Checking in & chatting about life
--> some reasons for the podcast hiatus, my thoughts on how to continue, craving change while also being afraid of it... and some other things

I miss you, podcast fam. I LOVE YOU!

46 | HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome to the first episode of 2024! Today we're reviewing my 2024 Ins & Outs list -- things, themes, ideas, etc. that I like for this year and ones I'm leaving behind to set the tone for a good year.

Links mentioned:
YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@HannahElise 
2023 Recap https://youtu.be/tUSBN1GcK-8 
"Let them" episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/38WHBBQ7arPQn5hEW37CMc?si=Kk_nw4fnRjW1UjLmpg4hVQ 

37 | THE LONDON RECAP (slash reflection) IS HERE! If you follow me on YouTube, you may have already seen the entire visual documentation of my trip (links below), but in today's episode, I wanted to sit down and tell you everything I didn't say in the videos. 

It's been far too long since I've recorded so we recapped a little & then got into my new favorite thing to talk about... my London trip. I wanted to use this episode to reflect on the trip, my feelings about it (good, bad, anxious), lessons I learned, and overall, how I felt about my first ever SOLO INTERNATIONAL trip. Enjoy. I love you x

LONDON VLOGS
Part 1 - https://youtu.be/cDhp3escMg8 
Part 2 - https://youtu.be/uy9HyG6ZdXk 

Personal IG - @hannahelisemaute
Podcast IG - @digitaldiarypod

36 | We're back with one of my favorite episodes - playing the We're Not Really Strangers card game!!! I LOVE doing these episodes because they allow me to reflect more and let you know more about me.

This week, we're talking love, connection, invincibility, self-love, and much more. Buckle up & get ready to get deep. ❤️

Personal IG: @hannahelisemaute
Podcast IG: @digitaldiarypod

35 | By definition, "negativity bias" is our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily but also to dwell on these events. If you've ever gotten multiple compliments but focused more on the one insult, that is negativity bias at work.

Why do we do this? Is this normal? Is it scientific, or a mindset? This week, we're diving deeper into the concept of negativity bias to try to understand it, and ourselves, better.

Resources:
https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/negativity-bias
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652533/
https://www.verywellmind.com/negative-bias-4589618#toc-where-negative-bias-comes-from
https://positivepsychology.com/3-steps-negativity-bias/#overcome

34 | Several months ago, when I was going through a bit of a rough patch, someone in my life told me that "growth comes in waves." In the time that has followed, this reminder has brought me so much peace, especially in uncertain times. This week, I wanted to share it with you. I love you xo

33 | I've been a certified fangirl since birth. I can't help it! This is my truth. So it'll come as no surprise that, when I got to meet Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley (Damon and Stefan, respectively, from The Vampire Diaries) at an event last week, I was losing my sh*t. 

As promised in last week's episode, this week I am bringing you the story of how I met Ian & Paul. I'm talking through exactly what went down, my reactions, and how it's made me think differently about being a fan in general.

YouTube vlog & storytime: https://youtu.be/2Hy1t6ZK9DI 
Personal Instagram: @hannahelisemaute
Podcast Instagram: @digitaldiarypod

32 | The grass isn't always greener on the other side; it's green where you water it. It's so easy to get caught up in comparison, wondering "what if," and questioning whether or not we're doing the right thing in life. No matter the situation, it's important to remember to water our OWN grass instead of looking around and thinking it's automatically greener elsewhere.

Personal IG: @hannahelisemaute
Podcast IG: @digitaldiarypod

31 | This week, we're discussing one of my favorite things - HOBBIES! I am such a strong believer that every person should have a hobby. I've compiled a list of 8 reasons why this is, as well as some tips on finding time for a hobby despite having a busy schedule. 

The bottom line? Hobbies benefit your well-being as a human, and you deserve to take care of yourself and enjoy life. I LOVE YOU!

Anything Goes hobbies episode: https://tinyurl.com/mwm5esau 

30 | Happy back-to-school season to those who celebrate! I am now two years post-college graduation, but I still miss back-to-school season and wanted to make a small contribution (and feel included) :') 

I feel that I accumulated a lot of knowledge during my college years that had nothing to do with academics, so today I want to share what I learned so you can avoid making the same mistakes as I did.

This week, I'm sharing my best advice and tips about college (and school in general). I'm covering topics like high school vs. college, college admissions advice, dealing with homesickness, getting comfortable and making friends in a new environment, school/life balance, my GOLDEN RULES for time management and mitigating stress, studying tips, and advice on transferring. 

As you can TELL, this is a long one, so clean your room, go on a drive, or just relax and let's hang out. <3

29 | WE'RE BACK! And we're in major need of an update. I wanted to do a little catch-up (think: calling your long-distance best friend to chat about life for the first time in a while) this week and fill you in on what's been going on in my life and in my mind. This episode is definitely all over the place but is also representative of my very unpredictable, daily inner monologue. 

We're covering being in a rut (& getting out of one), being a socially anxious people pleaser (& how to stop that), some of my current highs & lows, and more.

I LOVE YOU. Thank you for being here :)

28 | While researching how to get out of a riptide the other day (I'll explain), I realized how similar the process is to break out of an anxiety spiral. This discovery has been truly revolutionary for me, so today I want to share my discovery with you. 

I'm going to walk you through my new steps to break free from an anxiety spiral, as it relates to escaping a riptide, along with tips and experiences of my own. 

Podcast Instagram: @digitaldiarypod
Personal Instagram: @hannahemaute

45 | LET'S TALK ABOUT BOOKS! As we near the end of the year, I thought it would be fun to review the books that I read in 2023. I've talked about some of them here and there, but reading has grown to be one of my favorite hobbies so I wanted to dedicate an entire episode to recapping & reviewing the 19 books I read this year (so far, at least).

From psychological thriller, to rom-com, to FINALLY entering my fantasy era -- we covered a lot of ground this year and read some amazing books. Let's discuss. 

27 | A 20-minute reminder to check in with yourself today. It's way too easy to get caught up in our routines & work cycles, and we sometimes can forget to prioritize ourselves. This week, I wanted to encourage you to take intentional time to sit with and focus on YOURSELF & only yourself (keyword: intentional). 

This episode contains 6 simple prompts that you can use to get back in touch with yourself & how you're doing at this moment in life. Feel free to revisit this episode as often as you need to. 

ILY

26 | Just realized I'm posting an episode about independence on Independence Day (lol), BUT - this week, we're diving deeper into the art & power of DOING THINGS ALONE. I consider myself very independent and do (and enjoy doing) a lot of things alone. However, like most things in life, it didn't happen overnight. 

This episode is for anyone who is curious to start doing things alone & become more independent but is nervous about it at the same time. I got you.

25 | Lately, I've been realizing that so much of life is "playing the long game." I've been thinking about the different areas of my life and how some have progressed & given me more clarity, while others are left with question marks instead of clear destinations. This week, I wanted to dive into this concept of "playing the long game" in life, what it means to me, and why it's not a bad thing.

24 | How many times can I say "let them" in one episode? The limit does not exist.

I saw a post by Mel Robbins about the "let them" theory a couple of weeks ago, and it has genuinely changed my mindset, perspective, and life since. I think everyone can benefit from hearing this, so I wanted to share it with you all. I'm talking through what this theory/mindset means, its implications in my own life, and why I think it's so important.

Mel Robbins' podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Z2wR3WNIHlhJDELXNYcTi?si=PdDcEB7iSvSF5hU4wYDLuw 

23 | Happy Tuesday, friends! This week, we are back doing one of my new favorite things - playing the We're Not Really Strangers game. I first did this a few episodes back, and since then, I've discovered, ordered, and received their Anxiety expansion pack. So, of course... I'm back again with another installment of playing this game - this time featuring my new cards all about ANXIETY.

We're getting into a little life update about my new roommate and then deep-diving into anxiety, challenging anxious thoughts, reclaiming control and shifting focus, and some reflection prompts and reminders you probably need to hear.

WNRS Anxiety pack: https://www.werenotreallystrangers.com/collections/shop-all/products/anxiety-edition 

22 | Happy Tuesday, everyone! This week, we're diving into one of the topics I get asked about the most - making & maintaining friendships in your 20s/adulthood. I'm talking through why I feel like adult friendships can be more difficult, HOW to make friends in your 20s & how to maintain them, and some other general thoughts and tips on friendship. 

I'm also recapping my Taylor Swift Eras Tour MetLife N3 experience sitting basically front row, sharing some upcoming life updates & changes, and taking you through my brief history with friendships throughout the years.

Podcast IG: @digitaldiarypod
Personal IG: @hannahemaute

21 | This week, we have our VERY FIRST GUEST on Digital Diary -- MY MOM! We're talking about our first Taylor Swift concert experience (Eras Tour MetLife N1) and answering your wonderful questions about our relationship, how we're so close, favorite memories, and much more.

My Instagram: @hannahemaute
Podcast Instagram: @digitaldiarypod

20 | Welcome to the second installment of Dear Diary - my cute name for a q&a/advice session that I'm doing every ten episodes :) This week, we have a lot of hard-hitting topics to get into: post-grad confusion, my faith/religious background & journey, OCD and how I cope, my relationship with food, advice for incoming college students, & more. 

If you want to be a part of the next Dear Diary episode, be sure to follow @digitaldiarypod on Instagram and look out for the question sticker on a future story! 

19 | I'm a little late, but HAPPY SPRING! One of my favorite parts of the spring season is spring CLEANING. This week, I wanted to take you through my biggest rules for keeping my (small) space organized. I always feel better when my space is clean and organized, so let this be the motivation you need to get up and do the same for yours.

18 | You've probably heard of We're Not Really Strangers - the card game that helps you to form deeper connections with people. This week, I'm playing this game ~alone~ as a way to self-reflect and also open up a bit more to you. We're talking past relationships, people and feelings I miss, happy moments, painful ones, and more. Prepare to get deep and maybe even do some self-reflection of your own.
❤️
Idea creds: https://spoti.fi/3NU3vru 
WNRS game: https://www.werenotreallystrangers.com/products/not-really-strangers-card-deck 

44 | HAPPY HOLIDAYS, friends! This week, I wanted to bring you a very nostalgic holiday-themed episode as someone who had the pleasure of growing up in the early 2000s and experiencing some of the best Christmas vibes of all time.

From elementary school Santa Shops, to Christmas Eves at my grandparents', to waking up for presents at 4am, I'm recounting some of my favorite and fondest memories of Christmases past. I hope this episode conjures up some fond memories of your own, or just simply brings you joy. :)

17 | I'm someone who tends to build things up in my head and make them bigger than they are. The truth is - 95% of things are REALLY not that deep. This week, I want to talk about some mental blocks I've been having, deconstructing them, and reminding myself (and all of you) that it's rarely ever *that* deep.

Further reading:
https://www.oprah.com/inspiration/strategies-for-getting-unstuck?showall=1 

16 | I'M 24!!! This year was my golden birthday (I turned 24 on April 24th), so a recap episode is in order. This week, I'm taking you through my WHOLE birthday weekend-long celebration. I'm also talking through 24 lessons I've learned in my 24 years of life thus far - some deep, some not, but all valuable to me in one way or another.

15 | I've been feeling so uncertain lately - about money, relationships, my future ....really everything. The truth is, there is uncertainty to everything we do in life (except death and taxes, obviouslty). Today, I want to talk about some ways to manage these feelings, new perspectives to try, and why we should maybe even *accept* uncertainty altogether.

Sources:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/dealing-with-uncertainty.htm

14 | I've been thinking about this question a lot lately. It's one that was sparked by a recent conversation with a friend, where we talked about feeling like we were so much more creative as kids. This week, I'm diving deeper into this question -- what is actually going on, why this may be happening, and how we can counteract it.


Sources mentioned:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/19/opinion/sunday/what-happens-to-creativity-as-we-age.html
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.1700811114
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolyncenteno/2018/04/18/fear-shrinks-your-brain-and-makes-you-less-creative/?sh=623281bd1c6d
- https://hbr.org/2021/10/4-ways-to-spark-creativity-when-youre-feeling-stressed

13 | Today we're doing a FULL Europe trip recap! I just got back from being in France and Italy for about a week and a half, and today, I want to hash out allll the details of the trip. How it came about, how much things cost, what we did & our (loose) itinerary, and how I learned & grew from this trip, some crazy storytimes, & more.

Intro & life update (0:00-11:07). How the trip came about (11:07-14:49). Main costs (14:49-19:32). FULL TRIP RECAP & itinerary (19:32-1:12:54). what I learned & took away from this trip (1:12:54-1:25:16).

Airbnb links:
Paris
Naples
Positano

12 | Ahh, the age-old question - and one that I ask myself every day because I definitely don't feel like I do. I feel so much pressure, internal and external, to have everything figured out right now. But, does anyone ACTUALLY have their lives figured out? Or are we all just faking it 'till we make it?

11 | I recently had an epiphany about life that has made me start looking at things in a different way. Maybe you need to hear this, too.

10 | Welcome to Digital Diary's first ADVICE EPISODE! You asked, I answered.

9 | Discomfort is inevitable in life, especially considering that it is necessary for growth. Therefore, we need to EMBRACE the uncomfortable to step into our full potential. 
This week, we're chatting about what it means to embrace the uncomfortable, my journey to exiting my comfort zone, and why the greatest achievements require the most discomfort.

8 | It's safe to say we've all heard the phrase, "life is short." But, recently, I heard someone say the opposite - that "life is long" - and it really got me thinking. So, this week, I'm dissecting both of these mindsets, comparing and contrasting, and trying to figure out which one is right.
("So, what is the truth?" -Oprah Winfrey)

43 | HELLO FRIENDS. I've missed you, but I'm back! This week, I felt we desperately needed a catch-up moment so here we are. I'm recapping the last two weeks of my life & where I've been, telling you about my surprise second LONDON TRIP with my bestie, and other general life updates/plans for the remainder of 2023.

Cockroaches, London, Iron Flame... oh my.

Podcast IG: @digitaldiarypod
Personal IG: @hannahelisemaute
YouTube: @Hannah Elise

7 | HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, FRIENDS! This week, we're talking all about LOVE......... SELF-love that is. As we should. Let's chat through what self love IS and what it means, my personal journey to self-love, and some simple ways to show yourself love. I love all of YOU, today and every day!

6 | This week, we're talking about finding joy in the simple, everyday things in life and also "little things" that actually aren't little. This episode is quite the stark contrast to last week's, but there is a lil update on that at the beginning of this one. I hope these 40ish minutes can be an uplifting light in your day if you need one, and if you don't, then I hope you can smile along anyway :)

5 | Probably the most vulnerable I have ever been and will ever be on the internet. Today we’re talking heavily about mental health and, specifically, some things I’ve been going through lately that came to a head earlier this week. I feel really anxious even to share this, but if it has the chance to help even one person feel heard and less alone, it’s worth it to me.

4 | This week, I'm diving into a topic that I (and most of us, really) know all too well - comparison. To other people and their lives, to everything we see on social media, and even to ourselves sometimes. Comparison is the thief of joy, but we're taking our joy back.

3 | The Paradox of Productivity*: how “productive procrastination” actually decreases your overall productivity and makes you miserable — and what you can do about it.

I also would like to formally apologize for the extreme amounts of street noise, road rage, and children screaming (??) that were going on as I was recording this & that my microphone picked up. I will be changing my recording location next time to hopefully eliminate this, so pls bear with me as I’m still starting out. Thank you for listening & the info/sources I mentioned in the episode are listed below :)

Sources:
Lieberman, C. (2019, March 25). Why You Procrastinate (It Has Nothing to Do With Self-Control). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/smarter-living/why-you-procrastinate-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-self-control.html
Saline, S. (2022, June 12). ADHD and Productive Procrastination. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/on-your-way-with-adhd/202206/adhd-and-productive-procrastination
Inspiration for the title of this episode from The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz

Further reading:
The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done by Piers Steel

Podcast Instagram: @digitaldiarypod

2 | People don't tell you who you are; you tell them. And in reality, nobody can tell you sh*t at all... unless you let them. Let's discuss.

1 | There is no "right time" to do anything - there is just TIME & what you choose to do with it.
WELCOME to the FIRST EPISODE of Digital Diary with Hannah Elise (!!!!)
I am SO happy to be here with you on this new platform. This has been a dream of mine for so long, and I'm literally ecstatic to get started and see where it can go. I felt today's topic was extremely apt for my first-ever episode as I put off making a podcast (among other things, we'll discuss) because I didn't know if it was the "right time" to do it. Well, I'm here to tell you that the "right time" will never come because it actually doesn't exist at all. Let's talk about it.

42 | Sleeping with socks on? Pineapple on pizza? Taylor Swift is MID???
Today I'm discussing some common "unpopular opinions" and giving MY own opinions on them. Don't mind my ranting on some of these, but we're getting into some (very unserious) topics that I happen to be very passionate about. Enjoy x

Podcast IG: @digitaldiarypod
Personal IG: @hannahelisemaute
YouTube: @HannahElise

41 | I miss OG YouTube a lot, so in an effort to emulate some of those good vibes, I'm bringing you an OG-style episode: CURRENT FAVORITES! This week, I'm chatting about some of my favorite things right now - 1989 Taylor's Version, my go-to mascara, other favorite makeup products, ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, old Vlogmas videos, and more.

Let me know if you'd like to hear more episodes like this in the future!

LOVE YOU

40 | We're back with our fourth installment of the Q&A / advice sesh episode! You asked, I answered -- getting through my 20s, moving to London(?), being the toxic one in a relationship, ACOTAR, starting new things, dealing with haters, figuring out what we're doing with our lives & more.

Podcast IG: @digitaldiarypod
Personal IG: @hannahelisemaute
YouTube: @HannahElise

39 | Unfortunately for us all, burnout is practically inevitable. Last week, I was hit with my latest period of burnout, and as I work through it, I wanted to talk about it with you.

In this week's episode, I'm chatting through what burnout even *is*, what causes it, and what I've found to help "recover" from it (as much as possible).

Sources mentioned:
https://dictionary.apa.org/burnout
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/signs-of-burnout/

38 | It's the start of the best time of the year. I have ALWAYS loved fall, and thank God I have a podcast so I can talk to YOU about how much I love fall for 40 minutes. 

I've prepared a (non-comprehensive) list of reasons why I love fall, some of my fall favorites, traditions, etc. I'm so excited to share them with you this week. 

If fall is your favorite season, this episode is for you. Get cozy, light a candle, sip on a coffee, and let's discuss why fall is the best season of the year (and it's not close).

Podcast IG: @digitaldiarypod
YouTube: @HannahElise