"If you allow your self worth to be based on what other people think of you, it's the beginning of the end"

Before you do anything else and if you haven't already, watch this really inspirational video by Tyrese Gibson talking about self love and self worth.

Facebook link to the video

"The day that you start living your life according to everyone else's opinion, is the beginning of the end."

There is truth in Tyrese's words. How many of us go through life with that view? We dress well because we're afraid that people will judge us if we don't. We talk with an accent or use words that we don't even understand because we think that it'll make us sound better, more classy, or smarter.

But the truth? None of that matters. 

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."-Dr. Seuss

Have you ever looked at someone who was confident with themselves and thought,"I wish I could be as confident as her/him"? The truth is: you can.
We are our biggest enemy. We see ourselves a certain way, most times with disgust and disappointment because we think that the way we look isn't the way that society deems "acceptable." Newsflash: beautiful hair, being skinny, having the latest clothes and the newest iPhone 6 does not make you better than the person next to you. That's just what the materialistic world is trying to convince you but don't buy into it.

You are worth something. You are beautiful. You are strong. And you are valuable.

Just because someone says you're not doesn't make it so. Don't make those negative comments speak over your life. If you think you're cool and you're awesome, then you are. If someone says that you're not, that's just their opinion. Don't let it tear your own view of yourself down.

And for all you singles out there? If you don't love yourself first, how can you expect to love another? The day that you start loving yourself and being who you truly want to be, they'll find you. Stop chasing after that girl/guy in hopes that they can fill that empty void that you feel. Because what happens if it doesn't work out? You'll feel empty again. Invest in yourself. Become the person that you were meant to be. Fill that void with God, with love, with things that make you who you are. No one can take your happiness away from you if you don't let them because you are responsible for your own happiness.

How many of us have been sucked into the social media whirlpools? Where we base popularity and coolness on how many likes you get on a photo or how many "friends" and followers you have. Put down the phones, turn off the computers. Pick up a book, go outside, explore the world that it out there. Don't feed this frenzy that is coming to plague our generation. Is this all there is left to life? What life are we living if we're all "living" it online. Don't waste your life.

And for those of you that are lost, don't fret. It's not over yet, you can't give up right now. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life. I believe that He has a plan for every single one of us and no matter the wrongs you have done and the mistakes you have made, He still loves you and He will always love you, no matter what. Unconditional, selfless love.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.-Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Today, I challenge you. I challenge you to put down the views of this world that you have adopted that say that you should dress a certain way or be who you're not.  I challenge you to seek God. I challenge you to go after your dreams, to speak your mind and to be heard. But most of all, I challenge you to start loving yourself every single day and to never forget that you are precious. 

The world needs change, but it starts with you.

Today, everything changes.

Start now.

Be blessed,
Sarah
x

Desk Essentials and Room Decor Ideas

Decoration has always been a prominent thing in my family and my life. Ever since I was a kid I remember always being excited about coming home, in hopes that my mum and dad had rearranged the living room or my bedroom. It was like having a new house or room, but still with all my favourite things.

Living abroad as an international student makes things a little different. I live in a student apartment that is fully furnished so there isn't much leeway when it comes to furniture, but I've found ways to make it seem and feel more like a home and not just some stake out joint. I spend most of my time at home if I'm not out at uni, grocery shopping (which is common, coles is just too enticing), or sweating it out at the gym.

Also, there is an upcoming 'best presented room' competition that my building is hosting and I'm really hoping I'll win (source of motivation for this post).

There are lots of places on the inter web where you can search for decoration ideas and contrary to popular belief a lot of them are do-it-yourself-able (Is that a word? We'll just go with it).

The place that I probably spend most of my time is: my desk. So I tried to make it as homey as possible, I mean considering the hours I'm putting in doing homework and assignments and uni work, may as well make it an enjoyable space.

On the wall in front of my desk I taped up polaroid pictures, inspiring quotes, postcards that I have collected, my gym timetable and other pictures that make me smile. I used the ever magical washi tape that, if you take a close look to the window sill on the right, you'll see I have quite a collection of. My mom started off this obsession :) I love washi tape because there are thousands of colours, patterns and designs to choose from and the best part? Wait for it: it's not going to ruin your walls. So you can kiss blue tack goodbye because that sucker is a pain to get off walls. Trust me, I speak from experience.
On the shelf above my desk, I just have my hair dryer, camera collection (instax mini and Canon AE-1 film), a wooden 'dream' sign that I painted to give it an ombré look, a wooden sign with a beautiful quote that my boyfriend, Justin, got for me from the states, and the cutest tissue box ever.

A birds-eye view of my desk.

My urban ears, iPad mini, a binder that I DIY'd myself, portable phone charger and some nail polishes. 

Pencil case from H&M, stickers from kikki.k, phone, devotional book, and some sneaky washi tapes.

More pens.

My room also came with a cork board, but the backing of it was green and green isn't exactly my favourite colour so I spruced it up a little with some scrapbook paper from my mom's store, Modern Vintage.

Before

After

I then proceeded to pin up things that make me happy and make it feel more like home.

If you have ever visited my room here in Adelaide, or back home in Penang, you'll know that I've been sticking up pictures on my walls for years now. I love how it instantaneously transforms a bare wall into a piece of art, but at the same time, it serves as a huge photo album/ collage and I don't have to go through old photos to see them.

Again, I taped everything up with my trusty wash tape. The bunting was from a cute store that was closing down near Port Adelaide and the cute pom-pom like garland above my bed was a DIY that I made from LaurDIY. Laur has many many DIY projects that you can totally make easily :) Check the video out here: DIY Garland
Lastly, my bedside table is another thing I love. I've always loved having a little table beside the bed (duh, Sarah, bedside table), that you can put your alarm clock on, or somewhere to place that cup of hot chocolate while you're cuddled up in bed, or just as a storage area for all kinds of paraphernalia.

Some of my favourite books that I have read and other's that I have yet to read, my Snoopy clock from Typo and some hand and body lotion.

Well, that's all from me for now. Feel free to share or leave a comment down below :)

Check back next Friday for another new post. 

Be blessed,

Sarah

x

20 Facts About Me

Why, hello there. It's been a while. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long, but I'm back now and with a goal of a new post every Friday. Fingers crossed.

It seems like this 20 facts about me has become the latest trend after the whole ALS ice bucket hype and I'm not usually the kind to fall into these kinds of things, but I thought it would be a cool way for you guys to learn a little more about me. Comment your 20 things down below so I can get to know you a little better :)

1. I am half Chinese, the other half of me is a combination of English, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Indian, possibly some Dutch, and Indonesian. Yeah, it's complicated.

2. I've been playing the ukulele for almost 4 years now (I also dabble a little into guitar and piano).

3. I like to think that I can draw, but if you give me a blank sheet of paper I never know where to start.

4. I wanted to be a veterinarian for the longest time until I found out that there may be the possibility of blood and surgery. That made me change my mind real fast (I don't do blood, or cutting up animals)

5. If there was a bar of chocolate in front of me and a bag of gummies, I would pick the gummies. 

6. I can pretty much quote the whole Pink Panther movie (would you call that a talent?)

7. I have moved houses a grand total of 15 times in my entire life.

8. I went to an American based Christian International school in Penang for high school after my PMR

9. I speak English, Malay, Hokkien, Mandarin, French (in descending order of fluency).

10. I taught myself how to swim from a free Dorling Kindersley book that came with a box of Koko Crunch (does anyone else remember those? They had a gymnastics one too)

11. Speaking of Koko Crunch and any other form of cereal: after consuming cereal for approximately 15 years, I have deduced that I hate it. 

12. I use google for almost everything. Some of my friends have even started calling me Mrs. Google.

13. To this day, I have never watched an episode of Barney, Teletubbies, or Dora the Explorer (Sesame Street, Looney Tunes and Richard Scarry all the way). Thanks, mom :)

14. I can do a perfect backbend, but I can't touch my toes (I'm working on it). 

15. If a teacher gave me a choice between doing a test or writing a long essay, I would pick the essay.

16. My favourite TV shows consist of: All 3 CSI's, Bones, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, and Friends (I may or may not have a thing for crime shows. Maybe. I can't tell).

17. I enjoy acting although I can get pretty bad stage fright but was in a short play for a drama competition that won an Audience Choice Award back in 2012. I guess that's pretty cool.

18. I have a bad habit of chewing on ice (to my parents displeasure). I sometimes prefer the ice over the drink itself. 

19. I have hugged Taylor Swift before.

20. If I had been born a boy, my name would have been Scott.

That's all from me today :) Check back next Friday for a new post!

Be blessed
x