I believe in embracing your beach life.

You know, the kind of life that allows you the freedom to do whatever you please. The beach is about saying yes; yes to ice cream every night, to sleeping in late, to going to random places on a whim. It’s about no obligations; no need to hit the gym, no need for cell service or wifi.  It’s just about you, the people you’re with, and the vast expanse of water between you and the next continent.

Did you know one of the happiest countries in the world is very poor? But they have beaches. When I visited Costa Rica I found their reported happiness to be genuine. I worked in a feeding program there for children when I was barely sixteen. The kids I fed had mothers my age or younger, all with no consistent food source. But it didn't matter. When the kids played with us, they were happy. And, when their mothers saw their children were happy they too began to smile. They may not have had running water, but they had true happiness: the kind that stems from family, sunshine, and waves lapping at your toes.  

As Work Forest students, it's VERY clear to us that life on campus is NOT a trip to the beach. Life at Wake Forest, despite the gorgeous Southern sunshine, is about structure, preparation, knowledge… you get it; you've experienced it firsthand. When the papers pile up, and our homework keeps us holed up in the library for hours, and, when finals get on our final nerves, what we need is not more structure or preparation or knowledge. What we need is to embrace our beach lives. Instead of hitting the gym one afternoon, go for a walk outside and enjoy the fresh air. The lack of calorie burn for one day won’t kill you. Instead of hitting ZSR for hours on the weekend, grab some friends and hit up Brynn’s (trust me, Leon the manager would love for you to visit him!). Say yes to a girls night out, even if you have tons of homework. it’s my experience you won’t spend Saturday night from 11pm til 2 or 3 studying anyway, despite your best intentions.   

So embrace that beach life. "Let go of urban stress; wear flip-flops for every occasion; breathe deep of the salt air; ride your bike to the grocery store; feel the sand between your toes; roll up your cuffs and catch an incoming wave; abandon your socks; pause for sunsets; say hello to everyone; smell like coconut oil; drink lime flavored beverages and in general remember to embrace your beach life wherever you are."