Live Laugh Love the Library

 Exciting news!! Today I visited my local library and signed up for my first ever library card! Libraries are absolutely amazing and they have more to offer than just books. If you've never looked into the resources your local library, or libraries, have to offer, I highly recommend it. My library allows card holders to check out 30 items at a time, for three weeks at a time! Libraries usually have a long list of items available to the public depending on the location. These items may include DVDs, musical instruments, outdoor or sports gear, board games, craft supplies, technology, kitchen supplies and equipment, sleep machines, toys, litter clean up kits, telescopes, and SO much more! Library websites can provide a detailed list of all available items and how to obtain them for use. 

For my readers, you can also use your library card for the app Libby. Libby can be used from your phone or Kindle, which provides access to ebooks and audiobooks for FREE! With popular books you may have to wait up to several weeks but you can add yourself to a waitlist through the Libby app and you will be notified once the item is available! 

Additionally, libraries hold events for people of all ages! Recently I took a little boy I babysit to a music class for toddlers! Other typical events or programs are language learning classes, arts classes, career coaching appointments, storytellings, social groups, movies, etc.! If you're looking to get involved with your community this is the perfect way! 

If you don't have a library card, this is your sign to get one! It takes less than five minutes! Now that I am a proud owner and have downloaded the Libby app, please send me some book recommendations!! 

The Perfect Sunday

 Sundays can be controversial. Some love it, others find it somewhat difficult. The "Sunday Scaries" are something we all feel in one way or another. In undergrad I dreaded the final rest day before five consecutive days of work, school, papers, projects, classes, etc. Now, I'm preparing for the transition into a five day work week, which hopefully will be less stressful than my college days. If you're like me then you don't feel mentally prepared if everything around you looks or feels like a mess. When I start a new week, travel, or simply exist, I like to feel calm and collected. I've managed to plan the perfect Sunday to prepare for the week and relax! 

Step 1: Sleep in! The majority of the time you have to wake up early, enjoy the two days of the week you have the opportunity to get a few extra hours of needed rest. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend sleeping until noon, but let yourself get up with enough time to accomplish the following without rushing. 

Step 2: Wake up slowly. Stretch, breathe, and plan what you need to do. I like to have a few minutes each morning to check my email, scroll on TikTok, and allow myself to become fully aware of what's going on. After waking up, grab a coffee or whatever drink sounds the most refreshing, and add some breakfast too. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it's usually overlooked on busy mornings. 

Step 3: Clean up your space(s). I cannot function in a messy or cluttered area, especially when I want to relax or get work done. Tidying up first removes the stress of having to clean before bed and allows you to feel more refreshed and relax as you continue to mark things off your to-do list. 

Step 4: Run your errands. Have to pick up a prescription? Need groceries? Complete all of this in the late morning or early afternoon when most people are at lunch or elsewhere. If you don't have anything to do, have a date with yourself! This could be picking up a coffee, taking a walk, buying yourself flowers, whatever makes you feel like you! Always appreciate yourself and your hard work! 

Step 5: When you return home, find a comfortable stopping place for last week's unfinished work or this week's upcoming work. After treating yourself you should be in a good mood to get the "hard" part over with. For me, I typically did all of the small tasks for my job on Sunday so I didn't have to worry about it throughout the week. If I felt like it, I also worked on meeting my assignment goals or personal writing goals depending on the deadlines. 

Step 5: Relax! If you need a brain break, watch an episode of your comfort TV show or a movie. I usually do this when I begin to wind down for the day. 

Step 6: Everything shower! I'm a firm believer in "look good, feel good". That doesn't necessarily mean putting on a full face of makeup, but every now and then I like to shave my legs, take a bath, do a hair mask, etc. Everything showers make me feel ready for the week and extra hygienic, which for whatever reason, makes me more productive. This is the perfect time to do the maintenance I don't have time for during the week. After I take my personalized everything shower, I like to blow dry my hair and do a hairstyle that will last until my next hair wash day. Sometimes this is braids or heatless curls, whatever works best for your schedule! 

Step 7: Be creative! Being on your phone or electronics can make the "Sunday Scaries" even worse as you anticipate the upcoming week. Take a half-hour or a few hours to do something that feels like YOU! I like to switch it up being reading, DIY-ing, or journaling. I prefer to reach this step around 6pm and after dinner, so I have at least 3 hours to do whatever I want before the 9-10pm bedtime. 

Step 8: Have a cup of tea! Before bed I always like to relax with a nice warm cup of tea and a sweet treat. Warm tea, no matter the season, relaxes me. My current favorite is peppermint tea! After this, I start to wind down for bed, brush my teeth, etc. 

Remember: go at your own pace. Feel free to switch these steps up, remove things, add things, whatever fits your lifestyle. I am personally a homebody so I like to spend most of the day in my own space before dealing with society all week! I hope you've enjoyed this semi-schedule, let me know how it goes for you!