The Open Notebook

Ishana

Welcome to The Open Notebook with Ishana! From books, school, and productivity to hobbies, projects, and summer ideas, each episode is like opening a page from my notebook and sharing what's on my mind! Whether you're looking for study motivation or just someone to listen to, The Open Notebook has something for everyone! And if you like the podcast, make sure to check out the sister YouTube Channel, The Open Notebook with Ishana: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenNotebookWit Grab your headphones and open your notebook - let's talk!

  1. 8h ago

    The Comparison Trap: How to Stop Looking Sideways and Run Your Own Race

    We’re talking about comparison. It’s that sudden, sharp feeling in your chest when you see someone else win an award you secretly wanted, post a perfect outfit, get a score that makes yours look small, or make their creative path look totally effortless. Suddenly, the work you were proud of five minutes ago feels insignificant, and your brain starts asking that toxic little question: “Why am I falling behind?” If you’ve ever spiraled into that mindset, I want you to know you aren’t broken, and you’re definitely not alone. High school is practically engineered for comparison. But today, we’re unpacking why measuring your behind-the-scenes against everyone else’s highlight reel completely drains your energy—and how to finally break free so you can run your own race.

  2. Oct 25

    Stepping Up to the Mic: How to Stop Being Terrified of Public Speaking and Performance

    Whether you’re stepping up to a podium for a speech and debate tournament, presenting a history project in front of a silent classroom, recording a song, or even just raising your hand to answer a tricky question when everyone else is looking down at their desks, that physical wave of panic hits instantly. Your heart rate spikes, your throat gets dry, your hands start shaking just a little bit, and your brain immediately starts whispering the ultimate sabotage: “What am I even doing here? Everyone else looks so calm. I am going to completely blank.” We’ve all been there. Performance anxiety is one of the most universal human experiences, yet we almost always treat it like some kind of personal defect—like if you get nervous, it means you're not cut out for it. But today, we are talking about stepping up to the mic—what competition and performance actually teach us, why those nerves never truly disappear (and why that is actually a good thing), and how to stop letting fear run the show.

  3. Oct 18

    The 24-Hour Digital Detox: How to Reset Your Brain in Just One Day

    We are taking on something that so many of us know we need, but feel completely intimidated to try: a realistic digital detox. We’re not talking about throwing your phone off a cliff or moving into a cabin in the woods for a month—we live in the real world, and we have school, group chats, projects, and actual lives to keep up with. But when your brain constantly feels fried from non-stop notifications, endless feed updates, and late-night screen time, you need a break. Next week, we are talking about how to do a short, low-stress digital reset that actually works for a busy student. We’ll look at how to quiet the screen noise, clear out mental fog, and reclaim your time and focus without completely disappearing off the grid.

  4. Oct 11

    Breaking Out of "Waiting Mode": How to Stop Wishing Away Your Ordinary Days

    When you spend your entire life just surviving until the next big thing on your calendar, you end up wishing away the majority of your actual life. You treat Monday through Thursday like filler noise. You treat ordinary Tuesdays and quiet Wednesdays like obstacles in the way of your real life. Today, we are breaking out of that pattern. We are talking about why constantly living for the weekend makes ordinary days feel like an exhausting chore, and how to start finding real energy, joy, and presence in the quiet in-between days right now. *Also, sorry for any background noise...I was testing out a new microphone :) *

  5. Oct 4

    Making the Most of This Season with Fall Bucket List Ideas

    Now, every year when autumn rolls around, social media gets flooded with the same repetitive fall bucket lists: Go to a pumpkin patch, buy a pumpkin spice latte, buy a candle. And while there’s nothing wrong with the classics, today I wanted to curate a bucket list that feels a bit more intentional, creative, and memorable. Instead of treating fall like a hectic checklist of things you have to buy or do, let's treat it as a cozy season of reset, creative inspiration, and thoughtful routines. So grab your notebook, pull up a blanket, and let’s dive into ten thoughtful fall bucket list ideas to try this season.

  6. Oct 4

    50 Things to Do Instead of Scrolling

    We live in a world where tech companies spend billions of dollars designing apps specifically to hijack our attention and keep our eyes glued to the screen. But today, we are throwing out that screen noise. I’ve put together a giant, practical list of fifty real, creative, and fun things you can do to cure boredom, build new habits, and protect your peace without ever touching a phone screen.

  7. Sep 27

    From Blank Page to Amazon: My Journey Publishing a Novel as a Teenager

    I’m talking about my entire publishing journey through Amazon KDP—which stands for Kindle Direct Publishing. I’m sharing the raw, unedited behind-the-scenes look at how it all actually happened: from the chaotic middle of the first draft when I wanted to delete the whole document, to the stress of formatting margins and designing cover files, all the way to the moment I opened a package and held a real, physical book with my name on the cover. Whether you are an aspiring author sitting on a secret story idea, a poet wanting to publish a collection, or just someone who wants to see how a huge creative project moves from an idea to reality, this episode is your guide. Grab a pen, open your notebook, and let's talk about how to publish your novel.

  8. Sep 20

    Chess, STEM, and Introducing Samika

    In this episode of The Open Notebook with Ishana, Ishana interviews her friend Samika about her passion for STEM, entering Downingtown STEM Academy, and her experiences in the competitive chess world. Samika shares valuable advice for beginner chess players on embracing losses, staying patient, and finding community.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Open Notebook with Ishana! From books, school, and productivity to hobbies, projects, and summer ideas, each episode is like opening a page from my notebook and sharing what's on my mind! Whether you're looking for study motivation or just someone to listen to, The Open Notebook has something for everyone! And if you like the podcast, make sure to check out the sister YouTube Channel, The Open Notebook with Ishana: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenNotebookWit Grab your headphones and open your notebook - let's talk!

Information

  • Creator
    Ishana
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ishana
  • Show Website
    The Open Notebook