TRACIE MOMIE
  • HOME
  • BOOKS
  • Design
    • Services
    • Work
    • Testimonials
  • Events
  • About+Contact
    • Press Info

Tracie's Blog

Love Thyself

1/27/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture

At the end of 2015, I decided that I was going to embark on a journey of self care for 2016.

As wives, mothers and sister-friends, we usually put the needs and feelings of others before our own and in the end we're tired, frustrated and unfulfilled. Our health, marriages, friendships and jobs often end up casualties.

I'm on a mission to start making myself a priority. I'm kick starting a month of self love in February. (I'm hoping this becomes a forever lifestyle change.) Everyday in February I will do something special for myself.  I will celebrate my victories and stop the negative self talk that tells me I don't "deserve" something. I am worthy of love, care and praise- especially from myself!

I've started journaling, mediating and yoga to help me become more present, which I think is the ultimate gift I can give myself. I will document my journey on social media and my blog hopefully inspiring others to do the same. Stay tuned! 


Picture
0 Comments

3 Tips for Beginning Meditation

1/20/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
At the beginning of the year I started meditating and journaling. I've journaled every day but only meditated every other day, which I still consider an achievement.

I started doing both these practices to try and be more engaged in the moment. To be present and aware.  It's definitely a process but I am seeing some incremental changes. I realize when I'm distracted and take a few deep breaths before redirecting my focus on the task at hand. 

I've also been putting my phone away at night (number one source of distractions). When I lay down in my bed to go to sleep, I would use that time to scroll through social media. Then I would have a hard time actually getting to sleep because of the sensory overload.  Now, when I crawl under the covers I put the phone face down on my nightstand and turn away from it.

The process of meditation is also helping me be more creative and productive as well. It's only been 18 days but I've made some noticeable progress. The hardest part for me is making the time to actually meditate but I notice if I do it at the same time everyday it becomes more habitual. I would definitely recommend that everyone practice some form of meditation or conscience awareness to help eliminate stress and distractions. Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Find a tool to guide you- Guided meditation is probably best for newbies because you have someone talking you through the process and timing you as you go. There are a ton of apps for this or websites. I use the Stop, Breath & Think app. They provide a list of meditations such as Mindful Breathing, Be Present, Gratitude, Change, Falling Asleep and much more! You can meditate for as little as 3 minutes or up to 20 minutes. 

2. Find a quiet space free of distractions- Turn off the TV and turn on the "do not disturb" feature on your phone so that you aren't getting calls or notifications. If you have kids or pets at home, go into another room or wait until they are napping. For meditation to be effective you need that uninterrupted time. You want to be able to quiet your mind and focus only on your breathing.

3.  Find a comfortable position- You typically see images of people meditating in the "lotus" pose (crossed legs and wrists resting on elbows) but you do not have to meditate in this position. Just get comfortable and make sure you are in a position, preferably sitting, that is comfortable. You will have to release the tension from your arms, shoulders, legs etc. So you want to make sure you are not cramped or at an awkward angle that might keep you from focusing.

The point of meditation is to get you to focus on you breathing and to slow your hear rate, which will help relieve anxiousness and stress. The hardest part of meditation is keeping your mind from wandering while trying to be present. BONUS TIP: Focus on an image in your mind of the ocean, or the sky or floating in a swimming pool.  These calming images should help you find your center and keep you focused.
Picture
1 Comment

Book Trailers

1/15/2016

0 Comments

 
Book trailers are a great way to create interest in your books. Similar to movie trailers, books trailers usually give a visual synopsis (using words and images) of the book.  I've created two trailers for my books, Nothing I Can Say and What Was Missing.

The Nothing I Can Say trailer was done with the iMovie app on my phone, which I then uploaded to YouTube.  The What Was Missing trailer was my first trailer and was created manually with the iMovie program on my laptop.

I was on the fence about creating book trailers and after I created them I was apprehensive about sharing them because I didn't think they matched the grandiose vision in my head. Lol! But I think both these trailers capture the essence of the books. Take a look:


Picture
0 Comments

Book Launch: Nothing I Can Say

1/13/2016

0 Comments

 
{THIS IS MY 100TH BLOG POST! WOOHOO! Had I been more aware I would've made a big deal about it. . .but it's just another day in the blogosphere!}  

Without further adieu, here is the Periscope broadcast I did for the launch of my book, Nothing I Can Say!  NOW AVAILABLE!
Picture
0 Comments

How to Use Your Own Photo's for Graphics

1/11/2016

0 Comments

 
If you are a blogger or someone who likes sharing quotes or other information online/via social media I would strongly encourage you to start taking your own photos.

Here is why:

1. It is technically illegal to pillage through the Internet and use random photo's of images you do not own. 

2. Everyone uses the same images over and over from the Internet and even the stock photography sites. 

3. Some of the images are horrible. They are pixelated and your message tends to get lost.

I know you think you don't have the time or the skill to take your own photo's but you're wrong. Anyone can take a photo especially since most smartphones have built in cameras. Now I will drop a disclaimer here: If you need head shots or product shots, I definitely recommend contacting a professional photographer to maintain some integrity for your brand.

But if you just need a background for a quote or to accompany a blog post. . .you got this! 

Picture
Stopped to take this photo one foggy morning after dropping my daughter at school.
Picture
Added a quote that fit the photo and included my website address.

One trick for taking good photo's with your camera phone is a steady hand. If you are shaky then hold down on the screen once you get the image you want, on most phones not only will the light be adjusted but you can lock your target, so that even if you're shaky the image is already in focus. 

Another trick is using filters. Filters give images a more artistic look and even photo's that aren't that great become more interesting with filters. I would stay away from filters that make the images too colorful sometimes it looks unnatural.

There is inspiration all around you. If you see the clouds making an interesting pattern or looking like cotton balls, snap a quick photo filling the frame with nothing but the sky, no light poles or rooftops.

Another disclaimer: I am not advocating that you do this while driving. If the sunset is just perfect and you want to capture it, PULL OVER to a safe spot, put the car in park and snap away. 
jogger
I was actually in the passenger seat when I caught this guy jogging at sunset.

Picture
San Francisco Bay photo taken while on vacation
sunset
Added a filter and an inspiring quote that also fit the image.

Picture
Added text and filter using Studio app

Just take images whenever you can and save them on your phone even if you don't think you need them, you'll be surprised how they can be used. Picture of your kids running and playing but maybe only capture their feet or if the photo is blurred use it! That's a great artistic statement. Even taking photo's of a candle on a table could make a good image.

​A great phone app to use (for both iOS and Android) for adding text to images, adding clip art and filters all in one is Studio. You can save the images to your phone and them upload them to your blog or social media. If your blog platform doesn't have a phone app, just email the pictures to your self so that you can get them on to your computer. 

Happy snapping! 
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture
    Picture
    Writer. Reader. Designer. Creative Spirit.

    NEWSLETTER
    SIGN UP
    Nothing I Can Say
    LATEST RELEASE

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    My Reading List

    Picture
    Visit My Shop for Cool Tees!

    “I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.”
    —Harper Lee

    Picture

    Book Recommendations

    Tribes

    Picture
    BLM Girls
    Picture
    Brown Girl Bloggers

    Archives

    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Ad
    Advice
    Ageism
    Art
    Audio
    Authenticity
    Author
    Backup
    Blogging
    Book
    Books
    Bucket List
    Business
    Business Tips
    Challenge
    Change
    Charity
    Communication
    Community
    Creativity
    Criticism
    Curated Stuff
    Decisions
    Design
    Dinner
    DIY
    Dreams
    Education
    Encouragement
    Enthusiasm
    Entrepreneur
    Event
    Events
    Excellence
    Expectations
    Expertise
    Fashion
    First Book
    Food
    Freelance
    Fun
    Girlboss
    Giveaway
    Goals
    Graphics
    Growth
    Hacks
    Happiness
    Health
    Holidays
    Htxaab
    Human Resources
    Humor
    Ideas
    Inspiration
    Inspiraton
    Instagram
    Jealousy
    Joy
    Life
    Limits
    Marketing
    Meditation
    Motherhood
    Motivation
    Move On
    Music
    Nbbf
    Netflix
    New Year
    Nothingicansay
    Parenting
    Passion
    Peace
    Periscope
    Photography
    Problem Solving
    Procrastination
    Productivity
    Purpose
    Random
    Reading
    Relationships
    Relaxation
    Resources
    Review
    Routine
    Selfcare
    Shop
    Snippet
    Social Media
    Success
    Summer Blog Series
    Support
    Tbt
    Teamwork
    Television
    Tips
    Travel
    Vacation
    Video
    Vision Board
    Waxing Poetic
    Wearebooked
    Web Design
    Wordless Wednesday
    Workshop
    Writing
    WWM

SITE MAP:   Home | Books | Design |  Events | About+Contact 

​Tracie Momie Creative | ©2012- 2022 | All Rights Reserved
Term & Conditions
  • HOME
  • BOOKS
  • Design
    • Services
    • Work
    • Testimonials
  • Events
  • About+Contact
    • Press Info