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.
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!
Finding my girl tribe in college has been rocky. I was so used to having my go to girls in high school. It has been challenging for me to get over the fact that I do not yet have my “go to girls” here in college. I have met amazing girls and have made great friends, but I feel like I have not yet built the same connections that I built with my high school girls. I am in the process of finding “my people” here at school.
Tonight, at dinner, I realized I was not with the right people. It did not feel right. After dinner I tried thinking about what did not feel right… For me, I value conversation and connection with friends. I did not feel that at dinner. Oddly, during the dinner, I was thinking of who I should have been eating dinner with instead. The people who I enjoy having conversations with and hearing about their days. At the dinner tonight, there was minimal conversation and I felt like I had to work to include myself into the conversation that was made. For the majority of the time I was sitting there I was just thinking, “yup, these are not my people”.
I am not sure “who” exactly my people are, but from meeting a wide variety of people I have been learning about what is important to me in friendship. I value conversation, people who care, and those who include each other in friendships. I think that those three things are so important (plus so many more things). It is good to have people to check in with, talk about life, learn more about each other, find similarities, and help each other to learn and grow.
I remind myself in these times that building friendships takes time. In high school, I had some friends in the beginning, but I did not find my true tribe until junior and senior year. The best thing I can do for myself now is to build on the friendships I have and keep meeting people!
Things to think about: What do you look for in friendships? When you think of a good friend, what are the qualities you admire about them? Who is your “go to” tribe?
Be happy for others. Celebrate their successes and achievements. Show them your support. Get excited for your people!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
This past spring, I was introduced to bullet journaling. I had always seen the cute journal images on Pinterest and had an interest, but never actually got into bullet journaling until my mom recommended I start journaling this past spring. I was feeling overwhelmed at school and could not keep track of what I wanted to accomplish and different tasks that needed to be done. I use my bullet journal to keep track of things I want to accomplish each day and find it very helpful. This is how I plan ahead, keep track of events, and then reflect on my day!
I think there is something to be said in setting pen to actual paper rather than using an app to keep track of tasks and events. Physically writing helps me remember to do things and checking things off the list feels so good.
This summer, I started a second journal. I now have one journal to keep track of the daily events and a second journal to keep track of my long term items, such as goals, things I want to do, and daily reflections. This type of journaling was inspired by being introduced bullet journal stickers, which have become a complete game changer! My journals are becoming very colorful and decorative. Journaling has become my creative outlet as well as a tool for planning and reflecting.
Tips for Getting Started…
I would 100% recommend journaling for everyone. It has been such a helpful tool in my life and I think there are so many benefits to journaling that could help other people as well. To get started, purchase a journal and pens. I like to order the journals on Amazon and use colorful felt tip pens, but what you use is entirely up to you. I have been reading “The Bullet Journal Method”, by Ryder Carroll who is the creator of the bullet journal. This is a great book to read for tips on how to organize your journal and what to put in your journal.
The awesome part about journaling is that there are no rules. It is entirely up to you to write your story. You get to choose how it looks and what is inside. It can be cute, colorful, and decorative, or plain, simple, black and white. You choose!
Check out Pinterest for decorating ideas. Purchase a pack of stickers from your favorite craft store… Let your creative side flow. Try different things. Maybe the task lists would be helpful to you. Maybe you want to use it as a tool for reflection. You could use the journal to write down highlights in your day, goals, things you want to accomplish, a meal tracker, or anything you think of. That is the beauty of journaling, once again, you get to choose what goes inside!
How I Journal…
I use two journals. One for planning the weekly things and another for all of my dreams, goals, reflections, and whatever comes to mind. I like to empty my brain out on paper because I tend to forget things! It is such a relief to write down all of my thoughts, knowing that I will not forget them.
In my planning journal, I sit down and plan out the upcoming week, usually on Sundays. I start by writing the date at the top of the page and adding a spot at the bottom of the page for the three things I am grateful for. On the next page I write down my work out for that day. Once I am done, with the outline, I start adding in my calendar events. Then I go through and write down the things I want to accomplish for that day. For the beginning of each month I decorate a page that says the month and write down a couple goals for that month.
There is no rhyme or reason in my second journal. This one is for random thoughts I have, plans for the future, goals, and things like that. Recently I have started using bullet journal stickers and paper tape on these pages to decorate which has been really fun. This journal is very colorful. I love looking through all of the decorated pages!
This is how I journal, but YOU get to choose how to use your journal (or journals) in the way that works best for you!
Overall Tips…
Journaling should be an outlet and tool for you. Try not to force it, just use it as a tool for yourself! Find what works for you. How can the bullet journal help you with things you are worried or stressed about?
Here are a few journal ideas:
Planner
Budget
Food trackers
Reflection tool
Quotes
Goals
Thoughts
Ideas
Whatever comes to your mind, write that down. Remember to use the journal for what you need. It is a book that is for you, you get to write your story. I hope you can give journaling a try. It has been such an amazing tool for me in my life and I hope you find it just as helpful. Would love to hear how it goes for you or any tips you have.
Please share how you journal and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Thank you for reading and happy journaling to you!
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!
For the past month I have been training for my first sprint triathlon. This has been a goal of mine for a few years. I swam competitively in middle school and high school and have always enjoyed biking and running. The thought of combining all of these activities into one event always intrigued me.
Last winter I signed up to do an indoor sprint triathlon and it got cancelled due to a blizzard. I was pretty bummed. I had been training for a few months and was not going to be able to put that training to use. In March, I found out my school was hosting a sprint triathlon called “Fruit at the Finish.” This sprint triathlon included an 800 meter swim, 12 mile bike, and 3 mile run. I was hesitant to sign up at first, but one of my friends encouraged me to do it with her. I figured, why not give it a shot. This has been something on my list of life goals and I felt like this would be a great time to do it! I had about a month to training and I got right to it after signing up. I enjoyed having a goal while training to keep me encouraged.
The day finally came for the triathlon! I was so excited. My body felt ready to go. When I got to the event, I took my bike out of my car and noticed that my tire was very flat. It was so flat that it was starting to come off the rim. I was freaking out on the inside, but I tried to keep my cool. I found someone with a bike pump and we filled the tire with air. It seemed like the air was staying in the tires. My bike made it to the bike racks where the biking section started. I left it there, hoping the air would stay, and went off to sign in and get ready to swim.
My swim felt amazing! It brought me back to my swim meet days. I had so much fun and felt so fast in the water. I changed after my swim and was ready to bike. I went out and saw that my bike tire was completely flat… All of that training and I was not going to be able to do the triathlon. I was so bummed, but once again I tried to keep my cool. I went back into the pool area to cheer on my friend as she did the swimming part. I decided to do the run anyway and make the most out of the race.
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
I was really sad that after all of my training I couldn’t even complete the race. I tried my best to make the most out of the unfortunate event. I did my part in the swim and still got to participate in the run. When I got back to school, I biked on the stationary bike in the gym so I could sort of finish the race. From this event, I learned to be flexible. Sometimes the things that we work so hard for do not work out for us in the end. We have to make the most out the situations that life throws at us.
Looking forward to next year’s triathlon! I’ll be back with a functioning bike ready to crush my goals.
College has been quite the adventure. It is nothing like I imagined it to be. I have been learning so much. I am finding out what I like and don’t like. The weeks have been going so fast. I cannot believe I have almost finished my first semester. This semester has been tougher than first semester. First semester was new and exciting. This semester I am taking mostly pre-requisite courses and not finding them very interesting. It has been a challenge for me to find motivation to study and keep up my grades.
After taking the first exams in all of my classes I saw that I should to be putting more work and focus into my school work. So, I started spending all of my time in the library. I thought that going to the library would magically make my grades better. It did help me to study with less distractions, but I realized I was spending all of my time on my homework and studying. I forgot to do the fun things. I forgot to take time for myself and enjoy my time in college. I would put off spending time with friends, because I thought I needed to be studying. After taking the second round of exams, I realized that my grades were improving, but not by much. All that time in the library wasn’t actually helping me learn. I was exhausting my brain because I forgot to take time for myself and give my brain a break.
One of my coaches always told me, “work smarter, not harder”. I realized that instead of spending ALL of my hours in the library, I should be learning how to actually study and retain information, instead of exhausting my brain and then forgetting everything. I also learned that it is completely acceptable to take brain breaks. It is good to take a break and catch up with friends, volunteer, or do an activity of some type. I managed to do all of those things in high school and saw good results in my school work, so those things should work in college, right?! Giving the brain a break really does help.
As I go into my next three weeks of college, I am focusing on managing my time better and studying effectively so I can enjoy my last couple of weeks at school. The weather is getting nice and I cannot wait to get outside and explore more at St. Ben’s. There is time to do more than just study. Schools does not have to take over. It is important to enjoy where I am at in my life right now. Grades matter, but they are not everything. College is all about learning. For me, I am learning how to study effectively. I am looking forward to next semester and getting the chance to take more classes that interest me.
Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to read about what my semester has looked like. Remember to work smarter, not harder!
Gifted with Grace 