From the journal — Fall edition
new beginnings, having new routines, the start of uni classes, fall season, bites from my 20s and more.
‘from the journal’— a small space dedicated to my life updates, a personal reflection on my life, thoughts, and experiences, offering an intimate glimpse into the moments and musings that shape my days.
Hi friends! I'm finally back to fill your reading time, this time with the second episode of ‘From the Journal.’ I took some days to start organizing my life and various commitments in order to keep everything under control.
I took about a week off to settle in and clear my thoughts. Now, that university classes have started, I have less time to actually sit down and write, which is why it’s important for me to organize things well, so I don’t neglect anything.
Last week, autumn finally arrived, and I couldn’t be happier. Nothing brings me more joy than the autumn season with its cozy colors, scents, and magic. Autumn fills me with motivation, which is a positive thing, giving me the right energy to start this new chapter of my life.
So, here’s a glimpse into what is and will be my early autumn journal, full of reflections and thoughts on ‘new beginnings.’
Mindscape
Uni updates: My uni master's journey has just begun, and it excites and scares me at the same time. I’m fully aware that this new degree will require three times the effort to give my best—new professors, new university peers, new faces, and new courses. I’m excited because, for the very first time, I’ll be studying something I’m truly interested in, something that I want to be my future: media and culture (spoiler: I’m still unsure, and my ideas are a bit scattered, but for now, this path feels closest to what I want to pursue once I finish my studies).
Luckily, I have friends by my side who will accompany me on this new journey. We’ll support each other, and that reassures me a lot. I’m super excited to meet new people who share similar interests with me, and I really hope I can break the ice from the start (my shyness in high school didn’t help me at all, so I’m hoping things will be different this time).
Negative Perspectives: As i said in my last post, this summer I faced some not-so-pleasant moments, mentally speaking. I have been and still am a victim of intrusive thoughts that often bring down my mood. However, I am fortunate to have fantastic people by my side who can bring a smile to my face. It's normal to feel down and have negative thoughts that only hinder us and throw obstacles in our way, but it's important to accept and internalize them to discover the solution and overcome them. I am someone who believes first and foremost in the power of thought energy, and how it can be influenced by negativity or positivity of that energy. I try not to dwell on it too much most of the time, but believe me, this is not easy at all. It's easier to focus on and give importance to the negative things and what we haven't yet achieved, rather than the positive things we have in our lives. I know it's tough, but that's the truth, at least for me.
New Beginnings: And it’s exactly from these thoughts that my desire to challenge myself is born. With the start of my master's degree, a new chapter in my life has automatically begun—new colleagues, a new roommate, new friends. It’s the novelty that motivates me to step out of my comfort zone, which has always held me tightly, a refuge away from problems. But life must be lived and faced, whether it’s calm or full of turbulence. These new beginnings are leading me down the path I hope is right for me. I’ve met new people with whom I hope to build a beautiful friendship, and at the same time, I’m rediscovering parts of myself that I used to take for granted.
This Sunday, I went to the Mugello Circuit, a motorsport racetrack located in Tuscany. It hosts various racing events, including MotoGP and endurance races, set against a scenic backdrop of hills and forests. What I went to see was the ELMS (European Le Mans Series), a 4-hour race featuring four different categories of cars competing simultaneously. For a few months now, I’ve been slowly getting into motorsport, and this was my second time at the ELMS, with the first being this July. It was definitely a beautiful experience, different from the usual, immersed in an environment I still struggle to fully understand but beginning to appreciate
On Sunday, October 6, I will be participating in something really exciting, a cozy morning at the cinema. You might be wondering what that is, so let me explain. For a few months now, I’ve become a regular customer at a cinema in Modena—a surreal place that offers a 360-degree cinema experience. The cinema in question is the Victoria Cinema in Modena, which I highly recommend visiting if you ever find yourself in the area.
It’s a multiplex that not only allows you to watch films in theaters but also organizes themed premieres with goodies, events for cinephiles, meet-and-greets with writers, themed drinks based on current films, and, most importantly, cozy mornings. This special event includes a delicious breakfast themed around the film (in my case, The Devil Wears Prada) followed by a screening with personalized goodies. I swear I'm so hyped and will never stop talking about this fantastic cinema. I’ll keep you updated :)
What I’m enjoying
Since this column aims to provide a glimpse into my diary, it's only right to share with you the things I've been enjoying the most lately, which I will explore further in a new column that is coming soon (stay tuned!).
Fragrant waters: For months now, I've been looking for light scented body mists—not exactly expensive perfumes, but rather affordable fragrances to use daily. I recently purchased the Cosy Vanilla Eau de Toilette No. 34 from Stradivarius, a blend of sweet and spicy scents, perfect for the autumn season.
Taking care of my hair has become a must for me, especially now that I’ve discovered my hair care routine. Two products that are essential on my shelf are: Garnier Fructis Aloe Vera Hair Food, which I use right after showering, and Garnier Fructis Hydra Ricci Air-Dry Cream. Finish it all off with a hairdryer and diffuser, and you're good to go!
The Ordinary has always been one of my favorite skincare brands, thanks to its simplicity and authenticity in both packaging and the message it conveys. I admit that I have strayed away from their products, which I don’t use as often in my skincare routine anymore, but I recently purchased their hydrating hyaluronic acid, perfect for protecting the skin from the cold temperatures of the autumn and winter seasons. Do you have any advices for skincare? Which are your favourite skincare products? Let’s talk about it in the comment!
I’m becoming increasingly familiar with the reality surrounding the world of advertising and marketing, and I’m discovering many new, cool brands and companies, including 'Toilet Paper'." a contemporary art brand founded by Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari, known for its vibrant and surreal visuals that blend fine art with commercial design. The brand produces a range of products, including magazines, home goods, and fashion items, all characterized by bold colors, whimsical imagery, and a playful juxtaposition of everyday objects with absurd concepts. Their products are absurd and extremely interesting; I recommend you check them out. If you know of any others, let me know in the comments—I’m super curious!
That's all for today, and I truly hope you found this a pleasant read. It’s always nice to catch up and chat a bit. This week, I plan to post two more new entries (including a new column hihi), so stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox ;)
I greatly appreciate the support you give me each time. It means a lot to me, and my heart warms every time I read your messages in the comments. Thank you to everyone who reads and supports me! We’re almost at 200; it still feels unreal, and it’s all thanks to you xx.
As usual, I look forward to hearing from you in the comments. Update me on your current interests, your new discoveries, your skincare routine, or anything else you want to share—I’m always here, ready to read your messages :)
See you soon,
—Michela.
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