-1,256,721 - number of available outlets in the library at any given point during finals week
0 - the current level of my motivation
1 - number of all-nighters pulled so far
2 - number of papers due before finals week even begins
2 - number of printers that ran out of ink while attempting to print out my photography final project
2.5 - number of times I've cried already
3 - seasons of Games of Thrones I've watched in the past week trying to avoid any and all real responsibility
4 - number of actual finals during actual finals week
5 - number of books I've checked out from the library for one paper
6 - number of 5 hour energies I took when they were offering "free samples"
7 - times I've called my Dad to complain about finals week
12:15 - the end time of my last final next week
24 - number of hours a day the library is now open
36 - number of hours my professor extended the paper deadline (THANK GOODNESS)
500 - times I've gotten distracted while attempting to do actual work


Happy studying all! P.S. - hope y'all are hanging in there a little bit better than I am this week!

xoxo 

With school starting in exactly one week (and recruitment week beginning this week...eeek!), I think now is the perfect time to write myself a Sanity Manifesto. I discovered the concept of the Sanity Manifesto on the lovely Maiedae blog thanks to Liz and thought I'd give it a go. Here's twenty things to help bring me back to a state of sane when I'm stressed, with a capital 'S.'

.001 - Make some tea. Two creamers, one sugar, and sip at a respectably slow pace. Go!

.002 - Take a hot midday shower, it'll calm you down and refocus you.

.003 - Make a list. Seeing visually what all is on your plate and being able to break it down can actually help bring you some peace. Getting it done is possible!

.004 - Don't force it. If you're not feeling creative - don't force yourself to try and brainstorm. If you're not feeling social - don't force yourself into trying to be so. Don't force it at all - give your body and mind the time and respect it needs to get back to creativity and sociability.

.005 - Call Dad, just to vent.

.006 - Put some lipstick on and pull yourself together. Getting on some make-up or an outfit that you feel good in will help your outside look put together, which is a foot in the door for the rest of you.

.007 - Watch a stand-up comedy performance on Netflix. Laugh and laugh and laugh.

.008 - Look at pictures and watch videos of Jack being ridiculously cute.

.009 - Write, if you need it. It can do worlds of wonders.

.010 - Get sleep when you can and eat when you can. Continue to do the little things like taking off your make-up every night before bed that might get pushed to the back burner in favor of quickly crashing out. Don't let stress get the better of the normal necessities or routines in life like sleeping or eating.

.011 - Take time to wind down before bed. Going to bed with a stressed out mindset, nerves on edge, and a quickly beating heart was never a good combination for quick or restful sleep. See #1, #10, and #12 for some help winding down.

.012 - Turn off the phone for a few hours if it's feasible.

.013 - Be productive. Do your part and do it good. Work exceptionally hard and be challenged, but don't compromise or sacrifice your sanity. Know when it's time to enact a sanity saving measure and do #4 on this list.

.014 - Listen to music that makes you happy, inspired, or just calm. A little tuneage never hurt.

.015 - Be honest within reason to others and yourself about all things (about projects your willing to take on, how you're feeling, etc).

.016 - 50 jumping jacks, 25 squats, 15 crunches, a plank, and a wall sit. Even little forms of exercise are energizing and make you feel both productive and better about your body (when time to work out is so limited).

.017 - Read for fun. Doing something stimulating, but purely for yourself can help you focus on something other than being overwhelmed. Try and aim for one chapter. Underline phrases you love as you go.

.018 - Get a cupcake from Bliss, be happy.

.019 - Recognize that asking for help and utilizing your friend's ears and/or shoulders is not a sign of failure/weakness and you're not being as much as burden as you feel like. Don't bottle up the overwhelming stuff or it's bound to come out in large quantities later.

.020 - Step outside (i.e. get away from whatever chaos is happening), take a few deep breaths, and take a few minutes just to be. Take it all in, or don't. Just be present.

What would be on your Sanity Manifesto? Let me know!

That I start to find paint and random bruises all over - yep, it's here. These past two weeks have been extremely busy, emotionally stressful, and academically challenging. I'm thankful to have friends and family to support me when everything gets to be so overwhelming. Today is Wednesday, which means if I can just make it through this hump day, Spring Break is practically here! I have one two midterms and a lot of packing to do and then I'm home free.

The first thing I'm going to do? Sleep about a thousand years and recharge my internal batteries.  Also, my birthday is during Spring Break week. How awesome is that? I guess I could take a little break from sleeping to enjoy a cupcake or two...thousand.

What are you going to do over Spring Break?

♥

♥

Why does it feel as if this week is never going to end? I feel that it's been a total whirlwind and I'm getting worn down. Tuesday was the first softball game of the season. Yesterday I worked the Special Olympics Basketball concession stand all day & then went to practice. Today, I had to read several chapters of Invisible Man for AP Lit, get all my make-up work from the past two days, and we had an extra long (& challenging) practice in which I scraped up my leg. Tomorrow is the high school play, Saturday I have to go to math competition (YUCK) for bonus points for my College Statistics class, and then Monday is a home softball game. There are so many things that need doing & I must rest assured they will get done eventually!



On a brighter note, the book I ordered should be arriving tomorrow and my father picked up my prom dress today! Happier, less-stress inducing posts soon! Until then, here is an uplifting/happy song that's been on repeat all week on my iPod:
Avalanche City – You And I by InkEatsMan