Author: Noreen Rashid

  • How I Balance Work and life

    How I Balance Work and life

    Finding a good balance between work and life is a constant effort, right? It doesn’t just happen. You have to be intentional about it

    For me, it starts with strong boundaries. I simply don’t check work emails after 6 PM. That time is for me. For family, dinner, or just relaxing. You know? It’s so important to disconnect completely.

    I also try to be super productive during the workday. That means focusing on big tasks first. Less social media, more deep work. This helps me finish on time. I ain’t gonna stay late if I can help it!

    Weekends are for relaxation I might go for a hike. Or just read a book. Sometimes I do absolutely nothing—and that’s perfectly fine! It’s all about managing your energy, not just your time. The goal is to feel good and to be present in both parts of your life. It’s a practice, really. We’re all learning.

    A Skill I’m Trying to Learn

    My Favorite Way to Relax

  • My Favorite Way to Relax

    My Favorite Way to Relax

    Okay, so my absolute favorite way to unwind is by going for a long walk. No songs, no podcasts. Just me and the sounds of the neighborhood. You know?

    It just completely clears my head.

    I’m not gonna lie, it’s the best

     After a long day of staring at screens, your eyes need a break. Right?

    Fresh air, moving my body. It makes all the difference.

    I usually head to the park near my house. I love watching the dogs play and seeing the leaves change colour.

    It’s so simple, but it brings me real peace.

    A moment of quiet in a busy world.

    Sometimes my friends join me. That’s great, too! Good conversation and a bit of exercise. Perfect combo.

    Honestly, I think everyone should try it. Just leave your phone behind for 20 minutes. You might be surprised how good it feels.

    It’s best medicine for a busy mind.And you don’t need any special equipment or anything. Just a comfy pair of shoes. I always come back feeling calmer and more focused.

    How I Stay Motivated

    A Skill I’m Trying to Learn

  • A Skill I’m Trying to Learn

    A skill i am Trying to Learn

    A Skill I’m Trying to Learn

    Alright, so the skill I’m really trying to learn these days is baking. Not just bread, but all of it. Pastries, cakes, pies. The whole works, you know? It’s a science and an art. Which is tricky for me.

    I started with simple stuff. Like chocolate chip cookies. Even that was hard. Getting them chewy, not cakey. My first batch was a bit of a disaster. They spread out into one giant cookie. A tasty mess, though!

    My biggest challenge is patience. And reading the recipe properly. I always miss a step or an ingredient. Like forgetting baking powder. Rookie mistake, right? The cake was so dense. A real doorstop.

    But I’m gonna keep at it. I really wanna master a perfect, flaky pie crust. That’s the dream. Just gotta practice. And maybe invest in an oven thermometor. I hear that’s key. Even the failures taste pretty good, so it’s a win really.

    How I Stay Motivated

  • How I Stay Motivated

    How I Stay Motivated

    Staying motivated is a challenge for everyone. Right? I find a few key things really help me. First, I set very small goals. I don’t just say “I need to get fit.” Instead, I say “I will walk for 20 minutes today.” It feels achievable. You know?

    Celebrating tiny wins is crucial, too. Finished a task? Reward yourself with a coffee break. It keeps the momentum going. I also keep a “done list.” It’s amazing for motivation. Looking back at what you’ve already accomplished feels good. Way better than just staring at a to-do list.

    Finally, I try to remember my ‘why.’ The big reason behind the goal. Connecting to the deeper purpose makes the hard work meaningful. And on tough days? I just focus on starting. Just the first step. Often, motivation follows action. It’s surprising how well that works try it.

    My Favorite Book and Why I Love It

    A Place I’d Love to Visit
  • A Place I’d Love to Visit

    A Place I’d Love to Visit

    Today, I’m gonna talk about a place I’d love to visit. That place is Hunza Valley. It’s in the northern areas of Pakistan. Honestly, it has breathtaking views. The pictures are just stunning. You see these massive, snowy mountains. The peak of Rakaposhi is incredible, right? And the clearest blue lakes you can imagine.

    I really wanna see the ancient Baltit Fort. It has so much history. It’s situated on top of a hill. The view from there must be amazing. I also want to try the local food, and fresh   apricots. I want to talk to local people i heard that the locals are welcoming The whole vibe seems so peaceful. Just imagine waking up to that view. No city noise. Just nature. It’s a true escape from the busy life. A perfect place to relax. I hope I can go there one day. It’s definitely on my top bucket list.

    my favorite meal

    My Favorite Book and Why I Love It

  • My Favorite Book and Why I Love It

    Favourite book

    My favourite book is 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 

    Why I Love it? This book changed how I live my life – and I don’t say that lightly. At first, I thought it would be boring, but it’s actually full of simple, powerful ideas that really work.

    Here’s what helped me most:

    1. “Be proactive” – This habit taught me to stop blaming others when things go wrong. Now I ask myself, “What can I control?” It’s made me much happier.
    2. “Put first things first” – I used to waste so much time on unimportant tasks. Now I focus on what really matters, and I get more done while feeling less stressed.
    3. “Think win-win” – This changed how I deal with people. Instead of trying to “win” every argument, I look for solutions where everyone benefits. My relationships have improved so much!

    What’s special about this book?

    • It’s practical – not just theories
    • The habits build on each other
    • You see results quickly

    I’ve read it three times, and each time I learn something new. If you want to improve your life but don’t know where to start, this book gives you clear steps to follow.

    Best part? The habits are simple, but they make a big difference. Try just one – you’ll see what I mean!

    How My Daily Routine Changes with Each Season

    my favorite meal

  • my favorite meal

    Favorite meal

    Oh, my favorite meal? it’s biryani! Seriously, just mentioning it makes my stomach growl. Picture this: golden rice layered with juicy chicken (or veggies, if you prefer), all soaked in this crazy-good mix of spices—cardamom, cloves, that smoky saffron. so good.

    Now, my mom’s biryani? Legendary. The second she starts cooking, this irresistible aroma takes over the whole house, and suddenly, everyone’s “just passing by” the kitchen every five minutes. We always have it with cool, raita and a crunchy salad—plus, I’m that person who drowns their plate in extra lemon.

    biryani’s not just food for us. It’s Eid mornings, family reunions, lazy Sunday lunches where we eat too much and laugh even more. Every bite’s a memory.

    Honestly, I never get tired of biryani—it’s always a favorite

    The coziest way to enjoy rainy days at home

    How My Daily Routine Changes with Each Season

  • How My Daily Routine Changes with Each Season

    Daily routine

     my daily routine totally shifts with the seasons you know how much the weather affects everything! In the summer, I’m up early, like 6 AM, because the sun’s already blazing. I’ll grab an iced coffee, take my time, you know? Evenings are for long walks or sitting outside until it gets dark. But winter? Forget it! I hit snooze a million times because it’s so cold and dark. My morning coffee’s hot, and I’m fully covered just go out for a short walk.

    Spring and fall are kinda in-between. I really like Spring it makes me energetic  wanna deep-clean everything weird   right?—and I’ll open all the windows. Fall’s my favorite, though. I’m suddenly all about pumpkin spice, cozy sweaters.

    The funny thing? I swear I’m a different person each season. Summer me is active and social; winter me just wants to hibernate. But hey, that’s life—gotta roll with it!

    My quick dinner recipe

    The app I can’t live without on my phone

  • The app I can’t live without on my phone

    Best app in my phone

    Oh, that’s easy—it’s Google Maps,. I mean, I’d be completely lost without it—literally! I have the worst sense of direction, you know? Like, even in my own neighborhood, I’ve taken wrong turns. It’s embarrassing!

    But Google Maps is an amazing app.I use it for everything—finding the quickest route to work, checking traffic, even just figuring out where to eat. The other day, I was craving sushi, and boom—it showed me this little hidden spot five minutes away. Never would’ve found it otherwise!

    And even I don’t start traveling without it.  Last year, I was in Tokyo, and I used it allot there from  The public transit directions to beautiful hidden spots.  Plus, I love that you can save favorite places—like my go-to coffee shop or my friend’s apartment.

    Sure, it drains my battery, but hey, that’s what power banks are for, right? Honestly, if I had to delete every app except one  Google Maps is staying.

    The coziest way to enjoy rainy days at home

    My quick dinner recipe

  • My quick dinner recipe

    Quick dinnererrecipe

    you ever get home after a long day and just cannot deal with cooking? Same. That’s why I make my quick pasta dish—it’s easy and still feels like a real meal.

    Okay, so here’s what I do: Boil some pasta (whatever shape you’ve got, no big deal). While that’s going, I heat up olive oil in a pan and toss in a bunch of minced garlic—like, way more than you think you need. Let it get kinda golden (but not burnt!), then add in some of tomato’s paste. Sprinkle some salt, pepper, and if I’m feeling fancy, a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for, like, five minutes while the pasta ready.

    Drain the pasta, mix it all together, and boom—dinner’s done. Sometimes I’ll throw in a handful of spinach at the end if I wanna feel healthy, but no pressure. Top it with cheese if you’ve got it (always tasty), and that’s it! Cheap, fast, and way better than cereal.

    A Kitchen Gadget I Use Almost Every Day

    The coziest way to enjoy rainy days at home