mindfulstudyquest

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆

( 🍝 ) homemade food, made with time, effort and love. grandma's recipes, culinary experiments, family cuisine.

( 🍨 ) flavours from your childhood, your homecountry's meals, smells and spices that bring you back all the memories from the happiest time.

( 🍣 ) foreign dishes, tasted abroad, during trips and vacations. nutriment for a body seeking knowledge and new experiences.

( 🥘 ) food shared with your friends, on hangouts, on a friday night, enjoying breakfast together, spending just a little more time sitting at the table.

just a little reminder. summer has arrived, and switching out winter clothes for light, breezy summer ones isn’t always easy.

[mindfulstudyquest]

you don’t need perfect conditions to start. you just need to start. five minutes of focus is better than waiting for motivation to come.

[mindfulstudyquest]

I’m in the final year of my Veterinary degree at UFPR (Brazil), with a background in Trilingual Executive Secretariat as well. I’m planning an international exchange or postgraduate journey focused on animal behavior, ideally something that blends research, welfare, and practical application (even in the entertainment industry).

I've been exploring programs like the UC Davis M.S. in Animal Behavior and the Animal Behavior College (which offers externships with industry exposure), but I’d love insights from those who’ve been through similar paths or know other programs that value cross-disciplinary profiles, especially those that involve behavior, ethics, and possibly cultural/media spaces.

My goal is to work in environments where animal behavior knowledge intersects with storytelling and creativity, and yes, even potentially collaborate with people I admire from that world, like Aubrey Plaza. I know it sounds unusual, but I'm serious about building a meaningful, ethical, and strategic career that allows room for both scientific work and authentic artistic connection.

Have you done or heard of any US-based exchange, externship, or grad program related to animal behavior that might welcome someone with this kind of hybrid background?

How viable is it to aim for eventual work near creative productions or film sets involving animals?

Any suggestions on how to approach this journey without relying solely on luck, but through planning and initiative?

sorry for the late response – my academic background is different from yours, so i can’t offer direct technical help, but i can share the perspective of someone studying abroad in a field that blends STEM and the arts.

i find your desire to bridge science with art and creativity really interesting — it’s a vision with a lot of potential that definitely deserves space.

i recommend regularly checking the websites of the universities you’re interested in, as well as the website of the embassy of the country you wanna go study in in your country (i'm not sure if i'm explaining myself clearly — for example, if you're from brazil and want to study in the u.s., you should monitor the website of the u.s. embassy in brazil). they often publish calls for applications, scholarships, and exchange opportunities that aren’t always widely shared on social media. staying informed gives you a big advantage in preparing everything ahead of time.

if anyone has more specific information or has been through a similar path, feel free to share it in the comments! we'd love to open a dialogue.

good luck on your journey 🩷🌸

[mindfulstudyquest]

( 🇪🇸 ) just wanted to keep you guys updated about my year abroad. my first semester was fireee, i studied hard and it was very traumatic at the beginning because i couldn't speak a word of spanish, but in the end my exams in january went really well and i'm so proud of myself. at some point i really thought i couldn't make it, but in the end i did it and i did it well. i won't lie, tho. it took a lot of effort and consistency regardless of results. i even had the opportunity to visit nyc with some coursemate and it was awesome. 10/10 experience. february was a rollercoaster, and i can't hide i'm completely drained. i hope i can endure until the end of the semester, even tho i'm literally living on survival mode this days. it's just a moment, and this too shall pass. i hope you guys are all ready for new opportunities and are working hard. keep going.

[mindfulstudyquest]

needed this 💗

just in case you need a reminder...

yes you will have a good future, yes you will find someone who loves you fully, yes you will achieve your dreams, yes you are worthy of love, yes you will find close friends, yes you will get your dream house, yes you will live the the life you deserve.

[mindfulstudyquest]

[mindfulstudyquest]

What pasta is secretly your favorite?

spaghetti 🍝 they're actually not that difficult to eat!

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁

you have a choice. you can stay in the room where you are the best, where people rely on you, turn to you to learn, to improve. you can satisfy your ego and bask in the awareness that no one is above you.

or you can step into the room where you are not the best — where, in fact, you might be the worst at what you do. you can finally realize that there will always be someone better than you, humble yourself, cry, and wallow in self-pity.

you can remain in the room where you are praised and admired, or you can surround yourself with people who are better and more experienced than you. you can accept that there’s still a long way to go, that your talent and effort are nowhere near enough, and struggle to keep up with those who are truly better than you. then — and only then — you can unlock your true potential.

it is only by believing you’re far behind others that you’ll improve more than you ever thought possible.

why discomfort breeds growth

studies show that we grow most when we step outside of our comfort zones. according to a study published in the « journal of experimental psychology », being exposed to challenging and unfamiliar tasks increases brain plasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and develop new neural pathways. when you’re the “worst” in the room, your brain is forced to engage, learn, and adapt — activating areas responsible for problem-solving and critical thinking.

the “zone of proximal development”

lev vygotsky, a developmental psychologist, introduced the concept of the "zone of proximal development" (zpd) — the sweet spot where tasks are just beyond your current abilities. learning happens most effectively within this zone, but only if you're willing to confront challenges head-on. surrounding yourself with people who are more skilled or experienced than you puts you directly into this zone.

embracing failure as a learning tool

a 2011 study by ayelet fishbach and lauren eskreis-winkler, published in the journal of experimental social psychology, highlighted that experiencing failure can actually improve motivation and learning. the researchers found that when individuals interpret failure as an opportunity to learn rather than a threat to their ego, they develop greater resilience and determination in achieving their goals. this approach transforms the initial discomfort of not being the best into a powerful driver for personal growth.

how to start stepping into the “hard” rooms

adopt a growth mindset: psychologist carol dweck's research highlights the power of a growth mindset — believing that skills and intelligence can improve with effort. view every setback as an opportunity to learn.

reframe comparisons: instead of feeling inadequate when others outperform you, see them as resources. ask questions, learn from their methods, and let their expertise challenge you.

set stretch goals: aim for targets that feel slightly out of reach. they should scare you just enough to make you uncomfortable — but also excited to try.

stepping into the room where you’re not the best is scary. it might hurt your pride. but science is clear: true growth comes from struggle, humility, and persistence. the next time you feel like you're the worst in the room, remember — you're in the perfect place to unlock your potential.

guys i really hope this makes sense because my english is broken this days. also it's exam season, so i'm taking my exams in spanish. my brain seems settled on my third language and i can't easily switch back to english. this days i can't even speak italian properly ush.

[mindfulstudyquest]

study tips: staying motivated

i get asks about my approach to productivity, grades, and study routines every so often so i'm planning to start organizing some of my thoughts and tips into their own posts. please send in anything you're curious about <3

at the root of productivity is motivation. getting stuff done is hardest when you're sitting there wondering "wait, why am i even doing this?".

my big, macro-level motivation is my career. i know exactly what i want to do after i finish my PhD, and everything i do is a step in that direction. at the same time, i try to nurture more achievable goals to get me through the day-to-day, especially for weeks when everything feels overwhelming. some things i've used as motivation in the past:

this class is difficult, and i might get a bad grade, but i want to be able to say i did my best

i'm annoyed by this silly mistake i made on an assignment, i want to make sure i don't do the exact same thing a second time

i have plans with friends this evening, i want to get some homework out of the way so i won't be stressed later

i want to show this professor that i'm working really hard in this course because maybe they'll write me a letter of recommendation one day

this topic is related to something i'm interested in, i want to understand it better so i can see that connection

you'll notice that these are all fairly achievable goals. they take effort, but they don't require me to get straight A's or understand something perfectly. relying on unrealistic goals as motivation is a recipe for anxiety and will only make you less motivated in the long run.

[mindfulstudyquest]

2025, my ultimate year of self-care <3

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝗽𝗵𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

« it is better to admit that you walked through the wrong door than spending your whole life in the wrong room. »

« you can start on a wednesday. you can start in march. you can start at 6.17 pm. you don't have to wait for the "perfect time" because there is no perfect time to start changing. »

« what you're not changing you're choosing. »

« life is a never ending loop of dirty dishes and laundry, which means life is a never ending loop of home cooked meals and comfy clean clothes. »

« sit with it. even though you want to run, even when it's heavy and difficult, even though you're not quite sure of the way through, healing happens by feeling. »

« i love you. but i don't love you enough not to leave you, because i love myself more. »

« your new life will cost you your old one. »

« old ways won't open new doors. »

« you haven't met all the people you'll love yet. »

« the cost of procrastination is the life you could have lived. »

« it's your road, and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. »

phrases are from Instagram

[mindfulstudyquest]

Val, happy new year! i’m writing this because you’re one of my favorite blogs and i want you to know it!! thanks for giving me boots of motivation with your posts! they’re always so insightful and pretty

i hope 2025 is everything you wish and more because i think you truly deserve it <3 sending love for you and everyone you care about

thank you so much darling 🩷 happy new year to you too, wish you to have a great time and to achieve all your goals. keep going :))

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀

𝟭. travel ( ✈️ )

2024 took away many travel opportunities from me. i was supposed to go to barcelona with my family, but my grandfather passed away, and we stayed in italy to handle the funeral. i was supposed to travel to sofia with my cousin, but one of my exams was rescheduled to a date i couldn’t possibly miss, so i had to give up the trip. lastly, i was planning to go to valencia to celebrate my birthday, but a flood disrupted the city, and i couldn't go anymore.

in short, it was a frustrating year in this regard — i lost a lot of money and, most importantly, many opportunities to travel, which i believe has significantly inhibited me in this area. while i used to be much more inclined to book last-minute trips when the chance to travel on a budget arose, now i feel much more anxious about doing so.

i want 2025 to be filled with travels. i want to fully take advantage of the opportunities that circumstances beyond my control stole from me in 2024.

𝟮. keep my life even more private ( 🔒 )

it's been years now since i completely disappeared from social media. i no longer post photos or updates about my life online as if i were an influencer, and my daily life has significantly improved without the pressure to appear a certain way online. life is truly better when no one knows anything about you.

however, in real life, i'm quite the chatterbox, and i often find myself oversharing without even realizing it. that said, because i strongly believe in the evil eye, i've learned that, even if i have to bite my tongue, i can't share projects that are not yet completed — not even with the people closest to me, not even if i'm 100% sure they would be happy for me.

in fact, even though i cut off toxic people from my life two years ago, other friendships i thought were strong have ended this year. i want to live a peaceful, private life, even if that means staying silent. show results rather than plans.

𝟯. meditate and journal ( 🪴 )

i started this year (2024) well with this kind of self-care, but i completely lost it around may. i'll try again in 2025, hoping i can stick to it. if not, see you in 2026.

𝟰. indulge in healthy female friendships ( 🩷 )

two years ago, i cut ties with many toxic friendships that were holding me down and keeping me from healing. since then, i've been mostly alone, except for a few surviving connections i kept after high school. when i started university, i made new friendships, but they were very superficial and always centered around university matters.

however, since moving to spain, i've really understood which people were just taking from me without truly being interested in me as a person. in return, though, these past few months i've met some truly amazing girls in madrid, and i want to let myself indulge in that beautiful feminine energy that only girl friendships can give. wine and cheese in front of an episode of gilmore girls while you cut out pictures for your vision board.

𝟱. eat healthier ( 🥗 )

these past few months have been a rollercoaster with food. i've prepared a lot of homemade meals, but i've also ordered out quite often. i don't see anything wrong with ordering takeout or eating out with friends, but since it often happened when i was alone and didn't feel like cooking, i want to try to organize my cooking better and eat as many homemade meals as possible. of course, i won’t deprive myself of lunches and dinners out with friends, but i want to limit takeaway food to social occasions, not to lonely sundays.

it's been less than two years since i got out my ed and i want to keep the happy and healthy relationship with food i gained with so much hard work.

𝟲. keeping up with goals reached last year ( ☁️ )

obviously, all the work i’ve done over the past few years won’t go to waste! i want to persevere with the good habits i’ve developed and the work i’ve done on myself. the past few years have been strange and full of changes, but i feel like it’s all been positive. i’m happy with where i’ve gotten to and the person i’ve become, but i know i still have a long way ahead of me.

happy new year's eve everyone 🎉 which goals are you planning to reach?

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁?

have you ever noticed how quick we are to minimize our accomplishments or hesitate to act on our abilities? this phenomenon is not uncommon and may even have a psychological basis. according to research, fear of our own success is often linked to what psychologists call self-sabotage.

the psychology behind talent-related fear

studies suggest that fear of success stems from deep-rooted insecurities, perfectionism, and societal expectations.

dr. valerie young, an expert on imposter syndrome, explains that highly competent individuals often internalize self-doubt, leading them to feel unworthy of their achievements. instead of viewing success as an opportunity, they see it as a risk — a chance to be judged or exposed.

additionally, behavioral scientists highlight how comfort zones act as psychological safety nets. breaking out of this zone to pursue one’s potential often triggers the brain’s fight-or-flight response, fueling anxiety and hesitation.

a study published in the « journal of personality and social psychology » found that people often underperform or shy away from their potential to avoid the perceived threats of failure or criticism associated with high expectations.

the cost of playing small

constantly shrinking yourself can lead to a diminished sense of agency, reduced life satisfaction, and even burnout, according to findings in the field of positive psychology. martin seligman’s theory of learned helplessness suggests that repeated self-limitation can reinforce the belief that you are incapable, which ultimately restricts personal growth.

what science says about overcoming this fear

1. reframe your beliefs

imposter syndrome often thrives on fixed mindsets — the belief that our abilities are static and failure is a sign of incompetence. to combat this, psychologists recommend adopting a growth mindset, as outlined by dr. carol dweck. a growth mindset sees mistakes as opportunities for learning rather than proof of inadequacy.

actionable tip: when self-doubt creeps in, question it. ror instance, instead of thinking, “i don’t belong here,” reframe it as, “what can i learn from this experience?” over time, these subtle shifts can transform self-perception.

challenge begative self-talk: replace “i was lucky” with “i prepared well,” or “anyone could do this” with “i worked hard to make this happen.”

2. incremental action

imposter syndrome often paralyzes us because the expectations we set for ourselves feel overwhelming. research shows that breaking large goals into smaller, actionable steps reduces anxiety and builds confidence.

james clear, author of atomic habits, explains that small, consistent actions create a compound effect over time, leading to lasting change.

sart small: take manageable risks in your work or personal life. for example, share one idea in a meeting or take on a small challenge outside your comfort zone.

build evidence of success: each completed task — no matter how small — creates a track record of achievements. over time, this undermines the belief that your accomplishments are accidental.

3. self-compassion

people with imposter syndrome often hold themselves to unrealistic standards. kristin neff’s research on self-compassion shows that treating yourself with kindness during moments of failure or doubt can reduce stress and enhance resilience.

self-compassion involves acknowledging your struggles, understanding that imperfection is human, and responding to yourself as you would to a friend.

practice self-kindness: when you make a mistake, instead of saying, “i’m so incompetent,” try saying, “everyone makes mistakes, and i can learn from this.”

normalize imperfection: remind yourself that even the most successful people have moments of doubt and failure.

self-care as a tool: engage in activities that recharge your mental and emotional energy, whether that’s journaling, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.

by reframing your beliefs, taking small steps, and showing yourself compassion, you can gradually dismantle imposter syndrome. remember: confidence is not the absence of doubt but the decision to move forward despite it.

[mindfulstudyquest]

fall in love with the process. see the beauty in the hours spent studying, the time spent learning new skills, the journaling, the beauty rituals and the motivation will come naturally to you. romanticise the journey of becoming your dream girl and it will become easier.

[mindfulstudyquest]

yes, I deserve food. I deserve healthy food. I deserve unhealthy food. I deserve a diet coke. I deserve a high-calorie drink. I deserve a McDonalds. I deserve salad. I deserve to eat. I deserve self-love. I deserve to feel good independently of how much calories there's in anything I'm eating. I deserve to feel good about my body regardless of anything. I'm worthy of love, self-love and happiness.

[mindfulstudyquest]

my favourite animal is me when i remember what i'm capable of.