If you’re anything like me, you feel as though you have got it all together. You are well dressed, prepared, and your eyebrows? On point! Other days…not so much. Your hair isn’t brushed, your streamlining coffee, and you’re wearing two different boots out in public. To put it bluntly: you are taking a ride on the “Hot Mess Express.” I am definitly a frequent rider. I constantly find myself asking “when will I ever get my s*%t together?” — And most of the time, the answer seems to be never.
And you know what? That’s okay.
Everyone has days that they can’t seem to make themselves get out of bed, put on a bra, or eat anything but cereal for dinner (Lucky Charms, anyone?). Although it’s hard not to constantly expect the best from yourself, it’s okay to step back and realize there’s no need to be perfect. For some of us, less than four months ago we had to ask for permission to use the bathroom, now we’re making decisions that can seriously impact the rest of our future. We are constantly learning and growing as people, figuring out who we are, and what we want. When we set up unrealistic goals for ourselves, like being prepared and together 100% of the time, those hot mess days can feel more like hot mess weeks.
Nobody expects you have it all together, and nothing will ruin your college experience more than expecting yourself to be put together 24/7. Don’t fret that exam that you did not do so well on or the fact that the boy who got your number at that party last week didn’t call you back. We all fail, and we all have our off days. That’s what makes us human.  Â
But what you should do, is realize that everything will be okay, and that one hot mess week may lead to a great day, or an awesome month! Not everything good will happen at once and it will always seem like there are so many more worse things that happen and keep happening over and over again. What you can do, is make the best of the good and the bad. As Charles Dickens once wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Good things and bad things happen to everyone. So try and shake off the bad and bring in the good!
Embrace the days you’re a hot mess — those sweatpant wearing, no makeup, eating ice cream for dinner days. We’re all bound to have them, so you might as well enjoy them. It’s okay to not have your s*%t together — I know I certainly don’t, and that’s okay with me.