this semester, i found journaling to be quite therapeutic. throughout middle school and high school, my mom continually encouraged me to document my thoughts, opinions, and ideas through journaling. however, for years, i contested. throughout high school, i bought journal after journal attempting to consistently channel my thoughts and store them in one place. personally, i found it very difficult to routinely pause and write my thoughts. since beginning college in late august, i’ve fallen into a “groove” if you will. recording my thoughts, and more importantly, recording my prayers has made the Lord’s goodness tangible. it has been so neat to flip back and reflect on the Father’s faithfulness and favor in my life and the lives of others. — JESUS IS SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s rare for my backpack to be without my journal. because of this, my journal mimics my mind and serves to document sporadic moments of inspiration, poetry, words of my friends, dreams, desires, and even things as silly as what type of backsplash i want in my first home. to …

HELLO EVERYBOOOODDDY! Yikes. It’s been a hot minute. It took me a very long time to write this post. In case you were wondering, I moved to Lynchburg and survived my first week of college (MORE LIKE FIRST MONTH- like I said before… It took me a very long time to write this blog post). I write all of that to say- college was not at all what I had anticipated. I will say one thing- college is an enlarged version of summer camp. That being said- I am still waiting for the ‘summer night’ feeling to ware off. But, I think that might just be college and all of its glory. The ‘summer night’ feeling is classified as ‘sitting in class and then walking to the library to hit the books for the remainder of the day but then also doing something really spontaneous and fun at some point in the day… and then doing it all over again.’ These past couple of weeks have been pretty similar to a roller coaster… and yes, I …

I often find myself lost in the monotony of my ‘everyday.’ Lacking inspiration or motivation, I fall into a downwards spiral towards towards Netflix documentaries and drive-throughs. In this past year, I’ve learned that productivity leads to a path of peace (at least for me). I’ve found joy in novels, writing, drinking herbal tea and conversation. Obviously, rest and solitude are wonderful and very much needed. However, I found getting out and shaking up the ‘everyday routine’ has led to growth. Lately, I’ve been getting off the couch and driving to Starbucks, or the library. Grab that novel that you’ve been meaning to start, and head over your favorite park, and GET LOST (books rock). I have always been an independent gal. Personally, I enjoy sitting alone at coffee shops and running errands alone. Being alone makes me feel like an adult… I cannot wait to be an adult. I say that now, but give it five years- I’m almost positive that I’ll want to take that statement back. But, for now, I’ll dream of the …

As a teenager, I find it difficult to pass up opportunities to go out. I think that inside of me, I have a fear of missing out or being left out. That’s just how it is. Last year, I discovered that Friday nights, spent at home are my favorite (yes, I really do mean that). This year, I have become a full-fledged homebody. Our minds and bodies need rest. Sure, eight hours of sleep most nights is sufficient, but some extra rest + relaxation here and there simply cannot hurt. I’ve found that leaving my phone out of the Friday night equation = PEACE. Give yourself a well deserved break from emails, Snapchats, and texts! Be present with yourself and the moment that you’re in. What to wear & What do to : One. Grab that book that you’ve been meaning to read or head over to your local bookstore and pick out a title that tickles your fancy… & THEN GET READING! Three. Take a walk Two. Put on comfy clothes (your favorite vintage tee …