New Semester, New Me! ... But is it?

Tomorrow I move back into my beloved dorm, a mere 2 miles away from my favorite place on earth...Home! The second semester of my freshman year begins on Monday, ending my 6 week winter break. And I gotta say, I have mixed feelings. My home is my safe zone. Its my most comfortable environment, and the place I can be the most me. So, leaving is never an easy thing! The good news is, I also love my dorm! My roommate is my best friend of 5 years, and living with her is smooth sailing. We compliment each other in the perfect ways, and also are different enough to not drive the other crazy. Every night is spent laughing and having fun, probably when we should be studying. And if i get homesick, I can hop in an uber, get picked up, or even walk home! It is the perfect situation for me right now. With my current levels of anxiety/depression/ocd, this is the best environment i could be in. Im a regular 19 year old college girl, but with my family as a safety net right down the road.

I have a few goals for this semester. My main ones are focus on academics, take more risks, and treat my body better. Right now its easy to say that I'll be a changed person once i have a routine, but thats because the semester hasn't started! Its all talking no walking right now. So I've decided to be realistic about my growth. By thinking this way, it will help me accomplish reachable goals in a sustainable, healthy way. I think a lot of time we set such drastic goals, that we're setting ourselves up to fail. Then we are disappointed in ourselves, fall deeper into the hole we're stuck in, and the cycle starts again. I mean, we really just CANT live on juice cleanses people. And why would we deny ourselves a cupcake or pizza JUST because society told us "skinny with no fat on your body is equivalent to healthy". Its no way to live life. Life is about exploration, finding your passions, loving, and laughing. Its not meant to be about who has the best beach body, or who becomes valedictorian. The path to a sustainable, healthy life starts with a mindset. And to be frank, i dont always wake up with that mindset. But thats okay too! Its not a race. There is no race. Love yourself every step of the way. When you're standing on mountains, and low in the valleys. Whether you're smiling ear to ear, or laying in your bed crying. But love yourself the most when you feel like it the least. I promise, you will thank yourself for showing your body and mind love. You will thank yourself you're you.

Here's a little quote i have pinned to my "the magic of words" board on pinterest. Whenever you get anxious, read this. If you're overwhelmed with emotions, think of it like this ... You are all the light and more.