lionheart

serena’s self improvement journey

ive been on a glow up journey for as long as i can remember, so ive collected plenty of tips, advice, and wisdom that im here to share !

but only you can build the dream life you want, simply knowing what you need to do is not enough. hence why i’m still on this journey.

How can you find a new style while staying true to yourself?

#1

what you like vs who you are

as someone who loves so many different styles, i often find it hard to stick to just one. 2000's autumn, dark academia, Kiiikiii inspired 2000s, cortis inspired streetwear, its so hard to choose!

But liking something doesn't necessarily mean that's who you are. and you don't have to restrict yourself to one style, nor replicate a specific person exactly. to find yourself, you take bits and pieces of the different things you like and put it all together in a way that looks and feels good to you- that's authenticity.

#2

fashion designers

of course pinterest and tumblr are the go-to for this, but don't forget about actual fashion designers!

finding specific designers is a bit difficult, but recently i've been coming across them through different artists and musicians who's style i enjoy. Either I look for who inspires them, or i search for the designers who pioneered the style they take after.

firstVIEW is a great website to find high-fashion photos from streetstyle to runway shows!

#3

color palette

choosing an array of colors that compliment each other and looking out for them when getting clothes, accessories, or room decor, will immediately elevate your style. also notice colors that clash with the ones you like: if you want to go all black and white -like acubi style for example- a bright red will stick out and take away from the coherence of all black and white.

Complete guide to succeeding in college~

Step one: find your why.

sit down with your journal or notes app, and spill your soul onto the paper. Why are you going to college? What do you want for your future? Why? Who do you want to be? Why? Keep asking, keep digging deeper.

research the steps to your dream job, its okay if you’re not exactly sure, but give yourself something to work towards.

schedule your classes and extracurricular activities to align with your dream future.

For example: i want to become a surgeon. So I’ve made a complete college plan that includes the courses required for my major and for medical school, as well as when i am going to volunteer, shadow, work, scribe, and take the mcat.

Step two: find your vibes.

From your color scheme to your mindset, customize your avatar. Scroll through Pinterest and tumblr for as long as it takes to make a mood board that fully embodies who you want to be.

Consider how you want your room to look, your makeup, your clothes and accessories, but also how you speak and the type of people you want to invite into your life.

Step three: Be the girl who over-organizes and over-prepares

Find the syllabus for each class and put in all your assignments, due dates, breaks/holidays, and professor contact information.

I personally use:

Google Calendar: exam dates, class schedule, personal schedules and events

Notion: big assignment tracker, professor info, entire plan for college, vision board

YPT: recording study time, analyzing your study habits, calendar that syncs with google, to do lists

My notion board:

Decide how and where you are going to take notes and do your practice questions. Computer, paper, or iPad? Which apps? What structure?

Personally, as a premed student, i use an iPad and the app Kilonotes, as i get to hand write with a stylus (helps you remember the information better than typing) but the notes are stored digitally- all in one place.

I wish everyone the best luck for this new school year/ semester ! Hope we all find our people, finds ourselves, and have fun !

the magic of new beginnings.

a new school year, a new stage in life, a new environment- it might be daunting, but it’s also a chance. a chance to become someone you’ve always wanted to be.

let the past seep out of you and take a fresh breath, you’ll never be this young again, so make the most of it.

but- a new environment alone will not fix all your problems. in the words of the philosopher Seneca:

“You need a change of soul rather than a change of climate”

“You must lay aside the burdens of the mind; until you do this, no place will satisfy you.”

so don’t just wait for this new stage in your life to change you- put in the work to become the person you want to be.