You know it's been too long when...

When you can't even remember your blogger log-in info?
I've been thinking that maybe I should just discontinue this blog. I feel like I was a totally different person when I started it two years ago. Well, almost two years. (In two more days!) I was just a kid back then. And I know that sounds ridiculous, but really my life was so much different. Plus, I pretty much stopped posting consistently like two months after I started this blog. It really used to consume so much time too.

You don't need a new time/place/circumstance/whatever to change.

I guess I just looooove to shock people. I mean, not really, of course. Not on purpose. But sometimes you've just got to do whatever makes you happy, you know? So if you want to try something new, why not? Because someone will give you a weird look?

Who cares?

Okay, too many questions.

Contrary to popular belief, there's really no point in waiting for a certain setting (e.g. New Year's) to change. If you want to change something about yourself, just do it. Who cares if everyone is surprised? (How dare you suddenly show up with a new look on a random Tuesday!) You can't just sit around waiting for a certain day to introduce a new you.

"Give up"? What does that mean? Get out there and rock those mistakes!

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And that's pretty much what I try to do. My new... philosophy? Okay, so maybe at some point I was a bit of a quitter. Back in middle school. And yeah, I still give up on things every once in a while. But then again who doesn't?

I should probably explain. This past year, I started trying lots of new activities, which I've mentioned before. But being a beginner among the more advanced isn't easy.

That One Thing

First of all, I said I'd be back the next day, but obviously that went way down the drain. Basically I've had writer's block (still) and no alone time. And I'm not one of those people who can just get on the computer and start blogging with my entire family in the room. I can't even stay on the computer uninterrupted for a long enough period of time to write an entire post.

Not that that's a good excuse.

Anyway. You know how people always say "everyone is good at something"?

Hello? Is anyone still there?

No? Well, I have been gone for more than six months. A dead blog is such a sad sight.
Good thing this one's not really dead! It was just... in a coma or something. Anyway...

Reviving this blog in 3...2...1... NOW!

Trash-conscious

Wait! Don't just ignore this post thinking I've just turned into a hippie or something (not that there's anything wrong with hippies). This is important.

A while ago I had to do a public service announcement for school and, as you might guess from the title, I did mine on trash. Well, more specifically, recycling. Anyway, in the process I found some shocking statistics on garbage. It's surprising we're not plowing through trash on sidewalks daily already.

Finally Back

September?! I haven't posted since September? Whoa. Life's just moving so quickly lately.

Well it's great to be back. I haven't forgotten about this blog, trust me. In the past few months I've been thinking about what to post next, even though I barely have time to spend in the blogging world anymore... I've been super busy lately, but I think I've mentioned that a few times before. Old news.

New news: While mountains of schoolwork and wasted hours procrastination have been taking up my time as usual, I've also started playing soccer, joined some service clubs at school, and I've basically become (along with my older sister) my little brother's "parent" since my irresponsible (yes, I know, harsh) mother is literally never home and my dad lives hours away. I think you'll be hearing more (and by more I mean a future post) about my mother as my relationship with her gradually deteriorates with each day she spends across town at her boyfriend's house and fails to realize that she still has three children to take care of. Sorry, too much rambling?

How To Be Nicer: Tip #4

Tip #4: Think about what you say.


It should be common sense, but some people just don't. Before you say something to someone, especially if it's something hurtful, think about it. Please. You probably don't know what they're going through, and the situation they're in. Even if you think you know everything about him/her, there's a good chance you actually don't. Think about how what you say might hurt them more than you thought it would, and how much it could affect them. You never exactly know what someone's reaction will be. And, honestly, if you say something hurtful to someone anyway, their opinion of you is probably going to worsen.

What's Society's Problem?

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Well, to be blunt, we are. Okay, maybe not you. And maybe not me either. But "we" in general are the cause for society's issues, because, you know, we're part of society. Since society is made up of such a large and varying group of people (a.k.a. everyone) it has a personality that's ever-changing. Sometimes society is nice to us. Sometimes society let's us go with the crowd and feel like we fit in for once.
This seems to be quite uncommon, though. Let's face it; society's good moods are not the norm (for most of us) and can be pretty fickle. Maybe you've noticed that society is more often a huge bully-- it's discriminating, mean, excluding, hurtful, and bossy. Or, maybe you're one of those people looking at your computer screen wondering what in the world I'm talking about. In that case, society likes you (though more than likely you're it's frenemy) and you mostly fit in. Good for you.

Let's Talk About Coffee!

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I know this is sort of related to the sleep post, but I was actually going to post this a long time ago. So, this isn't really an add-on, and sorry if you dislike health topics.

Anyway, most of us are aware of the magic of coffee-- it wakes you up, and overall usually makes you feel better. But, coffee actually does more than that. As it turns out, coffee is filled with benefits (if you drink it in moderation).

How To Be Nicer: Tip #3

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Tip #3: Don't be so jealous.
First of all, I realize that not all jealousy is necessarily bad. I'm mostly talking about jealousy causing hatred, so keep that in mind, please. So, moving on.
Jealousy isn't cool. It can make us hate someone for no reason, bring us unnecessary enemies, ruin relationships, and turn friends into 'frenemies.' Almost everyone is gets at least a little jealous once in a while. I would say that maybe being a little envious isn't so bad, but when you start to resent someone for something they have that you don't, it becomes a problem. (Read: Envy vs. Jealousy.)
Jealousy seems to cause a lot of problems. How many people are actually nice to someone they're jealous of? Not fake-nice, but sincerely nice? As in, you're jealous of someone (which means your resentful), but you still really like them. Those two things just don't seem to go together, in my opinion.

SLEEP

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I don't know about you, but except for during the summer, I hardly ever get enough sleep. Maybe that's just the high school life I've been resigned to for being in a college prep program, though (and yes, I realize that college will probably be worse). With school quickly approaching, I'm dreading feeling like I do today almost everyday. (Today I'm super tired as a result of being sick and being unable to sleep well.) Hurray for coffee! I'm really going to try to get more sleep, but I get a ridiculous amount of homework. In fact, it's commonly accepted in my school that most of us won't get enough sleep. Seriously, they gave us advice pamphlets and one of the topics was how to pull an all-nighter. Did you know that only about 20% of teens actually get enough sleep? (According to this.) I didn't know the number was that low. I'm seriously going to try to get more sleep this school year. I'll let you know how it goes.

Taking Everything For Granted

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I admit that I take things for granted. I really try not to, but I still do. I think everyone takes at least a few things for granted, even if they don't realize it. That's not so bad, but there are some who can't even appreciate the most basic things. Just think about all those things that people commonly take for granted-- technology, food, water, your five senses, functioning body parts, other people, nature, shelter, time, being alive. Is there something in that insignificantly small list that you take for granted? Your life could be so much worse. Think about it.

I just hate listening to other people complain about the smallest, unimportant things. I can't stand when someone takes everything, and I mean everything, for granted. Especially when they have so much to appreciate.

How To Be Nicer: Tip #2

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I bet you've just been anxiously waiting for this. Well, maybe not. Anyway, here's your tip:

Tip #2: Be open-minded.
Don't you just hate it when you tell someone something and this person wrinkles his/her face, seemingly disgusted, because he/she just doesn't understand. Or, worse, someone finds out something about you and completely rejects you as a person because he/she is so ridiculously close-minded.

"Oh, you're one of those people. I guess we can't be friends anymore. And we'll have to argue over what's right/wrong, even though I know I'm right."

I'll Procrastinate Later

In case you can't tell by the title, this post is about procrastination (yes, run along non-procrastinators). As it turns out, there are a ton of reasons why people procrastinate. You might procrastinate because you want perfection,  you get distracted easily, you fear failure, you don't believe in yourself, you're overwhelmed, you can't prioritize, you're disorganized, etc. The most common procrastinating is casual procrastination (e.g. you stop what your doing to check your Facebook or text someone). I bet that sounds familiar.

Superficial Addictions

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Have you ever had one? I have. More than one, actually, and it's not something I'm exactly proud of. Maybe you can't be seen without make-up on, or you just have to have your nails done at all times. Maybe you have to wear a certain style of clothing at all times, or you have to do your hair a certain way.

Personally, my problem started in seventh grade with make-up and a hair straightening iron. Doesn't really sound too bad, right? Well, the problem is that I wouldn't go out of the house without eye liner on and without my hair completely straight. When I was thirteen.

How To Be Nicer: Tip #1

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I've been thinking about making a post like this, but then, as I thought of more things to add, I realized it would be way too long. Instead, I'll post a tip about being nicer every few days. The world could always use more niceness, right? Even if you're already really nice, I'm sure a few reminders couldn't hurt. Well, anyway here's tip #1:

Why You Should Take a Vacation

Work, work, work. After a while, constantly working is going to have some serious consequences, such as stress and even premature death. Going a few years without a break is just a bad idea. In fact, it's unhealthy. So, let's talk about some of the many benefits of taking a much-needed vacation every so often.

We all know that vacations are fun and relaxing. They can reduce your stress levels significantly, as it turns out. Not to mention the great mood you'll be in a few days later. Also, taking a break from your daily schedule every once in a while is important. It just gets boring, doesn't it?

The World's Not Black and White

Stop treating it like it is. Yes, I'm talking about "black or white" thinking. You know, everything's either black or white, good or bad, all or nothing, right or wrong, this or that. If you think like this, there's no balance, and chances are you're not too open-minded.

So, why do people think like this? Well, it goes back to our natural instinct to categorize. (Remember  "Labels and Stereotypes"?) Some people just have very broad categories. They can become so extreme that everything is either one thing or the complete opposite. (Read this.)

What's So Bad About Being Different?

NOTHING, in my opinion. Unfortunately, there is apparently something wrong with being different in some people's opinions. We've all heard that if everyone was the same the world would be boring. It's so true, but there are still so many people trying to be just like everyone else, or places where people are forced to conform. Some people try to change themselves to fit the norm because they want to be accepted. Even following trends, which many people wouldn't think twice about, is sort of like trying to be like everyone else.