araianblogs

[araianblogs]

cutting back on social media

hey loves! recently i’ve been cutting back on social media, and i’ve felt a difference in my productivity and such. 

why i did this:

overall i just felt less happy due to the way i was using social media. also i’d like to spend my time doing the hobbies i love and being creative- instead of spending my whole day on a screen in my room. most of my summer was like this, but when i’d go to my family room and read, or other things like that, i realized it feels to good to get out and do things.

changes we can make:

being aware of the effects of social media addiction/the effects of the content we consume

creating a morning routine that doesn’t involve our phones (alarms don’t count)

spending our mornings doing things that are productive (ex. organizing, reading)

getting off of social media an hour before bed (has been proven to help with sleeping problems

being mindful about the content we consume and how it makes us feel

setting time limits on certain apps

periodically taking breaks to leave our rooms and do something else

finding hobbies that don’t require being on a screen

slowly cutting back on screentime day by day- this is an attainable way to start

using the internet in a way that makes us feel good

balancing the time we spent online vs offline

overview:

if you enjoy social media and love using it- thats great! we all have our preferences, and we all have things that make us happy. however, even if you really love using the internet its still important to remember that we all need in a balance in life- in every aspect of our lives. it’s important to know that social media isn’t a reflection of the real world, and that algorithims are created to get us hooked and fall down rabbit holes. the internet can be a fun and great thing, but we should also have hobbies that don’t require it, and prioritize our physical and mental health. :)

[araianblogs]

girls dealing with school be like :

[araianblogs]

MY LIFE IS A MESS RIGHT NOW 😭😭😭

[araianblogs]

Me: Make me famous

Also Me: I don’t know what to post

Why is it so hard?

[araianblogs]

All about Me 🪷

17 year old

My fav color is pink

I am a sophomore in high school

I have 2 brothers

I love dogs and the sea and nature

My fav music to listen to Arctic Monkeys,SZA etc.

My hobbies are drawing,journaling, dancing and singing etc.

[araianblogs]

How to Be Confident!

Identify your insecurities

Say positive affirmations daily

Make a playlist that makes you feel confident

Invest in a skincare routine

Stay active

Stay hydrated

Get a good amount of sleep

Stand with good posture

Talk with a clear, confident voice (or at least try to)

Fake your confidence before you make it

Shut down negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones (even if you don’t believe it at first)

Start journalling about your confidence journey

Talk about your insecurities

[araianblogs]

feeling feminine

hey loves :) obviously there are no rules to femininity and i’m not trying to make it seem that way, i’m just sharing some tips to feel ultra feminine <3

athletic:

workout to classic music

do pilates/yoga

do what makes you feel strong and healthy :)

have a self care routine to give yourself a beautiful glow :)

academic:

spend time reading books and learning

keep a manifestation journal

artistic:

dance in your room at night

flowy clothes feel so elegant

give urself a sweet perfume

have stuffed animals and soft blankets

watch old movies

at the end of the day, femininity has a different definition to everyone :) do whatever makes YOU feel gorgeous and feminine, these tips are just some that came to my mind, but you might have more ideas <3

[araianblogs]

2023 mini vision board✨

The vibes I want for my 2023 year💗

[araianblogs]

💗15 day detox💗

|inspired by @spiritualitgalmo

New Year Preparation | 2023 start up

Mission

Self care

No social media

Plan content for the first month of 2023

Create a business plan

80/20 eating rule

Discipline

Do things that will help my health

Consistent sleep schedule

Practice my spirituality more

Use the law of assumption ✨

Key affirmations

I am safe

My higher self and I are connected

I am glowing

I am my best self

I have an easy disciplined routine

I always look out for myself

I am healthy

My charaks are aligned

I am always learning new things

Objectives

No scrolling on tiktok, Instagram, or tumblr

Be one a strict daily regimen

Make content for next month

Reading goal(2 books before the end of the detox)

Research all things I have written down in journal

Meditate 2x a day

Workout 3x a week

Create my 23 vision board

10k steps

YouTube content creation

Shower work every day for 15 days

Read more books on spirituality to learn more

Grounding every Friday or Saturday

Routine

Wake up at 8:00-8:30 to get my day started

Before my feet touch the floor show gratitude for waking up

10 minute yoga flow

15-20 min Pilates session

5-10 meditation

Shower meditation

Affirmations in Mirrior and shower put on robe

Make tea. Vitamins. Make breakfast

Make some content for my social media and my business

Lunch time ~ 12:30-1:00 (eat a light lunch

Adding to my business plan

Workout by 6

Scripting

Affirmations

Shower

Eat dinner before 8

Read and drink some tea to wind down

Yoga session

10min meditation

Stats to sleep 😴

Sleep by 10:00

New things to try

New vitamins

New food recipe

A new way to manifest

Etc

[araianblogs]

30 Things To Do Alone

Go for a walk. I've been trying to reach 10k steps daily.

Read a book, article, or blog... just like you're doing right now. ;)

Watch a tv show. I'm currently watching Gilmore girls.

Watch the sunset/sunrise. I prefer sunsets.

Try a youtube workout. Daisy Keech is my favorite!

Do your nails. Nice nails make a vast difference in my opinion.

Go to the grocery store and buy some snacks that you've never tried before.

Try a new recipe. I'm trying carrot cake oatmeal later!

Write a letter to your future self. <3

Test old pens and throw away the dry ones.

Make a birthday wishlist. one of my favorite things to do when I'm bored and have nothing to do.

Take the 16 Personalities test. I'm an ENFP :)

Make a bucket list. I just started writing my autumn bucket list!

Research something or watch a video essay on youtube. One of my favorite channels at the moment is Mina Le.

Make a mood/vision board. You can check out my Twitter or Tumblr for some inspiration.

Scroll Pinterest for the next 6+ hours; we've all been there.

Take a long bath. Do a full skin/hair care routine.

Cut/dye your hair. I just cut curtain bangs, and I'm loving it!!

Bake something for a loved one; I made lemon-poppy seed cookies for my Dad.

Create a new playlist. I've started making an autumn playlist, lol.

Make a photo wall. I made one last year and still love it!

Accomplished your to-do list, and you'll feel great once you're done.

Get rid of old clothes, make room for new stuff.

Go to a new coffee shop and get something to try.

Learn how to crochet. I made a sweater for my dog, lmao.

Make yourself a drink, like a tea, coffee, or smoothie!

Declutter your digital space. (emails, photos, apps, etc...)

Make your room cozy and take a nap, or just relax for a bit.

Plan some outfits and look for things to buy online.

Apply a facemask and watch a coming-of-age movie. (my guilty pleasure, lol..)

Please feel free to add more suggestions in the comments! <3

✩‧₊*:・love ya ･:*₊‧✩

[araianblogs]

#siblings

for @bellyfisher

​

[araianblogs]

[araianblogs]

How to write every day

In 2022, the average human has a lot on their plate. Productivity can be an elusive white whale, especially when it comes to creative productivity. Forcing inspiration AND landing on your word count goal after a long 9–5 (or longer) at the day job? It seems impossible.

That’s exactly what I thought for literal years of my life. Before I joined the work force, I felt like an unstoppable wizard of creativity, but once I set goals to become a functioning adult, that creativity took a back seat. Sure, I would dabble here and there but I just didn’t have the drive.

I told myself that I was waiting for inspiration. But really, I was using that as an excuse to not take charge of inspiration and MAKE it happen.

Until one magical day, I decided to get back into writing regularly, no questions asked.

I was in my 30s now and once upon a time I had a goal to be published at 18. So, setting aside that little bit of self-resentment, I signed myself up forNaNoWriMo.

National Novel Writing Month

National Novel Writing Month, more affectionately known by authors asNaNoWriMo, happens November of every year. The goal is to write 50,000 words within that month and ideally wind up with a complete first draft manuscript.

One of the key aspects of NaNoWriMo that makes it so great is the community. By signing up, you instantly hold yourself accountable via your own profile, and if you like, within your local NaNoWriMo chapter.

The accountability is what scared me at first, but it’s also exactly what I needed.

The Introvert Writer

Writers are more commonly introverted than extroverted. Writing itself is a very inward-facing practice. Because of this, it can be tough to take a step that brings community into the mix. Many creatives take years or decades getting comfortable sharing their work with others — some are never truly comfortable. Whether it’s fear of idea theft, or fear of judgment, there are a lot of walls we put up in front of community.

But community is not something to fear as an author. If you plan to publish, judgment is something you need to learn to accept, so it’s best to get practice early on with fellow writers who understand that fear. And, where idea theft is concerned, that’s a topic for a whole other article but I’ll just say it’s worth taking the risk to receive feedback and get your novel out into the world faster.

1,600 Words a Day

If you divide 50,000 by 31 days you get 1,612.90 words per day. Round that off to 1600 and that’s what you should have in your head to write a 100 page first draft in one month.

An average page is 500 words. You’re now looking at just over 3 pages a day. Not so terrifying, right? Well, when you’re starting from zero, 3 pages can be a lot.

But as with any other habit, all you need is practice.

What I learned from NaNoWriMo

Completing NaNoWriMo gave me everything I needed to continue a daily writing practice. When starting a new habit, it’s advised that you take 21 days to really lock it in, and so, NaNoWriMo provides the perfect opportunity to do this.

Whether you choose to participate in the official NaNoWriMo or just create your own personal challenge, I recommend starting by jumping in with both feet and then tailoring your preferences from there.

Create a goal

NaNoWriMo is a great teacher because you don’t even have to think about your goal. It’s already set. But if you’re just dipping your toe into daily writing, I’d start with a goal of 500 words per day or, one page of writing. Do this for 21 days and then raise the bar from there!

Sit down and write

The most important step to writing every day is to write every day.

I bet you’re rolling your eyes at that statement, and, I did too when I saw this prior to trying it. But I think you’ll find much as I did that simply sitting down at that desk in front of your laptop or notebook, will switch your brain over to where it needs to be. Don’t fuss about doing it. The longer you let your brain gnaw on the prospect, the less likely you are to do it. Pick a time. Sit down. Write.

Accept your mistakes

One of the biggest things that will halt your writing productivity is obsessing over what you’re writing. I know, many of us feel comfortable editing as we go, but for your initial 21 days or month of writing every day, don’t do this. Outline in preparation and just write. If you really want to read your writing back to yourself, only allow this once you have finished your writing goal for the day, and read only what you wrote that day. It’s ok to make mistakes on your first draft. That’s what the editing process is for! Your goal with a first draft should simply be to get it done.

Make yourself accountable

Let’s loop back to the introvert writer. Making yourself accountable is important when writing. If you don’t have anything on the line, what’s to make you keep up a habit? Sure, a personal wish to is a start, but as humans we’re really good at finding other activities we’d prefer to do, and reasoning with ourselves why we can do those instead.

You’re going to have to find a way to keep yourself accountable. Here are some suggestions:

Get a writing group. If you start this process during NaNoWriMo you can join your local chapter. Or, you can join our Discord server which offers writing support all year ‘round!

Ask your most reliable friend or relative to check in on you.

Announce what you’re doing on social media and promise to update your followers every day.

To avoid social accountability, set a reward for yourself at the end of each week if you’ve been successful in writing every day (pizza, anyone?)

Celebrate

If you’re not having fun when you’re writing you shouldn’t be writing. Does that mean you should be in a state of joy every time you sit down at your desk? Not at all. Many writers are miserable. But, you should get some form of joy upon completion of each sentence you believe you’ve worded perfectly, each paragraph that came together simply, each page that you complete in full.

If you are uncertain about whether you would even like to be a writer, writing every day is the best trial through fire you can give yourself to see if it’s for you.

Setting rewards can be used for both accountability and celebration. When you do well, always celebrate that. Don’t get lost in the process — enjoy it!

Just bloody do it

If you take anything from my article today, it should be from my second point: sit down and write. You can surround yourself with all the support and rewards in the world but in the end if those are your larger focus your goal is going to suffer. Use the tools I’ve provided to help in your writing but always remember that writing is your top priority.

[araianblogs]

My 2023 Goals are

Starting a podcast

Writing my own book

Drink a lot of water

Read more books

Workout

Learn how to do nails

[araianblogs]

On Being Well Spoken

I recently received a request about posting something regarding being well spoken.

Something you need to realise is that you’re not going to become well-spoken overnight. You need to practice on people. You need to SPEAK.

I used to stutter so badly that I could barely speak a whole sentence.

Flash forward a few years. I pitched my start up in front of a crowd, I joined Model United Nations in high school and college, I’ve been invited to speak on my entrepreneurial experience by some top universities in my country. It’s taken a lot to get here. And I’m still not where I want to be.

1. Apps to track progress and help you get better at public speaking

An app that you can use: “Speeko.”

I used to use this, it is beginner friendly and you can improve your public speaking skills as well.

2. Use topic generators

Go online and look up a topic generator. Generate a random topic, video yourself speaking on that topic. Don’t give yourself time to prepare anything - read the topic and start speaking. Set a time limit - you’ll realise that speaking for even 2 minutes can be quite difficult at times.

Not only does this make you realise that you may have limited language skills, but it will also make you realise exactly where you’re falling behind. Note down things in a journal.

- is grammar the issue?

- Lack of vocabulary?

- Too many filler sounds?

- Knowledge gap?

This is also a great idea if you’re at an intermediate level of learning a language/ polishing a language. Do this everyday and maintain a diary on your improvement.

3. Reading out loud

Select a news article or any article. Read out loud, slowly and steadily. Pronounce every syllable calmly.

A two minute read should take 5 minutes to read out loud. That’s how slow you should go. Not more than 4-5 words per breath.

Your tongue needs to get used to different syllables and sounds. Practice will help.

4. Talk in real life

Talk to anyone and everyone whenever you can.

Ask your barista how their day is going.

Ask your work or university security if they’ve had a good day and if they ate today.

Chat with your taxi driver about their life. I always start with asking them if they are from the city we’re travelling in. Even if you’re from that city, act like a tourist. Where are the best eateries? The conversation eventually goes to personal questions. How many children do they have, and what do they do? What do they like about the city?

You’ll learn the art of small talk only through practice. No book or guide can actually prepare you. You have to practice, practice and practice.

5. Diaphragm breathing

Diaphragm breathing is very important. Look up some YouTube videos for reference. You essentially breathe from your tummy (stomach goes in and out; not chest going up and down). This is a great calming exercise too.

6. Stuttering tongue/ jaw exercise videos

These are great because they really do prep your jaw and tongue well. The videos could include tongue stretches, placing your tongue on your palette correctly, etc. Search on YouTube.

7. Body posture

You really need to work on your posture too. Sit up straight. Back, STRAIGHT. Chin up, shoulders relaxed. Something as simple as posture can change your level of confidence.

8. Pranayama

A yoga exercise for breathing. You can find a guided video on YouTube for sure.

9. Vocabulary

Invest your time in expanding your vocabulary. There’s enough apps and games that can help you with that, if you aren’t fond of reading. A sign of being well spoken is having great vocabulary.

Start by looking up the synonyms of everyday words.

“I’m upset”

- how many different words can you find for upset?

“I had a crazy day today”

- one can easily use “hectic”, “chaotic” “lively” instead

10. Idioms

Idioms, phrases, sayings - look up common idioms in your language of choice. Aim to use at least 3 new idioms on 3 separate occasions in a week while you speak. You need to understand when and where you can use the idioms in your vocabulary.

11. Knowing when to switch

You can’t talk like a 50 year old heiress to a 10 year old child; you need to get down to their level.

If someone is clearly not a native speaker and is struggling to put words together, don’t use difficult words around them.

If you’re meeting with someone high profile, refrain from using slang.

The best speakers know when to switch their level of language.

You can’t use one singular type of speaking with everyone. You need to understand that there is a time and place for everything - and you’ll be able to switch like a pro only when you actually speak and start gaining experience.

[araianblogs]

Be so fucking proud of yourself for passing the hardest moments alone while everyone believed you were fine.

[araianblogs]

“We think that forgiveness is weakness, but it’s absolutely not; it takes a very strong person to forgive.”

— T.D. Jakes