Girl Talk: Leadership Defined

The 6 Best Pieces of Advice from Cox Automotive's Wonder Women

2018-02-16T14:18:00.002-05:00

This week, the Girl Talk Teen Advisory Board had the incredible opportunity to hear from some of the amazing women in senior leadership at Cox Automotive, and we want to share it with you!

From college to career advice and personal to professional wisdom, the panel discussion comforted, inspired, and challenged the Teen Advisory Board (and our Girl Talk Team!), and we hope their words will do the same for you.

Here are some of the best pieces of advice that these wonder women have received, and the best advice that they gave us…

1. Always Assume Good and you will find a new way forward. Assuming that someone you are working or dealing with has good intentions and is not actually trying to make your work more difficult truly changes your perspective and the way you approach new problems and situations as they arise.

2. Take Risks and Listen to Yourself Raise your hand for things that you may be uncomfortable doing, but stretch yourself.

3. Feedback is a Gift Take it (even when it's difficult), learn from it, and give it (respectfully) to others so that they can learn and grow.

4. Don't Be Afraid to Be Yourself Fully and be your greatest. Enough said.

5. Your First Job is Not Your Last One of the great things about your career is that you can figure out what you love. And what you don't love. Having multiple jobs throughout your career, especially early on, can help you identify what you do and do not want to do in your career.

6. Your Passion Can and Will Change (and that's okay!) Whatever it is that motivates and drives you is not set in stone, and it isn't supposed to be. It will change just as you do. Just remember to check in with yourself every now and then to see what is motivating you and remind yourself of it to keep the inspiration going.

Thank you to Girl Talk’s own Board Chair Jill Campbell (Executive Vice President, Cox Enterprises), Shirley Powell (Senior Vice President, Communications, Community & Industry Relations), Dionne Mack (Senior Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion), Michele Blondheim (Director, Community Relations), and Greta Crowley (Senior Director, Consumer Marketing) for hosting Girl Talk and sharing your invaluable wisdom and inspiration with our Teen Advisory Board.

Just the Little Things - Winter Edition

2018-01-25T15:53:00.001-05:00

Jessica R., Girl Talk Ambassador

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The air is cold, the world is white, and everyone is filled with joy. This is winter, the season of white sprinkles of happiness, freshly baked cookies, and time spent with family and friends.

It all begins in the long anticipated month of December. The world outside is silently chill, as everyone stays warm in their cozy homes. And if you’re lucky, a steady stream of pearly perfection cascades from the heavens above. Snow is one of the best things about the winter season. It’s the soothing color of swimming swans, dancing doves, and melting marshmallows. The creamy powder graces the world with its wonderfully icy feeling, as it blankets the ground, like a kiss from the angels above. You can see your breath in the air, like a thin wispy cloud of magic, and all at once, everything feels like pristine perfection. Each snowflake dances gracefully to the ground, like a ballerina in a sparkly tutu. Each dancer has a different style, a different rhythm, and a different tempo. But together they make up the most spectacular show you’ve ever seen.

All of a sudden, your face turns into a popsicle as a wintry white snowball smashes into your cheek. You spin around quickly with an alert sharpness and begin to dodge the flying grenades being thrown at you. You desperately grab at the ground in an incredible effort to make your own weapons. You will fight. This is a winter wonderland war, and you must win. Shimmering spheres of white blow left and right. Everywhere you look is filled with white daggers. You dodge, you throw, you run. Every shot is precious. As a giant wintry boulder tosses you towards the ground, you beg for mercy as you land in the comforting blanket of winter’s marshmallow magic. The war has officially ended. You laugh with your friends as you build an adorable peace treaty out of the remains of your wintry weapons. You place the head on your magical man of white, and finish your creation with a knit beanie, a smiling face, and a stylish scarf.

After finishing your new best friend, you decide to go back inside to the crisp warmness of your home, that rushes into your soul, like a long hug from someone you love. But don’t worry, because there’s plenty more snow-filled activities for you to participate in later, including making snow angels in the heavenly embrace of the snow, feeling the wind in your hair as you rapidly sled down the biggest hill in town, and ice skating on a beautifully frozen lake in the middle of the perfectly serene woods.

Your house is filled with exquisite warmth in every nook and cranny. The air is toasty, like a fresh marshmallow that has turned gooey and crispy over a large glowing fire, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies fills your nose with delightful longing. You drink your mug of creamy chocolate magic as you roast yourself like a plump marshmallow by the glowing fire. Later that day, you put on all of your thickest layers of fluff to brave the chilly roads of white.

The winter world at night is one of the most magical scenes of all time. It’s peaceful and silent, and everything is beautifully cold and white, like a blank canvas just waiting to be painted with the playing of children everywhere.

This time of the year is one of the most wonderful occasions because it’s a time to spend with your family and friends, to help those in need, and to remember to be thankful for all that you have in your life.

December ends as quickly as it came, and everyone rings in the New Year together. The anticipation as everyone counts down on the clock, the sound of party horns in the air, and the wonderful feeling of the start of something new with your family and friends by your side are the best way to ring in the New Year.

The changing of one year to another is a time for us to have a new beginning. It’s a reason for you to finally start doing something that you keep meaning to do, like stop procrastinating on your homework, exercising more, and reading more books in your free time. Take this time to really think about what it is you want in life, and set a goal for yourself. You can accomplish anything, so just carpe diem, and there’s no telling how far you’ll go.

Winter continues through the month of January into February, the month of love. Valentine’s Day is a wonderful holiday to celebrate with your loved ones. It doesn’t matter whether you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or not because even if you don’t, Valentine’s Day is still a perfect day to show your family and friends how much you love them. This is a time to shower everyone you care about with love because you’re so lucky to have them in your life.

Throw love around to everyone around you, like a big bucket of sunshine. Making other people feel happy is by far one of the best feelings in the world.

As February drifts away, the snow begins to melt away into the glorious season of flowers, better known as Spring. But for now, just remember to be thankful for everyone and everything that you have in your life. Winter is one of the best times to really appreciate all the little things in life. I hope you all have a wonderful winter filled with love and happiness.

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
- Edith Sitwell

Just the Little Things - Fall Edition

2017-11-19T13:55:00.000-05:00

Jessica R., Girl Talk Ambassador

This is a time of new beginnings. This is Autumn, better known as Fall, the season of endless colors, simply satisfying spices, and continuous feelings of coziness and comfort. There are countless things to love about these short but wonderful months of September, October, and November.

The trees dance in the howling, soaring wind, as they shed their vibrantly colored snowflakes upon the world. And all of the cerulean sky is swirling with various shades of crimson and saffron. Just take a moment, and look at all the beauty that surrounds you.

Everywhere you look, the leaves are falling from the trees, painting the sky in a truly entrancing waltz. You feel a sense of overwhelming happiness, like you’re hugging a big warm marshmallow. The weather finally starts to cool down, and the desert heat is replaced with a beautiful crispness, like a bite from a freshly picked apple. Long walks in the afternoon are the best way to spend your time. Every step you take is met with the satisfying crunch of leaves, perfect for jumping in. Road trips are an absolute must. The wind blows in your hair, and all your worries just fly away like the leaves in the sky. Every single thing you pass by looks like the prettiest painting imaginable. And now you can finally start wearing the comfiest pieces of clothing in your closet.

There’s sweaters for every shade of the rainbow, the fuzziest of all scarves, and boots so fluffy that it actually feels like you’re walking on clouds. And let’s not forget about the emergence of flannel with its wonderful intersecting stripes of sapphire and scarlet. There’s also the necessity of perfectly warm fluff-filled socks, that feel like a warm embrace from a giant adorable teddy bear. And no feeling in the world will ever compare to the feeling of bundling up under a blanket cocoon like a caterpillar beside your freshly lit pumpkin spice candle, while sipping on your steamy mug of hot chocolate, and watching your latest TV obsession.

Hot chocolate is the perfect fall weather beverage. Every sip is filled with joyful warmth and tastes like life at its finest. The sound of marshmallows plopping into a heavenly hot tub of delicious creamy goodness and the glorious white swirls of whipped cream gracefully resting on top are both wonderful additions to an already magical beverage.

All the food of Fall just tastes better. It’s filled with soothing warmth and love that protects you from the chilly outdoors. Pumpkins and apples are everywhere, and every place you go is like a scratch and sniff sticker of cinnamon goodness.

Fall also means the beginning of the holiday season. It all starts with Halloween, the day of ghouls and goblins and children and candy. It’s the one day of the year where everyone takes on a new persona and walks from house to house, getting huge piles of candy. The streets are filled with bloodthirsty vampires, dazzling princesses, and daring superheroes. Every house is decorated from top to bottom with delicate silver cobwebs, hauntingly deadly skeletons, and the iridescent glow of jack-o-lanterns. The air is filled with an eerily mysterious fog, and scary movies light up the screens in every household. Then, another month goes by, and it’s time for Thanksgiving.

All the schools close, and everyone’s stress flies away into the deliciously chilly air. The only things that matter are family and friends. There’s tables filled with food, ranging everywhere from turkey, gravy, and stuffing to mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and pumpkin pie. Everyone watches the Thanksgiving Day Parade and eats and laughs and then eats again.

The next day will be filled with sales galore on the glorious day of Black Friday, but for now you’re just thankful to be here with so many people that love you.

Fall is a wonderful season filled with magic and love. Take the time to appreciate all the little things around you. There are so many people and things in your life that you’re so lucky to have. I hope that you all experience the many wonders of this incredible season.

To end where we started, “Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go”- Unknown.

Top 5 Tips to Make Your Resume Stronger & Your Life Easier

2017-09-18T18:32:00.001-04:00

(brought to you by The Lion King, just because!)

September is National Update Your Resume Month and, it's that time of year…Whether you’re in high school preparing to apply for college, in college applying for internships, or in college preparing to face the real world and applying for jobs, it’s time for everyone’s favorite pastime: building a resume. 😉

Okay, so maybe it’s not that scary, but it can be a stressful undertaking, especially when potential colleges, internships, and jobs are in the mix and deadlines are looming over you. So, have a spoonful of sugar, remember a few of your favorite things, read our top tips, and then you won’t feel so bad!

1. Keep it to 1-page and make sure your formatting is simple and consistent.

Think of your resume as part of a first impression, you want it to be straightforward, informative, and unique, then your personal statement/cover letter makes the reader want to know more. (More on that later…)

2. Create a header that gives your name, contact info, and LinkedIn URL (if you don't have one, make one, and personalize your URL, you're a person, not a bunch of numbers that a website generates).

3. Utilize action verbs, like “utilize”! (See what we did there?) Try not to use the same verbs in a row (check out this list if you’re stuck) and use words that are in the actual job/internship description so a computer can identify you as a match.

4. Maintain a working resume. Every time you do, accomplish, or receive something that is or might be “resume-worthy,” add it to your working resume so you don’t forget about all your valuable experiences and achievements further down the road…

5. Build an individual resume for each job or internship that you apply for. Let that working resume be the one that holds ALL your information, jobs, responsibilities, skills, etc. That way you can pull from that master resume to create resumes tailored to the specific requirements and descriptions for each job or internship.

BONUS!

Writing a personal statement or cover letter is the other part of this “first impression.” This is where you can elaborate upon things that are in your resume and include the less tangible things about your personality/work ethic that the resume doesn't include.

You have the opportunity to show your potential college or employer who you are and what sets you apart from other applicants. One of the best ways to do that is to make it personal, make yourself memorable--why should they want to have you in their organization, and why do you want to be a part of their organization?

You have the opportunity here to make a connection—maybe a lesson you learned or experience you had taught you something that connects to the company’s values, the organization’s mission, or the school's motto. (This also shows them that you’ve you’re your research on them, which is key!)

The short version is that you can and should take advantage of this opportunity to make yourself stand out and tell your story, because that’s a story that only you can tell.

Schools and employers of all kinds generally have a few questions in their minds: Why should they pick you? What will you bring to the table that no one else will?

So take this chance to tell them.

See? No worries.

Love + gratitude,

Katherine

Missing: #MondayMotivation | Reward Offered

2017-08-14T16:42:00.000-04:00

I don’t know about you, but this week my #MondayMotivation was seriously lacking. Sure, going “Back to School” or starting any new chapter is exciting for a while, but then a Monday is a Monday is a Monday, right? It happens to everyone.

I usually have big plans for my Mondays—wake up early, have a great breakfast, put together a super cute outfit, get to work early, accomplish everything on my to-do list, go to the gym, and drink 64 oz. of water while leaping tall buildings in a single bound. And sometimes, it happens, and you have a picture-perfect day and can post a cute pic of your completed to-do list or #OOTD!

It’s a great feeling.

But real talk, sometimes it really doesn’t happen. Sometimes you wake up late, throw on a go-to outfit*, grab a granola bar, get where you need to be later than you want, and drag yourself through the day until you get to skip the gym and go home. It’s harder to accomplish what you want to, or to feel like you’ve accomplished anything. (For me, those days are usually Mondays.)

Those days happen, and though they don’t feel great, it’s okay to have them.

Most importantly, Monday or not, you just can’t let the bad days define your whole week. Having one bad day doesn’t mean that your whole week, month, year, or life has gone off track, even if it feels that way.

Whether you’re in school, in the working world, at home, or anywhere, this is for you. You can control how the rest of the week goes, and here are some tips to get your days back on the “right” track.

Take it one day at a time. Each day is an individual opportunity, independent of the day before it. If Monday wasn’t the best, it means you had a bad day, not that you’re going to have a bad week. (Apply as needed to any other day of the week.)

Be intentional and decide to have a better day. A new day is a new opportunity to be more positive, to be happier, and to set and accomplish your goals. But those things won’t just happen. You have be intentional about them. Choose to look for the positive, to experience gratitude, to let those little frustrations roll off your back, and to hold yourself to a (realistic) to-do list.

Clothes, lunch, backpack? Plan ahead. Pick out your outfit and make your lunch for the next day before you go to sleep at night (unless you have a uniform and/or a meal plan). Pack up your backpack with all your homework, books, etc. before you go to bed, too. Do as much as you can the night before to make getting out of the door in the morning much easier.

Make a list, then re-evaluate. So many of us have huge, unrealistic expectations of ourselves and what we “should” be able to accomplish. (I have a chronic issue with this.) Go ahead, make that long, long master to-do list, but then be kind to yourself. Make a shorter list of things that absolutely have to be done today, and what you can realistically accomplish without losing your mind. Please hear me: You are not a bad person because you can’t accomplish a hundred pages of tasks (for school, work, home, you, etc.) in a single day.

Get enough sleep. Take care of your body. Trust me, everything will be easier if you do. (Pro-tip: If your mind starts spinning with things that need doing as soon as you lie down, keep a notepad by the bed. Do a brain dump to get it all on paper, and deal with it tomorrow.)

I hope these help! Let me know if these tips work for you, or what tips you have for being intentional about your life and time.

Now, I’m going to try to take my own advice…😉

Love and gratitude,

Katherine

*always have a go-to outfit, always.

#FreshmanFriday Kyla's Keys to College

2017-08-11T11:10:00.000-04:00

My tip for college freshman is to not be afraid to put yourself out there!

Go to the organization fairs on campus. Organizations and clubs are one the best ways to meet new friends at your new home!

Take advantage of the career fairs your school offers, and broaden your scope of potential careers.

Go to a performance put on by your school’s performing arts department.

Don’t be afraid to get lost on campus. Some days I purposely got lost on campus so I’d get to know my campus better.

If you are struggling in a class, utilize your professors’ office hours! They want you to succeed and will be glad that you are taking the initiative to succeed in their class. But if going to your professor is a little too daunting for you, find out if your school has a peer tutoring program. My school had numerous peer tutoring programs facilitated through different departments like the residence halls, the library, and academic services.

Go ahead and apply for the internship that you don’t think you’ll land. You never know what may happen!

Overall, make sure you don’t graduate college wishing you hadn’t missed out on some awesome opportunities.

--Kyla Thomas

Meet Kyla!

Name: Kyla Thomas

School: Georgia Southern University

Major/minor/year: Special Education; Sophomore

How did you get involved with GT? I was searching for internships on a job/internship search engine and Girl Talk popped up. I did some research on the organization and knew that interning with them would be a great way to give back to my Atlanta community, so I applied!

What is your best advice for high school girls who will be going to college in the next few years? Don't be afraid to let go of friendships that have run their course. Acknowledge it. Talk about it with the other person. End things respectfully and with love. People outgrow each other, and that's okay. The friendship isn't over. It's just complete.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you aren’t working or studying? I like to have movie nights with my friends. We grab blankets, order pizza, make popcorn, and will watch movies until the last person falls asleep.

Current dream job? I'd like to work for the Board of Education in a struggling area to help provide them with access to better education.

What’s your go-to coffee order? The only coffee I've ever had is a vanilla bean frappe from Starbucks. I don't drink coffee that often.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The journey is just as important as the destination.

#FreshmanFriday Surviving and Thriving: From High School to College

2017-08-04T12:20:00.000-04:00

The Next Chapter:

High school has ended and you are preparing for college. If you are anything like me, you are experiencing so many different feelings; you’re happy, scared, excited, nervous, etc. Trust me, I’ve been there. These emotions are normal. You are beginning a new chapter of your life. Everything you have known until now is changing. You may be moving away for college, or you may be staying home, either way, it’s a big change.

For the first three weeks I went through a rollercoaster of emotions. There were days I didn’t think I could do the whole “college” thing. There were days I wanted to move back home. But then there were days where I knew this place was now home. There were days of exploring my new city and days living in the library. There were tears, but there were even more laughs with new friends who would become “my people” <3. I know it’s scary……. being in a new place, with new people, and being able to do your own thing. You get to learn how to adult! Sometimes it’s not fun, but it’s worth it. It pushes you to learn and grow.

College can be a place of extreme growth. You are surrounded by people of different cultures and beliefs and it makes you take a step back and look inside to find who you are and who you want to be. Maybe high school wasn’t your thing. Maybe you didn’t like who you were in high school. Well now is your chance to be who you want to be. College is a clean slate. It will be hard somedays. Hang in there. Growing pains always come with growth, but in the end what the pain can produce is amazing.

--Aimee, Girl Talk Intern

Celebrating Aimee's birthday at Girl Talk HQ!
Tiara and cupcakes required.

Meet Aimee!

Name: Aimee Dykes

School: Samford University

Major/minor/year: Business Management and Entrepreneurship Double Major, Senior

How did you get involved with GT? I first met Haley through my mom at the Thirty-One Conference in Atlanta. I fell in love with the mission of Girl Talk and the heart behind it. At that point in time I was transitioning out of high school, so I wasn't able to get involved in a chapter, but I helped where I could.

What made you want to be a Girl Talk Intern? As I mentioned before, I fell in love with the mission of Girl Talk a few years back, and I knew I wanted to help support the organization in any way I could. I also knew that it would be an amazing learning experience about the field I would one day like to go into.

What is your best advice for high school girls who will be going to college in the next few years? Study in high school. If you learn how to study now, it will be a lot easier making the transition into college. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there; whether that means applying to your dream school despite you thinking it's not possible, or maybe it means you don't want to go to a university and instead you go to cosmetology school. Never forget who you are and who you want to become. Do not let others dictate your future.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you aren’t working or studying? My favorite thing to do is explore the city I live in; finding new coffee shops, or eating at a local restaurant, hiking the trails. I love trying new things!

Current dream job? My current dream job is to manage a non-profit that rescues and aids in the healing process of women and children who have been affected by human trafficking.

What’s your go-to coffee order? For sure a vanilla latte!!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? I know, this may sounds cliche, but I am telling you, if you take this advice to heart, it can be life changing. {Chase your dreams. Sometimes you are the only person with that dream and if you don't make it happen, nobody else will. But here's the thing about dreams -- they will stay dreams, unless you work hard to make them happen. It will be hard somedays, but power through it. What's waiting on the other side of the hard work is something beautiful.}

College-Bound! The Girl Talk Guide to Sorority Recruitment

2017-07-31T18:44:00.002-04:00

Hey y’all! My name is Peri, and I am one of Girl Talk’s summer interns! I am here to tell you all about navigating sorority recruitment! But first, let me introduce myself.

I am an Atlanta native, but in 2015 I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to attend Louisiana State University-- Geaux Tigers! I am majoring in mass communications with a focus in public relations and minoring in business administration, and let me tell you—it is SO FUN. I love being outside, reading, yoga, and basically anything active. You will never find me watching a movie in the middle of the day, it’s just not in my system. In my current season of life, I am navigating what true rest is and what it looks like for me. I’ll let you know when I figure it out! Life sure is sweet, though!

Okay, enough about me--time to talk about sorority life. The summer after graduation, everyone LOVES to talk about recruitment. All the girls gossip about who is going to be in what sorority and which sorority is the best and which is the worst. I am here to tell you that NONE of that matters.

Absolutely nothing about those conversations should deter you from joining the sorority you feel comfortable in.

Navigating recruitment is weird and awkward! You are putting yourself out there all day every day for a week straight and that is so scary. You will be super sweaty and probably have a few bad conversations- that’s inevitable. If you fit in perfectly and have perfect conversations in every single sorority please, tell me your secret! It is NORMAL to feel more connected to certain sororities than others- that’s the point. You are trying to find your home for the next four years, not just girls to party with.

When you’re talking to the girls in line and the girls inside the house always think to yourself, “Could I do life with this person?” or “Would this person support me through a hard time?”. When you really feel like you know the answer to those questions, it will make it so much easier to make a decision if you’re feeling torn between a few houses. I also want to encourage you to keep an open mind. Don’t listen to girls in your group or girls from your hometown. This experience is for YOU and only you! Don’t let anyone steer you in the direction they think is where you need to be. This is your decision, no one else’s. In fact, the only people I talked to about which houses I liked/didn’t like were my Young Life Leaders and my mom. Talk to people that truly have your best interests in mind. Recruitment is crazy but if you trust the process and keep an open mind, you’ll find your new home!

I know many of you are freaking out about your outfits. After being on both sides of recruitment, that seems so silly now. Each day of recruitment requires a different dress code, and the most important thing is to follow that dress code and make sure your outfit is appropriate. No one wants to see your cleavage or how good your booty looks! The active members want to know the girl behind all the makeup and smiles. Walk confidently and dress appropriately and I promise you will look FABULOUS. Comfortable shoes are also SO important. The days are long and you’re standing pretty much the entire time so make sure you don’t end up with blisters all over your feet! If you’re wearing comfy shoes you’re also less likely to trip and fall J.

Once you think you’ve found your home get ready for countless memories and bonds. All of my friends and I joke that college is for finding your bridesmaids, not your husband! Every single day you are exposed to hundreds of girls that welcome you with open arms. Depending on the size of the chapter you join you literally have anywhere from 50-500 options of who to be friends with. How fun is that?? Or maybe to you that’s super intimidating! Either way, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone every single day.

Freshman year is such a whirlwind and while it is so important to study and do well in school, I would argue that it is just as important to be social and make friends! Starting a conversation out of thin air is hard but always remember that EVERYONE is looking to make new friends and EVERYONE feels a little awkward!

Simplify Your Life: The Girl Talk Guide to Decluttering Your Heart & Home

2017-07-17T10:33:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday was “National Toss Away the ‘Could Haves’ and ‘Should Haves’ Day,” and it reminded us of the importance—and difficulty-- of decluttering and simplifying your life, inside and out.

We decided to share a few of our favorite tips for simplifying your life, but first, here are a couple of questions to think about...

Does anyone else find decluttering exceptionally difficult? It shouldn’t be, right? It seems easy enough to decide that you don’t use or need something any more, and throw or give it away. Then why is it so hard?

Why do we only think about getting rid of physical clutter that is in our way, making our daily lives more of a struggle? Why don’t we think about the emotional and mental clutter that we allow ourselves to live with and carry around?

Though there’s probably not one right answer to either of these questions, they’re certainly things to consider.

Maybe decluttering the physical stuff is hard because we’re afraid that we’ll need the things we get rid of and regret having given them away...or because we have an emotional attachment to them.

Maybe it’s that we hide behind the clutter—we use it as an excuse not to go after and do the things we really want. Having an excuse makes it easier to avoid facing our fear of failing at the things we want (and if that’s the case, let’s revisit our project of reframing failure).

Whatever the case, there's a reason that that bestseller book is called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

We can all agree that the physical, mental, and emotional clutter can be overwhelming, and it isn’t helping anyone move forward to live the life they want to live--so how do we get rid of it?

How do we simplify to make more room for what’s helpful and important to us?

Here are some of our best tips for simplifying the physical clutter...

As for the emotional clutter, the negative thoughts and feelings that we carry around with us every day that weigh us down...

Let go and forgive yourself.

As women, we can “woulda, coulda, shoulda” ourselves all day long, but all that does is add to the clutter.

Lists can help here, too, but decluttering this part of your life can be even more difficult. It’s all about identifying what the clutter is, and letting go of it.

This won’t happen in a day either, but you can start any time! Like decluttering in real life, you just have to decide to start.

We recommend writing down those negative thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc. to identify them, and taking a moment to reflect. While you’re reflecting on the negative, think about the positive, and decide what positive changes you want to make in the way you think and feel.

Write the positive changes down, and throw away the negative list. Literally! Let go of all that weight and refuse to give it the power to control you.

Then take another look at your positive list, and think about concrete ways that you can make those positives a reality. (Write those down too if you’re feeling really crazy!)

It may take some time to truly let go of those negative things, but you will feel lighter and it will make everything else feel more manageable.

Remember, however big or small your project, wherever you start, it will take time.

So remind yourself why you’re doing it—to simplify your life and make room and time for what matters to you. And allow yourself the time to do it, it’s not selfishness, it’s self-love, self-defense, and self-care.

...

Let us know if your find these tips helpful, and please share your own best practices for simplifying your life with us in the comments!

Love + simplicity,

Katherine

#ScholarshipSpotlight: Darya Khani, Ron Bell Inspirational Leader of the Year

2017-07-11T16:35:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Darya Khani, one of our Ron Bell Inspirational Leaders of the Year! We are so proud of you, and so excited to share your story of self-love, strength, and inspiration with the Girl Talk community!

“Finding myself was one of the hardest things I have had to do. I didn’t realize I had darker skin than most people, until someone pointed it out to me in middle school. I didn’t know my name was so unusual from the “norm” til some told me. I didn’t know my heritage and ancestry was “frowned” upon til someone told me.

These words were shared to me in middle school. Unfortunately, I believed it. And I am not the only one who believed what a bully said. I believed that I wasn’t the same as everyone else. Thus, I shouldn’t demand the same respect as everyone else. I was convinced people didn’t want to talk to me because I didn’t look the same.

Nevertheless, one Wednesday morning in Middle School I was pushed along to this club called Girl Talk. Little did I know the profound affect it would leave upon me. As soon as I stepped foot into the Girl Talk room, I felt this sense of belonging and tenderness I hadn’t before. The high school leaders greeted me with a warm welcome and escorted me to the donut line. I picked myself a strawberry sprinkle donut and continued to my chair where I would sit and stare, in awe of what the Girl Talk leaders were talking about. The topic of the week was Acceptance. My eyes awakened as I listened so carefully to what they were preaching. The Girl Talk leaders mentioned how the greatest gift you can give someone is unconditional love and acceptance. The idea of unconditional love and acceptance would play a huge role in my upbringing.

The awe factor I received on my first day at Girl Talk made me want to come back for more. I made it a weekly priority to attend Girl Talk in the morning. In fact, I made my dad drop me off at school early enough to be the first to pick my donut and listen to the Girl Talk meeting in whole.

Week by week I would learn about a new topic. These topics evoked so much curiosity in me. Through my middle school years in Girl Talk I learned how to be a good friend, listener, and overall better person. My final days as a middle schooler I had a better sense of who I was and what I stood for, and I owed it all to Girl Talk.

Approaching high school I was eager to join Girl Talk. It would be my first year as a high school Girl Talk leader. This brought me so much joy watching the middle schoolers grow and understand what Girl Talk was about. I made it a mission to impact a girls’ life like the high school leaders did to mine in middle school.

High School flew by and before you knew it I was the Head Leader of Girl Talk at my Holy Innocent’ Episcopal School Chapter as a junior. Inspired by the middle schoolers and my studies as a high schooler, I developed a 2 hour seminar to teach girls the importance of coding!

You may ask, what does this have to do with anything? Well, I wanted to impact the middle school girls in another way. I taught them how to handle sticky situations, how to be a good friend, and be confident. But I hadn’t yet mentored them in studies. I wanted to share with the girls the importance of school. The privilege of an education. And the value of coding in the world we live in today. I am happy to say the planning for the 2^nd Annual Girls who Code is underway.

As I reflect on my Girl Talk journey, I finally realized who I am and what I stand for. I realized that I am lucky enough to be different, so I shouldn’t change myself. I am a proud Iranian girl with strong dark genes that stand out in a crowd! My name is Darya Khani. I love who I have become!

Girl Talk brought the best out in me. It made me become conscience of the value of my diversity and the worth of my word. I hope to help every girl realize the beaming light that lives inside them and their individual beauty.

From leading the Student Diversity Leadership Council at my school to volunteering at the Atlanta Community Food Bank I have a passion for giving back. Thus, I am honored to be the recipient of the Ron Bell Family Foundation Inspirational Leader Award.

As I continue my journey at University of Georgia with the Presidential Leadership Scholarship, I aim to uphold high morals and always give back. I am very excited to begin my journey in college as a Biology major in pursuit to give back as a doctor someday. Go Dawgs! And Go Girl Talk!”

Thank you, Darya, for having the courage to make Girl Talk a part of your journey and to share your journey to understanding and embracing who you are. We could not be more proud or grateful for you and all you have done to spread the Girl Talk mission, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!

#ScholarshipSpotlight: Hanna Meyers, Ron Bell Inspirational Leader of the Year

2017-07-04T12:00:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Hanna Meyers, one of our Ron Bell Inspirational Leaders of the Year! We are constantly blown away by this young woman and are so excited to have her share her story with us!

"If someone had told me at nine years old that I would love being a camp counselor, would go on to co-lead the camp twice, and would start a corresponding chapter at my school as an underclassman, never in a million years would I have believed that person.

In fifth grade, the middle school counselor distributed flyers for a Girl Talk camp, and being nine, I read “arts and crafts” and decided that I wanted to sign up. I was too shy to ask my friends to join me, so I attended camp by myself. Just one week of camp was enough to change my world, and I wanted to start a chapter so I could share what I learned with my school’s community. I returned to camp every summer, and in ninth grade, I became a counselor for the first time. I was eager to be behind the scenes of all the “Girl Talk magic,” but I was terrified of being in the spotlight. I ended up loving Girl Talk even more, and I signed up for as many Girl Talk-related events as I could, including the LeaderU summit to Washington, D.C., in July 2014 and the LeadHERship summit to Camp Twin Lakes in Winder, GA, in November 2015.

In spring 2014, I began planning for my chapter, and in the fall of my sophomore year, Galloway Girl Talk (GGT) finally became a reality. GGT was my favorite part of the day for three years, and I poured all the love I had into the chapter so I could inspire girls in the same way that Girl Talk inspired me in sixth grade. As a junior, I joined Girl Talk’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB), and it provided another space for me to learn about effective leadership and to continue to serve Girl Talk outside of camp and GGT.

In spring 2016, Girl Talk offered me a position as Co-Lead Counselor at camp. I had never even dreamed of having the opportunity to run camp; I thought I was too quiet to be that person, but I realized I was ready to let go of shy, nine-year-old me and embrace the mature, confident leader I had become. On the last day of camp in my second year as Co-Lead Counselor, Girl Talk chose me as the co-recipient of the Ron Bell Family Foundation Inspirational Leader Award, and I am honored to share this huge recognition with Darya Khani, one of the girls I grew up with in Girl Talk.

In high school, I chose a few passions – Girl Talk included – and immersed myself in them. I started a grammar club before starting GGT; was a four-year singles starter on the varsity tennis team and was co-captain as a senior; was a coach for the Universal Tennis Academy for two years; and was an intern for Galloway’s communications department for three years.

I now attend Elon University where I plan to major in communications design. Outside the classroom, I plan to join Elon’s club tennis team; assist with the yearbook and/or student-run newspaper; and hopefully help Elon’s own communications department and find a position similar to the internship I held at Galloway. In addition, I plan to start a Girl Talk chapter near Elon, and when I have the opportunity to study abroad, I hope to start additional chapters wherever I go.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Before Girl Talk, I let my introversion consume me because I had no idea a “quiet leader” could exist. I relied heavily on my peers to be the first to speak up or to take action. Now, I know a quiet leader is exactly who I am, and through Girl Talk, I found a balance between using my voice and letting others use theirs. But the most fulfilling of all, I am discovering opportunities every day to encourage others to find their balance as well. Thank you, Girl Talk, for believing in me when I did not know how to; for providing the resources I needed to reach the potential I did not know I had; and for changing my life when I thought I would always be quiet. I am so grateful to be able to share my knowledge and inspire the world one girl at a time."

Thank you, Hanna, for welcoming Girl Talk into your life and sharing the light you found inside of you with so many others. We hope you continue this mission, and can't wait to see what wonders the future holds for you!

Monday Motivation: Turning Failure to Fuel

2017-06-30T18:30:00.000-04:00

Failure (noun): lack of success; the omission of expected or required action; see also: “I’m a…” and “Fear of…”

See that second one, “Fear of failure”? Yep, that’s me. It’s also the majority of the people I know. If it’s you, too, this post is for you.

We need to reframe failure.

There’s something in our society that has convinced us that failure is a bad thing, and made us roll our eyes at motivational speakers who tell us to “Celebrate our failure!” This mindset has made us believe that failure is something to be feared before it happens, and ashamed of afterward, instead of something that is part of our shared human experience.

Maybe it’s our society’s obsession with perfection and that has created this mentality. Maybe it’s our high expectations, or our obsession with “success,” whatever that means. Maybe it’s something else. Though that’s certainly an interesting origin story, it doesn’t matter so much where this mindset came from, or, really, where it goes.

It just needs to go. And we can be a part of sending our fear of failure out the door.

I started thinking more about this after I saw a story about a new Gatorade commercial called “The Secret to Victory,” on the TODAY Show about the unexpected key to success: failure. Take a look.

(Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Gatorade, just inspired by it. 😉)

“You really want to know the secret to victory?” “Defeat.”

The ad features professional athletes like Peyton and Eli Manning, Serena Williams, and Atlanta’s own Matt Ryan confronted by what society has deemed “failures” in their lives and careers, from failing to make the varsity team to losing the Super Bowl, to change the way we think about failure.

For athletes, defeat is literally a part of the game; for all of us, it’s part of the “game of life,” if you will.

It’s normal to let the losses, defeats, and failures get you down. And it’s easy to let them keep you down. The secret is not letting them, and that’s the hard part.

When I was growing up, the movie “A Cinderella Story” came out and, like any die-hard Hilary Duff fan of the early 2000s, I loved it.

The movie is exactly what it sounds like, a modern-day “Cinderella Story,” except this time, she loses her cell phone and, amongst other offenses, the evil stepmother has wallpapered over a quote that Hilary Duff’s baseball-loving father painted on the wall of his diner before he died. Finally, at just the right moment, when things seem most desperate, the wallpaper is torn off the wall, revealing the quote and inspiring Hilary’s character, Sam, to keep going.

The quote, of course, is a classic from baseball all-star Babe Ruth.

Though I certainly didn’t go on to play baseball, or lose my fear of failure, this quote always gave me something to think about when the fear of failure started to get in my way…and it still does.

In my senior year of college, when I started applying for “real world” jobs, I applied for what I had thought, for years, was my dream job. I was rejected--I failed hard. I then thought I was meant for something similar, but different, so I applied for the next set of “dream jobs” with the same company, fearing that I would fail again. And I did; I was defeated by all of them.

Then I found the job description for my current position at Girl Talk and, though I was afraid that I wouldn’t get the job, the feeling I had when I read the description made me understand why I had be “defeated” by the first few dream jobs. This one felt like the right one for me. And, thankfully, it was.

I believe that I "failed" because those jobs that I was set on weren't the right ones for me, because there was something that was "more right" out there, waiting for me to discover it. But before I did, it felt like my life had veered off-course.

The perfectionists within us seem to think that if we fail, even just once, our lives will be permanently thrown off-track and we will not be able to accomplish what we want to accomplish, or live the life that we want to live.

I’m happy to tell you that that’s just not true.

Only you have the power to create and control your path. Only you have the power to decide what a "failure" means for you. Your failures don’t have that kind of power.

I’m not telling you that you should never be afraid to fail, or be ashamed when you do, nor am I saying that the fear will suddenly go away or that you should feel “good” about your failures (that would just make you feel like a failure for not feeling good about failing…make sense?).

It’s perfectly okay to fail—it’s normal—as long as you don’t let it define you. Don’t let the fails keep you down or the fears prevent you from "playing the game"--going after your dreams, following your passions, and fighting for what you believe.

Instead, challenge yourself to use defeat as a motivator. It's easier said than done, but take the L, then move on. Keep working and keep trying for future victories, and you’ll start to reclaim and reframe failure and, as Gatorade says, #MakeDefeatYourFuel.

With love and gratitude,

Katherine

p.s. Feel free to share your stories, struggles, and successes in the comments (or email me: katherine@mygirltalk.org), and let me know what you’d like to share or read about—my keyboard is ready and waiting!

#ScholarshipSpotlight: Jathusha "JJ" Mahenthirarajan, National Leader of the Year

2017-06-30T12:12:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Jathusha "JJ" Mahenthirarajan, our 2017 National Leader of the Year! (...Well, technically, our International Leader of the Year--JJ leads the Richmond Hill Girl Talk Chapter in Ontario, Canada!) We are so proud of JJ, and are so excited to share her story with you!

"During my middle school years, I had a tough time navigating mental health issues, friendship drama, bullying, and building self-confidence as I felt unreasonable pressure from the impossible expectation to be everything to everyone at all times. Luckily, I had a mentor in university who helped keep my spirits up, and became the big sister I never had. Years later, when my sister entered middle school and I saw her go through similar issues, I knew something had to be done. Grounded in my mission to create safe spaces for girls to share their innermost deepest thoughts, and explore their identities in a supportive environment, I founded the Richmond Hill Girl Talk chapter in November 2015 with the desire to empower girls with an inclusive, sustainable solution to the issues they were facing.

From Cultural Celebration Day to our monthly Feeling Circles to talent shows for the girls to step out of their comfort zones, I was so proud to see our mentees explore, challenge and take action against issues such as body shaming, racism, hypersexualization, abusive relationships, and peer pressure. For the end-of-the-year visual reflection, one of our 7th graders who struggled with self-image, drew her face and split it in half to demonstrate the before and after of Girl Talk. Using words like “stupid, fat, unwanted, ugly, weird” on one side, and “beautiful, generous, funny, powerful, loved” on the other, it was evident proof of how influential mentorship was redefining the way young girls viewed and believed in themselves. Girl Talk has given me the confidence to stand up for what I believe in, regardless of what other people may think of me. This confidence that I portrayed had a ripple effect.

My passion for equity and vision for justice actualized when I volunteered in the surgical wing of a Kenyan hospital. My strong conviction in giving [the hospital patients] a voice pushed me to act.

After founding Richmond Hill Girl Talk, this experience inspired me to volunteer in SriLanka this past summer at a girls’ orphanage where I implemented a week-long confidence-building program.

Selected among hundreds as a "Because I am a Girl" national spokesperson, I was able to broaden the scope of my vision and spread my message globally. I met with global leaders, such as Cabinet Minister Patricia Hajdu and Madame Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, to discuss obstacles Canadian girls face. This empowered me to look further than my position as Vice President of Student Council, and see myself in politics.

To make sure every woman’s voice was heard, I started a blog, "Community Superwomen”, where I interviewed girls about their dreams, and struggles.

As President of Empowered Student Partnerships, I’ve raised thousands of dollars for women’s shelters, directed social justice films, and held awareness campaigns.

I’ve utilized my voice, performing slam poetry about human rights to thousands of people, winning regional competitions for the past 3 years.

I’ve been involved in other positions such as Minister of External Affairs of Youth Health Club, Head of Mentorship for my school’s leadership conference, Prefect, and as an Event Coordinator for nonprofits.

Inspired by all these experiences, I founded my youth-led grassroots community organization, L.I.G.H.T. (Lead Inspire Grow Hope Transform) where we’ve run book drives, free art camps, mental health walks, and volunteering mentorship programs for marginalized children and youth.

This fall, I will be entering York University in Toronto, where I will be studying human rights and equity studies. I aspire to work at UN Women, become an international leadership and diversity consultant, and work on changing policies to advance human rights.

Girl Talk has given me the confidence to stand up for what I believe in, and shaped me into the visionary leader, fierce advocate, thoughtful friend, and compassionate human being I am today."

What a story! JJ, you have already changed the world by sharing your fierce passion, huge heart, and unique experience with each person that you meet. Thank you for sharing your story with us. We know it's only just beginning, but feel so fortunate to be a part of your journey and look forward to following the trail you blaze in your next chapters!

#ScholarshipSpotlight: Katie Pleiss, Natural Life Give, Love, Laugh Winner

2017-06-21T16:40:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Katie Pleiss, Grand Prize Winner of the Natural Life Give, Love, Laugh Scholarship!

The Natural Life Give, Love, Laugh Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who has made a passionate and meaningful impact in her community, and Katie certainly has! We are so proud of her, and grateful to be a part of her journey--we know it will take her far. Keep reading for Katie's bio and see how far she's already come!

"I began my involvement with Girl Talk during my freshman year. Despite finding new friends and successfully transitioning to high school, my freshman year was fairly unremarkable; I was not involved in many clubs and I did not really feel I had a purpose. All of this changed when my friend, Hanna Meyers, asked for my help starting a Girl Talk Chapter at our school. Because I felt I needed to join something, I agreed to help, knowing very little about what Girl Talk entailed. I signed up to be a counselor at Girl Talk Camp that summer to learn more about the organization and immediately discovered the passion that I was waiting to find. I saw girls who were once shy radiate confidence, and all they really needed was love and support. I quickly realized that I needed to recreate this in my school. Girl Talk Camp helped me discover a passion I had for helping girls gain the confidence they deserve.

Sophomore year came quickly, and I started work on the Chapter right away. By September, we had 20 girls attending regularly. My passion for female mentorship did not stop there; I joined Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to help Girl Talk grow and to gain insight from mentors, myself. I also worked with the administration at my sister’s middle school, Springmont, to extend the Galloway Chapter and mentor the girls there. My plate was full of Girl Talk activities, but I could see the impact I was making, which made it all worth it.

By the time senior year came along, my passion for service was clear. Because of this, the faculty at my school suggested I apply to the GivingPoint Institute, a social entrepreneurship program where high school students can learn how to start their own non-profit project. I was accepted to GivingPoint, and, with Girl Talk as the inspiration, I decided to start Lead to Learn, a tutoring and mentoring program where high school girls tutor and mentor middle school girls at public middle schools.

I knew that public schools can be under-resourced, and hoped to implement a program where girls would get individual attention so that they could stay motivated to succeed in school and learn to handle difficult social situations. The project was not easy; it tested my abilities and leadership skills. However, when we started at Sutton Middle School in January, it was a quick success. We currently have fifteen girls who attend Lead to Learn weekly so that they can improve their grades and also gain insight during our discussions on topics of their choice.

I absolutely love Girl Talk and simply cannot express how grateful I am to have been apart of this organization. I have been taught so many valuable leadership skills and have met so many inspiring people during my time with Girl Talk, and I know this knowledge will stay with me throughout my life."

And, Katie, we are so grateful that you are a part of the Girl Talk Family! Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring others to find and follow their passion, serve others, and persevere. We wish you all the best in your next chapter!

Love,

the Girl Talk Team

Girl Talk Leader Reflects on Her Girl Talk Story

2017-04-06T16:52:00.003-04:00

Hi! My name is Mackensie. I'm 18 years old and live in Atlanta, GA. When I was in middle school, I loved participating in Girl Talk, and looked to my leaders for advice regarding friends, family, and school life. I remember wanting to be just like them. Now, as a senior in high school, I am honored to fill my leaders' shoes as a second-year Girl Talk Leader for sixth grade girls. Being a Girl Talk Leader is one of my favorite activities and I truly look forward to seeing the girls each week and getting to know them, while also teaching them valuable lessons they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

As a trained Girl Talk Leader, some of my responsibilities are to teach confidence, leadership, and life lessons to middle school girls. A few of my favorites lessons I’ve taught have been Choosing to Be Kind, Stop Comparing Yourself to Others, and How to Talk to Your Parents without Screaming. It’s so fun to have the girls answer the discussion questions and hear their opinions on everything. It’s also meaningful for me to provide insight to them, and I hope that they take it to heart.

Girl Talk has truly made a difference in my life and I can't imagine my life without it; I’m not looking forward to my being a leader ending in a few weeks when I graduate! Girl Talk is a great organization and out of all my friends who have done it, I don’t know one who hasn’t been impressed. If you’re on the border about joining Girl Talk – whether you are a parent, middle schooler, or high schooler looking to become a leader – I can’t recommend enough getting involved. Girl Talk has had such a positive impact on my life and I know it will for you, too.

Julie Campbell: a woman making history!

2017-03-07T12:01:00.000-05:00

It is Women's History Month and we have been thinking a lot about women who are currently making history! There are so many women heroes hiding in the shadows and doing the work to effect positive change in all industries.

We caught up with Julie Campbell, Vice President of Marketing at Astral Health & Beauty. She has been with the company for almost 12 years. Astral is the parent company to PÜR, COSMEDIX and Aloette - three beauty brands with a commitment to customers that goes deeper than surface level! Julie is amazing and we are so excited to let you in on some of her wisdom. Read on, girl!

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Be kind. Lead with your heart. Never give up.

In your opinion, what qualities make a great leader?

In my opinion, there are many characteristics that make a great leader but there are three key traits that I believe have helped me flourish: 1) Focus, 2) Passion, 3) A desire to see others succeed.

Focus: The path to great things can be tough. My work days can be long where I feel like a rubber band being pulled and stretched in so many directions. Keeping a sharp, clear focus on the most important tasks at hand is essential.

Passion: I am a passionate leader where I promise to walk the talk and stay committed despite setbacks. I have a true desire to serve others and find tremendous satisfaction in doing the best work possible.

A desire to see others succeed: I can truly say that my most lasting and fulfilling achievements are earned by seeing others fulfill their goals.

What challenges or obstacles have you had to overcome to make it to where you are today?

In thinking about my career, I have faced more setbacks and obstacles than I ever thought imaginable. However, the single biggest challenge has been nothing but myself. Often striving for perfection, I am my worst enemy. It’s taken me years to learn how to overcome self-defeating behavior and today I try to live by a few key mottos:

Just do it. Jump in and once the momentum starts, there’s no stopping what you can do.

Fail fast. Failure is inevitable, but the key is to recognize your failure quick enough to stop the loss and correct the course of action.

Build a pipeline. Absolutely nothing lasts forever: No client, no project, no service agreement, no fame, fortune or trend. Make sure you have a constant flow of sales leads, ideas, innovations and relationships to help get you to where you’d like to go. And when you slip, and slide backward, it will be for just a moment because you have that network and team that will help you climb back.

How are currently giving back to the next generation of women leaders?

As a member of the executive team at Astral Health & Beauty I work closely with our brand leaders, all women, to offer ideas and solutions to everyday situations. The constant flow of communication helps to develop confident, successful women. I am also a participant in the Cosmetic Executive Women mentor program where I have the unique opportunity to provide mentoring in a structured way to women in the health & beauty industry.

What do you wish people knew about the good work being done by Astral Health & Beauty?

At the core of Astral Health & Beauty is our ability to offer superior skincare and makeup products that help make life a little bit better for men and women around the globe. I have personally seen transformative results with our products. Whether we are correcting debilitating skin conditions, providing an outlet for self-expression or offering a fulfilling career opportunity, Astral is at the core of people’s lives.

Why are you passionate about the work you do?

As a mom of two teenage daughters, I am so honored to be able to be a role model to my girls. Contributing financially to the family, while helping myself professionally with a job I love, has helped my girls grow up to be strong, independent women.

I am also proud to work for a progressive beauty company that has thrown out the traditional philosophies of perfection. If we can help young girls celebrate one another, embrace diversity, and applaud unique and different looks, then we have succeeded.

In your eyes, what is true beauty?

A true beauty has zero to do with looks and 100% everything to do with attitude. My definition of a true beauty is someone that:

- Glows from within

- Sticks to her values

- Acts with kindness and goodness

- Never, ever gives up

Many thanks to Julie Campbell for these fabulous nuggets of wisdom! We hope you are inspired and energized - because just like Julie, you too can be a woman making history.

To learn more about the Astral Health & Beauty family of brands, visit www.astralbrands.com!
PÜR
COSMEDIX
Aloette

Beauty on the Inside

2017-02-23T09:45:00.004-05:00

Today's society has placed a great deal of importance on what young women should look like. Sometimes the stress of being told what dress size you should be overpowers the significance of what lies inside your heart. This shouldn’t be what happens.

Growing up always being told to "Stay strong and be kind," I knew that I was doing something right if I was going out of my way to show unconditional kindness to someone else. Never before middle school had how others view me been important. However what should be meaningful and important is not others' superficial view of you. What should be important to you is the content of your character and the quality of your heart.

Girls shouldn't have to constantly be worried with how they look to feel accepted by their peers. The standard of beauty is constantly changing, so in turn what's considered beautiful now could possibly change in a few years or even just a few months. What's truly significant and constant is how beautiful you are on the inside.

The way you treat others says more about how beautiful you are than how you appear in a mirror ever could. Keep beauty in your heart. Be kind. Be gracious. And above all, know that you were created for a purpose that far exceeds the plan you could ever have for yourself.

Olivia Burger
Miss Columbus' Outstanding Teen

Be a Girl with Goals!

2017-01-18T14:06:00.002-05:00

Happy new year, everyone!

As you toss out your old calendars and replace them with new ones, think about what the New Year means to you. I like to look at the change from one year to another as tearing a marked up, scribbled sheet of paper out of a notebook and starting over on a new, clean sheet of paper. That's what the New Year is for a lot of people--a clean slate and a fresh start!

The New Year is the perfect time to reevaluate things in your life and make changes. In addition, it's also a great time to start setting goals for yourself and thinking about what you can do in order to accomplish those goals.

First, I'd like to start by saying that whatever goals you want to set or things that you may want to change in your life, you should do because YOU want to, not because others want you to. The best thing about reaching a goal is the self-satisfaction you get when you accomplish something that you really set your mind to and worked so hard to achieve. It's nice to have others be proud of you and happy for you, but that shouldn't be your sole reason for reaching goals.

Another thing about goals is that they really help you grow as a person, and setting and reaching a goal is a sign of maturity. When you set goals for yourself that you are really serious or passionate about, it teaches you to have clearer focus, persistence, and to make more effective use of your time. These are three things that teach responsibility and help you grow as a person! There is nothing worse than setting goals for yourself that you don’t work hard enough, or take out the proper time, to meet. This is why it’s important to really sit back and think about the things you desire and want to achieve; keep working toward reaching your goals, even when it seems nearly impossible; and set aside and better manage your time to put into reaching your goals.

No goal is too big or too small. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Sometimes, really big goals take a little more time to achieve. This is why you want to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to reach these larger goals. It also helps to break up bigger goals into smaller ones. For example, if you want to bring your GPA from a 3.1 to a 3.4, it would be pretty tough to accomplish within a year. A suggestion is to break this goal into smaller ones. Maybe set a small goal for each semester until you make it to your desired GPA. Setting realistic and reasonable goals can help prevent disappointment and help you to stay focused and dedicated by seeing that your goal isn’t as far out of reach as you may think. Don't forget to celebrate each small victory of meeting each small goal!

Again, the best and most rewarding part about setting goals for yourself is the feeling you get when you reach them! Whether your goal is to make the honor roll, become vegan or join a team at your school, each achievement should be taken heavily and should be celebrated! Not everyone is able to stick it out and reach their goals, so when you do, give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve it!

Sincerely,

Tatyana Phelps

Girl Talk Marketing Volunteer

Good Friends are Good for the Soul!

2016-12-02T13:33:00.000-05:00

Making friends is a crucial part of school. Thirty years from now, you may have the same best friend or even look back at all the good times that you shared with your inner circle. Whether you surround yourself with one or two close friends or prefer to have a large group around you, friends add a bit more depth to our normal, routine lives.

When making new friends, it’s important to remember to surround yourself with positive people who uplift you and support you. Although we are each responsible for our own decisions and in control of our actions, it can be very easy to get influenced by the people around us. The best thing is to often be friends with people you share common values and goals with. Have you ever heard the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together”? It’s much more than a cute rhyme! It means that people usually hang around like-minded people—people who are quite similar to them. Despite the way the saying goes, this isn’t always the way things play out.

We’ve all had a bad friend or two. Not that they were a bad friend to you, but they were doing bad things or getting into trouble. Sometimes, they may have even involved you in it. Since these are the people we call our friends, we may get sucked in to joining in on those bad things. Does this kind of friend sound familiar?

If you realize that you may have a friend like that, don’t worry—you aren’t alone! Trust me, I have been there. We all have been there. Sometimes, it’s easy to get blinded by these negative influences in our lives. People like this may be really good friends to you and it may even be pretty exciting to try new, adventurous things that are outside of your norm. But I’m here to tell you that people like that aren’t our real friends. Real friends accept you for who you are and don’t try to change anything about you. True friends would never put us in the position to do things we aren’t comfortable with or potentially get us into trouble.

If you have a friend or multiple friends like this, you don’t necessarily have to forget that they exist and never talk to them again. Instead, express how it makes you feel. One of the keys to a good friendship is communication. Tell your friend that allowing her to look at your test answers made you feel uncomfortable, or that picking on another student at lunch was not okay with you. It might put you in an awkward position, but if someone is really your friend, then he/she will listen to what you have to say and take into consideration how certain things make you feel. If he/she can’t do that, then it may be time to reconsider the friendship.

A true friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.

Sincerely,

Tatyana Phelps

Girl Talk Marketing Volunteer

The Importance of Community Service

2016-11-11T15:28:00.000-05:00

Community service: two words that describe something you’ve probably done before. Maybe your school requires service hours, or your parents want you to volunteer, when really you wanna stay home. We’ve all been there; community service can feel like a drag, but it’s important to remember why community service should be one of the many things keeping you busy.

Being able to make a difference in someone’s life is one of the reasons service is SO important. But, trust me, I know this sounds cliche and unrealistic; can you really make a difference in someone’s life? You’re not an adult yet. But you absolutely can. You never know how much good a small gesture can do. When I was younger, my family used to bring donations to a local food pantry. I never understood why I had to give up my Saturday to help out, until one day, a man came to the food pantry while we were dropping off donations. He was there to get food for his family because they couldn’t afford groceries. I realized that my work did matter even though it was small. There are so many people who could use your help and regardless of your abilities, you can change a person’s life.

Community service is also important because it can be extremely humbling and can put things into perspective. I know, it’s unfair when your friends see a PG-13 movie and your parents won’t let you, but meeting people who don’t know when their next meal is, makes you think twice about your problems and gives you a more realistic picture of the world. I’m not saying that your problems are insignificant, but once you’ve met people with life-changing issues, it can make you grateful for what you have, and gratitude is an incredible thing.

Community service can help you discover what you are passionate about. Most of you probably have been asked what you want to do when you grow up, and some of you might not know yet, which is TOTALLY normal! But finding new causes and ways to give back, can show you what makes you angry or excited, which can help you determine what future job you want. Sometimes finding what makes you angry is an easy way to find your passion and career.

Hopefully, you’re now convinced to start looking for community service opportunities, or, at least, you aren’t dreading fulfilling your school’s service requirements. The next step is finding out how to get involved. Girl Talk often has service events for all ages. Also, I use Pebble Tossers, a service website, to find organizations that accept middle school or high school aged volunteers. However you get involved, you’re doing great.

I hope you all are going to start getting involved, and I know you can do amazing things! Here’s an Eleanor Roosevelt quote that keeps me motivated to give back: “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give.” You are all remarkable, and good luck with all future service endeavors!

Much love,

Katie Pleiss

Senior, The Galloway School - Atlanta, GA
Teen Advisory Board Member

School & Bubble Baths

2016-10-21T09:47:00.000-04:00

We've all been there: it’s 1AM, and you’re still scrambling to finish the last items on your to-do list which include finishing your biology lab, studying for that impossible math test, and finalizing your Friday night plans. By the time your head hits the pillow, it seems as if the alarm clock is already blaring in your ear. So there you are, trudging to your class, yawning and shuffling your feet in sweats. Is it worth it?

School itself is a blessing. Although it’s not going to indefinitely define every single tiny detail and aspect of your future, education is important and it’s something that you should always be grateful for. Many girls around the world don’t even have access to the kind of learning opportunities that are readily available to citizens of the United States of America. That being said, learning how to balance school is a whole other challenge to tackle.

There is a fine line between working hard, and working overtime. If the cost of being the “perfect student” means coming home feeling exhausted and defeated every single day, then you might want to rethink your routine. Even now, as I am moving into my last year of high school, I have to find the right balance of grades, sleep, and things I do for me. A lot of times, we can get lost in the robotic day-to-day tasks, and doing something for myself is easily forgotten.

This small act of self-love can be anything from packing an extra cookie in your lunch to scheduling in a hot bath when you get home from school (scented candles included). It can also mean getting further involved in a sport or club that you’re passionate about. Taking an hour of your time to relax will increase your productivity and focus later so that you can really get things done.

If you’ve ever paid attention to the safety information cards on airplanes, you know that in case of emergency, you are advised to help yourself first and foremost before helping others. If your health and safety is in jeopardy, how are you supposed to follow the rest of the instructions? The same applies to school, you have to support yourself before trying to tackle anything else. You should prioritize yourself, and figure out the best game plan for you to be happy, productive and managing your stress level well - all at the same time. As someone who is currently still struggling to do this, I can tell you it’s not easy, but it’s definitely rewarding. So go forth and conquer school, but don’t forget to stop and grab some bubble baths along the way...you deserve it!

Lots of Love,

Raina Gars

Senior, Pope High School - Marietta, GA
Teen Advisory Board Member

Instagram and your heart

2016-10-08T11:51:00.000-04:00

Social media.

We all love it! It is a great place to celebrate, make announcements, keep your loved ones in the loop and express your inner creativity and uniqueness. And let’s be honest, we can’t really live without it...

But don't we also all kinda despise it sometimes? I know I do.

There's that one girl that you follow. She's "literally perfect." She has the perfect hair, the perfect body, the perfect life… or so you think. And there's that girl in your grade who gets over 150 likes on every. single. post. Maybe you are that girl with over 2000 followers. Or maybe you're the girl who gets excited when your post breaks 20 likes. Either way, social media can be equally amazing and dangerous. I don’t know about you, but for me it is an outlet full of joy, sadness, excitement, despair, and celebration… so many emotions. All at once.

How many times has the daily scroll left you feeling sad, left out, less than or not _____ enough? Let me tell you, these feelings creep in and plague my heart almost every day. And usually, the bad feelings outweigh the good…

I checked in with some of our Girl Talk Leaders to see what advice they have to offer concerning social media and taking care of your heart.

Raina Gars, Girl Talk Teen Advisory Board member, advised “If you post, be PROUD of it!”

“If you compare, you despair. Social media can be a platform for comparison that can either lift you up or bring you down, but either way… it just matters what you think of yourself! There have been several times when I have completely deleted social media off of my phone, because living life outside of appearance and judgement is such a more fulfilling way to live.” Raina said if Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter are causing you more stress than happiness, it might be a good idea to walk away for awhile. Remember, you only deserve to surround yourself with things that bring you joy. "Revolve around the things that evolve you".

Tessa Brooks, Leader at Simpson Girl Talk:

“One year at a pageant the final question was our opinion on the topic of social media. Many girls said social media is good because it makes others feel good when their pictures are liked. However, in my experience, I haven't really felt that.

I have been on Instagram since it's early ages. I have only recently, after over 5 years, gotten the occasional comment on a post. Meanwhile, my friends had so many more followers who liked and commented on all of their pictures. It made me feel like maybe I wasn't pretty enough, or like there was something wrong with me. But later on I realized something very important…

However many likes or comments you get doesn't matter. What matters is that you love yourself. What matters is that you can say "OML 😍" to yourself. That you can look in the mirror and see you for you, for the beautiful you that you are.”

Macon Shackelford, Leader at Strong Rock Christian School Girl Talk, warned about the dangers of comparing comments and compliments. Comments like “You are such a babe!” only recognize someone’s appearance. If a girl has a pretty heart and values the quality of her character, she is GORGEOUS! “Beauty fades but a pretty heart and a sweet spirit last forever. Personally, I value compliments on my character much more than those on my appearance. As long as you are confident in who you are, there is no reason to be embarrassed about meaningless comments (or a lack of comments) on social media.”

Sweet girl, YOU are amazing. You are gorgeous. You are special and smart and kind and creative and unique. You’re sweet and precious. You are a babe. You give me heart eyes for dayyyys! You are #goals.

So the next time your Instagram feed gets you down, remember those truths. Remember who you are. Protect your heart with self-love and the confidence that you are incredible because you are you!

You are gorgeous and no number of likes, comments, shares or regrams can measure your radiance.

Love,

Makenzie & The Girl Talk Team

Community Service: Comfort Bags

2016-09-23T11:44:00.001-04:00

When the Girl Talk Chapter at Kimberly Middle School noticed that many families were being diagnosed with cancer, they decided to do something about it. Through the generous donations of students at their school, the Chapter was able to provide a little ray of sunshine in the lives of those who were living in a nightmare.

"Sadly our small school district was plagued with many cancer stories last year affecting elementary kids all the way up to staff members. My counselor and I decided that we would do a Kindness Campaign for the month of February and we would have students bring items needed for comfort bags. Lists were provided to Prime Times (or home rooms) and students brought in items. The Prime Time that brought the most items would receive a popcorn party." - Nikki Mathews, Chapter Advisor for Kimberly Girl Talk.

Amazingly, Nikki was able to take care of getting the bags that the materials would be packaged in. As a Thirty-One Consultant, she promoted the cause to many of her customers and they sponsored bags for children and adults.

The Kimberly Girl Talk Girls got together to load up the bags. According to Nikki, it was one of their favorite community service projects of the year. The Chapter gave more than 20 bags to families affected by cancer or tragedy in their small district. These bags held goodies that would lift spirits, as well as essential items that would be useful for the many trips a family has to regularly travel to receive quality treatment. It was truly a special way to give back to the community and show neighbors that they are not in the fight alone.

Check out some of the items that were collected by Kimberly Middle School students! (Girl Talk also recommends checking out Pinterest as a resource for ideas!)

chapstick

unscented lotion

face wipes

hand sanitizer

shampoo/conditioner

mouthwash/toothpaste/toothbrush/oral care

laundry soap

tissues

deodorant (without aluminum)

gum/tic-tacs

hard candy/breath mints

protein bars/granola bars

water bottles

paperback books/coloring books with crayons for kids

magazines/books for parents

small toys/stuffed animals

light fleece blankets

sleeping masks/travel pillows

nail care kit

activity books (sudoku/crossword)

card games

inspirational quotes/cards

Way to go Kimberly Girl Talk! We are so proud and so inspired - thank you ladies for making a difference in the lives of the people around you and for loving your community well!

All the love,

Girl Talk, Inc.

Why Start a Girl Talk Chapter?

2016-09-09T11:55:00.000-04:00

Listening to her cry brought back terrible memories of my own experiences that I thought I left in middle school. I felt useless holding my little sister in my arms while she held back her tears just long enough to ask, “How can girls be so mean?”

I decided I needed to put myself in her shoes as I remembered how I only dreamed of having an older sister to help me deal with the drama I faced in middle school. I got to thinking about how I had been trying to start a club at school for years that was geared towards mentoring younger kids, and I knew my sister, Delaney, was not the only one feeling this way. I fell in love with the concept of Girl Talk and was grateful to find an organization where I could be a Leader, a mentor, share my love of community service and my personal experiences with younger girls. Middle school is such a pivotal time in a pre-teen’s life and if I could make it even the slightest bit easier, I was going to. I got started on my journey of creating a chapter, although there were many steps and obstacles, the end result was well worth it. I was pleasantly surprised by the response I got from the girls who joined, they loved it almost as much as I did and attended every meeting they could.

I had a solid group of about forty girls - twenty middle school and twenty high school girls. We met every other Monday and completed at least eight different community service opportunities within our school and in our community. My favorite was making Easter baskets for less fortunate kids and being able to deliver them and see the smiles on their faces. Another heart warming experience was having the girls create Valentine’s Day cards for people in the hospital and also delivering those.

I decided to kick it up a notch, and since I am lucky enough to attend a school that is partnered with a University, I reached out to our psychology department. I was able to ask two young psychology students to attend our meetings and answer any of the girls' questions about bullying, school or life in general. The girls in my group responded well and bonded well with these young adults, especially the high-schoolers who for a moment could be mentored as well and get some helpful advice.

This is the start of another school year and another year of positively impacting the lives of young girls. Although this is my last year in high school, I intend on leaving my Chapter’s legacy behind in my sister’s hands. This Girl Talk Chapter is the best thing that could have happened to me. I created beautiful friendships and am looked up to as a big sister by many of the younger girls that joined. This became an outlet for not only them, but also for me to share my advice and my personal experiences whether it was about boys or bullies. If I could give anyone words of advice, they would be to not hesitate. Take the risk and start your own chapter, young girls need a positive role model in their lives and it is such a rewarding feeling being able to be that person.

Gabby Leveillee

Girl Talk Guest Writer

Leader @ NSU University School Girl Talk, Fort Lauderdale, FL

*If you would like to ask Gabby questions about starting a Chapter, comment below or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - we would love to connect you! You can also drop Gabby a line by emailing uschoolgirltalk@gmail.com.

Dreaming & Doing

2016-08-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Today is the 53^rd anniversary of the famous speech that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave on the steps of the National Mall. Fifty-three years ago, he put a stake in the ground, claiming his dream of the future and then he did everything in his power to see that dream revealed within his life time.

It got us thinking… thinking about dreams. There is power in dreaming great dreams. As Steve Jobs said, "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who usually do." Believing you can change the world starts with having a dream to change something about the world. But a process has to happen between dreaming the dream and actually changing the world... The magic happens when we move from dreaming to action. But we can’t take any steps into fulfilling a dream we haven’t yet identified.

“I realized that I was creating a great deal of stress by not following my dreams—or rather, by not identifying them.
For a while, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t recognize what was important to me, I didn’t have a clear sense of my priorities, and I spent the bulk of my day doing things I didn’t care about.

As a result, I felt anxious and conflicted—like my time wasn’t valuable because I wasn’t doing anything about the things I valued…"
- Lori Deschene

Don't feel like you're following your dreams? Ask yourself "Do I KNOW what my greatest dreams are?" If the answer is anything short of "YES, ABSOLUTELY" you need to find time to identify your dreams. Get alone. Think about what you are passionate about. Ask yourself what it is that makes your heart beat faster. Create your ideal job, your ideal college experience, your ideal future. What do you envision for your life? What do you wish to achieve? Taking the time and finding the space to name your dreams is so rewarding!

Step 1 – Identify your dreams : Check!

Now for Step 2 – Make a Move!

Once you've identified a dream or two (or twelve!), you’ve gotta do something - something that will get you there, to the place where you see your dream become a reality. As Lori says, "When you're taking baby steps, it's not as scary. You don't need a huge reserve of courage to do just one thing." Just do one thing. Just take a step in the right direction, stay the course and believe in the beauty of your dreams.

“If you have a dream you must believe in it even if no one else does. You will need to be strong enough to remain steadfast amidst criticism that your idea is flawed or wrong. If you alter your course to please the peanut gallery of voices you may lose your focus. If you have a dream you must face your own doubt squarely and believe in the goodness of your own idea.

Against all odds you must be willing to take a stand for it, working hard for the result and even sacrificing things to stand for what you believe in. Eventually the truth wins out and if you are doing good and adding value to the world then that will be validated.”
- Kino Macgregor

So what dreams do you have?

Is it your biggest dream to be a better gymnast than Simone Biles? Train HARD and never quit! Do you want to dedicate your life and your work to seeing positive change in girls’ lives? You CAN do it – just ask Haley! Is your short-term goal to ace all of your classes this semester? Work hard enough and you WILL do it! Here’s the key – declare your dream, surround yourself with people who will encourage you and help you achieve it, and do WHATEVER it takes to get there. You will make a lasting impact by doing what you love and the world will be much better for it. We believe in you. You can do it.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - Eleanor Roosevelt

With Love,
The Girl Talk Team

Written by Makenzie Albracht - Programs & Digital Marketing Coordinator