Get Into Dieting
GiphyAnd no, not necessarily to lose weight (Although, this is an option if it works best for you!) Look into healthier alternatives for the foods you already eat, swapping almond milk for milk or honey for sugar. Little changes like this in your diet will have your body thanking you in the long run.
Exercise Regularly
GiphyDiet choice and exercise go hand in hand. It's never too late to get that "summer body" you've always wanted. Even if you don't invest in a gym membership, a walk around the neighborhood is absolutely free of charge. Just remind yourself that slow progress is better than no progress.
Get Into Skincare
GiphySunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen! Now that the sun is out, the last thing you'll want is to let your skincare slip. That summer glow doesn't come so easily, so now's the time to invest in some skincare that'll rejuvenate yourself. Do your research and look into the best products for your skin type.
Pamper Yourself
GiphyGet that summer chop at the salon you've been hesitating on for the longest time. Don't be afraid to even get some summer highlights as well! Get your nails done that perfect bright shade and buy yourself the cutest outfits. Now's the time for you to really go out and shine.
Pick Up A New Hobby
GiphyRead more, paint more, write more, anything. We often find ourselves way too busy during the school year to do anything we love. Summer however, is a different story. Busying yourself with something that makes you happy not only prevents you from being bored, but also boosts your mood throughout the season.
Get A Job
GiphyAfter a brutal school year, your money may be a little too low for your liking. Look into seasonal jobs to get your money up. You can never have too much money, and exercising good money/budget habits now will save you in the long run.
Make Plans With Your Friends
GiphyLet's be honest, you have far fewer excuses to not hang out with your friends in the summer than in the school year. Catch up with those people you haven't spoken to in ages. The best way to spend a summer is to spend it with the people you love, so don't forget to maintain your relationships
Hydrate
GiphyI don't know about you, but I have the worst time drinking enough water per day. Virtually every function in your body requires water, and it's important to keep your water levels high, especially during such a warm season. Try carrying around a big water bottle at all times -- seeing water in front of you will have you more likely to drink it. Your skin, your body, and your mind will all thank you.
Travel Out To Places You Don't Normally Go
GiphyWhether it be a different country, state, town, or even area, exposing yourself to different environments can serve to be an extremely fun experience. Getting out of your comfort zone, staying in new places, and immersing yourself in the unknown are all different ways to
Practice Gratitude & Wellness
GiphyWhen all else fails, instead of focusing so hard on the new, reflect and admire the old. Whether you utilize mindfulness, or write down 5 things you're grateful for daily, there are millions of ways to practice gratitude and wellness. Find methods that work for you, and always remind yourself that
We workout... a lot.
GiphyFrom timed mile tests to morning workouts, we NEVER stop working out. Running, lifting, core-strengthening are just some of the things we do on the side to make sure we are always at our peak physically. And it helps us look good, too.
We practice a lot, too!
GiphyFrom learning and perfecting game day routines to learning and perfecting our national's routine, practices never stop. We typically practice 3-5 times a week!
Game-day appearance is no joke!
GiphyFrom the fake eyelashes to the full face of makeup, our final look must be approved by a coach before ANY performance.
Uniformity is a NECESSITY!
GiphyFrom matching uniforms, to the same brand and color of lipstick, to the same exact style of eyelashes, probably the most important part of any collegiate dance team is the uniformity!
Nationals is our Super Bowl
GiphyGame days can be fun and exciting, too, but the attention is on the players, as it should be. At nationals, however, we are the ones directly representing our school and competing for the National Title! Nothing compares to the feeling!
Fundraising, fundraising, and MORE fundraising!
GiphyCollegiate Dance Team Nationals isn't cheap! Most Dance Teams have to fund at least the majority of their national's expenses, which is A LOT of money! From working kids' clinics, selling clothing, having GoFundMe pages, having Bingo events, the list can go on for days!! So much work is put in outside of practice just to raise enough money to compete at a national competition.
The audition process is ... brutal.
GiphyFrom learning a dance off of Youtube a few days prior to the audition and performing it in front of judges, to executing all of the necessary technical skills (no matter if its YOUR cup of tea or not), to personal interviews, to a conditioning evaluation, auditions for collegiate dance teams might be some of the toughest days of the year.
Overall, being on a college Dance Team can be very overwhelming, but being surrounded by girls with similar interests as you 24/7 who are like family to you, make it all worth it!
I am here to tell you to start caring at least in some ways.
One of the biggest regrets people have in life is that they did not do enough while they were living. People often find that they wasted their lives in some way by not living to their full potential. You can do something to change that perspective for yourself. If you do not want to look back at your life and regret it, then do something about it!
If you want to change the world, start small now. It could be something as simple as using reusable straws instead of plastic to save the oceans from pollution. The difference will never be made unless you start small now. You have so much potential bottled up inside of you just waiting to be used.
If you want to have a stable career where you are happy and satisfied, make sure you are on track now to achieve that level. Go to college to get whatever degree you need to get the job you want. That also means if you are in college now, make sure you can graduate in a timely manner.
This brings me to the idea of money. I wish I could tell you that money is not important, but society says otherwise. Money is necessary to provide resources for you to live comfortably and for a long time. If you know you need money, then you should start finding ways to make that money. If that means you have to get a job, then at least you will have something to help you get you to where you need to go in life.
Another problem a lot of people face today revolves around social media. College students especially tend to put pictures and words out there that they later regret in life. We hear about it all the time from companies rejecting students based off of something they posted online that was not appropriate. Start caring about your future by being aware of everything you are presenting on social media. As the old saying goes, you should not post anything your grandma would not want to see.
Yes, I understand that the future may be scary to you. The unknown often has that effect on people, but you cannot let it get the best of you. You have more control over your future than you think.
My advice to you is to take a deep breath and take a step back. Focus on what is important to you now, and then think about what will still be important to you down the road. You know you better than anyone else, and you know what life should look like in the future.
Go out there and make a difference. Do something now to avoid regrets later. Good luck in the future!
Sincerely,
A Concerned Life Coach
