Tag: year of yes

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Fabulous living

My College Career in Four Journals

Hey everyone! Happy Tuesday. I hope you all had a great and restful weekend. With only a few weekends left in college, I am trying to soak up all the time I have left being with my friends, I have been taking advantage of going out to brunch with my buddies, having good conversations with friends, and always being down to do something. 

That brings me to my new series of blog posts. I started this blog when I was in my freshmen year of college and a lot has happened since I started it. The next several weeks, my posts will be dedicated to reflecting on my time in college, my favorite memories, what I learned, a final semester recap, and a thank you to a place that I have truly grown in so many ways. 

Four years of memories, moments, and happiness

Today’s post is something that I have talked about through the years, but I am ready to really talk about it more. Let’s talk about journaling! I can successfully say that I have journaled through my entire college career. Yes, every single day of college, is documented and written about. I can tell you what I was doing on November 29, 2016, or April 16, 2017, or January 25, 2018, and even on August 26, 2019. I can tell you how I was feeling, what I was struggling with, what sparked joy that day because I wrote it all down. Looking back, this was one of the best decisions I made while I was in college. Writing about my feelings, what I was going through, what things caused me stressed and what things made me happy was such a good way to unwind and reflect. It also put things in perspective for me. I never had a full day where I complained, I always found something positive or good about the day, whether it was getting a good grade on an exam or catching up with an old friend. Journaling every day made me realize how good life is, and all the things I have to be grateful for. Every year, I had a different theme for my journaling.

Freshmen year, my mom gifted me this journal when I moved into my first day of college. I journaled about every single thing that happened, what I ate for breakfast, how my classes went, what I did for fun and when I went to bed. I was so detailed with my journaling. It was a great way to unwind at the end of the day and reflect of everything I got done. This method really worked during a year of adjusting to a new place and new people. It was a form of comfort to me. 

Sophomore year-my year of YES

Sophomore year came and it was all about yes saying to everything. I started a new job, met new friends, tried new things and stepped out of my comfort zone. I had read Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and I made my sophomore year my year of yes. I started every day with my Years of Yes journal. The journal was set up with a topic each month to say yes to things. There was a goals section where you can map out where you want to see yourself by the end of the month. Each day is split up into three sections where you can write about the things you said yes to. Inspirational quotes by Rhimes are spread throughout the book to give you motivation if you need it. I spent 5 minutes a day on this and it was such a positive way to start the day. I loved seeing all the things I tried and said yes to through the year. 

Junior Year JOY

Junior year brought JOY. I decided to journal about all the joy in my life. I found myself getting negative about the small things in life, whether it was a long day or friendship troubles. I decided to find joy in every day. I would write down three good things or three things that brought me joy. After doing this for a full year I got to change my mindset and see all the good things in my life. It also made the small annoying things in life seem nonexistent. I’m so glad I found the good in every day. 

Finding Grace in my Senior Year

For senior year, I wanted to try something new. I have always been very involved and balancing a lot of things in life, which I do very well at. For senior year, I decided to give myself the gift of grace. I was inspired by Emily Ley’s Grace Not Perfection and, journaled every day from prompts in the book, A Standard of Grace as well sharing the highlights of my day. It really made me focus on what was important in life. 

Four years later

Although, my college career is winding down, I will continue to journal, it has been a great stress reliever, and a beautiful way to reflect on my time in college and see the beauty and good in every day. Journaling has brought me so much joy and happiness and I am so glad I have four journals full of thoughts, memories, and happiness from my time in college. 

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Fabulous living

Slowing Down and Self Care

Happy Tuesday. How was your weekend? Restful and relaxing, I hope.

We are down to the final countdown for summer and I can’t wait. Between classes and work, I am ready for a break. That brings me to today’s topic. Taking care of yourself, even if it means saying no. Kinda ironic, last week, I shared the importance of saying yes and stepping out of your comfort zone, but today, it’s the opposite. I often find myself  getting run down and tired this time of year, that’s why self-care is important now more than ever. Between finals, projects, and summer activities upon us, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. The same goes for parents, school is winding down, which means trying to figure out summer plans for children along with summer schedules.

This past year, I got very busy, between classes, work, and maintaining friendships, I was running myself into the ground. I realized I had to take care of myself so I could be the best version of myself.  I have carved times in my schedule to set aside for myself. For example, every Sunday, I try to take a break from homework and spend time either reading or watching a movie or whatever I wanted, unscheduled. I always like to leave from 2:00-4:00 open for myself, it doesn’t always happen but I try my best to make it work. These two hours gives me time to recharge myself for the week ahead. If you don’t have two hours to block out for yourself, don’t worry. Maybe block out 15 minutes of your day everyday. Or give yourself a half hour in the morning or before bed to unwind without distractions. However long, be sure you are taking care of yourself.  Also, you can’t be helpful to others if you aren’t taking care of yourself.

I found myself committing to many things during the week and weekend that I was left no time for myself. I will admit, I am a Yes women. I am also the queen of over committing. Don’t believe me? Last week I booked myself from 10:00 am  to 8:00 pm solid. It wasn’t the best idea, but I made it through the day successfully. It’s all about having balance in your lives. I had made plans to hang out with friends around 9:30, but by the time it rolled around, I was exhausted. I wanted to spend time with friends, but I knew I had to recharge. I am so glad I did, I slept like a log that night. Our bodies know us better than we think. Sometimes, even if we don’t like it, it benefits us to say no.

A few ways I unwind are:

  • Watching movies or catching up on my favorite series
  • Reading
  • Facetiming my bestie from back home
  • Taking a walk
  • Doing my nails

We all need to take care of ourselves even if it means saying no. We may not like to say no, but it will benefit us in the long run. With the changing of seasons, make sure you put yourself first sometimes. It may help you more than you realize.

Have a great week.

Categories
Fabulous living

Year of YES

Two years ago, I read a book that made me rethink a lot of things in my life. I have been a fan of Shonda Rhimes for years, I am a huge of the tv shows she has created, so it was no surprise that when she came out with a book, I had to get my hands on a copy of it. I read Year of Yes through the course of one month. I have recommended this book to many, it’s all about saying yes to things in your life. Things that may scare you, intimidate you, or excite you, say yes to them. Rhimes chronicles saying yes to everything in one year and how by the end of the year she changed immensely. She also shared how even after the year was over she continued to say yes to things. It is truly an inspiring book.

The book

After I had finished reading it, I was inspired to start my own ‘year of yes” but I didn’t know how. So, with many things in our lives, I put it off. It wasn’t until last year, Rhimes came out with a “Years of Yes” journal, so everyone who read her book, could chronicle their own year of yes. I got the journal and decided to start my year of yes. You can start your year whenever you want, whether its January 1, or June 30. I started my Year of Yes, when I started my sophomore year of college. I had said my first big yes, YES to a new job. Starting anything new can be scary but a new job, with new people, and new responsibilities made me incredibly anxious.  I said yes and didn’t look back. This school year has flown by. I can’t believe I only have three weeks left?!

The Journal

I certainly have seen a change in myself this year so far, but my year isn’t over yet. I have said yes to new friends, new experiences, new adventures and new opportunities. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and have grown into a much better version of myself. I can successfully say I am happier now then I was last August. Stay tuned to more posts about my Year of Yes as the semester winds down, but for now this is just a tease.

Motivating quotes throughout the book

I start every day with my Years of Yes journal. The journal is set up with a topic each month to say yes to things. There is a goals section where you can map out where you want to see yourself by the end of the month. Each day is split up into three sections where you can write about the things you said yes to. Inspirational quotes by Rhimes are spread throughout the book to give you motivation if you need it. I spend 5 minutes a day on this, so it doesn’t take up much time. Whether you are an avid journaler or have never done it, give it a try.

Each month has a different topic and there is space for you to write down what things you want to say yes to or what things you want to change in that month

Each day is broken into three sections,
-The Yeses I handled today.
-What I gained by saying yes.
-What were the dark and twisty parts of saying yes.
They serve as a guide for your journaling.

It may sound cliché, but this book and journal have changed my life. Give this book a chance and start your own Year of Yes. It will change you in more ways than you thought.

Categories
Fabulous living

10 Fun Facts about ME!

Welcome! Welcome!

For those who have followed my blogs for months or whether this is your first time stopping by, I’m going to share some fun facts about myself.

– I am sophomore in college. I am majoring in Communication with a minor in Creative Writing. I plan to graduate in 3 and a half years

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-Following graduation my “dream job” is to work in broadcast journalism. I’ve grown up watching the news from local, to national, and entertainment. I hope to follow in the footsteps of some of my favorite journalists.

Fun friday night working on a project for one of my favorite classes. Could this be the start of a career?

-I am a morning person. I like to get up early and I feel most productive in the early hours. On the other hand, I get very tired by night so I’m not a party animal. This is one of the harder aspects of my job since I work late hours.

6:15 the alarm goes off and it’s time to start the day. Rise and shine

-I am fortunate to live in a place where I get to experience all four seasons. Spring is my favorite season, I love the smell of grass, fresh cut flowers, and it doesn’t hurt that my birthday is in Spring either.

One of my favorite pastimes is watching the sunset

-I love to read. As a young girl I was always happiest with a book. As I have grown older, I love to read autobiographies and memoirs. Some of my favorite books I’ve read are: Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, Going off Script by Giuliana Rancic, and Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. As an avid book lover, I prefer the hard or soft cover rather than reading them online.

-I love movies. Romantic comedies are my favorite genre. I always love a good ending but some of my favorite ends are the ones that are most unexpected.

-Besides watching movies, I am also a lover of tv. I’m a die hard TGIT fan-thank you Shonda Rhimes, This is Us has been my latest obsession, and SEAL TEAM is my freshmen favorite series

Thursdays 8:00-11:00 (ABC)

Tuesdays at 9:00 (NBC)

Wednesdays at 9:00 (CBS)

-One of my favorite things to do when I’m home is to shop, whether am looking for something in particular or I’m just window shopping. I love to shop. You can most likely catch me at Marshalls, Home Goods or Francesca’s.

-I am an avid dog lover. I have three dogs at home and I am constantly counting down when I can see them when I’m at school. My youngest dog, who I still think of as a puppy is one of my greatest joys.

My two older dogs. They are brother and sister

I still picture him as a 6 pound pup but he has certainly grown

-Lastly, I couldn’t go through this crazy experience we call life, if it wasn’t for the support of my family. My family and I are very close, we share lots of laughs, and smiles whenever we are together. They truly are my biggest supporters.

FAM BAM

And that’s a wrap! 10 (fun) facts about myself. I hope you learned something new about me or it was a bit of a refresher for you. What’s one fun fact about yourself? Let me know in the comments below!