10 Things us girls need to stop shaming each other for..

Us girls are divils for judging each other. Instead of embracing our differences, we constantly compete to be the prettiest, the smartest, the most popular, the most athletic, the skinniest. When we look in the mirror, we always look at our faults, and therefore, looking for faults in others makes us feel better about ourselves.

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How To Cope With Frenemies

Here’s the thing. Us girls spend many years changing and growing, moving from one group to another and identifying more with some at different stages because we like to hang out with those who are similar to us. Our personalities change over time, and we will go through phases where our friendships are just plain

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Here’s How To Study Like A Pro

Exams are stressful and study is boring. Fact. Most of us would rather trim the lawn with a nail scissors than study. If we’re honest, we are inclined to lock ourselves in a room for two hours organising our sock drawer or thinking about what our death row meal would be, and then clapping ourselves on

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Considering a Law Degree? Here’s the DL – By Natalia

To no surprise, entering the field of law is rather intimidating, perhaps not as realistic as the movies though; with elegant men in black and blue suits winning each time through intelligence and tricks, with a beautiful high-heeled secretary following their footsteps. The image created mostly through the film industry, or well known Netflix show

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The Many Shades of Sexuality and Gender

We’re generally not into labels because everyone is different and unique. We shouldn’t need to find a box that we fit neatly inside so that everyone knows and understands us. As a society we’re changing rapidly, trying to find new ways to respect and protect each other. And that’s a good thing. When it comes

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Turns Out The Gym Is Not So Scary

This isn’t going to be another one of those preachy articles or Insta posts that guilt you into going to the gym or make you feel terrible that you don’t go. Trust me, I’ve been there and only recently I’ve begun to find my feet in the gym. For as long as I can remember,

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5 Ways To Get More Sleep

Ah, bed. Everyone’s favourite place to be. We sometimes forget how important a decent nights sleep is in order for us to get through the day; mentally, physically and emotionally. Lack of sleep has a direct effect on your hormone levels, moods, weight, concentration, and ability to deal with it all. And yet, the struggle

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What’s Counselling Really Like? By a Counsellor

My name is Steph and I work as a counsellor in Waterford. Most of my clients are young people so I get to hear and see what it’s like trying to find your way in today’s world. I’m also the proud Godmomma of a beautiful 14-year-old warrior princess which helps too The issues that land

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Lessons We Have Learned From Social Media

We’ve been kind of feeling a bit out of touch with reality lately, anyone else? Who knew living through a global pandemic would be this confusing and chaotic? For almost two years now, our entire lives have moved online. And we thought we already spent too much time engrossed in social media. We don’t know

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6 Tips For Making New Friends At School

Making friends can be hard, especially making friends in a big school packed full of strangers. You might think you are sticking out like a sore thumb because you are shy and don’t really know how to approach people. Maybe you’ve moved on from your last friend group as you’ve simply grown apart, or maybe

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diet culture - The Shona Project

Diet Culture can go and Suck It – By Megan

Diet culture, something we are all too familiar with. Skinny teas, appetite suppressant lollipops, protein shakes, zero-calorie noodles… aka money-making strategies of corporations who benefit from our insecurities. It needs to stop. It saddens me to hear people talk about diets. I’m not shaming people who do, but I think they should be made aware

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What You Need To Know About Therapy – By Niamh

Having recently attended my first personal therapy session, I wanted to share with all you lovely ladies and let anyone know who is struggling that it’s ok not to be ok (cliché) and that reaching out for help is really brave! This post isn’t going to be about me and my first therapy session. It’s

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Ambidexterity – By Emer

Back in May, we ran a writing competition where we asked secondary school girls across Ireland to submit a piece on either: A lived experience they have overcome, and what they learned. A profile of a woman they admire. An opinion piece with a positive and empowering message.   Here at SHONA, we believe in

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A Chat Through Transition With Alexandra

A large part of the LGBTQ* community but one that is often silenced is the ever-growing transgender community or trans for short. Trans people often face more oppression than other members of the community with threats of sexual assault and physical violence looming over the very existence of these people. The often unaccepting social atmosphere

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10 Study Hacks That Actually Work (We Promise)

It’s almost that time again!! Coming to the end of the term and the dreaded Christmas exams are looming. Bedrooms all over Ireland are covered in study timetables, highlighter pens and index cards and pretty soon churches will be full of Grannies saying Novenas and health shops will be sold out of rescue remedy. But

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Shona handbook

The Survival Handbook for Girls

Hi there! Chances are you are here because you have a teenage girl in your life that you want to support. They might be struggling and you just don’t know how to help. Well, that’s where we come in. Our Survival Guide Handbook is a handy little tool that will help the girl in your

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Why “My Ex Was Crazy” is a Major Red Flag

The word “Crazy” has been used to undermine and discredit women since the dawn of time. “She’s nuts, a psycho, way too emotional”. We’ve all heard it, but we’re too quick to believe it. In fact, it says way more about the person who said it than the person they’re referring to, and it’s a

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When Your Parents Aren’t Getting Along

We all think that everyone else has the perfect family and that ours are the only ones who are completely dysfunctional. When we visit our friends’ homes, their parents are sweet and light, the house is always clean, and they are loving to each other. NEWSFLASH: ITS A FACADE! Every family has its ups and

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