How to Survive Office Life as an Introvert

Surviving working in an office environment as an introvert is tough. So many people, so many meetings, so much small talk! It’s EXHAUSTING. As someone who has been working in a corporate office for the past ~14 years, I feel your pain! After years of wishing I was an extrovert and outgoing, I have decided to just accept myself for who I and I have learned a trick or two along the way for keeping (somewhat) sane while at work!

 

1. Book some time for yourself

As an introvert, it is more important than ever to book some time in your calendar to take some time for yourself. Introverts are recharged by spending time alone and so this time during the work day is imperative to your success. Every day, schedule sometime for yourself, even just an hour, so that you have an opportunity to not be around people and to breathe and recharge

2. Get out when you can

I get it, some days are so busy that you barely have time to go to the bathroom, let alone take a break, but as an introvert who is drained by the company of others, you need to find some time in your day to get out. Go for lunch or coffee, or even a walk or drive (if you have your car with you during the day). It will re-energize you and prepare you to take on the rest of the day

3. Have something in your office that makes you feel calm when you look at it

It might be personal pictures, a plant, or even just a pretty notebook. Keep something in your office or at you desk that gives you that sense of calm and serenity. For me, it’s my personal pictures, whenever I’m feeling particularly overwhelmed I look at them and it reminds me of home and I instantly feel a sense of calm wash over me

4. Don’t be afraid to say no

Sometimes all of the lunch and social event invites can get really overwhelming for an introvert and create more stress than is really necessary. The best way to deal with this is to say no sometimes, although it’s not always possible to skip out on a work event, if it’s really something that you don’t need to be a part of, don’t go. Your mental health will thank you!

5. Have some small talk ideas ready to go

It’s inevitable that at some point you are going to have to engage in small talk, especially around the office. Instead of shying away from it, find some common ground and work from there… if you’re a shoe person, make a comment on someone’s shoes. If you’re in the kitchen and someone is making tea, ask them what kind it is. It doesn’t have to be anything earth shattering, but a small comment can go a long way and will help you to feel more like part of the team

Hopefully this helps you, even just a little bit, to get through the day as an introvert in an extroverts world! What are some of your own tips for surviving work? I would love to hear them!

SS

How to Hate Sunday Nights Less

Ahh Sunday… I have such a love/hate relationship with you. I love not having to wake up to an alarm and being able to do whatever I want all day, but I hate knowing that the weekend is over and I have to return to work tomorrow. I used to not dread Monday’s, I had a sort of “it happens every week, get over it” kind of attitude. Then, as time went by and life started to happen more, I found myself getting super anxious and tense on Sunday nights (more so than usual). Sometimes just the thought of returning to work the next day could send me into a tailspin of anxiety and then I wouldn’t be able to sleep all night, which would result in Monday sucking more than usual. It’s a bad cycle that can be hard to break! Fortunately, I have been able to (mostly) get myself out of that slump and start to dread the week less, but it can definitely still become a struggle sometimes. With that said, I wanted to share with you some of the things I have started to incorporate into my weekly routine to help with the “Sunday Scaries”

Outfit Plan

For me one of the biggest time wasters in the morning is deciding on what to wear. I can be doing great in the morning and be ahead of schedule, then the second I get to deciding on clothes, all of a sudden I’m running way behind. It’s like my closet is a time vortex! I start to stress about outfits to a point where it can become ridiculous! To prevent this, on Sunday I make a quick list of outfit ideas for the week. Taking into account the weather and my work schedule (meetings, etc.), I think of 5 outfits that I can wear that week. Not only does it save time and stress in the morning, but it also prevents the whole “I’ve worn this outfit 15 times in the past month” situation, which evidently, is one of the things that causes the outfit stress in the morning to begin with.

Weekly Task List

Yes, another list! Take a few minutes on Sunday to jot down important things for the upcoming week that you don’t want to miss. It could be as simple as “buy birthday card” to “schedule dentist appointment”. Getting all of those tasks written down on paper will make you feel more organized and less frantic when Monday rolls around.

Clean the House

No, a full top to bottom deep clean is not required, but a quick tidy up and once over will make you feel so much more relaxed on Sunday night when you go to bed, and you will feel calmer Monday morning when you get up. It doesn’t need to take much time, even 30 minutes is usually enough time to make sure you

Look Forward

If Monday is looking particularly grim (like it was for me 2 weeks ago!), it helps to give yourself something to look forward to. Maybe you have a lunch date, or a pedicure appointment that week, it doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as it gives you a reason to have something to look forward to. I know for me when I’m going through a really rough week, I think of the things that I have coming up and it makes it so easier to see through the clouds. Plus, I find it makes the week go by quicker.

Relax & Enjoy!

It’s the weekend, don’t let the worry of tomorrow take away the joy of today! SO cheesy but also so true. As a naturally anxious person I get this all too well… and it’s actually really sad. I’m far from perfect but I’m trying really hard to make a conscious effort to enjoy the weekends for what they are, and not let upcoming stress that hasn’t even happened yet, ruin my day.

SS

Friday Favourites: Pampering Edition

I don’t think I have ever been this happy to see Friday arrive, this week has been INSANE! Sunday night I had an idea of how I thought this week would go and it ended up throwing me for a total loop and being completely different. Between work drama, an ever growing workload, bridesmaid dress shopping, getting my house back to normal after throwing a bridal shower last weekend (so fun!), and just normal life, I have had enough with this week and I seriously cannot wait for work to be over today so that I can go home and relax with a glass of wine and have some well-deserved downtime.

So, I thought that in honor of my crazy week, I am going to focus this weeks’ Friday Favourites on products that are perfect for pampering yourself, and you can imagine that they have been well used this week!

Fresh Rose Face Mask – $75 – Sephora (Rose Face Mask)

Whenever I’m really stressed, my skin really starts to suffer and starts looking dull and tired. One thing I found that really helps is the Rose Face Mask by Fresh. Not only does it revive dull, dry and tired skin, it has a cooling sensation and smells amazing! I mean, with an average of 2.5 roses per jar, how could it not smell amazing?! As soon as this mask touches my skin, I instantly feel better. The consistency is more of a gel and it doesn’t harden while on your skin. You leave it on for the desired amount on time, wash it off with water, and just like that, you look (and feel) refreshed again! This is one skin product that I will always keep in my cabinet.

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Honey Bath – $56 – Sephora (Fig Honey Bath)

When you’re feeling stressed and burnt out is there anything better than taking a bubble bath?! I think not. Especially when you add in Laura Mercier’s Fresh Fig Honey Bath. This stuff is seriously amazing! The consistency is truly like honey and it really takes your bubble bath to the next level. Whenever I use this, the entire upstairs of my house smells like fresh figs and it’s both luxurious and fresh smelling. The tub itself is full of bubbles and afterwards your skin feels soft, smooth and lightly fragranced. Definitely a winner in the relaxation department!

It’s pricey but you only need a little bit (1-2 swirls from the super cute wooden honey twirler that comes with it), so the jar lasts for a long time and it’s great at doubling up as bathroom decor!

 

Voluspa Embossed Glass Chewan Bowl Candle – Japanese Plum Bloom – $33 – Nordstrom (Voluspa )

I feel as though a relaxing night in wouldn’t be complete without some candles, especially if you are enjoying a bubble bath. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love candles, my house is full of them and it’s rare that I don’t have at least one burning at all times. However, a favourite for me right now is the Voluspa range. They have a huge range of scents, and colours, and one cool fact is their wax is coconut wax! The Japanese Plum Bloom is definitely one of my favourites, it’s floral but also fruity and the purple colour of the glass is stunning! Just like the honey bath above, these candles can double up as decor and look great in either a living room, bathroom, or even bedroom. They are also really great gifts!

Folklore Hand Cream – Raspberry – $8 – Chapters Indigo (Folklore Hand Cream)

If you are unable to do the full bubble bath/face mask/candles routine above, then using a rich, nourishing hand cream is a great alternative. Folklore hand creams leave your hands feeling immediately moisturized, calming dry or overworking hands and leave a delicious raspberry scent. I always have a tube of it in my bag!

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Cream – $32 – Sephora – (Sugar Lip Cream)

Last but definitely not least, this is a product that I cannot live without. My lips are always dry. I think it’s a mixture of the dry climate in my city, being stuck in an air conditioning office building all day, wearing lipsticks, and not drinking enough water (I know, I need to work on that). I have tried just about everything and nothing compares to the Advanced Lip Therapy Cream from the Fresh Sugar line. It’s translucent so it doesn’t leave any colour and it always leaves my lips feeling moisturized and smooth. Huge bonus is that it also tastes really good! Since it smooths out fine lines, it’s also a perfect primer under other lip products. This is another staple that is always in my bag… and bathroom…. and car… and office.

***Enjoy!***

SS

20 Lessons Learned by Age 30

In honor of my 33rd Birthday this weekend I wanted to write a post about a topic that I’ve been thinking about for a while. It seems as though whenever someone is turning 30, you get one of two reactions: “eek, 30?! Wow. Old.” Or “It’s ok, 30 is the new 20 you know?!”. Now that I have had 3 years experience of life in my 30’s, I dee as though I’m qualified to tell you the truth. 30 is not the new 20, sorry…. It’s better! Ok, so you can’t drink anymore without a killer hangover and your idea of excitement might have shifted slightly (new fabric softener anyone?!) but that doesn’t mean that we give up.
In the words of my favorite TV alter ego:

“Enjoy yourself… that’s what your 20’s are for, Your 30’s are to learn the lessons; and your 40’s are to pay for the drinks” (Carrie Bradshaw – Sex & the City Movie)

Ladies, the mistakes have been made, the fun has been had, and the past cannot be changed. It’s time to learn the lessons, embrace your 30’s and live your best life possible!

1. Be strong when you need to be, but don’t be afraid to show vulnerability. It’s not weak, it’s human

2. A good haircut might not change your life but it can change your entire attitude about yourself, which Kyle give you the confidence to change your life

3. Never underestimate the power of a great hug

4. And, the theraputic benefits of an amazing glass of wine

5. Listen to your gut/heart – no matter what body part your intuition comes from, trust it. It knows what it’s talking about

6. Be polite – no one likes a bitch

7. Respect goes both ways. Don’t expect it if you don’t give it, and always respect yourself

8. Learn how to love your own company

9. Don’t make excuses, be truthful, even it’s when it’s hard

10. Pamper yourself and don’t feel guilty about it

11. Have patience, life goes by FAST

12. Spend time turning your living arrangement into your home. Don’t follow trends, do what feels like home to you

13. Find your passion and never give up

14. Don’t ever apologize for who you are

15. It really, *really* doesn’t matter what other people think – I cannot stress this enough

16. Always be strong enough to know when to walk away – a bad relationship, a bad job, even just a bad party

17. The past doesn’t define you unless you let it

18. Take care of yourself – wash your makeup off, drink water, eat right and exercise. You only get one body and it’s not getting any younger (sorry!), make it the best body you can possibly have

19. Those people who are there for you no matter what? Cherish them, they are what life is about

And, most importantly:

20. Everything is temporary – the heartbreak, the stressful job, the amazing party, even that pair of jeans that hugs you in all the right places (or that not so flattering pair), it’s all temporary. Ride out the bad stuff and cherish the good because this life is short and nothing lasts forever.

SS