Taking some "me time" or time for self-care is extremely vital to one's entire well-being. Although I already knew this, I came to the realization that it was time to follow my own advice. As I worked on enhancing my blog, growing my social media channels, & starting up my coaching business, I found that I was working around the clock.

I answered emails at 11 p.m. I got the distinctive ping of a Facebook message at 2 a.m. I worked on a sponsored post in the morning & then prepared for my coaching session in the afternoon, only to have dinner plans with a friend in the evening. I kept buzzing around until a couple days ago when I felt completely burned out.

I physically & mentally couldn't do anything even though I had an endless task list. I decided to take a day off to boost my morale. Keep reading to find out my tips on how to avoid blogger burnout! Hint: it includes Netflix & green tea.

Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!

1. Sleep In

After so many mornings of getting up at 6:45 a.m. I allowed myself to get a little extra sleep. Don't start off a new day tired & unprepared. Those extra moments of shut eye helped me feel rested & ready to crush the day! After constant hustling & bustling, it doesn't hurt to get a few extra winks.

2. Exercise

I was so busy that I completely forgot to take care of myself. To eliminate blogger burnout, I started to regularly integrate exercise into my life, even if only for 20 minutes. I know myself & understand that I'm pretty aimless at the gym, so I usually opt for workout videos on YouTube. They get me moving, sweating, & elevate my heart rate. I always feel better after a workout!

3. Set Business Hours

Three unread emails loomed in my inbox. Five Facebook messages sat unread. My social media notifications grew out of control. A friend texted me to ask a couple of social media questions. I couldn't take it anymore. The around-the-clock work didn't look good on me. I decided to set some business hours for myself. No more constant work. No more blogger burnout.

4. Unwind

I put my phone on airplane mode & made myself a cup of tea — two, actually. Sometimes there's nothing more uplifting than a warm mug of tea, & that's a fact. I went to Alberstons to stock up on some Lipton Green Tea & Lipton Green Tea Purple Acai Blueberry. I like to add a bit of "vitali-tea" to my every day. I'm sipping on some right now. Lipton's green teas allow me to stop, reset, & enjoy a moment to myself when things get hectic. I love the ritual of sip, sip, sipping as I wind down.

5. Treat Yo' Self

Now's the time to catch up on the latest episode of my favorite show. Let's be real, I know I'll just watch Friends on Netflix for the billionth time. I took some time to plan my next vacation — Paris. I drank my Lipton Green Tea Purple Acai Blueberry, listened to music, & helped my boyfriend, Fred, come up with his top 25 must-see Paris attractions. I finally had a chance to paint my nails a nice pastel blue for spring. I finally read my 3-month-old magazine because that's how behind I am! T'was a great day.


Blogger burnout is a real thing & should be treated with self-love & care. The smooth great taste & refreshing aroma of green tea inspires me to take a moment to feel good! Don't forget to stock up at your local Albertsons with $1 off Lipton Green Tea & let me know how it helps you #FillUpToFeelGood

Portland, Oregon is a beautiful city in the Pacific Northwest known for its parks, bridges, microbreweries, coffee houses, & eco-friendliness. This is an ideal destination for travelers in the USA seeking a 48-hour trip, definitely a popular city on the West Coast. 

My pro tip: visit in the fall so you can see just how glorious it can be. If you're looking for tips on how to spend 48 hours in Portland, Oregon, this is it! Stroll around downtown Portland, listen to music, play games at the arcade, buy local goods and products, eat food like fresh-baked bread or pizza, sip wine, & relish in everything that is Oregon. Spend a day or two in this magnificent city. 




Consult this two-day Portland travel guide if you want to experience all the Portland essentials (but you should stay longer if you can :] ). If you have a travel bug or want to do some more traveling the United States, check out this city. 

Whether enjoy shopping or local craft beer or food, there is a little bit of everything in this city. You'll feel included in some capacity. You'll find a hotel room or restaurant to suit your taste. From Powell's City of Books to scrumptious street food, there's a lot you can do in 48 hours in Portland, Oregon.

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First 24 Hours in Portland: Day 1

9 a.m. - Grab a coffee & pastry from the closest cafe to where you're staying. There are so many delicious patisseries in Portland, you can't go wrong. Try the Tarte Abricot Amande at St. Honoré Boulangerie or the almond croissant at Ken's Artisan Bakery. There are lots of great restaurants and brunch spots. *Instagram-friendly spot!

10 a.m. - Make your way to Waterfront Park for some remarkable river views. Walk the path as you digest your breakfast & take in the fresh air. Sit down and do some people-watching. *Personal Favorite

11 a.m. - Head to Portland Saturday Market, which opens at 10 a.m. This is the spot to thrift if you like vintage shopping. Browse through the vendors & see if anything catches your eye. Grab lunch while you're there. We got some amazing perogies from the Polish food cart.

1 p.m. - Spend the afternoon exploring Lan Su Chinese Garden, one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China. The garden melds art, architecture, design, & nature in serene harmony. Tickets are $9.50 for adults. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!

2:30 p.m. - Still hungry? Stop by Alder Street Food Cart Pod or Bamboo Sushi for a bite to eat. Both had a respectable amount of vegetarian options. The city has quite a lot of budding food carts & trucks if you want more affordable, quicker food. There are plenty of restaurants too. You could spend 48 hours in Portland just savoring the different dishes and cuisines.



3:30 p.m. - Make sure to carve out some time for Powell's City of Books in the Pearl District in downtown Portland. You won't want to miss this gargantuan book store. It's more of an experience than a store, really. We grabbed a couple books & some souvenirs. The Pearl District has a lot to offer. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!

5:30 p.m. - Bring some bills & let out your inner child at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade. Play Creature from the Black Lagoon pinball, Frogger, Donkey Kong, & more.
7:00 p.m. - Like beer? Get a flight of beer at Rogue Distillery & Public House. Pickled Piper was so delicious but opt for a taster rather than a full pint. Getting a flight allows you to sample a variety of the house beers. Wine lovers - there are local spots around downtown for you too. You'll find a menu with craft beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails all around town. There's a bit of everything.


8:30 p.m. - Stand in line & nab a pizza slice at Sizzle Pie in West Portland. Browse the menu while you wait. Grab a seat if you can or simply eat as you head to the next stop.

9 p.m. - Catch a movie at the Living Room Theaters. Seats are super comfortable & you can even drink a beer as you watch your movie. The theater is 21 & up after 7 p.m. Cinema 21 is a bit further away, but it's a great choice if you're looking for indie films. You can purchase beer or wine there too.

11 p.m. - Voodoo Doughnut is open 24-hours a day, so avoid the massive line & go at night. It's a popular spot for tourists & maybe a local or two. The Voodoo Doll doughnut is iconic, but I recommend the Memphis Mafia doughnut with its banana chunks & cinnamon, covered in a glaze with chocolate frosting, peanut butter, peanuts, & chocolate chips. The sign looks better at night anyway. *Instagram-friendly spot!

48 Hours in Portland: Day 2

9 a.m. - Sip on some of Portland's famous coffee. It's one of the city's finest attractions, well the most caffeinated at least. There's Coava Coffee Roasters, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, & so many other options. Check a map to find one close to you. Bonus option: go for tea at Steven Smith Teamaker. Go on a coffee tasting tour! *Instagram-friendly spot!

10 a.m - Breakfast begins at Blue Star Donuts. Yes, donuts again! I went to Blue Star in the afternoon on two different days & they were either closed or sold out. Go in the morning. The longer you're in line, the better everything looks. We got the Raspberry Rosemary Buttercream & the Meyer Lemon & Key Lime Custard donuts. *Instagram-friendly donuts!


11 a.m. - The Portland Japanese Garden is a haven of beauty dedicated to authentic Japanese garden design. Stop and smell the roses at International Rose Test Garden or head to Washington Park. Pittock Mansion is nearby & worth seeing.


2 p.m. - Time for some food & grub. Get ice cream at Ruby Jewel or Salt & Straw. Get a flight of beer & a cup of beer cheese soup at Cascade Brewing Barrel House. Eat the veggie bagel sandwich at Petunia's Pies & Pastries. Loads of tasty options in Portland. Lots of food options if you're staying in downtown Portland, Oregon!


3 p.m. - Head back into downtown & explore the Portland Art Museum. Tickets are $19.99 per adult, which is a bargain if you're an art lover. This may be the perfect place to spend the afternoon if it's particularly rainy or glum outside. Make sure to check museum opening time. They close at 5 p.m. every day besides Thursday & Friday.


5 p.m. - Snap a selfie at the Keep Portland Weird mural on 3rd Street between Burnside & Ankeny before it gets dark. *Instagram-friendly spot!


6 p.m. - After you're done at the mural, walk the Burnside Bridge to check out the White Stag sign. You only need to walk halfway across the bridge to land a good photo. The sign looks better at night. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!
6:30 p.m. - Do you like dive bars, a place that's low key, where the locals are, where everybody knows your name? You've had a long weekend & your trip is winding down. Kells Irish Pub is one of my favorite spots in Portland. Sip on one of their house-made brews & stay for dinner. Their fries are definitely in my top 10 fries EVER. Decent amount of vegetarian options too! 

Our first 30 minutes arriving in Portland late one evening, Fred & I felt hungry, tired, & unmotivated to figure out what to eat. I ultimately stepped up to lead us on a walk to nowhere. Most things were closed & I didn't have a plan but we just happened upon Kells Irish Pub. I swear those fries tasted like the most decadent fries in the entire world. We left with our bellies full & our minds happy with the start of our Portland trip.  *Personal Favorite



8 p.m. - The night is young. Giggle a bit at Helium Comedy Club. Listen to some tunes at the historic Crystal Ballroom. Hit up Commons Brewery. Make a pit stop at Splash Bar grab a drink & play some of their free arcade games.

Got extra time? Want to try something that's not on the Portland travel guide list?

1. Attend a Portland Timbers game. 
2. Spend the day at Colombia River Gorge looking at all the waterfalls & nature.
3. Visit the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium for some oddities & curiosities.
4. Go to Washington Park.
5. Have a fun-filled day of adventure, snowboarding, and more on Mount Hood.

Browse my other travel guides:

When I think about Portland, I picture those golden trees with leaves galore, the nippy mornings, the endless walking, the delicious donuts, & the coffee. Oh, the coffee. In order to stay alive & function with all the steps we trekked, Fred & I definitely needed some caffeine.

Thanks to Third Wave Coffee Tours*, Fred & I spent one morning exploring some of the finest coffee options in Portland, Oregon. I opted for their Pioneering Eastside Roasters Coffee Tour, a three-hour guided tour on the east side of the Willamette River.


The Eastside tour starts at 10 a.m. on Fridays & introduces you to top-notch espresso, cold brew variations, & even a cupping experience — the practice of observing the tastes & aromas in brewed coffee, basically a coffee tasting. This tour introduces you to the pioneering micro-roasters that sparked the third wave coffee revolution.

The tour began at Portland Roasting Coffee —  a sustainable & carbon neutral company —  where we waited a few minutes for the rest of the tour members to join. We tried the small but mighty macchiato with a bite of cookie before we were on our way to the next stop, Steven Smith Teamaker.

Yep, we went to a tea place during the coffee tour. Steven Smith is actually the mastermind behind Tazo Tea as well as Stash Tea. Go figure. We tried nitro chai tea with a touch of half & half. It was utterly glorious; I still dream about it. We also sampled both the iced & hot tea versions of the Sparkling Strawberry Honeybush. As a tea fan, this was my favorite stop of the day.



Then we began the journey to Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a brand that focuses heavily on sustainability, direct trade, & paying their coffee farmers liveable wages. The Stumptown visit was abundant in its information & coffee samplings. We sipped on quite a view varieties, but I was particularly in love with the Stumptown Chocolate Cold Brew, which is essentially coffee spiked chocolate milk. Yes please.



Next up on the tour was Coava Coffee Roasters with their cool & open wooden interior. Instead of using the traditional but wasteful paper filters, they created their own handmade cones with tiny holes to strain the coffee. We tried a single shot Guatemala macchiato & nibbled on bits of a cookie.

What is a Coffee Cupping?

A cupping is a coffee tasting where you observe the tastes & aromas in brewed coffee. For our cupping experience, we ventured to Buckman Coffee Factory. The cupping begins with smelling the freshly ground coffee & pointing out any odor descriptors such as earthy, floral, spicy, etc. Step two is to add water & smell again. The third step is to break the crust by taking a spoon & pushing the floating coffee grounds away while smelling again. The last step is to taste the coffee & compare notes with the others.



Our last coffee shop spot was Upper Left Roasters, where we sipped on their cold brew coffee with hazelnut macadamia milk. To wash everything down, we got a bite of their delicious country wheat toast with macadamia nut butter & banana. I'm not ashamed to admit that I grabbed a second piece of toast.


I left the Pioneering Eastside Roasters Coffee Tour feeling high on coffee & ready to take over the world. It's the perfect experience for any coffee lover, & I give it bonus points because there was time for tea. If you're in Portland & enjoy your fair share of coffee, Third Wave Coffee Tours is spot on.

Ever find yourself running late in the morning with not much time to create a hearty & healthy breakfast? If you're anything like me then it probably happens a lot — sometimes those extra 10 minutes in my warm cozy bed are too irresistible. To combat unhealthy decisions on those hectic mornings, add a bit of caffeine to breakfast with an easy & undeniably delicious bowl of mocha oatmeal.

I'm making 2017 the year of personal bests by feeling good about myself & taking care of myself. Self-love & self-care, y'all! In order to keep myself on track, I created this breakfast recipe to save time & still fill me up.

I've made this so many times, it's essentially foolproof. It'll give you a nice kick of caffeine while simultaneously filling you up for hours on end. Keep reading & you'll find out how to make this simple mocha oatmeal recipe. Let's get started!

Ingredients

1 cup soy milk

1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal

1 cup water

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1 tablespoon freeze dried coffee
1 teaspoon Truvia® Natural Sweetener Spoonable

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan bring soy milk & water to a boil.
2. Stir in oatmeal. Reduce heat & simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. After 5 minutes or when your oatmeal is almost to your desired texture, mix in the cocoa powder & coffee. Stir until thoroughly combined. Let sit for 2 minutes.
4. Remove pan from heat & stir in Truvia® Natural Sweetener Spoonable.
5. Add desired toppings & enjoy!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 - 10 minutes, depending on preference
Servings: 2

This recipe is simple & I absolutely love using Truvia® Natural Sweetener Spoonable since it's a zero-calorie, stevia-based sweetener. Oh, & it's effortless to use. I bought my Truvia® Natural Sweetener Spoonable at Ralphs. You may find it in the baking aisle along with your cake mixes, flour, & sugar. Truvia® is easy to spot because the packaging is bright green!

Make this mocha oatmeal once & I promise you'll never look back. It's insanely delicious. The proportions are straightforward & easy to remember. This recipe makes two servings, one to share or one for tomorrow. The Truvia® Natural Sweetener Spoonable adds the perfect amount of sweetness since it provides the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar, making it the perfect natural sweetener for those looking to reduce calories.


You can make your bowl of oatmeal even more beautiful by adding toppings like chia seeds, flaxseeds, fresh berries, chopped nuts, or more Truvia® Natural Sweetener Spoonable. We can make wiser decisions this year. Let's start breakfast off right. :]