#productivityhacks

2024 was such a blur for me, and I feel like I wasn’t really taking in the present moments as much as I should have. I don’t want to repeat the same thing in 2025, here’s a little few ways i’m implementing living slower in 2025. 

SHOWER MEDITATIONS. Each time I’m in the shower, I just focus on rinsing, soap, rinsing then I get out. While its a small thing to consider, as someone who has a lot of thoughts especially during school mornings, it's a nice way to ground yourself. 

If you’d like you can start off with a little prayer, thanking him for access to clean water and a bathroom. Let the water take all the struggles and stresses you have down the drain, use soap to renew yourself of yesterday for the new day and focus on how the water feels on your skin. Then, you can end it off with a prayer as well. 

TAKE THE TIME TO BE IN THE SUN OR NATURE. Perhaps you can read a book, listen to a playlist or just soak that time spent in nature. It's completely up to you, but I wouldn’t do anything that's too distracting like studying or scrolling. 

SAY THANK YOU, FOR NO ONE. Each time you get to sleep in your bed, say thank you. Each time you eat a meal, say thank you. Each time you get to have access to water, say thank you. There are a lot more opportunities to say thanks, but it just allows for daily appreciation of things that we do without thinking. 

UNATTACH YOUR PHONE FROM TASKS. Certain tasks, you do not need your phone. For example, cooking. When you cook and perhaps you’re waiting for something to boil, wash some dishes instead of opening instagram. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be a task, when you’re in a car, don’t look at your phone, look outside at the window and observe the people or the cars you see. 

NO SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE MORNING OR EVENING. Social media is meant for quick consumption, but because it's so quick, we underestimate the time that we spend on it. Only 10 minutes can easily turn into an hour. I would avoid using it during these times because this is probably when we’re the most easily influenced by fads, products or misinformation. 

REST IS A TASK. Take the time out of your day to rest, because you need it. It doesn’t have to be a singular session daily either, it can be regular small intervals throughout the day. Use this time to reflect on how you’ve spent your time earlier, then do whatever you consider to rejuvenates you. 

LISTEN TO YOURSELF MORE. While the self improvement community does perpetuate the idea of ‘following the plan, not the mood’, (and i agree to an extent) but being miserable while trying to be productive is not ideal. If you’re sad, take the time to calm yourself down. You’re angry, then channel it into something high energy but not necessarily productive. 

Use the Pomodoro Method. Work in focused intervals (typically 25 minutes) followed by a short break. This helps you maintain high levels of focus and gives regular breaks to rest.

If a something takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.

Schedule specific blocks of time for specific activities. This helps in dedicating focus to one task at a time.

Group similar tasks together and tackle them in one go. For example, respond to all emails at once rather than sporadically throughout the day.

Contrary to popular belief, multitasking can reduce productivity. Focus on one task at a time for better efficiency.

Use apps and tools like Trello, Asana, or Notion to manage tasks and projects.

Use the Eisenhower Box or the ABCD method to categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance.

Keep your workspace tidy. A clean workspace can enhance focus and reduce distractions.

Even if one doesn’t exist, setting a deadline can create a sense of urgency.

Large tasks can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller steps to make them more manageable.

Aim for excellence, not perfection. Sometimes waiting for something to be perfect can lead to procrastination.

If someone else can do a task, delegate it. This allows you to focus on tasks that only you can do.

Working for long hours without a break can lead to burnout. Short, regular breaks can help maintain high levels of focus.

Use apps to play background music/noise that enhances concentration or block all notifications to prevent you from checking your phone.

it’s that moment when the textbooks, notes, and exams start to feel overwhelming. what can you do to avoid study burnout?

take regular breaks -> follow the pomodoro technique or take short breaks every 45-60 minutes.

set realistic goals -> break your study sessions into smaller, manageable tasks.

instead of cramming an entire chapter in one sitting, focus on mastering one section at a time.

mix up your study routine -> alternate between reading, writing, watching videos, or using flashcards.

practice self-care -> get enough sleep, stay hydrated (~72 oz), and eat nourishing foods. incorporate exercise, whether it's a quick walk, or a gym session.

know when to step back -> taking a break occasionally will help you return to your studies feeling refreshed and ready to focus.

practice mindfulness -> try practicing meditation to calm your mind. even a 5-minute session can help you reset mentally and emotionally.

headspace - a great guided meditation app, the only con is the pricing

here are some good free alternatives tho:

insight timer

runner

medito

connect with others -> even a quick chat about how you’re feeling can make a huge difference in your mood and motivation.

celebrate small wins -> don’t wait until you’ve finished a whole subject to feel accomplished.

celebrate the small victories—whether it’s finishing a section, acing a practice quiz, or just sticking to your study plan for the day.

adjust your expectations -> if things don’t go exactly to plan, don’t beat yourself up. adjust your expectations and keep moving forward.

take time to unplug -> unplugging for a few hours can give you a much-needed mental break.

jealousy as motivation + how to turn envy into your next glow-up

hi angel!! alright, let’s get real. feeling jealous sucks, especially when it’s toward someone you care about. it’s like this weird mix of guilt and frustration and just straight-up feeling not good enough. but guess what? jealousy is normal. like, completely human. it’s just your brain’s way of saying, “hey, i wanted that too.”

so instead of beating yourself up over it or trying to pretend it’s not there, let’s figure out how to use that energy for good. you don’t need to sit with that feeling forever. let’s take it and make it work for you.

✧˖° own your feelings

first things first: let yourself feel it. none of that “i shouldn’t feel this way” stuff. it’s okay. jealousy is just a reaction, not a reflection of who you are. acknowledge it. say it out loud if you have to: “i’m feeling jealous, and that’s okay.” you can’t move past something if you keep denying it.

𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕪’𝕤 𝕥𝕚𝕡:

try journaling it out. just grab a notebook (or open a doc) and write, “i feel jealous because...” and finish the sentence. let yourself get messy with it. write every little detail, why it bothers you, how it makes you feel, and what thoughts are running through your head. you might find that just writing it out makes it feel way less heavy.

✧˖° figure out the why

most of the time, jealousy isn’t really about the other person. it’s about something deeper. are you jealous of their scores because you feel like you didn’t try hard enough? are you upset because you actually did put in the effort, but didn’t see results? or maybe it’s about feeling overlooked. understanding the root makes it easier to address.

𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕪’𝕤 𝕥𝕚𝕡:

ask yourself these questions:

➼ is this jealousy actually about my own self-worth?

➼ am i comparing myself because i secretly don’t feel good enough?

➼ is there something i admire about how they study or prepare that i could learn from?

sometimes the jealousy is just your brain’s way of saying, “i want to do better too.” and that’s okay. that means you’re motivated, you just need to channel it the right way.

✧˖° reframe the jealousy

okay, so we’ve faced it. now let’s flip it. instead of seeing your friend’s success as a threat or a reminder of what you didn’t do, look at it as proof that it’s possible. they did it, which means it’s not out of reach for you either. that’s actually kinda amazing if you think about it. it’s like the universe giving you a little nudge that, “hey, you can get there too.”

𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕪’𝕤 𝕥𝕚𝕡:

try saying this out loud: “their success does not take away from mine.” repeat it until it feels real. just because someone else did well doesn’t mean you can’t too. there’s enough room for both of you to thrive.

✧˖° turn jealousy into inspiration

now we’re getting to the fun part. use that feeling as fuel. instead of just sitting with it, let it push you forward. break it down: what did your friend do differently? did they study in a way you haven’t tried yet? did they stick to a schedule? maybe they just had a really good mindset going into the test.

make a list of things they did that you think helped. then, figure out which of those things you could realistically try for yourself.

𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕪’𝕤 𝕥𝕚𝕡:

ask your friend for tips. seriously. it can feel awkward, but most people love to share what worked for them. just be honest: “hey, i really admire how well you did on that test. i’ve been struggling a bit, do you have any tips or study methods that helped you?” you’ll get insights and might even strengthen your friendship.

✧˖° set your own goals

this is key. you’re not trying to “beat” your friend. you’re just trying to do better for yourself. so set a goal that’s yours alone, something that doesn’t depend on how someone else is doing. it could be something like:

➼ “i want to improve my math grade by 10% on the next test.”

➼ “i’m going to study for 30 minutes every day after school.”

➼ “i’m going to do one practice paper a week.”

make it specific and achievable. that way, your focus shifts from “i need to beat them” to “i need to be proud of myself.”

✧˖° practice gratitude (yes, even for them)

it sounds weird, but it works. next time you’re around your friend or thinking about their success, say (out loud or in your head), “i’m happy for them.” at first, it might feel forced. but after a while, you’ll notice it makes you feel lighter. gratitude has a way of pushing out the bitterness.

𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕪’𝕤 𝕥𝕚𝕡:

practice being your own hype woman too. list three things you’re proud of, big or small. remind yourself that you have your own strengths, even if they’re not the same as your friend’s.

✧˖° focus on progress, not perfection

the goal here isn’t to suddenly be completely unbothered by your friend’s achievements. it’s okay if it still stings a little. the goal is to not let that feeling stop you from going after what you want.

jealousy is just a reaction. it’s what you do with it that counts. use it to get curious about your own habits, find inspiration in their success, and set your own goals. you’ve got this, babe. i believe in you.

💌 let me know how it goes!! i’m rooting for you!

you’re allowed to feel what you feel, and you’re allowed to grow from it. rooting for you always 💕

xoxo mindy

LOW ENERGY LIFE STRATEGIES.

In today’s fast-paced world, staying organized and stress-free can feel like an impossible task. But with the right strategies, tools, and mindset, you can transform chaos into calm and create a life that feels manageable and fulfilling. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or personal goals, these tips will help you stay on top of your game. Let’s dive into the best ways to keep your life organized and stress-free!