The amount of glitter shortage in Lancaster should have made this obvious enough but this past week was big little reveal for some sororities. A stressful, but amazing week. After having daily anxiety about getting a little since I got my big a year ago today, it is easy to say that the anxiety was worth it. I thought the best way to show how much I appreciate you was not to write you a poem (obviously) or get you presents, but instead, give you tips for things that have helped me get through hard times. You are so wonderful and light up every room you walk into. I am sure that you will teach me so much if not more than I can ever teach you. But here my first effort to be a Big to you.

Here are five things (videos, articles, pieces of advice) I wish I knew a year ago.

1. Confidence is a major key.

Confidence is a process and something we have to practice every day. I read a Bustle article recently, (I won't make you read the whole thing) but paraphrased below is what stuck out to me:

Confident women have the ability to see their self-worth. Become unafraid of moving on from something that doesn't meet your personal standards.
Lack of self-doubt helps keep a confident woman from getting stuck in hours of the analytical game. They know how to say no. They never loose sight of who they are and what they want. They welcome chances to learn from mistakes. They are not afraid to leave a relationship when it doesn't work for them, they can say, "Bye Felicia," and not look back!

2. I promise you, you will feel overwhelmed a lot at this school, become friends with this feeling.

There is no point in complaining about how many papers you have, who is frustrating you and why you can't keep up with the 100,000 feelings you have. It's hard to accept that things can be hard sometimes without becoming a pile of mush. But here's how to become friends with being overwhelmed instead of being taken over by it. Accept it and lay in bed with your best friend Netflix (if you need a show request "Parks and Recreation" is a really great option), take a walk let nature do its work and calm yourself. Go to yoga. Get your nails done. Go to mean cup and get a sugary drink and feel the good vibes. Make a list of things that you are thankful for. Know that the feeling of being overwhelmed is temporary you are gonna make it through.

3. Significant other trouble --Judge Judy knows what's up.

She is so wise and the proof is in this interview she did with Ellen. Her use of words like, "shmuck," is a good laugh but also a wake-up call. You deserve the world and a significant other shouldn't make you feel like you don't. Watch this when you need to remind yourself that you are gonna do great things and there will be others.

4. Here is how to silence your inner Critic.

We all have that stupid little devil guy on our shoulder telling us we can't do something. This isn't going to permanently get rid of him, but it will definitely teach you how to tune him out and start to move you on to a better mindset.

5. Having anxiety is something that a ton of people deal with.

Anxiety (and depression) suck. It is easy to become a more anxious person in college. But if you had it before, who cares? You still rock and that's a part of who you are. Embrace it even if it is something you wish you didn't have in your life. Know that you are not the only one with this problem on this campus, or in the world. This video is a great explanation of what it feels like to have anxiety, sometimes all you need is someone to explain how you feel since expressing your feelings can feel like a huge boulder when you are having anxiety.

It helps me to watch it, I hope it helps you.

I love you forever and always little one. You are as great as they get and I hope that these small tips help you as much as they have truly helped me.

xx
Your big.