Tag: #selfconfidence

My FIRST time drawing a still life…

Q'Zion4 Comments

Happy Saturday! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you might be aware that I shared what I got for Christmas of 2021 (post link here). To be honest, there are still a couple of items that I hadn’t used, at this point, so I wanted to change that, today.

One of my favorite gifts from last year was this “Drawing Techniques” art kit. Inside it provides a book of instructions about different types of pencils, focal points, lighting, shading, value, and the list goes on.

It also gives step-by-step instructions for how you can draw realistic portraits that vary from fruit to flowers to animals to people. It also includes a variety of pencils, a kneaded eraser, a sketchbook, a fineliner, charcoals, and more! As soon as I opened this gift from the wrapping paper, I knew that I would definitely put it to good use.

Suddenly it dawned on me that it’s already February and I haven’t completed any of the sketch tutorials. So today, I reviewed the tools, materials, and basics at the beginning of the book, and moved on to the first drawing section: still lifes.

The beginning still life was one apple in 3 different positions. I had never drew a still life before (aside from 3D shapes for math class) so I thought this would be a great way to practice my ability to create realism in my work.

So, here is the basic sketch. It was very interesting to use 3 different pencils (you will see the different shades of pencil in the finished product) to create dimension and make the apples look like they are round.

Afterwards, I followed the guide in the instruction manual (basically the images) and started shading in the apples to add a little more depth. I must admit that it was a little tricky to draw 3D objects on a 2D surface, but it was a challenge that I quite enjoyed.

And voilà—here is my finished product. I must admit, I think I did a pretty good job for my first time ever drawing a still life. If this post gets enough likes (I’ll say at least 3-5) then I think I’ll makes my products from this art kit—and maybe even some personal projects—for you all to view. Please follow me if you’d like to see more of my art in the future.

Question of the Day: Have you ever photographed, painted, or drew a still life? If so, did you like the experience? Please comment down below.

Thank you so much for reading! Have a beautiful and blessed day, y’all! ✨

How to Stay Organized as a Virtual Student

Q'Zion5 Comments

Something really important to me as a student that does work at home, and has been for 5 years, is organization. When my workspace is organized, I automatically feel more productive and I can remain focused on the tasks at hand. A clean space can also cause for a clean sense of concentration that will make it easier for anyone to study.

The only catch is organization is not an easy task for everyone. If you happen to be one of these people, don’t worry! I’ve got some great tips for you to help you learn how you can stay productive and confident while completing your work.

Choose a designated workspace.

This first point is a big one, and I’ll explain why: If you don’t have one fixed space where you always come to in order to study and get your work completed, it’s easy to loose track of supplies, notebooks, and other items you may need.

When you have a designated space to work, everything is where you left it, therefore making your whole study experience more enjoyable and a lot less of a hassle.

Have a calendar and/or planner handy.

Personally, I have a lot of appointments, club meetings, and live classes that I like to (and sometimes have to) attend for school.

Let. Me. Tell. You. As far as material items go, planners and calendars can be a homeschooler’s best friend. Not only do they easily allow you to document all of your to-dos, but it can also give you a peace of mind: you won’t have to remember everything by yourself. All you’ll have to do is take a look at your calendar or planner.

Take lots of notes. Organized notes.

Note-taking is a great technique if you want to get a good review of the Module or Segment before a test, and they can be extremely productive, as long as they are organized. There may even be note resources that your school provides, so if that’s available, take full advantage of that! In order to create organized notes, take a look at these bonus tips:

  • Separate your binders and notebooks by course. Every course needs a designated notebook.
  • When you do a new lesson, start a new page.
  • Write down lists with bullet points (the dots before each sentence in this list.)
  • Use highlighters to make key points stand out.
  • Organize the text by headings, always making sure to label each page with a title, explaining which lesson it covers.

Create and maintain a routine.

Things can get a little “messy” when you don’t have a routine. Without some type of schedule, there’s no specific time when you need to wake up, do your work, and meet the necessary attendance requirements your school has in place.

It’s best to create a routine where you set an alarm for when you wake up and have a time frame or fixed goal for how long you need to work or how many assignments you will submit every day. I love this method, as not only does it help create productivity in our academic lives, but it can also help us make time for family, friends, clubs, and other extracurricular activities.

Eat breakfast before you start working.

Usually, I aim to wake up 60-90 minutes before I actually start doing my work for the day. I have to clean the beds in my house, plus eat breakfast, all before I “go to school.”

Therefore, waking up a decent (but not too large) amount of time before your work begins will give you time for a nutritious breakfast to get your mind moving and start off the day strong! A good attitude is a HUGE factor in productivity, no matter how or where you learn.

Take breaks.

While a lot of people would guess that homeschoolers don’t actually have to work, I’m sure me and you know otherwise. It’s possible to spend 4-5 hours every day, Monday through Friday, working in order to complete all of our assignments.

In order to prevent fatigue, take at least one 30-minute break every day that you do your work for over 4 hours. It gives you an opportunity to get a healthy lunch, rejuvenating your energy, hence helping get you through the day.

Hopefully, this list of tips was a great help to anyone who works at home and needs some guidance on how to get and stay organized. Remember, as long as you have determination, a good attitude, and good organization, your online education is sure to be successful.

Have a great day, y’all! ✨

My Favorite Posts that I Believe Everyone Can Enjoy

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My Favorite Posts that I Believe Everyone Can Enjoy

-ajoyfulchristianteen 💜

Hey everyone! Believe it or not, I’ve written over 125 posts on my blog! What a blessing! And, to be honest, although I think every post is great, some of them stand out to me. I really want to make sure that people who need them are able to read my encouraging words.

Today, I will be sharing some of my favorite posts on my blog, The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen, that I believe everyone can enjoy!

1 Month, 1 Pic – 2021 Selfies

I really like this post, because I got to see all my selfies together (one pic for each month of 2021 until November) and see the person that I’ve become this year. I think I’m improving in so many ways, but in others, I have stayed exactly the same! Memories are everything!

5 Things to Consider if You’re Holding a Grudge

I think that we all need to sit back and just think sometimes. Holding grudges are not uncommon in places all around the world, and I really wanted to share why I think that doing so is unproductive in more ways then one. These are the type of posts where I step back and think about what I’m writing. It’s important to me that I can connect to what I’m telling my readers.

A Teenager’s Ultimate Guide to Fashion

If you can’t already tell, I absolutely love fashion! Not only do I enjoy it, but I also love seeing other people smile when they feel confident in their outfits. I love how this post really went in depth with the topic of fashion, and explained how everyone, teenager or not, should wear clothes that make them look and feel amazing!

20 Inspiring Quotes to Boost Your Self Esteem

This is absolutely one of my favorite posts. I really enjoyed researching quotes by public figures, that many people look up to share their wisdom. I love to talk about self esteem and self love, since I feel like it is so lacking in society, especially in my generation (Generation Z). I think the quotes that I was lead to include hold a lot of truth and power in a nutshell.

5 Qualities that I Value in a True Friend

Real friends are rare these days, and when you have one or a few, it’s important that you cherish them. Although everyone is not a friend, I believe God’s Word to be true, which says, “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

I hope you all liked me explaining which posts I hold dear to my heart, as well as my explanation of why. Feel free to go check out the links of each post (or the headings) if you haven’t read some of the other pages on my blog already. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a beautiful day, y’all! 💜

5 Things to Consider If You’re Holding a Grudge

Q'Zion4 Comments

5 Things to Consider If You’re Holding a Grudge

-ajoyfulchristianteen ✨

Grudges. Chances are, we are all familiar with them. In case you don’t know what a grudge is, it is considered resentment or anger that someone has towards a person. It could be for something that this person did or didn’t do that makes someone else upset to the point where they might avoid contact with the person who upset them for a certain amount of time, whether it be days, weeks, months, or even years.

Having a grudge is common, and it often destroys friendships and even people’s relationships with their family. Personally, I think that grudges can be avoided. Despite the fact that it can be easy to hold a grudge, it’s important that we find positive ways to express our emotions when we are upset with someone.

Let’s discuss 5 Things to Consider if You Are Holding a Grudge! ✨

#1 – Grudges can lack accountability.

You might question exactly what I mean by this. I am trying to say that a lot of times, when we hold grudges, we often try to make ourselves a victim, without fully acknowledging what we could’ve done wrong that possibly caused the falling out in the first place. It’s important that we hold ourselves accountable first and foremost to address the situation correctly.

#2 – Nobody is promised tomorrow on this Earth.

I know that it can be easy to get upset with someone when they do something that has hurt us. However, we should make sure we take time to think about the situation, particularly if we are holding a grudge against a family member or a really good friend. What were the person’s true intentions? Was there a problem with communication that could have resulted in this situation?

We aren’t promised tomorrow on Earth, so it is best to forgive, whether you continue the relationship, or not.

#3 – It is okay to keep your distance if a person has a negative effect on you.

The truth is, there are some people that are unhealthy influences. If you feel as though someone doesn’t have your best interests at heart, or they have a negative impact on you, it’s probably best to move on. Keep in mind that the grudge doesn’t have to continue. You can forgive someone without having to be around them.

#4 – Holding a grudge is not “winning.”

While holding a grudge, we often say things like, “I’m not talking to you until you apologize.”

Sometimes, we will say this to mask our true emotions or how we feel. Because we are angry, or sad, or hurt due to someone else’s actions, we try to reflect that anger on someone else by refusing contact.

The point of a grudge is letting someone’s actions affect us in a way that could be dangerous to our health. It can prohibit a person from having healthy relationships, in the future, because they might put a guard up due to possible negative experiences.

#5 – The ability to forgive is a strength — not a weakness.

When we forgive someone, and I mean truly forgive, we are saying, “Despite everything, I love myself too much to allow this to affect me negatively.”

When we forgive not only others, but ourselves, we release our anger, bitterness, and sadness. When we forgive it doesn’t mean that we are losing anything. We are winning, not because we are better than the other person, but because we are making a choice that is best for our health mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Forgiveness makes us stronger, because when we are able to forgive, it means that we know our worth.

I hope you all loved 5 Things to Consider If You’re Holding a Grudge! ✨

Although grudges are easy to develop, all they are is an obstacle that we may need to pass here and there. With a little determination and confidence, we can get through it!

Have a wonderful day, everyone! ✨

20 Inspiring Quotes to Boost Your Self Esteem

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20 Inspiring Quotes to Boost Your Self Esteem

What’s up, y’all? I hope everyone is having an amazing Friday! The truth is, sometimes, it’s really motivational to read or watch something inspiring, such as a book, a movie . . . or maybe even a quote! ✨

We all need little reminders of how amazing we really are! Here is a list of 20 Inspiring Quotes to Boost Your Self Esteem!

1. “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” — Maya Angelou

2. “Stop trying to fix your body. It was never broken.” — Eve Ensler

3. “Someone else’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.” — Les Brown

4. “Through my education, I didn’t just develop skills, I didn’t just develop the ability to learn, but I developed confidence.” — Michelle Obama

5. “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” — Zen Shin

6. “Confidence is not “They will like me.” Confidence is “I’ll be fine if they don’t.” — Christina Grimme

7. “Talk to yourself like you would talk to someone you love.” — Brene Brown

8. “Confidence is everything. Confidence is what makes that simple white tee and jeans look good.” – Ciara

9. “Love who you are, embrace who you are. Love yourself. When you love yourself, people can kind of pick up on that: they can see confidence, they can see self-esteem, and naturally, people gravitate towards you.” – Lilly Singh

10. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

11. “You just have to be yourself and go full with confidence and be courageous.” — Gabby Douglas

12. “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” — Oprah Winfrey

13. “A successful competition for me is always going out there and putting 100 percent into whatever I’m doing. It’s not always winning. People, I think, mistake that it’s just winning. Sometimes it could be, but for me, it’s hitting the best sets I can, gaining confidence, and having a good time and having fun.” — Simone Biles

14. “With confidence, you have won before you have started.” —Marcus Garvey

15. “Never dull your shine for somebody else.” —Tyra Banks

16. “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

17. “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’ — Audrey Hepburn

18. “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” — Nora Roberts

19. “Don’t waste your energy trying to change opinions … Do your thing, and don’t care if they like it.” — Tina Fey

20. “When you’re different, sometimes you don’t see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn’t.” — Jodi Picoult

Wow . . . I’m sure that was a HUGE reality check for a lot of us, including myself! Remember, self love and confidence projects from the inside out. Be yourself, regardless of what others have to say.

Here’s an extra quote:

“We are amazing because we are ourselves!” – Me, Princess Q’Zion ✨

The Broad Difference Between Confidence and Cockiness – A Deep Dive Into Reality

Q'Zion2 Comments

It’s a really good thing to love and appreciate ourselves. Self confidence is crucial in order for us to live our best life possible! The question is, how do we know when this confidence goes too far? 💜

Let’s dive into the reality of the difference between confidence and cockiness!

What is confidence?

First of all, let’s take a look at the dictionary meaning of the word “confident!”

To elaborate on this, confidence is basically when you know who you are. You might be wondering exactly what this means. I am basically saying that confidence is when you love yourself, and this love remains, regardless of the opinions of others.

In other words, confidence is appreciating yourself for who you are as a person, both inside and out!

What is cockiness?

Again, here is the dictionary definition of cockiness:

The world “overconfident” is a perfect synonym for cockiness. When a person is cocky, it means that they are confident to the point to where they think that they are superior, or better, than everyone else.

Being cocky is a negative thing, because it takes confidence to an extreme where a person can loose their sense of kindness, humanity, and humbleness.

How can we be confident, but not cocky?

Here are the golden words: awareness and humbleness. If we are aware of the words we say, the things we do, and the choices that we make, we can help boost our images, not only to others, but, most importantly, to ourselves.

Remember the people who have made positive contributions in your life, and don’t take those people for granted.

Kind and Humble Challenges:

Think about all of the people that helped you become who you are today, even if they are not with us, anymore. Write a letter to them, thanking them for their contributions to you.

Sometimes, we can be too “prideful” to ask for help. However, it’s important that we practice asking for assistance when we need it. Show willingness to learn and thank those who do or have helped you.

If we make a mistake, then we need to apologize for it. Still, remember that is normal to make mistakes. The truth is, the only way that we can keep ourselves humble is by recognizing our faults.

Recommended Posts:

I hope you all enjoyed this post about Confidence vs. Cockiness.

Remember, it’s possible to be both confident and humble. It is important that we love ourselves and know who we are. However, we should never take it to the point where we put ourselves on a pedestal because we are “better” than others.

Besides the Lord, everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay! Just be sure to love yourself, in spite of.

Have a great day, everyone! 💜

Be Selective with your Battles

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Hey everyone! I have a question for y’all. Are you the type of person who always wants to get the last say? Maybe you’re having an argument, and you feel the urge to prove your point. If so, then no shame! However, it is this topic that I want to discuss today.

Truthfully, it’s important that we are selective with the battles that we choose to participate in. What does this mean, exactly? It means that having peace in yourself is better then winning a battle. We might want to act in some situations, and sometimes, that is okay. Other times, the best thing to do is leave the situation alone or take a break until you can speak in a peaceful manner.

Keep in mind that walking away from an unhealthy situation does not mean that the other person wins. It actually means quite the opposite, because you didn’t escalate the situation to an unnecessary level. Once you have confidence in yourself, you will see that getting the last say isn’t important. In the end, knowing that you walked away without feeling the need to be the “winner” is a great accomplishment, and something to be proud of.

So, remember that not every battle is meant to be fought: love always wins! ❤️

1 Corinthhians 13: 4-7 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

How to Stop Being Insecure and Learn to Love Yourself

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Have you ever had an insecurity? I know for a fact that a large majority of people either have or have had several insecurities. We all have to learn to love ourselves from the inside out, and for some people, it takes longer then it does with others. ✨

The truth is, we all deserve to feel good about ourselves. So let’s learn how to stop being insecure about the things that give us our identity, and value ourselves for who we are!

  1. Don’t overthink. ✨

A lot of times, we are the ones that are in our own heads. Try not to think too much about the things that make you feel insecure. Unless there is some type of serious physical or mental issue that you have, there is no need to put yourself down through your own thoughts.

2. Say positive things to yourself. ✨

Whenever a negative thought tries to pop up in your mind, replace it with a positive one. Talk to yourself, and instead of saying things that make you feel bad, say things that help you feel confident. The more you say it, the more you will believe it,

3. Talk about your feelings with those you trust. ✨

Besides the Lord, no human being can read our minds. This is why, if you are feeling a certain way about yourself, it is important to take the time to talk to your family and friends (whom you trust), about your insecurities. It can make you feel a lot better when someone who you love, and who loves you is listening to how you feel. Open up!

I hope you all enjoyed learning about some exercises that we can all preform in order to boost our confidence in ourselves. Remember, our insecurities are part of what makes us who we are.

Have a beautiful day everyone! ✨