Tag: Mental Health

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! ♡

5 Things that Exercise Has Done for Me

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It’s been about a month since I started my fitness journey, and it all started when I began my ‘Physical Education with HOPE’ course. After struggling to complete the mile run for a baseline fitness assessment, me and my grandmother started walking a mile (at minimum) three days a week, while incorporating other exercises (like dancing and muscle strength training) to spice things up, in between.

Even though these awesome changes in our lifestyle are still pretty new, my life has changed for the better in so many ways (even as a teenager) and I’d like to share some of the things that exercise has done for me with you all! Let’s jump into it!

1. It’s made me stronger

Believe it or not, exercises as simple as walking engage quite a few of your muscles. And I’ve noticed that my muscular endurance–or the amount of walking that I can do without getting tired–has increased significantly within this first month. Now, we always manage to surpass our goal of 1 mile on our “park dates” and I always love the challenge.

2. It has increased my confidence

There’s something about creating an exercise routine and sticking with it that gives your self esteem a huge boost. Like you’re capable of anything that you set your mind to. For me, exercise has become a way for me to clear my mind and have a productive rest of the day. Whenever I’m done with a workout, I feel like I’m ready to take on the world!

3. I feel lighter on my feet (mentally and physically)

Even while scooting the results on the scale aside, I can see just by looking in the mirror that I am making progress. Plus, I can feel my progress with how much easier it is to engage in physical activity, both while exercising and doing everyday things. And while most people think that exercise is just for physical benefits, I think the mental aspect is what keeps me the most motivated. While getting a breath of fresh air and working off some calories, I can’t help but feel that much more at peace. And considering that that’s coming from someone who’s always had a happy personality, it means a lot!

4. I’m more productive

Remember how I said that walking has helped me prepare for a productive day? Well, something else that I’ve noticed in the last four weeks is how much more energy I have throughout the day. I’m able to focus on my school assignments even more than before, my attention span has increased, and I’m able to get more done throughout the week.

5. I have a better quality of life

In short, exercise has made me feel happier, healthier, and more productive every day. I’m able to do more and feel great while doing it. Even a little bit of exercise a few times a week has made a huge difference in my physical, mental, and spiritual health. And a healthier body, mind, and spirit make for a happier life.

As you all can see, exercise is a powerful tool that we all need a little bit of in our day to day life. I wrote this post not only to share my experiences during my fitness journey with other teenagers, but also to encourage other young people to get a few minutes of exercise every day! From dancing to playing fitness video games to playing sports, there are so many different ways to get active: we just have to be a little creative! Hopefully, this post will help you do just that!

What are some of your favorite (or most fun) ways to exercise? I would love to read your responses in the comments!

Have a healthy, happy day, everyone! May God bless you all, peace in, and never forget that God is love! Bye everybody! ♡

Graphic Novel Review: Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Q'Zion5 Comments

BOOK INFORMATION

Publication Date: September 17, 2019

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Category: Middle Grade (MG)

Pages: 224

Publisher: Graphix

SYNOPSIS

A true story from Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts!

Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away… and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on? Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face — and conquer — her fears.

MY TAKEAWAYS

I remember the moment I got the first two editions of this triology, Smile and Sisters, when I was nine years old. To make a long story short, I fell in love immediately, and I still re-read them every now and then to this day. On a recent trip to Barnes & Nobles, I finally got my hands on Guts, a highly-anticipated graphic novel for all of Telgemeier’s loyal fans–and let me tell you, it was all worth the wait! Guts is an absolute masterpiece!

At the beginning of this gem for tweens and teens, Raina (who is the author when she was in 4th grade), catches the stomach flu that had been spreading in her family. And when her stomach problems continue, she develops the fear of getting sick and throwing up (emetophobia) to the point where she is worried about catching something from her family and classmates. Eventually, her family signs her up to see a children’a therapist, and she progresses throughout the story learning how to face her fear while making new friends along the way.

Raina is such a quirky, fun, and relatable protagonist, so its not hard to take a liking to her character within the first few pages of the story. She seems like someone that I would’ve liked to be around back in elementary school. And believe me, having the protagonist be someone who I actually like as a person is critical to me when I read a novel for the first time.

While I thank God that I’m not a victim of anxiety, there are so many young people who struggle with their mental health, even if they fear something small like the dark or going to the doctor. Stories like Guts are not only relatable to a large range of audiences, but they also teach us that while fear is a normal feeling, we shouldn’t let the things that scare us take over our lives. And like any trial, fears can be conquered.

Like always, the vibrant illustrations on each page of this masterpiece illuminated the story, making it that much more entertaining for readers of all ages. Even though the topic of mental health among youth was discussed throughout the course of this story, the funny, light-hearted moments within the book didn’t fail to put a smile on my face.

Overall, Guts is a must-read for bookworms–and even non-bookworms–of all ages! I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!

Rating: ★★★★✯ (4.5/5 stars, 5 being the best of the best)

Recommended Age: for readers 9+

I’ve got to admit that I am very pleased with Guts. It was one of the three books that I got for my birthday, earlier this week, and I’ve got to admit that I made some pretty good choices. Be on the look out for the book reviews for the other two novels of my choice; they’re coming soon!

If you haven’t read this book already, I hope my opinion will encourage you to give it a try! However, if you already have this book in your collection, tell me your thoughts on it in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your day/night, everybody! God bless you all and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ♡

The Difference Between Being Lonely vs. Being Alone – Words of Wisdom #21

Q'Zion2 Comments

Two words: alone and lonely. While the two adjectives sound fairly similar, they also hold two completely different meanings. You see, a lot of people believe that “being alone” is the same thing as “being lonely.” But despite this common misconception, it remains very common for certain people to feel at peace when being alone, and others to feel lonely in a room full of people. Why is this? And moreover, what exactly does this mean?

In today’s episode of Words of Wisdom, we will be diving into the subject “How does being lonely differ from being alone?” a little further.

To begin, let’s review the top definition of each word of this comparison in the Oxford Dictionary. Take a look.

First, lonely’s definition.

Now, the definition of alone.

Do you see any difference? If not, try reading both definitions one more time, and see if you can detect it. Then, check your answer down below.

While the true meanings of alone and lonely may seem the same at first glance, I think the more you read them, the easier it is to understand why they’re so different. So the answer to today’s question is, being lonely represents an emotional longing to have a companionship, of some sort. Meanwhile, alone is just the physical state of being unattended by another person.

Many times, people mistake the word alone as a bad thing. But when we think about it, almost everyone enjoys a few minutes a day doing something that they love in solidarity, whether that something is listening to music, spending time with God, or even working up a sweat in the gym. In fact, I believe that the times in which we are enjoying the moment in solidarity are likely some of the most peaceful moments of all. That’s why it’s possible to be happy when we’re by ourselves, or lonely even when we are in the presence of others.

Really, identifying the difference between the two is all about our state of mind.

So, today’s final words: being alone is not the same as being lonely. Instead, it’s a great way for us all to practice self-care and come to a place where we can simply enjoy our own company–and develop a closer relationship to God, in the process. I challenge anyone who is willing to take some more time in solidarity, and find ways to enjoy moments of solitary peace. We all need them, every once in a while.

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

5 Reasons Why Self-Care Should Be A Top Priority

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On this blog, one of the most frequent topics that I discuss is self-care. And as a teenager who recognizes its importance, it gives me joy to be able to share that with other people through my writing. Therefore, when I saw that it’s International Self Care Day, I knew that giving ourselves some love would be the topic of today’s post.

However, I wanted to do something a little different with this one. Usually, I’ll make lists providing ways that we can incorporate self-care into our daily lives. Instead, this will be a list of 5 reasons why taking care of ourselves should always be a top priority. Let’s get started!

Self-Care is a Way to Develop A Relationship With Ourselves

A relationship doesn’t necessarily have to be between two people. In fact, one of the most important relationships of all should be the one that we have with ourselves. Self-care helps us to find out who we are, learn how to love ourselves–physically, mentally, and spiritually–and have a more at-peace way of life through a few minutes of mindfulness everyday.

Just keep in mind that just like any other relationship, creating a self-relationship requires a little time and effort to grow.

It Helps Us Preform At Our Best

If we neglect the things that we need to do our very best in life, eventually we will shut down in one way or another. For example, if we don’t get any sleep for a few days, chances are we would end up tired, confused, and easily irritated. Why? Because sleep is a form of self-care that gives our bodies the energy that they need to function. When we take care of ourselves, we are then able to complete all of our daily responsibilities with flying colors.

Self Care Improves Our Overall Mental Health

Self-care speaks for itself in terms of what it means; it’s taking some time out of our day to give ourselves some tender love and care– just as we do for those around us on a regular basis. When we use self-care, we are acknowledging our needs to be the best version of ourselves. And when we are our best, we feel our best.

Think about it; it’s only natural to feel lighter on your feet after doing something that makes you happy or relaxed.

It Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Just as self-care increases happiness, it also helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Many self-care activities–such as meditation, warm baths, and reading–are those that keep us calm while releasing happy chemicals into our brains, such “endorphins” and “serotonin.” So you can basically think of self-care as a simple, daily way to keep your mental health in check.

Self Care can Help Improve Relationships

To some, the term in which this post revolves can seem a little too self centered. But the truth is, self-care isn’t selfish; the only way that we can take care of others is if we care for ourselves. If we have constant anxiety, or we aren’t doing what we need to keep our bodies healthy, then it’s very unlikely that we will be able to do our best at being there for those around us. This may be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s also a crucial one. We have to be our the best version of ourselves to be the best friend, partner, or family member that we can be.

I really enjoyed writing about why self-care is such an important practice, and I hope you did, as well. In my opinion, self-care is not just about ourselves, but being able to be our best in everyday life. And that’s something that we should all take as a priority.

LET’S CHAT~What are some reasons why you believe self care is important? Feel free to share your thoughts down below in the comments.

Have an amazing rest of your day or night everybody! May God bless you all! Peace in! ♡

Freedom Follows Forgiveness – Words of Wisdom #19

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Luke 6:37 New International Version (NIV)
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Forgiveness is more than just an action. Sure, you have to do something to forgive, but that something comes from the inside. Some of you may be wondering, what is exactly is forgiveness? When we forgive in Christ, it means that we are handing over the situation to the Lord in faith, as we continue to walk forward with love towards the one who hurt us. Forgiving sets us free from the shackles of bitterness and anger, as we trust God and put the situation in His loving hands.

Trust me, I understand that sometimes, forgiving can be much harder said than done. When someone has hurt us deeply–especially someone who we trust and love–it can be tough to simply move on from something that can imprint such a deep stain. We may even think that they don’t deserve our forgiveness.

But the thing is, do we deserve to be forgiven by God when we fall short of His Glory?

Moving on in life while forgiving those in the past isn’t always an easy thing. But as followers of Jesus, we should make an effort to be as much like him as we possibly can. And considering how many times God has forgiven us for our sins, it’s only right that we take the initiative to forgive, as well.

I also want to touch on the subject that forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean forgiving another person. Because the truth is, forgiving ourselves for our mistakes is just as important–remember, the Bible says to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

If God–the Lord of lords and the King of kings, can forgive us for our sins, then we’re worth cutting ourselves a little slack for things what we’ve done in the past. What matters most is that we pray and do all that we can to prevent repeating those mistakes.

All in all, the purpose for today’s Words of Wisdom is for us to keep in mind that we need to forgive in order to be forgiven. Also, if God can forgive us all for our sins, then He can give us the strength to forgive one another. Freedom follows forgiveness.

So, who will you forgive today?

Have an amazing rest of your day or night! God bless you all, and don’t forget to take some time to rest; we all need it. Laters! ♡

5 Clever Ways to Get Rid of a Fear of Public Speaking

Q'Zion9 Comments

Almost everyone has had a case of stage fright at least once in their life. And while the thought of speaking in front of an audience–large or small–can have a variety effects on different people, some dread it so much that they might feel their heartrate quicken or break into a sweat. This could be an example of glossophobia, also know as the fear of public speaking.

It is easy to guess that this fear is one of the most common phobias of all time; some mental health experts have even gone as far to say that it could affect about 75% of the world’s population. As a result, a number of sources say that glossophobia is the most common phobia in the world, even above the fear of spiders or heights.

While most of us are afraid of something, conquering our fears is always a good strategy to self improvement. It is International Freedom from Fear of Public Speaking Day. And considering that this fear is so popular, I have a list of tips for anyone who wants to become more confident about speaking in front of a crowd.

1. Speak about a topic that you are passionate about.

There are a whole bunch of topics that many people value. Racial stereotypes, mental health, and protecting wildlife are just a few great examples of many. I am a firm believer that when you have the option as to what you want to speak about, you should definitely use that to your advantage. It is much easier to get over your nerves–while connecting with your audience–when the purpose of your speech hits closer to home.

2. Focus on the purpose of your speech, not the audience.

What throws a lot of people off when it comes to speaking in public is the amount of people sitting in the audience. But the thing is, the people who are watching should never be the first thing in your mind when you are giving a speech. Instead, try to focus on what you will be speaking about–this is why choosing a topic that gets you excited is so important. The more you focus on the topic, the less important the amount of people in the crowd will become.

3. Do regular breathing exercises.

A good tip for anyone with anxiety–or anyone who is working on a public speech–is to practice taking deep breaths; specifically when you feel as if your heartbeat is getting faster. Not only does this fill your lungs with a breath of fresh air, but it also helps you remain calm and keep your heartbeat at a steady pace. Even if you need to pause a few times during your speech to take a breath, it truly is a tremendous help when it comes to keeping your nerves in check.

4. Bring a real presentation.

While there are some situations in which the environment is more casual–take school, for example–other speeches may take place in an area where you want to look more professional. While it is always good to make sure that you are presenting yourself in a way that is, well, presentable, you also want to make sure that you don’t loose who you are and what you stand for in the process. Trying to be perfect or speak like everyone else is simply putting on a fake face. No matter how much experience a person has, they are never an “expert.” Even the people who speak often mess up here and there. It’s okay to be nervous, and most importantly, to be you. Trust me, your audience will likely appreciate it just as much as you do.

5. Practice, practice, practice!

Like any other skill, public speaking is not something that becomes natural without putting in some effort. That’s why before the big day comes where you have to present your speech, it’s important to try building up your confidence little by little. This could be by speaking in front of your stuffed animals, your family, your friends, or even a mirror. The more you repeat your speech, the more confident you’ll likely become in what you have to offer in your presentation.

I remember having a much harder time speaking in front of small crowds when I was little. To be honest, sometimes I would be quiet infront of people who spoke to me first lol. But with much practice and experience, I am much more sociable and confident with speaking now. And I hope that these tips will help you, as well.

LET’S CHAT~Have you ever had a past fear of public speaking? If so, what measures did you take to conquer your fear? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Have a beautiful and blessed day everybody! Peace in, and I’ll see you all next time! ♡

The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 | national day of joy ♡

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If you could describe the best feeling in the world, what would it be? Come to think of it, there are a few that come to my mind. Love, gratitude, hope, peace. But what about the word “joy”? The dictionary itself defines the word as “a feeling of great pleasure or happiness.”

And while some might say that joy is a synonym to the word happy, it’s more of an abundance of glee that feels like a burst of energy throughout your body; in other words, pure bliss. Today happens to be the National Day of Joy, and a special Hug Holiday, which ironically go together perfectly. I mean, if there’s anything that bring us joy, it’s a warm hug.

In order to celebrate this day catered to joy, I decided to answer some fun yet thought-provoking questions in my original creation: The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 Feel free to answer each of these questions on your blog, as long as you state my name as the original creator (Q’Zion) and provide a link to the homepage of my blog within that post. And, without further ado, let’s get started!

What brings you the most joy–that does not include materialistic items?

Firstly Father God, who all my joy comes from. Then my family and friends. My pet fish. Seeing others be kind to one another. Doing what I love to do: including writing, art, listening to music, singing, reading, looming, etc. I think I feel happiest when I am doing what I love with the people that I love. While participating in my hobbies is always fun, whether I do it individually or with others, I always love to share my work with the people whom I care about the most.

Which color do you associate with the word “joy” the most?

I know this might be a little standard, but yellow is the first color that comes to my mind after reading this question. Bubblegum pink is a pretty close second, though. I think both of those colors are bright, energetic, bright and happy–looking. Brighter colors in the warmer spectrum tend to make me the happiest. On the other hand, colors like purple, blue and green give me a serene vibe. It’s funny how different colors and shades can make us feel different emotions, isn’t it?

How do you think you’ve grown as an individual within the past year?

The past year–or two–of my life have had a huge affect on the person that I am today. For one, I think that I’ve got a lot wiser, both due to things that God and my Goodmommy has shared with me as well as personal experiences. Now I am much more confident in who I am and how I look, and as a result I am a lot less shy then I was years ago. I have come to discover that I am wonderfully and perfectly made. In other words, I am exactly who God wants me to be. And I think that as long as I keep that motto in my heart, I will continue to grow.

What are you most grateful for?

The list is so long that it would never end, as there are always things to be thankful for when you look at the big picture of your life and what it could be. Right now, I’m most thankful for love and peace in my home. Being able to laugh, smile, and just enjoy life. I know that’s a pretty simple answer, but the things that make us happy don’t have to be complicated. In fact, most times it’s the everyday miracles that bring us the most joy.

How do you find joy through the trials of life?

When life gets tough and you’re in a tight spot, it can be tough for some to find things to be joyful about. However, I always like to remember that even though things might not be going my way, I’m still alive and breathing. Therefore, my journey is not over. Life itself is one of the greatest blessings of all. If we weren’t alive, how would we be able experience joy in the first place?

Wow! Those questions were the exact daily dose of happiness that I needed. The entire purpose for this post was to give us a chance to reflect on what makes us feel joy, and what we are grateful for even throughout the trials that we face. Remember, nothing and nobody can take your joy without your permission!

LET’S CHAT~What brings you the most joy? And furthermore, what is your favorite way to spread joy to others? Feel free to share your responses in the comments. I would love to hear from you all!

Have a joyful day, everybody! See you next time! 🌻

7 Helpful Hacks for Holding Yourself Accountable

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Have you ever set a goal for yourself, and then bailed on it at the last minute? The hard truth is, most people have done just that at least once in their life. And while sometimes things come up in our lives that are out of our control, other times there is simply a lack in accountability.

Today I have made a go-to guide specifically for anyone who is looking to hold themselves more accountable. Even if we do consider ourselves responsible people, there is always room to grow in terms of following through with those tasks on our to-do lists that we’ve set aside for the future.

What are we waiting for? Let’s get started! ♡

1. Keep an “I can do it” mindset.

Before we get into the real work to reach our goal, we need to make sure that we have the correct mindset. Procrastination can come from a lack of willpower or a fear of the unknown. In order to face the fear of failure, try to maintain the mental belief that you can and will achieve your goal. When we are mentally in check, we are setting ourselves up for success on our journey.

2. Tell someone who you trust about your goals.

Okay, so maybe you want to loose 10 pounds in a month. But if nobody knows about it, it’s perfectly fine if you don’t hit it? Right? While whether or not others are aware of our goal should not hinder our drive to succeed, it’s a lot harder to bail on an aspiration when someone who we trust knows exactly what we want to do and our deadline to do so. Not only is a good support system motivation, but they also are a source for people who are willing to hold you accountable for your actions.

3. Write down your goals.

Through the process of reaching our goals, it can be easy to forget exactly what we wanted to accomplish, in the first place. As your affirmation to yourself of what you will achieve, write each of your goals down and store the note in a place where you spend the majority of your time.

4. Review your progress

While some goals may be reachable within a day or even a week, others can be more long-term. In these scenarios, it is a good idea to review what you have been doing to reach your goal once a week. A technique such as this can help prevent you from becoming discouraged as you notice yourself inching towards your goal between each review.

5. Constantly remind yourself your “why”

Just as we should keep in mind what our goals are, we also want to remember why we want to achieve them. Every productive goal should be set for a reason; a desire to grow, change, or do something new. Whatever the purpose is behind your goal needs to stay consistent as you work to accomplish it in order to serve as your drive towards success. During the planning process, make sure that your “why” is a point that you address to avoid any confusion later on.

6. Remember; progress is a process

The truth is, there are some goals that simply cannot be reached overnight. Sometimes there are little things in life that force us to take a break. And others times, the goals that we set require months or even years of work to achieve. As long as we never stop working towards where we want to go in life, we are still making progress; and that’s what matters most.

7. Celebrate every victory–the large and small.

One of the largest mistakes that many people make is that they are too hard on themselves. While we should be accountable towards reaching our goals, we mustn’t forget to give ourselves a pat on the back as we take small steps to victory. After all, a journey isn’t complete without its destinations.

Accountability is a superpower that we can all obtain; all we need is use appropriate planning, determination, faith, and confidence, and we can do whatever we set our minds to. So never forget to keep that winning positive mindset. Because the truth is, sometimes the only one who stops us from reaching our goals is our “me, myself, and I.”

LET’S CHAT~What are some of the methods you use to hold yourself accountable?

Have a fantabulous rest of your day or night! See you later! ♡

End the month with a smile ♡

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This is the last day of May. Wow.

While this month was pretty busy at times–since the end-of-the-year tests I had to take were a bit tiresome–I still had a great time, overall. I’m super grateful that I have a whole two months to rest on summer break. Though, I’m really looking forward to high school and my new electives–Accounting Applications and American Sign Language–when my break is over. Right now, I’m just learning to appreciate the present moment.

But the truth is, no matter what occurred during the sunny month of May, we should be sure that we end it with a smile. And while we should smile constantly, today is National Smile Day…so let’s do it even more so than usual. Laughter and smiling is the best medicine during the good and hard times–especially when we do it with the ones whom we love.

Related Post: A warm smile is an act of kindness

Today is just a reminder to never forget to smile, no matter what challenges life may bring. Because there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Have a blessed day, everybody! Peace in! ✨