Networking is a crucial element in the journey towards personal and professional success. Whether you're aiming to delve into a specific career field, broaden your social circle, or uncover new opportunities, effective networking can be a game-changer. The key is to approach it as a genuine and mutually beneficial exchange rather than a mere transaction. Here's a beginner's guide to mastering the art of networking.
1. Leverage Online Platforms:
Utilize resources like LinkedIn, Handshake, indeed, and even industry conferences. College students? Leverage LinkedIn to find alumni working in your dream industry – they can be valuable mentors!
2. Set Clear Goals:
Prioritize quality over quantity when reaching out to individuals. Before making connections, ask yourself, "Who do I want to meet and why?" Having a clear goal in mind ensures meaningful and purposeful networking interactions.
3. Research is Key:
Once you've initiated a conversation and scheduled a meeting, invest time in research. Familiarize yourself with the individual's professional background and take note of any personal interests. Did you notice interesting volunteer work on their profile? Mention it! It shows you're genuinely interested.
4. Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch:
Perfect your introduction by creating a concise and compelling elevator pitch. Include details about your current involvements, relevant work experiences, and your career aspirations.
5. Stay Connected:
Networking doesn't end with the initial conversation. Keep the momentum going by staying in touch. Regularly check-in, share updates on your progress, or extend congratulations for their achievements. Building a lasting connection requires ongoing engagement and mutual support.
Remember, networking is about building relationships, not just collecting contacts. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to building a powerful network that fuels your success!
]]>Experience the luxurious comfort of Roller Rabbit's exquisite loungewear at a fraction of the cost. Amongst the many alternatives on the web, there is a collection of stunning dupes found on Amazon, with a spotlight on Yiulangde and Seyurigaoka – affordable options that promise exceptional quality and style at a fraction of the cost.
The range of adorable pajama sets featuring playful prints and soft, breathable fabrics here is unmatchable. An ultimate comfort with these luxurious dupes that feel like those quality of high-end brands!
Why Choose Seyurigaoka?
Our standout find, Seyurigaoka, offers a dupe for Roller Rabbit pajamas that not only mimics the style but also exceeds in comfort. These pajamas are crafted from a soft and breathable blend of polyester and cotton, ensuring a cozy night's sleep. The superior quality allows you to indulge in the luxurious feel of these pajamas, made with durable materials that guarantee long-lasting wear.
The durability of Seyurigaoka ensures your loungewear investment goes a long way. Compared to the Roller Rabbit pajamas, explore over 15 unique designs and patterns here on Amazon to find the perfect pair that matches your style. Upgrade your loungewear collection with these affordable gems and embrace both comfort and fashion!
Ready to experience luxury for less? Visit our Amazon Storefront here to browse the entire collection of Seyurigaoka pajamas and many more brands!
]]>If you’re anything like me, your Monday nights are reserved for watching “The Bachelor.” Since the newest season aired on January 22 for Joey Graziadei’s season, fans have been obsessed (myself included). One contestant in particular has drawn extreme attention on social media, largely due to her confidence and “take it or leave it” personality. That contestant is none other than Maria Georgas, a 29-year-old executive assistant from Canada.
During the show, Maria has faced her fair share of obstacles as she has been bullied by many of the other contestants. Through all of this, Maria has remained confident and graceful, and has set a great example for girls everywhere.
Here are 5 reasons why Maria is the perfect role model for confidence:
She Doesn’t Let Drama Get the Best of Her
While in Malta for episode four, Maria was put on a two-on-one date with another contestant, Sydney Gordon, who had taken issue with Maria for what seemed like no reason. The date was on a boat in a beautiful location, and even though a two-on-one wasn’t ideal, Maria still remained optimistic about her relationship with Joey and even managed to make jokes with him despite Sydney being present. Sydney made multiple jabs at Maria in her discussion with Joey, saying, “Maria… is not someone you would want as your wife” and claimed that Maria had been disrespectful to multiple other women in the house (which we have not seen evidence of, btw). In Maria’s discussion with Joey, she simply tells him that she is there to further what she has with him, not to focus on petty drama. That’s how you ignore drama and focus on yourself!
She Makes Bold Moves
In episode three, Maria was having a one-on-one discussion with Joey, while wearing a gorgeous white corset dress. She turns to Joey and says “I can’t breathe in this dress” and mentions that she needed to “slip into something more comfortable.” When Maria returns, she is wearing a black lace two-piece dress. The bold move left Joey too stunned to speak. This bold energy has helped her to go after what she wants in such a competitive environment.
She Works Smarter, Not Harder
In episode six of “The Bachelor” Maria was chosen for a one-on-one “princess” date with Joey. While in the car on their way to their destination, Maria attempts to teach Joey a few words in French. She asks Joey to say “je t’aime,” and he does, unaware that this phrase means “I love you.” With this, Maria is the first contestant of the season to get Joey to utter those three little words… Who said it had to be in English?
She Takes Accountability
In a TikTok video posted February 18, Maria explained that she didn’t consider herself completely innocent in the drama on the show.
“I’m not innocent in this,” Maria said. “If I could go back, honestly, I would do things differently, especially when whatever you’re gonna say or do is just not gonna make the other person happy.”
Maria also explained that taking accountability doesn’t mean not defending yourself when you or your character is being attacked.
“I like to say that I am a woman that speaks her mind and will defend herself at all costs. That’s just how I was raised,” Maria said. She added in text placed over the video,“When it comes to defending my character, I will stand up for myself every damn time.”
She’s the Ultimate Girl’s Girl
In the same TikTok video posted by Maria, she explained how she didn’t want to place blame on other people, and instead wanted to encourage an atmosphere of positivity.
“I really do want to give grace to all of the women involved,” Maria said. “Being in an environment like this, it heightens everything. Your emotions, everything is just overwhelming. So it does get the best of us at times and it did get the best of me.”
Even though she faced relentless bullying on the show from multiple other contestants, Maria didn’t let it get the best of her, and even acknowledged that the environment of the show and constant filming heightened the tension for everyone involved. I think this is the perfect example of rising above and “killing with kindness.”
For far too long, women’s health has not enjoyed the same spotlight as men’s health, with periods being labeled as gross, breastfeeding being conducted in the shadows, and all of the above being “better left unsaid.”
YON E Global seeks to change all of that.
Founded by Roswitha Verwer, YON E Global is a tech manufacturing company, aimed specifically at revolutionizing vaginal care.
The Hungarian-based company is serious about selling products for periods, pregnancies, and sexual health, confronting taboos and removing discomfort, while sticking to the most important part: providing women with access to game-changing products. Those who go to their website can read their blog, purchase sex toys, and view their list of eco-friendly products, including organic and sustainable tampons.
YON E Global intends to make waves in female health care, known colloquially as FemCare, by being at the forefront of the burgeoning Femtech industry, in which medical technology is designed specifically with the female body in mind. According to their mission statement, they “blend 75 years of experience with cutting-edge technology to empower women in managing their vaginal health innovatively.”
The wellness movement, pioneered by people like Gwynth Paltrow, holds many similarities to that of the current state of FemTech. As groups that work to destigmatize female health concerns through products marketed at their wellness, it is fair to make the comparison, but like the period tracking apps that came before it, FemTech is the modern iteration of an age-old problem: how to put female health care directly into women’s hands.
While there are those who question whether or not Femcare is the answer to our gynecological concerns, it is a step in the right direction, bringing us closer to the day when recoiling is no longer an accepted response to the mention of periods.
Now, the stars have aligned for innovation, sex positivity, and women’s leadership to come together in the form of the much-needed YON E Global.
YON E Global said it best themselves: “As a women-owned and women-led company, we understand the unique challenges and joys of womanhood.”
As an organization, they have big plans for the future, teasing an at-home medical device to be released within the next few years. Rest assured, we will all be waiting with bated breath to see how YON E Global takes women’s healthcare even further into the future.
Check out YON E Global here
]]>Situationships, friends with benefits, polyamorous relationships, or casual hookups through dating apps have increased in popularity over the past few years, and that is just to name the few dating styles that come with names. Loosely defined relationships are increasingly the norm, as people explore nontraditional forms of companionship in a judgment-free way.
Dating
Relational conflicts still need to be dealt with as they arise, but what kind of conflicts you encounter depends on what kind of relationship you have.
Modern-day relationships take many forms: polyamorous, asexual, aromantic. By enjoying someone’s company, but still maintaining your freedom, it's impossible not to see the appeal of a “no strings attached” arrangement.
Dating apps allow for meeting new people at the drop of a dime. The amount of time you spend getting to know each other is really up to you, but one conversation that needs to take place is the one about boundaries. Having the talk about personal preferences and exclusivity should happen sooner rather than later, leaving drama and miscommunication for movies and not your real life.
It’s important to understand, however, that while these relationships don’t always come with set definitions, they still, like all relationships, come with boundaries.
Media nowadays isn’t just sex positive but almost overwhelmingly sex positive at times, prioritizing consent and open communication when it comes to needs and, shockingly, wants. Women are finally being shamed less and a focus is now being placed on their pleasure. Shows like “Sex Education” take the “consent is sexy” motto to a whole new level.
Now, with the long overdue emphasis that is being placed on consent, the conversation around boundaries has never been easier.
Friendships
Romantic and sexual relationships aren’t the only ones worthy of our attention. Friendships, while often taken for granted, need just as much care and focus as the other relationships in our lives.
Making friends in adulthood is famously hard to do. (Surrounding ourselves with likeminded people with whom we share common interests can feel like it has the same odds as winning the lottery). But finding friends in today’s world can be achieved through the same means that we use to find dates. Social media can isolate us from our friends but can also help us make them and dating apps can also be used when it comes to making platonic connections. The important thing is just to seek friends out wherever you can.
Gen Z has become somewhat of a chronically lonely generation. We spend our time on our phones and our laptops away from our peers, forming a self-made isolation that resulted in a cultural problem. Studies have found that the average Gen Z woman spends her evenings watching TV on her laptop, as opposed to out on the town.
The occasional night in is fine– especially if you lean more towards introversion– but too much downtime can result in feeling like you don’t have any meaningful relationships with those around you. You may feel like you have fun with your friends, but not that you have a shoulder to cry on when you need it most. Like with our romantic relationships, we need to be just as open and communicative with our friends, balancing our virtual lives with our real ones by knowing when to keep our distance and when to reach out. It is hard to take it too far when it comes to speaking to our friends, since it is not overstepping a boundary to check in on a friend.
If you’re unsure how much communicating your friend wants, that’s a question you should simply ask. That way you find the balance between stalking a friend and ignoring them, though try not to get offended by their answer.
Reminder: whether you’re looking to date or make friends, boundaries are the most important part of any relationship. Things can’t fall into place until boundaries are first established.
]]>Your average Gen Z woman is a radical one, socially-conscious and on a quest to not just improve the aspects of her life where her own personal interests are concerned, but for her society as a whole. We see it often through a girl’s topically-relevant Instagram posts, her links to various resources, and the content that she creates on Tik-Tok and Twitter, where she organizes rallies and protests, creates campaigns and petitions, and mobilizes around issues that matter most to her.
She is powerful and, above all, empowered.
Our generation is wide awake, having grown up during the Opioid Crisis, non-stop school shootings, Black Lives Matter, and Me Too. We’ve been calling for change and getting results.
Being more diverse than any previous generation, Gen Z has a stronger, more vested interest in diversity and inclusion, in a way that encompasses race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and class systems. In doing so, we are hard at work challenging traditional notions of beauty, body image, and gender roles by demanding better representation in all facets of society.
But the work of an activist isn’t an easy one. In fact, it can be downright exhausting. Our current climate can be pretty unforgiving towards young people, putting immense pressure on us to “save the planet” through our efforts to end climate change and to stop gun violence in America. Heavy burdens have been placed on us to fix age-old mistakes.
Young activists aren’t anything new. (The youth activists of the 60s and 70s that fought for civil rights, women’s rights, and gay liberation all come to mind). But today, activism looks different. The average young person being a force for change in their daily lives, with a readily-available platform that they regularly speak out on, is what Delaney Tarr from March for Our Lives refers to as “a 21st Century Celebrity: The Youth Activist.”
Yet, in many ways, it is an unfair expectation to put on us and renders us, as intrepid young, female activists, exhausted and overwhelmed.
Taking up activism is like taking on a second job, yet it is not often treated as one. In recent years, we have been placing an emphasis on self-care and prioritizing mental health when it comes to not letting our jobs kill us, but we have said very little about not being destroyed by our efforts to make a difference in today’s world.
Combat this by prioritizing yourself. Self-care and self-love are foundational for general wellness, making them essential for the activist lifestyle. Taking breaks, learning to say NO, and being forgiving towards ourselves when we need to stop are all important parts of the daily lives of a Gen Z woman’s activism.
We need to take care of ourselves in order to continuously feel empowered as we take on the emotional labor of “fighting the good fight.” We need to be able to step into leadership roles, having proven ourselves capable of taking the lead when it comes to activism and making a difference in today’s world.
]]>Modern-day style can be tricky to navigate. With the ever-changing push and pull of celebrity fashion and new trends emerging every week, it can be hard to tell when a look is “in” just for the moment and when it is “in” for the long haul. But we’ve compiled a definitive list of beauty tips and tricks worth keeping and all of the trends worth chasing. Master these looks and you’ll be well on your way to being a Gen Z fashion icon.
Here are a couple of bite-sized trends, hacks, and brands to get you started:
Fashion Trends:
Stealth Wealth– See Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial style for a complete understanding of what this look exudes. Stealth wealth is the look of quiet luxury, making it seem like you have money by dressing well, but not too well. TV shows like Succession have been partially responsible for the appeal of this cooled-down glamor look, where the wearer gets to look chic, but with the luxury of being laidback. Those who adopt the stealth wealth look often wear upscale casual sweaters and turtlenecks that look comfortable but definitely not cheap. Pairing high end pieces with less expensive pieces is the simplest way to achieve this subdued look.
The Exposed Bra– The Cannes Film Festival took place just a few days ago and it would appear that many of the female celebrities got the same memo. The memo in question? Make your push up bra visible over your silk evening gown. Underwear as outerwear has been the definitive NFSW look for a while now (Kendall Jenner wore tights and no skirt, showing off some black underwear, and Florence Pugh wore her see-through skirt, revealing her thong at Paris fashion week), but showcasing your bra as part of your evening dress is a fresh take on the look. Sydney Sweeney, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Scarlett Johannson flashed us their bra straps over their strapless dresses on the red carpet all night long in a move that is already pretty game-changing. However you choose to show off your underwear, making your bra part of your outfit is the epitome of confidence.
The 90s– AW22 saw the return of both 90s minimalism and 90s maximalism and SS23 is keeping up that energy. 90s womenswear came back in a big way with the return to work following the pandemic, featuring feminine skirts and suits that brought an elevated, polished look into focus. For more casual, non-business attire, the 90s came to the present day in the form of low-rise baggy jeans. The 90s are back in a big way; it’s time to embrace it.
Glittercore– If Paris fashion week taught us anything, it's that glitter is in right now. Following last season’s emphasis on rainbow-colored, dopamine-giving outfits, including our love affair with Barbiecore, it's no surprise that things have been taken one step further through happiness-inducing glitter. This pop of glitter comes just in time for party season when we will all be stepping out of the house in full body glitter.
Beauty Hacks:
Using a brush to clean your face– Spread your face wash across your face with a *clean* brush. By brushing your acne wash across your face, you’re ensuring that you’re getting completely covered without getting your grubby hands in the mix. Once you start cleaning your face with a brush, you’ll never go back to doing it all by hand.
Clean your makeup brushes after every use– This one should seem like a no-brainer, but the quality of your skin is often determined by the griminess of the makeup brushes you use, meaning that they need to be cleaned regularly. The best way to ensure that you’re cleaning your brushes often enough is to give them a quick wash after each and every use before laying them out to dry. Don’t submerge them in water overnight, since you run the risk of causing the glue that holds together the bristles to wear off.
Use Nair for your eyebrows and upper lip– Using Nair on your face probably seems like a pretty big no-no, especially since nair itself smells like tar and the fear of taking off half an eyebrow is all too real, but Nair only removes hair once it’s been on your face for several minutes, making it nearly impossible to accidentally remove a chunk of hair. Applying Nair avoids the pain of plucking and waxing and can be done in less than 10 minutes in your bathroom. Facial Nair is now available in stores to ensure that you’re using the right products on your face’s delicate skin.
Streetwear:
Patta Femme– Patta Femme has always been a go-to when it comes to women’s streetwear since it released its first womenswear line nearly a year ago. Now, with their latest SS23 collection, Patta Femme is being more size inclusive than it was before, making their streetwear wearable to more people. The Dutch-streetwear company is doing what they do best by releasing hoodie dresses, sweatpants, biker shorts, leggings, and cropped hoodies that maximize comfort. We also have their girlishly pink underwear with masculine black piping to look forward to.
Fila– Fila has had our heart since their “Women’s Capsule” collaboration with Playboy about a year ago, in which they took the sexiness of Playboy’s iconography and turned it into women’s empowerment streetwear. It remains unbeatable for its breezy, summer look and feminine undertones. Other collections of theirs includes their knitwear line that went above and beyond and their practical, but fashionable, tennis clothing.
Palace Skateboards– Palace Skateboards makes streetwear into an addiction. Having gone crazy with head-to-toe denim during their Greek classical line in the past, Palace is unafraid to make bold choices. It goes without saying, that Palace is not for the streetwear faint of heart.
HUF– HUF makes streetwear and loungewear, providing you with everything whether you’re staying at home or hitting the streets. HUF has it all from loungewear, knitwear, graphic tees, and outerwear clothes.
Tripp NYC– If you want a slightly more alternative form of streetwear, Tripp NYC takes the grunge look and unites it with New York City style. With both a male and female line, Tripp NYC makes everyone look cool with its throwback-to-the-90s-style, baggy, chainmail jeans that lets the world know that you know how to skateboard.
Golf Wang– The creator of this streetwear brand was none other than Tyler, the Creator himself. His brand offers a youthful pop of color through bright graphic tees and an extensive line of bubblegum-colored converses. Alongside his denim zip-up tops, his hats and t-shirts with their zany patterns and sarcastic slogans make the brand what it is.
]]>SKIMS is a brand that has taken the fashion world by storm with its comfortable, stylish, and high-quality shapewear. However, not everyone can afford to splurge on SKIMS' pricey collection. That's where Amazon comes in with a range of SKIMS dupes that provide the same level of comfort and style at a fraction of the cost. Some popular Amazon brands include SOLY HUX, PUMIEY, Versus, SHAPERX, and many others.
My personal favorite is the brand OQQ which sells a variety of clothing items such as workout sets, jumpsuits, shorts, leggings, and tops. Many of the shirt options sold by OQQ are sold in sets of three making individual tops around $10-15.
Of all the clothes that OQQ offers, I favor the Ribbed Seamless Crop Tank Tops. Again, they are sold in a three-pack and there are over 20 color options. These tanks are super easy to style whether you wear them to workout, for a night out, or just as an everyday outfit.
While they are stylish, they are also super comfortable. As someone, who does not always feel comfortable showing their tummy, pairing these tanks with high-waisted shorts or leggings provides the perfect amount of coverage. While they cling to your body to flatter your form, they are not uncomfortably tight.
With this style of top you can usually expect the bottom to roll up, but with these, it occurs minimally. So rather than constantly adjusting your shirt, you can focus more on enjoying the outfit you put together.
Overall, if you are looking for a SKIMS dupe that is good quality and stylish, yet affordable, I highly recommend checking out our SKIMS dupes!
]]>Coming out of school and hitting the job market can feel like we were thrown into the deep end when it comes to getting jobs. Writing cover letters, formatting resumes, making connections in the industry, and interviewing for jobs, are unavoidable aspects of life in your early twenties. There’s a science to each of them and getting them right is crucial to securing the future that you want.
Specifically, when it comes to interviewing, there are many easy mistakes to make.
Being poised, articulate, making eye contact, and speaking slowly are all important boxes to check, but there’s another part of the interview that’s important to stick the landing on.
You get to the end of the interview, having been composed and collected, looking them in the eye, saying all of the right things, and conveying all kinds of enthusiasm for the job. You had answers for everything, hit every curve ball, and now all you have to do is sign off.
That’s when they ask you if you have any questions for them.
The world can stop if you’re unprepared.
You say, “No… I don’t think so,” and just leave it at that. You might even throw in a chipper, “You answered all of my questions,” with a smile, but that isn’t as useful as coming up with a solid interview question to ask in return.
Asking a few thoughtful questions at the end of your interview can go a long way toward conveying your interest and engagement and shows that you are considering them just as much as they are considering you. While it might seem like a good idea in theory to pretend that they explained everything so well that you don’t have any questions, coming up with one or two insightful things to say while you still have the chance is always a better option.
So, what should you ask?
Well, don’t overthink it. Come up with prepared questions to have in your back pocket about things that you are genuinely curious about. Ask any questions that you actually have, making sure that they weren’t answered already at any point during the interview or in the listing.
If you had any follow up questions about something that was mentioned during the interview, now is the time to ask them. Any questions you may have about salary, hours, or orientation should be brought up then too.
That said, having a few go-to questions, can’t hurt.
“How is feedback provided?” is also useful.
Be prepared, however, to explain any question you might have, should the interviewer be confused by it.
Asking the interviewer about their experiences working there is usually also a safe bet.
If you need more clarification on something, starting your sentences with “can you please elaborate on…” is a polite way of getting more information on a topic.
All in all, those are the positive ways of asking questions at the end of a job interview. Once you’ve said your piece, you’re free to say, “thank you, that answered all of my questions,” and leave it at that.
So, that said, I’ll ask you, “What are you going to ask at the end of your next job interview?”
It’s time to embrace the single life.
Being single oftentimes gets treated like an incurable disease the older you get, one that gets magnified every Valentine’s Day and when you need a date for a wedding. Yet, dating isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be.
Studies have found that those who stay single for prolonged periods of time are staggeringly happier than those who date far more often. Likewise, studies have also shown that women who never marry or have children are considered to be among the happiest in society.
And yet, despite all of this, so often we’d still rather be in a relationship than to get asked by a relative, “so, are you seeing anyone special lately?”
The pressure to couple up comes on hard in your twenties when those around you start settling down or are in long term relationships. For some of us, the desire to stay single comes on naturally (we prefer to be alone in our own space, free of drama, thank you very much), but for others, companionship is all too important.
Regardless of whether you’re single by choice or not, here are a few of the ways you can enjoy being blissfully single in your day-to-day life:
Optimize This Time
Don’t wait for a significant other to start enjoying your life. Start living your life and don’t wait for other people. The notion of going out to the movies by yourself or taking yourself out to dinner might be treated as sad by those around you, but not if you remind yourself that by eating dinner alone you’re only paying for your half, you don’t have to dress up or even put makeup on, and you don’t have to have any nerves about saying the right thing or going home with them afterwards. When you take yourself out on a dinner date, you can, for once, just focus on the food.
You Get To Save Your Money
You get to save your money and not just every year on February 14th. You get to save money on you and your partner’s would-be anniversary, your partner’s would-be birthday, and your partner’s would-be religious holiday, all of which you would have to spring for a gift on. During the ordinary times of your relationship, you would be expected to spend money on the things that you don’t get paid back for, cute things that you know your partner would like, and small gestures here and there. Herein lies part of the reason that long-term single people are happier: they have more money.
You Have More Time For Your Friends
What are friends for? With your Saturday nights free, you have ample time to hang out with your friends, which can be worth its weight in gold. Without a SO taking away your time, you’ll have more time to spend with your friends, and your female friends in particular. You’ll have more time and energy for them so go away for the weekend if you want. You’ll have the money.
You Have More Time For Yourself
I’m not just talking about putting on a face mask in your oversized sweatshirt as you watch Netflix on your laptop, sitting up in bed (although that sounds awesome too). There’s a freedom to being single. You don’t have to consider another person’s needs when applying to a new job that might force you to move or work long hours. All of the time in your life belongs to you.
Go Out More
You can get out more as part of the single life. You don’t have to wait around for your partner to be in the mood to go out or for your plans to align with their schedule. Without a partner around, you’ll feel guilt-free about going out to a bar or a party or a museum or park. Singles bars and bookstores will soon become your best friend.
You Get To Enjoy Flirting
When you have a partner, receiving interest from a member of the preferred sex can feel like a betrayal, even if you didn’t encourage or instigate it. Whenever someone starts flirting with you and you’re already spoken for, you feel the urge to shut it down as quickly as possible. With no one in your life to claim you, you can enjoy all of the positive attention you want from someone else. You even get to reciprocate it as much as you want. You’re young and flirting doesn’t happen as much when you get older. Get it while the gettin's good. Flirt away.
Don’t Feel The Need To “Age Out Of Being Single”
Being single isn’t something that you need to outgrow. Oftentimes, when we see advice about embracing being a single woman, it comes with an unwritten expiration date, as if to say “being single is cute for now, but cut it out by the time you’re forty.” Stay single for as long as you feel, with the knowledge that it is always better to be single than to settle.
That concludes our list of reasons why you’re probably better off single until you find the right person. Here is your yearly reminder that you don’t need a man (or anyone of any gender, for that matter) to complete you. You’re fabulous the way you are and you’re free to enjoy your early twenties as an independent woman.
]]>Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are becoming an increasingly popular option for people looking to save money on healthcare costs. An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account that can be used to pay for qualifying medical expenses. As the demand for HSAs has grown, so too has the availability of HSA products on Amazon.
HSA-eligible products on Amazon.
Amazon offers a variety of HSA-eligible products. These products can be purchased using HSA funds and Amazon even has a dedicated HSA store that makes it easy to find HSA-eligible products. Here is a list of my favorite HSA-eligible items available on Amazon:
(1) Cera Ve Renewing SA Cleanser
(2) Supergroup! Glow Oil SPF 50
(3) OLLY Prenatal Gummy Multivitamin
(4) Biofreeze Roll-on Pain-Relieving Gel
(5) COOLA Organic Water Stick Face Moisturizer with SPF 50
(6) Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick
(7) Rael Organic Cotton Cover Pads
(8) Pixie Cup- Menstrual Cups Starter Kit
(9) Mighty Patch
Benefits of HSA products on Amazon.
One of the benefits of purchasing HSA products on Amazon is the convenience. You can shop for HSA-eligible products and services from the comfort of your own home and have them delivered directly to your door. Additionally, Amazon offers competitive pricing and a wide selection of products, so you're sure to find what you need at a price you can afford.
Another benefit of shopping for HSA products on Amazon is the ability to read customer reviews. Before making a purchase, you can read reviews from other customers who have purchased the same product. This can help you make an informed decision and ensure that you're getting a high-quality product that meets your needs.
Overall, Amazon is a great place to shop for HSA products. Whether you're looking for an HSA-eligible health insurance plan, an HSA account, or HSA-eligible products, Amazon has you covered. With competitive pricing, a wide selection of products, and the convenience of online shopping, Amazon is a top choice for anyone looking to take advantage of the benefits of an HSA.
Check out Caitlyn Kumi’s Amazon Storefront to shop HSA-eligible items.
As a college student who is just getting back from a Spring Break trip, packing everything that I wanted to take in a carry-on was incredibly stressful. After the week was up, I realized that there were only 7 essential items that I needed for the week. With Spring Breaks in full swing and summer right around the corner, I have compiled a list of products that you can find on Amazon that I consider to be my vacation essentials!
A cute and stylish pair of sunglasses are always a need when you are travelling to a sunny or tropical destination. You can also use them year-round when you are just driving around!
As college students on Spring Break, there is often a lack of counter space and mirrors when everyone is getting ready for the day or for a night out. Finding a travel mirror, especially one that has a light is a life saver because you can turn any space into your vanity!
Vacation is always a good excuse for a new bikini. Shopping for bathing suits is always fun, especially seeing the new styles and patterns!
A comfy and stylish beach cover-up is a must! No matter where you are, it is super simple to slip over your bathing suit and you can wear it anywhere!
For travel, or lounging around, a cute and comfy set is essential when going on a trip. You don’t have to put effort into your outfit, and you will still be comfortable and stylish.
Whether you are driving or flying, laying out on the beach, by the pool, or going on a hike, I find it entertaining to always travel with a good book.
One of the things that I find myself struggling with is packing too many toiletries which take up way too much space in a carry-on. It is helpful to find travel size versions of your products or containers that you can transfer your products in!
Check out Caitlyn Kumi's Amazon Storefront to shop these essentials!
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Lucky girl syndrome, which is the idea that you can manifest the life that you want by maintaining a positive attitude, introduces a new spin on how to get your dream job.
Many have been quick to criticize this approach, stating that simply wearing a smile doesn’t change much of anything, especially not when it comes to job security, but while lucky girl syndrome has largely been written off as delusional, it highlights the recent focus that has been placed on people earning jobs that they feel supported by and the ways that they go about achieving them.
Many new schemes for advancement in the workplace have come to light recently with “quiet quitting” and “rage applying,” being two of the most popular. Countless news outlets have even gone so far as to declare that “rage applying” is the new “quiet quitting,” creating somewhat of a contrived Gen Z–Millenial rift. Quiet quitting has been the domain of Millennials, while rage applying has been purely Gen Z, yet both are responses to burnout.
Quiet quitting is the act of refusing to go above and beyond for a job that you don’t care about and doesn’t care about you. You may have spent hours working overtime for a job that doesn’t pay you overtime or you may be earnestly and ambitiously giving a job or internship your all in the hopes that it will result in you climbing the ladder and getting promoted.
The issue with this is that it is exhausting.
Staying overtime, doing extra work (oftentimes for no extra pay), and doing the work of your peers, while maintaining a positive attitude, will eventually prove disastrous for your sanity.
So, many people have said, just don’t do it. Do your job, clock in on time, but do not do more than what is expected of you if you do not feel like you will receive anything in return.
In other words: don’t let your job kill you.
This might be strange advice to take in your 20s, when you’re expected to hustle the most, and others have pointed out the privilege, inherent, in the refusal to do back-breaking work, but mostly people point out the value in quiet-quitting. If the place you work at doesn’t respect you, or even exploits you, then quiet quitting might be the way to save yourself.
With this in mind, rage-applying is the natural next step after quiet-quitting. Rage-applying is when an employee begins applying to numerous other jobs when they feel undervalued in their current position.
Rage applying has become popular on Tik-Tok with miraculous stories coming out from people who got fed up with their jobs, applied to 15 other places, and ended up in a new position with a salary that is $15,000 higher. For many, rage applying can mean the difference between working for hourly pay versus working for yearly pay.
However, rage applying is what happens only when frustration with your job translates into real action. Writing perfectly-tailored cover letters is a time-consuming and soul-sucking process and finding a new job usually requires reaching out to any and all connections in your chosen industry as a way to give you an edge in the application process. These are the necessary evils of applying, much less rage applying, to new positions. Being committed to the process of finding better employment means confidently applying to places, regardless of how timid you actually feel. Don’t allow yourself to get demoralized throughout this process with the understanding that applying to jobs is a numbers game, fraught with near-constant rejection. This is about carving out the life that you want for yourself during the most flexible time in your life: your twenties.
The theory that “if you do what you’re passionate about, you’ll never work a day in your life” remains good in theory, but hard to accomplish in real life. Lucky girl syndrome and other ideas of manifestation have been taken to task for promoting unreasonable expectations for how a person can passively obtain the life that they want, but the combination of not forcing yourself to work a mentally-draining job and applying to places better suited to your needs, remains the current way to go. With both approaches being treated as fads, it is impossible to know the future of careerism, but in the meantime gen-zers and millennials will be rage applying and quiet quitting for the foreseeable future.
]]>This is your sign to revamp your finances.
If saving and making more money were two of your New Year’s resolutions, then this article is for you.
We all tell ourselves that we want to be better with money, but actually doing the work of change is always much harder.
Even if your income is not where you want it to be, being smart with your money can prove more important in the end, but there are a few things you should know going into discussions surrounding money and finances.
For starters…
Women make less money
It is well-documented and a feminist sticking point that women are not paid nearly as much as their male counterparts for the same job, making a median sum of 83 cents for every dollar a man makes, less so if they are women of color. However, women oftentimes do not have as much time in the workforce as their male counterparts. Due to societal expectations of women as caregivers, women typically are out of the workforce more often than men due to raising kids, taking care of aging parents, and looking after an ailing spouse. Women are also more likely to outlive their husbands. This seriously impacts their income and presents problems later on in life since women will, therefore, have less money to put in 401Ks and their social security benefit is based on their 35 highest earning years. According to The Brookings Institute, “on average, a woman’s social security benefits are only 80% of those received by men.”
Personal finance tips are gender-agnostic, with gender breakdowns not going much further than “women tend to do this” and “men tend to do that,” making most personal finance tips universally sound. With the deck already stacked against women when it comes to making money, it is therefore incumbent on women to take greater control of their finances.
There is some good news. On average, women typically make better investments than men in large part because they are less likely to gamble or jump on a “hot investment tip” from a friend. Women make savvier investment choices due to being more cautious and being more likely to stick to a plan. As a result, women often make better long-term investors, incrementally making more money rather than making large-scale, sweeping investments. This is interesting when you consider the fact that women invest far less than men do. If women invested as often as men there would be an additional 3.22 trillion dollars in assets available today, according to a recent study by BNY Mellon Investment Management.
Start saving and investing money right now
You need to begin saving and investing now with an understanding that investments and savings are two very different things. Essentially, savings are short term and investments are long term. Your savings are for shorter term goals and as a safety net in case of emergencies, whereas your investments are long term for goals like funding your retirement. The idea here is simple: the younger you are when you start saving and investing, the more money you have to put towards retirement and the better off you will be. Women especially need to have more money placed in investments since they are projected to live further into old age and therefore need to be able to afford the cost of living for longer than their male counterparts. On average, 9 out of 10 women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives, according to Fidelity Investments.
In the event of an emergency, which can and will happen at the least convenient time and when you least expect it, you need to have easily accessible money stored away to prevent the emergency from becoming a major life setback. If you are single, you should keep six months worth of expenses in your savings account, not to be touched unless a disaster strikes. Creating a savings account means putting money away, little by little, every month or week. If you work a forty hour work week at a minimum wage job, even storing away just five dollars a week at a time is one of the best ways to ensure that your savings will add up.
The younger you are when you start investing and saving money, the more money you can put towards retirement and your own personal safety. Time is the biggest factor when it comes to your savings and investments due to the time value of money.
Readdress Your Relationship With Your Credit Cards Since You’re Probably Using Them Wrong
Credit cards are a necessary evil of modern life, with credit scores determining whether or not you are able to buy or rent a place to live, while also driving up consumerism, but people often mistake credit cards as being “free money.”
There is nothing free about them.
Most people are probably aware that irresponsible behavior with a credit card will result in serious long term problems, but few probably know that they are already acting irresponsibly with their credit cards.
Your credit score is fluid, with a new score being created every month, but your credit score is not just comprised of your balance. 35% of your credit score is your payment history, comprised of the expediency with which you pay it off and how close you get to your credit limit. So if your credit card is perpetually at its limit because you rarely pay it off then you are severely limited when it comes to your living situation and your future credit cards. Many people don’t realize that their credit score determines the interest rate the bank will give you on any future cards and is a determining factor when it comes to buying or renting a place to live.
Also, when a person purchases something with their credit card, they frequently end up paying double than what the price of the product was, because they get charged if they have not paid back the loan by the end of the month. So, before you buy something with your credit card, ask yourself, “would I spend twice as much on this product than I’m already paying?” If the answer is no, either don’t buy it, pay in cash, or be prepared to pay it off as quickly as you can.
In conclusion, begin investing and saving now, by sticking to a cautious investment plan and actively saving enough for six months worth of expenses. Pay off your credit card on time before finance charges can rack up and always stay on top of your credit score. Once a woman has achieved all of this, she has come a long way towards securing a better future for herself and closing the gender wealth gap.
]]>Have a morning routine
Set an alarm to go through you morning routines so that you can transition your home environment to your workspace. Freshening up in the morning and changing out of your pajamas helps you adopt a professional mindset and prepare for the workday. Your morning routine will help indicate when the work day starts.
Set daily and weekly goals
Take a few minutes to set goals for your day and week to help hold yourself accountable. Use your daily goals to help you reach your larger goals.
Make time for breaks
Ensure you set aside some time during the day to take a break and refresh, you can go on a walk or just relax for some time. Taking breaks outside can help you recharge and just get out of the house. Taking breaks can help to prevent burnout.
Have a designated workspace
Create a workspace for yourself where you can work without distractions and noises. Also, if you live with others creating boundaries and letting others know your designated workspace is off limits during work hours. Using different spaces in your home help create a distinction between working and relazing.
Set work hours
Setting work hours helps you set boundaries. It is easy to work longer hours while working from home but setting boundaries can help so you don’t feel overworked.
Ask for feedback
Seeing as you have limited interactions while working at home asking for feedback lets you know any areas that you need to improve on. This helps you understand how your manager and leaders see your performance, knowing areas that you can improve helps you work on those and boost overall performance.
Limit distractions
Limiting distractions such as tv and your phone help boost productivity. If you can work in another room that does not have a tv or put your phone in a different room until you complete the tasks at hand. Getting rid of distractions help keep you focused while working.
Plan for tomorrow the night before
Keep yourself accountable with a daily to-do list. At the end of each workday, jot down a task list for the next day, detailing what you need to get done and by what time. You should also include any meetings or calls you’re participating in. The goal is to pull up that list as soon as you log on the next morning to help you get off to a good start.
Tim Burton’s new show “Wednesday” hit Netflix on November 23rd, coming in as a gothic feast for the senses and what every “weird girl” has been waiting for. Propped up by heavy-hitters like Tim Burton, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Christina Ricci, the TV show encompasses an adolescent Wednesday Addams as she navigates high school with her tell-tale disdain for her peers and the world around her.
While the show was at times missing a few beats and lacking some of the charm of the original adaptations, (the relationship between Morticia and Wednesday is not as loving and affectionate as we've come to know, for example), the show’s sense of humor is perfectly intact, with cheeky references to the previous versions laden throughout.
The gothic aesthetic, the Latinx representation, and the Romanian atmosphere of where it was shot, all make for a compelling story. Christina Ricci has just proven that she can steal the show no matter who she’s playing in an Addams Family story and Tim Burton got back to what he does best by telling a twisty tale of outcasts and monsters.
Ever since it was announced, I was dying to get a good look at it.
Personally, I’ve always loved Wednesday Addams. She reminds me of myself and there aren’t many female characters that do. I was even told once by someone I’d just met that the person I most reminded him of, at least in terms of facial expressions, was Wednesday Addams. This was fitting because I’d already had a poster of her– the Christina Ricci version– in my dorm room for years, in between my Fleabag poster and Jane Fonda’s mugshot, completing my shrine to sassy, iconic women.
I love the female representation: introverted, anti-social, frank, unconcerned with what others think of her, in possession of a cynical view on society, a low-tolerance for other people’s bullshit, and an unapologetic attitude– all done without smiling.
For much of my life I felt like her. My lack of inhibition, my obsession with Halloween, and, more often than not, my unwillingness to socialize with my peers, all made for an interesting childhood. Growing up meant added cynicism, criticizing the aspects of society that I found the most egregious, and still not interacting with my peers if I could help it. Wednesday Addams was, and still is, my comfort character.
So when Netflix said that they were releasing a TV series solely devoted to her, I may have screamed. Needless to say, I devoured the series in a night to see how they delivered on my beloved Wednesday Addams.
It was all there, from her playfully psychotic flare to her snarky one-liners. Jenna Ortega and Tim Burton captured her just right: a deadpan face, a monotone voice, and a bone-chilling smile that only appears when something horrifying is happening. That’s Wednesday. For Jenna Ortega this was the role that she was born to play. She was the perfect Wednesday Addams, bleak and macabre, but above all else, she was the weird girl for this generation.
This new interaction has Wednesday, now a psychic and a novelist, going to a school for other abnormal children, adding something new to the Addams Family story. Magical children sent to boarding school screams Harry Potter knock-off with shoddy world building, but the show manages to pull it off, making it believable even in the absurd. There, even in a school for outcasts, she still manages to be the weird one.
Likewise, for much of middle school and high school I was seen as a “weird girl” and even when I went off to college to a small liberal arts college known for its eccentricity and emphasis on the arts, I still felt different. I was surrounded by like minded peers for once in my life, which usually offered all of the companionship I needed, but I still found that I was oftentimes uninterested in what other people were interested in. This is encouraging, in perhaps a main-character-syndrome-way, but potentially disconcerting at the same time. I still had people commenting on my high confidence and introverted tendencies, a seemingly oxymoronic combo, but something that makes me relate to Wednesday.
Wednesday manages to be wise beyond her years while still being a teenager brimming with awkwardness. More than one guy is smitten with her. (Ah, yes, the weird girl wish-fulfillment, where you can be that strange and still have men adore you). It offers hope, even when you, like her, would rather avoid men like the plague.
Wednesday Addams has become somewhat of an aspirational figure for many. Her unwillingness to conform to other’s expectations is the attitude that many people, young women especially, wish they had. In a world where everyone wishes they could be themselves and “not care what other people think,” Wednesday has always been the embodiment of that. During a time of “toxic positivity,” she offers the solution for a generation of teenagers who have an overdose of teen-angst, more so than previous generations. All of this made me realize that she doesn’t just represent Gen Z; she is Gen Z, in the same way that Daria brought out the youth attitude of the 90s.
Far from apolitical, Wednesday fights back against injustice and says what we are all thinking.
Her anger towards the world and the establishment strike all the right chords in her new contemporary setting.
Wednesday Addams remains the female icon that we need right now: supremely confident, unapologetic, and wise beyond her years, making her an unusual heroine that women and girls need today.
Dressed in head-to-toe black Wednesday Addams was perhaps never expected to be anything more than a one-off goth character, but has since become a sword-wielding symbol for girls unabashedly speaking their minds, and was just put front and center in her own show. Now, with an updated storyline for our once sidelined anti-hero, weird girls everywhere will be saluting this new and improved goth icon.
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Regardless of where you stand on abortion in America, the overturning of Roe V Wade has complicated all of our lives by limiting our options. Now, it feels like our reproductive lives aren’t fully in our control, risking our futures in very serious ways. It might even feel like we don’t know the basics when it comes to our health (courtesy of my freshman year health class).
When there are things that I feel like I need to know, I've struggled to find safe, medically-sound answers. In the past, I’ve skimmed Cosmo articles, begging for some helpful information and tips on whatever I need. Google searching specific questions about health concerns is no longer an option.
If you, like me, have been struggling to find an app that doesn’t make you pay for a subscription to access the basic amenities that they claim to provide for free (eye-roll), you probably stumbled upon the same highly-recommended apps that I did, each promising to be the end-all-be-all app for women’s reproductive rights. Period-tracking apps have been around for a while, informing women of their fertility, ovulations, and when to expect their periods. It’s one of the few ways that your average “modern woman,” as we are often called, can access important information and resources. An expert, plus all of the information we need, is right at our fingertips.
You go in, enter your customized settings with a girl power flair, and then you receive recommendations for contraceptives and pregnancy odds based on the information that was sent to them. It’s tastefully done and reassuring for young women out there who are scared.
Apps like Flo have articles, automated chats, and a place to not just log your period, but its symptoms in detail, yet Flo doesn’t just chart your period for you. It gives you information on anything under the sun regarding your personal health, from pregnancy signs, how to cope with cramps, and fertility, explaining it to you in ways your high school health teacher probably didn’t. It is a medically-accurate, sex-positive, and gender-nuetral app that takes a judgement-free approach to being sexually-active but not wanting kids. In other words, it is the kind of app we need right now.
However, despite seemingly being women’s best friends, period-tracking apps are perhaps more dangerous now than ever. On one hand, using the apps puts a person more in control of their biology, making pregnancy less likely in the first place, but apps aren’t always 100% accurate since they aren’t perfectly tuned into your body. It can only do the best that it can with the information that it has, not taking into account the quirks and whims of human fertility.
Mostly, it is a question of privacy. These apps sell our information, information that is highly sensitive and can potentially wreck havoc on our lives in our current political state. Your personal information can be accessed by others and used against you if you’re seeking an abortion in a state that has recently banned them.
Privacy concerns surrounding these apps existed prior to the end of Roe, but are posing real concerns now since they aren’t protected by HIPAA and can be used in criminal investigations.
So should we or should we not go back on our period-tracking ovulation apps now that we’ve gone back on Roe as well?
Experts say that you don’t have to delete your app, since it is unlikely that the information will be shared at all, but that you should be aware of the risks associated with not doing so, since it is still not impossible. Another important question to ask is whether or not you live in a state in which abortions have recently been made illegal. If you live in a state where it’s illegal, tracking apps are far less safe.
In the end, it is up to the discretion of each and every woman to decide whether or not she is comfortable to continue using her tracking app. Concerns surrounding the future of this issue still abound as we wait with bated breath to see how our lives will be shaped by living in a post-Roe V Wade America.
]]>Exercising is an essential part of all of our lives. It reduces our risk of heart problems and diabetes, improves our mental health, and keeps us sharp in our old age. In the best of circumstances, it teaches us problem solving, goal setting, and occasionally teamwork, and yet, it is not always the most riveting and enjoyable way to pass the time.
Getting yourself through your workout routine with enthusiasm seldom works, oftentimes saying “just do it,” just doesn’t do it for us, and working on yourself, in any capacity, feels grueling and unrewarding, but there are ways to combat these feelings.
For starters, let’s dispel a few exercising myths. You don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn and you don’t need to constantly set lofty goals for yourself so that you’ll feel bad when you don’t reach them. Remember that you can exercise however you want and that you’re lapping everyone on the couch.
Here are our five tips on the best ways to take your workout routine from boring to exciting in just a few simple steps:
Think about it: you and your bestie wearing your elastic, 80s-tastic workout gear, listening to your diva playlist, and thinking only positive thoughts while doing your favorite form of exercise. You will be unstoppable.
]]>With Halloween approaching, it becomes stressful to pick out one, non-basic, but cute costume that everyone will understand, let alone three or four for those of us with plans all Halloweekend. If you are anything like me, you have been trolling Pinterest and TikTok trying to find the perfect costumes. So, to help us all out I have listed the costumes that I have noticed the most on my hunt for the perfect one. And the best part is that everything you will need for each costume is linked in the Miss EmpowHer Amazon Storefront. Continue reading below for a list of the 9 costumes that were trending on my feed and everything that you will need for them.
(1) Lightning McQueen
Kachow! This Lightning McQueen costume is super cute and can easily be done with things that you may find in your closet. It is also a cute and easy costume to throw together year-round for any event requiring a costume.
(2) Firefighter/ Police Officer
While a firefighter or police officer costume may seem a little basic, they are super easy too DIY. The best part is that the two are easily interchangeable, depending on the accessories you choose.
(3) Playboy Bunny
This take on a classic seems to be super popular this year, and if you want to turn this costume into a duo, your partner can throw on a red robe and tag-along as Hugh Hefner.
(4) Toy Story Alien
This costume idea is super cute and super easy with only three parts. If you and the girls are looking for a group costume, this is also a great option.
(5) Vector (Despicable Me)
In 2010, the trendy costume was a Despicable Me minion. Fast forward 12 years, and the villain in the orange jumpsuit carrying a shrink ray is the new trendy costume.
(6) Gold Digger
Alexa, play Gold Digger by Kanye West. The word play for this costume makes it so creative and cute. Pull out your shovels and gold skirts and keep track of all of the comments this costume will get you.
(7) Princess Mia (Princess Diaries)
Hailey Bieber's Princess Mia costume from Halloween of 2021 has been all over my social media feeds this year. This costume is a super cute way to live your childhood dreams of becoming a princess overnight, much like Anne Hathaway's character in the "Princess Diaries."
(8) Top Gun
With Top Gun 2 coming out this summer, a Top Gun inspired costume this Halloween was a no-brainer. Pick a call sign and fly into Halloweekend with yourself or co-pilot and enjoy the ride.
(9) Kendall Jenner inspired Witch
Another celeb inspired costume that has been trending this year is Kendall Jenner's take on a witch. This is a super cute costume that is easy to recreate and put your own spin on. You can dress it up or down, and it is the perfect costume to keep for years to come.
]]>Megan Thee Stallion is back at it again doing, checks notes, “real hot girl sh*t.”
Megan doesn’t just create music that boosts your confidence–although she definitely does that–she also has pioneered a new mental health portal, designed to improve people’s mental state by providing them with resources. It has been a career of iconic moves for Megan Thee Stallion and she just has unveiled her latest one: Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too.
Megan has created a website that not only provides mental health resources, but is intersectional in its approach. The categories on her website include: The LGBT National Youth Talkline, Trans Lifeline, Therapy for Black Girls, Therapy for Black Men, Black Mental Wellness, and Strongheart Native Helpline, among others. She is putting marginalized groups at the forefront of mental health treatment, changing the narratives that we often see when it comes to mental health. She also provides numbers for crisis hotlines and substance abuse treatment.
Get ready to crank some Stallion tonight for she has earned it.
By providing this service, Megan is being protective and responsible, looking out for anyone out there who needs help. Megan’s mental health resources might be just what we need. The title alone encapsulates how people can be strong and resilient while still occasionally struggling, taking away the ideas of weakness that are often associated with seeking help.
As if alleviating the stigma surrounding mental health wasn’t enough, people who go to her website can take links to specific resources, call hotlines, and find a therapist. The platinum artist has outdone herself.
The launch of this website coincides with the release of her new album “Traumazine.” The title gets its name from the hook of Megan’s new song “Anxiety,” in which she opens up about her feelings of anxiety. In the song she states, “They keep saying I should get help/but I don’t even know what I need.”
And if you, or someone you know, is struggling with similar mental health issues, go to
]]>With the new academic year starting and millions of students arriving on campus - either returning or making their first visit - everyone wants to be as prepared as they can be for the chaotic college experience. After successfully making my way through my first year (more or less) and already making headway into my second, I’ve learned quite a bit about the college experience - though some lessons would’ve been better to know beforehand! Here are some of the main things I’ve learned and wished I knew about before I started college.
A lot of people told me that college classes would be harder than high school classes, and that the different grading scales would make achieving the top grade more difficult. I always brushed these kinds of comments away, thinking to myself, “how hard could it really be to get all A’s?”. The answer? Pretty hard. For one, an A is no longer anything 90 and above. Different classes have different grading scales, but the typical A (the one that counts as a 4.0 in your GPA) is a 95 and higher - a big difference from high school. Meaning, the same 90 that barely saved your GPA in high school could now be worth a 3.7 in college terms.
Apart from the grading scale, college classes are also structured in a way that puts a lot more responsibility on you to get your work done. Teachers often assume students will regularly check the syllabus to stay up-to-date on required readings and coursework, making it very easy to let assignments pass you by and drop your grade. It’s important to stay on top of deadlines in whatever way works for you - using a planner, making sticky notes, setting reminders, or using an app. Anything to keep you organized helps!
Many classes - especially STEM classes - use curves on exams, homeworks, and even the final grade to create a more even distribution of scores across all students. In some cases, where the curve is algebraic or where the teacher adds a certain number of points to everyone, the curve can help you. In others, where the curve is rank-based and your grade is only as good as the students you do better than, it is much harder to get a good grade. If there is a curve for some portion of the class, be sure to figure out what it is early on!
In high school, clubs would meet once a week at most for a quick after-school meeting or a short before-school session. Unless you were competing or working on a project of sorts, high school clubs wouldn’t take up more than an hour or two a week. That’s not the case in college. For one, the variety of clubs available is much larger than in high school. There are hundreds of options from career-oriented to service-based to cultural to hobby-specific clubs to choose from. Some of these clubs might only meet once or twice a semester. Others might meet several times a week for a few hours each time, with additional things to complete outside of standard club meeting times.
Speaking of which, college clubs don’t usually meet right at 3:30 like high school clubs since many students have variable class schedules that could go well into the evening. To accommodate, college clubs usually meet any time between 5pm and 9pm. This later time might take a little getting used to, but it does end up being pretty convenient with schedule planning!
You’ll hear about career fairs happening at least once a month at college. These are great ways to interact with potential hirers and practice interview techniques. Career fairs are also great opportunities for networking. You’ll meet countless people in your field at these kind of events - talk to them and build connections!
As a freshman, I didn’t pay too much attention to career fairs until the middle of second semester when I started looking for summer internships. While there were still a few options available at this time, most of the ones I wanted had already filled their available spots for the summer and were focused on hiring for the next year. In fact, most of the summer positions I was looking at were filled during career fairs during first semester and the very first weeks of second semester. So pro tip: go to career fairs earlier rather than later!
A good estimate for how much homework you’ll have is to account for around 2-3 hours of homework for every one hour of class. So for example, if you have 2 hours of class one day, you can expect around 6 hours of homework. Now of course, this is not standardized in any way. In fact, some classes give much more than 3 hours of homework a night while others don’t give any at all. The x3 rule is just a general estimate.
Typically, STEM classes will give a lot of homework involving problems requiring some form of calculations or analysis. Most science and even some math classes will also have labs that require you to do certain pre-lab and post-lab reports, readings, and computations to better understand the material. In contrast, humanities classes will have a lot of required readings and papers to write. For some, you might even need to perform some of your own research. Each is time-consuming in its own way, but the heavy workload from some classes will often be balanced out with a lighter workload from others, making daily homework more manageable.
I know, I know, I just said that you’ll be drowning in homework most nights, but trust me, you’ll also have a lot of free time. You go to class for a significantly shorter time in college than you do in high school. Even if you register for the max number of classes allowed (18 credits at my university, 19 with special permission), you’ll only be in class for around half the time you were in class in high school. There are many ways to organize classes for your schedule, but a typical schedule has 2-5 hours of class on any given day, whereas most high schools had 7-8 hour long days.
Yes, a good chunk of your newfound free time will be filled with homework and maybe even extracurriculars like clubs or music or sports, but there are still going to be at least a couple of hours every day where you don’t have anything to do. Take this time to relax or hang out with friends or explore campus! As important as it is to stay on top of your schoolwork, it is equally important to take good breaks to decompress and return to your best state of mind.
When most people think of college athletes, they probably think of college football or basketball. They might picture highly talented individuals who excelled in their sport for years before being selected to a college team and continue to practice for hours a day. While there are certainly athletes like this at college (and if you’re one of them, congratulations! It’s very impressive to be good enough at a sport to play on a college team!), there are still plenty of opportunities for more casual players.
Club sports is a great way to play and compete with people who are skilled, but don’t want the time commitment of playing directly for the university. Club athletes usually have more flexible practice schedules, but still get to play against clubs in other colleges and compete at the state and even national level. At the next level, there’s also intramural sports. You can either play on an intramural team comprised of your friends (for team sports) or play by yourself (for solo sports) and compete against other intramural players. Intramural sports are usually limited to the college itself and have a very small time commitment. Intramural is great for people who’d like to play sports for fun without a huge commitment to practice or events.
Many residence halls on campus even rent out sports equipment for a couple hours at a time and you can play for fun whenever you’d like across the various courts and fields across campus. Many colleges also host competitions for casual players to play different sports against other students. Research the opportunities your college offers to learn more about the specifics!
Some of you may have witnessed what I have in the classroom: female students not participating as much as their male counterparts. The male students fill the silence while the female ones won’t out of fear of being wrong, girls raise their hands at around head level with the boys proudly raise their hands as far as their arms will extend, girls struggle to get a response out in class without stumbling over “ums” and “likes,” and girls, at times, will perfectly articulate a salient, well-thought out response, only to end it by saying “if that makes any sense.”
The reason for this isn't that boys have more to say; the reason for this is that girls are told from an early age to be quiet more often and to take up less space.
While public speaking is something that a lot of people struggle with, along with not saying “like” and “um” constantly, it is possible for young women to work past their anxiety in order to speak up more in class, make excellent points, and then stick the landing. Here are some ways to boost your confidence level and contribute to the class conversation like a natural:
Listening to a confidence-inspiring, girl power playlist:
There’s nothing like dropping the needle first thing in the morning to put you in the right mindset. I start off every morning to “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone, followed by “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King, and “You’re so Vain,” by Carly Simon, a regimen my father put me on when I was in high school. If you want music from this century, “Little Me,” by Little Mix perfectly encapsulates the attitude for telling your young, female self “to speak up” and “be a little bit louder, be a bit prouder.”
Watching that scene from Legally Blonde:
“I’ll show you how valuable Elle Woods can be,” Reese Witherspoon says as she storms off in her Playboy bunny costume. Then begins a montage of the iconic Elle Woods buying a laptop (still in costume), getting in shape, carrying books, and, most importantly, killing it in the classroom and impressing her professors. She does all of this without succumbing to the nastiness of her naysayers. You can show them how valuable you can be by watching this scene on repeat, as I did during my freshman year of college, and really internalizing the motivation that is coursing through Elle Woods in that moment.
Sitting and raising your hand with more confidence:
This advice might seem a bit strange: increase your confidence by acting like you're already confident, but social psychologist Amy Cuddy gave a Ted Talk in which she discussed the effect that our posture and body language has on our confidence level and broke down the disparities that you witness in posture, especially when it comes to gender. The way to combat this, according to Cuddy, is for women and girls to strike more confidence-inspiring poses, as faking confidence leads to the creation of actual confidence, according to her research. “Don’t fake it til you make it,” she says, “fake it til you become it.”
In conclusion: Raise your hand as high as you can, even if you aren’t that sure of your answer. Avoid your "likes" and your "ums", but don't beat yourself up when they happen. Never end a statement by saying “if that makes any sense.” Start everyday with powerful music that’ll make you feel like a powerful woman and, when necessary, channel Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
Then, you will be right on your way towards being the best student in the class, or at least, the most confident one.
]]>Barbiecore has entered the fashion zeitgeist as the hottest fashion trend of the summer, courtesy of director Greta Gerwig, whose highly-anticipated, upcoming Barbie movie has everyone excited to see Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling grace the screen in hot pink neon. Barbiecore is a fashion movement filled with a flood of hot pink and magenta colors, usually being worn on dresses, skirts, and platform heels, allowing girls to embrace unapologetic girliness and femininity, like Barbie herself. It is the latest in a long line of fashion trends sweeping the world of fashion, but its relevance goes beyond good looking clothes.
Barbiecore offers a rebuttal of the “not like other girls phenomenon,” a form of denouncing femininity, in which girls proudly declare themselves as being “not like other girls,” in order to gain more respect for themselves and to make themselves seem more desirable to boys. The term “not like other girls,” hints at a low-maintenance girl who isn’t afraid to eat lots of food, isn’t shrill, and doesn’t care about her appearance, but does so by putting down the type of girl who does care about all of those things. Pushback against the “not like other girls” trope has been long standing, with its sexist connotations being emphasized.
Barbiecore is a celebration of femininity by letting girls know that it is okay to be like other girls, wearing pink and caring about your appearance. The implicit joy of these bright colors is a welcome change from other fashion movements. It’s warm and cheerful, implying and prioritizing the happiness of the wearer.
Encouragingly, Barbiecore has caught on in a big way, with celebrities stepping out in full pink. Female celebrities who have exuded this girl power aesthetic include:
Zendaya, Lana Condor, Sydney Sweeney, Hwasa, Anne Hathway, Ariana DeBose, Ashley Park, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kylie Jenner, Lizzo, Hailey Bieber, Florence Pugh, and Kim Kardashian.
The verdict is in: Barbiecore has been the answer to our “not like other girls” prayers. Now, if you say that you’re like other girls, the response should be: come on Barbie, let's go party.
How to get the Barbiecore look:
There are a few hallmarks for the Barbiecore look. Barbiecore is all about the cohesion and the soft lines of the silhouette. Outfits are typically form fitting and polished, giving an elevated look to casual clothes worn on a daily basis. Think Cher from Clueless.
Barbiecore can be either minimalist or maximalist. Like the original mattel doll, you can come with whatever accessories you'd like.
Articles of clothing to buy:
Colors to look out for: (hint: there’s so much pink)
Reminder: the louder the hue, the better.
Makeup:
With this also comes an unapologetic attitude towards makeup
Once you get the Barbiecore look down, you’ll be a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.
]]>It’s nothing new. The backlash against shopping at fast fashion places has been around almost since it started, with people vowing to avoid H&M, American Eagle, and other retail places that make low-quality clothing in other parts of the world. In order to change their ways, people are choosing to spend their money elsewhere with “thrifting” shining through as the most ethical alternative and secondhand shopping has never been easier with websites like Poshmark and ThredUp servicing people everyday.
So here are all of the reasons why you should take up thrift shopping if you haven’t already, and a few tips on how you should go about it.
Cue Macklemore.
Why you should thrift:
When people go thrifting they’re buying recycled clothes, breaking out of the damaging cycle of overconsumption. The fast fashion movement has gone a long way towards destroying the environment with fast fashion clothing being fast to make and fast to break, ending up in landfills sooner rather than later. Also, the production of these clothes puts a strain on the environment. According to the United Nations, it takes 2,000 gallons of water to make a single pair of jeans, which is roughly the same amount of water your average person drinks in seven years.
Many of our beloved fashion labels are guilty of having their products made in sweatshops that are known for human rights violations. By not going straight to the source, you are skirting the companies that exploit child labor in other countries. Hopefully, in doing so, it will create enough of a chain reaction that will change these policies.
If you’re a girl on a budget, thrifting can be a more affordable option, where you can get stylish, high-quality pieces for less than you would have originally. Anytime something has been used by a previous owner, it has depreciated in value (although it does not have to have lost value in your eyes). You are, therefore, inevitably buying an outfit for less than it was worth.
How you should thrift:
Avoid places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill, as shopping there can impact low-income consumers. If you shop at places that typically cater to low-income consumers then you run the risk of gentrifying the clothing store, effectively driving up the prices and making it more difficult for poor people to buy clothes. You still can buy secondhand clothes, with there being high and low ends to secondhand shopping, just make sure that you do it at a higher-end place.
With all of these ethical reasons outlined, it’s not hard to gain a complex as to why thrifting makes you a more conscientious consumer, but many people cannot drop the habit of buying retail simply because fast fashion is too beneficial to them. One of the main reasons why fast fashion is so successful is because it is incredibly inexpensive and therefore necessary for low income consumers. These clothing labels offer a level of stability to many people’s daily lives.
So there you have it: the ethical reasons why you should thrift and the ethical ways to thrift. Have fun shopping!
]]>That late-teens transition from girlhood to womanhood can be a dive into the deep end. It’s not as simple as it is in a Hollywood movie, where you meet the right guy on summer vacation and suddenly “nobody puts Baby in a corner” anymore. It usually takes more than one summer to start feeling more like an adult and it usually takes more than ditching your parents for a hot guy, even if he does look like Patrick Swayze.
There are a lot of things that won’t make you feel more mature. Looking more mature, having lots of money, drinking too much, or even a passionate relationship all sound character-building in theory, but they only work so long as the more substantial parts of your life are taken care of first.
So here’s a list of actual character-building ways to age gracefully as a young woman:
Set healthy boundaries with your parents
Growing up can be more painstaking for your parents than for you, so making sure that they are along with you for the ride is important, without sacrificing any of your newfound independence. Set clear boundaries with them when it comes to curfew, spending money, and who you spend your time with. Talk to them about whether or not they respect your choices. Whether or not they like the person you’re dating should not be a deal breaker, but it’s important to develop a mutual respect.
Experiment with your style
Figuring out what your style is and what you like can be extremely empowering. Developing your own taste without being influenced by those who have dictated it all your life is an important exercise in independence. Style, though, goes far beyond just what you wear. What kind of music you like, your favorite movies, and your choice of books all go towards developing your sense of self. If you already have a strong sense of self and an even stronger sense of style, then just make sure you embrace it wholeheartedly.
Find your loyal band of friends to navigate this with
Having like-minded friends who you like to be around goes a long way. That said, making sure that you have the right friends by your side is crucial. People who don’t support you needn’t be there for your transformation and toxic friends, unfortunately, are a dime-a-dozen. Choose your friends wisely and don’t be afraid to let people go.
Developing a healthy lifestyle
Developing adequate lifestyle choices and taking care of yourself might be the most important factor when it comes to entering adulthood. Eating and sleeping properly, while not always glamorous, helps make a person look and feel good, giving them the proper tools to handle whatever comes their way. A proper lifestyle goes beyond a good skincare routine and surface-level self-care. Doing what’s right for your mental health and taking care of the basics is essential for growing up, as they increasingly become your responsibility.
Date at your own pace
This piece of advice should seem obvious but is often hard to remember when talking with others who’ve already had countless boyfriends and no shortage of dating experience. It’s important to keep in mind during these conversations, and every other time, that everybody goes at their own pace and you’re no different.
It’s okay not to have things all figured out, but so long as you’re constantly working on yourself and have the right people by your side, you’re on the right track. Hopefully, this will go a long way not just to feeling like an adult, but having your family members see you as one as well.
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Packing cubes are an easy and quick way to organize your suitcase and maximize space. On my last 7-day vacation I was easily able to fit 8 outfits, my toiletries, and two pairs of shoes in my carry-on, where I usually struggle to fit the same amount in minus the packing cubes.
A huge part of my overpacking is that I can never decide what I will wear on my trips. So, before I leave, I always check the weather to make sure that I pack accordingly. I am guilty of packing clothes that I want to be comfortable wearing but always end up being uncomfortable in, so I always make sure that I bring clothes that I know I am comfortable wearing.
Sometimes the rental properties or hotels that you stay at have washing machines and dyers and usually have smaller packaged laundry detergent. If I know that somewhere I am staying has one of these amenities, sometimes I pack lighter and plan to do laundry.
No matter my destination, I have always prioritized packing a set number of outfits. However, now that I have started to travel more, I have begun to look at my itineraries and packed according to them. If I am travelling to the beach and know that I will be spending most of my time on the beach or by the pool, I mostly pack swimsuits.
For a long time, I attempted to fit all my full-sized shower and beauty products in my suitcases with all my clothes and shoes. Toiletries take up most of the space in my luggage, so when I started to downsize and take travel sized items, I had so much more space.
Overall, I hope these tips and tricks help to alleviate the stress that comes with being an over packer or even just for packing your luggage in general.
]]>Regardless of the type of success you wish to achieve, I have compiled a list of books to help you on your journey to success.
Often, our twenties are when we finish school and are on our own and it feels like we are thrown into the real world. It feels like we are expected to know what to do and get everything right in the first go around. This book helps to navigate the five sectors of life that are evolving in your twenties: self-love, a healthy mind, body acceptance, your relationships, and your career.
Most women seek to be successful in their professions and personal lives, in this book, Lydia Fenet utilizes her personal journey to success within her career to provide advice on how to be “the most powerful woman in the room.” Fenet gives great insight on the importance of networking, being authentic, never apologizing, perfecting your poker face, and always telling the truth.
In life, we are dealt with certain circumstances that we may not like and cannot change or some that we may not like but can change. This book helps us to develop mindsets that allow us to think positively about things we cannot change and how to change things that we do not like. This book is very relatable and helps breakdown mental barriers that we may face.
From biting your fingernails to being disorganized, bad habits are something that everyone struggles with. What is worse than the habits themselves are breaking them. This book provides practical strategies that help to form good habits and break bad ones.
Networking is one of the most important things that we can do for our professional careers. Something as simple as a five-minute conversation in a line for coffee could lead to connections that will carry us through life. This book emphasizes the importance of networking and gives advice on networking by listing six ways to make people like you, twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking, and nine ways to change people without arousing resentment.
If you are interested in any of these reads, check out our Amazon Storefront to purchase these books!
https://www.amazon.com/shop/caitlynkumi
]]>We’ve all, if not most of us, have experienced a time where we felt as though we didn’t quite fit in. Receiving side eyes, snide remarks, and backhanded compliments from other girls alike. But ladies, let’s be real, have you ever been one of those mean girls?
Because we’ve grown and matured we’d like to think that being a “mean girl” is a thing of the past. It seems elementary, immature even, and it is but that does not mean that this trope doesn’t exist in our adult lives and that some of us have adopted it at times. Try to think of a time where you may not have been a light in another woman’s life. Even if you can’t or can, here are some ways we can do better by each other.
Turn “Competition” into Congratulation
We as women have fought for so long to have a valuable seat at the table. Whether that be in tech, in the OR, or on the Supreme Court. We know what it means to work ten times harder therefore whenever you see another woman achieving great things, celebrate her. In the end, it's a win for all of us.
Dish Out Random Compliments
Have you ever been walking down the street and really liked someone's hair, shoes, etc? Let her know! You may have to step out of your comfort zone but it’ll brighten another woman’s day. Scrolling on Instagram and liking a picture is one thing but try swiping up on a story and spreading love, it’ll mean a lot.
Embrace What Makes Us Different
As we head into the big girl world, we will be introduced to women from various backgrounds, different sizes, skin tones, dialects, all the things that make us uniquely beautiful. Instead of allowing these facets to create a divide, allow them to create a space of unity.
Help A Girl Out
If you see another woman’s hair out of place, kindly ask if you could fix it. If you see that another woman is struggling with something, lend a hand. We are not placed on this earth to gate keep kindness. Spread it!
To be a truly empowered woman, it takes a little bit of self reflection. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your faults and, most importantly, grow from them. Hopefully these four tips will allow you to build and foster safer and more uplifting spaces!
Mattresses in dorm rooms are by far one of the most uncomfortable things that many people will sleep on. When living in a dorm, you must sleep in this bed every night for roughly 8 months. The best way to make your bed more comfortable is by using a mattress topper. The best part about these is that you can find one that suits you best, so if you prefer a firmer or softer mattress you have the option for either.
Personally, the best thing that I bought for my dorm was a mini fan that could both sit on my desk and clip onto my bed rail. Depending on many factors like where you live, the school you go to, and the dorm that you are living in, air condition might not be a functional option, so especially on hot nights, this item was a must.
Another thing that dorm rooms lack is outlets and with all the things that are in a dorm that require to be plugged in, power strips are a necessity.
Freshman year, I made the mistake of using a mesh/cloth shower caddy and halfway through the year it was super gross. When I switched to a plastic one it was a lot easier to carry and easier to clean. Shower shoes are also super important because sometimes the bathrooms and showers are not as clean as one might prefer.
A popular layout for dorm rooms is having your bed lofted and a standard-length charger definitely will not work with that. So, having a longer charger is helpful if you want to have your phone in bed with you while it is charging.
Organizing a small space with quite a bit of stuff is no easy task, so the most important dorm essential is going to be storage. The nice thing about storage is that you can choose what you use and how you use it. Personally, my roommate and I had a shelf that fit over our fridge that we decorated, and it held our microwave, Keurig, and dishes. We also had cubic storage shelves that we divided and were able to personalize our own. It is all about doing what you want with it and making the space your own!
I know being an incoming freshman can be scary and overwhelming because you are taking big steps towards your future. But I hope that this list takes away some of the concerns and worry you may have for moving into your dorm room. If you are interested in any of these products, check out our Amazon Storefront!
https://www.amazon.com/shop/caitlynkumi
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Sunglasses.
My all-time favorite way to spruce up an outfit is a pair of sunglasses or “sunnies”. I always have a pair of sunnies on top of my head whether I have all the windows of my car rolled down and am driving around, laying by the pool, or sipping a latte at my favorite coffee shop. Some of my favorite pairs have been found in sale sections and on amazon so this accessory has always been priced nicely.
Earrings.
The second way that I like to accessorize any outfit is a pair or multiple pairs of earrings. Hoops, studs, or any pair that dangles, I always enjoy picking out plain gold earrings or a cute, beaded pair. This piece of jewelry really ties any outfit together, even if you are just hanging around the house in loungewear.
Cross-body belt pack.
Lately, wearing belt bags across your body has been a growing trend that I have noticed on platforms like TikTok. At first, I was not a fan, but the convenience and multiple ways that you can style this accessory has really won me over. I found a super cute Amazon dupe that I always make sure to carry when I go out during the day.
Waist beads.
Last but not least, one of my all-time favorite ways to accessorize is with Miss EmpowHer waist beads. Anytime I wear a shorter fitted shirt or a bikini my confidence is automatically boosted while wearing waist beads. Any excuse I have to wear my waist beads, I take because it is so easy to style them, and they add so much character to any outfit.
If you are looking for anyway to spice up an outfit whether it is for going out or to boost your confidence while staying in this summer, I recommend any of these accessories or playing around to find your own signature accessory! If you are interested in any of these accessories and my other favorites, check out our Amazon Storefront.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/caitlynkumi
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