Bibliophilia

Journal Prompts: 18 Journal Prompts

2021-09-15T21:30:00.002-07:00

Introduction

People recommend Journalling all the time. They say that there are many benefits to this 15-minute activity. Some of them are:-

Keeping thoughts organized
Improves writing
Set and achieve Goals
Record ideas
Relieve stress
Self Reflection
Boosts memory
Inspire Creativity.

However, it is a common question among the wannabes: Where to start with?

I think the best place to start a journal is to know the primary level. Then you can always move deeper. Doing the otherwise may confuse you even more or you may not even know what to write.

So, here are the 18 Journal Prompts for Beginners:-

What are your three strengths?
What are your three weaknesses?
What do you think is stopping you from succeeding?
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
What do you think are your three most beautiful physical features?
What do you think are the most charming features of your personality?
What are the character traits that you want in your partner?
What are your three most prevailing emotions?
How would you define happiness?
What is success to you?
What are the habits that you think you should obtain to live a better life?
What are the five things that make you happy?
What are the three things that make you doubt yourself?
What are the five things that you like to do alone?
What are the three things you need yourself to hear?
What does your dream life look like?
What is stopping you from living your dream life?
What are the three things that you worry about and three things you fear the most?

And bonus:-

What is your ideal personality? What should you do to make your personality so?

Here are the 18 + 1 things questions that I think you need to find answers to the most.

Please comment and share if you like the blog.

The Blue-Eyed Devil

2021-09-03T21:30:00.001-07:00

The Blue-Eyed Devil

A Short Story

She was fifteen when she dreamed of those deep blue eyes and raven hair. It was a vague flash along with lightly tanned skin and sweet deep dimples on both the cheeks. The smile was what she remembered. It was so full and toothy, even his eyes shone brightly. He looked so happy and she wondered why.

Petunia was fifteen years old when she got those strange dreams of the same man. She had never seen someone like that. The picture of the man had always been engraved in her mind and oh-so-vividly that it eventually (and unconsciously) became the measuring standard for men she dated. To put it simply, the man of her dreams ruined her for any other. In those dreams, the scenes and setups were always different, never the same, but the man was in all of them. The same blue-eyed man with raven hairs and a dimpled smile, who had unconsciously influenced her life even when he wasn't real. She, being the artist she was, had made many paintings of the man. In the middle of the night. When her sleep would be broken because of him.

Don't get her wrong, she did try to remove him from her mind, his rightful place. However, eventually, she accepted it. With time, the man ruled over her mind as well as her heart. She couldn't even look at any male without comparing him with the blue-eyed Devil. She became withdrawn and a tad depressed because of the mystery. So, one day, when she was around seventeen, she bought the paints and canvases and started to paint. She painted his lightly broad forehead, his chiselled jaw, his dimpled and his thin yet plump lips. She drew everything she remembered.

However, the only thing that she couldn't make was his eyes. The same beautiful blue eyes that had haunted her with their beauty and a burning depth. She tried and tried to copy its depth but she just couldn't. She practised and perfected herself in the form and yet when she brought her brush to the two hollows she left for her eyes, she still couldn't.

While she was frustrated, she was also ignorant of the fact that her art pieces had become popular. She made many paintings, some of them of the blue-eyed sorcerer, which she kept hidden in her art room, but most of them were exposed to the public eye. Her exhibitions always became more crowded and thus more successful than the previous one.

The only person to know about her personal paintings was her manager, an old retired artist in his mid-sixties whose name was Albert Hudson. He was an old friend as well and thus, his hard exterior would soften for the sweet girl who was then 23 years old. He would always urge her to at least put those paintings on display but she never agreed. Her eyeless paintings were very close to her and for her eyes alone.

One day, during mid-October, Mr Hudson got a call from a business tycoon that he wanted to make a personal request of the artist. That was another thing that was singular about Petunia. Everyone knew about her art and had seen her sign as P.W. (Petunia Walters) but not one knew who she was. They did not even know that the artist was a woman. To the world, she was just a very tasteful and talented artist who just one day came into being. To the world, she was a mystery and she intended to keep it that way until her day of retirement. Oh yes, the woman had thought of everything.

So, that business tycoon, by the name of Leander Coleman, had demanded on the phone to have a personal meeting with Petunia, not knowing who he or she was. Albert was very hesitant but agreed to let the artist know and let them decide if they wanted to accept. Of course, money was not an issue and Mr Coleman had baited it as an influence to make the artist take a greedy decision. However, Petunia was not a very materialistic lady, even the only reason she agreed to sell her paintings for hundreds of thousands of dollars or put them into even better auctions with the minimum price of ten thousand dollars was that Hudson insisted on it and he was an old family friend so she couldn't say no.

When Hudson told her of the man and the money that he was ready to throw, she bristled. She was so offended that she wrote him an email herself but from her manager's account. Being the straightforward woman she always was, she made him aware of the fact that she did not appreciate how he was bribing her with money and that his first impression wasn't very good. She asked him to email whatever request he had because she most definitely doesn't want to meet him. She signed her initials at the bottom of the mail.

Hudson paled at the contents he read in the mail but she did not care. She was livid and had not forgotten to make the recipient notice it by the way she wrote her message. Hudson had chided her but he was just as angry as she was and his scoldings were empty.

The next time she heard from Coleman was after two weeks. He wrote that he had given enough time to cool down and also the purpose he had. He was very civil with words when he wrote that he wanted her to paint his late mother's picture as a memory for him. He also apologized, which was well appreciated. He also requested, not demanded, he reminded her to visit his adobe to paint the picture. He wanted to examine the process himself and also was curious about the artist.

Petunia had half the mind to refuse but did not have the heart to. She had been close to her parents too and the sentiment behind the painting was heart-breaking. She couldn't refuse and thus, she told him that at the end of the month, she would be there, in America, to paint his mother. She also did not forget to praise his sentimental thinking and that she was only doing that because of the emotion.

As the month passed, her dreams of the blue-eyed Devil did appear but only on a few occasions. She was always too tired to notice the change and when she did, it did not relieve her. Rather, she felt agitated, for somehow she had filled a large cavity of her heart with the man's thoughts.

The start of November took her to Coleman's family mansion, which was located conveniently in the city of Evanston, Illinois. The touches of cream and mahogany in the architecture of the house made a mesmerizing impression on the artist. They were received by Mr Coleman's assistant and driver, who were surprised to see that the artist was a woman. The assistant informed them that the boss would be with them in an hour, as a meeting was being addressed. Neither Petunia nor Albert minded, for they knew work was important and they were not so much self-centred to think that someone would leave everything to pay them attention.

In the mansion, Petunia met Mr Coleman Sr. as well as the sisters of Leander. They all claimed to be her fans and with an uneasy smile, she accepted their praises. Isolation does that to people as it did to her. She became socially awkward over time. A few maids helped her settle in one of the guest rooms which were easily more than the size of her art room and soon, a butler came to inform her that Mr Coleman Jr. was in the house.

As she was free, she asked the butler to direct her to him, Albert was with her too. The butler knocked and entered the office, asking them to wait. The door opened for them soon. A man was standing there with his back to them.

"Mr Coleman," Albert greeted. She did not say anything, still sour with the man. Leander turned to look at them and her breath hitched.

"You got to be jesting," Albert muttered behind her, however, she did not hear him. Her brain was already too occupied, looking at the same blue eyes that had haunted her for eight years.

They both looked at each other with recognition yet the other did not seem to notice. They were too busy believing it to notice anything, like how the butler and her manager were gawking at them. Albert faked a cough and that did it. Petunia looked at her manager and then blushed at the Cheshire cat grin he had. She knew he had recognized him too.

She took a deep breath and looked back at the blue-eyed Devil with a stoic face, "Hello, Mr Coleman, I am Petunia Walters, the artist you mailed."

He gulped and then assessed her once more before blurting out, "I did not know that P.W. was a woman."

She bristled and huffed through her nose, ignoring his prominent American accent, which was just too compelling.

'There is nothing good about him, except his looks,' she thought.

"Well, I truly believe that you would only want your mother's picture done. I was not like you were to marry me that you should know my gender."

Her sharp tongue betrayed her but she regretted nothing, well, except she got second thoughts when a pin-drop silence succumbed to the room. She waited for something to happen and happen it did. He smirked.

"Well, I see you are feisty," he replied. "I was starting to think it was only during indirect conversations."

"Well, I see you are arrogant," she retorted, "I was starting to think it was only during indirect conversations."

He laughed. She raised her eyebrows as he gave a full belly guffaw. "I am not surprised, not after those bordering mean e-mails," he commented. He opened the drawer of his desk and took out a picture. He glanced at it briefly before passing it to her.

She assessed it. The woman was middle-aged, had salt and pepper hair and those blue eyes.

"You have her eyes," she commented, without realizing. He just nodded when she glanced at him. "When can I start?"

"How about you rest today and I will show you the room you could use tomorrow?"

She nodded and turned to face Albert, who nodded as well, but hesitantly. She left the room without saying anything else. People would think that she was just too mean but the truth was that she felt uncomfortable while interacting with others. Albert soon followed and they entered her room.

"Oh my goodness," Albert exclaimed, "he was the same eyeless man, wasn't he?"

She just nodded, too stunned herself before she faced him.

"Petunia, how will you paint the eyes, if they are the same as his."

"I-I don't know," she replied. He sighed but left the topic there. He left the room, leaving her to her thoughts. The next day, a butler came to her room about mid-morning to take her to Leander's office. As she entered the office, she noticed that she was alone with him, Albert was not there.

"Mr Coleman," she greeted coldly.

"Ms Walters," he smiled teasingly, "Chipper as always I see."

She rolled her eyes while he chuckled. He told her to follow him and took her to one of the many mahogany doors in the same wing that she stayed in. He opened it for her to enter first, she did so and gasped. The room was huge and completely blank except for a four feet shelf that sat at a corner and french windows that covered a whole wall. Everything was pure white and she suddenly stuck out like a sore thumb.

"I figured that it would be a nice enough room," Leander interrupted her thoughts, "And it is usually quiet in this wing so it would be a good working space."

She nodded at him, "yes, it is perfect thank you."

"I also wanted to ask how much time would it take?"

"Depends on the size of the painting. How big do you want?"

"My assistant is buying the canvas and art supplies and would be here any minute, then you can tell me."

She nodded and they fell into an awkward silence.

"Can I ask you something?" She nodded.

"Why do you resent me so much?" he asked.

She shrugged, "I do not resent you, per se, I just did not like your air. I mean, your first impression was not very good."

"And you did not forget to tell me so in the mail."

She chuckled, "yes and I do not appreciate people flaunting their money as you did to my manager."

He frowned in confusion, "aren't you quite rich yourself?"

"I do get good money," she smiled, "but I bought myself a small convertible and a two-bedroom flat in a quiet place, in which one of the rooms became my art room. Thirty per cent of the profit I make goes to different NGOs all over the world and another thirty to Albert. I do not like money and I do not need it too."

"Then why are you even in the profession?"

"Albert is an old friend and he insisted once he saw my paintings that I take it as a profession. I liked to paint," she shrugged, "so why not?"

He nodded and smiled at her, "you are not as insufferable and mean as I thought."

She raised her eyebrow and blinked, "I wish I could say the say."

He chuckled at her and right at the moment, his assistant came in with a large canvas and the butler carrying the rest of the supplies. Petunia was not shocked at the size of the canvas but disappointed as she would have to stay for more days. She tends to get homesick easily and thus, Albert was with her.

"With this canvas," she calculated, "I think in three weeks."

Leander understood. With that size, he had estimated much later but she was efficient and he hoped she would do it fast. The artist set back to work immediately for she had not painted in a while and was excited about painting another human, for she does not do it often.

Two weeks passed quite swiftly, only three days were left. Petunia, as always, maintained as little human contact as possible. Meaning, the family only saw her during the meals, mainly dinner and breakfast, for she tended to skip luncheons. Some days, when he was free, Leander would go to the room and watch her work in her natural habitat, her words not his, in comfortable silence. It was a routine, one that Petunia did not mind.

Leander was more than taken by the petite woman with auburn tresses and hazel green eyes, with paint spurred on her rosy cheeks and pink lips so thinly pressed. He loved to just watch her as she would concentrate with that button nose a little scrunched and elegant brows pinched together. She looked like a little kitten, he decided, one, whose claws are always out. However, he had started to fall for the socially awkward yet highly straightforward artist that was residing in his home.

"Leander," she called over her shoulder, one of the Sundays when Leander was home. They had an agreement that she would call him by his first name and he would use hers. They both had compromised enough and were at least civil.

He stood up from his usual chair at one of the corners of the room. "Yes?"

"Your mother's eyes and yours are the same, yes?"

He nodded.

"Would you model for the eyes?"

He agreed and stood near her, silently asking her to adjust him however she wants. She did so, pulling his face a little towards herself and tilted to expose it to the light. His breath hitched at the distance, rather the lack of it, between them but the artist was too engrossed to realize. Her eyes danced between the painting and his eyes. She was trying to imitate the depths that she had always dreamed of. Her face was inches from his and that made him highly aware of himself and her.

"You know, if anyone came from the door, they would think something else is happening here," he said when he finally found his voice. However, the next moment, he wished he hadn't as the artist jumped away from him, suddenly hyper-aware of the closeness. Her cheeks became rosier and he resisted a chuckle that would have made the situation even worse.

"I am sorry, I wasn't thinking," she mumbled. He just nodded and waved her off. "But I still need to copy your eyes."

"Can't you just imitate the picture?"

She shook her head, "not enough."

He nodded his consent with a sigh and she again angled his head, just a little farther than before. As she painted them, he took his sweet time gawking at her. He could see the little dots of amber in her eyes from where he stood and he felt as if he had discovered a great secret.

"Your eyes have amber in them," he blurted out.

"Shut up," she retorted, feeling irritated a little. He chuckled but said no more. The eyes were the last part of the painting. She took two days for it, as it was as intricate as it could be and she was not going to make those simply orbs of blue. She wanted to capture the grey in it and a light warmth the iciness gave out, she wanted it all. However, at the end of the two days, the painting was complete and she always discovered that even though she was already in love with the blue eyes, she had fallen for the Devil's soul as well. She felt saddened because she wouldn't be seeing him anymore. However, she made it up with all the time she had left. They celebrated with a grand dinner party on the last day as the painting was framed in the main parlour wall.

Leander spent the whole dinner, as much as socially possible, with her and it did not go unnoticed by her. All the same, she was scared to keep her hopes up, she did not want to be disappointed or hurt. The next morning, Albert and she were to go back to England in the family's private jet. The family was gathered at the door to bid adieus to the artist that had so beautifully captured the late lady of the family in a single painting. The ladies hugged her tightly, to which she stiffly responded and Mr Coleman Sr. also embraced her with the warmth of a father. The goodbyes with Leander were the saddest part and she had to will herself to not burst into tears. As they both walked to the car, Leander called her name and jogged up to them. She smiled at him lightly.

"Petunia," he said nervously, "I- um, I wanted to...." he took a deep breath, "I just wanted to bid you a happy journey."

She felt a strange disappointment but smiled and thanked him. The next few days went by with her drowning in her broken heart. She would just silently sit on the floor of her art room and glance at the pictures of the man who captured her heart and soul, the eyeless paintings of the blue-eyed Devil. The ones she did not finish because she could and then when she could, she was too afraid too. It was as if she completed the painting, she would give a part of her to the man, bigger than she already had.

One of those days, a doorbell echoed through the house and she lethargically went to open the door, only to find the least expected person standing there.

"Leander," she breathed out.

"Just hear me out," he said hastily in his cute American accent.

"But," she tried to say.

"Hear me out first, I finally got the courage and wanted it out," he replied and took a deep breath before saying, "When I was seventeen, I got this weird dream of a woman with hazel eyes and auburn hair. She was in all sense, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I saw it every day since and found myself in love with just the thought of her, but it rarely came since the mid of this October. I did not know why and I was not as relieved as I would have liked. I was very frustrated and then, a very mean artist send me two emails, so straightforward and rude that even my assistant paled. I was curious to see that artist who had been a mystery to the whole world. The first of September was the day, I truly met her, the bearer of the hazel eyes I had dreamed of for so long, and her sass got to me.

"Soon, I found myself falling more for her than I already have as I watched her paint with complete and companionable silence. It felt so domestic and I loved that I shared it with her. However, I was too much of a coward to tell her but now, I wanted to say, I am really and completely in love with you with my heart and soul."

She gasped but did say anything. She just grabbed his hand and took her to her sanctuary, to her art room. The man gasped as he was so many eyeless paintings, which were, with no doubt, his. "I was fifteen when the dreams started," she told him. "I love you too."

There was nothing else that Leander needed and thus, she found herself in a lovers' embrace and thought how it all started with a strange dream.

Spanish Language Routine

2021-08-16T21:30:00.001-07:00

How I learned Spanish on My Own

There is a preconceived and entirely wrong notion among people that Spanish is a very difficult language to learn. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world with over 450 million speakers. Same as while learning any other language, to learn Spanish a routine and motivation is needed.

This is how I set up my routine:-

Practice Everyday:-

I take out at least half an hour from my schedule for Spanish. The consistency makes it more appealing and there are fewer risks of losing motivation

Keep a Separate Notebook/Journal:-

I keep an A-4 size notebook for my Spanish learning. I write down my weekly schedule and what I am going to fill in the schedule. I also write my sources and the advancement. Not to forget what I learned. I write down all the new terms, grammar, and nearly anything new to me in the language.

Make a schedule for every day of the week in advance-

The best way to not lose interest in a language as well as to have a variety in your learning is to write down what you are going to do on what days. This simply implies what type of source you are going to schedule for which day of the week and what exact sources you will use that particular week. Like, on Wednesday, I read books in Spanish. But on the Wednesday of this week which book I will read, I already decided that on the previous Sunday.

It helps you to use all your time on practising rather than choosing at the last moment. You can always change your mind later when you sit down to learn from the source, but a map in advance sure makes it much more manageable.

Set goals:-

It may be difficult to small goals for learning a language, but set a specific date on which you want to accomplish a certain level of language learning. As you may be self-learning, the best way to determine levels is to set it yourself. How much accomplishment do you think will mark the end of the beginners level? At how much fluency you will find yourself at an advanced level?

Set the levels as well as goals on your progress. The more challenging you make it, the more fun it will be.

Don't compare your progress with others:-

It doesn't matter how much a person B accomplishes in a day. What really matters is how much have you progressed since the day before. Everyone has a different speed and level of understanding and thus, progress pace is different for everyone. If you compete with another, it may be possible that you will lose interest. That may be because you were not able to understand what you did in the long hours you gave the language.

Maintain a journal:-

Write about how your day went or how are you this day in a separate or the same notebook you are maintaining in Spanish. Or even better, try journal prompts and write their answers in Spanish. It is okay to cheat and just translate but it is not okay to never look back or mark the words that you did not know. The best way may be to write down the answers in Spanish and English as well.

Adopt Spanish in your daily life:-

Stick the post-its around your room. Write down the Spanish name of the object you are sticking it to on the post-it but also remember to read it at least once a day. Write down your daily schedules, recipes, lists, etc in Spanish. And even if it may sound weird, but talk to yourself in Spanish. You may also use small new words you learnt while conversing with your friends.

All in all, the more you use the language, the better your progress will be.

Have a Language Partner:-

It may be your friend or, if you can find, someone native of that language. But find somebody to practice your speeches with. Set up mock conversations with them, text them in Spanish, match your progress if you want, etc, which will increase your fluency in Spanish.

Get to know about their Culture:-

I find that knowing about their culture provide insights into their lives and thus can help us understand certain words, phrases, etc.

Best types of sources to learn Spanish:-

The types of sources I find are the best in learning a language for me are:-

Songs: translate them and just sing along while reading the lyrics.
Podcat: at the beginning, go for the ones that teach you Spanish
Language learning apps and websites: use at least three of them.
YouTube: start with the ones that teach you Spanish. Like the vlogs in Spanish even if you don't like it, it will automatically give you suggestions on the home page for some Spanish vlogs.
Tv Shows & Movies: more than grammar, I find that the media can provide you with more insights on the usage of words.
Books: start with kids books.

Thank you for reading, please read, comment and share. Also tell me if I should make a video on the particular sources of learning languages like apps, websites, YouTube channels, podcasts, etc.

How to Plan Long Term

2021-08-04T21:30:00.022-07:00

The Methods and Tricks I Use to Stay Motivated

Long term means basically more than a year. There are many methods for you to plan long term and stay motivated for that long. I use a few of them and they did work for me in the past. So, here are the tried and tested methods to plan and stay motivated for the long term:-

Rewind Planning:

Imagine yourself accomplishing the result on a specific date in the future. Think about what you'll be doing as the last step and the exact duration. Then what will you do before that and for how long? And so on. It is basically reverse planning and is a very effective method for long term goals.

For example,

If I want to send my novel to a publisher on 1st January 2023, I will take 2 months to complete my last draft. Then I will have to complete my third draft by 31st October 2022, which will take 3 months itself, meaning: I will have to complete my 2nd draft by 31st July 2022, which will take 4 months. Ergo, I will have to finish the first draft of the novel by 31st March 2022.

I also use it with my study schedule for every semester, so I can say that it can also be used in short-term planning.

Breaking Large tasks into Small Chunks:

If your goals are too large for you to understand and improvise properly, break them into bite-size tasks. Make it as small as possible and write them down in your to-do lists or wherever you record them.

For example,

The deadline for my first draft is almost 7 months from this date, so I will break my schedule into chapter wise or section wise goals. Like maybe I will complete my first chapter in a week or maybe in three days.

But you will have to make exact goals, with no maybes.

Deadlines:

For each of your tasks, give yourself a specific deadline and mark it on your calendar. Stick to it and somehow complete the task by that time. When you do so, you will feel more motivated to do all the other tasks as you have accomplished something on time.

For example,

I will complete 5 chapters by 31st August 2021, so I will mark them on my calendar and try to reach the goal on time.

Mark the Dates on the Calendar:

Your calendar should have the same information that is in your brain. Because if you write things down, you feel more motivated to do it than when it is just in your head. Create small milestones and mark them on the calendar along with the last date. It will make it feel more real and you will want to complete it.

For example,

I mark the dates of completion of the drafts as well as my ultimate due date on the calendar. But I also marked the smaller milestones (like completing my first chapter) on the calendar too.

Remember Your Why:

Why did you start the project in the first place? Why is reaching the goal so important to you?

You should always remember the reason for working so hard. If you forgot about that, then there will be no reason left for you to move forward. You are bound to feel demotivated because whatever motivated you in the first place is no longer there,

I suggest writing your reason down somewhere you always can look at it. Reading the reason for all the hard work you will be doing will make you thrive,

Celebrate:

Small victories are victories, nonetheless. Celebrate whenever you accomplish even your small goals. You have made that happen and so, you deserve to be happy about that. Treat yourself to a bar of chocolate or a night out with friends, or whatever you love doing the most. It is a great way to motivate yourself.

Raise the Stakes:

One of the best ways to accomplish something is to avoid a loss. What will you do if you were not able to achieve the small tasks on time? Give yourself a punishment. It can be 100 crunches or giving your best friend money. It is a highly effective way to motivate oneself.

For example,

If I am not able to complete my chapters by the deadline, I will do an extra hour of exercise that day.

Habit not Motivation:

Be a creature of habit, not motivation. Work daily at the same time for your goal. Do not slack off very often and soon, you will want to do it more. It is the best way to keep yourself motivated.

Vision Board:

You can always create a vision board with pictures that resemble the most to the future you are working so hard for. Keep it at a place you would see every day and analyze the pictures, imaging yourself there. It will help you work harder to get that future.

Don't go for perfection:

It's okay to skip sometimes. None can keep up to the perfect schedule. Sometimes, you will feel no energy or something very important will come up. Even if you plan, you can not avoid all the uncertainties, so you will need to be prepared. On the days you slack off, work extra the next day or next week to make up to the point you would have been if you would have not skipped.

So, these were the techniques that I use. Please comment if you know of more such tricks, and read, share and comment if you like the content.

How to Study Smart (Part 2)

2021-07-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

Applications and Websites that I use to Study Smart

Evernote:

Evernote is literally the best note-taking app I have ever used. It comes free as well as in premium, but I use the free version. You get 60 MB of free space every month. You can separate your notes in different notebooks and even use tags. You can add web clips, documents, videos, audios to it and even record. You also get an option to use a scratchpad.

It also provides different templates including personal managements (monthly planner, daily planner, budget, etc) to project and lecture notes. And there is so much more. It updates from time to time, so you get new features.

Google Calendar:

I like planning my time in Google Calendar. This gives me the option to create different calendars and add notification alarms to the events I want. I can also directly add tasks and reminders to the Calendar. It helps me manage my time so efficiently. I am very satisfied with it.

Google Tasks

Even though I get the option to add tasks directly on the calendar, I still prefer to use a different application for it. Not only tasks, but by this app, I can also convert all my reminders into tasks and tick it off as soon as they are done. It also creates sub-tasks within a task and helps me break my tasks into chunks. I have created different lists in this app: Daily, Monthly and Long Term Goals. I also created my monthly To-be Read and To-be Watched lists in it. It makes me juggle everything so efficiently. I definitely love this app.

Google Slides

In my How to Study Smart (Part 1) blog, I already wrote that I use slideshows for a better understanding of concepts. I usually make slides in Google Slides. I like designing the slides and have a lot of templates to choose from too.

Google Keep

I use Keep like a scratchpad. If I want immediate notes of something, or if the information is small or miscellaneous or even for short term use, I type it in Keep. It keeps everything organized and easy for me to go through. I also use tags and colours, which helps in the organization.

Google Docs

I use Google Docs mainly for assignments. I can use tables and shapes and different combinations of bullet points and number points. I can choose highlights from the vast colour palette as well as the text colour. The text fonts are also numerous in the application.

Quizlet

Quizlet is a flashcard app and it can be used for much more. I type in all the definitions, terms, dates, events and formulas in Quizlet. It has the option to learn, test and even listen to the audio. It also has an option to print and the format is in two columns which makes it, even more, easier to comprehend. It is a highly recommended application.

Quizizz

I haven't been using Quizizz for very long. But it really makes studying fun. You can make your own quizzes or just use the already made ones. You can quiz with your friends too.

I miss my Cafe

It is not a studying website but just for Lofi music. It creates an audio environment of a cafe. It has meters for barista voice, other customers, coffee cups, machines, sunny days and rainy days. You can adjust the sounds as you like as well as pause them. It has an already made Spotify playlist you can listen to.

Virtual Cottage

You would have to download Steam for this one but it will be worth it. It is also entirely free but only for pcs and not androids. When the application will open, a box will appear asking you how many minutes you want to concentrate and what do you want to name the activity. Then, you will see the options for changing weather, playing Lofi songs as well a to-do list. It is really fun to use as well as increases productivity.

Life At

It is an amazing website. It has all the Hogwarts common rooms, cafes, landscapes, study-with-me, tours etc that will appear on the screen and you will feel the vibe. It has an inbuilt Pomodoro timer and Spotify playlist. It is really cool and to be tried at least once.

I also use Youtube for educational, motivational and Lofi music videos.

Tide

It was another app that helped me a lot. We can hear different soothing noises as well as create our own mixes. I loved this app. It can be used as a Chrome extension as well as an application, It keeps track of the number of times you used it. It also has a Sleep tracking feature as well as Nap and Rest timers. Definitely worth trying once.

These apps have highly affected my productivity. Please read and tell me if you liked it in the comments. Also, comment the names of other websites and apps that helped you. I would love to check them out. Also share it with your friends and family.

How to Study Smart (Part 1)

2021-07-04T20:30:00.007-07:00

What My Study Routine Includes?

There are days when we do not want to study at all and then there are days where we do not know how should we study even when we are feeling motivated. All of us have heard of the term Smart Studying but do not know what it really is. Even though, there are different ways to study smart and different methods suit different people.

So here are some of the ways that I use for smart studying (they are all very helpful):-

Planning:

To study, you know how to start, what to do and when to do it. The best way to keep track of it all is to plan and write down that plan in one place. Make a daily to-do list and write down everything you want to do that day; from the main three priorities to five-minute tasks. And as you would cross everything one by one, you would feel more motivated each time. This happens because Dopamine is secreted, the achievement hormone.

You write down your routines in daily planners or set alarms at the time you want to study. And make a consistent routine of that same time. You are likely to feel less lazy if you are used to studying at that time. Another way of doing it is making goals. For example: Make a big circle on the date 15 days from now, till the date you want to get one chapter or one section of your syllabus and anyhow complete it on dot.

Also, try making one schedule for everything and follow it as well as you can. A routine is always better than motivation. Like I study every day from 5 a.m/ to 7 a.m and thus, I feel myself wanting to study at that time.

Pomodoro:

A very common method for days when you have to study for long durations. Study for a duration like 25 minutes or 40 minutes (an average duration you guess your brain will be active) and then take a small break like 5 minutes to 10 minutes and do it again. At the 4th cycle, take a long break, say for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Your brain needs to recharge now.

I am not very active with this method, but I like using it for revisions or learning something. It is also good for your all-nighter nights.

But during the short breaks instead of using social media or doing anything likely to demotivate you to study, stretch a little or just close your eyes and take a nap. And during the long breaks, you can always go for a light walk or make yourself a meal. It would increase your motivation as you still accomplished something even during your breaks.

Conditioned Stimuli:

I have already talked about it in my Writing Routine blog. Conditioned stimuli basically mean some things that you can relate your task to. Have a studying ritual. Eg: Light a candle before starting to study or use the same music to study or have the same time of studying. It will help your brain prepare. It will know that it is time to study and you will see that you are able to retain more.

Mnemonics:

Make short poems, acronyms, initials or catchy phrases for your notes. You will remember it more because you will find it fun. Make it funny or dirty, as bad as it sounds, people remember things from these two categories more than from others.

Highlighting and Rewriting:

The most traditional method and one that is most likely to work. But I like doing it differently. You got a chapter to study. So, write everything down as it is, just filtering the unnecessaries. Then read your written or typed notes, highlight the important parts and then write down or type the actual notes which would have all the keywords or important points that you need. This way, you would know that nothing is left out and if it is, then you can always go back to the initial notes you wrote. It definitely works.

Flashcards and Quizzes:

This is the best way for revision. Write down all the definitions you need to learn (or have learnt but need to make sure of it) on one piece of paper such that, on one side there is the term and on the other side of the paper, there is its definition.

Also, do quizzes with your friends or ask your family members to ask you questions from the notes you wrote. It will help you boost the confidence you need for trusting yourself when you are actually writing down the answers for exams and is a good way of revising and retaining everything.

Slideshow:

It is not a very popular method but very effective, All you had to do is make a presentation of your notes, which will help you revise and learn even, and present it to however is ready to listen or if no one is, you always have yourself. While you would present the slides, explain them too. As you already know, explaining things helps you remember them in your own words and style.

Music:

When we are trying to concentrate, we become even more sensitive to distracting noises so the best way to eliminate it all is by using a good playlist, which should be as long as your study session. It reduces your chances to get distracted. You may find it disturbing but as you go on, you will feel that it has just become a background. But do not use it while learning. It would be a distraction then.

Study-Buddy:

As much as friends are disturbing, when you two (or more) share a common goal, it is best to discipline yourself together. Having a study buddy is a good way of getting things done because when you try to study alone, there are more chances of you procrastinating than when you have someone else who is going to be there at that time too. You will never cancel or postpone, and if you do, the other person should reprimand you.

But study only with friends you know are achievers and disciplined. If you study with that noisy guy in the group, you would be just wasting your time listening to all of the gossips. And it is recommended that have only one study partner because the more, the louder.

And it doesn't matter, really, if you two are studying different subjects, just study together. Like you do your own studying and they do their own but just sit and study side by side (or virtual meeting).

Cornell Notes Method:

Make three sections of a piece of paper, two columns and one at the bottom. The one to the right is where you will note down the keywords of your lecture. All other sections are for when you review those keywords. In the column to the left, you will write down the questions that are likely to be asked from the notes and in the bottom section, write down the summary of the lecture. Make sure to give a title and write the date. It actually works. But only if you review it the same day, which is highly recommended as it helps you retain as much as you can from the classes.

Pre-lecture Notes:

Review the syllabus of the semester and get started on studying from the moment. When you are already prepared with the topic on the day of that class, you will understand more about what the professor or the teacher is saying and you can clear all your doubts that same day. Then on the day of the lecture, whatever keynotes you wrote from the class, edit it all on your already complete notes and then, all you will have to do is revise.

These were all the methods that I use. It is a great help in preparing and I hope it will help you too.

Comment and Share if you like it. There is also Part 2 which will have all the applications and websites that I use for studying.

Morning Routine (During COVID-19)

2021-06-21T20:24:00.002-07:00

My Morning Routine and How I stick to it

Mornings are the most important part of the day. What you feel and do in the mornings sets the tone for all of your day. Therefore, it is important to have a routine according to how you want your days to be. A routine helps you to tone up your mood and also get things done.

If you win the morning, you win the day

-Tim Ferriss

Here are my tried and tested ways of winning the day:-

Waking Up Early:

I wake up at 4:40 in the morning, on weekdays as well as weekends. This helps me sleep properly. I do it daily because if I wake up late on weekends, I will have trouble sleeping early and thus, will not be able to complete my sleep on Mondays. At first, it would feel too early but then you would notice how you can schedule your whole day more properly and efficiently than usual.

It is like, as Swami Mukundananda, a life guru whose podcasts actually motivated me to do so said that when you stand at the top of the mountain, you see the whole picture, but when you are already halfway down, you will miss a few things from the whole picture. Similarly, when you wake up early, you would be able to envision your whole day but if it's already 9 or 10 a.m. when you wake up, you will already miss the first vital 3 hours of your day. It is not like you have to wake up at 5, a 6 or 7 is just as good a time.

It is also because while all day, our body receives Beta waves, early in the morning, we can get the Alpha or even Theta waves that boost our creativity and even retaining power.

Journalling:

You may have already heard and read many times that we should journal as well as the reasons why should we do it. In the first 20 minutes after I wake up, I chose a prompt from somewhere, either a book or just Pinterest, and write down whatever the prompt is. It helps in toning my day to a more conscious and peaceful way. It also helps in Self Development as well as Self Discovery. It is a good way to practice writing as well. You can buy Journalling Prompt books as well as scroll through Pinterest and Tumblr. They provide a variety. Try doing a question a day.

There is another way of Journalling, called a brain dump. You can meditate for a while (start from 5 minutes) and then whatever came to your mind in those few minutes, just dump everything on the pages of your Journal notebook/diary. It is the best way of clearing your mind in the morning to start afresh daily.

Writing:

Starting at 5 a.m., I prefer to write in the morning, daily. My conditioned stimuli are the timing, a specific taste of gum as well as my location (which is my bed). I use my small portable bed desk to support my laptop and just write. I have not got one writer's block ever since. If I don't feel like writing my current working novel, I write one of my Wattpad stories, choose a prompt from social media or just write a blog. There are some good ways to form a writing routine and stick to it strictly. (Link right here)

Study:

After doing this all, I get down to studying at 6 a.m. I study for two hours straight. As I mentioned earlier, early mornings boost our retaining capacity so I study for two hours straight, making notes and revising them. As I am an aspirant for two competitive exams, I schedule my studies for two hours in the morning as well as another two hours in the evening. During the hour-long gaps in my online college class schedule of the day, I also tend to revise everything that was taught. My weekends have longer study schedules as I clear my day of almost everything else. However, during the weekends, I keep it flexible, only following it on every odd no. of weekends (like Saturdays and Sundays of the 1st week of April) and rewarding myself for sticking to it on even ones of the month. (Look at how I study Right here)

Reading:

I am a proper bookworm and quite proud of it. So, there is no way that my days will have no extra time scheduled for reading. I keep my 8:00- 8:30 a.m. free for reading and one more hour at night, just before bed. It is a good way to develop your retaining skills and it also helps me become a better writer. Reading strengthens the brain, builds up vocabulary, increases empathy, helps with building imaginative power, and also reduces stress. As for me, it creates a bubble. I read when I am happy or sad or just having little fits of wanting to be alone. I just turn on the Flight Mode on my devices and dedicate some time to reading a book. It does not have to be a classic or some very popular novel. Sometimes, light reading is better and motivates you to read more.

This is how I spend my morning. Then, I get ready for the day and have a breakfast of my choice. And by 10 a.m., my classes usually begin. I use the gaps between my classes for different things, all depending on me. I have nothing properly scheduled for it. If there is an assignment given, I tend to do it during those hours rather than when my study sessions. I spend the whole day productively and believe me, at the end of the day, the satisfaction is worth all the labor.

Lose an hour in the morning, And you will spend all day looking for it

Richard Whately

How to Establish A Writing Routine?

2021-06-17T19:20:00.005-07:00

Secrets to Writing Daily

Serious Writers write, inspired or not. Over time they discover that routine is a better friend than Imagination.
Ralph Keyes

There is no better way to explain that than how Mr. Keyes said. Writing a book is a wish and when you combine it with daily efforts, only then it becomes a goal and eventually a reality.

To reach the mountain top, you have to climb little by little, just like that to write a novel, you have to write little by little. And you have to write daily. There is no shortcut to writing, you have to do it fully and faithfully. But many people have trouble setting up a writing routine. Even I had trouble doing so.
There are many ways in which a person can start establish a writing routine. Here are some of them:
Writing at the same time daily: Like everything else, to write daily while beating the writer's block, you have to establish a specific time at which you would be able to write the best. It will help you be more creative and productive. It happens because if we attune our body clock to that time, we will observe that ideas will flow. I suggest early morning, just before starting your day. I write at 5 in the morning every day, weekday and weekends. You can also choose if you want to write during weekdays only or weekends but stick to it strictly.
Establish goals: Goals can be in various forms- word counts, scenes, time limit, or even chapters. The best is to mark on your calendar the number of words or scenes or hours you want to complete till a specific date. Take it as seriously as you will take any due date. Keep it small but also keep the date nearer. You can always treat yourself when you achieve your goals.

Write anything: If on some days, you are not getting any new ideas on your ongoing story, set it aside and write a short story that day instead. Use one of the prompts available on the internet and write something on that. Write short fanfic if you are feeling a block. Just write anything that while helps you continue the routine. It will help you practice as well as help you from slacking off. Because once you slack off, you will be tempted to do it twice.
Make something your conditioned stimuli: Conditioned stimuli refers to the one thing that triggers your behavior voluntarily or not. It is like a doorbell, something you can associate your routine with. Use this trick. Use a specific location, smell, sound, or even taste, to trigger your creativity.
Example: When you sit down to write, use a specific scent of candle you reserve only for this time. So you will see after one or two times, whenever you smell the candle scent, you feel your creativity flow.

All these tricks have been very helpful to me and made it easier to follow a routine even on a tightly scheduled day. However, it would go all to waste if you don't follow religiously. Be strict to yourself and even reward yourself if you achieve.

What to Read Next if You Can't Get Over Bridgertons?

2021-06-09T01:57:00.001-07:00

Historical Romance Book Series to Read if You Loved the Bridgertons Book Series

The Brigertons Series by Julia Quinn had been a sensation in the world of Historical Romance, in both Books and TV Series. We were both laughing and crying while either reading or crying. The series was a bestseller even before it was turned into a Netflix must-watch.

Here are some books that you need to read while hungover on Bridgertons:-

Love by Numbers

By Sara Mac Lean

If you want to read about daring women defying society, this is a must. We go through the journey of the Marquess of Ralston, Garbiel St. John, and his brother, Lord Nicholas, along with their Italian half-sister, Juliana Fiori. The series is purely Scandal.

It is a trilogy, comprising Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, Tens Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord, and Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart.

There is no way that a person can choose only one favorite book from the Trilogy and believe me, it must be read at least once if you are a fan of Historical Fiction. Each can be read as a standalone.

The 1797 Club

By Jess Michaels

A really engaging series, covering almost all the possible tropes it can in 10 books. There would be no regrets, trust me. Full of Scandals, Romance (both sweet and hot), and Dukes, this series is a complete package. Each book with its own story could be read as a standalone. It comprises The Daring Duke, Her Favourite Duke, The Broken Duke, The Silent Duke, The Duke of Nothing, The Undercover Duke, The Duke of Hearts, The Duke Who Lied, The Duke of Desire, and The Last Duke.

Unmarriageable

By Mary Lancaster

As the books revolve around the mysterious Hart Inn, we see matches being made. Engaging characters will have you hooked on every dialogue and you just wouldn't be able to put the book away. It comprises The Deserted Heart, The Sinister Heart, The Vulgar Heart, The Broken Heart, The Weary Heart, and The Secret Heart. The Christmas Heart can also be taken as a side novella in the series. Set during the Regency times, the Hart Inn will definitely win your heart. Each can be read as a standalone.

The Emperors of London

By Lynn Connolly

It can easily be one of my favorite Historical Romance Series. Involving Thriller as a side genre, it is a must-read. As the cousins, who were named after great leaders, find their love while spoiling The Old Pretender's Plans, you will not want to keep the books back even for a moment. The series comprises Rogue in Red Velvet, Temptation Has Green Eyes, Danger Wears White, Reckless in Pink, Dilemma in Yellow Silk, Veiled in Blue, and Wild Lavender. I found the last two especially engaging. I do not think they can be read as standalones.

Playing the Main Character of Your Story

2021-05-27T01:19:00.000-07:00

There are two types of people in this world, the one that just goes with life. Like Wake up, Work, Study, Eat and Sleep.

And then, there are others, the one that also just goes on with their life but more beautifully. They make their life prettier and more perfect on the outside even with all the inner imperfections. They Romanticize. They play the protagonist you crave to become.

Romanticizing life is not a new concept and not a depleting one either. Laugh when you fall, stand tall and walk like on a red carpet. Certainly not something foreign, is it? We are all the main characters of our own story. These are our stories, our perspectives, but you have to know that every story ends one day. However, like a protagonist makes the best from page one to the very last, we should too.

Many a time in our life have we watched a TV show or a Movie with an ideal heroine or hero with a life that looked just so appealing and craved for it. Like, God, I want to be her! And not just for her looks even, just for her life. Those lives, trust me, are not perfect. The person is just playing her life as she wants it to be.

It is as easy as it may sound. Just think that a camera is on you—and for the camera-conscious ones, there is no camera on you—and every second of your life is being recorded. Enjoy your life like you are starring in a movie. Act. It is the same as smiling until you are happy.

Wake up feeling grateful for what you have and smile. Don’t Snooze. That’s the worst of the habits, believe me. Avoid your phone throughout the morning unless it is necessary. Instead, do something or start something you always wanted to do before going through your routines. Smile, even if you are not happy, your brain takes in your expressions and makes you feel happy. Smell flowers like those girls in the movies and feel and notice everything you have been missing. Dance in the rain and even around your room. Taste the food like it is your last meal and even when you brush your hair, notice all your perfections, not flaws, in the mirror. Don’t dread work, take a task like a mission made to improve you.

Why not treat yourself? Take yourself on a date in a restaurant and eat alone. I know, it may feel awkward but who cares, it is not like you would know anyone else and who knows, maybe you would find someone there. Buy yourself flowers once a week. Better than waiting for the perfect Prince Charming that sadly doesn’t exist. Revel in your time alone like you would with a person you love. Go with the theory, Love begins with you. Dye your hair pink, if you love it, Remember, people who judge are the people who would not dare to do something they love.

Travel alone, or maybe take a lonely stroll in the park—your best friend, your headphones. Read a Book and go tech-free for a day. Who needs anyone else! It is you who would be spending the rest of your life with yourself. Help a person a day or even two. Show empathy. Send a care package to a stranger, everyone loves to be cared for. Believe that each cup of coffee or tea is the best you ever had.

Be like the Miss Perfects you see on screens or pages. Do one new thing every day, no matter how silly or bizarre. Permit yourself to go crazy. There is nothing wrong with the little giggles and laughter that you can spread. Make someone smile, you will feel just as good. Open your window early in the morning and feel the breeze on your face. Enjoy it all like it is the most precious thing you could have. Why look at the rocks with fondness when even the sand can make you happy. That even your morning nothings are cute and fun and SOMETHING that should matter to you.

Better yet, make a bucket list but with a time limit on every task. This way, you would feel obliged to do that thing within the limited time you set on it and you will be able to complete so many things on the list in little time.

There is one thing I always loved to do. Making up a backstory for each person I see around myself. Notice their expressions and think about what they must be going to do. Try coming home using a different route and notice the things around. Take out your childhood album and LOOK at the pictures. Dive into Nostalgia. Keep a journal and sometimes skim through Pinterest searching for some journal questions. Look up your horoscope. Look up your birth chart. God knows you may find something truly shocking. I know I did.

Life is too short to fret, live it truthfully and faithfully. Be in love with your life and every passing minute would not be just passing anymore. Decorate your life to make it worth it and design your soul in a way that people would envy you for it. Because when you are different, you are insane but remember, Where Sanity stops, Life happens. It is always Insane that makes history. Sanity never did anyone any good. Make your life something that you wanna look back at just before you close your eyes for the last time. Something you would never dread.