Every year as the new year approaches, my soul gets quiet as I think about all that has happened over the 12 months. Time feels like an eternity but when you look back at the year, it always seems to fly, doesn’t it?

One year ago, as I reflected on 2019, I wrote, “Here’s to a new year of keeping my heart open to everything and attached to nothing fleeting. .”

⁣⁣Little did I know how much 2020 would challenge me to do that.

This past year of 2020 was one that will live on in the history books. The year of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic, the year we lost so many loved ones, the year many businesses shut down, the year George Floyd was senselessly murdered and caught on video, the year Black Lives Matter stirred a nationwide movement, the year Tik Tok gained steam and turned half the population into dance machines, the year people started working from home, and the year schools went virtual. It was a year of challenge, heartbreak, growth, community, loss, death, unity, and so much more.

I don’t think I could ever sum it up in words nor have I fully digested it, but reflecting on the year 2020 has helped me to make more sense of it. I know that as we start this new year 2021, we go into it with much of the same circumstances. Yet there’s a new sense of hope, a determination to do better, be better. So I will share with you 5 lessons I personally learned this year that I will carry with me into the new year.

5 lessons I learned through
reflecting on the year 2020

1. Nothing lasts forever.

⁣⁣If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that nothing under the sun lasts forever. Just like in Ecclesiastes. The good times, the bad times, they both come and they go.

⁣⁣So when times are good, cherish them. Make the most of the moment and the people, focus on the present, and be all there.

⁣⁣And when the times are bad, stay grounded. Remember that this too, won’t last. Hold on to hope, and also be all there. Because it’s often in the bad times that you’re challenged beyond what you think you are capable of, and you grow the most. 

2. You have the power to change.

You can’t change your past, but you can certainly change your trajectory and future. Sure, there are circumstances beyond your control. Like what you were born into and pretty much all of 2020. But you have the power to adapt, the power to create, the power to choose what you do next.

Don’t waste that opportunity and gift.

3. It’s okay to slow down.

We live in a hustle culture where being busy is a badge of honor. We measure success by the number of accomplishments achieved. The dollars in our bank accounts. Or the amount of wealth and things we accomplish.

But what if we have it wrong? What if this go-go-go mentality is making us miss out on the joys of life? This year has forced so many of us to slow down and take a step back. To reconnect with our families. To stay home. To sit with our own thoughts. To pick up a new hobby. To read a book.

It’s been amazing to see all the passion, clarity, and joy that has been born out of this season.

Challenge yourself to slow down every once in a while. To focus on what’s truly important, to be present with the people you’re with, to enjoy the little things, to not let life pass you by while you hustle and work.

4. Mindset matters.

What you think and say to yourself matters.

I used to talk down to myself and set limits for myself, but this did so much damage. Over the years, I started to truly believe the things I thought and inevitably played into the role I believed. It’s been a wild ride of undoing, but I’m learning that what we feel, we attract.

So believe in yourself, and believe there is good out there for you. Do good, feel good, and attract good.

5. It takes a community.

I’m an introvert by nature, but I recognize the value of community. Despite the weight of the year, I saw so many triumphs that happened because of people coming together. When I had my own rough patches, the encouragement from the community kept me going. Even on a larger scale, the places where people came together for the good of all have seen the most success with kicking the virus.

Lean on your community. Be there for your community. Care about people and foster relationships because when everything else is hitting the fan, they will help carry you through it.

Have you been reflecting on the year 2020? What lessons are you taking with you into 2021?

The post Reflecting on the year 2020 – My biggest lessons appeared first on Chat with Cat.

How do you rest, reset, and reframe your mindset during a pandemic?

I originally drafted this post in late March, but thanks to my knack for starting things and not finishing them, this post never made it to the blog. I started this entry to help us navigate the unpredictable, confusing times of the novel Coronavirus. But as I got caught up with other things, I kept thinking that the pandemic would be over soon.

But the days turned into weeks.

The weeks turned into months.

And now a whole year has practically flown by.

Virtual hangouts are the new norm. Takeout dinners are common occurrences. Masks are part of your essential attire. Gym time now means working out in our rooms. Vacations abroad seem but a distant memory.

Even though it’s been almost a year, many of us are still adjusting. While some of you have established routines (kudos to you!), others are still trying to figure it out. Maybe you’re expecting things to return back to normal soon, so you haven’t quite committed to a new routine. Or perhaps you just don’t know where to start. Or you’re one of the many with your anxiety at an all-time high, and you don’t know how to turn if off.

If that’s you, the first thing I want to tell you is: you are not alone. You are not alone, and you don’t have to struggle alone.

The second is this: your feelings are valid, so don’t take on more of a burden by feeling guilty. As humans, we have tendencies to seek control and security. When those are taken from us, we may naturally feel negative emotions, thoughts, and energies. And that’s okay.

It’s okay to feel those things, but can I encourage you NOT to stay there?

Having those feelings and thoughts are valid, but staying in them and letting those hold you back from enjoying the present moment doesn’t serve you. Instead, use this time to rest, reset, and reframe your mindset. Below, I’ll share some actionable tips that have helped me most during this time.

Rest, reset, reframe your mindset

1. Spend 10 minutes each morning to clear your mind.

When you wake up, instead of reaching for your phone, spend some quiet time to frame your positive mindset for the day. These early hours are the best as your body and mind are the most refreshed. Use this time before your to-do lists and worries fill your mind. Whether it’s praying, meditating, journaling, or something else, dedicate ten minutes without any distractions to allow yourself to process and ground your thoughts. Set your intentions for the day, and clear your mind of negative thoughts that do not serve you. Focus on the good ones that will fuel you throughout the day.

2. Write down one thing you are thankful for every day.

It doesn’t have to be profound. It can be anything! Your bed. The avocado toast for breakfast. A random act of kindness. The internet connection. Your family that sometimes drives you nuts but will always have your back. Eyes to see the beauty in the world. A heart that beats for you.

Write down your thoughts of gratitude or type it somewhere and add to this list daily. On the difficult days, you can look back on it and be reminded of how much you have to be thankful for. Learning to be grateful will help to rewire your brain and reframe your mindset to seek the positive.

3. Set positive affirmations for yourself.

Write out 1-3 positive affirmations each week and keep it somewhere you can see it easily every day. For example, one can be – “I am capable of handling whatever comes my way.” See the image for one of my weekly affirmation sets.

Repeat your affirmations to yourself every day, as often as you need. Focusing on positive affirmations will, as you guessed, also help to reframe your mindset! It will train you to practice positive thinking, which is good for both mental health and your success.

4. Move your body.

Stretch, walk, exercise, workout. Not being able to go out creates an even bigger chance to veg out at home. You may be sitting for long hours without moving, which is NOT healthy for your body. So get up and move! Exercising has been shown to release endorphins which boost your mood. It can help you to feel and think better, so dedicate some time to exercise. Also take small stretch breaks throughout the day!

5. Clear the clutter.

One of the small but effective actions you can take is to make clean space. If your desk or room is cluttered, it may subconsciously clutter your mind. Or your setting might be a reflection of how you feel. Either way, a mess will likely give you a sense of unease. You might have a nagging thought that you need to declutter but you keep pushing it aside because you’re “busy.” That will only stress yo out, so take the time to clean it up, throw away things you don’t need, store the things you’ll use at a later time. It’ll help set your mind at ease, restore order, and get you in the right mindset to focus on other tasks.

6. Get dressed.

Whether you’re taking classes online or working from home, it’s important to establish a routine. This includes getting dressed. Wear an outfit each day as if you’re going to school or work (but maybe something a wee bit more comfortable). It might not seem like a big deal, but being dressed properly helps to differentiate between your “office” and “home” settings and gets you into the mindset that you’re ready to work.

7. Create a schedule.

Create a schedule daily schedule and a bigger picture weekly schedule, and STICK TO IT. Schedule in your work, breaks, meals, time to check and respond to E-mail, etc. Having a schedule will help you to prioritize and get things done. Instead of getting distracted by your social media 50 times a day and not finishing your work, commit to you schedule to complete your necessary tasks.

And if social media gives you anxiety, learn to turn it off and leave it out of the schedule. Or if you must, limit the amount of time you spend on it!

8. Surround yourself with people who empower and encourage you.

It’s 2020, and no one needs extra negativity. Create boundaries with others, and learn to tune out or remove yourself from toxic environments. Find people who encourage you and bring you a peace of mind instead. Community is more important than ever, and even if you’re an introvert like me, you’ll find that having a supportive friend or two is essential to navigating these times.

9. Sleep early and establish a good sleeping pattern.

I don’t know if you can relate, but over the past few years, I’ve developed a habit of sleeping REALLY late. Sometimes 2 AM, sometimes later. Sometimes I have to wake up super early, but I’ll still sleep late because my body surprisingly functions with little sleep. But just because I can, does that mean I should? No. Your body needs an adequate amount of sleep to function at its optimal state. And that means 7-9 hours a night. Not too little, not too much because oversleeping can also make you tired. After implementing better sleep pattern myself, I can tell you that it makes a world of difference. My mind is more focused, my body more energized, and I feel better able to tackle the world.

Have you tried any of these?

What are some changes you’ve made to help you navigate these times? I’d love to hear from you!

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The thing is, as I get older, I start to dread each birthday a little more because I’m not where I wanted to be. The young me envisioned a happy, settled life by now. A life figured out, a family in the works, and a future secure. No more identity questions and no more life-changing uncertainties.

Funny how life works, because it never seems to go as planned.

The milestones and life goals I set for myself sit untouched.

• My own dream house? -Unchecked.
• Husband? Unchecked.
• Kids? Unchecked.
• My own business? Unchecked.

A whole list with nothing checked off and nothing to show for. All the worst nightmares of a planner, a type A, a perfectionist. (All which describe me, by the way.)

Yet what’s even more ironic is that the present me is surprisingly content. Perhaps the goals I set for myself weren’t truly the things I needed to make me happy. Instead, I now feel excited by all the possibilities of the things to come. I am excited for the opportunity to create, to carve my own path, and to find out more of who I am and who I want to be. If you ask me if I would have been ready to marry and raise kids a few years ago, my answer would be a big fat NO. I had so much character development to work on and dreams to pursue.

Growing older doesn’t mean you have everything figured out because we likely will NEVER have everything figured out. Life throws curveballs and obstacles like this 2020 pandemic, and we learn to adapt. It’s a part of the growing journey, and we will never stop learning as long as we allow ourselves to keep our minds and hearts open.

So if you’re feeling discouraged with where you’re at right now, take it from me – you are right where you need to be. Learn to love the process, the challenges, and the daily tasks that shape you and bring you closer to where you want to be.

So cheers to another year of learning, growing, and living!

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They are my favorite fruit of all time, despite seeing some questionable strawberry worm videos on Tik Tok. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I advise you NOT to look it up. Save your souls. Seriously, just don’t do it.

Since I can’t unsee the video, I just try to put it out of my mind and focus on all the wonderful memories of dipping strawberry in condensed milk, chocolate fudge, and whip cream. Not in that combination, of course.   

But summertime brings in all kinds of strawberry goodness – refreshing smoothies, delicious pies, tasty lemonades and more!

And what better way to enjoy them, then to go strawberry picking for your own fresh berries? Some people call it labor, but I call it fun! (Remember that time I went apple picking? You can read about the fun here!)

This past weekend, I took a spontaneous trip down to Carlsbad. I had not planned on driving that far, but I really wanted to pick some strawberries! A few other closer farms were either closed or needed a reservation.

I ended up at Carlsbad Strawberry Company, a strawberry field in between Orange County and San Diego. This strawberry field has been around for 4 generations since the 1950s! Upon driving up to the fields from the freeway, you can’t help but to notice the long stretches of green strawberry plants and scattered families and friends picking the fruit.

Parking was a breeze. There was a big dirt lot with plenty of space and parking spots.  We parked, walked over to the information booth, paid for our entrance and strawberry buckets, and entered the field!

I was told the best strawberries were towards the end, so we walked all the way to the back of the fields where there were less people. Indeed, the strawberries looked bigger and redder than the ones near the entrance! Since July is the end of the season, a lot of the strawberries were already ripe to the point that a light touch broke the flesh of the fruit. Unfortunately, some of the most beautiful and red strawberries were already soft and spilling their juices. Still, there were plenty of strawberries to choose from, and I quickly filled up my bucket.

It was a fun adventure to pass time and enjoy my favorite fruit. I couldn’t wait to go home and enjoy these fresh berries with my family. Would I do it again? Absolutely, but I would go earlier in the season to have a better selection!

Quick tips and facts before you go strawberry picking

When is strawberry season?

The strawberry season varies depending on the location and weather, but usually it can run from February to July. The prime time to pick them would be April to June. Strawberries grow best with warm days and cooler nights, so California makes a perfect environment for them to grow! In fact, California produces about 75% of all the strawberry crops in the country!

According to Carlsbad Strawberry Company, they are open for 13 more days. Be sure to visit before the end of the season! They’re open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.

How do you pick your strawberries?

Look for strawberries that are a bright deep red with green leaves. They should feel firm. If they’re mushy, they’re too ripe. They’ll be sweet and might be great for making jams, but they’ll get smashed in your bucket and won’t be good to eat. If they’re white, splotchy, light red, leave them be. They are not yet ripe, and once you pick them, they stop ripening. When picking the fruit, make sure to pick it close to the fruit, and don’t pull of the whole stem since it will damage the plant.

How should you store your strawberries?

Keep them unwashed until you are ready to eat them! They need to be eaten or frozen within a few days (~3 days) to keep their flavor and texture. Since I went at the end of the season, the staff at Carlsbad Strawberry Company recommended I eat mine the same day of picking! I had them the next day though, and they were still okay.

What should I wear for strawberry picking?

Anything comfortable! Clothes and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are best, since it is both dusty and muddy. Some strawberries may burst and stain your clothes if you accidentally brush by them or drop them (speaking from experience). Also, bring sunscreen and a hat for sun protection, as you’ll be under the sun the whole time. Oh, and bring a mask. Both masks and social distance are in effect at the farm.

What is the price?

The current entrance price is $5 for admission, or $10 for admission and a bucket that will hold 2 lbs of strawberries.

Are there other strawberry picking locations?

Yes! There are quite a handful of locations. Some other local Southern California farms that allow strawberry picking include Tanaka Farms in Orange County, Kenny’s Strawberry Farm in Temecula, and South Coast Farms in San Juan Capistrano. Of course, there are many other farms, but these were the ones that I looked into at the time.

Tanaka Farms requires advance reservations and only releases several dates at a time depending on weather and availability. Their price is $8 per person for a 1.25 lb basket with a 30 minute timeframe to pick.

Kenny’s Farm is closed for the season and will reopen in spring 2021. There is no admission price to enjoy the strawberry fields. If you pick strawberries, they sell $15 buckets that hold up for 4 lbs.

South Coast Farms in San Juan Capistrano is still currently open as well until further notice. Their hours are Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM. They don’t have pricing information on the website, but it looks like their entrance fee is $5 per car, and each 1 lb bucket is $4.

Have you been strawberry picking in a California strawberry field? Have you been to any other location? Let me know in the comments!

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What are the Ice Castles?

The first Ice Castles were created in 2011, born from a father’s labor of love to bring happiness, magic, and joy to his children. What started out as a backyard ice cave has since grown tremendously in size and expanded to six locations – Colorado, Alberta, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Utah. *Update* – For the 2022 winter season, there will only be 5 locations – Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Utah, and New York.

Its mission? To bring joy and winter memories to everyone around! It’s no longer just for kids – couples, families, and even friends travel from all over to see these incredible sites. In fact, this winter phenomenon was one of my main reasons for wanting to travel to Denver, Colorado. Although the Ice Castles aren’t exactly in Denver, the attraction is close enough to plan for an afternoon of fun. It’s a perfect place to go after lunch in Denver. As soon as ticket reservations opened online for this winter season, I booked some for me and my friends.

Arriving at the Winter Attraction

When the day finally arrived, my friends and I took a trip out to Dillon, which is about 1.5 hours or ~70 miles west of Denver. As we drove toward Dillion, we started seeing more snow and ice along the way! When we pulled up to the castle grounds, I eagerly scoped out the site, only to see that my view of the Ice Castles was blocked by a chain-link fence covered with tarp. I could still see the top of the ice structures peeking up over the fence though, and I could hardly wait to run inside.

After waiting in a short check-in line and signing a mandatory waiver, I walked into the ice castles! It’s a self-guided experience, so there is no one inside to tell you where to go or what to do. Now before you start picturing the castle in Frozen or any other Disney fairy-tale, I must warn you that these ice castles are not nearly as big or grand. However, the site is still very impressive! The whole frozen structure was built entirely by hand, with professional ice artists carefully placing each icicle by hand.

My Frozen Experience

It certainly felt magical at the Ice Castles. As I walked through the snow and brushed my hand along the walls of ice, listening to whimsical tunes that at times took a dramatic turn, I felt the childlike joy and wonder well up in me. I plopped myself on an icy throne and gazed at the rainbow colors dancing on the frozen walls as the sun began to set. My friends and I crawled through tunnels and felt the thrill as we slid down slippery ice slides, not once, twice, but three times.

I probably would have stayed longer to enjoy the nighttime fire show, but the cold was starting to set in my bones. Unlike Disney’s Frozen Queen Elsa, the cold unfortunately DOES bother me, so I eventually had to call it a night. I was not the least bit upset though, as I felt my time there was already more than memorable!

General Info about the Ice Castles

The Ice Castles typically run from late December or early January until March. The season really depends on the weather and varies by location, so make sure to look on their website for the specific city you want to visit. At the time of my visit, general admission tickets sold for $16.99 Monday – Thursday, and $20.99 Friday-Sunday and holidays. Child admission tickets (ages 4-11) sell for $11.99 Monday – Friday and $15.99. However, prices vary by location. There are also standby tickets, but I would NOT recommend buying standby tickets, for reasons stated in my tips below. On average, the attraction takes about an hour to see, give or take, depending on how many lines you want to wait in and how many photos you take.

Tips for your first visit to the Ice Castles

If you’re thinking about going, here are 6 practical tips for visitors checking out the Ice Castles for the first time:

1. Make your reservations early and online. You’ll have to pick the date and time you’ll be arriving, which are available in 30 minute increment slots. For example, you can choose to arrive on a Friday between 3-3:30 PM, but you can stay inside the Ice Castles for however long you want! Weekends and sunset hours are the most popular times, so those tickets will sell out early. If tickets sell out, there will be no standby tickets available. Not only are standby tickets MORE pricey, they’re also NOT guaranteed. Your best bet is to reserve in advance!
2. Plan to arrive just before sunset, so that you can see the ice castles during the day and at night. At night, the castles are lit up with colorful LED lights, and it is so pretty!
3. Wear snow boots or waterproof boots. Trust me, you don’t want to go in sneakers as you’ll be walking through a foot of snow at times. Also wear shoes with good grip, as some walkways are icy and slippery.
4. Bring gloves and hand-warmers. It gets so cold! I stuffed some hand warmers in my gloves, and they saved my fingers from falling off from the cold. No joke.
5. Wear snow or waterproof pants. As I mentioned, there are multiple ice slides! You get to sit on a mat on the longest slide, but for the smaller slides (hence, shorter lines), you sit directly on ice. Having thick waterproof pants will help you keep warm, stay dry, and give you an extra cushion!
6. Use the restroom before you go. There are portable toilets just outside the entrance of the Ice Castles, but none inside. Once you enter the Ice Castles grounds, you probably won’t want to make your way out and back in again, as the exit and entrance are one-way and on opposite sides.

These Ice Castles are the perfect excuse to travel in the winter! Would you consider going to the Ice Castles phenomenon? If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me in the comments below!

For more info, you can check out the Ice Castles official website here.

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Growing up, I had this idea that I wanted to be a magazine editor or photojournalist. Of course, as a kid, I didn’t know all the details of making that happen, but the idea was quickly shot. Long story short, I never attempted to pursue anything remotely close to writing as a career, but I was that yearbook editor junkie who happily stayed way past class in dedication of my creative passion. In the process, I conjured up the idea that I really want my own space to write whatever I want, however I want, and whenever I want. Since then, it has been a lifetime dream of mine to create my very own blog! Not LifeJournal, Xanga, Tumblr, or WordPress (though I have fond memories for each of those in various periods of my life – who can you relate?!).

So I am SUPER grateful that you have decided to visit my page, and I am so honored that you are here with me as I share my food, travel and life adventures with you. My hope is that you will be inspired to explore more, eat more, and live life to the fullest with an open mind and heart. And I would love nothing more than for us to be a community, so feel free to drop me a line with your thoughts, questions, requests, etc! I would be absolutely thrilled to hear from you!

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