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Hank and John Green, known for a number of books, YouTube videos (like Crash Course and Vlogbrothers), and much more, are two brothers who created a podcast a few years ago, and it is sofunny. I'm sure there are people out there who might disagree and say that the sense of humor is silly or stupid, but I unashamedly love it. I only just got into it a few months ago, but it is one of my favorite things to listen to. It's a comedy podcast where they share, as they call it, "dubious advice for their listeners", along with doing a couple of recurring bits like sharing dad jokes, news from Mars, news from John's favorite soccer team, and many more that have come and gone over the years. This podcast is what I listen to as I'm eating breakfast, doing laundry, washing dishes- you name it. It has made me start laughing aloud in the middle of the dining hall. I don't listen to many other podcasts, but I can tell you that if you want to start out with something light, this is a good option.
I got lucky to find someone whose positive energy, support, spontaneity, and fun personality make both living together and being friends so great. Sometimes, I'll have a really stressful or frustrating day, but I'll come home and talk to her about it and about our days in general. Other times, jamming out to Disney songs puts a big goofy smile on my face. It never takes long for me to feel better around her. My great experience at college so far would not be the same without her.
I've mentioned this song before, but it deserves another shout out. If you ever wanted a self-love anthem, this is it. In context of the story, it's so meaningful, but even if you watch the video of Cynthia Erivo's last performance of the song without knowing the plot, it is still so moving. This recording actually made me cry- it's so clear how much this song means to Erivo, but also how much the audience has been brought to feel hearing her sing it. It's a magical song that honestly changed my life. These kinds of things are why I love singing: the emotion it's capable of evoking in an audience and the messages it is able to spread are like nothing else.
If you read my last article, it should be fairly apparent why. Being raised in the same house by the same two people has created a shared sense of humor that makes life so much funnier sometimes. I always enjoy seeing what meme or cute dog picture she's sent me this time, and venting to her because she gets how my brain works. The other day I texted her because I was stressed out and dealing with a problem, and she basically solved it for me by asking questions that may have been obvious but didn't even cross my mind while I was semi-freaking out.
Every once in a while, everyone needs some flat-out dumb humor, and this is the epitome of that. I think I can say pretty confidently that this is one of my favorite YouTube videos. Sometimes people see awful spelling or hear ridiculous things and they question humanity, but this video is so funny that it doesn't even matter. All the horrible misspellings of the word "pregnant", the questions being asked, as well as the voice-over make me laugh every time I watch it.
From podcasts to videos to music to people, there are so many ways to make yourself feel a little better during these not-so-easy times. Take advantage of these options and fend off the feeling of being overwhelmed- you deserve light-hearted things to keep you going.
These words from Will Smith remind us that life offers incredible opportunities and that it can just take a push past worry to reach them. Try thinking of fear like a door- all you have to do is open it. It could be heavy or require the twist of a key, but it could also be cracked open already. You just have to make the effort to get through.
As a notorious worrier, sometimes I get stuck waiting until I'm ready for things. Thinking about this quote, though, helps me just go for it more often. There's no use in waiting if has to happen anyway, right?
The cover of the book where this quote came from.
Sometimes, it's too easy to be hard on yourself within your relationships. This is especially true if you know two-faced people- whether they impacted you directly or not. If you get nervous and doubtful over others' intentions or opinions because of that, you're not alone- and that's why this quote from Benjamin Alire Sáenz means so much to me. If there are people in your life who take time to show how much they genuinely care, recognize that and combat the voices that try to get in the way. You are loved. You can let that in.
Try thinking of life this way: if you spend too much time on perfectionism, you'll be so set on fixing problems that you'll never stop noticing them. Pay attention to what makes life good, too! You'll never see how much your work pays off, how well your relationships develop, or how beautiful the world can be if you put all your energy into fighting every flaw. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Hiding doesn't get rid of monsters. It just makes them wait for you to come out, if they don't grow impatient and find you first. That's the gist of this saying from Virginia Woolf. It's a nudge to face problems- because if you don't, they'll never actually leave. You'll be so relieved if you stop avoiding them and anyone involved, especially if it inhibits you from living freely and fully. Like Will Smith said- get to the other side. (Great minds really do think alike!)
Similarly to the last quote, this lyric from the musical "Falsettos" reminds us not to push away our feelings. Removed from what it specifically references in the show, this can apply to any feeling you don't want to admit. Personally, I've been working on staying positive all the time for a while, but only recently did quotes like this begin to stick (primarily because of this TED talk clip). If you shove your emotions down, you sacrifice the ability to process them and learn from them.
Whether in work, school, or life in general, it's not unusual to compare yourself to others and or even your own strict expectations. I love this quote because it's a gentle reminder that you don't have to. Everyone is in a different place in life and that's okay.
If you were to ask me what songs changed my life, "I'm Here" from "The Color Purple" would be number 1. The character who sings it has had a harsh, difficult life, but is now overcoming her struggles and building her confidence despite losing an important relationship. If she, after so much tragedy, can stand on her own without this person in her life to love or validate her, so can you.
This phrase has been repeated so much by so many people, but if you put a different spin on it, it can actually be really valuable. If you pinpoint the worst thing legitimately possible, you'll often find that whatever you're facing isn't so scary after all.
All of us are a work in progress, trying to figure out how to move through life, but the help of quotes like these can help push us in the right direction.
