love yo' self

hey lovelies,

You know what absolutely sucks? Feeling like you suck. 

*Disclaimer, you don't*

This week has been such a roller-coaster for me. One day I feel like I'm on top of the world, that the endless supply of love that there is in the universe is held right in my heart. The next day, or even sometimes an hour after I feel all that love, I'll feel so empty, like I'll never feel love again. It makes zero sense. And that's because feeling bad about yourself doesn't. It's bullshit. We just shouldn't do it. But we all know if it was that easy, anxiety wouldn't be a thing.

If you struggle with this, my advice to you (and myself) is this: Do the things you love. 

I know that sounds kind of basic and cliche, but it works wonders. Today, I was texting one of my good friends about my not so good day. I told them I would get out of my anxiety even though today it was killer (speak it into existence, amiright). They liked my optimism, and asked me how I usually get out of these moods, and what helps me feel better. Instead of saying my usual yoga, meditation, positive self talk script that I give to myself and others all the time, I actually thought about it. Not that yoga and meditation and being nice to yourself aren't good for you, they're great, but they usually work for me when I'm not already in a funk. What does get me out of my funk is dancing, singing, blasting my jams, and painting. Like all at once. I've never been upset when I was creating something, it's a surefire way for me to get out of my head and live in the moment. So far, anyways. 

If there's something you love doing, that brings your vibe up whenever you do it, go out there and do it! Unless it's hard drugs or something, don't do that. That's not the kind of high we're striving for here. If you love bike riding, god damn it grab that bike! Or cooking, writing, doing nice things for the people you love. Whatever it is that makes your soul happy, go after it. Especially if you have a bunch of responsibilities to take care of. I find that I can't focus on anything if my mind won't stop hurling insults at me. Taking a break can, and probably will, make you more productive.

Anyways, I hope you all have a beautiful day! Feel good about yourself, you are literally made out of stardust. And, as a reminder, taking care of yourself is not selfish, but self-less. We are our best selves to others when we are to ourselves. 

peace and happiness,

ashley 

StuDYING Habits

Hello lovelies!

With midterms coming up, many of us are extremely stressed and overwhelmed. Trying to keep up with papers, presentations, and work (if you currently have a job), can be very hard. When we take on too much at once, like taking extra classes or working a job that gives too many hours, we want to be productive, however, this often does the opposite, making people shut down and get very little accomplished.

This week, I'd like to go over helpful study habits I have found helpful for me, and ones that have hurt me rather than helped me.

I usually study with my friends around, and I feel like that is both helpful and hurtful to me. Depending on the friends I study with, and what is going on with our friend group when we hang out, determines how productive or unproductive I am. I find it best to study with friends that I see often enough where we don't feel like we need to catch up, so we can focus on our work rather than each other. It is also good to study with friends that know when it is appropriate to talk, and when to focus on doing work. If I don't go with the right group of people, sometimes we will spend the whole time talking, and I end up drowning in more work.

Studying in my room is also something that kills my productivity. When I'm in my room, I am distracted by wanting to talk with my roommates(we're all friends so it can make focusing on studying hard) and by having my bed and books so close, it makes me tempted to read and nap. I find that going somewhere off campus really forces me to study, because I am far from most possible distractions that keep me from my work. 
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Also, never feel guilty if you need to cancel studying or hanging out with friends if you need some alone time to study. You are in college to get a degree and do well, so it would be a huge disservice to yourself to not focus on the things you need to do for you!

Until next time, have a beautiful week!