Start the Year Off Positive

The point of my blog is to help me personally improve myself but also share different things I have learned along the way. I melt inside when I meet people who say they share my posts with their daughter or friends because I shared something relatable. I have been struggling to share things that I have gone through that can help others because there's always the question of what is too personal to be putting on the internet but I'm working on it!! Anyways, starting the quarter, semester, or year off on the right foot is important and very helpful so I thought I would share some things that help me out! :)

Find Your Organizational Patterns

It can be hard to keep track of things when starting new classes, receiving new assignments at work, etc. The number of pop quizzes I bombed because I didn't know which ways to stay organized that worked for me and missed the reading is high... just kidding if you're my mom or dad reading this, I totally got A's on all of them! In high school and my part time jobs I had then, I didn't need to organize much ahead of time because our teachers gave the assignments at the end of class. Well let me tell ya.. that doesn't happen in college so that is an adjustment. I always had an agenda (my favorite being from Lilly Pulitzer of course) but it wasn't until college that I went psycho with my agendas each year. I learned that I prefer to write everything down. A perk with the agenda I have is there is a spot for each month, a weekly spot that has each day, and the to-do list/ reminders on each week. I also use post-it notes on top of all of that at times and it's color coordinated. I learned this is what helps keep me organized so I can see what I have to do for school in green, things for my sorority in pink, projects and shifts for work in orange, and so on! Someone I have class with writes everything down in a singular note on their phone and that is what helps keep them organized. That sounds crazy to me but to each their own! You just have to find your organizational pattern and get organized ASAP.

Fake It 'til You Make It

As bright and shiny as a new year or semester is, sometimes you just don't have it all together and that is 100% okay. Are you totally over the recruitment process for sororities that you're going through? Is work just getting you down despite the restart button being hit? Or are you just straight up hungover in class because you and your girlfriends went out last night? Well that's where you fake the enthusiasm and give it the most positive attitude you can! It makes a difference and stands out if you're extra positive and enthusiastic, it also stands out if you're slumped and clearly annoyed to be there. There have been so many times I have been a hypocrite to what I'm saying. I showed up and my face showed how I was way too tired and definitely didn't want to be there. People noticed and will say things to me. Talk to those women at recruitment or events. Brainstorm ways to make projects or work better. My on-campus job honestly drains me despite being such a simple job. For some reason when I walk in my bubbly mood subsides and I'm irritated to be there (let's just say working somewhere that makes you happy is key). I figured out that listening to music or thinking about positive things through my shift helps me keep my bubbly side more alive while I'm there. As for a hangover... drink some water, drive through McDonalds breakfast and put on your game face! You can do it!

Stay Busy with Things You Enjoy

*eye roll* Mentally in my mind I thought "ugh" when I decided to put this in. I hate when people are tell me to join every club and that staying continually busy is SUPER important. They aren't wrong but for me that's not how I stay busy. I am a full-time student, I have at least one job (typically I work more but senior year woo hoo), I'm in a sorority, and I love spending my evenings eating food on my couch while watching my favorite TV shows. Now how am I going to watch the new Grey's Anatomy when there are two clubs I was told I should join that meet on Thursdays? Yeah I chose TV shows over clubs I know... probably not the best for my resume BUT while I watch TV I write pieces for my blog, scroll social media platforms for inspiration to save, create pieces for my blogs Instagram, and play with my dog. Don't get me wrong I take naps often, I'm pretty lazy at times. But my friends join me for the Bachelor, my mom FaceTimes me at least once during This Is Us, and the other days I work on things that I enjoy and still contribute to my resume in a way. This works for me to stay busy, yet not too busy for when I'm done with my actives and responsibilities I already have. If going to five clubs a week works for you then that's great. You just have to keep your brain going and doing things in whatever way works for you. Just don't lay the couch all day doing absolutely nothing. :)

Stay Relaxed

That giant project you just received is important. Getting good grades and still being on the swim team, golf team, other extracurriculars, and joining your friend to go to the football game is still important. What is also important is doing things that keeps your relaxed and calm through everything. For some people this is the gym, Bachelor Mondays with a few glasses of wine, meditation, painting, etc. When you schedule your week, it's important to make sure there is you time where you can wind down, put your phone away to relax, and enjoy yourself.

At the end of the week you start all over so just remember to try and not be overwhelmed. It's so easy to be consumed by your responsibilities and activities while also trying to listen to peoples advice or live up to expectations others set for you. Not everyday is sunshine and daisies. Some days you need to just sit on the couch eating Oreos and that is okay. The end point of these pieces I am sharing is taking care of yourself to live positively in the best way for you. When you start organizing for you, put a good foot forward, stay busy in your own way, and take time for yourself, I hope you see changes that lead you to being more relaxed and positive. I hope this helps and I'd love any suggestions or advice on things that you've found that works for you! :)