Going into a new year, I don’t like to sets resolutions where I plan to totally ‘change my life’ or implement a new habit that ‘I plan to accomplish everyday no matter what because it will change my life forever’. Using that type of thinking tends to set people up for failure because, as humans, we can’t always be perfect and live up to these amazing expectations 24/7. So as I go into this new year, I created a list of goals that I would like to refer to as this year progresses. It is a list of intentions I have, ones that I hope to accomplish, but nothing that I would ever force myself into, or punish myself for if I weren’t able accomplish one, or many. These are all practices that I believe will allow me to live my happiest and healthiest year in 2018, which is why I chose what I did! However, if I find that there is something that isn’t working for me, or that I just can’t find time for, I won’t be upset! That’s the beauty of intuitive living: I get to listen to my body and my mind and decide what is serving me and what is becoming a burden! If needed, I can cut-back, or totally cut out, one or more of these goals, or I can continue them and possibly implement more if I find another habit that I believe might benefit my life! There is no comparison here, I am just listening to my body and paying attention to myself and my feelings, and I am happier than ever! I encourage you all to end the game of comparison, and instead, find what works best for you… Yay for listening to our intuition!
Below is a list of all of my goals for 2018. If one or more of them sound like they may benefit you this year, I encourage you to look into them! However, I am sure that not all of these will resonate with you, and that’s okay! We are all different from our neighbors and our bodies work completely different. Typically when I decide I want to try something new, I like do some kind of research beforehand to make sure that the goal is truly a healthy one, one that has positive outcomes, and one that I believe will benefit me in the end. So if any of my goals, or anyone else’s, sounds intriguing, I think you should consider trying them, but only if they will be a healthy addition to your life!
I would like to also encourage you all to think about writing down a few goals for yourself to refer to this year! Whether they are ideas you get from someone else, or a list of goals you create, I truly believe a new year is a great time to try new practices. You’re not committing to these goals, there is no tie to them, if they aren’t for you, then you can let them go at any time! But, if you find that they are improving your life, making your daily life more exciting, that is just a plus!
My Goals for 2018:
Drink more water
I am working on waking up and immediately drinking about two to four cups of water before any coffee or eating breakfast. Then I continue to drink water regularly throughout the day, for a total of about ten glasses of water by then end of the night. Hydrating right away in the day is so great for your body, and I always feel 100% better everyday that I do!
Read a chapter of a book everyday
Reading has always brought me so much joy in life! However, unless I make time for it, it seems that I never pick up a book because I always am able to find something else to do instead! That is why I’ve begun to include reading a chapter of a book into my morning routine everyday to make sure that I get the chance to do what I love!
Sleep More
I am really working on getting more sleep at night by listening to my body and going to bed whenever my energy is beginning to drain. Somedays that means I am in bed by 9pm, and other nights that may be 11pm. Whenever I try to fight my body and its needs, bad things happen, and so that is why I am done fighting! I notice that I am so much happier and feel better when I sleep according to what my body is in need of.
Continue working to rid myself of the diet mentality and eat intuitively
As you all know, I have been working at food freedom for SO long now! I am happy to say that I think my battle is on its last leg! I am working through a few more bumps in the road, but I have come so far and I truly think I am almost done with this fight. I plan, of course, to do another update soon, but I am working my butt off to become an intuitive eater and listen to my body! Along with that I am working so hard to rid myself of the diet mentality and fight diet culture daily, because we all know that this society is full of it!
Live a balanced life
I am working to balance my eating, my exercise, how I spend my time…etc. It is perfectly perfect (and healthy) to have cookies for breakfast and then eat a salad for lunch. It is also totally healthy to go for a run one day and then not exercise at all the next if your body needs a rest, or if you simply don’t want to! In all aspects of life, balance is key. Life isn’t constant, nor is it black and white…life is all over the place. That is why you just need to learn to listen to your body and respond to whatever you need in your current situation in life.
Become a vegetarian
This goal is one that I have already basically implemented, but I am very lenient with it and I would like to make it more of a ‘solid’ thing. REMEMBER: This doesn’t work for many, nor do many agree with it, and that is totally okay! This is just a goal of mine that I believe will benefit me, that doesn’t mean that it would benefit you! I absolutely love animals, and I have noticed that when I eat more plants and less meat, I feel so much better both physically and mentally! I gave this a shot before, but for the wrong reasons. Now I plan to go vegetarian again, but this time, it’s for my health, for the environment, and for the animals! (For anyone who is more curious, some specific benefits include: reduced risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cataract development, obesity, strokes, kidney stones, high cholesterol, and more. This diet can also be shown to reduce global warming, the amount of harmful greenhouse gases in our world, the amount of methane, the rate of pollution, land destruction, wildlife destruction, the use of water, the use of chemicals, growth hormones, etc… There are many more, but I don’t want to push this very controversial topic on anybody! However, I get many questions on this topic so I figured I would put all that in here to educate anyone interested!)
Move more mindfully; specifically through walking and yoga
These past few years, I have put my body through a lot! I have exercised very vigorously, sometimes weeks on end without giving it a break, which is why I am trying to incorporate movement that feels good and will still allow my body the movement it deserves. I love moving, but in ways that aren’t strenuous. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy running and lifting, but I will be working on balancing the amount of that kind of exercise that I do with more mindful exercising!
Live mindfully
(Or practice being mindful daily!) This can be done many ways! For example: focusing on your breathing for a few minutes, paying attention to your feelings is a huge one, staying off of your phone for a day, focusing on one task at a time, and many other ways. I don’t know about you, but I have gone through so much of my life without truly living it! In our world today, it is so easy to miss out of life! People are always on their phones, multitasking, pushing away their true emotions…what happened to eating your dinner with your family at the table? Or having a lazy day? Or enjoying the people around you rather than the friends on Snapchat? I do believe there is a time and a place for everything, but I know in my own life I have strayed from my belief of living in the moment, and I plan to get back to that.
Meditate daily
This is basically something that I am putting in place to help me become more mindful! Taking a few minutes a day to breathe, to think, to use the app Headspace or Calm for a real meditation session, etc. can be so beneficial! When I start my day of with ten or so quiet minutes, I am such a better person! I am able to connect with my feelings, to slow down and relax, I feel better and more grounded… I can’t recommend that you try this one enough!
Spend more time in the kitchen
I love to experiment in the kitchen! It is so much fun to cook for your family or to bake treats for a friend! Trying new recipes is always such an adventure! Being in the kitchen can also be such a stress reliever for me! I am learning to love food, and it makes it so much more personal when the food that you are eating is some that you made yourself!
Continue to grow spiritually
As you all know, I am a Christian who believes in Jesus! However, when people seem to think of religion, immediately rules come to mind…and it can be a turn off. In reality, religion, for me at least, is a relationship, not a rulebook. It isn’t about rights and wrongs, but about growing with God, my creator. Having a relationship with him gives me purpose, it gives me a place to turn intimes of sorrow, or in times of happiness, it gives my life meaning, and it allows me to continually thank Jesus for what I know he did for me on the cross.
Spend a lot of time with my family
As I get older, I continue to realize that family is all you really have. I have been through a lot already in my lifetime, and through it all, I have always had my family to turn to. Friends come and go, life changes, jobs are off and on at times, relationships are tough… but my family, especially my sisters, are my best friends! I know that anything could happen to me, and no matter what, they will always open their arms, turn on their coffee pots, and welcome me despite everything else.
Work on my blog
This blog of mine has truly become a strong passion. I love to write, and more than anything, I love to help other people. Having the ability to use my writing to help others has been a dream. To accompany that, I love to just write for fun and enjoyment as well! I have SO MANY IDEAS for this blog and the directions I’d like to take it! I just haven’t had much time to sit down and work on it because I have been so busy, especially now that college has begun again. However, I do plan to dedicate time on my blog the next free weekend I have! I also know that after I graduate from high school this spring, that this summer my blog is going to fly! I am so excited to continue on my journey with writing, and I am even more excited to take you all with me!
So those are my goals for this year! Some of them are more specific than others, some are daily, where some are more in their own time…they all differ in their own ways! These habits are ones that I have put thought into, and that I am excited about because I believe that they will benefit my life and turn 2018 into a year better than I could ever imagine! Once again, I am going to leave you all with the challenge to find some goals for yourself! Making a list such as this can truly change the way you live! It is so easy to just keep on following your normal daily routine and never challenge or push yourself! Even if you attempt to implement one new practice in your life, it could really be much more of a blessing than you might realize! With that, I wish you all the best possible year!
Hello, friends! My life has been pretty busy lately and there hasn’t been much time for me to just sit down and write! I haven’t forgotten about this blog that I love so much, I just have had to prioritize some things, and living life is always at the top of my list! As far as living life goes, as many of you know, I have been to New york City and back since the last time I wrote! I also attended a Christmas concert, celebrated some family birthdays, have been facing new challenges with food, and of course the Christmas celebrations. Life will be slow here for the next week or so and I am hoping to get caught up in updating my blog with lifestyle posts, some food posts, and others in between!
My next few posts, however, will most-likely be focused on my New York City trip! I had a genius idea, given to me by an older sister, to write about my trip in three posts. I am going to split them between the events of my trip (this post), all the yummy food adventures, and lastly all of my thoughts and lessons that I learned from the trip! It’ll allow me to go in-depth, and give you all some really great insights into life in New York City! So I am going to dedicate this first post to how I spent my nine days in New York City:
Day 1 (November 29th)
I began my first morning, as I wrote in my last post, at around 3am when I got ready to leave for the airport. My dad dropped me off at the airport by 8am where I got myself checked-in and through security, and then had a nice breakfast and grabbed Starbucks (which I am slowly becoming obsessed with).
Fast-forward through a quick flight and let’s get to the fun part: New York City. I arrived, got my bags, and found an Uber. My driver was a New Yorker who was originally from China. He told me all about the ‘greasy New-York pizza’ and how I needed to ‘stay away from the grease’ and ‘give my body the healthy foods’. It was an interesting, but very enjoyable, conversation.
I got to The King’s College and was brought to Hanover Square, the apartment building that I would be staying at for the majority of my trip. (The building was a block from Wall Street, I might add!) I was brought to an apartment that belonged to Hope, Annie, Jillian, and McKenna, (students of The King’s College) who weren’t there at the time, so I settled in and went out to walk around the neighborhood. I got some coffee and scoped the area until I went back and got to meet the girls I was staying with. They were all so warm and welcoming, and they made me feel right at home! I spent quite a bit of time talking to them and asking them every possible question that I could ask about King’s and life in the big city!
That evening I had plans to meet with a girl named Julia, another student at King’s, to go and watch The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting! After meeting her, we hopped on the subway, and talked all the way there! It was our first time chatting in person, and she was such a sweetheart! We made it to the tree lighting soon after and found our way toward The Rockefeller Center.
We walked around the area, taking in all of the gorgeous Christmas decorations that left me in awe. I knew that New York would be magical during Christmas, and it was exactly that and then some! As we walked towards the area of the tree, the crowds were blocks long in every direction, allowing us to only get close enough to watch the lighting from a TV screen set-up for people who were blocks away (like us)! After the countdown and the lighting, we made our way back to the college and went our separate ways as we both had busy days ahead of us!
Day 2 (November 30th)
Thursday was the day of my scholarship competition. I spent the morning taking things easy and doing more exploring. I went back to the apartment early enough to have extra time to get ready and make it to the college lobby by 2:00.
When I made it to the lobby, I walked in and there were already many other people there. I got checked in, and began to introduce myself to others. I met a good heap of people, all very nice, and eventually, someone announced we were about to leave for The Oculus.
We began our competition in The Oculus with a scavenger hunt. The hunt was a half hour search. All of us competitors were split into teams and had an extra adult tag along in our groups to take notes on our abilities to work together, take leadership, problem-solve, etc. It was a fun activity that allowed me to become familiar with my team members who were all amazing people! After it was over, we walked back to the college and had just a small window to get ready to present our speeches.
I was in a room with three judges, a recorder, and seven other speakers. I was second in line to give my speech for the competition. When I got up there, I presented the speech I had been working on for months as best as I could. I was a bit disappointed in myself when I finished because I had two pauses in my presentation where I lost my train of thought, which caused my to cut out some points that I wish would’ve made it, but I believe that God gave me the words that were most important and needed to be said.
That night the girls I was staying with invited me to ‘Refuge’. From what I was told, it is a student-lead worship service that happens once a week. We walked from the apartment to the college and made our way to the room that was set-up very cozy. There were chairs positioned around instruments in the middle where the worship band (composed of students) would play, there was a fireplace projected onto the wall to give it a warm feeling, and a table full of Christmas cookies, warm beverages, and other treats that everyone loaded up on before we sat down.
The worship, which was Christmas-themed, was so powerful. It was so beautiful to see all those college students attend that hour-long get-together and sing to God while bonding with others and eating yummy treats! I enjoyed that time of song and then made it back to apartment for another early night to get ready for my next day.
Day 3 (December 1st)
Today was the day of the student visit weekend for The King’s College. I got to take a tour of the gorgeous, unique school to begin! The King’s College is inside of an office building. You walk into the lobby on the ground floor where there are many offices and study areas apart of the college. The classrooms, other study areas, the tech lab, library, and everything else that you might find in a college are on two other floors of the building that belong to the college. The rest of the floors in the building belong to other businesses. King’s has no cafeteria on any of their floors. You are expected to cook for yourself, and everyone apartment has a kitchen for that reason! The apartments, which we toured as well, are not dorms, but actual apartment buildings where you and your roommates are living amongst other real New-Yorkers, not just college students. The college is so different from your typical college, and I love it so much!
Some other cool aspects of King’s are the dress code, which is business casual, and their internship opportunities, which are absolutely amazing. The college is very geared towards getting students ready to enter the work force. It is also a school that is meant for hard workers and dreamers. Students that don’t work hard, or don’t have drive and motivation, couldn’t ever make it at King’s. The college is absolutely a perfect place for a girl like me!
That day I also got to sit in on a class, attend some student and teacher panels, take a short break where I went to Chinatown with Jillian and McKenna, and enjoyed lots of time with other potential students. I also got to meet Sophia, my admissions counselor at King’s, the lady who made all the arrangements for my stay at the college, making my trip possible. We had a few phone meetings before my trip, but meeting her in person was a dream! She is so friendly, joyful, and is so caring. She truly cares for me as ‘Serena’, and wanted to talk not only about King’s, but also about life!
To end the day, we got to go and see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway! I am going to be honest, I was very tired, and didn’t quite understand what was going on for the most part, however, the acting, costumes, and especially the music were amazing! I couldn’t believe how beautiful and well-executed everything was! I would go back just to see the costumes and hear the songs again despite having no clue what the play was about!
Day 4 (December 2nd)
I woke up Saturday morning and had plans to go and get brunch with McKenna at Citizens of Chelsea. We both got ready and made it to the cafe where we started off with coffee. I talked with her for close to two hours! I had such an amazing time! Mckenna and I chatted about life in New York City, what The King’s College is like, and then we got into our personal lives and just got to know each other better! It was so great to get to know her more because she has such a sweet soul!
After a very meaningful chat, she headed back to her apartment while I went off to do some exploring. I ended up beginning my adventures at The New York Public Library where I walked through and got to enjoy the miles of books that lined the walls. I then made my way to The Bryant Park Holiday Market. It was the first holiday market I’d ever been to, and it was the most magical experience! It was like a festival with all types of stands that sold trinkets, hot cocoa, clothing, books, every food imaginable, and more! The whole area was decorated and it felt like you had walked into a Christmas department store.
I walked around for a bit, purchased some cute items, and then I went skating. I got onto the ice pretty quickly, in fact, most things went very fast because I was only one person and never had to wait for anyone else to do anything. It was quite a freeing experience! As skated around the rink, I peacefully enjoyed the activity as well as enjoying the people-watching that I was doing. Seeing people skate, shop, eat, and just have fun with their friends, family, significant others, all smiling and so happy, excited me. It is so amazing to watch others enjoy themselves so much and live their lives in such a positive way.
The rest of my day was pretty random. I went and had a lunch at the Whole Foods across the street with giant windows overlooking the park where I was able to watch thousands of people doing every imaginable thing. There were folks in the park, skating in the rink, walking around the streets, biking, sightseeing, and just living. I walked to a coffee shop close by to enjoy a warm latte afterwards, and then continued on my way, and by way I mean I aimlessly wandered through the streets of New York just going with the flow of the crowd.
These are what the store windows look like when you’re shopping in Midtown on 5th Ave.
The crowd ended up leading me blocks down the road to a giant shopping area where I got to go into Macy’s largest department store! It was absolutely so big that I got a little lost for a while, but eventually navigated my way out. After I got out of there I shopped the rest of the night in other stores in the area. I went into a lot of my favorite places like H&M and Urban Outfitters and then other stores that I wasn’t so familiar with.
I ended my night by hopping onto the subway and then hopped off at Union Square for dinner. I ended up, first, heading over to The City Bakery where I had the world’s BEST hot chocolate, topped with a homemade marshmallow. (More to come about the cocoa in my food post.) Then I walked to By Chloe, an all vegan fast-food chain, and had dinner there. To finish the night, I made my way back to Hanover, food baby in my belly, and enjoyed another great night of sleep in my beautiful New-York apartment.
Day 5 (December 3rd)
On Sunday morning I woke up early to get out the door in time for church. I had a quick breakfast and then made my way to Grand Central Station. I had it in my head that church was at 10:30 am, so I decided to get an oat-milk latte at Irvington Coffee Roasters in The Grand Central food court, thinking I had time. Right after getting my drink, I began walking around the shops in the station, only to get a text from Julia, who I was meeting for church that morning, that church was at 10 am. I received her text at 9:52 am, and I was exactly one mile away from The Hillsong Church, but I was determined.
So there I went, the girl who had wet hair, coffee in one hand, GPS in the other, wearing boots with a heel, and was running in her giant winter coat to make it to church on time. By the time I got there my hair was dry, my clothes were sweaty, my coffee was gone, my feet were aching, and my phone battery was drained, but it was 10:02 am, and I was in line to go through security to get into the church.
Once inside, I met Julia and her friend Briana, and we got seated. The worship had already started, so we jumped right in. It was so powerful, every song was being sung right from my heart to the Lord, and it was amazing. The message that followed was also very informative and interesting. The Hillsong service was quite an experience that I won’t forget! Being apart of a service with hundreds of others who were there to serve the same God, it was something unlike any other service I’ve been apart of.
After the service ended, I had a whole day to myself, in the most magical city on the planet, to do whatever I wanted with. So I decided to go to The Rockefeller Center area to enjoy all the beautiful Christmas lights that I missed the first night I was there. I went and enjoyed the Rockefeller tree and watched people skate in the famous Rockefeller skating rink (the one that you see in most of the holiday movies filmed in NYC).
After grabbing a treat from The Magnolia Bakery, I headed to Times Square just for a short bit to enjoy all the life and the lights. I walked around and took in all of the craziness that is experienced there and then went into one of the may Starbucks that is in that area and enjoyed a latte. I sat there for some time to just relax and plan out my next moves using my large list that I had put together before my trip. It was full of places, activities, restaurants, etc. to check out and eat at while I was in New York. So I browsed my list and checked off all of the places I had hit and made an itinerary for the rest of my time in the city.
That afternoon I decided that I was feeling extremely ‘Christmassy’ again, so I took the subway to The Union Square Holiday Market. I walked around and took in all of the holiday spirit for the afternoon. Halfway through my walk through the market Lizzy called me and we talked for an hour or so all about both of our lives since we’d last seen each other. It was so good to hear her voice because I love my sister, and not seeing her for days was causing me to experience sister withdrawals.
I had started in the market and then veered off in all kinds of directions around the park where I shopped in all kinds of cute stores and boutiques. I gave both of my parents calls and talked to them as well, and again, it was such a great sound to hear both of their voices.
After miles of walking for my feet, and miles of talking for my mouth, I headed to Hu Kitchen and had dinner. I camped there for a while sending photos to some of my sisters and friends from my trip, texting people about the competition that I participated in on Friday, and just hoped that any one of the many Instagram bloggers that I am obsessed with, who live in the NYC, and love Hu, would walk in and give me an opportunity to meet one of them. (Sadly, that never happened.)
Day 6 (December 4th)
Again, another early day, one that I was so excited for because I planned to go and get avocado toast from The Butcher’s Daughter. It was some of the best avocado toast that I have ever seen photographed on Instagram, and it did not disappoint. I had such a relaxing morning at the cafe where I enjoyed the sun and I ate my toast next to another woman who was reading the paper while eating pancakes. We chatted a bit, and it was so lovely. I find it so amazing when two (or more) people who don’t know each other can talk and enjoy the company that the other brings. We all have so much to share, whole lives that we’ve lived through, and amazing personalities to communicate them with, so why wouldn’t you want to take the time to get to know as many others as you can?
I left after enjoying my breakfast and walked to New York University, where I arrived quite early, so I detoured into La Colombe to get their on-tap Draft Latte. When I finished, I made a short walk to The Welcome Center at New York University. I was signed up to take an informational tour that morning and was one of the first to show-up that.
The tour began with an informational meeting and then ended with a walk around the Greenwich Village area where the housing, classes, and buildings of the school were scattered. The college, and all the opportunities available there, were so impressive, and excited me like crazy! After I finished the tour, I had to call my dad to tell him all about it! There was some much to say, and even more anxiety I needed to express because I was scared about what this meant. If I loved The King’s College, and I loved New York University, what would I do? Which college would I choose? (I am the most indecisive person there ever was, so this was quite a large issue that felt very consuming.) After talking about it, I put the thought on the back-burner because I knew that I didn’t need to decide that moment, or that day, or even that month, and I went to go and get some lunch, followed by a walk through the park.
Washington Square Park is such a beautiful park that is always so calm, yet lively, and has such a beautiful view and peaceful atmosphere. I chilled on one of the benches for a while and took in the scenery. I enjoyed watching little kids run around, teenagers skate-board, a band perform for spare change, a man play music on the grand piano near the arch, dogs play with their toys, and much more. Eventually I left the park and walked around the Greenwich Village area for a few hours. I then made my way to Soho and shopped the many stores that fill that neighborhood. When I finally needed a break, I settled in at Irvington Coffee Roasters coffee shop an ordered an oat-milk latte. It was a peaceful afternoon that I spent reading a book that I brought followed by a mile walk to my dinner destination and then back to the college.
These are photos from Soho
Day 7 (December 5th)
I had an alarm set to get up early on Tuesday because I had a few appointments that day. I got up, got ready, and headed towards Little Italy for breakfast. I made my way to Two Hands and enjoyed a slow and relaxing breakfast. The cafe is kind of small, but the aesthetic is so completely on point, and all the waiters are so fashion forward with amazing accents… I was such a perfect atmosphere for a slow breakfast.
I got going after my coffee cup was empty and walked towards Essex Street for my manicure at The Chillhouse. I had heard about The Chillhouse from quite a few wellness Instagrammers, and I made sure to schedule my appointment weeks before my trip. The Chillhouse is a wellness cafe in the front and a salon in the back. The front is very relaxed with seating and natural lighting. There is a counter where you can order wellness drinks such as the “Chill Me Out” latte which is made with ube, ginger, goji, acai, rehmannia, and mesquite. They also have treats that are mostly vegan and other staple drinks like matchas and turmeric lattes. In the back is where they do manicures and massages of all sorts. It was truly the most unique location I’ve ever visited.
I got a three-tiered gel manicure, which left me feeling so pampered. I had a manicurist who was very sweet and talked the entire time about life with me. She told me about her son and how she likes to use herbal remedies with plants she grows in her home and I talked about my future college and life plans.
After I got some nice photos of my nails, because you know I had to, I rushed off to Noho to catch the SoulCycle class that I signed up for. I got there, got ready, and was situated in plenty of time. The class itself was intense and left me feeling an amazing high. The instructor was so passionate and truly made you feel that all that mattered was what was happening right there. She pushed me to the absolute edge. I walked out of the studio dripping sweat, a little weak (because it was my first exercise session in over a week), and wanting more. I made my way to the locker room and showered to get ready to have lunch where I went right across the street to The Broken Coconut and had one of my favorite meals of the whole trip.
I met McKenna soon after at a coffee shop where we talked for about two hours. The more I talked with her, the closer we became! It was fun chatting because we share so many similar qualities. Not only that but I asked many more questions about King’s and the answers continued to reassure me that that college is where I belong. She then told me more about herself, and we shared more stories, and eventually she had to get going to met a friend for dinner, so I headed over to The Chelsea Market in The Meatpacking District.
I got to the market and spent the rest of my night wandering around. I had some amazing goat-milk and sesame soft-serve after some amazing soup. I shopped, almost buying a hat that said “Avocado Toast” on it, but refrained when I saw the price tag (I am not going to lie, I regret not buying it). I enjoyed myself for a few hours and got going a little later than I had hoped. I had planned to leave in time to beat the rain that was coming, but the market doesn’t really have windows, so it is easy to lose track of time in there if you aren’t watching a clock. When I stepped outside, it was down-pouring! I made my way back to Brooklyn, where my new apartment was located, and arrived soaking-wet. (I switched between three apartments during my trip to stay with different students and to experience new areas.)
Day 8 (December 6th)
This was my last full day, and again, it was a bit busy! I woke up and headed to Little Italy for another amazing breakfast at De Maria where I got The Tiger Bowl and some banana bread. When I finished, I hopped right back onto the subway for Central Park. After I arrived, I started at Columbus Circle and visited the Central Park Holiday Market. It was the third holiday market I went to. They were all similar, but still very unique in their own ways, and all extremely festive! Eventually with some hot cocoa in my hand, I ventured out into the park, stuck in my headphones, hit play on Taylor Swift’s new album, and walked through the park for nearly two hours.
Central Park is by far one of my favorite places in this world. It is full of wildlife, nature, and diversity, in the midst of a huge city. It is truly a magical place. I can’t quite explain the feeling that you get inside yourself when you’re there, it is something you have to experience on your own, but it is amazing. I could have kept walking through the park for years, but I decided I needed a cookie after a bit, so I went on a cookie hunt.
It took me half-an-hour to walk to Levain Bakery, but if you’re a foodie, you’d know that Levain is where you can get the best cookies in the whole city, so the walk was worth it. I bought two cookies last time I was there, and I bought two again this time around as well. The cookies…words cannot describe! I slowly savored the amazing flavor and doughiness and chocolateness that the cookies are embodied with.
My plan was to leave all my food pictures for the next post, but I had to throw this one in here… I mean just look at that cookie!
As I sat in the bakery, I came up with a game plan for the next few hours in my head. I was in need of lunch, and wanted to get By Chloe again. There was a By Chloe two miles away located right by The Radio City Music Hall where the Rockettes would perform at 1pm. I had been wanting to see The Rockettes, so I decided that is what I would go and experience next. It was 11:40 am, so I was in quite the time-crunch, and didn’t actually have tickets for the performance yet, but I was determined. (Again, this was something that never could have happened with more than one or two people, but as an individual, I knew myself and knew I’d be able to make it in time and get a good seat. It would be tough, but I knew I could do it. I loved that freedom).
So with two miles to walk through one of the busiest areas of the city, I got going soon after being in cookie heaven. It took lots of arm-pumping, weaving through folks, running to make it across streets before lights changed, car-dodging, and GPSing down millions of weird streets, but I made it to By Chloe by 12:15. I walked in and there was a massively long line that extended all the way to the door that was what seemed like a mile from the counter. However, I was there, and wanted my vegan burger and sweet potato fries with beet ketchup one more time before I left the city, so I got in line.
My food made it out extremely fast, (they must always be that busy and have a good system) and I was chowing down by 12:30. As I was eating, I purchased the most last-minute tickets anyone could possibly buy for the Rockettes show, which was just a few blocks away.
I made it to Radio City just in time and enjoyed the show, although I personally wouldn’t go again. The Rockettes were fun to watch, but there were many other elements of the show that bored me a bit. I am glad that I was able to experience it though! After the show I went back to the Soho area to shop for the afternoon. After getting a few items I had been eyeing up for the majority of my trip, I walked towards Dig Inn. Dig Inn was the restaurant where I was going to be meeting up with my friend Sam to have dinner and finally meet for the first time! We had been Instagram friends for so long, meeting through our food accounts, and then began talking more personally a while after. We had gotten pretty close, so I was so excited to finally meet her!
She arrived and it was so strange to see someone in person whom you’ve only ever seen photos of and chatted with via text and Instagram. Sam was so pretty and just as sweet as I knew she would be! We ordered our food, took pictures of it (of course), and then talked for quite some time! We chatted about all sorts of things… it was just so surreal to meet her! Sam lives in Staten Island, and eventually she needed to catch the bus, and I had a baking class to attend, so we had to say goodbye after our short, but amazing, time together.
After saying goodbye I adventured to where I would be taking a baking class taught by Rachel Mansfield! For anyone who isn’t familiar, she is a recipe developer and a wellness blogger. She has a very large following and is known around the country for her website and her brand! I got there very early and got to meet her and some of the others that run Wellness Meet Up (the brand hosting the event) along with many who were there to take the class.
The class itself was very fun and informative, although, I was allergic to half the ingredients we were using, because they were almond based, so I didn’t get to participate much. However, I did get to meet a ton of foodies and girls living wellness-based lives (like I am) which was quite a blessing! I left with a heavy bag full of free products and a phone full of foodie photos and made my way to Brooklyn late that night to get to sleep for tomorrow.
Day 9 (December 7th)
My flight was a late one, not departing until 4:30 pm, so I woke up and went to have a nice breakfast one last time. I enjoyed myself at Banter and then headed out in search of a shop that was selling bags. I knew after the baking class, and all my shopping, that my suitcase was far over 50 pounds, and I’d be needing to check in another bag.
Eventually I found one, along with DO, where, yes, I did eat cookie dough at 9:30 in the morning. My philosophy is that when you’re in New York City, you need to eat at every possible chance! (And I definitely did that.) After, I headed back to my apartment with my new bag so that I could begin the packing process, which if you know me, was pretty easy because I am a neat freak and my suitcase was already almost ready to go as it was. However, I needed to do rearranging of weights to make sure all of my bags were under the 50 pound limit.
I got everything situated with enough time to adventure a bit more. I had about two hours, and I decided to stay in Brooklyn for that time to explore. Manhattan is only one of five boroughs that make up New York City, Brooklyn being another. After beginning my walk I began to feel regret that I hadn’t spent more time in that area. The houses were gorgeous, the streets were silent, all the people you saw were real residents, not tourists, so they were very chill and sweet. Brooklyn was more of a residential area, not so much a sightseeing area. I walked by many homes, schools, and some cafes. I knew that next time I was in New York, I would need to spend more time in this borough!
As I was wrapping up the last of my time in the city, I began walking towards Bluestone Lane for some coffee and a light lunch. On the way I stumbled upon the Brooklyn Bridge, which I didn’t realize was so close to the apartment! I had to get a photo (being one of the most Instagrammed spots ever, I couldn’t pass it up) and I enjoyed the gorgeous area for a bit. I walked by the filming of two different movies where I was shushed, despite not making any noises, and eventually got to the coffee shop.
I ordered, and then sat down and waited for my coffee and toast. While I waited I heard someone begin ordering. I knew her voice immediately as Shailene Woodley. When I was younger I was obsessed with fictional books, such as Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars, and had seen their movies a thousand times each. She was the actresses who portrayed the lead character in both movies. After she ordered, she went to a table, and I was so excited that I got up and went over to her. I basically told her how much I loved her work and she thanked me, said some words that I don’t remember because I was in shock (I had never met an extremely famous person before, especially not randomly), and then she hugged me! I sat down, enjoyed my food, and walked back to the apartment with a cheesy grin on my face!
Then the rest of my day was pretty boring. I called an Uber, got to the airport, and you know the drill. I arrived in Minnesota at 7pm that night, and continued my adventures from there!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my trip! As I mentioned earlier, I plan to do shorter posts of the food and the ‘lessons learned’ aspects of my trip next! This trip was the best nine days of my life, and I am so thankful for the opportunity. A few weeks after returning home I made the decision to secure my place in next year’s class at The King’s College by making a payment for early action decision enrollment. I talked with Sophia about finances and it is now official: I will be attending The King’s College beginning in the fall of 2018 for journalism! I am more excited than I have ever been about anything and I am looking forward to begin that chapter of my life (after I finish this one of course)! More posts to come, and until then, happy last week of 2017!
Well friends, as I am sure most of you can agree, life has been crazy! Thanksgiving has come and gone and here we are on this 30th of November. I have decided to take a few short minutes as I am sitting here in my temporary apartment that I am staying at while in NYC as I wait for one of my hosts to finish an assignment so that we can go and bake cookies!
Let’s begin with November 16th, the day of the father’s birthday. That morning I treated him to a breakfast as Sportsman’s and we had a great time talking as usual. Then that evening, my father, Lizzy, and I had dinner at Sammy’s Pizza. I ended the night with my friend Shelby and we watched Elf! I swear that that movie gets better every single time I watch it! The joke get funnier and the holiday spirit becomes cheerier! The next morning, on Friday, Shelby and I had breakfast together before class. Shelby is my oatmeal buddy, so everytime we eat breakfast together, we both tend to get oatmeal! The weekend was then jam-packed with homework galore! It was my last completely-empty few days to pound out some work before I left for my trip! On Sunday morning I had breakfast, (again…I know), with Bobbie and Lizzy, and we talked for close to two hours! If you have sisters, you’ll know that sister dates like these are the ind that I live for.
Then began the start of the craziest-busiest few weeks I think my life has ever seen!! Monday through Wednesday was full of odds and ends as far as getting appointments in, packing, shopping, homework, baking, finalizing my speech for my scholarship competition, and more. It was the evening of the 22nd, or Wednesday night, that things started to get fun! My mother is usually the one to throw our Thanksgiving Day feast, but this year Bobbie hosted it! However, mom still had a few of her famous dishes she had to make. She makes THE WORLD’S BEST dutch apple pie! So we sampled some fresh from the oven after a long baking session that night which kept us awake until about 1a.m.
I woke up on Thursday with such a big smile on my face… it was Thanksgiving! What a beautiful holiday commemorating all that we have to be thankful for! My family is very traditional! On Thanksgiving morning, Lizzy, Dad, and I go over to Christy’s where she always has freshly-baked caramel and cinnamon rolls for everyone while we watch The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! After we depart, we head over to the big Catholic church in Hibbing where the large Community Thanksgiving Dinner takes place! Every year my family and I deliver meals to two different buildings. Typically when people order meals, it is because they can’t afford a meal, they can’t leave their home, or have no one else to celebrate with. This component of my holiday is always one of the most touching. It is so beautiful when we deliver meals, always singing and praying for our meal-receivers, and they tear-up. Or even when I receive a beautiful smile and a ‘thank you’, it makes it all worth it! There are so many people, just within the two buildings we deliver to, that don’t have any family, or are house-ridden, or are too poor to afford a turkey dinner. It truly makes me thankful for what I have, and makes me even happier to help out the folks who are less fortunate than I!
After delivering meals, Liz and I make our way to our feast with my mother. We made it out to Bobbie’s early that afternoon and had a blast. The whole celebration was full of food, laughter, talking, games, dessert, coffee, and just happiness! Bobbie cooked an amazing meal and the rest of the family contributed to some awesome desserts and appetizers! I was entirely too full when I left that night, but it is such an amazing feeling to enjoy food the way we were meant to!
That night we all tried to make it to bed as soon as we could because we are Black Friday fiends! Haha, just kidding! We do shop, but we aren’t crazy 4a.m. people! My mom, Lizzy, Bobbie, Carrie, and I all left around 7a.m. for Duluth. It is such a magical feeling when I am with my mom and sisters because it doesn’t happen to often with our busy schedules. That Friday was full of so many memories! We made it to Target, where we have made it a tradition to start with Starbucks in our hands, Best Buy, and the big shopping Mall. The day consisted of lots of shopping and sister/mother bonding. We all continuously were running into each other in the mall, and occasionally running away from the other when we had a gift for someone in hand. By the end of the day, we were all tired and hangry (a condition that I have learned all of my sisters, mother, and I, suffer from). So we made our way to Olive Garden and again stuffed ourselves while Bobbie and Carrie shared memories from their childhood!
Saturday morning was slow as I spent the whole day packing my suitcase and finalizing a few homework projects. That night we went over to Christy’s again for a birthday dinner to celebrate both my father’s birthday and my own! Christy, being the amazing baker/chef/hostess that she is, prepared exactly what my dad and I requested! For me: white bean, chicken chili, and for my dad: regular beef chili. We both asked for a big salad and fresh bread as well, and like always, she delivered the yummiest of all! We ended the night with some presents and desserts.
Sunday morning began with some singing to my niece over the phone because it was her tenth birthday! Mckenzie is such an angel. She is so beautiful, creative, smart, hilarious, and so extremely sweet. I am such a blessed aunt and I had a hard time comprehending that she just hit double digits… but so goes life… After church and other activities, we celebrated her birthday that night at Grandma’s in the Park! She was so excited to have her birthday dinner there, although she only ate around three breadsticks, but had plenty of room for her birthday milkshake!
Monday morning, the morning of my 18th birthday, my dad and I went out to breakfast at Sportsmen’s to celebrate! Eggs and avocado toast was on my menu (of course)! I always have to bring my own avocados when I want them as they don’t have any at Sportsman’s, but I have a very ‘extra’ personality, so of course I do it! That morning, the meal seemed even more amazing than normal! I had a few classes and did a large biology assignment that afternoon. My day was pretty slow up until my special birthday dinner. I choose to have my entire family get together that night at Kunnari, my favorite place around! I felt like so special that night with twelve family members celebrating my special day! I have been blessed with my most loving family ever. I truly believe that I couldn’t be any luckier. I have sisters who double as my best friends, parents who I love and who love me more than words could explain, nieces and nephews who I am more proud of than Buddy the Elf is of his father, and brother-in-laws with the most funny and playful personalities! We enjoyed an amazing meal along with such amazing coffee and ended with cake! Again, I felt like a princess when one of the owners was in the back baking the cake while we were eating, and as I opened my gifts, it was brought out to me, fresh from the oven! The red velvet cake with cream-cheese frosting was the most velvety, luscious, rich, yummy cake I ever remember savoring! It was an amazing day, and although I didn’t get to see too many friends because of my upcoming trip, I was sent so many sweet messages and texts from people wishing me the happiest of birthdays, and I am so thankful for all of the kind souls that did!
Wednesday was my final day of classes and getting together last minute jazz, and that is exactly what I did. Yesterday I got up at 3a.m. so that by 4a.m. my dad and I could leave for Minneapolis to get to the airport in plenty of time for my flight. Now, here I am, once again, in New York City for a 9-day adventure in The Big Apple. My flight was short and smooth, my Uber driver was an interesting man who is very against greasy pizza, snow, and walking, and I have already made quite a few friends with students here at The King’s College, one of the colleges I am visiting this week! These last few days/past two weeks have absolutely flown by, and in fact, I am still pondering over what happened to my freshman year when all I was concerned with was figuring out how to factor and which type of chocolate I wanted in my hot chocolates.
I am an 18 year-old girl, who is finally feeling like she is putting her eating disorder behind her, is in New York City, alone, for the adventure of her life with oodles of plans and opportunities in front of her, who has the best family in this entire world that treats her so much better than she deserves, who is sincerely loved by Jesus and is feeling it more than ever, who has the sweetest friends she could ask for, and is just so thankful. I can’t stress that enough: I am SO THANKFUL! I have so much more than I could ever ask for! Looking back and reminiscing on the past eighteen years, my life has just been one long timeline of blessings. I know that most everyone says the same thing, and feels the same, and that is because life is one big blessing! Not only that, but someone else’s blessings don’t outdo your own! We all have different stories that God has written for us, and we need to find the beauty in them! I am just feeling so overwhelmed and happy at the moment, and I hope you are able to find that in your own life as well! Life is a beautiful gift! I am excited to begin this adventure this afternoon, and when I return, I will definitely have another New York City post coming your way!
Once again, the holiday season is upon us! It is my favorite time of the year! The celebrating has already begun in my life! I have done some baking, been jamming out to Christmas music on Spotify daily, celebrated at a Friendsgiving party last weekend, Lizzy and I have our house all decked out with all the Christmas decorations, The Hallmark Channel is all that I have been watching, and I’ve been enjoying some holiday beverages such as the Kaffe Kringle over at Duluth Coffee Company. Not to mention my mother and I picked up holiday scented candles and soaps at Bath and Body Works the other day (which includes my favorite holiday scent: Vanilla Bean Noel). Prior to decorating, Liz and I went to see Bad Mom’s Christmas and we have both been rocking our holiday pj’s from Old Navy lately as well. I have also already picked out my Christmas sweater for all of the contests this year… okay, I am sure you get the picture(;
So, clearly, I am a holiday fanatic! Aka a holly-jolly, Christmas and Thanksgiving obsessed, gets way too excited about everything that is holiday-related type of freak. What is it that I love about this time of the year? There is so much that I could mention, but to name a few of the highlights:
It is the season of giving! That means I get to pick out the perfect presents for all of my loved ones just because I can!
There is a feeling of ‘togetherness’ that brings everyone together. Your family, your teachers, your friends, your neighbor, the grocery store clerk…everyone feels like your best friend this time of year!
Christmas decorations that are oh-so beautiful, especially all of the lights!
All the food that is never-ending and tastes better than any other time of the year
The Hallmark Channel is playing holiday-themed movies 24/7
The music is so jolly and makes you want to sing no matter what setting you’re in
This is the gold-mine of the year as far as family traditions go: Family baking, dinners, sweater contests, secret-sisters…
So where exactly am I going with all this? Well, first of all, I just wanted to share with you all my excitement and talk about this amazing season that I would perpetually live in if I was given the chance. But, I have a more important point that that I am looking to get to:
A reminder to stay mindful this holiday season.
I want to begin by mentioning that I believe mindfulness is extremely important for everyone to practice in every aspect of their lives all of the time. However, I believe that there is a heightened need for it during these months because of the holidays. This is the busiest time of the year, and for many, can also be the most stressful as well, making it way too easy to forget to really take time and enjoy what is happening all around you.
Think about it: Whenever someone starts to open a gift, everyone takes out their phone to snap a photo. Each time you and your friends are celebrating the holidays together, no one can eat their meal until the perfect shot has been captured of the Instagram worthy dishes. Nor can you lay your coat down until you have gotten all the perfect shots of the entire setting. When it come to family parties, we spend so much time taking family photos with different props, lighting, mixture of members, that when it is all said and done, Santa is already waiting to drop through the chimney. Or how about Black Friday, or gift-buying in general, when you have to make sure to purchase something for absolutely everyone you know? Of course, you also need to wrap the presents perfectly, making sure it speaks to the gift-receiver’s soul, and get it from the highest-quality retailer at the lowest-price known to man. Or when you’re making a big meal, it needs to be perfect, right? The dinner must have each and every traditional dish that the current holiday is famous for plus every possible dessert, not to mention adding your personal touches to the feast all while keeping in mind the vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-intolerant, grain-free, peanut-allergic people you also have to cook for. This, in short, spells out stress.
As much as we all wish that we could just enjoy the holidays, we always seem to allow these stressors to come inbetween us and our happiness. That’s where I look to practicing mindfulness. Learning to be mindful is actually quite an easy concept, despite what many people may think. To be mindful is to use all of your senses and be aware of what you are doing. Paying attention to the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and the textures around you. Realizing what you are doing, what is happening around you, and being present for it all. Let me put this into context: Mindfulness might mean paying attention to the pressure that your feet feel against the ground, focusing on the rhythm of your breathing, or maybe it means you stop to listen to the sound of the wind blowing in the distance. It can be used in all aspects of life:
Next time you are listening to music, take some time to truly listen and understand the lyrics.
When your mother is cooking breakfast, stop and listen to the sizzle of the bacon grease in the pan. Take a minute to sniff and take in the aromas of the freshly toasted bread that just popped from the toaster.
Take a moment and find a nearby window. Now, stand in front of the window and look at whatever it is outside the glass. Do not just look, but see. Notice the beauty of the small flowers, the texture of the siding on the neighbor’s house, the color of the car parked on the sidewalk.
Mindfulness, in short, is experiencing life and everything it has to offer. I know for certain that I don’t want to wake up one morning when I’m an old lady and question where my life went. I don’t want to look back and realize I just drifted through life and allowed stress, tiredness, and worry to rule me and kept me from enjoying myself. Or even allowed my own self, by not paying attention to the people and events in my life, to keep me from being totally, 100 percent, all-the-way present and alive for my life.
As I mentioned before, this practice is something we need to work on daily, but I wanted to share it with you right now so that as Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., roll up that you are able to use my advice to make this holiday season the most enjoyable and memorable than they’ve ever been before. So, as the holiday parties begin to take place, make sure to take an extra second to savor the homemade cider, to catch-up with an old friend, to listen to Frank Sinatra on the radio, and to notice the gorgeous decorations. As you are preparing for a big meal, don’t allow the little things to get to you. If you are only able to bake an apple pie, and don’t have time for a pumpkin, there isn’t much you can do. Instead of allowing the emotions to overtake you, take some deep breaths and remind yourself you’re only human and the absence of that pie won’t ruin anyone’s holiday. Instead, decide that you are just going to enjoy yourself and the apple pie that you did have the chance to make. When you are at your town’s Christmas parade, instead of taking out your phone to try to document the whole thing, therefore never truly experiencing it in person, maybe just take a photo or two, and then put your phone away to enjoy what is happening while it is going on. (Just a little disclaimer: I am not telling you to not take photos, if I was, I would be a hypocrite. However, I am saying that taking a few photos is all you need for memories. After that, I believe that you should just enjoy the moment. This also applies to everything else. Don’t totally shut your emotions off when stress or another negative factor comes your way, but instead acknowledge its existence and decide that you’re not going to allow it to rule you.)
This year is going to be the best yet, and I know that for a fact. This is because I plan to be there for every single moment of it. I am not going to let any emotions get in my way, nor am I going to let myself go through this season only kind-of noticing and experiencing. I am going to enjoy every moment, be aware of everything at all times, and have the most amazing 2017 Holiday Season that I could possibly ever have. And you can decide that you’re going to do the same as well. So, are you with me?
Ah, fall… The most beautiful season of the year, especially here in Minnesota. The crisp, cool air, the football games, the fuzzy clothes and warm boots, beautiful colors, the perfect weather for coffee and cocoa, apple picking, pumpkin activities, and to top it all: It means that the holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving food babies and Christmas cookie bellies, here I come! If you know anything about me, you know I am a fall-loving, pumpkin-spice-flavored-anything obsessed freak. In fact, I am an all-around holiday fanatic! It is who I am. I love this time of year more than anything else in the world! After waking up to some snow this morning, I refused to believe that autumn is over just yet… I mean, I have only been able to do half of the fall things that I had planned! That is why I decided to put together this fun little post highlighting all the best activities to spend time doing during the fall! There is nothing that feels more right than embracing the season by truly taking time to enjoy it with one of these many different, autumn-inspired festivities! (Don’t get me wrong though, I am more excited for this snow than most people are for the pizza delivery guy to show up… but I could use even just one more week of fall! Although I think judging by the outside world here in Hibbing, winter is here to stay. However, I thought I would still share this post anyways!)
Pumpkin Carving
An old classic! There is nothing more fun than getting together with some friends and a few pumpkins and getting creative with crazy faces and pictures. It is always a bonus when you take the extra time to dig the seeds out of your pumpkin guts and then roast them afterwards for a tasty treat!
Fall Baking
Baking during the fall could be justified by the aromas alone, let alone the actual treat that you get to enjoy when it’s all said and done! There are hundreds of options out there for treat options! Some of my favorites include pumpkin bread with some kind of cream cheese, apple pie or apple crisp, and traditional Pillsbury sugar cookies (the Halloween edition, of course). This can make for a solo activity or you can turn it into a big baking party with all of your friends for some bonding time! Either way, it isn’t truly fall without some kind of baked goodies to show for it!
Fall Photoshoots
The colors during this season are more breathtaking than during any other time of the year, no questions asked. So, I always try and grab a friend at least once every year and get some photos to capture the beauty of the season to accompany our own beauty. I suggest you all do this while there are still some leaves left on the trees, your beauty is one that deserves to be captured!
Visiting a Pumpkin Patch
Do you even truly experience fall if you don’t visit a pumpkin patch? This is such a must-do! I find that visiting the pumpkin patch is most fun when I am with my family because they make a fun experience all the more memorable. So round-up whoever you can from your family, or even your friends, and go find a patch! Don’t miss out on the food, all the fun animals, the mud, the corn mazes, the hayrides, and of course: the pumpkin picking!
Apple Picking
Sadly, picking apples is one of the few things I haven’t gotten to try this year. I am pretty bummed about this one because apples are my favorite fruit. I tend to eat at least one a day. Although, in the fall, I have about three a day because they are so in-season right now! (I am a die-hard Honeycrisp fan.) However, if you ever get a chance to go to an orchard, please do it and enjoy every minute of the experience!
Cozying Up
This is one of my favorite things to do during the chilly seasons! On nights when you are feeling like a home-body, what is better than throwing on an oversized sweater, some really fuzzy socks, wrapping up in your warmest blanket, making a warm cup of cocoa, snuggling next to your fireplace with your dog, and turning on a Halloween movie? Nothing. Nothing is better than this.
Enjoying Soup and/or Chili
I eat soup and chili year-round, but there is something magical about eating it during both the fall and winter seasons. Having a warm bowl of butternut squash soup to warm your soul while the outside world is slowly freezing… it is such a happy feeling. The meal is so cozy, just as the seasons are, they make a perfect pair!
Lighting Candles
If you have never owned a pumpkin-scented candle from Bath and Body Works, I feel sorry for you. My bedroom must have around 20 candles in various places and they are all fall-scents. You cannot have a true fall aesthetic without the flicker of Caramel Pumpkin Swirl on your bookshelf with a scent so delightful that it causes you to head to the kitchen to begin baking some pumpkin muffins with caramel in the middle.
Listening to Fall Playlists
Yet another must for the perfect fall aesthetic. I love listening to music that is built around the environment. I have a Spotify account and follow people who make bomb playlists that I can listen to year-round and specifics for certain times of the year or certain moods I am in. A few of my current favorites that truly transform any ordinary room into an autumn wonderland would be these three: october sweetness, sweater weather, and october. (The period is apart of the title of the last playlist.) None of these are playlists that I created, they are all ones that belong to some of my favorite Instagrammers who also have amazing taste in music.
Collecting Leaves
So many people underestimate the fun that collecting leaves can be. It is so enjoyable to head out on a walk and be mindful of your surroundings. You don’t necessarily need to collect leaves, but just notice them their beauty (of course you could collect some if you would like, just don’t pick any that are still alive)! I like to take photos of all the leaves that catch my eye, and by the end of the season, I tend to have a full album dedicated to leaves alone.
Corn Mazes
Usually, you go through corn mazes when you are at a pumpkin patch, but I decided that this one is so fun and so it needed to have its own little section! Is it really fall if you haven’t gotten lost within a large field of cornstalks? For the past fews years, Lizzy and I have taken our niece and nephew through a maze everytime we go to the patch. It is so fun to run around and not quite know where you are, it is like being inside of a giant puzzle that you need to find your way out of while getting full of mud at the same time.
Football Games
This one isn’t for everyone, but it is football season, and most people love to watch football, so I added it to the list! I used to be a fan, but I no longer go out of my way to make it to many games as I am more of a ‘I could bake or watch a movie instead’ type of gal. However, it is too much of a fall necessity to not include it!
Halloween Movie Marathons
NOSTALGIA HERE WE COME! Yes, it is fun to watch new movies, but the best is turning on the old classics. Getting cozy with friends, warm drinks, and then turning on Halloweentown, Hocus Pocus, or maybe Casper. There is nothing that could bring back the feeling of being a child, watching the same movies, more than movie marathons. Nothing could ever top that nostalgic ‘feeling like a kid again’ feeling.
Make a ‘Thankful For’ Project
Working on being thankful everyday is a task that I have been tackling for quite some time now, always keeping in mind how blessed I am in every situation. However, during this time of the year, I think that being thankful is something that becomes even more important because Thanksgiving and Christmas are here! They represent a time when we are to be extra thankful and realize how much the Lord does for us! So every year I try and come up with a project, whether it be as simple as a list, or as extravagant as a crazy art project, to keep me mindful of how many blessings I have. This year, it has been writing down, daily, three things I am thankful for. Last year, I had a special jar. Everyday I would write something down and put in into the jar, to keep me reminded of all my blessings.
PUMPKIN EVERYTHING
This is very vague. I just wanted to throw in this point: You can find basically any and everything in a pumpkin flavor during the September, October, and November months, and you need to embrace them all. I love trying new pumpkin products whether they are foods, drinks, candles, perfumes, or other crazy inventions that genuses continue to come out with every year! I hope you enjoy them as well!
Savoring Warm Drinks
This corresponds with the same idea of eating some warm soup. However, not only should you drink warm and cozy beverages, you need to drink the fall flavored ones. Apple Cider, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Chai Tea or Chai Tea Lattes, and Caramel Apple Tea… They will all take your tastebuds on a fun, fall journey that’ll leave you wanting more! It is so fun to get dressed up in a warm scarf and boots and meet your best friend at a coffee shop for some bonding time while sipping one of these fall beverages. You will feel as though you are the epitome of fall (bonus if you go on an extremely chilly day when the beverage can double as a hand-warmer).
Nature Walks
Along the same lines of collecting leaves, but this is less about only noticing the leaves alone, but all the beauty that nature has to offer during this time of year. Not only that, but also enjoying the gorgeous weather while you still can before the snow falls. I love to take my dog for walks, leave my phone at home, and just walk for an hour or so being very mindful of my surroundings and mother nature.
Apple Bobbing
Yet another activity that I haven’t yet gotten to do, although I haven’t actually gotten to do this for a few years! Apple bobbing is a lost art that I feel is getting quite a lot less popular, but is still so fun! You may think it is very simple, but buy some apples that are very slick and throw em into a large bucket of water and you will feel defeated (or maybe I am just really bad at it?). Either way, apple bobbing needs to make a comeback, or maybe I just need to get out more to some Halloween parties that still host this activity!
Bonfires
Sitting around a warm fire, roasting some marshmallows… it is such an enjoyable way to spend a cold night. There has never been bonfire that I haven’t enjoyed myself at. I love when my whole family used to get together when I was a child! My uncle on his guitar, my aunts and mom telling stories, my sister, cousins, and I stealing all the chocolate bars… what a memorable way to spend your time.
DIY Fall Crafts
If you head over to Pinterest, you will be in no shortage of possible crafts to try. There are thousands of ideas that involve leaves, pumpkins, candles, turkeys, and so much more. If you can imagine it, there will be some kind of ‘How-To’ on Pinterest for it! If you have younger kids in your family, this one is especially fun to do with them! I love pulling out old crafts from my childhood to decorate the house with and reminisce on at the same time.
Family Time
Spending time with your family is a year-round thing, I realize this. However, just like everything else during this time of year, it becomes much more magical. Time with your family transforms into something even more special when it happens during the September-December months just because you’re not only with your favorite, lifelong friends, but you get to do your favorite activities while being with them, enjoying their company.
Read a New Book
So many folks claim to not like reading, but they are the ones who just haven’t yet found a book for them yet. Their is a story out there for us all, we just need to find it! What better time to start searching than in autumn when you can take your book to a cafe and enjoy your favorite pumpkin drink while diving into chapter one?
Decorating
Some of my best childhood memories come from those fun weekend nights when my mom would pull out the boxes of decorations from the basement! Within hours, Lizzy and I would have the house looking as though Halloween threw up all over the place, as we also did for Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc… No matter which holiday it is for, having a family night where you get your house ready for the upcoming celebrations and enjoying each other’s company along with treats, you will be extremely blessed with those memories for your entire life.
Holiday Shopping
This one can be such a blessing! Going out with your friends and family to look at what the stores have on their shelves for the current holiday is so much fun! There is no better way to get in the spirit for the fall than buying a new mug and some pumpkin flavored coffee to sip from it! As the holiday season progresses, it is so refreshing to head over to the mall (especially on Black Friday) and pick out the perfect gifts for everyone on your list! I love the feeling of finding something for someone that you know will speak to their soul perfectly!
I realize that only about half of these are true fall activities, the other half being activities that can be taken part in at any point during the holiday season! These next few months are the absolute most wonderful, magical of the entire years! That is why I love to take advantage of all the amazing activities that are available to us. So what are you waiting for? Find a few family members or friends, pick an activity and begin to fully indulge in the season, making memories that’ll last a lifetime while experiencing what it really means to take part in the present moment!
“I decided who I wanted to be, and that is who I am.” -Gabrielle Chanel
Recently, I was talking with a friend whom I love very dearly. It is her first year in college, and she chose to go out of state. She is quite a few hours from her home, and much farther from her family and friends than she is comfortable with. While texting her, she was telling me all about her situation and about how lonely she has become. She is in an uncomfortable place. She misses her hometown and the people there; college is a whole different ball game than her time in high school had been. Throughout the conversation she repeated thoughts that all corresponded with the idea that she is sad and doesn’t want to be there… she is miserable. I did the best that I could to comfort her in that moment, but went on to think more about her words after our conversation had ended.
Everyone goes through different times in their life where they cannot control their current situation. In fact, many things in our life are far from our reach. Maybe you don’t like going to school everyday, you aren’t happy with your body, or you are allergic to the one food that smells more delicious than your grandmother’s homemade apple pie…these are all uncontrollable factors. Now, before I continue, you also need to realize that there are some situations that you do have control over. You aren’t happy taking guitar lessons? You have control over that. You can tell your parents how you feel about playing that instrument, and cease to take the lessons. When you do have control, you need to realize that and take advantage of that situation instead of making excuses. However, I am looking to address just the opposite of that today: What to do when you can not be in control over your current situation.
So, what does one do when they cannot be the one making all the decisions? When you cannot just pick up and move on during the current season of life you’re in that you’re not enjoying? When you can’t just decide that you are ‘done’ with whatever it is that is making you unhappy? Well…perhaps you can’t change your situation, but you can change your mindset. If you can’t just change the fact that you’re not happy with your current height, for example, then, instead of moping around and being miserable with yourself, you need to find the positives to that feature and focus on them instead. For instance, how many spikes have you had in volleyball because you were tall enough to do so? Or how many last packages of Oreos were you able to reach on the top shelf in Target that you wouldn’t have otherwise been able to see? You need to decide that despite where you are in life, that you want to be happy and joyful amongst that otherwise unjoyful situation. YOU MUST FIND YOUR HAPPY. I cannot stress that idea enough: FIND YOUR HAPPY. It is like when you were about to get a shot as a child and the doctor told you to imagine yourself in your favorite place…except this time, you need to make your happy place the real deal in your current reality instead of a figment of your imagination. As I mentioned before, life is out of your control. That means that if it is raining, you can either be sad about it, or you can throw on your mudboots and go dance in the puddles. In the example of my friend and her college situation, she can’t drop out, nor switch colleges. So what would my advice be to her? To decide that she wants to make the best of her college experience; that she needs to find the happy that is hiding there and chase after it. She is not close to her family, but she can call them and text them daily. And because she can’t always see them, that makes her visits that much more special and exciting…something she can be looking forward to! She may not have many friends at college, but that means she can practice making some! Or she can choose to take this time to build the relationships she does possess with some people there, she can choose to build the relationship with her own self, and maybe she can choose to build her relationship with God. She may not have her mother’s cooking every night, but she can explore new restaurants and foods, and maybe learn to cook on her own.
What is the absolute best thing about any negative situation? That there are always positives aspects within them. Sometimes, you may need to search for them, but they are there for you! We only have the here and the now…so why do people choose to mope in their current situations and just sit and wait for the future to hurry up? You are wasting your life, letting time life by, waiting for a day and a time that may never come! Instead of putting your life on hold, and wasting the gift that is today, start living. Your life may not currently be ideal, but you can make it quite a bit more ideal than you may think. You just need to make the most of what you already have. So treat today, and everyday, as though it is Thanksgiving by naming off everything you’re thankful for RIGHT NOW and then focusing on them (if only all of our meals everyday could be like Thanksgiving meals as well!). Trust me, I know that there will still be hard days! You will never escape the reality that is life, and living life means that not everyday is going to be the best day ever. However, today I encourage you to do your best to make each and everyday as worth living as you possibly can by deciding that you want to enjoy them and then doing it by finding your happy in the midst of the unhappy period. You can do this, I know that you can. You can be as strong and as capable as you believe. I believe in you, and I hope that you believe in you, too. Life is beautiful, and time is fleeting, so please, don’t waste what God has given you.
This time of year tends to bring about quite a bit of stress. We have all settled into our routines and our classes, our sports have begun and are getting intense, the homework is getting piled on, scholarships are being put out, the weather is becoming cold and getting darker (at least it is here in Minnesota), not to mention all the personal issues that we all deal with on some level… So today I felt inspired to share with you all a list with all sorts of different ways to relax and allow yourself to de-stress a bit! Even the most high-spirited, energy filled souls can get worn-out and use some TLC here and there! I tried to leave my suggestions very flexible and open to interpretation. Why? Because as I always say: You need to listen to your body! Do what works FOR YOU. If I made a list and everyone was able to follow it exactly and feel amazing, ‘feeling stressed’ wouldn’t be a thing. And anyways, what kind of an individual would you be if you did the exact same everything as the person next to you? I wrote this post in hopes to spark your creative side! My intentions are that you might read my ideas and that they may give birth to some of your own, or maybe they will give you something new to try that you haven’t ever considered! Many of these are similar to the suggestions I gave on my older self-care post, but that is because allowing yourself relaxation and escaping from stress is self-care! Stress takes a big toll on your body, effecting your thoughts, emotions, your behavior, health, your relationships… I could go on forever! So I want to be the first, or maybe the thousandth, to tell you this: If you are stressed, even if you feel that there is no time to stop and take a break, you NEED to stop and take a break. You have been working hard and deserve to nurture yourself a bit! Do not run yourself ragged, because if you do, eventually you will burn yourself out. Better to take that night off, enjoy life, and get back into the groove tomorrow than to try and keep pushing only to end up in a puddle of tears and frustration due to lack of sleep!
Have a Spa Night
Dipping into a tub of hot water with some bubbles, or maybe a bath bomb, is such a great way to allow your muscles to relax and to take your mind off of things. I love to turn on the radio or even set up my phone nearby and watch Netflix while I bathe so that I can lay there for at least an hour and just clear my mind. Pair this with a face mask, or a mani-pedi, and you will fall asleep with such ease! There is also an alternative side to a spa-night at home, which would be to go to a real spa! (If you are able to spare the expense, of course!) Treat yourself to a massage or a wrap because you definitely deserve it!
Exercise
Now for some people this may not be much of a help, but for others, exercise is an amazing way to let all your emotions out. For instance, if you’re upset over a grade, take it out on the squat rack! Hit your fourth rep on the weight that you only were able to squat three reps with last week. Some people get a lot of energy build-up inside of them when they have a lot on their plate. Going for a long run may help them channel that energy somewhere else besides allowing it to sit inside of them, or even just a gentle walk around the block on tough days can sometimes be all I need to feel better. Another popular form of exercise these days, that is amazing for stress-relief, is yoga or even just stretching! I suggest you try this form of movement in some way or another because more and more studies are showing how beneficial these activities truly are for our bodies!
Have a Night-In
Depending on your personality type, this could look a few different ways. By night-in I am talking about those times when life is getting the best of you and staying home is what you know you need, more than you need your alternative plan to go to the party you had been considering earlier. So when your tasks for the day are finally done, make yourself a warm cup of tea or cocoa, light a few candles, and then crawl into bed and relax in whatever way you need. Some nights, for myself, that is watching a favorite movie of mine that allows me to get lost in the storyline of another (a favorite being Safe Haven and/or anything Disney or Pixar). Other nights it is opening up my current read and being sucked into a whole different world. However, this night might mean for you that you’re going to cuddle with your pup, work on knitting the scarf you set down months ago, journaling, or maybe you just turn on your favorite Spotify playlist and zone-out. It is all about what speaks to your soul.
Have a GNO
I hope immediately when you read that line that Miley Cyrus’s old song, “GNO”, started playing in your head (or maybe that’s just me… #HannahMontanaFanForever). This is the opposite of the idea above, but like I always say, you need to do what is best FOR YOU! Maybe some people need a night alone to de-stress, but you might do much better spending a night out with your besties (or if you are me, you need a mix because some nights you are feeling extroverted and some nights you’re an introvert). Getting together with a pal, or quite a few, and just being girls, or guys, is so refreshing. It allows your mind to escape from your current stressors and just laugh over strange inside jokes that only your posse understands. You feel like you really fit in, like there are others that understand, like you and your friends rule the world.
Treat Yourself
This is one that is extremely open to interpretation. Treating myself usually means that I go to my favorite store and buy something that I would normally set back down. I know that I have friends who go to their favorite bakery and order the giant, double-chocolate cookie creation with extra chocolate, whipped cream, sprinkles, caramel, marshmallows, and every other form of sugar piled on top because they love it but don’t eat it everyday. To treat yourself is to gift yourself with something that you love, but do not allow yourself to have often. Your personality will determine this one, so look inside and decide what you love. On the days when you’re feeling defeated, take a time-out and pursue your version of a treat.
Do Something Nice for Someone Else
Although I believe that we should always strive to love one another, sometimes you really need to go out of the way for others. You may not always have time on the weekends to volunteer at a soup kitchen, or the animal shelter, but sometimes you might need to make time for it. Scheduling a few hours to help others is such an effective way to lift your mood and give you a new reason to smile. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that you made a difference in someone else’s day. If time truly is an issue, there are plenty of other ways to accomplish this task. You can smile at a strange, pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru, or hold open the door for the crowd… Doing things for others are always worth the extra effort, not only to benefit yourself, but just because it is the right things to do.
Channel Your Inner Pinterest-Ness
I have quite a few different friends who love to take photos. I also have some friends who are big into DIY-ing it. I know that I love to bake treats! A great project to try, that I also currently have on my to-do list, is to create a dream-board. There is something so therapeutic about allowing your creative side to run wild and creating whatever type of art it is that speaks to your soul. You may know what you like to do, or maybe you need to log onto Pinterest and find a new hobby. Either way, there are plenty of crafts and activities out there that you can take some time out of your normal routine to try and accomplish, or to bake, and then eat(;
Sleep
I think that this one is pretty self-explanatory. There are hundreds of studies out there that talk about the positive impacts that getting good amounts of sleep can have on our health. To just name a few of the benefits: increased memory and productivity, maximize your athletic performance, limit your risk for heart disease, stroke, and many other diseases and sicknesses, lessen your chance for depression, improve your mood, decrease inflammation, improve your social life… Should I continue on? I definitely could! However, I think you get the picture…. So please, for the sake of Pete, just put your phone down, and catch those zzz’s!
Power Off
I don’t know about you, but I know that for me, technology can be such a major stressor in my life! Social media specifically can be so draining because it causes so many people to feel the need to validate themselves online and compare themselves to others. You also lose touch with the current reality, can ruin face-to-face relationships, and lose appreciation for so many simple life pleasures. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Instagram and connecting online can be really great and has many positives! However, sometimes, we give our devices a bit too much control over our lives. Taking a detox from your phone, TV, computer, or whatever it is, can be so good for you. It allows you to connect with yourself and the people around you, to experience life and to let go of the constant pressure of needing to seem perfect and be as perfect as the next person online. So why don’t you try just turning it all off for a night and enjoying whatever it is that really brings you joy.
Journaling
I will forever be an advocate for journaling. There is nothing more relieving than when all the thoughts that are overtaking you are put down onto paper and your mind finally feels clear again. You may not always feel ‘cured’ after journaling, but at least you feel as though your emotions have been sent somewhere other than your own mind and you have some room to breathe again. I like to write down my emotions, current life events, sometimes I like to create little stories, or I even like to do what I call ‘paper prayer’. Whatever type of writing brings you relief, take part in it.
Prayer
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all of your anxieties on Him because He cares for you”. So, although prayer is apart of my daily life, it has become something I also go-to whenever I am stressing or I am worried. Why? Because just as the verse says, God cares for me, and He wants me to give Him all of my issues because He cares and He can solve them.
I am always looking for new ways to relax, to empty my mind, and to let go of all the tasks that try to suck the life out of me on a daily basis! If you have any good suggestions, feel free to comment them below! Another thing I always suggest to friends is to go onto Pinterest, Google, or wherever else and simply type in, ‘stress-relieving activities’. You will find hundreds, if not thousands of different ways to unwind. The activities I included above are just some that I can personally speak to! Hopefully you found this list helpful, or maybe you just found relief knowing you aren’t the only one who feels like they need to find an escape from the constant stresses in life! And if anything else, my email is just a few clicks away! Until next time my lovely friends!
Lately, the topic of comparison has been on my mind. Comparison is such a dangerous game. I think about it in terms of going to the store for one type of fruit, only to walk up to what you came for, (the apples of course), and get caught up by the in-season peaches. Now you’re stumbling upon the most difficult question: which is better? Which do I want to walk out with? The answer: either would suffice. Both are yummy, healthy, and they would taste amazing…but take the game of comparison and apply it to something as complex as human personalities, and the game gets a bit more difficult to play.
In my experience, comparison goes two ways. The first way is comparing others to yourself; putting yourself on a pedestal and believing that you are better than others. Even some of the most self-conscious people tend to think they are better than others once-in-a-while. To overcome this obstacle everyone needs to realize that they are not perfect. I have recently come to the realization that I need to be more willing to accept criticism and listen to what others make reference to. I tend to get into moods where I put myself on a throne occasionally. Whether this is brought on by a really good hair day or earning an A on a test, these days do not cease to make an appearance. I like to compare these kinds of days like the idea of ethnocentrism in anthropology: where everyone thinks that there culture is superior to all the others. As Americans, we look down upon Canadians, Germans, and all others, because we believe we are best. However, realizing that you are not perfect, also means that you’re not any better than the person next to you. And this also means that you need to be willing to accept the criticism of others because if something is not perfect, that means that there is room for improvement. It is of course your decision as to what advice you take to heart, as not everything you hear should be absorbed. For instance, if your mother tells you that you’ve been very quick to anger lately, you should take that as constructive criticism that needs to be worked on. Although if an old friend who has found their worth in criticizing others tells you that you are acting conceited, you may want to brush that one aside. It is all about realizing who you value the opinion of and who you can trust to give you personal instructions. It is very crucial that we all learn to humble ourselves and be willing to listen to these instructions, because if you aren’t able to do so, that shows that you believe there is not any improvements that you can make on yourself. Hence, you have yourself on a pedestal, and you’re playing the dangerous game of comparison.
The second type of comparison is when you compare yourself to others; looking at the next person and only wishing that you had whatever it is that they have. But why? Nobody is perfect. Think about yourself for example. What have you gone through in your life? Think of all the hardships you have suffered through, and all the tough days that you have had, yet you still have a smile radiating off of your face 90% of the time. Do you think that most of your friends and family know of all those rough times that you have been through? Because they don’t. I was recently on this side of the comparison trap, holding my life up against the life of a friend of mine. I was feeling less than and unaccomplished against what it was she had going for her. My therapist reminded me of this: what is it that I have been going through the past year? Do I think many people know about my eating disorder and everything that I went through during it? My life probably seems great to those who weren’t aware of it, when in reality, I had been suffering. The same could be true for my friend. Your life, to outsiders, most likely seems as though it is a perfect picture. Everyone wants to appear strong and fearless, no one wants their weak sides to show. That is why you often do not see others struggling publicly. They do not want to appear in need of help from you or anyone else, but that does not mean they aren’t having a bad day. That does not mean that they might not be depressed, struggling in math class, having a migraine. They are not perfect, and neither are you. It may seem as though everyone around you has it all together, but the truth is is that we all struggle. We are all human, and that entails hardships. Living, breathing, they are accompanied by pain. It is just apart of life, one of the many factors.
So how exactly can we all exit this game that seems to be never ending? Whether that is always feeling better than others or always feel less than others? It is simple: Stop comparing yourself. Learn to love yourself and learn to love others. With this learning needs to come the realization that what happens to you or others does not affect the other.
You are beautiful.
You are imperfectly perfect.
You are unique.
You are loved.
You are worthy.
It is so crucial that you become best friends with who you are. You need to be able to look at yourself and know that you are wonderful but so is the girl next to you. Your beauty does not change hers, and her level of knowledge does not define yours. Everyone is their own person, we are all unique beings. We were created in this way by a God who loves us. He wrote in Psalm 139:13 that He knitted you together in your mother’s womb, that He formed your inward parts. We were all created separately to be separate. You are built to do different tasks, to look a different way, to be a different person than everyone else in this world. So how could you put yourself up against another and think it is an accurate comparison? Is it accurate to compare a tall, patterned giraffe with a short, plain hog? Absolutely not, and we are the same. (Although you are all beautiful like a swan or a gazelle…I would never compare anyone to a hog;-) But the point still remains: You are only as beautiful and smart and kind and wonderful and talented as you believe that you are, and that has nothing to do with anyone else; so believe in yourself, because you deserve your own love and support.
Balancing Serena 