Spinach Tomato Tortellini...

A new Italian recipe....

Spinach Tomato Tortellini...

Ingredients: 

-1 package cheese tortellini (16 ounces)
-1 can of diced tomatoes with garlic and onions, but if you are like me and prefer to cut about 3 tomatoes, cut them in little cubes.
-1 cup chopped fresh spinach, again if you are like me add more than just a cup...
- 1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-1 1/2  tsp dried basil
-1 tsp minced garlic
-2 tbsp all-purpose flour
-3/4 cup milk
-3/4 heavy cream
-1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the tortellini, and cook until tender, about ten minutes. 

2. While you get the tortellini going combine the tomatoes, spinach, salt, pepper, pepper, garlic and basil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir until the mixture begins to bubble. 

3.In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, and cream. Stir this mixture into the saucepan along with the parmesan cheese. Heat through, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thick, about two minutes. 

4. Drain the tortellini, but do not rinse, then pour them into the saucepan with the sauce. Stir to coat, and serve.

Best recipe for tortellini if you are in love with spinach! You should give it a try whenever you are bored and hungry! It's not that long, simple enough, and delicious! I might actually give the recipe to my mum... 

"Italian food is all about ingredients and it's not fussy and it's not fancy." - Wolfgang Puck

~Bella

Phobias To Say The Least...

Phobias... 

The meaning of phobias, according to the dictionary is a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it.

After studying psychology, reading the books that talked about the subject, I realized that I developed a lot more phobias than I thought I had. Most phobias originate from extreme past traumatic experiences. Highly sensitive people are more prone to get phobias...

Here are the ones I have and maybe that you have as well.

*Agliophobia*

Fear of pain, Unwarranted, persistent irrational fear of pain.  

*Thantophobia*

Fear of death or dying. In my case, it's more losing someone because of death. 

*Kainotophobia*

The morbid fear of anything new and changes. Not knowing how to deal with anything uncommon. 

*Eremophobia*

Fear of being alone or of loneliness. 

*Altophobia*

Fear of heights.

*Pistanthrophobia* 

The fear of trusting people due to bad experiences with prior lovers. 

*Bathophobia* 

Fear of depths, associated with the sea or water bodies of various type. Bathophobics are also known to fear mountain valleys, cave or even tunnels. My phobia mostly consists of bodies of water like the sea and caves. 

*Atychiphobia*

The abnormal, unwarranted, and persistent fear of failure.

*Atelophobia* 

Fear of not being good enough. An anxiety disorder where the afflicted person feels like all they do is wrong. 

*Hemophobia*

Irrational fear of blood. Which may cause physical reactions that are uncommon in other fears, fainting.

*Autophobia*

Fear of abandonment and issues related to it. It may be extreme in some cases. Some will live in constant fear that their 'world will collapse' if their protectors or loved ones abandon them. In my case, it isn't extreme, but it is a phobia that I developed at a young age. 

The last one isn't considered a phobia, but more a fear...

*FOMO*

Fear of missing out. 

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, that build up quickly caused mostly by traumatic experiences, panic attacks may be frequent. Children who have a close relative that developed anxiety will most likely develop some type of phobia. A traumatic event like drowning experience may cause the person to fear water, deep water. 

There are many phobias, over 100, and every single one of them may impact your life. The common ones are:
Social Phobias which is also referred to as "social anxiety disorder." This is extreme worry about social situations that can lead to self-isolation. ( I went through it and to get out of it, it's impossible by yourself, you need others to be better).
Specific Phobias which mean that people dislike certain situations or objects, but to be a true phobia, the fear must interfere with your daily life. 
Agoraphobia which is a fear of places or situations that you can't escape from. Some fear of being in large crowds or trapped outside the home.
Substance abuse and depression may also be the cause of many phobias. I had a close friend who became an addict of a certain drug, and he developed a few phobias because he was using. He would always look behind him in fear someone would come up from behind to kill him. He has help now, but at the time, it was impossible to talk to him without him freaking out about the government listening to our conversations. Imagine how difficult it must be to live with these phobias, to be fair he didn't have much of a life, he was always afraid, always on his guard, always seeing the worse in people. 


If you have a phobia that keeps you from living, from going outside, I suggest you talk to someone close to you or get help with a stranger. I don't recommend you stay in these fears. 

"Having a phobia has changed me." - Willard Scott

~Bella

Love, the story, so much more...

How much can we do for love?
How far can we go for love?
What will we do for love?

When we talk about love, we automatically think about the rushing feeling, the butterflies in our stomachs, the idea of the perfect match, the perfect pair. We all know that love can make us blind, can make us believe in something unreal, half the time impossible. Love is a strong feeling, powerful enough to control our feelings, emotions, behaviors, actions!

I look back at my past relationships, the ones I hear about from friends or relatives and see that they always have one thing in common! We are controlled by the powerful sense of love. The idea that we can't be fulfilled without our other half. The idea that we are nothing without it. We even create a fake romance, a fake interest so we can please our desires.
Ask a friend who is in a serious relationship where that one may be talking about their partner every time, how far will they go for them? What would they do for them?
You will be surprised about the answers!
What I hear most the time, or what I said multiple times before is " I would do everything for them, take a bullet to save their lives. Hide a body to protect them, or even kill to revenge them if it came to this." These words are overly used. How many of us will be capable of such a thing? How many of us say it to prove a point? To make them realize that we do love them without any boundaries?
Are we serious?

Love is a controlling factor of plenty of our actions! 

Should we keep our love, what we feel inside so we don't have to go through this tough moment? Sadly, we don't keep it all inside, there is always a sweet word or a slight sweet action! 

A couple of days ago, I was talking to an old teacher of mine at my work. After telling him a little story about me leaving a note and my number to someone... Feel embarrassed about it! 
He told me I was a hopeless romantic. Is that a quality or annoying effort on my part? Bad new if you ask me!

A hopeless romantic, I can tell you that no matter how hard we try to hide our feelings, our deepest desires, there will always be something slipping through our hands! It's like when you are interested in someone, your feelings go overboard! You always try to see that person, always try to catch him! It's becoming a slight addiction. Rather annoying if you ask me! You get caught in feelings, into thoughts... Into a "dream", a vivid awake dream. You are dreaming with your eyes wide open. 

A hopeless romantic isn't addicted to one person but to the feeling, love itself. Each time a hopeless romantic go out in public, a part of us react, think that today is the day they will meet the person they will end up marrying. Sounds hopeless, but they aren't in control, I would know!
Somehow deep down a hopeless romantic know, it's not the day, but the hope is there!
Kissing is the 1st thing on the list, followed by cuddles and sex. When they are single, the first two are the ones that they miss the most. I personally miss the cuddles most of them all...

Hopeless romantics never stop loving the exes. No, don't think it's because they want to be back with them or because they have forgotten why the relationship didn't work out. It's simply because they don't want to let go of the feeling, the warmth, the sweet words or phrases, the little surprises, the love that the person gave the hopeless romantic! They miss these moments but don't worry, we don't hold on to these feelings forever if you are able to love us without boundaries, we will let go of these feelings, we will move on!


The hard part, sadly, the one I struggle with the most, deal with it almost every day is that my brain thinks a certain way while my heart another. Many of us struggle with this issue, most of us don't know what to do to stop it, so we listen to one instead of the other. A hopeless romantic like me will always listen to their heart. Somehow our heart doesn't care about what our brain might be thinking! Never does! 


So when we realize that we are controlled by "love" itself, our heart, and our brain aren't much in control anymore, we also realize how far we will go for the person we love! 

Love what a story, there will always be something to talk about! 

"When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving one's self, and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance." - Oscar Wilde

~Bella

Run for your life...

I don't know about you, but I've been having a year of wanting to watch scary movies! 

Scary movies... 

The idea of being chased by a murdered, the chills running through your body, the unbearable thought that someone is watching your every move from the kitchen window, the sleepless night spent wondering if you have a ghost in the room with you, the horrible feeling you get that something will give you a jump scare... 
These movies have been around for a long time, and each time you may see similarities between them all. The tension, creating the mystery, suspense, gore, terror, or shock, make up the basic of a horror film. When you watch a film, you see how the director uses fear and unrealistic graphic to make us jump off our seats! Somehow the background music that starts playing when the woman is running away from her killer is just another way to get the viewer attracted, less distracted by its surrounding, wanting to make them feel the jump scare coming. 

There are 4 categories of horror watching:

 - Gore watching, characterized by low empathy, high sensation seeking, and in males a strong identification with the killer. 
- Thrill watching, high empathy and high sensation seeking- motivated by the suspense of the film and more identification with the victims. 
- Independent watching, high empathy for the victim with a high positive effect of overcoming fear.
- Problem watching, high empathy for the victim but characterized by negative effect- a sense of helplessness. 

I'm more a mix between the independent watching and problem watching! I usually know how to get the problem fix, how the victim will either escape or die... But I'm also one who will be so terrorized by the fear that is overcoming me that I will just throw "They are going to die, there's no way out!" 

My very first scary movie that I watched with my cousin was Amityville (2005) with Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George. Great movie, great background story, and the suspense is here. For a first, and at a young age, it was purely horrifying! Had nightmares for years! The movie is based on a real-life tragedy that hit a family back in the 70's. The oldest child (adult) executed his 4 siblings and parents after saying he was hearing voices telling him to kill. Later on, another family come and stay in the same house. Things were getting strangers, the father was hearing voices as well, and well they had to leave. Now it's a haunted place with souls are angry! To be fair, I had to learn the truth behind the movie and book because I was too afraid it would happen in my family. Young me was so determined to find what was going on with the house, with the guy, with everything that I spent an entire year searching, learning, and watching documentaries about the families and house itself. It's a chilling story, and I have to admit it's my favorite scary movie maybe cause it's my first one. 

Couple days after watching Amityville I get to watch another one, The Ring with Naomi Watts and Martin Henderson. Another one which gave me nightmares for days. I related to the girl in the movie, long black hair... I have to admit the movie was kind of creepy in every way. It's about a journalist who investigates an odd videotape who is related to the murders of people who watches it. They usually die after a week...
Another videotape type of scary movie! The fear was intense, insane amount of jump scare, and the idea that the girl was behind me, watching my every move made it even scarier! I would look behind my shoulders to see if I didn't wake the dead or something. I highly discourage 10-11 years old kids to watch any scary movies unless you want nightmares for the next couple years!
I had a couple years between the next other scary movies, two was enough to haunt me at night for a long time. The ones I recently watched and absolutely loved were Krampus (folk story) made me jump off the bed many many times, the Scream series (1-4) can't get enough of them even though they aren't as scary, and finally Evil Dead. That last one gave me chills, I don't even think I ended up sleeping that night! I almost threw up four times, passed out because the amount of blood in the movie is insanely a lot and the story at the end... Come on! I was freaking out, but I did like to watch it, once is enough, though, don't try and watch it with me again! I'm done! 

I've seen plenty more and trying to watch others, it's starting to become an addiction! 

Have you had that scary movie passage? What are the ones you love to watch? I'm interested in knowing what are some good ones you have seen!

"Watching a horror movie and thinking, 'No! Don't kill him, he's cute!' " 

~Bella

Little bits of sunshine!

Since I've been working in Le Macaron, I've been enjoying these little ones to bits. It's quite fun to taste a few, each one is different, making each tasting marvelous!
I thought maybe you would enjoy my opinion on them, note that each of them is amazingly delicious in their own ways! They aren't here to please everyone so if you have a bad experience with one, it doesn't mean you will have the same experience with the rest. I can tell you already, they aren't here to disappoint anyone but to please you! Here is the list of the macaron with a little descriptive of them...




Number 1: Basil While Chocolate (Basilic Chocolat Blanc)
Refreshing  on a hot day! Perfect if you enjoy the mix of sweet and salty. If you want to taste something out of the common, please go for this one!

Number 2: Black Currant (Cassis) Dairy Free*
Everyone ask what black currant is, let me tell you it's like blackberry. In this macaron, the black currant is actually in jelly. Unusual, but you will certainly fall in love with it, obviously if you love berries! I've had kids come in and automatically love it, so why not you?!

Number 3: Colombian Coffee (Café de Colombie)
It's the ideal macaron for you, coffee addicts! I don't think I need to explain anything about the macaron! You love coffee, this one is for you no doubts!

Number 4: Salted Caramel (Caramel Fleur de Sel)
Thought you would be tasting the salt, scared of the salty side of this macaron? No, dear friends! This one has to be on the popular list. EVERYONE ask for it, EVERYONE seems to have fallen deeply in love with it, and no, the salt isn't at all strong, the caramel, on the other hand, SANTA CLEOPATRA, it's deliciously there!

Number 5: Belgium Chocolate 
(Chocolat Belge)
Some say the best chocolates are made in Belgium, well lucky you, this macaron is chocolate from Belgium. A very simple one, but every kid and chocolate lover have to get!

Number 6: Lemon Cream (Crème de Citron)
Lemon... What a story, it has its days! Hot days ask for something refreshing, something cold and simple, just like the Basil one, the Lemon Cream is perfect!

Number 7: Rose (Crème de Rose)
Something different, something tasty and unusual... Get the Rose! Another popular flavor that makes everyone think about getting another one or two. Don't think about not getting it, it would be a mistake!


Number 8: Raspberry (Framboise)       Dairy Free*
One of my favorites! Can't go wrong with this macaron! The fruity taste is amazing, no complaints have ever reached my ears! Love at first sight? I think so! Great on the gelato, you should try it.

Number 9: Ginger Bread (Pain d'épices)
When people try it, they always have the biggest smile on their faces! A smile is the best explanation someone could give.

Number 10: Walnut (Crème de Noix)
You want to taste the walnut, this one will please you! People who go for the taste never leave disappointed!

Number 11: Lavender White Chocolate (Lavande Chocolat Blanc)
Curious to try, get it, no regrets! The white chocolate mixed with the taste of lavender is bits of sunshine!

Number 12: Sicilian Pistachio (Pistache de Sicile)
Not a fan of pistachio but no words can describe how delicious this macaron is! This one goes out fast, everyone seems to want it. People enjoy it, ask for more, and leave with a smile on their faces.

Number 13: Mint White Chocolate (Menthe Chocolat Blanc)
The mint is always around! Leaving us with the sweet taste of fresh mint in our mouth. A taste of heaven!

Number 14: Coconut (Noix de Coco)
Soft on the inside, sweet on the outside, on of the best sellers!

Number 15: Passion Fruit/ Chocolate (Fruit de la Passion/ Chocolat)
You love fruits, you love passion fruit, this one is for you without a doubt.

Number 16: Chocolate Praline (Chocolat Praline)
If Nutella is your best friend, your lover... You don't want to cheat and go look for another love, but you are interested in tasting the Praline, well lucky you, it's Nutella inside! My personal one, before the raspberry! Can't go wrong with Nutella!


Number 17: Strawberry/Key Lime  (Fraise au Citron Vert)
Two in one! Two fabulous flavors making the macaron a dangerous new addiction!

Number 18: Madagascar Black Vanilla 
 (Vanille Noire de Madagascar)
Simple and classic, sweet and purely delicious, this one will get you to buy another one! Watch out!

Number 19: Orange Chocolate Grand Marnier   
(Orange Chocolat Grand Marnier)
No need for any description! This one is simply lovely! Can't stop eating it. The sweet taste is around, can't go wrong with this one either! 


The list might be long, but the taste is there for sure! Feel free to come by anytime you feel like trying some macaron! Good news, there is more than just macaron, there is also chocolates and gelato! But their little description will be for another time so keep checking for more updates from Le Macaron!

"Lovely afternoons are made of café au lait and French Macarons."

~Bella

Familiar faces...

Watching him across the street, sitting down in the same chair, same hat, with a book in his hand… Drinking his coffee bean drink makes me smile.

Each time I work, I wait until I get to see him from the shop. He is quite intrigued with his British accent and his little comfort food in his pocket. Can’t get enough!

A great reason to smile, that’s for sure! 

The way he looks at me and salutes me like a gentleman, waving his hat at me… While from the shop I smile back at him, wave and keep smiling big! Always alone with a book, a little notebook and his coffee bean drink. A pencil in his right hand, he observes people pass by, read a few lines from his book before looking back up at the people who keep passing by him! It’s becoming normal, almost a necessary for the shop, well for me at least! Having him around a familiar face, a familiar touch! A way to know has someone familiar around when you are working alone in the shop. Hilarious enough, missing a day without my British friend is just plain depressing! He might not do much, but his presence is around, making me want to get to know him more, know what’s his life, what’s his hobbies, his little addictions… What happened to him being in California with a British accent? He can only be British! 

Being interested in him just makes my working days ten times better! I imagine what his life might be like, imagine what he does outside of his little reading and note time. Between that morning coffee bean to his evening one? What does he do? Does he have a family, a wife, children?

I would assume he doesn’t have any wife, he doesn’t have a ring, but that again, might just be wrong, he might have been married… If he went to school around here? Who knows…

I let my imagination run free, wild, flow around while I believe whatever comes to mind because each time something new come up! No clue if I’m right or wrong, but my vivid thoughts keep running free. 

This man must be in his late 60’s, British (his accent gives that one away), not too much of a sweet tooth, love to read and take notes, got many buddies that one day will bring to the shop, but no wife around. He must really enjoy coffee bean because it’s the only thing I see him drink! His glasses on top of his nose makes him look even smarter than before… 

This man sends good vibes if I don’t see him at least once a day (whenever I’m working), my day isn’t accomplished. He gives me something, something familiar. His European side makes me think about Europe a lot more, maybe it’s just a feeling of being “home”, or it could just be a simple familiar face because he reminds me of my grandpa in some ways. 

There are people like that, that give some good vibes. Some are just a reminder of someone else, important or not. Some are just a familiar face who’s around to make you feel better because whenever they aren’t around, you feel lost! 

Across the street, there is Pickles and Swiss…. Best sandwiches ever! Can’t get enough of them! Don’t ask me why I prefer, each timeI try to get something new, and each time, I fall in love with the sandwich! At the end, I will end up loving everything on the menu cause I won’t be able to choose what I prefer. Since I’ve been working, Pickles and Swiss have been crowded with people, I even had to take my mum in at least once… That’s how addicted I am to the place, but it’s not only for the sandwiches or the soup that by the way are delicious! It’s about the people as well. When I say that British gentleman, old as he might be, he is a familiar face, my work day goes better when I see him… 

Well at Pickles and Swiss, there is also a person that intrigue my curiosity quite a bit! I go there often for the food obviously, but also to see that person. Each time, something makes me nervous, makes me want to know more about the guy. I don’t even know how to explain the feeling, but something pulls me to that person like a wanting to know more feeling! He is just a little too sweet and since I was starting to get over the fact that every guy I know is the same, this one came along once, helped me out with a sandwich choice and at that moment something hit me! Something big because I cannot stay away from that place whatsoever. All my tips are going to that place, and do not ask me why, it’s pulling me, making me want to come back each time. 

Whenever I don’t get to see his face, I’m lost as well. It is odd, but whenever I work, I have these faces that I need to see to get my work day be better! But this guy from Pickles and Swiss just intrigues me a lot more than anyone, something about him is interesting, different, and he honestly seems like the type of guy that get his heart broken many times cause he looks so sweet… Then again, appearances can be tricky! For all, I know he could be an ex-con who sold drugs and now on probation. Highly unlikely but we never know someone, and since I never really talked to him, I don’t know for sure! First steps are so difficult!

"You are a mystery to me, yet so familiar. Like a song I've never heard before, and a tune I've known my entire life." - Pavana

~Bella

Hit 100 posts:

Today marks a hundred post and I’m excited! I didn’t think I would keep writing every week on a schedule. I’m not going to say it was easy, it took a lot to keep track of every post, making sure I was doing good. A hundred… Not that much, when you think about it, but to me, it’s a little accomplishment.  For the very first time, I can say, “I’m proud of myself for not giving up on not so popular blog.”

Takes a lot to be able to continue writing even if you know that you aren’t making many audiences, but it’s what I love… Writing is what I love doing  so why to give up completely and not fight for my passion?! 

Hitting 100 posts is exciting! Can’t deny how happy I am to be able to say I actually keep a blog. 

Daily schedule? No, I keep a fixed schedule, indeed, but it’s not daily. I try my best to post every Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and sometimes once or twice during the weekend.

Where do you get your inspiration? I don’t really have a specific place, but I do love to go to a certain spot. My inspiration usually comes along when I’m busy doing something when I can’t write my thoughts down. Quite annoying if you ask me. Not my cup of tea!

Do you care if you aren’t getting anything out of it?  When I first thoughts weren’t, “It will be my source of income” or “ I will end up inspiring others.” It was about having a way to express myself through writing for others to read. I don’t care much about getting income out of it! It would be like a YouTuber, they get paid for posting videos, but initially it wasn’t about the money! 

How long do you plan on writing this blog? To be completely honest here… I haven’t thought about it. For now, the only preoccupation is to keep writing each week, keep that schedule going, maybe change the days if I have to, but for now the present first, the future later. Are you going to write another blog? I wanted to write another blog, but it’s already hard to keep track of one blog and doing so much at the same time so starting another blog sounds like too much at the moment. I do want to write more, get my ideas or just what I read on a separate blog though just not at the moment. It will take a bit, let’s get this blog going first, then we’ll talk about a next one! 

Are you currently writing other things? I am in fact writing more, finishing up a novel and started to jot some notes down for the next novel. 

Have you always knew you were into writing? I did not know I was into writing at all! I learned to read and write around five years of age, went back at school and got bored in class because I knew everything already so I was already loving writing and reading. I just never imagine about a blog or a novel. I don’t think you will hear many kids say “ I want to write books.”

Are you proud of what you are doing? I wouldn’t say “proud” but I’m impressed by the ability to keep writing every week! I’m slightly proud if you really want to use this word! 

Hopefully, I will keep writing more and hit another hundred, or three and that you are enjoying your reading time here. 

“Making others happy, interested and at the same time helping out in my own ways is all I ask for. If I can do that, I succeeded on at least one thing.”

~Bella

Places I go...

I guess it is time for me to reveal where I started working a few weeks ago, not that it does matter, but I rather quite enjoy working there! It's not as stressful as it may seem...

Le Macaron, French pastries. Sweet place, amazing bosses, and to be fairly honest, the customers aren't half way bad! It's common to have the annoying ones, but not as many as you may think! 

I'm sure I'll have plenty stories to write about when I get more into the work, for now, it's being rather easy, already learned pretty much everything that I needed to know, obviously, there are still a few things that I need to check up and learn.
It's been nice to have some type of employment, somewhere I can also write whenever I'm alone and not busy!
Get a few conversations on with people that approach me for various reasons. The last one was a woman who was sitting down on little sofas, where I sit by in front of the GameStop. We were both on the phone, so instead of joining the little spot, I waited on both of our calls to end before I asked if I could sit down next to her. Nicely enough, she joked about the sofas being all of hers. Made me laugh quite a bit, and we started conversing. Got her card with her information, now I've got to text! She was really enjoyable to talk to, funny and intelligent! It changes from people I see around and talk to.

With this new little job, I need to become social, almost the opposite of what I usually do. Being talkative can be hard enough that I sometimes wish I didn't have to talk to customers. It makes me have a filter on what I should say and not say. Giving me the opportunity to grow up on the talkative side of me, letting me become a woman who knows when to not be honest in certain cases, just in case I don't hurt others in the process. Quite hard when you are used to be sarcastic enough to come out brutally honest. This little job as little as it may be helps me a lot more than anything before. I get to write whenever I have free time, I get to make customers smile at times, and the best part is that it actually helps me realize that I can get tips from not been too honest and smiling. It's the first time I'm actually going to work happy. There is even a British man who I see each time I work, sitting down with his book. Last time at work, I went to him with samples, offered him some macaron, and went on my way. He now looks at me through the door of the shop and says hello with= a wave of his hat. Making friends is always fun!

When people say, "Find a job that makes you smile by just waking up in the morning. A job that you enjoy doing every time you go." I think I discovered the pleasure of going to work, getting paid, making people smile, and waking up in the morning telling myself "It's going to be a good day!"
If you don't know me, you have to know I hate mornings, it's a nightmare to wake me up and emerge from my sleeping state. It's one of the rare times where I catch myself telling myself such a thing. I'm quite a negative person in general, and this time, I'm catching myself feel different about the situation!


Little plus of working is I get to wake up early so my mum drops me off at the same time as my brothers. I walk to a coffee shop and get that writing on! Getting that breakfast on as well, making myself eat a little before I have a long day at work. 

Going to work may be an enjoyable thing for me, but it's mostly for my mum that I do it all. She needs support, help, whatever she can get and honestly, it is hard to deal with but it's family... Can't just run away from duties!

"Working hard is important. But there is something that matters even more: Believing in yourself." - Harry Potter.

~Bella 

Psych 101... Hierarchy of Needs

In 1943, Abraham Maslow first introduced the world to his hierarchy of needs, which is most often expressed as a pyramid. According to Maslow, needs play an important role in motivating a person to behave a certain way. The more basic a need is, the lower it is in the pyramid; and the more complex a need is, the higher it is on the pyramid. Needs towards the bottom of the pyramid are more physical and needs towards the top become more psychological and social. In order to move up the pyramid, the levels must be completed from the bottom up. The needs are as follows:

Physiological
The physiological needs are the needs that are most basic and vital to survival. All other needs are secondary unless the needs in this category are met. These include the need for food, water, air, sleep, homeostasis, and sexual reproduction.

Safety
The safety and security needs are needs that are also important for survival but are not as crucial as the physiological needs. This level of the model includes needs like personal security- such as a home and a safe neighborhood- financial security, health, and some form of safety net to protect against accidents, like insurance.

Love and Belonging
The love and belonging needs, also known as social needs, include a desire to belong, be loved, feel accepted, and not be lonely. These needs are less basic than the first two levels, and these needs can be met through friendships, romantic relationships, and family, as well as by being involved in religious, social, or community groups and organizations. 

Esteem
Everyone has a need to be respected, valued by other people, and have a sense that they are contributing to the world. Having high self-esteem and the respect of others can lead to confidence, while low self-esteem and lack of respect from others can lead to feelings of inferiority. One way people can feel valued and have high self-esteem is by participating in professional activities, athletic teams, and hobbies, and through their academic accomplishments. 

Self-Actualization
At the top of Maslow's model is the need for self-actualization, or the need to realize one's full potential. In other words, a person must become everything that they are capable of becoming. All other levels of Maslow's model must be completed before one can reach this level. While the needs for self-actualization is broad, it is applied very specifically. For example, a person could desire to be the best possible painter, or to be an ideal father.

Different Types of Needs

Maslow identified different varieties of needs, as well as different levels. Deficiency needs, or D-needs, are needs that arise out of deprivation (such as security needs, social needs, esteem needs, and physiological needs). These needs are lower-level needs, and must be satisfied in order to avoid feelings or consequences that are unpleasant. Growth needs, also known as Being-needs or B-needs, are needs that arise out of a desire to grow as a human being. Growth needs are not the result of deprivation. 

CRITICISMS OF MASLOW'S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Maslow's hierarchy of needs has met its fair share of criticism. Most importantly, the method in which Maslow went about determining the characteristics of self-actualization has been brought into question. Maslow used biographical analysis, a qualitative method whereby he searched through biographies and writings of twenty-one people that he determined were self-actualized, and then from this specific group created his list of qualities.

This means that Maslow's definition of self-actualization is based completely on his subjective vision of self-actualization and that the definition he provides does not have to be accepted as a scientifically proven fact.

Another criticism that has been raised concerning the hierarchy of needs in Maslow's stance that the lower needs must be satisfied before someone has the ability to reach self-actualization. People who live in poverty, for example, are still capable of love or belonging, even though- according to Maslow - this should not be the case. Despite criticisms, there is no denying how important and significant Abraham Maslow was to modern psychology. He shifted attention away from abnormal behavior and made psychology focus on the positive aspects of human nature, mental health, and human potential.

"What you want and what you need aren't always the same. Be willing to delay short-term GRATIFICATION for long-term GREATNESS." - Mandy Hale

~Bella