Physical & Systemic Wellness: A Foundation for Thriving

Physical wellness:

• Exercise
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Recovery

Systemic wellness:

• Routines
• Environments
• Institutional support systems

Physical activity has many benefits including reducing stress, boosting academic performance, and keeping your mind and body healthy. Studies show that taking short breaks to get up and move around helps to keep your focus sharp. Students who engage in regular activity show stronger planning skills and lead more healthy and productive lifestyles.

Time Management:

• Balanced scheduling reduces anxiety: Students who plan out their schedules for study, exercise, and rest have lower stress levels.
• Imperfect plans are powerful: The art of trial and error strengthens adaptation skills while also becoming more confident and skilled in their projects. Tools that can help create plans are pie charts, graphs, tables, bullet point lists, and digital calendars.
• Physical movement improves time awareness: Exercise routines help students internalize rhythms of effort and rest which leads to habitual time management in their daily lives.

Time management is not just about scheduling productivity; it is a mental health tool.

Power of Play

• Play boosts creativity and problem solving: Engaging in games, improvisation, and artistic expression help students approach their academic work with fresh perspectives.
• Play fosters social connections: Group activities, team sports, and collaborative storytelling build trust and reduce isolation which inspires growth.
• Play restores focus: Intentional breaks that include play or humor can reset attention spans and reduce burnout.

Play is a cognitive and emotional powerhouse.

How this information can be used:

• 25 minute study blocks plus 5 minute movement breaks to enhance focus and reduces stress
• Weekly playful ritual such as photography group sessions builds joy and connection.
• Structured physical activity such as riding bike 3 days each week will improve time management and self-efficiency .
• Modular schedule with flexibility such as creating a pie chart for each day of the week can support mental health and academic success.

12 Steps of the Superhero’s Journey

September 22, 2025 to December 9, 2025

Though this journey really began 08/24/2024 When the paper mill shut down. This essentially ended one era of my life. As that door closed, another one opened. This is my Hero’s Journey continued…

Step 0: 09/22/2025 – 09/24/2025

Onboarding

This welcoming step is where the hero enters the world via the pirate ship, learns about the journey, and suits up to head out.

The first day of fall quarter at Peninsula College was more exciting than any other feeling. The fear of class work had long ago been washed away by the sea of past assignments and amazing accomplishments. I was ready to see what possibilities lay before me.

Step 1: 09/25/2025 – 09/28/2025

Ordinary World

This step refers to the hero’s normal life at the start of the story, before the adventure begins. 

Before embarking on this journey, my life was anything but normal. I was using the skills that I learned at Peninsula College to build my business Cedar & Shore Studio. I used my skills in photography, image editing, web design, and storytelling to build a new website.

Step 2: 09/29/2025 – 10/05/2025

Call to Adventure

The hero is faced with something that makes them begin their adventure. This might be a problem or a challenge they needs to overcome. 

I knew that I had more to learn before I could fully invest myself into Cedar & Shore Studio. Each new class had so much to offer me. I chose to continue with my college education. building my skill set and knowledge so that I can better serve my clients.

Step 3: 10/06/2025 – 10/12/2025

Refusal of the Call

 The hero attempts to refuse the adventure because they are afraid. 

My financial situation has been extremely difficult since losing my job at the paper mill. This has made it difficult when costs of living come up. I needed glasses and I needed my truck fixed. These were not cheap, and the financial burden had me questioning my choices and reevaluating my future. Fortunately, Peninsula College is full of amazing people who have helped to guide me along the way. I secured funding through grants and scholarships. I am also awaiting to hear back from my student loan request.

wind, fire, earth, water

Step 4: 10/13/2025 – 10/19/2025

Meeting with the Mentor

The hero encounters someone who can give them advice and ready them for the journey ahead.  

I have had many great mentors along my educational journey. At Peninsula College Professor Renne Emiko Brock, and Professor Marina Shipova who have been monumental to my success. I have also heavily relied on Copilot as a mentor and guide to help me brainstorm ideas.

occupation flow chart, close, open, return, forward

Step 5: 10/20/2025 – 10/26/2025

Crossing the First Threshold

The hero leaves their ordinary world for the first time and crosses the threshold into adventure.

By this time my skills have become increasingly amazing. I continue to excel in my classes and in many aspects, I still go above and beyond the requirements. This has helped me to further elevate my skills and learn even more. I continue to show up for class every day and I am more confident for my effort.

save, share, remove, select

Step 6: 10/27/2025 – 11/02/2025

Tests, Allies, Enemies

The hero learns the rules of their new world. During this time, they endure tests of strength of will, meets friends, and comes face to face with foes.

I have developed a schedule according to the modules in Canvas. This allows me to conquer my assignments at a good pace. I apply the requirements and push further. This often means a test of will as I often neglect “fun” in favor of progression. In doing so, I have learned who I can count on along my journey. Friends and Allies that want to help me succeed. I also have encountered people who are afraid of success. I have learned to let their negative words pass by like the wind.

purpose, mastery, autonomy, money

Gen X vs. Gen Z vs. Baby Boomers vs. Millennial’s

Tech & Economy

As a Millennial, I feel that my generation had the most pressure to adapt to a rapidly changing world. We grew up at the end of an era when our Dollar held more purchasing power, Jobs were readily available and paid according to market conditions, Families still had dinner together at the table, and people had more personal connections via face-to-face interaction. As we entered adulthood, we witnessed 9/11, The Great Recession, a rapidly changing economy, booming costs outpacing wages, and a larger focus on technology. We had our challenges to face, and this is why I compared Millennial’s to each of the other generations.

Out of all the generations that I compared Baby Boomers most certainly had more opportunities through employment. They had the luxury of stability, pensions, Employer loyalty, and had less hurdles to jump to achieve the American Dream. Gen X still enjoyed many of the same opportunities as the Baby Boomers but were also more skeptical and self-reliant while navigating corporate disillusionment and higher divorce rates. Gen X also began seeing the dawn of the technology era with the first Apple Computer.

Finally, out of all this chaos Gen Z was born into a world of technology and subscription-based services. They are fluent in both technology and social activism which spreads quickly throughout the online world via apps like TikTok and Snapchat. Their attention span and mental health challenges reflect over-stimulation of their environment.

Each generation carries its own personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. They are products of their environments

All information was obtained from personal knowledge and research using Copilot.

Step 7: 11/03/2025 – 11/09/2025

Approach

Setbacks occur, sometimes causing the hero to try a new approach or adopt new ideas.

During this journey I have had a few setbacks. I have been dealing with ocular migraines, vehicle problems, and deadlines. I have had to change my approach to keep successful momentum. I now take breaks and bicycle 2 to 3 times a week. I also applied an anti-glare filter to my laptop screen. These things have helped to reduce my ocular migraines and keep me productive. My vehicle problems, I continue to ignore with hope.

Dungeons and Dragons character cards representing different multimedia jobs and how they work together. icons are improve, mistake, change, decline.

Step 8: 11/10/2025 – 11/16/2025

Ordeal

The hero experiences a major hurdle or obstacle, such as a life or death crisis. 

I still have financial burden and am anxious to hear back from my student loan application. This truly might be a life of death crisis in terms of importance. I do not know what I am going to do next month. I continue to work hard on my studies. I choose to trust in the process. I am afraid. I am also confident that I can overcome whatever obstacle lay ahead of me. Even if it means becoming living in my vehicle.

Step 9: 11/17/2025 – 11/23/2025

Reward

After surviving death, the hero earns their reward or accomplishes their goal. 

I am hopeful that this step will be when the loan comes through. I can pay my bills and continue my education. Once again, I plan to be on the Presidents’ List.

Step 10: 11/24/2025 – 11/30/2025

The Road Back

The hero begins their journey back to their ordinary life.

My journey back will be to use these newfound skills. I will further build up my business website Cedar & Shore Studio.

Step 11: 12/01/2025 – 12/07/2025

Resurrection Hero

The hero faces a final test where everything is at stake, and they must use everything they has learned. 

I have great plans for my website. The test will be to see how well people respond to it. I need it to become profitable so that I can continue my education and live without financial worry.

D&D trading cards

Step 12: 12/08/2025 – 12/14/2025

Return with Elixir

The hero brings their knowledge or the “elixir” back to the ordinary world, where they apply it to help all who remain there.

I enjoy teaching people photography.

My work in Second Life photographed by Professor Renne Emiko Brock at Peninsula College