Get Your Poop in a Group

Just around the corner is my college graduation date. I've recently accepted a full-time job and obtained my real estate license. I have plans to move out of my parents' home for good in the near future, have begun building credit, and will start a 401k this month. I'm realizing that I'm not 16 anymore. The "real world" that I've been preparing for is no longer at a distance. It's here!

It's time for me to get my poop in a group. If you're in a place like I am, or you've been conducting the struggle-bus for a bit, maybe it's time you do so too! However, I realize that this is often easier said than done. Even in the times that I've appeared to have it all together, I'm often drowning on the inside, while managing to put on a show for everyone else.

So, where did I even begin?

Over the past few weeks, I've held myself accountable for some little things. I've never been one to jump into the deep end of the pool, without wading around in the water for a bit first, so I didn't think taking on a whole bunch of organizational and goal-oriented tasks right away would be wise. I think this was a good call on my part. In my own case, I started with a few, simple tasks that I could try to hold myself to do each day.

First, I started with a nighttime routine. Not only did it help me unwind, but it eliminated other stressors from my life, like unnecessary breakouts from not washing my face, or running late the next morning for work because my clothes weren't out of the dryer yet. By doing these things the night before, I was able to prepare myself for sleep and future success. It wasn't fool-proof, and I've definitely skipped out on the nighttime routine (or at least some elements of it) a few times, but I've proven to myself that it really does help, which will motivate me to try to stay on top of it.

The next thing I tackled was getting organized for school. It's my last semester, I'm stuck taking all my classes on my laptop, and to be honest, I had pretty much checked out before school even started. Realizing how my poor effort was beginning to affect my grades and my attitude though, I started prioritizing my schoolwork. I broke out my planner and started writing my assignments. For some people, it seems comical that I wasn't already doing this, but if you know, you know. I stopped trying to make my planner fancy and just another chore on my list. Instead, I simply wrote in my assignments with an open box next to them. If you're anything like me, that stupid, open box will be all the motivation you need. Boy, do I hate to make a to-do list and NOT check all the empty boxes! This was all it took to get me motivated. I am now halfway through the semester and right back on track to not only graduating in December but possibly even with honors.

The last little piece of advice I have for getting your poop in a group is to choose some kind of healthy habit that will make your body feel its best. I'm not talking about a complete lifestyle overhaul, because for me, that isn't realistic. Instead, I challenged myself to drink the recommended amount of water for someone my size, age, and activity level. Knowing that I had a goal to meet, I'd often start my morning with a tall glass, and it woke me up more than my coffee has been lately. I wasn't having low energy as frequently as before, and it unintentionally made me want to make additional healthy choices throughout my day. I can't think of a simpler but more effective change to make to your life if this isn't something you're already doing.

After a few weeks of doing these things, I've had the energy and capacity to begin incorporating other changes into my life. I've started exercising more routinely again, and my savings account has never looked so nice. I wouldn't say I've got everything under complete control, but I'm feeling less anxious these days, knowing that I'm on the right track. I encourage anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by life right now to start doing something, anything, that will alleviate your stress. As I said, it doesn't have to be a complete overhaul. No one is asking you to do a 180 on your life by tomorrow. But I promise, even the smallest of things might be exactly what you need to get the ball rolling on the things you want to achieve and the way you want to feel. It's time to get your poop in a group!