As a sophomore, packing for State the second year around was a little easier. After a year you realize what clothes you never wore, what you never really used, and what you completely did not even think of. The realizations and surprises is part of what makes it college. As I was sitting in my room these last couple days I finally pin pointed what had been bothering me ever since I got back. The setup of my room was still so artificial. It was still so closed and it didn’t feel comfortable yet.
As I looked around my room I noticed 5 different objects that stood out to me:
1. My Pictures
There was still a poster of my favorite pictures that not been hung up yet. Sticky Tac wasn’t working and neither was tape. Finally, I dug through my crate of command hooks and found some extra strips that perfectly carried the weight of the poster. I was reminded of the growth I had in this last year. I graduated high school a year ago, this semester I would be done with my lower level General Education classes and would soon be more focused on my major. It went by so fast and being here at State felt so natural.
2. Christmas Lights
Probably my favorite possession I have in my room. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and being able to have my Christmas lights hanging up and illuminating my room is a reminder of home and childhood. This helps to create a nice and warm ambience and is almost like my own personal night sky in my room.
3. The Set Up
This was probably the more difficult obstacle to achieve but finally today when my friend came over I saw why I felt so unbalanced. My desk was in the wrong place, I needed more furniture and the refrigerator needed to be moved across the room. I was also reminded that I am a little clumsy. During our days, we often have different places in our house that we like to relax- if it’s by the window seat, the living room couch, the carpet etc. After making some changes I am happy to lay on my couch upside down, lay on my rug on the floor, and be inspired by the happenings I see outside my window.
4. Bose Speaker
Music, my ultimate passion. My speaker goes everywhere with me- on my spontaneous beach days and for those embarrassing dance parties where I blast High School Musical and sing all the songs by heart. Music is my pick-me-up and when I see my speaker I feel a sense of ease and happiness. I also think of all the possibilities that music promises and how I want to work in the music industry one day. It creates a nice relaxing sense of hope for me.
5. Books
No, not textbooks, I spend enough time with them as it is. I’m talking about my favorites novels that I have read over the years. Sitting on top of my shelves you will see the complete set of the Twilight series, some books by Robert M. Drake, and Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. All complete different phases in my life and fortunately some stories I can return to when I need to be reminded of a part of myself that I may have lost in that book.
Regardless of what your 5 favorite things may be in your room- if it’s a teddy bear, a pair of socks, a guitar, a comic book, or a baseball glove, we all like to feel like we are at home. When sitting in your room, I think it is important to have some reminders of what you are striving for. Objects that remind you where you came from to keep yourself balanced. You are only as creative as you feel, and if your room has nice vibes emanating from there, any homework assignment, sleepover, or movie night is that much more successful.
