Holiday Cheer or Fear?

Happy December,

All in all this semester has been kinda crazy for me, not sure about you but 2014 was definitely the year of change for me. I picked my concentration, decided what I want to study for my Masters program that I will apply to next year, went on an amazing trip, took time for family, made bad decisions, applied for an internship, and made a decision to graduate on a normal four year track. I've become centered in life and in my head, but it took a lot to get there.

I know that not everyone probably had as many ups and downs as I did this semester, but they had their own which were bigger and smaller in their own ways. 

I'll probably write more on several of the things I have above, mainly because I know that two years ago I would have loved to know that someone didn't have a clue what they wanted to do for a career somehow had opportunities fall in their lap because of their classes, and no you didn't read that wrong. 

Right now I know that the holidays always seem to bring high levels of cheer and high levels of anxiety, about bills, presents, grades. But something that no one seems to remember is that we come up on this every year, every year we have to deal with the same stress and anxiety. Sure the year will always make it slightly different, but at its core we deal with the same thing every year, AND WE GET THROUGH IT EVERY YEAR. Seriously just let that sink in. 

Now realize that you know how to deal with this, you know how to budget, you know how to study for finals. The world always feels like its coming to an end right now. Like there is way too much going on and you will never get it, never be able to make the time for everything that has to happen. Seriously there are ugly sweater parties, mixers, socials, study sessions, last minute papers and projects, and can we not even talk about Christmas shopping? Everyone and their dog is worrying about this right now. Slow down breath, realize that you don't have to have everything figured out. 

This is the end of the year and right now we are just wrapping everything up, literally and figuratively. Stick hard to your studies don't let the holidays and the upcoming break get to you. I know you can do it, because I've been able to. 

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, be extra nice to the grocers, tell your best friend how much you appreciate them, let your family be crazy and revel in the them-ness that you can be overwhelemed by. This is my favorite time of the year and no matter how hard it is I try to always be a glass half full person right now, because so many people need that. Be that person, you never no who's day you end up brightening and I can tell you it will make you happier too.

Step back and breathe

Alright, so my week started out pretty badly to be honest. I woke up Monday morning ready to

Take a shower and get ready for the week, only to find out our water had been shut off again. Twice in four days actually. I understand that construction happens and life happens, but when its 7:30 and you can't use your bathroom at all? It stinks.

 I then began to feel overwhelmed by homework and finishing recruitment and work By Tuesday night I was ready to quit something, mainly my math class as it was assigning the most homework and is my least favorite class.  However, when I went to church this weekend the homily was about not committing if you can't finish the job. I am completely in agreement with that, I don't like quitting. I never have, and I am super stubborn so when I should learn to back down I go harder at it. Unlike my freshman year when I overloaded on classes, I now know my limitations. I also know that doing things you love makes them easier to do. So while I have a pretty full school schedule, and I now have two more extracurriculars, I love everything that I'm doing.

 Yesterday when I realized how stressed I was about everything and that we haven't been in school a month I decided to take a step back.  I did nothing. I sat around with my friends, I talked with one of the RA's who lived on my floor last year, and I took a walk. Better yet I took a walk in the rain. I don't know what it is about the rain but lately it's been improving my mood to no end. I love the sound of it, the feel of it, and the comfy clothes and hot drinks it brings. It's killing me not to curl up with a good book while the rain pounds on the windows. When you get overwhelmed find something you love, it helps I promise.  

- Wyobelle

P.S. if you love the rain and want to listen to it even when it turns back into wyoming, try rainymood.com. It's the perfect white noise to do homework to!