#mindymusings

how to make the most of college when you hate the campus

hi love, okay first off, i just want to say it is totally valid to feel stuck and frustrated when you're in a place that doesn't feel like home, especially with college being such a HUGEEE part of life. but since you've got just one year left, i completely understand.

college doesn't have to be the perfect "find your people and best years of your life" montage, most of the times it's just a place you pass through. and that's okay. one year left isn't a sentence!!!

just think of this last year less like "college life" and more like a residency program for your future self. you're literally there to build, father and QUIETLY leave stronger than you arrived.

✦ focus on what you can control. you might not love the school or the people, but you CANNNN control how you spend your time and energy. find classes, clubs or projects that actually interest you.

✦ just note in your head: YOU ARE NOT THERE FOR COMMUNITY! you're there for leverage. classes professors, libraries, career services, education, internships, alumni networks etc. these are all TOOLS! use the institution without emotionally/socially investing in it. i hope that makes sense.

✦ if the existing social scene is NOT your vibe, i recommend just trying to connect with the people OUTSIDE your immediate circle. online groups, study buddies, OR even people from different departments!

✦ STOP MAKING THE CAMPUS YOUR WORLD!!! it's super important to create a life that exists beside school. like routines at cafes OFF campus. a gym, park, or walking route, online communities related to your interests or field. a personal project that has NOTHING to do with grades.

✦ since you can't transfer, use this time to reflect and plan. just think about what you want after college and use this year to build a roadmap for your next steps.

✦ GOOD TIPS: find one professor who respects you, one class you ACTUALLY engage with, one quiet place that feels neutral or safe, and one habit that structure your week.

✦ when you don't fit somewhere, the instinct is to resist or take it personally. just observe people, observe dynamics, observe how institutions function. just observe.

✦ a year is plenty of time to shift trajectory, if you focus outward. think of things like: internships, portfolio building, informational interviews, skill certifications, writing, research, or creative work tied to what you want after graduation.

you don't have to bloom where you're planted!!!!! finishing something you didn't love without letting it shrink you is a HUGGEEEE strength!

i hope this helps you <3

girlblogger tips

hiii angel!! omg, that's so sweet of you! thank you so much! i’m really glad you’re here ♡ and yes, i definitely have tips.

i think girlblogging is a very amazing hobby, and you don't have to just limit yourself on tumblr. pinterest, substack and even your OWN blog like using wordpress or squarespace is girlblogging too.

okay so i feel like a lot of people ask me this question. which is gooD! but i feel like girls get stuck thinking they need a perfect theme. YOU DON't. i have changed my theme MULTIPLE times within like two years. so, don't think you need to limit yourself into a small box. MAKE UP YOUR OWN THEME TOO! not just the popular girlblogger themes.

also, a little note: i am NOT consistent with my theme lol. my theme right now is all over the place and i'm working on rebranding it right now. it's supposed to be a princesscore theme... but it's kind of chaotic right now lol!

your vibe comes from:

what you reblog consistently

the colors you gravitate toward

the mood you express

the little pieces of your life you share

basically, your blog becomes aesthetic because it’s authentic, not the other way around.

okay one thing i learned about blogging, especially for girls and on tumblr. POST LIKE YOU'RE TALKING TO A FRIEND!!! the best girl blogs feel personal. you do NOT need long essays. it can be a thought you had in the shower, random things you like. something you're obsessed with right now. relatable things all girls go through at some point that YOU actually relate to. girls connect with honesty more than anything. that's why here and there i sprinkle in personal essays and posts alongside my guides. like i made a post in october last year about my depression and liking a boy at my work. think of your blog as your LITERAL DIARY! but not too personal please! your safety matter more than relatability!! curate what you wanna share or not. DO NOT OVERSHARE. THIS IS SOCIAL MEDIA, REMEMBER!

you reblogs matter just as much as your posts.

reblog things that make you feel something

keep your tags tidy or cute (i FAIL AT THIS MISERABLY! LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES!)

add little comments sometimes

okay for glowing up, i assume you're talking about real life. just KNOW GLOW UP IS NOT JUST LOOKS! it's your actual habits, mindset and how you overall treat yourself.

drink water like it's your job

go on walks

clean you space everyday

wear things that make you pretty

invest in yourself everyday even if you don't feel up to it

unfollow people who drain you

find hobbies

leave the people who hurt you alone

also, engaging with other girlbloggers is my FAVORITE HOBBY!!! like and reblog other blogs, answer asks. send cute, genuine messages. join girl-coded communities (i have my own with fifteen-thousand members called girlblogger society, feel free to join if you're not already in it now.)

the more you interact, the more your blog becomes part of the ecosystem. and PLEASE LET YOUR BLOG EVOLVE!!

i hope this helps if you ever want help with your theme, your vibe, or even your first posts, just send me another ask. i love helping girls build their little corners of the internet ♡ tysm for this ask btw, you are so sweet <3

YESSS GIRL YOUR SO ARIA MONTGOMERY 2000s PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, MAIN CHARACTER AUTUmNAL ANGEL BAbyDOLLL!!

tysm for sharing this with me, my love! i really need to go thrifting lol! (I FOUND THIS PERFECT ELENA GILBERT PINK TOP LAST MONTH THOUGH! I BOUUGHT IT DON'T WORRY!)

idk if you’ve covered this topic before, but if you haven’t, how do you deal with academic burn out or what helps you get out of burn out episodes?

lots of love!!

faustina 🌷

୨♡୧ how to deal with academic burnout | guide by mindy ୨♡୧

hiiiii faustina ♡ @milkoomi

thank you for your sweet message, angel! i'm so touched that you've been enjoying my content. i absolutely love the content you've been posting!!!! your question about academic burnout is so important, and i want to share my personal experience and tips that have helped me through those challenging times. this post will be a bit lengthy, since it's an important topic and i want to give you the best answer to your question possible!! <333 thank you so much for asking this faustina, hopefully this post can help you!

⋆｡°✩ understanding academic burnout ⋆｡°✩

first, let's acknowledge that burnout is completely normal and valid. it's your mind and body telling you that something needs to change. i've been there multiple times, especially during exam seasons, and i've learned that recognizing the signs early is crucial.

signs i've noticed in my journey:

↳ feeling disconnected from your studies ↳ overwhelming exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix ↳ losing interest in subjects you usually love ↳ difficulty concentrating on simple tasks ↳ emotional sensitivity about academics ↳ physical symptoms like headaches or tension

⋆｡°✩ immediate steps for relief ⋆｡°✩

when i feel burnout creeping in, these are my go-to immediate actions:

gentle reset ritual: ↳ close all study materials (put everything away, close tabs) ↳ make a cup of chamomile tea (or any tea) ↳ step outside for fresh air (even just 5 minutes) ↳ put on soft instrumental music or a calm playlist ↳ light a lavender candle

physical reset: ↳ take a warm shower ↳ change into cozy clothes ↳ do light stretches ↳ practice deep breathing ↳ give yourself a facial massage

⋆｡°✩ long-term healing strategies ⋆｡°✩

here's my detailed approach to recovering from burnout:

schedule reformation: ↳ implement a "sunset time" for studying ↳ create designated rest days ↳ break study sessions into 25-minute chunks ↳ schedule joy breaks between subjects ↳ use time blocking instead of to-do lists

environment refresh: ↳ rearrange your study space ↳ declutter desk and materials ↳ bring in plants or fresh flowers ↳ change your study location occasionally ↳ create a cozy corner for breaks

mindset shifts: ↳ replace "i must" with "i choose to" ↳ celebrate small progress ↳ practice self-compassion ↳ set realistic expectations ↳ remember grades don't define worth

⋆｡°✩ my secret recovery techniques ⋆｡°✩

these are some personal methods i've developed:

the "joy subject" method: ↳ study one subject you genuinely enjoy ↳ approach it with curiosity, not pressure ↳ use creative study methods ↳ connect it to your personal interests ↳ share what you learn with others

the "aesthetic reset": ↳ create a new study playlist ↳ buy one special stationery item ↳ write notes in a different style ↳ change your study spot aesthetics ↳ start a fresh notebook

the "gentle productivity" approach: ↳ focus on learning, not achieving ↳ use the "just 5 minutes" rule ↳ incorporate movement between tasks ↳ practice mindful studying ↳ reward small accomplishments

⋆｡°✩ preventive measures ⋆｡°✩

to prevent future burnout:

daily practices: ↳ morning journaling ↳ evening reflection ↳ regular movement breaks ↳ nature connection time ↳ social connection

weekly rituals: ↳ sunday planning sessions ↳ midweek check-ins ↳ study-free evenings ↳ creative hobby time ↳ self-care dates

schedule reformation (detailed breakdown):

implement a "sunset time" for studying: create a strict cut-off time for academic work, ideally 2-3 hours before bed. i personally stop at 7:30pm, allowing my mind to fully disconnect. this creates a gentle boundary between study time and rest time, helping your brain develop a natural rhythm.

designated rest days: choose specific days (i recommend wednesdays and sundays) where studying is completely off-limits. use these days for hobby exploration, friend dates, or simply existing without academic pressure. treat these as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.

25-minute study chunks: this isn't just regular pomodoro - i recommend theming each chunk (like "active recall," "concept mapping," or "question creation") and using different colored lights or scents for each theme. this helps your brain compartmentalize different types of learning.

joy breaks between subjects: schedule 10-15 minute "joy snippets" between different subjects. during these breaks, do something that brings pure happiness - dance to one song, water your plants, draw a tiny doodle, or write one page in your journal. these act as palate cleansers for your brain.

time blocking vs. to-do lists: instead of overwhelming lists, create time "containers" for different activities. color-code these blocks and leave intentional buffer zones between them. i use a special system: pink blocks for challenging subjects, blue for review, and lavender for creative work. i recommend using notion calendar or google calendar if you prefer digital planning.

environment refresh (expanded guide):

rearrange study space: shift your desk position according to natural light patterns. create different zones for different activities - a reading nook, a writing station, and a review corner. this helps your brain associate specific spaces with specific tasks.

declutter with intention: sort materials by energy level required - keep high-energy tasks at eye level, calming activities in lower drawers. use the "touch it once" rule: every item should have a designated home. implement a "one in, one out" policy for study materials.

living elements: choose plants that purify air (like snake plants or peace lilies). position them at your periphery vision points. bonus tip: name your plants and talk to them about what you're studying - it sounds silly but it helps with information retention!

location rotation: map out 5-7 different study spots with different energy levels. libraries for deep focus, cafes for light review, parks for creative thinking. rotate through them based on your energy levels and study needs. this is so fun!!! i imagine i live in stars hollow when i do this <333

cozy corner creation: design a specific "burnout recovery station" with comfort items: soft blankets, inspiration cards, comfort snacks, and a gratitude journal. this becomes your safe space when overwhelm hits.

mindset shifts (detailed approach):

language transformation: create a personal dictionary replacing pressure words with gentle alternatives. instead of "deadline" use "timeline," instead of "must complete" use "choose to explore." keep this list visible during study sessions.

progress celebration ritual: end each study session by writing one small win on a pretty note card. collect these in a "victory jar." when burnout hits, reading through these becomes a powerful reminder of your capability.

self-compassion practice: develop a "study self-care menu" with different options for different situations. categorize them by time needed: 5-minute resets, 15-minute refreshers, and 30-minute renewals. include both active and passive options.

expectation recalibration: use the "reality check journal" method - write down your expectations, then create three different versions: ideal scenario, acceptable outcome, and minimum viable progress. this helps break perfectionist patterns.

grade perspective shift: create a "whole life pie chart" showing all aspects of your identity beyond academics. update this monthly to maintain perspective. keep it visible during study sessions as a reminder of your multi-faceted existence.

⋆｡°✩ advanced burnout prevention toolkit ⋆｡°✩

emotional regulation techniques: ↳ create a "feelings first" check-in system ↳ develop personal stress signals recognition ↳ implement energy tracking methods ↳ practice boundary setting scripts ↳ maintain an academic emotion diary

physical wellbeing integration: ↳ design movement + snack breaks between studies ↳ create subject-specific stretching routines ↳ implement desk yoga sequences ↳ practice eye strain prevention exercises ↳ develop study-friendly hydration systems

social support cultivation: ↳ build a study buddy network ↳ create accountability partnerships ↳ schedule regular check-in calls ↳ join study-focused communities ↳ develop support circle protocols

academic burnout isn't a reflection of your capabilities or worth. it's simply a sign that you need to adjust your approach and care for yourself differently. take these suggestions slowly, implementing what feels right for you.

sending you the gentlest hugs and healing energy. remember that this phase will pass, and you'll emerge stronger and wiser. feel free to message me anytime if you need more specific advice or just want to talk.

with warmth and care, mindy ♡

hey love, this is such an amazing question, and genuinely, thank you for trusting me with it. tumblr has been doing the exact same thing to me lately, no matter how many followers I have. it’s never really about numbers here the algorithm is selective, unpredictable, and honestly a little feral. I never know which piece I poured my whole soul into will actually get the attention it deserves in the moment.

you’ve probably noticed I’ve been pouring a lot more energy into substack. I went from around 38 subscribers to 140 in just a few months, which still feels surreal. I made my substack about a year ago (give or take), and I’m so grateful I found that platform. it has this intellectual, analog, tight‑knit community vibe that’s so rare on the internet now.

substack is genuinely beautiful to me, the fact that it’s essentially free, the lack of posting limits, the freedom to write as much as you want, the clean interface, the way the editor itself inspires you to create. I’m literally working on three articles at once right now because the ideas just keep coming. I haven’t felt this creatively alive since I was a kid. writing “how to build a rich inner world pt. 1” finally let me share a metaphor I’ve carried since childhood, and being able to offer that to others is the whole point of why I write.

so, should you transition to substack? absolutely... but don’t abandon tumblr yet. I cross‑post my substack pieces here, and it genuinely helps with visibility and engagement. one thing to know, though: substack is slow. painfully slow at times. you can post the highest‑quality piece ever and get five interactions because the algorithm is niche and community‑driven. you have to build your circle first before expecting traction. it’s not the place to go if you want instant relevance, it’s the place to go if you want depth, longevity, and readers who actually care.

I’ve been thinking about starting a little series here: a full guide to navigating substack and building a community from scratch. I also want to revive my girlblogger series on tumblr, I made posts about it years ago but never fully executed the vision.

if you’re curious about substack, make an account and just start posting what you want to post. don’t stress about branding or niche right away. explore the platform, read other people’s work (there’s so much gold on there), and let yourself be inspired by the range of voices.

and please remember: there will be times when your work doesn’t get the attention it deserves. every creator goes through that. the only solution is to keep going. consistency builds community. start with content you would want to read, and once you’ve gathered your people, you can slowly refine your niche.

if you ever want more personalized advice, my dms are always open.

xoxo mindy

hey angel ♡ i promise i haven’t disappeared, i’ve just been pouring so much of my energy into substack lately. things have been moving really fast over there, i’m almost at 1,000 subscribers now, which still feels unreal!! and i finally turned on paid subscriptions for my newsletter, so i’ve been really focused on building that space and taking care of everyone who reads me there.

but i never forget tumblr. this place is still home to me, and i always come back. thank you for checking in, seriously. it means a lot. i’m okay, just creating, growing, and trying to keep up with everything. i love you for noticing my little m.i.a. moment ♡

lmfao DW THIS ISNT YET ANOTHER POST REQUEST LMFAO

i js wanted to let u know my love that i had such a good day today and its honestly bc of uu!!!

lemme explain, i was writing a lot of ur posts during the weekend and remembering a lot of the stuff u mentioned, made me wanna change a lot of the things i was abt to do!

like instead of scrolling on my phone, i was reading a book. instead of not paying attention in class, i asked lots of questions and understood what was being said. and when a lot of people put me down (yes i get bullied for being queer in the big 26) i thought about a lot of the self love blogs i wrote down and gave myself confidence. i also studied a lot more efficiently like using pomodoro to now burnout and planning a lot of things! and when i opened tumblr feeling a beaten up, i saw that u liked my comment and said u loved me back and i was SOOO HAPPY OMLLL!!

ilysm mindy and youve made me so positive and productive today, and i seriously wanna give u my whole heart and u deserve the world! ur life must be pretty hard as u keep up with uni and posting so i hope ur feeling okay and make sure to rest well (help i sound like a mother EMILY SHUT UP)

but yeah have the best week ever ml!!

mwah mwah kiss kiss,

emily (ur #1 fan always supporting you!!)

this whole message was so 'ur doing amazing sweetie!' iykyk

emily 🥺🤍 this made my whole day, truly.

so sorry, i just seen this message in my inbox. i’m so proud of you for all those little choices you made, reading instead of scrolling, showing up in class, protecting your heart when people try to put you down. that takes real strength. and i hate that you’re being bullied for being queer… please know there is nothing wrong with you. the world just hasn’t caught up yet. (being queer is a gift, it's so beautiful. all you want it to do is spread love. there's NOTHING wrong with that at all.)

the fact that you remembered things from my posts and used them for yourself means more than i can explain. that’s you taking care of yourself, and that’s beautiful. i’m so glad my like/comment made you smile too!!!! that made me really happy 🥹

thank you for being so kind and thoughtful toward me as well. messages like this genuinely keep me going. i’m sending you the biggest hug and so much love. you’re doing amazing, sweetie 🤍

guess what?? i just switched my insta account from a professional one to a personal one and i feel soooo free.

for context: i started a local art studio (i host cute little art classes..well i hope i can LOL) in my area (ahhh) i was so excited and nervous (still am) and so i set up an insta account. i think i let impatience and fear get in the way of ...well..being patient lol. i ended up switching to a professional account and suddenly paying for sooo many ads. it ended up stunting my reach (i know i cant prove it entirely, but i think when i switched to a professional account insta wanted me to pay for ads, i hear at times they stop showing your content to your actual followers, it just became ten times harder...).

it's been 3+ months and i have not had ONE SINGLE booking. i love the aesthetic and the grid i'm building, butttt i've been stressed and anxiety ridden, spending all this money for views and no sales. i was playing into this useless metrics game. it was affecting me mentally but also, i don't enjoy posting anymore!! all i do is think and think and so every post feels stressful. i want to have fuuuun again.

so i went back to personal idccc and now i feel like a weight is off my shoulders, like i can start again. i'm still very scared, and maybe i didn't make the right move. maybe i still won't get orders. but, i want to have fun posting instead of worrying and worrying about sales. i've tried the other way, now i'll try it this way—having fun chatting about my art, the studio, and actually trying to build community.

all of this to say—do you have any advice for me??? any tips and tricks? i want to keep feeling free while also gaining followers that care and want to invest in my studio offerings. what do you think mindy?? ahhh idkkkk. but i'm heree and i'm kinda liking how it feels LOL.

<33333

THANK YOU so much for reaching out and explaining this, i had fun reading it!

i really think you made the right choice, right off the bat, i am saying YES! i am so proud of you for switching back. you don't even realize how huge that is. most people stay stuck in the “I must be professional and optimized and strategic 24/7” spiral until they burn out so hard they start hating the thing they originally loved. you caught yourself before that cliff. that’s growth. that’s intuition. that’s you choosing yourself over the algorithm.

instagram pushed the performance of professionalism to small creators and businesses, so it only makes sense that you fell into it and switched. instagram is telling you "oh cool, you're a business now. pay me."

every post becomes a gamble, a metric, and then every idea becomes a "should i?" instead of a "i want to."

i don't know what's going on with the world, but it's trying to take human creativity away. ai, ai art and music, instagram and social media in general taking away creativity from people and suggesting "virality" instead. that's all. no creativity, no community-building, no art. just a pastel ui and capitalism.

you pivoting is what real artists do! personal accounts DOOO feel lighter, people connect with PEOPLE more than brands. that's something i had to consider with my personal brand as glowettee, to be myself more than a robot who's overly professional.

✧ document! post messy middle, behind-the-scenes, YOUR pov. think of yourself as a girl with a dream and art as her passion NOTTT a corporation!

✧ use your own voice, warm, excited, ALWAYS be a little chaotic, and VERY VERY REAL! i promise you this is what people fall in love with.

✧ show your face sometimes, depending on what you're comfortable with. my brand is faceless but i plan to show my face in the near future. remember this is not for every post, but since you are a small business and plan for people to book, even a little "oh hi, i'm the girl behind this studio" every few weeks can really help!

✧ make your page feel like a place, NOOOTT A PRODUCT!!! post -> your art, space, tools, inspo, process, thoughts, community moments

✧ please always engage like a human, don't act like a marketer. comment on local creators' posts, follow other small businesses in your area, reply to comments and stories etc

✧ this is a good tip: make booking feel easy. have one clear link (like a link in bio or website) one clear call to action, you can alter it every few posts

✧ local businesses grow differently. don't think of trying to go viral, just try to focus on the goal of becoming known and building an active community. it always takes time, i promise, but just keep going!

and finally... you didn't ruin anything, switching back to personal was ALIGNMENT. you're starting right not over. focus on building something sustainable, something joyful, something that feels like YOUUU!!! and that's the kind of energy people actually WANT to be around.

just know directly from me: you WILL get bookings, you WILL find your people, you WILL create a little art world that feels like home!

i'm always cheering for you!!! and if you ever want any extra tips just dm me here or instagram or substack or tiktok (all @glowettee)