It’s that time of year again and people are in a frenzy. It’s finals week and you’re nowhere near done packing for your upcoming trip. Regardless, spring break is around the corner and you’re looking forward to sunshine and tanning lotion. But, the preparation process can be hard and no one can explain the roller coaster ride of emotions better than the lovely Ms. Jenna Marbles.
1. When you make the initial commitment.
So you’ve decided to take a trip with your friends. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just going to the beach for a couple days or if you’re going to a tropical destination for the whole week, there’s always that sense of “Well, here it goes!” when you commit to spring break plans.
2. When you attempt to create a workout regimen to get that bikini body …
After the December holidays, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day, a lot of us are feeling a little fluffy. You plan on going to the gym three to five times a week to get toned and ready for hitting the beach. It’s debatable as to how long you’ll stick with it, though.
3. … and a diet plan to go along with it.
You grin and bear it, crunching on your salad while fantasizing about pizza and fries and really most any kind of greasy carbohydrate. No pain, no gain. (Later you’ll break and crack open a container of Ben & Jerry’s. There’s always tomorrow, right?)
4. When you look for outfit inspiration online.
Odds are that you aren’t actually going to be in a swimsuit for the entirety of break, and you’re going to want to look cute in case you meet someone special and fling-worthy. Cue going on Pinterest, Tumblr, Polyvore, and everything else to create your own personal spring break look book.
5. When you go on your preparatory shopping trip.
New swimsuit, new sundress, all new everything. Most likely, you’re feelin’ yourself and that’s awesome. Maybe you’ll grab sunglasses, some sandals, and a light sweater, too. You don’t want to be caught unprepared.
6. When you pack (the first time).
It’s pretty much a fact that you will always over-pack on your first try. You aren’t 100 percent sure of what you’re going to need, and you want to bring just about everything. A bag with a week’s worth of stuff turns into a hoard that could last you a month, and suddenly your suitcase is bulging at the seams. Oops.
7. When the inevitable pre-break panic hits you.
You’re freaking out about needing to check a bag, or feeling anxious about the potential of the trip not being as perfect as you have imagined. That, or you’re just trying to get through exams and classes and projects and it’s making you crazy.
8. When you go to the group chat for support.
We all get by with a little help from our friends. Reaching out helps you get reassurance that everything will be fine and yes, you look great in those shorts and you’re totally gonna pass, so chill out.
9. When you start really looking into activities and places to see on your trip.
Now that you’ve calmed down, you can focus on the details of your trip. There are so many things to do no matter where you’re going. Is there a restaurant you’ve heard about that you want to try? Do you want to go sightseeing and find a particular landmark? Do you want to get your tan on?
10. When you do a massive load of laundry so everything you need is clean.
In the aftermath of your first attempt at packing, your clothes are probably a wrinkled mess and/or you’ve completely changed your mind about what you want and need to take with you. Plan on staying home, because you’ll need to block out an entire day if you want to properly wash and dry all your stuff.
11. When you pack (the second, and hopefully final, time).
It’s gotten close enough to break that you have a better idea of exactly what’s going in your suitcase, in your backpack, etc. This might be the second of many more trial and error attempts to reach the Goldilocks level of packing, but you’ll get there eventually.
12. When it gets to the one-week countdown before break.
Breathe. Just hang in there a little longer. Break will be all the more sweet after being patient and struggling through the wait time.
13. When spring break finally arrives.
YAAAASSSSS. PARTY TIME. You go, girl! Be safe, make good decisions, and have a blast.