So I decided to turn to my pal Nikki for some encouragement. She was the only reason I finally got my but out of my little burrow to actually do something about my stress.
So I first started packing my books. I don't have many books but there are a few books that I tote around with me everywhere. One book is newer but it brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. It is a children's book called "I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck". This is something my mom picked up from her LDS church mission in England. When I first returned to school this year in January I was terrified to re-embark on this educational journey and I leaned on my family a lot (I still do but not quite as much). Especially my mom. That first semester I think I received 3 large care packages. One of which contained this book. I read it and cried my eyes out. It is a new book, but a very old, near, and dear sentiment to my heart and something that I will pass on to my children.
After packing my books I moved on to miscellaneous things such as belts and my printer and pieces of furniture. One piece of furniture is a side table that my sister gave to me a while ago when I was living on my own. It is an older style table but I love it. When I was moving back to Idaho I really wanted to paint it black but I could never find the time. One day I came home from work and my dad had completely sanded it, and painted it the perfect shade of black. It was better than I imagined! But that is the way my father has always shown me his love. By doing acts of service unsolicited. He is an incredible example of silent love. His actions speak louder than words in every good way possible. I will always keep that table in my home.
Then I began packing my clothes. Oh boy I have so many clothes and I don't even realize it! I think every girl does and doesn't fully become aware of it until she moves. It is slightly embarrassing. Now if you know anything about girls it is that they are very attached to their wearable art, their fashion, their style, self-expression. Girls have to fell secure in them selves an by expressing themselves through their clothes comes so many different personalities and attitudes. Now there isn't a particular piece of clothing that I am attached to but through my journey the past 2 years I lost my sense of self. I lost parts of me that I truly loved. Now I love fashion but not in the conventional trendy way. I am never out of style but I definitely have my own style and I lost that for a long time but going through my clothes I rediscovered parts of me that I have truly missed. (Silly sentiment but to a girl this is very important.)
I have also realized through going through what is under my bed just how many blankets I own and devices to ensure my temperate comfort. I think I have 6 blankets, a heated blanket, 2 comforters, and a space heater and if I am hot I have a fan. Am I spoiled or what?! There are so many people in this world who would kill for the kind of comfort that I know! It is small to most Americans but I feel so blessed.
I still have to pack up my kitchen materials and my bathroom essentials. I am pretty broke right now with having to buy books and other start of the semester amenities and I have been complaining like an ungrateful American because I am actually having to eat the canned food I try to avoid. Oh no what a tragedy right?! Well I am realizing tonight just how grateful I am for those canned pears and packaged soups. I will never go hungry. That is an incredible blessing.
Anyways, I think something that I am going to try and do this semester is to simplify my life as much as possible and live with only what I need with a few extras here and there. It is going to be hard for me but it makes you have a much greater perspective on things. Maybe that could be something that will be especially applicable as the Holiday season approaches. Simplify your life and learn to appreciate what is before you.
