I remember my first time doing yoga -- in the middle of my living room on a mat, flailing to imitate the moves on Jillian Michael’s "Yoga Meltdown." Little did I know that this was a super-intense form of the art, and I didn’t have to strain, but could delight in the movements. I have since been faithfully practicing yoga of all sorts with help from YouTube, DVDs, and books. I really do love it, and I have discovered a passion for it that I plan to keep for the rest of my life. In order to understand what’s so great about yoga, I’ve compiled a list of reasons why I do it.
1. It helps build flexibility (you’ll be a gymnast in no time).
2. You’re moving which means it’s good for your body in general.
3. Yoga helps relieve all of the stress you carry throughout your day.
4. It can be practiced literally anywhere and everywhere. Yoga Girl has been known to post photos of herself doing handstands and other poses on city streets and beaches. Cool!
5. You gain friends who share the same desires as you.
6. You find a lifelong passion.
7. You become tempted to adopt a healthier lifestyle (drinking more water, meditating and eating more fruits and veggies). Your pediatrician would be proud!
9. You establish a routine in your otherwise chaotic world, and thus feel more in control of your life.
10. You get stronger -- both physically and mentally. Think about it: you’re pretty much benching your weight every time you hold a pose, and you become more in control of yourself and your mind.
Time to go do some pigeons, cranes, downward dogs and ice cream cones...
It takes a little while to get used to not seeing your high school best friends every day. Going away to college causes a lot of changes, but one thing that will never change is my love for my high school BFFs, and the texts that I get from them. Here are just 8 of the texts I get from them on the weekly:
1. "Should I skip class today?"
Or "Can I drop out of college yet?" both are usually a daily occurrence.
2. "Did you hear ________ is engaged?"
I swear every time I open up Facebook another person is engaged, married, or pregnant.
College is filled with many things, and we're so often lectured to make the right decisions as we head out on our own into the college life. But sometimes it's necessary to indulge in some guilty pleasures as well as just doing things because you can. And honestly, a lot of the time it's inevitable. College is no piece of cake that's for sure, so it's okay to do some things you deep down know you shouldn't....once in a while anyways.
Well, yes I have to be up at 8 but it would obviously be sinful to go to bed without finding out who the killer is.
4. Skip a class to do something completely unnecessary.
Sometimes class is really the last place you want to be, so what if you skip it once to head down to the beach? One day can't do too much harm...personal days are a necessity.
5. Putting all your homework off for the night before it's due just so you can do nothing for a night.
You're slammed all week, so if you have a potential night to do absolutely nothing, that is definitely worth taking. Sure we'll regret it tomorrow, but for the night you're carefree.
6. Going out on a Thursday night when you have a test the next day.
We've all done it, and most likely felt completely terrible in the morning, but at least our Snapchat Story from the night before is a perfect replica of the previous night's activities.
7. Making impulsive decisions.
So you're telling me it is frowned upon to splurge online and spend $74 on clothes in one sitting?
8. Write an important paper in one night.
It seemed like a good and manageable idea at the time, but little did we know we would stay up literally all night - falling in and out of sleep - writing it.
9. Classifying Ramen as your main food group.
Such a perfect and easy meal. Sure, sometimes we'll get completely tired of it, but at least it's always there for us as a go-to when we need it.
10. Going on late night food runs - and I mean really late.
It's 2 am but for some reason you just really can't shake the thought of some late-night fast food. So naturally, you go out and get it, without much of a second thought.
Because one definitely wasn't enough and you still have three classes ahead of you.
12. Doing really dumb, irresponsible things when out with your friends.
You'll probably regret doing most of them in the morning (or not), but at least it was all seemingly worth it at the time. Those kind of memories are priceless.
13. Finishing an entire show on Netflix in less than a week.
Listen, it's really not as hard as it sounds. There's so many addicting shows out there. And, are you really in college if you haven't done this before?
Ahhh good ol' freshman year. The best times and the worst times. Going to college six hours from home was the best decision I had ever made for myself, but the transition would have been much smoother had I known the things I know now. You cannot take on this beast by yourself, so allow me to lend a hand and guide you through one of the most exciting and different years of your life thus far. I have compiled a list of 10 key things to avoid your freshman year of college in order to ensure a smooth, happy, and fun first year!
There is no coincidence I put this as the number one thing to avoid your first year on campus. Nine out of 10 fraternity boys can and will make life messier and harder than it needs to be. Avoid the Brads in this world.
I recommend focusing this year on finding yourself and figuring out your place without adding ignorant sex-crazed boys to the mix. Sure they can be fun to party and spend time with, but if you give them too much of your time you may find yourself in a sticky situation. I promise you will not find your husband at your first fraternity party in college, so focus on yourself and living your best single life without getting involved with a Chad.
2. Accepting questionable solo cups from any male whatsoever
I don't care how hot Chad is, or how cute his friends are. If a boy offers you any open container, either say no thank you or take that cup and put that thing on the floor seconds later. Most college boys are super sketch, and I would only trust your close girls in the get-go. To be safe, stick to beer at parties or simply bring your own drink (unless you're down to wake up next to Chad having no clue what happened the night before).
3. Wasting all your dining dollars within the first two months of school
This one is sad but true. You don't want to be the one kid with zero money left when all your friends are chowing down on La Madeleine and Taco Bell the second month of school. I have too many friends who blew all of their dining dollars in the get-go and have to sit around sad and hungry for the remainder of the semester. Just be smart and frugal, and all will be well!
4. Going to the busiest library when you need to grind out a 15 page paper
At the University of Kentucky, Willy T. is the library of choice by most. It is large and beautiful, but it can be very busy and distracting at times. If you are only going to get one small assignment done and socialize, go for the "fun" library, but if you have to work on 6 hours of anatomy homework and write a 15 page essay, I recommend going to a smaller library on campus. It will be much quieter and 10 times easier to focus and be productive.
5. Skipping class frequently
I'm going to let you in on a secret. Going to every class every single day is, in theory, a great idea, but is it practical all the time? The answer is no. Here is my special recommendation:
1. Attend all your mandatory classes unless you are throwing up everywhere and or actually dying. Having to go to office hours and do a bunch of extra work for not attending out of laziness is big dumb.
2. Skip the less important classes when and if you feel you can. I was able to skip biology most days because our lectures were posted online daily. I also skipped philosophy and linguistics many times for the same reason! Be smart and don't forget exam dates and due dates if you decide to sleep through class for the 15th time.
3. Take your exams on time!!!! It is a hassle to reschedule the exam with your professor, so just take it when you're supposed to. Push through that hangover if needed, you will make it out alive I promise.
6. Avoiding taking the bus. You are never too cool to utilize campus transportation.
First semester I made the mistake of being that person who was "too good" to take the bus. Man was that stupid! Perks of taking the bus include:
1. Getting extra sleep. Wake up late? Hop on the bus and make it just before class starts.
2. Not having to bear scolding heat, blizzards, or monsoons.
3. Enabling the lazy person you are. Eliminate the extra walking you have to do for the day.
7. Stressing over assignment after assignment
My philosophy is stress is a choice when it comes to school. Stress is a natural thing and all of us encounter many stressors on a daily basis, but school is the one thing I believe you CAN control. Make the conscious decision to not allow anything to get to you. If you have a gigantic paper coming up, acknowledge the fact that you are going to have to write it and move on. Get it started and make some progress, and then get on with your life. Letting an assignment dictate your life and happiness is not something I am about, and I am a much happier person now that I accept everything that comes my way and do not allow it to stress me out.
8. Sitting in your dorm when everyone else is out having fun
Freshman year is the time to have fun and say yes as much as possible. Don't be picky about who you spend your time with, just try to experience as many things as possible. Do not limit yourself to the same three people. Expand your group and be as inclusive as possible! If some girls on your hall are going to lunch and invite you, go! If your guy friend from Communications class wants to study with you at the library, go for it! If your sorority sisters want Waffle House at 2 a.m. on a random Wednesday night, join them. Experience. Experience. Experience.
9. Staying in your comfort zone
You are not the same person you were in high school. Think of coming to college as a rebirth and a completely new beginning. If you were super shy in high school, but want to be more outgoing and social in college, do it and don't feel nervous about it. Nobody knows who you were in the past, so work toward creating the version of yourself you aim to become and roll with it
10. Being a douche to everyone
If you want people to like you, the only piece of advice I have is to not be mean to others. Sounds silly, but the people I like least in college are the ones who think they are too good to be nice to others and treat everyone with respect. Please include others and do not allow anyone to feel like an outsider (unless they're a douche bag and rude, let them be alone). If you can be a decent human and nice to everyone, I promise you will make so many friends and truly love your college experience.
Let's face it. We've all had those days when it's almost impossible to stay awake or focus during lecture. We often find ourselves dozing off or just staring out into space when we really should be paying attention to what's going on in class. Regardless of whether or not you admit this happens, here are 13 thoughts every student has during lecture:
1. "I'm Tired."
Regardless of what time your class is during the day, you definitely have thought about how much you'd rather be in your bed taking a nap than dozing off in class.
2. "How many absences do I have left?"
Six absences and you fail the course? Better schedule in those five for when you really need it. Can I say early Spring Break?
3. "Did we have any homework?"
Why is everyone reaching into their backpacks to get papers? Oh I totally forgot about that five page paper that was due today.
4. "Why is it so cold in here?"
Are they trying to make me freeze?
5. "I'm hungry."
What are those dying whale noises coming from my stomach? What I would do for a burger right now.
6. "What grade do I need to make on the final to get an A?"
I need to make a 96 on the final to get an A in the course? Better just give up now,
7. "What time is it?"
Asking what time it is really means how many more minutes until freedom.
Nothing's worse than when you have to go but can't because the professor just started lecturing on the monohalogenation of alpha carbons and you can't afford to miss that.
12. "This class is so boring."
Why did I sign up for this class in the first place? Oh, because it's a class required to graduate.
13. "I can't wait to take a nap after this."
After a long day of classes, nothing sounds better than crawling back into bed and taking a well-deserved 3 hour nap.
I am fully emersed into diving deep into every single Taylor Swift album, which I do on my own all the time, but wanted to do it in a way where I am sharing what a special discography she has. I feel like 1989 is the perfect place to start, it's an era that changed everything, and will always be an album people automatically think of when you say "Taylor Swift."
Welcome To New York
Not a single song on this record could have better kicked off Taylor's first full-on pop era quite like 'Welcome To New York.' This track is hopeful, and joyous, and encapsulates the dreams people come to chase in New York City, which is a wide-eyed approach to a city that is easy to feel jaded in.
Blank Space
This album is chalked full of some of Taylor's biggest hits, and 'Blank Space' may just be the biggest. This track being the smash-hit it is has always felt like the sweetest version of karma. Taylor penned this track all about the media and their depiction of her as some jet-set woman who plays men and serial dates, and she played into that and it sent her into full-on superstardom. That's my girl!
Style
This song was written purely while Taylor was daydreaming about strutting down a catwalk, I am almost sure of it. 'Style' has the perfect beat to create wind in the hair and act like you're on America's Next Top Model. This song meant everything to me when this record came out and I think is one of the leading reasons 1989 is often referred to as the pop bible.
Out of the Woods
And speaking of why 1989 is referred to as a pop bible, 'Out The Woods' may be the leading reason. I revisit this song often and have not left those listening sessions without feeling like I have found a new line to hang onto. There are so many emotions that flow through this track, there is longing, longing for freedom, for privacy, and there is so much fear, and so much love. I feel like Taylor let us into her world in a whole new with the way she described the role media plays in her relationships.
All You Had To Do Was Stay
I know that some people criticize 'All You Had To Do Was Stay' being a track five, saying the sound is too upbeat. But I've always found it to be a quite heartbreaking song. The premise of having to plead with someone, of saying literally all you had to do was stick around, the bare minimum, is devastating. Don't let the glittery beat fool you!
Shake It Off
I think everyone on the planet may know this song. It's taken on such a life of its own, and become one of those songs that is synonymous with pop music. From the beat to Taylor's playful lyrics where she pokes fun at the people who poke fun at her, this song is the hit of all hits. Also, nothing is as fun as being in a room with thousands of other people at a Taylor Swift show singing and dancing along to this track.
I Wish You Would
Top three on 1989, and I will take no questions! This song just scratches a part of my brain that I didn't know needed to be scratched. I think as far as this album goes, this is the best chorus. And I will die on that hill. I will always be a 'I Wish You Would' defender.
Taylor Swift - Bad Blood (Taylor's Version) (Lyric Video)
The OG music video for this song was my Joker when it came out. It was that serious to me. Similarly to 'Blank Space' and 'Shake It Off' this song became bigger than I am sure even Taylor was ever expecting and is now one of those songs that people automatically think of when they think of Taylor Swift.
Wildest Dreams
This song in any romantic movie ever, automatically makes it ten times better. 'Wildest Dreams' is both sultry and sweet, giving me everything I had ever wanted out of this sound from a Taylor pop album, and this was one of the first times we got to see this side of Taylor.
How You Get The Girl
She wrote y'all a playbook! There are no excuses! This bubble-gum pop track, which is filled with so many great lyrical moments has been an album highlight for me since my very first listen, and judging by how I just danced around my room, it still is!
This Love
"This Love' is a bit of a paradox in a song. There is both a positive take on this while feeling utterly heartbreaking all at once. Taylor going through the list of all the things that this love is, on both ends of a spectrum, is such a beautiful element of the track.
I Know Places
'I Know Places' was our first taste of this darker sound that could have easily fit on Reputation. This song followed suite of a few other songs on this record and shined the mirror back on the media, and painted herself as feeling hunted by them. Saying she has to jump through hoops to keep things private. It's a sad reality, and I can't even imagine now, in 2024, how that has intensified given she's the biggest artist in the world, and only getting bigger.
Clean
This song breaks me, I don't think I have ever listened without ugly crying. That feeling of being out of a toxic situation and feeling so emotionally drained, feeling like you're drowning, but then looking around and realizing despite the pain, the hope of a better tomorrow is finally there, that is just a freeing experience. 'Clean' will forever hold such a special place in my heart.
Wonderland
Having a Taylor Swift song chalked full of Alice in Wonderland references still makes my Disney-loving heart so happy. This is one where I find new things I love about it all of the time. The production gets better with every listen, it's a true smash.
You Are In Love
I like to pretend this song isn't about Lena and Jack, personally. 'You Are In Love' is one of, in my opinion, one of the most beautifully written tracks of all time. I do indeed cry every time the line "pauses then says, you're my best friend" is uttered.
New Romantics
Before Taylor's Version, this was the OG ending track to the 1989 era, and it is beyond perfect. This song is indeed a heartbreak anthem, and you don't feel heartbroken for one moment when you are singing and dancing along to the track. Another track that is pure joy when it's performed live.
Slut!
As soon as 'Slut!' started I knew we were in for a flawless 5-track run of vault tracks. This track takes a close look at how the media has treated Taylor over the years and is finally her saying that she is going to let people think what they want, but that she is going to continue to operate as though no commentary is being given.
Say Don't Go
'Say Don't Go' wasn't initially my favorite track out of the vault tracks, but has definitely grown on me and become a song that holds its own with these other four stellar additions to a ffront-to-backperfect album. I don't go back to this one as much as the other tracks, but that could change at any time.
Now That We Don't Talk
This song perfectly describes what it's like to watch an ex from afar and ponder if not talking, if being apart is for the best. There are two sides of the coin Taylor talks about, on one side she's saying she's watching this person change into someone who she doesn't recognize, someone who "looks like they are trying life on," someone who she doesn't recognize, and on the other side of the coin she's looking at it as a positive thing by saying that at least she doesn't have to continue to be the one pretending to enjoy all these things she did to fit with him.
Suburban Legends
This song belongs on in a coming-of-age soundtrack. The idea of being meant to be frozen in time, meant to be those people that everyone from your hometown knows about, that everyone talks about, that is very Paper Towns, Margo Roth Spiegelman coded. This track should have been on the OG version, teenage me would have made myself the main character with this as the soundtrack.
Is It Over Now?
One of the best songs in Taylor's discography (the highest compliment a song could receive) and of the best pop songs ever released. Is It Over Now? is simply just THAT girl! I can not believe Taylor kept a song this good locked away for all these years, but I am also so glad this song was waiting for us with this release. A slam dunk if there ever was one. She could not have waved goodbye to the 1989 era with a better song.
