Silencio Bruno

My biggest problem with academia that I can't afford to be less than "perfect" as a woman, first gen and/or foreign student. I'm expected to be a "genius" to come up with a project out of nowhere and finish that in two years, publish a Nature or Science paper whereas my other colleagues can work in their own pace, spend seven years in one project but still don't get pressured to graduate.

Please don't grow dissociated from your body. Remember to show it some love. Put on body lotions, exercise or stretch, dance or move the way you like it. Feel your own skin too. Don't be scared to touch and caress yourself, and feel the warmth that spreads from around your chest/heart area. Your body is literally carrying you through your healing journey everyday, and working with you to make it better, and keeping you grounded. Show love to it as well. Love your whole self.

You’re responsible for your own development. You don’t have to wait until others forgive or validate you. You don’t have to hold yourself to an impossible standard to ‘prove’ that you’re a better person. All you have to do is decide that you are and back that up with actions, because what truly makes you a good person is the fact that you care about being one. Not others telling you that you are.

perfectionism is tempting because it leads you to believe that you’ll be happy if you just try a little bit harder. and a little bit harder. but ultimately, you just get unmotivated & tired by demanding more and more of yourself, so you don’t see the point in doing anything because it’ll never be “perfect.” but done, done is always better than perfect. “failing” is always better than being stuck in a cycle of procrastination and guilt!