Parent. Teacher. Conferences.

Also known as: The Longest Week Ever for a four day week. I have been prepping for the conferences today and yesterday and I am just ready for 8:00pm on Thursday night! Although I am looking forward to talking with my students' parents and discussing their children, I am not looking forward to two 12 hour days back to back. *Insert drooling, sleepy emoji 

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Pray for me, friends. I will need it just to survive and not turn into a zombie the next two days. Thankfully, we have Friday off! Woo, three day weekend! 

Accountability

Being accountable and being held accountable are two very important things when it comes to reaching one's goals. No matter the goal, if you're accountable and have someone there holding you accountable, you're more likely to stick to something. 

Last week, when I decided to take a new fitness class I've never heard of/didn't know I'd like, I made sure to tell my friend I'd be there because I knew I'd go if I made that promise. Today, when I decided I'd go on a bike ride, I made sure to tell my best friend, because I knew I'd go if I told someone. I went both times and I loved both workouts. I had so much fun at the Refit class (Zumba) that I'm going back tomorrow! My bike ride today was relaxing and calm and just what my soul needed. I felt like Snow White at one part because I was the only human around and I saw so many different animals. 

I am so glad I took that step and told somebody I would work out, because I did. Find yourself someone who will make sure you're accountable, because let's be honest, even if you're so determined to reach a goal, sometimes we still fall short. It ain't easy changing your ways, your habits, or achieving something you've never achieved before. It's hard as hell and sometimes we need a little extra push from those around us. There's no shame is asking for help. 

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Make up your mind, follow through, and keep going. Ask for help along the way. Stumble, fall, but always get back up. Life is a journey and it's never a choice to give up on the goals you want to accomplish. 

Work and Play

Adulting is hard, am I right? Yes, I am. Being a productive adult is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Harder than any college coursework, harder than any break up I've had to get over, harder than letting go of the things I loved most. Why is that? 

It could be because it is a constant struggle. A daily struggle of getting up, going to work, being the best person, friend, and teacher I can. Every. Single. Day. It takes a lot of work. And most of the time, I let myself get consumed with my work, and I forget to relax and live my life. 

Being a teacher is time consuming. Planning, prepping, teaching, constantly answering questions, analyzing data, reteaching what you've already taught. The cycle is constantly evolving, and constantly repeating itself. Now, don't get me wrong, I love what I do, and I can't imagine doing anything else, but that doesn't mean I don't struggle to get everything done, or like it some days. 

My point is, find a balance between your work life and your real life. Work should not be your entire life. It should be part of it, part of you, but not entirely. Remember to relax, laugh, take a nap, and live your life with those who matter most. That's why weekends were created anyway. ;) 

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So, next time you're feeling overwhelmed, take a step back. You may need a break from your job. It's refreshing to step back and then come back recharged and better than before. I promise it will help! 

Choices

So, I'm about to go workout for the first time in over a month (aside from a 4 mile walk with my mom last week and a couple bike rides). And I'll be honest, I could have worked out the week I moved, or last week, and even this week. But, I didn't and you know why I didn't? I was lazy. Purely and utterly lazy. 

Sure, I started a new job and spent hours upon hours in my classroom. Sure, I was moving and walked up and down my stairs so many times. Sure, I was tired at the end of the day. But those are all excuses, and they are not helping me achieve my goals. 

Now, my goals aren't to have a six pack of abs and ripped legs. However, I do want to be healthier and live a better lifestyle than I did last school year. I don't eat out so much anymore (so far) and I haven't had pop in a few weeks. I'm making my meals and taking my lunches and that has helped. I don't snack (or should I say over-snack) as often as I did last year. I am busy, but I am trying my best to make better choices, while still living with a balance. 

It's a daily choice to be healthier. It's a CHOICE. Yeah, it's hard. It's really freaking hard. But, it's better than looking in the mirror and hating what you see and then giving up on yourself. That's even harder and it sucks a whole lot more. 

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I hope this inspires you to make a better choice today. I hope it helps you realize that we're all in this boat together, struggling to be better than we were yesterday. Sometimes we fail, but sometimes we succeed and little successes all combined together make a big success. 

Take the Damn Risk

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This quote really speaks to me lately. I am SO happy lately. I am excited to go to work, see my work friends, and I am looking forward to this school year so much! I love coming home to my apartment, I love riding my bike around town, and I love my classroom. 

But, in order to get this happiness, I had to let go of my life and start anew. New job, new town, new house, and new (more) friends. I miss my family and friends, but all in all, I am incredibly happy I did this. I refused to accept that the way I was treated was right, and I refused to stand by people who did not believe what I believed. This is how I imagined my life would turn out, maybe even better. 

You have the power; you hold it in your hands. You can control your life, and you point your sails in any direction you choose. Do it. Take the damn risk. It is worth it. 

First Night of Change

 Change is a part of life. Sometimes, it's because of bad circumstances, but, sometimes, you are in control of change, and that type of change can for the better. You are in control of your life and only you can make those changes for the better. 

Last night was the first (official) night in my townhouse. The first night where I don't have any plans of returning to my parents' house, the first night of this new chapter in my life. It's both exhilarating and frightening at the same time. I am so excited about creating my own life, my own routine, and seeing what I can do when I have complete control over how things go. However, at the same time, I've never been completely on my own, and I am scared of what that means, or how it could go. I know I will learn along the way and make mistakes, but the thought of creating something all for myself fills my soul with pride and love. 

I've always been afraid of taking chances. I was always the well calculated girl who never did anything without thinking it through, and I would have never moved away just because I wanted to. I didn't go to college at Northern Michigan University because it was too far away from my mom (let's all laugh at that together). But now, I am a different person. I have grown up, gotten more confident in myself, and learned that taking chances can lead to greater things. 

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Life is too short to be anything but happy. Take that job, go on that date, get on that airplane. If it will make you happy, I promise it's worth it. 

Gratitude

I've recently seen many people on social media starting gratitude journals. I have toyed with the idea for quite a while, and I think when I officially move (next week!! Eeeeep!) I am going to start one. I also think I am going to have one for my classroom, because sometimes it is so easy to focus on the negative things that can happen during the day, and I forget about the good things that can happen, too. My university supervisor had us keep one during student teaching and it really helped me focus on my priorities and remember why I became a teacher in the first place. 

I am really excited to start this new journey of mine, living on my own entirely and starting a new life that is entirely my own in a new town. I'm also terrified; moving away from my family (especially my mom - cue the tears) and my best friends. But, I'm more excited than anything! It also makes me incredibly grateful for everything that has happened to me to make me ready for this change, in addition to all the help I have received and all the things given to me to help this move easier and smoother. This move has really opened my eyes to all the good that is in my life, which is why I want to start the gratitude journal, so I can remember it later on. 

I think it's important to be grateful, even for the littlest things like holding someone's hand, a kiss on the cheek, or sunshine after the rain. It will give you perspective and it will help you see the beauty in the world, especially when people fight so hard to only show you the negative side of things. 

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If you appreciate all the things around you, you'll always find a reason to be happy.