The Real Deal

As you all are reading this, it is my 23rd birthday!  This year has been absolutely crazy and definitely not what I expected to come from it, but I've loved everything about it and wouldn't change anything (except maybe the global pandemic part...).  I always love to reflect on the past year and see how I've changed.  Each year I feel like I'm growing more and more into myself and I genuinely really like who I'm becoming.  So here are just a few things that I've learned in the past year, and I can't wait to see what 23 will bring! MAN PLANS, GOD LAUGHS //  I've really learned the truth of this in the past year.  I did not see myself taking an unpaid internship after graduating from college.  But that internship opened so many doors for me.  It gave me incredible experience, taught me what I wanted in the future, introduced me to one of my best friends, and gives me great volunteering opportunities.  I also took my first adult job at the...

It's been (almost) two months of staying at home.  At the beginning of all of this, I was seeing some positives such as saving money now that I won't be going out with friends or even getting gas since I wouldn't be driving to and from work.  This is also my first time have an "adult" pay check, so having that much money in my bank account for the first time is very tempting as well.  I've started a budgeting spreadsheet to see exactly where my expenses are going each month and to hopefully prevent me from over spending.  This is somewhat working, but temptation is definitely still there for me!  Most of my purchases have been from the holy grail, Amazon, and I have loved everything that has come in so far!  I thought I would share what I've bought these past few months, both what has arrived and what hasn't yet in case you were looking for a little retail therapy, too! Amazon Basics Yoga Mat //  I bought this right at the beginning of the stay ...

Another month, another post about all of the content I've consumed in the past few weeks!  This month I've been in more of a Netflix/Hulu mood than reading mood, but this month has honestly been a winner in all categories! BOOKS The Testaments  by Margaret Atwood: 10/10 // I read The Handmaid's Tale  a few years ago before the TV show came out on Hulu.  I loved that book and was so excited when I heard there was a sequel!  It finally became available as an e-book through my library and I devoured  it.  It's told from 3 different women's perspectives 15 years after Offred's story ends.  It's incredibly interesting and genuinely could not put it down.  Highly recommend if you're a fan of the first book or the show on Hulu! Before We Were Strangers  by Renee Carlino: 8/10 // This was the first April read for The Readheads Book Club.  It's about 2 people who were in love in college, grew apart afterwards, and then found each o...

Working out is one of the many things keeping me sane right now!  I used to hate working out, and I'm personally someone who thrives better in a class environment.  I get motivation from the people around me and I love the personalization from the instructors so working out by myself has been a HUGE change for me!  I've been experimenting with multiple different formats and types of workout because if I do the same thing too often, I get burnt out and just want to stop altogether.  I know there are so  many companies and apps who are doing longer free trials and free online workouts.  I think it's so  amazing what companies are doing during this crazy time.  These are the ones I've personally been using, so just because one isn't listed doesn't mean I don't like it!  So, here is how I've been liking to workout these days. MADFIT (YOUTUBE/INSTAGRAM) //  MadFit has been my go to lately!  I've been following her for a long time b...

Hello everyone!  Today is the start of Week 4 of working from home, and as of today, Missouri has implemented an official stay at home order.  It's definitely a little scary and crazy out there, but I thought I would share some things that have been keeping me sane and helping me keep my mind off of all of these crazy things going on in the world right now. PODCASTS //  I've always loved podcasts, but I am loving them even more now!  I pretty much always have one on when I'm doing something around the house, taking a shower, even just sitting and playing on my iPad with one on!  I'm currently subscribed to The Morning Toast, Girls Gotta Eat, Potterless, My Favorite Murder, Gals on the Go, and Office Ladies.  I pretty much always have one on hand and ready to listen to, and it's nice to get some insight on other people's lives and just hear them talk about something other than the virus for an hour! CHILL HITS PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY //  This is my ...

Since my family and I are 100% practicing social distancing right now, we have been staying home and consuming so  much content.  I realized I never posted a February content consumption post, but that's mainly because I read a ton of books and only watched one TV show...so it really would have been pretty boring.  Although March is already almost over, I thought I would just combine the two now in case you all want to read/watch what I did these past two months while you're social distancing! BOOKS The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown: 9.5/10 //  All I can say about this book is wow .  My family and I got this book for my grandpa for Christmas a few years ago and he still says it's his favorite gift he has ever gotten.  I had been wanting to read it, but I kept putting it off since I don't know much about rowing and I wasn't sure if I would find it enjoyable.  I finally borrowed the book from my grandpa and wow am I glad I did!...

These are some very scary times.  As someone who suffers from an anxiety and panic disorder, all of the uncertainty right now is not great for my mental health.  This is why routines are so  important, especially when all four of my family members are home all day and working from home/doing online school. These times are already scary and weird, but on top of the weirdness, I started a new job on Monday!  I am now working in the Alumni and Donor Engagement office at one of the local universities and I was so excited to start.  Well, I went in for my first day on Monday, and during the day they told everyone to start working from home the next day, Tuesday.  So throughout the week I've been doing online trainings, meetings, and offering to help in whatever way that I can.  It's definitely difficult to learn the ins and outs of a new job while working from home, but we are all figuring this out together since this is a first for everyone. So, in the...