“Everything that’s broke, leave it to the breeze.”

While driving to a meeting today I heard “Let It Go” by James Bay for the first time… and I needed it. Recently I’ve made major changes to my life for my health, both physically and mentally. What I didn’t think I’d still be struggling with is losing my best friend because I didn’t take the time to support myself which in turn disintegrated our relationship, but every day I find ways to cope with the change and turn it into something positive.

As someone ridden anxiety and depression I find myself at opposite ends of the spectrum, often lingering on the past and being worried about the future, but never really immersing myself in what’s happening now. I’ve realized it is so incredibly important to make time for self care regardless of how busy I am and that I need to continue to do things that move me forward. While still making plenty of time to be alone and relax, I’ve also surrounded myself with my sorority sisters and one of my roommates, making sure that I don’t isolate myself from the world entirely.

When I felt like I had lost it all, I discovered so much power in myself to push through and focus… ending up with a straight-A semester, something I had never before accomplished in my college career. When you hit rock-bottom, you have the opportunity to rebuild yourself, revive yourself. Did listening to “Rivival” make it a little easier? You bet it did. I may have also chosen to get a tattoo to mark my self-rediscovery.

I challenge you to focus on yourself this Valentine’s weekend and from here on out. You cannot be the best you for someone else if you don’t. While we cannot determine what the future will hold, we can prepare ourselves for it, even if it’s a little bit at a time.

#PlanWithMeChallenge 2016

Rather than compiling my usual end-of-year post, this year I have chosen to focus on the present and the future. The past year was a huge learning curve for me in nearly every aspect of my life, and I’d rather not linger on memories that are painful to me right now or hash them out on the internet.

That being said, equipped with my brand new 6 month Plum Paper Student Planner, I have taken on the #PlanWithMeChallenge along with one of my sorority sisters who subsequently added me to a pile of Facebook groups filled with fellow planner-lovers. I believe there is nothing my stockpile of pens, my planner, and I cannot tackle this year.

Interested in joining the challenge? Check out the prompts here and join the Facebook group here. I’ve found planning to be a really relaxing thing for me because of my hectic schedule and dance with anxiety. Whatever you’re doing to better yourself this year, consider planning it. Be a goal digger like me!

 

A Special Place To Be

Just over two months ago, I found myself driving to Indiana University for a session of the Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute. While I have spent a lot of time pondering the future of my school’s Panhellenic and the future of my chapter, it wasn’t until UIFI that I realized what a special place I am in not only in my school’s Fraternity & Sorority Life system, but in my chapter.

The week ran very similarly to the format of LeaderShape, which I attended a national session of last summer; the week that really turned things around for me. But this week at UIFI was exclusively Greek-focused and brought to light many challenges I had been lucky enough not to face. However, if you know my school and are familiar with our FSL system, it is not without flaws and not void of future challenges as we grow at an incredible rate. The growth of our community is beautiful. Do I think Greek life is for everyone? No. But I do believe in it, and believe it can do amazing things for its members and the community. Activities, challenges, reflections, and invigorating discussions led me to a place of self-discovery.

If you know me personally, you probably know that I’ve been in a sorority since my first semester of college. You might also know we were recently absorbed by Delta Zeta, and my what a journey it has been! Becoming a part of an international network of sisters has been mind-blowing and the support they have given us is beyond words. In fact, it was thanks to The Delta Zeta Foundation that I was even able to attend UIFI! As founding sisters of our chapter, we are in a position of responsibility not only to our future sisters, but to our community to set the standard for excellence. At UIFI, I realized that I am a special position on our executive board… I am my chapter’s first VP of New Member Education. I have the opportunity to guide our first group of new members through the beginning of their Delta Zeta journeys.

This task is not light, but I’m treasuring every second of it. It won’t be long until recruitment is over and I’m responsible for a roomful of young women. Women that will become leaders, make a difference in their communities, and exude Delta Zeta values. Women that enjoy giving back to their communities, are patient with one another, and have the courage to stand up for what is right.

UIFI connected me with fellow Greek leaders, challenged my thinking, and helped me realize my vision for our chapter and Fraternity & Sorority life everywhere. I didn’t think I could love Greek life anymore than I already did, but I was wrong. Together, we are stronger than the mistakes of our peers and the slander of the media. Together, we can make the world a better place. Commit yourself to excellence and knowing why you do what you do.

DZLAM

2014 in Review

One word: wow. What an insane year 2014 has been. No matter how hard I try or what plans I make, each year continues to constantly keep me on my toes. It’s almost hard to remember everything that happened in the beginning of the year, but a lot of thought and sifting through many unflattering photos has helped me create this conglomerate of a post of memories and accomplishments.

An Overly-Involved Spring

I finished my Spring semester with Spotify, once again fulfilling their Campus Influencer requirements (a program that has seemed to be discontinued, but was definitely great while it lasted). I had a lot of fun working with MRY, and would definitely recommend them for student brand ambassador programs, seems they run a lot of them these days!

The contestants of our first Mr. Pink Pageant and myself

I was no stranger to non-profit work this spring as I finished out my term as the Event Coordinator for our collegiate Relay For Life, founded and coordinated our sorority’s first Mr. Pink Pageant, a male competition to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and had the opportunity to work as the Mid-Atlantic intern for Music Saves Lives, an organization that (among other things) rewards blood donors with VIP experiences at their favorite concerts such as the Vans Warped Tour. Ohhhh, sweet Warped Tour! As MSL’s intern, I got to switch up my usual summer routine and do a handful of dates working with them for the tour this summer! I was reunited with a bunch of my friends from years past, did a lot of people watching, and of course saw some great performances.

I got my fill of BBQ, new friends, and adventure this Spring by traveling to Austin, Texas for the music portion South by Southwest where I was lucky enough to work on a production crew! I wrote a little about this experience here, but I hope to come back in 2015 with more written about a week of (finally legal) margaritas, good music, and pulled-pork burritos covered in queso.

Sorority Life

Where do I even begin? At the end of 2013, my active “family tree” consisted of only four women. By the end of Spring we had grown to six on our branch. I was blessed with two more incredible littles, and as of the end of Fall 2014, a total of 13 women fall under my branch… bringing us to a whopping 14. Our entire chapter has been blessed with our final new member class before extension into a national organization. The strength, growth, and love that all of these wonderful ladies have exuded as we prepare for this transition has truly shown me what sisterhood is all about, and I couldn’t be more proud of Chi Delta Epsilon’s success.

In 2014 I was elected as the VP of Communications for our University’s first Sorority Council, which has now been chartered as a Collegiate Panhellenic Association. Our community may be small, but it sure is mighty. Mighty in talent, support, and willingness to grow. I am truly blessed to say that I have friends I would consider my own sisters in every single one of our chapters. This Fall, I disaffiliated from my chapter to be a Rho Gamma and although it was challenging, it solidified the bond I have with members outside of my sorority. I was recently elected to serve as the 2015 VP of Finance and I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge and continue to better our community.

My Little Emily and I with Ethan Zohn at CSU’s Annual Leadership Conference

LeaderShape(d)

One event that truly shaped (no pun intended) my year was my experience at a national session of LeaderShape, in the middle-of-nowhere Illinois. I wrote about it here, and it was an experience that I will never forget. I hope to one day work further with the LS team, as their mission truly resonates with me. In just six days I learned so much about myself, others, and gained a bunch of new friends across the country that I still keep in touch with to this day. LeaderShape was just one of many fantastic leadership experiences I had this year, including meeting Ethan Zohn (pictured right).

My Best Friend Became An Airman

Though reluctant to let her go at first, I knew that joining the Air Force was the best choice for my number one, my partner in crime, my sister. I spent every moment I could with her this summer before she shipped off to BMT, and now she’s basking in the California sunshine at her technical school. The hope is that I’ll get to visit her in March for her 21st birthday, but this girl means the world to me and I can’t think of anyone else who would be more deserving of their own section in my end of year re-cap post. Thank you, Nicole, for always being my go-to, my confidant, my sounding board. I am so proud of you.

I Sold Many Shirts

Among my musical adventures, I got to merchandise for the inaugural Fashion Meets Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio, the Weapons of Mass Creation Festival in Cleveland, and sling some shirts for Neulore one night of their tour with Ingrid Michaelson. With these shirts came new friends, good music, and lots of memories. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in these opportunities, and I hope that 2015 brings a few more for fun as well!

Green Turned Gold

As if going to school full time, working part time, and being a part of sorority life wasn’t enough, I took on the task of being an Events Coordinator for the University’s 50th Homecoming celebration. I had the support of an amazing co-coordinator, PSA/SAA members, and an oh-so-helpful marketing chair to make it through the week. I even got to meet Norris Cole of the Miami Heat! From tie-dyed hands to fire dancers, this experience helped me come to love our school even more, and I can’t wait to help the next committee out-do us.

I Got Some Ink Blasted Into My Foot

The day I got my tattoo!

This September I got my first tattoo while my soul sister and fellow blogger, Micaela, held my hand. The top of my right foot is now ingrained with “Love every step” by the oh-so-sweet Liz at Kollective Studio in Tremont. The desire for this piece came from my love of travel and hope to put compassion into the world everywhere I go. It’s a nice little reminder of one of my core values and Liz did an amazing job.

Things Got Wild

2014 was full of great friends, adventures, and late nights. In and out of Greek life, I am so fortunate to be surrounded by individuals who help me forget all the negative things in my life. They drag me out when necessary or are the first to sign up for nights of crafting when staying in is my best bet.

Making CLE My Home

This summer, I moved into a house with some of my friends to a side of town I’d hardly visited before.  I bought myself a new bed and found a little more of my independence. Living in an apartment with one of my sisters the year before was nothing short of a blast, but my new living arrangements really make me feel more at home. My roommates are rambunctious, funny, and have shown me that it really doesn’t matter how full or empty the glass is, as long as there’s a drink in it. I can finally say that after two and a half years, Cleveland really feels like home now. I don’t know what my post-graduation plans are, but for now I’m so happy with where I am.

How has your year been? What are you looking forward to in 2015?

You can now follow me with Bloglovin!

Yippee! I’ve joined the world of bloglovin’, where you can keep up with your favorite blogs in one seamless site or app. A perfect little package will arrive in your email every day (if you so choose) with updates from the blogs you follow and bloglovin’ will even recommend some new blogs for you to check out!

You can click that new sparkly plus button on the right side of my page or simply visit http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13345751 to add me to your collection of blogs you like to read.

If you’re a fellow blogger, make sure to claim your blog on bloglovin’ and make it easier for your readers to access everything you post! I’m already so thankful for this wonderful creation and it’s great for discovering new blogs. I can’t wait to see what you’re writing!

TMI tag!

With the hope that I will spend more time building my blog, and that such a desire will lead to many Starbucks blogging dates with Micaela, she tagged me to do a questionnaire post similar to something you’d see in the bulletins section of MySpace.

That being said, this is going to be long, so click below at your own risk.

The Liebster

Quite awhile back,  I discovered that my high school friend and fabulous blogger, Taylor, nominated this blog for The Liebster Award, which is given to bloggers by other bloggers. I put off publishing this post because I didn’t have enough (and still don’t… who needs rules?) individuals to nominate. It’s a great way to connect with new bloggers and welcome them to the blogosphere.

 Here are the rules:

1. Link back to the blogger who nominated you.

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you by the blogger who nominated you.

3. Nominate 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers.

4. Go to the blogs you nominated and notify them of your nomination.

5. Give your nominees 11 questions to answer.

These are the questions Taylor left for me and their subsequent answers:

1. Why did you start blogging? I began blogging throughout high school because I have always been able to process things better after writing them out. I started this blog to polish my thoughts a little more and to connect with others who may be experiencing some of the same things.
2. What drives you?  The endless possibilities I see in my future are what force me out of bed each and every day. I know that what I do has the potential to affect other people, and that better days always lie ahead. I get so excited to think about all of the things I want to do in my life, even when I’m the most stressed out and think I can’t go through another day.
3. What is your favorite iPhone app? Hmmm, I would probably have to say Spotify. Having so much music at my fingertips is one of my favorite luxuries. With their student discount on Premium, it’s kind of a no-brainer.
4. What is the one piece of clothing/accessory you cannot live without? Probably my nose ring, whether it’s one of my hoops or just a stud, it’s definitely become a part of me in the past two years.
5. What is a quote that inspires you? My senior quote was, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” I try to remember that constantly, and it’s really kept me grounded. You don’t become good at something because it’s easy. You become good at it because you work hard, overcome obstacles, and welcome challenges.
6. Name a song that has been stuck in your head recently. Inside Out –  Eve 6
7. What do you think sets your writing apart from other bloggers? I try to tie in my personal experiences with things that everyone can relate to and get something out of. I definitely write for myself, but after my internship at CL, I am more in-tune with my ability to write for an audience.
8. Name a goal you’d like to attain in the next year. Each semester I typically have a break down and want to move and completely change my life. I survived this fall without one, but with a lot of determination. By adding my minor, it’s going to take me the full four years to graduate from CSU, and I really want these last two years to be happy and positive.
9. What is your favorite thing about yourself? I like to think that I am a really giving and compassionate person. I go out of my way for other people all the time and learn a little more each day about how to communicate better and create better relationships.
10. What is your favorite Starbucks drink? (Not a fan? Tell us why) Honestly, it depends on the season. An iced caramel macchiato is always a safe bet for me, but in the summer I love raspberry PTLs, peach green teas, or even just GTLs. I’m a sucker for Pumpkin Spice lattes when they roll around, or a good triple white peppermint mocha. I am a die-hard caffeine addict. Coffee, tea, or diet soda (oops)… I’m all about it.
11. How would you describe yourself using only five words? Ambitious, compassionate, open, sensitive, funny.

The blogs I am nominating today are:

1. Megan Rambles
2. Wish I Were Here

Here are your 11 questions:

1. What is your go-to stress relief?
2. What song has been stuck in your head lately?
3. Who is your biggest influence?
4. Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
5. Share a goal you’d like to attain in the next year:
6. What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? The last thing before you go to bed?
7. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
8. When did you start blogging and why?
9. Share your must-have beauty product:
10. Finish this sentence: “My favorite place I’ve ever visited is…”
11. What’s your favorite animal and why?

I started this in April. Save yourself the embarrassment and just do it now.

Under Construction

As 2015 approaches, I’ll be making lots of changes to the blog and creating my own editorial calendar so I can bring you great content. That being said, I’ll be tinkering with layouts and coding, so if something looks wonky or just isn’t working right, please forgive me!

How a week in the middle of nowhere changed my life:

I recently spent a week at a “little” 1,500 acre mansion estate in the woods of Illinois that will forever hold a special place in my heart. I attended a national session of LeaderShape, a 6 day intensive leadership institute that was (without a doubt) one of the best experiences of my life.

Going into this program, I wouldn’t have believed you if you had told me I’d be crying as the last day came to a close. I can’t (and won’t) give you a run-down of what every single day entailed or a play-by-play of every single interaction, but I will say that I am not the same person since my return. I am better, know what I am about, and I am going to continue to build on everything I learned from the curriculum and others there.

If you translate the title of my blog from French to English, it will read: as she grows. I don’t want to stay in the same place, doing the same things, being the same ol’ person. I fully acknowledged growth as one of my core values while I was at LeaderShape. I want to always seek adventure, inner-harmony, and seek to learn whether it’s textbook knowledge or information about others.

I know that my LeaderShape family will hold me accountable as much as possible to live up to my core and supporting values, but I think it’s right for the world to know, too. These are the things that speak to me.

• Leadership
• Truth/Honesty
• Accountability
• Service
• Compassion
  • Acceptance
  • Authenticity
  • Growth
    • Adventure
    • Inner-Harmony
    • Learning

I’m still baffled in the ways I connected with at least 60 people in a mere 6 days. Not just my family cluster, the Broccoli Posse, but facilitators and other student leaders from across the nation. We were challenged, vulnerable, open to ideas, and mindful of others. We learned about ourselves, each other, and furthered our organizational communication skills. I am so proud of everyone I shared this experience with, as they are all truly incredible. It doesn’t matter if you’re a part of Greek life, student government, or a member of  another organization. You can be a leader, your ideas matter, and you have the capability to change the world.

Here’s to living every day like it’s Day 7!

Making Peace with Imperfection

Today I returned to school from Spring Break, a week of adventures that I spent in Austin, Texas for South By Southwest. My friend Taylor recently returned to her school from her break in London and Paris. While Taylor and I have always seemed to live different lives, the more I read her blog Pinstripes & Lipgloss, the more I realize how alike we truly are. This post was the latest in the world of those realizations.

If there’s anything I love in this world besides music, it’s travel. I am able to love something about every place I go, and although I have been known to over-pack a time or two… or twelve… it’s extremely crucial that even when there is business to be done that we travel without excess anxieties. As I packed my bag for SXSW I checked the weather, debated what hooded sweatshirt to bring, folded everything so it would fit just right, and repeatedly double checked my folder for the notes I would need to complete my take-home negotiation midterm exam. I was beyond excited to get out of town and being chosen for pre-check at security was icing on the cake. Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled to be sitting at the gate an extra hour after we boarded my final plane from Chicago to Austin.

During my stay in Austin my clothes began to sprawl across the floor, I was barely making progress on my exam, I had acquired a sunburn and endured a soaking wet walk to home base. When I had time, I reorganized my things, did laundry and washed everyone’s towels. What I came to understand is that it’s okay to be running around exhausted sometimes. It’s okay to run home and change, throw on lipstick, and brave 6th street until the wee hours of the morning and then do it all over again the next day. It’s also okay to grab a pulled pork sandwich, eat it on the curb, and then go home with one of your friends to catch a few extra hours of sleep.

This past week is just another for the books, and many of you lived it with me through social media; everything from new friends and delicious food to running through BNA and struggling to finish my midterm before class this morning. But these stories are the ones I will tell for the rest of my life, the good and the bad. I’m constantly trying to accept that not everything goes according to plan and to pick up the pieces when I have a moment to breathe. And sometimes, the pieces can wait because I need a nap, and that’s okay, too. So as Taylor says, I’m going to try and take my luggage with me and leave my baggage behind on a daily basis. When you focus on the tasks at hand and take on the world one step at a time, you will appreciate it more, no matter where you are.