Take A Break

Sometimes, it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to break down and cry and sit and watch Netflix for hours on end. It’s okay to lose who you are for a little bit, because you will find her again.

I admit that I have taken a break these past few months. From S&S, yes, but also from just… life in general. My college auditions, while they are fun and important, come with a LOT of exhaustion. All the traveling, lack of sleep, and waiting around anxiously has brought near my breaking point.

I knew when I started this journey that all of this struggle was part of the package, but I never imagined that it would truly be this difficult to live through. I’ve realized that “I know” is different than “I can.”

In this time of looming darkness, I lean on the Lord. Any feeble attempt at trying to survive this rough process without His support is unrealistic. I cannot do this alone and I need Him to restore my soul.

Now, in my final stretch of traveling and giving my all for these auditions, I’m trying to be done with my “break.” I want more than anything to be restored and feel energized again. But the truth is it’s okay not to be okay. Because one day, the break will end. Without my realizing it, I will find who I am at a deeper level. The fire within me will blaze. 

So remember, it’s okay to be a glowstick. Sometimes we need to break before we shine.

Chill Out

Sometimes I have to remind myself to chill out. With college applications and the daunting idea of being pushed out of the nest in a few short months, life can be scary. There are days and even weeks when I become so overwhelmed with all the tasks I have to do that I'm not even sure where to start.

Then, I have to remind myself: Everything will work out the way it's supposed to.

Every time I have a bad day, I need to focus on the fact that tomorrow will be better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Each rejection is just leading the way to a different, better opportunity.

It'll all work out.

Up, Up & Away

Traveling is one of the biggest hassles, and is almost never painless. This school year I'll be traveling a lot. These trips, mostly one or two day expeditions, require the dreaded "carry-on bag." From my experience flying almost every other weekend I've crafted the perfect list of items to bring in you carry-on.

Life

Wallet: make sure you have cash, credit cards, keys, and your ID

Phone: and camera, if you need it for your trip

Technology

Big Device: laptop/iPad for movies or working if you're going on a flight longer than an hour - for shorter flights, you may want to opt for a smaller device

Little Device: phone or small tablet, for movies and music

Headphones: earbuds are my favorite, but some people prefer large noise-canceling ones for plane rides

Chargers: make sure you have these (maybe even portable versions) - your plane might have outlets, but if not you can recharge at the gate before/after your flight

Health

WATER: this is so important because planes dehydrate you so much, buy a big bottle before you get on the plane

Food: small energy/protein bars, goldfish, string cheese, etc.

Gum: a small pack of gum goes a long way, and you never know when you'll need it

Hand Sanitizer: or cleaning wipes

Medicine: bring advil, vitamins and any meds you usually take

Beauty

Makeup: just the basics, like extra concealer, lipstick, and mascara

Lip balm: bring chapstick or a small vaseline

Deodorant: perfume also, if you have a small sample size

Hair Ties: or headbands, if you prefer

Extra

Magazine/Book: bring these incase your devices die or you don't want to use them, and bring pens/highlighters

Warmth: socks, sweaters, scarves, and more incase you get cold

5 Steps to Time Management

Being busy is super common in today’s society. Everyone is always doing something, and life can get a little crazy when your schedule gets hectic. I have so much to do and really take focus on managing my time! Follow these few tips to lower your stress levels and manage your time.

1. Keep a Digital Calendar

My iCal keeps me going. I schedule each of my events on there, and sync my calendar to both my computer and my phone, so I always know what's on my schedule for the day. Sometimes I'm so frazzled after school and forget that I need to bring my dance bag with me the next day, or I realize I have extra time to schedule a pilates class later. It's SO helpful and I always what know my schedule is in advance - this is especially great when I need to schedule a doctor's appointment or something. The iCal technique also lets you visually understand how you spend your time.

Here's what my iCal looks like:

2. Block Out Distractions

Yes, I'm asking you not to go on Instagram or Snapchat when you're doing something important. While I know they're tempting, sometimes you just have to practice self-control. When I'm doing homework or practicing for theatre, I put my phone away. Like, on the other side of the room away. I can focus, finish what I'm doing faster and better, and then when I get back to my phone I usually have a lot of notifications.

3. Plan Out Your Homework

THIS. THIS IS A LIFESAVER. Instead of planning 3-6pm as "Homework Time," plan out what you're going to do for your homework within that time. You can even take the first 10 minutes to do that. Here's a sample schedule:

4. Schedule Things Ahead of Time

Lastly, plan out your life. If you want to work up to running 3 miles, plan out which days you're going to run and label them "Run 1 mile," "Run 1.5 miles," and so on. If you need to start stretching more, add in 30 minutes of stretching to your schedule every other day. Planning out your schedule will help you plan out your life and add in (or take out) things. You'll be able to spend your time how you want instead of just taking each day by storm and being stressed all the time.