Bodypositivitea!

I've decided to join two things I'm very passionate about - body positivity and tea - and make it a thing on my blog. So, whenever I feel like writing about this topic, I will do a Bodypositivitea post! If you're ready, grab your cup and a blanket ;)

Most of my friends at uni are very self-conscious about their bodies. They are ALL very beautiful girls and we compliment each other on a daily basis, while forgetting to compliment ourselves.

As I've mentioned before in this blog, I've struggled a bit with body image issues, and whereas I don't feel all shiny happy about my body everyday (I'm human guys!!) I think I've reached a point where I am okay with how I look, I eat what feels good and I exercise to feel in touch with my body. Here's how it's going:

- I haven't weighed myself in years probably, I don't even own a scale, and I don't care about it. It's not a matter of being unhealthy or not caring about my body. It's because I trust it with the ability of recognizing the nourishment it wants.

- I've been doing Pilates for almost a year and I think I'm getting quite good at it! I'm a perfectionist and I like to be good at everything I do so I'm happy! (For example, I'm a terrible runner and running makes me feel miserable) It makes me feel stronger and more aware of my position. 

- I look in the mirror and I quite like what I see. I pick clothes that I feel powerful and comfortable on. My favourites are skirts and dresses!

- I've fully embraced my voluminous, curly hair. I think that people often tend to dislike the parts of themselves that set them apart from the rest, while I think that those little details make people unique and more fascinating.

- I like to think of myself as a lionhearted woman who is not afraid to be herself, physically, emotionally and spiritually, and that's a BIG progress for me!

To anyone who's reading this: Don't let society or anyone tell you that your body is not good enough, or that you should restrict your eating, your lifestyle and your happiness to be better. You SHALL NOT do that. Eat what you WANT, what your body tells you to eat, exercise because it feels good and makes you breathe better. Even if I have never seen you I'm sure you're a beautiful person and I think you should think so too!

lots of love,

Mariana

single.

(This post is inspired by this video by the youtuber Hannah Witton. I really like her videos, because she's very honest and I appreciate that so much in a person.)

For almost a year, I have been single. I have been single for seventeen years, but that was before I even knew what it meant to fall in love or to be in a relationship.

When I became single, I didn't know how to do it anymore. I had become so entangled in my long-term relationship. I genuinely thought I was going to marry that guy and be with him forever, so, when our relationship ended, I felt lost for a while. Little did I know that this bad experience would make me grow into a more independent and confident woman, and into a better friend. This all came from the fact that I had to fight for myself and it could have happened anyway.

However, my past relationship and breakup are not today's topics. Being single is. Because being single is seen in popular culture as a sad thing, and it doesn't have to be! It doesn't have to be a phase of self-discovery, it doesn't have to be a time to wallow in your loneliness, and it doesn't have to be a time of pining for Mr. Right. It's just a normal phase in which life goes on, with good and bad days as always.

This doesn't mean that I don't feel lonely or wish for a relationship sometimes. I am a very giving person and the idea of loving someone makes me very excited. Besides, many of my close friends are in very happy relationships and sometimes I think, 'Why can't I find someone like that?'. Sometimes I feel bad for feeling that way, because feeling like I "need" a man goes against my feminist values, but then I remember that I'm human and one with a lot of love to give, and that I have the right to feel.

In general, I am a very happy single girl. I have the best friends in the world. I am lucky enough to have a group of friends at college that ALWAYS compliment each other especially when we need a little pick-me-up, and who are honest and caring. I have an amazing, healthy family. I feel very happy with my degree and with being one step closer each day to becoming a doctor. And, even though it would be nice to have a boyfriend, this is a different season and I shall appreciate it for what it is. I am very thankful for my life right now.

I'm excited for what's to come, whatever it is, and I feel proud of myself for being a self-sufficient, independent woman who knows what she wants.

lots of love,

Mariana

the girl who loved autumn.

As you may have noticed in this blog, autumn (fall) is my favourite season.

Everything changes in autumn: a new school year starts, friendships are rekindled, new exciting adventures begin; all of this under beautiful pink sunsets or by the candlelight, wearing a comfy sweater and drinking tea.

To me, it is a season filled with excitement of what's to come. New parties, new friends, new challenges, but also the same old Halloween movies, scones recipes, old sweaters.

lots of love,

Mariana