tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46289844014955614022024-03-18T21:46:19.554-07:00Mariana's Take on LifeJust a place where everyone can relate to something.Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-13497185474091565092022-05-15T13:53:00.005-07:002022-05-16T10:42:04.807-07:00Just me and my God<p> For most of my life, I thought that prayer had to be done in a particular manner. You know, kneeling down or standing and making really strong physical gestures as though one is in a physical battle with unseen creatures. Don't get me wrong,that is prayer of course. And because almost everyone around me prayed in that manner and I just didn't ,I didn't validate my prayers. I would think to myself , you're doing so badly ,look at others ,kabashing ,and you're doing nothing. That made me feel so far away from God and at some point I didn't even care about my relationship with him , because in my head ,I always said ,"What's the need ,I can't even be like them" but God being who he is "always" finds a way to remind me that no matter how far I feel from him,his presence is "always" welcoming . There's no reason to cancel and invalidate my prayers with my thoughts or what others think when God has already said that he hears me and knows what is best for me.</p><p>Writing in my journal and telling him anything I want there ,it's valid prayer. How about praying in my mind when others can't hear ,it's valid too. Kneeling in my little corner and crying to him to restore my peace,that's valid too. Kabashing(for my non Nigerian readers,it means really intense prayers that usually involves a lot of action and sometimes,a lot of times, shouting ๐) when I can ,that's valid too๐. Crying and just calling on him when words fail me,that's valid too. It's never for others to judge or score or see ,it's for me and my life. It's "my" relationship with my maker. </p><p>Your relationship with God is not in need of validation from anyone asides God .That's it,that's the message โค๏ธ. </p><p>As always,thank you for reading and please feel free to leave a comment or two if you also have something to say on this topic.</p><p> </p>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-31010580708464679772022-05-15T13:44:00.003-07:002022-07-15T11:26:29.926-07:00Social anxiety, again!๐You're probably here cause you read my first post on social anxiety and wanted to see the rest, thank you for being here! <div> Like I said in my last post,I wasn't diagnosed by a medical professional and everything that I talk about here is based on my experience. Some of the things that triggered my fear of being around a lot of people are ; my bad eyesight ,not being comfortable with my body, wearing uncomfortable clothes,over protective upbringing, being around people that made me feel some type of way and made subtly insulting jokes(sometimes,these people are even friends or family members) . </div><div> It's okay to feel totally lost and wonder what's going on ,but you're not alone,at all.</div><div> Here are some things I started to do that have helped me immensely; </div><div>(1) Talk therapy: talking good to myself , complimenting myself . It sounds awkward. It sounded really awkward to me when I read about it but it has actually helped me. </div><div>(2) Making sure I'm very comfortable with how I'm dressed before I step out. You don't have to dress to please anybody as long you look decent and you're dressed for the occasion. Looking at myself in the mirror and feeling comfortable with how I'm dressed has reduced the constant feeling that I don't look good enough. </div><div>(3) Listening to music . Is there anything to explain here๐? </div><div>(4) Being around people that I'm genuinely comfortable with ,my friends. If people make you feel really anxious, why hang out with them so much?</div><div>(5) Forcing myself to go places alone, sometimes. Sometimes I just go out , alone . It really helps . </div><div>(6) It's okay to ask for help. If I'm really anxious about being somewhere,I just ask my friends to go with me. </div><div>(7) Chewing gum:last minute decision to add this point but , yeah,gum helps me when I'm around lots of people and I start to feel overwhelmed,(not in a nasty way though). </div><div>(8) Sleep/rest: sometimes, I just lie down and sleep,rest and allow my whole body take a much needed break.</div><div> </div><div> I'm not an expert or anything but at least I can help in a way. Know what triggers you and try to stay away from them ,read more on it and if you're financially capable to afford proper medical diagnosis and treatment,go ahead. </div><div><br /></div><div> Thank you so much for reading up to this point. Please leave a comment if you can relate to anything here . You can also drop your email if you'd like to be the first to know when next I postโค๏ธ. (Added another cute picture of me cause you guys should be familiar with the face ๐)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3K6YhL8BTSnx3Cw5D9G-amF5pHQsgRYoEjz_8cJufImlrxc_djfcywm7SzJ6pfjTqCOWfVg13mWs-GR4K-oBMeDi6MtNSmSOjguqTJ4GFZaRtr_RCLAalLtXeo1zPdRUNBoF03fmSonrPqzcbZZeObLGy-wZUo6ZpXzFDePpPnUmQNgrdPGjFIj9iA/s940/Snapchat-321466954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="508" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3K6YhL8BTSnx3Cw5D9G-amF5pHQsgRYoEjz_8cJufImlrxc_djfcywm7SzJ6pfjTqCOWfVg13mWs-GR4K-oBMeDi6MtNSmSOjguqTJ4GFZaRtr_RCLAalLtXeo1zPdRUNBoF03fmSonrPqzcbZZeObLGy-wZUo6ZpXzFDePpPnUmQNgrdPGjFIj9iA/w216-h400/Snapchat-321466954.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-70679219205359450572022-05-15T13:25:00.001-07:002022-05-15T13:39:30.529-07:00Let's talk Social anxiety please!<div style="text-align: left;"> Before we get into this, please note that I am not a medical practitioner . I'm only a young girl writing blog posts for who can relate , thank you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> In my last post,I mentioned talking about anxiety when I am ready,so ,here goes . </div><div style="text-align: left;"> What is social anxiety? It's a (chronic) mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety. That's what Google tells me but if someone asked me that and I had no time to look it up,I'd say , Social anxiety is feeling sick from just thinking about or being in social gatherings. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> I didn't get diagnosed in a hospital which I'm very sure is the case with a lot of young people here in Nigeria but it's quite clear that social anxiety is very easy to spot. Even people who do not know what it's called happen to know that something is actually wrong with them . Some people think it's shyness but it's not, shyness is actually very different. It's temporary while social anxiety or phobia is quite long lasting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> There are lots of symptoms but like I said earlier ,I'm not a medical practitioner , I'm not going to go too deep and I will only be talking about the things I experience(d) personally. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(1) Being overly self conscious: I would go out and half the time, I'd just be wondering do I look good enough,am I sitting right, eating right, standing right,is my outfit good?! Chile!! This made(makes ) me over adjust my clothes ,hair ,pick at my nails ,use a mirror way too much amongst other things.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(2) Excessive sweating under my feet and on my palms: being around a lot of people made me really sweaty in those places and that made things worse by making me more self conscious than I already was. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(3) Constant fear of falling or embarrassing myself in public: I can't explain the falling part because even I don't really understand it but the embarrassment part,I'm sure someone can relate ๐๐. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(4) Inability to speak in front of crowds: I started reading news in front of the whole school(high school)because my teacher forced me,I really thought it would help with my fear of public speaking. Lol,I would mix up my words badly after days of practice. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(5) Increased heart rate: I do not want to explain this because I'm not a medical practitioner but I experienced it a lot </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(6) Intense stomach pain/upset and farts:this one is funny but!!๐ Yes, it's a thing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(7) Not knowing how to act : generally being very restless, folding and unfolding my hands , tapping my feet and shaking my legs, thinking excessively about what to say or do and just feeling weird while doing things others are doing . </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(8) Checking my time way too much: I still do this ,a lot . Anytime I'm out ,I spend more time checking the time than actually focusing on what I'm out for. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(9) Feeling really awkward when I'm out without a close friend. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(10) Constantly needing compliments and validation when out: I would only feel better about how I looked when people complimented me and if nobody did,I'd start wondering if I wasn't looking good enough,lol!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Thank you so much for reading to this point , because I do not want this post to be too long, the last part of this is in the next post where I share the things that trigger(ed) my social phobia and the things that helped me (still help me ) with my fear of being around lots of people. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Anddd because I'm very kind, here's a picture of me because this beauty should not be hidden!๐<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtch92I887F26Jgqb8Ua8xaibc8OjRt484Br426Pg6mb2k1rcHNhYSWkGN5sbDhQA6gVbp6dNrq1emluzO21N3PxJk_dxI7tLbz2B4Pw8d6fw3IIgwyEYPeJFcwa52_ZwfOpsJcu5oIEJuKuBxFBmTIi6H28i1vUxKcSzTaZxkGh_EUSeiFCUDSXnWg/s2944/20220217_095943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtch92I887F26Jgqb8Ua8xaibc8OjRt484Br426Pg6mb2k1rcHNhYSWkGN5sbDhQA6gVbp6dNrq1emluzO21N3PxJk_dxI7tLbz2B4Pw8d6fw3IIgwyEYPeJFcwa52_ZwfOpsJcu5oIEJuKuBxFBmTIi6H28i1vUxKcSzTaZxkGh_EUSeiFCUDSXnWg/s320/20220217_095943.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>If you can relate to something I wrote here, please feel free to comment ,share , like and drop your email address so you're the first to know when I make a new post ๐โค๏ธ. </div>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-89710270648173482352021-09-12T18:50:00.002-07:002021-09-14T08:20:22.751-07:00Level up your life with these tips.<div style="text-align: left;">Hi guys,it's been a while I posted here but I'm here finally and I'm glad you're reading. I wouldn't exactly call it writer's block but something within that range, lol. Well,I did have an article to post ,on anxiety ,I really thought I would be comfortable posting about anxiety but turns out I'm actually not ready. I hope to share that someday though . Anyway, let's talk about today's topic!!! Leveling up!!! Yes, it's 2021 ,and everyone seems to be woke, you know , trying to get their lives together ,being happy, getting schmoneyyy and all of that but!!!??? How do you really LEVEL UP? What are the things you could do generally that one could call a level up ? I'd like to start by saying ,it's a mindset,and it all starts in your head . If you're not mentally ready or you're still doubting yourself,then you need to take care of that first girlll( or boy,lol) . A "level up" to me means an upgrade ,growth ,switch from where you are physically , mentally, emotionally, financially,spiritually ,etc to a better place. Let's get right into it</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li> Mental Activation: You can't get anything you don't believe you deserve . That means if you want to level up ,you have to believe you deserve it ,you can do it and you will level up ,yes ! The doubts are going to crawl in but you have to push them aside and focus on what you really want.</li><li>Clearly Define your goals: what does a level up mean to you ? It might be totally different from what it means to me. To achieve what you want ,you have to know what exactly it is you want so that you can work towards that. </li><li>Educate yourself more : baby,you gotta read,yes! I said that ,you have to read . Books make you smarter and open your eyes to things you never knew , hard copies,blogs ,e books ,etc . There are also educative videos on YouTube that help . The key is finding things that are related to what you want. </li><li>Shut out the noise and focus: By noise ,I don't mean actual noise, I mean distractions, discouragement, people who don't believe in you . Stay away from them , they'll make you lose focus, instead ,surround yourself with those that will hype and encourage you , who needs negativity when only positivity makes you grow. </li><li>Build your confidence: this is a tough one ,it's something even I am still working on . It takes time but give yourself grace , please. </li><li>Feel and look good: exercise,take showers ,dress well,smell good ,take care of yourself . Trust me , looking good really contributes to feeling good .</li><li>Baby,Find a way to make Money: This is 2021 and there are literally a million ways that you could be making some cool coins. Having money makes you happy and is a big factor in your level up journey soooo, be it investment, business, YouTube, blogging , influencing,etc Find a good way to make or multiply your cash.</li><li>Talk less : still learning this but it's really important ,talk less. Learn to be quiet . It will save you a lot of trouble ,trust me.</li><li>Less announcements , more work: don't announce to everyone what you're working on before it happens ,take your time ,work towards it,work hard and when it's time , your efforts will speak for you. Work hard and there's nothing that you can't achieve if you do that.</li><div> That's it guys ,those are the few tips I'm applying in my level up journey and I really hope that they can also help you. Remember that nobody is really perfect and even I am still trying to get myself together so take your time , forgive yourself when you make mistakes ,you're human and I love you.</div><div> Please leave a comment , follow ,share and subscribe so you're the first to know when next I drop a post. Thank you.</div></ol></div>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-35139852327662870232021-02-02T05:57:00.007-08:002022-05-16T10:44:54.289-07:00Why is my jollof rice burnt/soggy?<p>Are you surprised that I'm writing about burnt and soggy jollof rice? Jollof rice that is never good enough no matter how much effort you put into it๐, don't be. I'm not a chef per say but I make really good meals if I do say so myself ๐. Often times people talk about how making some dishes turns out a total fail,things like pap,custard,semo,and the rest but no one ever talks about how their jollof rice never tastes as nice as the ones served at parties,or how it's never red enough or just doesn't hit hard like jollof rice should. This was also a major issue for me but I learnt a few tricks and I'm glad I can share with you guys.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlntPr2q2xfdPhDYPF_Wf_8cl1Ch-TQk_ohdTn_daNOFQEHrh-mA1Wo1OsVIfBxK23P0BmJDGcm2YFbN51h3NoMqCbZy9l2vsgnwBp1tvvz3-VP9GT3C7PK_U-In-yklEJbWwmenIORU1/s480/Screenshot_20210202-080539%257E2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlntPr2q2xfdPhDYPF_Wf_8cl1Ch-TQk_ohdTn_daNOFQEHrh-mA1Wo1OsVIfBxK23P0BmJDGcm2YFbN51h3NoMqCbZy9l2vsgnwBp1tvvz3-VP9GT3C7PK_U-In-yklEJbWwmenIORU1/s320/Screenshot_20210202-080539%257E2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>You see that jollof rice๐,if just the sight of it intimidates your own jollof rice,then these tricks are just for you;</p><p>1:For your tomato paste: in addition to the fresh tomatoes and normal peppers,also add chili peppers (tatashe). Asides giving your jollof a spicy taste ,it also adds to giving it a deeper red color.</p><p>2:Rice:use long grains, personally ,I prefer using basmati rice . This is because long grains absorb ingredients better and when your jollof is ready ,it won't be sticky but all the grains will stand individually.</p><p>3: parboil your rice till it's almost soft. This is the best way so that after mixing it with your tomato mix you won't have to keep adding excess water so it gets soft. Adding water occasionally to make it cook well would mean adding extra seasoning and that would alter the taste .Remember ,jollof rice should not be too soft.</p><p>4:Add curry to your spices:for extra flavour and a deeper color .</p><p>5:bay leaves:the secret ingredient everyone either knows and ignores or doesn't know at all. It will surprise you just how much flavour even half of a bay leaf can add. Trust me ,bay leaf is what you need for that spicy jollof flavor.</p><p>6:Oil:use just enough oil and not a drop extra to avoid burnt jollof rice.</p><p>7:cook your rice over medium heat so it does start to burn before it's well cooked.</p><p>8:Do not stir your jollof excessively or it will burn. I even prefer using wooden ladles to mix and not steel, and nonstick pots instead, they reduce burning.</p><p>9:if you want that smoky jollof flavor,then you should let it burn a bit,yes ,I said that๐๐. Let it burn a bit so it has that smoky jollof aroma and flavour.</p><p>(Extra secret; add garlic and ginger oaste to your tomato mix when you're done frying it,thank me later).</p><p>Please like, share and follow if you learnt something new,I would really appreciate that. Don't forget to leave a comment ๐๐. Love on this post is enough inspiration to drop my special jollof recipe.โค๏ธ</p>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-29983631918755182392021-01-22T22:43:00.003-08:002022-05-16T10:46:02.352-07:00Does writing really make you feel better?<p> Different things work for different people when they're down,angry,and all of that yeah,but writing,that is taking all of your emotions and putting it into words,have you ever tried that?. Writing down how I feel really works for me and if it doesn't ,then that's totally fine ,there are so many other ways to cool off. When i feel sad because of something love related,I just write poems or love letters but if I'm really angry about something else,I just take a note and fill it with nonsense, basically anything that comes to mind. The thing about writing when you're down is that ,you don't even have to be a pro writer or a smartass or something,you just put in exact words what you feel and just feel yourself let it out with each word. So yes, writing really makes you feel better ๐. Here's a poem i wrote,from the language and tone,you'd know it was as a result of something love related ๐. I wrote it when I was thinking about how liking someone is pain and pleasure at once,you enjoy thinking about the person but you also want it to go away because the feeling is eating you up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMzq68eK3rQQ9ao757riwMm6nB5qDBDpX60w99hL7VMNpgcL9BFNyO2T0TLP517np0O9UM6KY3bdr0FF9bd1_vXY3_JvUJwhL0JIjGK6OP75ccc8h9BIzsdPdhdrIylMyzsJhVCNCA6lU/s1080/0001-15835208449_20210121_224359_0000.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMzq68eK3rQQ9ao757riwMm6nB5qDBDpX60w99hL7VMNpgcL9BFNyO2T0TLP517np0O9UM6KY3bdr0FF9bd1_vXY3_JvUJwhL0JIjGK6OP75ccc8h9BIzsdPdhdrIylMyzsJhVCNCA6lU/s320/0001-15835208449_20210121_224359_0000.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>That's it guys.. please let me know in the comments if writing works for you, other ways you cool off and also things you'd like me to talk about. Subscribe to my mailing list too so you're the first to know when I post next๐๐</p>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-2896835496603691012021-01-12T07:34:00.001-08:002022-05-16T10:47:26.388-07:00Let's get to know me...<p> So,my name Is Mariana-lourdes(I'm actually just showing off my cute names๐) Dundas Seriche,but you guys can call me Marianaโค๏ธ. I'm a 100 level student student studying sociology,and I live in Abuja sometimes but mainly Calabar,for now...I'm 18 years old,an introvert only because I'm still not given the freedom to go out as I like(yes, welcome to Nigeria๐). I actually talk a lot ,too much sometimes but only when I feel like , sometimes I can be really quiet but that's only if I'm shy, pretending or sick or something ๐.I live for sweet things and romance stories,I spend a lot of time on social media (๐ฉ).I also take things very personally most times๐๐ฌ. I like Money,fun, fooddd,writing(sometimes),and arguing with anyone when I feel threatened!.I believe in love tooโค๏ธ๐.. that's about it for now.. Don't forget to follow please,and also Leave a comment,it would go a long way.</p>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628984401495561402.post-51205772369605587672021-01-12T04:38:00.001-08:002021-01-12T04:53:47.862-08:00Say hi to the most confused blogger ever๐<div style="text-align: left;"> So,hi guys!!!.. Thank you so much for checking my blog out,I really appreciate it and I'd love if you can also follow ๐ฉ๐. So I'm mainly going to be telling you guys about all that goes in my life and mainly mind. Hopefully , everyone can relate to something over here. If you're sometimes as confused and indecisive and take things to heart easily,then you're at the right place โค๏ธ...love y'all</div>Anathewriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13990016284518026742noreply@blogger.com0