10 Random Thoughts I Had During My First Day Back at “Work”

We’re already practically through with the first month of 2016, and here I am, just finishing up my first day back at “work.” Well, I suppose that’s not entirely true, which is why I put work in quotes. I’ve been working, make no mistake about that; I’ve just been doing it at home, from my beautiful perch at the kitchen table.

You may remember awhile ago when I told you about my routine of going to the library a couple times each week — yeah for change in scenery and productivity! Who knew? Anyway, after taking off the last month for the holidays, I figured this week was as good a time as any to start making my Monday/Wednesday pilgrimage back to the old place. I mean, you can only let yourself get sidetracked at home for so long before it becomes counterproductive, right? Of course right!

So, here I am! As anyone will likely tell you, the first day back after a long vacation — or weekend, for that matter — is sort of a shock to the system. It’s all a lot to get used to, this return to the old routine. You feel like a deer in the headlights, walking around in a daze and, yet, still fully attuned to everything around you. The overstimulation coupled with the out-of-it feeling doing somersaults in the pit of your stomach make for one heck of a combination. I imagine it would be akin to withdrawing from caffeine — that is, if I ever had the willpower to even try to ween myself from caffeine. But that’s another subject for another blog post.

Anyway, the thoughts kept coming in rapid fire throughout the day. Here, a sampling of my 10 favorites (because, really, if I listed them all, we’d be here all night, and ain’t nobody got time for that!)…

1. When did it get so sunny? Have I turned into a vampire or something? Side note: I’ve mastered the Art of Staying In The House. Seriously, I’ve turned it into quite the art form. My record is 19 consecutive days in the house, and that was just over the holidays! #Seriously #SorryNotSorry


2. Wow, people actually get up this early? It’s like a whole new world!


3. I hope my DVR is recording Dr. Phil; I need my daily dose of therapeutic insight.


4. Is that my stomach rumbling? Gosh, I’m hungry…is it lunch time yet?


5. I wonder what’s going on in the world of celebrity news right now?


6. Why didn’t I win the Powerball?


7. These college kids don’t know how good they have it in life! #YouthIsWastedOnTheYoung


8. What should I buy with my Amazon gift cards?


9. I’ve been working for a solid 20 minutes…time for a Twitter break!


10. Man, do I need a haircut. Hair, GET OUT OF MY EYES! This. Is. So. Annoying.


There you have it, friends! A little peek into my mind on a random Wednesday. What sorts of thoughts run through your head during the day? Care to share? xoxo

10 Thoughts I Have When I See ‘College Kids’ These Days

This past September, I found myself going back to school with thousands of young people all over the world. Well, that’s only partially true, I suppose. I did set foot — err, wheels — on campus, even if it wasn’t exactly in the classroom.

One of my favorite things about being a freelance writer and blogger is the ability to set my own schedule. I mostly work from home, but I’ve started to change things up a bit this semester by going to the university library a couple times a week. The change of scenery is great for creativity, and I’m discovering that I’m even more productive too. So on Mondays and Wednesdays, it’s just me and that library computer.

Well, maybe more like me and hundreds of twentysomethings.

I half feel like the Ghost of College Past, flying around campus and haunting the place. Like someone whose soul never really left. After all, it’s been a full decade since I walked across the graduation stage and collected my diploma. Things certainly have changed in those 10 years. Technology is really everywhere. Textbooks are a heck of a lot cheaper now that you can buy them online. And papers are now turned in electronically.

It all makes me feel very, very, very, very old. Shockingly old. But you know what shocks me even more? All the thoughts that go through my head when I see these ‘kids’ out and about — and yes, I’m pretty certain that calling them ‘kids’ I just one more sign of my age! I’m quickly becoming that crotchety old man who revels in doling out advice and telling “In my day…” stories.

Those thoughts. Oh, yes, those thoughts. So many of them. Here are my top 10 favorites…

1. “Kids, when I started college, you were in, like, elementary school.”

2. “Kids, pull up those pants. They’re going to fall down.”

3. “Kids, turn down that music. It’s hurting my delicate little ears.”

4. “Kids, if you keep staring at that phone, it’s going to become permanently glued to your face.”

5. “Kids, watch where you’re going. You’re going to get yourself run over.”

6. “Kids, can we pick up the pace a little? I know you probably don’t want to go to class, but some of us have places to be and things to do.”

7. “Kids, thanks for NOT holding the door. Didn’t your parents teach you any better?”

8. “Kids, I really don’t need to hear your entire conversation all the way across the room. Your drama is not front-page news, trust me. I promise. I really don’t care to hear about what party you went to over the weekend or just how ‘wasted’ you were.”

9. “Kids, what in the heck are you doing eating pizza in the library? Does this look like your dorm room? Maybe you missed the sign outside that said this is a library…”

10. “Kids, do yourself a favor and save this list. I guarantee I’m going to look like a genius in 10 years.”

Looking back over this list again, I do realize that my line of thinking could stem from that fact that I’m growing bitter about my all-too-soon advancing age or the fact that my youth is but sand in that old hourglass. On second thought, no, those college kids need some sort of etiquette lesson. And who am I to deprive them of one? xoxo

[Photos via We Heart It]

Tip: 10 Things You Don’t Owe Anyone

Let’s face it: We live in a “yes” culture. A “should” culture, if you will. “No” is a horrible word, something we must never, ever utter — we must never say it to people for fear of a heavy dose of side-eye and possible whispers or gossip.

But that sort of life can end up being exhausting, can’t it? Before you know it, you’re saying “yes” so often that you feel like you’re living life on auto-pilot — or at the very least, you feel like the Energizer bunny who is merely going through the motions. In a word: It’s most definitely not fun. And in no way is it any sort of way to live. Because in trying to be everything to everyone, you’ve neglected the person who’s most important…

YOU.

You’re putting yourself last in everything, and honestly, it’s not fair — to you or anyone. Now, this isn’t to say that you should neglect your obligations or the people around you. I’ll be the first to say that there are just some things you have to do in life — paying bills is one that comes to mind, for examples — but other things? Well, there are some things you just don’t owe anyone. Period. Here are 10 of my favorites…

1. How close you are with your family: There’s nothing better than being surrounded by the ones you love, so why should that be something you have to apologize for or explain?

2. Where you are in your career: Now, assuming you’re not involved in any sort of illegal activity or job, if you love your job, embrace it. Life is too short to be doing something you hate for eight hours a day.

3. Why you’re single, divorced, don’t have kids, etc.: You know the awkward question — the one that inevitably comes up at every family get together and makes you blush about a million shades of red. Well, STOP blushing! Hold your head high and be proud of where you are because that’s all that really matters in the end.

4. Your choice of music: Case in point — I’ve been on a country kick for the last few years. My mom and sister constantly tease me about it. Do I care? Heck no — I just turn up the music!! 🙂

5. Your priorities in life: So maybe some of your friends have aspirations of moving to Europe and go on grand adventures. But your biggest goal right now is just to enjoy each day and be happy. Don’t ever give anyone the power to make you feel like your dream matters any less.

6. Your introvert personality: I’ve never been the type who loves to go out on a Friday night; I’d much rather enjoy a quiet night in. And that’s OK. I simply like a lot of alone time, while others I know would much rather spend their time around people.

7. Your scars: These could be both literal and metaphorical. I have a constellation of surgical scars and I’ve learned to embrace them; they’re nothing to be ashamed of and have helped me become the person I am today.

8. An apology for your singing voice: Enter that karaoke contest, even if it’s just for fun, and sing loud and proud!

9. Saying “It’s OK” when it’s really not: If someone hurt your feelings, it’s OK to say so and not back peddle. I can be easy to just brush things off to avoid conflict, but that doesn’t really solve anything in the long run, does it?

10. Having the second piece of pie: Everyone should be able to experience the wonderful goodness that is pie. Fully and without judgment.

Anything you’d add to this list, friends? Have you ever had that “Ah-ha!” moment when you realize you don’t owe anyone an explanation? How did it make you feel? Freeing? I’d love to hear! xoxo

P.S. 10 (fun!) things it’s OK to obsess over, 10 reasons your thirties is your breakout decade and 10 upsides of the common cold. 🙂

[Photos via We Heart It]

Tip: 10 ways to enjoy a snow day as an adult

Remember when you were a kid and you’d sit around the radio or TV during a blizzard? You’d cross fingers and wish with all your might for a snow day. And then the big announcement would finally come.

No school for you! You’ve got the day off — a lovely unexpected treat — and you’ve got absolutely nothing planned. The whole day stretches before you with visions of wild abandon coming clearer into focus.

The real world (read: adulthood), though, rarely offers those sorts of surprises. We’re so used to having every single minute of our day planned out, plotted and strategized that we’re sometimes rendered helpless when an unplanned day off does present itself. We may even be left speechless. What are we to do? How shall we pass the time? We have to be productive, don’t we? We have to be responsible, right? That would certainly be the most logical thing to do.

Well, if you ask me, snow days aren’t meant to be logical. And I suppose I should know. My mom’s been home for the last two days, on account of the winter weather barreling through the Midwest, and truth be told, it’s been sort of fun living vicariously through her. It’s taken me back to my elementary school days of fun times at home watching the snow fall outside my window and listening to the fierce wind howling at night. Plus, I realized something: You can have fun on a snow day. At. Any. Age. Based on my own scientific research (wink..wink) over the last few days, here are 10 ways to enjoy the day off as an adult…

1. Bake something warm and winter-appropriate, like cookies or chili — and then cozy up by the fire in the evening to enjoy it!


2. Binge-watch TONS of shows on your Netflix queue — we’ve been binge-watching The Big Bang Theory and catching up on Downton Abbey.


3. Rock out to some ’70s rock on Pandora and smile right back if you spot the neighbors giving you a strange look.


4. Play a competitive game of Yahtzee — remember, take NO prisoners!


5. Slum it in your favorite oversized sweater and comfy socks — in desperate times, warmth trumps style, remember?


6. Take picture of the Arctic Tundra outside — we did this last year, and it’s fun to have photographic proof of your adventures!


7. Do some retail damage — online, obviously, since you’re practically trapped by Mother Nature!


8. Take a cat nap — Harry and Stella have mastered it, so I’m taking my cue from them.


9. Read that stack of magazines on the coffee table — that counts as cleaning, doesn’t it?


10. Spend the afternoon chatting with an old friend, just like you did in high school.

What would you add to the list, friends? When was the last time you had a “snow day”? Go ahead and take one the next time the weather gets bad. I dare you — after all, you certainly deserve it! xoxo

P.S. 5 essentials of the perfect staycation and 10 upsides of the common cold. 🙂

[Photos via We Heart It]

Tip: 10 upsides of the common cold

My mom gave me a nice little gift a couple days ago. And, as I’m quickly learning, it’s the kind of gift that just keeps on giving. It started in the form of an itchy throat, and before I knew it, my throat was on fire and my nose was all sorts of stuffy! Thanks, Ms. Bear!

So I’m taking it easy today and letting my body recharge itself. But while I do, I got to thinking about all the upsides of being semi-sidelined by a cold. Here are my top 10…

1. Sleeping as long as you want. In the middle of the week, no less. 

2. Watching shows on your DVR and not having to feel the least bit guilty about it. 

3. Having to keep up your fluids. Translation: Any type of soda pop is fair game. 

4. Ice cream to soothe your throat. Enough said. 

5. Wrapping yourself in warm and cozy blankets. 

6. Getting to read magazines all day and calling it medicine. 

7. Putting your phone down. For once, it’s not chained to your hip. 

8. Three words: PJs. All. Day. 

9. Comfort food for when you start to feel better. I’m thinking macaroni and cheese! 

10. Knowing that you’ll start to feel better as the days go on. It’s all about positivity, people — or at the very least, trying to stay positive.

To my fellow cold sufferers out there… hope you’re feeling better! Any cold remedies you swear by? What’s worked the best for you in the past?

P.S. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a warm bed and a regular pop calling my name… 🙂