1. You can’t always plan ahead. 

I am a planner. Quarantine taught me to let go of planning. Life will throw unexpected events as us. We have to live in the moment. BE HERE NOW. 

2. I love learning. 

Wow, who knew learning was so fun? Not me, until this quarantine. I decided to use this “time” to learn. I signed up for Skill Share, attended countless free webinars, read books, and discovered my love for podcasts. There are so many ways to learn even outside of the typically classroom setting!

3. I am an introvert. 

Before quarantine, I considered myself to be in the middle of introvert and extravert. Well, quarantine solidified that I am 100% an introvert. I NEED my alone time. It gives me energy and makes me happy. 

4. You can always find joy. 

When quarantine started, I added a page in my journal for “moments of joy”. I tracked my favorite memories or unexpected things that brought me JOY during quarantine. It is possible to find joy. Choose joy. Live joyfully. It is truly life changing. 

5. Don’t take advantage of every day opportunities.

A hug, a smile, and seeing friends and family… the sports events and school parties… finishing sophomore year… That was all taken away. I regret all of the times saying, “I’ll go to the (event) next time”… Quarantine has reminded me to take advantage of all of the opportunities that I am presented with. I have learned to spend time with my friends and savor those moments. You never know when you won’t get the chance again. 

I hope you can relate to some of the things I learned over quarantine.

I encourage you to take some time, sit down with your journal, and reflect on this quarantine experience for yourself! 

I polled my friends and asked them to, “describe me in three words“. 

The tops words used to describe me:

1. Kind
2. Organized
3. Funny

I asked this question to find out if how I want to be seen aligns with how others actually see me. 

In my scenario, I think “kind, organized, and funny” fit me well. 

Ask your friends how they see you… 

Check in to see if this aligns with how you want to be seen.

If yes, YAYY!!

If no, what can you change?

1. Your Time: 

College is all for you. You get to decide, lead, and go where you want to go.

2. Take the Next Step: 

You do NOT need to go into college with a full plan. Go in with an open mind. Take the next step, it is never the last.

3. Try Something New: 

Take a class that sounds interesting, but out of your comfort zone. Try something you’ve always wanted to try, but never have. Just go for it. Now is the time to try it. You never know where it will lead you! When you are presented with opportunities, take them. You will never know until you try. Does it seem like something out of your comfort zone? Do it, this is the best time to try. You never know where saying YES will take you.

4. Be You: 

New place, new people, new opportunities. Be who you are and find the people who support you. This is also the time to Become YOU. You do not need to do what your parents want you to do or what all of your friends are doing. Choose what interests you.  

5. Use Your Resources: 

Schools have so many resources for you to utilize. Take advantage of the career center. They likely offer many personal development learning opportunities. The therapist is also a great option. This is likely the only time in your like that will be ‘free’ to use. The resources are part of your tuition, so use them to your advantage!

6. Get Involved: 

Join a club, an intermural team, or a study group. This is a great way to build friendships with likeminded people.

7. Make Memories: 

Savor the memories you make. Take all the pictures. Journal about your experiences. The time goes so fast. Enjoy it while it lasts. 

8. Find a Routine: 

College can get busy fast. Lots of assignments, meetings, classes to attend, a possible job, and friends. Get into a routine that works best for you. Plan time to work out, take care of yourself, study, work on homework, and plan time with friends. 

9. Talk to Everyone: 

No judgments. Be nice and have conversations with everyone. You never know, that person you were scared to talk to at first may become your best friend. 

10. Open Mind: 

Not everything is going to go as planned or turn out the way you hoped. Stay open minded. Take opportunities as they present themselves. Make the most out of the time. Try new things. Learn what you like and you don’t like, now is the time. 

This is your story, what will you write?

Get after it, I believe in you. It is a new time to grow and learn about yourself. Savor all of the moments. Laugh. Have fun. Make memories. The time goes fast each year.

Generous and considerate. 

I am a two.

Today, I found myself picking up branches that broke off the trees during the storm last night. It came to me, wow, I really am a helper. 

Nobody asked me to pick up these branches. I saw the branches and took action. Because, I am the helper. 

I have always been the “helper” at home as well. I am the one who washes the dishes, folds the laundry, cleans the house, etc. I am not sure how it took me so long to realize I am a helper.

I find this trait can be good and bad. Good – I take action and I am there to support those around me. Bad – I often exhaust myself in helping too much. This can be energizing and draining. 

Thinking to the future, how can I use this gift of being a helper? 

So many ways and opportunities for helpers. 

What is your enneagram? How will you use your gift?

Within a few hours, I went from having lunch with a friend to packing everything in my dorm room. I did not wake up that morning in March, knowing it was going to be the last day of my sophomore year at college. The last lunch in the Reef, the last night with my roommate, the last workout in the tiny school gym, the last time hiking up the Quad stairs…. who knew. My heart goes out to all of the seniors. All of the spring weekends that we were looking forward to and late night conversations with friends, cancelled. 

Hugging friends for the last time. Saying goodbyes. Moving home. Unpacking. A thousand emails on class updates and cancellations… not how anyone thought this year was going to end. 

Now, the struggle is in finding balance. How can I be a student, daughter, friend, worker, sister, helper, and find time for myself? How am I going to use this time? How will I manage this? When will it end? The questions are endless… 

What I remind myself of daily is that everyone, all of my friends, all over the world are going through these same situations and asking the same questions. 

For me, I feel like I am on a roller coaster. Sometimes I am happy, feel good, and motivated. Other times I am sad, crabby, and anxious. I know others are feeling the same way. 

But, here is how I am showing up…

I am taking care of myself first. Yoga, exercise, walks, journaling, meditation, time outside, reading, podcasts, online courses, and projects. Then, I check on my friends. Over the phone, social media, Macro Polo, even via letters! I am trying my best. That is all we can do right now. We can show up for ourselves, our friends, and our family. We can try to influence the energy by having a positive attitude or showing a smile. We need to be understanding, as this is something that were all going through for the first time ever. Patience, persistence, and compassion. 

I know my generation will come out of this stronger. We are resilient. We will no longer take things for granted. We will cherish human interaction. We will be great leaders through our ability to adapt and adjust to changes. 

This is OUR time. 

A chance to GROW and REINVENT ourselves.

How will you use this time?

In what ways might you use your gifts to help others during this time?

What is the story you want to tell?

Well, it is time to settle into isolation at home. In my opinion, this is not the worst thing to happen! Finally, a time get some things done that I’ve had on my list for so long! 

Here are some things that are keeping me grounded:

• Waking up early
• Morning at home workouts
• Big breakfast
• Meditation
• Journaling
• Laying out tasks for the day
• Mid-morning walk
• Podcasts
• Daily journaling

At the beginning of this “break”, I sat down and made a list of everything I could be doing at home. It is LONG! 

It can be hard to stay on task at home with distractions and family. Start your day off right with your morning routine! 

Stay grounded. Settle into your new routine. Make lists. Get it done! 

You got this. We got this. Rest will be good! A time to catch up, take a new view, and recover.

Be well, 

Grace 

1. Extremely Organized: Maybe too organized? I have worked at The Container Store for two years. A store that sells containers. You can be assured, I am organized. Huge fan of planning. 
2. Huge Heart: Caring and empathetic towards others. Will likely ask how people’s days are going or how I can be of assistance to them. I also have experience as a babysitter, nanny, Special Olympics volunteer, Girl Scout member, and 4-H leader. Always sharing the love and helping in whatever ways I can. 
3. Personal Development Fanatic: Find me reading, listening to podcasts, journaling or writing a blog post about personal development in my free time. Any way I can learn, grow, and make myself better – I am in. Brene Brown will forever be my favorite researcher, speaker, and writer. 
4. Fitness First: I start every day off with a workout. This could be running, walking, cross-fit, yoga, swimming, biking, or anything I can do to move my body. I have found that starting my day off with a good workout leads to my days being more productive. 
5. Creative Side: In my free time, I can be found sewing pillows with mantras, crafting a vision board, or journaling. My mom and I sew and craft handmade pillows with different mantras or designs painted on them. This has become a fun hobby and side hustle. I also enjoy crafting in a variety of ways to build on my personal development skills. One way I share my gifts, is through my personal blog and Instagram page titled, Gifted with Grace. 
6. Be Here Now: My personal mantra. Wherever I am, I aim to give that situation my full attention and dedication. I strive to live in the moment in most situations. I show dedication and strong work ethic in anything I do. 
7. My Strength’s Finder Results: Discipline, Harmony, Empathy, Relator, Achiever
8. Healthy Lifestyle: I care about my body and what I put into my body. Growing up, I have had the privileges of having a garden, shopping at farmers markets, and eating organic foods. Fueling my body with real and organic foods is very important to me. In order to make this happen, I cook and bake a lot!
9. Learner & Listener: I enjoy learning and listening. I am a very curious person and am not afraid to ask questions in order to better understand something or a situation. Many people come to me for advice as well, because they know that I will listen and share  honest feedback. 
10. Personal Brand Manifesto: I strive to be a life-long learner and achiever. My personality type is organized, motivated, and empathetic. Each day, I enjoy learning new things and sharing what I learn with others. Throughout my learning journey, I also take time to practice living a healthy lifestyle by moving my body and practicing gratitude daily. My mission in life is to motivate, uplift, and help others discover their own strengths in order to help them become the best version of themselves. 

A practice. Progress, not perfection. Find balance or stillness. Just breath. Decide if you want to use your practice for active recovery or to build strength. You decide, is it YOUR practice. This is why I love yoga.

Over Christmas break, I have been going to SOL yoga every Sunday morning. Each week the practice is very similar. The main moves are the same. There is movement, stillness, and balance in each session. Each week, I find myself flowing through the moves, knowing what is coming next, and challenging myself to build on the moves.

Take your practice with you off the mat. Find balance through the struggle. Practice progress over perfection.

Namaste. ❤️

            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.