Monthly Favourites - July 2020

July has been another month of transition. I’ve had to go from working to not working anymore. I’ve had to consider the best ways to make a routine work for me while also helping out around the house. I’ve seen friends and made plans for the future. I’ve interviewed for a couple jobs and I’m anxiously awaiting the results. I’ve been busy! When I look back, these are my highlights.

1.      Canada Day

I get the hesitancy about Canada Day. We’re celebrating the beginning of a country that is based in stolen land and robbed culture. I’m taking a course on Indigenous Canada right now that delves into the true history of Canada. It’s an important history and the outcome of it has affected my own family. However, I do think there is a place to celebrate the country I’ve grown up in while also respecting where it came from. I love celebrating Canada Day by being around people I love, and that is what I’ll continue to do.

2.      Article about Losing Friends

This article on Darling's website came through to my email inbox when I needed it the most. I’m really struggling with a lost friendship right now (something I mentioned in my last lessons learned post). I’ll admit, it wasn’t a good friendship. It was one sided, and they fully took advantage of me. However, we also have a ton of good memories together. I’ve been sorting out my belongings now that I’m home permanently, and my room is covered with remembrances. This article has helped me work through my feelings, gather a balanced perspective, and move on with my life with empathy. It’s slowly but surely helping me distance myself even more.

3.      Silicone Brush

On a completely separate note, these next two items are the best soft skin pairing I’ve ever had. My sister and I kept getting frustrated with how dry our skin was getting since we’ve been in the pool and in the sun so much. We kept joking about the dinosaur scales on our legs. Based off of a suggestion Brianne saw on TikTok, we picked up this silicone brush from Amazon and I cannot talk about it enough. It has soft bristles on one side and hard bristles on the other side for a bit more massage action. Paired with the next favourite, and you’re golden. 

4.      Magic Crystals Scrub from Lush

Anyone who has read this blog from the beginning knows I love Lush because it shows up in my favourites a lot. I pay for quality. This scrub is another desperate attempt to get softer skin and it works with that silicone brush! The minty scent is ridiculously refreshing after a long, hot day in the sun, and a little goes a very long way. We’ve had this bottle for a few weeks now and despite the fact that two of us are using it, it barely looks like we’ve touched it. Even better – it works wonders! No more dry skin!

5.      Avocado Toast

This is a new one for me. I really used to hate avocado. I hated the texture and the taste. Now, I’m obsessed. I do realize I need it to be a bit more savoury so I always add garlic and lemon juice to it, but this has become my favourite breakfast with some poached eggs. I got pretty good at whipping it up as well!

               This past month has been wild for sure. There isn’t a consistent theme with these monthly favourites and that reflects my emotional ups and downs quite a bit. I’m still in this in between place where I don’t know what will happen in September yet, but I’m going to sit in that and see what I can learn.

               For now, I’ll keep working on whatever I want to in a day and find opportunities to get active in things I love. What have you been up to lately?

-Daniella