#journalling out of me and make it more healthy while also letting me focus on the poetry and thoughts n art <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[catboybrain]

part of my soul dies every time i spend more than $100 on anything ever. but the plus side is i get a one piece cover for a type of journal im going 2 fall in love with and use all my life so thats a fair trade itll help grow my soul back

[natalchartnurtures]

PAC: Energy Check~ for wherever you are right now

This was completely unplanned but frankly spirit doesn't give a fuck about my plans. So if this found you, here are some messages you probably need right now-

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pile 1: Ooh.. as I was preparing to start your reading, I saw 11:11 as the Chariot card showed up for you. This. Tells me that you are pretty strongly connected to your divine path right now, which simply means that you're doing something that's keeping you in alignment, sweet pile one! Good job! Keep going down this road because you WILL stumble upon amazing experiences and people! This message is coming through quite strongly. Now, isn't that lovely? Hehe.

Here's the thing, though.. Although you're actually IN alignment with your greatest timeline and life, you seem to be completely UNAWARE of the fact! You might be going through the necessary purging emotionally and/or mentally as a result of this alignment since the "old stuff" has no more room in your new vibration anymore. So, you've probably had to go through some intense endings and/or tower moments in life lately and THIS has left you feeling really, really sad. Maybe even depressed. For some of you, if that's the case, please seek help, sweet soul. It doesn't have to be therapy but even as simple as talking to a trusted loved one, you know? Or even journaling about it could help if you're into it. It seems like you could use a new perspective on the things you're going through right now. I'm sensing that you might be feeling emotionally numb right now too, but that's because you've been doing a lot of emotional processing lately AND IT'S ALL PAYING OFF. I just need you to know that. You just can't see it right now because you're slap dead in the middle of the storm, and I'm looking at it from a bird's eye view, you know?

While you're purging old stuff, I also see you making your way through an old core belief - "I gotta work hard to be deserving of anything because I inherently don't" Or something along those lines. You may have started purging this belief as a result of life showing you that it's simply not something worth keeping alive inside you. Maybe recently, you caught yourself overworking yourself to death only to receive very little in return (in any area of your life - relationships included) and this experience helped you wake up to this unhelpful belief of yours. You're unlearning this belief as we speak. It's not easy though, but I CAN assure you, you're acing it.

If you find yourself worrying too much about anything and everything or simply feeling a general fear, just know that it's a normal reaction to having things uprooted in your life. Life, right now, is asking you to do your best to focus on what's right in front of you because if you do this, the future is guaranteed to sort itself out. I promise.

I love you so much, pile 1. I see all your hard work and am rooting for you SO hard, bro. Love and light.

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Pile 2: Seems like to me that y'all have been STUCK in a particular pattern for a while now, maybe years? For some of you folks reading? Let me spell it out for you what this pattern looks like to me - an imbalance of the mind and heart. Too much mind and too little heart. Maybe none at all.

I can't seem to tap into the root of this imbalance, maybe because it's different for each of you reading, OR maybe it's not relevant to us right now because you can simply begin to address this imbalance as you see it in your day-to-day. But I sense that you're really good at addressing things, so once you're conscious of this pattern going on subtly in the background, running your life, you can really do something about this. This pattern may show up as you struggling with feeling fear, and this is blocking you off to one very important thing fear is here to show us, and that is how to support ourselves. If we are afraid of something we desire and have a healthy relationship with fear, we go for the desire while caretaking our fear. I read a quote the other day, it said "Do that thing you love but if you find that you're scared, then go do it scared." The point I'm trying to make is, fear isn't going to go away on its own, it's you who will simply expand your ability to hold space for it AND your desires equally. When you figure out how to do this, magic will happen in your life. You'll find that your unwillingness to caretake your fear only gave you more things to be afraid of (because, hello, Law Of Attraction *lol*), BUT you'll also find that when you radically start taking responsibility for your fear(s), you'll be able to act from a wiser space and be your full badass self. You'll find that there are so many things you CAN do and so much life you CAN live. Everything you've wanted to start doing in life will start to happen almost seamlessly. It WILL surprise you big time. You're currently making your way through an important part of your healing, and that is to hold yourself in all your glory. To hold all parts of yourself, even the ones that are scared shitless. Once you've integrated this segment of your healing, SO many doors will unlock for you. Sweet soul, you have no clue of JUST HOW MANY. And this… is probably because you manifest with your heart primarily (meaning you feel things deeply and so you unknowingly tap into the frequency of what you want easily) and your fear is keeping you stuck in your head, which means you're only 40% of the full You right now, PRIOR the healing of c. You might even feel it sometimes. You might feel like you're only a shell of a person (been there myself, you're not alone in this!). Listen to that feeling. Your truth lies in there. You're meant to be the 100% you, and I see that you're already halfway there!

I love you so much, pile 2, sending you so much light and love. Hope you find the resources you need to make it through to your new life where you live in more love than fear.

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Pile 3: Man… y'all been fighting for your lives, huh? I see that you may be in the midst of a lot of divinely evoked darkness? Lol, I literally heard that - divinely evoked darkness. Maybe you're going through a dark night of the soul, perhaps? Whatever your're going through though, it seems like you've been hanging on for dear life.

Some good news for you- no matter the circumstances you're in right now (be it good, bad, or terrible), you've been doing all the work necessary to keep your head above water and have been diligently nurturing your own light, positivity, and essence. THAT'S incredible resilience, sweet pile 3, and I'm really proud of you! It's not easy to keep an open heart through bad times, and that's such a grand achievement in my eyes. UGH, BEAUTIFUL.

Your energy SCREAMS transition period vibes. You seem to be neither in your "old" timeline nor in the new one yet. You're sorta hanging in the middle right now. I see the Hanged Man in the third eye as I tell you this. Feels like you're in the void right now, and things just seem… bleh. Boring. Colorless. This is probably because you're already done with the ugly part of the process, "the divine shakeups", the loss, and the purge. Think… the bland but peaceful feeling you feel after having an intense ugly crying session, you know? Yeah, you're energetically there right now. You'll probably be here for a while longer because you've let go of MAJOR stuff, pile 3. Did you let go of people recently, maybe? Or that old bad habit, perhaps? That was the purge, so to speak. And now you're in the aftermath of it all, the uncomfortable but necessary calm.

-Side note: You might've struggled to embody your divine feminine earlier, but the timeline you're entering right now is the exact opposite of that. You might be attracted towards things that will help you nurture your own divine feminine right now. Give into it. Nurture patience, stillness, and compassion for self. It will HOPEFULLY speed up the void period if you consciously take part in it, you know?-

You're quite emotionally intelligent, and it has guided you throughout the whole process, and it also seems like it ain't your first rodeo in the process of proverbial death and rebirth. Good on you because you're doing a real good job keeping your calm through venturing into the unknown. You know what? You remind me of Elsa from Frozen, taking on the unknown like it belongs to her. You are such a queen, omg.

Yep, all that's left to do now is celebrate yourself, pile 3! Try your best to embrace this period, the void, and you'll be on your way to your next happy adventure! Love and light, sweet soul. Thanks for sharing your energy with me today.

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[chxnsgirl]

방찬 ─── cracks in the mirror

⋆｡ ˚༘ ♫ silent cry - stray kids

♡ pairing ៸៸ idol!chanx afab!reader genre ៸៸ angst, fluff ៸៸ cw ៸៸  slight angst, as well as fluff, mentions of body/weight issues, slight ed behavior/mentions (sorry), mean girl mina, reader is referred to as a girl but there's no specification on anything other than weight, chan is a sweetheart, lmk if i missed anything ♡ synopsis ៸៸ you're struggling with your body image, and when something rude is said about you at work, a special someone comes to console you. a/n ๑ djhfgjdf i feel like this is bad and i could've written it better :( sorry if it disappoints. also let me know if you'd like more fluff or angst from me. i'm kind of trying it out. [ 2.9k words ]  ♡ m.list

the work dynamic today was strange. you were working with your friends, han, changbin, and chan, helping out with music production and note taking. this was a normal day, or at least, it would have been, without mina present.

mina is.. to put it bluntly, the biggest pick-me-bitch you’d ever met. she was normally assigned to work with itzy on their productions, but this particular day, she needed to fill in for a staff member who couldn’t make it into work. she put on a facade around everyone else, but you saw her for what she really is, an emotional vampire, manipulative snake, and an attention whore. you realized it when she only talked to you when you were around the guys. 

you two were hired together, during a group interview process, and she was so nice to you.. until she found out you’d be the one working with stray kids. if you weren’t around the members, she’d be cold to you, never saying more than a few words to you before finding an excuse to get away from you. 

the way she acts alone would annoy any sane person, but it annoyed you times ten when you noticed the way she’d flirt with any male in her presence. especially chan, who you weren’t as close with, but you couldn’t help but gain some feelings for him while working for him, and though he almost never reciprocated the flirtation, you felt as though compared to her you stood no chance. 

and why is that? she was gorgeous. that, you couldn’t even deny. she was white, and she had blonde hair, striking blue eyes, which were framed by her long eyelashes. not to mention, she was skinny. she was the beauty standard. you had struggled with your weight your whole life. you were always the chubby kid in your class, the chubbiest out of your friends. you became accustomed to feeling inferior to basically any skinnier woman in your proximity. 

so, even though you extremely disliked mina, you couldn’t help but envy her. she was beautiful–physically flawless. imagine the disappointment you dealt with everyday knowing nobody else was aware of her wretched personality. 

the sad part was that you actually lost a significant amount of weight since then, but you still felt like the same girl you were in high school, extremely overweight and invisible. you weren’t skinny still by any means, but you were healthy, and that’s what’s most important. 

you mentally cursed to yourself as you looked at the time on your apple watch. it was only 1pm. at least you only had a good two hours until it was time to go home, since changbin needed to end early for a prior engagement. while you were typing away, mina was sitting on the leather couch next to you, about a foot away, half-way paying attention to what was actually going on. 

han was sitting in a chair about two feet away, writing in his journal, and chan and changbin were directing seungmin in the booth, lost in concentration. 

you try to focus on the task in front of you, but you can feel her eyes on you, like she’s studying you for some kind of weakness. you glance up, just in time to catch her watching you, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“hey,” she begins, her voice light and overly sweet, as if she’s sharing a secret. “can i ask you something?”

you sighed, already dreading whatever’s coming next. “what?”

mina shifted slightly on the couch, her tone now casual, like she’s making conversation. “i’ve been meaning to ask, you know… how do you deal with, like... not having to worry about, well, fitness and stuff? like, you’re so relaxed about it. i mean, i can’t imagine just… not caring about how i look all the time.” she tilted her head, her eyes narrowing just enough to show she’s enjoying the discomfort she’s causing.

you felt a pang in your chest, but you try to mask it, pretending like her words don’t bother you. mina leaned back on the couch, a mockingly sympathetic expression crossing her face. “it must be so nice not to stress about it like the rest of us. you’re just so… comfortable, right?”

the condescension in her voice is unmistakable, and it’s almost impressive how she managed to turn an innocent comment into another thinly veiled jab. you could practically hear the unspoken “must be nice” ringing in the air.

you tried to keep your face neutral, but her words hung in your mind, a reminder of the deep-seated insecurity she knows how to exploit so effortlessly. a part of you was pissed off; not at her high-school attempt to make you feel insecure–but the fact that it actually hurt your feelings. “mina-” you started, but you’re cut off, and she speaks up again. “i mean, more power to you. i’d feel so self conscious with all that extra weight.”

neither you or mina notice han’s eyes subtly watching mina, his attention fixed on your conversation now rather than his writing. 

your body heated up in embarrassment, and you try your best to swallow the lump in your throat. you felt your stomach tighten, but you force a smile, doing your best to mask the irritation creeping up your spine. you took a slow breath before responding, making sure your voice comes across calm, maybe even a little amused.

"well, mina," you began, keeping your tone light, "i guess i'm just lucky. i've always been comfortable with myself, you know?" you glance at her, making sure to meet her eyes with an easy, unbothered look. "not everyone feels the need to be so... obsessed with their appearance."

you let the words hang for a second, watching her expression flicker slightly. you knew that would get under her skin.

"guess it's just one of those things you either have, or you don’t," you added, giving her a half-smile as if it’s no big deal. "but hey, i’m sure we all have our own ways of dealing with things."

you turned your attention back to your work, knowing full well that she won’t push any further—not with the way you just shot her down without even raising your voice. mina forced a smile and a quiet chuckle before adjusting on the couch, facing forward and pulling out her notepad. 

as soon as mina turns her attention off you, han turns his off both of you, scribbling in his journal once more. he knew he should have spoken up, but it wasn’t the time or place, and he needed to be professional. you felt the same. as much as you wanted to find a way to reveal mina’s true personality to everyone present, your work and the work of everyone else in the room was so much more important than how you felt about her. 

still, her words rang in your head the rest of the session, and you found yourself unable to focus. 

you must have zoned out during the rest of the session, because before you knew it, everyone was packing up to leave. as you shoved your laptop in your bag, you heard mina’s insufferable giggle from across the room. you looked over and saw her talking with chan, being flirty as always. 

witnessing this along with the emotions you had been holding back for the past two hours became too much. you felt the lump form in your throat again and the tears pricking the back of your eyes. you quickly gathered your things and walked down the hall to the furthest practice room. you sat your bag on the floor and plopped on the couch as you began to let the tears fall. you buried your face in your hands as you let out a few quiet sobs. everytime mina was around, you felt so inferior to her. she was the perfect girl, on the exterior, and she knew how to make herself seem so sweet. but she was so rude to you. for what? 

you reached over and grabbed a tissue, blowing your nose. as you sniffled, on the brink of pulling yourself together, the door to the practice room opened. in walked chan, who was equally surprised to see you sitting there. however, his expression turned from shock to concern as he saw you with tear stained cheeks. “y/n?” he turned and closed the door behind him. “what’s wrong?” he set his things down on the desk and sat next to you on the couch, putting his arm around you. this made tears well in your eyes again and you let out another cry, covering your face in embarrassment. 

“hey,” he rubbed your arm softly in an attempt to comfort you. “it’s okay,” he cooed, making both your heart flutter and ache at the same time. he reached around you and grabbed the box of tissues, holding them for you. you grabbed another and wiped your eyes as you sniffled, your breathing ragged from how intense your crying was. “i’m sorry,” you said weakly, staring down at the makeup on the tissue. “don’t apologize. what’s wrong?” he was still rubbing your arm gently as you tried to calm yourself and find the right words to say. “i can’t.. i can’t tell you,” you sniffled, fighting back another round of sobs. “why not?” 

“it's too embarrassing.” you scoffed at yourself, looking at anything in place of him. “y/n.” he started. “not if you’re this upset over it. you can talk to me, you know that.” 

“i just.. i hate my body.” you weeped, shaking your head. “i can’t stand to look at myself.” 

“what?” chan asked, pulling away from you, as if he was shocked. “you hate your body?” you nodded sheepishly. “why?” he sounded as if he couldn’t believe it. “because, well, look at me, chan!” you gestured to your body as you sniffled again. “seriously, i don’t even know why you stand to look at me.” 

“okay, stop.” chan chuckled, and you finally looked up at him. “there is nothing, and i mean nothing, wrong with your body. what makes you think that?” you sniffled again, debating on if you should tell him your reasoning or just brush it off with just “a lack of self-confidence”. you inhaled deeply before you started to explain. “when i was younger, i was always the bigger girl in my grade. i was always the butt of my classmates’ jokes, i was always the girl nobody would ask out. so, i vowed to lose the weight, no matter what it took. i worked out for hours, restricted my eating down to the bare minimum, and here we are.” you gestured to your body. “over a hundred pounds lost.” you looked down at your hands. “but, everytime i look in the mirror, i still see that overweight girl looking back at me. and everytime i eat a meal, i get terrified of turning back into her.” 

a moment of silence passed before you spoke up again. “its stupid, isn’t it?” you chuckled at yourself. “no, it’s not.” he shook his head. “it's not your fault you feel this way. people should have been kinder to you.” he said softly. “im so sorry you went through that. but.. that’s not who i see when i look at you, not at all. i see.. a creative, talented, pretty girl. your weight doesn’t cross my mind, not at all.” he shook his head as he said the last bit. “really?” you looked up at him, your brows furrowing. he nodded and smiled, his gaze still softer than ever. “really.” he hesitantly reached forward and pushed some hair off your face. you blushed and looked down, realizing you must look crazy with all your makeup running down your face. 

“thank you.” you dabbed under your eyes again. “no need to thank me,” you could hear the smile in his voice. “i’m just telling the truth.” 

you smiled weakly and nodded. “come here.” he turned to face you more and opened his arms for a hug. you smiled and hugged him tightly, your arms wrapped around his neck. he squeezed you into the hug as well, rubbing your back. after a moment of embracing each other, you pulled away more calmed down. “i must look crazy right now.” you laughed, reaching for your hand mirror. he chuckled as well and stood up, going to his bag. “i have something that can help with that,” he said, rummaging through his things. he came back over to you with his makeup wipes. “here.” he sat next to you and pulled one out, handing it to you. “thanks,” you said before wiping off all your makeup. once you were finished, you looked over at him, noticing he was still watching you with an amused smile. “did i miss a spot?” you asked. 

he shook his head. “no. i've just.. i've never seen you without makeup before. you look pretty.” you blushed at his compliment and scoffed. “you’re just saying that.” 

“im not! i swear i'm not.” he exclaimed. “you really are pretty, y/n.” his words made you break eye contact briefly. “thank you, channie.” you peeked at him. “mhm,” he hummed in response. you smiled to yourself and walked over to the trash can to throw away your tissues and the makeup wipe. you sat back down after, sighing. “you think im pretty..” you thought you were just thinking to yourself, but you realize you said it out loud, and a blush creeps onto your cheeks, making chan smirk a little. “yeah, i do.” he nodded. 

“i also think you’re.. funny, kind, and hard-working.” he complimented you. 

your heart fluttered at his words, and you couldn't help but feel the warmth spread across your chest. “i’m… hard-working?” you chuckled nervously, not quite used to hearing such kind words about yourself.

“of course,” chan grins, his eyes soft. “you’re always giving your best at everything you do. that’s something i admire about you.”

you bit your lip, feeling a mix of emotions. the weight of everything that had been building up throughout the day, all the insecurities, the hurt, it all felt lighter somehow. chan’s presence, his support, the way he’s genuinely there for you, it gave you a sense of calm that you hadn't felt in a long time.

you shifted on the couch, your mind racing with thoughts you hadn't been brave enough to say aloud before. “it’s just hard, sometimes, you know? i’ve spent so long thinking that my worth is tied to my appearance… or what people think of me. and hearing you say that… it makes me feel like maybe i’ve been looking at things the wrong way.”

chan leaned back slightly, giving you a reassuring smile. “you are so much more than just your appearance, y/n. everyone sees something different in you. but i see you for who you really are–you don’t need to worry about fitting some image of what ‘pretty’ is. you already are, inside and out.”

you’re quiet for a moment, letting his words sink in. it’s hard to believe sometimes, but hearing him say it with such sincerity gives you hope.

“thanks, chan,” you say softly, your voice steadying. “for everything. for… just being here.”

he smiled, his expression tender. “anytime, y/n. i’m always here for you.”

you nod, feeling a little more at peace than you had when you first walked into this room. maybe things wouldn't change overnight, but for the first time in a while, you felt like you weren’t alone in this battle. and maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

after a beat of silence, the door clicked open and you heard a familiar voice. “hey chan, can i-“ han stopped in his tracks when he saw you two sitting on the couch talking. “oh, sorry.. i thought it was only chan in here.” he said awkwardly. “oh, no, it’s okay. i need to get going anyway. i have some work to catch up on.” you reached down to grab your bag. 

“wait,” chan stood up as you did. you looked up at him, but he glanced over at han before looking back down at you. “are you gonna be okay taking the subway?” he asked you. you laughed and nodded. “i’ll be fine, chan. i’ll text you when i get home.” you gave him a small smile before walking past him, where han was holding the door open for you. “bye han!” you waved before walking down the hallway. 

“is she okay?” han asked chris, closing the door behind him. chris sighed and sat back down on the couch, nodding. “she’s just going through some stuff.” chris looked up at him. “what did you need?” 

“that's.. kind of why i was coming to talk to you. i heard mina talking to her in the studio today. she was.. saying things about her body.” han said nervously, holding onto the back of one of the desk chairs. “what?” chan asked, a hint of frustration coming out in his tone. “what did she say?” his nostrils flared as he looked up at han. “she, uh.. she was just talking about how y/n was so brave for being confident with ‘extra weight’.” he said uncomfortably. repeating something as rude as that felt unnatural to him. especially since you had done nothing for that unwarranted criticism. 

chan sighed and shook his head. he was pissed he had missed that happening. he would have definitely nipped it in the bud if he heard it. “i’ll talk to mina tomorrow.” he managed to remain as calm as he could. “thanks for telling me, han.” 

©chxnsgirl do not repost, translate, or copy my works in any way, shape, or form.

[ivesambrose]

August 2024 Mini Messages 💛

1. 2. 3.

Like that Taylor Swift song right?

I intend that everyone has a good month regardless of the astrological weather.

To book a personal reading with me DM or email me at ivesambrose@gmail.com

Services Offered

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Picture 1

You'll be diving in deep into your subconscious this month even if it means wanting to isolate from people and places for a while. Suddenly everything seems So over the top', right? And nothing and no one is phasing you anymore. This month is the first page of a big journey you're about to take so if you don't have a journal already I'd highly recommend you start logging down certain things for the purpose of accountability, gratitude, planning, manifestion, learning as well as progress. I'm letting you know, whatever you're about to do for yourself will make you stand out and you might feel a certain responsibility upon yourself as you end up inspiring others as well. You may be a person with more independent way of thinking and doing things so it'll feel strange when you end up becoming someone who leads by example. You might find yourself breaking out from a restricted environment, mindset or lifestyle. It is likely your financial situation improves as well. You might feel a bit eccentric this month with your ideas and thrist for knowledge and experiences that shape you as a person.

You might just block out the things that don't serve you and fixate on what you want deliberately. You're too engrossed in your own world and your own untouched potential to consider anything else that is eating up too much of your valuable focus. You have decided to become a version of yourself that you have chained up for long and you will become it.

Picture 2

Your entire focus and drive has shifted to your career and public image. You've decided that even if you have to go at it alone, you will gO at it alone. But this month you'l likely learn that you aren't as by yourself as you thought you have been. Be mindful of doing anything impulsive or taking on more than you can chew or over exerting your body. Some of you may also find a healthy outlet for the emotions you have been putting a lid on. You might make new friends or deepen your relationship with existing ones. There will be moments of joy and celebration too when you least expect it. Deep down you have this inner knowing that things will go smoothly or will work out if you simply have just a teeny tiny bit more faith in yourself. You might be making travel plans too that will likely take off in September. You will also be building up your confidence this month and might also be learning a new skill, taking up a hobby or language. Thing is, you will be forced to take a pause in between or simply slow down and when that happens you might wonder okay how long is this going to take? Or you might assume your progress has halted which is far from the truth, you're in for a sweet victory consider it a reward for your persistence and your mindset.

Picture 3

There's a need to go off the radar and keep certain things private to the public eye. You might feel uncomfortable and untrusting towards a lot of people maybe you're right too, some of them aren't as reliable and don't really have your best wishes at hand. You might also consider investing in something privately for yourself for future use or you might get a return on an investment you had made. A lot of you may have been dealing with resentment, grief or some kind of fear, maybe past actions of someone towards you or how you had been with them. However. you'll find clarity and make peace in regards to what you're going through. You'll overcome something that has been hovering over you like a dark cloud for months. Some of you might also be manifesting love or end up manifesting a connection that earlier felt impossible to have in your life. You may also consider making business plans this month that you will likely launch by the end of the year. You may also consider cutting chords and might feel a sense of guilt doing so, but you'll feel much lighter and you'll find love and wealth and overall mental peace flowing into your life much easier. All the weight you've been carrying is itself begging you to let go of it, it no longer has anything to serve in your life.

[emptypapertowelholdermodelx]

weekly rituals with my deities - a study in motivation, worship, routine, & relationships

while working with apollo today he approached the subject of my lack of relationship with the deities i have been worshipping. he acknowledged how it bothered me. while praying to hekate, she pushed the word “try” into my mind several times as i lamented about how i “couldn’t” keep up with everyone i wanted to, and how my faith was waning as i lacked devotion, focus, and motivation. apollo and hekate, together, suggested i pick a day of the week to worship each deity separately. j can continue my small, daily routines (sleep for hypnos, yoga for the morrigan, pills for apollo, etc.), but i may find it easier to pick a day to devote to each deity as well. i worship seven deities, and there are conveniently seven days in the week.

all of this was confirmed when i saw a post here about how i should do the same. i knew apollo and hekate sent the post my way to confirm what they were already telling me - sign, if you will. confirmation.

in that case, i’m writing my routines and devotional acts out here, as a way to stay motivated, accountable, and have it on hand whenever i need it.

every day i plan to pray to them more intensely than usual and offer something small, whether that be a portion of my meal, a flower i found, or a cool rock.

sunday; apollo’s day. pray to him, offer something to him. sunbathe in the window, or outside, in the morning. make a point to dedicate my medicine-taking to him. journal a little, and do a weekly tarot spread to honor his divination aspect.

monday; the morrigan’s day. pray to her, offer something to her. read one of my books about her. do an intense yoga routine to get the blood pumping - no skipping out on this! journal while praying to her.

tuesday; anpu’s day. pray to him, offer something to him. do some shadow work - this could be free writing, a tarot spread accompanied by journaling, or following some prompts. i’ve found that anpu really appreciates when i perform shadow work, and as a death deity, i think ill start a trend of working through my death trauma with him on tuesdays.

wednesday; hyacinthus’ day. pray to him, offer something to him. on wednesdays i will make a point to talk and pray to him while i water my plants, pick weeds, and check on the overall health of my garden and health plants. i’d like to also do some introspective journaling on love and the trauma i am working through, as hyacinthus’ main goal with me is to build a healthy relationship with my partner.

thursday; hypnos’ day. a soft, calm day. not much goes on. i offer to him, and pray to him. perhaps i can take an extra long nap. i can cleanse my bed altar, make it all tidy, and do some devotional prayers and restful activities in bed. i will also make a point to dedicate that night’s sleep to him, and invoke him to appear in my dreams if he’s willing.

friday; hekate’s day. offer to her and pray to her. read one of my books about her. perform a magical spell or ritual, no matter how big or small. right now it’s hard to do full blown spells as i’m working in the broom closet at my christian sisters house, so i don’t have much of my supplies. but manifestation and intention setting will be one way i can accomplish this.

saturday; hestia’s day. pray to her and offer to her. clean my room and tidy up my space in dedication to her. light a candle while i pray to her, and let her energy fill my room. maybe do some baking in her honor, like a sweet desert or an attempt at bread.

i am hoping to follow this routine for my gods and myself. this will help me refocus on my practice and get in touch my deities again, who i’ve been slightly neglecting in favor of doing nothing all day.

i had an insightful time with apollo and hekate, and hope they’re proud of me as i implement their ideas into the coming weeks <3

[deepestdelulu]

Hi! I’d like some advice about something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I’ve realized that I’m not at all the person I want to be, and I really want to change that. I’ve been thinking about simply uninstalling my social media and truly starting over in a more radical way, becoming someone like Paris Geller. Something truly transformative, you know? I’d love to hear your opinion on this, especially since you inspire me so much.

(I love your blog from the bottom of my heart! 🩷)

Hii sweetheart, let me just say: you’re about to make such a bold, amazing move. Deciding to change and become the person you’ve always dreamed of being is not only possible—it’s totally within your reach. And aiming for that Paris Geller vibe? Love it! She’s ambitious, focused, and unstoppable, so you’re setting the bar high (as you should!).

Now, you must remember that real transformations is a journey, not a single dramatic leap. It’s all about small, consistent actions that lead to big changes. So don't despair if the change is not as fast as you expected. Since I love lists, here’s a list to help you start turning your vision into reality (hope you like it!!):

Get super clear on who you want to be.

Write it all down: What does your ideal self think, do, and believe in?

Make a vision board (digital or physical) to keep yourself inspired and focused.

Set clear, actionable goals.

Break your goals into categories: health, relationships, career, mindset, hobbies.

For example, if you want to be as well-read as Paris, commit to reading one book a month or taking an online course.

Cut out distractions and prioritize what matters.

Replace that time with things that actually fuel you, like journaling, meditating, or learning a new skill.

Build routines that boost productivity.

Start your mornings intentionally: plan your day and set your top priorities.

Use tools like planners to stay organized and on track. (Make sure to find a cute diary to motivate you) :)

Focus on healthy habits.

Move your body every day, even if it’s just a walk or a quick workout.

Fuel yourself with good food that energizes you and keeps your mind sharp.

Surround yourself with inspiration.

Find people who motivate you and push you to grow.

Join groups or communities where you can share goals and ideas. I started going to the gym few months ago and there I found a lot of people with the same goal as me (change my mindset and body)

Master the art of saying “no.”

Channel your inner Paris and focus on what actually matters. Protect your time and energy like your future depends on it (because it kind of does).

Celebrate your wins—big or small.

Every step forward is progress. Acknowledge it and enjoy it.

Most importantly, remember this transformation is for YOU. It’s not about impressing anyone else; it’s about waking up every day proud of who you’re becoming. Radical changes are exciting but can also feel overwhelming. If you stumble, get back up. If you doubt yourself, reread what you wrote about who you want to be. And above all, trust yourself. You’ve got everything it takes to make this happen.

I’m already so excited to see the incredible person you’re going to become, (at least more than what you already are). You’ve got this girllll!!!

Love yaaa ♡

[nenelonomh]

how to create routines (and the benefit of good routines)

let's start with this: what is a routine?

a routine is a set of behaviors that are regularly followed, without much thought or planning. it is a habitual way of doing things that becomes ingrained over time. routines are less structured and more adaptable since they focus on the order in which tasks are done, rather than the specific timing.

routines are consistently mistaken to be the same thing as a schedule, except a schedule is a planned outline of tasks/events that are completed at specific times. essentially, routines focus on establishing consistency and habit whereas schedules are about precise time management and task prioritisation. both have their purposes and benefits--routines are typically better for an effective wake-up or bedtime.

here's some steps to help create better routines:

set clear goals define what you would like to achieve with your routine. maximising productivity? improving health? learning more?

start small begin with small, manageable habits that you can consistently perform and add to these over time.

focus on consistency try to perform your routine at the same time every day and establish it as a habit.

plan for obstacles just because routines require significantly less planning than schedules does not mean that all planning is ignored. think about what may derail your routine and plan ways to overcome these challenges.

track your progress tracking your progress can provide accountability and motivation. for me, once a month i sit down and write my current routine (morning; night) and compare it to my desired routine (morning; night). then i try to close the gaps. other ways to track your progress include keeping a journal or tracking in an app.

be flexible life is unpredictable. be prepared to adjust your routine as needed while staying focused on your goals.

reward yourself celebrate your successes, no matter if they seem small. this is essential as it helps to maintain motivation, and cement your identity as someone who values their routine.

but joanne, what are some good habits to start with?

don't worry! i got you.

☆ wake up early. this helps prevent stressors of time, and gives you the ability to add more things to your morning routine.

☆ exercise. i will forever preach exercise. a quick session can boost your metabolism, focus and mood.

☆ positive affirmations positive affirmations boost your mindset and confidence and will help so much in the long run.

☆ make your bed in the morning so many people don't make their bed in the morning, and i seriously don't understand why. it makes you feel more put together and is a small task that accomplishing can set you up for a day of wins (compounding).

☆ healthy eating opt for nutritious, healthy meals over quick and easy foods that lack to improve daily performance and focus. if you're looking to be more healthy through routine, this is huge change to make-- even if you just start with one homemade meal a day.

☆ spend some time in the sunlight spending time outside (and in the sun, if the weather allows) is a massive mood booster and will improve your entire day. lots of us need the break from screens, so having a mindful sit or walk outside is the perfect habit (morning, throughout the day or in the afternoon).

further reading:

firstly, atomic habits by james clear is THE BEST habit book out there. it provides a step by step on how to create new, good habits and maintain them and also instruction on how to stop bad habits.

the seven habits of highly effective people, by stephen r. covey is another AMAZING nonfiction work that focuses on changing your mindset and views to change your habits.

here's a website link with more of the best books about building habits and structures: click here

i hope today's post is helpful,, if you know any more resources, let me know so that i can create a giant post of self-education on routines, habits and structures.

(images are from pinterest)

[lindasophie]

"Perfect" Night Routine

I find a good night routine can greatly enhance the day and the one to come. However, toxic versions are often shown on social media, which put even more pressure on me personally. So I would like to say here first that it is only tips that can improve your night routine. I also do not implement all of them and think that everyone has to look for themselfs what suits them best and must find their personal routine.

1. Drink a cup of tea

Calming teas: Calming teas consist of naturally calming herbs which help you to rest better in the evening and fall asleep faster. A further advantage of calming teas is that, unlike other sleeping pills or sedatives, they are completely natural Alkaline teas: Alkaline teas are supposed to help with balancing our acid-alkaline balance.The alkaline herbs contained in the tea help neutralize excessive acidity in the body and help flush out toxins and waste products. Ginger teas: Ginger tea in the evening is considered a weight loss tea because it has a metabolism boosting effect. A cup of ginger tea is therefore supposed to kick-start our metabolism overnight and thus help us lose weight. However, ginger tea has a diuretic effect and could therefore cause you to have to go to the toilet more often at night. In addition, it has a warming and anti-inflammatory effect and is therefore particularly popular for colds, coughs and colds, for example. Fruit teas: If you're not looking for an alkaline, metabolism-boosting or calming tea, but simply a tea that tastes good and won't keep you up at night, you can also reach for a simple fruit tea. Unlike the others, this one does not have any special effect, but it still lets you fall asleep normally at night.

Tea is generally considered a healthy drink but it is important that you choose a caffeine-free tea in the evening to save you from long sleepless nights.

2. Journal

Regular journalling helps to better understand and categorize thoughts and feelings. It promotes the focus on one's own self, one's own self-reflection, and on top of that stimulates the ability to concentrate. It can be used as a self-help or complementary therapy aid. It also strengthens our mind when we write down fears or stressful experiences. Writing helps us to pause to regain our inner stability and to leave your worries behind so that we can fall asleep more quickly. but even if it is not about worries but only about the events of the day, it is helpful because you take time for yourself without your phone to reflect on the day.

3. One hour without phone

Your phone emits blue light that inhibits the production of melatonin, which controls your sleep-wake cycle. A melatonin deficiency can cause sleep disorders and fatigue. A disturbed sleep-wake rhythm can make everyday life more difficult and reduce the quality of life. In addition, you get so many sensory impressions through scrolling that you first have to think about. So if you use your phone right before you go to sleep, you can expect to be awake for a while. Logically, you also lose time while scrolling that you could spend sleeping, which makes you more tired and less focused the next day. So it's best to stay away from your phone an hour before you go to sleep and set it to "do not disturb" or silent. because even if you don't use it, notifications will interrupt your deep sleep.

[4dkellysworld]

Honest self-reflections

After much self-reflection, I've realized that being on here has now become an activity of ego indulgence in some ways. I started @4dbarbie-archive initially to sort & organise all of Ada's content in a way I liked as well as learn & make sense of her teachings, which creating the 4dbarbie remix posts have been most pivotal in. Then there were some thoughts I wanted to share and I created this blog and shared some of my experiences and thoughts with my writings and journal entries. I came here with some objectives and accomplished that; it was most rewarding and enlightening.

It's only been a week and a half since I first created @4dbarbie-archive and just over a week since I created this blog (feels a lot longer though lol) but now I feel like I ended up becoming too involved in this community and my ego feels a bit addicted & attached and almost obligated to continue being involved in order to help others out. This is counterintuitive to the journey of self-realization; the opposite of letting go of identity/thoughts/ego/externals in order to realize Self. It's hard to completely detach from all that while being on here.

I have really enjoyed my time here and am grateful for the experience but now I've realised it has become more of an obstacle on my path to self-realization. Of course, I'm sure others are able to continue being on this platform in a healthy way while still progressing on their own journey and not attach identity to it but personally for myself, it would be easier & better to step away for a bit and take time to just be in silence and focus inwards on Self.

To help others, I want to first know my Self completely. As Nisargadatta Maharaj said, you need not know to be, but you must be to know. To know is to be. Meaning you do not need to read a ton of information about non-dualism to realize your Self, it is not necessary at all and at some point after you have gained adequate understanding, it is just feeding the mind and ego. You need to experience your Self in order to truly know who you are. This is something that no amount of reading will accomplish (if only!!) because our Self is beyond the mind and not something that can be truly understood through words and intellect alone (which are just concepts). At some point, you just have to dive right in and do it yourself, and going all in is sometimes the best way to do it instead of having one foot in and the other foot out. This is something that success stories have all taught me and I want to thank all who shared their experiences, it most definitely does teach things that theory alone cannot. 🤍

As Lester Levenson said "If anyone of us could stop thinking right now and remain that way, he would be an unlimited Being from this moment on. It really is that simple, though not necessarily an easy accomplishment." Session 4: Happiness of The Keys to Ultimate Freedom

This is not goodbye but more of a see you later. This blog will remain up but I will be taking a pause from Tumblr to let go and go within. How long? However long it takes. I have no expectations or idea on that nor do I care. Though when I do come back (whenever that may be), I hope to see many more success stories of others who have also gone within, realized their true Self and are experiencing beautiful dreams. 🩷

It's going to be a bit hard to go cold turkey cos there is some attachment to this community so I might linger for a bit but again I know this is my ego and mind grasping on and I want to let go of this (the quote "Let go of your earthly tether" from Legend of Korra comes to mind and I love that). I know Ada would agree with what I'm doing too.

Special shout out to @adadisciple for creating her blog as a hub for all of 4dbarbie students to come together and share their experiences! Without your blog (and the anons!), I could not have had some of the realizations I have now so thank you! And it was nice working with you as a team at times over the past week to answer some asks. Don't forget to take care of yourself and don't sacrifice your own personal journey for the sake of your blog! And this goes for the other ND blogs too! You guys are all amazing.

Take care, everyone! Do what's best for you first and remember that this is all just a dream. There is no "must" in anything. It's all just a dream so make it beautiful 😌

May we all realize our Self.

--- Kelly out ♡

[araminthe]

Saturday, 10th of August / Samedi 10 août 2024

────୨ৎ────

Sleep: still bad, from 4am to 12am

Health: Ate healthy food, very very little sugar. But I was busy so I couldn't eat when I wanted, I was so hungry (thanks cousin for giving me a meal at 11pm)

Work / Focus: only 30mins today, revised for my driving license before being interrupted by people

Today's description: Had peace and took care of my own matters until 4pm. Had to eat with family and the guests. Then my family is going to a store so I go with them. I buy a puzzle of a 1000 pieces there. I'm so excited for the puzzle.

I also buy a notebook but why does it smell so damn bad. It smells so bad, I threw some deodorant and perfume on it but the good smell was canceled by the bad smell. It smells this bad. Dammit.

Then, I spend some time at home, too much family is at home (includes the guests) so I can't work.

Then, 9pm, my sister is going away, so I go out to say goodbye, then take a walk outside my neighborhood with my cousin who lives a minute away.

Night comes quickly and we're still outside talking (we're right in front of our houses si it's safe).

Then to keep talking, I go to her home, and she says let's go eat, so we eat in the kitchen while talking, (it's my second actual meal of the day, thanks for feeding me (╥﹏╥) )

At midnight my bro comes to walk me home, even though we live a few minutes away, we never know, better be safe (that's a typical women's life, the world can be scary sometimes).

He also just got back from spending the night at my other cousin's place.

Then we just talk to one another and laugh until 1am.

I go to my room and my 12y old sis is still awake.

I wanted to journal for just a bit but then it's 3am and I just finished the journal I had been using for 5 months.

So now its 3:35 and I'll go to sleep very quickly.

(I swear I want to sleep early, but why am I always so busy until very late. I definitely need to make some changes 😭)

At least I don't overuse my phone, I improved on that and I can focus on my work when I want to, so it's a big positive point

(I only use it to talk with friends and write on Tumblr, I stopped scrolling, thus stopped destroying my brain, I feel my brain capacities coming back, but for that to definitely work, I need to sleep correctly)

I also eat healthily and do not overeat.

I guess I can't change eveything at once, it will have to be one thing at a time.

So next is, making more time for work through the day and improving my sleeping habits

Anyway, good night, sleep well and on time (don't take my example)

Bisou bisou, peace and love for y'all.

[aphroditestearsofjoy]

#𝟏𝟎𝟎𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 - Week 1

Although I am (extremely) new to the self improvement community on tumblr. I have seen the #𝟏𝟎𝟎𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 challenge from @dreamdolldiary come by a few times amoung self improvement creators. Because of my curiosity, I have finally read the challenge and I immediately knew that this was the ideal challenge for me to start my self improvement journey! The "goal" of this challenge is to start with holding yourself accounteble and to build healthy habits.

So these were my first few weeks of attempting following this "challenge". And it went absolutely horrible, but I learned a lot from it.

The first 2 days of this challenge I felt very confident and good. But I completely broke down after that. I completely ignored this challenge for the next 2 weeks, because I wanted to focus on school. But because of that I forgot myself and selfcare, after that it didn't take long to stop having motivation for school too. Around this time of year I almost always get a little 'winterdip', but this year it was so massive that I stayed home the past week because I could not find the energy to move or do anything. I was probally already overworked when I started this challenge and expected way too much from myself.

What I'm going to do is analyse the situaltion, break the causes in small parts and find solutions for my problems. I will end this post with a plan for "week 2".

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 "𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐩"

☙ 𝟏. My biggest problem is that I value my results over my wellbeing. But because of that I feel so horrible that I am also not able to preform well. And that involves slowly into a burn-out.

What I will do is prioritise my goals my physical, mental & emtional goals. While slowly adding more other goals to work on. To help balance schoolwork & my wellbeing. I will make an overview the schoolwork that needs to be done weekly. Then I will decide what to do from that list when planning out my day, I will plan my studying sessions based off the time that I have to study that day. When I don't have the time to finish, I will let it go and do it another day. I will try to do as much work as possible on school days, but what I can't get done in that time, I will make in the weekend.

☙ 𝟐. I have the tendency to stress over the smallest thing, but I will nog give myself the space and time to process those. In my night/ evening routine I will add 10 minutes of non-stop writing. That way I can get my feeling out and if I notice that someting is really bothering me, I will take time for it the upcomming day.

☙ 𝟑. I will make time for a self care day. Saturday, after I return from work, I will make a nice lunch and drink for myself, read, take a bath and do fun things! (Like a mini movienight).

☙ 𝟒. Learn to let go! I have the ability to make myself so incredibly, by simply not leting go of the thing that do not serve me. I carry other people's trouble's, other people's expectations and lot's of other thingsI have no influence on. But even the things I have influence on, will not get better when I worry about it.

To let go, I must acknowledge what is bothering me and that stressing over it won't help me. Writing out my problem may help with this.

𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤

☙ The main focus for week 2 will be my physica, mental and emotional gaols:

♡ Physical I follow my weekly work out-plan. I eat healthy. I use my skincare consistantly. I go to bed before 10 pm.

♡ Mental I make time for self love. I plan out my day and follow my plan. I journal daily.

♡ Emotional I do the things that bring me happiness and fulfillment. I write the things that bother me down. I allow myself to feel my emotions fully.

I will accomplice these goals by panning my days around them.

☙ I want to go on a nature walk upcomming week. ☙ I plan out all the work i am supposed to do. ☙ I am productive in school. ☙ I start following my morning & night routines. ☙ I read when I'm bored.

Thank you sososo much for checking in with me, lovelies! ⚝☁ I hopefully see you next week! If you have any tips and/ or encouregement, pease do share. Bye bye ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ♡

[jess-abides]

Vacation body thoughts below the cut (I should really just journal lol)

The last time I went on vacation in April, I was the biggest I’ve ever been. I wore my bikinis and was trying really hard to rock with body neutrality and tbh I was in a decent place with it. But I was super uncomfortable on the plane, and it was probably the most unpleasant travel experience that I can remember.

While I was on that trip, I started wanting to exercise…like idk why but I remember thinking “I want to start doing squats when I get home” lol and I got on the peloton the day after I got home and rode every day for like 2-3 weeks while I convinced my trainer friend to coach me after I realized he offered virtual sessions. I don’t know what changed, but something flipped basically overnight - when we first got started, I told my trainer “I’m really good at starting over, but I really want this to be the last time” and tbh it still feels like it could be.

I haven’t missed a single planned/scheduled workout since the day I got back from that trip, and I’ve enjoyed the process so much more this time around because it came from a place of actually just wanting to exercise (as opposed to my typical pattern of ‘hate self > must be smaller > deserve punishment > must eat less and move more’).

I also very intentionally did not diet at all, because I still have to work very hard at not spiraling when I try to ~get healthy~ and I am sick to death of dieting and burning out and being afraid of food and the scale.

So I decided to just focus on the one thing I was excited about, which was getting stronger. Which naturally led me to make some different food choices based on what my body was craving (and plenty of well-intentioned bullying from my coach when I wasn’t eating enough). I’ve just been having so much fun getting stronger that it started to feel like a shame not to at least try to get enough protein to actually let my muscles recover and grow.

So I headed off on this vacation 30 pounds lighter than the last, inches gone from my waist, hips, thighs, wedged comfortably into the middle seat between two strangers and not silently apologizing for my existence. Happier, stronger, more confident. A little nervous to get out of my routine, tbh, but I could also really tell my body could use a break.

And, for once, not at all worried about my diet or whether I’d gain weight; knowing I’ve been learning to trust myself and basically eating whatever I wanted anyway. I enjoyed good seafood and good ice cream, but never felt like I needed to over-indulge or overcompensate for indulging. I went for long walks on the beach because I wanted to, and sat on the porch when I decided I’d rather do that instead.

Out of sheer curiosity, I weighed myself this afternoon (something I would never have done in the past - early morning only, iykyk). And wouldn’t you know it? I weigh the same as the day I left. The number itself isn’t the victory - I would have been fine with being up a few because bodies will be bodies, and I guess that’s really what I’m proud of!

And I’m looking forward to being back on my bullshit tomorrow morning and seeing how this break plays out in my workouts this week. After I sleep A LOT tonight 😌

[1ndonlyhawa]

Summer Glow Up Guide

Summer vacations have started for most people, meaning it's the perfect time to start working on yourself, adopt new habits and improve your health. You guys asked me for a glow-up guide, so here we go! <3

Eating healthier, let's be real; we all know that the first step to a healthy glow is a healthy diet. Try adding some smoothies, proteins (like yogurt, chicken, tofu...), and healthy fats (avocados, nuts...) to your meals.

Skincare. Now is the perfect time to try some new products! My favorite brands are The Ordinary, La Roche Posay, Pixi, Lancome, and Neutrogena.

Meditation, 5-10 minutes in the morning, is enough; it helps you to focus, calm down and be mindful. You can find guided meditation videos on youtube.

New Hairstyle, get a new haircut, and try some new styles! (inspo on my Pinterest)

Journaling, I started journaling not too long ago and love it! It helps me plan my day and get things out of my mind.

Haircare, get a trim, and say bye to your split ends! you can also try some new products; I personally like Lush and Olaplex. (let me know if you want a long hair guide <3)

Practise your make-up skills! Something that helped me improve was practising right before I shower, so I can just wash it off!

Deep cleaning rooms, vacuum, clean your windows, empty your trash, and so on...

Get a manicure, I'm personally a long acrylics type of girl, but even if that's not your thing, a simple manicure makes a HUGE difference. Clean nails are a must!!

Drinking more, I probably don't have to tell you that, lol.

Self-tan contour, not having to wear make-up is such a flex so let's just fake that make-up-less beauty by contouring with self-tanner ;)

New outfits that fit, it's time to get some new stuff that makes you feel beautiful and confident!

Exercising and getting toned feels awesome! try some youtube workouts; my favourites are from Daisy Keech, she's so sweet <3

New jewellery, get some cute signature pieces; you can also look for some unique pieces while on vacation and keep them as memories.

Fresh Instagram feed, go and take some pictures! You can look for inspiration on my Pinterest; I have a board called 'Pictures to recreate' that might be helpful!

Find a signature scent; this is something fun you can do with your friends! Go to Sephora and just try perfumes until you find one that fits you.

Sleep schedule, even though it's tempting to stay up late, now is the perfect time to fix your sleep schedule.

Go out every day, go for a walk, listen to a podcast, take some pictures, you know it...

Read more; it really calms your mind and helps you relax.

Facemasks, I do face masks at least twice a week

Be nicer

Down below I also listed some 'Challenge Days' that you can try when you don't have anything planned and don't want to waste your day!

•┈••✦ Self-care-day  ✦••┈•

meditate + exercise

bubble bath

exfoliate

shave (if you like)

hair care

skincare (morning + evening)

try the self-tan contour

get your nails done

lotion

healthy meals

don't skip breakfast (My favourite meal!)

read Something

call a friend

go on a walk + listen to music or a podcast

track your water intake

go to sleep early

•┈••✦ Deep clean day ✦••┈•

throw away everything that doesn't fit you anymore

throw away old makeup (IT CAN EXPIRE)

change your bed sheets

vacuumed the floor

clean your windows

clean every surface

empty your trash

re-organize your closet

do your laundry

clean all your shoes

delete all the apps you don't use

clean your camera roll

get a carpet cleaner and clean your carpets

wash all your pillowcases

[clarityinchaos]

An accurate description of my ✨Spiritual Journey✨(pt.1 healing)

My healing didn't happen over night. It is also not done... it also hasn't been a smooth straight line. Ive lived with depression for more than 18 years, thats the majority of my life... it didn't just go away because I meditate and journal or because I bought a few crystals and go take walks in nature or because I started praying. I didn't just learn over night how to show myself love (I'm still learning, btw). My healing journey has been a rollercoaster ride, with drops, twists and tunnels. There's moments its calm and I feel at the highest vibration but I still go through moments where my depression comes to say hello and brings anxiety along for a week or so and we hangout until they feel like leaving again... I think the main difference now after a few years of being in this ✨spiritual journey✨is that I have hope.

I have hope for my future and that the dark cloud will pass... meditation and journaling have given me with the emotional tools to deal with my depression and anxiety in a healthy way... I let myself feel my emotions and I cry it out if I need to. I journal and get my feelings out and bring my thoughts out by writing them down (which has been so helpful)... sometimes I feel like the hermit and will take some time to myself and spend it outside looking up at the sky and just take some deep breaths and let myself exist in the moment, not 'holding on' to a single thought but instead just letting them come and go while I focus on my breathing... (sometimes thats easier said than done). Sometimes, there are things that trigger me emotionally, situations or things that are said that bring anxiety and or that alter my mood and suddenly there's a gray cloud following me around that make the rollercoaster intense again while I grow and heal whatever it was that needed healing.... sometimes my depression and anxiety push me so far that I ended up going back to old habits because for 18 years its how I dealt with things and thats what's familiar; but as I continue to journal and meditate, I begin to grow and learn and heal some more and start once again to do the things I know will help me in the long run, and not just in the moment. I made a mistake but thats alright, it taught me patience and forgiveness. I remind myself that I didn't throw my entire journey away, that I didn't throw away my progress. As the years have gone by and I have made my mental and emotional health and self love a priority in my life, I find that I have less drops, tunnels and drops. but they still happen every once in a while. What im saying is that this journey isn't linear... and there isn't a timeline for when you should be 'healed'... so its okay, take a breath, and be patient with yourself. You got this.

@clarityinchaos

[phdrescue]

Surviving the Research Grind: How to Stay Balanced during Grad School

Grad school has the potential to be an intellectually stimulating, discovery-rich, and achievement-filled time. However, the workload demands, deadlines are tight, and the expectations can also overwhelm if there isn't the right balance in regard to stress and burnout. The fact is: to achieve academic success and overall well-being, careful management of work-life balance is necessary during these periods. In this blog, learn a few practical strategies that help you thrive in grad school without losing sight of the personal life.

Understanding the Challenges of Grad School Graduate studies often combine coursework, research, teaching responsibilities, and professional development, all while navigating the complexities of personal commitments. Common challenges include:

Time Overload: Balancing academic deadlines, research experiments, and teaching duties. Unrealistic Expectations: Internal or external pressures to excel in every aspect. Isolation: Spending long hours on individual research projects can feel lonely. Burnout Risks: Prolonged stress can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. These are challenges one should recognize in good time to handle them proactively.

Importance of Work-Life Balance Why is work-life balance critical?

Improves Productivity: One can always focus and be efficient when working if they take regular breaks and time off. Boosts Creativity: A well-rested mind innovates much and can solve complex problems. Supports Mental Health: The protection of your personal time reduces your anxiety, depression, and burnout risks. Strengthens Relationships: Social connections help you feel more supported and less isolated. The aim, therefore, is not excellence but a balance between work and personal life.

Operational Methods to Attain Work-Life Balance Here are some practical steps to ensure a sustainable balance:

a. Time Management: Work Smarter, Not Harder The simple art of time management can make all the difference in the world: Identify your priorities for the day. Prioritize them and do them first. Use tools such as Todoist, Notion, Google Calendar to keep you organized. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar activities (e.g., reading papers, writing, lab work) to stay focused. Adopt Time-Blocking: Allocate dedicated time slots for work and personal activities to avoid overworking. Pro Tip: Plan your schedule weekly to ensure you balance academic and personal commitments.

b. Set Boundaries: Protect Your Personal Time One of the biggest challenges in grad school is knowing when to stop working:

Define Work Hours: Treat your academic work like a job—set start and end times each day. Communicate Boundaries: Let your advisor, peers, and family know your limits to prevent interruptions. Disconnect: Turn off email notifications after work hours to avoid the temptation to check in. Remember, it’s okay to say no to additional tasks that threaten to overwhelm your schedule.

c. Prioritize Mental and Physical Health Your health is your most valuable asset:

Exercise: Even walking or doing yoga for 30 minutes can uplift your mood and increase energy levels. Sleep Well: Maintain a good sleep quality of at least 7–8 hours to recharge the mind. Eat Healthy: Use nutrient-dense foods that provide natural fuel to your brain and hydrate your body. Mindfulness Techniques: Meditation, journaling, or even breathing exercises help reduce stress. Mental health tip: Many universities offer some form of counseling. Do not hesitate to take it if needed.

d. Plan for "Me Time" and Leisure Activities Do not let graduate school consume the things you are passionate about:

Engage in Recreations: Whether painting, music, or gardening, hobbies serve as a source of creativity. Socialize: Spend quality time with friends, family, or colleagues to remain attached and balanced. Travel or Explore: Schedule short trips or day trips out to revitalize your spirit. Tips: Treat personal time as unchangeable and plan it just like any other research meeting.

e. Building a Supportive Community You don't have to endure grad school alone:   Connect with your Classmates: Join study groups, social clubs, or academic forums; share experiences. Find a Mentor: A supportive advisor or mentor can help you navigate the tough times. Support Systems: Rely on friends and family for encouragement and understanding. Community is a key buffer against stress and a valuable motivator.   f. Flexibility You've done all your preparation- and life still gets in the way:

Adapt Your Plans: Unexpected challenges may arise; readjust your priorities as needed. Be Gentle with Yourself: You can't do everything perfectly. You must celebrate the progress, not perfection. Take a Break: Working may need to come temporarily to an end even for a short time to recharge and refocus. Remember, balance doesn't mean you must do everything equally every day; balance means figuring out what works for you in the moment.

Warning Signs of Burnout and How to Address Them Burnout doesn't occur overnight. Pay attention to red flag behaviors such as:

Chronic exhaustion or sleep disturbances. Poor concentration or loss of motivation. Irritability or emotional withdrawal from work or relationships. If you see these signals:

Take some time off to rest and think through things. Recalibrate your workload and delegate tasks whenever possible. Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional.

Fun in Graduate School Work-life balance doesn't just mean controlling stress; it's also about having a good time:

Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate big and small achievements. Stay Curious: Remember why you started grad school in the first place. Keep Perspective: Remember that your work is important but your happiness and well-being are way more precious. Final Thoughts: You're More Than Your Research Grad school is a rigorous chapter, but it's also a time for learning and self-discovery. Achieving and maintaining balance will not only boost your productivity but also enhance your experience. You need to remember that your success in research isn't just defined by your research but also by your ability to thrive both personally and professionally.

Take a minute today to think about: What steps can you take this week to improve your work-life balance?

[dimadimoo]

It's been what? A week, two weeks maybe? Yeah, it's been a while since my last journal entry. And in that time, a lot has gone down. It’s been a mixed bag of revelations, lessons, some pretty low moments, discovering more about myself, feeling overwhelmed. It's just… A LOT.

I made a habit tracker spreadsheet and set some goals to hit before the end of 2024. But honestly, I’ve only managed to knock out a few so far. My goals are to be well read and knowledgeable, but not in that annoying "uhmm, akshually 🤓👆🏼" kind of way. Though, let’s be real... I’ll probably sound like that sometimes, hahaha.

I guess I want to be healthier, focus on taking care of myself more, be gentler with myself, no more beating myself up, be more grounded with my surroundings cause I always in my la la land a lot of times, and write more stories, and journaling, whatever. Basically, I want to be a healthy Pinterest It boy + cultured gentleman, if that makes sense.

A few days ago, something traumatic happened. It was so scary that I had a mental breakdown afterward. But I’m better now. I just wish I wasn’t so emotionally sensitive sometimes. And I don’t mean like, “Oh, I want to be a stoic man who doesn’t feel anything because men don’t have emotions.” Not that. I do want to feel things deeply, that’s one of the things I love about myself.

But when I see something traumatic, I wish it wouldn’t hit me that hard. You know what I mean? That experience was one of the most traumatic things I’ve ever witnessed, and I just want to be in control of my emotions, not a slave to them. That’s what I really want.

Today, I finally took a bath after… well, a while, washed my hair, clipped my dirty long nails, put on some skincare, and read two WSJ articles and one on Chinese mythology. I still haven’t finished reading that paper on Shanghai’s urban city planning from 1989 to now, though. It has a lot of words that I don't understand.

Oh, and I sang today, haha, it’s been a while since I last sang! Funny enough, the song made me tear up... I guess the lyrics just hit me right in the feels.

I also slept a ton, which I’m gonna call a win because I’ve been restless as hell lately and seriously needed it. As for writing tf stories, I’m taking a break from it for a while. Got a bit overwhelmed. But my brain’s buzzing with new ideas, so I know I’ll get back to it soon, just gonna take it slow this time.

Please, Friday… be easy on me....