Page 56 - Girl's Life (August - September 2019)

8 BAD HABITS

WHETHER YOU PROCRASTINATE
LIKE A PRO OR CONSTANTLY
DODGE DIFFICULT SITCHES, THESE
ARE THE TRAITS THAT SECRETLY

HOLD YOU BACK.

BY JIAE KIM

Starting a new school year with OTHERS SEE YOU AS… lacking confi-
unhelpful habits is a little like dence and a little needy.
schlepping around a tote with last QUICK FIX: Every time you blurt
year’s junk still at the bottom. out something negative about
Ready to clean up your act and your appearance or abilities, undo
make your life about a million damage by following it up with
times easier? Here’s how to get your some self-love. By pinpointing the
freshest start yet... positives—your shiny mane, your
mad math skills—you train your
Bad Habit #1 brain to focus on all there is to love,
REGULARLY ARRIVING 10 not any perceived flaws.
MINUTES LATE
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: Blow- Bad Habit #3
ing out your hair, selecting an outfit FLAKING OUT ON PLANS
or snoozing for five more minutes is WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I’d
more important than catching your rather be doing something else.
bus (or arriving to your BFF’s soccer OTHERS SEE YOU AS… someone they
match before it kicks off). can’t quite count on.
OTHERS SEE YOU AS… a tad self- QUICK FIX: You may feel like you’re
absorbed and occasionally a wee going to hurt your friend by turning
bit inconsiderate. down her invite, but it’ll sting more
QUICK FIX: Picture your friend, your if you bail without warning. Being
mom, whoever’s waiting for you. wishy-washy may give her the idea
Because guess what? She literally that you’re in—then she’ll wonder
is waiting for you. And showing up where you are if you’re a no-show.
late comes off as disrespectful, even Honesty is truly best here, so be
if you don’t mean for it to be. That upfront if you simply can’t commit.
should put some pep in your step.
Bad Habit #4
Bad Habit #2 MAKING EXCUSES WHEN
CONSTANTLY SAYING YOU’RE IN THE WRONG
YOU’RE TOO (SHORT/CURVY/ WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: It’s not
WHATEVER BUGS YOU) actually my fault.
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I only OTHERS SEE YOU AS… someone who
feel OK about myself if others tell is never willing to take responsibility SVETIKD/GETTY IMAGES
me I am good enough as-is. for their words and actions.

52 GL AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019