Page 57 - Girl's Life (August - September 2019)

life

TO DITCH BEFORE THE

FIRST DAY

1. PRACTICE, 2. ACCEPT SLIP- 3. VISUALIZE 4. REMEMBER: 5. PAY UP. Stuff
5 ways PRACTICE, PRAC- UPS. Take a deep THIS. Envision THIS IS HARD. a dollar in a jar
to make the good TICE. Change breath, promise how much more Honesty alert! It’s every day you
not easy to leave
stick with your
yourself you
amazing your life
takes time for a
stuff stick
Raise your hand if you’ve new habit to stick won’t repeat the would be if you bad habits in the new habit. At the
habit again and
stuck with your
end of the month?
(scientists say 66
dust. It’s going to
ever bailed on busting
Treat yourself, or
take a little bit
days). Remind
then move on. No
pledge. Looks
a bad habit. All of you?
good, no? Flash
of discipline, but
making excuses
yourself of your
see how much you
OK, keep reading…
aim on the regular
just keep trying
to that if you feel
or dwelling about
can save by being
your best self.
what went wrong.
(and repeat!).
yourself slipping.
your hardest.
QUICK FIX: It’s natural to defend have shown that even the mere
yourself when you’re being called sight of a phone keeps people on
out. But before you start firing off edge because you’ll get an alert in
those excuses, think about whether 3…2…bzzt!). So stash it and actually
you’re really at fault. If so, say be social, not just be on social.
sorry and move on. Owning up to
your actions can be tough, but it’ll Bad Habit #7
show that you’re mature enough to GOSSIPING
realize you’re not perfect. WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I’m not
interesting enough on my own.
Bad Habit #5 OTHERS SEE YOU AS… a mean girl
“I’LL DO IT LATER” who can’t be trusted.
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I don’t QUICK FIX: Flip things around for a
want to do it, so I’m stalling. second and think about this: What
OTHERS SEE YOU AS… exactly what if you were the one everyone was
you are, a procrastinator. whispering about? You’d feel pretty
QUICK FIX: As easy as it is to lounge awful, right? Next time you’re
on the couch (yet) again, that lit bursting to blab over lunch about
report isn’t going anywhere. So so-and-so not getting invited to
instead of ignoring the essay until it’s you-know-who’s bash this weekend,
due, work on it every day in chunks. keep the info to yourself.
It’s practical, and it’ll save you from
stress and late nights (and, hey, Bad Habit #8
maybe even earn you a better grade). NOT ACCEPTING COMPLIMENTS
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I really
Bad Habit #6 don’t like myself.
BEING GLUED TO YOUR PHONE OTHERS SEE YOU AS… kinda negative.
WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING: I am QUICK FIX: Bae tells you they like
not engaged in what’s around me. your new haircut? Don’t shrug and
OTHERS SEE YOU AS… interested in tell them that it’s too short or that
anything other than them. you hate the bangs. Say, “Thank
QUICK FIX: We love our devices, too, you!” Sure, they may be the sweet-
but true connection only comes est crush on Earth, but we’re betting
from interacting with people IRL. they’re telling the truth. So accept
So all you need to do is put down that you are pretty great—and bask
your phone, right? Nope. Studies in those kind words, girl.
GL AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 53