Working every day over break burned me out. I lost my motivation and my energy. I skipped out on spending time with friends. I was crabby. The holiday working season wore me out. While at work, I would put on a smile, act friendly, and help the customers. Although, when I got home each night was an eat dinner, get things ready for the next day, and go straight to bed phase…

            This week, the final week of break, the lack of energy and motivation really hit me. It was tough to stay motivated, energized, and even act friendly at work. I was stressed and overwhelmed about only having two days off before going back to school. I cancelled plans with friends and chose not to talk to them. This did not feel like me. I did not like how I was acting. 

            Today, I decided that all needed to change. My mindset needed to change. I wanted to find “Grace” again. Here are a few things I did to get myself out of that unmotivated, unenergized, and crabby rut…

Early Morning Workout 

I started my day off with a run, “when in doubt, run it out”. Then, I pushed myself through a HIIT strength workout. After kicking my own butt, I refueled with my favorite breakfast – eggs, veggies, toast, and peanut butter.

 Friend, Chatting, & Coffee

Instead of pushing away friends, I decided to go to a coffee shop with a friend. Surprisingly, this helped me to relax. It was good to talk about my feelings. The conversations (and coffee) helped me wake up. 

Bullet Journal

I wrote down everything I wanted to accomplish throughout the day. When I completed a task, I crossed it off. This helped me stay on track and worry less, knowing I had fewer things to remember. 

Craft Project

Apparently, today is National Vision Board day. Of course, this inspired me to craft my own vision board. This got me to think about 2020. How do I want to act? What do I want to work on and accomplish? Creating the collage made me feel more motivated and alive. 

Baking

I prepared a few of my favorite snacks to bring back to school with me. During this process, I watched a movie. It felt good to prepare for the week and know that I will not have to worry about finding snacks when I am back at school. 

Basic Chores

I cleaned my house, folded laundry, and started to pack. Not the most fun things to do, but for some reason these activities help relieve my stress. A clean house brings me clarity. When everything is in its place, I feel ready to accomplish my other tasks. 

Getting back into the things I love to do, helped to get me out of my rut. Feel refreshed and motivated once again. I needed this day. It was well spent. What I learned after today is that, in order to get yourself out of a rut, you need to get back to doing what you love. Find what inspires you and what brings you clarity. Get back to being you, through doing what you love. Take time for yourself or just talk it out with a friend. Find what works for you. 

Today, I experienced my first habitat for humanity build.

This house started from nothing. The city condemned the lot and tore down the original house. Habitat bought the land and started building the new house this fall.

Today, a crew of about 10 people and I painted, primed, and unloaded a truck with flooring and doors for inside the house. Some of those people were volunteers, employees, or part of AmeriCorp. Awesome opportunity! No experience required to help out on the build. It is a “learn on the job” type of deal. The painting skills I learned will help me out in the future!

I learned that I paint just like my grandma, “more paint on myself than the wall”. Paint on my clothes, shoes, hands, and of course in my hair.

It was a great day on the build site! I am left the site with a full heart. I am reminded of how good it feels to volunteer.

It is that time of year again. 2020 is upon us. A new year. Time for fresh starts and new intentions. I am not one for New Years “resolutions”, but I am all about intentions…

I choose intentions. Goals and resolutions are too strict for me. I have a hard time sticking with them. I think intentions come with more flexibility. I like to be mindful.

What are your intentions for 2020? Have you thought about them yet? What would you like to work on?

Today, I sat down with my journal, pens, and iced coffee. I put on some relaxing music and burned a candle. My intention for 2020 is to focus on MYSELF. I am 20 in 2020. I have been told “your twenties are your selfish years”. I am going to embrace this in 2020. My intent is to work on positive self talk, taking care of myself, and focus on building my future.

Looking forward to the year ahead! Wishing you the best as well. Hoping you can find a bit of time to sit down and focus on your intentions for the upcoming year.

Best, Grace

            December 13, 2019 and that is a wrap on semester one of sophomore year. Crazy. Older students have told me that each year goes faster and faster. I am starting to believe that. Sophomore year has treated me much better than freshman year. My friends are feeling the same. Together, we had many conversations reflecting on how much better sophomore year is compared to freshman year. One of my friends names these three things for part of the reason why this year has been better…

GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD CLASSES, GOOD COFFEE.

            Yes, that is it! This year has been amazing. Looking back, in August I did not want to come back to school. I was set on transferring. I told my friends I would not be coming back to St. Ben’s. Well, that changed… I feel like St. Ben’s is where I am meant to be. This is where I feel comfortable and I feel that it is the place where I am supposed to be. I have grown and gone through so many challenges at this school. Things are only going up from here… 

            A few of my highlights from the year include turning 20, hammocking, chapel walks, hammocking, canoeing Lake Sag, spending time in St.Joe, roomie chats, Tommie Johnnie football, building friendship, holiday dinners, Chicago trip, and my classes. These experiences and memories remind me that I am so lucky to be here. 

            Finding friends can be hard. Finding classes you enjoy can be hard. Last year I struggled with both of these. I bounced around from friend group to friend group. I missed my home town friends. I was not in the right classes. I did not enjoy them… Oh, how this year has been so different! I am building stronger friendships and slowly but surely finding my people. I actually enjoyed my classes! Last year, I did not think it was possible to enjoy my classes. Well, that is because I was in the wrong classes.         

Follow your passions and the rest will fall in place. Do not be afraid to try new things, you might like it. I am learning to trust the process. Things get better. GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD CLASSES, and GOOD COFFEE helps!

Be happy for others. Celebrate their successes and achievements. Show them your support. Get excited for your people!⁣

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This week I realized something about myself… I love celebrating my friends. It brings me so much joy to see my friends celebrate new achievements, their successes, hearing about their days, seeing them as happier people, and being with them for when they get exciting news. ⁣

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How can you be there for your friends? Have conversations with them. Ask them how they are doing and what they need. Tell your friends what you need. Ask them about their happy moments and share your happy times. Give them your full attention. See where conversations lead. I’m sure you will learn about yourself through these moments, too. Be there for them and they will be there for you. Let them know how proud of them you are. Celebrate these little moments. This week (and always) I’m choosing to celebrate my friends. ⁣

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“She embodies the name grace so perfectly”⁣.

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Today at work, on three separate occasions, customers commented on my name and how fitting it was for my personality. When the first customer complimented me on how fitting my name was I question what she said and commented, “well I am not really the most graceful person”. (Side note – my friends parents gave me the nickname “not grace” on a vacation one year, due to me falling up the stairs so many times)… She reminded me, “no, the other kind of grace. The courteous, sweet, and kind type”. I thought this was the sweetest comment ever. (I almost cried, I’m kinda dramatic sometimes). The day went on and two more customers gave me similar compliments. ⁣

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During the day at work we complement other each other on big accomplishments or celebrations we notice or make during the day. One of my co workers worded it so well in talking about the compliments customers were giving me today saying, “she embodies the name grace so perfectly”. She talked about how I am genuine with customers and so good at having conversations and finding connections with the customers that come through the store. ⁣

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It is true. It just took some people to give me those complements for me to realize this. I may not be the most GRACEFUL, but I do try to be kind, genuine, and courteous in all that I do. My name DOES fit me perfect (thank you parents).

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Adding this to the compliments page in my⁣ Bullet journal. These kind words will stick with me for a while. Amazing what compliments from strangers can spark.⁣

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Something to think about – What is one complement you have been given or gave to someone else this week? Complements are so meaningful to people. So often I complement people and don’t even think twice, but honestly the complement could be what makes their day or even week better. 💕 #blessed #gracefullyme #gifted

My workout tips:

1. Make it fun

Your workouts should be enjoyable. Find the type of activity that makes you excited to workout. Try out different classes at your gym, go for a walk, swim, bike, or try cross fit. Gather a group of friends to workout with or go solo. Find what you like and what keeps you motivated. There are so many different activities and ways to be active. Once you find what makes you excited, I am confident you will fall in love with exercising!

2. Put it in your calendar

This is a big one for me. I try to look at the week ahead and plan when and where I will do my workouts for the week. Putting time in my calendar helps hold me accountable for working out. When I see it in my calendar, I know I need to get my workout in. Just remember it is okay if you miss a workout. Things come up last minute. Don’t miss out on an experience just so you can get your workout in. It is not the end of the world if you have to miss a workout! Try putting time in your calendar if you are struggling to find motivation to workout. 

3. Positive workout environment

Find your workout place. For me I like a gym where I don’t feel intimidated, with classes for days when I don’t feel like making my own workout, and a place with kind people. The workout environment can make or break your workouts. I struggle to workout at home because I get really distracted, so for me going to the gym is best. Other people may find it easier to workout at home because they don’t need to drive to the gym. It is all about your own preference and finding what works for you!

4. Plan ahead

Go to the gym with a workout plan. Plan ahead on what type or workouts you want to do on specific days. This will help with less wasted time. I plan my workouts for the week every Sunday. It is so helpful. I don’t have to worry about what I am going to do for my workout. I have a plan when I get to the gym and I can get right into my work out!

I hope these tips are helpful. I would love to hear what workouts tips you have as well!