Category: Lists

5 Mental Health Tips for the Holidays

Q'Zion6 Comments

Hello, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. It’s officially December, and we all know what that means; the Christmas season is finally here! And while the spirit of Christmas is in the air as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, many people find themselves more susceptible to stress and even depression during this time of year.

Let’s face it; everyone wants to feel great inside and out throughout the year, but even more so during the Christmas season. And we can all do that; all it needs is a little bit of work and preparation, and we’re all good to go! Today, I will be sharing my top 5 tips for maintaining mental wellness during the holidays. Let’s get started!

Maintain an ‘optimist-realist’ mindset.

The Christmas season is such a beautiful time of year; especially when it is Jesus’s birth that we are celebrating. And I believe that in our hearts, we all want every holiday season to be better than the last. And is it a good thing to maintain that holiday spirt? Absolutely! But we must also be sure to be realistic about our limits and those of the ones that we love as we work to throw huge family gatherings at the end of the year. This year my not be exactly like the last. People and families change. And financial situations and traditions might, as well. But as long as we keep both the optimism and the realism during this time of year, our holiday season will likely be the best one yet.

Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet.

I know, I know. You’ve probably read this only a thousand times, and would like to do nothing more than to skip to the next heading. But a huge part of the reason why many people feel stressed or depressed around this time of year is because they aren’t putting the work in to keep their body and minds healthy. As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day (even something as simple as yoga, walking, or hiking) as well as incorporating the necessary vitamins and minerals into your diet with fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and protein can cause a boost in your energy and sanity.

Besides, most of us will enjoy a nice break from our diets on Christmas Day, anyway. Just remember, when we do have a craving for something sweet or savory, what matters most is that we eat everything in moderation. ;))

Plan ahead.

What gets most people into a stressed crunch before Christmas and New Year’s Day arrive is they wait until the last minute to buy gifts, prepare Christmas dinners, and put up festive decorations around their home. But in reality, that can only hype up the stress when Christmas is only one or two weeks away. Do yourself and your family a favor by planning a grocery list, putting up most of your decorations for the year, and buying gifts while sales are still here. If you do, it is sure to help your peace of mind, and your wallet.

Volunteer.

One of the best parts of Christmas is that it gives us all another opportunity to look out for one another–meaning ourselves, our families, and those in our communities. God loves a cheerful giver, and if you have the means to give, a great thing to do would be to donate your time and/or money towards an organization that you support. Most of us are blessed by God to be able to afford a fairytale Christmas (or as close to it as we can get.) But everyone doesn’t have that luxury. And it’s important in both God’s will and the spirit of Christmas that we give back to the people and communities that have given to us.

Create a personal budget.

Budgets. Are they most people’s favorite word? Probably not. But are they a weight off of our shoulders during the Christmas season? You bet! This tip kind of goes hand in hand with #1, just because creating a budget requires us to tap into that ‘optimist-realist’ mindset that we discussed.

Sometimes, as much as we want something (for ourselves and/or those we love) it’s important to be realistic with ourselves in how much we can give. So, whether your budget is 50 or 500 dollars, this holiday season, remember that the true meaning of Christmas has no monetary value. Or in other words, a million gifts cannot replace the love that we share during this time of year.

While we cannot control everything that life brings, we can maintain faith in God’s plan for us and do all the preparations that we can for Christmas Day. And I hope that with these tips, your Christmas season will be the utmost merry and bright! Please comment down below some of your productive tips for maintaining mental wellness during this time of year. 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! ♡

How I’m Preparing for NaNoWriMo [Preptober]

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What’s up, everybody! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen!

If you haven’t already heard, National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo fo short) starts on November 1st … and that means that it’s time to write a novel! In case you aren’t familiar with NaNoWriMo, here is the official website’s description of their Young Writers’ Program;

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, empowering approach to creative writing. The challenge: draft an entire novel in just one month. For 30 wild, exciting, surprising days, you get to lock away your inner editor, let your imagination take over, and just create!

Our Young Writers Program supports under-18 writers and K-12 educators as they participate in our flagship event each November, and take part in smaller writing challenges year-round.

–ywp.nanowrimo.org

In other words, NaNoWriMo is a writing challenge–both for adults and kids/teens in the Young Writers Program–to reach a personalized word goal by writing every day until November 30th! No editing or revising; just writing.

I’ve “participated” in this challenge for the last couple years, but I’ve never actually gotten my project off of the ground. However, this year I’m planning on writing a 50,000 word novel, starting on Tuesday! Ambitious, right? But don’t be fooled; I didn’t decide to do this challenge unprepared. Today, I’ll be discussing some of the ways that I’ve been preparing for National Novel Writing Month! Let’s get started!

Established my goals for the challenge

For me, NaNoWriMo is an opportunity for me to write everyday, quit worrying about making my writing perfect, have fun, and produce a novel in the process. Although my blog has significantly increased the amount that I write, NaNoWriMo will push that to the next level, and I think that my word goal will really challenge me to increase my writing skills and hold back on my perfectionist ways. The challenge is really all about having a good time doing what I love to do; write. So that’s something I plan to keep in mind throughout the entire process.

Made a schedule (sort of)

Okay, so I haven’t made a schedule where I’ve figured out the exact dates and times that I will be working on my novel; after all, every day is different. But I do know that in order to reach my word count goal by the end of November, I’m going to need to write 1667 words every day. That means that even if I can’t write that many words on a day that I’m busy, I could make up for it on a weekend or on a day when I don’t have much on my schedule. Having an idea of how much you need to write to reach your goal–in baby steps–is super helpful to break down the task in front of you without it being too intimidating.

Gotten to know my characters

In the novel that I am almost done with drafting, I pretty much dove into the writing process with the idea and built on that from there. And while that was fun to try, that project has been at a stand-still for a while, now. Since writer’s block is not really an option when you have 30 days to write a novel, I did a little (no a LOT) more planning this time around. For each of my characters I filled out a questionare on who they are, what they like to do, where they live, their personalities, etc., and I think that really payed off. Now, I can picture how each of the characters look in my head, and I have a better perspective on who they are as individuals. And considering that characters are one of the most important parts of a story, that will be super helpful for me, later on.

Established my setting

Usually, settings aren’t something I do a whole lot of thinking about when I get an idea for a story. Like with my characters, I kind of go where the plot wants me to go. But this time, my novel takes place in a magical kingdom split into 4 (meaning there are four pairs of a king and queen.) Each kingdom has their own customs, geography, and citizens with their own personalities and behaviors. Therefore, establishing my complex setting for this story was a crucial part of making my novel’s first draft as well-executed as possible.

Prepared small rewards with my family

Right after I decided to participate in NaNoWriMo, I made sure I discussed it with Goodmommy. She was so supportive that she even purposed that every time I write 5,000 words toward my goal, she’ll give me 5 bucks! And every 25,000 words, we’ll go out for ice cream! Awesome, right?!? To be honest, I think getting family support and small rewards to look forward to will make NaNoWriMo so much more fun!

Outlined my plot

Finally, I outlined all of the major events of my plot. At first, I wasn’t planning on doing this AT ALL. But I’ve had a pint full of motivation lately, thank God, so I ended up going for it. Now that my plot outline is complete, it will most likely save me from running into writer’s block halfway through November. And as a writer, that’s almost always something to celebrate.

By now, I’m quite sure you guys can already tell, but I’m super stoked to get involved in the hype of NaNoWriMo. Although I realize 50,000 words is a pretty steep goal for my first time doing this challenge, I’m more than confident that I can reach it! Please tell me down below, are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? If so, what are some things you’re doing to prepare? And if not, have you ever heard of National Novel Writing Month?

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

How to Get an Idea for a Novel

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

Writing a novel is one of the most rewarding things one could do as a writer. You put your ideas, creativity, and time into a story and your hard work payed off; what a feeling! But the thing is, how can you know what that’s like when your stumped on what you want your novel to be about?

Brainstorming the conflict or plot of your own story can be intimidating to think about, but there are so many ways to get your creative juices flowing and your fingers typing. We just need to use our imaginations. With these easy-to-follow yet effective tips, you are likely to come up with a fresh, awesome story idea in the blink of an eye. Let’s get started!

1.) Think about a story that you want to read, but hasn’t been written.

If you’re a writer and a bookworm, like me, its likely that you’ve come across many awesome novels. But have you ever thought about a story that you’d love to read . . . that hasn’t been written, yet? Whether this is a random thought or a new discovery, there is always an awesome story that hasn’t been told. And since this idea hasn’t yet been taken, it could be the perfect starting point of your very own story.

2.) Write a novel with a spin on a classic story.

From fairy tales, to fables, to the bedtime stories that every kid grew up reading, we’ve all had our fair share on classic, timeless stories. People are used to hearing them be told a certain way, but the perfect way to spice things up is to retell one of your favorite fairytales with a special twist. Although this can be a risky topic for a story, if it is well executed and thought out, it could make for a fantastic novel.

3.) Try the ‘words in a jar’ method.

This might sound a little confusing, so let me further elaborate. The ‘words in a jar’ method is when you put a bunch of words in a jar that you’re interested in, curious about or like to read about. Some examples are rollerblading, magical creatures, France in the early 1900s, factories, Columbian culture, etc. Then, you pick out three random words and try to make a novel idea out of it. You may not be crazy about every idea, but you could also find something that you really love. Either way, this method is perfect to get your brain . . . storming when you need some inspiration.

4.) Use the genre that you like to read.

Let’s face it, if you like to read realistic fiction, you’re probably not going to be as familiar with the fantasy genre. Although writing a novel in a genre that is newer to you can make for a fun challenge, its not the most practical for a well-developed story. The books that we read are a representation of what we like in literature. Therefore, what makes more sense than to write in the genre that you like? If you write a book that you are already passionate about, then your readers likely will be, too.

5.) Create a character based off of you or someone you know.

Characters are like the building blocks of a Lego wall. They are the people that your readers relate to, participate in dialogue to move the plot along, and portray the theme that you want your novel to represent. And making a character from scratch is not always a walk in the park. Therefore, using an experience of yours, or basing your character off of you or someone you know well (with their permission, of course) can be a good solution. If your character has a similar personality to you or a friend/family member, you can already have a sense of who they are and what they believe. Besides, writing is even better when we include the ones that we love.

6.) Just write.

Although all of these activities can be life-saving in the writing world, sometimes nothing beats facing writers block like the old fashioned way: just writing. Even if you jot down the first thing that comes to your mind, random ideas could turn into a bestselling novel; just like every single good book of the past. All we have to do is sit down, open our laptop, and write.

Finding an idea for a novel can be harder said that done . . . but with fun, creative ideas like these, it can be another challenging yet rewarding writing task that can lead to a one-of-a-kind story. Please tell me in the comments, what are some other ways that someone could find an idea for a narrative? Also, which of these tips did you like the best or find the most helpful?

Thank you all so much for joining me, today! God bless you all, and have an amazing rest of your day! Peace in! ~ Q’Zion ♡

Daily Habits for Mental Wellness as a Christian – PT. 1

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Hey, hey, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen.

There are so many aspects to being healthy . . . not just how much exercise you get or how healthy you eat. Are those things important? Absolutely! But a healthy body is not the only factor of a healthy spirit. That’s where mental wellness comes in. While this is a major topic on my blog, I realized that I’ve never directed a post about positive mental habits for fellow Christians. But that changes today.

As followers of Christ, there are so many ways to please God. And one thing that I know God wants is for us to be healthy–mentally, physically, and spiritually. And implementing healthy, productive habits into our daily lives to boost our mood and gain a sense of self worth is perfect for maintaining mental wellness and deepening our relationship with our Heavenly Father, in the process. Today, I will be listing a few ways that we can do so, with a scripture representing each point. So without further ado, let’s get started!

Practice Gratitude in all Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

For me, showing gratitude as a Christian is not simply just being thankful. It’s showing appreciation–through our actions, thoughts, and words–that God has loved us enough to bless us with salvation (eternal life) and all the other people and blessings that put the icing on the cake. While anyone can practice gratitude, it’s even more critical that we practice this lifestyle as followers of Christ.

By acknowledging the things that we are blessed to have, even in the moments where everything isn’t going our way or we don’t feel our best, we can build on our relationship with God as we give Him glory for all that He’s blessed us with. And the best part is, when we show God that we are thankful, He can (and will) bless us with even more than what we have now. What an amazing Father we serve!

Communicate with God through Prayer

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

– 1 John 5:14-15

Praying should be a no-brainer for all followers of Christ. Some people say that they are happier when they spend time with their family and friends. And while our loved ones are all wonderful gifts from God, it’s important that we take time everyday to communicate with the Lord, as well, with the power of prayer.

One of the most common questions that I see about prayer is simply “How do you pray?” Well, the simplest answer to that is have a conversation with God. That could be in the form of thanking Him (another great way to express our gratitude), asking Him for what we need, asking for forgiveness, and even using memorized scriptures to strengthen our conversations. Praying doesn’t have to be difficult, in fact. Even “Thank you, Lord” is a prayer.

Instead of thinking of praying as a daunting task (particularly for new Christians) think of it like this: God has given us the gift of being able to speak to Him whenever we’d like. We can get to know more about Him and better our spiritual and mental wellness while doing so. And when we decide to take that opportunity, we are taking a huge step towards becoming the best people that we can be; both as people and most importantly, God’s children.

Get Your Exercise

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Although they are most often separated as two different topics, our physical and mental health are more connected than some may realize. For example, if you eat an apple everyday, you will most likely have lower hormone fluctuations (meaning less mood swings) and a boosted mood. While on the other hand, too much stress can suppress one’s immune system and make them more susceptible to diseases.

Our bodies are yet another blessing from the Lord. And the functions of our bodies that seem as simple as walking and breathing are miracles. And because our bodies are such gifts, we’ve got to do what we can to keep them healthy. Exercise (preferably 30-60 minutes a day) is the perfect way to release happy hormones (therefore making you feel more relaxed and accomplished) while keeping our physical health in check. But, even if you get bored during your next jog, you can always play some of your favorite gospel tunes to add worship to your workout!

Understand Who You are In Christ

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

– John 14:27

Having a sense of confidence is something that anyone can struggle with, including God’s children. But the thing is, when we take a look into God’s Word, we notice that throughout the entire book, He is constantly telling us who we are to Him: the apple of His eye, forgiven, loved, saved, strong, made with a purpose, wonderfully made, and worthy to have a happy, eternal life.

While self confidence is something that can take time to build, we can’t help but be grateful when we receive all that God has called us to be. So whenever you need a little bit (or a lot) of encouragement, take time to study who God says you are. Because at the end of the day, that matters WAY more than what anyone else thinks/says about you.

Mental health is critical in our day to day lives, and we should all take time to make sure that we are taking time out of each day to maintain a happy, healthy, and godly state of mind. Hopefully, these simple yet life-changing habits will help you do just that. Please tell me some of your healthy habits (as a Christian) that you do to maintain mental wellness. Also, were any of these tips eye-openers for you?

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

6 Things I Love to Do on the Weekends [REPOST]

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A/N~Hey y’all! It’s Q’Zion! My goodness, was this Friday busy for me. But thank God that I have a three-day weekend since the 5th of September is Labor Day! Anyway, because tonight is the start of the weekend for me, I though I’d repost this list of things that I like to do to make the most of the end of each week. I hope you all enjoy it! ♡

Let’s face it–we all sigh with relief when we go home and/or get finished with work on a Friday. We have a whole 2 days ahead of us to relax and enjoy our weekend. Personally, I’m a HUGE FAN of my weekends, and I do as much work as I can throughout the week to make the most of every Saturday and Sunday. And since the weekend is coming up, I thought it’d be a cool idea to share some of the ways that I like to spend my short vacations. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get into it! 

⒈ Go to a Library ♡

Okay, so this one may be a little obvious since most of my followers know how much I love to read. However, reading is one of my favorite activities to do on a weekend. I have a whole 48 hours to start a new book or maybe even finish one that I’ve been procrastinating, for some time. Don’t you just love that feeling when you sat down and finished a book that you haven’t picked up in a while? I sure do!

⒉ Binge My Favorite TV Show ♡

Throughout the week, it’s easy to forget about some of my favorite TV shows, or simply replace watching them with schoolwork, family time, and the occasional naps. When the weekend comes along, I usually spend a couple hours catching up on the new seasons of the shows that I love. And if a new movie just came out on Disney+, it’s not a surprise if we have a family movie night, too.

⒊ Go to Church ♡

One of the perfect ways to start my week and be refreshed before school starts on Monday is fellowshipping and learning the Word in the House of God. Praise and worship, seeing my family and friends, and socializing with other believers is always a blessing and one of the best parts of my week. It makes me feel happier and closer to God when I listen to His Word.

⒋ Fun in the Sun at the Beach or Pool ♡

Due to COVID-19, it seriously has been a while since I’ve went to the beach or the pool. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that I love changing into my bathing suit and having some fun in the sun. Since spring is here, and summer is not too far from now, it’s the perfect time of year to hit the beach and go for a swim.

⒌ Bake a New Recipe ♡

Although I don’t get in the kitchen often (at least not to cook or bake) Friday nights and weekends are the perfect opportunity to learn a new recipe and spend time with Goodmommy. For me, cooking can be so relaxing and satisfying. The fact that you can whip up some ingredients, place it in the oven, and take it out to see a masterpiece is always super rewarding. Especially when you get to eat your creation, when your all done.

⒍ Have a Picnic ♡

Is it just me, or does this remind you of that one scene from Tom and Jerry? LOL 🍓🍉🌭🥤

Honestly, I’ve only been to a picnic once in my life, as far as I can recall. But I must say that I love to eat in nice weather, especially in a screened-in patio or on a balcony. You get to admire the sunshine while eating your lunch. Picnicking seems to be pretty similar and great for spring time. Especially on a weekend!

Weekends are a time for us to take a break from work and school and focus on family and the hobbies that we love the most. Therefore, we might as well make the most of every second. Hopefully, this list gave you some inspiration for how you can spend your short vacation.

What are some of your favorite ways to spend the weekends? Feel free to comment down below.

Have a beautiful weekend, everybody! God bless you all, and I will catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

5 Tips for Notetaking as a Virtual Student ♡

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Virtual school is more popular than ever these days–so much so that now, many kids who began virtual education as a result of COVID-19 are now attending virtual or remote schooling part- or full-time. And while most people think that attending school on a screen is a piece of cake, not all parts of virtual school are easy for many kids–and one of those factors is note-taking.

Considering that I’ve been attending virtual school for nearly 6 years, you could say that I’m pretty experienced with creating a note-taking system. And I’d like to help new virtual students–or students who just want a more organized way to study–to do the same. Here are 5 quick tips that will help steer every remote student onto the road to note-taking mastery! Let’s get started!

1. Use your resources

One of the many benefits of being a virtual student is that we have so many different ways to learn and study at the click of a button. In case you are still learning how to navigate your online education platform, ask your teacher if there’s any guided notes (meaning notes that outline lectures, but allow students to fill in the blanks with material found in a lesson), tutorials, or other helpful resources to help you with your notetaking and studying. And don’t forget to take advantage of opportunities to ask your teachers questions through tutoring sessions, live lessons with your instructor and fellow students, or your teacher’s contact information.

Online education gives us so many methods to seeking the help we need: all we have to do is use them.

2.Write down the highlights of each lesson

I know, I know. How exactly are you supposed to tell which parts of each lesson are truly important? Well, the truth is, sometimes it can be hard as a virtual student. But the number one thing that helps me is asking myself, “What do I think is going to be on the test?” and “Is this something that I think is important?” When we think about the definitions or topics that we will likely be tested on in the future, or simply what that we think we will need to know, it becomes a little easier to see what is truly worth jotting down and what isn’t.

3. Find your own style

The truth is, the style of notes that are best suited for helping us remember our subject’s material depends on the person. Some students prefer to split their pages in two, where one side is for definitions and the other is for important notes. While others like to use lists, bullet points, and headings to keep their notes organized. And people like me may just make up a style of their own. Either way, make sure that you are taking your notes in a way that will be the most helpful to your learning. After all, you’re the one who’ll have to use your notes for the rest of the year.

4. Write like you talk

I’m not sure who is responsible for writing our lessons, but–even though they do an awesome job–sometimes we need to reword the important information the way we would explain it to a friend. The way we talk is a reflection of the way that we process information. This means that reading notes that are written in our own words is the best way to help us truly absorb the information that we learn.

5. Consider color-coding

Not only is this a method that I love, but many students (both in-person and virtual) do as well. Bright colors from markers such as highlighters are meant to catch our attention. So if there’s anything that you jot down and feel like you’ll need to revisit later, make it stand out with some color. Not only is it really functional, but also really cool if you want to add some extra ✨ pizazz ✨ to your notes.

What? There’s nothing wrong with getting a little fancy!

Note-taking is a must for students of all ages—it’s like the golden rule to truly remember all the things that we learn on a daily basis. To all my fellow students out there, hopefully with the use of both these tips and the ones that you discover in the future, you’ll all become note-taking experts!

What are your favorite methods for taking notes? Do you use color or do you prefer notes that are straight to the point? And finally, do you have any tips for students who are trying to find a method for taking notes? Feel free to share your responses down below in the comments.

I pray that each and every one of you will have a peaceful rest of your day or night. God bless you all, and I will catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

8 Wellness Tips for a Healthier (and Happier) Lifestyle

Q'ZionLeave a comment

What’s up, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to my blog! I hope all of you are enjoying the prime of summer!

As you all know, we recently entered the month of August. But did you know that the 8th month of the year also promotes wellness in our everyday lives? If not, then today’s the day! In honor of National Wellness Month, I have created a list of 8 simple tips to help us live our happiest and healthiest lives possible. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get this show on the road!

1. Start your mornings with something productive

The morning is one of the most important times of the day; it’s a time for us to get our gears moving and create a fresh start for a brand new 24 hours. After we finish our regular morning routine, we might as well do something to boost our energy. Stretching with some yoga poses, finishing another chapter of your new book, and learning a new language are a few options. You never know–after you begin to start your day doing something you love, you may even become a morning person.

2. Go outside and get some sunlight

Exercise is just as good for our minds as it is beneficial for our bodies. And that means that it’s one of the best ways to maintain a healthier lifestyle. A quick jog around your neighborhood or a local park is a great way to enjoy what nature has to offer while burning a few calories, before dinner. What’s not to love?

3. Eliminate negative self-talk

Wellness isn’t technically something that’s hard to achieve–but the progress starts with us. In order to transition to a state of better mental health, our mindsets have to be a reflection of that. This means that in order to make the progress that we want, we’ve got to be kind to ourselves by promoting positive words in our heads everyday. It’s much easier to reach a goal when we use our inner voice as an outlet of encouragement, rather than negativity.

4. Get a green thumb

Have you ever heard that people who garden tend to be happier? Well, then that is in fact correct. Multiple studies have shown that plants have a way of helping people feel more relaxed and content, similar to the effects of riding a bike everyday. Plants can even help increase concentration, your ability to breathe, and quality of life. So taking up the hobby of gardening might be a good idea to consider.

5. Creatively eat more fruits and veggies

Although we’ve all heard it thousands of times, we really do need to get our daily intakes of fruits and veggies. But just because we want to make an effort to make our diet more nutritious, doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun while doing it. Feel free to experiment with creative–and delicious–ways to eat healthier. Fruit smoothies, colorful salads, and veggie casseroles are a few tasty ways to spice things up in the kitchen.

6. Create something

I don’t know about you, but it always feels good when I take some time out of my day to be creative. There are so many options for what you can make–whether it’s a few quick doodles, a portrait, a paper craft, or even your own book. All it takes is a little imagination, and thousands of productive possibilities are within our reach!

7. Make sleep a priority

One of the things that we all need everyday is our beauty sleep. Without it, there’s no way that we could get through each day. So even if you find yourself busy as a bee, make sure that when your work for today is done, you get your 8 hours. This way, you can put just as much energy in the work that tomorrow has in store, and feel great while doing it.

8. Stay hydrated

The golden rule to a healthy lifestyle is to keep water in our systems. Not only does water reduce the risk of a large number of diseases, but it also does the basic job of maintaining high energy levels and keeping our brain functioning at its best. Considering all it’s benefits, drinking water is definitely a goal that we should all commit to.

Working towards a healthier lifestyle can be a challenge for some, but with a few simple changes here and there, achieving our wellness goals is a piece of cake. I challenge you all to take the time during National Wellness Month to make a few goals for yourself to pave the way for a healthier, and happier life. Hopefully, these tips were a good way to start your journey!

Let’s Chat~What are some of the methods that you take to achieve wellness? Feel free to share your response down below.

Have a blessed rest of your day, everyone! I’ll catch you later! ♡

6 Ways to Prepare for Back to School

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Although for me, school will be back in session in approximately 2 1/2 weeks, others are already back to school or about to be, and some kids are just starting their summer break. Whether you’ll be going back to school in a two weeks or two months, it’s important that we are prepared well before school actually begins.

Sure, it’s only the end of July. But for many of us, the sound of school bells ringing is right around the corner; we might as well get ready! To help you start on your back-to-school preparations, I’ve provided 6 helpful tips for how you can start the school year with a prepared peace of mind.

Stock Up With School Supplies

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to my school work, I need more and more supplies every school year. And since school supplies tends to go on sale early into summer break, why not get your back to school shopping over with early? Knowing that you have all the supplies that you need to get your work done in style will surely put a load off of your shoulders.

Create (and Follow) a Morning Routine

Staying up till morning while binging your favorite TV shows is the epitome of many kid’s summer break. But as school inches closer, there comes a time where we need to get back into a daily routine. Getting ready in the mornings is one of the most important aspects to starting a productive school day. So creating routine to help you start your day is a great way to prepare.

Talk About Back-to-School Anxiety with a Confidant

While a new school year can be a fresh start for some students, it can be a much more nerve-wracking experience for others. In case you have a few back-to-school nerves, it’s a great idea to consider sharing some of your worries with a trusted companion of yours–especially someone that has been in your shoes once. Whether it’s a parent or guardian, an older sibling, or even a close friend, speaking to someone who knows what it’s like to be nervous as school approaches can sympathize with your emotions and encourage you that you will ace whatever this year throws your way.

Keep Reading

I know, I know! Summer break is one of the few chances that we get where we don’t have to read. Why would we want to spend our days of leisure doing something that we have to do during most of the year? Well, my friends, just because you don’t have to do something doesn’t necessarily mean that we shouldn’t. Plus, going from reading absolutely nothing to the sudden change of reading everyday can cause us to loose a lot of what we learned last year. In fact, educational professionals have actually named this “summer slide.” Therefore, the best way we can prevent loosing our current knowledge is by continuing to read. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you do.

Do a Quick Review Of What You Learned Last Year

Have you ever been working on an assignment in the middle of a school year and suddenly said “Oh–I remember learning something like this last year!” Well, instead of having this kind of realization months after school begins, it’s always nice to get a quick review, beforehand. And skimming through some of your leftover notes from last year–a week or two before school begins–is a great way to start.

Relax

Although it can be a little unnerving when school is just around the corner, we have got this in the bag! Take the last few weeks of your summer break to practice self-care and above all, know that this upcoming school year is going to be even better than the last: all we have to do is prepare, relax, and believe. Remember, you’ve got this!

I’m definitely going to have to take my own advice with these back to school hacks; God gave me some good ones! I hope that after reading these tips, you are on your way to being prepared for your next year of school! I’m quite sure each and every one of us will ace it!

LET’S CHAT~What are some of the ways you prepare for a new school year? Don’t be afraid to share some of your bright ideas down in the comments.

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