The World of “Supposed to”s

I hate the words “supposed to”. Why is it people feel like there are roles that they’re SUPPOSED to fill in life? Oh, you’re SUPPOSED to do that. You’re SUPPOSED to say these words. You’re SUPPOSED to like these certain things. When did living your life suddenly conform into a puzzle of “SUPPOSED to’s”?

When you come to college, it feels like all there is is buildings constructed of brick expectations, filled with insecure mass-produced people. Left and right, people are changing who they were days ago because, suddenly, they’re in college. Their equilibriums go out of whack because, oh, in college you’re SUPPOSED to be exactly who you weren’t yesterday. Every weekend I hear someone saying that they’re going out or they’re getting drunk because that’s what you’re SUPPOSED to do in college. What about doing whatever the heck you want simply because you WANT to? Not because you’re SUPPOSED to. Is it really worth completely changing yourself just because society and movies are saying that, yes, this is exactly how you should be living as a college student and if you aren’t, there must be something wrong with you? Do things because you WANT to, not because you think they’re what you’re SUPPOSED to be doing.

Things I’ve been told I’m SUPPOSED to do because of my age, but don’t really want to listen to:

• I’m SUPPOSED to drink and get drunk whenever possible
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to break the rules
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to travel all over the world while I’m young
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to wait to get married because wanting to get married young just isn’t right nowadays
• I’m SUPPOSED to spend my money on things like concerts and festivals
• I’m SUPPOSED to want to live in an apartment and work in the city instead of somewhere in the suburbs

Do what you’re going to do, but not because you think it’s what you’re SUPPOSED to do. Do it because it’s what you want to do, because you have to get it out of your system once or twice, because it’s something you’ll genuinely enjoy years down the road. Not because it’s what you’ve seen millions do before you. And don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad for doing what you WANT because it’s what makes you you.

Favorites at J.Crew Factory!

It’s no secret that I love J.Crew Factory. Their clothing fits me like a glove, is stylish and classic, and doesn’t cause my wallet too much pain. They’ve recently released their spring things and they are as cute as they come! I was in the store today and everything was 50% off to boot!

PLUS use the code INBLOOM to get an extra 20% off your order of $100 or more!

I tried on quite a few things and while some didn’t quite fit me the best, I did end up leaving with three new pieces for the (hopefully upcoming) warmer days! Here I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite pieces for the spring season.

1     |     2    |     3

4     |     5     |     6

7    |     8     |     9

10     |     11

Can’t wait for it to really be spring so we can wear all these cute things!

 

Bad Haircuts and Long Breaks

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Today I’m talking about winter break home from college and that haircut that you thought you’d love, but had second thoughts about after the chop. Yikes.

I’m home from school right now and will be for a little while longer and I know I’m not the first person to say it, but winter break can seem very long. I met just about all my good friends at Fordham so they fly off to their homes during breaks and it’s nearly impossible to see them, even those that live closer to me. That being said, breaks often seem pretty lonely to me as everyone I’d like to be spending my time with is in Texas or California or Wisconsin. It can be tough to watch (what seems like) everyone else visit people from home and have something to do every single day, but then it’s also nice to realize that you’re on a BREAK! *insert gif of Ross from friends saying this here* Yes, my friends, winter break for college students is, in fact, a real break without homework or impending midterms and it’s important to remember that if you’re ever feeling like you’re missing out on things. Take the month to chill, watch movies, and catch up on sleep before the spring semester picks up and you’ll be thrown back into reality.

During said break, I also decided to get my hair cut, a task I usually love. However, yesterday I realized that it is indeed possible to dislike a haircut. My whole life I’ve been fine with every single haircut I got. I cut it often and usually cut very much off every time. I’m not attached to my hair as so many people are, which I think is good for me as a person. Today though, I’m not too happy with how my hair looks and will definitely have to do something about it sooner or later. My mom told me to just make the best of it and I think she’s right, no matter how much I say I hate it. Thanks, Mom. Bloom where you’re planted, life keeps moving. And hair keeps growing. So to all you ladies (or gentlemen) who have gotten a haircut that was less fantastic than you were expecting, don’t let it be the end of the world, just work with it until it grows out and then start again.

Until next time!

Dancing Through Life

When surveyed, it is very certain that you could find 10 out of 15 young ladies who will tell you they were in a ballet class at some point in their lives. Popular responses tend toward “Oh yeah, I did that when I was like three” and “I was in one of those classes for maybe a year then I switched to softball.” Why is it that so many people drop the elegant art of ballet for the more rigorous sports of soccer and softball or even the more popular of dances like hip hop? The answer is passion.

Friday Focus – Silence

After the closing of each week of a college workload, a 9-5 job, that one coworker who constantly seems to get on your nerves, it’s nice to be able to take a second and just sit in a quiet place. The week, and inevitably the weekend as well, is so filled with sounds and movement and racket that cloud the brain and heighten the anxiety levels. While it’s impossible to escape them in school or the office, I like to try to take a few minutes of mental silence for myself when I find an area that fosters to that. Admittedly, this is almost always the shower since its somewhere I have to myself no matter what time of day it is.  Taking time to think about the past few days and the days to come without the pressure of roommates or bosses or even a pad of paper begging for them to be written down on is  very difficult thing to do. Even with practice, taking time for ourselves is not usually something we turn towards doing. Next time you’re feeling particularly stressed or just need a moment to reflect, try to find an area, a bathroom stall, a quiet study lounge, that fifth floor of the library where it’s completely silent, an area to just sit for a while without any distractions or pressures. I promise you’ll feel a sense of relief and may even want to make it a regular habit.

Tips for Living with your Best Friend

Since day one of Kindergarten, I have had the incredible pleasure of having someone who is always there for me, who never speaks behind my back, who always shares her snacks. My best friend Sabrina has been by my side longer than I can remember and I can’t imagine what life would be like without her.
Our first semesters of college we both went our separate ways, but it didn’t feel like a huge parting since I knew we’d be together before we even noticed the other was gone! Well, second semester rolled along and Sabrina ended up transferring to Fordham (yay, go rams!) and suddenly, sophomore year is here and we’re sharing a dorm room on the fifth floor of what I can only describe as a castle. It’s beautiful.