Dealing with Uncertainty at Work

With the economy taking a dive many people around you may be losing their jobs due to downsizing and companies trying to improve their bottom line. For those of us fortunate enough to still have our jobs, it can be a time of stress and uncertainty not knowing if you we have a job tomorrow or even next week.

It is always important to remember that you are not alone. For those who have weathered this economic storm and are still gainfully employed, there are many others who are feeling the fear at what the future may hold.

Remember to acknowledge your reactions. It is normal to fear the unknown and question what you will do and how you will manage if worse comes to worst. Be true to yourself regarding your feelings, this will help you to cope with them.

Ignore the rumours floating around. Many people will worry about something that could happen and then worry again when it does happen. It is much more effective to disengage from rumours that are going around and only deal with the reality of the situation when it presents itself.

Try to remember that work is not your entire life. Work is what you do, not who you are. Your roles as a parent, spouse, friend and family member are just as important. Try to remain connected as much as possible to your other roles and not let the uncertainty at work consume you. Staying active can help; go for walks, hikes or a swim. This can help you burn off nervous energy as well.

Try to remain positive and remember how you have overcome struggles in the past. Remind yourself that up to this point you have overcome the curve balls that life has thrown you and if you do lose your job, you will overcome that obstacle as well.

Self care is also very important. Make sure that you are getting an adequate amount of sleep and exercise. Ensure that you eat well and keep the commitments outside of work that you have. Develop a relaxation routine and know that whatever comes your way, you will move past it onto brighter times.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Isn't the goal in life figuring out how to be happy? If often takes a setback to remind us of how good we have it. Sometimes it is the loss of a job, a health issue or something of that sort that prompts us to tweak our 'glass-is-half-empty' view of the world. When it comes to happiness there are a few things you can do in order to shift your perspective without having to overcome a setback first.





Give yourself permission to feel.

We live in a society where people think there is a problem when you feel sad. You must allow yourself permission to feel. Feelings of happiness and joy flow along the same pathways as feelings of sadness and anxiety. Once you accept that everyone has their ups and downs, it is easier to deal with those downs. Feeling is never a bad thing, it is coping with those feelings and knowing that they will pass, that is the difference between being sad and debilitating depression.

Time Affluence

Time affluence is a bigger predictor of happiness than material affluence. It has been shown that once you have enough time to do the things that you enjoy, people are happier than are those with countless material possessions. Time affluence means feeling that you have the time to pursue those things that you find personally meaningful. This includes giving yourself time for leisure or to reflect on those things that are important to you. Taking a few moments a day to meditate and centre yourself can help with this, as can cutting out the things in your life that do not serve to make you feel good about yourself.

The mind-body connection

Time and time again you have probably been told that a moderate amount of physical activity can make you happier; this is not a myth but a reality. Exercise helps the body create serotonin which elevates mood. Don't think of exercising as taking a happy pill but rather as giving the body and mind the fuel it needs to keep running smoothly. Humans were not meant to be sedentary creatures therefore not exercising is like going against nature and can cause health issues as well as depression.

Gratitude

Awhile back while watching Oprah, I caught the episode on "the Secret" and it was the first time I had heard the concept of gratitude journaling. Since then, I have seen this concept in several other places. The concept is simple: take notice of those things that you are currently grateful for and write them down daily. To simplify this practive, you can start by keeping this list short and include only five to ten things. Once you take time to recognize what you are grateful for in your life, you become conscious of how blessed you are and can focus on the glass being half full and not half empty.

Happiness should be the goal being saught after by most people. This can be achieved by being true to yourself. Look at the present and appreciate what you have. Drop the future worry because the future is yet to come. Forget the past regret because it has already passed and has brought you to the place you are today. Be thankful and the rest will follow.

An evening with Chic Chicas at Opus in Vancouver

Last friday Chic Chicas hosted a cocktail party at Opus Bar, located at 350 Davie Street in the popular area of Yaletown, Vancouver. Opus is a chic ‘see-and-be-seen’ lounge and was voted by Zagat as being one of Vancouver's top lounge experiences. A careful blend of well thought out lighting, chic furniture and shimmer screens set the mood for its sophisticated and style-savvy crowd. There is also a live DJ playing the latest in music. The glass walled bathrooms also provide a live feed of the action going on in the lounge.


Chic Chicas Cocktail Party at Opus

Chic Chicas is a group of like-minded, elegant, fashionable and fun-loving women who are eager to meet new friends and discover what Vancouver has to offer. Events include chic restaurants, chick flicks, party themed nights and outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, kayaking etc. Many members are either new to the Vancouver area or are just looking to expand their social circle and get out there and have some fun.


The Chic Chicas's cocktail party included a VIP room along with an exclusive Chic Chica martini and Chic Chica shot that were created for the event. The cocktail party at Opus was attended by 19 chic chicas from all over the greater Vancouver area and even included professional photos of the event that were captured by Pogoda Studio. The party was a great success where women gathered for a night of drinks, dining, conversation and laughter.

Babelicious in Vancouver

Last Thursday was Babelicious in Vancouver. I was thrilled to hear that this sort of event was happening in Vancouver. In Toronto, I used to go to Flirty Girl Night Out parties hosted by my gym/dance studio where you paid $20 which got you a ticket into Flirty Girl, a gift bag and beauty services along with watching performances by the Flirty Girl dance troop. The ticket also included free cocktails and appetizers with entrance to an after party at a nearby nightclub. Babelicious in Vancouver, it seems, is a very close equivalent to Flirty Girl night out in Toronto.

Caprice nightclub was host to this event which also included a couple fashion shows. A Babelicious ticket was $20 and included a drink, gift bag, entry to the after party and one of the available beauty services being offered.

Beauty services included manicures by Soul Indulgence, brow grooming by Wink Beauty Lounge, face mapping skin analysis by Dermalogica’s Skin Bar, mobile hair styling by Emily Sarah Style, makeup applications by New Image College of Fine Arts, henna by Exotic Touch and tarot card readings by Cat Beings.

Fashion designer and model Anelore Popa’s hot bikini line entitled Anelore made a very successful debut and the line included many bright vibrant colors with very flattering cuts.

Here are a couple pictures from her line:

Anelore by Anelore Popa

Anelore Swimwear line with Anelore Popa on the left.

Overall the event was a great success and I look forward to the next one in Vancouver!

City dweller or tree hugger?

City life is bustling with people, traffic, noise and pollution and the city itself often has a pulse of it's own. People live in small 500 square foot condos and often need to take an elevator to get to their unit after buzzing in at the front door. People prefer to live near malls, coffee shops, public transportation and grocery stores. Everything you need is right down the street or if you are lucky, in your very building! It sounds enough to make someone feel crowded but after living in Toronto for a decade, all of those things, people and noises can make you feel comfortable and right at home!

Downtown Toronto

It took awhile for me to get used to living in Toronto because it is such a busy place but now that I reflect on living there, I have to say that I did enjoy living in or near the big city. I felt like there was a world of possibilities at my doorstep. There were infinite ways to spend your weekend and always things going on to take part in.

It wasn't a carefully thought out plan, leaving the city, but rather an opportunity that came up that I did not want to turn down. In September of last year I left the big metropolis of Toronto and moved to BC to live in the mountains in a town of less than 15,000 people.

Downtown Squamish

I must admit that it took a long time for me to see my town for all that it has to offer. At first I was in awe of it's natural beauty. This corner of the the country has others beat, hands down, in terms of natural beauty but for what it has in natural beauty, I missed the diversity of culture and outside stimuli that the city has to offer.

Moving here felt very much like that movie "Funny Farm" with Chevy Chase where you move from the hustle and bustle of city life and then have to adjust to the the quiet and quirks of small town living. It took me quite some time to 'unplug' from Toronto but now that I have, I can see what both places have to offer and why people have such a hard time deciding between city and small town living.

I have found small town living to be a lot quieter and serene which can be a good or a bad thing depending on the person. Living in a small town requires you to really discover what interests you and go out there and find it. You are not innundated with advertising for the newest yoga class or what's new in fashion. If that sort of thing interests you, it does exist but you have to seek it out. With the slower pace of life you are left with a lot of time to think and reflect as well.

Eight months later I am still getting used to small town living and trying to decide which environment I am more cut out to live it. City dweller or tree hugger... we shall see.