Thoughts on Month 1 of 7

I'll admit that this month was/will be one of the easier months of 7. It honestly didn't affect my day-to-day activities, and only people who knew that I was doing 7 knew what I was doing this month. With my class schedule and my work schedule, I didn't necessarily "give" something away each and every day. I did have a goal of 210 things (7 things a day x 30 days = 210 things) to give away, and I went over that goal for sure.

While cleaning out drawers/closets/cabinets, I came up with a few observations about the things I've kept over the years that I don't use anymore.

1. Just because it came from Gap, JCrew, Banana Republic, etc. does NOT mean that I have to keep it. If it doesn't fit/I don't like it anymore, I don't need to keep it. 
2. Just because I have a coupon and Gap, JCrew, Banana Republic, etc. has a sale going on does NOT mean that I need to buy anything. Just because it is a good deal doesn't mean that it is worth spending money on. 
3. Just because an aunt/friend/family member gave me that scarf/purse/book does NOT mean that I have to keep it. They will probably NEVER know if I keep it or don't, and if it's not being used, get rid of it!
4. Just because I can buy a book doesn't mean that I need to (this one is still hard for me to grasp). There are things called libraries for a reason. I can justify buying books I know I'll want to write in or have for a while, but there are some books that are fun to read once but I'll never read again. Those I should've gotten from the library, not wasted money on. 

In all of my 22 years of life (well as long as I can remember), I have had two Rubbermaid totes that hold my winter clothes in the summer and my summer clothes in the winter. In March and October of every year, I switch out the clothes. NOT ANYMORE. For the first time in my life, all of my clothes are in my dressers and closet in my room. I feel incredibly accomplished. 

I learned this month that it is truly better to give than to receive. I've been able to give away some things to people who appreciated them more than I did, and that made my heart swell. Shopping is definitely one of my favorite things to do, and I love getting a great deal. But, after going through all the things I have, I know it'll probably be a while before I have a shopping spree (as much as I want to). Here's to two weeks off of the 7 challenge; I'll be preparing for the next month which will be eating only 7 foods. EEEK. 

snowwwwwwww

I didn't wear a jacket to work on Monday. I didn't even have a long sleeve shirt on. And by Tuesday evening, I had two shirts and my ski jacket on because it was SNOWING! In Melbourne (Australia), they say you can experience all four seasons in one day. In Augusta, I'd say you can experience all four seasons in one week. It's supposed to be in the high 60s this weekend. Anyway, it snowed, and you can bet that we had SO MUCH FUN! Two snow days + two-ish inches of snow + six friends = a really fun night.

This was only the beginning!

We had snowball fights on snowball fights on snowball fights. It was so fun to feel like a five year old again. 

The next morning, I headed over to my parents' house to see their snow. Lucy didn't enjoy the snow as much as the rest of us did. 

My backyard was so pretty!

Right after my dad took this, we attacked him with some snowballs. My mom and I also had quite the snowball fight :)

Hope you and yours enjoyed the snow if you had some! 

a few weeks in

I'm not sure whether going back to school after Christmas is worse than going back to school after the summer. Christmas break is such a tease to me. It's a wonderful time of the year, and so many of my friends are home. You eat good food, you make lots of memories, you turn a year older, etc. And then just like that it's over. In the summer, it's weeks and months of doing that, so I'm kind of ready for the routine again. Either way, I'm still partially in denial that I'm in the third week of spring semester. Part of it has to do with a canceled class and MLK day. Hopefully next week will be normal, and I'll be back in a routine.

Anyway, I've been enjoying people and life as much as I possibly can despite having to go to class. Pictures below prove this statement:

Casie, Jack, and Joe took me out for birthday ice cream. LOVE that family. 

;)

I went to camp last weekend, and it SNOWED.

Running ground school for the ropes course in 30 degrees will make you look like you're headed to the arctic. 

I also spent some time learning more about my job for the summer!!!

Have you ever heard of Graze? It's a company that sends you healthy snacks. You get your first box free. It was SO good! I really enjoyed these snacks!

"I Like You" by Ben Rector, my most recent favorite