Reviews
Carla Valentin
2022 Favorites: 25 Things that Worked for Me ...

Here are the experiences, products, and applications that affected me in 2022. I've done my best not to include anything from previous years, but needless to say, the things on those lists (for the most part) carry over for this year as well.

2022 Favorites: 25 Things that Worked for Me This Year
Adventure
Carla Valentin
Social Distancing, Isolation, and Quarantine: ...

I finally understand why Rapunzel wanted freedom from her tower.

It has been nearly a month since the entire world has begun to take the global pandemic of COVID19 seriously and it's been a single week since I've been confined in my room.

I went from social distancing to isolation and the difference is staggering.

Social Distancing, Isolation, and Quarantine: My Thoughts and Actions
Adventure
Carla Valentin
2019 Reflections: What Did I Do & What I ...

There were several ups and downs when it comes to 2019. When I first think of 2019, i think of loss, but when I reflect on all I did this year, there were also several accomplishments as well. I’ll be using my vision board as a guide for this adventure of a blog post.

2019 Reflections: What Did I Do & What I Didn’t Do
Pets, Family
Carla Valentin
Princess Natsu: The "Tail" of My 19 Year Old Cat

Have you ever done the morally “right” thing yet felt so heartbroken from your choice?

On October, 30th, I made the difficult decision to put my nineteen year old cat down due to a cocktail of health issues that she had little to no chance from recovering from.

While I am glad I let her rest in peace, my heart and soul still feels the pain and loss that comes from no longer having my feline companion in my life.

Princess Natsu: The "Tail" of My 19 Year Old Cat
Other, Reviews
Carla Valentin
2018 Favorites: 25 Things That Worked for me ...

I will cover a list of recommendations of experiences, products, and applications that affected my 2018 journey. These cover a broad range and spectrum of items, but I have done my best to categorize them for your leisure. I look forward to finding out what your Top 5 life-changers are.

2018 Favorites: 25 Things That Worked for me This Year

Reading Report and Review

Never Split the Difference: Reading Report and Review

Never Split the Difference: Reading Report and Review

Confrontation does not always mean I want to get in a fight with you. When I say I "dislike confrontation," I mean that my heart starts beating 10x faster at the prospect of asking someone for a favor or to debate prices. If I could avoid having to confront someone, 9 out of 10 times, I will.

Which is exactly why I needed to read (or rather listen) to Never Split the Difference. It's all about viewing the art of negotiating through a different lens and giving you the tools to handle these kinds of discussions better.

Will It Fly: Reading Report and Review • Book Review

Will It Fly: Reading Report and Review • Book Review

Ever have an idea that didn't turn out the way you wanted?

Will It Fly by Pat Flynn is a book tailored towards entrepreneurs who have ideas that they want to turn into businesses. However, this book is a bit more than that. It is a way to test to see if any idea you have (whether it pertains to business, art, or anything) will really be worth your while or if you should shelve it for later.

This book walks you through from concept to execution when it comes to ideas to see if they will "fly."

Atomic Habits: Reading Report and Review • Book Review

Atomic Habits: Reading Report and Review • Book Review

Have you ever had New Years Resolutions that never came to fruition?

I know I’ve been guilty of listing resolutions in the beginning of the year, when the energy of the new year is at an all-time high, and then only achieving 10-20% of those resolutions by the end of the new year. 

Atomic Habits has reminded me that it’s not about the goals you set, it’s about the daily habits that get you to your goals. 

Rich Dad Poor Dad: Reading Report and Review

Rich Dad Poor Dad: Reading Report and Review

I am awful about managing my finances.

This simple fact means that no matter how hard I work, and I work hard, I still haven't fulfilled the financial goals that I've been putting on my vision board year after year. 

While the easy solution would be to get a raise or a higher paying job, the fact that I do not know how to properly manage my finances is still a problem. It's the reason why I have a financial advisor, it's why I opened up to my significant other who has taken the challenge of educating me. It's partially why the highly recommended book, "Rich Dad Poor Dad" caught my attention. 

One of the biggest lessons I learned is to focus on investing in my 'asset' column.

Spark Joy: Reading Report and Review • Book Review

Spark Joy: Reading Report and Review • Book Review

My home, my room, and my office are a mess

This results in my mind and my thoughts reflecting the mess that surrounds me on a daily basis.

Whenever I go to work, the clutter on my desk stresses me out even before my day ‘officially’ begins. When I come home from a long day from work, the last thing I want to do is clean, but the clothes scattered about combined with the pieces of unidentified paper compels me to spend at least 15 minutes tidying up my space.  

Decluttering and tidying the KonMari method may be my only hope for my problem.

Book Series: Reading Report and Review

Book Series: Reading Report and Review

Start here for the Reading Report and Review Series

You will expect one to two posts per month about a book that I have read.

These books will focus on self-development, business, tidying, and perhaps a random romance novel or two. However depending on any recommendations that I may get, there could be genres outside of those mentioned in a Reading Report and Review.