Real nice pic i took while headed to do some shopping!

Alright disclaimer: I’m not a huge fan of new years’ resolutions. I think they’re kind of a scam and set you up to fail. I believe in goal setting throughout the year and not during just one particular month. With that being said, this post was requested on my Instagram story and I want to share with y’all some things I have been working on/ am still working on throughout the year and years to come. Here we go….

1. Practice sustainable fashion

So, this year I am going to start thrifting more. I LOVE clothes, but while I was packing up my clothes from college, I started to realize that I was only wearing around 25% of my wardrobe. That’s pretty bad. I’ve especially felt this now that I’m abroad and I’m successfully existing on maybe 10-15 outfits (not as bad as I thought it would be). As long as you invest in a few great pieces that can be worn in different ways, there’s really no need for 50 different blouses. So, when I get back to my full closet, I am going to donate all the pieces I don’t wear consistently and buy mostly secondhand. I’m only going to buy new clothes if I am looking for something specific for a specific event (and even this might be cut down). Plus, thrifted fashion is totally fashionable while being affordable. (Already started using ThredUp and I’m pretty excited!)

2. Be consistent with exercise and no more crash diets

It’s taken me quite a while to feel comfortable in my own skin, and frankly, there are still some days that I’m not feeling it. I’ve really come to understand that EVERYONE feels this way—even super thin people, who are the picture of societal beauty. Once you realize that no one loves their body, you start to cut yourself some slack. Instead of trying to look like someone else, I’m going to focus on looking like a better me. In the past, I’ve definitely skipped a meal or gone sugar-free just to fit in a dress for one party. I really want to cut down on this behavior and incorporate healthier choices throughout the year—not just two weeks out of every month. I have a yoga studio subscription and it’s actually been really cool to do something just for me and my body. If you don’t want to buy a subscription, look into running or exercises on YouTube. Getting fit can be a free endeavor these days. (Let me know if you want to see some healthy recipes on the blog.)

3. Read 12 books this year

Because of my major, I read A LOT and it has caused me to not find reading enjoyable anymore. This is especially ironic since my love of reading is what prompted me to choose my major. As a writer, though, I have found my ability to be declining due to my lack of reading. Plus, I truly believe that the best and brightest read on a consistent basis. After receiving some really interesting books for Christmas, I decided to make it my goal to read a book a month. Nothing too overwhelming, but still a challenge based on what I normally do. (Thinking about posting some reviews of the books. Let me know if interested.)

4. Journal more

Notice I didn’t say every day. Personally, I find journaling every day to be a bit much. Unless you’re Oprah, I’m not sure if you’ll have something to fill every page. I write based on feelings. Some days I really need to get my feelings out on a page and not out in the open. In the past, I journaled maybe once every two weeks and if that’s what works for you-- go for it. Personally, I can think of some situations when I should have journaled instead of spilling my guts to someone else. Some thoughts need to be shared, but some don’t and this year is about finding that balance.

5. More teatime!

Maybe you’re not a tea fanatic like me, but this goal can be personalized for sure. More teatime for me means more relaxation time doing something that brings me joy and makes me feel dainty. Whatever easy activity gives you the warm and fuzzies—do more of that this year! I feel so special when I buy my favorite pastry and consume it with a side of warm tea. I don’t know why, but it just makes me incredibly happy and this year I want to do things that make ME happy.

6. Do one cultural thing a month

This could be going to the movies, going to see a play at a community theater, going to a poetry slam, or trying new cuisine. This year I want to focus on the fact that the world is so much bigger than me. I find that going to plays or trying new foods takes me out of my own head. I always feel so enriched after. Bring a friend along or don’t! The first time I went to see a movie by myself was an incredible experience (no exaggeration). I felt like such an independent woman because I didn’t have to wait for friends to do what I wanted to do. This year don’t let your fear stop you from doing what you want to do.

7. More community service!

Similar to the previous point, it’s so easy to have a “woe is me” attitude these days. I think it’s important to do things for others and get your mind off of yourself. God calls us to serve others and I think if you prioritize this, you’ll be surprised at how much you change.

I have many more goals for this year including:

· Be more consistent with the blog

· Set aside some prayer time every day

· Make my bed every morning

· Buy more plants

· Practice my French for an hour a day

· Study for the LSAT

· Go to a music festival

· Listen to at least one podcast a week

Etc,

The important thing to remember is that unless you’re a superhuman, you will completely fail if you try to tackle all your goals at once. The key to turning your goals into habits is to introduce them slowly. Once I feel like I am practicing two of my goals consistently, then I will introduce two more. And before you start any of your goals, PRAY OVER THEM. Humans are soooooo weak and unless we ask for help, we will fold every time. Pray over your goals and ask God to help you achieve them. I’m excited to see all of you introducing new habits into your life with God’s blessing! Put some of your 2020 and on goals in the comments section below! God bless!

Now That My Frontal Lobe Has Developed....

I turned 25 years old this month, and it has been a journey getting here. Scientifically, your brain is supposed to be fully developed at 25, so I guess there is no longer an excuse for being a knucklehead anymore. But the truth is, I still feel 12 years old—unsure of myself, worried about making friends, and fighting off acne on my forehead. All of those challenges remain, except now I have a light bill to pay too.

fearless chronicles: take control of your social media

The other day I was hanging with a friend and their partner. We were discussing Tiktok and the type of content that pops up on our respective feeds. My friend’s partner commented that they wished they could see the type of content we see and sort of threw up their hands as if Tiktok had condemned them to the unfunny side of the app.

fearless chronicles: is therapy all it's cracked up to be?

As a self-proclaimed fearless woman, I thought for 2023, I could talk about the tools that have helped me become a better, more self-aware person. I should preface that I am not a perfect person and I do not strive to be. To me, becoming “THAT GIRL” as Tiktok likes to call any self-assured woman, is about finding peace in solitude, practicing mental and physical wellness, and building healthy relationships with others. It is not about reaching perfection or becoming someone without basic human emotions.

If You Have to Beg, It's Not For You

So, the other day I had a major breakthrough in therapy. I discovered that for most of my life, I have felt the intense need to prove myself to everyone around me. The more distant and disapproving someone was, the more I felt the need to win them over. So much so that I felt annoyed with people who loved me for me, no strings attached.

10 Shows/Movies That Ooze Summer

It’s summer, and it’s time to take that after-pool day shower (a top-tier human experience) and sit down to watch a binegable show. It can be hard to find shows that capture the season, but look no further because I have compiled a list of ten shows that express June-August perfectly!

Girl, Get Out of That Small Town

Just a few days ago, I finished my first year of law school. It took 15 hours of testing and many research and writing assignments to close the door on the first chapter of my legal career. I was and still am pretty wiped out. No one tells you how strange you will feel after finally achieving something you never thought would end, but yeah— it’s really weird. After your adrenaline has been pumping for two weeks straight, you feel a crash. There’s a moment when you realize that the academic validation didn’t feel as good as you imagined it would.

A New Year, A New You!

Hey, besties! Long time no post. Truth time: I have not been as consistent with posting as I planned before beginning this law school journey. Maybe you can relate? Was there something you planned to do this year and totally dropped the ball? Luckily for me and you, we can always make a fresh start, and not just because a new year is approaching. You can choose any day as your new year.

Life Update: Law School & ✨Adulthood ✨

Woah girlies it’s been more than a minute since we last spoke. I can’t believe it’s already October aka Spooky Season! Law school has a way of making time seem slow when you want to speed up and fast when you want to slow down. And the only reason I’m able to write this post is that I’m on fall break, and I knew I had to squeeze some time in to update you all on life as it is now.

Why Self-Love Seems Rebellious

I’ve watched Olympic gymnastics for as long as I can remember. I was named after Olympic gold medalist, Dominique Dawes. I bought books and watched documentaries about Gabby Douglas leading up to and after the 2012 Summer Olympics, hoping to understand more about the petite, but powerful young woman. And slightly related, I was obsessed with the ABC Family show, Make It or Break It, a tv drama about young gymnasts trying to accomplish their Olympic dreams. I say all this to say that when it’s time to watch the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team, I am all in.

When Being the Main Character Goes Wrong

Just a couple of scrolls through Instagram, Tiktok, or really any social media platform, you will run into a message about taking charge of your life and “being the main character”. This “main character” message has become so prevalent that just the other day, I saw back-to-back videos encouraging me to “stop being a side character in my own life”. At its core, there is a wholesome message of self love, but it's important not to warp the message into self-centeredness.

6 Ways to Incorporate Sustainability Into Your Summer

My sustainability journey really began in January 2020. I was watching a BestDressed YouTube video when she explained why she thrifts much of her clothing. It intrigued me that a majority of her fabulous collection was secondhand. I couldn’t believe that you could be so fashionable and environmentally ethical. This shock led me to research just how much of an impact fast fashion has on the environment. And I made the decision to only thrift my clothes for a whole year.

Choosing People Who Choose You

I swear I’m not trying to flex when I say this, but my heart is a little too big. By that I mean, it’s too open and available. All it takes is one positive interaction for me to care about someone and to invest in their feelings towards me. The problem with keeping a “For Rent” sign on your heart is that you remain in a constant state of instability and unease.

Blog

My 2020 and On Goals

Fearless & Favoured

Hey Friend!

Favoured Creator of the Month

Bijou’s Tip of the Week

Disclosure