Try Something New

     There's no shame in being a little lazy sometimes. Everyone deserves the chance to lay on the couch in their pajamas all day watching their favorite movie for the 700th time. But when you are trying to figure out what you've accomplished in the past week and you come up empty handed, that's an indication that maybe it's time to get out and do something.
     Change up your routine. Escape the monotony of everyday life. Get out there and do something that you've never tried before. Two weeks back, I packed up my camping gear and headed out on a two week camping expedition with my friend and her family. We danced it up at a music festival and spent days lounging at the beach. We spent the nights circled around a campfire and slept tucked under a low-hanging tree in our two-person tent. It was something I'd never done before and that felt great.
     So when you realize that you've watched three seasons of Desperate Housewives in less than a week, get off the couch and try something new. Go outside of your comfort zone and dive into an experience that you can hold with you for a long time. When you get back, Desperate Housewives will still be waiting for you.

Make Me

   

     I like to run. Usually. But there are some days when I just don't want to get off the couch. I want to stay cuddled in my warm blanket with the air conditioning cranked as high as it will go so that I can pretend it's not 90 degrees outside. Motivating myself to put on the running shoes and actually get out there proves to be somewhat of a challenge. Whether it's running, work, or some other task you just can't bring yourself to do, here are some ways I've found do the trick:

1. Just get started
     If you just motivate yourself to put on the shoes, eventually, you're body will be ready to take on the task of the actual run. Slowly but surely, as you get dressed and pull your hair in that pony tail, you will accidentally motivate yourself to go out there and do it.

2. Time yourself
    Tell yourself "I'm going to do this for 10 minutes, then I get a break," or "in 5 minutes, I'm going." Giving yourself a time limit allows you to psyche yourself up. If you say you're going to run for 10 minutes, you often times keep going for more without even realizing you had the motivation in you.

3. Tell yourself why
     Sure, it would be easy never to leave my front door in a pair of running shoes, but I have to remind myself how great it feels when I'm done. I feel like I've accomplished something and I'm always in a better mood. Take the time to actually thing to yourself why you're doing what you do in the first place.

Over The Top

     I don't really do anything half-hearted. Either I'm diving headfirst into the deep end or I'll just stay on my chair and tan. That's why when my friends suggested watching Miss USA together, I knew it was time for a full-fledged beauty queen fiasco. We dressed in gowns, snacked on fancy desserts, and bet on our favorite contestant. It took a casual television gathering and turned it into a party. Plus, we got some pretty interesting looks...

     When you take time to yourself to have a little fun, it's a great opportunity for relaxation. But when you turn that time to yourself into a dramatic, over-the-top party, it's a great opportunity for fun. Get your friends together for a slip and slide party or have afternoon tea complete with hats and fine china. Don't do anything half-hearted. Go big or go home.

Get Hooked

   

     I'll be the first to admit that sometimes life is boring. There are always those days when you try to tell someone what you did and all you can think of is, "My latte was pretty hot at Starbucks this morning." When days like these are more plentiful than you'd care to admit, it's time to forget your life for a couple of hours and become in engrossed in the life of someone else.
     No, I'm not condoning hours of Facebook stalking or mass texts. I'm talking about finding a television show that acts out everything you wish your life could be. Whether you secretly wish you were a princess of some mythical land (guilty!) or want to relive those college years, pick a show that you can enjoy. Sometimes, allowing yourself to escape the monotony of everyday life for an hour or two is just the thing you need to stay motivated. Who knows? Maybe your favorite show will inspire you to be a little more exciting.

Adapt to Survive

   
     It feels like I've lived in New York City for longer than two semesters. I hadn't realized how well I'd adapted to the fast-paced city life until I tried to come home. Greeted by a day of snowfall and horrible altitude sickness, I couldn't imagine why I'd ever missed Colorado in the first place. But after a few runs through the mountains and a couple hours in a car in which I didn't have to watch a meter, I realized how nice home felt.
     Especially when your surroundings change, it can be hard to adapt. For a creature of habit like me, it's exceptionally difficult to change my everyday routine. But there's always one sure-fire way to fix the situation: look at the things you've got that you didn't have before. I've got a queen-sized bed, two dogs, a fridge full of food, and an excuse to wear my Ugg boots again. Don't get bogged down with the change. Embrace it. When you do, you'll love the change of pace.

Make It Like Mommy Did

     As finals are drawing to a close, each and every student out there is surely craving a little piece of home. We can't wait to get back to our queen-sized beds in a room by ourselves, to wake up to the smell of a fresh pot of coffee, and not have to pay every time we want to do laundry. But for some who are drowning in papers or on their way to summer internship stress, don't wait until Mom can do it for you: treat yourself like Mom would treat you.

     Obviously, there's not much you can do when it comes to laundry or the roommate, but when you spend extra time on the small things, it can make you feel more at home. The other day, I made myself ants-on-a-log with pretzels, grapes, and a cup of juice, the snack that would always be awaiting me after a long day of school back in Evergreen. I don't need Mom to make a plate of delicious delectables. Incorporating small things like this, or actually ironing that shirt you found in the bottom of your drawer or shutting everyone out to do a face mask for 5 minutes, will ease the stress of being alone and away from home during this stressful time. Maybe Mom's not there to help you out, but you can show her what you've learned.

F*** Off.

     I pride myself on being the kind of person that gets along with a variety of people. But even for me, there are some days when I really just want to slap someone so hard, their grandchildren have 5-stars. But unfortunately, since I have some semblance of dignity, I refrain. But all day, my blood boils just thinking about them. How do you rid that devil from your mind? Write them a letter.
     I'll take this opportunity to clarify that writing a letter and sending a letter are two different things. Write said person a letter telling them exactly what you think. Use all those words that would make your mother wash your mouth out with soap. Tell them about those nightmares you've had about having to sit next to them on a plane or the time that you actually screamed out loud just thinking about the shit they said to you. Then tear it up and throw it away. Releasing all of these inner thoughts allows the stress this person causes to ease without actually hurting any feelings. Just make sure that the letter is discretely disposed of. You don't want to be the next "Dramatic Reading of a Break-up Letter."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBHOL1PcPR8