Be Good To You

Last night I graduated from granny status and went out for the 2nd time in six weeks. Wait hold on. There was that one night that B, E, and I went to Sonic AND Taco Bell with some of the neighbors for a late night snack - Yea we get pretty crazy over here. Last night was so much fun spending time with friends we haven’t seen in a while and roommates we see everyday. L, B and I (oh by the way read B’s blog. She’s angry I haven’t linked her yet ☺) spent numerous hours with some ridiculous people. I don’t think we have laughed so hard in a long time. This is the part of college life I really enjoy – endless laughter. We braved the ice (although B and I were forced to trade our no-traction shoes for Uggs when we started the trek over to house number two) danced to Ke$ha, wore sports Jerseys for a “Jersey party” (I was disappointed it wasn’t an actual Jersey, as in New Jersey, party), and ended the night with some high calorie nuggets and fries from McDonalds and a sing-a-long. The night was simple, and no “ragers” were attended, but we still had a blast that lead us to say this morning “I’m SO happy we went out last night!”

Let’s face it. School is stressful. My dad tries to tell me about once a week that it is not. “College was the best years of my life!” and “I don’t remember ever pulling an all-nighter”, and “What are you crying over a paper for?!” Well graduating in three years (P.S Four months from today is my graduation. All are invited ☺), taking twenty credit hours, and trying to do better than a 3.0 has left college stressful for me. Even as I write this post, books and an empty word document that needs to have six well-written pages on it by Wednesday surround me. I have always put the most pressure on myself. It has paid off in wonderful ways that I’m really proud of, but it has left me in need of a “no brainpower required” night of fun every once in a while. Last night was exactly the right medicine for a case of weather and school blues.

I used to think I was a very selfish person because I always took time for myself. As far back as high school if I had the money I would get a pedicure or take a Sunday to lie on the couch just to watch movies all day. There were a million other things I could have been doing. I could have been donating my time to charity, or eating lunch with a bunch of different friends to make sure we stayed in touch, but instead I was watching some old movie with my dad. Then one day I realized that I was not wrong to give myself some “me” time. If I’m not good to myself how am I ever supposed to be good to someone else? If I don’t take care of myself how am I suppose to take care of others? It is not selfish to take time out of your day or to set aside a weekend night for YOU. We all have a million and one things that need to get done in this fast paced world we live in, but we will never be able to give as much as we want if we do not give what is needed to ourselves first. I come from a large extended family of givers; People that will give the shirt off their back to keep others warm. They are all such wonderful inspirations to me. My wish for these loved ones is that they give a little less to others and a little more to themselves. They would be happier, healthier and still loved and appreciated by all.

As a college student there are always numerous things to do on a Friday night to keep my stress levels down, but I recommend even for those non-college students out there finding your own escape from the daily world. Weekends should be your time to go out and see a movie with friends and loved ones, go to a really nice restaurant and eat some good food, go get your hair and nails done (the “fire me up” nail polish looks amazing on my hands and feet!), go shopping! We all deserve that one day/night of complete freedom from stress. I have heard enough times in my life that stress kills (and makes you grey prematurely which is something none of us want). I refuse to let one homework assignment ruin my weekends for me, and all of you should refuse to allow your job, boyfriends/girlfriends or kids ruin yours.

I hope you all have a wonderful Saturday and keep me updated on what you accomplish. I better hear one person tell me they did something more than shuffle the kids to basketball games or paid the bills. Life is too short not to give yourself some time. And for all you love bugs out there celebrating Valentine’s Day tonight, I hope you have a romantic night with lots of love and zero stress!

A quote from one of my favorite people of all time. I thought it was fitting:
"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." - Lucille Ball