Let’s talk the real issues here: If we are being entirely honest with ourselves, we will soon realise that society treats women not only unequal but also with a ludicrously low level of respect. As long as I can remember, the male gender has always been associated with strength, confidence and perseverance. Attributes that are generally attached to women, however, reflect an image I consider rather questionable. Obviously, being kindhearted and loving are characteristics of a human being that are undeniably delightful and can only be wished for, but shouldn’t being kind be something everyone should be anyway? 

If not born into a family with the right mindset that teaches their daughters that they are just as strong, powerful and persistent as mentioned male gender, girls are much too often raised being taught that their mind is less important than their looks. Because looks apparently make girls and women into what they are. Unfortunately and sadly enough, it is not surprising that such a state of mind hasn’t vanished off the earth yet because one look at what is presented to us on a golden plate everyday via various media sources opens one’s eyes immediately. Human mankind is manipulated into believing that people have to look a certain way, otherwise they are not considered pretty. People with glasses or braces are bullied and ridiculed as being different or ugly or weird and on the other hand there’s models on social media being praised for wearing invisible braces they don’t need and fake glasses they don’t need either. Because it’s cool. Because it looks good when you’re popular and famous. Meanwhile, a fourteen year old teenager cries herself to sleep because she feels different and people avoid her because she looks like a nerd. Because she wears glasses and likes books more than she likes humans. And apparently liking the nerds isn’t cool. Being cool is important these days. 

No. It isn’t. What is really important, is ourselves, and everything we are, with all our weaknesses and flaws and chubby tummies and spots and noses that are too big or too pointy or too small. With all our moles and freckles and crooked teeth and bad eyes. 

What is being cool anyway? Being cool is to embrace not only yourself as a person but also the things you enjoy. It took me a long time to stop caring what other people thought about me and the things I like doing most and it made me a much happier person. Once you realise that the way you are is exactly the way you should be, your confidence will find its way to you all by itself. It’s a gradual process that can’t be reached overnight. It takes time and the realisation that the world out there isn’t always the way it’s presented. 

My Life Advice:

Make a list. Whenever someone or something makes you feel bad about yourself take that list and add one thing that you like about yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s something about your looks or a character trait, write it down. Even the tiniest things on the list are relevant because every time the list will grow longer and one day you’ll realise that everything about you is amazing, and beautiful. Humans aren’t required to be perfect in any way. As long as we do what makes us happy, it will reflect in our behaviour and suddenly the world’s opinion won’t matter anymore. You’ll find yourself needing the list less and less, I promise.

Because in the end, we’re all queens inside as long as we embrace them. 

Because fitting in isn’t important. BEING UNIQUE IS.

Adulting can be really hard at times and suddenly one is confronted with all different kinds of responsibilities that you didn’t really asked for but are still required to fulfil in order to live life on a daily basis. While working 9 to 5 jobs and trying to keep their lives at least somewhat organised, people sometimes forget that it also takes a bit of relaxation time for a human being to lead a healthy life. We get so caught up in our daily routine that what is broadly known as mental hygiene, meaning things that keep us mentally healthy and happy, is too often brushed off as irrelevant - which it certainly isn’t.

In my first weeks of working full time I realised that my body and mind wasn’t used to being demanded constant attention and I tended to come home feeling utterly exhausted and mentally as well as physically drained. I was so caught up in succeeding in the job I love that I completely lost track of the amount of work I was loading onto myself and the little amount of time I let myself have to just take a step back, let my body relax and just breathe. 

It took me two months to completely adjust and it took me just as much time to figure out what my body needed. It doesn’t matter if you’re a uni student, at school, working a job or multiple things of the above, taking care of yourself is essential. Which is why today’s post is gonna be a guide to not lose track of what is important. Your own mental health. The motto that always comes along with this is: LET YOURSELF HAVE THINGS.

1. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

Your body always knows best what you need at certain moments. If your body signals you that you’re tired and need a rest, just DO IT and lie down for 20 minutes. If your body tells you that you need a day off because you haven’t slept properly in days, call in sick and spend a day in bed, I promise it’ll do wonders to your mental and physical health. No one’s going to get fired for being sick every once in a while when you come back well rested continuing to do an amazing job. 

2. LET YOURSELF HAVE BREAKS

Sometimes when you’re on a run and everything seems to work smoothly and you have thousand tasks to get done with in one day, you forget to take a step back and take a breath for five minutes. Don’t do that, let yourself enjoy a break or two throughout the day simply to let your body relax and lose tension. 

3. ENJOY YOUR SOCIAL LIFE

Don’t let work, uni or school take over your life. Education is important and so is earning money but a social life is just as important. Meeting up with people you like, doing things you enjoy is basically the #1 medicine against every kind of daily emotional struggle we might have to face every once in a while. If you think you don’t have the time to get out and socialise, invite friends over and work on things together. Pain and homework are always better shared than dealt with alone.

4. DON’T LOSE TRACK OF YOUR DIET

When you’re working full time or are at uni all day, losing track of your diet is not only tempting but also ridiculously easy. There’s at least one person each day that shows up with cakes or sweets or other tremendously delicious but nutritiously crappy stuff and as you don’t wanna be rude you’ll eat it. Always. Having cake once in a while won’t ruin your diet but it’s important to balance things out which is why I suggest meal preps and delicious, yet healthy snacks such as fruit, veggies and nuts to get through the day. 

5. TIME OFF DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE LAZY

I know that many people think if they let themselves have a snuggly lie in every once in a while or stay in bed for a whole day they are immediately considered lazy. That’s ridiculous. Taking time off to just chill and let yourself do nothing doesn’t mean you’re a lazy person that will never amount to anything. On the contrary, being well rested will obviously contribute to your level of performance and will make you be a lot more attentive and able to get a lot more work done. So, breaks are cool.

6. GUILTY PLEASURES ARE HEALTHY

As I mentioned in point 4, having sweets or fast food every once in a while won’t make your diet plummet downhill, it’s all about the balance. And if your guilty pleasure are TV series or knitting scarves in your free time, GO DO IT, it’s HEALTHY, life isn’t supposed to revolve around work and uni.

7. DON’T FORGET YOUR INNER CHILD

When we grow up, we often lose the innocence with which we used to look at the world in our early years. The simplest of things seemed to be the most amazing experiences and ordinary incidents would feel magical. Sometimes this innocent perspective makes you realise that even in an environment full of anger, greed and corruption there’s still a beautiful world lying beneath. Being childish and letting yourself forget all responsibilities from time to time does not only keep you grounded but can also make you feel more alive. You’re never too old for ball pits or bouncy castles. Embrace your inner child.

8. SLEEP IS AMAZING …

Well, this is pretty self explanatory. Sleep enough and you’ll be a happier and more relaxed person.

9. … BOOKS ARE TOO

Let’s be honest, nothing’s more relaxing than getting lost in a story written on white pages. 

And last but not least:

10. DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

Whole Outfit (coat, headband, jumper, skirt, shoes): Zara

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Autumn has come and hit us with its most beautiful colour and to be quite frank, I do think that this year’s autumn is one of the most beautiful ones I’ve experiences in a while. The intensity of colours and the variety of red and yellow shades is astounding and I am often left speechless on my way to work when I drive down an avenue being surrounded by what seems like being nature’s fire. 

And while the world explodes into warm colours it is also time again for one of my favourite clothing item: Sweater. I cannot think of anything better than cuddle up in a cozy sweater and just be surrounded by the warmth of comfortable fabric. But because sweaters are omnipresent from October onwards one might get a little bored after a while, which is why I love experimenting with unusual cuts and extroverted prints.  

Even though the sweater isn’t in a vibrant colour it still attracts attention due to the puffed sleeves and the shimmery fabric that subtly sparkles in the sunlight. Combined with a pair of combat boots it’s a perfect look for fall days spent outside, enjoying the last warm rays of sunshine before the winter. A time for all things pumpkins, an almost unhealthy amount of tea and cuddly blankets which I thoroughly enjoy.

I also want to introduce you to a new member of the Style Polaroid - team, my new photographer and friend Raphael Nast, who is a young talent that still needs to be discovered. I enjoy working with him to the fullest as he turns work into leisure time.

(pictures are ©TheStylePolaroid 2017)

Each society is shaped by people. People with beliefs, dreams, visions and good (and bad) intentions. But what if people have created a society that has entirely shifted away from something generations have been trying to work towards eagerly? We're living in a world in which standing up for equality amongst all living creatures and the rise of women has become an omnipresent goal of those supporting these ideas and has created communities taking all their chances. But does working for something including such a positive message mean to cross boundaries which shouldn't be crossed and does it have to involve using methods of conflict that entirely defeat the purpose of an idea that is supposed to spread positivity, raise awareness and display the power of the individual in a non-violent way – because verbal violence is as destructive as causing someone physical harm.

Women are strong, independent, smart and full of enlightening, impressive ideas and positivity – and so are all the other groups of people who are seemingly forgotten. The ones trying to make their voices heard shouldn't have to level down to those trying to make them fail, because no one should have to lower their pride by forgetting who they are just to make those who are simple-minded understand. Our society preaches about strong words such as feminism and equality and wants to make women finally get the respect they deserve, but our dignity, our pride and our wisdom shouldn't get lost along the way. Simply because it would be the exact opposite of what this world is aiming for. The negative energy within a community is more toxic than attacks from the ones opposed to new ideas because a comnmunity poisoning itself is very likely to lose a fight. A movement that is supposed to stand strong and tall and make use of their knowledge and visions keeps weakening itself by their members attacking one another over irrelevant, small, individual differences in life-choices, battling each other verbally, forgetting that they are all part of the same team. Differences are natural, they define who we are as people but as a community one should work together as one. For a common goal, for equality, respect and acknowledgement in a world still defined and led by men. As a sister society. 

 Shirt: H&M; Jeans: H&M, Glasses: Quay Australia, Hat: ASOS, Shoes: River Island

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Shirt

Jeans

Glasses 

Hat

Shoes 

(pictures are ©TheStylePolaroid 2017, the brands are mentioned beneath the pictures, credits to the designers)

On Wednesday I had the pleasure to be invited to an amazing event called “Lillet Pique Nique d’Eté” hosted by the brand Lillet, who produce an alcoholic drink you can mix with other ingredients to create incredibly delicious summer drinks. The picnic was organised in order to present their latest creation “Mademoiselle Lilly”.

Already on arrival I was fairly impressed by the stunning location just outside the city, “Aiola im Schloss”. The event was supposed to be held outside but due to the unpredictable weather it was relocated to the first floor of the majestic building on a small hill. The room was decorated beautifully, with pillows spread across the floor and flowers creating a magical atmosphere. The guests were all dressed in white and everyone was fully enjoying themselves, appreciating the view from the balcony overlooking the green landscape and taking pictures in a corner, using polaroid cameras. 

The food and drinks that were served exceeded my expectations by miles and by adding Creme Bruleé and macarons to the menu it fit the theme of a French picnic in the countryside perfectly. 

On this evening I met lots of other bloggers from my home town, who I had an amazing time with and I enjoyed meeting people who I share a passion with. I will have linked their blogs below as the blogger scene is all about supporting each other and I genuinely loved spending time with those amazing girls.

My Cafe Au Lait

Miss Getaway

Black Beach Chair

Carries Lifestyle

La Katy Fox

• 
  
• 5 cl Lillet Blanc
• 8 cl soda
• 1,5 cl grapefruit syrup
• ice cubes
• grapefruit zest
• edible flowers

(pictures are ©TheStylePolaroid 2017, the brands are mentioned beneath the pictures, credits to the designers)