How to Get Your Life Together
School is overwhelming, social responsibilities are taxing, staying true to yourself is hard and balancing it all seems impossible. Take it from me, I have been trying to balance it all for years — before I should have been worrying about it (my 14-year-old self would vigorously plan my after school activities). Ever since getting my first planner in middle school, I couldn’t go back. I have always been obsessed with planning the future and creating my idea of the most perfect schedule. And let me tell you something: it’s impossible to do it all! I have tried!. So let me give you some tips that have worked over the years while trying to “get my life together”:
Take a second to breathe.
Adjust your mindset. Life gets overwhelming, and freaking out will only stress you out more. The second you let the stress overtake you is the second you become unproductive. Sitting still and focusing on your breath can do no harm, and if you do this in the morning you will set the rest of your day off on an organized, calm and collected note. Whether that be simply inhaling and exhaling a few times or closing your eyes and trying to erase your thoughts for five minutes, make time to clear your head before planning the rest of the day.
Turn your daily tasks into short-term goals.
Writing out short-term goals makes planning a whole lot easier and more fun. Whether you set out your daily to-dos through a long running daily calendar or separate lists, keeping track of what you need to accomplish in a day is one of the best ways to keep your life on track. Write down classes, appointments, your Rouge meeting times and everything in between. From grocery shopping to ordering that one pair of boots you have been dying for — knowing your plan for the day is vital. I have linked my favorite calendar for those who want to look into it (I live by this thing!)
Have something to look forward to each morning.
Now… this is one that took me longer to learn. It could be your mid-morning caffeine fix or a time you block out to listen to your favorite podcast or artist. Maybe you love keeping up with the news and this could be a quick break you are excited for each day. This thing you look forward to should be separate from your work and friends — it is a time to be individual and connect with something you enjoy. Make time for yourself. I have linked my favorite podcast to keep up to date on current events, “Skimm This” makes consuming important news so easy every day!
Journal.
I am not going to pretend I do this every day. I have never been able to do a daily journal, it simply is not realistic for my lifestyle and I find it hard to reflect that often. However, I know people who live by daily journaling and think it works the best for them (I linked a great one below called “The Five Minute Journal”). Try it out, see how you feel. For me, I journal when I feel the inspiration. If you aren't a big writer, try a video diary or a voice memo on your phone — any way to track your life’s progress and reflect on it. I have found the most rewarding part of journaling is looking back at past entries. It makes you realize your growth and learn from past mistakes , and your entries may provide funny entertainment for future you (the middle school drama!) No matter how you go about documenting your days, I will always recommend journaling.
Figure out when you are most efficient.
If you don't know, try some different times out. You could be the most productive at any time — early morning, afternoon or late night — but usually people have one consistent preference. Once you find out when you get things done most effectively, block off that time of the day for your hard work and simply get it done. Put down your phone, grab a coffee and zone in. Something that is really helpful for me is to set a timer for each task and work on each thing for an allotted period of time — 20 minute increments work great for me!
What gets your creativity flowing?
Everyone has different interests, but find good blocks of time during the week to practice some creativity! Bouncing business ideas off, daydreaming, drawing, writing or planning a killer photoshoot may be ideas that resonate with you. In college, your creativity can get easily outweighed by other, seemingly more important responsibilities. But being your most creative self should be a top priority, as your original ideas will help you most while navigating your future. Try to find some moments of inspiration during your week!
Have fun!
Make sure to reward yourself for that late night study session by spending time with friends the next night! Don’t get so overwhelmed that you let the best parts of college pass you by. Go to that party, buy that pair of boots you have been dying for or go grab dinner at that place you have been meaning to go to! The biggest thing I have learned with balancing a schedule is to make time for the people in your life that matter most to you. Call your brother, schedule a lunch with that friend you haven’t seen enough and make time for the people around you… it is always worth it.
Take the time to get ready.
This one’s for my fashion people — we all know that a good outfit can change a mood. Take time to get ready before your day starts. Try that new trend or change up your makeup look one day, because it will most likely make you more productive. There have been studies to prove it! What you're wearing and how that makes you feel will directly translate to how effective your day is. The better the outfit, the better the study session… right? Right.
I know I just threw a lot of words and tips at you all, but most importantly, be kind to yourself. Allow yourself freedom in your schedule and don’t take everything too seriously. Having a plan for every second of the day can be comforting and validating, but don’t allow that strict plan to take over your life. Coming from me, someone who has planned days so intensely that I crash before finishing half of what I wanted to accomplish, you have to leave time for yourself. Leave days to binge Netflix and nights to not worry about school or what’s happening tomorrow.. Spontaneity is a gift, so make sure to let it in when it calls.
Graphics by: Catie Cook