Lists | Nicole DiGiose

Ways to Express Yourself

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

Keep a journal. It’s a great way to let your emotions flow, whether you write about your day, jot down some poetry, or just doodle in it. It’s a place you’re sure to stay true to yourself, as well as a place where you can see how you’ve grown.

Be yourself. Trying to express yourself doesn’t mean acting like a different person. Find something that is you, whether it’s gardening, drawing, or cooking and go deep within it.

Find a place that inspires you. Maybe you like a calm, peaceful place outside where you feel free to let go of the day and think. Maybe you have a colorful room that gets your creativity flowing. Or maybe you like sitting on a bench watching the happenings of a busy place. Wherever it is, lose yourself in it.

Decorate. Having your own room is the perfect place to really make it yours. Bright colors, neutral colors, posters or paintings on the walls. An open room or a room with shelves cluttered with knick-knacks. It’s even better if you have your own house or apartment to really get expressive. Go crazy. It’s yours.

Dress. Your appearance itself can have a lot to do with self expression. Be comfortable in the way you do your hair and wear your clothes. This is you.

Music. You can play it, sing it, or listen to it. There’s nothing like a good song to let out how you’re feeling. There are songs for any kind of emotion.

Art. Draw, paint, sew, mess around with clay. Create something from your mind. There’s nothing else like it.

Tips To Make A Bad Day Good

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

Exercise. This always works for me. Go for a run, ride your bike, do yoga, walk your dog. Endorphins can reverse a bad mood in no time!

Go to sleep early. It’s true that things usually get better in the morning. It’s a fresh start for a new day.

Talk to somebody you’re close with. Vent to someone who understands you for some comfort and good advice. Getting negative thoughts off your chest will help clear your mind.

Do something for someone else just because you can. This will automatically make you feel better about yourself. It’s magical.

Make a happy list. Remind yourself of everything that makes you smile. There’s nothing like triggering positive memories or goals you know you can reach.

Get fresh air. Sometimes all you need is a step outside to breathe and collect your thoughts.

Change up your look. Buy some new clothes or style your hair differently. When you look good, you feel good.

Snuggle with your significant other. Being reminded that you are loved and cared for will brighten up any lousy mood.

Snacks That Will Make You Miss The ’90s

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

DunkAroos – More cookies than frosting, every time. Tasty, but as a kid, I was disappointed when I had to scrape up what was left of the frosting tucked into the corners of the little square to get my fix.

Handi-Snacks – I don’t know about that “real” cheese, but I’d day dream of these things as I waited in the classroom for lunch time.

Gushers – No question about it, these explosive treats were in every kid’s lunch box.

Fruit By The Foot – You always had the longest one, even if you really didn’t. Looks of envy swung your way if you whipped out this edible, artificially flavored rope of plastic.

Fruit Roll Ups – Who didn’t enjoy unraveling these masterpieces to pop out Nickelodeon characters, Sonic the Hedgehog, or some random made-up shape? Unfortunately, there were those who just stuffed them in their mouths without appreciating the designs sketched into them.

Welch’s Fruit Snacks – Bursting with flavor, there were always handfuls to share with the pairs of hungry eyes around you. Always something to marvel at when some of them were stuck together.

Lunchables – Made you feel like you could cook. Lunchables seemed more like real food compared to what the other brown-baggers discovered. There was a moment of pride when you slapped that glossy piece of turkey on that giant cracker and topped it with that overly bright slab of cheese. The half-filled packet of special sauce gave it that extra kick. Read More

35 Things I’m Inspired By

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

I can go on and on, but below are some things that come to mind when thinking about who and what I’m inspired by. I wrote this list in no particular order. I’ve read some other lists and it really says a lot about who you are. Definitely give it a try.

1. Travel writers/journalists

2. Listening to the memories of elderly people

3. People who love animals

4. Documentaries about animals, nature, science, or history

5. Runners

6. Paintings

7. Knitting

8. Open mic poetry readings

9. Musicians who write and perform their music

10. The sun rising or setting over the ocean

11. Finding shapes in the clouds

12. People who find the light in tough situations

13. Cleverness

14. Those who give just because they want to Read More

Sayings That Make No Sense

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

A collection of sayings that have made me wonder why the heck someone would say such things in the first place.

I saw it with my own eyes – To my knowledge, it’s not possible to see anything through someone else’s eyes.

It’s always in the last place you look – Why would someone keep searching after they found what they were looking for?

New and improved – If it’s new, it hasn’t been available for improvements. If it’s improved, it’s been around long enough not to be considered new.

Shit happens – Why would someone bring up such a topic?

I don’t mean to interrupt – Oh really? What were your intentions then?

You can’t have your cake and eat it too – The purpose of cake is to eat it. If there’s a piece of cake in front of me, it’s going down.

Break a leg – Are you supposed to try so hard at something that you somehow manage to break a leg? Not worth it.

Things My Dogs Taught Me

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

Show your love. If there is someone in your life you can’t live without, show them.

Live in the moment. Take every moment as it comes. Learn to be happy in the here and the now — don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future.

Indulge. If you want a treat, go for it. Pamper yourself.

Don’t judge. Dogs don’t care what you’re wearing or what you look like. They don’t care about how much money you make or what kind of car you drive. They love you simply for who you are. An important lesson many people need to learn.

Don’t be afraid to show your emotions. Let loose and express yourself. Don’t bottle up your feelings. There are reasons for them.

Get out more often. Just about every dog gets excited when he sees his leash. There’s nothing like exploring — there are friends to meet, sights to see, things to do and learn outside of the house.

Take naps. It’s all part of the balance. Play when you’re energized, eat when you’re hungry, work when you’re required to, and rest when you’re tired.

Be true to yourself. There are reasons a yorkie isn’t a greyhound and a maltese isn’t a German shepherd. Be comfortable with who you are and what you are capable of.

There are some times when you have to bite after your bark. Defend yourself. If someone needs to learn a lesson, teach them.

My Life: Things Done and Things to Be Done

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Nicole DiGiose

Last updated on 9/12/2015.

~~Skydiving~~

~~Parasailing~~

Bungee jumping

Dog sledding

White water rafting

~~Go for a ride in a hot air balloon~~

~~Kayaking~~

~~Camping~~

~~Hiking~~

~~Race in a 5k~~

~~Travel to Europe~~

Travel to Australia

Go on an African safari

Go on an Alaskan cruise

~~Visit California~~

~~Raise an animal from its first few weeks of life and form a lifelong bond with him/her~~

~~Train a dog and love him because he’s a part of my family~~

~~Ride a horse~~

Meet a wolf

~~Grow my own plants~~

~~Make honor roll~~

~~Graduate college~~

~~Keep a diary and commit to it for years~~

~~Have my work published~~

~~Read my work in front of an audience Read More~~