the ward method

Tag: writing

  • 5 things I’ve learned about marketing.

    5 things I’ve learned about marketing.

    I have to pinch myself sometimes, because I would’ve never expected to end up in the marketing space. For the longest time, I thought that world was reserved for people with degrees and fancy job titles, not someone who just loved creativity, storytelling, and figuring out what makes people tick.

    But somehow, I landed here. And along the way, I’ve learned a few things about what truly makes good marketing work, things they don’t necessarily teach you in a textbook.

    Marketing isn’t just about selling. It’s about translating a feeling, turning an idea into something people actually want to be part of. Over the years, I’ve learned that the best marketing doesn’t shout. It whispers, connects, and stays with you.

    Here are five things that shifted how I see it:

    1. A brand isn’t what you say, it’s how you make people feel

    It’s easy to focus on colour palettes and taglines (and yes, they matter), but what people remember is how your brand makes them feel. Whether it’s calm, confident, nostalgic, or bold, emotion drives loyalty. Design and copy are just how you express it.

    2. Simplicity is powerful

    Clarity is underrated. The more you strip away, the noise, the filler, the trying-too-hard energy, the more people actually listen. A good campaign doesn’t need to be loud. It just needs to be clear.

    3. Don’t underestimate email marketing

    Email isn’t dead, it’s where real connection still happens. Algorithms can hide your content, but an email lands directly in someone’s space. It’s personal. It’s intentional. And when done right, it builds relationships that outlast any social trend.

    4. Community > virality

    It’s tempting to chase numbers, but a community that actually cares about your brand will always be more valuable than one viral moment. The quiet, consistent connection beats the fleeting hype every time.

    5. Good marketing listens

    The best ideas come from observation, from watching how people talk, what they love, what they scroll past. When you listen before you speak, your message hits deeper.

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that anyone can learn anything. You don’t need a fancy title or a marketing degree to understand people, you just need curiosity, consistency, and the willingness to figure it out as you go.

    Everything I know, I learned by doing. By watching, testing, failing, and trying again. That’s the beauty of this space, it’s built for the ones who are willing to keep learning.

  • i deleted instagram for 2 months. here’s what actually happened.

    i deleted instagram for 2 months. here’s what actually happened.

    i’ve always joked that instagram is my toxic boyfriend. i know it’s bad for me, but somehow i keep going back. the mindless scrolling, the comparing, the random dopamine hits, it’s like emotional junk food for the brain. but this year, something in me snapped. one morning, i opened the app, scrolled for two minutes, and realized i didn’t actually care about anything i was looking at. so i deleted it. no big announcement, no “digital detox” story post, i just… left.

    and honestly? it was weird at first. like my thumb kept going to the exact spot where the app used to be, as if muscle memory was exposing how addicted i really was. but after a few days, the noise started to fade, and i started noticing things. real things.

    1. i actually have time.

    turns out, when you stop scrolling through everyone else’s life, you get to live your own. shocking, i know. i didn’t realize how much time i was wasting until my weekends started to feel longer. mornings felt calmer. i was making breakfast without also mentally drafting a caption about it. there’s something strangely freeing about doing things without thinking about how they’ll look online.

    2. my brain got quieter.

    without the constant stream of opinions, aesthetics, and “inspo,” my thoughts stopped feeling so crowded. i didn’t realize how much space instagram took up in my head, always comparing, analyzing, trying to keep up. after a few weeks, i felt… lighter. more focused. i could actually sit in silence without reaching for distraction.

    3. i reached out more.

    when you’re not liking everyone’s photos, you actually text them. weird, right? i started texting friends instead of just watching their stories. i had longer conversations, met up more, and realized how much deeper connection feels offline.

    4. comparison lost its grip.

    there’s something about being away from the highlight reel that makes your own life feel more than enough. i stopped obsessing over what everyone else was doing, where they were traveling, what they were wearing. instead, i started noticing how good my own coffee tasted in the morning, how peaceful it felt to walk without headphones, how lucky i am to have the people i have.

    5. i figured out what i actually like.

    this was the most unexpected one. without being subconsciously influenced by trends, I started gravitating toward things that genuinely made me happy, not just what looked “aesthetic” or got likes. i realized i love slick back buns, minimal make-up, baggy clothes, random playlists, and long walks with no purpose. my taste, my style, my thoughts, they felt like mine again.

    stepping back from the app reminded me of something i kind of forgot: scrolling isn’t living. it’s observing. it’s watching other people’s lives through a tiny glass window. but when you shut it for a bit, you realize how much beauty is sitting quietly in your own world, your people, your routines, your quiet mornings, your bad days, your good ones.

    and life offline? it’s slower, softer, more real.
    and honestly… it feels pretty damn good.

  • A few things I’m loving rn.

    A few things I’m loving rn.

    Life feels a little less overwhelming when you slow down and notice the little things that are currently making you happy. Here’s a list of what I’ve been obsessed with lately, the random mix of music, drinks, hobbies, and small joys that are making my days feel more like me.

    1. G-Eazy’s HELIUM album (on repeat, literally)
    I don’t think a day has gone by without me playing this album. It’s one of those soundtracks that just gets under your skin in the best way, moody, therapeutic, nostalgic, but also motivating in a weird way. There’s something about having an album on repeat that feels comforting, like you’re creating the backdrop to your own movie.

    2. Justin Bieber’s Swag album
    Okay… Justin came back with this album and it’s everything I didn’t know I needed. It has that confident, playful Bieber energy but still hits you with emotion in the right places. It’s been giving me 2010s nostalgia while still feeling super fresh and artistic. I catch myself humming it while making coffee, which is basically the ultimate stamp of approval.

    3. Matcha Frios (my current personality trait)
    I’m in my matcha era. I don’t know what it is, but an ice-cold matcha frio feels like therapy in a cup. Maybe it’s the earthy flavour, maybe it’s the ritual of sipping something green and aesthetic, but it’s definitely become my go-to little pick-me-up.

    4. Reading weird poetry
    Lately I’ve been gravitating toward poetry that doesn’t necessarily make sense right away. The kind that feels more like a vibe than a structured story. There’s something freeing about reading words that just exist for beauty and emotion, without needing to be “solved.”

    5. Vintage-style sunglasses
    Big, bold, slightly over-the-top sunglasses have become a part of my identity. They’re dramatic but effortless, and the right pair can make you feel like the main character even if you’re just running errands. I love anything vintage that has some real character.

    6. Making jewelry
    This has been my creative outlet lately. There’s something so grounding about sitting down with beads, chains, and wire, and turning them into something you can actually wear. It’s almost meditative, plus, it feels good to make something tangible in a world that’s mostly digital.

    It’s funny how these little obsessions come together to paint a picture of where I’m at right now, nostalgic, creative, slightly caffeinated, and finding joy in small, beautiful details.

  • Lately I’ve been in my head too much.

    Lately I’ve been in my head too much.

    Lately, my brain has been loud. Not in a creative, let’s-write-50-ideas-down kind of way, more like anxious, overthinking, spiraling-at-2am loud. I’ve been feeling off: low energy, sad for no clear reason, and kind of disconnected from myself.

    Some days, I wake up ready to go. Other days, I stare at the ceiling wondering how I’m going to make it through the day. And honestly? It’s exhausting.

    I’ve been trying little things to get out of my head, because if I sit in the noise too long, it swallows me whole. Here are a few things I do that sometimes help (keyword: sometimes):

    Walks with no destination. I’ll put on a random playlist, leave my phone on “Do Not Disturb,” and just wander. Something about moving my body without a plan makes me feel lighter.

    Driving around. Weirdly therapeutic. Even if I don’t have anywhere to go, I’ll just roll the windows down and drive. Bonus points if the sun is setting.

    Journaling… but not cute Pinterest journaling. Just messy word dump on paper. It’s not about being profound, it’s about getting the chaos out of my head and onto the page.

    Little treats. A smoothie, an iced coffee, a snack I usually wouldn’t buy. It sounds small, but it’s like telling myself, “Hey, I see you. You’re trying.”

    Comfort shows. Sometimes I don’t need advice or motivation. I just need The Vampire Diaries or some other comfort show playing in the background while I zone out. Currently binge watching comedy films and classic sitcoms.

    Reading – There’s something about diving into another world that calms me down. Right now, I’m reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac, and it’s been exactly the vibe I need, messy, adventurous, imperfect, but somehow freeing. It reminds me that life isn’t about having it all figured out, it’s about actually living it.

    I guess what I’m learning is that it’s not about fixing my mental state in one big move. It’s about small resets, tiny moments that remind me I’m human and that I’ll get through this wave.

    If you’ve been feeling stuck in your head lately, just know you’re not alone. We’re all just figuring it out, one messy journal entry and one iced coffee at a time.

  • The simple things that help me mentally.

    The simple things that help me mentally.

    Let’s be honest, life can get loud. There are moments when everything feels like too much and other times where it’s just this dull, empty static. In those in-between moments, I’ve found that the things that help me mentally aren’t always grand or Instagram-worthy. They’re the soft, simple, solo rituals that bring me back to myself. No guru, no subscription needed.

    Here’s my (not-so-secret) list of little things that actually help when my brain needs a breather:

    Solo matcha dates
    There’s something healing about sitting alone with a warm drink and no pressure to perform. Just me, my thoughts, and the creamy comfort of a homemade matcha (or the overpriced but emotionally necessary café version). It’s less about the drink, and more about giving myself permission to just be.

    Reading in the sun
    Nothing recalibrates my mind like reading outside. It feels romantic and slow and slightly European. Bonus points if I’m wearing sunglasses and pretending I’m the main character in a coming-of-age film. It’s the simplest escape, and my brain? Loves it.

    Beach walks
    Barefoot if possible. Hoodie on, hair messy, ocean air in my lungs. It’s not about hitting 10k steps. It’s about remembering the world is bigger than my overthinking. The waves don’t care about my inbox. And that’s kinda beautiful.

    Hiking
    Not for the aesthetic. For the quiet. For the burn in my legs that reminds me I’m alive. For the moment I reach the top and realize I didn’t check my phone once. For the grounding reminder that nature isn’t in a rush, and I don’t always have to be either.

    Painting
    I am not Picasso or anything. That’s the point. I grab some paints, maybe some cheap brushes, and just throw colour around until something makes sense, or doesn’t. It’s messy, freeing, and not for anyone else’s eyes. Which makes it kind of sacred.

    Writing poetry
    Sometimes I just write one line. Sometimes a whole page. But when my thoughts feel tangled, poetry unties the knot. It doesn’t have to rhyme or be “deep.” It just has to be honest.

    Yoga
    The real kind. The “I just rolled out of bed and my mat is dusty” kind. Some mornings, it’s five minutes. Other days, I stay in child’s pose for what feels like a lifetime. It’s less about flexibility and more about feeling my body again.

    Journaling
    My therapist in a notebook. It’s raw, repetitive, and sometimes wildly dramatic. But it helps. Getting the chaos out of my head and onto the page makes everything feel lighter. Less scary. Less stuck.

    Couch days
    Because sometimes mental wellness looks like doing nothing. Lying horizontal with a comfort show playing in the background. Fuzzy socks on. Snacks within arm’s reach. No pressure to be productive, just a reminder that rest is part of the process.

    None of these things “fix” me.
    They don’t make the anxiety disappear or magically erase bad days. But they help. They soften the edges. They give me space to feel, reset, and come back to myself without the pressure to be anyone else.

    If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or just a little tired of being a human, try starting small. Sit in the sun. Paint something weird. Walk by the water. Do it just for you.

    Because healing doesn’t always look like a breakthrough.
    Sometimes, it just looks like a quiet moment with a matcha.

  • The trip that saved my mental health.

    The trip that saved my mental health.

    Howdy friends

    So… I recently took a trip that honestly changed everything. Not in a huge, dramatic, life-turning-upside-down kind of way. But in that slow, subtle, soul-shifting kind of way. The kind that reminds you what it actually feels like to be alive, not just functioning.

    I’ve been in hustle mode for a few years now. Wake up, create content, tick off the to-do list, try to keep the algorithm happy, try to keep myself together… and somewhere along the way, I forgot how to pause. I mean really pause. I forgot what it felt like to not be performing productivity 24/7. Like, when was the last time I did something just because I wanted to, not because it needed to be documented, edited, posted, or optimized?

    Let me tell you: a few days on a farm with no real plans, no pressure, and no phone signal will humble and heal you real quick.

    The trip was for my friend’s birthday, just a bunch of us, a car packed with snacks, and a long drive into the middle of nowhere. I had my headphones in, the mountains were rolling by, and for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel the need to check my phone. It was just me and my thoughts… which, if you’re like me and have an extra chatty brain, can feel like a lot at first. But after a while, something softened. I started to settle.

    We stayed in this big old farmhouse surrounded by open fields and animals and that crisp kind of mountain air that feels like therapy. We’d wake up early (like… sunrise early), explore the land, walk until our legs ached, and just be. No notifications. No chaos. Just conversations by the fire, good food, shared laughter, and the kind of silence that feels full instead of empty. The stars at night were unreal. Like movie-scene unreal. And I remember thinking, “This. This is what I want more of.”

    And that’s when it hit me, how much I’ve been craving presence. Like real, grounded, I’m-actually-here presence. Not “here, but thinking about five other things.” Not “here, but worried about who saw my story.” Just… here.

    When I stepped away from the routine, the social media, the constant noise, I finally had space to hear myself again. I could actually feel what I’d been too busy to notice: how tired I was. How overstimulated. How I’ve been using productivity as a distraction from my own feelings. How healing isn’t always about doing more, it’s about feeling safe enough to stop doing.

    Which brings me to this thing I’ve been learning about (and slightly obsessing over): nervous system regulation.

    Here’s the deal: your nervous system is basically your internal thermostat for safety. When you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in go-go-go mode, your sympathetic system (aka fight or flight) takes over. It’s like your body thinks you’re constantly under threat, even when you’re just answering emails. But when you’re grounded, calm, and feeling safe, your parasympathetic system (rest and digest mode) kicks in. That’s where real healing happens. That’s where you can actually feel good.

    On the farm, I was unknowingly regulating my nervous system every single day:
    ☁️ Waking with the sun
    🌲 Walking in nature
    🧘🏽‍♀️ Sitting in stillness without performing it
    🔥 Laughing by the fire
    ⭐️ Staring at the stars with no agenda

    And slowly, I realized: this is the kind of peace I want to build into my everyday life. Not just something I escape to once a year. But something I create in small ways every day. A little pocket of calm here. A moment of joy there. A breath, a pause, a decision to put the phone down and pick presence up instead.

    Here’s the truth: you don’t need to go off-grid or live on a farm to feel this. You just need to remember you’re allowed to stop performing. You’re allowed to rest. To feel. To be soft. To enjoy things that don’t look productive but feel peaceful.

    So now, I’m in this new season, still healing, still figuring things out, still craving slowness. I’m not trying to “fix” myself all the time. I’m just trying to feel more like myself. I want to spend time with people who calm my nervous system, not trigger it. I want to create, but not at the expense of my joy. And I want more memories that feel like that trip: unfiltered, unshared, mine.

    If you’ve been feeling stuck in survival mode or like you’ve forgotten how to just be, maybe this is your sign to step back. Take a day. Or even just an afternoon. Go outside. Sit in silence. Turn your phone off. Make something with your hands. Water your plants like it’s a ritual. Make a smoothie and drink it without scrolling. You don’t have to earn rest. You just have to remember that you deserve it.

    Thanks for reading. I hope this gave you that little breath of fresh air you’ve been needing. You’re not broken. You’re just tired. And I promise, stillness isn’t scary once you let it hold you.

    Until next time, breathe, rest, and romanticize the boring stuff. That’s where the magic really is. 🤍

  • Are you a Ward or a mouse?

    Are you a Ward or a mouse?

    It’s a line I’ve heard my whole life.

    “Are you a Ward or a mouse?”

    My dad would say it half-jokingly, usually when I was having a meltdown, too scared to take the shot, or spiraling in self-doubt. It wasn’t said to dismiss my feelings, but to remind me of who I am. Of what I’m made of. And more importantly, who I’m capable of becoming.

    At the time, I would just laugh. I mean, hello, let me cry in peace. But now, as an adult, I carry those words like armour.

    Because life is going to knock you down. More than once. There will be days where you question your worth, your path, your abilities, days where everything feels like too much. And in those moments, that little voice echoes in my mind:

    “Are you a Ward or a mouse?”

    Not just a name, not just a catchphrase, but a reminder. That I’m not here to shrink. That I’ve survived things I thought would break me. That fear might visit, but it doesn’t get to drive.

    And maybe you didn’t grow up with that exact phrase, but I bet you’ve got something like it buried deep inside you. A voice that tells you: you’re stronger than you think.

    So how do you tap into that when everything feels heavy?

    Here’s what helps me:

    1. Say it out loud.
    Seriously. Say the phrase, or your version of it. Words have power. Speaking it reminds your body who you are. (Even if you’re crying while doing it. Especially then.)

    2. Do one brave thing.
    Send the email. Go to the gym. Post the thing. Apply for the job. Start the business. Take the step, even if your hands are shaking. Courage isn’t loud, it’s often the quiet decision to keep going.

    3. Make a ‘proof list’.
    Write down three things you’ve overcome. Three moments you were scared, but did it anyway. Let your past remind you that you’ve got receipts for your resilience.

    4. Move.
    Walk. Dance. Stretch. Move the energy around. Sometimes the shift happens not in your mind, but in your body.

    5. Let someone hype you up.
    Text your friend. Call your dad. Watch that YouTube video or listen to the podcast that always lifts you. Borrow someone else’s belief in you until you can feel your own again.

    Being brave isn’t about being fearless, it’s about feeling the fear and showing up anyway.

    You don’t have to roar to prove you’re strong. You just have to choose not to hide.

    So next time life tries to knock you back into your shell, ask yourself the question that’s been passed down in my family for years:

    Are you a [insert your last name]… or a mouse?

    And then remind yourself:
    You were never meant to be small.

  • How to quiet your inner hater.

    How to quiet your inner hater.

    (Because she’s loud, dramatic, and usually wrong)

    You know the one.
    The voice that pops up the second you start to feel good about yourself.

    “You really think you’re gonna pull that off?”
    “She’s way better at that than you are.”
    “Maybe just… stay small today.”

    That voice?
    That’s your inner hater. And we all have one.

    Some days she whispers, some days she yells. But either way, she’s exhausting, and most of the time, she’s not even telling the truth.

    So how do you quiet her down without pretending she doesn’t exist?

    Here’s what’s helped me:

    1. Catch her in the act.

    The first step is noticing when she shows up. It’s usually in moments of growth or vulnerability. A new opportunity, a first date, a creative idea you’re excited about.
    She’ll try to keep you “safe” by talking you out of anything that feels unfamiliar.

    But once you name her—”oh hey, it’s that self-doubt again”, you take away some of her power.

    Awareness = distance.

    2. Talk back… like a friend would.

    Would you let your best friend say that sh*t to herself? No.
    So when your inner critic spirals into “You’re not good enough,”
    try this instead:
    “Actually, I’m doing the best I can.”
    “This feels hard, but I’m still showing up.”
    “I don’t have to be perfect to be proud of myself.”

    You don’t need to lie to yourself. You just need to be kinder.

    3. Take the action anyway.

    Your inner hater thrives on inaction.
    If you stay stuck, she gets to stay in charge.

    But when you do the thing, launch the blog, go to the event, wear the outfit, say the thing, you collect evidence that she’s wrong.
    That you’re capable. Resilient. Worth listening to.

    And the more evidence you collect, the quieter she gets.

    Your inner critic isn’t bad, she’s just outdated.

    She’s running on old fears, old stories, old insecurities.
    But you? You’re growing. You’re evolving. And you get to rewrite the narrative.

    So the next time she tries to talk you out of your own potential, take a deep breath and remember:

    She’s loud, but you’re louder.

    You’ve got this.
    Even if your inner hater disagrees.

  • Finally choosing yourself?

    Finally choosing yourself?

    For the longest time, I was caught in this endless loop of trying to fit in, please others, and chase versions of myself that weren’t really mine. Maybe you’ve been there too, changing how you talk, dress, or even think just to make other people comfortable or to avoid rocking the boat.

    But somewhere along the way, I realized that choosing myself isn’t about selfishness. It’s about honouring the messy, complicated, beautifully imperfect person I actually am, and giving myself permission to live out loud in that truth.

    It’s not always glamorous or Instagram-worthy

    Choosing yourself doesn’t mean waking up one day and having everything figured out. It’s not a dramatic “mic drop” moment where you suddenly have all the answers or perfect confidence. For me, it was way more subtle, a slow peeling back of layers, little by little, until I stopped hiding who I was.

    It meant saying no to things that drained me, even when I felt guilty. It meant embracing my quirks and my weirdness without apology. It meant spending more time doing what lit me up, and less time trying to be what others expected.

    The freedom that comes from being unapologetically you

    When I started to lean into my own vibe, everything shifted. I noticed my energy felt lighter, my relationships deeper, and even my creativity blossomed. There’s a certain kind of power in knowing you don’t have to perform or pretend to be anyone else.

    Choosing yourself also means trusting that you’re enough exactly as you are. Not because you did something amazing or reached a milestone, but because you exist, and that’s enough.

    Why it’s worth the discomfort

    Here’s the real talk: choosing yourself can feel scary. You might lose people or face judgment. You might confront parts of yourself you’ve ignored or been afraid to face.

    But it’s also the only way to find true peace. When you stop bending to fit the world’s expectations, you start to create space for the people and experiences that actually belong in your life.

    So if you’re still figuring it out, that’s okay. Keep choosing yourself in small ways every day. Keep showing up as your messy, beautiful, authentic self.

    Because at the end of the day, you’re the one you have to live with, and learning to love that person? That’s everything.

  • Meet the girlies: 4 Archetypes you’ve definitely embodied (depending on the week)

    Meet the girlies: 4 Archetypes you’ve definitely embodied (depending on the week)

    We’re all a little soft and a little feral. One day we’re lemon water + journaling, the next we’re three coffees deep with 45 tabs open and a playlist called “burnout, but make it pretty.”

    Whether you’re in your cortisol-conscious era or chilling into your CEO energy, here are four girlie archetypes that live rent-free in our collective personalities:

    1. The cortisol-conscious queen

    She knows her stress levels like other people know their Starbucks order.
    She’s tracking her nervous system, sipping magnesium mocktails, and reminding everyone that peace isn’t a luxury, it’s a boundary.

    Her vibe:
    Prioritizes slow mornings + sun before screen
    Thinks “regulation” is hotter than hustle
    Carries a supplement pouch like it’s a designer bag

    Her outfit:
    Comfy matching set, fluffy socks, salt lamp glow. Hair slicked, soul grounded.

    She’s not dramatic. She’s just not available for dysregulation.

    2. The chill ‘I don’t care’ cool girl

    She’s unbothered (or at least trying to be).
    She’s somewhere between “romanticizing her life” and quietly spiraling, but always in style.

    Her vibe:
    Makes playlists for every mood
    Lives in oversized everything
    Disappears for 48 hours, comes back with new film photos + perspective

    Her outfit:
    Baggy jeans, vintage crewneck, sunglasses indoors, probably holding a matcha or black iced coffee like it’s an accessory.

    She’s not detached. She’s just in her observe, not absorb era.

    3. The soft power CEO

    She runs her life with a combo of strategy, softness, and really good penmanship.
    She’s the girl who gets things done, without burning herself out to prove a point.

    Her vibe:
    Colour codes her calendar and her thoughts
    Has a morning routine but leaves space to feel
    Takes intentional rest without guilt

    Her outfit:
    Structured blazer, slick bun, gold hoops, wide-leg trousers, tote bag full of highlighters, protein bars, and ambitious dreams.

    She doesn’t chase. She attracts. (But she’ll follow up with a Google Doc.)

    4. The biohacking babe

    She’s regulating her circadian rhythm and probably grounding in the garden barefoot.
    Her TikTok is 80% wellness hacks, and she has at least 3 wearables monitoring her “internal terrain.”

    Her vibe:
    Cold plunges for fun
    Adds adaptogens to her smoothies like it’s a spell
    Thinks sleep is the ultimate flex

    Her outfit:
    Seamless activewear, scrunchie on wrist, chlorophyll water on standby, aura that says “I drink water with intention.”

    She’s not trying to be better than you.
    She just literally bio hacked her stress response and wants to share.

    So… which one are you today?

    Maybe you’re soft CEO by day, chill cool girl by night.
    Maybe you’re slowly becoming your cortisol-conscious self while scrolling through infrared saunas on Pinterest.
    Maybe you’re just tired, but in a cute hoodie.

    Whatever season you’re in, she’s growing, glowing, and doing her best.

    And that’s more than enough.