Advice

How to Deal With Mental Hiccups in Your Day

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

I’ve been going deep into my drafts for inspiration, and the idea of this post came to me in November. It’s crazy how time has been flying this school year, and there are so many post ideas I had from the end of 2019 that I still haven’t been able to write. It’s kind of fitting that I waited to write this one until now, because I’ve definitely experienced a lot of obstacles and challenges mentally in the past few months, and it’s crazy how much things have changed this year so far. If you’ve been having a rough time lately and are just trying to get through day-to-day life, here’s what’s been helping me lately.

  • Breathe. I know it sounds cheesy, but seriously. Taking a few deep breaths takes only a couple seconds, but it can completely calm your body. Having your body physically de-stress and alleviate tension is just as important as doing so mentally.
  • Think about the big picture. Often times I’ll be dreading a certain event or day throughout the week, but the reality is as soon it comes it will be over. If you think this way, you might actually look forward to things you’re dreading (that’s a nice little paradox) because as soon as you have to face them, they’ll be done and over with. And once something’s in the past, you can’t worry about trying to fix or change it, because what’s done is done.
  • Get a good sleep. I know this is challenging depending on your schedule or if you just have trouble sleeping, but it’s crucial and can also shift your mood a lot. I need my sleep or else I’m even more of a hot mess, so staying up late to study and do work usually isn’t worth it. If you feel like you’re falling apart, it’s time to take a little rest, no matter how busy you are- you won’t be productive if you keep working anyways.
  • Treat yourself when you can. This also looks different for every person, but that’s why it’s so great. Depending on what motivates you and what you’re able to do at the moment, find whatever nice little things you can do for yourself. Eat your favorite food, or give yourself ten minutes to read a book or watch your favorite TV show, and then get back to whatever grind you’re on.
  • Talk to someone who can relate. If you’re struggling with a certain challenge such as extreme stress from school or work, family problems, or grieving the loss of a loved one, find support in people who are going through similar things. It’s so therapeutic to talk to someone who actually understands, because you can go more into detail and you won’t feel like you’re annoying the other person because everything is mutual.
  • Talk to someone close to you. The reason I put this as separate from talking to someone who can relate is because often you’ll have to go to more external sources to find someone who can relate, but talking to someone in your inner circle of friends or family is still important. It’s the best when someone who’s seen you struggle and already knows how to cheer you up can listen to you and guide you, and you know they have your best interests at heart.

These are just a few of the easiest and most crucial ways to help yourself get through some tough times in daily life. Obviously they’re not cures for whatever is going on, but it’s important to build your set of coping tools and learn to express your emotions in a healthy way. I am always here if any of you need to talk as well.

Brooke

From 0 Interests to Lots – Find Yours!

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

Are you looking for a hobby or a new activity to fill some empty space in your life, but can’t seem to figure out where to even start? Have you always passed your free time without any structure and are looking for something more outside of school or work? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you’ve found the right place! I was in your shoes not too long ago, and since then I’ve found plenty of hobbies and interests to occupy my time. Here’s my tips on how to figure out what you actually like spending your time doing, and how to get started pursuing it.

  • Think about who you admire. Sometimes, thinking about the people you look up to can remind you of your personal goals. If you’re constantly keeping up with girlboss YouTubers who have their own podcasts, maybe you want to start your own YouTube channel or podcast. If you’re obsessed with certain fashion designers maybe you want to get into making your own clothes. It can be something simple or something complicated, but your idols can say a lot about you.
  • Consider the things you do when you have free time. What do you do when you’re not busy and no one’s telling you what to do? Yes, even TV and scrolling through social media can count. Whatever you generally lean towards doing, find a way to channel that into a hobby. Sometimes, these things actually already are hobbies- I know a lot of people who claim they don’t do anything but are amazing artists who make these beautiful drawings in their free time. That’s definitely a super cool interest/hobby! If you’re looking to do something more with it, you can make a social media account and share your art with the world or do commissions though, for example.
  • Take advantage of opportunities around you. What’s available at your school? Go to club rush, go to interest meetings, pick electives that sound interesting- these all might lead you down a path of something you end up loving. Talk to teachers or your counselor about possible things you might like or activities you should join based on what your favorite subjects in school are, and always look at bulletin boards around your community for opportunities outside of school.
  • Think about your future goals. This only applies if you’ve set long-term goals for yourself, but I know in high school a lot of people have, so I’m hoping it applies to a lot of you. If you’ve always said you want to be a lawyer when you grow up, get involved in debate or mock trial. If you want to be a teacher, start tutoring people or join some other academic groups. Sometimes looking at the big picture can point you in direction of what you want to do now- it’s a win-win because you can test out if you’d actually like to go into that field when you’re older.

These are just a few ways to find some new interests; I know it can be overwhelming. I went from feeling like I wasn’t interested in anything to being interested in so many things I couldn’t commit to joining an activity dedicated to each of them. There really are so many opportunities out there- you just have to find them and take advantage of them, and if they don’t work out you can always make your own. I’m no expert on finding your passion, but I’m always here to help or offer what advice I can, so please let me know if you have any questions.

Brooke

How to Pick Up New Skills & Why It’s Hard

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

I’ve tried a lot of new things this school year, and I’m glad I have. That being said, every time I would go to try something new, a little voice in my head would hope this would be my “thing”, the thing I was good at from the get-go, the thing that came naturally to me. I know it’s important to start new activities with an open mind because it takes practice and hard work to perfect a skill, but I couldn’t help wishing I had some sort of specific talent or activity I was known for being good at.

If you’re trying to pick up some new skills of your own, you’re in the right place. It’s definitely challenging to dive into something new, but I’m here to help you guys out. I’ve definitely been there, and I still am constantly trying to master new skills, so we’re all in this together!

  • Be open-minded – I know, it’s basic, but it’s so important. Keeping an open mind is crucial because you’re never sure if you’re actually going to like something or be good at it until you try and put in an honest effort! Even if something seems difficult, give it a full shot before you write it off as not being for you.
  • Put the work in – As I mentioned before, you don’t have to be a superstar at the first practice/meeting/whatever it is that you’re doing. Make sure you’re giving your best efforts and don’t complain or get discouraged based on your beginning skill level. Be willing to try it out a few times/for a while if possible.
  • Think about what you like the best – What do you genuinely enjoy doing? Find activities or pastimes that would serve those interests- you’ll probably end up being better at these things anyways.
  • Make time for it – If your activity is kind of an afterthought and you’re always rushing through it, you can’t expect to be fully proud of the results. Don’t commit to something unless you know you have the time for it, and make sure you can fit it into your schedule.
  • Enjoy it!! – Have a positive attitude towards whatever new thing you’re doing. It will most likely make it at least twice as fun and you’ll have an easier time picking up the skill and mastering it. Don’t see everything you do as something to conquer- enjoy the experience while you’re there, and be grateful for the learning opportunities you have.

I hope this helps you guys out if you’re intimidated by getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. I was always like that in middle school and even freshman year, but this year I pushed myself out of my little bubble and tried so many new things, and it’s been the best thing for me. Every experience you have contributes to your overall learning experience, so don’t worry about being an expert at everything you do! That being said, picking up new skills is wonderful and useful, so I wish you all the best in doing so 🙂

Brooke

How to Exercise After Quitting A Sport

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

It’s been almost a month since my cheer season ended (you should read some of my older posts about cheer if you’re new to my blog), and it’s been really nice to open up so much free time in my schedule. However, I’m definitely not the most in-shape person and I would rarely exercise outside of cheer practices, so I’ve been left to figure out how to stay in-shape and get myself outside and moving. I know this happens to a lot of other high-schoolers and college students when they quit a sport and are left with no physical activity scheduled into their life for the first time in years, so I figured I would talk about how I’m dealing with it and what I think could help others.

A lot of my friends who also ended their high school sports “career” as well ended up joining a gym. I think this is awesome if it works for you, especially if it’s a local gym since lots of other kids your age/your friends might go there as well, but I wasn’t interested in spending the money and committing to something I probably wouldn’t take full advantage of since I can’t drive yet. However, if you can afford it and you’ll be motivated to go, getting a gym membership is a great idea, especially if you have a gym buddy or two.

For those looking to go a different route, I’m in the same boat as you. It’s super important to keep being active, not just for the sake of looking in shape, but for your physical health and mental well-being. I always notice that being outside and doing physical activity reduces stress since it lets off steam. If you’re unathletic like me, I recommend starting with walks around your neighborhood or local park just to get outside. If you want something a little more intense, you can do jogs/runs.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend physical activity, I highly recommend hiking. I’m lucky enough to live in California with tons of hikes of varying difficulty that are accessible year-round, but I’m sure you can find some spot near you as long as the weather is favorable. It might not be something you have time to do everyday, but it could be a way to switch up your typical weekend hangout with friends while getting outdoorsy. I enjoy hikes because the beautiful views usually outweigh any fatigue I may experience.

If all else fails, just try something new. Popular options are cycling classes (SoulCycle is definitely the most well-known one, but I believe the owner or someone associated with the company has some questionable publicly-expressed values), yoga classes, Zumba classes, or other forms of workout classes. I’ve never tried any of these, but I hope to in the near future since a lot of my friends rave about them and there’s a lot of different options near me.

As far as my personal physical activity right now, I actually got transferred into a PE class for the rest of the semester/school year, so I’m outside for at least an hour a day doing some form of exercise. It kind of sucks to add another class after having a few weeks experiencing going home from school earlier and not having cheer, but I still need one more semester of P.E. credits and if I finish out this semester P.E. class, I’ll be done with that. It’s also actually kind of nice to having some form of physical activity built into my schedule again.

I hope this helped you out or at least made you realize you’re not alone if you’re young and trying to figure out how to stay in shape and active after quitting a sport. I feel like sports are such a typical part of the high school experience and being involved in one was a part of my identity at school for so long, but I’m glad to be able to move on with my life and explore new things- new ways to exercise is just one tiny portion of that!

Brooke

Starting New Projects and Expectations

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

This is going to be a little positive affirmation and advice to any teens out there who have an idea for a project they want to execute but are scared to start. I was in your shoes before I started this blog, and I’m still in your shoes because I have tons of other ideas I would love to make a reality but am slightly scared of them failing. I know it’s hard, and that’s why I’m here to tell you it’s possible, and not nearly as scary as we think at first.

I now feel silly that I was so scared to start up my blog, because it was actually so simple! It’s pretty small so it’s not that big of a deal to maintain, but I was still so scared just because everyone makes you think that starting something on your own is scary. Yes, some things are scarier than others- starting a business or anything that’s more high-risk would definitely be a lot more work than me deciding to start this blog, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

It’s so important to have people that support you and help you get through the first couple steps. Once you do that, it’s really not that hard to keep going! You’ll learn so much from the process of being a self-starter, and hopefully you’ll have some tangible results that you can look at and be proud of.

Another misconception I see a lot is people thinking that starting your own club, business, nonprofit, social media presence, etc. is either a total success or total failure. They might be scared it’s going to fail at first, but if it works out, they have super high expectations of it growing to be huge and famous. These high expectations can completely come true with the right mindset, work ethic, and timing, but things aren’t so black and white. There’s definitely an in between- you can have a YouTube channel with a few thousand subscribers that’s successful but not huge, and you can have a business that’s profiting but is only local. It shouldn’t make you unhappy with your progress if you’re trucking along but not an overnight viral success.

It can be really hard to get yourself out of that slump of feeling like your accomplishments aren’t big enough, and you’re not succeeding at the level you would like to, but don’t let yourself get discouraged. Remaining positive and working to grow your idea in the future will lead you to reach those goals eventually. Don’t lose hope or faith in yourself 🙂

I believe that each and every one of you has the potential to launch a project that can help people in your community in some way. If you find yourself wanting to make a difference, don’t be afraid to start!

Brooke

Why Your Attitude in School Matters

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

As we’re getting deeper into the new semester, I figured it was time for another school-related post. I’ve talked a little bit about having a positive attitude towards school and learning in general before, but never in detail or as an isolated post topic. I’ve tried to be really positive going into this semester, and I would definitely say it’s paid off so far. If you want to know how changing your attitude can make all the difference in your classes, keep on reading.

First of all, I want to make a reference to the Law of Attraction since it can easily explain why a shift in attitude regarding any topic can completely change that area of your life. If you’re giving out positive ideas and energy, the universe will reflect that in the energy you receive and the events that occur in your life. If you want to know more about the Law of Attraction, watch the documentary The Secret on Netflix, or look it up on YouTube to see people’s simpler explanations of it. If you’re aware of the Law of Attraction, I highly recommend you try your best to utilize it, especially in the area of schoolwork. It completely changes your perspective on everything if you make it work.

If you shift your attitude towards learning to be more positive, your classes will usually become so much more interesting! You’ll find learning new things exciting, and you will be grateful for the educational opportunities you have at school. If you focus on the stress and workload of school, it will never seem fun; think of the reasoning behind why we go to school. You’re gaining valuable knowledge, eventually going to graduate and go to college/out into the world if you’re already in college, and do exciting things using that knowledge you now have.

I’ve always been a super curious person who loves to learn about all sorts of things. It amazes me how many different subjects there are in the world that are interesting, and there’s so much to learn about each one (and so many levels of deeper understanding and detail). I like to think of myself as a sponge at school, trying to absorb everything so I can learn even more things in the future- I also think of high school as a stepping stone to my future. I’ve been excited for college since forever (and I’ll probably go to some form of grad school) and high school is a major stepping stone to get into college.

Thinking positive doesn’t just alter your mood while at school- it can also make an impact on your grades and other results. If you’re excited about the content you’re learning in class and being an active participant, you’re more likely to remember the content and be motivated to study it so you can do well. It’s a lot easier to learn when you’re immersing yourself in the knowledge and genuinely trying your best to be interested in it. Tests and other assignments will still be stressful, but looking at them as a chance to test your knowledge and prove to yourself that you’ve been working hard helps a little. You have to want to do well and put the work in, but once you do, there’s no stopping you with the right attitude!

I think being positive also helps a lot when you’re studying. If you’re trying to cram and getting discouraged because you feel like you don’t know anything and you’re going to fail, your mental state will only get worse and you probably won’t do too well. If you remain calm, tell yourself you know this stuff, and study effectively with a clear head, it’ll be much easier to remember the material on test day. Remember mind over matter- it actually does make a huge difference. When you’re well-rested and feeling good going into a test, you’re less likely to blank or make stupid mistakes.

I hope this post inspires you to shift the way you talk about and approach school and learning in a school setting. Let me know if it ends up making a difference- I’ll continue updating you guys on my journey with positivity 🙂

Brooke

Random Products that Make Your Life Easier

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

I’ve done a few product reviews before, and I thought I would compile a list of products I’ve gotten semi-recently or just products I’ve had for a while that I think are useful for everyday life. Obviously these are not necessities and they may not be useful for everyone, but I’ve found them nice things to have around. If you’re interested in finding some new and helpful products, keep on reading!

  • Rocketbook reusable notebook – I posted a review focusing on this product, so you should go check that out if you haven’t already! I love this notebook for writing things down that I don’t necessarily want to keep on paper long-term, and jotting down thoughts to quickly send to my phone. It’s super convenient and eco-friendly.
  • Mophie Powerbank portable charger – Portable chargers are LIFE SAVERS, hands down. I’m not sure if this is the correct name for my portable charger, but it’s a couple years old and has been through a lot, yet still holds about 3-4 phone charges.
  • Hydro Flask flex boot – If you have a Hydro Flask and are tired of it getting dented or making loud noises whenever you set it down, get this! I believe it’s only $10, and it’s totally worth it to preserve your cute (and pricey) water bottle.
  • Squatty Potty – I know I’ve mentioned this product before as well. I got it for Christmas, and it’s made my bathroom experience so much more enjoyable. It sounds silly, but don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it! It’s a life-changer.
  • Poo-Pourri – I’ve used this product for quite a while and it’s another semi-embarrassing bathroom product, but it’s really helpful and I like bringing it with me on trips, especially if I know I’ll be sharing a bathroom with multiple people. Even if you keep it in your own bathroom, it’s always nice to leave a nice scent behind rather than a stinky one.
  • Fiskars non-stick scissors – People always laugh at me when I gush about these, but I always have a pair with me at school. You can cut tape or anything else sticky because of the non-stick blades, and I just find Fiskars scissors to be the best. I have a bunch of pairs from elementary school still around my house, but I believe you can buy them at Target.
  • Labelmaker – My hyper-organized fifth grade self asked for a label maker for Christmas, and Santa pulled through. It’s helpful if you ever end up moving, if you want to be that extra kid who puts name labels on all their notebooks, or if you’re labeling storage bins in your house. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a nice thing to have on hand.

I hope at least a couple (if not more) of these product recommendations help you out. Let me know if you end up trying any and how they work out for you- I would love to hear your random useful product recommendations as well 🙂 I honestly hear about a lot of random but cool things on Buzzfeed, so check there if you’re looking for more!

Brooke

How to Improve Your Handwriting

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

A few years ago (in seventh grade), I decided I was going to change my handwriting for the better. Previously, I had a messy scrawl that often left my teachers confused- in elementary school, I would always get negative comments on my report card about my illegible handwriting. There was a girl in my English class whose handwriting I loved, so I studied it and tried to replicate it. At first I had to write really slow to do so, but it became more natural over time. Soon, I had a whole new distinctive style of handwriting, and other people would even compliment me on it.

To be honest, my handwriting was better in middle school than it is now. My classes are so much more fast-paced so I often have to scribble notes while my teachers are lecturing a mile a minute, but I still try to take pride in my writing and make things super neat and organized when I have the time to slow down a bit. Either way, I’m still proud of myself for the major improvement in my handwriting I’ve seen over the years, so keep on reading if you want to change your writing as well!

  • Find samples of writing you like – I suggest looking at Pinterest, but you can look anywhere. If you have a friend whose writing you’d like to emulate, that might help since they can give you pointers on how they’ve gotten their writing to look like that. You can also look at studygram accounts on Instagram for inspiration.
  • Try and copy the samples exactly – At first, try to copy the pictures you’ve found exactly. Imitate the width and height of the letters, the differences in the way certain letters are formed (a’s, y’s, etc.), if it’s more linear or loopy/cursive-like, etc. Don’t worry about actually putting it into practice yet, just get a feel for it.
  • Work it into your everyday writing – Start to write using this handwriting style in everyday life. If you’re not comfortable enough with it to write full-on notes and schoolwork in it, just start with to-do lists and little things.
  • Start slow, then try writing faster – The hardest thing for me was and still is being able to write neatly but also speedily. I would experiment with speed by choosing a few phrases to write and starting with writing them slowly, then rewriting them and trying to speed up your pace each time. I know it sounds silly, but it helps.
  • Add your own personal flair – Sometimes you’re just naturally going to have different writing than what you imagined, so you may end up adapting your desired style a little bit. Embrace it! That’s what will make your new handwriting uniquely yours, instead of just a carbon copy of the samples you chose.
  • Be consistent – This is the most important thing for continuing to have nice handwriting. Try to consistently keep one style, and it will become a lot easier to use it- it will also be easier to pick up speed in doing so.

I hope this helps out anyone looking to adopt a new handwriting style! I’ve been writing a lot in cursive recently and trying to pick up calligraphy/handlettering as well, so you might see some more posts related to these topics in the future 🙂

Brooke

What to Do With An Idea – 5 Steps

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

Before I say anything else, I want to clarify that this post is inspired by the children’s book What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada. I came across this adorable book in fifth grade when we had to choose a children’s book to memorize and recite in front of the class. I was recently brainstorming for blog post ideas, and I realized it would be interesting to write about ideas themselves. I used to consider myself an uncreative person, and even I have tons of ideas that cross my mind everyday; for you especially creative folks out there, I can only imagine what your minds are cooking up. If you’re wondering how to put your ideas into action, keep on reading.

  1. Write it down – You want to make sure you don’t forget your great idea! Write it down and anything else that comes to mind when you first think of it. I have an ongoing document of ideas that I can come back to later when I have time to actually flesh them out.
  2. Brainstorm more to see how it’s realistic – This is a crucial step because depending on how many details you can flesh out, you may have to leave your idea on the back burner for now. You can always come back to it later, but it’s important that it’s actually feasible to get it started if you’re going to go ahead with it now. Think about cost, the current connections you have, time commitment, and more before taking the next step.
  3. Talk to others who might be interested – It helps a ton getting an idea off the ground if you have people with experience. If your idea pertains to a certain industry/field, call up anyone you know who works in it. Also, reach out to your friends- they’d probably be happy to help and interested in taking part in whatever cool idea you have.
  4. Take the first step – Now that you have other people to help you and an outline of what you need to do to execute your idea, start the first step! Make some posters, start a social media account or website, host your first event and see who else is interested. Just start, because it will only continue to grow from there.
  5. Make connections and get more people involved – As your idea grows, you’ll meet more people trying to do similar things/who have similar interests. Be open to meeting new people and adapting your idea as your audience changes and trends change. Overall, do what’s best for you and the original intent of your idea.

I know these tips were a little vague, but that reflects the vast possibilities of whatever cool ideas you guys might have. Remember that the important part is that you came up with a creative idea- that’s basically half the work! Don’t be afraid to take the next leap if you’re confident in your idea. You never know what could become of it 🙂

Brooke

Where to Buy “Professional” or Business Casual Clothes – For Teens!

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

Even as a teen not yet in the workforce, there are still quite a few instances where you’ll need “professional” clothing. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you would know that I am a member of the YMCA’s Youth and Government program. For our training conferences, we could wear casual clothing as long as it was reasonably modest, but for our culminating conference in Sacramento (coming up in about a week!) where we have to wear business casual clothing that fits the “Sac attire” dress code each day of the conference. I had a few outfits that I had been able to pass off as professional enough for one-off events in the past, but for this conference I actually needed to invest in some business attire. If you’re in a similar situation, keep on reading to find out where to go!

One of my biggest concerns when finding business casual clothes was the cost. Stores that sell this type of clothing are often on the pricier end, and I couldn’t justify spending that much since I won’t be wearing these clothes often- only for Youth and Government and other special occasions.

  • Banana Republic outlet – I found a ton of good pieces here, and they were actually pretty stylish/things I was excited to wear. Everything was around 40-60% off, so I got a really good deal on everything I got. They have petite sizing and a wide range of sizing in general, which is good if you’re younger/smaller.
  • Outlets of other similar stores (J. Crew, etc.) – Same thing as the Banana Republic outlet situation, but I wanted to include that as a separate place since their deals really stood out to me and I had such a good experience. I recommend just going to the nearest outlet mall and peeking into any stores that look like they have businesswear. I found that Banana had the best deals, but you never know.
  • Nordstrom Rack – Their selection differs a lot from time to time, but the last time I went I found a ton of stuff. They usually have a lot of dresses and shirts, but it might be harder to find pants and skirts. Everything I got here was around $20-30, so it’s very reasonably priced- it depends on the brand though, since they have such a variety of labels.
  • Target – You might not expect it, but Target has a bit of everything. Again, it depends on their current stock, but I would pop in just to see. If not clothes, they have a really good selection of flats and heels you could get for reasonable prices.
  • Goodwill / Thrift stores – This is probably the most affordable and hit-or-miss option. If your local Goodwill or thrift stores have decent section of business wear and carry your size, it might be your best bet. That being said, I know thrift shopping often doesn’t work out and it may not have the best selection of these things, so I wouldn’t count on getting all your stuff here.
  • Your family! – If you’re similarly sized to your mom/dad/whoever in your family, ask to borrow their stuff! They’ll probably have at least one thing that’s neutral and you can wear- I borrowed my mom’s cardigan last time I had a Youth and Government event where I needed to dress formally.
  • “Typical” stores – Sometimes stores like Abercrombie or American Eagle will have business-casual blouses or slacks. I recommend checking in these stores just to see- they’ll also often be on sale since their target demographic doesn’t end up buying them as often.

I hope this helps you on your business casual clothing search! Clothes shopping in general can be challenging, so I know it’s a bit of a nuisance. That being said, you’ll feel like a super-important businesswoman (or man) when you find the right outfits for you. Let me know if any of these places have worked for you in the past, or if there’s somewhere else people should look!

Brooke