Interviewed by Skin Health Emporium
Bring yourself to life, explain what you do and why you do it? My name is Mo Seetubtim. I’m the Founder & CEO of The Happiness Planner. My vision is to inspire people to live a purpose and passion-driven life and to find happiness from within. To achieve that vision, for the past 3.5 years, I’ve been writing inspirational articles that help people live a better life and have been designing beautiful inspirational planners and journals that help you practice positive thinking, mindfulness, gratitude, and foster personal growth.
Everyone starts somewhere and that means with challenges and speed humps: Explain your pathway/journey up until now, what lead you to where you are today?
Since I was a child I’ve always wanted to have my own inspirational brand. I was lucky to grow up with a father who introduced me to several self-improvement books from a young age. I went on different routes trying different things from being a music-festival promoter to working at a media agency and an innovation agency. One thing led to another. Five years ago, I was out of jobs in Australia and was struggling to get another job because my visa was running out, I decided to get back into blogging. Blogging was my best friend. I kept myself inspired, motivated, and loved through words I found and words I poured out from my heart and soul. The blog grew to attract a lot of readers – to the point where I started receiving emails from my readers saying how inspiring my blog was to them. So I decided to ask them, “If I could write about one thing that makes your day, what should I write about?” A lot of people replied and said that they wanted to learn more about how they could be more positive and happier. I thought that was very interesting because even though there’re a lot of books about happiness and positive thinking, it’s not something that you could just read a book and change overnight. We know changing habits is hard. Changing our emotional and thought pattern is the same thing is not harder! So I tried to come up with an idea for something that could help people shift their perspective and focus, practice the new way of thinking, feeling, and being, and self-reflect more often so that they understand themselves better. So I came up with the idea of The Happiness Planner and launched it in March 2015.
What motivates and drives you to follow through with your goals and personal development? Sometimes our work can seem tedious and tiring. Sometimes we can get lost in the business world and feel overwhelmed by the competition. Sometimes we get sidetracked by shiny things. I think it’s important to keep reminding ourselves of our big vision. What are the things that I want to have achieved when I’m on my death bed reflecting on life? What would I want my kids to feel proud of when my kids think of what her mother has been doing with her life and what her contribution to the world is? What would I want to be in my memoir if I was to write one before I die?
What does beauty mean to you? Beauty means authenticity, soulfulness, vulnerability, being true and real. Beauty is not being afraid to be wrong or to be judged because you’re just doing you and living your authentic self. I think when people see that in you, they see the ‘beauty’ in you
What does it mean to be healthy? Being healthy means… you don’t get sick; you rarely need to see a doctor or go to the hospital; you rarely take medicines or even painkillers. You’re in a balanced equilibrium. I think when you get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, and make sure you’re in a positive frame of mind, it’s really hard for you to get sick because your body has high immunity.
What does your morning and
night routine look like?
As soon as I wake up, I have a quick shower and wash my face with Aspect Purastat 5 cleanser followed by Extreme C serum – I always finish my morning routine with Phytostat 9 moisturiser also by Aspect, which I absolutely love as it leaves my skin feeling and looking so hydrated and plump.
As for makeup, currently, I love using the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation – I always like keeping my make up as natural as possible. I’m a sucker for a good mascara, I’m addicted to TOO FACED better than sex mascara – You need to try it. I then I grab a coffee and hit the gym.
My night time routine is a little different, I love using the Retinol Brulee from Aspect. I use a mask once maybe twice a week – I like using a mask not only to give my skin some extra TLC and a boost but I feel it’s a really good time to put aside to be mindful and reinvest back into yourself. I like using the Enzymes Gold Mask from Aspect or Dermal Resurfacer Pumpkin Enzyme Mask from Peter Thomas Roth
Have you always been into skincare and wellness? When I was a teenager, I was obsessed with learning about nutrients and vitamins in fresh fruits and vegetables. What I learned back then is still stuck in my head. I try to consume fresh fruits and vegetables instead of taking supplements. I’ve never believed in taking supplements or artificial stuff. I try not to take anything that’s not natural into my body. My dad is very into natural and organic products. He even uses mangosteen shampoo! Growing up with him, he’s been a huge influence in my life choices.
How do you manage mental health and self-care? I listen to my body. Maybe I’m not self-disciplined enough, but I don’t like to push myself to work when I have a headache or feel tired. Your brain can’t think properly anyway when you’re in that state of mind. If I start having a headache or feel too tired, then I take a nap. I don’t even take painkillers unless I absolutely need to like when I have a really bad toothache or period pain.
The Art of Listening
to Your Body….
I think self-care and mental health is really simple – listen to your body. Don’t push yourself over the edge when you already feel burnt out – you will only end up having a mental breakdown. Sometimes we can get lazy with taking care of ourselves, but all it takes it making it a habit. If you make sure you wash your face and moisturise it properly every day, then it becomes a habit that you do on autopilot. If you make it a habit to go for a 10-min run every morning, then one day it will become a habit that helps you start your day. Being depressed is also a habit – you leave yourself feeling depressed for too long that you can’t get out of it anymore. As soon as you are about to get into a bad habit, you need to pinch yourself and take a different action. Force yourself to get used to doing the right thing and practicing good habits. Eventually, it will become a part of who you are and your lifestyle.
I want a friend who is a success chaser.. I want people who are success conscious..I want people who are really reading motivational or inspirational books to mingle with….