Mid-Semester Update/Reminder to Appreciate Small Things

So far, this semester has been a blessing and a curse. I guess that is pretty typical for college. I have been so busy that the weeks seem to fly by, and I hardly have time to just stop and appreciate small things. This post is a reminder, to me and to you, to stop and remember the small things.

This weekend was especially busy. I finished my run as costume mistress for our production of John Cariani's Almost Maine at Fletcher Collin's, and rehearsed for Robin Hood is Dead a wonderful new play by Paul Menzer which will be having its world premier (fancy!) later this month.

I have a lot of big things to look forward to this fall. My thesis is started to come together at last, and I am about to start working on the bulk of it (wish me luck!)
Auditions for a really great play are coming up next month, which I am already preparing for. Also, Jeremy and I might have found our dream house (which we will try and rent if it is still available by the time we are financially able to start moving -- hopefully before Christmas!)

But those are all big things -- wonderful things! But big things. I want to also list a few of the small things. There are a lot of them, but I will mention just a few from the past week.

Making new friends, and strengthening old ones -- this is something I noticed happen today. It was just a conversation, a hug, a smile, but it was worth SO much.

The flowers on the side of the road (I took an awesome picture of them).

Fall in Staunton is too beautiful for me to explain, it's truly an experience. This town is so lovely.

Making art for Mab's Drawlloween Club!

The people who like and support my art. It honestly means so much, even just a simple comment or "like" on Instagram.

The people who compliment my clothes. It makes me feel like a million bucks. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way so I try and return the favor whenever I can.

Evan Peters. He is just so good and talented, like damn.

My boyfriend Jeremy. He is okay, I guess. ;)
He also sends me pictures of Alastor, which make me SO happy.

Raspberry Zinger tea from Celestial Seasonings. Seriously, I love that shit.

Also, I just ordered the fabric for my Halloween costume! I will make a post about the process of making my costume once it is finished (so probably some time next month) stay tuned!

I feel like I need to keep this blog updated with more of my personal stuff, not just my poetry and writing (not that I plan to give that any less attention!) If all goes as planned, there will be more posts like this one in the future. :)

Lots of Love,

- Lissa

Home at Last

Staunton, Virginia has become such a home to me over the past three years. It's beautiful, and mountainous, and full of creative people. It is also the first place I have established myself independent from anyone else. My sheets are on the bed, my rugs are on the floor, my knives and spoons and forks are in the drawer, etc.
It's funny how mesmerized I get by the idea of my own independence, the physical manifestations of it that I see every day. It's also ironic, because obviously I'm not here living completely independent from everything else! I have such an amazing support group at college which I don't know if I will ever be able to find again. I have friends who will pick me up when my car breaks down (Emily saved my butt that night), or buy me a cup of tea (too many of you to count), or give me granola bars and cookies when I'm running low on breakfast food (thanks Layla!)

But I think that's how life should be: A healthy mix of looking after one another and being looked after.

- Liss

Staring Down Senior Year

It is the beginning of the end. I'm starting my last year of college tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited.

So, before I lose myself in the finale of Game of Thrones tonight and make preparations for class tomorrow, I thought I might step back a little and write down some of my goals for this year. This is a public blog, y'all are gonna hold me accountable.

Goal #1: Stay ahead of readings

Too often I put off required readings until a few days or a week before the due date. I need to stop doing that. I have a lot to read this semester which means I will need to bury my nose in a book as much as possible in my spare time and not procrastinate. This is always easier said than done, but there are things I can do to help myself, such as cutting off my phone during study time, not reading in bed (so I don't feel drowsy), and just generally not spending so much time on social media (except maybe this blog and my instagram).

Goal #2: Stay positive

I have a very bad habit of doubting myself, and over-analyzing situations. I also suffer from anxiety and mild depression and occasionally I am just overwhelmed with bad feelings no matter what I do, but there are a few things I can do to try and manage my emotions better, and I need to remember them and use them.

Goal #3 Leave some time for ME TIME

Only recently have I begun to take my own self care seriously. It is important to get sleep, lots of water, and do things that I enjoy such as reading a "just-for-fun" book, watching a tv show, sewing or photography. It's also very important to have days where I just hermit, and do not talk or see anyone if I don't want to. This helps me feel less drained when I have to pull myself back into social situations again.

Goal #4 Communicate

This is something I have a hard time with because, as I said before, anxiety is a thing. Regardless, I need to be able to communicate my needs and ideas effectively to others, and not let my anxiety inhibit me from reaching my full potential. I also need to make sure I allow myself time to talk to the people I love. I get very busy between work and school and I sometimes forget to talk to Jeremy, or my parents, or my friends for days and days. Human beings, even introverted, anxious human beings, need to emotionally connect with other people.

Goal #5 Put one foot in front of the other...

Looking at the big picture can be overwhelming, but take it piece by piece and it is surprising how much can be accomplished in a short period of time. I started making lists last year of every task I needed to accomplish during the day and not only did it help me keep track of what needed to be done, it also kept my anxiety levels way down which improved the quality of my work and my general mental/physical health too!


If you fine readers have any suggestions on how to keep on top of things during college, please share! I will probably add more goals to this list as they come to me, and I will be honest about my progress towards achieving them, even if I'd rather not say. ;)

- Liss