Cardio & Hiit Pilates Routines

— the princess guide on glowing up:

recently i noticed how in love i've become with my appearance after a long time of strongly hating how i look. i wondered how i got to this point so i worked backwards to figure out what changed and made this post.ᡣ𐭩

GETTING OVER MY INSECURITIES

social media is one of the main things that attributed to my insecurities. when you're constantly bombarded by posts praising girls that look nothing like you for their beauty it's easy to trick yourself into thinking that must mean you're not beautiful since you have nothing in common with them. someone's beauty does not take away from yours, but it can make you forget yours. the first change i made that signified the beginning of my new found self love was when i started to look at models and influencers and actresses that looked more like me. i believe there's beauty in every feature, you just have to see it in a beautiful light. i stopped considering my features ugly when i distanced from any content that would insist on them being flaws and instead exposed myself to beautiful girls who had the same exact features and realised they didn't make them any less beautiful.

SETTING MY OWN BEAUTY STANDARDS

a crucial point in my journey to loving my physical appearance was disregarding society's already set beauty standards and it's expectations. the truth is you can't build your confidence based on how much you fit others' standards because everybody has their own idea of beauty and what might make you beautiful in someone's eyes might make you ugly in another's. so that's why i decided to create my own standards and measure myself based on what i personally think is beautiful.

i did this by taking out my journal, closing my eyes for a few seconds and imagining what i considered to be the epitomy of beauty, then i wrote down a description of what i imagined. if you're having trouble picturing the details, you can try answering some of these questions:

what kind of girl would i see on the street and would leave something that is more than an impression on me? what texture is her hair? what color is it? how is she wearing it, is it parted in the middle or to the side? is it styled or is it down? is it long or short? is she wearing makeup? if yes, is it natural makeup or is it more on the bold side? is she wearing jewellery? is it dainty or flashy? what is her body type? is she skinny or curvy? does she have her nails done? are they long or short? what type of clothes is she wearing?

after i decided on my own beauty standards, i made changes to my appearance and the closer i got to that image i had of the perfect girl in my head the happier i grew with myself.

EMBRACING MYSELF

now while i was picturing the perfect girl in my mind, i made sure that she had my features. i didn't imagine her without my 'insecurities'. essentially i was just imagining myself if i reached my maximum potential, i didn't change anything i was already born with i only changed the customizable things in a way that i thought was beautiful / suited me more. and that's what i wanna talk about in this part, the importance of embracing myself the way i am.

embracing myself didn't only help me in the mental aspect where i started to love myself more, but it also helped me physically. i started to look a lot better when i stopped trying to force myself to look 'sexy' and admitted that i was more suited for makeup & clothes that are more on the cuter side.

obviously i'm not trying to tell you what to do, but i'm willing to bet that you would look a whole lot better if you wore clothes that fit your body type instead of forcing yourself into tight and uncomfortable clothing. the idea is to understand that there isn't only one type of beauty, so you don't have to force yourself to do things that don't suit you to be beautiful.

IDENTIFYING YOURSELF + YOUR STYLE

i've talked about how you should do things that suit you, but how do you even know what does or doesn't suit you? well you have to start by identifying what 'you' are first.

while i was going through this phase of my glow up journey, i found that there are three things that you have to know about yourself: your face shape, your skintone/undertones and your body type. you can figure them out by looking at yourself in the mirror and referencing these charts below. if you're having a hard time determining where you fit, you can ask a family member/friend for their opinion. i think that wearing things that compliment you makes you look put together no matter what your style is, it gives you the perfect 'canvas'.ཐིཋྀ

from these three things you can figure out what eyebrow shape, hairstyles + hair colors, clothes and colors would suit you the best. you can do that by simply going on pinterest or tiktok and looking up "hairstyle recommendations for ____ face shape". you can also use celebrities with similar traits as inspiration.

as for developing your style, i think that is something you naturally develop over time as you try out things and evolve your taste. but if you're stuck on where to start, i recommend quizzes! there are a lot of korean/chinese quizzes scattered over the internet that can help you. something else i recommend is checking out @/dreamgrlarchive's blog, she has a lot of posts dedicated to finding your style. also, don't shy away from trying out trends or aesthetics that pique your interest, you're drawn to them for a reason so don't let people online shame you for it.

EMBODYING CONFIDENCE

the mental aspect of glowing up is something that often goes unnoticed. glowing up doesn't only require changing physically but also mentally. you have to make sure the inside matches the outside. journaling allowed me to work through any negative thoughts and feelings i had towards myself as well as identify any habits i used to do out of insecurity that i needed to get rid of. you'd be surprised at how many beautiful girls lack self esteem. become comfortable with the fact that you're beautiful.ᡣ𐭩

what do you do with the 3d?

let's clear the floor. let's slit it open tile by tile. let's sweep the shards into our palms and try again. let me rip the carpet up while we're at it, dig my hands into the marrow of the matter and ask, what are we doing with the 3d, really. are we making it our girl friday or our ghost. are we ignoring the curtain or stepping through it. the question is, do you even recognise what you're looking at.

but let's step back. what is the 3d, anyway. physical reality. consensus hallucination. not sacred, not sinful. not a riddle to be solved nor a cage to be broken. just a card in the deck, drawn with shaky hands. the one everyone agrees to pretend is real. you can treat it like an omen, if you want. or a person you absolutely abhor. but don't mistake it for the author. it's only ever the copy, the imprint, or the last known address of a belief. yesterday's ink on today's page, and even that can smudge.

because everyone has an answer and most of them feel like used tissues. soggy with someone else's satori. should we ignore the 3d. befriend it. spit at its feet like it called us boring. the answers all sound like someone else's language. someone else's idea of what devotion is. someone else's diagram of control. and most of them are at war with nuance. 

the 3d is your echo. it's a feedback loop, a dog who learnt the tricks you taught it. it moves like you do. it learns what you reward. it listens to what you repeat. it's not speaking, it's mouthing back. and yes, it has weight. like wet fabric or a hospital corridor. it has textures. grit. gravity. but weight is not truth. it's just density. what you believe has mass. not because it's real, but because you've given it rehearsal time, memorised the script, built sets around it, fed it from your own bowl.

so here's what the 3d is: a tarot card. upright or reversed, depending on the day. never the deck itself, never the hand that shuffles. it's a reading, not a sentence. a reflection, not a law. its power is borrowed. it's never permanent. it's never personal. it is what you thought yesterday, blinking back at you in today's light. you don't have to ignore it. you don't have to kneel at its altar, either. the 3d can be your chorus girl or your case study.  it doesn't mind. it has no ego. it doesn't need to win. it just needs something to reflect. and if you change your face, it will too.

treat it how you want. name it. reframe it. pin it to the wall or forget it in a drawer. pet it like a cat or argue with it like a brother. none of it matters. what matters is remembering that it follows you. it always does. not because it loves you. because it has no other choice.

just remember: the card is not the future. it's a translation. and all translations are subject to error, to bias, to mood. the 3d isn't fact. it's rendering. if you want a different reading, shuffle again.

it's a ghost. and it only haunts what you've already abandoned.

ultimate IT girl guide

a guide to looking effortlessly perfect

"You’ve got the false narrative of a girl who spends 30 seconds on her appearance, when, in fact, you probably spent hours.”

1. basic hygiene:

having clean teeth and good breath

smelling good 24/7. i highly recommend finding a signature scent as a scent is associated with memory, id suggest something sweet yet not too overpowering like vanilla.

being clean in general. regularly shaving and exfoliating your skin to get rid of bodily hair and dirt that accumulates on your skin to make your skin glow.

clean nails. having clean and maintained nails (with a simple design if you wish) looks better than having acrylics that are wayyy too long and appear tacky.

2. hair :

having smooth healthy hair looks much better than dry and damaged hair. take care of your hair by finding the best products for your natural hair. get rid of your split ends as they make the hair appear really damaged.

in my opinion, loose waves look the most effortless yet pretty. but don’t ruin your natural hair by applying too much heat! you can try heatless styling methods to achieve this look.

3. diet and exercise :

being toned is the way to go to fit this aesthetic

avoid oily foods or sugary foods that damage your skin. don’t completely get rid of these as we all have our cravings, but try your best to avoid it

find a workout plan that works best for you, keeps you healthy but doesn’t burn you out! moreover exercise releases endorphins that improve your mood.

4. makeup and skin care :

natural makeup on clear skin fits this effortless aesthetic perfectly!

take care of your skin by finding a routine that fits you the best, consult with a dermatologist for the best results.

having smooth, blended makeup creates an illusion that you aren’t wearing any at all! this appears much effortless than a full face. also try to avoid those really huge false lashes that make you look tacky.

maintain your eyebrows and find a shape that fits you best!

5. outfits :

having a signature style which suits your body type is essential. experiment until you can find what suits you best! you can use a body analysis app for this.

wearing outfits you’re confident in, hot but not too revealing goes a long way. confidence is key. wearing overly revealing clothing might seem like one is trying too hard, but if you can carry it with confidence then that’s great!

jewellery : having dainty, signature pieces is key! find out which suits you better (gold or silver) through an ai analysis and invest in timeless pieces. personally, i think minimalistic pieces such as solitaires, simple pendants, classic hoops etc. look much more effortless.

6. personality :

don’t be too judgemental towards anyone as you don’t know what they’re going through and this makes you seem unapproachable

don’t talk too much or overshare! this creates a mysterious aura which draws people to you more

confidence is key! posture is very important too, carry yourself with confidence and walk with your head held up high.

7. examples and references :

serena van der woodsen (gossip girl)

mia thermopolis (the princess diaries)

cher (clueless)

elle woods (legally blonde)

rory gilmore (gilmore girls)

robin scherbatsky (how i met your mother)

gigi hadid

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝.

first level

start with the basics. eat healthier, exercise daily (this can be a 10 minute walk or an hour work out, doesn't matter; just do something) sleep 7-9 hours, shower every day, and clean your space.

second level

journal daily. start simple with talking about your day or writing about your favourite things.

listen to subliminals at night. spotify has a lot of playlists.

meditate with affirmations daily. i listen to thewizardliz's affirmation video while focusing on my breathing and relaxing my body.

speak kind to yourself and others. don't talk down on yourself, try not to judge, remind yourself that it's okay to make mistakes...

read books instead of doomscrolling. replace your social media screentime with reading a book.

make time for the people and things you love. even though you might be really busy with school or work, don't forget to be present. plan trips with your friends, eat dinner with your family, play that instrument that you liked so much, participate in team sports, be creative, etc.

third level

invest in a good skincare & oral care routine. this does not have to be expensive at all. i use the cerave cleanser and moisurizer and exfoliate 2 times a week. if you need to, use more but be careful it aligns with your skintype! brush your teeth two to three times a day, use a tongue scraper, chew gum, go to the dentist/orthodontist, whiten your teeths.

experiment with personal style. this includes hair, fashion, makeup, accessorizing, music, etc... don't follow trends if it's not what you actually like. have fun with it (for example, go shopping with your friends and try on stuff you would never glance at!)

shave your body. i personally use an epilator on my legs and a shaver under my arms. my mama advices me to not shave my arms or on my tummy, but honestly do what you think is best here.

pluck your eyebrows. i only pluck hairs that is going "outside" the shape of my eyebrows and just keep them looking mantained.

keep your nails clean. don't bite and don't get dirt underneath them. you can also polish them but you obviously don't have to.

these things are usually more expensive

get your nails done. in my experience it is around the €40-€80 to get them done in a salon. at home it's way less expensive because you only have to buy the equipment once and can use it for more than one time. i prefer doing them at home!

get an eyelash lift. i have gotten an lift for €35 but i've also seen people paint and lift them for more. it basically just lifts up your eyelashes and makes it look like your wearing mascara 24/7.

fake tan your body. i honestly have never done this, but after research, i found out it isn't damaging to your skin at all. you can buy self tanner at your local drugstore and at tanning salons.

Small things that changed my life

Complimenting people. If you think someone looks good, tell them!!

Prioritising self-care!! I always do my nails, take care of my hair, skin-care. Non-negotiable.

Taking more pictures. Capturing all the little fun and lovely moments and being able to look back at them is one of my favourite things!! <33

Making time to call my friends/family. Catching up with my friends or my Mom, who travels for work, is a must!!

Finding hobbies that don't include my phone or computer. Reading, baking, working out, shopping, journaling, making collages, planning outfits <3

Stretching and working out regularly. Feeling good and looking good? Win-win.

Smiling more. Forced happiness. Kinda like manifesting, lol..

Listening to more music. I always listen to music. Life is a movie; obviously, you need a soundtrack??

Going on long walks. I started two years ago when the whole 'hot girl walk' thing was trendy, and now I can't live without it!! I look forward to my walk all day long lmao.

Hydrating >>> exfoliating. I used to exfoliate my face every day… big mistake… HYDRATION.

Annotating. I've always been an avid reader, but annotating my books has completely changed my reading experience. Love it!!

Self obsessing. In a good way. I'm so in love with myself and you should be too. <33

As always, please feel free to share your own little tips in the comments; I'd love to read them!! <3

“YOU’RE NOT STUCK — YOU’RE JUST A LAZY PROCRASTINATING BITCH.” 🐆🥂🩶

so you wanna enter the void, manifest your dream life, get rich, be hot, and have people obsessing over you, BUT YOU CAN’T EVEN GET YOUR LAZY ASS TO DO THE WORK? be fucking for real. you’re out here acting like you have a real problem when, in reality, you’re just avoiding shit like a weak little dumbass.

ive noticed a pattern—y’all aren’t actually “struggling” with the void or manifestation. you’re struggling with your own laziness, your own excuses, and your own weak-ass discipline. and honey, if you don’t fix that, you’re gonna stay exactly where you are: broke, lost, and watching others live the life YOU could’ve had.

“WHY YOU PROCRASTINATE (and how to fix your dumbass behavior.)” 🪩

you keep telling yourself, “oh, I’ll do it tomorrow” or “i just need to be in the right mindset” BITCH, TOMORROW IS A LIE. you will NEVER feel “ready.” the motivation you’re waiting for? It doesn’t fucking exist. action comes BEFORE motivation. you don’t feel motivated THEN do the work. you do the work, THEN the motivation comes. you either force yourself to start, or you stay stuck like a dumbass.

** FIX IT: use the 3-second rule. the second you think about doing something, count down from 3…2…1… and just start.

“YOURE ADDICTED TO AVOIDANCE — BECAUSE YOURE WEAK AS FUCK.”

you “just can’t bring yourself” to do it? so what, bitch? do it anyway. your problem isn’t a lack of ability. it’s a lack of discipline. youre more comfortable avoiding things than actually fixing your life. WEAK BEHAVIOR. you’d rather scroll for hours and waste time than take 10 minutes to get your shit together. PATHETIC. you think avoiding the work makes life easier? NO, BITCH. IT MAKES IT HARDER. Now you’re stuck, overwhelmed, and hating yourself.

** FIX IT: use the 10-minute trick. tell yourself, “i’ll just do this for 10 minutes.” 10 minutes is nothing. but once you start? you’ll keep going.

“YOURE MAKING SHIT SEEM HARDER THAN IT REALLY IS.”

you “don’t know where to start”? oh, it “feels overwhelming”? BITCH, YOU’RE LYING TO YOURSELF. you’re making it seem like a big, scary process so you can justify not doing it. the void? lay down and shut up. THAT’S IT. manifestation? assume it’s done. move on.

** FIX IT: break shit down into small steps. instead of saying “i need to manifest the perfect life,” say, “i need to affirm for 5 minutes.”

“YOURE LETTING YOUR FEELINGS CONTROL YOU LIKE A WEAK BITCH.”

“but i don’t feel like it…” BITCH, NOBODY CARES. if you only do shit when you “feel like it,” congrats, you’re gonna stay a failure forever. successful people don’t wait to feel inspired. they get up and fucking do it ANYWAY. if you let your emotions control you, you are a SLAVE to your own weakness.

** FIX IT: when your brain says “i don’t feel like it”, respond with “i don’t give a fuck” and DO IT ANYWAY.

PLEASE tell yourself nice things!!

Go to bed telling yourself nice things, "I had an AMAZING day today." "I am thriving" even if in the physical reality you had the worst possible day, YOURE GONNA FLIP THE SCRIPT and tell yourself that you had the most AMAZING day,

Wake up in the morning telling yourself nice things "I am beautiful" "I am happy and healthy" "I am abundant". When you're at work/school tell yourself nice things "I am prosperous" "everything is ALWAYS working out in my favour" "whatever I want I get 10x better" "God has my back" ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS!!!

check in with your mental diet every single moment of the day. Because I can't stress this enough, THE MOMENT I stopped talking Ill about me and saying nice things to myself whenever I caught myself saying things that disapproved of my self worth, I flipped the dialogue exactly the positive of that. And I promise you, each and every single time you do this, even the littlest of "flipping your internal dialogue" will build up to your confidence.

The moment I started doing this, my hair grew thicker, my skin got clearer, my confidence got higher, people started to complement my aura, even teachers were complimenting my beauty. I caught MULTIPLE men wanting to have a chance with me ( but I'm sooo picky of who I allow into my life and I'm gonna get to that on my next post) EVERYTHING started to align FOR ME as if life was happening THROUGH ME. animals started to love me more, my cats got closer to me, birds started to live with me, I GOT SPECIAL PRIVILEGES from around me. When I say FLIP YOUR INTERNAL DIALOGUE? I'm not even kidding guys. Even my grades got up!? TRY IT!!

beginner pilates routines

* i’ve made posts about some beginner pilates routines in the past, but i keep getting asks so i thought i would just make a masterlist for you guys!

۫ ⋆ ࣪. ୧ ♡ ୨ ִ ۫ ⁎ . ۫ ⋆ ࣪. ୧ ♡ ୨ ִ ۫ ⁎ . ۫ ⋆ ࣪. ୧ ♡ ୨ ִ ۫ ⁎ .

10 minute full body hourglass pilates by lidia mera

10 minute full body hourglass pilates by lidia mera

10 minute everyday full body hourglass pilates by lidia mera

10 minute waist pilates by shirlyn kim

10 minute everyday hourglass pilates by lidia mera

15 minute full body pilates by lidia mera

15 minute pilates for beginners by flow with mira

15 minute beginner pilates for weight loss by rachel’s fit pilates

20 minute gentle beginner pilates by flow with mira

20 minute express pilates workout by move with nicole

20 minute full body pilates by isawelly

20 minute hourglass full body pilates by lidia mera

25 minute full body beginner pilates by move with nicole

30 minute full body workout by move with nicole

30 minute pilates for beginners by move with nicole

30 minute pilates and stretch by livaligned pilates

30 minute full body hourglass pilates by lidia mera

30 minute gentle pilates flow by move with nicole

30 minute full body workout by move with nicole

30 minute pilates for beginners by move with nicole

35 minute gentle pilates by move with nicole

35 minute beginner pilates by move with nicole

stop ignoring yourself, you’re meant to live.