#romanticizing school

new semester reset checklist .✦ ݁˖

even though the new semester has already begun for university students, many high schoolers are just wrapping up their midterms ! and with a new era, its good to set your intentions and give your life that much-needed reset - so here's a mini checklist just for you !

💌 digital reset:

✦ delete any files you dont need anymore

✦ make a vision board for the new semester - what do you want to achieve this semester? what do you want to change?

✦ change wallpaper and layout (if you wish)

"How to Life" Masterlist

Cleaning and Tidying

Make your bed in the morning. It takes seconds, and it's worth it.

Reset to zero each morning.

Use the UFYH 20/10 system for clearing your shit.

Have a 'drop-zone' box where you dump anything and everything. At the beginning/end of the day, clear it out and put that shit away.

Automate your chores. Have a cleaning schedule and assign 15mins daily to do whatever cleaning tasks are set for that day. Set a timer and do it once the timer is up, finish the task you're on and leave it for the day.

Fold your clothes straight out of the tumble dryer (if you use one), whilst they're still warm. This minimises creases and eliminates the need for ironing.

Clean your footwear regularly and you'll feel like a champ.

Organisation and Productivity

Learn from Eisenhower's Importance/Urgency matrix.

Try out the two-minute rule and the Pomodoro technique.

Use. A. Planner. (Or Google Calendar, if that's more your thing.)

Try bullet journalling.

Keep a notebook/journal/commonplace book to dump your brain contents in on the regular.

Set morning alarms at two-minute intervals rather than five, and stick your alarm on the other side of the room. It's brutal, but it works.

Set three main goals each day, with one of them being your #1 priority. Don't overload your to-do list or you'll hit overload paralysis and procrastinate.

If you're in a slump, however, don't be afraid to put things like "shower" on your to do list - that may be a big enough goal in itself, and that's okay.

Have a physical inbox - a tray, a folder, whatever. If you get a piece of paper, stick it in there and sort through it at the end of the week.

Consider utilising the GTD System, or a variation of it.

Try timeboxing.

Have a morning routine, and guard that quiet time ferociously.

Have a folder for all your important documents and letters, organised by topic (e.g. medical, bank, university, work, identification). At the front of this folder, have a sheet of paper with all the key information written on it, such as your GP's details, your passport details, driving licence details, bank account number, insurance number(s), and so on.

Schedule working time and down time alike, in the balance that works for you.

Money

Have. A. God. Damn. Budget.

Use a money tracker like toshl, mint, or splitwise. Enter all expenses asap! (You will forget, otherwise.)

Have a 'money date' each week, where you sort through your finances from the past seven days and then add it to a spreadsheet. This will help you identify your spending patterns and whether your budget is actually working or not.

Pack your own frickin' lunch like a grown-up and stop buying so many takeaway coffees. Keep snacks in your bag.

Food and Cooking

Know how to cook the basics: a starch, a protein, a vegetable, and a sauce.

Simple, one-pot meals ("a grain, a green, and a bean") are a godsend.

Batch cook and freeze. Make your own 'microwave meals'.

Buy dried goods to save money - rice and beans are a pittance.

Consider Meatless Mondays; it's healthier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

Learn which fruits and vegetables are cheapest at your store, and build a standard weekly menu around those. (Also remember that frozen vegetables are cheap and healthy.)

Learn seasoning combinations. Different seasoning, even with the exact same ingredients, can make a dish seem completely new.

Misc

Have a stock email-writing format.

Want to start running, but find it boring? Try Zombies, Run!.

Keep a goddamn first aid kit and learn how to use it.

Update your CV regularly.

𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝓎 & 𝓈𝓉𝓎𝓁𝑒

scents:

♡ vanilla, dark chocolate, incense, almond, coffee, powdery notes, musk, blueberry

♡ apply on wrists, behind ears, inside sleeves of sweaters

♡ pair with matching body lotion

makeup:

♡ less (softer look) = more

♡ matte, blurry finish

♡ soft rouge blush nose, round blush on cheeks

♡ generous amount of mascara on lower and upper lashes

♡ highlighter on tip of nose and cheek bones

♡ dolly false lashes

♡ soft light pink overlined lip + chapstick to smooth and blur it out

clothes & accessories:

♡ baby pink, white, grey, light brown, beige, navy blue

♡ anything that makes you feel warm, cozy, safe & cute. examples below:

♡ oversized sweaters

♡ knit cardigans

♡ long sleeves that cover your hands

♡ long sleeves layered with lace tops underneath

♡ mini skirts paired with tights

♡ long beige coats

♡ leg warmers

♡ ear muffs

♡ big scarfs that almost cover your mouth

♡ fluffy gloves

♡ signature necklace

♡ matching small earrings

♡ brown suede boots

𝓇𝑜𝑜𝓂

♡ scented yankee-candle’s

♡ wax melts

♡ a lot of fluffy blankets and pillows

♡ fairy lights

♡ canopy with fairy lights

♡ always small warm lights, never the big light on

♡ plush rugs

♡ always a mug ready with tea, adding warmth visually and aromatically

♡ a little corner with pillows and soft throw on blankets, perfect for journaling or reading

𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈

morning:

♡ set a gentle alarm 2 hours before you need to leave on weekdays

♡ sit up in bed with covers still over your legs. stretch arms, neck, fingers, and legs gently

♡ slowly open the blinds just enough for soft morning light

♡ light your favorite scented candle

♡ brew your favorite tea or coffee to wake up and set the cozy winter mood

♡ take your vitamins (vit D, vit C, zinc, omega 3)

♡ wrap yourself in a warm blanket and step onto your porch/balcony/front of the house for a few minutes inhaling the crisp air

♡ head to the bathroom; play a soft no-music subliminal in the background (uplifting mood, self love, focus)

♡ do your skincare and self care (brush teeth, wash hands, cleanse, moisturize)

♡ return to your room and play a comforting instrumental playlist

♡ take your journal and write 1–3 sentences (gratitude, dream fragments, affirmations to guide your day)

♡ sit at your vanity and apply your makeup mindfully, not because you „have” to but because you care

♡ brush, straighten, or curl your hair

♡ put on your cozy, comforting outfit

♡ have a comforting breakfast (oatmeal, toast, yogurt bowl, pastries)

♡ put on your coat, scarf, warm gloves, and earmuffs

♡ apply your perfume to pulse points

♡ if taking the bus, get off one stop early and walk the rest, enjoying the quiet snowy world

night:

♡ come home and change into soft oversized clothes

♡ turn on only warm lamps or fairy lights, never the big light

♡ light a candle or incense to shift the atmosphere

♡ make yourself a hot chocolate or tea

♡ take a warm shower or bubble bath, letting the steam calm your nervous system

♡ use a scented body wash that matches your perfume

♡ apply body lotion slowly and intentionally

♡ brush your hair, braid it loosely for the night

♡ remove makeup carefully. no rushing, no harshness

♡ skincare with dim lighting. cleanser, moisturizer, lip balm

♡ spray a light mist of perfume on your pajamas or wrists

♡ tidy your room so it feels peaceful when you wake up

♡ reflect on the day in your journal without judging yourself. write one thing that felt heavy and one thing that felt soft

♡ read a few pages of a melancholic or comforting book

♡ play soft instrumental music or white noise

♡ prepare your outfit and bag for the next day

♡ open the window for 1–2 minutes to let in cold air before sleep

♡ turn off everything except fairy lights

♡ get into bed and scroll pinterest a little

♡ fall asleep under heavy blankets, feeling safe and held

𝒶𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓈

♡ journaling

♡ writing poetry (doesn’t matter if it’s „bad”)

♡ rewatching comfort films while sipping on tea

♡ going ice skating with your friends

♡ going on snowy morning walks in the weekend

♡ making hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows every night

♡ making winter-themed moodboards to post on tt/pinterest or just for yourself

♡ letting yourself sleep longer on weekends and take afterschool naps on weekdays

♡ painting your nails yourself in milky pink/white colors

♡ taking bubble baths with winter-themed bath bombs

♡ baking cinnamon rolls, brownies, crossaints, pain au chocolat, cookies

♡ starting a new book

♡ building a snowman with your little cousin / sibling

♡ decluttering and deep cleaning your room, throwing away memory items that don’t serve your energy anymore

♡ learn knitting/crochet and craft yourself a cozy sweater

♡ make a gingerbread house

♡ watch barbie swan lake, black swan, girl interrupted

♡ taking aesthetically pleasing pictures in the snow and of everything

♡ going to cafes alone to study

♡ make your own tea (dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger)

♡ go shopping for new clothes to the mall with your aunt, mom or sister, enjoying all the decorations

♡ always wear matching pyjamas / cozy sweaters around the house

♡ go on snowy walks in the park after sunset with your lover

romanticize your mornings with angel 🧸ྀི

start your day early ~

sleep is so important; you need 8-10 hours to truly feel rested. 'angel, it's not even that big of a deal, you're so dramatic.' and yes- i am! but not about this! lack of sleep (or even too much of it) has long-term effects. this is why i wake up at around 6 a.m. and aim for a 9 p.m. bedtime, giving me the 9 hours my body needs and setting me up for a productive, fresh morning.

stretch and make your bed ^^

don't even think about touching that phone unless it's to turn that alarm off. we don't want to ruin the momentum or the mood.

drink one full glass of water ~

after hours of sleep, rehydration is important. water is the best thing to put in your body before anything else because it promotes healthier skin, aids digestion, and improves mental performance and cognitive function- and obviously, you need it to live.

open your blinds and/or windows and let the sun shine through ^^

this is an instant refresher. my favourite thing to do is stare outside for a bit, and i always find myself admiring nature, and this actually lightens my mood and makes me feel more hopeful about life because if there's one thing you can trust to heal itself and return it's true state, it's nature.

plus, simply noting what you're grateful for or taking a moment to close your eyes and breathe in the fresh (maybe with a few affirmations) allows extra moments of mindfulness.

movement ~

whether it's at home workouts, the gym, yoga, a stroll, or full-body stretches, suddenly, i'm more alert and ready to start the day after i move my body.

being realistic and pushing your physical boundaries is crucial to avoid injuries and sluggishness afterwards.

i have a set list of yoga moves to do in the morning. i'm not into fully working out right now, but if i were, i'd do it at night, when i can push myself to my limits to tire myself out.

brushed teeth ^^

a clean tongue, teeth, and gums, fresh breath, soft lips, and a bright smile to match are soooo important to me. i'm not getting too into this because it's a given, and obviously would've and should be done before you go to the gym if you do. but i don't, and i prefer to do it before i eat to get a clean palette, and i do floss and use mouthwash after eating.

balanced breakfast ~

if i eat junk excessively, i don't feel good. eating junk in the morning is excessive in my opinion, so then i wouldn't feel good for the entire day. your breakfast should include at least three of the food groups: protein, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables. these can come in any form.

protein: scrambled eggs, protein pancakes, porridge.

carbs: whole grain toast, oatmeal, stewed apples, sweet potato waffles.

fruits and vegetables: kefir-based smoothie bowls with berries, regular smoothies and smoothie bowls and fruit salads.

these food groups are even included in whole meals - i'm talking leftovers from dinner, fried rice and chicken, soups, etc.

vitamins, supplements and meds ^^

remember to take your meds if you are on any! vitamins and supplements are also important and a great aid, but that's all they are, an aid. they can't work on their own to treat sickness or replace your nutrients in your diet. but also do your research, and get your doctor's advice before you take anything specific, so you don't take something you don't need and have health issues due to it.

i take multivitamins but i'm trying to switch because i have gummies and i do have syrups, and they're loaded with sugar, which i don't want, so i will be switching to pills. recommendations are welcome.

hair ~

a bad hair day with a good outfit feels like a wasted outfit. my hair has to be pristine, or i feel like shit. styled to complement and enhance my face shape and features, and outfit. whether it's a ponytail, a bun, just free-flowing down, or braided, my hair just has to make me feel comfortable. it plays a part in representing who i am as a person.

i also hate to have to deal with my hair after i've done my skincare because there's a chance after using hair products, i'll feel greasy or my skin will feel unclean, so i do it before showering and then put it in a bonnet, trying my hardest not to get it wet. luckily, this also saves me time.

shower time ! ^^

music, while calming or energy-boosting, is optional, and sometimes you just want a quiet shower with your thoughts or maybe with just the sound of the water. shower epiphanies are no joke. and i absolutely love the feel of being clean and a canvas for the new day. it's summer, it's hot, and i love cold water, sue me.

scentless, colorless, completely plain bars of soap are the base, and any scented body wash on top is my favourite thing. bonus points if it's exfoliation day (p.s., no, you do not need to exfoliate every day. furthermore, you absolutely shouldn't unless instructed to by a professional). applying my body oil on damp skin locks everything in, so my perfume can layer nicely to finish.

skincare ~

my favourite thing to do. with my cute, fluffy headband, and my humdifier if i'm in an extra good mood, it goes: cleanser + moisturizer + sunscreen. during the moisturizing phase, i love to give myself facial massages and also (not-so-gently - which i should and will fix) tap my face to increase blood flow and circulation. i use innisfree sunscreen because, as a black girl with oily skin, there is no way a sunscreen needs to leave a whitecast or have my skin looking dry or oily.

makeup ^^

i, personally, have yet to learn how to do makeup, and being on here, posting tuts of looks i absolutely will try once i do learn, is really helping, but i did want to include this section for the girlies who do.

i could imagine myself doing soft glams, or toasty looks and even strawberry looks. try different looks and techniques to find what you like best and utilize them to complete your overall appearance, enhancing that final look.

i think makeup is part of the outfit the same way your hair is. if my hair doesn't look good, i don't like my overall look because i love to be put together. i believe that your look really plays a part in your mood and your productivity for the day.

outfit of the day ~

you get extra points if you have your outfits planned from the day(s) before.

your outfits should feel like an expression of yourself. what you like, what you represent, what you're going for. and you may think, "angel, is it really that serious?" and my answer is sure. if you want it to be.

if you're someone who values their appearance, then yes, it is. you must dress how you feel like, even if you're wearing a uniform, put a cute spin on it that screams YOU, like an accessory - a hair clip, a headband, a custom bag, etc. and this is where jewelry comes in. something as simple as a gold necklace or even just earrings do so much to enhance a look. personally, i love stacking. jewelry really completes the look for me. and don't worry, it's not necessary if you're not a jewelry or accessory girl.

how i love being a woman ^^