This is me , I’ve been drowning but I’m trust his plan.

titsay

Kiana Khansmith
d e v o n
todays bird
almost home
Peter Solarz
i don't do bad sauce passes

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pixel skylines
noise dept.
hello vonnie
Xuebing Du
Three Goblin Art
NASA
Monterey Bay Aquarium

izzy's playlists!

Origami Around
sheepfilms
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dirt enthusiast

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@unikiwe
This is me , I’ve been drowning but I’m trust his plan.
“Do it scared” “do it badly” it’s time to drop the guide for do it alone
Doing it scared and doing it badly is one thing, but no one seems to talk about doing it alone. When you feel so isolated from your friends and your family but you have shit to do and you have to get it done no matter what. When your support system really is only you. For any myriad of reasons. We do not talk enough about doing it alone.
I lowkey hate how people misunderstood this post because it’s not about “go to a movie by yourself every now and then uwu” “be your own dinner date!!” it’s literally being at a stage in your life where the only person who’s gonna consistently be there for you, for whatever circumstances, is you. And it’s about the loneliness that comes w reminding yourself that that has to be fulfilling enough bc the only person who’s guaranteed to stay w us through anything is us. Thats what I mean by doing it alone.
i’m currently half-way through a book that is shaking me to core & might possibly change my life. i hope i don’t self-destruct.
it’s taken some time to finish, but i finally finished it. it brought me to the place where i needed to be: open to speaking my truth, to facing my life, and to finally embark on my journey of healing & wellness. i’m grateful that this book found me, and met me right where i was, giving me courage & reassurance. i have never felt as seen & reflected in a literary piece of work until now. here’s to trying & seeing where it goes.
✧・゚playlists to help pass the time *:・✧
hi everyone! it’s been a while since i made a huge playlist masterpost, but i thought that right now when we’re all stuck inside wondering what to do with our time i would make a list of all my playlists. listening to music is so calming and definitely helps me pass the time…so enjoy! - cam
songs that remind me of a fashion show
a mix of songs that remind me of driving down the coast
a playlist dedicated to paris
songs that inspire me
a dreamy mix
songs to listen to when you feel carefree
a super fun workout/running playlist to keep you pumped up
songs to listen to during golden hour
a mix of songs to listen to on a sunny day
a playlist full of songs that make me feel alive
songs that remind me of my teenage years
a study/coffee shop playlist to keep you calm
songs to listen to on the weekend
songs that make me feel like living in the moment
a friday kinda mix !
songs that remind me of a warm spring evening
a mix dedicated to nature
my all-time favorite songs all in one playlist
songs that remind me of flowers and sunshine
a 12-hour long playlist of songs that make me feel nostalgic
songs that remind me of going back to school
my ultimate summertime playlist
songs that make me feel like i’m in a movie
upbeat songs to get ready to in the morning
songs i’m currently loving & listening to right now
a playlist dedicated to italy and all its wonders
songs that are soft and delicate
a mix to listen to while watching the sunrise / sunset
a playlist for a rainy and stormy day
songs to listen to when you wake up !
another nature playlist because why not?!
a monday playlist to make your monday more enjoyable
my springtime playlist
songs that are bittersweet
my girl power anthems playlist
for the daydreamers
songs that remind me of the spirit of traveling & exploring
a mix to listen to before bed
songs to listen and dance to in your kitchen
a super fun 70s playlist
relaxing songs for a sunday
songs that remind me of wintertime
for people who love the east coast
for people who love the west coast
a mix of lo fi beats
songs to listen to in your car at night
fresh finds (new songs every monday!)
the ultimate sing along playlist
an indie playlist
the perfect road trip / daily commute mix
a super studious playlist to keep you extra focused
songs that remind me of the beach
a mix of songs to listen to when you’re j chillin
songs that remind me of a trip to outer space !
listen to this when you’re in love
songs for stargazing…
the perfect autumn playlist
songs that make my heart flutter
a mix of carefree & happy tunes
the grooviest 80s playlist around
a mix of golden oldies
listen to this if you like rap / r&b
another workout playlist !
a mix of fun, upbeat songs to dance to
a playlist inspired by call me by your name
a coming of age playlist
a mix of songs that deserve more hype
songs for all the main characters out there
a mix inspired by the king harry styles
songs that make me feel angelic
a dark academia playlist
a spooky halloween mix !
a playlist inspired by dystopian novels
a special cottagecore playlist
a light academia playlist
songs to listen to while looking at the moon
songs to cry to at 3am
concept: you’re a princess late to the annual ball
a playlist inspired by the magic of hogwarts
a self-care playlist for those who are healing <3
music can be a great tool for improving your mood, leaning into feelings, or just helping pass the time. I looked through some of these playlists and I think they’re great. I hope you guys can find some vibes you like from these playlists. and thanks to @teeashirts for making this.
The Reality of Being an Adult
Do you ever feel like you’re still stuck in your younger self’s body? Some of us still feel like children even as adults. Adulting isnt just a physical process of turning another number, but has to be a mental one as well.
Here are some things you should be working on as an adult for your own sanity:
1. Budgeting - personal finance
2. Constantly educating yourself
3. Listening to your body’s needs (food, water, exercise, sleeping early)
4. Being able to prioritise work/ productive days over lazy days at least 80% of the time
5. Being able to set boundaries and saying no to things
6. Keeping your inner circle small and tight
7. Taking your car to the mechanic when needed
8. Being able to limit over-consumerism
9. Being able to say that you messed up and are sorry for the things you actually did mess up on
10. Having a clean space
11. Doing laundry once a week
12. Ensuring that your sheets and pillow cases are changed every week
13. Taking care of your hair, skin and nails
14. Sunscreen everyday
15. Finishing your work/homework on time
16. Being able to stay calm in volatile situations
17. Knowing your alcohol limit
18. Not self diagnosing yourself if you’re sick
19. Practicing mediation and mindfulness
20. Taking a rest day without feeling guilty
21. Confronting issues rather than just being quiet about it
22. Sending thank you messages/ notes to the person who helped you
23. Understanding politics and why you’re voting for the person you’re voting for
24. Knowing the ABCs of first aid
25. Being able to cook at least 5 decent meals for 2 people
26. Being able to drive
27. Being able to make your own decisions, even if you consult someone else
28. Being able to take constructive criticism
29. Pay your bills on time
30. Having a life plan, its okay if it changes - but you need to establish certain for-sure goals
31. Learning how to fix things - such as a broken bulb, replacing a door knob
32. Being able to address your weaknesses and strengths
33. Spending time alone with your thoughts to reconnect with yourself
34. Keeping your promises
35. Remembering birthdays, anniversaries, engagement
36. Showing up for the people you care about - it could be “soft support” such as reposting your friend’s business page on instagram or “hard” like attending their opening
37. Having a balance of 50% educational content and 50% entertainment. No one is stopping you from watching GRWMs but one video on personal finance or procrastination tips won’t hurt.
38. Learn to delay gratification
39. Define your bad habits. Get rid of those excessive bad habits slowly and steadily.
40. Spend more time in nature. Make some time for your own mind or you’ll go berserk.
41. Don’t make decisions emotionally. You can have emotions but don’t be emotionally driven. Every decision needs to be objective and made with your intellect. Do what you know is right and beneficial. Seek advice if you’re at crossroads.
42. Invest in a capsule wardrobe, if you want to build the closet of your dreams. Never impulse buy, no matter how cheap the item is.
43. Ensure that your handbag has all the essentials you need.
44. Take care of your parents/ family. They’re growing old, too. Yes, they will throw tantrums about weird things at times but sometimes, they just want their kid to be there for them.
45. Don’t let go of your roots. Always work on your native language, customs, rituals, holidays - sometimes connecting with your roots make you feel whole again.
46. Try to grow your own food. You could start with herbs and teas. Independence is the motto.
47. Always carry cash on you. Your Apple Pay and credit card may not work everywhere.
48. Get your real jewellery cleaned once in a while.
49. Work for ideals, not for initiatives.
50. Try to do your own grooming if possible. I wax my face, thread my eyebrows, chin and upper lip - not only is it less painful but when you have a last minute event to attend, you can look out for yourself.
51. Invest in clothing pieces that you may need at weddings as a guest or other big events; not just basics.
52. Learn the art of setting a table nicely.
53. Never stop working on your soft skills.
54. Aim to be the best at what you do.
55. Have reasonable (but not low) standards for partners.
tips on surviving a cold and sore throat in this brutal winter season? it's really cold where I am and I'm getting sick constantly
1. Salt water gargling with warm water 3x a day, before every meal. It’ll clear the mucus + ease your throat.
Warm water, 1 tbsp salt, gargle.
2. Turmeric + honey.
1 tbsp turmeric, 2 tbsp honey. After breakfast in the mornings. It’ll ease your throat and help your immunity.
3. Hot soup for dinner every night, with a meal.
4. Hydration is key. You need to drink water, even if it irritates you.
5. Lozenges are great. If you prefer a herbal remedy, pop a couple of cloves in your mouth.
6. Tiger balm. Apply it at night on your throat, forehead, chest, back and the soles of your feet (put socks on top). It will smell strong, but I swear by this stuff.
7. Buy a hot water bottle, fill it with hot water, and leave it in your bed under your blanket 15 minutes before you sleep. Your bed will be toasty warm when go to bed. It feels heavenly.
8. Nutrition. Very important. One tends to eat and drink less in winters. Eat filling, nutritious meals even if it kills you. And exercise - light yoga, some stretching, anything to keep your blood flowing. You don’t have to lift 17 pounds to have a good workout.
Here’s an article I wrote for the same.
2023 Goals for the Year
Personal growth
1. Attending one event (conferences, lectures, something educational) every month
2. Socialising and networking with crowds that help me improve my career prospects
3. Charity work on weekends
4. Reading 3 academic articles a month
Career
1. Finish the online finance course
2. Learning about the business I’m working in, in more detail
3. Complete one short term online course in different fields a month to educate myself even more
Health
1. Continuing the model workouts
2. Continuing my low carb, high protein diet because that’s really working out for me
3. A glass of water every morning
4. Alcohol only twice a month, and no smoking again
Body
1. Stick to my am:pm skincare
2. Get nails done every 20 days
3. Get waxed every month
4. Get LASIK surgery for my eyes
5. Get acne scar laser treatment
Mind
1. Meditation regularly
2. Following my spiritual routine
Miscellaneous
1. Redo my room, build a whole new wardrobe
2. Work on my traditional attire wardrobe with my stylist (I have zero taste in my culture’s traditional clothing and I’m working on that)
My biggest struggle in my relationships was my inability to receive. I wanted so bad to be treated like this princess, but when my man would offer to do things for me, my unhealed trauma would pop up and I'd be all "No thank you, you don't have to. I don't need it, I don't want to trouble you..."
Stop it. Do not do this. If he didn't want to do it, he wouldn't offer. Stop blocking his efforts to provide for you. You can't say that you want something and then block every opportunity for it to be provided for you. Eventually they will stop asking and trying and then you'll be crying about how they don't try. Not true honey, you won't let them. You set yourself up for the split lifestyle. It's OK to receive something. It's OK to let them buy you dinner, or send you a gift because they were thinking of you, or take care of some matter for you. You're not doing anyone any favors by pretending you don't want what you want, and it's damaging and hurtful to the provider man and your femininity to deny his request to give. Don't make it transactional and offer him an exchange. We've got to get better at this.
47 more free and helpful things, that everyone can take advantage of
Music
Gnoosic is your place go for new music recommendations. It asks for three of your favourite bands, and based on them, spits out an artist that you might like. You can also “like”, “dislike”, or mark it as something you aren’t familiar with – which further refines the results.
NoCopyrightSounds is a copyright free / stream safe record label, providing free to use music to the content creator community. NCS Music is free to use for independent Creators and their UGC (User Generated Content) on YouTube & Twitch - always remember to credit the Artist, track and NCS and link back to our original NCS upload.
Radio Garden take a trip 'round the world's airwaves! Just pick a city — literally any city — and Radio Garden will play you whatever its local radio station is broadcasting.
Radiooooo Radio Garden walked so Radiooooo could run. This site adds a timeline function so you can listen to radio from not just anywhere, but anywhen. Get down to those 1910s Germany bops!
Art
Krita free and open-source raster graphics editor designed primarily for digital painting and 2D animation.It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and Chrome OS
29a.ch interactive site that lets you color what looks to be a map of the cosmos, but I'm honestly not sure. Whatever it is, it's mesmerizing.
Games
Patatap is an interactive website that responds to the keys on your keyboard with a sound and a brief animation. Now imagine hammering in entire sentences – and you got an explosion of sounds, colors, and movement! Once you start typing in random paragraphs, it becomes almost hypnotic, in a way.
Drench a very simple browser game, Drench gives you a board with different colored tiles, and you use the buttons to flip the colors around. Do this until your board is full of tiles of a single color only.
River Styx an interactive point-and-click game that takes you through the river Styx and the Underworld. You will meet many Greek Gods and Goddesses here, and you will also be learning a lot about their myths and legends.
2048 this website lets you play a game called 2048, which is kinda like Tetris but with addition. Use your arrow keys to try to combine numbers until you reach 2048, or go ~beyond~ and try to reach 4096.
Little Alchemy 2 fun little time killer. As its name suggests, the website deals with the process of transformation you achieve when you start mixing different things. You start with Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. The goal is to create as many different materials or objects as possible. For example, earth and air will form dust. There are no rules just mix and match your creations to create new ones. You will not even know where your time went.
Akinator website is magic or rather feels like one. You can think of any character in this entire world and through a series of question, it will deduce the name. Don’t believe me, go try for yourself.
Find the Invisible Cow You’re going to want to make sure your sound is on in this fun finding game! Find the invisible cow in this laugh out loud version of hot and cold.
CookieClicker How fast can you click for cookies? Level up and become a cookie pro with this fun time-wasting website!
Knowledge
Zooniverse A really neat website that brings people together to create one of the largest platforms for people-powered research. Volunteers come together to assist professional researchers. There is no need for a specialised background or training; all you have to do is to answer simple questions.
Cool Hunting is a really cool publication platform that uncovers the latest in design, technology, style, travel, art and culture. If you are into art, architecture, and culture, then this website is perfect for you.
OCEARCH Shark Tracker This one looks right on the money for the folks who can’t get enough of sharks! With OCEARCH Shark Tracker, you can keep a track of tagged sharks as they are busy swimming around the deep ocean. Moreover, the website also lets you zoom in on a particular location to check where sharks have been swimming for the past year.
Ad Astra-app An essential tool for every astronomer. The star atlas and skyguide that makes it really easy to pick the best objects, make your own observation list and use it when you are outside
100,000 Stars is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen on the web. It shows a representation of galaxy with stars inside it. You can take a tour which starts from the Sun and takes you to the outer edges of the galaxy while teaching you valuable insights in between.
wikiHow is an online wiki-style publication featuring how-to articles on a variety of topics. For example: How to make ginger ale, How change a lock or How to survive an encounter with an ostrich.
Cooking
Cooking for Engineers is a godsend for those who love to cook. This website has it all, from recipes, to kitchen gear, to cooking tests, down to a handy dictionary. The best part about this website is its classic 90’s layout, which makes accessing the recipes and files intuitive and easier.
My Fridge Food at this point, your fridge probs has, like, three random items in it, and you're starting to panic about meal options. Enter My Fridge Food, which inputs everything you have in your kitchen and outputs a recipe. Bless.
Work, or relax
Da Font Tired of your basic Times New Roman? You can spend hours downloading new fonts from typography artists to spice up your new document!
A Soft Murmur If you’re looking to create your own ambient background music to listen to while you work or read, A Soft Murmur is the fun website for you! Create your own mix of white noise and other natural sounds to relax and waste some time.
Rainy Mood Get all the benefits of rain without getting caught in it with Rainy Mood! This is perfect for setting a relaxed and chilled out mood.
I Waste So Much Time The website is designed to literally allow you to waste your time. There are no long articles, just funny pictures with embedded texts. A very good time waster for short breaks.
This Is My Website Now The website truly kills your time. It is just a collection of small games which you can play on your browser. Effective for less than 10 minutes of usage, it’s good for a short break.
Instructables If you’ve always wanted to learn how to DIY but didn’t know where to start, try Instructables. They have community posts with step-by-step instructions to help you become a DIY master in no time.
OBS Open Broadcaster Software is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming. Stream to Twitch, YouTube and many other providers. only downside to it is that you have a power director watermark in the corner of your video, but its not very large.
Sleepytime is your sleeping schedule out of whack? This fun website calculates exactly when you need to go to sleep and wake up in order to get a good night’s sleep.
Boredom
MapCrunch Go on an adventure without leaving your home — because you can't! This site plops you down in a random location on the globe, and all that's left to do is explore.
List of Conspiracy Theories Get sucked down the dark rabbit hole of the internet that will have you denying history and wearing tinfoil hats. Wikipedia’s list of conspiracy theories will have you scrolling for ages!
This Person Does Not Exist If AI and deep-fakes fascinate you, this is a website that will either make you very excited, or give you nightmares about whether ‘The Matrix’ is real, and if you, at some point in your life, took the blue pill instead of the red one. Either way, the website generates fake people using GAN (or generative adversarial networks), and displays them to you. You can refresh the page to see a different face. Also, if this interests you, you might also like:
This Cat Does Not Exist. You know, because why stare at human faces when you can look at cats instead.
The Useless Web Want to see what the Internet truly has to offer? Take a peek at The Useless Web to see what truly is out there.
Not Always Right Had a bad day at work? Did that one annoying, pesky customer or client who just wouldn’t shut up tried to give you a hard time, and succeeded? Then this website is just perfect for you! It’s a collection of stories about customers who just don’t know when to shut up.
Zoom Quilt If you're looking to be hypnotized, then check out this site, which is basically a picture that infinitely zooms in to reveal new pictures.
Just for fun
Tickld is your go-to spot for anything humorous and funny, for anything that’s really cool and interesting, or stuff that’s just plain WTF.
Paper Toilet Just because stores are sold out of toilet paper doesn't mean you have to live without. This site features some interactive TP that you can roll up or down.
The Passive-Aggressive Password Machine Type a password (real or fake) into this site and it'll shade you for how much it sucks.
CoolThings is a collection of cool things. From entertainment, to gadgets, to even toys and inventions, there is bound to be something here that will interest you.
This Is Why I Am Broke This is a great website for discovering new gift ideas which are distinct. The products range from a few dollars to a few thousand. There’s something for everyone here.
PostSecret is a very interesting website. Visitors are encouraged to send in anonymous postcards on which they write their secrets. There are all sorts of secrets on all kinds of postcards, and the variations make this a really interesting project. However, be warned – these secrets are very real… and very heavy.
NOIYS – Post, read, forget is a place to post an anonymous note to be viewed by many people, only to be deleted within 24 hours. It’s the perfect website for venting anonymously and not worry about the consequences, as it will be deleted within a day. The best part (or maybe worst) is that strangers can reply to your note, too. That way, you can have a running conversation with a complete stranger.
Scream Into the Void Take your outrage about our current situation (or any problem in your life) and throw it into the void. Just type out your feels and then click the "Scream" button, which does exactly what you think it does.
And lastly...
Dildo Generator Welcome, good citizens of the web, to my favorite site of all time. It's right in the name: You can generate a custom dildo by length, width, base, contours, and so many more variables. Things get wild pretty fast.
Eyebleach Did you see something on the internet that was just too scary? Or just need to get it out of your head? Click on Eyebleach to be fed adorable pictures of puppies, kitties, or babies!
Earlier post
Adding Boil the Frog to the musics list
Radiogarden is Amaaaaazing
Ladies, use your discretion!
My most recent post generated mixed reviews. Some loved it some loathed it. Whichever category you fall into my advice is for you to use your discretion.
Here are some questions to to ask yourself when scrolling on social media
Why does this appeal to me?
Why does it trigger me?
Are these facts or opinions?
Why did the author put a caveat?
Who could be the intended audience?
It is appalling to me that people will take opinions based on the books personal experiences or observation and simply criticize it because it does it not appeal to them. Are you the only person on the internet? Why do you take yourself so seriously? Why should everything on the internet fit your sentiments?
It is fair to express your opinions, but what is your argument? What is your main point? You simply can't say "this is barbaric!" add more depth to it. You could say "the post seems to dismiss the importance of friendship" doesn't that sound more educated and more conversational?
I also expected that if you have used the internet for a while you should know that you only take what you need and leave the rest. No one is an authority on here especially if they are not writing in the capacity of their profession.
If you loved the post, love it with discernment. You may not apply all the advice I write here to your life because you know yourself best.
Do not put me on a pedestal. I am not your coach, doctor, lawyer, pastor so I do not owe you an obligation neither do you owe. I am simply a girl who just shares her thoughts based on her observations. Read my posts with discretion!!!
Thinking Fast & Slow
Understanding System 1 and System 2 Thinking.
In Daniel Kahneman's seminal work, "Thinking, Fast and Slow," he introduces the concept of two systems of thought: System 1 and System 2. These systems operate in different ways, shaping our decisions, behaviors, and habits.
System 1: The Fast Thinker
System 1 is our intuitive, automatic, and quick mode of thinking. It operates with little or no effort . This system is responsible for our immediate reactions and gut feelings.
Characteristics of System 1:
Automatic and Quick: Requires minimal effort.
Emotional: Driven by emotions and immediate impressions.
Unconscious: Operates without conscious awareness.
Fast: Reacts instantly to stimuli.
Examples of System 1 Behaviors:
Binge Eating: Grabbing a bag of chips and consuming it mindlessly while watching TV.
Impulsive Shopping: Buying items on impulse because they are on sale or displayed attractively.
Driving on a Familiar Route: Navigating through known streets without consciously thinking about each turn.
Reacting to a Sudden Noise: Jumping in response to a loud sound.
System 2: The Slow Thinker
System 2 is our analytical, deliberate, and effortful mode of thinking. This system is responsible for making more deliberate choices and reflecting on complex issues.
Characteristics of System 2:
Effortful and Deliberate: Requires mental effort and attention.
Rational: Driven by logic and reasoning.
Conscious: Operates with full awareness.
Slow: Takes time to process information.
Examples of System 2 Behaviors:
Intentional Eating: Planning meals ahead of time to ensure a balanced diet.
Careful Budgeting: Analyzing finances and creating a budget to manage spending.
Learning a New Skill: Dedicating time and effort to practice and improve.
Solving Complex Problems: Taking time to think through a difficult work-related issue or a puzzle.
How System 1 and System 2 Affect Our Habits
Our habits are largely influenced by the interplay between these two systems. System 1 often governs habits formed through repeated behaviors and routines, while System 2 comes into play when we try to change or form new, deliberate habits.
System 1 Habits:
Unhealthy Eating: Reaching for comfort food when stressed, driven by emotional responses.
Procrastination: Putting off tasks in favor of immediate, less demanding activities.
Mindless Browsing: Scrolling through social media without a specific purpose.
System 2 Habits:
Regular Exercise: Planning and adhering to a workout schedule.
Mindful Meditation: Setting aside time for mindfulness practices.
Continuous Learning: Reading books or taking courses to gain new knowledge and skills.
Practical Applications
I have realized that for me to form a new habit, I have to constantly fight against System 1 behavior (checking my phone first thing in the morning, impulsive eating etc). By fighting against it, I mean reminding myself of my intentions, taking time to ask myself why I really need another brownie. It is difficult at first but understanding the differences between System 1 and System 2 can help us make better decisions and develop healthier habits. For example, recognizing that binge eating is a System 1 behavior can lead us to implement System 2 strategies, such as meal planning and mindful eating, to counteract it.
Tips to Engage System 2:
Pause and Reflect: Before making decisions, take a moment to consider the consequences.
Create Routines: Establish structured routines that require conscious effort initially but can eventually become automatic.
Set Clear Goals: Define specific, achievable goals to guide deliberate actions.
Practice Self-Control: Develop self-discipline through regular practice and reinforcement.
By harnessing the power of System 2 thinking, we can override the automatic responses of System 1, leading to more intentional and beneficial habits.
I love that your journey is different from mine. I love that we aren’t all on the same route, even if the desired destination is the same.
I think you should love that too. I think it might just change your whole perspective. It might change the way we can love our own life and genuinely support others’ life.
Who cares when you get married. Or if you never do. Who cares when you decided you were ready to have kids. Or if you never decide to/don’t desire to have them. Who cares when you started college. And how long it took you to finish your degree. And who cares if you never go to college. Who cares if you leave a job after two days, or ten years. Who cares if you make a major career change after making a living off it for years.
I care that you’re figuring out what you truly want from this life. I care about you. That’s all anyone should care about. And we should mute the voice of anyone who holds a different kind of care. You’re awesome as yourself, and in whatever that looks like.
I love that you’re you. I hope you do too.
I wish we could see a person’s mind first
How to answer tough interview questions.
Subscribing to the Harvard Business Review was one of the best decisions I made. I have learned so much about career development, personal branding, and job crafting. This article summarizes some of the questions you will get asked in a behavioral interview (courtesy of HBR) and I have included my responses to all of them. Assume I am seeking a HR role in a Fortune 500 company
Tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?
How did you hear about this position?
What type of work environment do you prefer?
How do you deal with pressure or a stressful situation?
Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
How do you keep yourself organized when balancing multiple projects?
What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?
Tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?
I grew up in small country in West Africa. I went to a great school through scholarship with the condition that I would pay it forward to the younger generation. So, after high-school I spent two years teaching math to elementary school kids. It was there I discovered my interest of people development. I enjoyed taking a kid from "I don't like math to can I get more homework? When I moved to the U.S for college I chose to study Psychology with a minor in Organizational Development. And my internship as a Human Capital Manager has allowed me to further develop my communication and leadership skills.
How did you hear about this position?
I learned about this position through Stacy Williams. She was one of the panelists on the fireside chat I convened in my school on the importance of women in leadership positions. I followed up with her through a coffee chat. She really enjoyed her job and the company culture. Her enthusiasm about her work encouraged me to apply and I am really excited to be going through the interview process.
What type of work environment do you prefer?
I thrive in environments where I am constantly learning. A place where each days brings a fresh set of challenges that I can solve. I also like working with teams where we can collaborate on tasks and brainstorm solution-oriented ideas. In my former internship I worked with an incredible team as a project manager in the human resources division and I worked on certain projects where I had full creative control on the outcome. I enjoyed the balance of both.
How do you deal with pressure or a stressful situation?
Stressful situations are inevitable and I learned to navigate them successful throughout my college career and my various internships. The first time I came across a stressful situation was in my Sophomore year. I worked as a customer service representative at a big department store and it was holiday season. You can imagine the amount of pressure - long lines of customers all waiting to get attended too. Instead of succumbing to the pressure I made sure to really understand the pain point of each customer which were long wait times and stock outs. If we were out of one brand of sparkling water, I would quickly recommend a different brand. If lines were long, I would go to the floor to help the bagging process. Customers left feeling satisfied with their shopping experience. Overtime, I have realized that the key to dealing with pressure is willingly choosing to complete the tasks with a positive mindset instead of worrying.
Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
I like a mix of both. I enjoy working on a team. The process of strategizing with my teammates on the best way to approach a problem allows for critical analysis and diverse points of view. Wh I also build camaraderie and trust with them while we tackle big problems. I enjoy working alone as well because I get to see how I approach different problems and compare my current performance to my previous ones. Working alone also gives me an opportunity to get feedback from my managers on my progress or areas of improvement. I like a balance of both.
How do you keep yourself organized when balancing multiple projects?
I am used to working on multiple projects. A typical semester for me is juggling between my classes, weekend job, extracurricular activities, and passion projects. So to stay on top of my deadlines and due dates I like to prioritize my tasks based on their level of urgency and importance. I use the time blocking method to schedule time for my projects. I take advantage of tools like Google calendar to keep track of due dates and appointments and Notion to manage big projects.
What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?
Last summer, I took some time off to really learn about veganism. It seemed intimidating at first because I did not know enough. So I turned to research to understand the facts. I began making home-cooked meals by following recipes from people I trusted and liked on YouTube. As I began noticing changes in my gut health and productivity levels, I started a blog to share my experiences. Now my blog has over 500 enthusiastic vegans who are on the same journey as I am. it was one of the best investment I made in myself.
The Big Pivot
The Joy of Knowledge
A guide to the Joy of knowledge
Books
You are standing on your acres of diamond
How to stop worrying and start winning
The 80/20 Principle
Psychology
Halo effect
Maslow's Hierarchy
Ideal Self vs. Actual Self
Self development
Writing therapy
20s: the defining decade
Being a late bloomer
What is passion?
Ted talks for the soul
A guide to being an all rounder
Power of positive self talk
Lessons from failure
In your 20s
Productivity
Using an alarm system as a productivity tool
Reading
10 Books that will make you smarter