They say to “enjoy the little things in life.” We’re all familiar with this quote, and it’s pretty straightforward, at first, but it’s much easier said than done. Whenever I read this quote aloud, I wonder, “how exactly do you enjoy the little things in life?” As a freshman in a brand new school, new city, new state, and new coast you could say there’s a lot for me to learn, but at the same time, I’ve reflected on my life thus far, and I’ve realized how darn fast time goes by. So this past year, I’ve been trying to live more intentionally, becoming more aware, taking notice, and staying mindful. I’m here to share with you how I do this to get the most out of everyday!
Get Ready – Wash your face, put on a bangin outfit, do a full-face of makeup or go “au naturel”, whatever it takes to get you excited to start your day, that’s what you should do! Personally, whatever my mood is that day, I dress accordingly. If it’s a relaxing easy day, a comfy pair of sweatpants paired with a crew neck sweatshirt will for sure help me ease into the day. If it’s a non-stop busy day, a nice business casual outfit always puts me in the mindset to get work done.
Brekkie – Ok, ok, we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but who actually listens to this? Especially these days, when our schedules fill up so fast we don’t put as much focus on fueling our bodies with the nutrients it needs that we end up skipping breakfast. This is a big NO NO! I’m telling you firsthand that having breakfast in the morning is a game-changer. Breakfast is hands down my favorite meal of the day. First of all, when you think about what “breakfast” actually means, you are breaking a fast. After a long night’s sleep of no food and no water, your body needs to be replenished! To both power your muscles and brain, breakfast is a necessity. A lot of people steer away from breakfast because of the types of food associated with the it, but nobody’s forcing you to eat an omelette or a bowl of soggy cereal (although cereal is bomb)! Eat whatever your heart desires and if that means a bowl of spaghetti and marinara sauce, so be it. This is not the most healthy choice… it still helps! My all-time favorite breakfast is a simple bowl of overnight oats. Although the idea of “overnight oats” has recently gained a lot of popularity, I’ve been having this for breakfast ever since my freshman year in high school, so I can tell you firsthand, it never gets old. You simply add your oats and hot water (varies depending on how thick you want it), mix it up, and stick it in the fridge overnight. Then in the morning, add lots of toppings! I love a good granola with almonds, cashews, goji berries, raisins, fresh fruit, and a spoonful of peanut or almond butter, and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon!
Make a To Do List – Personally, when I get things done during the day, even if it’s simply doing laundry or making my bed, I already feel 100x better. It’s important that you actually write out this “to do list”, that way you won’t forget anything AND you’ll feel extra accomplished when you cross off what you finish! You can simply do this is on a sticky note and carry it around with you or in an agenda book.
Get Outside – No matter the weather, being outside, noticing your surroundings, and getting in touch with nature, can help relieve stress and grow your curiosity. For me, even just feeling the warmth of the sun can make my day. It also provides you with your daily of dose of Vitamin D that we all need a little more of!
Get Moving – Whether that’s simply getting out of bed, walking your dog, or going to the gym for a killer workout. No matter how you do this, it’s so important to physically get your day started.
Get Something Done – Going back to that “to do list”, it’s equally important to make sure you actually check off some of the things on your list… and not just write it down. As a college student, there is always some sort of reading or writing assignment due, so setting aside time for work will help you not only finish the assignment on time, but also feel more accomplished each day.
Relax – Do something carefree and fun! Spending time with family, friends, your pet, or having a little me-time is just as important as checking something off of your “to do list.”
Make Someone Smile – hug someone! Your mom, dad, sister, brother, pet, best friend… they all need some lovin! Express gratitude.
Do Something New – There is no better way to grow. It can be as simple as sitting in the middle of the couch instead of the end or as craaaazy as going to the mall and shouting “HEELLLLOOO!” (that one’s for all the Aquamarine fans). Try a new recipe. Have a pillow fight. Switch it up.
And at the end of each day, feel good about yourself and what you have accomplished and be proud about the person you are becoming.