My self-development hobby has me podcasting about my favourite habits of the moment 😍. I love hearing examples of what daily practices others are focusing on. Here, I’ll go first:

* Daily movement or rest - and how I’m organising my wellness YouTube playlists

* Daily Correspondence (Half) Hour - and reducing messaging overwhelm

* Mini cleaning ritual - for resetting my space and deep cleaning my home

Apologies for the weird beeping sound in the audio :( It’s never happened before!

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* Summer Glow Up List (Paint Nails Read Plato)

* Life Lessons from Gossip Girl podcast

Every week I paint my nails and watch an episode of Gossip Girl. It’s like my church. Whatever episode I’m on, the themes are spot on to set me up for the week ahead. The timing is always uncanny.

Watch the show and see what stands out to you: what inspires you? What disgusts you? Let your emotional reactions to the characters show you what to focus on in your own life.

And if you’re inspired, join me in my rewatch! We’re jumping straight in to where I happen to be this week:

Season 2 Episode 6: New Haven Can Wait

This is the episode where they visit Yale, culminating with Serena and Blair’s show down and the dean’s reception.

Life Lessons from Gossip Girl:

Flip that chip on your shoulder.

When you’re frustrated, who or what do you blame for holding you back? What’s in your control? What’s not? How can your perceived setbacks be an advantage? Don’t be like Dan and blame it all on being from Brooklyn. Look at Nate, who pretends to be Dan, because anonymity is a privilege. How can you navigate your current situation with pride and authority?

Nobody actually cares about how much effort you’re putting in.

It’s an ugly truth, but think about it: you won’t get rewarded for trying. Dan and Blair mould themselves to fit the perceived formula. What’s the magic word that will please the Yale gatekeepers?

Craft over Contrived Connection.

Jenny focuses on bringing her artistic vision to life. Create the best fashion show, and others will follow your lead. Others might fire you, reject you, or stand in your way, but it doesn’t matter. When you’re creating in service to the vision - not just yourself but for everyone who will enjoy it - the work will speak for itself. Invite people in to witness it, knowing that it’s irresistible.

Get comfortable being yourself, and you won’t have to try so hard.

Leaning on a persona or manipulating others to get your way is an exhausting method to keep up. But if you’re used to being authentic, you don’t have to try. You just have to show up, relax, and be present. Serena and Blair have the same privilege. Serena embraces her It Girl positioning, basking in the magnetism that comes with letting things be easy. Blair doesn’t leverage the privilege she has, trying to ‘earn’ her way where she doesn’t have to. She misses opportunities to connect in surprising ways. That fashion show that impressed the dean? Serena took credit, but it was Blair’s family’s event.

Don’t worry about what Serena Van Der Woodsen is doing.

What does Serena have that you wish you had? Use jealousy as a tool to inform what feels missing from your life. But if you’re too overwhelmed by envy to be curious, simply look away.

xoxo, X

I have something a little deeper and weirder today. If you are feeling the intensity of this moment in time, this message is for you.

Time Academy Student Centre ⏳

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* My Fringe of Colour Response: Charlene Kaye: A Rockstar breaking generational moulds