4 Reasons Back-To-School Is Better Than New Year’s

With summer winding down (insert crying emoji), I’m slowly working my way back to my school year work routine. In addition to limiting myself to two episodes of Angel each day, this routine includes heading to the campus library a few times a week. I went a handful of times during the summer, and the scene was calm and quiet — picturesque, even.

And then, thousands of students descended on my tranquil paradise like flies drawn to a summer picnic. They came back in droves today — the students, not the flies. Now, I don’t begrudge them an education, of course; I applaud furthering your education and am thoroughly pro-knowledge. But between the crowds, scared freshmen and the loud college band across from the library, it was all a lot to take in! Sensory overload, anyone??

Maybe, though, it didn’t have to be that way. The more I thought about it, the more I realized something: The back-to-school season is SO MUCH BETTER than New Year’s. Don’t believe me?? Here are four reasons back-to-school gets an A+ every single time…

It’s a new beginning: It’s so easy to get bogged down by the stresses of life, but this time of year, everything just feels fresh. It’s like you’ve been given a clean slate and you get to start over. Whatever happened in the past? It’s time to put it behind you and LET IT GO!!

It’s a chance to learn something new: What about that hobby you’ve always wanted to pick up? Now’s the perfect time. And I bet it will actually make you feel like a whole new person — an added bonus, for sure!!

It’s all about the nice weather: Hello! Who would choose the cold winter over the warm weather of the late summer? OK, my mom probably would, but she’s probably one of the only ones! I mean, the weather right now is just so inviting — crisp air, leaves starting to change color, warm sunshine! It’s a summer lover’s paradise, I tell you! It’s days like these when I actually don’t dread going outside.

The school supplies are all over: I’m a self-proclaimed supply-aholic. Some people go nuts during Fashion Week; I’m tempted to drain my bank account every August and fill my room with all kinds of pens, pencils and notebooks. I’m still kicking myself for not buying the Wonder Woman notebook I spotted at Target last week!

Do you love “back-to-school” time, friends? What’s your favorite part? Anything you’re hoping to accomplish?!? xoxo

[Photo via We Heart It]

Four Ways To Survive Thanksgiving With Relatives

The tableau is all too familiar by now. In fact, some may say it even borders on the cliche: Family members come together to “enjoy” a meal. After a few uncomfortable shuffles in their chairs, some awkward eye contact and clanking of silverware, the most popular topic of conversation is decided upon.

The Turkey.

Yes, he’s quite a popular fellow, apparently, inspiring awe and unifying people across politics, race, religion, etc. He can calm all that tension and fuss.

But, I’m not naive. I’m a modern girl, after all, and I do understand that these are stressful times in which we live. Even if we’re *thisclose* to our family, the holidays can no doubt be a tough time, full of unknown and surprisingly minefields — and mindfields (pun intended). We’re forced to navigate a sometimes-uncharted territory of feelings, personalities and eccentricities that, if we’re not very, very careful and delicate, could translate to one very uncomfortable and looooong day for everyone.

So! If you’d like to enjoy the Day of Thankfulness beyond the standard Turkey Talk, follow these four tips. They’ll have you wishing it was Thanksgiving every day of the year. Well, maybe not every day, but you get the idea…

1. Games, games, games: No, I’m not talking about emotional games here. Set out some classic games to play after dinner — or before, if you’re desperate — to diffuse some of that tension. We did this a couple years ago and the time just flew by!

2. Reminisce over family photos: As long as they’re not the embarrassing ones that will cause everyone to make fun of you, of course! Family history, especially those happy memories of yore, unites people. I mean, one minute your grandmother is nagging you about getting married and the next she’s back to being her adorable self, telling you about the wild trouble she’d get into during weekends at the beach with her friends in the ’50s. See? Problem solved.

3. Make the conversation a competition: It’s no secret that family can bring out the Olympic competitor in all of us, so why not make things a little more interesting? How about the first one to say something negative has to clear the table or help with the dishes? I pretty sure that will seal everyone’s lips really quickly.

4. One word…Netflix: Seriously, if all else fails, pop some popcorn, pick a movie (one that the majority agrees on…remember, no fighting, please!) and just chill on the couch. Like family photos, people become united around the television, especially when Netflix is involved. We’ve spent countless hours binge-watching shows like House of Cards, Orange Is The New Black, Damages and Bloodline. Also: Three Nostalgic Movies, 100 Best Releases on Netflix and The Best Movies of 2015. Like I said, Netflix is just the gift that keeps on giving.

There you go, friends! Now you can go bravely to those family gatherings tomorrow, knowing that you’re armed and ready with all the knowledge and armor you’ll ever need to combat any sticky family situations. What other tips would you add? What’s worked for you in the past? What hasn’t? I’d love to hear… xoxo

Four Things to Never Say to Someone In a Wheelchair

A few weeks ago, I went to the library to work for the day. I was lost in thought and furiously typing away when a man sat down at the computer next to me. He noticed my wheelchair and without missing a beat, he said, “I’d love to have one of those to drive around!“

I just smiled and nodded.

But what I really wanted to do? The words I had to consciously hold back so they wouldn’t just spill out of my mouth?

“Oh, how clever! I’ve never heard that one before!“

Yes, the sarcasm meter seems to run high for me when it comes to my disability sometimes. It’s not that I’m bitter, really. It’s just that, well, I have heard a lot of those sorts of remarks and comments before. So much so, in fact, that I thought I’d outline some of my personal favorites — and by favorites, I really mean the ones that I’d be fine never, ever hearing again. Here are four things to never say to someone in a wheelchair…

1. You’re so lucky: I’ve been lucky in life for a lot of reasons, like my wonderful family, my health and my career. And yes, I am very grateful that I have a wheelchair that allows me to be independent. But something tells me that’s not what people mean when they tell me, “You’re so lucky.” They mean lucky, as in, “I wish I had something like that so I didn’t have to walk around.” My answer: No, you don’t.

2. Hey, don’t run me over: Well, I wasn’t planning on it, but now that you mention it… no, but seriously, this one just isn’t all that funny. I know people might be trying to be funny, but it just falls short.

3. Do you have a license for that?: Similar to #2, I’ve never really seen the humor in this. Maybe I just lack a tendency for the chuckles, but I’m still surprise that people never seem to tire of using this line. Now if a guy used it as a pick-up line? You know what, no, I’d still hate it.

4. Can I try it?: I’m not sure where or how this rumor ever got started, but my wheelchair — along with guide dogs and walkers — are not toys for everyone’s amusement. They are adaptive devices that allow people with disabilities to be their own person, to live independent lives and to be contributing member of society.

And here’s a radical notion: It would be 100% OK with me if you didn’t even acknowledge my wheelchair. I mean, after all, I AM MORE THAN this piece of metal with wheels, trust me. I’ve got SO much more going for me in life, just as I’m sure you have so many interesting facets to your life too.

I want to get to know yours. Don’t you want to get to know mine?

[Photos via We Heart It]

Tip: On Slow Living

Remember when we talked about the business of being busy? That was a few years ago, and I’d love to be able to say that I’ve come so far in that time — you know, that I’ve grown by leaps and bounds, have found the perfect balance and now, since I’ve got it all figured out, have some life-altering, earth-shattering, blow-your-mind advice to share. I wish I did, but honestly, I don’t. I sometimes wonder how far I’ve even come since that first post.

But we all try, don’t we? We all try as hard as we can to tone down the busy, crazy schedule. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. It seems like there are always things that need to be done, places we need to go and things just generally pulling at our attention. Everything demands attention NOW. I mean, we live in such a NOW culture and this idea of instant gratification has quickly become the norm. In a sense, we don’t know how to wait and the term “slow down” has all but been expelled from our vocabulary. My mom, for example, is incapable of slowing down. She’ll be on the go from sunrise to sunset — even on the weekends!

It boggles my mind, actually. But to paraphrase Miss Miley, she can’t stop. So I was pretty relieved when I came across Julia’s post on slow living. Not only is she an amazing writer, but she also manages to find the zen even with three kids running around (AND she lives in a seaside town, which I’m pretty jealous of…). Her words just ring so true for me…

For a while I wondered whether slow living was an indulgence for those who don’t have the constant companionship of a very chatty three year old until it occurred to me that maybe I am confusing slow with quiet and we could all learn a lot from a chatty three year old. By which I mean she stops and notices everything. She has no concept of time and is certainly incapable of rushing. When she finds pleasure in something she will repeat it indefinitely, whether that be stacking wooden blocks to knock them over, picking daisies from the lawn to cram into her favourite plastic cup or rolling down the slope in our garden again and again. And again. Perhaps for me this thing called slow living is not necessarily about sitting in a chair but more about taking pleasure in the simple things.

‘Slow’ is something to be deliberately chosen and slotted in to ‘busy’. Taking pleasure in the moment rather than planning the next. Slowing the thought process perhaps? I’m not sure but definitely a conscious decision to pause a while. Quite literally stopping to smell the roses, to admire the view, to enjoy the simplest of things in a way long forgotten as time and task take over.

So what can we do? Maybe this business of slowing down is such an individual choice and one that each person has to make for themselves. After all, what is calming and relaxing to one person might just be plain and boring to someone else. The key, I’m starting to realize, is finding that thing — that teeny, tiny spark — that brings you such joy that you can barely contain it. Those little moments that, yes, seem so little at the time, but turn out to make a huge difference in your life. For me, some of those things include: Blogging, reading magazines, ’80s sitcoms, playing games, hoarding lip balms and spending time with my family. As cliche as it sounds, maybe it really is all about the little things in life. Maybe in the end, it’s really just about grabbing all those happy moments you can.

Does this ring true for you, friends? Have you found yourself craving an escape from the busy, frantic pace? What are some little things you do to “stop and smell the roses”? Any tips or tricks you’d like to share? xoxo

[Photos via We Heart It]

Tip: Coloring Is (Still) Good for You!

Quick question: When was the last time you broke out a box of Crayola crayons and started coloring? Last week? A few years ago? The last day of elementary school? Can’t remember?
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Turns out, coloring isn’t just child’s play anymore.

I’m sure you’ve heard all the statistics and research by now — about how the seemingly simple act can help you de-stress, relax and generally just put you in a better frame of mind. It can help you recharge your batteries for taking on the world later.

“I recommend it as a relaxation technique,” says psychologist Antoni Martínez. “We can use it to enter into a more creative, freer state,” he assures. We can also use it to connect with how we feel, since depending on our mood we choose different colors or intensity. “I myself have practiced that. I recommend it in a quiet environment, even with chill music. Let the color and the lines flow.”

I’ve long been a fan of taking crayon to paper. There’s nothing like a fresh box of crayons and a crisp new Disney princess coloring book. Sure, it may be a bit juvenile, but it made me happy and brought a huge smile to my face. I may not have been the most talented (who really wants to stay in the lines anyway?), but it was fun and I was relaxing, which was the whole point in the first place. Now my sister? Oh, she had the talent. Each page was practically a work of art — so meticulous and pretty!

And with the popularity of adult coloring, we’ve got even more options than ever these days — options that far exceed the Disney set. Here are a few examples of my favorites…

*Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Patterns, $10.26.
*The Coloring Cafe, $10.
*Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book, $9.57.
*Folk Art coloring book, $9.99.
*Color Therapy: An Anti-Stress Coloring Book, $9.
*The 1990s Coloring Book, $7.22.

Are you a big fan of coloring, friends? Do you find that it relaxes you? I challenge you to go forth with your favorite color crayon in hand and paint the world any shade you want! xoxo

P.S. Remember this Ryan Gosling coloring book? Le sigh… 🙂

[Photo via We Heart It]