INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Even though you will be creating a voluminous ponytail, you still want it to look neat. Brush or comb through your hair to get rid of any knots or tangles.

SUMMARY: Start with tangle-free hair.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Getting your clothes tailored can change the same clothes from drab and lifeless to flattering and chic. Make sure your pants are the proper length and fit snugly at the waist. Tailor your skirt so the hem hits right where you want it to, but be careful that it isn’t too short for your school’s policy. Check if the store where you purchase your uniform does tailoring.  If you don't want to spend money on tailoring, especially if you're still growing, there are several DIY tailoring tricks to check out. Try using hem tape, fabric glue, and even bobby pins to adjust your clothing!  Make sure that you wash all your pieces before you get them tailored. They may shrink, and you don’t want them to become too short or small! These are simple and quick ways to adjust and style your uniform without spending lots of money on tailoring or accessorizing. Roll up your shirt sleeves to the elbows to make it a bit more casual. If your school allows it, try rolling your skirt at the top waistband to make it a bit shorter. This has the added benefit of making your legs look longer! Knee socks are the ultimate preppy addition to a uniform, so keep a couple pairs of those on hand. If your school is strict and allows you to only wear specific pieces, purchase all of your options. If your school provides a list of acceptable pieces or colors, make sure you get a range of appropriate items. The more variety or selection you have of school-approved uniform clothing, the more combinations you can create and you don’t have to dread wearing the exact same style of pants day in and day out.  For example, if your school allows you to wear navy or khaki pants or skirts, buy one of everything, if you can. You’ll be able to change up accessories and footwear along with your uniform, and feel less restrained. If you’re short on cash, check secondhand shops for uniform pieces. Many students will donate their old uniforms after they graduate, so there are options even if you don’t have a lot of spending money. Adding a cozy cardigan or a tailored blazer over your uniform shirt can change the entire look of the outfit. Slipping on fun knee socks with your uniform skirt will really make the outfit your own. If your school is more flexible, you can keep your base uniform the same while adding different pieces over top! It’s easy to pop on your shirt or sweater and head out the door, but you can go beyond the basics.  Layering your uniform pieces in unique ways can make you stand out as well. Your basic uniform clothing is just your starting point. Try out different ways to wear it to find the most comfortable, the most flattering, and the most you!  Tucking in your tops can accentuate your waist and make the entire uniform more flattering. Consider tying a uniform sweater around your shoulders for a preppy, sophisticated look. Layer it over a long sleeve button down with the collar exposed, cuffing the sleeves for a casual, sweet look.

SUMMARY: Tailor your uniform so it fits properly. Try out some uniform hacks. Invest in a variety of pieces. Incorporate your own clothing, if you’re allowed. Play around with layering and tucking.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Even though it might not feel very good, making the decision to take responsibility for the decisions you’ve made will help you learn and grow. After all, to be responsible for your choices is the opposite of being a victim; a victim is a powerless role. To be in charge of your own life is powerful.  By taking responsibility, you’ll be in a better position to learn from your choices. Even when someone else has acted badly, it’s likely that you had a part to play. Talking with a therapist, a counselor, or a trusted friend can help you sort through your choices in a new way. If you feel insecure in relationships or don’t like to get too close to people, chances are you’ve been in multiple unhappy love situations. A good friend or a therapist can be a great resource in identifying patterns that cause you to seek out bad relationships.  Try reading up on attachment issues to see if you’re able to identify your own experiences. Seeing your behavior as a series of patterns, rather than moral failures, can help provide a nonjudgmental lens. There is a lot of myth-based stigma around being single. Fears about being single can skew your priorities, allowing you to get in (and stay in!) unsatisfying relationships.  People who are in bad relationships are just as lonely as people who are afraid of being single. If you’re afraid of being single, you’re more likely to miss warning signs that would keep you from being in a bad relationship. Make sure you’re practicing discernment when you choose who to let into your life. If you notice friends who appear to take pleasure in your discomfort or misfortune, you might want to consider keeping them out of your life.  Cultivate friendships that help you feel nourished and protected. Your friends should be happy when things are going well for you. When you’re surrounded by people who love and respect you, you’re more likely to be able to love and respect yourself. If you’ve made a mistake by loving someone who’s not available to love you back, you’re only human. Being less hard on yourself may take some practice, but ultimately learning to forgive yourself will lead you to a more resilient life.  Mistakes are only mistakes, and opportunities abound to learn from them. Consider mistakes lessons that you needed to learn. Without pain, there’s little chance of growing and learning new things. Mistakes, even painful ones, are just a part of learning.

SUMMARY: Accept responsibility for your choices. Look for patterns in your love life. Examine your feelings about being single. Protect yourself. Forgive yourself for past mistakes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Getting together with a small group (2-4 people) can shed new light on your training regimen; new people offer new ways to move, different paths to take, and constructive criticism of your methods. Since you have already developed your own style, the ideas offered by new people can only expand your possibilities. Be sure that ideas are not stifled and no individual person sets the bar of what should work for everyone; this method works best as a creative discovery between friends. On the other hand, if you followed someone else's method from the beginning, you could be stuck with a style that does not actually make sense for you. Remember that while large gatherings have the potential to be an extension of the smaller training and discovery sessions, too often they devolve into a roaming herd that quickly grazes over obstacles while looking for the next big trick. Understanding Parkour through self discovery is the sure way to avoid falling victim to this personal experience, making a traceur and his Parkour unique. This option can be helpful to someone who doesn't know how to condition themselves or prevent injury; however, experimenting by yourself first is highly recommended. By entrusting your early development to a stranger, you run the risk of following a path that is completely wrong for you; a good coach will help you get started and drill you in the essential moves necessary to begin parkour and will also teach you how to stay safe. A good coach will set you down the path of discovery and help you form your own style, while a bad coach will set you down their own path. As Parkour gets more popular, an increasing number of people are trying to cash in as coaches. Be wary of anyone who doesn't offer their services for free, at least part of the time. A coach who is still connected to the community, through free outdoor training sessions , is a good bet.

SUMMARY:
Start to train with other people. Use training as a collaboration. Get a Parkour coach.