I’m starting to sneeze more often. You know what that means…
Spring!!! Or a cold, but I’m hoping it’s just spring allergies.
Besides a freak blizzard on Saturday here in Boston, the sun has been shining and the temperatures have been creeping up ever so slightly in the past week. It was nice enough for me to want to run, so that’s saying something. I even did homework al fresco last Wednesday, holla!
The shadows on my face are freaky
I’m not even going to tell you that much about school, because it’s just busy. I must admit that there were some waterworks over an essay draft this weekend because the frustration of not being able to sort my thoughts was gettin’ real. The mantra that has been running through my head the whole weekend is this:
Wise words of Elsa, am I right? I needed to tell myself over and over to let go of my pride, perfectionism, and stress. It’s okay to ask for help, take a break, say no to people, and to cry and sing songs with yourself while folding laundry. You let it go and move forward.
End rant.
God is always good, and He still put a smile on my face through some small yet beautiful things this weekend. One of those things was an a cappella concert featuring my amazing friend, Adrienne (girl on the left).
Even though I gave up listening to music for Lent, I decided that the concert didn’t count because I was supporting a friend 😀 Although, I nearly cried/jumped out of my seat to dance because all the groups sounded incredible.
P.S. I miss dancing so much.
This breakfast has been making me smile as well. I’ve been adding frozen blueberries to my oatmeal from the pancake toppings bar in the dining hall, and I am diggin’ it. Adds some tartness, antioxidants, and color!
I also tried Larabars for the first time last week! There were some Larabar representatives on campus last week, and they were giving out free samples. It was my lucky day, because guess what flavors they were giving out. Peanut butter chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie. I KNOW, it’s like they knew I would be there to take them!
I took four of their mini samples (they said take as many as you want, but I decided to be a good girl and not take the whole jar), and I have one left now. *sniff*
A Sunday morning workout helped me to escape some of my homework blues. I snapped this (#nofilter) on my way back from the gym:
What a fabulous start to Holy Week, eh?
Lastly, blogging makes me happy! Typing these words right now is like therapy. YOU make me happy and don’t forget it.
I said no to a lot of activities this weekend, and I definitely could have said no to more, but that would have driven me up the wall even more. Sometimes I just have to let go of the fact that I can’t figure out my chemistry question. Let go of the fact that I can’t bang out an essay in two hours. Let go of the fact that I’m not “on schedule” (a schedule that I made for myself on Saturday). I need to walk away, do something that makes me smile, and come back. Sometimes I still don’t know what to do, but more often than not, I have a fresh mind that can tackle the work.
Happy Monday 🙂
So tell me:
One thing that made you smile this weekend!
What do you need to “let go” of in your life?
What is your favorite Larabar flavor? I want to try some more if I ever find them (or attempt to make them myself at home)!
Daily Moves and Grooves 
Hi Alison! I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Creative Blogger Award. You never fail to inspire me and make me smile! You can check it out on sweetlypetite.wordpress.com and read my recent post about it for more information. ❤ Also, I never have tried a Lara Bar! I think those reps knew the way to your heart offering peanut butter flavored 😉
Ahh how sweet of you! (Of course, considering your blog name 😉 ) I can’t wait to check out your post!
Coming back to school and seeing my college friends after spring break made me smile last night! And haha it sounds like you and I need to let go of the same “stuff”. Nothing throws off my personal balance/schedule like an essay that won’t work out or a tough math/science problem, and I like schedules. Totally relate to the waterworks and so glad you took some breaks for yourself!
My absolute favorite Larabar flavors are seasonal (pumpkin pie! snickerdoodle!), but I’m also a huge fan of the chocolate chip brownie and apple pie ones.
It’s comforting to know that someone else feels the same way at times! (Of course, I’m still sorry that you do ever feel that stress!)
Mmm I definitely want to try the pumpkin pie, snickerdoodle, and apple pie Larabars. Those sound right up my alley 🙂
All of the fruity Larabar flavors are my favorite! For some reason, I’m not as big of a fan of the ones with chocolate (shocking, I know!) So fun that reps came to your school with samples! I was in heaven when Chobani reps came to UNC.
I recently had to let go of trying to fit everything into each day, plus packing my weekends with to-do’s. I was getting upset about not finishing to-do lists…even when I was checking stuff off. I am now firm in only putting a few things onto my weekend plans (since I don’t always feel like it or have time after work during the week). Same for my nights. And during the week, only 2 of my 3 things to get done are ‘real’ (like chores, paying bills, etc.). Otherwise, I schedule in relaxing time or getting into bed by 9pm.
Good for you, Kelsey! As important as it is to schedule work-related tasks, it is just as important to schedule activities that are relaxing, fun, and refreshing. It’s good for our sanity 🙂
I’m pretty sure I should have “let it go” tattooed on my forehead 🙈☺️
I need to let go of a lot of worry and overthinking and fear!!!! So much easier said than done but at this point whats the worst that could happen…famous last words lol
Thanks for the reminder pal and hope you have a great week💗💗💗
HAHA if you get the tattoo, we should call Disney and get them to sponsor you.
Worry, overthinking, and fear = story of my life. To be honest, sometimes I just have to say “I don’t even care anymore” to certain things in order to let go. It’s not that I don’t actually care, but I just need to tell myself at that moment that it’s not the most important thing in the world.
Love you, girl! Praying for you ♥
“Letting go” is such a simple concept, yet so challenging to implement because we think if we let go, then we’re giving up, or things will get all crazy and out of control. Yeah. I’m not sure if anyone masters it, and it truly is a practice.
Right now, I’m working on letting go of the need to anticipate the future: with everything: life, career, love, etc.
I’m not really into regular larabars (they all taste the same and they don’t taste anything like their lying packaging. Cookies? No. It tastes like dates & nuts.). I LOVE their protein (ALT) bars though. It has crunchy pea protein stuff in it.
Wonderfully said, Jo. I’m pretty sure I will forever be trying to let go the need to anticipate the future. “Let it rock” is my other mantra.
I can actually see how the Larabars will all end up tasting the same because they’re all made with the same ingredients essentially. I’ll check out the ALT bars!
One of the things that’s helped me most when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed is asking myself whether what I’m stressing about will really matter in a handful of years… and the answer is almost always: NO. It’s super easy (and tempting!) to turn molehills into mountains, but in the grand scheme of things, those little things almost never turn into big things, and even if they do… what’s the worst that can happen? Life always goes on and we’re always okay 🙂
That’s a great method of handling it! Almost nothing is as big and bad as it seems.
Oh yes.. LET IT GO friend 🙂 . Amazing what a profound impact and change of outlook actually putting that simple -challenging- phrase into play can have on one’s mind and wellbeing. Seriously, holding myself strictly accountable to getting this and that done is something that can quickly spiral me into a baaaaad place.
I love blueberries on my oatmeal; they compliment the banana and pb/almond butter marvellously! I’ve never tried frozen though… mental note for that one.
You’ve got a good head on your shoulders- Some things in life are just not worth stressing yourself over 🙂 Easier said than done though!
Oh Larabars. How you deceive me. I bought a box of mini ones from Whole Foods (Which cost me my left arm) and polished the box off in a day. I swear they were a bite each.
It looks gorgeous where you are – spring is finally coming! 🙂 I often try to convince myself to do the opposite of “letting it go”, which only leads to more stress, so this was really encouraging to read.
I can resonate with that essay frustration. I will certainly be keeping you in my thoughts! You are such a sweet human being and I want the absolute best for you! Make sure you take care of yourself, sweet Alison!
FaceTime date. Will happen SOON.