Self Esteem

Take a look ladies! That is a picture that has been edited to be put into a magazine. That's right! Those pretty, thin, perfect girls in the magazines may not be what you think they are. I don't know about the rest of the world, but in America we have a lot of young girls (and guys) who have major self esteem issues because of the pressure of the media. When we see girls who are unnaturally skinny and with perfect complexions we think that we are not good enough until we look just like them.
    As it turns out, they don't even look like themselves. So many of those ads and pictures in magazines and on television are Photoshopped to look almost perfect. You can see in the picture about that the girl on the left is actually a normal human being! Girls, when you bend over, you are supposed to see wrinkles on your stomach, it's called skin! Don't even get me started on their complexions, they not only have air-brushed makeup, but they use Photoshop to blend all the imperfections in so you can't see them.
    Now all of this said, I'm not dissing on all of these wonderful celebrities, I'm just upset with the way they portray them. The average American woman is 5 foot 4 inches and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5 foot 11 inches and weighs 117 pounds. Just let that sink in. So the message I'm trying to get across is, don't worry about your body. We are all perfect just the way we are! But please spread the word to every girl you know, studies have shown girls are starting to diet at the age of 10 years old now. That is completely insane! So don't let unrealistic ideals ruin the happiest years of your life. Just love yourself.

-Yours Truly

Procrastination

   

We all do it. We all spend that extra few minutes walking around our house trying to put off our homework. We watch that extra T.V. show just so we don't have to go finish that paper. I know that it is so tempting to just keep stalling all of your work until the last second because it seems easier. But trust me, from experience it makes everything 2000000 times worse. I have struggled with this problem my whole life and recently I have been trying so hard to kick the habit. These are some ways to help break the cycle, I hope they can help you out:

1. Go for the harder tasks first!
    - If you knockout the really hard stuff first you can kind of relax later on and coast through the easy stuff!

2. Power down all the distractions!
    - Find a quiet room with no tempting electronics in sight. It may be hard to part with your precious phone, but the faster you work the faster you can get back to pinterest!

3. Get a study buddy!
    - Choose a friend who you know will want to work and not goof off! Sit down with them and work together. Ask them any questions you need and make sure to talk only about school topics.

4. Write it down!
    - Make sure to make a list of all the tasks you have to accomplish that day. It needs to be detailed and as you finish them, mark of the items. This will help you feel like you are getting things done and will encourage you to keep working.

5. Break it down!
    - On your list break big tasks into easy-to-manage shorter tasks. Like instead of saying "write English paper" write down "Complete English paper outline, Finish Works Cited page, Tweak introduction, etc."


    Well, I hope this helps! More posts to come soon!

-Yours Truly

Hard Work

   

Hey guys! I know it has been a while since I posted last and I sincerely apologize! Lately my life has been changing so fast! I just recently got my license and with all the school work and extra-curricular activities I haven't had much extra time! So I wanted to talk to you guys about hard work. Today I worked at a concession stand for 8 hours. I know right. It was a ridiculously long and boring amount of time. While I was standing at this little stand I realized that this was my first real job that I got paid for and it hit me how much work is in my future.
    Now I know we all know how much work goes into homework and school. It's enough to consume someone's life. But working for money is a completely different experience. While I was working I got hungry so I bought myself some food and I realized that I had just spent an hour's worth of work on some fries and a hot dog! It was completely insane. So I now have a new appreciation for all of those teenagers who are going to school and have a part time job (especially those in restaurants). So I guess this little "rant" is just to try to show you what I have opened my eyes to see. I want to give everyone who already works a big hug and tell them to hang in there because you are doing some major hard work. Well, until next time (and I promise it will be soon).

-Yours Truly

What Kind of Music do I Like?

    Lately, my taste in music has changed a little bit. I know that most of you won't share the same taste in music that I do, but I figured if I gave you guys some suggestions maybe you would check them out! So, I'm into the indie folk kind of music. The acoustic guitar sound and those amazing harmonies really make my day, so I'll list some songs and artists/bands that I like and comment and let me know what kind of music you like!

                                                                               

1."Say Something" - by A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera
I know that all of the stations on the radio have been wearing this song out lately, but I really like how the different harmonies sound! This song can make almost anyone emotional in about 2 seconds. There is just something about how their voices blend that makes me crazy about this song!

2. "Hallelujah" - cover, by Jason Castro
    His voice is gold, love the cover, enough said.

3. "Skinny Love" - cover, by Birdy
    I love her version of this song even more than the original. She has a great voice and I love what she did with the piano part. This is an amazing song and you should definitely check it out!








I know that's only three, but I may post more later on! I hope you listen to at least one of these and all of them are available on iTunes.

-Yours Truly

Jealousy

    Let's talk about the  famous little green monster sitting on your shoulder. Jealousy can make even the nicest of people do insane things. So what is it about what other people have that makes us so jealous? What is jealousy in the first place?!
    Jealousy is just you thinking that you are inferior to your peers. There really isn't a need to be jealous of anyone. Sometimes I find myself wondering why I can't be like other girls, but everyone only sees the worst in themselves. Do you remember all of those times you have seen a girl walking through the hallway and thought to yourself "I wish I looked/acted like her"? Well, people have done the exact same thing to you! All of those times you make yourself feel bad because you think you aren't good enough, others are doing the same thing to themselves.
    So why do we want what others have? Because when you see someone who has something new and trendy you only see them for what they have. They may not even be happy with their belongings. So if everyone is feeling this way, why join the bandwagon?! Like Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." So don't let what other people have get you down. Everything you do is perfect and remember to just be yourself!

-Yours Truly

Your Past

    Hey guys, sorry it's been so long since I've written. I've been super busy with lots of things lately, but I have used some of that time to come up with a good topic: the past. Your past to be specific. Everyone has one, whether it's good, bad, or embarrassing. Over the past few days I celebrated my birthday and that is always a stroll down memory lane.
   After thinking back through all of the years I realized how much everyone in my life has impacted me. I wouldn't be anything like I am today without all of my family, my great friends, and all of the obstacles I have faced.
    Now, everyone makes poor choices sometimes (like not posting in forever). I've made plenty of dumb decisions even just today. It amazes me how loyal and understanding people can be. I know that without my friends being this way, I would be a complete loner. So anyways, let your past be a lesson to you. You can't just forget your past and sweep it under the rug. You have to face what you have done and use those decisions as a guide to who you are and who you want to be. It's important to look in the past so you don't make the same dumb mistakes that you did. Maybe a ruined friendship in the past will help you save a friendship in the future. Maybe embarrassing yourself in front of the class in 4th grade has helped you learn to prepare yourself before you present to avoid that today.
    So I guess my main message is, don't completely forget your past, but don't live in it. Take each day a blessing and do the best you can.

-Yours Truly