Life as of Lately

I couldn’t be more ready for a weekend. Seriously. This week has felt like 2-weeks mashed into one and two days off sounds like a slight vacation. Minus the sandy beach and a tan. Ok, so it’s not a vaca, but you get the idea.

My week was a combination of an Olan Mills-themed photo shoots (you know, those cheesy ones from when you were a kiddo? Those photoshoots), Cinco de Mayo margaritas and some pretty gorgeous weather. Sounds like a good week to me!

{ Our marketing team's Olan Mills themed photo shoot. Aren't we hot? The more awkward the better. }

{ Top items in my bag. At all times. No matter what. }

{ Breaking in my new kicks. }

{ Cinco de Mayo calls for a margarita. #festive }

Patience Is A Virtue

“Patience is a virtue.”

— B.E.K.

Those words are something I live by now. When I was younger, my mom would tell me that quote as I fidgeted with a tangled necklace or got upset about something I couldn’t control. As annoying as it used to be, it has always been that little voice (playing angel) in the back of my mind.
 

Yes, I get annoyed at the most uncontrollable things, yes once in awhile (okay, maybe more often than that) get a pang of road rage and hit the horn, but there’s always that reminder in the back of my head. “Kimberly, patience is a virtue.”

Hey, it’s even something we should all take a little time to remember. You can really tell a lot about someone by a few tendencies that we’ve all been guilty of at one time or another. C’mon, who hasn’t gotten annoyed at a pair of tangled headphones?

Wait staff hater: I’ve worked in the food industry for years and well, I can’t tell you enough how much I believe everyone should work in it at some point in their life. Cliché? Absolutely, but I’m still a firm believer in the idea. Boy can you really tell a lot about yourself and others while waiting tables. The way people get so uncontrollably angry at how long their food is taking / end up taking it out on the wait staff. If you’re on a date, take a mental note of how your guy/lady treats the server. It really shows a person’s true colors.

Tangles for days: There’s nothing more annoying than a tangled necklace or headphones. Sometimes I find myself throwing/whipping my headphones around in a frenzy to untangle the mess. After I do it, I realize I look like a crazy person and just need to relax. It’s a knot, not a disease. Calm down.

Traffic racer: Okay, so I’m a speed demon. I’m that a-hole that swerves from lane to lane, trying to beat the jam. I know, I know it’s annoying. I’m working on it, okay?

Long line hater: Everyone hates a long line – I get it. I’m guilty of huffing and puffing at someone moving at a pace slower than that of growing grass, but taking our frustration on someone isn’t going to solve the issue. Take a few breaths and realize waiting to pay for your bottle of vino and box of cookies will be solved, soon enough.

Things I Need To Stop Doing

It’s pretty funny how many times a day I say the word ‘sorry’ or feel the need to break a period of awkward silence. You know, that moment where no one talks in the elevator and you (I) feel the need to say something so completely irrelevant. Yeah. I'm talking about those moments. There are so many things I do that aren’t necessary or are habits that aren’t adding anything positive to my life. I’m looking at you, nail biting. Ugh. 

Instead of grabbing an iced coffee to go, maybe it’s time to start making a cold brew myself. Instead of feeling the need to say ‘yes’ to every single activity with friends, maybe I should embrace the choice of saying ‘no’ (Netflix and QT with my couch is always a good answer). No matter how big or small they might seem, bad habits won’t be broken unless we take control. Control. That tiny thing that lets you take the reigns, rope, leash, whatever your choice of control may be, it’s something that’s yours alone. Don’t let something that’s not bettering your life control it. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Let’s just say I need to break some of these not-so-great habits:


I’m not sorry: Saying ‘sorry’ for absolutely nothing. Whether I’m in the coffee line and someone scoots by in front of me (totally not even sorry-worthy) and I drop the s-word. It’s ridiculous how many times a day I say it without even realizing the word. Pantene’s ‘Not Sorry’ campaign is the perfect example of ways ‘sorry’ is incorporated in situations that don’t deserve an apology. Ladies, we do it a lot. Count how many times you say it a day and realize the s-word might be just as bad as the f-word. Ok maybe not, but it still needs to stop.

 Caffeine Addict: I love coffee. Let me repeat that, I looooove coffee. Many coffee drinkers can vouch that grabbing a cup on-the-go is way easier, especially when you’re a little late to work and turning on your Keurig and refilling the water tank seems like it'll take as long as washing your kitchen floor (how sad is that?) It's just that much easier to stop by the nearest Sbucks and pull out your credit card - my bank account hates this lovely little habit of mine. I feel like at this point I may or may not deserve a parking spot at my local Starbucks with my name on a sign that reads, 'Kimberly Kufel. Grande iced coffee with non-fat milk and just a little bit of vanilla'. It’s that real, you guys. It's that real.

Skin Fail: Laziness is simple. Throwing on PJs and getting under the covers before I wash off my mascara is actually the easiest thing in the world (definitely up there with eating that second piece of chocolate too), but it’s a habit of mine that needs to end, especially as I get older. I vow to stay on top of my skin game, even if that means resisting my bed for just a few minutes. Last time I checked, my mattress was still there when I got back from the bathroom.

Money Game: As much as my dad would cringe at the thought, balancing my checkbook hasn’t happened since I was in high school. I used to be so good at making a purchase, getting a receipt and then adding that to my book. It sounds way too old school, but making sure each purchase is accounted for in your checkbook is super important. Example: I went 2 months without realizing I was paying for Netflix and not even taking advantage of endless amounts of scrolling. My bank account didn't dig it.

Worry Wart (EW to that word): I’m a worrier. I’ve been that way since I was a kid – at least that’s what my family tells me. I’m constantly worrying about the ‘vibe’ of the room and totally in-tune with others emotions. It’s all a little overwhelming. I’m constantly worrying about the way someone says something, if they’re angry, upset, sad, etc. I mean I analyze punctuation marks in text messages. Who am I? Overwhelming right? My boyfriend can definitely attest to my, ‘are you okay?’ question I ask every oh-I-don’t-know – 7 times a day. I kid. I need to stop letting my emotions get the best of me – sometimes it’s nice to stop worrying about others and say ‘who the hell cares’ and go with the flow. Am I right or am I right?

Life as of Lately

Sometimes all you need to transform your mood is some gorgeous sunny weather, a long run and some old Easter candy (hey, it’s still good). 

{ I have a love/hate relationship with these beautiful 'monsters'. }

With summer slowly creeping in and more and more sunny days to bare my ghost-like white legs, I can’t wait till the warm days stick around. In the meantime, I’ve found that taking time to appreciate springtime (before it all blooms away from us) before it’s too late. A run surrounded by whites, pinks and purple petals, the first of many patio brunch parties (mimosas were a must) and the seasons first brew at the Salem Red Sox game are some of my favorite ways to celebrate springtime. Cheers!

{ Our marketing team designed the artwork for our new administration building. A backlit sign was an absolute must. }

{ There's nothing I love more than a fresh bouquet of flowers. Ok, maybe wine, but you get the idea. }

Feisty Lady

Feisty (adj.): full of animation, energy, or courage; spirited; spunky

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been called ‘feisty’. Maybe it’s because when I was a kid, I wasn’t supposed to be taller than 5’ (talk about short) and I had to compensate for my lack of height.

As a kid, I played with the boys and let’s just say when the boys on my co-ed basketball team wouldn’t pass the girls the ball, I made it a point to jump on one of their backs as my friend swiftly pulled the ball away. No regrets, absolutely none at all. I hope somewhere, someplace, that guy is still telling that story today. My hometown best friend, Kristen, can surely attest to when I was about 7-years-old and I slapped a boy. What can I say, the boy pushed my best friend to the ground during a playful game of SPUD (if you don’t remember SPUD, you were deprived as a child) and I slapped him straight across the face. Laughing till tears fell, I remember running away with Kristen and feeling proud that I stuck up for my friend, even if that meant a firm slap. Oh well.

Although I’ve managed to grow up to be a whopping 5’3”, I’m still considered to be ‘petite’ and ‘feisty’ is still one of my favorite characteristics. Being feisty and well, stubborn at times, is a trait that I can thank my mom for acquiring. She was one feisty Sicilian lady, who could outdrink the guys, steal her mom’s car with her girl friends, get away with dating college guys while she was in high school and didn’t take sh*t from anyone. As I’ve gotten older, I’m proud of my feisty-ness, it keeps people from walking all over me (‘I might be short, but I sure am feisty’ was definitely a signature line I used as a 6-year-old) and it’s a trait I wouldn’t trade. 

No matter what you might be called, embrace it. Sometimes it just might be a part of you that you just couldn’t live without.

The Perfectly Unplanned

When I look back, everything in my life was always so perfectly planned. From picking out my communication/public relations degree at Virginia Tech, to the 4 years of undergrad life filled with $3 triple vodka soda's and the best of friends, to a summer-filled with applying for jobs, snagging a job and surviving my full year at that job.

It all happened so fast. So far, my life has been pretty much planned to a tee. After high school, I knew that college was my next step. After college, I knew a job (using my degree) was the next, next step. It was all curated to fit my perfectly planned life. Now, it's funny how I feel like I don't have plans. Yes, I want to eventually get married, have kids, the white picket fence, you know the whole nine yards or the 'so-called normal' things, but right now I'm ok with how things are going.

 I'm perfectly content with my excessive binge-watching of Scandal, nightly glass of Malbec  and Wednesday Night cocktail traditions with my girl friends. Sometimes it's nice to know that maybe there shouldn't always be a plan, a 'normal' timeline of the route your life should take. Sometimes, it's nice to just go with the flow, be laid-back and say screw-it to the timeline. Maybe the unplanned route is the better one. 

6 New Year Resolutions

2014 has been great, I've kicked off my full year at my job, wrote TV spots, wrote radio spots for Pandora, ran races, laughed until I cried and somehow managed to survive. It was a blast! 


I will say, there's something exciting about kicking of a new year and the unexpected that awaits you. I have no idea what changes are going to happen this year, but I can't wait! 

As for 2015, I'm ready for you! Bring it on. Like most, a New Year goes hand-in-hand with working on yourself as a person and so I decided to make some New Year resolutions myself.

Call a friend weekly: Staying in touch is sometimes hard, but friendships are with it and they take effort. This year, I'm going to work on staying in touch and being a friend to those who aren't close.

Break the Habit: I hate how attached to my phone I am. This year, I'm going to work on being in the moment....without my phone. 

Blog: I love my blog and it's my outlet to express my thoughts, emotions and really put myself out there for you all to read. I really really really X's a million, want to make this thing better - starting with transferring everything to WordPress and investing in a camera.

Stress Free: I tend to stress over things that aren't exactly stress-worthy. This year, I'm going to work on my anxiousness, take a breather, go for a run and just relax. 

New Routine: I'm pretty good about hitting the gym, but lately I've been a little on the bored-side with my routine. I mostly run and lift some, but this year I'm going to take time to try new classes. I'm excited to try barre classes and to get back into yoga.

The Little Things: Grabbing a friend a coffee when they're having a bad day or receiving a handwritten note always makes me happy - this year, I'm going to try to make more smaller and meaningful gestures for my friends and family. 

New Year's Eve Priorities

New Year's = the one holiday where rocking sequin, glitter-everything, red lipstick and drinking champagne is not only a given, it's a must. I mean c'mon, can a holiday get any better? 

I will say I don't care what my plans are for New Year's, all I really care about is the dress. Yes, the all-glitter-everything dress is really my main objective, numero uno, #1 priority. 

Let's be real, there are many perks of a holiday that ends (ahem...begins) with a champy toast at midnight.

24/7 Champagne Diet

In all seriousness, champagne is necessary to celebrate New Year's. I don't care if you don't like champy, add a little cranberry or a spritz of OJ and you'll be feelin' real good. So go ahead and stock up on Andre (I'm not picky) and some champagne flutes (the Dollar Store plastic flutes will rock your world...err...your drink and they won't break). **This Pomegranate Champagne Punch recipe is definitely going to make an appearance at my pre-game. There's really no question about it.

Sequins, Glitter, Sparkles, Oh-my

'Tis the season to rock and roll (and wear) in anything and everything that's sparkly, shiny, glittery and all things gorgeous. A holiday where rockin' a dress full of sequins is acceptable is ok in my book. If you're not into the whole sequin dress thing, give your nails a nice glitter mani. Your inner 5-year-old-who-used-to-take-ballet will thank you. I would also steer away from body glitter, but whatevs, if that's your thing then this is a no judgement zone.

Hellion on Heels

I love heels, I really really do, but there is a time and a place to where them. I will say I don't usually where them when I know I'm going to be knockin' back a few-too-many champys, but New Year's Eve is kinda sorta a heel-must. I know, I know, I will be drinking bubbly, but hey a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do and that means full on foot/heel-pain. I fully expect to be walking barefoot at about 12:05AM, but hey pretty hurts. 

Smooches

New Year's is all about the dress, the champy and the sparkle, but yes, the kiss is definitely a #1, as well. Why wouldn't you want to ring in the New Year with a smooch on the lips by a babe?! 2015 is off to an amazing start if you can 1) remember his first name 2) get a picture of your kiss and Instagram it 3) aren't walking barefoot.



This New Year, it's all about you. Drink champagne, party with your friends, embrace your sequin dress and kiss many boys. It's totally worth it. Now go pop some bubbly. Cheers.
 

Life as of Lately

With Christmas only 7 days away, I'm in full-on panic mode. Do I have all my shopping done? No. Have all the Christmas cookies been frosted? Nope. Have I wrapped presents? Nah.

This year, I'm totally unprepared, but hey that's when I get my best work done. Cue: Procrastination-Mode. I will say despite, not being completely prepared for the holiday, I'm definitely in the holiday-spirit. AKA - In the mood to buy anyone & everyone presents, blasting Christmas music in my car and drinking endless amounts of hot cocoa. All things amazing. 

{ Hot cocoa is always necessary. Extra whipped cream is a given. }

{ 300+ Christmas cookies = a pretty entertaining Sunday. }

{ My favorite NYX Cosmetics matte lipsticks. }

{ Sparkling Pinot Noir + girl time is the best of times. }

Life as of Lately

This week has felt like 2 weeks wrapped up into 1. Long is an understatement. Regardless, it's been a good one and Thanksgiving is next week, which makes it even better! Yay to all the food, wine + family time! That rhymed. Whatever, go with it. I can't wait!

In preparation for the holiday devoted to food, I'm taking this weekend to enjoy some relaxation until the craziness begins. Cheers to a happy weekend!

{ The most gorgeous hair by Monica Wakefield. }

{ Salad art at Bread Craft. }

{ I did it. I rocked the hat. Boom. }

Life's Too Short: Choosing Happiness Over Everything

“Life’s too short to even care at all.”

As I turned my car on, those were the first lyrics I heard on the radio. It got me thinking, those few words, lined up in one sentence, in one song had it completely right. It really couldn't have said it better.

​

Why waste your breath on the things, people or emotions in life that just don’t matter? As silly as it sounds, this song and these lyrics couldn’t have played at a better time for me. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with life, want everything to play out perfectly, want to accomplish all your goals at once or even want everyone to like you. It's easy to get caught up in your own problems, but in the end it doesn't mean anything.

For me, I know I have to remind myself to take a step back and not let my emotions get the best of me. What stresses me out now; won’t stress me out a week from now. The people that don’t like me; won’t matter a few months down the road.
Getting in a silly argument with someone I love; will eventually be solved. That’s the thing, eventually all of it will go away – all the complications, the arguments - soon they'll all be forgotten. 

At 13, my mom passed away. I never knew something positive could come out of a situation that was so devastating. I learned at a young age that life is truly too short to care about the trivial things - the people or the things that don't matter. Or the people that don't care for you.

Remember to laugh with your friends, to spend time with the ones that matter and most of all, tell them that you love them.


That is what's important in life. 

Life as of Lately

Can 4-day weeks be an actual thing? How can we make this happen?

Getting back into a routine after a much needed 3-day weekend isn't the easiest, but hey, maybe that's what makes them all the more special. Even though this past week has flown by, I am grateful for time spent with friends + family, dinner parties in the prettiest of gardens and fresh flowers from the farmers market. Oh and definitely yummy dinners. Those are nice too.

The older I get the more I truly appreciate the time I get spent laughing with my family. It's funny to think that my teenage-self wouldn't necessarily find it quite as entertaining to hang out with my dad and my girl friend, but my older-self certainly loves it. Life certainly comes full circle and it's definitely a beautiful thing. 

{ BYOC. Bring your own chucks (to work day). It's a thing, you guys or at least it should be a thing. }

{ Saturday's at the Farmers' Market are my absolute favorite. }

{ Smith Mountain Lake is my happy place. }

15 Things I've Learned As A 20-Something-Year-Old

Sometimes I want to press rewind to my 21-year-old self, but hey I’ve learned a lot these past 2 years and I don’t regret a thing (ok, maybe those straight bangs I got to channel my inner Zooey Deschanel - that was just a bad idea).

 { Patio cocktail parties are all more fun post-grad. Hello champagne. Ok, cheap champagne, but still champagne. }

​

I never thought I’d say this, but so far I’ve had a hell of a blast being out of college. I’ve learned a few things along the way too. Naturally, mostly about wine. 

1.     Painting my nails is not necessarily my strong suit. However, going to get a mani is definitely something I do pretty damn well.

2.     Being 5 minutes late is practically being on time, right?

3.     Life moves on – whether you’re ready or not. It’ll keep passing you by if you don’t slow it down just a bit.

4.     Time with your friends cures just about anything. Even if it is the day from hell – laughing with them, cocktails in hand is actually the remedy. 

5.     Move at your own pace. You’re where you are for a reason; don’t feel the need to get engaged, pop some babies out and be an exec at work in approximately 1 year. It won’t happen. 

6.     QT with yourself should always be a #1 priority. Binge watching Netflix, in your PJs, with a glass of vino is important. If you must, add it to your to-do list. In black ink.

7.     It’s ok that the ‘work you’ is different than the ‘home you’. Even if it’s just your outfit choices.  

8.     Finding time to be tan is no longer on your to-do list. *Note: never be tempted to use Jergens, you will be orange.

9.     Bribing yourself with coffee stops before work is actually a normal thing. It can also make your day.

10. When days are rough, shop. (See #4 for one hell of a bad day cure)

11. Looking put together doesn’t necessarily mean you are put together, but hey no one else knows that.

12. Dating after college is a damn part-time job. At least according to my girl friends.

13. Being indecisive on your cocktail-of-choice can actually be a good thing. Hey, I never knew I would’ve rekindled my love for champagne again. My sophomore-in-college-self would be proud.

14. Be picky in everything. Hey, if you don’t show some high expectations in all aspects of your life, who will? Don’t settle for friends who consider you a wiping post or boys that don’t treat you well.

15. Find something you’re passionate about and go get it. No one can stop you, but yourself.

Life as of Lately

Hey Friday, fancy seeing you here already. For real, this week has flown by - um, hello almost-September? 
For me, this week has been full of time with friends and that is something I love. A lot.

{ Happy hour with a fellow blogger over bellini's, of course. }

Post-college/being in the 'real world' has taught me that grabbing drinks with friends after work is the equivalent to a dull college night. In the 'real world', it's actually quite wild. Funny how something so small changes after college ends. I mean are we all old now? Can I be 21 again? I miss you, Hokie House. *Crying*

Besides one (or 5)  amazing cocktails (River + Rail's 'Solution' margarita is amaze-sauce), this week has given me time to reflect on where exactly I want this blog to go. A colleague has been giving me so much advice/ideas on the posts that I could feature on here and been pushing me to really give this thing a shot. Let's just say its been a week filled with motivation - I can feel my heart beat a little bit faster because hey, I really think I can do this.
 

{ Late dinners with cocktail hour before are my favorite. }

I have so much I want to do on this blog - everything from makeup reviews, posting my personal outfits, investing in a professional camera, switching this bad-boy to WordPress and actually getting someone to design this thing for me. I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself (because damn, there's so much I want to do on here), but I really don't think I'm going to stop.

I want to make this big. It's about to happen. One-baby-step at a time.

{ Layering bracelets is my new love. }

{ French 75s are back and better than ever. Ask me for the recipe, I got you. }

{ Scrolling through pictures the other day + I forgot how beautiful Roanoke really is. }

Embrace the Simplicity

Life is full of many moments. Some small, others large – but the teeny moments, those tend to mean the most.

For me, I feel like every single moment should be built on a large scale. Having a dinner date should be an event – everything and anything should be well-thought out, planned and mapped out. In this case, I'm the planner. Planning everything from what I’ll be wearing to what I’ll be drinking (hello Malbec) to the emotions I’ll be feeling.

It's exhausting.

I need to stop; relax and treasure the tiny moments. Dinner dates that include Mad Men episodes, sushi and silly company are the ones that really mean the most. I won’t remember the edamame, but I will remember putting chopsticks in our mouths like the narwhal in Elf. Yep, we’re that kind of goofy.

Stopping the car to take a quick picture of a gorgeous view (even if it means I’ll be 2 minutes late to work) makes me realize that I need to slow down, relax and treasure the small moments. Not everything needs to be planned – the littlest moments are the ones to savor.

Take it from me, pour yourself a glass (or two) of wine, kick your heels off and enjoy the simplicity of your life - it's really a beautiful thing.

The Keepers: Friends Mean the Most

Life has a funny way of introducing you to new people when you need them the most.
 

Living in my hometown (again), without a good friend base was quite difficult, but with a new Wednesday night tradition with a few new friends (of Malbec and cocktails, of course) it all seemed to fall together. Having your girl friends by your side is seriously something that males just can’t seem to compete with. The pieces just fit and it’s awesome.

They understand when you’re torn between wearing heels out vs. sandals (and know it’s normal to go back in forth between each option, 3-4 times), they get when you’re a little moody or that a quick coffee date/vent session can be the remedy to even the worst of days. Lattes can solve all probs.

Sometimes looking back on the friendships I’ve made, I look to the ones that not only made me grow as a person, but the friends I could call anytime, anywhere. The ones that could enjoy doing just anything, including watching Real Housewives re-runs. All day. 

Those are truly the keepers.

Blue Print of Life

Ever feel like life has blue prints for exactly how you’re supposed to live? Or maybe it should? Maybe we all need a user manual. Cue: an architect and/or engineer.
 

Engaged at 25, married at 26, kids at 29, somewhere between all that jam in backpacking across Madrid, moving to New York City, shopping at Ikea for mod furniture, starting a new job, getting a promotion, etc. It’s a whirlwind, but it’s the standard norm for a young "adult" trying to conquer the world. Should I be tossing my job to the side, packing a North Face backpack and jumping on a jet plane to travel the world at the drop of a hand? Should I have already crossed these off my list? 

Sometimes I have to remind myself to slow it down - take a break from looking at others lives and their accomplishments and focus on my own. It sounds easy, it really does, but sometimes getting caught up in how others are living their lives makes it feel all the more acceptable to be following their paths. Feeling as if, “Wow maybe I should be getting my own place now” or “Should I be traveling the world instead of working?” It’s confusing and overwhelming. Maybe Robert Frost can help...cross your fingers.


“Two roads in a wood and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Boy did Frost put the pressure on with this one. I’m still quite figuring out what I’d do in that situation - take the road less traveled or most traveled? For now I’d say screw the less traveled and most traveled roads, make your own road. This time forget the pavement, car or hell even the game plan, and make your own - you’ll get where you want in your own time. Key words: own time.

Life is an emotional battle between the so-called typical path-of-life and finding your own place in this chaotic world. For now, I’m happy where I am. Everyday my answer isn’t the same, but isn’t that what’s so special about life - the unknown? Right now I’m perfectly content and that in itself makes me happy.

Quarter Life Crisis at 22-Years-Old

Being in your 20s is the time when your college “fantasy” world and the real world, the stereotypical 9-5 job, coincide.  In a bad way. It’s the time where living with your parents to “save money” (insert: rent, utilities, shampoo, a personal cook, free Bravo, etc.) is suddenly your go-to line to anyone and everyone who asks about your so-called “situation.”  So you don’t have a job, so what?  Because watching the newest episode of The Real Housewives of NJ and actually having cable and TiVo, obviously takes precedence over anything else. 

Let’s be honest, being a 20-something-year-old is really figuring out who you are, who you want to be, and how exactly you’re going to afford those double vodka sodas 4-days a week. For now, I’ll give you some advice from a 20-something-year-old who’s still trying to figure it out.
 

Take time for others yourself:

Take it from me when I say “me time” is beyond necessary. Get in touch with your self and what you enjoy doing (no, this doesn’t include drinking).  You’ll probably have a ton “me time” because most of your friends have either a) completely left town and/or have moved to a new town b) are pulling the Van Wilder and are still in their college town finishing their degree or adding a new one c) are hibernating in their parents house and haven’t been seen in weeks. “Me time” can be described as doing an activity that makes you feel some sort of happiness - ex: a newfound addiction to hot yoga classes, grabbing your laptop and heading to a local coffee shop to try every espresso drink on the menu or perusing a local book store and snagging a quick read or hell, even working out in the AM just because the waking up early aspect makes you feel like a badass. Whatever makes you happy. 


Pay homage to your parents

You live under their roof, therefore, their rules apply. Sound familiar? Thought so. For me, the biggest game-changer is moving back home. Checking in with your parents is definitely a buzzkill. Sneaking back into your house at 2am is sounding a little like your high school days, however, free food, electricity and HBO somehow makes your “situation” a little better...or maybe the more you say it to others, the better you feel? Either way, make sure to make your rents feel like you’re extremely grateful they’re letting you camp out in their basement for a few months…or year. Try unloading the dishwasher, actually loading the dishwasher (with normal dishes not Solo cups) and maybe even volunteer to DD your parents - yes, I said it. 


Single?

Everywhere you turn, or scroll, there’s a new insta pic of a girls fresh mani accompanied with a sparkler on her left hand. It’s the unspoken newly engaged protocol to post a picture of ones diamond ring and hashtag it with anything related to #IFeelSoSpecial, #LoveIt #OmgYayyy. If you can’t help but want to throw up in your mouth, you’re not the only one. Most of the time I can’t help, but think it seems so quick, so sudden - yes, there are those couples who are destined to end up together, hell they basically act like a married couple (ex: never seeing them in public since they started dating or their names end up turning into 1 combined name), but for the rest of the newly engaged, I must ask - why? Most of the time when my family asks why I’m not engaged or ready to settle down (mostly during the holidays) it’s usually a quick, “I mean what’s there to rush?” They laugh and move on to the next subject, that is, until the next holiday. I’m not saying that everyone is making a mistake, but for me and the rest of you 20-something-year-olds, I say flaunt your relationship status - travel, collect moments, date, don’t date, focus on your career, meet people you won’t forget, focus on your love for late night pizza or Nutella, your love for Girls, but most of all be selfish because now is your time. 

 
Be pro-spontaneity 

Right now most of us don’t have plans - it’s scary because college has been 4 years of knowing (well at least for most of us) where we’re supposed to be, what classes we should be taking, what bars we’ll be at 4 days a week, but now we have no idea where we’ll end up in 10 years, much less tomorrow. We don’t know what our first job will be, or when we’ll get married or have kids. It’s scary, but it’s reality. Looking back at my planner in college my life was easy, but most of all my life was written out for me in black ink. Not knowing where we’ll be in the next few years is the norm for all of us, but we must appreciate the unknown and learn to accept that there shouldn’t be guidelines for how we live our lives.  Embrace the spontaneity of life - take that last minute trip to visit your friends, don’t make plans on a Friday night, but most of all realize life isn’t meant to be planned or predicted. Make your own path - and if you must write it, write it with a pencil.


No New Friends

Maybe DJ Khaled knew that his “No New Friends” song would perfectly depict making/having friends post-graduation. I’d like to think so - props to you, DJ Khaled, props to you. The days of hitting the bars with friends after class (or during class) are over. Sigh. The most difficult part of post-college life is probably losing your friend base to new jobs, new cities, etc, etc, etc. When I’m with new friends I often find myself worried they won’t get my sense of humor, my lack of coordination, my goofy personality or my love for blasting music in my car with the windows down. I mean who doesn’t like blasting Iggy Azalea’s “Murda Bizness” and driving with the windows down in 40-degree weather while simultaneously laughing uncontrollably? Am I right or am I right? These weird tendencies we share with our closest friends are what I remember most about college. Tom Petty was right, we don’t remember the exams we crammed for or the late nights we stared blankly at our laptop screens for any kind of hope to finish a research paper, but we remember the moments we shared with friends. Making new friends post college is different - now we must keep our drinking to a minimum (a night of drunken fun is now referred to as “networking”) we must pretend to act professional in pencil skirts, lipstick, cashmere cardigans and engage in conversations that don’t give away that we still feel like we’re in college. To put it simply, networking has taken the place of our so-called college definition of making friends. Now we casually grab drinks with co-workers, mingle, exchange business cards and pretend we’re all adults, but deep down we’re all still college kids.