Leo Season Reflections
Yet another “super quick” Shelby’s Editor’s Note:
That awkward moment when I draw attention to the collab switch, specifically call out a high school friend, and then link to the completely wrong page. LMAO. Here’s the CORRECT FORM for our Barbie movie debrief that’ll be posted this coming Monday!
LEO SEASON REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
#1: When I'm wanting to channel strength, courage, and/or braveness, what do I do?
Vidha’s Answer(s):
Go to a workout class! It is always a fun reminder that we are capable of more than we think both physically and mentally, and I love that it is one hour I spend away from all distractions on my phone / work!
Sydney’s Answer(s):
I begin by setting a clear intention to embrace strength, courage, and bravery in my life. I try to be specific about the situations in which I want to exhibit these qualities. I try to take some time for introspection to understand my fears, doubts, and limiting beliefs. Self-awareness can help me identify areas where I need to strengthen my resolve. Regularly visualize myself acting with strength and courage in challenging situations helps me to imagine myself facing my fears and overcoming obstacles with confidence. Using positive affirmations related to strength, courage, and bravery and repeat these affirmations daily helps to reinforce a positive mindset.
Shelby’s Answer(s):
I want to say I have great coping mechanisms and can summon energy from the earth and my confidence whenever I need it … but that's probably not true. Best case scenario, I deep breathe and think of something tragically funny—think IUD insertion, skydiving (horror), a friend passing—a painful but effective reminder that I've overcome a looooot of shit and I can get though whatever bullshit is currently happening.
Aimée’s Answer(s):
Maybe this sounds kind of corny, but I tend to give myself pep talks. I don't, like, stare at myself in the mirror and speak out loud or anything (although if that's your thing, mad respect); I just do it in my head. Like, as I'm walking down the street, or driving in my car, or whatever. I hype myself up, remind myself of my worth and capabilities, and set out to bravely tackle whatever it may be I'm tackling that day.
Kayla’s Answer(s):
I honestly think about some of my strongest girlfriends. I am surrounded by such strong and capable women that whenever I am in doubt I tend to think about them and what they would do! Being surrounded by a support system to lift you up is the most amazing feeling and I love the group of people I have chosen to have around me.
Blaze’s Answer(s):
I would like to think I look inside myself but in reality I just remind myself that things will pass and we all adapt and a fleeting moment of uncertainty or embarrassment is just that - fleeting. I believe in myself and I try my best and sometimes that's not good enough and then I call my mother and that usually does the trick.
#2: What, if anything, is holding me back from celebrating who I am and realizing my full potential?
Vidha’s Answer(s):
LOL I am holding myself back - I have such a long list of things that I want to celebrate and get active in, yet here I am coming home after work to watch home renovation videos on repeat, and getting drunk on Saturday nights, rather than pursuing my passions.
Sydney’s Answer(s):
Literally everything? Every day is an uphill battle. I fear what others may think or say about me. I fear being judged or criticized and that prevents from fully embracing and expressing my true self. I lack self-confidence and have low self-esteem which hinders me from recognizing my worth and capabilities. I constantly doubt my abilities and feel unworthy. I am CONSTANTLY comparing myself to others and feel a severe sense of inadequacy. I hold on with an iron grip onto limiting beliefs about myself; thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "I don't deserve success." But more than anything my past traumas have created emotional barriers that prevent me from fully embracing who I are. These experiences have lead to self-doubt and a reluctance to step out of my comfort zone.
Shelby’s Answer(s):
Say it with me friends: Imposrer Syndrome!! Also the guilt of having lived a life of privilege makes me question whether I actually deserve anything that is offered to me.
Aimée’s Answer(s):
Imposter syndrome, laziness, comfort/contentment - all the usual stuff. I am a Leo rising, so I often am competitive and ambitious, but sometimes...it can be easy to slip out of that mode into something a little more stagnant.
Kayla’s Answer(s):
Cripling self-doubt and imposter syndrome. I am ALWAYS thinking about ways that I am not good enough and I tend to focus on my problems instead of what I do well. Which is funny because I preach the opposite to all my friends. I let the worst intrusive thoughts keep me in a corner instead of pushing past and remembering my strength.
Blaze’s Answer(s):
I mean capitalism. If I didn't care about thriving in a city and being able to buy fun treats for myself or constantly crave more value added to my life then I think I'd feel a lot freer to realize my full creative and unhinged potential. Maybe I'd be a rock star. Maybe I still can be.
#3: How and/or where can I incorporate more time and play in my routine and life?
Vidha’s Answer(s):
I want more time with myself in nature. I miss the reset that national parks used to provide me over the past few years, and I want to do more of that here in Texas.
Sydney’s Answer(s):
I know that incorporating more time for play and leisure in my routine and life is essential for overall well-being and happiness, but it is still hard. Things that help are blocking out specific time slots in my schedule dedicated to activities I enjoy, avoiding overcommitting myself and prioritizing leisure time just like any other important task, and taking care of my physical and mental well-being (ensuring I get enough sleep, eat well, and manage stress effectively).
Shelby’s Answer(s):
I'm currently “practicing retirement" before starting school so literally all I do (other than have existential episodes riddled with immense imposter syndrome) is get high, do art, play video games, have snack, talk with friends, and nap. I'm full Leo season.
Aimée’s Answer(s):
So for summer break, I made myself a spreadsheet to keep my days both productive and fun. In summers past, I've had a tendency to get overwhelmed by possibilities and end up schlumped on the couch watching TikToks for hours. This spreadsheet encourages/requires me to do a certain amount of exercise, chores, and activities each day. It's like a choice board of sorts. I haven't necessarily met all of my goals for each day (i.e. I'll only check off two activities instead of the "required" three), but it's been making me feel good about how I'm spending my time. It allows me to enjoy TV shows, videogames, time with friends, and more because I don't have that creeping feeling of "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING PRODUCTIVE" in the back of my mind. So I guess that's my answer - a healthy combination of productivity and play is what makes me happy.
Kayla’s Answer(s):
After work. It's something I need to focus on, but I've gotten in the habit of just mentally collapsing after work instead of filling that time with something that brings me joy. I'd like to fix that!
Blaze’s Answer(s):
That's a great question. Summer always feels like the time to play. I love warm evenings with chilled wine and boisterous laughter. I would love to be able to play in the water more and frolic in fresh cut grass. My mind has been pretty heavy lately and I would love more chances to play but I'm not sure how to really do that. Hopefully I can figure that out this Leo season.
LEO SEASON INTENTION SETTING:
Vidha’s Intention:
Be authentic to myself and what I value.
Sydney’s Intention:
During Leo Season I want to focus on embracing and celebrating my authentic self. I want to express my thoughts, emotions, and creativity freely without fear of judgment.
Shelby’s Intention:
Fundamentally work on saying no.
Aimée’s Intention:
I'm actually stealing one from the New Suns piece: Color, glitter, sparkle, and brightness are my calling.
Kayla’s Intention:
To remember my strength.
Blaze’s Intention:
To find pockets of joy and love and sunshine.
LEO SEASON ACTIVITY: Centering Sweetness Rituals
Vidha’s Activity:
I just purchased an acupressure mat during the Bed Bath and Beyond closing sale! I would like to use this every day for 2-5 mins, followed by foam rolling! I hold a lot of tension in my limbs and I need to be more conscious of healing my body to heal my mind.
Sydney’s Activity:
I used to take skincare really seriously, especially when I was wearing heavy makeup everyday, but since the pandemic I have fallen off my routine (partly due to laziness and partly because I no longer wear makeup everyday). This Leo Season I want to dedicate some time each day to a skincare routine.
Shelby’s Activity:
I'm actually in Chicago for the weekend for a two-night bachelorette party for me that my mother is throwing—you read that right—so I will not have many opportunities in the next couple of days for sweetness rituals other than the small moments I'll get to breathe in my vape, close my eyes, and pretend to be elsewhere. When I return, I'm hoping for the sweetness of silence and the doing of nothing (other than extensive wedding planning and dealing with that count down).
Kayla’s Activity:
Not exactly a ritual, but thought it was important to share. I recently returned from a trip to Iceland and during this trip it was only fitting for me to wonder into a little shop and find a piece of jewelry that really resonated with me. I've been trying to focus on remembering how strong I am and I came across a jewelry designer who made pieces specifically for women. She makes jewelry with different sayings and I chose one that says "mundu styrk pinn" which translates to "remember your strength." It is a piece that I now love and feels definitely fitting to wear going into Leo season.
Shit We’re Loving: LISTEN
Shelby's Pick: And That's Why We Drink podcast
[ insert photo. I can't guys]
It's a six+ hour car ride from Columbus to my hometown in the northern suburbs of Chicago so I can get a decent amount of podcasting in and chose ATWWD which is an old favorite and the first true crime podcast I actually like (unpopular opinion: I'm not a MFM fan? I don't actively dislike them, I just prefer others).
I'm in the car right now or I'd give more detail but fuck it's been a long day. I listened to the two lasted episodes and they're bangers. Love you, Em and Christine!
Show Your Support: Global Girl Media
For our final OTF Show Your Support, I’ve chosen Global Girl Media (GGM), which develops the voice and media literacy of teenage girls and young women, ages 14-25, in under-served communities by teaching them to create and share digital journalism designed to improve scholastic achievement, ignite community activism and spark social change.
We change the storytellers so they can change the world.
Global Girl Media empowers young women to bring their often-overlooked perspectives onto the global media stage. By turning up the volume of girls’ voices globally, GGM promotes freedom of expression and strengthens substantive journalism that addresses historically marginalized voices. We do this while also building self-esteem, leadership capacity, and 21st-century skills. Founded in 2010, we are currently active in South Africa, Kosovo, Chicago, Los Angeles, Greece, London, and the Bay Area.
You can’t be what you can’t see. Our media tells us a lot about who we are and the stories we believe about ourselves. Yet, a female POV is under-published, under-broadcast, and under-streamed compared to a male POV. Now more than ever, women and girls of color need a place at the table to change the narrative. That’s where GGM comes in.
In the OTF fashion, we have already donated $200 to Global Girl Media and we encourage you to give and/or promote what you can.
Daily Intention:
Today I choose…
BREEEEAAATTTHHHEEEE.
and not kill my mom.
Here’s some nifty buttons for you to press, enjoy: