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I thought that once summer hit, I would get my life together. I am realizing that is not as easy as it seems. On the outside I may seem like I have my life together, I smile in pictures, I am involved, I have amazing friends, but I'm having real trouble calming myself and dealing with uncalled for anxiety. For months I thought that it was just because of the the stress of college, but I think there is more to it. I find myself wanting to do so much and go on endless adventures. I have do not get me wrong I have, but most days I just end up on the couch watching TV, ignoring my responsibilities. Today, I am trying to make a conscious effort to change that, no matter how I am feeling, I am going to work towards my goals. I am going to stop lying to myself and actually act. I am going to forget limitations and act without inhibitions. Watch me.
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READING... Why I Write edited by Will Blythe
LISTENING.... Shut up and Dance by Walk the moon DOING... Switching between writing and reading travel blogs WORKING ON... Getting back into yoga, meditating regularly, and watching less TV WATCHING... Broadchurch LOVING... Eating fresh mangoes and wearing patterns Remember what I said before? that small adventures can be the best adventures? Well its true. And I can prove it :)
My dad, a big fan of newspapers, stumbled upon an article about the best towns to visit in New Jersey. Naturally, as a Jersey native, this sounded kind of boring at first. I wanted to leave the state and visit some cute towns in New York state, Connecticut, and Maryland. However, my dad convinced me and we took a family adventure to Cranberry. It is such a charming small town with old homes and buildings that decorate the town. We visited a thrift store, ice cream shop (i got a dairy free icy), as well as some antique shops. But my favorite part was browsing through an old book store filled with some fascinating literature. If your ever in Jersey, stop by the town and see for yourself :) Hey there unique souls, Here are 5 things to brighten your Tuesday :) 1.) This video is adorable, even though I have no idea how this baby hates avocados; avocados rock. 2.) These quotes made me smile like the weirdo I am. 3.) I am sadly going to admit to this... 4.) Warning. I cried tears of joy watching this. 5.) To end, some beautiful places on Earth. To start off the summer right, my friends and I went hiking. We are probably one of very few friend groups who go hiking to bond, but i wouldn't have it any other way. It had been months since I had seen them so there was lots of catching up to do. Stories were shared, laughs were shaking our bellies, and T-swift was jamming in the background. You can say that it was kind of the best day ever. We ended up visiting a hiking spot near my college (the irony was not lost on me), but I was excited to go back there because its one of my absolute favorite spots. We hiked down to view a waterfall where you can wade in the water on top of it. Its so calming and relaxing, and always reminds me of the magic of nature. We than hiked to this spot called the "Skyline," appropriately named since you can see the New York City skyline. While hiking we traded stories, laughed at jokes, played the "Question game"and than relaxed on a few rocks in the sun. It was the perfect way to start the summer :)
Hello beautiful people, So here it is. My impossible list. This is the set up and categories that work for me, but do what feels right for you. It may seem like I am inhibiting my creativity by sticking to a strict schedule. But its not like that. I am the type of person who unless I have some sort of guidelines I have trouble following through or keeping on track. With a list like this, things remain flexible enough for creativity, while still maintaining some sort of sustainable structure. I urge you all to try this, it has been really incredible for me :) Mind: - read each day -finish a book a week during the summer - finish a book a month during college time - read the newspaper once a week - stop looking at phone first thing in the morning - learn 5 new sign language words a day (at least!) - do two art pages a week (at least!) - practice guitar a little everyday - paint at least once a week - sit down with the intention to write poetry or creatively write everyday (as much as you can!) - take a photograph a day - create a video to document the month - learn more about photography and camera -read articles - ask friends - watch videos about it -read a magazine (with substance!) once a week - Post 3-4 times a week - plan content monthly Organization: - keep room clean - make bed everyday - follow the 10 minute rule (clean up room for at least 10 minutes before bed) - organize $ - save 100$ a month for travel - determine how much for entertainment/food/charity/savings a month - organize photos (online and in print) - organize "fave" articles online Body: - exercise 6 times a week (at least) - circuit workouts Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays - Tuesdays/Thursdays HIIT cardio - Saturday/Sunday- walking/biking/hiking - drink more water - two glasses first thing in the morning - stay vegan all summer - learn new recipes and actually make them - go to bed early/ wake up early -climb once a month Soul: - practice gratitude -write two things I'm grateful for each morning or night - when upset write 5 things I am grateful for - keep a grateful jar - practice yoga 4 times a week - sun salutations every morning - meditate for at least 10 minutes everyday - spend time outside each day no matter the weather - journal to let things go - write down quotes that inspire - read about Buddhism and spirituality everyday - watch the sunrise or sunset at least once a week - appreciate the stars at least once a week - read about energy healing/crystals/herbs/Native Americans - tend to the garden Minimalism: - let go of 5 pieces of clothing every two months - go through winter clothes and donate... a lot - go without technology (laptop/tv/phone) for a while day (or two!) - walk more instead of driving Miscellaneous: - write down the small beautiful and exciting things in life - keep them in a jar - write a letter to each month at its end - got this idea from Erin over at The Halfway Point. Thats all... for now. I may come back and edit this list often, but that's a part of the fun! Enjoy y'all. I hope this gives you a some inspiration to create your own! Peace and Light Hello special souls, I love it when bloggers share a bit of themselves. So I thought that today I would jump on the bandwagon. These are 10 random facts about me. 1.) I like making weird side smiles in pictures. (example on the left) 2.) I love art journaling but I panic for 10 minutes before I start a page 3.) I horde books and photographs 4.) banana bread is one of my favorite things on this earth 5.) Mangoes make me dance with joy 6.) I'm an Indigo child 7.) I'm easily excitable and easily emotional 8.) If I'm laying outside on the grass with a book and smoothie its the best day ever 9.) Rock climbing is my new obsession 10.) Deep conversations make me light up Recently, I realized that to accomplish all of my dreams I need to put forth action. I know a crazy concept right? All jokes aside, I have made the effort to document my personal goals into a working list. Unlike a bucket list, this list grows with me. It evolves as I do, it works as I put forth work. Stepping into a new phase of my life, I recognized the importance of my dreams. Even with all the changes and stress that comes along with college, I knew I needed to accomplish more than just good grades. For most of my life, I have wanted to learn sign language. In high school I used school and work as an excuse. My first semester of college, and most of my second I did the same. Now, however, I understand how important it is that I work towards that massive goal, and others, each and everyday. I feel most inspired and alive when I know I am working towards something greater than my daily life.
I got really inspired to write this list thanks to Joel Runyon, who created the "Impossible List" found here. I also got inspired by the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin found here. In her book, she challenges herself to work towards small happiness related goals each month. With these two models to go off of, I found a system that works for me, and I couldn't be happier. For me, because I have such a variety of interests, it makes sense for me to work towards small goals each day or each week. For example, I learn 5 new sign language each day, I do a journal page each week, I do at least two posts a week, I read each night, and take a picture a day. They make seem like small things, but they amount to so much more. If I learn 5 new words a day for 100 days, that's 500 words. Wow. If I do a journal page a week by the end of summer that's, 16 journal pages. You catch my drift? Big goals become more manageable, and more attainable when you have a plan as to how you will accomplish them. I hope to travel next spring and go on weekend adventures this summer, so saving up money is becoming more and more important. By promising to save a certain amount each week, that can become a possibility. My list will be coming soon. Again, its a working list so it needs tweaking here and there. I hope that by posting this I can inspire other to do create their life. I also hope that by sharing this online, it will motivate me to follow through. I urge you all to create your own "Happiness Project" or "Impossible List" or whatever you want to call it, so you can have your dreams working along with you. Peace and Light. Considering that its finals week, adventures are hard to come by, even tiny ones. Either people are locked up in their dorm rooms studying away or procrastinating by watching Netflix. My roommate and I however, couldn't resist it any longer, we had to get out and experience the beautiful day. First we had to eat, of course. But once that was done, we walked around our campus. It is tiny, but man is it beautiful. While walking around the main part of our campus, I was telling my my roommate how I regret not spending time studying by a mansion on campus where there were massive trees and pretty benches. Once I said that she grabbed my hand and we ran towards the spot, she screamed, "You have to see it before we go!" It was so beautiful. There were the most perfect climbing trees, and the remnants of on old outdoor area, dating back to the time when the mansion was a home. I could only imagine what it looks like when the trees are in blossom. Even though it was a small adventure, it was still so magical. Upon leaving for the summer, my campus felt new again. I will definitely be back there often. Hello sunshine's :)
Productivity. Admit it, that word kinda bugs ya. But why? Maybe because, your school told you, or your boss, or your mother. They tell you to "be more productive," "manage your time well, " and "get off the internet!." So you naturally associate such actions with outside rewards or influences. But, I am here to tell you, its time to change all that. Lets make the word Productive, a word that makes you feel complete and fulfilled, inside of yourself. You have dreams don't you? BIG ones. But how can you accomplish them? First, you have to have that drive within you. I know we all have it, we have passions and things that excite our souls to the point of bursting. Its just time we use it. Now onto productivity. You have the drive within yourself to see your big dreams come to fruition. You just have to push yourself to get them accomplished. You have to utilize that drive WITHIN. No school, mother, or boss will ever see productivity within you, if you first don't see it in yourself and in your desire to make something out of your life. Want to publish a book, learn guitar, or start and commit to your own blog? You have to first be productive in your thinking, than in your actions. I have struggled for years to get my life in order. I still do. I have always been a great student, and have always completed my school work. However, I also always put everything else in my life on the back burner because of this. I thought that I couldn't fit things into my life that I enjoyed but took real commitment because I was too busy studying. Well, I was wrong. Productivity is the key. I have learned that if I REALLY want to learn sign language now, I have to make the time for it. And by making the time, I mean using my time more productively. Instead of just surfing Facebook or Instagram I can put that time into my passions. Instead of living though everyone else I can begin to create my own life to admire. Instead of binge watching Downtown Abby (okay, I'm guilty. Guys, its just SO good!), I should do chemistry problems so I can enjoy a hot bath with a good book. I have learned that for me, a girl with WAY too many interests to count on ten fingers, I have to organize my time and push myself to be productive within a structured time period or I get pulled in too many directions by my interests. No more excuses. Yes, I am a very busy pre-health college student with labs, lab reports, papers, and exams to worry about, but I am also a women with passions and dreams outside of the classroom. Why stifle myself and my dreams because I cannot manage my time well? Why waste my life searching through the lives of others to find meaning, when I can make meaning for myself? So I'm creating my own mission to accomplish all I want out of my life. I am going to push myself the next 6 weeks in college to stick to a plan of action and get my life back on track. I hope that by doing this I can continue to make every moment count so that even bigger goals can be accomplished! And I also hope you will join me! I will be posting my "Happiness Project" soon. It is similar to the one described in the book of the same name written by Gretchen Rubin, but it's not month by month or as full, because my life isn't structured like hers. I found my set up to suit me well, so if you decide to follow me on this journey, find what works for you! Wait for it, its coming :) Peace and Light |
Hi I'm Emily.On a journey of self discovery. In search of balance and authenticity. Archives
December 2016
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