syasepolenep
Penelope Says
A space for thoughts on self, current events, and lifestyle.
16 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
aiaska
Untitled
dreamscancometruesworld
•Hey guys•
geocentric
⟣ haushinka
avecjulienne
Avec Julienne
theabandonedcottage
The Abandoned Cottage
Text
Social Capital
What does your own social capital mean? How many beneficial relationships have you experienced? Do you understand your own importance in society?
When I think of my current relationships that would exemplify social capital I think of my old work manager. The way they helped me grow at work is a mentorship that I benefitted from at that time but maintaining a relationship with them offers me future benefit. They are well established within their profession and trusted by many, the friendship we have can allow me to be in alliance with their power if they chose to assist me with it. I definitely want to be a writer in the future and attending different events or even interning will possibly open up new connections for me in my community creating a new social capital.
Outside of the work place I also think social capital can be brought by any of our friendships, where we choose to spend our time with people. They do add a specific type of value to our lives and the more people you know the better network you have to consider it a definite form of social capital. Friendships are something to care for and cherish. Tell someone you love what they mean to you today.
0 notes
Text
Living in a Material World
In our advanced society, there is a collective obsession with material items. On social media people are constantly trying to paint a perfect image of their life. Keeping up with a certain lifestyle involves buying expensive clothing and dining out a trendy restaurants. Do we engage in this behavior for the sake of our own self image? Are we attached to our material possessions?
As with all things, indulging in products is best done in moderation. When you work hard there is satisfaction found in rewarding yourself with something nice. On a bad day, treating yourself to a new pair of shoes or scented candles can be a pick me up. Material items can enrich us. They can be a way to indulge in art and self expression. For example, ones home is where they spend so much of their time living. Decorating your home with art can be a way to show your culture and express yourself visually. There is comfort in enjoying your surroundings. Coming home after a long day to admire the way you have decorated your space can be beneficial emotionally.
On the other hand, this obsession has been detrimental in many ways. Are you purchasing these items for yourself or for the approval of others? Society makes us feel as if we are in competition with each other. Everyone feels the pressure to have the latest technology or the nicest outfit. Keeping up with "trends" can damage your mental health and self esteem. We are more than what we have. In the end we will all end up the same, regardless of if we drove a Porsche or owned the newest iPhone.
In an article for Huffpost, Carolyn Gregoire writes, "in excess, materialism can take a toll on your well-being, relationships and quality of life." People can get lost in material possessions to the point of buying things without even truly wanting them. Instant gratification leads to unhappiness.
Source:
Gregoire, C. (2017, December 07). The Psychology Of Materialism, And Why It's Making You Unhappy. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/psychology-materialism_n_4425982
0 notes
Text
Steps to a Better You
As the saying goes, everywhere you go you take yourself.
For your entire life, the one person you cannot hide from is yourself. You will have to live every day in your own mind, making your own choices and being your own person. Scary thought, right? Maybe not so much. If you are struggling with who you are, self improvement is not a grand feat. There are various little things we can work on within ourselves.
Develop Routines
Every single day won't always look the same. Sometimes we become overwhelmed and burnt out with our responsibilities. There are two frames of time you have every day to yourself: morning and night. Try to develop a morning and bedtime routine that works for you. Wake up at the same time every day. Set your alarm to give yourself enough time to prepare for your day in a way that isn't rushed or stressful. Take a shower, do a skincare routine, eat breakfast. If you have the time and enjoy nature, take a short walk around your neighborhood to wake up your mind and body.
Night is a time to decompress and relax. Set aside 30 minutes for something beneficial to your state of mind. This can be something like prayer, meditation, or journaling. Watch a movie or read a book to relax and take your mind off of the day. Try something relaxing like yoga. Whatever helps you wind down before bed, then stick to a bedtime that will allow you the proper amount of sleep.
Journal It Out
Writing in a journal can be a therapeutic way to express and process your feelings. Try to form a habit of writing about your emotions and things happening in your life. Studies have shown that keeping a journal can help you manage your emotional health and reduce stress. Purging your thoughts onto paper can feel like a weight has lifted from within you. There is no right or wrong way to journal, so don’t be scared and write about whatever you want. Journaling can help you identify patterns in your life and enhance your growth as a person.
Positive Self-Talk
The way you talk to yourself matters more than you think. Research shows that positive self-talk can enhance your well-being. How many negative things have you thought or said about yourself today? While it is only human to have insecurities, getting into the habit of talking yourself down is a slippery slope. Under the guise of things like self-deprecating humor is a harmful pattern of thinking. Try to remember your strengths. Instead of focusing on features you dislike about yourself, think of something you admire. Remind yourself of the effort you have made at work, school or in your relationships. Look in the mirror and say something nice. After all, there is only one you.
Sources:
Jantz, G. L. (2016, May 16). The power of Positive Self-talk. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-relationships/201605/the-power-positive-self-talk
Journaling for mental health. (n.d.). Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4552
0 notes
Text
Getting Back to “Normal”
It has been over a year since Covid-19 began its spread throughout our country. Unemployment skyrocketed, hundreds of thousands of lives were lost, and Americans everywhere struggled with their mental health. Although we have not reached the end of this pandemic, things are slowly picking back up to a new kind of normal.
The effects of quarantine and lockdown on mental health have been daunting. The effects of this will likely show a long-lasting impact. The small beacon of hope? Vaccines. Fully vaccinated people can return to the outside world following safety precautions. They can gather in public spaces together, reunite with their friends and family after a harrowing time of isolation.
Still, getting back to normal is not going to be easy for many people. For those with progressed anxiety, socialization might feel strange. After a year of spending so much time alone and only leaving the house for essentials, it is natural to become used to a reclusive state. How do you act when you are suddenly surrounded by other people again? There is no definite answer, no secret magic trick to feeling like a normal human being again. All we can do is try. As humans we have to be there to lift each other up in times like these, sharing our experiences and attempting to mend whatever brokenness we can.
Source: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
0 notes
