We all go through good times. We all go through bad times. We all experience the sensation of time whirling past us as if it never existed at all, and the sensation of never-ending days that make you want to crawl under the covers and never come out. College students are really familiar with this as they go through a whirlwind of fun nights out and stressful hours in the library, cramming to save their GPAs. The ups and downs in college are dramatic, but not unlike the lives of anyone else. Sometimes, something tragic happens that changes our lives forever, other times we see a friend in pain, and most often we ourselves are overwhelmed with everything going on around us; it makes us lose any bit of optimism we've ever had.
Life is good, but sometimes we forget. Sometimes we just need that reminder–a reminder of long sunny days on the beach or people-watching at a cute corner coffee shop. Sometimes we need to remember we've succeeded much more than we have failed, and we're going places. When we forget all of that, we need a reminder that we're beside ourselves. We're not always surrounded by those we love most, and we're part of a big world that can make us all feel isolated at times even with incredible support. It is this illusion of isolation that takes the hardest toll on me, and that is how I came up with an idea that has changed my daily outlook on life, and I want to share with you all.
I made myself a storybook with pictures and reminders of why my life is good, so that when I'm feeling intimidated, overwhelmed or frustrated, I know I'm not alone. The people that mean the most to me smile back at my tears, and I know that it's all going to be okay. My calm, optimistic and appreciative self wrote the messages my frazzled, pessimistic and worried self needed to hear. It's a constant reminder that if I fail that exam, don't get the job, feel rejected–the list goes on and on at the reasons I open up my little book–things will work themselves out in the end, and I always feel a little better.
I know myself better than anyone else does, and that's why I needed to have that voice of reason on my bedside table. I know what I need to hear and whose faces I want to see. I go to bed at night with all the love and support I could ever ask for, sleeping soundly and waking up with a smile on my face, even after the most difficult of times.
Do your future self a favor and make a Life is Good, Sometimes I Forget storybook. Remind yourself you are deserving, loved and going to be okay. It doesn't matter why you need to read the book, but it'll be there on your best and worst days.
There are no rules, and nobody else has to see it. Go ahead and put in memes or your favorite quotes or references nobody else would understand! It's for you and only you, so don't hold back.
Life is beautiful, surprising, enchanting and good. Thanks to my book, I won't let myself forget.
