2024 Carat Survey Results! (check The Twitter Thread For More Results ^^)

i think society’s obsession with productivity will be our downfall, it’s unrealistic. you don’t need to be productive every minute of the day. your body needs rest. it’s not natural to stay “grinding” or “hustling”. please don’t feel guilty about taking care of your body and taking a break when you need one.

self care is . . .

Reading a book: Engaging with literature to relax, learn, and escape from daily stress.

Meditation: Practicing mindfulness to calm the mind and reduce stress.

Eating a balanced diet: Consuming a variety of nutrients to maintain overall health.

Exercising regularly: Keeping the body active to improve physical and mental health.

Getting enough sleep: Ensuring sufficient rest to allow the body to recover and function optimally.

Listening to music: Enjoying music to boost mood and reduce anxiety.

Stress management: Implementing techniques to control and reduce stress levels.

Setting boundaries: Establishing limits to protect personal time and energy.

Being creative: Engaging in creative activities to express oneself and relax.

Time management: Organizing time effectively to balance responsibilities and leisure.

Taking regular breaks: Resting periodically to maintain productivity and prevent burnout.

Stretching: Keeping the body flexible and reducing muscle tension.

Practicing gratitude: Focusing on positive aspects of life to boost happiness.

Looking after your skin: Maintaining skincare routines to promote skin health.

Effective communication: Clearly expressing thoughts and feelings to foster healthy relationships.

Saying no: Declining unnecessary obligations to prioritize personal well-being.

Challenging your mind: Engaging in activities that stimulate cognitive growth and learning.

Learning new things: Continuously seeking knowledge to enhance personal development.

Regular medical checkups: Attending routine health screenings to prevent and detect illnesses early.

Hanging out with friends: Socializing to build strong support networks and enjoy companionship.

Spending time with family: Connecting with loved ones to strengthen family bonds.

Me time: Dedicating time solely to oneself for relaxation and self-reflection.

Self-reflection: Evaluating personal thoughts, actions, and experiences to gain insight.

Asking for help: Seeking support when needed to manage challenges effectively.

Setting goals: Defining personal objectives to provide direction and motivation.

Developing healthy habits: Establishing routines that promote long-term well-being.

Using your voice: Speaking up for oneself to ensure needs and desires are met.

© bloomzone

10 Bad Habits to Let Go of for a Beautiful Life (Trust Me, You’ll Thank Yourself)

We all have those habits that hold us back — some sneakier than others. And while no one’s perfect, a little spring cleaning of your daily habits can unlock a happier, healthier life. Ready to drop the bad vibes and level up? Here are 10 bad habits to leave behind for good!

1. The Comparison Game — It’s Gotta Go

We’ve all done it. Scrolling, looking at someone’s perfect life, and feeling like we’re not enough. But honestly? Comparing yourself to others is a losing game. Focus on your own growth, and unfollow anything or anyone that makes you feel less-than. Your journey is yours alone, and it’s beautiful in its own way. Keep your eyes on your own lane!

2. Procrastinating Like It’s a Sport

We get it — that “I’ll do it tomorrow” energy feels good in the moment, but it’s also a trap. The more you put off tasks, the more they pile up and haunt you. Trust, the best feeling is getting stuff done now and freeing up your mind for the fun stuff later. Break it down, set a timer, and just start. You’ll feel like a boss when you’re done.

3. Saying Yes to Everything (Even When You Don’t Want To)

No is a full sentence, babe! If you’re constantly saying yes to things that don’t align with your goals or drain your energy, it’s time to stop. Overcommitting leads to burnout, and life’s too short for that. Start setting boundaries and prioritize what makes you feel good. Your time is precious, so treat it like gold.

4. Relying on Everyone Else’s Approval

We all love a little validation, but depending on it? That’s a recipe for insecurity. Your worth isn’t measured by someone else’s likes or approval. The only validation you really need is your own. So hype yourself up, celebrate your wins, and be proud of the progress you’re making, regardless of who’s watching.

5. Avoiding Your Finances Like It’s Scary

Finances don’t have to be terrifying! Ignoring them might feel easier in the moment, but getting a handle on your money situation is so empowering. Start small — track your spending, create a budget, and set a savings goal. The sooner you take control, the more stress-free your future will feel.

6. Holding Grudges Like They’re Trophies

Honestly, holding onto grudges only weighs you down. Letting go of past negativity isn’t about excusing people’s behavior — it’s about freeing yourself. Don’t let old situations control your peace. Forgiveness is for you, babe. The less baggage you carry, the lighter you’ll feel.

7. Talking Down to Yourself

Would you say those mean things to your best friend? Didn’t think so! So why do we let ourselves get away with it? Cut out the negative self-talk and replace it with something a little more kind and uplifting. You deserve better from yourself. You wouldn’t believe how much your mindset can change once you start being nice to yourself.

8. Expecting Everything to Be Perfect

Perfection is a myth, and chasing it will only leave you stressed and frustrated. Life happens in the in-between moments — the imperfect, messy, beautifully real ones. Give yourself some grace and celebrate progress, not perfection. A “good enough” life is often a perfect one in disguise.

9. Staying in Your Safe Bubble

Your comfort zone might feel cozy, but nothing grows there! Stepping outside of it might be scary, but it’s where all the magic happens. Whether it’s trying something new, starting a project, or meeting new people, discomfort leads to growth. Don’t let fear hold you back — take the leap!

10. Blaming Everything Else for What’s Not Going Right

It’s easy to point fingers and blame outside circumstances, but taking responsibility is where real change starts. You’ve got more control than you think! Instead of dwelling on what’s going wrong, focus on what you can change. You’ve got the power to turn things around — it’s all in your hands.

These bad habits? They’re not serving you, and it’s time to leave them in the past. Letting go of what’s holding you back will clear the way for bigger, better things. You’re already halfway there just by recognizing what needs to change. So let go, level up, and watch your life get a little more beautiful, one habit at a time.

self-love acts of service

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ making your bed

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ cooking yourself a meal

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ cleaning your space

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ making yourself a smoothie

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ writing monthly goals

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ getting your nails and hair done

self-love quality time

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ yoga

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ prayer

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ reading

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ stretching

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ exercising

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ journaling

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ gardening

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ meditation

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ taking a bath

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ spending time in nature

self-love words of affirmation

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ positive self-talk

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ keeping a gratitude list

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ daily mantra

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ make a vision board

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ compliment yourself

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ read self-help books

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ write yourself a love letter

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ positive sticky notes

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ watch a motivational speech

self-love physical touch

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ dance

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ stretch

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ do your hair

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ get a massage

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ move your body

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ a skin-care routine

self-love receiving gifts

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ treat yourself

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ enroll in a new class

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ buy a new plant (or some flowers)

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ invest in a hobby

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ try a new perfume

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ make a self-care kit

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ invest in your closet

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ take yourself on a trip

(images are from pinterest)

Caroline to Enzo: But you have an accent. Anything you say is automatically fascinating. :D

Truer words have never been spoken.

becoming a better student ₊˚⊹♡

Prepare for your classes ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Wake up on time. We don't want to be stressed first thing in the morning, right?

Eat breakfast. So you will be able to better focus in class.

Assigned reading and homework. Make sure you are prepared for your classes!! :)

Review your notes. Going through some of your flashcards before class is really helpful.

Check your bag and charge your devices. Ensure you have everything you need: Books, homework, chargers, pens, water...

In Class ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Listen and pay attention. You can save yourself a lot of trouble by simply paying attention, trust me.

Take notes. My favourite note-taking method is the Cornell method; I can make a separate post on that!! <3

"Quick notes." If you struggle with note-taking, try taking quick and messy notes. You can clean them up once you get home!!

Engage. If you have any questions or don't understand something, make sure to ask!! Most teachers really appreciate students who speak up. :)

No distractions. Turn off your phone, no chatting, you'll be glad...

After class ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Finish your assignments as soon as you can. Go home, put on a cosy outfit, have a snack, and get working!! <3

Prepare flash cards. A great way of reviewing your notes, too... :)

Update your Study schedule. Write down any assignment and due dates, reading you must do, upcoming tests, etc...

Clean up your notes. Review them, highlight the important parts, and maybe even make them look cute!! :)

Don't avoid topics/Subjects you dislike. I know it is tempting, but you can't avoid them forever, so you might as well get them done

Structure and routine ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Goals and Priorities. Keep them realistic and manageable.

Time management. Having a set schedule makes studying less overwhelming; it takes some discipline but is so worth it!! <3

Develop a routine. Figure out what works best for you; I prefer studying in the morning or at night.

No "zero days". Even if you can only do a bit, do it!! NO. ZERO. DAYS.

Remember your goals. Dreams will keep you motivated; remind yourself of what you're working for!! <3

Self-care and balance ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Don't forget about your hobbies. You need to do things that make you happy, so make time for those things!!

Maintain a balanced diet. I know chocolates and junk are tempting, especially when you are busy studying all day, but you're not doing yourself any favours.

Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. 8 Hours. Non-negotiable.

Exercise regularly. Even if it's just a walk, put on some headphones, listen to music, and give yourself a break. <3

Care for your social life. Reach out to your friends, make plans, and keep in touch; a good work-life balance is critical!!

Romanticising ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Study dates. Meet up with your friends at a cosy cafe, discuss your work, and have some fun!! Studying doesn't have to be all serious all the time ;)

Silly Pinterest boards. Visualising your goals will help you find motivation!!

Music to set the mood. I have a bunch of playlists on my Spotify that might help!! <3

Cosy sweater and candles. The cosy Rory Gilmore vibes haha...

Getting a coffee before class. A little treat before things get serious... Simple pleasures, you know? :)

Babes, The hiatus is OVER, and I'm finally back!! I got a lot of asks on studying, burnout, and school in general, so I thought, why not start off with a little student guide?? I Hope October has been kind to you, and school hasn't been too overwhelming (though I know it, unfortunately, has been for many of you), and I'm glad to finally be back!! <33

As always, Please feel free to add your own suggestions and tips in the comments!!

✩‧₊*:・love ya ･:*₊‧✩

This is your sign. It's time to focus on you. REALLY focus on you. Your self-growth is your priority. It means everything. Put your attention on what's good for you. Stop playing around. You know you have what it takes to manifest those things that you can't stop thinking about. It's time to take yourself more serious. You deserve it. Blessings will follow.

Me: *watching TVD Season 5 (and secretly waiting for Klaus's appearance)*

Klaus: *appears in 5x11*

Caroline: Klaus. (in a tone that suggests recognition)

Me: Klaus. (in a dreamy, where-have-you-been, i've-been-waiting-for-you, i-missed-you, i-love-you sort of tone)

im the only one who can put myself through school, im the only one who can earn myself those straight As, i'm the only one who can create a new life for myself in spite of my circumstances. if i dont do it nobody will. so my only options are to persist and make it happen, or settle for a life i don't even want.

Hufflepuff: Your vibes, m'lord.

Ravenclaw: Check them for me, court jester.

Gryffindor: (faint jingling, followed by a loud thud)