Growing With Ara

This blog is dedicated to people who wanted to improve their life. If you are in your healthy girl era, feel free to tap in!

[malabanan-arabelle]

Surround yourself with good energy

Who we are and who we become is influenced by the interactions and relationships we have with others. Being around the greatest people who encourage us to improve and challenge us to grow is not simply a saying; it's an inspirational mantra for success and personal growth. Not only is creating a positive circle of influence important for personal development, but it is also essential for happiness and contentment.

The energy and mindset of the people we surround ourselves with should be positive, committed, and ambitious. We can lose motivation and hinder progress when we are with negative, pessimistic, or unsupportive people. Therefore, it is necessary that we pick those around us wisely.

Having the greatest people around us demands that we be willing to listen to honest comments and constructive feedback. These people genuinely care about our progress, and their observations could point out areas where we might make improvements. Our perspectives can be broadened, fresh ideas can inspire us, and exciting new opportunities may arise by engaging in meaningful conversations with them.

Always keep in mind that finding the greatest people to be around you is more about the quality of your connections than the quantity. <3

[malabanan-arabelle]

Embracing the extraordinary within you

Sometimes we are in a situation where we aren't pushed to reach our full potential. We tend to be our own worst rivals. Recognizing our hidden qualities and untapped potential through self-development will enable us to reach our full potential. Let's go through some ways I'm currently doing which might help in unleashing your potential as well!

One of the things I'm doing now to help me reach my full potential is being mindful of the things I'm doing. Every end of the day before I sleep, I always do journaling to reflect on the things I should and shouldn't do and to let out anything that is frustrating me. This allows me to express my feelings and prevents me from suppressing them.

Next is dreaming big and challenging past my capabilities by setting motivating and specific objectives that are in line with my passion. Since I enjoy creating vision boards and browsing Pinterest, I'll start by breaking down my goals into smaller steps and make a vision board to help me achieve my goals by being consistent.

Always keep in mind that this path is about embracing your flaws and working toward your fullest potential rather than becoming the "ideal" perfect. Step into a life of meaning, satisfaction, and remarkable achievements by accepting the power that lies within you. Be proud of your commitment to becoming the person you were meant to be! :)

[malabanan-arabelle]

Day one or One day?

Have you ever had a strange rush of motivation at 3:00 a.m. and planned to get your life together? telling yourself that you will get up at 5:00 a.m. and do your morning routine and workout. But then, the morning after you decided to get your life together, you ended up scrolling through your phone all day doing nothing and telling yourself, "I'm going to start next week," until the next week arrived and you didn't feel like doing it, so you moved it again. Months had passed and you still didn't start it and now you’re stuck in a rut. I have been there too!

When you made a promise to other people that you will do a specific thing for them, you will do it, right? But when you said something to yourself, do you actually do it or do you keep on postponing it?

You must treat yourself with the same respect that you do other people. Take the time to reflect on what went wrong if you frequently make promises to yourself but fail to keep them.

There is no such thing as “The perfect time”

One of the reasons why we wait for the perfect time is the fear of failure and uncertainty. However, waiting for the perfect time won't make those fears disappear. It will keep us stuck in a cycle of not doing it. Allowing ourselves to feel the uncertainty will help us grow.

To learn new things, we must take action and experience failure along the way. What we actually have is the present moment. Waiting for the perfect time robs us of the opportunities and experiences that are presented to us.

Remember that it's okay to make mistakes along the way as long as you keep getting back up and moving forward. Embrace the process and trust yourself that you can do anything that you have set your mind to.

A little update on my 5th week of the 75 soft challenge:

Finally, a month had passed and I'm really proud of myself for trying to stick to this challenge. I now have a workout routine and I don't have any plan of changing it since I love strength training so much hehe. You guys should try strength training too! and add some walking as cardio after lifting weights. Keep hydrated and eat lots of protein as well. Most importantly, prioritize your sleep!! :)

[malabanan-arabelle]

Your only competition is yourself.

Last year, I frequently look through social media to see what other people are doing. I almost lost sight of what I genuinely wanted to do because I kept comparing and comparing to the point where I became overly invested in other people's life because I feel like I wasn't doing enough for myself.

A lot of us are focused on the wrong thing, we keep on worrying about what other people are doing. What you see when you look in the mirror is who you need to be concerned about, yourself. That is your only competition.

Compete with yourself, push your limits, and build a life based on constant growth.

Never compare your appearance, life, misfortunes, or achievements with the experiences of others. Your only competition should be yourself since everyone follows a unique path through life. Being a better version of yourself than you were yesterday is the only goal.

Let's reach our highest potential!!

A little update on my 4th week of the 75 soft challenge:

I'm currently in my fourth week of doing the 75 soft challenge. I'm very proud of myself since I've been feeling good lately. Although, I keep on changing my workout routine depending on my mood which is not that nice hahaha. I did a starter strength training plan to get back on lifting weights at home. Hoping for the best! :)

[girljournal]

focus on what you can control

let go of what you can’t

[malabanan-arabelle]

It is what it is and life goes on.

Hello! today's the 3rd week of doing the 75 soft challenge. Finally, exam week is over and I have more time to do the things I want.

Throughout this week I only did quick workouts, specifically pilates since it helps me feel relaxed. This week challenged me mentally given the pressure of the exams and other personal things happening in my life.

We often have trouble with the need to control everything around us throughout the chaotic events of everyday life. We desire to build our reality in order to satisfy what we want with the hope that it would bring us happiness. But lately, I've come to the realization that caring less can actually bring peace, and I couldn't help but share it with all of you.

Not every situation deserves your energy is what it means to let go. Some things in life have a way of figuring themselves out if we just give them the space to do so. Learning to accept and welcome life's flow and have faith that everything will work out as it should.

It feels good to remove yourself from situations that are out of your control. This doesn't mean that you're weak or giving up; rather, it shows how courageous you are in accepting the limits of your control.

To whoever is reading this, remember to breathe, take a step back, and accept the idea of letting life happen without trying to control every twist and turn, and choose to focus your energy on what actually matters.

Cheers to not forcing anything anymore and letting go of what no longer serves us. It is what it is and life goes on :)

[aphrxditing]

[malabanan-arabelle]

POV: You're a Mirrorball

Today's the 2nd week of the "75 soft challenge"; honestly, this is a tough week, given that it is my exam week. I've felt pressured and overwhelmed to stick through my routine, but I have still managed to accomplish the rules in this challenge. Discipline is the key :)

Maybe you're wondering about the title of this blog so, here's a context. My bestie and I are having a conversation about Taylor Swift's folklore album and she made me realize that I am not a "this is me trying" kind of girl but rather a "mirrorball".

"I've never been a natural, all I do is try try try"

As someone who grows up as a people pleaser, this song holds a special place in my heart. This song is for the girls who show up with different personalities when facing different people. Who have tried to change everything about themselves to fit in, yet have never been satisfied. Someone who is unsure of their true personality or who they are as a person. The one who is continuously worried about disappointing the people who have high expectations of her.

No one will understand the struggles you have to endure just to make yourself and the people around you proud. Because they cannot see you battling your inner demons every night just to function normally, they will always believe that you had it easy. That's where it hits me, it makes so much sense now to think that I am still a mirrorball.

Once a mirrorball, will always be a mirrorball even if you try to deny it. There will always be that little girl inside you who craves for that validation from people who is important to her.

This is a gentle reminder to put yourself first. Don't let anyone ever make you feel unworthy; you owe it to yourself and to that little girl within you to maintain your peace. Do things for yourself, dress for yourself, and work hard for yourself.

Remember to treat others and yourself with kindness. Some people put in a lot of effort each day merely to receive "I'm proud of you" and "take it easy" :)

[malabanan-arabelle]

Change is scary, but staying in the same place is much more terrifying.

Today is the seventh day of doing the 75 soft challenge so here’s a wrap of my week. 

So far so good, I’ve been more active at home than before ever since I stopped going to the gym. I strive to finish any 45 minute workout daily regardless of my hectic schedule. Sometimes I only do my hot girl walk whenever I don’t feel like using weights during my workouts, ride a bike within our subdivision, or would play volleyball with my brother. 

Other than that, I have managed to eat a balanced meal without thinking about the calories of those food I consume. I no longer worry about gaining weight from the foods I eat, therefore I can finally enjoy eating. Also, I started reading books again, I am currently reading “101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest. I would highly recommend that you should read this book if you love listening to the perspective of other people <3

But there are days that I don’t feel like getting up in the morning given that I am not a morning person and struggling to fix my sleeping schedule. On those kind of days listening to podcast helps me a lot. I honestly enjoy listening podcast more than reading since reading makes me sleepy so I usually read before I sleep hehe. The podcast that I am currently listening to is “Party of 1 Podcast” by Erycka. It really helps in boosting my motivation since I’m also struggling in being consistent and being disciplined.

There is something I wanted to share with you guys for my weekly reflection. What I have realized in the first week of doing this challenge is that CHANGE IS SCARY. It can be frightening to imagine that you can't do that one task, but it can be even more terrifying to realize that a year has passed and you are still in the exact same place. Get up and prepare to fail repeatedly until one day you don't because all success is just failing repeatedly until you understand that the one thing you keep doing wrong is actually turning out to be right :)

[malabanan-arabelle]

Hi everyone! Over the next 75 days, I will attempt to change my life.

Past few months has been a challenge for me. I've been stuck in a slump for a month now.  I eventually came to my senses and made the decision that I didn't want to live a life in which I simply woke up and be stuck on my phone for the entire day.

I wanna make a change, and the only thing that can make it happen is myself :) So, I decided to start a challenge called "75 soft challenge" inspired by Stephen Gallagher which I saw on tiktok. I've wanted to do it for a very long time, so now seemed like the perfect time!

This challenge has 6 rules:

1. Read 10 pages of book daily 2. Drink 3 liters of water 3. Do 45 minutes workout 4. Eat more protein 5. Meditate 6. Take progress picture

I did the "75 Hard Challenge" last year, but it was too unrealistic and makes me uneasy. Since it's more realistic and I want to prevent feeling overwhelmed plus it is more aligned with my class schedule, I chose this challenge. Although I struggle with consistency, I wanted so badly to push both my mental and physical capabilities. I'm so excited to re-enter this journey with you all. I'm eager to know what I'm capable of doing. Maybe after this 75 days are up, I'll try the 75 Hard Day Challenge once again.

Within 75 days of this challenge, I will post my weekly insights, tips, my meals, routines, and if possible, my progress picture here on tumblr :)

Leave a comment if you're up to do this challenge with me. Any feedback from those who have previously taken on this challenge would be greatly appreciated!