Hello my loves! Today I have a new Q&A video and post to share with you! Thank you to everyone who sent in their questions. I answered a few in my recent video, and since there were so many good ones I’ve answered some more below!
What supplements do you use at the moment for balanced hormones and healthy skin?
I have a dedicated video on the topic of supplements, you can watch it here I still love these, but I’ve just had a look through my cupboard and here’s a current updated list of what I’m taking.
Great for skin & overall health:
(I’ve linked examples of these from Amazon.com, however these are not the exact brands I take as I order in Europe, but linking for my US viewers!)
Zinc (I like both capsules example here and liquid example here)
Vitamin A (here)
Cod Liver Oil (here)
CoQ10 (here)
Hyaluronic Acid + Collagen (here)
Probiotics (here)
For balancing hormones:
I don’t take all of these each day, I am still figuring out what works for my body, but these are the ones I know and have researched to be really helpful.
Maca (here)
Evening primrose oil (here)
Vitex, aka Chaste Berry (here)
DIM (here) This is quite a popular one, found in cruciferous vegetables. I don’t think this as I eat a lot of these vegetables, but it could be one worth looking into if you’re interested in this topic.
I also recommend this book for learning more about balancing hormones after getting off the pill. And on the topic of supplements, I’ve been organizing them in this case and I LOVE it! Makes it so much easier to remember taking them 🙂
Are you ever planning on getting an animal?
We love the thought and have talked about it a few times, but because we travel so often (not so much currently of course) it just doesn’t make sense right now. Maybe in the future!
Hi Annie! I have 2 questions for you. How do you manage your routine? Be it errands to run, working towards your project, me-time, apartment cleaning etc? How do you stay present (in the moment)? Because in today’s age, we are being bombarded with information left and right, goals to accomplish and sometimes we feel that we are running behind or running out of time.
Wow I can relate to this so much hehe! I always feel like I want to be doing MORE and I think that’s very normal. Just know however, that although we should be working hard towards our dreams and goals, we also need to stop and smell the roses, slow down and actually ENJOY ourselves in the process of it all. Remember that you are enough, just as you are. I try to remind myself of this daily.
When it comes to organizing what I want to get done however, planning things out in my calendar and making lists is a HUGE help for me. Lists for the day and for the week! For the things I wasn’t able to get to that day, I move it to the next day. Time blocking helps a lot too for tasks that are sometimes difficult to accomplish. So for instance if I’m editing a video, or need to reply to emails in my inbox, or clean / organize something in our home, I tell myself I’m going to work on this for 45 minutes / or 15 mins / or 60 mins – depending on the task and my time! This way I’m easing my mind, and I know it’s not going to be a day-long overwhelming task.
When it comes to organizing my workouts, I love to do it in the mornings as it really sets a positive tone for the day, it energizes me and I feel accomplished first thing in the morning. As mentioned in the video, I’ve been really into going for a walk in the mornings and/or a pilates class at home. I like Melissa Wood Health and Boho Beautiful classes.
For cleaning, Mo and I try to keep our home clean day to day (so we don’t leave a bunch of stuff around the apartment, everything has it’s place, and we take care of our personal belongings). We have a cleaning lady who comes every other week to help with deep cleaning the apartment (floors, windows etc..), however if we notice things are getting dusty or mirrors need a clean in between these appointments, one of us will do it. We prefer to do small things daily to keep it clean, rather than letting it go completely messy and having to spend hours cleaning it all up 🙂
On staying present and in the moment, sometimes the best thing is to just take a huge deep breath. INHALE, hold for a second, and EXHALE. So grounding and accessible at ANY moment! Being mindful and self aware of myself too, noticing when I get stressed or anxious, taking a step back and starting over. One breath at a time.
Also I think it’s important to not feel like you’re “running behind” because we are all on our own paths, doing our own unique things, learning our individual lessons and having our own experiences. I know it’s so easy to compare ourselves to others (especially now with social media on 24/7) I get stuck there too sometimes, but you just have to focus on YOU! “Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone’s chapter 20.” It’s great to be inspired by others, but then use that for your own positive growth and development! Life is not a race, it’s about the journey, the experiences you make along the way. There is enough abundance for everyone.
What was your experience with intermittent fasting?
I think it’s SO important to listen to your own body and do what feels right for YOU! I’ve learned, especially over the last few years, how unique and individual we truly are, and how not one way of eating works for every BODY. I personally enjoy intermittent fasting from time to time (usually I have breakfast at 10/11am and have dinner at around 6pm), however I don’t do it everyday. If I’m hungry earlier in the mornings, I eat, just depends on the day and how I’m feeling 🙂
What languages do you speak?
I speak Swedish, English, a little bit of French and a little bit of German.
Do you already have some names for your children in mind?
Yes we have one girl name we love! But that’s it 🙂 We still go back and forth on boy names, but maybe it will come easier if we know that’s what we are having.
Have you preferred living in New York or in Europe? Much love from Sydney xx
I honestly love both experiences. Looking back, it’s truly incredible that I got to live in New York for over 5 years, especially in my early 20’s. I experienced SO MUCH there and it shaped who I am in a way as it forced me to be independent, smart, hardworking and also kept me grounded in my goals and values in life. The city has an incredible vibrant energy, but sometimes it gets to be a LOT. That’s something I love about where I live now, it’s so calm and peaceful and I truly enjoy the quality of life here. It’s not as “exciting” sometimes, but I now find excitement and appreciation for other things, like a beautiful walk in nature, clean air (haha), our cozy apartment, being near my family etc..
What do you do most often when you have a really bad day and want to improve your mood a little?
If the weather is nice, I love going outside for a brisk walk. This honestly always makes me feel so much better! It clears my mind and grounds me so much. I will either call my family, listen to a podcast or audiobook, a YouTube video, or some music and it really boosts my mood. Sometimes a little space and distance from what’s bothering you can do wonders, and you can come back to it with a fresh perspective.
If the weather is not nice, or it’s nighttime, a relaxing shower with a nice soothing body wash (like this one from Indie Lee) helps me wind down so well. Taking some me-time, doing my skincare routine, reading a book, cooking myself a nice meal, it really works wonders. If something is really bothering me, and I need to get it out of my head, journaling is such an amazing tool. Just getting it out of your mind and onto paper is so therapeutic and can help you solve and understand problems much better than thinking about them alone. When journaling, after “venting” or expressing your thoughts, give yourself advice, like you would do for a friend. These are a few of the things I do that come to mind!
Who records your facials for YouTube? Have you ever considered giving yourself facials at home with different skincare gadgets? Thank you.
I record them myself, I hold up the camera during some moments of the session and then during editing, keep what I think is important. It’s a little arm workout in itself hehe! 🙂 And yes I give myself mini facials at home – they are really helpful too! I keep it simple but effective. I like the professional treatments however, as they have tools that I don’t have access to myself (like the Hydra Facial machine and the professional micro needling pen). Let me know if you want me to do a video on my at-home facial!
How many kids do you want in the future?
I would love to have 2 or 3!
Next luxury purchase?
This is something that has not crossed my mind at all the last few months as we have invested pretty much everything into our new company and soon-to-be new apartment. That’s where my focus is right now 🙂 I also haven’t been “craving” anything new lately in terms of luxury fashion items. I’m super content with what I have. If there’s anything new I do decide to get in the future, I’ll of course share with it you!
What inspires you to keep doing what you’re doing right now? Stay safe Annie xo
My inspiration comes from truly enjoying what I’m doing, and from feeling the benefits of that. So for instance, my work, staying active, having a positive outlook on life, taking care of myself, getting to bed at a good hour… these make me feel good, and when I feel those benefits, it naturally inspires me to keep doing them. Of course from time to time, life gets in the way, I get off track, but then I just hop right back on and keep going. In terms of work, my inspiration stems from truly wanting to help others, by sharing what works for me, in hopes to bring you, the viewer / reader, a little sunshine, a positive boost or inspiration to use in your own life, so you can live the life you desire as well. That’s what drives me. I am also driven by wanting to fulfill my truest highest potential, seeing what I’m capable of, going beyond my own perceived limitations and overall creating my dream life. Growth inspires me tremendously.
Why did you choose to stay in Germany? I thought you said you always wanted to move to LA? Love you Annie, you are a huge inspiration.
Thank you so much! Yes I’ve always wanted to live in LA (or California), I love the laidback lifestyle, the sunny weather and the focus on wellness – and it might still happen in the future! Due to everything going on right now with the pandemic however, it’s simply not an option as it was before. As it doesn’t look like it’s going to be over anytime soon, we decided to move to a bigger place here, and pursue our dream of starting a family (next year hopefully). We also really enjoy the quality of life living in Europe, the cleanliness, and the fact that we are close to our families here!
When you have a partner, how do you sustain all of your routines and work and self care? I tend to want to be with my partner all the time, but I would like to keep my independence and work on myself when in a relationship as well.
I am naturally a very independent person, so although I love being with Mo, spending time together, I also love working on my own things and having my own routines. It doesn’t get in the way, as Mo has his own things he works on as well. You just have to ask yourself, what makes YOU happy, if it’s some time alone in the morning, and time with your partner in the afternoon / evening, then that’s great. Find what works for you. I think overall however, it’s important to not loose yourself in a relationship, or put too much of your happiness in the hands of another person. That puts a lot of pressure on the relationship as well. There’s a beautiful poem by Kahlil Gibran in his book called “The Prophet” that has stuck with me for years, and came to mind when I read this question.
He writes,
You were born together, and together you shall be forever more.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your
days.
Yes, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness.
And let the winds of heaven dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but each one of you be
alone–even as the strings of a lute are alone though the quiver
with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not in each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the Cyprus grow not in each other’s shadows
– Kahlil Gibran, from The Prophet
I hope you enjoyed this Q&A, make sure to check out the main video here in case you missed it! Much love xoxo
