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TOL: Sunsets and Sneakers

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday always comes at the best time. Lots of random things going on lately. I sure do love lists…

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1. I just got back from a (very) quick family vacation. We took a last-minute overnight trip to the beach to soak up the last few days of summer. I know everyone says this, but seriously, where did summer go?!

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2. Sunsets on the water never get old.

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3. Pretty sure I ate every color of the rainbow for lunch yesterday (I had grapes and blueberries on the side) #delicious

4. Finally- new running sneakers! I’ve been wearing only one pair for two months now (breaking a cardinal runners rule, I know) so I’m glad I can start rotating shoes again. Bonus that they were on sale!

5. This whole not working thing is kind of nice. I can see how after a few weeks I would get restless but my to-do list and naps have happily filled my time.

6. My two best friends both unknowingly tagged me in this Instagram photo…

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7. I’m finally getting my hair cut today. It has been way too long since my last visit and, in turn, my hair has gotten way too long. My ponytail bothers me so much when I run and I’m tired of dealing with knots. Can you tell I have a low-key beauty routine? Not going too short, just slightly below my shoulders. I’m thinking this length…

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8. Made it to a Body Pump class on Tuesday. I haven’t been in a few weeks so my legs felt it yesterday (thank you, squats). The class was half Body Pump half CX-Works (a Les Mills core-focused class). I didn’t love all the CX-Works tracks but the class served its purpose and worked my abs.

9. Want to know what I’m beyond excited for? Football. Yes, football. Pre-season is underway and we are less than 30 days until the official first game. The Eagles are kind of my life and I’m so ready for kickoff.

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10. Living in the now. My mind keeps racing toward August 21 when I head back to school. That day might as well be tomorrow with the amount I think about it. While I’m trying to take the next two weeks to mentally prepare for the transition, I’m also trying to soak up the now and make the most of my time at home. Challenge accepted.

Thanks, Amanda!

Who’s your favorite football team?

Do you like your hair long or short?

TOL: Lessons From Work

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Well today is my second to last day of my summer internship. (But I’m celebrating that today is the last day I have to wear business clothes because tomorrow is dress down day). This internship has been a blessing in disguise because, although it wasn’t my “dream job,” it was my first-grown up job and I’ve learned a lot about what I value in a career. Here are my takeaways from my internship, Thinking Out Loud style.

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1. Work is a big part of your life, so you should love it. By the time I got home at the end of the day, the day was basically over and I wasn’t “fulfilled.” Yes, I would wake up early and work-out (something I love to do) but that’s pretty much the only part of my day I can say I “loved.” I hope to find a full-time job in a field I’m passionate about because I don’t want to feel like I’m staring at the clock and counting down the hours.

2. However, I’ve realized that “dream jobs” are very hard to come by. In my mind, my dream job involves working under 40 hours a week, making good money, not sitting at a desk all day and doing work that makes me happy. HAHA. Obviously that’s not realistic and this summer has been eye-opening in the sense that I’ve realized that no job will ever be perfect. Even if I loved the field I was in, there would always be some downsides. I have pretty much eliminated many of my job “must-haves” and have decided that loving what I do is at the top of my list (see above).

3. Desk jobs aren’t for me. Spending 8+ hours at a desk all day has been a huge challenge for me. Mix that with keeping quiet, sitting in a cold office and doing repetitive work caused me to go a bit stir crazy.

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4. Snacks are necessary. Packing snacks for every few hours was new for me (I haven’t packed a lunch in a few years) so the first few days were a fail in the nourishment zone. Snacks not only gave me something to look forward to, but gave me the energy to get through the oh-so-real midday slump.

5. I’m SO lucky to come home to dinner. I’m very fortunate that my mom makes dinner (almost) every night and I don’t have to fend for food or force myself in the kitchen after a long day. Obviously this won’t be able to continue for the rest of my life so I realize how grateful I am now.

6. College life is awesome. I may not like the stereotypical college atmosphere (partying, drinking, etc.), however, I love the freedom. The freedom to schedule classes, plan my days out and take naps when I want. This is something I’m going to take advantage of for the next two years because as much as I want to be done with college, I don’t necessarily want to leave the lifestyle yet. Good thing college is 4 years :)

7. If I don’t workout in the morning, it’s not happening that day. Plain and simple…I don’t have any energy after work. I applaud those who workout in the evenings! It would probably release a lot of stress from the day.

8. I’m lucky to have a job. I have many friends who couldn’t find (or chose not to look for…) a job or internship this summer. While I may be envious of their free time, I know that my summer experience will be very beneficial down the road.

9. I’m well aware of the stereotype that my generation is lazy and I want to continue to defy that label and work for my success. I don’t want anything handed down to me. Just like I’ve “earned my grades” in school, I want to earn my place in the workforce and work my way up the ladder. Who knows, maybe that dream job does exist ;)

10. High heels are cruel. End of discussion.

What have you learned from a previous (or current) job?

TOL: Facing Challenges

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Linking up to Amanda’s Thinking Out Loud today for today’s random thoughts.

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The last few days at work have been not only extremely rewarding, but also eye-opening. I was given the opportunity to take on a project at work that was somewhat out of my comfort zone. I had the option of completing an “easy” assignment that I have a lot of experience with or a project that would need more attention, thinking and time.

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I’ll admit: I don’t love hard things. Yet, who really does? Unless I’m completely crazy, hard things aren’t fun for me. They’re, well, hard. BUT they aren’t necessarily bad.

Obvious news flash: hard things make you a stronger person. This is something I often forget when I’m given options because it’s hard to choose the challenge when there’s a very tempting easier route right next to it. Taking the easier path isn’t always bad (I think it’s needed sometimes), but I’ve found that it’s the hard things that end up being the most rewarding. Long story short, the project I tackled opened my eyes to a different subdivision of the company at which I’m interning. An area that I’m more passionate and about and, for the first time, I didn’t dread my day-to-day (as much). It forced me to think abstractly, take risks and ask questions. I think I’ve determined what I want to do with my life and that wouldn’t have happened if I stayed in my comfort zone.

Obviously my project at work was a very minor challenge compared to obstacles in life, but it reminded me that I need to apply that mindset to other situations. Whether it’s a challenge thrust upon me or one I have the choice of facing, I need to remember that hard does not equal bad. As I’ve been thinking more about exploring new places, I’m trying to remember that risk leads to reward. I won’t know unless I try, and even if I do “fail” I will always learn from the outcome*. (*End of clichés)

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My recent work project inspires me to tackle- and embrace- whatever challenges life throws my way. While growing up, my mom would tell my sister and me: “Do something every day that scares you. It will be worth it.” Well, I guess my experience is just another example of mom’s always being right.

P.S.- She said that quote waaaaay before Lululemon used it on their bags ;)

 

When have you stepped out of your comfort zone?

Thinking Out Loud

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TOL is always one of my favorite link-ups to read. Everyone’s thoughts are very entertaining and reassure me that I’m normal :)

On the writing side, pouring out random, non-cohesive thoughts is very therapeutic. Amanda, you were on to something…

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1. I need to introduce you to my favorite person (OK, animal) ever. Meet my dog, Rocco. He is a six-year-old cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle mix) who loves tennis balls, my mom and steak. We gave him a big, macho name to make him feel better about looking like a teddy bear.
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2. I think I’m the only one in the world I know who doesn’t use Snapchat regularly. I have an account but for some reason I don’t use it and I barely even open other people’s snapchats. I have no explanation for this weirdness. But I feel like I’d like it, so I might force myself to use it. Who says that about social media today?

3. Did you read the New York Post’s blurb about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding? Gave me a good laugh…

4. I need to get better at taking pictures of food. My meals are very tasty but not always pleasing to the eye. Maybe it’s because I pile food on and don’t really care about the placement on the plate? Or that I’m taking the pictures in dark lighting with my iPhone (<– probably the reason). Here’s part of my lunch from today. We’ll use this as a starting point for picture-taking. Only uphill from here, right?!
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5. Speaking of lunch, I try to eat outside every day during the workweek. I feel very confined in a cold, quiet office so a little vitamin D midday is the perfect pick-me-up.

6. My feet are not made for high heels. Too many blisters to count.

7. I LOVE seeing the videos of high school seniors opening their college acceptance letters/emails. Even though I never had that dramatic of a moment, it still brings back the sense of accomplishment (and relief!) I felt after opening my acceptance letters.

 

8. Confession: I still haven’t unpacked from college. It’s been 3 weeks. For some reason by Type-A self isn’t worried about it and I just shut my door and forget the mess exists. Out of sight, out of mind.

9. I just bought a pencil skirt and blouse to add to my rotation of work outfits. In my mind, the price was 1.5 yoga pants.

10. TOL rocks. End of discussion.