I like this post! It reaffirmed some things I've learned in the past =)
Two things I would modify from the first two bullet points under the first point are:
Be authentic: Don't fake it if you're feeling not OK, sad, or other negative emotions. You don't need to fully explain yourself (it's a privilege for the people who care about you and you trust). But don't hide your true self and put on a mask just because you don't want to scare people away. Life has its ups and downs. The right people for you are going to understand that we have our feelings and it's OK.
Understand what you needs and communicate your needs: I learned this from my therapy training. There are times we want to vent, to scream, to cry, to talk about our problems with someone else. If you have experienced people pulling away because you're talking about your problem or "complaining," it might not be because you shouldn't talk about your problems and just go figure it out yourself. It might be due to the people you talk to do not know what you need and they want to handle your problem based on their own way. They could also have low energy when you share with them and they do not have extra energy to share your pain. If you want to vent, ask the person you want to talk with if they have the time and energy for you to vent about what is going on. And if you cannot find someone to vent to and you know you need someone to give you a safe and non-judgmental space to talk, it is always an option to see a therapist and see if it is what you need.
Have a wonderful day, lovely humans 🩵
for the girlies who want more than just superficial relationships
be light, not draining. bring warmth, humor, and softness where you can. I always try to smile at people when I talk to them or see them, and people notice how I'm happy to hang out with them. just bringing a positive energy immediately draws people towards you.
try not to complain. everybody has struggles, and while venting can feel natural, it can also quietly drain the energy from conversations and people listening. personally, I struggle with this too. but, when we constantly focus on what's wrong, we unknowingly push people away. no one wants to feel like every conversation is a weight to carry.
instead, try adding something lighter or more meaningful. instead of saying, "I'm so stressed," try "this week is super busy, but I'm making time for a break soon." it's not about pretending that life's perfect, but being mindful of the energy you bring to a space.
show up with consistency. make plans for lunch and actually show up. remember small things that they say in conversations. it's always the greatest feeling when someone remembers that I had an important performance or difficult test and then ask me about it afterwards.
make eye contact. it's uncomfortable, I get it. but, when you look someone in the eye while they're talking to you, it makes you look 1) more engaged about what they're saying, and 2) more genuinely appreciative of their presence. practice doing it little by little every day, and soon, it will become like second-nature.
share stories, not just facts. I think that conversations come alive with small stories with details that make moments memorable. for example, instead of just saying “I had a phone as a kid because I was on the soccer team” (fact), i added layers: “I got a phone because I went to soccer matches as a kid! I was terrible at soccer, but I helped the team by tricking opponents into thinking I’d get the ball. basically, I was a glorified decoy” (story). true story, by the way.
greet them by name. when you see them while walking, make an effort to remember their name and say hi. I feel that greetings come off as much more genuine when I address them personally.
if you don't know their name, still make an effort to smile and wave. I would still appreciate it if someone takes the time to acknowledge me, even for a little moment, because it shows that they care.
take compliments. I'll be the first to admit, I struggle with this too. but, isn't it a bit awkward when you give someone a compliment and they instantly deflect it with "oh but I look so ugly today like my hair is whack and my eyeliner is uneven" (calling myself out...)? instead, I think it's best to thank them genuinely for noticing you, even if you don't fully agree with their compliment. receive it with gratitude, not self-criticism. it's not about actually being perfect, but appreciating the kindness behind their words.
compliment them back, and be observant about it. you could just say, "you look amazing too" (though that's still nice). but, the next step could be noticing something specific, like their earrings or the way they carry themselves. or, share what you actually admire about them, like their kindness or determination. it's about making your compliment feel personal and thoughtful.
if you admire someone, tell them. it only sounds fake if you make it fake.
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remember, real connections are built on authenticity and kindness. it's not about being perfect. it's about being genuine, showing up, and appreciating the people around you. now, you just have a few more tools on how to make these connections and be the friend that you would appreciate in your own life.
thank you for reading all the way through as always. wishing everybody all the good things in the world and a blessed rest of your day <3
sending lots of love, q's playlist
A big thank you to Morgan S, who created this collage!!
I saved this for a while and just noticed Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in the bottom left corner. I have been so focused on channeling my masculine energy this whole week that I didn't realize I was crushing myself from outside in. My anxiety has been at an all-time high (kind of a symptom toward the end of each semester). Not fun! I'm still working on doing better each semester, but it's hard when the ADHD and anxiety get mixed together, and I become terrified and frozen in place.
Had a long conversation with my best friend last night about how it's time to relax into ourselves and live in peace, regardless of how chaotic life might seem at times. I allowed myself to sleep and wake up later today, and I felt the difference immediately. My anxious thoughts quieted down, and I was able to live a little more carefree.
I mean, life is not the best right now, but I am making each day a little better, a little gentler to myself.
Feels like it is time to slow down a bit in order to walk further down this journey. It sounds counter intuitive, but I know it works because it has before. I just need to trust the journey and trust the Universe to provide me the support and safety I need right now.
Sending healing vibes to everybody reading this 🩵
Started reading this Webtoon called "Ex-Love Review" and I couldn't stop until I can find the latest chapters. So I'm just gonna finish one task and head to bed...
✅ School ✅ Part-time job ✅ Phone call with partner ✅ Quiz ✅ Dinner ✅ Read Ex-Love Review ✅ Clinic report results x2 (finished in 30 mins?? Amazing!!)
⏹️ Shower (I'm gonna shower in the morning, I promise 🤞🏻)
[End of day: 1:05am] Got more done than I expected, but I definitely neglected some things 😅 I think I'm starting to burn out, which is why I started reading on Webtoon to get a dopamine hit. Need to figure out how I can better rest and do schoolwork at the same time... Good night 🩵
Ugh March is almost over, and it freaks me out😵💫 I feel like this is the first time I don't know exactly how things will go and how I can get through with all my work and wrap up my semester... Maybe I've been here before, but every semester is a blur at this point.
Take it one day at a time, one day at a time. I need to keep repeating this to myself so I don't feel so terrified of the unknown that I run away from everything. Anxiety and stress are no joke.
Anime atm 😍: Earl and Fairy
✅ Video call with a friend
✅ Breakfast
✅ Surprise party for friends
✅ Watch repair (it took me a year to take it somewhere to fix lol)
✅ Lunch
✅ 1 episode of anime
✅ Group project 1 paper
✅ Rewatch Skip Beat ep 19 (iykyk)
✅ Thesis (1 hours 😊) - I FINALLY DID IT!! SO PROUD!!
⏹️ Group project 2 paper
⏹️ Pay bills
I'm not letting myself go to bed unless I work on my thesis for 2 hours. My phone is locked away, so I know I can get it done. It really doesn't have to feel like a struggle every single day. I have finished harder things in the past 😤
Me with my thesis:
I was gone for 4 days straight cause I was out of town to celebrate a birthday. I actually did a lot of work on my clinic report during these 4 days and now I'm mostly exhausted and trying to finish everything left of the semester.
I still plan to be here and track my progress, I think I just need some time to adjust to my regular schedule again so I am not burning myself out even more.
Miss y'all 🩵
Another day, another progress post 🩵
I just want a freaking free day!!! 😤 Do you ever get so tired of studying and school that you don't know how you're going to last another 30 days?? That's why I am right now. I can't. I just can't right now.
I so want to just say f it and go take a break for a day, but I also feel like I can't. I also don't work like most people, and nighttime is my friend. But then, I can't even enjoy a relaxing night because I need to do work... Make it make sense. Why do I feel punished in society simply by being a night owl? That's not fair.
Grievances aside, only 1 more day of this workshop, and I seriously still don't know how much I'm learning. I'm not sure if this will feel worth it in the end. Maybe I need to reevaluate tomorrow morning before I decide to go.
Me feeling angry (also exhausted and frustrated) at the whole world rn:
✅ Full-day workshop ✅ Check and respond to emails ✅ Clinic note revision ✅ Grocery shopping ✅ Phone call with partner ✅ Dinner and snacks ✅ Watch Me Before You (I cried my eyes out for this 😭) ✅ Phone call with parents ✅ Clinic notes x4 ✅ Add article summaries to class notes ✅ Read research articles for thesis (30 minutes - that's all the energy I have for today) ✅ Shower (finally!!!)
I cut out some original plans cause I overestimated how much energy I had lol. Full-day workshop is a energy-drainer... Time for bed 😴
Realizations
It hit me that studying is a lonely process.
No matter how much you connect with others on the topic of studying or study with others in the same place, it doesn't take away the fact that the learning process is a solo act.
Sometimes no one even knows when you are working hard. It is not a glorious process, but so many of us continue to do it day after day.
Maybe studying is how we will get closer to our goals and success. Maybe it gives you meaning. Maybe it gives you strength.
To be alive and still capable of learning. A lonely process but connects you with academics from the past and future.
Ngl manifestation and vision boards are real. I feel more content and at peace these days because I fill my days up with hope and compassion. I know that not having a great day one day is not going to completely destroy my progress. All I have to do is stand up and start walking again when I am ready 🩵
Not feeling that great physically today and ran late to my first meeting...
Adding another Pinterest collage to my collection to help me refocus and keep moving at my own pace =)
Had a full-day of workshop and I still have a few more to go... The day hasn't been that bad. Not until I realized how much I got charged for a recent imaging I had to do for my accident 🙃 They say US health insurance sucks, and I cannot agree more. I'm trying to stay positive and keep faith in the Universe, but it's hard when things like this happen. I don't know what more I can do. I don't know how I'm supposed to let go and surrender.
✅ Workshop ✅ Hangout with my friend ✅ Dinner ✅ Thesis work (30 minutes) ✅ Phone call with partner
⏹️ Shower before bed
Spent some time with a friend and started working on a minor task that I had been procrastinating on. Feels good to finally get it done, even though it is not that important in the grand scheme of things.
I feel a little bit more in control when I feel like I don't need to be a couch potato 24/7 (no judgment if someone chooses to be this way). I just realized that I need something to distract me from falling into a dark hole of depression and self-pity. I think today hasn't been too bad =)
realizing life is a constant progress to be the version of me I choose to begrowthblr | phd | psychology | ♉ | overthinker
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