Category: Lifestyle

・❥・ An update of my life ・❥・

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hey, y’all! My name is Q’Zion and welcome to my blog, The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. I’m so sorry y’all; it’s officially been a week since my last post. But to be fair, I’ve been working on some other special projects that I haven’t shared quite yet…but we’ll get into that during my next post.

For the past month (and over) I’ve mainly been blogging about my updates with NaNoWriMo–the 30-day challenge of November where writers all over the world are challenged to write 50,000 words in 30 days. And I have some great news, for y’all; I won! Yayyyyy! But that’s not all; I’ve realized that in my time of doing nanowrimo posts, I haven’t given you guys an update on what I’ve been doing in the past month. And since November and December have been so amazing, so far, I thought it would be an amazing time to catch up. Here is an update on my life!

If I could describe my November in two words, it would probably be writing and books. I’ve went to Books-a-Million and Barnes and Nobles, and taken a lot of bookish/writerly pictures while doing it. I feel like nano also really helped me be able to write faster, as well, so it’s really helpful for writing blog posts and my writing projects!

As far as school goes, I’m nearly finished with semester one of the 2022-2023 school year. And I’ve got to say, as much as I love learning, it’s such a huge relief to be halfway there to summer break. How good it will feel to have freedom for a whole two/three months! Okay, so usually summer break would be about two, but considering that I usually finish up early, I’m anticipating on having longer.

I had a really great time on Thanksgiving; it was really nice to see my cousins and other extended family who I hadn’t seen in like a YEAR. I must say that it was super great to get a taste of my great-grandma’s famous meatballs and mac and cheese (my favorites.) And that makes me even more excited to go back, this Christmas!

Speaking of family, it’s been a while since I’ve given you all an update on Peace (my betta fish.) In short, it’s been a while since he’s grown, so I think my fish baby isn’t a baby fish anymore. As bittersweet as it is to see Peace growing up, I’m happy to say that he’s remained as energetic and loving as ever.

As far as my usual walking and running outside three times a week, I’ve got to admit that I’ve kind of slowed up on that. However, me and Goodmommy have still been finding and searching for nutritious and delicious alternatives to serve in our healthy eating (minus the ocassional milkshake, ice cream, or fruit smoothie.) We are also constantly working out in our home. I’m continuing to see progress in how I feel, how I look, and my everyday quality of life. So in short, I’m very happy!

I OFFICIALLY STARTED A NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL!!! Sorry for the ambush of all caps lol. But I’m just super excited since Goodmommy had been pushing me to start a channel on Youtube for the longest, and I finally settled on a book/writing channel since nano got me back into the groove of reading and writing. I’d really appreciate it if you guys would please check out my channel, Write It Right, on YouTube! All of your awesome support means the world! ❤

I hope you all enjoyed this life update, and I hope it was a nice refresher after all of my posts about NaNoWriMo. Please let me know down below in the comments, what were your favorite parts of your November, and is there anything you are looking forward to in December (including Christmas, of course!)

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all and I will catch you next time! Peace in, y’all! ♡

Week 4 NaNoWriMo Update + a surprise

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Hey, y’all! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! Week 4 of NaNoWriMo is officially over (yay!) and that means that tomorrow is the end of National Novel Writing Month of 2022. I’m still trying to process the fact that I will have written 50,000 words in only 30 days…happy is an understatement of how I feel right now!

Here is my Week 4 NaNoWriMo update (plus a really special surprise that I wanted to share with you guys.) Let’s go!

Joys and Trials

This week has been really fun, and I feel even more anxious to get finished with draft 1 of my book. I know you all are probably curious about what today’s SURPRISE is! Drumroll please! 🥁🥁🥁

I have officially started my own writing and bookish YouTube Channel, Write it Right. Considering that NaNoWriMo has got me in the habit of writing daily (and reading and writing books is something I have a true passion for) I thought creating a channel specifically for writing and reading would be a great idea. Here is my latest YouTube video, and I would really appreciate it if you guys would check it out!

Okay, so now that I’ve made that special announcement, let’s talk about Week 4 of my NaNoWriMo. After starting my new channel and resuming school after Fall Break, the ending of this week has been pretty busy. But I’m super happy with my progress; I’m less than 3.5k words away from 50,000 words! That is so insane and exhilarating to think about!

Now that I am even closer to hitting 50k, I am pretty positive that my novel won’t be finished after I reach 50k words, tomorrow. I will likely have 2-3 more chapters plus an epiloge to finish afterwards. But now that I have been writing everyday for nearly a month, I think I’ll just continue that until I finish draft one on my novel. And after a short break, I’ll probably film a video about reading my first draft, so stayed tune for that within the next two to three weeks!

Week 4 Word Count

November 23rd: 1,812 words

November 24th: 1,376 words

November 25th: 1,682 words

November 26th: 1,047 words

November 27th: 2,158 words

November 28th: 1,748 words

Week 4 Word Count: 9,823 words

TOTAL WORD COUNT: 46,662 words

Week 4 Goals Update

– Write at least 1,667 words every day

On the 24th and 26th, I did not reach this goal. I think that was mostly due to the fact that I’ve been writing late at night, and so I make up the words early in the next morning. However, I’m okay with that because I also had some really good writing days (including two 2k word days!)

– Start chapter 27 of my novel

I’m actually in the middle of chapter 26, right now. But I’m glad about where I am in my story, just because I don’t what to drag out nor rush my plot. Even though this is the first draft, I want to make it as good as possible (for a first draft.)

– Reach 47,000 words

This goal was a little ambitious considering it’s a few hundred over where I needed to be, yesterday. So, while I haven’t done this, as of now, I will be when I write later on tonight! One thing is for sure that my Word Count is definitely moving up the ladder!

Week 4 1/2 Goals (11/29-11/30)

– Write at least 1,667 words a day

– Finish Chapter 27 of my novel

– Reach 50,000 words

These are three goals that I am ULTRA confident that I can reach by tomorrow! I’m so excited!

So, that was all for my Week 4 NaNoWriMo Update. Hopefully you guys had just as much fun reading this as I had writing it! Please let me know down below in the comments what has been your favorite part of NaNoWriMo, whether it’s from this year or past years? I would love to hear from you!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all, and I will catch you later! Peace in!

Thanksgiving Recap | 2022

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Hey, everyone! My name is Princess Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving, which depending on where you live, may or may not have been yesterday! It recently dawned on me that I hadn’t even posted any Thanksgiving-themed posts on my blog, this year. And since Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (after Christmas and my birthday) that’s going to change today.

I decided to write a Thanksgiving recap by listing what I did to spend Thanksgiving of 2022. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Said a Thanksgiving prayer. Like we do every night and everyday before we leave the house, me and Goodmommy said a prayer thanking God for some of the things that we are thankful for during Thanksgiving afternoon. And I just have to say that the weather was absolutely perfect.

2. Celebrated Goodmommy’s birthday. Yes. Yes Goodmommy’s birthday is on Thanksgiving, which is like one of the best birthday’s ever (after Christmas, that is.) The only place we went to yesterday was my family’s house, but the day before I bought her two pairs of tennis shoes along with some Happy Birthday balloons. Goodmommy really appreciated all of her gifts, and I was so grateful to be able to make her b-day the best one yet!

3. Caught up with family. Like every major holiday of the year, I spent Thanksgiving at my great-grandmother’s house. And while I see Bigma all the time, it had been about a year since I’d seen my little cousins. I probably could have taken so many more photos, but being around family makes your devices a lot less important. But honestly, I think that’s just how the day was supposed to go.

4. Eat some soul food (and dessert). While Goodmommy had made some chicken and veggie soup the night before Thanksgiving–which smelled and tasted SO GOOD–I didn’t end up actually eating some until Thanksgiving night. At Bigma’s house, I had a plate of mac and cheese, yellow rice, and a couple of Bigma’s meatballs (which are that one thing that I make sure to have every holiday; they’re the best.) I topped off my meal with a piece of vanilla cake, and I ended up having a second slice about an hour later. There was also some apple pie, but I loved the cake so much that I forgot to have a slice. Although I don’t usually eat that type of food (only on special occasions) I had a great time eating my favorite soul foods.

5. Watched a party game. Some of my family members enjoyed the evening with a game called The Upside Down Challenge. It’s where you have to wear these funny glasses that turn your view upside down (so peoples’ heads are facing downwards) and you have to try to do simple tasks with them on. Some examples were drawing a star or crushing a cup with your foot. As the ambivert I am, I preffered to just sit down and watch. But I enjoyed seeing my family members have a fun time.

6. Recounted my blessings. At the end of the day, Thanksgiving stays true to its name. Yesterday was a time for me to thank God for his sacrifice on the cross, and everything that He has blessed me with. And if you ask me, that was one of the highlights of the entire day.

I hope you all enjoyed seeing how I spent this year’s Thanksgiving, and I pray that you all had one that was just as wonderful! And please don’t forget to begin putting up your Christmas decorations–now that Thanksgiving Day of 2022 is over, the Christmas season has arrived. Please let me know in the comments, what was your favorite part of this Thanksgiving? I would love to hear from you!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all, and I’ll see you next time! Peace in! And don’t forget that truly, everyday is Thanksgiving! ♡

25 Positive Affirmations to Begin Your Week ♡

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Hey, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! Today is Sunday, and that means a new week has officially begun. Regardless of what this upcoming week has in store for you, Sundays are a time for us to relax, recharge, and start off our week strong!

Positive affirmations are the perfect way to make sure your week is productive. And if Thanksgiving is coming up where you live, I’m sure we could all use a little bit of self care before the holiday season comes around!

Here are 25 fun, relaxing, and positive affirmations to help you start your week! Let’s get this party started!

25 Positive Affirmations to Begin Your Week

1. This week will be better than the last/ the best one yet!

2. This week, I will take time to recharge.

3. I am grateful for today, and I look forward to the week ahead of me.

4. I chose happiness today.

5. I am confident in the abilities that God has blessed me with.

6. This week, I will achieve my goals.

7. I am positive and creative.

8. I am enough, this week and forever.

9. I can handle whatever this week throws at me.

10. I am blessed.

11. My self-confidence is at an all-time high!

12. God is with me: there’s nothing I can’t do!

13. I will not allow anything to disturb my peace.

14. Many good things will happen, this week.

15. I am capable of doing great things!

16. I choose success and the work that will get me there!

17. This week is my time to shine!

18. I am unique, and proud of it!

19. I am exactly who God made me to be, and I will let my light shine, this week!

20. I will grow stronger every day, this week!

21. Today, I’ll take time to take care of myself.

22. Today is the new day that God has made!

23. My life has a purpose and a meaning.

24. Today, I chose healing.

25. This week will be a blessing in my life and the lives of others.

Whether or not it’s actually Sunday, for you, these positive affirmations are a great way to boost your energy level and make your week even more productive! And saying kind things to ourselves is one of the key factors to doing great things! I encourage you to try out these affirmations for yourself, and see just how positive your week can be!

Please tell me down below in the comments, which one of these encouraging and inspirational statements did you like the most? I would love to hear from you!

Have a happy and healthy rest of your day and/or night! God bless you all, and I will catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

My Photography Bucket List

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Hello, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. Most people have a bucket list in one way or another. Okay, so maybe you haven’t spent time writing down a list of insane things that you want to do, but a majority of us have things that we’d like to do and see before we leave this world. And for me, one of those things is take photos; lots of photos!

Today, I will be sharing my photography bucket list, which is exactly what it sounds like; a list of things I’d like to take a photo of before the day I leave this Earth. So, without further ado, let’s begin!

1. Autumn leaves falling from a tree

2. The Eifel Tower

3. Lightning

4. A dolphin jumping out of the water

5. Snow

6. Northern lights

7. A bouquet of flowers

8. A starry night sky

9. A newborn baby

10. An umbrella

11. The Statue of Liberty (Ironically, I have seen this in person, before, but I don’t have any of the photos, so I decided to include it.)

12. Butterfly on a flower

13. A Dog

14. The Golden Gate Bridge

15. Mountains, preferably at a National Park

16. City lights

17. Rippled water

18. A person’s silhouette

19. A cloud shaped like a heart and flower

20. A football game

21. Fireworks

22. A gooey s’more

23. A swing

24. Waves at the beach

25. Double rainbow (God’s promise)

It was such a creative experience to think of some of the awesome photos that I’d like to take in my lifetime. In fact, I might just do an update on this list in 10 years or so to see how much of it I’ve accomplished, by then. Tell me, have YOU already taken any of the photos in my photography bucket list? And if not, are any of the items I’ve listed on your photography bucket list, as well? I would love to read your responses in the comments?

Have an awesome and amazing day, everyone! God bless you all and I will see you next time! Peace in! ~ Q’Zion ♡

Monthly Wrap Up | October 2022

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Hey, hey, hey, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. And no, we are not dreaming; it’s really already November! To be honest, October was like a fun roller coaster ride, for me. It was super fun, but it also went by crazy fast.

Either way, I really enjoyed myself, last month, and I’d like to share some of my experiences with you guys! So without further ado, let’s get into the October ’22 monthly wrap-up!

My Life

  • It’s been a while since I’ve given you all an update on my fitness journey. While I’ve been a little slow lately when it comes to walking outside three days a week, me and Goodmommy have been finding other creative ways to get some exercise. We’ve even been following along to workouts that we find on YouTube. At first, it took some adjusting but now I look forward to adding more variety to my fitness routine!
  • I officially started National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, and so far, I’ve added nearly 2,000 words. I plan to write about 50,000 words by November 30th. Is it a crazy goal? Maybe a little bit. But I’m so stoked about my new story, and I can’t wait to read the finished product.
  • Experimenting with photography is another thing that I’ve been working on. Lately, I’ve been working with capturing different angles and objects (such as trees, or the sunset) as well as looking at different perspectives to capture a shot. I think that October might be my best month this year as far as my photography goes, because I took quite a few gorgeous pictures!
This photo is definitely one of my faves :> All Rights Reserved.

Books I Read

While I’ve bought a lot of books, this month flew by so quickly that I wasn’t able to finish any of them. But, there are a few that I started, so I’ll be sharing a brief review of my first impressions of each one. However, you may look at my more in-depth opinion in my last book haul. Let’s go!

  • The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin — Basically, this novel that I found at The Dollar Tree (yes, you heard correctly) is intriguing and confusing at the same time. It’s about a small school that consists of grades 1-8. It takes place in a class of 11 students–also known as the entire 7th grade–who idolized their classmate Paulie Fink. It’s kind of at a stand-still right now. Like, I know what’s happening but I don’t know what’s happening. Either way, it seems like a pretty fun book, so I’ll likely get back into it when I’m not so busy.
  • Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: Book I by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Kimberly Kirberger — honestly, Goodmommy was the one who ended up picking out this book for me. I really love the originality that it includes with a variety of true stories, poems, and other types of creative writing by teenagers and adults about their teenage years. There’s so many lessons in this book that I think that any teenager could learn/benefit from!
  • Savvy by Ingrid Law — to be honest, I couldn’t have read much more than 20 pages of this one (if that many) but it’s probably because beginning took a long time to get off the ground. Everything was so slow paced that it kind of lost my interest quickly, which was suprising because its one of my new books that I was the most excited about. But considering that it’s just the beginning of the book, I’ll get back into it eventually to see if things get more exciting.
  • Better with Butter by Victoria Piontek — Out of all the books that I’ve read this month, this one has got to be the cutest! In a nutshell, it’s about a shy girl with anxiety who gains confidence when she saves a baby goat named Butter. So far, the beginning of this novel has been pretty promising, and I’m super excited to see where this story goes next!
All Rights Reserved.

Series I Watched

  • One of my favorite series ever is The Mysterious Benedict Society, which is an exclusive series on Disney+. It’s about a group of smart, yet neglected kids who make a band of do-gooders to save their city from a conundrum called the Emergency. To me, this series is the perfect mix between adventure, mystery, fantasy, and the wholesome friendships that dominate a film. And what’s even cooler is that they just released season 2!
  • It’s been a long time since I’ve binged-watched this series, but I recently took a dive back into That’s So Raven. I think most teenagers and young adults can agree that it’s probably one of the most nostalgic sitcoms of the 20th century. While Raven’s Home is a decent sequel, I don’t think it compares to the original.
  • I have a lot of Disney Channel shows that I really love, but one of my ultimate favorites is Good Luck Charlie, just because it’s such a wholesome and quirky show. No matter how much I see the episodes, they never fail to make me laugh 100 times over.
  • Occasionally, I also tend to watch the show Walk the Prank. In about the 3rd or 4th grade, I used to watch this show almost every day after school. And while I don’t watch it all that much now, it’s really nice to look back at it when I need a little laugh. There’s something about childhood shows that’s just so comforting.
All Rights Reserved.

My Favorite Posts of the Month

I wrote and published a total of 13 posts, this month! Hooray! I’m honestly not mad at the number, because I think every single post I made was super good, and that’s what matters most as a writer! While I loved all the posts that I published in October of 22′, there were a few that stood out to me:

And that was the monthly wrap-up of October of 2022! Hopefully, you all enjoyed seeing the highlights of last month for me. Please comment down below, which post of mine last month did you enjoy the most? Also, what was YOUR favorite part of last month?

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ♡

Things to Do When You’re Bored in Autumn ♡

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Hey, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. Although for many of us, fall is still here (and as gorgeous as ever) it won’t be long before winter starts creeping in to try to steal the spotlight. Cold weather might make it easy to want to do nothing but snuggle up on the couch and sleep in. But, autumn is such a beautiful–and not to mention super fun–time of year; there’s so much to do! So it only makes sense that we make the most of all that autumn has to offer.

Today, I’m sharing the ultimate list of things to do when you’re bored in autumn. And I’m positive that with these tips, you’ll never be bored in the fall, again! So without further ado, let’s get started!

Visit a pumpkin patch – If you ask me, pumpkins are the classic symbol of autumn and its beauty. So what better thing to do this fall then run through a pumpkin patch? You could even carve the ones that you pick once you return home.

Bake an apple pie – The sweet, sugary essence of a homemade pie is perfect for that homey feel that fall is all about. Therefore, any fall dessert–including apple pie–is the perfect way to spend some time with an indulgent treat as your reward.

Take photographs – From the fierce yet comforting colors, to the way leaves drift to the ground, October and November have got to be some of the most gorgeous months of the year. And getting a few breath-taking shots can help you savor all of your fall memories for a lifetime.

Rake the leaves . . . and then jump into the pile! – Okay, so maybe doing a chore is not the most fun thing to do when your bored. But I think most of us can agree that during the fall, there’s an exception. So after you’ve rounded up all the leaves that have scattered across your backyard, take a dive in! Just make sure you’re prepared to rake the leaves all over again.

Go camping – The weather in autumn is the perfect mix of summer and winter; it’s not too hot and not too cold. And that means that any activity involving the outdoors is perfect for this time of year! Camping is a fantastic example!

Run a 1k (or a 5k if you want to be daring) – And speaking of the outdoors, some tasks are a little more challenging than others, but even more so in the fall. Running a mile (or maybe even 5 miles) is the perfect way to challenge yourself on a fall afternoon.

Knit a scarf – Whether you knit often or you’ve never tried it in your life, a warm scarf is the perfect way to prepare for the late autumn and winter months. Although knitting can take time and patience, a handmade scarf can make for a great autumn souvenir.

Drink hot chocolate in front of your fireplace – On the days when it’s a little chilly outside, sweet, warm beverages (including tea, coffee, and of course hot chocolate) are the perfect way to keep yourself warm and cozy. And I heard that if you have a fireplace, drinking hot cocoa is a next-level experience!

Go to a corn maze – Although I’ve never went inside one myself, I’ve heard that for many people, corn mazes are the perfect way to tease your brain, run around in circles, and make everlasting memories while doing so. And if you ask me, that makes a corn maze just the right place to go in the autumn.

Get cozy with your comfort novel – For all my bookworms out there, no fall activity compares to snuggling up on the couch with your most comforting novel in hand.

Have a fall movie marathon – Most people have at least one favorite movie that they watch every fall. Why not make a compilation of all of your favorite movies to watch in autumn, and have a movie night with your family and friends (or independently, if that’s what you prefer?) You may even find a few new movies to add to your favorites!

When autumn comes around, there are so many things to do it’s nearly impossible to be bored! And with the endless amount of fall activities (some of which I’ve stated here today) I hope you’ll be able to make this autumn your best one yet! Please let me know in the comments, what are your favorite things to do outside in the autumn. Also, which idea on this list did you like the most?

Have a happy and healthy weekend, everyone! God bless you all and I’ll catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

My favorite aspects of autumn ♡

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Hey, y’all! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to my blog, The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! ♡

Spring, summer, fall, and winter. The four seasons. Each one is unique in their own way; their own special events, holidays, traditions, and other characteristics that make up 1/4 of each year. While I love each one for their own reasons, autumn and winter have always had a special place in my heart. And since we’re practically in the middle of fall (already, I know) I want to explain some of the reasons why autumn is one of my favorite seasons. So without further ado, let’s get this party started!

1.) Warm and cozy colors

There’s something about medium green plants transforming into gorgeous orange, golden rod, and burgundy leaves as they float to the ground that’s so satisfying. All seasons have an aspect of nature that makes them unique, but the eye catching colors of autumn make the season stand out like no other.

2.) The spectacular weather

For me, warm weather is the least desirable weather to have. I mean, I’d rather be a little chilly than sweaty and uncomfortable, do you know what I mean? And while I love summer and winter, with both of those seasons, you either get one or the other side of weather. But when autumn comes around, the temperature is the perfect combination. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just how I like it.

3.) That homey reading atmosphere

By now, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of all things literature. I’ll do it just about any place, at any time of the day, and obviously in any season. But there’s something about fall vibes that makes me want to read even more. And any bookworm who has spent a fall night cuddled up on the couch with their favorite snack and a comfort novel knows what I mean.

4.) One of my favorite holidays – Thanksgiving

I wouldn’t be the same person if it wasn’t for my awesome family. And during the holidays at the end of the year, we always partake in the tradition of having family gatherings, as often as possible. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for me to recap what and who I’m thankful for and blessed with, eat mouth-watering food, and do all the other autumn things I love with the people I love. There’s not many things in this world that are better than that.

5.) Photography is thebomb.com

Photography is one of my other hobbies that I don’t talk about as often, but I adore taking photos of sceneries, especially in the afternoon or just before a sunset. And if we’re being completely honest, autumn’s gorgeous colors makes it the perfect time to go on a photography splurge.

6.) The yummy food

Technically, the comfort of fall horderves goes hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving, but I still wanted to include it because autumn is certainly not the same me without them. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy eating a soup, a piece of turkey, or a pumpkin pie on an autumn afternoon? (Seriously though, I’m super curious!) Autumn food is definitely another thing that makes fall like no other.

7.) Napping paradise

As I mentioned earlier, the weather in autumn is as close as it could get to perfect. The sun isn’t usually out too early (or too bright, when it does peek out from the clouds) which makes it easier to take a power nap or sleep in without feeling like you’ve missed out on half of a day. And since I’m homeschooled, I take quite a bit of naps, so that’s a bonus!

8.) Simple and chic fashion

When it comes to fashion, I am all for finding outfits that are both stylish and comfy. And from classic cardigans to knee high boots, there is so much wiggle room to play with when it comes to autumn fashion.

9.) The decorations

From pumpkins, to candles, to fairy lights, to throw pillows, there are so many creative yet comforting ways to decorate for fall, both on the inside and outside of our homes. I think that autumn decor is the perfect way to set that homey, timeless vibe inside your home, which is perfect not only for fall, but also the preparation for the transition into winter.

10.) Being outdoors

When it comes to autumn, doing any fun fall activity outdoors just makes my day. There’s so much to do this time of year that it’s hard to make an excuse not to go outside. And with the awesome aspects of fall (many of which I have mentioned in this list) it’s kind of hard to do nothing when there’s so much fun we can have right outside our door.

Most of the time, it would take longer posts like this a little while for me to configure. But when it comes to fall, there is so much to love that it’s easy to find reasons why it’s so amazingly great! Please tell me YOUR favorite season(s) down below in the comments? Also, what’s your favorite aspect of autumn and/or the season that you like the most? I’m looking forward to everybody’s responses!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Don’t forget that regardless of what you may be going through, we are all beautiful and wonderfully made. And that’s something we can all be thankful to God for! Peace in, y’all! ~ Q’Zion ♡

7 Ways to Get Cozy This Fall ♡

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Hey, everyone! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. I’ve got really good news; autumn has finally arrived! I don’t know about you guys, but fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. From the gorgeous warm colors, to the perfect temperature–not too hot, and not too cold–what’s not to love?

But although it’s no question that fall is a wonderful time of year, it can be difficult to find ways to transition from one season to another. As a result, today I decided to give you all some ideas for how you can start making the most of this autumn. Let’s get into it!

Bring Out the Blankets

If you live in an area that tends to get cold at this time of year, it’s probably a smart idea to go ahead and find ways to stay warm, during your autumn planning. Not only are blankets, a comfy way to stay warm, but they also make for a relaxing fall night; especially with a snack or book in hand.

Pumpkin it Up!

Now, there are a lot of things that scream autumn–some of which are included in the remainder of this list–but one of the first things that come to my mind are pumpkins! They’re bright, earthily sweet, and most of all, perfect for decorating. So don’t be afraid to decorate the majority of your house with these large, orange enhancements! It is fall, after all!

Candles, Candles, Candles . . . and Even More Candles

I mean . . . do we really need much of an explanation, here? Candles are the perfect way to add a little brightness to any room on a dark autumn night with their crisp yet comforting designs. Plus, the fact that they have delectable scents–especially when they’re fall themed–make them even more attractive as an option for decoration.

Have a Movie Marathon

One of the best ways to past time while cuddling up on the couch is to have a family movie night. There’s just something about watching comedies on an autumn night with a mug of warm, hot chocolate in hand. It’s a comfy, delicious, and timeless tradition that’s the perfect way to get cozy in the season of fall.

Bake Your Favorite Fall Dessert

Speaking of delicious, desserts are a must-have in most households when the end of the year comes around; they’re like the icing on the cake when it comes to holidays. So why not get into the Thanksgiving and Christmas spirit early with your favorite pie, cookies, cupcakes, bars, or whatever type of dessert is your favorite for fall!?! Not only will this be some extra inspiration to get in the kitchen, but you could also spend some quality time with family and friends, while doing so!

Switch Out Your Wreath–or Add One

All year long, me and Goodmommy are constantly switching out the wreath on our front door for every season—and sometimes, even more if we want to spice things up. In my opinion, they just make your home seem that much more inviting with a little burst of color. And although most people focus on decorating the inside of their homes for the holidays, we’ve got to remember to give the outside a little bit of love, as well.

Accessorize with Throw Pillow Galore

Let’s face it; throw pillows are the ultimate decoration for any living room, particularly during fall. The possible autumn-like designs are endless, and they provide us with excellent comfort–making them another necessity for a fall family movie night. And I think we can all agree that you can never have too many of those!

Seasoned-themed posts are always so exciting to create! There’s something about transitioning from one season to another that’s so exhilarating; it’s like, time to get ready for another adventure! I pray that this list will aid you well in making the most of the season of autumn.

What is your favorite season? Also, what are some of your favorite activities to do in the fall? I would love to read your responses in the comments, down below!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, y’all! God bless you all, and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ~ Q’Zion ♡

The Quirks of Being an Ambivert ♡

Q'Zion7 Comments

Hello, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! ♡

I already know that some of you may be looking at the title of this post and asking yourselves, “What is an ambivert?” Well you can wonder no longer; an ambivert is a person that has a personality that has the qualities of both an introvert and an extrovert. In other words, a person who is ambiverted is both an introvert and an extrovert mixed into one.

I’ve seen so many people write about “The Struggles of Being an Introvert,” which I can relate to considering that I’d still consider myself about 60% introverted. But I’ve never seen a post like that about being an ambivert. So I thought, why not write the first?

Here are a few of the unique parts–or as I like to call them, quirks–of being an ambivert. Let’s get going!

You’re talkative around certain people, but quiet around others.

This is a habit that I have noticed throughout the past few years. Around my close family and friends, I love to talk and make conversations. But when I’m around strangers or people who I don’t know as well, I tend to be quiet (sometimes even a little shy), but I talk more as I get to know them better.

You like making new friends, but too much socialization can be draining.

Whenever I get a chance to interact with people my age, I’m almost prone to take that opportunity. And I can spend quite a while in that environment feeling at ease. But after about three hours, I’m ready to say my goodbyes and have some quality alone time–which is most likely gaming or reading. In other words, I enjoy socializing, but only for so long.

Sometimes, you often find it difficult to choose whether to stay home or go out.

This is a biggie for me, especially since I’ve had this urge to go out more often, lately. Like on one hand, I love being in the comfort of my own home; home truly is where the heart is. But lately I’ve definitely been itching to do something–even if it’s just a stop at the grocery store or a drive around town. I used to be the type of person who’d do anything (but not literally anything) to stay at home. But now, it all depends on the day.

You like trying new things, but when it comes to life, you don’t like change.

Okay, okay. Let me explain. When it comes to things like baking (and taste-testing) a new recipe or trying a new hairstyle, I’m all for it. But I can also be really picky when it comes to the things that I’m used to or have already prepared for suddenly changing–such as new instructions on an assignment or a canceled appointment.

You think that the word “introvert” or “extrovert” don’t describe your personality.

Honestly, I think this was the main thing that convinced me to consider myself an ambivert in the first place. I have qualities of both introverts and extroverts, just as much as I relate to both. Calling myself one or the other is like only acknowledging one half of the qualities that make me, me.

You enjoy working solo and in groups.

What else can I say–it’s not only relatable, but also one of the most common qualities of most ambiverts. To be honest, whether or not I want to work independently or with friends all depends on the assignment and how I’m feeling that day. Sometimes, working alone can make a project more boring. And other times I want to be in control of every detail; I guess that’s just the perfectionist ingrained in me. But I will say that whether or not I’m working alone or with others, I am pretty good at adapting to either work environment.

Honestly, I think being ambiverted is really underrated. Seriously, though. When’s the last time you’ve heard someone say “I’m an ambivert?” But to be honest, I think that fact alone makes me and all the other amazing ambiverts out there that much more unique–and if you ask me, that’s a really good thing!

Many of you probably know that when I was younger, I considered myself an introvert. That was until I reached my teenage years. But what about you guys? Would you describe yourself as an introvert, extrovert, or an ambivert? Also, has your answer to that question changed over the years? Feel free share your responses in the comments!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everybody! God bless you all, and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ♡