Want to hear something silly? Three weeks ago I started my email list. And for the past three weeks, it’s been one of my weekly goals to share the link to my list on all my social media platforms. Nothing committal, just a quick post on my Instagram and Snapchat stories and maybe a short … More What To Do When That Next Step Forward Feels Impossible
Name your passion. I know you have one. Are you passionate about reading? Your Etsy shop? Knitting sweaters for your grandkids? Do you have a passion that could be a career, if all the stars aligned? Maybe in a dream realm, your love of basketball could be a profession. Or perhaps you love making jewelry … More Goal Anxiety: 3 Ways to Refocus on Your Journey
<<<Look at those 'lil fish. You can see their brains. … More Passionate People are Nerds at Heart
Let me lay out my current landscape for you. I sit here, sipping the hot tea smuggled out of the dining hall on my college campus, writing a post on my self-development blog while all around me my plans fall to ashes. I’m majoring in creative writing and psychology with no clear roads in front … More 6 Fears That May Be Holding You Back From Your Passion
Have you ever seen The Office? It’s this super cringey TV show about a paper company… and it goes on for nine seasons. I’m reminded of this one scene in Season 8, episode 19 where one character, Nellie, finagles her way into a job she didn’t earn or was well-equipped for. Her explanation is “anything … More Everything is Random: Luck’s Essential Role in Pursuing Passion
How many times have you identified yourself by your job? “I’m an engineer.” “I’m a nurse.” “I’m a journalist who writes the sports column.” How many times have you identified yourself by your hobbies or passions? “I’m an artist.” “I’m a writer.” “I’m a basketball player who carries the whole team.” Do you identify yourself … More Who You Are vs. What You Do
To preface this, I haven’t miraculously solved my burnout since the last time I mentioned it (which, let’s be honest, was probably last week). I’ve written other posts before about burnout (within the last two months: “5 Reasons Why Consistently Resting is Better Than Productivity” and “Coping With Zero Inspiration”) and most of my advice … More What a Season of Burnout Has Taught Me About Finding Joy
Today, I’m starting something new (and maybe a little strange). After every season, I write a review of what happened during that period of time – accomplishments, events, goals for the next season. It’s a mini update on my life and a measurement of self-growth. After all, calling this blog “The Paper Trail” has a … More 4 Books That Highly Influenced My Writing
A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a friend about my writing. I told her I was hesitant to work on another novel because I didn’t want to write a whole new book… only for it to be done. Only for it to sit on my computer, useless. Not edited (I always give up … More Having Passions Without a Point
At the mature age of twelve, I decided I was going to be an author. Well… at the mature age of ten, I decided I wanted to be an author (and even thought up a whole publishing company scheme with my friend), but it wasn’t until seventh grade that I actually wrote any of my … More It’s Okay to Not Know (A Message Mostly for Me)
The Paper Trail 