My fight with Adult Acne

I remember it like it was yesterday (though in reality it was 10 years ago)...

I was in college while simultaneously working a fulltime retail job (bless you past Rachel) and (at the risk of sounding braggy,) the compliments on my skin by strangers were a regular occurrence. To be REALLY honest, I didn’t get the hype….until my skin was no longer clear, smooth, and soft.

Just as clear skin was once my norm, so became my inflamed, hormonal cystic acne ridden chin and cheeks. Almost overnight I developed adult acne (I would later discover it as a result of living with PCOS) and was suddenly self conscious in a way I’d never experienced before!

And better yet, I had zero time or knowledge to fix it.

June 8, 2021June 8, 2021 by Ditch the Clique the blog

Inspiration in Ordinary Things: Music Edition

I have over 30 Spotify playlists, and that’s only counting the public ones. I dove into the world of music and making playlists during quarantine last year, but I honestly can’t imagine my life without my music obsession. It’s a creative outlet, helps me destress, and fuels SO MUCH of my inspiration.

Music is powerful because it can make you feel ANYTHING.

It’s almost embarrassing how many times I’ve cried to a breakup song even though I’ve never been in a relationship, but somehow, Taylor Swift always makes me relate to her struggles. Songs can make you cry, yes, but they can also put you in the right mood to do work and create something too! They can inspire you to write, dance, or drop everything and travel. If you don’t believe me, just listen to the song “Sleep on the Floor” by The Lumineers. How can you NOT want to take a road trip after that?

May 7, 2021May 7, 2021 by Ditch the Clique the blog

How to Find Confidence and Inspiration with Kayla Boyd

Kayla Boyd, Buzzfeed shopping editor and curvy blogger, has never not forged her OWN path!

Dreaming up her own major in college, and spending her entire life in Michigan, Kayla had SERIOUS goals for herself. So it’s no surprise she set her post-grad eyes on New York City!

After completing her masters in art journalism at Syracuse University and TWO internships in the city, Kayla was hired by a small publication as a lifestyle reporter. Her dream FINALLY felt alive as she wrote about everything from body positivity to Kardashian news.

But getting into the groove of New York City life was difficult for Kayla. With a mice-infested apartment and 5+ roommates, it took her a LONG time to feel comfortable there! But over time NYC grew on her (I mean, how could it not?). Her next career move took her to the commerce team on The Today Show, which quickly led to her current job at Buzzfeed as the shopping editor.

March 18, 2021February 1, 2021 by Ditch the Clique the blog

5 Tips for Staying Motivated During a Mental Health Crisis

by April Hooper

My hands are shaking.

Maybe it’s the nerves and anxiety coursing through me (or maybe it’s just the coffee). Either way, when I’m feeling anxious or sad and my mental health is NOT at its best, getting work done is almost impossible. My creativity plummets, and my motivation hides like a good find at a thrift store. I take ANY opportunity to distract myself with Netflix or social media (TikTok is my weakness).

Somedays, having low productivity is okay; we ALL deserve a break every now and then. But other days, we need a little spark of inspiration, a push in the right direction. If that’s how you’re feeling, then you’ve come to the right place…

My first tip to combat the motivation void is this:

February 25, 2021February 25, 2021 by Ditch the Clique the blog