Stress

   Hey guys! So, I know that you all know what stress is and what causes it. I mean, who doesn't get stressed from time to time? But lately, I have been under a good bit of stress myself. With the end of the school year being just around the corner everything is starting to get really busy. My workload has increased, I had to choose classes for next year, there are forms to turn in, sports are coming to an end, auditions for extra curricular activities are happening. To put it simply: There is a lot going on. So what can you do to relieve some stress? Here are some tips:

1. Stay Positive:
    Don't let little things freak you out. If you believe you can do it then you will get it done. Also, don't procrastinate or begin to doubt yourself, this leads to stress.

2. Take Some Time For Yourself:
    If you spend all day everyday running around staying insanely busy it's going to take a toll on you. Take a Saturday to sit around, do your nails, watch Gossip Girl, or do whatever makes you happy!

3. Get a Planner:
    I know that this might sound like a super nerdy thing to do, but a daily/monthly planner can really help you set your schedule and avoid time crunch issues.

4. Learn to Say No:
    We all feel bad telling a friend or family member no, but if you help everyone with everything they ask you are going to overextend yourself! Just make sure you don't cram too many things in your schedule.

Well, I hope this has helped you and maybe you can use this to help control your stress. Just remember not to try to do too much. Sometimes you just need some time to sit down and do absolutely nothing. And that's perfectly okay!

P.S. I apologize for how long it's been since I've posted! Hopefully I will have more time in the near future!

-Yours Truly

Secrets

   

We all have them and we spend a lot of time and effort making sure that they don't get spread. Secrets are the one thing strong enough to ruin any friendship and start a fight between almost anyone. Recently I've come to the conclusion that you just shouldn't let it get to you. Even if so and so tells everyone about that guy from geometry you like, or if someone spills that you totally took a tumble in front of pretty much the most important people to you. Keep it together people! Don't let them get to you, just talk it out and voice how you don't appreciate them spreading stuff around that is private. Luckily I have some amazing friends who wouldn't do that kind of thing to me, but for all of you out there who aren't that lucky, don't let people walk all over you!
    I guess what I'm trying to say here is you need to stick up for yourself and your privacy. Never be embarrassed of anything you do because that just makes you feel inferior and bad about your self. Be bold. Do what you want and don't care what everyone thinks of you. You are amazing. I guarantee it. Well, until next time...

-Yours Truly

My Crazy Week!

    Hey guys! I know I haven't posted in forever and I  apologize. I figured that you guys might want an explanation so here are some things that have been going on lately:

HOMEWORK! oh my gosh, I have had boatloads of it lately! I don't know about you but all of this homework better help me out down the road. Anyways, last week I went on the annual band trip to Orlando! It was amazing!! The sun and warm weather definitely put me in a better mood, and missing a little bit of school didn't hurt either. I got to spend some quality time with friends, major memories made there. Anyways after that I was busy helping out around school with all of my extra curricular activities. It is sooo important that you are involved in your school and that you are showing interest in something other than academics (Colleges love that). So I also went and saw Divergent... It literally blew my mind. I loved the movie and the plot is so interesting. Not to be cheesy, but it kind of changed my way of thinking a little bit. So after Divergent I had more homework and then threw a little party. It was super cute even if our plans didn't go like I wanted them to. It's good to know that I have friends who are willing to spend time with me doing absolutely anything. One of those friends was Leah, the one from the beauty blog! Go check out her blog at www.lovelingblog.blogspot.com ! Anyways, that's a brief recap of what I have been up to!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this random post about me. More to come!

- Yours Truly

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