thoughts

Netflix & F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

| Illustration print by MissMeToday in a JYSK Bulgaria frame | Tea, a lovely present by Xplora | DELL laptop | The amazing Tezza book | and some organizers by JYSK |

| Illustration print by MissMeToday in a JYSK Bulgaria frame | Tea, a lovely present by Xplora | DELL laptop | The amazing Tezza book | and some organizers by JYSK |

FRIENDS has been one of my favorite shows since forever and considering that I am rewatcing it for like a 15th time this week, I had some time to think about the idea of the show some more. And yes I know about those theories of how the show is actually controversial but I just do not want to overanalyze things - I watched it as a kid with a non-prejudiced mind, and I loved it, that’s it for me so I’ll just go on. In short that’s a show about the lives and experiences of some friends in their 20s who live in NYC, good things, bad things, weird things, always together. I think the main plot theme is connection and togetherness and I think that’s what has made millions of people across the world love the show.

As someone who is writing this in an online blog while havin digital marketing as their job, believe me I am one of the people rooting for best use of all digital tools and advanced technologies, but from a human point of view I do realize that there are some troubles it may cause us as well. Given all the things and opportunities it gives us…is there something it actually robs us from?

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Looking at FRIENDS, they spend so much time together sharing moments that we nowadays often share via apps and texts. I’m not talking about the moments when we are apart and can only contact through the internet, instead I’m talking about the moments when we are close but actually feel far away and detached. How many times have you seen friends or even a couple sitting together at a café but each one is on their phone probs smiling at somebody else’s joke?

Of course I have checked my phone at a café or during dinner, probably we all have at some occasion - but imagine it one day becomes the default and that’s how we always are. Scary isn’t it? To never be present.

Ironically, there are so many apps that aim to help us be more present and mindfull. I guess that’s why I (as well as many other people -as I found out via a simple Google search) feel that there is something special about the exact period 90s-00s when the action in the FRIENDS series takes place and that transfered to nowadays it would never be the same. This was true even in 2014 and Business Insider wrote about it, then in 2016 Cosmopolitan wrote about it and then Buzzfeed gave their opinion as of 2018 (this article is my personal fave), so you get the point here.

It’d be interesting to take a look at more recent series that also make sure to keep the focus on real life communication rather than online. Take The Big Ban theory as an example, where the main characters love computer games and often play but once again it’s clearly visible that their lives don’t revolve around this.

Considering that FRIENDS will have a reunion soon, we’ll see how things will go in the 20s pace. But the characters will already be older. I guess it’ll be fun but yet I am really curious about what would it be like to see the young FRIENDS living in 2020?

Would Rachel be Instafamous? Would Phoebe rock Tumblr? Would Joey have a Tinder? Cause I bet Monica would love productivity apps. And how about Chandler and Ross?

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Now in this quarantine period we realize how much we miss hanging out and being with our favorite people and I think it’s good to use this revelation together with the time for thinking things through and literally anything else at hand (for me it was FRIENDS) to think about what we are missing in our daily routine, what we probably forget, underestimate or not appreciate.

I believe that we will be thrilled to dive into social situations right after the social isolaton is over and I think this is how we shall always be.

- Nicole

Happy new year - unusual 2020 wishes

More than a week into the new year, I started realizing that we may not have made the best possible wishes for 2020. Why? Not because we have not wished each other great things, but because they were just not really thought through. What we really need are not simply those “happiness, luck, success”.

So I’d like to mention a rather neglected but very important thing that we need - decisiveness. Truth is that no one wakes up on January 1st happier, smarker, prettier, wiser or with a better life. So no matter how well we have planned our new year resolutions, written them in our planners or told about them to all of our friends - they don’t really mean a thing unless we get down to work and make them come true.

Soemhing great is the fact that we can literally any minute do something small that would accumulate to further success and getting closer to making those plans and dreams come true. :) Sometimes an email, a simple conversation or a phone call could be the first step and could both help us and motivate us so that we believe more in our success. . :)

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It’s important to be decisive because no moment is ever perfect, the muse doesn’t come when we need it to and it’s all about getting to work in the very moment of NOW!

And since it’s very trendy to say how next year we’ll all be different, we’ll do things differently or we’ll start anew - I did the exact oposite and spend the first few days of the new year finishing tasks and projects I have started in the previous one. Because proving we are serious about getting things done is more important ad better than jus hittign the button of a rather fake Restart. And this was a great decision because this way I proved that I am decisive and really finish all I set my heart to. :)

And speaking of unusual, form all the wishes for the new year that I recently got, the most meaningful ones were actually the unusual because they were all about cherishing the small things in life, to keep on being artsy, to stay focused and ambitious ad to believe in myself and my dreams.

So I also have some unusual wishes for you for the beginning of the new year. Of course I also want to wish you health, happines, luck etc. but that sounds kind of generic while I would like to make it more personalized:

be decisive

don't postpone today's work on tomorrow

dont postpone making your dreams come true, don’t wait for tomorrow, or summer or any other time but now

dont forget where you wanna go and you have a 100% bigger chance to actually do so

start a new book - today

smile more

enjoy the sunset (and if you manage to get up early enough - the sunrise as well)

show the people around you how much they mean to you

finish what you’ve started

challenge yourself to try what you are afraid to to

believe that nothing is impossible

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Thank you for visiting my blog in 2020 and I really hope you enjoyed reading about my weird approach to wishes! One of the things I have promised myself to do more often is write on the blog so see you around soon!

- Nicole

25 things I learned by 25

I turned 25 last month and came up with the idea to write an article about some things I have learned about life so far.

1. People will always judge, just ignore them. When you are happy they will be like “why the hell are you so happy?” and when you are sad they will be like “but why are you so sad?” so just ignore it and live your life, it’s about you, not them. :)

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words of wisdom

one of my favorite quotes ever actually

2. Life is too short to waste even a second of it by not living it to the fullest or not being present. Day dreaming might feel nice and sweet, but that’s not why you’re here. You’re here to be and feel and act it all out and make your dreams come true.

3. The more you manage to devour when it comes to artthe better. Take the time to watch movies, read book, see paintings, even learn some history of art. You cannot imagine how it will change your perspective on things.

4. Any time something is not going good or you don’t feel yourself – play a happy song, that’s the secret.

5. Do not wait to make someone happy or make them smile and do not stop yourself EVER from telling or showing people how much they mean to you. I have burned myself from it and it’s plain stupid. If you have done it, go make it up now – call, text, whatever - but don’t let it stay a regret.

6. Social media is what you make it in your life. Yes, it’s trendy and it is quite addictive but it should not be something you obsess about. For me it is a chance to connect and share like I just couldn’t do it any other way because I just cannot manage to say all the things I want to all the people I want to. But it should stay fun and you shouldn’t ever let it turn to something not fun or into a way of maintaining some fake image for others to see. It’s your post-it wall where you speak your truth, use it this way – share what matters to you, encourage and inspire others to do the same.

7. Your efforts will always be payed off so always do your best and put your whole heart into everything you do. People see it and appreciate it, no matter if you see it immediately or not, it is so.

8. Be as supportive, understanding and non-judgmental as you can possibly be. Make it a priority in your life to be and you will see how more open-minded and kinder you become and how much more connected to everyone around you are.

9. "Your homework is to listen to some real music. Get inspired." (+ if you don’t know where this quote is from - go back to 3.) Nothing is too retro, too oldschool, too classic. Hear all genres, hear all the legendary musicians and composers. It’s no wonder they’re the best, hear some real good and epic songs. Have you read that listening to Mozart makes you work times better and makes your plants feel way better? Cause it does.

10. Learn form the best. As we speak of quotes – read quotes and watch interviews and hear what people with more experience and very different lives from yours have to say. You will be surprised what people go through to make their lifes better and their dreams come true.

11. Appreciate nature, the sunrise, the sunset, the waves, the flowers and the animals. Every chance you have – go out and meet the world.

12. It is never too late to change careers or your whole lifestyle. I have seen so many people who are not happy with their lives but yet feel and think it would be too much of pressure or effort or almost impossible to change. And I am always the one to demand they should try and don’t just go with the flow. Everything looks scary and hard unless you try and start. But if it would make you happier, it’s all worth it.

13. Take photos. Not because it’s a trend or because we all have smartphone with super giga hyper good cameras. Not for social media. For you. Take time to appreciate some really beautiful moments and re-watch later. Five years from now it will be lots of fun to see the funny look your dog gave you or the ruined pancakes you made with your friends. Believe me, it will be a great thing to look back to and a reminiscence of a nice memory.

14. You will sometimes feel bored and tired, don’t worry about it. Take some rest, take a break, take a nap, have a bath, go for a walk. We sometimes need to recharge. We as humans were not made and meant for such a busy life. Have your thought about how the same mind and body that people had in the Reinessanse is what we also have now– and we make them face our ambitious crazy schedules and the 24/7 information flow, no wonder they sometimes feel exhausted and stressed out.

15. It’s okay. And it will be okay. Eventually. I like this photo of the universe because it really says it all.

16. Sometimes buying that thing you want so much is actually a good thing. It’s not materialism, it is self apprecion and making a dream come true. It you are saving up for that amazing camera, or sneakers that will make you feel like Jordan, or starting a new business or dancing lessons etc. maybe it’s just you making an effort to give yourself a new beginning or a chance to be better and happier. And it’s not a bad thing.

17. Enjoy and appreciate people who enjoy themselves, be kind to them, you can support and get inspired form each other.

18. Reading is a truly magic thing and honestly it took me quite a while to really appreciate it and find my favorite genres but oh, dear, it is magic. Just saying. There is no book that is not worth your time and will not broaden your horizons, really. One of my favorite books is from 900 AD and another is a students book - who cares, they’re magic!

19. There is nothing better that to stay a bit childish so I totally understand you if you sometimes watch the cartoon while babysitting your little cousin :D or if you just decide to watch Tom and Jerry one day or if you like those adult coloring books or if you are really into comics or cospay and I know that’s not even a child thing but some people call it so. I got you! Anyway look 1.

20. Pretending to be or think anything just to make people happy is stupid and useless and it will not take anyone far so don’t even consider this. I’ve seen people struggle with this and I have sometimes even wondered for a minute “wait, should I do it?”' - NO!, “will it make anything easier?” NO! and then I immediately regretted this thought and had the “are you crazy?” self talk with myself. Being you is your biggest power! That’s what I like about you the most, this is wat you should like about you the most.

21. Moms are important. Call your mom, text your mom, give her flowers. Moms are important.

22. Don’t ever let anything scary or hard make you feel inferior and always choose the right way for you even if it is the hard way. Years later you will thank yourself.

23. If you there is something you don’t like about your life or yourself, it is more than easy to deal with this and make a change. Don’t let it bother you or stop you from doing or achieving whatever you want to. Nowadays we have all kinds of resources to learn more, acquire new skills, travel to whenever, take up lessons etc. Start it now! Nothing is impossible, just think about what your life was like two years ago and you will realize that all kinds of changes happen and things we could never imagine have already happened to us. Remind yourself of this each time a dream of yours seems too big to come true.

24. I wrote such a post for my 23rd birthday and I remember how insightful I felt back then :D Now when I re-read it, I come up with so many things I would add so I decided to write this new post. It’s because we constantly grow and change. Especially if you are like me and the drive to do so is a great part of your life. When you are constantly changing, it might feel weird when you look back and see the discrepancies but remember it is actually an amazing thing that you’re getting better, wiser and happier.

25. Don’t skip bday parties, tgif parties or any other opportunity to have fun. Dress up for Halloween and wear a Christmas hat on Christmas, make and eat cake on your bday etc. - we don’t have that many celebrations in our lifetime to let ourselves skip on any! Its all about making the best of everything. For example writing a bday post and sharing it weeks later. :D

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Thank you for reading!

Hope you ound something interesting and useful in this article

And thank you for spending another year following my blog and my story. Believe me, more is to come and it will be getting better and more interesting. See ya! ♡

- Nicole

Let's talk about why girl power matters.

Just a word or two from me about the positive changes in society. ♀ ♡

So let's talk about sex, one of the sexes in specific. Women.

I don't know if you know but we are currently making history. We are living in a time when we're witnessing an almost never seen before wave of empowerment and women supporting women. Which is INCREDIBLE and I just feel so lucky to have a chance to witness it. And what's even better - to contribute to it. Because YASSS sis, you rule, you rock, you can do it, you're strong, you're pretty, you're smart!

Since the dawn of time we've been seeing and experiencing the classic - women tear down women. In any way: in movies, in songs, at school, at work, in life, everywhere - and it's been awful.

sophia loren jayne mansfield mean side eye hollywood classic
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But why the damn hell? Why have we chosen to show this? To do this? Why did we as a society ever even create this trend? Since it's just crap!? It has been a major deviation from good and meaningful existance. Thank God we finally found our way out. Through honest pure friendship and support!

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So I dare you: call, shout, whisper, text something supportive to another woman! Now! 3,2,1.. progress! <3

 

- Nicole

Why we should stop being "busy" ♥

Do you know what it is? This a sunrise you miss out while being too "busy"preparing for work, eating breakfast, scrolling through your social media.

Do you know what it is? It can be anything. That one thing you regret missing out. Come on, there's at least one that comes to mind immediately.

Think about all the things you are missing out because you're too busy doing something else which is pretty often more or less meaningless. We've all been kinda stuck in this Fight Club quote lately "We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like."

We have started talking about being busy as if it's something great. We have started showing off with not having enough time for something. And we pride ourselves in this, which is the worst. We feel important and valuable, we feel needed here and there, we feel that our lives are full of things. And at the same time we're also kinda honestly sorry that we skip parties, don't call our friends as often as we want to and we don't have "me" time.

You, me, all of us. I'm glad to have finally saw it, and I'm decided to finally fix it.

Because why the hell do we do it? We do it. It's all on us. If there's someone who can change it, it's us. Stop filling up your to do list, tell your friends you miss them, meet them, now, skip a task to go out for a walk, leave your phone at home, wake up earler and have our cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, walk barefoot in the park, watch an oldtime movie. ♥

- Nicole

23 THINGS I LEARNED BEFORE 23

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birthday present presents balloon balloons bday girl blog blogger blonde hair hairstyle beachwaves 23rd birthday fashion style clothes
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Hello guys! So I recently celebrated my 23th birthday and I took some time to reflect on the past years. I happen to be a little bit of a thinker so I thought a lot about how I have changed throughout the years and how far I've come in terms of following my dreams and being happy to just be me.

And here are the 23 things I have learned in my life so far. Hope it will be interesting for you to read these and that they will inspire you or teach you something. Enjoy!

 

#1 Smile. Always smile. It makes everything better.

#2 This quote by Dr. Seuss — 'Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.' is just so true.

#3 Whenever you're sad or confused just look at this. This is happiness: http://imgur.com/gallery/I1TBl29

#4 'It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.' !

#5 Kindness is the best gift you can give to anyone. Spread it freely.

#6 Life is too short to not do what you want or not chase your dreams. Any minute you waste is a wasted chance to be happier.

#7 The best moments in your live will probably not be in photos because you'll be too busy having fun.

#8 If you're lucky enough to find a true friend, cherish that person/those people and never let them go, they're your treasure.

#9 The sooner you stop caring about pleasing people, the better.

#10 A good laugh and a hug can heal anything and instantly make you feel better.

#11 You are never too old for cartoons, jumping around when you're happy and openly talking about even the smallest things that excite you and you genuinely care about.

#12 You don't need to be perfect to be happy, look at all the people you love with all your heart and how their imprefections don't matter to you.

#13 It's totally fine if your brain is '99% quotes and lyrics'. You're probably a great and fun person to talk to.

#14 Things are not always what you expect them to be. So this is a list of only 14 things, not 23 although I said so. Life often surprises you and you should always expect the unexpected. Hopefully it'll be a good surprise.

So thank you for reading. :) I hope you found something you liked and will remember. Now I wanna hear your favorite quotes and inspiring statements in the comments below! :)

 

- Nicole