…Not Harder
I’ve tried to resist writing a ‘productivity hacks’ post. I’d thought maybe instead I’d contribute to the myriad of scholarly work and thought pieces about how our cultural obsession with productivity is an internalized capitalist construct. It’s obscured our values, taken away our ability to be present in the moment, and has let peace and contentment slip out of the picture of success.
But, then again, I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I like being a productive person. I like to set goals and I like to get sh*t done.
Whilst I believe that ‘hustle culture’ is harmful and…
You don’t need to be consumed by stress and you don’t need to get rid of it either — you need to rethink it
I’ve always found conversations about stress go one of two ways: the ‘I’m more stressed than you’ conversation where you compete for least hours slept, most hours worked, and act like more stress equates to more success, or the ‘just chill out’ conversation where stress is something gross and unnecessary, and you can simply click your fingers and get rid of the feeling. Both are contradictory and illogical.
You see, stress isn’t the problem, the way we think about it is. Stress is a physiological reaction to an external event or a thought. According to the ‘Yerkes-Dodson Law’, performance can…
Three Steps to Stop Questioning Who You Are, And Start Being Them
I’m in the ‘limbo’ years in life. I’m neither here nor there, I’m split between two cities, university, a part-time job, and freelancing, and my friends are suddenly spread out around the country.
I’m still trying to figure out who I am and who I want to be. And its stressful this ‘finding yourself’ business; the constant questioning and self-doubt that comes with trying to find your place in the world that’s only just opened its doors for you. …
How I Write
All the way through school the emphasis in writing tasks is on the planning. From when you first learn to write, to university assignments, there’s an underlying notion in academia that you must have a clear plan before you get to develop your ideas. It makes sense — you’ve got to set the foundations before you start to build.
But writing, ultimately, is a creative task, and over-planning blunts that spark in me and makes it tricky to get into it when the writing part begins. Previously I’d write a detailed plan of every point in order, and then when…
The two essential parts of taking advice and making decisions
I’m in my early twenties and I’ve found this stage in life is filled with the paradox of whether to grasp onto the guidance of those older and wiser or completely ignore them to go with your gut and ‘discover’ yourself.
On one end of the rope is the ‘things I wish I knew in my twenties’ lectures that keep coming my way. we all need a helping hand, and often the best ‘hands’ come in the form of a few wise words that give you the guidance you need. …
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing all your attention the present moment and noting your feelings and thoughts without any judgement. Regularly practising mindfulness can improve focus, relieve stress and anxiety, and improve connections with others. And it doesn’t have to be an add on to your day; practising mindfulness can be incorporated into the things you’re doing already, for example eating.
Mindful eating is about focusing on the taste, satisfaction, fullness, and enjoyment you get from food. And while mindful eating may (or may not) defer you from excessive junk foods and snacks on the go, it is not…
Simple methods you can use to reap the science-backed benefits of outdoor living, indoors.
Connecting with nature is so important to me. Long walks, sunsets and sunrises, fresh flowers, and plants fill me with a sense of ease and appreciation for the world that nothing man-made can achieve. Being out in nature is the ultimate tonic for whatever is going on in my life.
And it’s not just me that craves the serenity of nature. Science shows us that connecting with nature has an invaluable effect on our mental and physical wellbeing, and research by The Wildlife Trusts has proven volunteering in nature can increase mood and self-esteem, particularly for those suffering from mental…
You don’t have to hate it just because teenage girls like it
When did it become uncool to like Rupi Kaur?
The Indian-born Canadian poet, illustrator, and author rose to fame on social media sites like Tumblr and Instagram with her short poems and delicate illustrations. Her first book, Milk and Honey, sold over 3 million copies worldwide and spent over a year on the New York bestseller list, her second, The Sun and Her Flowers, led her to be named on the BBC’s 100 women in 2017. She was at the forefront of the ‘instapoetry’ movement, and innovated the traditional art form, popularizing it in a new demographic.
What comes to mind when you think of yoga? Someone twisting themselves into funky shapes on a mat? That pretty picture you saw on Instagram of a headstand in front of a sunset? Or maybe you associate it with an exercise class at your local sports centre?
What most people don’t realise is that this picture we commonly hold of yoga is a tiny portion of it. Yoga has ‘8 limbs’, and poses only form one part of them, known as ‘asana’. And whilst a deep stretch is so good for you, extending your practice to the other 7 (and…
Netflix Life Lessons Part 2
The Irish Troubles were a time of violence, political unrest, and conflict that lasted from the 60s to late 90s and took approximately 3,500 lives — an unlikely time to set a teenage comedy.
But it is exactly this juxtaposition that makes Derry Girls work so well. This Irish comedy follows a group of teenage girls: Erin, Michelle, Clare, and Orla, and their ‘wee English fella’ friend James, in mid-90s Derry (‘or London Derry’ depending on your persuasion’). …
Heather Grant
English Literature MA Student. Wellbeing & sustainability. Find me on insta @writtenbyheatherr and read more https://writtenbyheather.wixsite.com/website
