day 152: worrying = betting against yourself

hello hello hellooooo!!!

in a way, worrying is praying on your downfall. every time you worry that something will go wrong or whatever it may be, you glorify the negatives.

why not focus on the positives?

focus on the ultimate goal and eventually, you will get there. your dreams truly can become your reality if you work for it, and along the way, of course there will be things that make you nervous.

but, if something isn't exciting and terrifying at the same time, then is it worth it?

try to overthink the positives. overthink all of the amazing possibilities that could happen if you just put your mind to it.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 151: quotes won't work unless you do

hello hello hellooooo!!!

i though that this quote was very fitting for today's post, as yesterday was my little re-introduction to the world.

as you may know, my blog pretty much consists of a new quote every single day and you get my unsolicited thoughts on them.

and as i write about each quote each day, i provide ways of encouragement to reach that goal or help you meditate a little more on that quote.

but simply just reading my blog or reading the quote isn't gonna do much unless you take action yourself. for example, yesterday's post was about courage. so next time you're feeling shy, think about that post.

think about the possible positive outcomes of doing said thing. you've got this!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 150: let me re-introduce myself + courage

hello hello hellooooo!!!

welcome or welcome back to my blog, maia & more!! if you don’t know me, my name is maia (duh) and this blog has become a major part of my life. i started it to help myself stop caring so much about other's opinions and just do my own thing. i love arts and crafts, iced coffee, music, books and loads more.

usually i post every day (or every other day during the summer) and each post is barely a 1 minute read, so you reading this truly means a lot to me. i usually write about something motivational or inspirational and i truly feel like this blog has helped me grow as a person. but sometimes, i like to change it up a bit and give my thoughts on a book or movie.

so today's topic will be about courage! i wrote about it a bit on day 78 (click here to read!!) but i feel like it's important to talk about again.

being courageous opens an infinite amount of doors for you, in any aspect of your life. being courageous could also mean a plethora of things: making a new friend, talking to your crush or simply wearing something out of the ordinary for you.

and by doing these things you could find your best friend, get into a relationship and experiment with style that may make you feel better than anything you've ever put on your body.

so this is a little reminder to be courageous and step out of your comfort zone, because you never know where it will lead you! don't let anyone put you down or discourage you from doing the things you choose because nobody's opinion matters the most but yours.

i hope you enjoyed today and i hope to catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it.  

day 149: decisions are portals

hello hello hellooooo!!!

decisions are portals.

let that sink in.

when you make a decision about something, you are transported to a different mentality, whether it is subconscious or not.

for instance, if you make a commitment to go to the gym every day, you adopt a determined mindset which can be translated into many other aspects of life.

each portal shapes you into the person you are today and the person you are becoming in the future.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 148: what would you die for?

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today's quote goes along very well with day 140 (click here to read), so i suggest you read that one as well!

some people go to serve in the military and die in wars. some die doing what they believe is right, whether that is protesting for a cause or another thing. 

for example, Martin Luther King Jr. died for racial equality and though he worked extremely hard, there is still racial discrimination in America, whether it is clear or not.

but after reading this quote, i kinda stopped in my tracks. what would i die for?

i'm not even sure. and it's okay to be unsure, but meditate on that one.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 147: stick to the plan

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i'll be talking about something i truly struggle with every single day: sticking to the plan.

over the past few years of noticing and visiting dermatologists, we've come to the conclusion that i have a sugar intolerance which acts almost like an allergy, immediately inflammating my face.

and my mom has been telling me how horrible sugar is for you: it's linked to certain diseases and lots of other terrible things.

though i'm learning about how bad sugar is for me, for some reason i still have the "need" if you will for it. every time i go out with my brother or my friends (which is almost every day now) i'm eating a sweet treat.

my mom also compared it like this, "it's as if i tell you not to smoke and then you immediately go out for a smoke." i feel like this comparison helped me understand so much more why i need to deliberately not have a sweet treat every day because in my eyes, smoking is one of the worst things you can do do your body.

so the thing is, you really have to trust the process. sometimes the process can take years to get the outcome you want, but each day that you deliberately choose to stick to the plan, the better and sooner the goal will arise. ignore the distractions, ignore the feeling of laziness or whatever it may be, and get the thing done.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 146: time

hello hello hellooooo!!!

i've always looked back on each school year and remembered how quickly it had passed. each year goes by in the blink of an eye.

but, in the moment, it seems as though time is moving as slow as a snail and taking forever. this might be due to stress or boredom or longing for breaks after feeling like you have been wrung dry of all your energy and motivation, no matter how much you eat or sleep.

i've shared this before, but in the past i've had lots of trouble living in the moment. being in the moment. and this is such an important realization to have.

being in the moment helps you truly cherish and not take for granted the time you spend with your loved ones or the days you spend laughing in your class.

because one day, all of it will be gone. it will be only a faded memory in your long life.

i hope you enjoyed my poeticness today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it.  

day 145: things will worsen before they improve

hello hello hellooooo!!!

whilst reading "One of Us is Lying" by Karen McManus (read my thoughts here!), there was a specific quote that has been sticking with me. 

during the investigation, cooper's nonny told him repeatedly, "things will worsen before they improve".

and after reading the book, i've been thinking about it quite a bit. in order to make progress, there must be failure, there must be the lows to get to those highs, otherwise how can you truly know that it's a high?

for example, if your skin is breaking out or whatever your current problem may be, it's the current low. when given time, it will get better. maybe it's getting better because you are investing in higher quality skincare or not putting on as much makeup, but over time it will pay off.

so, don't be too worried about how things will end up. as i've said before, God has a plan for you.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 144: be YOU

hello hello hellooooo!!!

since starting this blog, and my aice media studies projects "Maia: Unfiltered" (which you can click here to watch) and "The Future of You" (click here), i've been starting to fully embrace myself.

in other words: be more of myself.

if you know me personally, (not to sound egotistical) you know that i'm a very bubbly, confident and happy person who usually doesn't let others bring her down. (wow, weird to talk in 3rd person about myself)

but through these 6 months or so, i've been the happiest i've ever been. i've been trying my best to stop letting other people's opinions dictate my thoughts or actions because there truly is no need.

yes, maybe i've become a bit more weird or a bit more anything, but that really doesn't bother me. maybe i'm loud. maybe i'm annoying but those are character traits that nobody else has. they are specific to me. (what i mean by this is that only I am a certain level of weird, loud and annoying that others aren't. other people can have these traits too, but not at the exact settings as me. hopefully that made sense...)

so embrace yourself. be unapologetically you because this world is full of unique, beautiful people and you are one of them.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it.

day 143: happiness

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this is something that i personally think is so so important: not depending solely on others but focusing on yourself and being reliable for you.

a bit ago, i was having a meeting with a business woman and asked her for one piece for advice. what she told me was this: take care of yourself. take care of yourself before anyone else because you're the only person you've got. nobody matters more than you and you cannot perform and be your best for others when you are not doing the same for yourself.

in short, prioritize yourself. do things you enjoy and truly bring you joy.

i've written about this story before (but it was a while ago, so i think its okay to write about again.) and thought it was an important thing to write about again.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 142: one of us is lying

hello hello hellooooo!!!

as you know, i've been on my reading kick recently and i just finished "One of Us is Lying" by Karen McManus yesterday. unfortunately, i don't remember who recommended it to me, but it was fantabulous.

here's a quick summary from google:

"A high school murder mystery where five teenagers walk into detention, but only four make it out alive. When the creator of a notorious school gossip app dies, his four high-profile classmates are framed for his murder."

the book tells the story from each of character's perspective, going back and forth between each, which made it a bit confusing at first but if got used to it. each character fits a classic high school stereotype like, the jock (cooper clay), the popular girl (adelaide "addy" prentiss), the nerd (bronwyn rojas) and the criminal (nate macnauley).

usually i would never pick up a murder mystery book, but this one i seriously could not set down. i finished it in 3 days and i cannot wait to read the sequels. when i first started reading it, my brother told me his friend read it and hated it. i ended up guessing the ending while joking with him and he confirmed it for me. though i guessed the ending/plot twist, i was still in shock when i got to it in the book. my jaw was literally dropped.

all i have to say is that this book is fantastic. the story is so so interesting and the characters are insanely lovable. 

i think something else that is kinda funny is that the boy who died, simon, had a blog and that had a lot to do with his death. to be honest, it kinda scares me about my blog, but mine is completely different from his, so i'm not that worried.

similar to the other books i've read, there's a TV show adaptation of it on peacock and it honestly doesn't look that good, which is unfortunate. (if you've watched it and think it's worth my time please let me know!!!) 

the last thing i want to say is that since i've been obsessed with reading lately, i've been looking into getting a kindle because i truly love reading, but don't make time for it during the school year. i think having a kindle would encourage me to read more often than being on my phone and it would be extremely easy to transport, like putting it in my purse or backpack and reading instead of doomscrolling.

personally, i think it's worth it, so i'll probably be asking for that for my birthday from my parents!

i hope you enjoyed today (please read this book) and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 141: you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love

hello hello hellooooo!!!

in honor of olivia rodrigo's 3rd studio album release yesterday, "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love", i want to give you my opinions on it! listen to it below!

 

1. drop dead- i've been obsessed with this song, listening to it on repeat since the day it was released. i think it is so so catchy and overall just a really fun, upbeat song.
2. stupid song- all i can say is i'm obsessed. actually, obsessed is an understatement. i think its the catchiest song on the album and perfection.
3. honeybee- the vocals on this one are just beautiful and the chorus is so catchy.  though this song is hoping for their person not to ever leave their life, i feel like it could also be interpreted in the way that they have already lost this person (which is how i hear it).
4. maggots for brains- i honestly feel like this song is how i've been feeling recently. i really like the figurative language used in the song and it kinda tugs on my heartstrings.
5. u + me = <3- i really love the instrumentals of this song and i feel like it's really different than the other songs on the album.
6. my way- this one has such a rock and roll vibe, which reminds me of olivia's other albums.
7. purple- to be honest this one is probably my least favorite on the album, but i really do like the lyrics.
8. the cure- i've been listening to this one since it came out and there's something about it that makes it so addicting. i love and hate it because in my opinion, you have to be in the correct mood to listen to it.
9. begged- 100,000% obsessed. since olivia performed it on SNL, i've been so excited to actually listen to it on spotify instead of youtube. definitely my top 2.
10. what's wrong with me- there's just something about this song that makes it so addicting. olivia and robert smith's vocals together are insanely delectable.
11. less- this one is something i added to my rainy day playlist. i feel like that's the best way to describe it.
12. expectations- i personally think this one was placed in such an odd place in the album because it's so upbeat compared to the other heartbreak ones. needless to say, i still like it a lot.
13. cigarette smoke- this one just reminds me of walking in the streets of istanbul. here, most everyone smokes so it kinda hits home.

let me know your thoughts on the album, i'd love to hear about it!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 140: alive vs. existing

hello hello hellooo!!!

upon looking for today's quote on pinterest, i found this quote quite intriguing. it brings me back to another post i wrote a while ago which was day 26: finding your purpose.

so, what is your purpose in life? is it to make the world a better place? to achieve a certain goal? or are you just someone existing in this world?

though you don't have to figure out your answer at this exact moment, meditate and think on it.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it.

day 139: turtles all the way down

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this summer, my goal was to read more often because i truly enjoy reading, but don't usually make the time during the school year. so, before i left for istanbul, i checked out a few books from the library and finally finished my first one! 

today i'll be telling you a bit about a book i recently finished, called "Turtles All The Way Down" by John Green. (his name may sound familiar because he does the science crash course for kids videos on youtube!)

here's a quick description from google:

Aza Holmes, a 16-year-old girl battling severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety. Her life centers around managing intrusive thoughts and her best friend, Daisy, who drags her into a $100,000 reward investigation to find a local fugitive billionaire.

my friend, ayse, actually recommended this book to me and to be honest, i wasn't sure how i was going to like it. BUT, i finished it in 2 days. if that doesn't say something, i don't know what will.

this book was unlike any book i've ever read before. usually i'm into books that are more rom-com-y in a way where the characters have mostly surface level problems. however, it was very interesting to see aza's thoughts through every moment and how she comes with her OCD.

i also thought that it was such a coincidence that the love interest, davis, has a blog similar to mine! though, he doesn't find his quotes from pinterest, he quotes famous poets and playwrights like shakespeare and responds to them in a more cryptic manner.

while i was looking for an image of the cover of this book, i found out it also has a film adaptation on HBO max with isabela merced (dora in the live-action) and felix mallard (marcus in ginny & georgia). i definately will be watching it whenever i get the chance.

overall, this book was fantastic. i would highly recommend this to anyone and i'm looking forward to reading more!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it.

day 138: stop telling everyone your plans

hello hello hellooooo!!!

it might seem so simple to say, but it truly is so difficult to stop telling people your plans. for me especially, i want to share everything i do with my friends which might be me seeking validation for the things i do, i'm not entirely sure.

but here's the problem with that: once you tell people your plans, they can intervene and disrupt them due to jealousy or simply distract you from your goals.

yes, having a support system is important, but your support system doesn't need to be everyone in your life. choose a few people that you know you can help you achieve those goals and keep quiet until the goal is achieved.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 137: life is a rollercoaster

hello hello hellooooo!!!

you've probably heard someone tell you something like, "life is a rollercoster, there's always ups and downs."

sometimes you get on such a high for a while but other times you are stuck at a low for longer than you expect.

its hard for me to say, but i'm currently sitting at a low that i haven't experienced before, which makes me question almost everything from my confidence to the fact that i was so excited that i felt more like myself than ever since the beginning of this year.

the message i'm trying to get across to you is that it is more than okay to feel however you're feeling. all feelings should be acknowledged though it's definitely hard.

you got this!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 136: ripping off the bandaid

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this quote from today is really just a reminder to rip off the bandaid and go for it.

the longer you put something off, it almost gets more painful to do and becomes more of a chore. these things really don't have to be a big deal either.

i once saw a video saying that when you think of doing something, like taking out the trash, you should just go ahead and do it immediately, otherwise you'll forget or simply make excuses not to do it.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 135: never take things for granted

hello hello hellooooo!!!

as you might know, i was recently on vacation in spain, and had such a blast. unfortunately, on the last full day of my trip, my brother accidentally ate something with nuts in it but is extremely allergic.

at the time, we were visiting a castle, so we immediately gave him allergy medicine and visited the infirmary. his reaction got so bad that he had to use his epipen and the nurse called an ambulance to bring him to the hospital.

while this was happening, i was waiting with my youngest brother on the curb and all i could think was "i hope aslan will be okay. "

my dad and aslan were rushed to the hospital and my mom, han and i desperately looked for a taxi. later, my dad called and told us to go home because aslan was okay, getting medicine and being observed.

that night, i cried myself to sleep as i couldn't stop thinking what i'd have done if there was a different outcome.

though it may not always seem like it, i love my brother. im so fortunate to have a brother who loves the sport i love, is funny and i know has a bright future. 

whenever we go to practice, we're always together. singing songs or talking about the most random things. on the days that he's sick and doesn't go to practice, i feel like a part od me is missing and i pray that he gets better soon and is able to come back to practice.

so this is your reminder to never take things for granted. enjoy every moment with your family, friends, teachers, etc. because you truly never know when it could be the last. try not to hold grudges and be accepting towards others.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 134: want it more

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today's quote is a reminder that in order to get what you want, achieve the goal you set out to, you must desire it more than anyone else.

by keeping that mindset, you help yourself believe that you NEED to accomplish that goal.

so, want it more than anyone else because nobody can make you do anything you don't want to do.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 133: it's okay for something to go unnoticed

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this quote makes me think exactly of this:

if something so miniscule happens and it bothers you, there might not be such a big reason to react to it.

especially because giving a reaction is most of the time exactly what the aggressor wants from you.

so #stayunbothered!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 132: comparison is the thief of joy (part 3?)

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this is most likely part 3 of "comparison is the thief of joy", but this time its a little different.

instead of just thinking that the comparison takes away your happiness, it essentially kills that novelty of whatever it is.

stop comparing yourself or things you do or things others do for you to things you see on social media because everyone and their situations are different. 

not everyone can afford a bouquet of 100 roses on a random day. so don't be too hard on yourself.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 131: little reminders

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i simply want to leave you with a few little reminders.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 130: side quests

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this is your reminder to take this summer and actually go out and do things.

make a bucket list or something to keep you motivated to get out of the house and enjoy your youth. it shouldn't be wasted on devices all day.

take advantage of the time off and start a new hobby. maybe go somewhere with friends or be creative!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 129: life lessons

hello hello hellooooo!!!

recently, i've been embracing the "yolo mentality" a bit more, which has its pros and cons.

one of the pros is that i sometimes get an answer i was hoping for but the con is that i also get the opposite end.

when i get an unexpected answer it always gives me a pit in my stomach, though i know i got that answer for a reason.

so instead of just regretting that moment, we should all learn from the moments we regret.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 128: inevitable pain

hello hello hellooooo!!!

no matter what, you are going to go through pain.

staying where you are is comfortable and knowing, but at least for me, i need to be growing in some way otherwise i don't feel as fulfilled. 

in both scenarios, there is some sort of unsettling feeling, which is normal and okay! so this is a little reminder to see what choices you make.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 127: don't worry, be happy

hello hello hellooooo!!!

read today's quote.

this is your reminder to not let your worries get the best of you. everything will be okay!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 126: never settle for less

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this is your reminder to never settle for less.

make sure you know what you want and do everything in your power to get that. if it doesn't work out, don't take it as rejection, simply redirection.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 125: the "YOLO mindset"

hello hello hellooooo!!!

if you know me at all, you probably know that i'm bold and honestly have no fear of being judged.

this is because i have the "YOLO mindset" as i like to call it because the worst that can happen is you get rejected or something doesn't work out the way it was planned.

in those cases, you'll find the way if it is meant to be, if not then something better will be coming your way.

take this as a sign to not be scared of other people's opinions, because they will always have one. 

so be cringe. have a big personality. wear the outfit. and do what makes you shine and feel your best self.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 124: lucky or not?

hello hello hellooooo!!!

who knows if you're lucky or not. you won't know unless you try, and the worst answer you can get is a no/rejection.

but, you'll get over it because you are strong. and this will make you more willing to try new things and test your luck.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 123: you can knock on a deaf man's door forever

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today, my interpretation of this quote is the following:

you cannot change the opinions of those who don't want to change.

i hope you know that no matter what, you can never force someone to do something that they do not want to do.

that's the same in this case.

if you keep knocking at the deaf man's door, he will never answer. but if you move onto someone else's door, they might.

let that sink in.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 122: the power of attention

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today's quote really hits home for me.

whenever my brothers used to bother me or make a huge fuss about something my parents would always tell me to ignore them because responding gives them the attention they seek.

now, this goes for everything else too.

if you don’t like something, stop paying attention to it. this obviously does not go for things like wars or inflation, things you truly cannot ignore, but people and things that are small, you can.

i hope this all made sense and you enjoyed today!! i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 121: build yourself

hello hello hellooooo!!!

i found this quote and really really like it because ive never really thought about it in this way.

you need to do soul enriching activities that help build your confidence, intelligence, kindness and all the things you want to be.

you simply cannot just find these in yourself.

you must find these traits and build on them, make them stronger to become the person you want to be.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 120: you must be patient

hello hello hellooooo!!!

i saw this on pinterest today and thought it was very funny but also very true.

i'm very sure you've heard of "good things take time". well, this is the exact same thing.

the banana isn't good when it's green. but it's so yummy once its yellow, with no brown spots on it. bht it most certainly is delicious when it is brown and splotchy, perfect to make banana bread with because of it's sweetness.

take this banana analogy and apply it to an area of your life. if something isn't good yet, you must wait because God has something in store for you, but who knows when it will happen.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 119: admire someone else without questioning yourself

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today's quote goes back to "comparison is the thief of joy".

i'm sure that everyone has experienced jealousy or something that makes you more insecure for no reason. admiring someone without questioning yourself truly takes time to be able to do, but will be worth it. 

sometimes my parents or coach will compliment others and not say anything about me, which kinda makes me feel bad, but here's the thing: they didn't say i was doing bad, they simply complimented others. by being able to tune out those compliments or actually complimenting them as well, hopefully it will help with comparing yourself to them.

comparison is no fun. it brings you down when it really shouldn't. so, instead of criticizing yourself, try to counter it with positive self talk (like affirmations)!! you got this!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 118: what we think, we become

hello hello hellooooo!!!

remember one of the first days of my blog, where i talked about affirmations (click here to read)?

well, today's quote goes along perfectly with that.

it's also essentially the same as, "fake it 'till you make it".

simply, what you think, you start to believe and that's what you become.

so make sure your thoughts reflect who and what you want to be.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 117: a head full of fears

hello hello hellooooo!!!

make space for dreams. and make space for memories. and make space for all of the silver linings.

don't get so hung up on the negativities and fears of what could go wrong. yes, it's important to thinku7 about what the possibilities are, but don't drown yourself in unrealistic situations.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 116: the future of you

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i finished my very last project for aice media studies as level, and i wanted to share it with you!

basically, the project was to understand who you want to be as a person in the future. the goal was to dig a little deeper and not to think of "the future of you" so surface level, like a career or where you want to live. this kinda goes along with my post from yesterday (click here to read!).

so without further ado, here is the future of me!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 115: who are you when no one is watching?

hello hello hellooooo!!!

who are you when no one is watching?

how do you treat yourself? are you too critical of yourself and others?

seriously, are you the same as you are when you are around people?

in my opinion, now that i'm thinking about it, if you aren't it's kinda like being fake to yourself or being fake to the people in your life that you love and cherish. that might sound stupid, but it's true.

if you are a kind, compassionate, strong individual (the way you display yourself to the outside world), then you should be the same when you are talking/thinking to yourself.

but also, how do you treat service workers like waiters, cashiers and flight attendants? those people work their butts off to probably not even get paid that much, but how do you treat them?

these are important questions to ask yourself and consider when thinking about other people as well. because if you think about it, you most likely wouldn't want to hear the fact that your best friend talks negatively to themselves just because nobody is watching. personally, i would want to hype them up and make them feel the best they've ever felt, ESPECIALLY if they are feeling low.

so what i'm saying is, be kind to yourself. be kind to others. just be kind overall.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 114: starting is the hardest part

hello hello hellooooo!!!

i'm not sure about you, but for me, starting is always the hardest part.

whenever i have to start something, especially a big project or something that actually matters, it takes EVERYTHING in me to just start. but once i'm in the flow of things, it gets so much easier.

i truly don't know why this is, but that's how i feel for almost everything.

so, what i think helps the most (which is the most unhelpful advice ever) is to just start.

maybe it would help to find an example of what you are trying to achieve. maybe it would help to talk out your idea with someone.

but it also might help if you just throw yourself into it.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it.

day 113: enjoy life

hello hello hellooooo!!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 112: dreamers vs. doers

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i want you to meditate on this picture. let that sink in.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 111: being insecure is a waste of your youth

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today when i was scrolling pinterest trying to look for inspiration for this post, i saw this quote.

when i read it i genuinely thought to myself, "wow, i never thought of it in that way."

but as i think about it more and let it set in, i've come to the conclusion that this is a fact.

as young people in a digital generation, we subconsciously compare ourselves to all the people online: celebrities, influencers, athletes, even our friends/peers. these comparisons begin to start up our insecurities which can sometimes control our lives.

to be frank, be confident in yourself and try your best not to compare yourself too much with all of the unrealistic standards of our generation.

live your life to the fullest and the way you want to.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 110: who do you want to be?

hello hello hellooooo!!!

okay so, today I have another eileen gu quote.

obviously she's saying: "be whoever you want to be.", but also be the person you want to be.

be kind, compassionate, thoughtful, and all the things, so don't just focus on essentially what you want to be.

focus on the "who".

truthfully, this takes a little bit to internalize and think in-depth about, but don't be discouraged. you don't have to come up with an answer immediately.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 109: me vs. me

hello hello hellooooo!!!

it's definitely difficult to think of it this way, but you really shouldn't be competing too much with others.

compete with yourself.

are YOU better than you were 6 months ago? if not, what changed? if yes, what can you do to keep growing?

don't let others consume you. be focused on proving it to yourself that YOU can do it. that YOU can be better than ever because you deserve to be the best of yourself.

it's not you against anyone.

it's you against yourself.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 108: be in control of yourself

hello hello hellooooo!!!

i'm sure everyone has heard of alysa liu because of the winter olympics, but there's another ice queen who is just so iconic and that's eileen gu.

she is a model as well as the most decorated freestyle skier in olympic history. she is fluent in english and mandarin, which is such a feat in itself.

so today, let's read the a quote from her.

what i take away from this is basically, be in control of yourself instead of worrying about being in control of others.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 107: be in the moment (part 2)

hello hello hellooooo!!!

so, today was a big day for me: my second degree black belt exam!! (spoiler: I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!)

through the entire day today, i felt like i was going to bawl my eyes out because of how emotional this made me feel. i've worked so so hard to get where i am and seeing my brother do the same makes me truly grateful and happy.

one thing i noticed throughout the day was this: i had a blast. 

i seriously enjoyed every single part of the process because i want to have amazing happy memories from this day. i want to think back on it and be flooded with memories of the immense joy i felt going through such a rewarding process.

last year and the year before, i struggled a LOT with being in the moment. i would be constantly thinking about the end result or what would happen next. now, i'm so proud to say that i am able to enjoy each and every second of the events and things that i go to, which in my opinion, makes it all worth it.

today was nothing short of one of the most memorable days of my life and i could not stop smiling and being silly because i've never felt this way before.

for me, there is nothing better than feeling like you deserve to be where you are and seeing your hard work pay off.

so here's to enjoying and being in the moment!!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 106: having fun is fun!!

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i just wanna share how much i love having fun. i love being around the people i care about especially when everyone is in a silly mood.

i was at a park "playing" pickleball (i really just went to hangout and have fun because i didn't want to get injured) and it was just a blast.

we shared many a laughs and had so so much fun. i genuinely forgot about everything in life and was so present, it felt so amazing.

so this is your reminder that summer is coming!! don't forget to romanticize your life a little and make sure you enjoy the moment.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 105: consistency is the name of the game

hello hello hellooooo!!!

consistency is the name of the game. nothing will happen if you aren't consistent.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 104: you suffer as long as you decide to

hello hello hellooooo!!!

once reading the quote, it kinda makes a lot of sense. 

in your life, YOU take the reigns. YOU are in charge and nobody can truly tell you what to do. in that respect, nobody can force you to do something you don't want to do.

but, if there is something that you desire to be changed, it is your responsibility to change that.

if you are suffering because of your not so good grades, then change it. study harder. pay attention in class more. interact with the material and the lectures.

set yourself up for success. 

think about it this way: 10 minutes of discomfort or being uncomfortable for the rest of the day/week/month/year.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 103: don't be well-known, be worth knowing

hello hello hellooooo!!!

when i saw this quote, it made me think a bit:

some people who are well-known, aren't well-known for a good reason. they might be a bad person with a very interesting story, but not worth knowing.

in my opinion, inspiring athletes, activists, and other people who are doing good for this world are worth knowing.

so instead of worrying about how popular you are or whatever it may be, maybe worry more about your impact on your community and how you can leave a lasting impact to benefit others, not just yourself.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 102: accountability

hello hello hellooooo!!!

please watch the video below and let me know your thoughts!!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 101: when phones were tied with a wire, humans were free

hello hello hellooooo!!!

this is your sign to get off your phone.

stop scrolling all day long and do something that you love!!

this is a stressful testing season, but we're nearing the end of the school year so we got this!!

take half an hour and read a book. maybe go on a walk and listen to music. or maybe go outside and play basketball. do something. anything that doesn't involve a screen.

i truly think it will ground you and will actually make you feel better about yourself. 

friday night i started "just for the summer" by abby jimenez and finished it on saturday while tanning. first off, the book was fantastic and second, as i was immersed in the story, i lost track of time. suddenly time didn’t exist.

so if you were waiting for a sign, here it is.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 100: commitment

hello hello hellooooo!!!

commitment is scary. that's the hard truth. commiting to something takes a lot of energy and brings you through days of discipline, consistency and motivation.

there are waves of each and of course the lows, but here we are!!!! 100 DAYS OF MAIA & MORE!!!!

honestly, i wasn't entirely sure if i would make it this far, but i'm glad i did. this blog has given me a creative outlet to share with my beloved people. 

thank you to anyone and everyone who reads my blog, it means more than you will ever know. the support i've recieved for this makes it all worth it and those who let me know that they enjoy reading makes me want to keep writing, though it's good for me as well. 

so thank you.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 99: you're worth more than a "maybe" (part 2)

hello hello hellooooo!!!

before you read today, make sure you read yesterday's post to see the quote for a bit more of context. (click here to read!)

usually i'm not the type to talk too much about relationships on my blog, but this quote applies to not just romantic ones, but platonic too.

you deserve someone who gives you their energy, time, and emotions as much as you give them. and the people who do reciprocate your actions, feelings, etc., are the ones you should cherish and hold onto as long as they let you.

on day 25, i wrote about the fact that some people are only meant for a certain chapter of your life. they've already served their purpose in your life and it's time to move on, though it certainly might be hard. and because there is no definite time-frame of how long someone will be in your life, so don't ever take those moments for granted. 

live large, and the people who do the same will gravitate towards you. the people who want to be around you will make that clear to you, not giving you mixed signals. they will do things that make you happy, cheer you up when you are sad, be there for you when you need it most, and be everything and more.

so, understand that it's okay to pull back from a relationship or take a small step back, because sometimes that's what we need. some relationships thrive more than you think once you've stepped back, so don't be afraid.

i hope today was easily understandable and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 98: you're worth more than a "maybe"

hello hello hellooooo!!!

so today read the quote, i'm so sure that many of us can relate to it, but let it sink in.

tomorrow i'll be diving in deeper on what this means to me, so stay tuned!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 97: summer is coming!!!

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i want to take a break from some of the motivational/inspirational, though i do love to write and talk about it. instead, today i want to just tell you about my excitement and anticipation for summer.

similar to belly in the summer i turned pretty, i kinda measure my life in summers. pretty much all of my friends know that each summer i leave to istanbul, turkey for the entirety of the summer, which i've been doing since the summer of 7th grade. 

i'm just so so so excited for all the things:

• seeing my grandparents
• meeting up with my friends
• going to the islands
• taking my brothers to go grocery shopping
• exploring the city
• eating AMAZING food

and the list could go on forever. 

all we need to do is get past the next 24 days, which honestly sounds like a lot of time, but in reality its only about 3 and a half weeks. (WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!) though i'm excited and what not, i get so overwhelmed at the thought of these next few weeks because it's going to be jam-packed with exams and my black belt exam and final hangouts with friends before summer.

but it's all going to be worth it in the end when i'm on that 11 hour flight to get to my home-away-from-home!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 96: there's no harm in doing good

hello hello hellooooo!!!

the quote on the side really made me think.

you truly don't lose anything by trying to help or actively helping someone. at that point, all you can do is good.

so what good can you do each day? whether it's holding the door for someone or helping them understand a hard topic, do good.

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 95: other's opinions shouldn't matter

hello hello hellooooo!!!

at this point, i feel like i keep repeating the same things over and over again, but here's the point of today:

don't let other's opinions drown you because you should be able to take your life by the reigns.

so, instead of boring you with yet another day about this, here are a few posts to read about with a similar topic.

1. day 87: everybody talks (part 2)
2. day 76: bad reviews on mt. everest??
3. day 40: don't let your ice cream melt while you're counting someone else's sprinkles
4. day 28: comparison is the thief of joy
5. day 25: some people are only meant for a chapter
6. day 12: nobody is perfect

other's opinions shouldn't matter as long as you are doing something that you truly love.

i hope you find one that you enjoy and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 94: be rich in life

hello hello hellooooo!!!

think about your life: what makes YOU rich? and if nothing comes to mind, what can you do to fix it?

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 93: different stages of life

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i was scrolling on pinterest and saw this photo. to some, it may look like an ordinary photo or a collage of different windows. but to me, it shows how everyone is in a different stage of life and coming from a different walk of life.

some are having the time of their lives while some are not. and there is no reason whatsoever to compare your life with someone else's because it won't make you feel any better than you do now.

you have to understand this: the right things will come at you at the right time.

yes, this is such a horrible thing to hear as someone who isn't the most patient person in the world, but it's so true. life will definitely throw some curve-balls at you, but getting through those hurdles makes you stronger and prepares you for the amazing plans your future has for you.

don't worry about others. don't worry about what's going on in their lives. don't worry about all of the highlights you see on social media (some are fake...). 

keep your eyes on YOUR road and focus on driving to your destination, whatever that may be.

i'm rooting for you!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 92: silver linings

hello hello hellooooo!!!

read this quote on the right. no matter how your day was today, good or bad, think about something that went well, or was the highlight of today.

maybe it was laughing with your friends, or someone giving you a hug, or maybe it was a new experience. whatever it may be, every day brings something new and special, which you should cherish.

this quote brings me to tell you about this awesome thing that emma, my best friend, and i are doing this year. for each of the 52 weeks of 2026, we are writing one (or a few) highlights of our weeks and putting them into a jar to open on new year's eve of this year. 

i've honestly loved doing this and absolutely cannot wait to open the jar at the end of the year to see what an amazing year i've had. i honestly couldn't recommend this enough and if you think it would be hard to remember, it's not. i simply set a reminder for each sunday at 7pm and keep the jar on my desk as a reminder if i hadn't done it for that week.

with all that being said, always look on the bright side. look at all the wonderful things that have brought you to where you are today and don't forget to be grateful for what you have (because one day that could all disappear)!

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 91: project hail mary!!!

hello hello hellooooo!!!

today i'm gonna be talking about project hail mary (hence the title...)!!

this past saturday, i went to watch the movie with my friends emma and elah, after being recommended this movie by several people. if you haven't already seen the movie or seen anything about it, watch the trailer below!!

first off, i'm gonna be honest, i thought this movie was going to be kinda boring because i didn't entirely know what it was about, but let me tell you, I WAS WRONG. the cinematography was absolutely beautiful and honestly, everything about it was perfect. i loved the attention to detail as well as each of the flashbacks we get, to see a bit deeper into grace's life and how he got into this situation in the first place.

also, i wanted to say how touching this movie was. on multiple occasions i felt myself get teary eyed because of how well the movie gets you attached to the characters. though there are only 2 main characters, they develop such a close bond with eachother (and the audience) that it doesn't get boring to watch.

i also thought that the script was absolutely hilarious. there were so many jokes that got my friends and i dying laughing.

and finally, if nothing else, watch this movie for ryan gosling!!

i hope you check out project hail mary and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it. 

day 90: facts.

hello hello hellooooo!!!

read the quote.

as you know, i preach these types of things SOOO so much.

and be honest with yourself, it is true. there is no need to be a people pleaser, though it might be tough to fight this mentality.

do things to please, make yourself happy, proud and all the things. if you keep doing things solely for others, what's your purpose?

i hope you enjoyed today and i'll catch you on the next one!!

don't wish for it, work for it.