I got my first job my senior year in high school and I loved it. I loved getting my paycheck every two weeks (and…I loved spending it). I took a year off of work once I went to college to focus on my studies. This summer, I applied for two jobs, one for the summer, as well as one for the fall. By the fall, I will be working three jobs—one off-campus and one on-campus, in addition to writing for Odyssey. My life nowadays consists completely of work and summer classes with occasional down-time and it is insane. Being an adult is weird. I cannot go and spend my paycheck how I wanted to like I did when I was in high school. I cannot drop everything to go to a concert or hang out with my friends. “Adulting” equals way more responsibility.
Each and every day, I juggle so many different tasks and responsibilities within my personal life and my job, which sometimes results in a lack of self-nurture and personal balance. This summer, I decided to make sure my jobs, school and my personal life were as balanced as they possibly could be. Being in college and balancing jobs and a social life can be challenging—especially when you are trying to work on yourself.
In order to keep everything balanced, I made a list of what was the most important to me each day. First, my health. After being on a meal plan for a year, my healthy eating habits were crushed. Now that I’m home, I create weekly healthy meals and I make sure I exercise in some way for at least 20 minutes each day. Second, my job and school. In my life now, everything fun and sociable has to be planned around work and school, which is an adjustment, but I know it is one I need to make. Lastly, social activities. Life without socializing at some point would be crazy. On my mornings off, I try to plan a couple hour long outing with my best friend, whether we go on a walk or just relax and watch a movie.
Everyone’s lives are different, so my list of what is important may be ordered differently than the person next to me. So, I created a list of my top five tips for a healthy and balanced lifestyle!
1. Prepare your meals for the week.
Throughout the week, I stalk Pinterest for healthy recipes that I can make in bulk. After I find some recipes I think I would enjoy, I make an ingredient list and head out to the grocery store. Over the weekend, I prepare my dinners, then my lunches and package them in my fridge in Tupperware containers or plastic snack or sandwich baggies. This past week, I chose to package oatmeal for breakfast and turkey roll-ups with pretzels and yogurt for lunch. I made roast with potatoes and veggies for my dinner.
No matter how busy I am during the week, I know my meals are healthy and are already prepared. It takes time over the weekend to prep, but throughout the week it saves a great deal of time and money.
2. Wake up early.
Everyone loves sleep. Ever since I came home from college, I feel as if I can sleep for days. Obviously, I cannot. In all honesty, none of us can. There is always too much to do in too little time. To attempt to balance work, school and personal time, I try to wake up between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. each day. Every day I wake up early, I am amazed at how much I can accomplish.
3. Make a to-do list and prioritize.
I am constantly making to-do lists, filled with things I need to get done and things I want to do if I have down time. The list order shifts constantly, but since I have everything written down, I know I will strike it off of the list eventually—nothing will ever be forgotten.
4. Walk or exercise daily.
I have to admit, sometimes I sleep a little more than usual and miss this activity. However, on those days, I feel more tired and sluggish. On the days I walk or do a short cardio workout, I feel extremely energized and alert throughout the day.
5. Treat yourself.
No matter how you treat yourself—ice cream, a mani-pedi, a concert, a trip to the movies—make sure you treat yourself. Everything in life is important, especially those huge responsibilities like jobs and school. However, if you do not focus on yourself a little each week, at some point, you will wear yourself down. Make sure to treat yourself every once and a while. Self-care is just as important as everything else.
