Day 1/365
Every year, one of the first things incoming freshman at Syracuse University do during orientation week is head to the Carrier Dome to learn school songs and chants. At the end of it they arrange the students on the football field to form the shape of your class year so they can take an aerial view photo. Back then, as I stood somewhere in the middle of the number ‘0’ 2015 felt like it would NEVER come. So much was going to happen between then and then. And here we are.
2015 was a big year.
Fitness. With my senior capstones focusing on health coaching, exercise and nutrition my professional interests really guided my personal goals towards living a more healthful life. Cooking for myself at school forced me to take ownership of my own health. The choices of what I put into my body were fully my own to make and I got pretty into experimenting and learning about different recipes and foods that would help me achieve my health goals. Since moving home, I don’t cook for myself as often and my perspective has shifted towards activity and fitness. Joining the Bar Method this summer (post to come) has easily been my #1 best purchase of 2015, best investment and probably, best decision. While navigating the tough terrains of “the real world” and struggling to stuff my outdoor-loving self into the 9-5 world going to barre each day was breathed life into me. I never thought I would like such an isometric seemingly mellow workout after being such a spin junkie back at my old studio in Syracuse, but barre has proven to be the best workout I’ve tried thus far and such an important part of my day-to-day health both mentally and physically.
“Real World” The “real world” post-college is what you make of it. Period. I had such high expectations for life after college. While I love my college friends, I couldn’t wait to graduate. I couldn’t wait to be in a position to make my own choices of how I wanted to spend my time. To be earning money to do the things I wanted to do. To finally be back in my home-city. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite that easy. The last six months out of college have been really hard. Working a traditional 9-5 schedule is not going to be for everyone. While the steady income and clear routine are great for a lot of people I just couldn’t handle the lack of activity but I felt super frustrated that everyone else seemed to be able to handle it. I’ve had a lot of bumps along the post-grad road so far and they’ve been tough…but looking back, I know I will be glad that I learned what is going to work and what isn’t going to work for me so early on in the game. A lot of my friends really hate on living at home after college but moving home with my parents is the only decision that I am REALLY glad I made. If I wasn’t living at home, the bumps along the road these past six months would’ve been 100x tougher. I wouldn’t have had the freedom to say “this isn’t working for me,” and actually do something about it.
Travel. This is my ultimate motivator. I’ve always wanted to go on a great adventure. I’ve always been envious of those friends on Facebook or Instagram who seem to be living the ultimate adventure out on some boat, on some island, or some jungle doing whatever it is they’re doing and having a blast. Now I know social media lives aren’t real lives, but you know what I’m talking about here. We all have those friends. I love looking at those pictures but they always left me so frustrated that that couldn’t be me. They must have loads of money, they must’ve had connections to get that amazing opportunity, their parents must be so chilled out, whatever. I am sure that’s true for some people, but for most, they’re not the lucky ones. They’re the ones who just went out and DID IT. One thing I’ve realized this year is that there is never going to be the perfect time. It’s just not going to come. There’s never going to be a moment where you have loads of extra money, no bills to pay, tons of free time and no work to do. It’s just n0t going to happen. And It’s only you that can make the decision to take a leap and just GO for it. So that’s what I am doing. This summer I’m off to Australia for a year working holiday and I couldn’t be more excited for it.
Happy 2016!!