You're stressed. You're hard on yourself. You're tired. You feel like you can't keep it all together. You're not as productive as you wish you were.
You feel stuck.
Maybe your summer vacation is winding down and you find yourself frantically trying to prepare for the fall semester. Maybe you're just tired of going through the motions and you're looking for a little "umph" to help get you back on track. Look no further! Here are 10 easy ways to rejuvenate your tired soul and maximize your precious time, making the most out of whatever curveballs life may throw at you.
1. Invest in yourself.
Whether this means getting yourself a few pairs of comfy PJs (10/10 would recommend) or splurging on dinner every once in a while, treat yourself. You deserve it! Find the balance between treating yourself with kindness and compassion while also knowing your limits (I'm looking at the $15/week at Chipotle, the three pints of Ben & Jerry's in your freezer or the case of beer in your fridge). Never feel bad for putting yourself first.
2. Buy a planner. Actually use it.
I will be an agenda/planner advocate 'til the day I die. As millennials, we're busy as hell and we want to do it all. Keep all your events within the bounds of one planner and I promise, you'll know right where to look when someone asks, "What are you doing next Tuesday?"
3. Set aside "me time."
Use that planner for more than keeping track of football games and class assignments. Make note of when your favorite yoga class is and hold yourself accountable to going; you'll be grateful that you cornered off part of your day to destress and decompress. Sometimes you just need a night in, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Whether you're Netflix-and-chill-ing by yourself, digging into the Word or laying in bed with that face mask that's been tucked away in your bathroom drawer for weeks, take time for yourself. Cherish it.
4. Set a morning routine.
This varies greatly from person to person, but it's important that you determine what helps you find your zen first thing in the morning. For me, even on days when I don't have class or work until the afternoon, I prefer to set an alarm for relatively early (8:30 a.m. or so) so I can start my day and get sh*t done. I stretch before I'm even out of bed, change into any kind of outfit that isn't what I wore to bed, head to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee and I read theSkimm. Getting into some sort of morning routine sets the tone for my day and makes me clear-minded and ready to kick a**.
5. Make lists.
This one is my favorite, right above using my planner. I keep notes on my phone of the most random stuff-- things I need from Walmart, emails I forgot to address, recipes, places I want to travel. The list list (get it) goes on. Lists are a quick and easy way to keep yourself on track, productive and thinking ahead.
6. Set short-term and long-term goals.
Make them obtainable, but also challenging. Push yourself, but not too hard. Think of places you want to go, progress you want to make, things in your life that are begging for positive change.
You'll never know how much you're capable of until you stretch your limits.
7. Move.
Trust me, I hear you.
"Ugggggggggghhhhh."
Fret not! You don't need to spend hours (or even minutes) in the gym in order to check this one off. Find some sort of activity that you love (or even that you don't hate) and just do it. This could literally be walking up and down the steps of your apartment. I've gotten really into stretching and doing light ab exercises on my bedroom floor. I also love walking when it isn't 104 degrees in the South. You don't have to spend all your time on a treadmill to help get your blood flowing and feel those endorphins pump through your veins. #work
8. Listen to good stuff.
I have a friend who loves podcasts. Every time she's in the car, NPR is playing. Maybe you prefer books on tape (check out library apps like Overdrive and Hoopla) or your go-to radio station. Or, you're like me and all you listen to is "Hamilton" on Spotify. Whatever it is that gets you pumped up, inspired or focused, turn to that whenever you're in the car, walking to class or sitting in your apartment. It'll turn bland moments into fun ones.
9. Do a social media cleanse.
I spend way too much time on social media. Between Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, so much of my day is consumed by a screen. I really notice negative changes within myself when I'm too tied up in my phone; I spend less time being productive or relaxing, and more time comparing myself to others or getting wrapped up in what the people I "follow" are doing. Sometimes you just need to delete those apps for a few days and breathe the fresh air of not being tied to your phone.
10. Mom and Dad know best.
More often than not, all the seemingly senseless phrases and commands your parents spouted at you as a child carry a lot of validity. If you're tired, "Get good sleeps," as my daddy taught me. If you're stressed, try stretching or meditating. Drink some water. Eat your vegetables. Say your prayers. Call your parents. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to ask for help.
