THIRTEEN (2003) Dir. Catherine Hardwicke JENNIFER'S BODY (2009) Dir. Karyn Kusama ORPHAN (2009) Dir.

Note : this hot girl is too busy studying to make herself proud. 📓🧼

how to start reading again

from someone who was a voracious reader until high school and is now getting back into it in her twenties.

start with an old favourite. even though it felt a little silly, i re-read the harry potter series one christmas and it wiped away my worry that i wasn't capable of reading anymore. they are long books, but i was still able to get completely immersed and to read just as fast as i had years and years ago.

don't be afraid of "easier" books. before high school i was reading the french existentialists, but when getting back into reading, i picked up lucinda riley and sally rooney. not my favourite authors by far, but easier to read while not being totally terrible. i needed to remind myself that only choosing classics would not make me a better or smarter person. if a book requires a slower pace of reading to be understood, it's easier to just drop it, which is exactly what i wanted to avoid at first.

go for essays and short stories. no need to explain this one: the shorter the whole, the less daunting it is. i definitely avoided all books over 350 pages at first and stuck to essay collections until i suddenly devoured donna tartt's goldfinch.

remember it's okay not to finish. i was one of those people who finished every book they started, but not anymore! if i pick up a book at the library and after a few chapters realise i'd rather not read it, i just return it. (another good reason to use your local library! no money spent on books you might end up disliking.)

analyse — or don't. some people enjoy reading more when they take notes or really stop to think about the contents. for me, at first, it was more important to build the habit of reading, and the thought of analysing what i read felt daunting. once i let go of that expectation, i realised i naturally analyse and process what i read anyway.

read when you would usually use your phone. just as i did when i was a child, i try to read when eating, in the bathroom, on public transport, right before sleeping. i even read when i walk, because that's normally a time i stare at my screen anyway. those few pages you read when you brush your teeth and wait for a friend very quickly stack up.

finish the chapter. if you have time, try to finish the part you're reading before closing the book. usually i find i actually don't want to stop reading once i get to the end of a chapter — and if i do, it feels like a good place to pick up again later.

try different languages. i was quickly approaching a reading slump towards the end of my exchange year, until i realised i had only had access to books in english and that, despite my fluency, i was tired of the language. so as soon as i got back home i started picking up books in my native tongue, which made reading feel much easier and more fun again! after some nine months, i'm starting to read in english again without it feeling like a huge task.

forget what's popular. i thought social media would be a fun way to find interesting books to read, but i quickly grew frustrated after hating every single book i picked up on some influencer's recommendation. it's certainly more time-consuming to find new books on your own, but this way i don't despise every novel i pick up.

remember it isn't about quantity. the online book community's endless posts about reading 150 books each year or 6 books in a single day easily make us feel like we're slow, bad readers, but here's the thing: it does not matter at all how many books you read or what your reading pace is. we all lead different lives, just be proud of yourself for reading at all!

stop stressing about it. we all know why reading is important, and since the pandemic reading has become an even more popular hobby than it was before (which is wonderful!). however, there's no need to force yourself to be "a reader". pick up a book every now and then and keep reading if you enjoy it, but not reading regularly doesn't make you any less of a good person. i find the pressure to become "a person who reads" or to rediscover my inner bookworm only distances me from the very act of reading.

Cailee Spaeny & Jacob Elordi as Priscilla Beaulieu & Elvis Presley Priscilla (2023) dir. Sofia Coppola

five hobbies you should have 🎧

hobbies play a significant role in enriching our lives. they provide inspiration and make good use of your time and energy. here’s 5 types of hobbies that you should include in your daily life:

one to keep you creative. having a creative hobby is like giving your brain a delightful playground where it can roam free and explore new ideas. these types of hobbies provide stress relief and self expression, as well as growing in your skills and confidence. suggestions include: drawing or sketching, painting, baking or cooking, editing, creative writing or scripting, gardening, & crafting projects like sewing, making jewelry, knitting.

one to build knowledge. having a hobby that builds knowledge is incredibly valuable and helpful. hobbies of this type keep your mind active and focused. it is rewarding to reap the benefits of engaging in these hobbies, benefits like enjoyment, fulfillment, success, and problem solving skills. suggestions include: reading books, articles or journals, watching inspirational YouTube videos, learning a new language, studying history or subjects, & blogging.

one to evolve mindset. having a hobby that evolves your mindset is key to carrying out a successful life. these hobbies broaden your perspective, give you confidence in challenges, and make you more open to experience. suggestions include: traveling and exploring, volunteering or helping others, reading self help books, listening to a daily podcast, & time alone in meditation.

one to keep you in shape. hobbies that involve physical activity are helpful for staying healthy and maintaining a clear mind. they are fun ways to stay active, boost your energy levels, and improve your mood. suggestions include: yoga and pilates exercises, running or taking a light jog daily, dancing to your favorite tunes, cycling, & sports like tennis and swimming. weekly meal prepping is also a fun hobby!

one to make money. hobbies that make you money provide many benefits like financial security, turning your skills and passions into a source of income, and give you personal fulfillment. these hobbies also give you valuable experience and attract opportunities for expansion. suggestions include: running a blog, setting up an online store for products or services, selling handmade items, content creation for social media, reading financial literacy books, & working a job you enjoy.

if you desire to have less stress, improved mental health and better confidence, i encourage you to consider these 5 hobbies and make time for one of each type every day. they all provide a positive outlet to escape from daily pressures, ultimately contributing to a more fulfilling life. anything is possible! 🌱

“omg you’re so creative. how do you get your ideas” i hallucinate a single scene in the taco bell drive thru and then spend 13 months trying to write it

The Inside-Out Glow-Up

How to Stop Playing Small & Start Moving Like a Winner

There’s a difference between people who are just seen and people who are felt. The latter don’t beg for attention, they just walk into a room and shift the atmosphere. That’s the glow-up no one talks about—the kind that starts inside and radiates outward.

I thought a glow-up was about changing my hair, my wardrobe, my face. But what actually changed my life? My energy.

Here’s how I stopped playing small and started moving like the winner I was always meant to be.

Step 1: The Identity Shift – Becoming "That Person"

If you’re waiting for something external to confirm you’re important (money, attention, approval), you’ll always feel like something is missing. The glow-up happens when you wake up one day and decide:

I am interesting, valuable, magnetic—before anyone else says it.

I deserve to take up space and be seen.

I no longer play down my personality to make others comfortable.

Ask yourself: If I were already the most powerful, glowing version of me—how would I think? How would I move? What would I tolerate?

Then start acting like that.

Immediately.

Step 2: Unlearning Self-Sabotage & Small Energy

A lot of us were conditioned to be “humble,” to be “likable,” to dim ourselves down. But let’s be real—playing small has never helped anyone win.

Speaking softly so you don’t sound “too much”? Stop it.

Sitting back when you know you have something to say? Stop it.

Not going after what you want because “what if I fail”? Stop it.

Winners aren’t afraid to be seen trying. And trust me, people can feel when you doubt yourself. The second you start believing you belong in the spotlight, the world will reflect it back to you.

Step 3: The Energy Glow-Up – Embodying Unapologetic Presence

Confidence isn’t just posture or outfits (though, yes, those help). It’s the subtle way you exist that makes people remember you.

Speak slower. Move with certainty. Rushed energy screams insecurity.

Make eye contact. Like you expect people to listen when you talk.

Stop over-explaining. Say what you mean, then stop talking.

Carry yourself like you have somewhere important to be. Even if it’s just a coffee run.

People should feel something different when they’re around you. Like they just met someone important. Because they did.

Step 4: Raising Your Standards in Every Area

Here’s the truth: when you glow up internally, you’ll stop tolerating things that don’t align with your highest self.

Low-effort friendships? No, thanks.

Situationships with people who don’t see your worth? Not my vibe.

Doubting yourself before you even try? That’s embarrassing.

Once you start seeing yourself as the prize, the whole world starts treating you that way too.

Step 5: Moving Like a Winner (Before the World Recognizes It)

You don’t become magnetic, successful, iconic by waiting for permission. You do it by deciding:

“I’m already her.”

“I already have what it takes.”

“It’s just a matter of time before the world catches up.”

And then you start walking, talking, living like that’s the truth. Because it is.

The glow-up isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about uncovering who you were always meant to be.

So stop playing

#widowed at the wedding

Samara Weaving as Grace Le Domas in READY OR NOT (2019) Ella Purnell as Lucy MacLean in FALLOUT (2024—)

HOW TO GET OUT OF A READING SLUMP

Inspired by how I'm currently trying to read again. 

START SHORTER. Try to read something manageable for you, and it doesn’t have to even be a full novel. It could be an essay on something that interests you or any short stories you find. Get into the habit of reading at your own pace, till you feel ready to take on something bigger. 

SET REALISTIC GOALS. Instead of wanting a goal like completing a book within a week, I would say 20 minutes of reading per day or at least 2 hours per week. You don’t have to track the time when you’re reading, but make mental notes of when you start reading and how long you read. 

EXPLORE. You may even be tired of reading certain genres, and not notice it. While in a slump, I would explore different books and see what interests me the most. For example, if you love reading romance books, try some action ones instead(or vice versa.)

REREAD FAVES. The familiarity of some books can help us get back into the swing of reading. Every time I reread a book, I always pick up on new details that I didn’t notice before. Reread one of your favourite books and try to spot details that you didn’t spot before. 

MAKE A LIST. Create a list of all the books that you want to read or reread. I feel like the process of seeing all the books you could, really encourages you to pick up that book. 

TRY A DIFFERENT FORMAT. For a lot of us, reading paperback or hard copy is the way to go. However, when I’m in a slump, I feel like opting for a different format helps me to get back into reading. For example, a digital book, or an e-book. (or vice versa)

READ IN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT. I love LOVE, reading in an actual library. It is not for everyone, but a change of scenery can help. Some ideas can be at a park, a cafe, beaches and or a nature trail. 

PAIR READING WITH ANOTHER ACTIVITY. Some examples are exercising, cooking, travelling/commuting or doing mindfulness activities. This is more for getting back into the habit, once you’ve got it again, I would say to focus only on reading. 

I am ready to give my all this exam season. I refuse to let distractions, self-doubt, or temporary setbacks hold me back. Every single day, I will show up for myself with discipline, focus, and determination. Success is about effort, consistency, and resilience. I will push myself to study harder, to understand deeply, and to prepare thoroughly because I deserve to succeed. I will not allow laziness or fear to take control of my mind. I will take charge of my own future, and I will prove to myself that I am capable of achieving excellence.No matter how hard things get, I will not give up. I will keep going, keep learning, and keep improving. I will manage my time wisely, organize my notes, and revise with full concentration. I will believe in myself, even on the days when things feel overwhelming. My hard work will pay off because I am committed to this journey. Every effort I put in today is building the success I will celebrate tomorrow. I am getting stronger, smarter, and more prepared with each study session. I trust in my ability to overcome challenges and come out victorious.This exam season is mine to conquer. I will not settle for less than my best. I will work with passion, with energy, and with the mindset of a winner. I am fully capable of excelling, and I will prove that to myself. I am unstoppable, I am powerful, and I am ready to achieve greatness.

@bloomzone