makingitpossible

[makingitpossible]

Happy Hanukk-cat and Happy Mew Year, from me and Sluggo

[makingitpossible]

If you can, try to avoid buying to much stationary, or support small, local owned businesses. YES, they won‘t look as cool in pictures, and maybe they won‘t be as perfect, but at least you are not supporting a big, potentially harmful company. Let‘s stop the capitalization of the study community!

Stop buying from Muji.

It’s being reported that Muji uses cotton produced by Uyghur Muslims in Chinese concentration and labor camps, specifically in Xinjiang. Obviously, the atrocities being done to the Uyghur Muslims are horrific, and a company profiting off of said atrocities is disgusting.

I know Muji is wildly popular on studyblr, but I’m asking you to think about real humans being forced into labor camps. As an average citizen, we only have two ways of imposing our power: by voting and by being deliberate with our money. Do not give Muji your money.

Do not support Muji. Do not support concentration camps. Do not support the violation of civil rights. Stay aware, read the news, and be a critical consumer.

Articles and petitions linked here:

ABC Net article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/11645612

BBC article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/business-50312010

The Independent Article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chinese-cotton-uk-government-important-uighur-muslim-labour-a9478501.html%3famp

Change.org Petition - Stand up for the Uyghur Muslims in China: https://www.change.org/p/stand-up-for-the-uyghur-muslims-in-china-antonioguterres-amnesty-un

StopGenocide.org - Close the Camps: https://www.stopgenocide.org/close-the-camps/

[makingitpossible]

What to do when motivation fails you

I am a big believer in being inspired and motivated when working towards your goals or tackling your habits. But we all know that there are days, when motivation just isn´t there. And far to often I find myself spiraling down into social media, when I just wanted to look at some posts to get inspired. So, what can you do when you are in the same situation?

Option 1: Just do it Ask yourself “is this an easy task? Could I just work through it?” Then do it. This might sound totally unhelpful, but for small tasks, this is your best call. In the last few months, many people have been talking about the two minute rule, where they try to do everything instantly that takes less then two minutes. Try adapting this for your life. I live more by the five minute rule.

Option 2: Try doing a bit Start with 5 minutes. Or less. I know this is getting said everywhere, but guess what: It works! If you have to write an essay, try writing the introduction. If you have to solve a math problem, try opening your book and solving the first problem. Try breaking it down to the smallest step and just do that. I find that this helps most with tasks where you have to get into a workflow, like writing or drawing

Option 3: Try doing it with someone When I know I have to study a lot, I try to schedule ahead to meet with friends. If I don´t have the time to plan ahead I sometime just face call a friend and ask them if you can do your stuff why you are on the call. If it helps you, tell them what you need to get done. This always helps me concentrate, and I actually feel like I am held accountable. And if they are motivated, that could inspire you. This works best if you are both working on the same thing, for example your math homework.

Option 4: Vision yourself being that queen*/king* Think about your ideal self. Would they sit here and read a Tumblr post or stand up and get it done? Try to recreate the things your ideal self would do. And after some time, you might actually be them

Option 5: Think about your future self Habits and work become easier when we get used to doing them. Every time I get up in the morning and stretch, and when I don´t feel like it I remember: Next time it will be easier. This one has helped me the most out of all the tips I think.

Extra: Lower the hurdles Try to design your environment and your time plan in a way that makes hard things easier. If I know that I have an exam coming up, I will schedule study sessions with friends. Lay out your workout clothes before leaving the house, or put our guitar on your bed. Just design your life in a way that naturally leads you to get your sh*t done. This is a long term process, but it´s worth it

These things might not work for everyone, but they do for me, so I hope they help someone! If you liked it, please consider reblogging and comment your own experiences! Have some of these Options helped you before? Stay happy, stay healthy, stay yourself, greetings!

[makingitpossible]

Poland needs help! 🏳‍🌈

Hi! I usually don’t do this but in Poland they are going to ban abortions, divorces and sex education plus the lgbt agenda will be prohibited. 

Please help by signing this petition

It only takes seconds

[makingitpossible]

How to use quarantine as a reset

Get yourself a glass of water, or a mug of tea or a nice hot (or cold) chocolate. Grab a feelgood snack, put on some music that makes you feel alive, and get ready. You are going to change your life now.

1. Write a list or actually, two lists. First of all, I would advise you to write an impossible list. This will help you get a clear picture of what you want to achieve. For an explanation on what an impossible list is, and an inspiration for how it could look like, check out my impossible list here. Then, make a list of what is a priority for you now. You can put friends on there, skills and places. Just everything that you don´t want to loose.

2. Pick what you want to start with You can´t meet all goals at the same time, and you probably also don´t have the time to work on all of them at the same time. So choose which things you wan´t to start with. For that, you can use the list of priorities you wrote earlier. Be careful and don´t choose to many things at this point! You will get to do everything, just not instantly. It´s okay. You have your whole life in front of you.

3. Create a system How can you start doing the things you prioritized? How can you implement them in your lifestyle? I will not write a whole big text here, because there is a lot of masterposts out there on how to build good habits, but just make sure the habits you are planning fit into your life. Don´t say: I am going to play the guitar every day. Say: I am going to play the guitar every day after coming back from school. This will ensure that you don´t put everything off until the last second.  

4. Envision yourself being that queen*/king* Don´t think of your plans as something that will happen in the future. Think of it as something that has already changed. Imagine yourself as already being the person you always wanted to be. Imagine the habits as already being part of your life. If you slip up, it doesn´t matter, it was one time. You are a queen/king/not otherwise specified ruler anyways.   

5. Make sure to stay inspired I did this by opening up a folder on my phone called “motivation”. Other people do this by making a vision board or writing something in their journal. Do whatever works for you, but make sure that it´s always available to you, so that you don´t end up losing a streak. And be aware that you cannot be motivated every single moment. Sometimes you will have to work through moments of doubt. Be strong, you got this

6. Don´t give up I know you´ve heard this about a hundred times know, but consistency is key. The way that I try to to do that, is having at least one thing that will show consistent progress. For example I stretch every morning. This shows progress very fast. Small progress, but progress nonetheless. This reminds me that my bigger goals will also be achieved, even if I can´t see it right now.

7. Renew your list once in a while This is to make sure that you are actually working towards what you want. You don´t have to do this all the time, just, check in with your list once in a while

Of course this is not everything there is to changing your life. Things like eating healthier or cleaning your stuff out are of course also a part of it. But this is the start. This is where your journey stars. I hope this helps you! If so, please reblog or leave a comment! I´d love to read your ideas or additions. Stay happy, stay healthy, stay yourself

[makingitpossible]

Why social isolation is so hard for me, an extrovert

Yesterday I asked myself why I was being so unproductive, when apparently, everyone was using their quarantine amazingly and learning so many new things. But then, as I kept thinking about it, I noticed: I was not being unproductive. I was just feeling unproductive. Why is this important? Well, I was doing things. I have been drawing again, I have been working out and I have been sewing. And still, I was feeling as if I had done nothing. As if all my energy had drained. I felt the way I do, when I spend a whole weekend laying in my bed. Only... worse somehow. I think the reason for this might be, that my social battery has run out. As an extrovert, I normally recharge it by spending time with my close friends. I still feel fine right now, but I don´t feel great. I can´t go all out and be super productive, because my energy levels are just to low to do that. I have tried doing the Zoom Call thing and I even met with one friend a few times. But it´s just not the same. I miss meddling with huge groups of people, singing in the evening while playing a drinking game, exchanging notes in class, laughing so hard with a friend that we can´t breathe anyone. I miss not having any time and still feeling as though I will burst from happiness, while I almost miss my train to go visit a friend. I miss texting a friend to meet up in 20 minutes. I miss exchanging tops and complimenting my friends, just to see how their faces light up when they hear it. All this is missing from my life now, and I haven´t had any change to recharge my batteries. I know social distancing is important, and I think it´s important to keep the rules, but I thought I might share the struggles I have been having. Maybe someone else can relate.

I in no way wan´t to imply that this is the same for everyone. This is just the way it has been for me, and what I have been struggling with.

[makingitpossible]

Keep it up honey!

Hello, I hope you are all great, even with these unusual circumstances. I have been trying to use all this newfound time as a restart for my goals. I have updated my impossible list and I tried to get into a few new habits. What I have tried to do every day is:

- Stretch every morning - Draw every day - Joined the Chloe Ting Summer Shred Challenge

I don´t know if it will work out alright, because my energy levels have been very low, since I can´t see other people and I am an extrovert.

How are you all holding up? I hope you are well, and I´d love to hear how other people spend their quarantine. Maybe we can keep each other accountable, if some of you have also tried starting new habits.

[makingitpossible]

Some days I feel a longing in my stomach

A longing so strong

It radiates into my bones

A longing so strong

I curl into myself

And I feel like crying

but I can‘t

A longing for arms around me

For tender lips on my neck

A longing for something more than friendship

Those days I feel like a failure

Like I just can‘t get anyone to stick with me

And I know that‘s not how it works

But the feeling in my stomach doesn‘t care

It just

won‘t go away

_____________________________

Im not perfectly happy with this, and I‘m still not a poetry blog, but I just had to put this into words. Hope you like it

[makingitpossible]

Welcome back!

I wasn’t allowed to do sports for a few weeks and then I just couldn’t get myself back to it, but I finally managed! I am very proud of myself, and although I took many breaks during my jog (otherwise I wouldnt habe managed to go such a long way) I am verd happy with the result! Also i was freezing half of the time lol❄️

Do you have goals that you haven’t managed to go back to? I would love to hear your stories

[makingitpossible]

Also:

Go Vegan

Cuz you‘ll only need 1/18 of the land and 1/13 of the water you needed before

Buy clothing secondhand

Reduce the amount of clothing you own, someone else might need it more

Give your old things to charity (IMPORTANT: Chaco what they do with your stuff. Many Charities sell the clothes in Afrika where it destroys the market. Choose charities that sell the clothing in your own country)

Create a gift station in your school/neighbourhood

People can leave stuff there and other people can take it for free

Theres one in my city its so cool

Teach other people how to help the environment

idk if yall remember but i asked if yall want me to start this lil series a long time ago but i’ve finally gotten onto it!! u’d be surprised to find out how many of this can save u lots of $$ too and i still have a lot of posts to come so look out for them ٩◔‿◔۶

get urself a water bottle

i was shocked to find out sm people don’t have bottles of their own??

reduces waste   

save $$ by never buying plastic bottles bc u can just refill it

also get urself a tumbler

so u can use ur own at cafes and starbucks

such a good investment u buy a $10 cup && save 10₵ everytime

if u drink 4 coffees a week that’s $20 saved a year

take the public transport / bike / walk

esp if u have time after school and when ur not in a rush

extremely therapeutic and is a great stress relief

u can rent bikes now which is rly cool

draw ur curtains

apparently 10% of energy can be saved on heating when u let sunlight in

saving money too how cool

turn ur thermostat down by 1°C

or up if u use air conditioning

apparently u can save up to $60 a year

or just turn it down by 5 degrees and hibernate in ur hoodie + a thick ass blanket bc it’s rly comfy and u should try it

shop w reusable shopping bags

or just bring a huge bag u can dump stuff into

some places deduct a few cents if u don’t use plastic bags isn’t that gr10

reuse plastic bags

don’t throw them out bros

u can line ur bins w them

if u need a change of clothes throw them in a plastic bag before u throw it in ur bag

after u gym or smt throw ur sweaty clothes in a plastic bag so it doesn’t stench up ur bag

and check if the plastic bags are recyclable before u recycle them!!

buy refills instead of new pens

let’s be real ur gonna buy the same pen

so just get refills instead it’s sm cheaper + u get 10 in a box

just google “(pen name) refill” it’s rly easy

some shops sell refills at the counter u can go ask

(@ sg and msia fam,, popular bookshop does)

STOP BUYING NEW PENCILS

literally just get ONE mechanical pencil

and get urself some pencil lead

idk why every back to school haul has like 5 pencils

yo pencil lead refill is a thing my brothers

and a box costs less than a pencil and lasts for more than a year

is this not a thing??

eat meatless some days

did u kno giving up beef will reduce ur carbon footprint more than if u give up ur car

but lol still gotta live that cheeseburger and kbbq life from time to time

so just cut out the meat like 1 or 2 days a week

and no mutton and beef and pork and turkey if u can help it

save and recycle paper pls !!11!1

use both sides!

recycle don’t trash!

buy recycled paper and notebooks!

that is all kiddos if u have more ways to save the earth pls inbox me here!! and check out my other study tips too:

on types of learners // my top tips // on exam prep // on sleep // on e-devices // on chinese resources // on notes

[makingitpossible]

Finally!

I reached the first goal on my impossible list! Actually I even reached two goals at the same time. I ran 5km for the first time AND I did it in under 30 minutes! 🏃🏽‍♀️

This is actually from two weeks ago (lol) but I havent had time to post it yet, I was so happy and it was definetly worth the muscle ache I had the next day. I already updated my list, the next goal regarding my jogging is to run 6km! 👟

[makingitpossible]

Just reviewing a bit of math and biology at the moment, enjoying a bit of oat milk and homemade autumn pumpkin cookies :D 

If you are interested in how I take my notes in a way that is both low waste and aesthetic please leave a comment✏️ I will also gladly share the cookie recipe if someone is interested 🍪🎃

🎧 Realise by Elevate (its an upcoming indie band, please check out their songs!)

[makingitpossible]

Back to school (Anti)haul and tips

Hello there! Yes this is my whole bts haul. It consists entirelly of:

New black ink

A bookstand

A bottle cleaner

Two new succulents (the bottom ones)

Because usually, you don‘t really need as much stuff as you buy at the beginning of a new school year. This year I wanted to focus on this, because I used to buy a lot of stationary at the start of a new schoolyear and many other studyblrs do the same. So here are some tips on how to avoid that this year and also save some money:

Sort trough your stuff from last year and sort out carefully: Are you sure that pencil is to short to use again? Is that folder really broken or does it just habe a few unaesthetic fold marks? Can you repair this with some Gaffa (our lord and saviour) instead of throwing it away? Are you really shure you won‘t need that again?

Write a list on what you will need next year and don‘t yet have. Important while doing this: Do you really need this or is it just for aesthetic purposes? Do you really need to buy this now or can it wait? Stationery is usually more expensive at the start of a schoolyear than later on. Also some of the things you needed last year may not even need to be replased because you won‘t need them in the next schoolyear. Do you not have any of it left? I know it‘s easy to buy replacements when you are shure something will run out soon. But most things don‘t run out as soon as we expect them to. I would only advise you to have one replacement of things that you run out of and can‘t go a day without (for example ink)

Check if you can get it used! This can mean multiple things. As a first step I advise you to ask friends and family: I am getting multiple folders from a friend who just finished school. This saved me money and the environment resources. Win win! I also noticed that my mom already had a hole puncher we coud share .Then check if there are any second hand or thrift shops in your area. There you might get many multiple use things like folders, bookstands, sharpenes etc... If there‘s still stuff on your list, then it‘s time to go shopping!

Buy in shops not online! This is especially important from a social and ecological standpoint. Buying in your town or area strenghtens the local shops instead of giving money to huge companies (please don‘t buy at amazon guys, just google all the shit they do as a company) Also you can avoid a lot of packaging while buying in rl (I will come back to this). You can also compare prizes and sizes better than in an online shop.

Don‘t buy things because they’re from a special brand! I know this is hard for many studyblrs to hear, but a product is not just better because it has a brand on it. Look out for things where the price you pay is for quality and not just brand (counts for everything in life, not just stationery)

Look out for reusable and quality products! Plastic free if possible! This is good for nature and your wallet! Reusable things might be a little more expensive at the start, but they will last you much longer, and in the end you will have saved money. Avoid plastic if possible, and inform youself how to replace markers, rulers, pens and more in a plastic free way. Yes that make take sone time, but it‘s so worth it. We sll want to live on this earth without it being covered in plastic! In calendars and college blocks keep an eye out for recycelt products. The paper will not be as white and aesthetic, but it‘s really not that much of a difference and also cheaper.

Buy something that brings you joy! I suggest a plant, but it could also be that more expensive violet ink, or the beautiful mug you spottet in the shop. It should be something that can motivate you the whole year round.

I know not all of this is possible for everyone. Especially if you don’t live near a city, buying in shops will be hard, and maybe your city doesn’t offer a lot of plastic free options. But we need to stop romanticizing hauls. They are not a good thing. Yes, sometimes we need to buy new things. But some people buy whole baskets of things they don‘t really need, made by underpaid workers in a not environmentally good way. Let‘s pleace stop celebrating this.

Let‘s make this years studyblr a little more environmentally friendly than last years🌱

If you have any more tips, please leave them in the comments to share with everyone and please reblog so we can reach as many people as possible!

[makingitpossible]

Stevie Wonder has an album called “Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants” which is a homage to Mort Garson’s “Mother Earth’s Plantasia”. You should listen to both of them.

Thank you for the suggestion!😊

I just listened to it, and although it‘s not the kind of music I would listen to while relaxing or commuting, I found it very calming and put some of the tracks in my study playlist! 🌱🖋

[makingitpossible]

Was surprised by the rain on my run today, still managed to do the whole run, and I‘m very happy that I went running even though I didn‘t feel like doing that at all today🌦👟

Still working towards my 5km goal, but I didn‘t push myself to much today, as this was kind of a lazy day ate selfmade fries today too 🍟

🎧Welcome to Nightvale (Ep. 51)

[makingitpossible]

Did some planning for the next month and week today, while enjoying some quinoa crackers with hummus and cashew-hokkaido-cream on the side. Our garden is beautiful in summer and I sit outside a lot🌱☀️

🎧Bucket List by Enno Bunger

PS: This is my favourite song atm. I know not everyone here speaks german, but it‘s a song about doing the things you really want now, insted of in the future. It‘s very inspiring😊

[makingitpossible]

Today’s workout! I ran in the heat, because I forgot to run in the morning again ☀️

But on the good side I managed to run the full 30 min this time, and I was very near my 5 km goal! So far I have not thought about giving up on this goal, and it could be the first one on my impossible list to reach!🏃🏽‍♀️👟

🎧Jung & Naiv (German politics podcast)