Showing posts with label lovely things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lovely things. Show all posts
It's September!! And if you don't know what that means, it means its ihavetoomuchtodoandnotimetodoit season! Also known as, Virgo season! Which, I am a Leo-Virgo cusp and this time of year means chaos for me. All chaos aside, I've actually had quite the summer and was anticipating fall to roll around sometime soon. Everyone's back into their routines, or at least trying to cope with their routines, and I have just completed my first week of my junior year of college. Yay.
It can be overwhelming when the to-do lists, responsibilities, deadlines, assignments, projects, and every other stressful thing possible lands on your plate all at once. If there's one week I hate, it's syllabus week. When your professors hand you a packet of every single test and paper due in the next ten weeks of your life.
This weekend I needed to ground myself: I did some yoga, ran some errands, walked my pup, babysat, and tackled what now is an entirely full planner of commitments and things I don't want to do. So I took a step back and thought about ways in which I can make this overhaul of chaos better. Much better.
Make Your Schedule
It always helps me when I can visually see all of the tasks I need completed by a certain date and time. Choose what works best for you. I like to use a planner and highlight all of my classes, along with meetings and clubs, and other commitments in different colors. I also utilize a weekly desk calendar that only shows what I need to do that week. Even using sticky notes on your computer works!
Engage, Then Disengage
I am a victim of doing other things when I should be doing something else. Especially when I should be relaxing and I try to take advantage of my relaxing time for more work time. I understand time crunches and totally stand by that, but when you need a break, take it. Even if that means dedicating an hour to going to the gym, watching a movie, or getting your nails done.
Remember Priorities
Taking time for yourself is a priority. You have to remember that you will be working for basically your entire life and balance is key! Do what needs to be done, but don't push yourself if it's feeling like you can't handle so much at once. People are there to support you and want to see you succeed, sometimes that means taking your foot off the gas pedal.
Make Time You Need to Relax
Everyone says that "there's not enough time" for anything, but that's usually because they don't make the time to do something. "There's not enough time to relax," "I can't fit yoga classes into my schedule," or "I'm just too busy to get some time for myself," are some things I often hear. One thing to consider is your sleep-wake cycle. Are you getting enough sleep? What time do you normally go to bed? Could this be effecting your energy levels? Sleep is something to consider when you're staying up until 2am trying to finish work for Monday.
These are all things to consider that might help alleviate stress, anxiety, and a feeling of overwhelm as the new season transitions into a busy one. Balance is something I cannot stress enough. Divide up your day so that you have breaks and time to re-adjust and reset. What do you do to not overwhelm your busy ass life?
posted in
I've always loved a good, long weekend. I mean, who doesn't? An extra day to do nothing is the best. Knowing me, an extra day means an extra day to prepare myself for the short week ahead. Mostly an extra day to relax and rejoice in other people's company, read a book, do some yoga, and eat some ribs! Truly the best.
On Saturday, the parents and I drove down to visit my younger sister, Emily, at Valparaiso University in Indiana. She is a freshman studying Kinesiology and has adjusted quite well! It was nice being on campus and also bringing Cooper along to go see her. We had lunch at her fave, Culver's, met her sweet roommate, Sydney, and played fetch with Cooper on the quad.
Exploring downtown Valpo on a nice, breezy Saturday was all we needed. Especially their cute square with boutiques and artesian coffee places.
On Sunday, I connected with my best friend, Mikayla, who's my sweet friend from high school. It's always a nice time when we get the chance to hang out. We are the brunching buddies! I don't know if there's a duo that loves brunch so much more than we do. We walked around downtown La Grange, which I always forget is so nearby and a lovely place to explore, and ate at Blueberry Hill Cafe for the best banana pecan pancakes and bacon.
It's so nice catching up with friends and just enjoying each other's company when you can. Yesterday we had ribs with the neighbors and a chill day reading magazines and doing a whole-lotta-nothing. I have one more week of summer left, so I've been trying to use the most of my free time reading, getting things ready for school, writing for the blog, and working on my internship!
You don't realize just how great free-time is until it's gone. I'm usually one who loves to make the most out of a free day and be as productive as possible, but lately, I've just loved not doing much as time gets nearer to the busier days. What did you do over the long weekend? Or better, what didn't you do?
posted in
As I begin to prepare for what seems like a trip of a lifetime, I literally today have started getting everything I need and packed. Honestly, packing is one of my favorite things to do, but one of my largest pitfalls because I overpack SO much. The places I'm going to, France, the Netherlands, and Spain for three weeks are all going to be pretty warm during the day, but I still can't rely on just my knowledge of Chicago weather and think that all countries get extremely hot days next to extremely cold and rainy ones.
This trip has required me to do some research and a lot of asking around to see what other people's experiences were like travelling abroad. I got a lot of mixed information from a lot of sources based on personal preferences, ages, time of the year travelling, and just an overall consensus that travelling is really dependent on many factors and is different for everyone. My feelings toward studying abroad is mostly excitment, mixed with a little bit of nerves, but I think it's all normal and my attitude about it all is go with the flow and open to trying new things.
For one thing I really don't know how I am going to be on an eight hour flight, but it has to be better than a 21 hour bus ride to Florida. The excitment of going and getting there will make it all feel fast. I would say I am a pretty good traveler, but going in a big group can be overwhelming at times just based on the fact that we all need to work seamlessly together.
Being with a group of students can really relieve discomfort and I am grateful that I have a big group to relate to and get to know more. To be honest, I have already connected with some of the girls in our class. I'm sure that I will come back with new friendships. You know while traveling with a lot of people can ease the feeling of homesickness, I also really like to keep to myself at times. I know we have packed schedules each day, but sometimes all I want to do is chill out and not worry about other people. Pacing myself in this aspect will be necessary if I'm going to need times to reboot during the trip.
I have the expectation that all is going to be great, but I also have expectations that there will be times that I feel sad, confused, distraught, lost, etc. Being in a new place, for an extended period of time with people I hardly know yet, can bring up these feelings and I want to make sure that my headspace doesn't dwell on these things because I am there to enjoy every minute of the trip and make the most out of everything available to me. Embracing the sense of the unknown, figuring out how to navigate, and adapting to new social sitations will be a test for me.
I know there are many people who have already travelled to a ton of different countries and probably remember the first time they traveled abroad for the first time, too. I don't really know what to expect, how everything is going to go, but the people that have made this possible at my college really know what they're doing and are well experienced in it.
The emotions I have are totally normal and I think I am more than ready to have this experience. As I am writing this now, within a week I will be away and my plans for blogging are going to be on hold as I take in everything I can while I'm away. I will be documenting my travel and of course, sharing a post about it as soon as I get back in early July.
When I think about all the things that could happen, I try to remember that fear is probably the main factor that pulls people away from experiencing the world and going beyond what they know. I really want to travel as much as I can and that takes a lot of strength and mind power to do, but I know it will all be worth it in the end. Let me know what your travel plans are this summer! I can't wait to tell you all about it.
Bon Voyage!
posted in
People ask me if I'm on summer yet—I'm not. I'm still in school, but that's okay! I like being productive and having a schedule keeps me grounded and focused. However, this past Memorial Day I had the chance to take a road trip down to Missouri to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and definitely the pool. Breaks like those are the best because you get to worry less and rejoice in eachother's company—something I need more than I think. So, yes summer is nearing around the corner and so is June.
There is so much going on in June. May was definitely a busy month for me academic wise, but I have one big trip abroad in two weeks! If you forgot, I am going to France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Other than that, I am finishing up finals and taking advantage of the time I have over seas.
These next two weeks in June I will be working my butt off, finals is in the next week and I have been pushing through all of my assignments and group projects. It doesn't make it easier when all of my friends have already been done with school for the past month.
I'll be honest, I do have a bit of apprehension before going to Europe. It's my first time and only friends I know have been and experienced long distance travel. I know eventually I will get adjusted, but the fact that I don't know how I am going to adjust when I get there can make me worriesome. Before study abroad trips like this one, my instructors meet with everyone to lay down logistics and how everything is planned out—more or less, travelling leads to unexpected delays or obstacles that you just have to adjust to. I'm curious to see how well I can handle these situations and be aware of it.
My goal for June is to just simply enjoy it all by being as present as I can be. I know it will go by extrememly fast and I'm lowkey already missing it because I know this trip will fly by. My plan is to take a lot of pictures, but to control my technology use while I'm there. I know wifi and all that will not be as strong anyway, so making the real memories will be more than enough for me.
Another goal I have while I'm in Europe is to be spontaneous. You know, try new things, say yes to more opportunities, get out of my comfort zone a little, and talk to the locals. There's so much I could worry about while traveling, but that's so much time wasted when I could be enjoying moments freely. I've been in the midwest my whole life, and there's so much to explore out there, I don't want to take it all for granted.
I am really lucky for how far I have come, there are so many things ahead of me. It almost seems unreal at times the things you can accomplish in such little time—and then it's already past you. If I can inspire anyone, I would advise you to think about where you are right now, the things that drive and move you, the people that surround you, and the memories you could be making instead of just looking at your phone and swiping your life away.
What you want is already out there, so how are you going to achieve it?
posted in
The most iconic 2005 movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, popped up on my Netflix account the other night and of course, I had to watch it and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel go shopping one day and find a pair of jeans that all magically fit them—a sign from above that all are connected and best friends forever yadda yadda. The moral of the story is friendship and having your close girl-friends around you in times of strife and despair. Whether or not this pair of denim really did anything, the bond was always there.
I don't think I can stress enough just how important having a support system of friends really is. All support systems look different and come in all different sizes. I realize that the friend making process is hard, in all aspects and times of life. For those going to college, it's going to be really hard at first to find your niche and that's okay. Same for people starting a new job, it can seem really hard to find people to relate to and confide in.
Personally, my friend groups are different all around. I have my close family friends, my best friends that I've known since I was very little, my school friends, my PRSSA friends, dog friends—it can be very overwhelming to know that there are a lot of people that know me and it can be tricky trying to keep up with it all. I'm definitely not trying to boast, but you kind of just meet people all over and it takes time to develop those trusted relationships.
You can go through a lot during your life and some very low points, as well. Recently, my mom has been diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, and while that is amazingly lucky news, it could have been worse. She is doing really well and will be going through treatment soon when I'm traveling abroad and within a couple of days we disclose the news to people, I realized just how much love there is around me.
We get so focused on our routines that we forget how much people there are around us who have our backs and would do anything for us. It's sad that sometimes we don't notice until times of dark, but I am so appreciative for the group of friends and family around me that allow me to confide in them.
Something I have noticed in myself is that I do things for other people without expecting them to owe me anything. You know, some people question why I'm fine buying like two of my friends Starbucks or what have you, but at the end of the day someone is going to do the same for me and that's just a trust I find in the people I care about. It's funny because I think my closest friends and I just don't talk about it and we have this telepathy that allows us to trust each other even if we live miles and miles away.
A bond just as magical as a universal pair of pants.
posted in
Not gonna lie, I had one of the best weekends I've had in a while. Sometimes I feel like the world is going full speed ahead and I'm at a standstill—and vice versa. When at times, you can feel so low, have an amazing high, and then back down again, it's hard to tell what's in store when all you can rely on is hope.
I have great things ahead of me, but sometimes I wonder why I am capable of having all of these things. It's too easy. I feel guilty about it. I tell myself to remember all of the great things I have, the people in my life, the connections I've made, the stability and security, and a small part of me is fearful that it could all be taken away in an instant.
Practicing gratitude has been only one of the most grounding factors in my life, as well as, allowing myself to feel good. Jealousy, comparison, resentment, fear, and all of that bad juju we feel in small bits every once in a while outshine all the good that we forget we have in our lives or are able of having and deserving. Some of the best moments I've had are with the people I love—sine clothes, money, job, status, social media following, or superficial obsessions.
It takes a lot of introspectivity to realize that we are all capable of happiness if we allow ourselves to see past the matter of our own desires. Maybe it's not happiness, per se, but it could definitely be something better. I have to confess, I find myself in a position of deep fear and just utter self-depreciation at times. I'll be in bed, on the train, in class, getting coffee, etc. and these thoughts just invade my brain.
Lately, though, I have felt a remarkable amount of promptitude and at a pace that I can follow. I'm busy, that's for sure, but the only direction is up from here. I've kicked off producing more quality content on here that I am beginning to keep up with and actually love. I'm proud of the creative work I am doing and hope that more can inspire me to continue. Including new social media projects, I am working on for Her Campus DePaul, my college's online women's magazine. I also got back into photography and have been picking up some graduation photo side gigs, my camera definitely needed to be taken out more!
I am also studying abroad in like two months, which is UNREAL. All of my dreams of traveling are going to become a reality and I think it will hit me once I head to the airport that morning. We will be attending the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity the first week networking with prestigious brands and building our portfolios, so I am extremely excited I get to be a part of it this year.
I guess things with me academically, socially, and personally, have been really good. Maybe too good, but I'm not going to question it. I still have moments I digress, but it has been easier for me to control those feelings and a little sunshine can help.
I worry about a lot, and usually about little things that don't matter. Remind yourself of the little wins you have each day: whether someone complimented your necklace, you got a good grade, or maybe the barista got your order right this time. Whatever it is, there is always something to be thankful for and appreciative of. Practicing gratitude every day or when you think you need it can make all the difference in times of grey. Also, smile :)
posted in
My hopes for spring are far much higher than many others, but I think we can all agree that winter has played out for far too long. I'm done wearing the same pair of jeans and chelsea boots for the season. Spring itself just reminds me of sunnier days, birds chirping in the morning, that crisp warmth in the air that hugs you especially when it's about to rain. I just love spring. It's a chance to start anew and many people enjoy this sense of revitalization and get in the mood of sorting out their life after hibernating for so long.
There are many things I want to accomplish and do, and some of those I have put on the back burner until finals are over and I'm on spring break finally, but I also recognize that there are just some things in life we can't constantly "clean" out to make them resolve. As much as I believe that a clean space means a clean mind, life happens. Nonetheless, cleaning and organzing your life out can really be a lot of fun. It's not for everyone, but taking baby steps forward makes all the impact.
01. Let Go
In the wise words of Elsa, "Let it go," and I mean all of it. Whatever you are holding onto from winter just acknowledge its presence in your mind and gratefully forget about it and move on. Sunnier days are ahead and there's no point in chaining yourself to whatever doesn't serve you in this moment forward. Easier said than done, but worth the mental effort.
02. Erase Your Inboxes
I'm one of those people who just always subconsciously deletes old conversations, emails, downloads, photos—everything. If there are too many conversations going on, old messages I want to forget or leave, weird golden retriever memes and old assignments I have building up in my downloads folder, I just take the time to select all and delete. It's a great feeling, especially after a quarter of school and starting with an empty drive is so satisfying.
03. Reinvent Your Wardrobe
Sure you have a lot of staple items that you love wearing and you're okay with, but maybe it's time to part with some old pieces that you say you are going to wear, but don't. I know the Youtube cleaning and reorganizing videos are all the rage, trust me I've gone down that deep binge watching road, so why not think about downsizing your wardrobe? Selling some clothes? Or giving some of those old pieces the love they deserve? Now is the time to get your sh*t together and open your closet.
04. Get Your Hair Done
There's something about a new spring do that really makes a girl feel like she runs the world. Whether it be a new cut, a proper wash (if you really nasty), a new color, a new style, whatever! I've found that I look forward to getting my haircuts more now because I make it its own event. I'm still thinking about what I should get done and I'm maybe swaying a little more golden? Who knows!
05. Clean Out Your Purse
I rarely use a purse anymore, especially during school, but over the course of a month, things can pile up pretty quickly in the depths of our handbags. You don't know what kind of bacteria could be growing! You put your purse everywhere and put everything in it, your purse deserves some extra love. Dump it out and toss those gum wrappers, toothpicks, receipts, three month old candy bar, and whatever else you happen to find in there.
06. Say Yes to One Thing
A great way to refresh your life is to stop saying no to things that make you uncomfortable. It's starting to get warmer, so what's the deal? Your friends want to go out, you need to apply for a new job, book a trip abroad? Bring that positive attitude and commit to those things that make you uneasy, nervous, excited, because honey your life is waiting.
07. Start a Blog
I actually find myself telling people who are uninspired or conflicted about what they should be doing to just start a blog or some form of written expression. You do not need all the bells and whistles, but who knows, maybe starting a blog will reveal something deeply about yourself or you'll become the next popular beauty blogger? Ha. I wish I was. Keep your mind creative and continue to feed it. Blogging has really helped me find my footing and you should, too.
08. Commit to Drinking More Water
I remind myself so much that my body will ultimately thank me later for hydrating it. If you plan on working out more in the spring or just want to feel more energized, try bringing at least one bottle of water with you to school or work. You'll find yourself drinking it just because you have it with you. A simple way to cleanse your body and your mind.
These are just some simple and very doable steps to cleaning out your life, obviously these things won't necessarily make drastic change, but I think that these are great tactics to get you started into springtime and onward. As I finish up my last week of school, I will most likely be taking a blogging break during my final testing week, but will plan to have many things to come as I have the time over spring break to get some sh*t done and published for you guys. What do you do to sort your life out?
posted in
As you all may know, stationery has been one of my favorite things to talk about and include in many of my posts: all things postcards, note cards, planners, calendars, the whole lot. Just this past weekend I had an amazing experience with my Public Relations Student Society with my college and attended our regional conference downtown Chicago.
As a way to immerse myself in the professional realm, I’ve been able to have the opportunity to network with some notable PR firms such as Edelman, Ketchum, and Golin, and well established brands like Mars Wrigley, Hyatt, and RXBar. Now this may not be something every college student thinks about, but as someone who loves stationery and written mementos, I wanted to express how important it is to have especially when networking with professionals in the future workplace.
I got the pleasure of working with Basic Invite to create my own personalized stationery to use when I go on future business site visits with my college group. A little background about Basic Invite is that they are a high quality, online stationery company on business cards, thank you notes, wedding invitations, graduation announcements, and all of life’s grand moments. Some of their very recent releases of stationery include graduation commencement invitations, specifically their princess graduation invitations, and graduation party invitations as the graduation season is nearing around the corner. Keep reading for a discount!
Out of all the stationery websites I’ve encountered, Basic Invite is the first to have unlimited color selections, and man was it hard to decide what color palette I was going for, but I’m quite pleased with the pastel blues and pinks I chose—they compliment each other very nicely. They also provide custom samples of their products to make sure the design is exactly the way you like. Basic Invite allows you to have the liberty of uploading your own logo and images, as well.
Business Cards
I always thought that having business cards was only something that really serious business people have. My presumption was that business cards could only be really basic, sophisticated, and lack personality. Well, I was wrong. Many young professionals and college students, especially in public relations, have them. To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed by the idea of having business cards—I mean, I don’t necessarily work for a business.
However, I’ve learned that promoting your own personal brand to other businesses and networking through the use of business cards makes all the difference. Employers will really appreciate the initiative and professionality of someone who knows how to self promote. Basic Invite has an abundance of business cards templates to choose from and you can upload your own logos and images to your styling and personal brand. Here, is the template I used to create mine! I love the two toned chevron print and the black and white photo I was able to add for a bit of a personal touch. They also have metallic foil options, too.
Thank You Notes
Over the past few months of going on professional site visits, I’ve noticed that some people give hand written thank you notes to employers and staff. I think this is really effective in getting your name out there to be remembered and to also be courteous when these professionals are taking time out of their busy work day to share their experiences with you. Handwritten sentiments are also great ways to making closer connections with people since we live in a media focused world.
I designed these simple, yet classic thank you notes on their website and love the vibrancy and quality of the cardstock. You can choose from a huge selection of colors, patterns, and include custom notes and your name on them, too. Feel free to explore Basic Invite’s wide variety of cards. I’m loving the Chicago skyline especially!
Personalized Notecards
It can be really handy to have your own note cards, especially if you’ve established your own brand. Some may say it’s a little extra to have your name on everything, but I think it’s very stylish and who cares? I was very pleased with the note cards I ordered. I was amazed by the selection of stationary on Basic Invite and how they cater to so many events, not just business related. I know that having customized stationery isn’t for everybody, but if you are as obsessed as I am, I would really recommend using Basic Invite for all your stationery needs. Being truly honest, these pieces were delivered in less than five days, the picture quality is great, and the cards are crisp and sturdy.
For college students who are professionally driven or who are looking for ways in which they can amp up their networking skills, acquiring some personalized stationery really makes the difference. It expresses your genuine self, adds character, makes you remembered, and ultimately allows you the freedom of designing and cultivating an authentic personal brand that speaks to you.
If you would like to explore more of Basic Invite, you can connect with their social media: Follow their Instagram and Facebook @basicinvite. Also, since I know it’s hard to spend money as a college student, Basic Invite is currently offering 15% off your purchase with this promo code: 15FF51 applied at checkout.
I recieved monetary compensation for this post.
I recieved monetary compensation for this post.
posted in
I am currently 19 years old and as I watch all of my friends turn 20 and 21 around me, I'm starting to look forward to a new decade. Yes, I still have six more months until I get there, but just recently I have felt very nostalgic and have been remembering moments of my teenage life that just seemed to fly by. In all honesty, I feel like I should just write a book about the concept of time, but that would be too long (granted someone has probably already done it).
I've heard that your 20s is the time of your life and the period where you really discover who you are. While I like to think that, I believe that your whole life is there for you to constantly change and discover who you are. For one thing, you're legal, so there's that. But something about being in my 20s seems scary and inticing. I haven't felt like I have wanted to be seen as more "adult" or at least since I'm usually the youngest in the room, I haven't felt left out. Maybe it's my mature sense of being. I haven't exhausted my youth and am still anticipating many experiences to come.
01. I have the ability to invest in my future
As a sophomore in college of course I have been thinking about what my future plans are in terms of my career path. As of now, I am really excited with my major and know that I chose the right choice. Being in my 20s will allow me to really think about what I want to begin with and which path I want to take.
02. I will travel as much as I want
Finances aside, I have the liberty to decide if I want to go on trips or not without impending schedules. I hope to do more traveling later on as much as I can while I'm young and without children. Sure, I won't have as flexible as a schedule as I hope, but if all is good with the company I work with, there's gotta be vacation time in there somewhere.
03. My relationship with my family will grow
I wouldn't say that I have a bad relationship with my family at all, but there have been "teen rage" moments that I'm not entirely proud of and I think showing my family, especially my parents, that I am capable of being an adult and on my own will alllow for more bonding and less drama.
04. I can make big decisions for myself
Yes, I have already made some big decisions for myself, college being one of them, but with my parents in mind of course. When I'm in my 20's, I might be finding my first apartment, first job, first car, on my own. I couldn't think of anything more empowering than knowing that you made the decisions on your own.
05. I will meet new peopleInevitably, I will be meeting new people all the time and that's the goal for the remainder of my life. Each year I am introduced to someone, at least one person, who makes an impact on my life in some way. It's kind of funny to think about the people I might soon meet and have no idea who or where they are at this moment.
06. I'm allowed to make mistakes because I'm young
Still being in my 20's will allow me to have a security when it comes to making mistakes because, hey, I'm still pretty young and there are a lot of new things for me. Not that these mistakes are okay or I'm validating them, but I think that being in your 20's is a could median "buffer zone" where you're still trying to figure yourself out.
With that said, making mistakes also means being responsible for them and my actions. I'm not 15 anymore and I can't just rely on my parents to fix the problem or hand it off to someone else.
08. My Style Will Evolve
My taste in clothes has come a long way, so I am eager to see how drastic my clothing choices change—or don't. Hopefully, they do. I'm not tired of the blue jeans, chelsea boot, look yet, but I hope that my style in my 20s remains fresh and my authentic self. Who knows, maybe I'll actually wear heels.
09. I hope to change my fitness regimes
I've loved doing yoga, don't get me wrong, but I've felt like I need to expand the ways in which I stay active. I just started to box, which is a start, but I also want to maintain my mentality and motivation throughout my 20's while not holding myself accountable for feeling lazy one day. Maybe my eating habits will change, I'll find a new fitness class I love, or I run a race. The possibilities are endless.
10. My writing journey will prevail
I've felt a lot of pride with how far I've come with my writing, but whether it be with my job or some opportunity, I hope that I will be recognized in some way. I find fulfillment in the growth and improvement I've made, but a little part of me wishes that some big thing will happen with it. A book, a headline, an award, something.
I'm not in a rush to be 20, as there are many things I'm dealing with now in school and life, but it's bittersweet to think about the opportunities I will have coming my way (and the stress). I think that's why so many people are trying to live more in the now. We are so fixated on deciding our futures that we don't realize the impact that our present day has on us.
These things aren't set and stone, but can be used to refer back to and reflect upon when I am in my 20s. You know, right now as I'm sitting in this local coffee joint, I'm worrying about what research papers I have due, what my roommates are doing, if I'm going to study abroad or not, who knows what I could be worrying about when I'm 20, 25, or 29? Are you excited to be 20? Are you already 20?
posted in
I've been meaning to dedicate a post to my pup for awhile now, granted he is a dog and doesn't care or understand at all, but for everyone that knows him, this is a little update on how he's doing at the moment. He is about 19 months old and will turn two in July. It's funny because in the picture above, he looks like an old man—he's really still a baby. I mean we've improved on the minimal amount of accidents and "happy pees," but he is still very much a puppy and has the energy of the Tasmanian Devil.
I think the extremely cold weather hasn't gotten to him or bothered him that much, just when we have to take him out to the bathroom because his paws freeze so quickly and he will reject or eat any type of sock or bootie we put on him. So, that was a little concerning when he couldn't poop for two or three days in late January when Chicago got a blast of the polar vortex. Other than that, he loves the snow and anything that flies in the air. He could stand in the snow banks and just chomp chomp chomp all the snow away and stare at me like it's not normal for him to be inhaling this much snow.
Since I am away at college, I miss him during the weeks, but when I come home occasionally to babysit my favorite thing is having him sleep with me on my bed. It's hilarious because he used to be addicted to going on my bed even when I wasn't home, but now he waits until I'm home to sleep with me. My parents say that he sleeps on their bed when I'm away, and my mom very much dislikes it when he does because he basically lays on her. He really doesn't like sleeping alone is what I figured.
Usually we take Cooper to daycare, and saying that word "daycare," is an instant trigger for him. He bounces off the walls and prances down the hall to the back door. My mom and I take him on Fridays, but he'd be fine if we left him there for the weekend. He has a lot of energy, so we enrolled him into the "high energy club," at daycare. It basically means he's in a pen of other dogs who act just like him—a kid on a sugar rush every minute of the day. You bet everyone knows him at daycare. "Hi Cooper," they'd greet us before we even get a minute to tell them who he is.
I call him a meercat because every time he thinks he hears something, usually a leaf or the wind, he pops his head up and usually runs to the front window and stands up on his hind legs to look out and see what's "out there". Not like he would ncessarily protect us from anything. I appreciate the effort, though. Cooper is an enigma, most of the time I can't figure him out.
posted in
In celebration of the Day of Love, or Valentine's Day, I wanted to do something that wasn't just me telling you all how single I am. Of all the people that whine and complain about their relationship status and how alone they'll be for one day of the year, I thought I could do something different and more lovable towards myself. When Hallmark card prices sky rocket and red and pink dominate all the stores, it can be easy to forget what this day of hearts and xoxo's really means.
A lot of people have much dislike for this holiday and criticize the perceptions of relationships and love and all that is dating, but why waste the time? Instead, I want to reflect on some things about myself that I would like to find more love for—because self love is so important.
01. My Love for Others
It is easy for me to say that I try to put others before myself the best way I can and while I might not admit it all the time, it is definitely there and always on my mind.
02. My Strength
Sometimes I think that I am too physically strong, like my muscles are just too big. Physical or emotional, strength is something that not everyone is capable of achieving.
03. My Creative Ambition
I know I can get hard on myself when it comes to projects and creative ideas that I have for my blog, school, and just future aspirations and goals. I've realized that I need to use my creativity and just do what I enjoy doing and continue doing it.
04. My Pudgey Tummy
There's just a little flab of fat below my belly button that I've constantly been trying to flatten and tighten, but I just love Nutter Butters and buffalo wings too much to care. I'm human, I have fat, and a little cushion on my belly won't do harm.
05. My Dumb Sense of Humor
When I meet people I don't 100% get comfortable enough to just let myself go and release all the puns and dumb shit my mind thinks of. I've held myself back a lot and for that, I'm not being at all authentic and who I want to project myself as—a funny ass chick!
06. My Anxiety
Over the years I have definitely had my ups and downs with it, anxiety is not something that really goes away and is not easy to confess to or accept. It's a part of me, though. I need to embrace it and recognize what it does to me and how it makes me feel. I 've found ways to suppress it and it just makes it harder to deal with. When worries arise, I have to admit to them and be the strong person I know I am.
07. My Persistence and Costant Need for Improvement
I'm no perfectionist, but I find that my drive and want to better myself and move forward in life is a very motivating and empowering trait to have. I forget my purpose and goals of what I'm doing when little obstacles get in the way, but somehow I always find my way back onto my feet.
I hope I don't sound overly self induldgent when I talk about some of these things about myself that I have come to recognize need more love. I truly think that all of us need to reflect on the things about ourselves that deserve a little extra love because sometimes it's okay to be your own Valentine.
Pictures by Emily Rohman
Pictures by Emily Rohman
posted in
As January comes to a close, I want to admit that this month was not easy for me. The transition back into school after a very long break and the pressure to improve or resolve last years issues and obstacles had me on the stress train. In the hustle and bustle of schedules and getting to where I need to go, I've lost sight of where I am in my life and what has happened to me thus far. Good and bad. It's almost as if I'm just functioning in a daze at the moment. I know I'll get back on my feet soon though because I've come to realize that where I am right now is a very good place.
It is very easy to get lost in a different sight of things: obsessing over stuff like a dent you got in your dad's car (damn you excessively high snow drifts), worrying about how much money you have and whether you can afford groceries for the week, that paper you haven't started yet, your relationship status, the job you have and despise, or that stinky professor that drags on and on about their personal life—it all happens to us. We have busy ass lives, and I get that, but at the end of the day, we're safe, we have people who love us, we have ways of making money to sustain ourselves, we're smart and educated, healthy, and have all the things we could possibly want. So, why do we take it all for granted?
Over the course of my teen years, I have dwelled on so many things. Looking back now, those "things" don't even affect me or make sense for that matter. Like whether or not I had the right pair of Uggs in middle school. It seems so juvenile and ridiculous of me to even worry about, but it did make me worry. Now, I worry about whether or not I can afford to buy milk for my roommate and I. How the tables have turned. There are always going to be things to worry about, but a lot of the time they're not worth wasting valuable time and energy on when you could be reconnecting with friends or pursuing your hobbies the best way you know how.
I'm a victim of comparison and have concluded that it's my mortal enemy—my kryptonite. With social media and every bad juju there is online, it can be hard to separate yourself and I've definitely fallen to that level many times. In that way, I think many people can relate, and I feel as though that it devalues the most important things we should be worrying about like calling your mom or showing up for one of your friends.
As the month moves forward and there are things to look forward to in my life, I want to try to take my best foot forward. I know there are opportunities waiting for me and losing sight of who I am and where I am is not on the agenda. Sometimes, it's okay to check yourself. We need to reflect on our feelings and sights of things. Be grateful for what you have and stop counting the days and start counting the moments.
posted in
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons