I'm not going to lie. It takes a lot to adjust.
A lot.
A lot of sweat, sacrifice, tears, laughs, small talk, work, worry, bravery, courage, spirit, uncomfortable situations, awkward smiles, those "Hey, I remember talking to you but don't remember your name, where you're from, what you're studying, or which dorm you live in..." because we asked and were asked by 30 other people those same exact questions that same day we met, and then ALL of it hits you at once. You're sitting at your desk, standing in the shower, walking back "home" from the library, laughing so hard to cover up the tears that want to stream out your eyes, hanging up your photos, listening to a favorite song that makes you feel all the feels, or closing your eyes to pretend you're asleep but you're really just letting the tears run down your cheeks.
Everything hits you.
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"College is like looking both ways before you cross the street and then getting hit by an airplane."
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So I feel like I haven't posted anything in a long time. And this is true. It's been hard to keep my creative juices flowing when all I can think about is when I'm going to get my reading done, where I'm going to get my reading done, what I'm going to remember from the reading, and HOW I'm going to finish the reading before my next class.
I'm starting week four tomorrow and this means I have my first mid-mid-term exam on Friday. In my hardest class. Okay, but before I get myself worked up and anxious about the future (because that does no one any good), the real reason I started typing this post was to share 7 things. Ultimately, one thing for each day of the past week. I've always wanted to journal, and you know what, I'm going to start. I'm starting right here, right now.
1. I have a twitching left eye that does not want to quit it! I think it's a combination of many things; stress, lack of sleep, changes in diet and schedule... mostly stress.
2. I know I am not drinking enough water. I carry around a water bottle but it's just hard to force yourself to drink it down when you aren't thirsty!
3. I'm still running. At least when I can. Monday, Wednesday, Friday I have more free time in the afternoon/night so a couple times I've been on the track at 8pm jamming to some new music and it's totally cool, fun, and exciting running under the lights. Tuesday and Thursday are easier days, at least as far as the class load goes, so I make myself get out of bed at the regular time and go run on the track. These days seem to be much more productive and inspiring for me...
4. I'm eating a lot of apples and pears... even though I will literally eat any fruit, any time of the day.
5. The salad bar almost always has no line so I find myself going that route pretty much every lunch and dinner. Maybe I'll be feeling luxurious and wait the extra 15 minutes to add grilled chicken, which takes me to my next one...
6. I need more protein. Real. Raw. Good protein.
7. I wore my down coat for the first time this last week. Exciting times. The leaves are falling and it's starting to rain more frequently.
(okay I have a couple more just because I feel like they're important ones...)
8. I got my first chai tea latte and I'm hooked. I couldn't find anything else I could eat/drink at Top Pot Doughnuts so I saw the word chai and said it. With coconut milk. All this because I needed the restroom code. Man, it's the little things. It's about finding the joy in moments like those.
9. I finally photographed in the city. It felt SO good to pick up my camera and have that creative mental challenge. From start to finish... I've missed it. From scouting the depths of Pinterest to laying out the blog post, I'm ready to start shooting again and I am so excited to share my work.
10. I'm ready to start shooting again and I am so excited to share my work because I went to a Click Away photography conference these last two days downtown Seattle. It triggered, invigorated, inspired, and cultivated creativity in me.
11. I need to shoot everyday. I need to feel that camera in my hands to remind me to not only turn, change, and mix up the images I create, but in order to do that, I need to turn, change, and mix up the way my mind develops, sees, and thinks.
Here we go. Let's do this.
xo, Hallie
