ve already laughed at my suffering, why not learn some tips from it too? LOL

1. Math is hard, but chemistry is even harder.

Chemistry is one of those things you either have, or you don’t. While you’re swiping left and right on your preferred online dating app, you may come across a picture or profile that catches your eye. You may even exchange some witty banter and clever conversation back and forth – but if and when you meet, and that chemistry isn’t there, know that it’s is something you can’t force or manipulate. Sure, it may not happen right off the bat on the first date (nerves and all) – but, know when to hold them and know when to chuck them the deuces. There is no point in wasting your time on something that just isn’t right.

2. It’s not always indigestion – trust your gut.

Don’t settle. I repeat – DO NOT SETTLE. Just, don’t. I know it can get lonely, I know it can get frustrating. Trust me – I KNOW. But for the love of everything holy – just do not settle. There were times I went out on a first date with a guy, and while it was all find and dandy…something just felt ~*off*~  Then I’d go on a second, or third – and that ~*off*~ feeling was still there, yet I’d pursue it in the hopes that something would change. Surprise surprise – it never did. Trust your instincts, that women’s intuition (or whatever the heck the male equivalent is)…when it’s just not right – walk away.

3. Don’t get swept up in the numbers game.

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#FitnessFriday | Here We Go…Again

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Copy of #DublinItUp

It’s 7am on Friday morning and I’m still laying in bed. I should have gotten up a half an hour ago when my alarm went off and I was jolted out of my peaceful sleep. It was one of those sleeps where you’re in the sweet spot on your bed, curled up perfectly enjoying a lovely dream-filled sleep. But alas, the dreaded alarm came and awoke me. Truthfully, the alarm itself isn’t so bad (Drunk in Love remix with Kanye West – LOVE it) – it’s more the gEtTiNg Up part that sucks. Not to mention I can barely feel my legs. And before you ask – no, I wasn’t hit by an 18-wheeler – but I sure do feel like I had been.

Nope, I’ve just been working on my fitness.

lizlemon

I have shared some of my attempts at getting back into shape here on le blogaroo, and while those attempts were great at the start…let’s face it – they were half-assed. I was the first one to make excuses.

“Oh, I can’t go to the gym today – I have XYZ event tonight…there is just no time!”

“Oh, no no – I can’t workout today, I, ummm, I have cramps. Yeah. That’s right – cramps”

“Sorry. Can’t go to the gym tonight. Just don’t want to.”

Welp. Stop judging me, guys. At least I can admit when I’ve messed up! Anyways…moving on.

Things are different now though. They are, seriously. It’s not so much about specific goals, like – I don’t have a goal weight in mind, or a date that I want to lose x-amount of weight by. This time around I am making healthy changes in my everyday life to live a healthier life overall, and be the best version of me…right now, and long-term.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

So, what changes am I making exactly, you ask? Well – I’m glad you asked, my friend! They are some pretty easy and simple changes that literally ANYONE can make. I live a crazy busy and hectic life. I feel as though I’m always on the go and playing catch-up – but that being said, I have come to the realization that these changes (and more – stay tuned for those) NEED to be made. I’m only one person, here for one lifetime – so I should be doing whatever I can to ensure a) that said lifetime lasts as long as possible, and b) I have a kick-ass time while living it. LOL

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Skip The First Date Interview – These Questions Will Actually Create Conversation

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first date advice

I have so many friends coming to me and asking for my advice when it comes to online dating. They’re out there, playing the field – but are having no luck when it comes to a) finding quality matches, and b) securing dates. Seeing as I have been on my fair share of dates over the past year, I know that things can become repetitive, boring even. Whether it’s in the conversations leading up to your date, or even on your first date – it often feels as though you’re on a never-ending interview, answering the same general questions.

Where are you from? How was your weekend? Etc., etc. 

BORING…and for the most part, not relevant. Chances are in your online dating profile – you answer many of these mundane questions. If you’re looking for love through online dating – it’s time to start digging a little deeper and getting to the good stuff. You need to see if your personalities mesh well, and you can do this by asking great questions and learning more about each other on your first date. By the end of your first date you want to see if you connect with this person, whether you share similar values, and figure out if this is something you want to see flourish. By asking the right questions, you can determine if this is someone you want to learn even more about.

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