3 Lessons Harry Potter Has Taught Me

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that I'm a little obsessed with Harry Potter. The books, the movies, the theme park, basically anything Harry Potter related. As a younger girl, I've always heard this question: What is so great about Harry Potter? If you asked that question before, my answer to you is that the series teaches many life lessons. It provides a different world you can escape to. There are so many characters in the series, some of which you can relate to and others who you just despise. But this isn't about the characters I like or dislike, but how the Harry Potter series has affected my life and what it has taught me.

1) Love is the most powerful magic of all. 

This message is very clear throughout the whole series, starting from the Sorcerer's Stone and ending at the Deathly Hallows. Harry's mother had died to protect him, thus preventing Voldemort from killing him. This lesson is very true in the real world. Although, it may not necessarily be "magic", but love is powerful. 

2) Friends will always be friends. 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione have been through a lot in their school years. Sure, they have gotten in trouble together. Yes, there were points where they were angry at one another. But they have always remained friends. In the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry and Ron hated Hermione because she was bossy. In the Prisoner of Askaban, Ron was mad at Hermione because of her cat. In the Goblet of Fire, Ron was angry at Harry for not telling him that Harry put his name in the goblet. In the Half-Blood Prince, Hermione disliked Ron for a period of time because she was a bit jealous. My point is, that they have been through ups and downs, but managed to stay friends.

3) The villains may not look like villains. 

In other words, the people you may dislike might not be so bad if you get to know them. In the Harry Potter series, Harry hated Snape for most of his years in Hogwarts, but when he was about to die, Harry knew the truth--Snape, in reality, was not as horrible as Harry thought he was. I try to apply this to my own life. In other words, I try to focus on the positive side of people.

If you have not read Harry Potter yet (WHAT?!), I encourage you to read the series!

What is a lesson that Harry Potter has taught you? Leave it in the comments!

CityLover♡

3 Quotes From Successful People To Live By

Success is not found everywhere and it cannot be obtained easily. For everyone, the word "success" means a different thing. It may mean fame, wealth, power, or something else. I have created a list of a few quotes that I love and admire from successful people. You may have heard these before, but applying them to your life will make a bigger and better difference than just reading.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else." -Albert Einstein 
I believe everything in this quote is not only true in school or work, but it is true in life.

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeeded." -Michael Jordan
Perseverance is very crucial when thinking about success. Now, I'm 110% sure you've heard something like this before, and let's be real here: Giving up is easy. That's why many people do it. That's why I do it. But this is something we all need to work on. 

"We learned about honesty and integrity - that the truth matters...that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules...and success doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square." -Michelle Obama
This quote made me think about the idea of success. It's not something you get but it's more like a process. It takes time, just like any other process. It requires hard work and you learn different life lessons.

Like every other teenager out there, I want to be successful. Not necessarily for wealth or fame, but for the sense of accomplishment and I feel like the process will make me a better person, a better human being.

What does success mean to you? Let me know in the comments!

Thank you for reading!
CityLover♡

Picture source: http://beautifulwallpapersfordesktop.blogspot.com/2013/02/beautiful-sunset-wallpapers-downloads.html

5 Ways To Conquer Your Stress

For me, at this time of year, I get stressed out because of so many events and finals/exams. Whether you are a student or an adult, you have most likely been stressed out before. Stress can lead to several health problems like headaches, pain, sleep/eating disorders, mood swings, and more. Aside from all that, everyone gets stressed. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but too much stress is unhealthy for your lifestyle. If your stress can get out of control or if you feel like it is affecting your life, I hope my tips help you out. Remember: not all these tips will work for you, because everyone is different and everyone has their ways of conquering their stress.

Exercise 

Exercising helps me all the time; in fact, it makes me happier. Although the thought of running for half an hour may seem horrible to you, different forms of exercising can motivate you, depending on what you like. For example, I hate running, but doing ab workouts like sit-ups and playing dancing games on my game console drives me to exercise more frequently, therefore, getting rid of my stress.

Write

Another method I use to get rid of my stress is I write. I write whatever I have on my mind, whether it is three exams the next day, people who irritate me, or whatever. Sometimes, your best friend who listens can be an inanimate object, such as a journal. Writing can help you plan future events out, causing you to stress less.

Clean

Whenever I clean, I feel like I have my life together and everything just seems perfect. Cleaning is healthy for your body and your life. It can also increase productivity and helps you focus. Cleaning is also proven to be therapeutic for ones under stress. It may seem like a bore at first and you may even procrastinate, but trust me, once the cleaning is done, you will be proud of yourself and you will be much happier. 

Talk it out

If you aren't the journal type, talking it out helps tremendously. The best person to talk to should be someone who can listen and provide feedback. It can be a family member, friend, or parent. If you feel like it, talk to your pet! 

Do something you love

Take a break and do something you love! Draw, read, listen to music. Do something that will get your mind off of whatever you are stressing about. Don't overdo it, but for an hour, take a much needed break and relax. Afterwards, get your mind in productivity mode and do whatever needs to be done, and then reward yourself with another break! As for me, I love taking snack breaks or editing videos for a while.

Stress can be your worst enemy, but once you find your way to defeat your stress, you will be a happier person. Your overall health and well-being will be in good shape. And you can even help others take over their stress! I hope these tips helped you.

Do you have any ways to conquer your stress? Please let me know!

CityLover♡

  

Picture source: slowbuddy.com