solacescastleglow

[solacescastleglow]

My Desk Setup (Manifesting)

My desk is literally so cool and I love it so much. It's a leather-top art deco piece of indeterminate provenance, which means it looks cool and I don't have to worry about ruining a piece of history. I also have a few rows of library catalogue drawers held up by these cheap x shaped things (I don't know what to call them) that I've collaged with aesthetic academic photos. The chair is more art nouveau, but the wood colour still matches pretty nicely. I also have a footstool to keep my feet up since I can't work while sitting upright.

I keep the front of the desk clear for paper related tasks by having my computer monitor laid down at the back of the desk, under the drawers. This makes using my desktop super inconvenient, but since I only really use it for games it's a good way to stop myself from wasting hours away. On top of the monitor, I keep my keyboards (piano and QWERTY). My drawing tablet I keep under the desk to keep it out of the way; it makes it kind of annoying to use but there's no other place for it to go, and I kind of like lying on my stomach to draw. The cable management is superb.

My main source of lighting is my banker's lamp. Next to it is my desk organiser, which has space for the mini whiteboard I use for time blocking. My special pens that I use all the time, like my Parker fountain pen (my graduation gift to myself) and the Pigma Micron in 08, go in a pen tray so I don't have to sift through the organiser. Anything that's ugly, like my hole punch, I've decorated with stickers. I have multiple scented candles that I use for different vibes.

The books that always stay on my desk are my 1920s copy of Mrs Beeton, my Greek textbook(s), my bullet journal, my junk journal/sketchbook, and a handwritten book of my favourite recipes. I try to keep clutter minimal, but I do have a needlepoint of my cat and a plaster bust. I have several houseplants on top of my catalogue drawers, which hang down from them beautifully.

The vibe keeps me focussed and calm. I love my desk!

[solacescastleglow]

My Favourite Full Body Flows

I fear I am turning into a gym bro. I exercise every day now, because it turns out if I skip one day I'll skip the next, and the next, and so on. Honestly, I'm not even mad about it, I love the fact that my body can do all this now. Anyway, I've been trying out different movements, and here are my favourite ones put together into a routine that works for me. These are also low equipment (all you need is two dumbbells and a yoga mat if you want to save your knees), so they're really easy to do at home.

Weekly Routine

Monday, Friday - Restorative

Tuesday, Saturday - Mobility

Wednesday, Sunday - Strength

Thursday - Fencing class

Whenever I feel like it - Other stuff like badminton, dancing, etc.

Restorative

Goal: Keep my body moving even when I'm busy or tired, have a good time

Frequency: 2x/week

however many sets I want to do :)

1 minute of intuitive movement (ankle and wrist circles, neck rolls, side stretches, really whatever I feel like)

3x 5 second butterfly stretch

1x supine twist per side

10x floor angels

10x windshield wipers

20x happy baby rocks

10x sphinx nods (rounding out my shoulders when I look down)

psoas release (like this)

10x child-seals

5 minutes with my legs up against the wall while hugging myself

Mobility

Goal: General mobility so that I don't feel terrible

Frequency: 2x/week

2-3 sets, scattered throughout the day when I feel like it

10x chin tucks

10x shoulder rolls

10x ankle circles

5x cossack squats (supported)

5x wrist weight bearing rocks (with my fingers facing forwards, then outwards, then backwards)

5x ankle rocks

5x thoracic twists

10x floor angels

5x hip flexor arcs

10x dead bugs

20x bicycles

5x child-seals

1x supine twist per side

Strength

Goal: Reverse atrophy caused by long-term illness, build up upper body and deep core strength

Frequency: 2x/week

1 set, it's a lot and I get bored really easily

Warm-up

5x shoulder circles (each way)

5x arm swings

5x wrist circles (each way)

5x ankle circles (each way)

5x hamstring sweeps

Main bit

5x incline pushups (currently on 4 stairs' incline)

20x bicep curls (while pacing around the living room)

20x armpit rows (still pacing)

10x overhead tricep extensions

10x heel raises

5x march and hold (5 second holds)

5x cossack squats (supported)

5x kneeling wrist lifts

5x wrist weight bearing rocks

5x alternating bird-dogs

30 second plank

15 second side planks

5x slow dead bugs

10x bicycles

20x scissor kicks

5x 5 second boat pose hold

5x marching glute bridge

Cool-down

5x child-seals (can you tell I love this one?)

1x supine twist per side

[solacescastleglow]

My Ideas Web

I've been having a fun time recently with documenting ideas, both those of others and myself. And I've realised recently that I have a whole network of documents, books, and miscellaneous stuff dedicated to the collection and storage of ideas. I thought it would make a fun post, so here we are.

My commonplace book

I adore my commonplace book and I carry it everywhere. I follow Ruby Granger's method for organising my commonplace book, with themed pages made up of a collection of quotes from different sources. That way, if I want to read about death, or soul, or healing, I can just flip to that page and see all the quotes that have resonated with me related to it. It's kind of like an analogue tagging system.

My pocket library zines

I've talked about these before, but I really do love them. They're organised by book, or sometimes author, and therefore have a different goal than my commonplace book. If I want to read from a particular book, but just the bits I like the most, I'll go to my pocket library and find the right zine.

Solace's Philosophical Dictionary

I use this to clarify my own positions on philosophical topics. I don't claim to have invented these ideas, but I'm having a lot of fun with making sure I know what my stances are on certain topics. Right now, it's a Google Doc for ease of alphabetising, but one day I want it to be printed or handwritten somewhere, maybe even bound. Personally, I think everyone should have one of these, they're so fun to make and it really says a lot about a person which topics they choose. Mine is just starting out, but you can see it here! This is 100% based of Voltaire's Dictionnaire Philosophique, by the way.

[solacescastleglow]

Building an Activewear Wardrobe

Some people love the activewear look. That's not me. The only way to describe the way I dress is 'overdressed academic'. And for years, that was fine because I didn't exercise, but now that I do... it's becoming an issue. So I've put together a capsule wardrobe that suits my needs, and it was so much fun that I thought I'd write it down in case anyone else wants to make their activewear more intentional and in line with their style.

1. Sorting out your priorities

First off, do you want comfort, style, or a little bit of both? Once you've got that clear, figure out what range you'll need. For me, I need a wardrobe that's flexible for the weather, my gender expression, and the activities I like to do (yoga, pilates, barre, fencing, strength training, badminton, and walking). You might not need that kind of flexibility, or you might have more variables I haven't thought of. Either way, these will make up your columns in the winnowing stage, which I'll get to later.

2. The Pinterest phase

This is debatably the most fun part. This is where you figure out your whole vibe when working out. Is it pink pilates princess? Vintage collegiate athlete? Gym bro? This will let you know what pieces you should be looking for. Make a list of anything you like the look of, as well as a general colour scheme that ideally matches your regular wardrobe.

3. Winnowing

Now, if you're made of money you can skip this step, but some of us want or need to prioritise the things we buy. So what you're going to do is make a spreadsheet. Make columns for the item, the colour, and your variables that you figured out in step 1. Then, mark what each of the items can work for in each of your variables. Here's what mine looks like:

Anything you don't Need need, it can wait. For example, I have lots of T shirts I wear as pyjamas, so the polo shirt is lower priority than the sweatpants and skort. From the spreadsheet, I can see that the wrap shirt is very low priority, so I'll buy that last. If there's something on your spreadsheet that seems redundant (ie: that ticks off all the same boxes as another item), consider if you really need it.

And then you can buy things the same way you would anything else! Clothes can make or break your motivation to do something, so I hope this helped in some way.

[solacescastleglow]

Things I've Been Loving Recently (in no particular order)

writing (& worldbuilding for) fanfiction

the moon <3

omelettes with cheese

dinosaur time (eating spinach by the handful)

buying secondhand books

oil pulling

my shul/local chabad's dinners

looking at pictures of evgeny shwartz as felix yusupov on pinterest

chatting with new people

penguin little black classics in my pockets when i go out

how much it's been raining recently

record shopping with my sibling

pho from the vietnamese restaurant next to the secondhand bookshop

left right goodnight! by bears in trees

pickled onions

the australian voting system (preferential voting my beloved)

wearing pyjama pants under my regular pants

reading ancient classics

my employment consultant (thank u razan!!)

getting on jobseeker pension

my mama (happy mother's day!)

the ____ with mama memes

going on walks with my dad/sibling

one direction (i should have kissed you is a banger don't @ me)

vegetarian chili mac and cheese

the (still working) 1970s gas heater my dad found

living in the area i live in, i'm literally so lucky

my kitty cat, sweet little baby boy

the fact that my dad said my face is getting more square on t

the weather getting colder

studying ancient greek

the two triplets who volunteer at the shul (platonically)

organising our home library

listening to reddit stories while i do other things

papenathy (they live in my head rent free)

water

how cool the people in my area dress

being gendered masculinely by strangers

little bit of bottom growth who said that?

my visual timer

chamomile tea, all time favourite drink ilysm

post blocker on xkit

arm day for strength training

randomly telling myself 'drop and give me 10 bicycles'

the hunger games (original trilogy)

how much better i'm getting at communicating, especially via email

being able to choose between my cane, one crutch, two crutches, or nothing and not suffering severe consequences

bringing my cuddling pillow and blanket downstairs to sit on the sofa

daydreaming that i'm a professor giving a lecture while i write my assignments

my professor who lets us make up a creative project instead of essays

sebastian castellio/hating on jean calvin

fragrantica

hearing the kid next door practicing piano

seeing weird shaped dogs in the park

classical records

showers

the harmonising in shabbat services

the fact that i go to a barber now (the haircut itself, however...)

coles' bakery section

mother's day lunch at a random middle eastern restaurant in a suburb of the town my grandparents live in (literally so good)

sitting on the front steps while dad gardens

smoked paprika

exploring the local high street

friendly retail workers (g-d's strongest soldiers i swear)

the local architecture style

when things i bought years ago suddenly become useful again

my dressing gown

self love (cough cough) (thank you t for giving me my libido back)

the $300 1920s version of mrs beeton's household management i finally saved up enough to buy

financial responsibility

ritalin + lorazepam

my 'going out station' (place i put my keys etc)

having enough in my emergency fund that i don't need to save anymore unless i want to

my notion set up

my allergies randomly going away

therapy

the mottled sunlight in the back garden

growing the fuck up

that time i managed to pick around mushrooms in a dish without crying

my 2015 laptop that still works fine

my motorola phone (it has a headphone jack!!!)

donna tartt lore

making super niche memes

wilfred owen poems

when my dad and i trade our poetry

dusting powder

dry brushing

afternoon tea with my family

scented candles

cooking

chicken salt on hot chips

my great grandpa's harris tweed jacket that fits me perfectly

mint slice biscuits (now that i can have mint)

getting to use my winter wardrobe

how bad the liberals (our conservative party) lost the election

pope memes

the fact i'm graduating this year!!!

scent layering

wholegrain sourdough bread

the fact that i have so many good things in my life <333

[solacescastleglow]

Short Term Wishlist/To Do

So, I have something big planned for my June challenge. I don't want to spoil it, but it's going to take a lot of prep work. Most of the stuff for it, I already have, but there are some things I'll have to acquire. Prices are approximate and in AUD.

Books etc.

Logos (LGPSI) - $60

Ancient Greek Alive - $75

Ancient Greek dictionary - $28

Iliad OR Odyssey (trans. Emily Wilson) - $33

The Little Friend - $25

train route map and map book - $35

yellow pages? - free if I can get the company to respond

Stationery and tech

typewriter ribbon - $15

portable cassette player - ???

pen nib to replace the one that broke - $10

parts needed for landline project - ???

(pocket?) watch - hard limit of $250

alarm clock - $10 when I manage to get to Ikea

address book - $15

To do/get Dad to do

record more tapes

make an aromatherapy inhaler (too expensive to buy)

make the landline useable

make a post-nightmare book and get it printed - $30

[solacescastleglow]

Different Types of Hunger, and How We Can Honour Them

If you're recovering from diet culture telling you you have to measure your food, you might think that honouring your hunger means always eating whatever you want, whenever you want, without restriction. This is true, but we need to know what we need before we act on it. We often think of hunger as only one thing, but in reality, it's a combination of sensations that we can pick apart if we'd like. When learning how to eat intuitively, it's important to separate these sensations, because each kind of hunger has a different treatment, and if we use the wrong one for the situation, the feeling won't get resolved.

(Bear in mind that I have very poor interoception, so when I describe how something feels, it's often extreme. This is because I can't tell the subtle cues that I'm getting hungry, and my body has skipped straight to the big guns over the years to get my brain to actually listen. If anyone would like to add what a normal amount of hungry feels like, feel free to.)

1. Stomach hunger

This is where you get hungry because you haven't eaten in a while; it's sort of the 'default' hunger. Signs of stomach hunger can be: a growling stomach, headaches or stomachaches, or feeling dizzy or nauseous.

To honour stomach hunger, make a meal! Add carbs for energy, protein for satiety, fats for nutrient absorption, dietary fibre for gut health, and vitamins and minerals for the various benefits those bring. If you're exclusively stomach hungry (as in, you're not craving anything), this is the perfect time to make something that has all the nutrients you need.

2. Mouth hunger

This is where you really want a certain texture or flavour of food. Signs of mouth hunger can be: a realistic phantom feeling in the mouth, chewing on nothing while imagining the texture, or checking the cupboards over and over to find something that will work.

To honour mouth hunger, eat what you're craving! No need for 'healthier' switches, but make sure you're checking in on yourself to make sure you still have mouth hunger. If you keep going after your hunger has been satisfied, there's kind of no point to eating more and you're just wasting food. Remember, the food you eat is there to serve you.

3. Mental hunger

Sometimes, we look at food on a menu or in media, and we desperately want to eat it even if we're not hungry. Signs of mental hunger include: obsessing over a specific food, mouth watering despite no stomach hunger cues, and similar signs to mouth hunger.

To honour mental hunger, save the picture you saw. Next time you're stomach hungry, see if you can incorporate that food (or something similar to how you imagine it tastes) into your meal. Sometimes, I wait a few days to make sure I really want this specific food, especially if it's really expensive or time consuming to make.

4. Habitual hunger

This one's tough. Habitual hunger comes from having a routine of eating particular foods at a particular time, regardless of stomach hunger level. Examples of these might be always craving coffee in the morning, or popcorn when you enter a movie theatre.

How to honour this kind of hunger depends on how stomach hungry you are. If you're not at all stomach hungry, try having a small amount of your habit food, enough to satisfy you but not enough to make you feel unwell. If you're very stomach hungry, try eating other foods (with balanced nutrition) in addition to your habit food.

5. Emotional hunger

This can arise from many different things - nostalgia, sadness, anger. It can be compulsive in nature, or similar to mental hunger. Signs you are emotionally hungry include: an urge to eat following a very strong emotion or eating to self soothe.

This is the only kind of hunger where I advocate fully switching the foods you're eating. When you're emotionally hungry, you're using food as a means to get dopamine, so use something like this guide I made a few months back (or make your own!) to make a food that will give you the building blocks to create more. Then you can try some other activities that release dopamine!

6. Strategic hunger

This is the kind of mental process where we know we might feel hungry in the future, so we eat food in advance to prepare for it. Signs include: anxiety or worry about getting hungry in the future, or a kind of mental hunger that isn't directed at any specific food.

To honour strategic hunger, eat mindfully so you don't get overly full, and consider bringing a snack or another meal to whatever place or event is causing the anxiety.

7. Water hunger AKA thirst

This type of 'hunger' barely counts, but my brain often interprets it very similarly to stomach and mouth hunger. Signs of this include: craving a specific drink, something frozen like popsicles or ice cubes, or a watery vegetable like iceberg lettuce or cucumber.

To honour this kind of 'hunger', drink water first, then check back in a few minutes. Usually, this resolves itself. If it doesn't, feel free to eat what you were craving.

7.5. "The greaseball"

This is a thing that happens when you get to be a certain age (younger than you'd think). If you go too long without eating a vegetable, you will end up with a similar feeling to water hunger, but you feel icky and have this heavy feeling even when hydrated.

Eat a vegetable, or better yet, a meal full of veggies and protein, with a bit of zing from something sour. For me, this means avoiding fatty foods and starches, at least for one meal. Usually, I prefer colder foods when this happens, but you can do whatever you want. I just thought I'd mention it because this used to happen to me all the time.

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So, there you have it. Being able to tell which kind of hungry you are is a skill, and it requires listening to your body. Be gentle with yourself; this takes time. I hope this was helpful to you. Happy eating!

[solacescastleglow]

April Challenge: Self Boundary Setting

I can't believe it's April already! So for this month I'm going to work on making my life more structured, mostly because I've been so relaxed with myself this past month. I read The Secret History, became obsessed, and started backsliding into really unhelpful behaviour patterns (and of course my therapist is on holiday, so I can't talk about it with her). I've given myself March to wallow in it, but now it's time to be a big kid and get over myself.

1. Bedtime

For the past few months, I've been going to sleep literally whenever, but my wake up times have been chaotic. In an attempt to wrangle that into some semblance of consistency, I will be making my bedtime midnight. No exceptions. I've also done this thing a lot where I lie down, thinking I'd get ready for bed later, and then immediately fall asleep. No more of that. I'm going to avoid this by not allowing myself to lie down until after I'm ready for bed.

2. Intuitive eating

One of the bigger things that bothered me last month was that, somehow, reading that book triggered my disordered eating patterns. This month I'm going to have to set more goals with eating enough, even though I'm in that frustrating part of the cycle where I don't really want to. So here's the plan: I'm going to make a weekly meal plan focussing on getting enough protein and fibre, and then I'll do it, because I told myself I would.

3. Self study

I've got a pretty tough thing going on, what with trying to learn 3 languages and an instrument while studying. Giving enough time to each thing so I can actually progress means I'll have to be focussed for at least 1 hr 45 min a day, not including the two hours every other day I've set aside for my actual uni work. Maybe I'll try a rotation of languages instead (that will cut the self study time down to 45 min), especially when my assignments are closer to due. I'm not sure. Anyway, I'll try the first option to start with.

4. Exercise

I've been in an energy crash all of March, so I haven't exercised this whole time. I need to get back into it now. I've wanted to take fencing classes since I was 14, but was always too sick to... until now. So to accommodate for the fact that the class is 2 hours long, I'll bookend it with rest days, and the rest of the week do half an hour of whatever I feel like. Until the next semester of the fencing class starts (when I'll join), I'll replace it with stretches designed to help with fencing.

[solacescastleglow]

A New Direction (Polymath Diaries #2)

So, the past few months have been hectic, at least in terms of my intended career path. I've gone from wanting to work at a museum to wanting to become an SLP to back to the museum thing, but this time with more of a classical focus. I've finally gotten started on learning Latin, which I've wanted to do since I was 14, and now Ancient Greek too because things can't be too easy.

So, to make things clearer for myself, here's my weekly non-negotiables for self improvement and skills:

4 hours of uni work (per subject)

3.5 hours each of French, Latin, and Ancient Greek

1.5 hours of piano (gonna work my way up)

2 hours of indoor exercise (pilates, yoga, strength training, calisthenics)

3 hours outside (doing whatever, but mostly walking)

2 hours of fencing

7 hours of leisure reading

1 hour of planning the next week

In terms of implementation, it's going to be something like:

30 minutes a day of each language

1 hour, 4 days out of the week for uni

15 minutes of piano a day (except on Shabbat)

30 minutes of indoor exercise for 4 days, then a fencing class bookended by two rest days

3x 1 hour walks/trips out a week

1 hour a day of reading (which can be put off or extended so I have something to do on Shabbat)

I'm excited to see where this goes!

[solacescastleglow]

My Version of a Capsule Wardrobe

Shirts

(I actually have multiple of these but whatever, all linen for breathability)

white shirt, ruffled

white shirt, plain

Bottoms

wool midi skirt

linen midi skirt

tartan mini skirt

corduroy trousers

tweed trousers

Layers

waistcoat

fairisle vest

cable knit jumper

fairisle jumper

vintage military greatcoat

Accessories

1970s square glasses (actually brown)

(transition lens) pince nez

green tie

rust tie

white cravat

black ribbon tie

magen david necklace

mental health ring

belt

buckled shoes

satchel

platform crutches

[solacescastleglow]

forming a magical morning routine 🍵

having a good morning routine creates the perfect foundation for a wonderful day, so here’s some tips on how to form a magical morning routine for the days to come:

wake up with time to spare, at least 30 min to 1 hour ahead of your normal time.

hydrate with ice water or fruit infused water.

follow a skincare routine to refresh and cleanse your skin, making sure to include spf for during the day.

use warm herbal remedies such as drinking herbal tea or a fresh cup of coffee to set a positive tone for the day, creating mindfulness and calmness in your body.

don’t look at your phone if you don’t have to. for those who use their phone as an alarm, click it off and turn your phone upside down until afterwards.

pray + say positive affirmations that align with your physical, emotional, and mental goals for the day.

awaken your body with slow stretching or yoga and deep breathing, as this helps activate your body for the day.

eat a light and nutritious breakfast, such as greek yogurt and berries or an omelette and toast.

create a to-do list + journal to set your intentions of how you desire for your day to go.

express gratitude for the gift of a new day.

staying consistent with these steps and keeping a healthy routine trains your mind, body, and spirit to create positive and productive days. it’s important to do what works for you but also to align your actions with what’s best for your wellbeing. each part of your routine is like an instrument playing a unique role, contributing to the harmony of your life!

[solacescastleglow]

resetting and restoring yourself 🎧

hitting the reset button is essential to your life, allowing you to recharge, reflect, and realign with your goals and values. life can be hectic, stressful, and demanding leading to a wave of overwhelming emotions and an increased chance of a burnout. luckily, having the right tools can help you to keep going and maintain a healthy balance between self and life, so here’s how to properly reset and restore:

take an “everything” shower. engaging in this beloved self care ritual is a good way to hit the reset button and restore you back to normal. everything showers can include washing and conditioning your hair, shaving, exfoliating, double cleansing. when you do each of these tasks, it’s helpful to visualize all your burdens being washed away as you cleanse your body. you’ll feel fresh, clean, and comfortable. an everything shower is a wonderful way to refresh both your body and mind in a physical yet healthy way.

create a short list of good habits. to reset and restore, aim to create a list of habits that will leave you feeling good. this can include engaging in daily yoga, having a brewed cup of coffee or herbal tea daily, reading for 30 mins each day, creating art, and these are just the basics. these habits can create a positive shift in your energy and lead you to full restoration and recovery.

exercise, exercise, exercise. physical activity is a great form of self care and a great way to avoid frequent stress. while resting is essential for recharging, it’s not good to just lay around and constantly soak up any misery. get up and take a walk, get fresh air and feel the sun, go for a 15 min jog or run, do yoga poses, at home pilates, or even attend your local gym. getting up and getting active is a healthy and enjoyable way to clear your mind and reset your body.

disconnect and digital detox. scrolling, scrolling, and more scrolling can cause your brain to feel too heavy for your head. social media and our phones are filled with so much information, memories, words, opinions, and much more. it’s almost impossible to not become overwhelmed. digital detoxing has always been my favorite ritual when resetting. instead of mindlessly being on your phone, disconnect from the world & do activities like, stargaze or watch the clouds pass, read books, rearrange your environment, cook a new recipe, create journal entries. these are all very simple things that can restore you greatly.

connect with those who mean the most to you. spending time with family, friends, pets, lovers can provide emotional support and strengthen your relationships with more love. open up to those you love and care about. be a listening ear for them as well. engage in meaningful conversations or even just sit in comfortable silence. doing this brings you back to your essence and provides a healthy restoration.

try get enough sleep. quality sleep is crucial for your overall health in all life’s areas. establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you get enough sleep each night. lack of sleep can lead to mood swings and increased stress which may cause a burnout. prioritize your sleep and aim for 7-9 hours a night for a beautiful mind, body and spirit.

resetting and restoring is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity for living a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. take care of yourself because it is the foundation for achieving your dreams and becoming the best version of yourself! 😊

[solacescastleglow]

LOCK IN AND FIGURE YOURSELF OUT

It's so worth it <3

I feel like everyone is talking about all the best ways to improve yourself and make your vision boards, but it is all so fucking overwhelming. You aren't going to get anything done, and that's okay because it's normal to get overwhelmed with how much information there is.

To make things a little easier for you all I've made a little step-by-step guide that is soo easy! All you need for this is somewhere to write stuff down, pinterest, whatever planner you use and some free time.

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PART 1: WHO DO YOU EVEN WANT TO BE?

This is the most important question you need to ask yourself. Who are you trying become? Why are you even doing all this? It's okay if you don't know at first, that's where a lot of self-reflection has to happen. Take your time and really think about all the attributes this person has. Here is a little questionnaire that can get you started!

What kinds of clothes does this person wear?

What is their self-care routine?

What are this person's boundaries?

What kind of food do they eat and what is their relationship with food?

What is their financial situation?

What do they think about themselves?

What do other people think about them?

What are their friendships like?

What are their habits?

Feel free to add your own! If you can't think of any more I definitely recommend pinterest for this one!

Once you know who you want to be, it's time to create some goals. Choose 4 of the attributes you came up with and turn them into SMART goals! SMART goals are an incredible way to think about your goals in a way that actually prepares you to achieve them.

S- Specific: be as absolutely specific about your goal as you can be. Broadness only hurts you in the long run.

M- Measurable: How are you measuring this goal?

A- Acheivable: goals aren't supposed to be easy, but they are supposed to be something you can get to eventually.

R- Relevent: why are you working towards this goal?

T- Time: what is your timeframe for hitting this goal?

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PART 2: PLANNING

Now that you know the habits of the person you want to become, it's time to integrate those habits into your life. This is the time to create a morning and night routine for yourself or plan what day is your no-work day. Here is an example to help you out!

I wake up at 5:45AM every weekday.

As soon as I am up, I go shower and then make myself breakfast

I'm usually done with these things around 6:45AM.

Then I have an hour and 15 minutes to stretch, prepare for my day, drink a lot of water, pray, read, what ever I want really.

Once the clock hits 8, I start slowly getting ready, putting care and intention into everything I do so that I can leave feeling amazing at 8:50.

See how my timeframe for my morning routine is super loose and flexible? Nothing is fixed or on a tight schedule. I'm giving my body enough time to fully wake up and myself to get ready stress free. I think that's something that people struggle with a lot when it comes to routines. You have to give yourself some wiggle room and adapt to your needs.

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PART 3: ACTION

Now it's time to act! Do your morning routines, follow your study schedule! Do it! Something I find that helps me is printing out a bunch of motivation quotes from interest and putting them around my room.

I hope you found this helpful! Write any tips you might have in the comments!

[solacescastleglow]

10 step sunday reset routine

as someone who struggles with depression, cleaning my room and getting my life together is a struggle.

having a reset routine can help bring me out of a funk and lift my spirts a little.

i'll be completely honest i have a pretty bad depression room going, and my depression has taken over my life these past few months. so even though this is my sunday reset routine, i haven't done it in a while. but i've had enough. i'm determined to dig myself out of the hole i put myself in. and the first step for me is doing my sunday reset routine.

music, stretch, and workout

i am resetting my whole routine, and the first thing i prioritize is my physical health. when i'm in deep into my depressive cycle, i don't prioritize my physical health at all. in fact, i find that my physical & mental health overlap a ton. so in order to properly reset and get off on the right foot, i need to move my body in a positive way.

2. wash bedsheets

bed rotting is my favorite activity during my depression. so, it's a must to clean my sheets and make my depressive rat's nest into a cute bedspread again.

3. put away dirty and clean clothes

i always make piles of dirty and clean clothes when i start to get back into bad habits again. it always starts with cleaning my clothes but not folding/putting them away. this is usually a majority of what's on my floor in the first place, so this frees up a lot of space and immediately makes the room look 50% better. my favorite thing to motivate me to do this (& make it more fun) is putting on a mindless tv show in the background (i always watch greys anatomy).

4. clean & get rid of dirty dishes

i usually stack up some cups and bowls during this time. so now is a good time to start getting rid of these items and bring them down to the kitchen. i unfortunately dont have access to a dishwasher, so i need to handwash all of my dishes, but this would definitely go by faster with one!

5. wash dirty clothes

by this point my bedsheets have most likely finished in the wash and i've sorted through all the clothes on my floor, so now it's time to finally get the giant pile of dirty clothes tackled. as a uni student living in the dorms (don't worry, i have a private room), scent beads are my favorite go-to to feel comfy and more at home when i wear my clothes.

6. pick up and take out trash

my trash and recycling has definitely piled up at this point (in my room and in their respective cans). i'm also halfway through my routine and i most definitely need some fresh air for a minute. this step may be inconvenient (especially as a uni student who has to lug their trash cans to their uni dumpsters somewhere on campus) but its also a good way to get some vitamin d (and add to my daily steps!).

7. clean & tidy surfaces

i dont know how it happens but there is always some mystery gunk on my desk (usually from my makeup), so all my surfaces need a serious wipedown. i also find this the most satisfying part!

8. vacuum/sweep (my least favorite...)

i may not always do this step, mostly because i absolutely loathe vacuuming, but after this recent depressive episode, my floors need a good vacuum. so unfortunately, i must do what needs to be done...

9. make my bed and put away clean clothes

the finishing touches. i'm tired at this point, and this is where i usually call it quits and tell myself that i will fold and put away my clothes later. but i have to call myself on my bullshit0; i will not fold and put it away later. i have to do it now. a useful tip is imagining your crush (or just a hot celebrity) is coming over. now i want my room to be perfect for them!

10. light a candle and pat yourself on the back

this is a safe space and you deserve to be proud of yourself! even if you only did one thing in this routine... because that's one more thing than you did yesterday <3

xoxo

[solacescastleglow]

6 Hobbies: Dark Academia Edition

You may have heard that you need 5 hobbies, but I would say you actually need 6. What most people are missing is the one that keeps you socialising and not just alone in a hole with hobbies everywhere (which can be fun, but you still need to be around people sometimes).

At this point, there are a bajillion different academia aesthetics. Dark, light, soft, pink, chaotic, whimsical, you get it. For now, I'm going to focus on the classic dark academia. If you like this aesthetic, you might like these activities. On the other hand, if you do all these things, I'm sorry, but you're an academic at heart, I don't make the rules.

All of these are cheap and easily accessible in my area, but they might not be in yours. I happen to live near a university with fancy facilities and memberships to those clubs are really cheap, even if you don't go there.

One to keep you moving

Fencing

Badminton/Tennis

Lacrosse

Archery

Long walks

One to keep you creative

Painting

Sculpture

Playing an instrument

Calligraphy

Cooking, especially French food

One to build knowledge

Reading (nonfiction, poetry, classics)

Writing essays

Taking courses online or at a community college

Self study

Memorising passages

One to evolve your mindset

Learning a language

Chess

Going to museums/galleries/the theatre

Creative writing

Studying philosophy

One to make you money

Fibre arts (such as sewing, embroidery, or tailoring)

Making scrapbooking kits/supplies

Candle making

Transcription work

One to keep you social

Joining a club related to any of the above

Hosting murder mystery nights (online or in person)

Philosophy talks with friends

Make pen pals (real letters mandatory)

Debate

[solacescastleglow]

Beauty AND brains. Your knowledge is your weapon.

Let's not only be insanely beautiful but also disgustingly educated. Other than discipline and hard work, your knowledge is your weapon in this world of chaos, something that you can sharpen and use.

Where can you expand your knowledge? What areas, what topics

How can you expand your knowledge? In different circumstances and preferences such as if you're too busy or if you have a short attention span

Where can you expand your knowledge?

I DO NOT mean that you need to be an expert at everything. You don't need multiple degrees for each type of intelligence. However, if you want to sharpen your weapon, sharpen your knowledge.

These are the areas where you CAN sharpen your knowledge AND the areas where you SHOULD know the basics in:

Emotional, Communication, Morals, Ethics. Be human, and make others feel human too. Cultivate empathy, understand mental health, build your conscience, and differentiate right from wrong. Communicate frequently and effectively.

History, Culture, Politics. The world is chaotic — learn to stand your ground. Understand history, politics, corruption, culture, and the overlooked heroes. Know what shaped the past to navigate the future.

Digital Literacy. The internet is a double-edged sword. Learn to navigate it safely, protect your privacy, spot misinformation, and adapt to evolving technology.

Manners, Etiquette, Body Language. The way you present yourself matters. Respect others, read unspoken cues, and master the art of presence.

Self-Sufficiency, Life Skills, Livelihood. You won’t always have someone to rely on. Cook, clean, manage time, handle money, and adapt to life’s challenges. Be independent.

Literature, Language, Writing. Words are power. Read, write, and communicate with depth. Language shapes history, culture, and thought—use it wisely.

Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving. The world isn’t black and white. Question everything, analyze critically, recognize manipulation, and think for yourself. Don't be swayed easily by others.

Science and Math. The foundation of everything. At least know the basics, enough to understand the forces shaping the world — logic, numbers, and the universe itself.

Self-Care, Hygiene, Fitness, Health. Your body and mind are your greatest assets. Eat well, stay active, manage stress, and prioritize your well-being before it’s too late.

How can you expand your knowledge?

When you have free time When you're busy When you prefer learning visually When you have little to no attention span

You are what you consume. Now that you know what topics you can expand your knowledge on, these are what you can use / do to consume those information:

Have some free time? Do / use these

Read books, take online courses, or watch in-depth documentaries. (Example: history books, finance courses, science explainers) Engage in discussions or debates to refine your thinking. (Example: politics, ethics, critical thinking) Try hands-on learning like experiments, DIY projects, or journaling. (Example: cooking, coding, writing) Attend workshops, seminars, or community events.

Too busy? Do / use these

Listen to podcasts or audiobooks while traveling, doing tasks / work / school work, or doing chores. (Example: podcasts on Spotify / Tiktok, Youtube videos where the creator is more on speaking, audiobooks on Audible or by downloading a free e-pub format e-book online then uploading it into Google Playbooks and using the audiobook / text-to-speech format) Follow bite-sized content on social media. (Example: short educational / history Tiktok videos, digital literacy infographics, photos on Pinterest) Take advantage of apps and tools for productivity, learning, etc. (Example: budgeting apps, language-learning apps) Watch short, informative videos during breaks. (Example: TED-Ed, Ted Talks, short Tiktok videos)

Like to learn visually / by watching? Do / use these

Watch video explainers, documentaries, or animated infographics. Use apps that gamify learning. (Example: Duolingo for language, Codecademy for coding) Follow visually engaging content creators. (Example: finance charts, body language breakdowns) Make mind maps or illustrated notes to break down complex topics. (Example: self-care routines, political structures, problem-solving techniques)

Little to no attention span? Do / use these

Learn through short-form content like TikToks, reels, or infographics. Play interactive or gamified learning apps. (Example: strategy games, trivia quizzes) Follow meme-based or storytelling-style education accounts. Try hands-on, fast-paced activities. (Example: debate flash rounds, real-world problem-solving challenges, DIY experiments)

Begin small, learn the basics, take a step at a time, and start from there. Be BOTH beauty and brains. You have a weapon (your knowledge), sharpen it and use it.

[solacescastleglow]

If I Had to Start Over My Book Collection...

... or even if I had limited space and only wanted to keep my favourites, what books would I choose? For the sake of this being an accurate representation of my personality, I'm not going to count rare or irreplaceable books. Just the plain, in-print books I would really miss if they were gone. I'm limiting myself to 30 books (counting trilogies as 3 books etc.) so I don't just say my whole collection.

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

Queer: A Graphic History - Meg-John Barker

Book of Household Management - Isabella Beeton

The Hunger Games (full original trilogy) - Suzanne Collins

How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household - Blu Greenberg

I Who Have Never Known Men - Jacqueline Harpman

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

A Good Girls Guide to Murder (full trilogy) - Holly Jackson

We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson

Genderqueer - Maia Kobabe

Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution - Peter Kropotkin

Blood Water Paint - Joy McCullough

I'm Glad My Mom Died - Jennette McCurdy

Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata

Salt Fat Acid Heat - Samin Nosrat

The Collected Poems - Wilfred Owen

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

The Collected Poems - Sylvia Plath

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

Smile / Sisters / Guts - Raina Telgemeier

Spring Awakening - Frank Wedekind

The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction - Various

[REDACTED] (book I'm reading for therapy about a very personal topic)