girlypopbops

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Christmas Movie Marathon Ranking

What could possibly be a better question than what is the ranking of the best Christmas movies? I have my favorite go to Christmas movies and here is my own rank.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2018)

Elf

A Year Without Santa Claus

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

Prep And Landing

Mickeys Twice Upon A Christmas

An Elf's Story

Christmas With The Cranks

Jingle All The Way

The Polar Express

[girlypopbops]

Birthday Revamp

Getting older is serious business. I'm turning 22 in just 4 days and I couldn't be more excited! Considering that my birthday is close to the new year I have the perfect opportunity to manifest the new and improved version of myself.

I started by journaling about what kind of qualities the highest version of myself would have, and thought about the kind of person I want to be. I decided I want to be kind yet assertive, sophisticated, peaceful, and grounded. I thought about the aesthetics that correlate with the traits and landed on the clean girl, fashion killer, streetwear, and cozy aesthetics. This landed me enough inspiration to create a Pinterest board or a vision board to inspire me visually to be the person I aspire to be. From here I made a Spotify playlist of music I'd envision myself listening to as a 22 year old. Once I had music to vibe to, i reorganized my phone apps, wallpapers, and computer wallpaper.

With a hole new aesthetic, goals, and a vibe moving into my 22nd year , i feel confident moving forward with a plan.

[girlypopbops]

November✧˖° 

The best ways to spend November (as a November enthusiast):

getting lots of candles ( vanilla is the best to get a fall vibe with a Christmas foreshadowing)

putting up warm tone lighting in your bedroom (string lights , LEDs, or warm lightbulbs in lamps), it makes relaxation time more cozy

buying a new set of silk pjs to unwind in , with day lights savings the night getting earlier in the day is the best excuse to hop in bed extra early with those new pjs, a sweet treat and cozy room

spend lots of time with the people you are grateful for! thanksgiving gratitude should be spread further than just around the dining room table, take time to express your love and appreciation for those around you

eat lots of good foods. enjoy the holiday flavors, those tasty treats that only come around this time of year don't extend all year round. don't hold yourself back from enjoying the tasty treats , indulge a bit!

getting ahead on holiday shopping with black friday , it gives a fun excuse to get a cozy beverage and shop around for a few hours.

play around with your fashion decisions. with the cold weather comes late fall and winter fashion. playing around with the styling of last years picecs is a fun way to pass time and bring new life to your wardrobe!

[girlypopbops]

Finally Fall ⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚

Today marks the first day of fall, and it’s reignited a spark of joy in my life! Fall leading into Christmas is my favorite time of year. The fun flavors, festive decorations, and delicious scents create a vibe that’s seriously unbeatable. With the cooler weather I love having the chance to wear cozy outfits and finding new ways to romanticize everyday life.

There’s something magical about spending time outdoors in the fall, the cool breeze, enjoying the warm afternoon glow, and sipping pumpkin flavored coffee at cozy shops are my favorite things to do during the season. I’m so grateful for the good memories I have of fall and the exciting plans I’m making for this season. Days like today, since fall officially began are electric, they give a fresh reason to wake up in the morning knowing what countless possibilities could happen.

Of course there are always reasons to embrace each day, but the seasonal nature of fall adds a special significance that makes it all the more meaningful.

[girlypopbops]

tiny top big pants combo will forever be superior

[girlypopbops]

The Ultimate Guide To a Monthly Reset ⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

Each month deserves a fresh start. This made me inspired to start a new monthly tradition where on the first Sunday of the month, I will do a deep clean a reset. With September just starting and kicking off my favorite string on months coming up, starting now was the perfect time. Below I am going to deep dive into all that I did to put myself back on track for a successful month again. I might also mention that I woke up today feeling the most peace I have in ages, so I can confirm this reset is essential.

Home:

𖥔 Laundry : washing usual clothes, towels, bath mats, bedding, bags, (anything that can be washed essentially)

𖥔 Vacuum

𖥔 Mop

𖥔 Clean mirrors

𖥔 Wipe down all surfaces

𖥔 Dust

𖥔 Re-organize all drawers and papers

𖥔 Put everything back in its designated spot

𖥔 Clean makeup & hairbrushes

𖥔 Clean out any junk ( in drawers, bags, wallets)

Digital Space:

𖥔 Clear out any old messages that aren't needed taking up space

𖥔 Clear out search histories

𖥔 Change device wallpapers & re-organize home screen

𖥔 Delete any apps you don't use

𖥔 Clean out camera roll

𖥔 Unfollow social media accounts that aren't good for your mental health

𖥔 Clear out emails

Brain:

𖥔 Journal about the prior month & reflect on what was fun and what didn't work out

𖥔 Set goals for the new month

𖥔 Tarot reading on advice & what to expect in the upcoming month

𖥔 Re-asses routines

Body:

𖥔 Everything shower : full shave, exfoliate, scrubs, dry brush, body oils, tons of moisturizer

𖥔 Face mask

𖥔 Full skin care : shave face, pluck eyebrows, clean out pores, oils, eye cream, toner, moisturizer, use a frozen clear quartz or amethyst face roller and gua sha

𖥔 Teeth whitening strip

𖥔 Paint nails

Finish the evening off with a hot tea and book and a nice candle burning!

☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.

Getting into bed all squeaky clean, clean bedding, mind clear, and ready to take on whatever the month has in store is sure to get you the most refreshing nights sleep!

[girlypopbops]

A girly pop's guide to hosting an at home coffee shop day ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡.•

Between the social appeal of coffee shops and the delectable treats and beverages they offer, a coffee shop date is always a go-to with friends. Sometimes I wish I could take all my friends out for coffee at once, but coffee shops aren't built to accommodate that. However, you know what is? Your own home! Recreating a coffee shop at home is a fun way to host your friends and enjoy all the luxuries of a coffee shop.

Here’s my idea for the perfect setup and execution for an at-home coffee shop gathering:

The Setup:

⋆˙⟡ On a large counter, island, or table, setting up a cute tablecloth and doilies for your coffee machine is essential.

⋆˙⟡ Have various coffee mugs and glasses neatly arranged for your guests to use.

⋆˙⟡ Additionally, have small, cute jars with various sugar packets, little spoons, and straws (glass ones are eco-friendly and aesthetic! Paper straws are also an adorable way to add pattern and character to the drinks).

⋆˙⟡ Ask everyone to bring their own milk or creamer. This way, everyone's preferences and allergies are accommodated, and it’s also a great opportunity to try different milks and creamers. The drink options are endless—like an open bar, but for coffee!

⋆˙⟡ Depending on your coffee machine, have coffee beans, pods, or similar items in a container tied with a ribbon. You can also include chai or matcha for variety.

⋆˙⟡ Embellish the table with flowers and other miscellaneous trinkets to add character.

⋆˙⟡ For pastries, a cake stand is ideal for displaying treats, but a cute plate with a patterned napkin underneath also works.

⋆˙⟡ Baking the pastries together can be a fun activity to add to the event, if you choose!

⋆˙⟡ Creating a fake menu to put on the wall is a sweet addition and ties the event together!

Activities:

⋆˙⟡ Crafting: Everyone can bring their preferred craft supplies or you can provide collaging materials. Chat, craft, and sip!

⋆˙⟡ Book Club: Have everyone read the same book before the event so you can discuss it over a cute beverage.

⋆˙⟡ Coloring: Similar to crafting, guests can bring their favorite coloring books or you can print out coloring sheets that match the day’s theme, like a coffee shop coloring sheet.

(This can even become a monthly ritual to catch up with friends, set new monthly goals together, or even align with moon phases!)

Ambiance:

⋆˙⟡ Music: Play upbeat tunes, as real coffee shops always have lively music! I’ve attached a playlist that might fit the event below.

⋆˙⟡ Visuals: Have something on the TV or a projector (preferably with the sound off). This could be a girly movie, a visually appealing YouTube video, or even a fake yule log.

⋆˙⟡ Lighting: Lots of natural light is a must. Additionally, candles and warm-toned lamps will make the space cozy.

⋆˙⟡ Seating: A table setup for guests is ideal, but you can also arrange pillows for alternative seating. If possible, set the table with placemats, a stack of books, and a flower vase in the middle. Tea light candles and scattered dried fruit or flowers will add a gorgeous touch.

Attire:

⋆˙⟡ Encourage everyone to dress cozy and cute! Having a similar vibe will really bring the event together. You can include this in the invite (digital invites are cute and make the event feel more special).

[girlypopbops]

☾☆⋆˙⟡ Fall 2024 Bucket List ☾☆⋆˙⟡

With August coming to a close, I am fully ready for the fall season. Fall has always been my favorite season between the sweet smells and tastes, the cozy atmosphere, and comfortable fashion. Every year I like to make a bucket list for the fall, even if I don't get through it, its nice to be delusional and day dream about fun activities and the outfits I could wear for them. However, here are my top bucket list items that I am holding myself accountable to actually do this year...

⟡ Bake a sweet treat 

⟡ Purchase a pumpkin 

╰┈➤ Watch at least one of the following movies:  

༻Nancy Drew  ༻Dead Poets Society  ༻Mystic Pizza  ༻When Harry Met Sally  ༻Autumn in New York  ༻You've Got Mail ༻Fantastic Mr. Fox 

⟡ Drink an apple cider 

⟡ Have a hot chai 

⟡ Read in a coffee shop 

⟡ Go apple picking 

⟡ Try a fall sangria 

⟡ See a football game 

⟡ Eat pumpkin flavored things 

⟡ Have a fall picnic with friends 

⟡ Attend a local fall themed event 

⟡ Browse a farmers market 

⟡ Go on a nature walk in the evening 

[girlypopbops]

Looking on the bright side: moving editionᯓ★

Moving can be hard. It might be something you don't want to do, or is something you're doing against your own will. Regardless of the situation, there some ways to romanticize the experience and have a more positive attitude toward moving. I know i've had to move quite a number of times at this point, and while most of the moves had been fun and exciting, some had also been difficult and saddening. Seeing a chapter come to a close can be bitter sweet; saying goodbye to a place that holds so many memories, moving into a new one where more memories are to be made.

With that being said, here are some upsides i've found to moving, regardless of the situation:

With a home comes a clean slate, you can start fresh, whatever fresh means to you!

You can re-decorate in a way that makes the space feel like yours

You have a new space to make new memories in, its exciting to think of all the great moments to be had in the new space

A change of scenery can inspire new perspectives on life

An excuse to go shopping for new things

New opportunities for lifestyle changes - with a new space comes new territory to learn to maneuver around! Tt's a great time to change up your morning and night routines to what fits the new space. this can be exciting and an opportunity to try to add new habits into your routines

Depending on how far you're moving, you can also be open to new social settings which means endless opportunities to make new connections!

[girlypopbops]

My Dopamine Menu⋆౨ৎ˚⟡.•

A dopamine menu is a list of tasks that you enjoy doing such as hobbies or random things you like doing! Adding tasks from your dopamine menu into your every day routines is a good way to avoid doom scrolling on TikTok or Instagram reels. These tasks don't need to be super complex they can be very simple little things you enjoy, for example it could be making fake online shopping carts or organizing your jewelry! Whatever is enjoyable to you.

With that being said here is my personal example of a dopamine menu:

♡ Do a face mask

♡ Paint nails 

♡ Read (online blogs, books)

♡ Journal about whatever / make fun lists

♡ Post on Tumblr 

♡ Scroll through Pinterest and make new boards with fun prompts (ex: boards for a song's vibe)

♡ Make new Spotify playlists 

♡ Work on website 

♡ Work on blog 

♡ Bake a sweet treat

♡ Go on a little walk outside ( I do "intuition walks where you just walk around with no destination in mind, just making turns where it feels right)

♡ Organize my room & drawers

♡ Look through old photos  

♡ Water color paint

♡ Draw on Procreate 

♡ Doodle with inspo from Pinterest

♡ Crochet

♡ Color in a simple coloring book

♡ Playing video games with friends

♡ Build dream home in Minecraft 

♡ Watch tv shows or a movie

♡ Listen to a podcast

♡ Plan out outfits ( can try them on or take pics of them and add them into a note on phone)

♡ Clean out phone (empty out emails, clear all histories, get rid of any pictures not needed anymore, find a new wallpaper, rearrange apps)

♡ Re-arrange room

♡ Make jewelry - beading

♡ Go through old stuff of mine and find new joy in it

♡ Watch YouTube (even re-watch old YouTube videos)

♡ Make new goals

♡ Read through magazines and make collages from the pics

♡ Try new hairstyles or makeup looks

♡ Go on photowalks ( walk around and take pics of things that are beautiful - great way to romanticize life)

[girlypopbops]

IT GIRLS SET GOALS

🎀 Analysis

Goals are an important part of our lives. They help us achieve our purpose, fulfill our dreams and at the very basic level, they help us to take control of our lives.

I want you to analyse your day. How did you spend it? Did you have any tasks set for today? Is what you are doing right now going to help you become your highest self? Is it improving your life in any manner?

If the answer to the above questions is no, then I want you to reflect on it. Here, by goals I don’t just mean your academic/career goals but also your side hustles, hobbies etc.

🎀 Intentions

It is time to be intentional. Don’t just let life pass you by. Be an active participant in life. Make decisions about what you want to do and how you are going to do it. Ask yourself what matters to you. Focus on the things that are important to you whether it is a hobby, a person you like spending time with, skills you wish to learn.

Be intentional with how you spend time. Do not spend time only consuming content, but create something as well. Connect to the creative side of yourself. It doesn't matter what you create but generate ideas and challenge yourself.

🎀 Be curious

Revive the curiosity within yourself. What do you want to learn? What are you passionate about?

It girls are interesting people, and people who are interesting have different skills and passions.

This is not to say that you have to force yourself to do something if you don't enjoy it, but it is to make you question what it is that you do enjoy.

🎀 Don't be afraid to dream big

Dream big. Manifest it. Do not let people project their limiting beliefs onto you.

There are no limits. If you want it, you can have it.

All in all, you want to be purposeful in your life and with your time.

[girlypopbops]

⋆˙⟡Ultimate Self Care Sunday Guide ⋆˙⟡

☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆.。.:*·°☆

When I think about Sundays I think about rejuvenation and pleasure ; enjoying the day while doing a weekly reset.

On Sundays I like to sleep in and get that well deserved beauty sleep, the key to any successful reset is being well rested and grounded.

♡ (10:00am) Wake up, take my time waking up & lay in bed for a few mins, stretch and take some deep breaths, positive affirmations

"Today I am grateful for..."

"I deserve to treat my body with love and care today."

"I am committed to improving myself and achieving my goals daily."

♡ Open the blinds, straighten up room, and make bed. Starting the day with a bright and neat room is a simple and refreshing way to start the day off on the right foot, a small achievement as soon as you step out of bed will inspire you to keep going.

♡ Drink water & take my meds and supplements. Since it had been hours since I had any water hydrating is super important, and since I'm already taking my medicine might as well finish the glass off.

♡ Journal and plan day. Having a game plan and a clear mind before doing any real tasks sets the foundation for a productive day and promotes mindfulness. I like to have rose quartz, clear quartz, and amethyst on my desk while I journal to set peaceful intentions and promote self love. I have a five minute journal so I begin by thinking of 3 things I'm grateful for, one affirmation, and 3 things I can do for the day that will make it great. Typically on Sundays taking my time, being attentive, and being proactive are my goals for making the day great. I'll then make a to-do list for the day.

♡ Skin care and comfy clothes. Washing my face, moisturizing and putting on sunscreen is the perfect simple skin care for running errands, I usually wear some sweat pants and a t-shirt to finish the fit.

♡ Breakfast! I always like to have lots of fruit and a sweet treat on Sundays as part of my breakfast as a treat for getting through the prior week.

♡ Reset cleaning session. I like to do a full vacuum of my space, mop, wipe everything down, run the dish washer, and do my laundry. Other cleaning tasks vary based on the week but I like to make sure I am doing those tasks weekly. I also like to make sure to wash towels on Sunday since sometimes I'll do laundry on Wednesday and don't do towels then.

♡ Ultimate shower vibe time. The everything shower of my dreams after being all sweaty from cleaning. ( I have a post about this already on my page!)

♡ Light a candle and set the vibes with some mood lighting.

♡ Do my full skin care routine, face mask ect...

♡ A nice filling dinner & tv show. I love a Sunday night pasta dish with a Diet Coke while watching Pretty Little Liars.

♡ Journal. My five minute journal has a section to do in the evening, it asks to write down 3 highlights of the day and what lesson you learned for the day. It's a nice way to look back fondly on the day.

♡ Read. I like to read before bed since it helps me to fall asleep! I've been reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn!

♡ (10:30pm) Night time meds & slumber!

[girlypopbops]

Academic Weapon Season : Back to School Goals ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Work on my homework at work - or as soon as possible 

Go on hot girl walks in nature at least once a week

Go the gym 2 times a week (45 mins a session)

Keep up with my self care & personal hygiene

Make efforts to make new friends, ask people to do small tasks with me, offer to get coffee or study

Experiment with my clothing and accessories

Document all my outfits

Stay grounded at work & get that $$$$

Make more creative connections

Take as many photoshoot opportunities as possible

Take photos that are fulfilling for me

Make my room cozier (add a rug, warm lighting, dark curtain)

Implement journaling into my routine

Listen to podcasts at the dining hall

Go to the learning commons or library to do work to switch things up to get work done

Keep up with my monthly reset days

[girlypopbops]

The " I'm So Back" - Back to School Saga ⋆˙⟡♡

This past weekend I came back to my dorm since being home for two weeks. It has seriously been the most refreshing week, and the last two days have been nothing short of exhilarating.

With the new school year ahead, I wanted to hit the reset button on all elements of my life ( my self care routine, daily routines, style, music taste, general aesthetic). While back home a few weeks ago, I began exploring more authentic aesthetics based on my current and childhood interests. I also did a music revamp, making new playlists and adjusting old ones to set the vibe for the upcoming year. Having all this done before coming back to my dorm made it easy to jump right into things once getting back.

I started the week back by decorating my dorm. I had the dorm to myself so I played music and took my time arranging things. I love decorating so this was a total blast.

Each evening I gave myself a self care task, one night was shaving legs, the next a face mask, another a teeth strip, ect... This helped me to get not only my space but my body ready for back to school season.

Yesterday was my first day back at work , my goals was to give a great impression while getting to know everyone since there's more people with the fall semester beginning. I also wanted to just kick the year off on a strong note! I had the amazing opportunity to talk to so many new and sweet people! I spent quality time with a few new coworker friends, we did various tasks which helped me to get to know everyone more and ask them some questions. Talking to new people and getting to be social and bubbly is something that really helps my mental health. I feel like my most true self when I get to turn on my social mode. I'm full of enthusiasm, confident, and always being silly. It felt nice to have the people at work see my personality come out since the summer semester was very relaxed I didn't have a chance to fully express myself.

Today I woke up around 4:30am and just chilled in bed until around 6:45. I got ready and played with the kitty & watching the sunrise while listening to some jazz music. Just before 8 I went on a lovely walk to work, today was a particularly exciting day at work since it was move in day on campus. All the freshmen are there with their families excited to move in, it's so sweet to watch. I'm lucky enough to be working with housing so I got to be apart of all the action and did check-ins for 6 hours straight, sounds crazy but I had a blast! I got to meet everyone coming to live on campus and have brief nice conversations with them. I also had some amazing chats with my coworkers in between check ins ( we did laughed a ton and got to know eachother , but it was a great feeling getting to strengthen bonds with coworkers ). My boss was also super supportive today and I met many encouraging and kind people in my department who somehow all knew me already. It felt like I was really becoming apart of the housing team. It's been a while since i've felt like i've been apart of a team like that, back in high school I would do work in technical theater and it satisfied that same sense of community. It feels amazing to reconnect with that feeling again and be socializing so much after having a year of not being so social. I ended the day with a great shower, mcdonald's ( my favorite mcchicken) , play with the kitty, and watching pretty little liars ( my pre - autumn tv show of choice ). Sitting here now snuggling with kitty, a vanilla candle on, all showered and clean, & the lights dim, i'm over the moon grateful for these moments and I know more are to come.

With this being my senior year I knew I wanted to make it a great one, but really seeing the greatness come into fruition before my eyes has been absolutely incredible.

I'm so excited for the rest of the school year, especially for getting my school supplies, new outfits, and getting into the groove things! I'll be sharing my routines and such along the way - I'm so excited to post about it all!!

[girlypopbops]

the psychological basis of Law of Assumption

Hello Loves!

Being a psychology major, I have had the chance of studying an amazing book that explains how the assumptions we have create our reality. The book itself is in my native language, and there are no available translations online! Tho, I feel like that such knowledge has to be shared (in a very summarized way)!

Before starting: credits to the author! The book title is "La profezia che si autorealizza. Il potere delle aspettative di creare la realtà" (translation: The self-fulfilling prophecy. The power of assumptions in creating reality) The author is Davide Lo Presti. Here you have a link to amazon to take a look at the actual book.

First of all, the self fulfilling prophecy is what makes Law of Assumption possible. In LoA we assume we have something; so we express a prophecy that we wish becomes reality. In the cases which the prophecy successfully came to reality, it is a self fulfilling prophecy.

The definition of self fulfilling prophecy is: a prevision that becomes reality only thanks to the fact it was expressed, not because it has scientific basis (quote from the book).

From here we can take away that:

a prophecy (our assumption) needs to be expressed

simply by expressing, it becomes reality

but how does it become reality? it becomes reality thanks to the Thomas Theorem: if humans define situations as real, they become real in their consequences

this implies that is you have a certain strong belief, it becomes true in its consequences, and those actions makes the belief itself come true! this is basic LoA, but I will make a very simple example:

if you wanna become a successful student, you might believe you are a super successful student, which makes you act like if you were that by studying more (consequence of the belief). Later on, you'll see your grades are gonna get better, because you acted out the consequences of your belief!

Psychologists have talked about the Pygmalion Effect, which I linked, and it is very very similar to the LoA, maybe even the same, but it was scientifically studied.

The Pygmalion effect works like so, as defined in the book:

Positive assumptions → Positive expectations → Behavior "As If" → Real Effects

And from here we should take away that:

we need to think positive! we need to think that we can get our desired results!

firmly believing creates the expectation that we can get our results

we need to PUT IN THE WORK! we need to behave as if we had our results already!! list out how would you act if you already had something and act!!

the effects are already here; you already have them, if you believe so.

I'm not gonna talk about other topics of the book in this post, but I hope this gave you the consequence in yourself to believe in LoA.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ ♡ ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

[girlypopbops]

about me:

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

☆ my name is faith (she/her)

☆ sag sun/ taurus moon/ virgo rising

☆ i'm a fashion portrait & product photographer!

☆ i love & always have loved aesthetics and lifestyle stuff it's something i'm super passionate about

☆ i love being girly pop & doing girly pop things with my friends

for this page i want to:

~ merge my thoughts with playlists & pictures! - kinda like a digital journal!

~ dig into topics i'm passionate about

~ talking about things im manifesting / using posts as a form of law of attraction

~ have a spirituality chats

~ share my daydreams & be delusional

~ post my routines/ ideal routines

~ share my fav products

~ debrief girly pop experiences

~ share aesthetics

~ fangirl & be nostalgic

~ much more fun stuff :)

[girlypopbops]

Becoming the “It” girl: using science to redefine your identity

Hello friends,

A longer post today but I’m excited about this one!

I like to define an "It Girl" as someone who embodies the highest version of oneself, a created identity that reflects your most aspirational qualities and personal vision of success and confidence.

However, this post isn’t bout conforming to standards or expectations but rather embodying the best version of who you imagine yourself to be.

Today, I wanted to talk about how social science-based principles like self-presentation, cognitive dissonance, and identity alignment can help u become an“It Girl” in our own lives and achieve the identity you’ve been desiring.

What is identity

Our identity impacts all areas of our life; it’s the person we think we are and how we communicate that to others.

For example, if you see yourself as confident and capable, you are more likely to approach challenges with a positive attitude and take risks that lead to growth.

On the other hand, if you view yourself as unworthy, you are more likely to shy away from opportunities and not reach your full potential.

Our identity manifests as how we present ourselves to the world, including our body language, communication styles, and behavior.

In addition, our identities are constantly changing as we grow and evolve, influenced by our experiences, goals, and relationships with the people around us. This is why it’s important to continue to refine your personal brand and set standards for yourself to stay authentic.

Taking the time to evaluate our current identity and identifying areas where we can make changes is a good way to get aligned with our highest selves. We can ask ourselves questions such as:

How do I describe myself in three words?

What are my core values and beliefs?

How do I typically respond to challenges and setbacks?

What are my strengths and weaknesses?

How do I feel about my abilities and potential for success?

How do I present myself to others in social and professional settings?

What is my body language like in different situations (e.g., confident, reserved)?

How do I communicate with others (e.g., assertive, passive, aggressive)?

What kind of feedback do I receive from others about my behavior and attitude?

Do my actions align with the person I want to be?

How do I handle criticism and praise?

What goals do I have for personal and professional growth?

What is Self-Presentation?

Self-presentation involves the things we do to portray a particular image of ourselves; it’s how we dress, speak, behave, and present ourselves in different contexts. Our self-presentation is closely linked to our identity because it shapes how others perceive us, which can influence how we see ourselves.

Projecting the identity we want and living by our values and beliefs requires consistent management of our self-presentation. Our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions should reflect those of the identity we’re internalizing.

For example, if your identity is someone who is stylish, you’ll want to curate your wardrobe in a way that reflects that. In a similar context, if your new identity is someone who’s highly education you might start to spend some of your free time reading books, articles, newsletters, etc.

It’s all about helping to align how others see us with how we see ourselves.

Although other people’s opinions shouldn’t dictate our lives, a big part of our identity is shaped by how others view us. Their feedback can either affirm or refute what we’ve internalized to be true.

Here are some techniques for mastering self-presentation and how they can be used to access your highest self:

Dress in a way that reflects your identity, curate a wardrobe that matches who you aspire to be

Use confident body language, such as maintaining eye contact and standing/sitting upright in social settings

Practice speaking with clarity and confidence

Clean up your social media and only follow content that aligns with your identity or helps keep you on track

Establish and maintain boundaries without people in your life that reflect your values and priorities

Invest in personal and professional development through courses, workshops, and reading

Surround yourself with people and environments that support and reflect your highest self/new identity

Regularly express gratitude and maintain a positive outlook

Questions to evaluate and improve self-presentation

What are my core values and how do they influence my behavior?

How do I want others to perceive me?

Does my current wardrobe reflect the person I want to be?

What body language habits can I improve to appear more confident?

How can I improve my communication skills to better align with my desired identity?

In what ways can I be more consistent in how I present myself across different contexts?

What feedback have I received about my self-presentation, and how can I use it to improve?

Am I living in a way that aligns with my highest self, or are there areas where I can improve?

What actions can I take today to better project the identity I want?

How can I ensure my actions are authentic and reflect my true self?

How cognitive dissonance impacts us

Rebranding yourself and changing your identity involves leaving your old life behind. It sounds simple, but it can be very a mentally exhausting change. This is where cognitive dissonance comes into effect.

Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort experienced when our actions conflict with our beliefs or values. If we’re not acting in accordance with our beliefs, we’ll end up with mental discomfort. As a result, we either end up changing our habits or our beliefs.

For example, if you see yourself as an active person but keep skipping the gym, high dissonance might make you change your belief instead of your habit. You might start telling routinely yourself, "It's just this once," rather than actually going.

This may sound stressful and prove to be a challenge during your rebrand. However, dissonance can play a positive role if you’ve strongly internalized a core aspect of your identity. For example, if you see yourself as someone health-conscious or someone who frequents the gym, you’ll consistently find ways to show that this is true, whether that’s going to the gym daily or meal prepping.

In terms of identity formation, when we highlight inconsistencies between our self-perception and our actions, we actually push towards more aligned behavior.

When we recognize that our actions don’t align with who we believe we are, we can use that discomfort to motivate positive change.

In combination with the tips previously mentioned, we can also:

Regularly evaluate our actions and beliefs to identify any discrepancies. Ask ourselves if our behavior aligns with our values and goals

Define specific, actionable steps that align with our desired identity. This can help create a guideline for behavior that supports us

Be willing to accept change and continue to grow and learn more about ourselves

So how can we apply these principles to become an “It Girl”

Define our "It Girl" identity:

Self-reflection: take time to reflect on who you want to be. Write down the qualities, values, and behaviors that define your highest self

Vision board: create a vision board (physical or digital) with images, words, and quotes that represent your ideal identity so that you’re constantly reminded of your goal

Align your self-presentation:

Wardrobe audit: go through your closet and sort items that don’t align with your desired identity. Also invest in pieces that make you feel confident and reflect your new persona

Body language: practice positive body language such as standing tall, maintaining eye contact in conversations

Use cognitive dissonance to your advantage:

Identify inconsistencies: regularly assess your actions and identify areas where they don’t align with your desired identity

Set goals: create specific, actionable goals to address these inconsistencies. For example, if you want to be healthier plan to incorporate more whole foods into your diet

Monitor progress: keep track of your progress and celebrate small wins to stay motivated

Cultivate positive habits:

Daily routines: establish daily routines that support your identity. This could include a morning exercise routine or a consistent skincare routine

Mindfulness practices: incorporate daily mindfulness practices like meditation or journaling

Continue to learn: commit to lifelong learning. Read books, take courses, and seek new experiences that contribute to your personal growth

Build a support system:

Find mentors: seek out mentors or role models who embody qualities you admire. Learn from their experiences and guidance

Surround yourself with positivity: build a network of supportive friends and family who encourage and inspire you

Rebranding yourself is a long and tedious journey, but with a little help from some science-based principles it can be as beneficial as ever!

As always,

Love Luna <3