I’m home with the parents (and golden retriever), and I am finally happy to say that I am completely relaxed. I’m aware that there’s a lot I need to get done this week (homework, internship hunting, polishing up my resume, other random errands) but this is the beginning of my favorite time of year (Thanksgiving through New Years) and so I plan to enjoy the following five days as thoroughly as possible.

I usually focus on all the to-do’s that are must-do’s—stuff that may not be so fun, but that simply gotta get done. But I am making a vow to myself this week to do a few things that will add to my happiness, mental, physical, and emotional healthiness, and lessen my stress as much as possible.

-Have a cup of tea every day

-work out every day (even if on a few days that just means a 15 minute ab session or 30 minutes dancing like a lunatic in front of my mirror)

-eat everything I enjoy on Thanksgiving AND FEEL NO SHAME IN THAT.

-AFTER Thanksgiving, I will get back to how I normally eat—healthy, but never restricting myself entirely.

-use yummy shower gels and lotions afterwards

-keep my room clean…when my room is clean, my mind is clear.

-meditate for 10 minutes each day.

-only 1 [mayyybe 2] Diet Coke[s] this week! [I’m starting to kick that addiction! =)]

-see a few of my friends from elementary school/high school. I know this seems like something that one shouldn’t have to try or make an effort to do…but sometimes when I’m home I feel so exhausted and get caught up with all the “must-do’s” on my list that it seems like too much energy to make plans and actually get them going—kinda sad, I know. That’s why I wanna change that!

-help my Mom with dinner at least one night…I really want to start learning how to cook!…and make Mama Dearest’s life (or evening at least) a little less stressful.

-read at least one book on something that interests me

I’ll try to follow up next week and let ya know if I actually stuck to this plan. =)