First of all: yay. I haven't had a shopping trip this productive in a long time. The guy from Forver21 ended up holding my clothes and reserving me a fitting room. The next day, Saturday, I also ended up shopping with my friend Shelby and her friends from her internship program.
Try everything on. I'm notorious for buyer's remorse and not having my clothes fit. Ask my mom. Everything I bought, I tried on. This took more time but at least I tried before I bought.
Get two sizes in everything you try on (unless it's meant to be loose). I alawys brought size four and six of everything I bought to the dressing room. Sometimes a two depending if they ran small or big at the store. --> I LOSE A PANT SIZE. I'm a size 4 (F21/H&M) + boobs grew 32DD(expensive ass bras tho)!!!!
When you see a piece of clothing you like, don't look at the price first. Check it out. Say to yourself how much you're willing to pay for it and if you could be persuaded to pay a little more (or return it in a few days after you think it over). This helped so much. Some things I valued at 15 bucks were being sold for 12 or even 25. Try it. It saves your time and money. And makes you feel like you've saved too. =)
Eating healthy was a big change. In the last few weeks, I have eaten at about these times: @8am (fruit/yogurt/cereal/oatmeal) @10a (meal bar/1/2 sandwich) @12 (half a dinner or 1/2 sandwich or salad) @4 (meal bar or snack) @7 cereal/half dinner. I eat four times a day, but smaller portions. I don't eat til I'm full. I eat until my appetite is gone. We tend to eat what's in front of us. If I buy food from somewhere, I take a doggie bag. I've also been walk/running and doing yoga (not daily as I'd hope) but I've been doing something.
Buy your own groceries. You have no idea how having to buy and cook my own food has changed what I feel good about spending my money on and putting into my body. I'm glad I'm off the meal plan next year.
Budget budget budget. Living in Pittsburgh this summer has been a real eye opener for me. I've never had to be alone. I've always had someone I could count on to take care of me. Now that I'm on my own and I don't want to burden my parents (+ have a decent salary), I have learned how to better use my money. I just used a layout in excel and update it bi-weekly.
Live out loud. The last weekend I spent in Pittsburgh, I spent alone and indoors. This weekend I'm proud that I got to go out and have some fun. I also made sure that that which I was spending my money on was mostly work clothes. I realized I had a small amount of clothing that was cute and appropriate for work. Staying couped up in my dark apartment is making me miss out on all the awesomeness around me.
Let go let flow. In connection with the clothing piece, I realized that I don't wear about 1/4 of the clothes I own (on top of those I sent to New Jersey). When I go back to Cleveland, I'm washing them and giving them to good will.
Be you. I'm on a journey to love myself and figure out who I am, what I want, why I want it, and how I'm going to become the person I was created to be. I've cried, I've gotten angry, I've faked happiness. But at the end of the day I have to step up and make hard decisions, have hard conversations, and take action. I realize that this past year I've reacted to things and not been a mover and shaker in my own life. That stops now. I love myself too much to see me wither away. And I also realize that while I may care for some people, I can't allow my feelings for them get in the way of my goal. I have to keep my eyes on the prize or I'll lose my way and end up back at square one. The journey may be arduous and full of hinderances and enemies and pain, but I have determined that the goal is worth it. It really is.
Welp didn't intend on writing this much. Hope this helps someone. Let me know if it helps you or if you want to talk.
FYI: Yes, I changed my url and the name of my blog. The old name was from a Lauryn Hill song. I thought it was time I became original again.
