Minding Life

Author: Kaloyan Hristev

  • Light the Mood: How Scented Candles & Sticks Can Instantly Lift Your Energy

    Light the Mood: How Scented Candles & Sticks Can Instantly Lift Your Energy

    There are days when the vibe in my room is just… off. Maybe I didn’t sleep well. Maybe I’ve been glued to my screen too long. Or maybe, I just opened the window and realized that fresh air still isn’t enough to shake off that dull, stale feeling.

    That’s when I turn to something simple, cozy, and weirdly powerful: scented candles and incense sticks.

    Not just for aesthetic — but for real, mood-shifting, focus-boosting energy.

    Why Scents Can Actually Change Your Mood

    Our brains connect smells to memories, emotions, and even focus. Certain scents can:

    • Reduce stress (like lavender or chamomile)
    • Boost alertness
    • Make your space feel safer, cleaner, and more “you”

    In short: scent is a fast, underrated way to reset your headspace.

    Studying with Candles? Yes, It’s a Thing.

    A lot of people use scented candles while studying — and not just for the vibes. Studies suggest that certain essential oils and scents may help:

    • Increase concentration
    • Improve memory retention
    • Reduce anxiety during high-pressure tasks

    For example, peppermint is known to help with mental clarity, while lemon and rosemary can improve alertness.

    Personally? I love using fresh citrus or green tea scents while studying — it gives me that “okay, I’m focused now” type of boost without even realising it.

    Make Your Space a Mood — Not Just a Room

    When my space smells good, I feel good. It’s as simple as that.
    Lighting a candle before opening my laptop, or having a soft scent floating in the background while journaling, makes me feel more grounded and intentional — like I’m doing something for myself, not just checking off tasks.

    And let’s be honest: there’s nothing better than walking into a room that smells like calm.

    Some Scented Favourites I Recommend

    If you’re up for a walk, you can check out some asian markets or esoteric stores in your area. However, if you’re looking for some room scents on the more pricey side, I highly recommend going to the nearest Rituals store. They have a huge variety of different types of scents and each and every one of them smells unique.

    But if you’re like me and rather order them online, here are some Amazon links for you that I have personally ordered over the years and would recommend:

    Room Fragrance Diffusers

    Both are great to have either in the bathroom or in the hallway. Every time I pass them, I smell the freshness right away.

    Amazon Link
    Amazon Link

    Scented Sticks

    When I decided to stock up my scented sticks, I actually bought both packs because I wasn’t sure which ones smell better. I have to say that both packs are great and I still have lots of them a year later.

    Amazon Link
    Amazon Link

    Incense Holders

    I first bought the flat one because I wanted to have a classic holder but then I decided to add another one that looks nicer as decoration. However, both are getting the job done.

    Amazon Link
    Amazon Link

    Scented Candles

    I have bought both candles as presents and haven’t heard any complaints about the smells. Very neutral smells that are not the usual type of scents you’d smell at someone’s es home.

    Amazon Link
    Amazon Link

    In Conclusion: Little Things Can Shift Big Energy

    You don’t need to completely redecorate your space to feel better.
    Sometimes, a soft scent, a warm flicker, and 10 seconds of breathing deeper can change your entire mindset.

    If you’ve been feeling off, low-energy, or disconnected from your space — try adding a little scent into the mix. It might just be your new favourite ritual.

  • 5 Self Care Activities to Build You Up: What to do when life is not going to plan?

    5 Self Care Activities to Build You Up: What to do when life is not going to plan?

    “To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.”

    – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    There are days — or even weeks — when life feels like everything is spinning out of control. Sometimes, we cannot change what’s happening around us, but we can always choose to take care of ourselves and shift our perspective.

    In those difficult moments, self-care activities become essential. They can rebuild energy, restore mental clarity, and strengthen emotional resilience.

    Here are five self-care practices I personally turn to when I need to build myself back up.

    1. Get Back to the Present

    When important goals turn into setbacks, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the future or weighed down by the past. To bring myself back into the present moment, I practice mindfulness.

    To bring myself back into the present moment, I practice a simple grounding technique known as the 5-4-3-2-1 method.

    It works like this:

    • Notice five things you can see.

    • Touch four things you can feel.

    • Listen for three things you can hear.

    • Identify two things you can smell.

    • Focus on one thing you can taste.

    You can either speak these out loud or write them down. Sitting comfortably, taking a few deep breaths, and grounding yourself in the present moment helps quiet spiralling thoughts and brings a sense of calm.

    2. Get in Motion

    Movement is a powerful tool for breaking mental loops. When I feel stuck in my head, I like to take small physical actions — going for a short walk, running simple errands, or tidying up my living space. Decluttering, even in small ways, can help. I focus on making my room appear cleaner: folding clothes, clearing off my desk, making my bed, and removing any visible trash or dishes.

    It’s not about deep cleaning — it’s about creating a lighter, more organised environment to support a lighter mind.

    3. Take a Refreshing Shower

    Water has a naturally calming and refreshing effect, both physically and emotionally. Taking a nice shower, playing uplifting music, or even standing quietly under the water can do wonders for my mood. If I declutter my space before, I like to change my bedding afterward to amplify the feeling of freshness and comfort. This simple ritual helps me reset both my body and mind when life feels overwhelming.

    4. Get Dressed to Go Out

    When I’m feeling unproductive, getting dressed in outside clothes — as if I’m heading to work or university — creates a mental shift. By investing a few minutes into ironing my shirt or choosing a nice outfit, I instantly feel more in control. It becomes easier to sit down at my desk, check my to-do list, and take small steps toward regaining my momentum.

    Dressing with intention reminds me that even if things aren’t perfect, I can show up for myself.

    5. Journal for 10 Minutes

    When my mind is racing with worries, journaling allows me to pull those thoughts out of my head and onto paper. Often, reading my anxious thoughts makes me realise how exaggerated they are — many of them don’t even feel like my true beliefs.

    By journaling for just ten minutes, I can untangle emotional knots, release tension, and remind myself that setbacks do not define my worth or abilities. Writing helps me see that most “bad outcomes” are small compared to the many good things happening in my life — things I might overlook when I am overwhelmed.

    Conclusion

    No situation is ever set in stone.

    Even when goals seem far away or life feels heavy, you can rebuild yourself through small, intentional actions. You are not the product of outcomes — you are the result of your courage to keep moving forward.

    Take care of yourself. Start small. Keep building yourself up, even when it feels hard. You are doing more than enough.

  • Spending Time Alone Without Feeling Lonely

    Spending Time Alone Without Feeling Lonely

    I’ve always been good at making plans with friends and keeping an active social life. But doing things on my own — especially when my friends were busy — always felt difficult.

    For the longest time, I felt deeply uncomfortable going for a walk alone, sitting at a café by myself, or even heading to a crowded gym without someone next to me.
    The discomfort would take over my body, making the whole experience feel worse than it actually was.

    But there is a solution to this: you have to embrace the discomfort of being alone without letting it turn into loneliness. And it gets easier than you think.

    Trust Yourself First

    The first step is trusting yourself.

    Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you look any different to others.
    You might feel a little stiff or awkward, but to the outside world, you probably seem perfectly normal.
    Most people are too focused on themselves to notice the small discomforts you’re carrying inside.

    You are still you — whether you’re surrounded by friends or standing completely on your own.

    The more you trust that fact, the less “exposed” you’ll feel in solo moments.

    When Being Alone Felt Unbearable

    I first noticed my discomfort when I realised I would do anything just to be out and about — simply because I hated staying home alone.

    As an only child, weekends without plans felt especially hard.
    It felt like my mind and body were on hold, waiting for someone to pull me back into real life.
    If I stayed home, late-night overthinking would hit me like a wave. Even things that should have been comforting, like watching a movie, felt hollow and unsatisfying.
    I would constantly feel like I was missing out on life, stuck in a room with nothing meaningful to do.

    Giving Less Power to Discomfort

    One of the biggest shifts happened when I stopped giving uncomfortable situations so much power over me.

    One night, I decided to go to a club alone.
    At first, it was strange — standing by myself, pretending not to care, wondering if everyone noticed.
    But after some time, I started to have fun. I danced. I laughed. And I realised… it was easier than I thought.

    Would I go clubbing alone again? Maybe. Maybe not.
    But now I know I can — and that’s what matters.

    Stop Fuelling the Anxiety Loop

    Another thing that helped me was changing how I reacted when I felt awkward at the gym or out in public.
    Before, whenever I felt uncomfortable, I would text my friends, searching for reassurance.

    But that just made the anxiety stronger, because it gave the discomfort even more attention than it deserved.

    Now, instead of texting someone, I open my Notes app and type out whatever I’m feeling.
    Most of the time, once I see the thoughts written down, they lose their power — because they sound kind of silly.
    Not every thought you think is true.
    Sometimes, your brain is just throwing random fears at you, and it’s okay to let them pass without acting on them.

    Practice Facing Awkward Moments

    Another small habit that helped me was greeting random people when I’m out walking.
    Even just saying “hi” to a stranger once a day helped me build confidence.

    At first, it felt so awkward, like I was forcing it. But with time, it started to feel natural — because honestly, who cares?
    Most people appreciate a little friendliness. And even if they don’t, it doesn’t matter.

    You can’t live life while being afraid of awkwardness.
    There will always be strange or uncomfortable moments.
    But the more you face them, the stronger your spirit becomes.

    Conclusion

    Spending time alone doesn’t have to feel like a punishment.
    It can be a powerful way to build independence, resilience, and true self-confidence.

    You are not missing out on life by being alone sometimes — you’re living it, strengthening yourself for everything that’s still ahead.

    Next time you feel the discomfort creeping in, remind yourself: You’re still you. You’re still living. And you’re doing just fine.

  • Creating Your Own Definition of Success

    Creating Your Own Definition of Success

    Success stories are everywhere nowadays.
    From books to YouTube channels, podcasts, and expensive coaching programs — it feels like the whole world is trying to sell you their personal formula for success.

    And don’t get me wrong, some of those programs can be valuable.
    But you don’t necessarily need to spend hundreds of euros just to hear something you already know deep down.

    Especially today, with the endless wave of videos about morning routines, fitness hacks, study methods, and millionaire mindsets, it almost seems like everyone can be rich, successful, and famous if they just “try hard enough.”

    But the real question is: do we really need all of this?

    Success Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All

    Success, at its core, is a broad and personal concept.
    You can be successful at anything depending on how you define it.
    Waking up in a healthy body, being able to go to school, to work, to the gym, or simply walk outside — that’s already success.
    Believe it or not, not everyone has the privilege of experiencing life this way.

    If you constantly feel like you’re failing, maybe it’s not your effort that’s lacking — maybe you just need to redefine your understanding of success.

    Ask yourself:

    • What do I actually want to be successful at?
    • Can I make it as specific as possible?

    Because sitting around wishing to be rich or famous without any clear focus won’t get you anywhere.
    You don’t need to hustle endlessly either — you need clarity.
    You need to know who you want to become and what’s standing between you and that version of yourself.

    The Power of Consistency Over Hustling

    I’ll be honest: I’ve always dreamed of having a shredded, muscular summer body ever since I was 16.
    But dreaming wasn’t the problem — consistency was.

    You don’t have to be great at something in the beginning.
    You don’t even have to be motivated every single day.
    You just have to stay consistent.

    Sure, it’s smart to invest in yourself — read books, listen to inspiring talks, learn from experts.
    But none of that will matter if you don’t show up for yourself, again and again, especially when the excitement fades and the goal still feels far away.

    Consistency Through the Invisible Phases

    People always say the beginning is the hardest part, but I think that’s not true.
    Starting is easy. You just start.

    The hard part is believing in something when there’s no visible proof yet.
    It’s easy to feel lost when you don’t see immediate results, but that’s exactly why you need to keep your vision alive in your mind.

    It might feel crazy to believe in a future you can’t see yet.
    But when you finally look back — weeks, months, even years later — you’ll realize there were signs all along.
    You just couldn’t recognize them from where you stood back then.

    Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

    Another key to success?
    Stop taking yourself so seriously.

    This doesn’t mean disrespecting yourself or not caring.
    It means: don’t beat yourself up if things don’t work out immediately.
    Don’t obsess over every small failure or missed opportunity.

    Life isn’t a life-or-death situation most of the time.
    You’re allowed to be imperfect, to be human.
    You’re allowed to restart again and again until it clicks.

    Time Isn’t Running Out

    Maybe you’re worried because there are 18-year-olds out there making triple the money you do.
    Maybe you see people younger than you living your “dream life” on Instagram.
    But seriously — who cares?

    You only care when you’re looking at them.
    Swipe a few more times and you’ll forget about them entirely.

    Time should never define your success.
    And even if you feel like it has in the past, remember:
    there are people who built their dreams in their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
    There’s always a new chapter waiting to be written.

    Truth is flexible. Reality can shift.
    And what feels like a failure today can be the foundation of your future success.

    Rest is Part of the Process

    Success isn’t about working yourself to exhaustion either.
    Rest is part of success.

    Breaks are important, as long as they don’t turn into endless pauses.
    If your plans go cold for a while, that’s okay — what matters is your willingness to reignite them.

    Starting over isn’t failure. It’s strength.

    And if you’re willing to start over every time life demands it, then trust me — you’re already on the right track.

    Conclusion: Let Success Find You

    Don’t chase success like a mad person.
    Don’t believe you need to read 500 self-help books before you’re allowed to be proud of yourself.
    And never forget to invest time into hobbies, into joy, into leisure — because no one really cares how hard you worked for your success story.
    The only person you need to impress is yourself.

    Stay open.
    Stay patient.
    And let success find you.

  • Going Out Without Regret: How to Manage Stress and Deadlines

    Going Out Without Regret: How to Manage Stress and Deadlines

    The number of times I’ve felt completely stressed about school, only to end up going out to “boost my energy,” are honestly uncountable.
    And every time, the next morning hit hard — that sinking feeling of guilt, beating myself up because once again, I had done anything but study.

    The good news?
    It’s fixable.
    You don’t have to pick between living your life and getting your work done.
    You just have to learn how to distribute your priorities.

    Why We Escape When Stress Hits

    It’s completely normal to crave an escape when your stress levels are high.
    When the pressure builds up, all you want is to enjoy life for a minute and forget about your responsibilities.

    But here’s something to remember:
    This stressed-out version of you is temporary.
    You won’t always feel this overwhelmed.
    And ironically, doing even a little bit of work now will actually make you feel stronger and make future situations easier.

    Let’s go over three typical scenarios — and how to handle them without burning yourself out.

    Scenario 1: Plenty of Time, Zero Motivation

    You still have plenty of time to study.
    But the last thing you feel like doing is opening a textbook — especially when there are so many fun events happening.

    The mistake:
    You tell yourself that a spare half-hour before going out is useless, so you waste it scrolling on your phone.

    The reality:
    That half-hour is everything.

    Even if you just:

    • Write a to-do list,
    • Read the assignment instructions,
    • Take a few rough notes…

    It’s better than doing nothing.
    You’ll feel way lighter when you go out later because you actually moved forward, even just a little.

    Breaking the cycle starts small.
    One half-hour at a time.

    Plus: when you do this, going out feels like a reward — not an escape from guilt.

    Scenario 2: Running Out of Time (But Still Manageable)

    You’ve been doing everything except schoolwork — gym sessions, social outings, maybe just enjoying life — and now the guilt is kicking in because the deadline is closer than you’d like.

    The solution:

    • Accept that this is your priority now.
    • Make a clear to-do list.
    • Break the assignment down into tiny parts.
    • Focus on getting it done, not making it perfect yet.

    Important:
    Don’t obsess over aesthetics in the early stages.
    You can fix the formatting, polish the sentences, and make it look beautiful after the work is 80% done.

    First goal: Finish the content.
    Second goal: Make it pretty.

    Trust me, finishing early (even if it’s rough) feels ten times better than pulling an all-nighter later while your nerves are shredded.

    Scenario 3: Deadline Panic Mode

    The deadline is basically breathing down your neck.
    You feel like crashing, quitting, panicking — all at the same time.

    Pause.
    Breathe.
    Focus.

    Working chaotically under panic is what actually drains you the most.

    Here’s what you need to do:

    • Stick to what you know works.
    • No new study techniques now — just execution.
    • Forget about getting the perfect grade — just pass.

    If you have the option to take a day off work, do it.
    If you can ask friends for help, do it.
    You’re not proving a moral point here — you’re getting it done.

    Save your image polishing for after you pass.
    Right now, the goal is survival — not perfection.

    Final Thoughts: Protect Your Peace, No Matter What

    No matter what stage you’re at — early, last minute, or full panic mode — don’t let stress destroy your peace.
    You need your focus way more than you need your anxiety right now.

    If things still don’t go perfectly?
    Don’t fall into the toxic cycle of beating yourself up with negative self-talk.

    You’re not a failure.
    You’re not hopeless.
    You’re not broken.

    This situation doesn’t define you.

    You don’t even need to make a dramatic promise that “next time everything will be better.”
    Sometimes you just need to brush it off, get back to life, and learn how to integrate your responsibilities during calm phases — so that next time chaos hits, you’re stronger.

    You deserve a life where you can study and succeed without sacrificing your social life or your mental health.
    And trust me — it’s absolutely possible.

  • Signs Your Phone Is Stressing You Out — and Why You Should Regain Your Power

    Signs Your Phone Is Stressing You Out — and Why You Should Regain Your Power

    There are times when just the sound of a message notification triggers a strange discomfort in your body.
    You might instantly feel a wave of anxiety — thinking it’s that one person texting you — only to realise it’s just a random update from an app you barely use.

    It’s moments like these that show us how deeply attached we’ve become to our phones.
    And the truth is, it doesn’t have to be this way.

    When Your Phone Is Draining You More Than Life Itself

    Spending hours glued to your screen might feel effortless — way easier than getting up and working on a task, finishing an assignment, or even picking up a book you enjoy.

    We convince ourselves that we’re “recharging” when scrolling endlessly, but honestly, it rarely works that way.
    Instead of feeling energised, you end up feeling even more drained — heavier, stuck, and more disconnected from your real life.

    It’s not that your workplace is destroying your soul.
    It’s not that you’re too tired to pursue your hobbies.
    It’s that your phone is silently draining you minute by minute — and you’re allowing it.

    How You Lose Self-Respect Without Even Noticing

    Another hard truth?
    When you’re constantly clinging to notifications, waiting for attention, or endlessly refreshing conversations, you slowly start giving your power away.

    You rely on validation.
    You start needing others to tell you who you are, how you should feel, whether you’re “good enough” today.

    Meanwhile, everyone around you seems to be doing better, living larger, succeeding faster — because while you’re buried in your phone, escaping through memes and half-serious conversations, they’re actually building their lives.

    It’s not about working 24/7.
    It’s not about never having fun.
    It’s about not losing your edge — not letting yourself fall into fake digital realities that make you forget your own goals and passions.

    Growing Up with Technology — and Losing Connection

    As a 2000s kid, I grew up watching technology evolve right in front of my eyes.
    At first, being online meant talking to friends — actually communicating, making plans, building memories.

    Now, conversations have turned almost nonverbal.
    It’s just memes back and forth, jokes without depth, escapism without purpose.

    And while it’s fine to rot in bed once in a while, sending memes when you genuinely need a break, it becomes dangerous when this becomes your only way of interacting with the world.

    Real connection gets lost.
    Real experiences get postponed.
    And your mind becomes more restless than ever before.

    Stop Giving Your Power Away for Free

    Let’s talk about something else that phones are silently wrecking: romantic energy.

    Just because you have a crush doesn’t mean you should start waiting by the phone like a dog at the window.
    You shouldn’t be giving up your power — sacrificing your time, dignity, and emotional balance — just to wait for a text.

    That’s not love. That’s not connection.
    That’s training yourself to act like a toddler, desperate for attention.

    Then, when it doesn’t work out, you sit there crying about being ghosted, about broken “situationships,” wondering why no one values you.
    But ask yourself: what did you really show them about you?
    Memes? Small talk? Fun without depth? Easy validation with no challenge?

    People lose interest because you lose yourself first.

    And it all starts with that tiny, constant, invisible habit — of giving your phone more power over your life than your own mind has.

    Conclusion: Reclaim Your Power

    You are not your phone.
    You are not your notifications.
    You are not someone else’s quick dopamine hit.

    You have a real life to live, real goals to chase, and real connections to build — not ones filtered through screens and mindless scrolling.

    It’s okay to enjoy your phone.
    It’s okay to rest and disconnect sometimes.
    But never let it cost you your self-respect.

    Regaining your power starts with one decision: choose yourself first — not your screen.