GirlSpring’s Affirmation Wednesday is a weekly series that shares uplifting affirmations written by teen girls, for teen girls. These affirmations were created by girls who participated in the Girls at the Center Program, which was supported by a grant from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama in 2022 and 2024. Each Wednesday, a new affirmation is posted to help others feel seen, encouraged, and motivated to take on the week with confidence.

What makes it special is that the affirmations come straight from real girls who’ve been through it, sharing honest, heartfelt words that inspire others to keep going. It’s all about building a positive space where girls support each other, one powerful affirmation at a time

1. Be the best version of you.
2. You can do hard things. 
3. Listen to your heart. 
4. I am the head and not the tail. I’m above and not beneath. I’m the lender and not the borrower. 
5. I will treat myself with the same kindness I show others. 
6. Be yourself to the right people love you. 
7. People are proud of you. 
8. You will make the best out of life. 
9. Keep fighting. You will get there. 
10. You are success. 

The post GirlSpring Affirmation Wednesday appeared first on GirlSpring.

GirlSpring’s Affirmation Wednesday is a weekly series that shares uplifting affirmations written by teen girls, for teen girls. These affirmations were created by girls who participated in the Girls at the Center Program, which was supported by a grant from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama in 2022 and 2024. Each Wednesday, a new affirmation is posted to help others feel seen, encouraged, and motivated to take on the week with confidence.

What makes it special is that the affirmations come straight from real girls who’ve been through it, sharing honest, heartfelt words that inspire others to keep going. It’s all about building a positive space where girls support each other, one powerful affirmation at a time.

1. You were created by the eyes of perfection; you are uniquely art. 
2. You will never be too much or too little. 
3. Your worthiness is not half empty; you can overflow rivers. 
4. You have more knowledge than you allow yourself to realize. 
5. Younger minds have fresher thoughts; children are smart, too. 
6. You can’t spread your voice without deciding to speak first.
7. I am not defined by a number. 
8. You are worthy. 
9. Love yourself.
10. You are smart. 

The post Girl Spring Affirmation Wednesday appeared first on GirlSpring.

GirlSpring’s Affirmation Wednesday is a weekly series that shares uplifting affirmations written by teen girls, for teen girls. These affirmations were created by girls who participated in the Girls at the Center Program, which was supported by a grant from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama in 2022 and 2024. Each Wednesday, a new affirmation is posted to help others feel seen, encouraged, and motivated to take on the week with confidence.

What makes it special is that the affirmations come straight from real girls who’ve been through it—sharing honest, heartfelt words that inspire others to keep going. It’s all about building a positive space where girls support each other, one powerful affirmation at a time

1. You’re not just an artist, you’re what art is. 
2. If you don’t feel loved right now, you’re around the wrong people. 
3. There’s nothing wrong with how you dress; everyone’s style fits who they are. 
4. Your hair fits you; you rock anything. 
5. You’re weirdly amazing.
6. You try your very best. 
7. There’s no “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.” It’s done already. 
8. You are doing what your heart desires. 
9. There’s no such thing as “being too smart.” You are a scholar. 
10. You are gorgeous, inside and out. Your looks don’t define you.

The post Girl Spring Affirmation Wednesday appeared first on GirlSpring.

Check out more delicious and healthy recipes these recipe sites: Ambitious Kitchen & Allrecipes

And don’t forget to see our Girl Spring comfort food recipes!

The post 5 Things to Bake for When You’re Bored appeared first on GirlSpring.

GirlSpring’s Affirmation Wednesday is a weekly series that shares uplifting affirmations written by teen girls, for teen girls. These affirmations were created by girls who participated in the Girls at the Center Program, which was supported by a grant from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama in 2022 and 2024. Each Wednesday, a new affirmation is posted to help others feel seen, encouraged, and motivated to take on the week with confidence.

What makes it special is that the affirmations come straight from real girls who’ve been through it—sharing honest, heartfelt words that inspire others to keep going. It’s all about building a positive space where girls support each other, one powerful affirmation at a time

1. You will improve where you struggle. 
2. Your scars are beautiful. 
3. You are capable of all things that you put your mind to. 
4. I am beautiful. 
5. I am smart in many different ways. 
6. I am better at some things than others, and that’s okay. 
7. Nobody’s perfect, but you can always try to be the better person. 
8. You’re still growing. 
9. You’re made for a reason. 
10. Always be yourself. 

The post Girl Spring Affirmation Wednesday appeared first on GirlSpring.

Having trouble with your anxiety as of late? Those negative thoughts rolling in with the constant fear of going outside? This Self Love Recipe will help you combat these issues to succeed in a new mindset! 

Ingredients 

• 1 weighted blanket 

• 2 ½ cups of your favorite movies 

• 1 tablespoon of a new journal 

• 3 tablespoons of something sweet. If you don’t prefer something sweet, try to have your comfort meal on standby.

• 2 pinches of moments of reality 

• 1 phone 

• 4 cups of long deep breaths 

• 1 hot shower 

• 1 ½ cups of a good old nap

Directions 

• STEP ONE: Wrap yourself up into a weighted blanket to camp yourself down. On a day like this having a weighted blanket will help form a space of comfort of reassurance when there is no one else there to give it. 

• STEP TWO: Take out a piece of paper or any form of note taking and begin to write words of affirmations to combat the negative condensations you give to yourself. The journal will help with this, jotting down your thoughts and feelings will help you along the way. This serves as an outlet to regulate your emotions and give you a chance to give yourself grace. Not everything needs to be discussed with others, give yourself privacy.  

• STEP THREE: Declutter your life. Get rid of everything you’re holding onto that you don’t need nor want. This can be clothes, photos, schoolwork, or possibly random items. Sometimes items hold onto unwanted memories holding you back.  Now this is completely optional, but it would be good to delete social media or limit yourself as much as possible to limit comparing yourself. 

• STEP FOUR: Take a deep breath. Roll your shoulders back. Reflect. Everything is going to be alright. 

• STEP FIVE: Take a long hot shower then get comfortable within your safe space. This can be your room or simply your bed or any place in the house that has a TV or any transportable device. Wrap yourself in the weighted blanket from before and some covers and take a long nap. Sometimes that’s all we need to defeat our anxiety is to simply rest. And after doing a lot of self-care for the day and trying to rewire your mindset it’s necessary. 

The post A Recipe To Battle Anxiety with Self Love appeared first on GirlSpring.

Recently, many studies and doctors around the world are speaking on the topic of concerning vitamin deficiencies that disproportionately affect women and young girls. Vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Iron play crucial roles in our bodies, yet many individuals struggle to maintain optimal levels. This article explores the significance of these nutrients, why deficiencies are so common, and practical steps to boost these essential levels.

The Role of Vitamins D, B12, and Iron

Vitamin D

Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” Vitamin D is vital for supporting bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. It facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, ensuring strong bones and teeth. Moreover, it plays a role in preventing chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular issues, and even certain cancers.

Unfortunately, Vitamin D deficiency is widespread, especially among women who get limited sun exposure, have darker skin tones, or live in regions with little sunlight.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. A B12 deficiency can lead to fatigue, weakness, and cognitive impairments, as well as a form of anemia known as pernicious anemia. Vegetarians, vegans, and individuals with certain medical conditions like gastrointestinal disorders are particularly at risk.

Iron

Iron is indispensable for carrying oxygen through the blood and maintaining energy levels. Women, especially during menstruation, pregnancy, and postpartum periods, are at heightened risk of iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms of low iron include fatigue, dizziness, brittle nails, and pale skin.

Why Are Deficiencies So Common, and What Can We do about it?

1. Dietary Choices: Modern diets often lack nutrient-dense foods, with many opting for processed or fast foods over balanced meals. For optimal vitamin levels, be sure to eat a varied, colorful, and balanced diet. 
2. Health Conditions: Gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease can impair nutrient absorption. If you have these conditions, consult a trusted health professional for advice on managing vitamin levels. 
3. Life Stages: Pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause alter nutritional needs, making it harder to maintain adequate levels. During these stages, it is especially important to watch for symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. Be sure to seek out foods or nutritional supplements that contain essential vitamins during these times. 
4. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Limited sunlight exposure (for Vitamin D) and restrictive diets (for B12 and Iron) exacerbate deficiencies. Spending time in the sun and eating a balanced diet can help address this issue. 

The post Boosting Vital Vitamins: Addressing Deficiencies in Women and Girls appeared first on GirlSpring.

          Discover your hair type

Did you know there is such a thing as ‘hair types?’ While of course there is straight hair, wavy hair, and curly hair, there are subgroups within these main categories. See the various hair types below: 

Discovering your hair type allows you to know how to best take care of your hair, with the appropriate products and resources. Further, you can experiment with different hairstyles that compliment your type of hair. 

Click here to discover your hair type. 

           Eating healthy! 

Eating enough protein is key for your hair. In fact, your hair is primarily made up of protein. Aim to eat around 45 grams of protein daily, but protein intake depends on activity levels and the person. Examples of protein include lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, and low-fat dairy products. 

Be sure to eat enough zinc as well! A deficiency of zinc can lead to hair shedding. To avoid this deficiency, consume lots of vegetables, fruits, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and a plentiful amount of water!

Consuming enough omega can definitely improve your scalp health. Examples of foods with omega in them are cold-water fish, flax seeds, yogurt, cottage cheese, salad, and cereal. 

           Wash your hair less often

I know, it’s weird! You would think washing your hair often keeps it clean and healthy, but shampooing your hair strips it of its natural oils. Further, shampoo that is not fully rinsed from your hair leads to unhealthy buildup that makes your hair appear dull and lifeless. 

However, washing your hair a few times a week or month, depending on your hair type, is necessary to maintain oil balance. Using shampoos with clean ingredients (the fewer ingredients is typically better) is optimal for healthy hair. 

           Apply conditioner properly

Your natural oils at the top of the scalp naturally hydrate your hair, so avoid putting conditioner at the top of your hair. Instead, gently rub conditioner on the ends of your hair to hydrate the dry areas. 

          Avoid/Reduce Heat!

I am one of those girls who has used heat on her hair everyday, which isn’t great for your hair. Exposure to high heat can change the shape of your hair’s keratin strands, from ⍺-keratin to β-keratin. The hair becomes more brittle and easy to break. 

When heat is applied, the natural oils of your hair are stripped, the water molecules evaporate, changing the hair’s protein structure. The outer parts of your hair follicles crack and are more prone to breakage. Your hair cuticles have shingles that overlap, similar to a roof. When damaged, the shingles rise up and tangle in each other. 

Damaged hair often appears dull, frizzy, and your natural hair can lose its shape due to the heat damage. To prevent this damage, use heat protectants that work for your hair, reduce the amount of heat you put on your hair (2-3 times a week is optimal), and put heat on your hair when it is at least 50% dry. 

          Detangle hair before showering

Detangling hair prior to your shower will prevent you combing through tangles after the shower. When hair is wet, it is extremely fragile and can snap easier when it’s combed. So, taking care of the tangles before it’s wet is the right way to go. 

          Use a microfiber towel to dry your hair

For years, I used my regular towel and dried my hair with it. However, I read somewhere that using a microfiber towel can absorb excess moisture faster, eliminate frizz, and prevent damage to your cuticles. Using a regular towel and excessively rubbing your hair with the towel leads to weakened hair follicles. 

          Protecting your hair (when in the sun or swimming)

To avoid damaging your hair from the chlorine or UV rays, apply a leave-in conditioner or a hair mask before exposure. This minimizes the drying out of hair and long term damage. 

          Protect your hair at night

You spend half of your life asleep, and your hair is definitely impacted by it. To ensure it’s being taken care of at night, try to sleep on silk pillowcases to prevent breakage. Protective hairstyles such as loose braids or putting your hair up in a silk sleep cap will also keep your hair happy and healthy. 

          Get regular haircuts

Getting regular trims removes split/damaged ends that are unhealthy. If you have a short bob, aim to trim your hair every 3-7 weeks. If you have textured curly hair, try to cut it every 8-12 weeks, and at least every 12 weeks for long hair. 

I hope you found some of these tips helpful and useful! I’m definitely going to be giving them a try these upcoming months and I hope you will too! Leave some of your recommendations in the comments <3

For more hair care tips and tricks, check out Girl Spring contributor Makayla’s Personal Self Care Tips For You and Your Natural Hair!

The post Healthy Hair Tips And Tricks appeared first on GirlSpring.

Beginning of the Day:

My alarm rings at 6:00 A.M., and class is at 8:00 A.M.. I’m groggy, but I get up anyway because I need to give myself enough time to get ready, get something to eat, and still have enough time to walk to my class in a timely manner. The first thing I do is make my bed, and select a matching sweat suit to wear for the day. I then head to the bathroom to get ready. Doing these tasks everyday helps to wake me up, and get me in the right mood for going to class, and being productive throughout the whole day. Lastly, I select a pair of shoes for the day, and pack my bag making sure I haven’t forgotten anything. Then, I head out on my way to the dining hall for breakfast. 

On to Class:

On my walk to the dining hall, I’m in my own world jamming out to SZA’s S.O.S. album through my Beats headphones. It’s the best type of music when I am just waking up in the morning. In the dining hall, I meet up with a friend from my class. We talk and laugh together for about 30 minutes before we start walking to our class, which is located in the Alain Locke Hall. Although I am not looking forward to sitting through a lecture today, we have a test coming up, so I know I need to lock-in and focus.

After Class:

Once class is over I break free from the building, and I am hungry. It’s around 10:00 A.M., and I head to the Starbucks in downtown D.C. for an iced chai tea latte and a ham and cheese croissant. Ugh…that was kind of pricey, but I deserve it for making it through my class. I head back to campus and sit in the yard on a bench where the sun is shining, music is booming, and people are fellowshipping.

There is a group of guys selling campus merch, some Deltas are practicing their stroll for an upcoming stroll off at a midnight brunch party next week. It also appears that a father has brought his young teenage daughter to campus. As she takes in the scenery, there is aww and determination in her eyes. It reminds me of how I felt when I first stepped on this campus; I just knew it was where I was meant to be.

My Purpose:

This young girl reminded me of my purpose here. Of how I can better myself, and the school through this experience. Even though adjusting to young adulthood and independent living has been no small feat, I have learned and grown so much from this experience. It has taught me that failure only means growth and is essential to growth. Despite the fact that I want everything to work in my favor, I can’t always be in complete control of the way things turn out.

Mistakes are essential to me reaching my goals, and I am passionate enough about my goals that I am willing to go through all of the ups and downs that come along with the process. I also see a version of my younger self who wanted nothing more than to be on this campus, and I cut myself some slack because my younger self would be astonished by what I have accomplished thus far. I am so excited to see what the next two years of this college experience have in store for me.

Check out A Day in the Life In Birmingham here!

The post A Day in the Life of Morgan Durant appeared first on GirlSpring.

Giving Resolutions

It’s giving, resolutions? Not this year. New Year’s resolutions have been a thing since I was a kid, but what are they really? Empty promises on things we’ll do the upcoming year and the changes we’ll make to help ourselves. Yet, the most important part of this is remaining true to your word and staying committed to what you said you’d do.

You ever notice the hoards of people in the gym during the first week of January? Slowly, it dies down and the crowd fades, but the question is, what about you? You’ve gone every day and stayed consistent while these people haven’t. And that’s what we’re going to talk about.

It’s Giving, Commitment

Part of building yourself as you mature is staying true to yourself and never giving up, no matter what anyone else is doing. Pushing yourself to try new things and stick with them is a wonderful thing and definitely changes it up.

It’s Giving, Dedication

YOU are the most important part of your life, so take care of yourself! I used to tell myself I had zero time to stretch, go to the gym, meal prep, have hobbies, etc… but the truth is, when I managed my time and took the time to make changes in my day, I realized just how much time I really had. Wanting to do the things you said you’d do last year is so this year.

You’re Worth It

Mental health is important as well, especially going into the new year. As someone who takes mental health very seriously, I know it may be hard to get out of bed sometimes, or even take a shower. I don’t care if you’re not going anywhere, put on that makeup you’ve been thinking about and wear that cute outfit – even if it’s only for yourself, do it. Trust me, a little bit goes a long way for your self-worth and self-esteem.

Here’s some things I started doing that could give you ideas as well:

– Nighttime Journaling

– Listening to music before bed to unwind

– Making a to-do list or schedule of plans (This helps keep you on track)

– Stretching in your free time as an excuse to wear that cute gym outfit

– Start volunteering/helping out in your community

– Do something new you haven’t done in a while (challenge yourself, you’d be proud you did)

Reward Yourself

Shoutout to Girl Spring contributor Corra Maddox with her poem Grown up, because damn girl, that hit me deeply. Don’t grow up too fast, so make sure to reward yourself for the things you’ve done different! I don’t care how small it is, a win is a win and you’re a winner.

So go to Dunkin’ and get that drink, make yourself a super cute yummy snack, or buy yourself that cute thing you’ve been eyeballing for a while.

In the End, it Really Does Matter

All in all, resolutions mean nothing if you don’t act on them. Don’t bring empty promises into the new year, make that change and do it for yourself. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many things at once, so make sure you still enjoy being young.

I may not be much older than you girlies, but trust me, it’s fun being a kid – heck, I still am. Have fun with your goals and make them positive, don’t rush into being an adult, but most of all, do it for you.

You’re the most important person in your life, don’t forget that.

It’s giving, Girl Power.

Being mindful of yourself and your mental health is important starting the new year, so check out Girl Spring’s article on the importance of mindfulness this year.

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