Wednesday 31 December 2014

2014 Reflection and Resolutions

It seems as though 2014 has flown by. I don't know about anybody else, but I am grateful that this jam-packed year is coming to a close. My schedule became too hectic, and it took a drastic toll on my anxiety and general happiness. I like that I can now reflect on what I've achieved throughout the year, and how I can improve myself in 2015, and be the best me that I can be.

REFLECTION
  • I definitely became a more independent person, as well as more sensitive and cognitive. This has definitely helped me to develop more healthy relationships, not only with my family but with my friends and those I come into contact with.
  • I became more involved in school activities. This helped develop my confidence, as it allowed my voice to be heard, and I could share my insights and wisdom. It also allowed others to get to know me better. Things like participating in class discussions and signing up for extra-curricular activities are things that helped me boost my confidence and make new friends, and I will definitely be doing more of this in 2015.
  • Becoming involved in numerous extra-curriculars, however, put a lot of pressure on my mental and emotional stability. I must learn to keep the balance between work and play as I begin to assume leadership positions.
  • I must learn to exceed less pressure on myself in terms of academics. I was proud of my achievements at the annual Academic Assembly, and this taught me a valuable lesson: I have talents and skills that no one else can touch, and this is what makes me unique and strong. Not everyone can be good at everything, but everyone is good at something. I must be mindful of this in the 2015 academic year.
RESOLUTIONS
  • I am determined to untangle myself from the sticky social media web. I hope that this will help lessen my anxiety attacks. I will spend less time glued to my screen, and more time enjoying life and making my own memories.
  • I will spend more time growing my special talents and love for the arts. Whether it be practising piano, dancing, acting classes or photography, I will definitely be expressing myself more creatively in 2015.
  • I will perform to the best of my ability at school. I am determined to improve my average, involve myself in activities where I can, and be a committed, diligent and reliable student.
  • I will assume a regular workout, and eat more healthily. I am determined to become fitter and stronger in 2015.
I encourage you to write your own list of resolutions and a small reflection. It has helped to get me in gear, and focused for 2015. Whatever your New Years plans are, I hope you have fun and stay safe. 2014, it's been fun, but it's time to say goodbye and hello to a new beginning. Let's make 2015 the best year yet!

"It's never too late. Don't focus on what was taken away. Find something to replace it, and acknowledge the blessing you have."
- Drew Barrymore


XO

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Holidays are Sweet!

I just wanted to catch you up on some of the sweet treats I've prepared this holiday. 

When I bake, I bake for others, so I do not sample most what I bake. I don't mind this though, because I prefer to see the joy and happiness on other people's faces when they see what I've prepared. I want to be taken seriously as a baker, so when I bake, I want other people to enjoy the food as much as possible, hence why I do not eat what I bake most of the time.

I baked a batch of funfetti cupcakes to celebrate the end of the school term, and to herald in the holidays. My school chums and teachers all enjoyed the cupcakes. They were moist, sweet, and richly decadent. Here is where I got the recipe from. I highly recommend it, as my batch of cupcakes were a tremendous success!





I decided to treat my family to a special holiday breakfast, and made them pancakes! These weren't ordinary pancakes, mind you, they were banana and chocolate chip pancakes. I found the recipe on Pinterest, and added chocolate chips while they were in the pan. For the pancakes you will need:

- 2 eggs
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients together until blended, then cook in a buttered pan. Add chocolate chips, or any other desired toppings. Serve warm with Nutella, lemon juice, cinnamon, or enjoy plain! Yum yum.



XO


Christmas Favourites

Now that the '10 Days Until Christmas' countdown has passed, I am officially in Christmas mode! Does anybody else get that feeling towards Christmas time when they can feel the energy bubbling around inside of them? I think I'm turning into a Christmas elf...

In case it hasn't been iterated enough, Christmas is one of my all-time favourite holidays. The merriness, the tradition, and the peacefulness of it all makes it a wonderful and spirited holiday to be a part of. Christmas also allows for families to spend more time together, and reconnect and rekindle relationships. I personally love this aspect of Christmas, and the gift of family, love and connection is one of the greatest gifts of all.

I am now going to share with you a few of my Christmas favourites. Please note that this post is not being used for endorsement or advertising brands or labels. I am simply sharing some favourites that I have enjoyed for years, and have helped make each Christmas as memorable and fun as the last.

1. Decorating the Christmas tree

This is a tradition that I like to do as early as possible. I promise you, I would decorate the Christmas tree in November if I could. Trailing the twinkling lights around the branches, and dangling the sparkly baubles fills me with a sense of anticipation for Christmas day. I invision sitting around the tree with my sister about to unwrap our presents with the same excitement and joy as a young child. I remember family Christmas dinners, sitting on the couch drinking cups of coffee with the music playing softly in the background, and the fairy lights blinking as the merriness continues late into the night.

2. Putting up Christmas decorations

I'm sure we all have those decorations that we put up every year at Christmas time. Some may be more garish than others, but without them Christmas simply would not be the same. One of the first decorations I like to put up is my Christmas stocking. Over the years, these stockings have seen many a stuffing with Cadbury's chocs, and other dinky presents like bracelets and lipgloss. Rummaging through my Christmas stocking brings out my inner child, and I love nothing more than to close my eyes and guess what's in the stocking before actually revealing the contents.



3. Watching Christmas movies

Christmas would not be Christmas without themed movies! If you are a movie-lover like myself, then this time of year is the perfect time to curl up on the sofa and watch Christmas movies. The Polar Express and Miracle on 34th Street are my favourite Christmas movies, and I watch them annually. Those two movies, I feel, truly epitomise the meaning of Christmas, and explore the whimsy and wonder of Christmas. Other Christmas movies I love include How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Elf, The Holiday, and Christmas With The Kranks.

4. Christmas baking!

As you can tell from my Christmas baking series, I absolutely love holiday themed baking! So far, I have baked gluten-free berry and banana muffins, oatmeal coconut biscuits, an apple and cinnamon-crumble cake, and just recently, a wonderfully-moist ginger cake! I baked this cake to give to the lovely staff at a nursing home in my neighbourhood, and I am so excited to deliver it to them. Giving back to the community is one of the most honourable and heart-warming acts you can do this holiday season. It truly is better to give than to receive. Not only is it an incredibly humbling experience, but it will bring joy and happiness to another person.



5. Reading Christmas novels

As I mentioned previously, reading is one of my favourite pastimes. Snuggling up with a good novel and a cup of tea is one of the perfect ways to unwind and destress. One classic novel that begins around Christmas time is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I am reading it for the first time this year. I also plan to read The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, a brilliant writer. A book I highly recommend you read if you get the chance is a book called Ornaments of Christmas Joy by Mary Grace Birkhead. I was given a copy as a Christmas present, and I read it annually. It contains Biblical passages, and explains them in a way that we may apply them to everyday life.

I hope you have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas. Bake lots of lovely things, read a lot of books, tell your family you love them, and most importantly, don't leave any Christmas shopping to the last minute!

XO

Thursday 4 December 2014

Holidays: Madness and Bliss

Hello everybody! The holidays have finally arrived, hurrah hurrah! Nothing will ever beat the sweet feeling of coming home from school, kicking off your school shoes, and banishing your school bag to the back of the cupboard. Not to mention kissing exams and homework goodbye.

This time of year is traditionally known as the festive season. Now, you all know I love this time of year (see previous posts, or even my mini-Christmas baking series!), as I love the hush of peace, comfort and cosiness that December magically evokes. There's nothing better than being with your family sharing memories and laughs, watching Christmas films, decorating the Christmas tree, and just being together for some much needed family bonding time after a jam-packed year.

Many people find that with the holiday hysteria, shopping for Christmas gifts, and visiting relatives, finding the actual time to relax in your well-deserved holiday needs to be scheduled into your busy day. So, I'm going to share with you simple ways to relax and get festive during the December holidays.

1. Listen to Christmas music

I'm a very traditional soul, and yes, I already have started playing my Celine Dion Christmas album in the car. Listening to Christmas music helps me to remember past Christmas experiences, and puts me in a jolly mood. Try singing along if you're feeling particularly festive, and don't be afraid to belt out 'O Come All Ye Faithful' at the top of your lungs.

2. Bake some Christmas cookies

Baking is one of my favourite hobbies, and this year I decided to incorporate my love for baking with my love for all things Christmassy. From muffins, to biscuits, to crumble-cakes, my list is only growing bigger! Baking is very calming, as you are in complete control of everything that's happening. The wonderful smell that fills your kitchen while baking will make you feel completely at ease and happy. And who can deny that feeling of pride when you slide your tray out of the oven to see the wonderful creations you've made? Why not bake something to give to someone in need? I'm planning on making ginger biscuits to give to the staff at a nursing home in my neighbourhood.

3. Read!

Reading is one of life's simple pleasures. It involves a snug arm chair for comfort, and a book to transport you to another world. You can travel to the beaches of Australia, a guest house in Canada, a villa in France, or a temple in Istanbul, all while being in the comfort of your own home. I love reading in my downtime, and am building a collection of Christmas novels to read closer to Christmas time.

4. Spend time outside

As it is sunny here in the Southern hemisphere, I take any excuse to be outside as much as possible. We are so fortunate to have sunny, warm Christmases, and over the years I've had many Christmas picnics, outdoor lunches, and beach drives. Spending time outside, often with a good book, is one of my favourite ways to relax. It helps to relieve stress, as you feel completely at one with nature. I'm obviously aware that too much sun exposure can be dangerous, and apply sunscreen liberally!

5. Watch movies

I like to watch as many Christmas movies as possible during December. I like to watch movies that I haven't watched before, as well as classics that I've been watching since I was little. There's nothing better than curling up with your loved ones and being swept away on a magical Christmas tale.

I hope this list has inspired you to become more festive this holiday! I wish you a happy, restful holiday, and a warm festive season filled with love (and gingerbread!).

"Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax."
- Bryant McGill



XO



Friday 21 November 2014

What I've Learned About Learning

Hello lovelies! I'm sorry about my hiatus. I've been terribly busy writing, or rather plodding through, my end of term exams, and I've been putting all of my energy into my revision. Now that I'm back, I'm ready to take the blog by the horns, and get back on track with my weekly posts.

I've come to learn a lot of things, not only about myself, but about school and learning which I'd like to share with you. My last panic attack (mentioned in my previous post) completely shook my ground, and I realised that my outlook on my education, as well as the pressure that I put on myself, was in dire need of critical analysis. Thus developed my philosophy on education:

Studying is not about relearning what you already know. That in itself is a waste of time. Studying is a journey of building on what you already know. My mom taught me the most wonderful technique, and I use it to reassure myself when I am panicking and feel as though I literally know nothing. She told me to get a blank piece of paper, and write down a topic in the middle as a bubble to expand upon. Then, quickly jot down everything you know about the topic from your own knowledge. You will see that you are smarter than you think as you begin to build upon your ideas. Afterwards, examine your class notes, and add on extra information you have left out. This, I have come to realise, is what learning is all about. It's about adding bricks and cement to the foundation of your own knowledge. If a brick falls out of place, this does not mean that the wall will fall apart. It rather provides an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, and try harder next time.

Anybody who knows me knows that I make study notes fit for an exhibition. I take a lot of pride in making sure my notes are labelled, stapled, colour-coded, highlighted, filed, you name it. However, at this stage of my high school career, this expectation I have put on myself to rewrite class notes in a kaleidoscope of rainbow colours is unrealistic. There is simply not enough time to rewrite notes. Besides, rewriting an entire textbook or revision worksheet is futile. You could learn the information just as effectively by reading it a few times, and then testing your memory. In my experience, writing something down doesn't necessarily guarantee that you will remember it, especially if you copy down something word for word. Write your notes in a way that you will remember them. Try using shorthand, mindmaps, anagrams or flowcharts. This will help you reduce the information into a simple format that is easily memorable, and reduce redundant copying of already-processed information.

Another thing that I keep having to remind myself is that my notes do not have to be perfect, because no one in the world is going to see them but me. You will save time, and get through much more content if you simply cut down the amount of time you spend looking for your sparkly glitter pen to ink out the perfect heading.

I guess I would call this my period of enlightenment. I cannot begin to describe how my life and outlook on future studying has transformed. I am grateful that this transition has occurred, as it has lifted a remarkable weight off of my anxiety and pressure to stretch myself too far. Obviously some stress is good, as it motivates us to push ourselves beyond our boundaries, and as they say, "Life begins where your comfort zone ends". However, my anxiety was becoming shrouding, and I needed to have a serious look into my views on studying and school.

Have a wonderful and restful weekend, and I look forward to my next post. P.S. Has anyone else begun their Christmas countdown? I'm too excited for the festive season!


XO

Friday 24 October 2014

Red Velvets and Panic Attacks

*TRIGGER WARNING: Panic attacks*

Hello there! I hope you had a smashing day/week, and are ready for the weekend.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, my school held a fundraiser. The students baked pink cupcakes, and brought them to school to sell. I made the most divine red velvet cupcakes with pink butter icing. Here is where I got the recipe from if you want to give them a go. I didn't use their icing recipe, I just made my own (#rebel). I highly recommend this recipe. I ended up with a batch of perfectly moist, decadent red velvet cupcakes, and I can't wait to bake them again!

You've probably read the title of this post, and are a bit perplexed. What I'm about to share with you is something very personal that I've been struggling with for a while. I've decided to share it with you because if you suffer from panic attacks, you should know that you are not alone. Even if you don't have anxiety issues, then hopefully this will help you to understand what causes panic attacks, and how to help someone suffering from one.

 Panic Attacks?

 Panic attacks are a type of anxiety disorder. They can only be described as an intense surge of overwhelming fear and anxiety, with the anticipation that bad things are going to happen to you. They usually last between five and 20 minutes, although someone suffering from panic attacks over the years may have a build up of panic attacks after the other. They  may be recurring, especially if the situation has stimulated a previous panic attack.

In order to understand this, you must know that we all respond to stress physically. Different things induce stress, such as school work, presentations, or even taking a driver's test. Someone who suffers from panic attacks, however, responds to these averagely stressful situations with exaggerated physical reactions, as if they are facing a life threatening situation. Panic attacks are terrifying, and can suddenly be triggered by virtually anything. The sufferer believes they are under threat when, in reality, there is no threat opposing them. This makes it difficult to calm down, as it feels as though there is no escape.

Adrenaline is released by the body in order to fight off the threat in a 'fight or flight' response. This is the same way the body would react if it were under a real threat, such as being attacked. This adrenaline causes the heart to beat faster, and the muscles to tense up. The body tries to take in more oxygen, causing rapid breathing. 

With the sudden kick of panic induced adrenaline, the sufferer may feel that they are going insane, or even that they are going to die.

What are the Symptoms of a Panic Attack?

Symptoms of a panic attack are abrupt, and reach the highest point within 10 minutes. There are various psychological symptoms coupled with physical symptoms, such as:
  • Irregular heart beat, also referred to as palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, light headed or faint
  • Uncontrollable crying
  • Feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings
  • A choking sensation (being restricted of breath)
  • Chest pains
  • Nausea or upset stomach
I will take time to acknowledge that I was a very stressed child in primary school. Ever since I started high school, however, I have felt my anxiety getting worse. This, in my opinion, was the worst time for my anxiety to start getting worse, however I can see how the pressure to perform well, and the stress of becoming a teenager has worked like the bricks building on my leaning tower of sanity. This makes school work and the pressure to do well a major contributor to my panic attacks, and the workload for Grade 10 is not exactly minimal. I would describe my panic attacks as a build up of a number of stressful factors that I can't keep inside of me anymore, until they are released in a tsunami-like torrent of emotions. The fear and stress becomes too overwhelming for me to handle, and I suddenly feel so distant from everyone around me as I realise I must be the only person feeling this way. This makes me even more scared until I can no longer bear it, and just want to curl into a ball like a child, or run until I reach Egypt. When I am having a panic attack, I always imagine the cupboard under the stairs from Harry Potter, because that's where I would like to go to be alone where I can calm down in my own time, away from everything that stresses me. 

 Today I had a very scary panic attack. I was sitting in class, and I could not stop thinking about how much work I had to revise for the end of year exams. Even though I've been doing regular revision and my homework throughout the year, I felt like no matter how much I'd done, I would not finish in time. I began to feel what I can only describe as a block of ice persistently pushing, harder and harder, against my chest. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and I knew if I looked at anyone in the eyes, I would melt into a puddle of tears. I started shaking, and my breathing became short and rapid. I knew I couldn't handle walking around school and sitting in lessons for the rest of the day pretending that everything was fine and dandy, when all I wanted to do was cry. I felt like I had a thousand eyes watching me, judging me, waiting for me to cry. I felt the overwhelming sensation that the whole world was against me, that no one understood me, and that no one would help me. The worst part of these panic attacks, is that it's all a psychological thing. It's easy to tell me to calm down and that everything will be fine, but I can't hear you when my brain keeps telling me that I'm not going to be fine. I actually sat and wrapped my arms around myself in an attempt to hold myself together. I know I'm probably painting a very grim, sombre picture of myself, but you must understand it was an act of complete and utter despair. I started to cry, and once I started I couldn't stop. Everything that was making me stress, everything that was pushing down on me, all came rushing out in a furious torrent of tears. All the while I was shaking, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I went home early after my friends noticed that I was not okay. After my panic attack, I felt like a wrung out towel. I was completely dry, limp and exhausted from losing so much energy. 

 How To Deal with Panic Attacks

 Focusing on my breathing helps me a lot when it comes to calming myself down. Focus on breathing in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Try and stabilise your breathing.

 Clear your head of all thoughts. Stare straight ahead, or focus on one thing in particular, and draw all your attention to it. Describe it to yourself. Try not to think about whatever it is that's making you panic.

 Remind yourself that you are under no actual threat. You are simply in a state of a stress induced panic attack, and nothing bad is actually going to happen to you. The world will still keep spinning, and your life will continue to be bright and happy, if you let it. 

 TELL SOMEONE HOW YOU ARE FEELING. Identifying why you are panicking is the first step towards happiness. Luckily for me, I have the best, most caring and compassionate friends, who can smell unhappiness from a mile away. They stayed with me every step of the way, and did not retreat, even when I tried to convince them, and partly myself, that I was fine. They made me verbalise exactly what I was feeling, and gave me their full attention. They made me realise that I was perfectly safe, and that I was only working myself up. They taught me that life always goes on, and that no matter what happens, or what state I'm in, I can always get out of it because I am in full control of what affects me, and how I deal with it. They helped me to calm down, control my breathing, and cheer me up. They did not judge me, call me silly for stressing, or make fun of my panic attack, and I could never ask for more than that. If you girls are reading this, just know that you mean everything to me, and thank you so much for helping me. It means more than you will ever know. I've never fully come to grips with dealing with my panic attacks, and I think today was the first step down the right path. Thank you for teaching me that, and for being the most wonderful friends in the whole world. <3

I'd like to clarify something that you might be confused about: In my last post called Choosing To Be Happy, I mentioned that I am an optimist, and choose to see and believe in the brighter side of life. This is entirely true. However, I also mentioned that happy people are not bereft of problems. Sometimes, I cannot always be as cheerful and strong as I aspire to be, but hey I'm only human. 

I would also like to say that even though I get really stressed and panicky sometimes, I will always love my school. My teachers are always so kind and helpful, and my friends are the most wonderful, jovial people who make everyday funny and memorable. My school offers so many amazing opportunities for us to grow, not only as young women, but as future world leaders, and I am so priveledged to be a part of this beautiful family. I'm determined to take control of my stress and panic attacks, so I can ease my soul about school work and pressure. Hopefully, this will enable me to enjoy my high school experience even more.

I'm hoping that these panic attacks will whither with time, but for now I'm taking baby steps, and taking control of my life with two hands. I know that I will be okay with the help of my family and friends. I'm learning that life is too short to worry about little things, and that, if you keep your head up, you will always see a rainbow.



P.S. If you would like to educate yourself more about panic attacks, anxiety and disorders, here are a few resources that I made use of:


XO

Friday 17 October 2014

Choosing To Be Happy

Hello everyone! I can't string enough words together to verbalise how excited I am that the weekend has finally come. The weather promises to be spectacularly sunny, so I can pull up a chair, grab some lemonade and... get cracking on my studying.

One question that I get asked a lot is "How are you always so happy?" I take this as a compliment. I consider myself an optimist, as I always try to make the best of a bad situation. I just don't see the point letting yourself down about something when you have the power to change it. The reason why I'm so happy all the time is simple: I try not to let the little negative things get me down. I surround myself with positive energy as much as possible, because pessimism and I are not good friends. I find that people feed off of energy, so being around happy, sprightly people always makes for a good time.

I have a positive outlook on life. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and my number one motto is "Que sera, sera" which means whatever will be, will be. I've learned to be thankful for all of the opportunities that I have been blessed with, and I congratulate others when they have good luck. Jealousy will only make you sullen, and will make you appear a bad friend.

Smiling also helps me to be more happy. There's rarely a moment in the day when I'm not smiling. Interestingly enough, a girl in a younger grade approached me and told me that she had never not seen me smiling, which made me smile even more. Smiling is infectious, and will make everyone else feel happy. So I guess that makes happiness infectious, and besides who doesn't wanna be happy? Wow, how many times can I say happy? Happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy, okay I'll stop. Smiling is the easiest thing to do to perk yourself, and everyone around you, up.

I live life as I can, and do things that make me happy. I recently read a quote from Angelina Jolie that said "I don't believe in guilt; I believe in living on impulse as long as you never intentionally hurt another person. And don't judge people in your life. I think you should live completely free." This quote essentially summarises my views on 'guilty pleasures'. I don't believe they should be labelled as 'guilty pleasures', because the very word 'guilty' implies that it's something that should not be done, and we are to feel ashamed should we dare do it. The question I would like to pose is: Why should you feel guilty for enjoying something? If you are worried that people will ostracise you should they discover your guilty pleasure, then you need to rethink if these are people you want in your life. The word 'pleasure' implies that it's going to make you feel content and satisfied. Therefore, if whatever you do gives you a sense of content satisfaction, then you should by all means do it, as long as you do not harm or jeopardise anyone.

One last thing that I would like to bring to light, is that a lot of people assume that happy people are bereft of problems. This is not entirely true. Happiness is not the absence of problems, but rather being able to look at your problems in perspective, and approach and deal with them with the proper attitude.

I hope you all have an excellent weekend. I hope you smile a lot, and are a little bit spontaneous. See ya next Friday, sweeties!


XO




Friday 10 October 2014

Detoxing and Dealing with Stress

Greetings! Spring has certainly come along in full vigour, and I'm loving every minute of it. I hope you are lapping up the sun, and enjoying your Friday afternoon as I am.

We are fast approaching the end of the school holidays, and I can already feel myself curling into the fetal position at the thought of the end of year exams. Stress is something that I have not dealt well with in the past, and I'm proud to say I've been getting a better grip on it. So, I've decided to help some of my fellow befuddled teens with the issue of detoxing and dealing with stress.

1) Get organised

Organisation is something that I pride myself on. I can never work in a messy space. Clear out your pencil case, and make sure that you have pens that actually work. I find that setting my pens and writing pads out where I can see them motivates me to work even more. If you have a small desk like me, use boxes and pots to store your pens and other stationery, like sticky notes and staplers. It will open up more space for you to work. Tidy your working space, and make sure that this becomes the place for your regular revision. If you find working in your bedroom too distracting, try working at the kitchen or dining room table. Let everyone in your family know that they must be quiet around this place so as not to distract you. One thing that I am trying to stop doing is working or studying on my bed. Working at a desk at home will give you the subconscious impression of working at your school desk, and will actually mentally prepare you for the exam conditions.

Clear a shelf to store all of the books and files you bring home with you. Print out your exam schedule, and highlight the dates of your exams. Make sure your parents see this as well. If you're feeling super organised, why not compile a study timetable. I know that this method doesn't work for everybody, but it helps me clear my head, and I end up feeling more motivated and prepared to study.

2) Make time for sports and clubs

If you take part in sports and clubs regularly after school, by now your body will have become accustomed to that routine. Suddenly stopping this routine to give yourself more study time will only result in a shock to the system. Exercise is very healthy and beneficial for the body, and is an excellent de-stresser. It releases endorphins which make you happy, while at the same time allowing you to let off steam.

3) Let go of distractions

I'm sure we can all agree that this is one of the hardest parts of studying. Tumblr somehow becomes more enticing when I need to study. I try to convince myself that, even though I've only been studying for ten minutes, I'm in dire need of a break. I've taken control of this by deleting all social media apps off my phone. It feels weird for a little while, not being able to like or reblog anything, but at the same time it feels nice. I feel more in control and less stressed because I know that I don't have access to my distraction. Of course, you don't have to use this method. You can do something as easy as switching your phone off and locking it in a cupboard, or hiding the TV remote (just as long as your family can find it).

4) Listen to your body

Many of us feel that we can study for three hours straight without a break. You must realise that your body needs time to rejuvenate so that you can focus and study effectively. If you are tired, take a quick nap, and make sure that your bed time stays consistent. Studying late into the night will only result in more stress, and nobody likes walking into the exam room like a zombie. 

5) Stop if you feel overwhelmed

This is something that I have been getting better at. Being overwhelmed is often brought on by a terrible combination of exhaustion, anxiety and stress. You begin to feel that, no matter how much you've studied, you do not know the work. The best way to deal with this is to stop and put your pen down. Take a few deep breaths and clear your head completely. If you are still sitting down, stand up and take a walk somewhere. Take as much time as you need until you feel calm, and then come back and start your revision again. You will study more effectively with a clear head, and surprise yourself by how much you actually know and remember. 

I find that there is no reason to stress if you have sufficiently prepared. As long as you have done that, you've done yourself and your mental health a favour.

To the Matrics writing their final exams this term, good luck! I hope that this post helped get you in the right frame of mind for the term ahead. Enjoy the rest of the holidays lovelies, and let's take charge of the term!

"A man of calm is like a shady tree. People who need shelter come to it."
- Toba Beta


XO

Friday 3 October 2014

Traditions

Aloha dear reader! I hope your Friday is treating you sweetly. I've certainly been having a wonderful day, and I hope you are too. 

Towards this time of year, I like to think about traditions. I love traditions. They give me a sense of pride and belonging. I go to a school that's very big on traditions. Some people might see Founder's Day at schools as a grand spectacle in which the fine, young students and the school's spanking facilities are showcased. I see it as a day, one day out of the year, where everyone in the school can come together and celebrate the beauty of their humble little school, and embrace the sense of family and love. I can't tell you how much pride I feel when I slip on my school dress, and put on my blazer. I know that I represent a school that has taught me so many values, not only for school, but for many years to come. And to be able to celebrate the school that has given so much to me as a mere pupil is one of the greatest gifts I could ask for, or give in this sense.

Another wonderful tradition which I personally love, is getting a bunch of roses on my birthday. It's one thing that I've grown accustomed to, yet I still find myself being shocked when I come home one day to find a bunch of roses on the kitchen table. In my head, I can imagine my mum walking around the buckets of roses at the shops, carefully inspecting each bunch to find the perfect bouquet to prop up in the vase, and splendour in the dappled sunlight. Birthdays are simply wonderful, aren't they? Who doesn't love being showered in gifts, kisses and attention? I love hosting family gatherings, and birthdays are the perfect time to rally everyone together and have a slice of cake and a cup of tea. This year, however, we did things slightly differently. Instead of having the whole family together on my birthday, we drove to visit them. My gran joined us for my special birthday breakfast, which consisted of a heavenly hot chocolate and an egg and bacon croissant (exquis!). Later, we drove to my paternal grandparents house, where I was entertained by my little cousin, who had maybe had one too many slices of chocolate cake. Although this wasn't the traditional way of celebrating my birthday, I enjoyed it. I never thought change and tradition could be a good couple, but they proved to work well together this year.

My beautiful roses and birthday cake!
Did I mention I baked it myself? <3

One might argue that it's too early to start thinking about Christmas, but there some traditions with it that I'd like to share with you. Going to the morning service at my church is one of my favourite traditions. Everyone is extra cheery, and there's a sense of peace and content as we approach the end of the year. My family likes to alternate between the midnight service and the service on Christmas morning. I quite like the midnight service. I like seeing the people spilling quietly out of their homes into the street, their figures illuminated by the streetlight, and bouncing off of the walls. Christmas morning brings out my inner child. I love digging into my stocking and finding scrumptious Cadbury's delights. And who can deny the wonderful thrill that unwrapping presents gives? 

Traditions remind us all of who we are, and where we come from. For me, it brings me pride, and reminds me that the team is greater than the individual. In this, I am reminded of the love my family has for me. Have a blessed week, and be mindful of those around you.

"Cultures grow on the vine of tradition."
- Jonah Goldberg
XO

Thursday 2 October 2014

First Post

Okay, well this is slightly daunting. I'm not quite sure where to begin. 

First thing's first, hello Blogosphere. My name is Sarah-Kate and I am sixteen years old. I wanted to start this blog as I have a passion for writing and capturing beautiful moments in life. I'm just a teenage girl trying to navigate her way around this crazy world, and I'm hoping that this blog will help me harbour my memories, and maybe inspire a few people to enjoy the little things in life.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me as I try and figure out what's what on Blogspot. I'm sure I will be better with posts and aesthetics as time passes. 

One thing you should know about me: I'm big on quotes. So, I'm going to end every blog post with an inspirational quote, just a little something to keep in mind for the rest of the week. I will try and do posts every Friday. As this was my introductory post, I will do another post tomorrow.

"Be willing to be a beginner every single morning."
- Meister Ekhart

Copyright © 2014 Sarah-Kate Says