As my spring break approaches, I find myself beginning to wonder about how I am going to spend it. While friends or classmates of mine are going to soak up some sun in Florida or wherever a plane will take them, I will be at home. Of course part of me holds some jealousy against them, especially with February being extra difficult for me for some reason. After being on winter break for over a month, getting back into a routine seemed even harder than it did in fall semester, believe it or not. However, that doesn’t excuse me to waste my break uninspired, unfulfilled, and especially unhappy. At times, I find myself struggling to appreciate what I have right in front me, I can’t help but compare myself to the lives of others. So, if you too are going to spend your spring break laying low, maybe I can take a suggestion or two and try to occupy some time doing something you wouldn’t normally do!
- SSS: Some Serious Spring-cleaning!
I know the term spring cleaning can sort of seem intimidating, especially if you come from a family like mine where your mom took it seriously. While some days I enjoy having the time to clean and refresh, other times cleaning just feels like an obligation. However, when you think about it, spring seems like the perfect time for a big cleanout. The business of the holidays is finally over and you probably have a somewhat consistent routine now. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to pertain to just your clothes and cleaning out your closet, it can relate to any clutter in your room or house! For me personally, I have a tendency of hoarding long overused makeup sponges or receipts from somewhere that are no longer necessary to keep. I may also have some cheap and broken necklaces in my jewelry box still, or even a fake plant that I no longer feel emotionally attached to. I am not suggesting tossing out things that are still of value of course, but at the same time, letting you know that it is okay to retire the old and bring in the new. With perhaps old decor specifically, there is always the option of donating to your local thrift store, or who knows, maybe someone you may know will be more than willing to take a certain something off your hands.
- Make. That. Playlist.
If you are someone who has a knack for making good playlists–I envy you. No matter what playlist I try to make I always end up going back to the same five songs no matter what time of the year. However, my goal for this break is to let loose and make as many silly little playlists as I want. I mean, who knows my music taste better than my own self? The playlists that Spotify curates for me haven’t been impressing me lately anyway. If you already seem to have your music situated for the next few months, you can focus on making a “to read” or “to watch” list as well! My watchlist has been haunting me for the longest time, and I cannot wait to sit back and knock some of those movies or shows off my list in the upcoming week.
- Bring on The Brunch
Normally, I am not much of a breakfast person, or at least I used to be. As of lately I have gotten a little better, but still can sometimes go without it, mostly because I always enjoyed sleeping in. Granted, that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy breakfast food, when actually, I love breakfast foods. Luckily for me, some amazing person sometime in history created an amazing concept known as ‘brunch,’ which is something that I am more than fond of. I recall specifically in the summer, my hometown friends and I having time to get brunch at this one place nearby my house, it never gets old. This break though, I am going to challenge myself to go hit up a new brunch spot, to which I will most likely drag my parents or friends with me. It is not every day that I try somewhere new to eat, but for brunch I am willing to open my horizons. Time permitting, I may even go somewhere that is not necessarily close by, and make a small road trip out of it. It is always nice to see new places and get out of the house for a bit.
- Teach Yourself Something
At the age of 20 there are times where I catch myself thinking that I can no longer learn a new hobby, as if that makes any sense! The reality is that age does not define what new hobbies we do or not learn, so another goal of mine for this break is to learn how to do something I never have before. I’m not saying that this new hobby or trick has to be complicated, it could be as easy as learning how to play sudoku or trying out a new exercise at the gym. Personally, I want to try to find a yoga class nearby or maybe a video of a yoga routine. I don’t expect to perfect it on the first try (especially with my terrible balance) but it’s something that I’ve been dying to try forever and I’m finally ready to treat myself to it!
- Personal Check-Up
It can be difficult to put yourself ahead of others sometimes, or at least it is for me. As a born people-pleaser I struggle with this every day of my life. However, as I have grown and matured throughout my life I have learned (the hard way) that this is not a sustainable way of thinking, nor is it healthy. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all much harder on ourselves than we need to be. I feel like in times of stress we tend to push ourselves more and more rather than taking a step back and taking some time for self care. Yes, a healthy amount of stress is good, but so is stepping back and slowing down once in a while. Since the new year, one of the ways that I have given myself personal check-ups is through journaling. As taboo as some may think of it, it really doesn’t have to be as complicated as some may make it out to be. My journal is messy, inconsistent, and flawed just like everything else in the world. But when I can, I specifically try to “gratitude journal” at least once a week– I’ll either write one or two sentences or sometimes a page full of things that I’m grateful for, regardless of the type of day that I am having.
If journaling isn’t your style, there are other methods of self care that I have been practicing, such as: watching a ridiculous TV show for no reason other than to enjoy it, listening to a new podcast, baking a recipe that came up on my explore page, and more.
In a day and age where I feel like so many children are ushering themselves to grow up, I find myself missing my adolescence more and more, and am working slowly but surely to bring back that light in my life. So, even if you do not decide to try out any of these activities, I hope that you can take away at least one thing from this article– and that is to spend your spring break FOR YOU, and no one else. Whether it’s poolside in Miami or bedside in your childhood home, do something kind for yourself, I know I will.