How to get out of a creative funk.

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Image courtesy of Pixabay      

How to get out of a creative funk.      

This has been a difficult month for me.  I am not one to smile when I am going through issues in my life. This month taught me a lot of valuable lessons that I will never forget.  Wearing my heart on my sleeve is my greatest challenge.

It was hard for me to make the choice of whether to carry out all of my endeavors or to just take a break for a while.  I had to make myself snap out of it and find inspiration in many other ways.  I found myself in different locations and talking to new people.  Although I have experienced great sadness and some regrets, it helped me to move on and make some major decisions on how I will move forward.

The only person that you can change is yourself.  You can also remove yourself from any negative situations.  This is essential to healing your heart and your spirit.  My work is important to me and it keeps me going.  This year I want to express myself more in photos and continuing my product reviews.  Blogging makes me happy and it is my way of escaping.

How To Get Out Of A Creative Funk        

• Talk to some other people to find out what inspires them to go on.
• Go out in nature and admire the beauty that is readily available. This can help you to get those creative juices flowing.
• Do something different. Go somewhere and have lunch or dinner at a new place where you can meet some new friends who are creative like you are.  Take some new online courses; that is what I have been doing and it was very affordable.
• Evaluate yourself and be determined that you will put yourself first in life and your career.
• If you are lonely, get yourself a pet because I think that they bring out the best in people.
• Close the door to negative people who really don't care anything about you.
• Walk freely with your head held high and refuse to let people manipulate you.
• Wear bright colors because they make you feel more happy and optimistic.

Amazon Fire Tablet 2019 with Alexa (7" display, 16 GB) Review

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Amazon Fire Tablet (7” Display, 16 GB) Review

Tablets are among the modern devices which allow you to browse the internet, listen to music, watch videos and also play your favorite games.

 They are just like laptops but they have a small design which makes them easy to carry.  Due to their compact design, you can easily fit them in your pocket when you don’t want to carry your laptop. 

Today there are so many tablets on the market which makes it hard to determine the best. In this article, we shall review Amazon Fire Tablet 7 which is among the most preferred tablets on the market.

What makes Amazon Fire Tablet 7 so Awesome?

Specs

Size - 7.6 x 4.5 x 0.4 Inches

1GB RAM

Dual-band Wi-Fi

Alexa Hands-Free

2MP rear and front cameras featuring 720p HD video recording

Fast 1.3GHz quad-core processor

Design

The first thing you will love about this device is that it has a sleek design and it also comes with a formfitting case. 

The inbuilt stand enables you to view in portrait and landscape orientation without using your hands. Again, it has a sturdy cover that remains closed by a magnet. 

The buttons, camera, and ports are very easy to access which means that it has a user-friendly design.

Entertainment  

If you are searching for a perfect device that will allow you to enjoy your favorite movies, games, apps songs and ebooks, this tablet is among the best. It allows you to stream videos from Netflix, Disney +, SHOWTIME and Prime Videos.

 This means that it gives you access to 450,000 audible titles, 570,000 games & apps and millions of songs. It also provides 7 hours of browsing the internet, listening to music and reading.

Who is it for?

The good thing about this device is that it can be used by anyone. Again, it allows the parent to create child profiles when they want to set educational goals, manage content or limit the screen time.

Pros

Long-lasting

90 days limited warranty

Excellent front camera

Classy colors

Decent price

Cons

Poor battery life

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amazon Fire Tablet 7 waterproof?

Unfortunately, this device is not waterproof.

Does it allow you to read and listen to a book at the same time?

Yes

Can you make voice calls with this device?

Even if this device is not a phone, it still allows you to make voice and video calls through apps such as Skype. 

Why do you need Amazon Fire 7?

If you have been searching for a perfect tablet, Amazon Fire 7 is among the rare devices that will give you excellent value for your money.

 You will find that it comes with many advanced features that you can rarely find in many models. It also comes with a decent price which makes it a great option for those who are on a tight budget.

SashaMoniqueTalks Product Review: Hollywood Beauty Argan Conditioner

This post may contain affiliate links which I may receive a small commission if a purchase is made.

Hello everyone, I am reviewing the Hollywood Beauty Argan Conditioner.  This hair conditioner has been around for quite some time.  I saw it the other day at Walmart and decided to pick some up.
Lately, I have been gravitating towards products that I have used in the past and I know that they work well.

The Hollywood Beauty Argan Conditioner has a slightly fruity smell and it makes my hair soft.  My hair is still natural and I wash and condition it twice a week.  Have to keep that hair healthy under those wigs!

This hair conditioner is enriched with Argan Oil from Morocco. Argan oil is really good for keeping your hair moisturized and it keeps my hair from breaking off.

This bottle has 12 FL ounces.  I am really thinking about wearing my natural hair in natural buns and twist for Spring and Summer. This is a fantastic way to protect your hair from damage!

I didn't pay much for this bottle  and I was so glad to know that Walmart carries this product.  I will definitely be revisiting some of the other products made by this line.  If you have tried this conditioner please leave a comment in the comment section because I would like to know what you think about this product.

The danger of being on Social Media.

This post may have affiliate links where I may receive a small commission if a purchase is made.


Image courtesy of Pixabay

When I began my journey in social media I had so much fun getting to know new people.  Finding new friends was quite easy because you are able to find friends who are very similar to you.  Many times I would rush home to get online to see who was doing what and also to get the latest gossip.

Social Media provided a way to de-stress.  After going through so many disappointments, my life now consists of people who are very encouraging and friendly.  Social Media gave me the tools to grow in my personal life and bought new opportunities to be creative and professional opportunities as well.

Image of the person in hoodie courtesy of Pixabay

So, I told you about some of the good things about Social Media, now on to the bad.  Social Media can be an uncertain place.  A place of anxiety because of some negative comments or creepy people wanting to see or know your every move.  We have so many people who watch us on platforms such as YouTube and some other sites and they start to have an obsession with you and your life.

I have seen this so many times and I have experienced it.  Do you think that it is safe to post all of your pictures, videos and other personal things that are going on in your life?  Of course not!  We have unknowingly opened the door for the "boogie man" to come through and find out about things that will put us at risk.


Image of dog, courtesy of Pixabay

You have to be careful about posting live videos and posting pictures of where you are because there is always someone watching.  Be sure to post after the events are over.  Do not tell everyone on Face book where you are going or your personal family business.  Never post anything regarding your kid's school or anything that would put them at risk.

I do not think that I will ever do a meet and greet because it opens up the door for someone who is mentally unstable to have contact with me.  Keep yourself safe at all times.  Keep cameras on the inside and outside of your home.  Wear a personal alarm system and get one for your children.

Make sure to get a home alarm system.  They do not cost that much these days.  Take notice if you see any suspicious activity online and around your home.  Check out your surroundings at stores and at the mall.  Do you see the same person showing up at different places?  Or unusual visitors coming to your house uninvited?   Document any and all threats that you get online and contact the police.

Put your family first!

Why you should always surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.

Photo of man on the phone, courtesy of Pixabay

I have been on the quest to attain knowledge and during my search, I have surrounded myself with people who are very smart.  They come from all walks of life but one thing for sure, they are brilliant.  So many ideas and positive examples of what it takes to be successful come from these associations.

Many times we may feel that we have all the answers and there is always another way to look at a situation and how to work it out in your favor.   It is good to just listen and not interrupt so you can soak in all the information that you are being blessed with.

My friends have blessed me tremendously with books that they have read or ways to obtain information that I never knew was readily available.  Having an open mind will allow you to continue to learn without any biases.

I have also learned a lot by joining some Facebook groups.  A lot of these groups are headed by people who have tried and failed at different ventures but they also bounced back and are now successful.  You cannot learn without failing because failure is a lesson.

Lately, I have been staying away from complainers and people who have no goals in life, not because I think that I am better than anyone but, to move forward with my life on a positive note.  This hunger in me to succeed is getting stronger and stronger and I do not want anything holding me back.

Smart people can point you in the right direction if they are not able to find the answers that you are seeking.  People who volunteer their time seem to have a lot of knowledge because they are not working based on a paycheck.  They are doing a job to give their time to people who are less fortunate.  Many times I have seen volunteers teaching others how to read or how to search for work on the computers.

It is always good to converse with retirees in the field of study that you are interested in because they had a long term career in that occupation and they can clue you in on things that you can expect in that occupation.

When opportunity knocks, you better open that door!

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Hello everyone.  I am sure you are saying " what the heck is going on because she is not posting anything."  I have been so busy but yesterday, I was in the presence of a friend of mines, and this person had been presented with some opportunities.

 He was given great information and the chance to make things happen and he waited till the last minute to respond and missed out on this opportunity.

This opportunity had been open for two weeks and if he had taken advantage as soon as this chance was presented, he would be in a great place right now.




I don't understand whether he was afraid to pursue this great opportunity or was he just being lazy because he felt that he had enough time or what.
I have done this in my past and I think that I was afraid that things would work out.  It was like I was sabotaging my own life.

A lot of us are scared of stepping out of the box and being great!  If you miss out on too many opportunities there is no promise that you will get another one or if you do, it may take a very long time.

It is best to respond right away to the person who is presenting you will this chance for you to excel and move forward in your life.

When opportunity knock, you better open that door and walk right through!

YouTube Secrets by Sean Cannell & Benji Travis book review (Product Review)

Hello everyone!  I purchased this wonderful book, YouTube Secrets by Sean Cannell & Benji Travis.
I was looking for a book that was easy to read and tips that are explained in a way that is easy for a novice to follow.

I have been on YouTube as a creator for many years and I am looking for ways to grow my channel and to take advantage of tips that will allow me to reach a bigger audience with my channel.
By the way, my YouTube channel is "SashaMoniqueTalks"  (big plug lol).

Sean Cannell is a video marketing strategist who is very successful on YouTube and he has helped his clients to generate over five million in revenue.  His tips are very straight forward.  You will definitely gain a lot of information from his instruction on how to grow your channel.  

Benji Travis has more than one billion video views on YouTube channels he has helped to grow.  He works with a lot of brands and he earns seven figures in income.  He has a wealth of information to share with his viewers through his cooking channel on YouTube.  He is a fabulous cook!

The subjects that YouTube Secrets focus on are:

• The seven essential ingredients for a profitable channel
• New strategies for getting views and subscribers
• Ten ways to make money on YouTube
• And much more

I purchased this book from Amazon and it was a good buy.  After reading this book, I have learned:

• how to find out what niche would be good for my channel.
• How to be more focused on the way that I present my content.
• What I will offer in regards to the information that I would like to share with my audience.
• This book taught me what I will need to stand out on YouTube. What kind of content to deliver to my subscribers.
• How to get my videos discovered.

A lot of times we are so busy and making YouTube videos can be time-consuming and I have learned how to record my videos and schedule them for a different day, to stay consistent.
YouTube can be used as a business and I was having a lot of trouble learning how to use YouTube Analytics to see what improvements I need to make with my videos.  Sean Cannell always conveys the message that you should have one specific niche, and this is what I will work on.

Make sure to check out Sean Cannell's YouTube channel and Benji Travis YouTube channel.

YouTube Secrets is now my reference book that I will constantly use for my research.  I recommend this book to anyone.

This post is not sponsored.  I paid for this book with my own money.

Some of the things that I have learned while being on YouTube.

Image of YouTube courtesy of Pixabay

Hello, everyone, I have been on YouTube for a  very long time.  In fact, it is going to be seven years in May 2019.  I never thought or dreamt that I would be on this platform for this long.  YouTube is a lot of fun.  I have worked very hard while on this platform and my hobby has taken me to new heights.

Some people do not think of YouTube of being a media for creating new opportunities. You can supplement your income by being consistent and by promoting yourself.  YouTube is a great way to meet people from all over the world.  You can form friendships with people who you would have never met if it wasn't for YouTube.

People think that YouTube is easy but it really isn't.  Most of the time, if you are a person who is recording on a regular basis, you have to film your video, edit your video, edit your thumbnail, upload your video, add all the important information in your description section, find great tags for your video and then publish.

Many things are happening on YouTube and we have to change right along with the new rules.  YouTube is a great hobby and use it for whatever you need it for.  Below is a video that I made regarding this subject.  Please watch and leave your comment.  

What has SashaMoniqueTalks been doing lately

Hello, everyone.  Yes, it is still cold in my state but we have had some warmer days.  Yay! to warmer days, but if you know me well, you know that I hate the summer!

I have taken the time to spend as much time with my family as I can.  We have been hitting those stores, shopping for bargains and eating at some nice places,   This year has been so tough for me with dealing with more health problems, so I honor the time that the good Lord has given me.

My road that is paved to happiness, is a result of enjoying the simple things in life.  I love meeting my family at the mall for lunch and just going there to take a break in a good way.  Lately, I have been enjoying some great movies that I am kinda late seeing.  The best movie I last have seen was "Green Book."  This movie was better than I expected.  You all should go and see it if you haven't.

One good thing about my life's journey is that my family enjoys a lot of the things that I do.  We enjoy each other's company, so it is easy to plan outings and they are right on board with the weekly plans that we have.

By the way, you see these wonderful photos?  They were taken by my daughter T. Robinson.  She has a real gift for photography, so I really thank her for her art and inspiration.

I have been slowly, but surely, changing my diet for the better.  This includes eating a lot of green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, and baked, chicken, or fish.

I had a health scare, so it prompted me to make some major changes.  For the summer, I would really like to spend time traveling if the weather permits and my health allows.  It is very important to get away and explore other places and of course, do some shopping.

A friend of mine has suggested that I join some book clubs and I am going to look into it.    You all know that I love music so I will be checking out some concerts and going to events to meet some new friends.

There is a knitting club in my area and I would love to learn the skill of knitting or crochet.  Many things are available in my area, and these events do not cost much or they are free.

Community activities are in abundance so why not take advantage of them!

What are some of the things that you are doing or plan to do?  Leave your response in the comment section.

Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter (Citrus)

* Disclaimer:  This post is not sponsored.  I paid for this product with my own money.

I have been using Scrubbing Bubbles for a very long time. This product is a product that I can really rely on to get my bathtub clean.  It has a nice smell and the citrus really makes such a difference in the way your bathroom smells.

Sometimes, I spray my bathtub and let it sit for a while and you can see the dirt coming down the walls of the tub. Then I will use my little scrubber and lightly scrub. Then your tub is so clean!

This product doesn't have any harsh smells and that is good to keep my allergies at bay.   Scrubbing Bubbles will definitely remove soap scum, so that is a lot less work that you have to do.

This bathtub cleaner used to cost a little more years ago, but I purchased mines at Family Dollar and It was under $4.00. This is a great buy!

I love to use products that are guaranteed to work the way that is advertised to do.  You can use this product on your sinks, shower curtains, and countertops. So, this makes it such an all-around product.

You can always find some deals by looking in your local Sunday newspaper.

What was the best advice your father gave you?

My dad was a man who was ahead of his time.  He was always trying to improve himself, to be a better person.  There were many times that I was unsure of myself and he always had a way of making me think and see things in a different way.  My dad was such a hard-working man and he poured into me, ideas, for me to embrace opportunities.

He was extremely hard on me and sometimes the words were not kind but I appreciate that he still had faith in me.  Faith that I didn't have!  There were many times that I was upset with him.  I didn't think that he was on my side, but, he was.

When you have lost a parent, you can recall everything whether it was negative or positive.  I miss that old man because he and my grandmother were the ones who showed me how to save money and my dad believed in entrepreneurship.

I want you all to think about the person who made the most impact on your life because this is where you will learn how to make great changes.

Also read and check out people who have inspired you in one way or another.   My father told me to strive towards my dreams and for me to never tell anyone my dreams because people can be very negative and tell you what you can and cannot do.  He said " show them" afterward.

He also said that I can do anything that I put my mind to, and I really appreciate him for this.  I have strayed from his advice from time to time and I found that everything that he said, was the truth.

Many times I have had people ask me "what are you doing?"  because they were so intrigued by me staying very quiet about my plans.  You do not owe anyone the blueprint to your life, it isn't none of their business.


The people who do this, are some of the people who never had your back or if they find out about your plans, they will praise another person who is doing the same thing you are doing when you were the creator of it.

Be your own cheerleader and pat yourself on your back!  You are great!  Do not let anyone dull your shine.  Create, create, and create!  Be the best that you can be!  Do not let anyone steal your joy!