This Is My Life | Cyberbullying

This Is My Life | Cyberbullying

Putting yourself out there on the internet or *IRL takes a lot of courage. Having a blog opens you up for all kinds of criticism, haterade, or anonymous comments. My world, the one I’ve created online, is pretty positive, but I’ve had my share of cyberbullying.

It’s important to fight back against trolls, for example you could use an instagram story viewer app to save any abusive posts so that you can use them as evidence against them. It’s also important to learn how you can avoid being exposed to this kind of harassment and Telus has an award winning Canadian program about how to protect you and your family online. They offer online info and offline info like in-person training sessions for business customers and their fams.

Telus is one of my longest standing relationships and this program is one of the reasons I love them. Not to mention the owl for this campaign. I like owls.

I’ve had more than one stalker over the years and had to contact the police several times about something internet related. I don’t share this stuff often because it’s hard to talk about. There’s also SO MUCH sad/bad news out there I want this to be a happy place for you when you’re having a bad day or want a cheer up.

The things about bullying is it can stay with you forever. It’s hard to forget the way they made you feel.

A couple of years ago a ‘friend’ had been commenting mean things under an alias for months. It was really hurtful, the things she said were spiteful, stuff only someone who knew me would say to be mean. I did some investigating and finally tracked the IP to her parent’s house and confronted her. She admitted she was jealous and was sorry.

Someone may apologize but the hurt stays. I was bullied heaps in school. In grade 9, a girl who failed and was in my grade spread rumors about me to the whole school starting with her grade 12 sister and her friends.

I distinctly remember a few girls a year older than me singing ‘All By Myself’ as I walked back from lunch break. I used to go home to my dad’s place across the street and watch Young & the Restless at lunch across the street, it was great! Except the walking back to school part… These girls sat in the school parking lot, smoking, gossiping, and they’d make fun of me, yelling mean things almost every single day. They also egged my house a couple of times. I grew up in Cambridge, Ontario, it was fairly common in small town. Strangely enough, a few of them are friends with me on Facebook and I bet they probably don’t even know how it made me feel, or remember.

My sister and I wrote down all the stories of girls, and a few boys being mean to us, determined to write a book. Until I get that book written, I have a blog.

A new national study has found youth are motivated to intervene when they witness cyberbullying, but would be more likely to do so with better support from adults. TELUS WISE, in partnership with PREVNet and MediaSmarts, conducted the research to understand the attitudes and experiences of youth who witness cyberbullying and the factors that influence whether or not they intervene.

I imagine if there was social media when I was in school and how hard it must be for kids now. On the bright side, bullying gets a lot more attention and is now punished by law. Be nice people! I’ve listed a few statistics below in relation to cyberbullying, but if you want to find out more, checking out sites like broadbandsearchcould show you the current impact of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can be emotionally devastating to those who find themselves being the target, particularly those who are targeted by real-world peers. Cyberbullying brings bullying into the home, and the level of anonymity and mob mentality online means that those who are susceptible to bullying can are easily targeted. Most young adults and teenagers have mobile phones and access to social media. They are also likely not to use the full, privacy settings options available to them. If you would like to find out more facts about cyberbullying, a search online can reveal studies on the topic

Key insights from the study that stood out to me include:

  • – 42 per cent of youth said they have been cyberbullied while 60 per cent said they had witnessed others being cyberbullied
  • – 71 per cent of those who saw cyberbullying did something to intervene at least once
  • – 90 per cent of youth said they would intervene if their family member were the target of cyberbullying while 37 per cent would intervene for someone they do not know personally
  • – Youth’s top-rated intervention strategies involved talking to an adult

If you’re ever feeling bullied or like you wanna each out to my my email is casie @casie stewart.com. If you wanna chat with someone else call here. For info on how to talk to your kids about bullying or resources for yourself, visit wise.telus.com.

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* IRL = In Real Life 🙂

This Is My Life | Snow, Holidays, Glamping, Boots

Listening to Christmas music and planning to decorate the house today. I might have had too much coffee but that’s OK! Woke up to snow and now it’s REALLY the holidays.  Have a couple things to get done first but I’m dying to pull out the decorations and get started. Is it too early for egg nog?

Booked a stay at a solar powered tree house in January via Glamping Hub. They reached out about a stay and I thought it would be nice to be nested in the forest in the middle of winter. Since the cottage is closed I need to keep my wilderness connection alive. It’s about an hour north of Toronto and you can bet I’ll be documenting my adventure.

I’d like to try actual glamping this summer, in a tent. Remember how last summer I really wanted to get a tent set up? Next year I’ll do it at the start of summer instead of trying at the end.

Yesterday I finally unboxed a paid of boots that arrived from Sorel Footwear via Klout Perks a couple months ago. Turns out, they’re super cute AF! I didn’t know Sorel had so many nice boots. These ones also come in a taller version or shorter in a bunch of colours.  This post isn’t sponsored by them but I would be happy if it was, I love these new cuties on my feet. *waves to Sorel across internet! 

I think yesterday was my last day getting away with just a leather jacket. Time to bring out the big guns coats! When it gets cold, remember, there’s no bad weather just bad outfits.

  

  

Monday, Take the Sunshine Wherever You Go

This weekend was just what I needed. After a busy Friday night celebrating 2 of my best friends I spent most of Saturday & Sunday on the couch with my nose in a book. Simon Schuster sent over an advance  copy of Hidden Bodies by  Caroline Kepness. It’s got murder, suspense, sex, and modern lingo like Facebook, Instagram, Tinder, etc. There’s a book before this one with the same character I need to go back and read now! Highly recommend. 

I didn’t realize there was a Second Cup at the Stockyards shops when I was there on Saturday, so I decided to try all the baked squares. The pecan was my fav followed by the lemon and Nanaimo. I love Nanaimo bars.  Really got me thinking about holiday baking and making some shortbread soon.


  

Sean made me the most lovely dinner of steak and scallops last night w/ sprouts, roast vegetables, and kale. Saturday night we stayed in watching Trainwreck w/ takeout. Something I love about the colder months is staying in the house with someone you love.

Today I’ve been in Facebook ads reporting all day and will be heading to the Beaches later to see my sister.   I’m really looking forward to reading more of my book once I wrap up all my duties for the day. Sorry this is a boring update lol.

Tomorrow I’m Sirius Xm at the Todd Shapiro Show and later this week I’m judging the finals for the travelcuts Travel Documentary Film Festival.

Never a dull moment! 
  

This Is My Life | 2x Bestie Birthdays 

This Is My Life | 2x Bestie Birthdays 

Last night was Lauren’s 30th and Maria’s 25th. We had so much fun. Lau’s BF planned a super fun birthday complete w/ masks of her face, bedazzling, photobooth, AND a glitter volcano. I took home the trophy for Busiest Beaver. ?
Maria’s BF planned a surprise dinner w/ her besties at Mr. Flamingo.

 The jewels from Lau’s BF were a hit at our final destination, dance party at The Libertine.      
 Cutest ever ❤️❤️❤️ 

Today’s plan includes maxing out in relaxing. Catching up on Scream Queens now and will probably get some takeout to go with my Netflix.

Enjoy the weekend! ✌?️?

 

 

Fashion | Illustration & Globe Style Advisor Party

Helloooooo & happy Friday! Last night I stopped by an event with the Globe & Mail in the Distillery, they’re setting up for the Toronto Christmas market that opens today. Tree lighting is at 4pm. I was planning to go but something else came up. Will go next week so I can ride the carousel.

A trend I’m totally loving at events lately is sketching. Artists/illustrators hired to draw guests. During fashion week I had a small painting done of me here.  This image was created by the very talented Jocelyn Teng. THANK YOU!casie_sketch_nologo

Bought Adele’s album last night. Listeneded to it about 10 30 times so far. My fav new song is Send My Love (To Your New Lover).  

  

I Know When That Springtime Bling ???


  

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TD Savvy Saver Quiz – Are Your Finances on Track?

Whether you’re a recent grad or mid-career, each stage of your life calls for some money management. Something I know I can always use help with!

It’s Financial Planning Week here in Canada (November 16-20) and  TD has launched an Savvy Saver Quiz, to help you understand your personal finances. By answering a few quick questions, TD will help you determine your financial stage and what considerations you should be making at this point in your life.

TD Savvy Saver Quiz - Are Your Finances on Track? @casiestewart @tdcanada

After going to college (Marketing @ Conestoga) and university in Australia (10 years, where did the time go!) I had a sizeable debt to tackle and I wasn’t really sure how I was going to manage it. I consulted a financial planner and put a plan in place. My hard work paid off and my debt was replayed by the time I was 30. Words can’t explain the joy I felt opening a letter stating it was done. Going to school overseas was a pricy but I wouldn’t change that experience. Living at Bondi Beach was a DREAM!

Not sure where to start? Take the TD Savvy Saver quiz to help figure out your current situation and where you need to be. By answering a few multiple choice questions, you can determine what stage you’re at financially, considerations you should be making, and find tips and advice to help you along the way. I’m in the stage where I’m getting all my financials sorted but buying a new house and family are on my radar. ☺️

If you’re keen to learn more about making your financial future positive, check out tdcanadatrust.com or my previous posts with TD on Planning for Life’s Unexpected Moments and Money Tips for Millennials.

XO

* post sponsored by TD, opinions and story my own obvs. Thanks for supporting me and following along ?

Tech | Another One Bites the Dust: RIP Rdio

The list of social sharing services I’ve seen disappear over the last five years keeps getting longer. A bit of sadness for Rdio this week as it’s been purchased by Pandora for $75M and filed for Chapter 11.

I’ve been using Rdio since early 2012 when it came to Canada after I was introduced to it at SXSW. Around them I took part in a round table to discussion on the future of music streaming and music piracy with a bunch of music execs and media. Canada.com covered the session (here).

After my free year of Rdio was up, I continued to pay $9.99 for the service the last few years, with my own money. Rdio was there for countless road trips, dance parties, summers on the dock, sing-alongs in the boat, and Christmas parties. I made heaps of playlists and Rdio has been part of all my fun the last few years. I mentioned it as one of my fav apps in interviews w/ ApexPR & Mad Hatter Tech.

It’s crazy how attached you become to a service, how integrated it becomes in your life. I was really sad when 12seconds.tv was purchased by AOL and dissolved, felt heartbreak over Dailybooth, and another wave of sadness when Viddy shut down.

Transfer Your Rdio Playlists to Apple Music

Today I’ve been transferring my Rdio playlists to Apple Music. TBH I don’t mind Apple Music but I really loved Rdio. I decided to fork over the $4.99 to have movetoapplemusic.com do the work of moving my playlists over from Rdio.

Luckily, I think Apple Music will be around for a while. I am really feeling this 90’s hip hop & R&B playlist from the commercial with Mary J. Blige. You’ll love it too, heaps of good jamz!

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Travel | A bad day at the cottage is better than a good day at work! ?

casiestewart, cottagelife, muskoka, the loft toronto, fashion, muskoka

I was a bit slack on blogging last week. Was feeling overwhelmed, I’ve had so much going on lately I feel like I’m constantly running. This weekend we closed the cottage. It was so beautiful out, the weather was fabulous, saw lots of stars, sun was shining shining, the leaves had fallen.  It was lots of work but nice. Something like ‘A bad day at the cottage is better than a good day at work.‘  

casiestewart, cottagelife, muskoka, the loft toronto, fashion, muskoka

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Travel | Travelcuts DOCUMENTARY Finalists – Vote for Your Fav

Hola and Happy Tuesday! Last week I viewed all the entries for the travelcuts documentary film festival and piked my favs. There were a handful of awesome entries. I’m dying to jump in a plane and go on an adventure after watching.

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It’s easy to vote, just share the hashtag that goes with your fav entry. I’ve listed each hashtag with the videos below. If you visit travelcuts.com/filmfest you can see the 3 finalist videos and easily vote there too.  Voting goes until Nov. 17th and the winner will be announced the following week at the screening. Exciting!

?☀️✈️?????✌️??❤️??

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