Tuesday, December 16, 2014

10 Struggles Every Single Girl Experiences Over Winter Break






Winter break is one of the hardest times to be single, besides the dreaded "Valentines Day". Every where you go it's either a "Kay" commercial pledging every guy to "begin a kiss with Kay", or constant re-runs of "Love Actually" on major networks. It's actually like Valentines Day, drawn out for over a month. And with college's not starting back till late January...it's going to be a long month of "Single Girl" struggles.



1. The minute you come back, BAM, ex-boyfriends crawl out from everywhere-
You are barely home (maybe even within minutes) and your phone already has the little, "Hey, I saw you are in town. Maybe we could get together...just as friends" text from your Ex...(you remember... the one who made you cry and took advantage of you over the summer, who told you that life isn't like a movie).

Girl, smile and close that phone. He isn't worth your time. Remember all those guys back at school who treat you a million times better. (Especially that crush you have had your eye one)



2. The realization that living under your parent's roof is not working for you anymore-
From "Who left their dishes in the sink?" to "What are your plans tonight?", within two days of being home you realize that coming home after graduation just isn't an option. You realize how much freedom school has given you and these few weeks are going to be like you were 5 years old again. ("Don't forget to turn the lights off when you are done in a room.") UGH....



3. The ability to watch an abundant amount of romance related Netflix-
Whether it's One Tree Hill reruns or romantic comedies, you have made the world of fictional characters your portal into love. And by the end of the break, you will have rehearsed several future love moments in your head based off of the countless Leonardo Dicaprio kisses you have seen.

Boys, get practicing!



4. Crush Separation Depression-
You were just getting close to your crush at the end of the semester. You know, you have him hooked but haven't had the chance to seal the deal. But that doesn't mean that right before break you both weren't sharing hugs, long conversations, and stares. You now have to wait a month to see him again, and the thought of going that long without seeing his gorgeous face is sad...I mean really sad.

How are you going to go without those kisses on the check he gives you?---I for one, have no idea.



5. You eat junk food because...no one's seeing this body anytime soon-
It's such a toss up. Part of you wants to kick yourself into Victoria's Secret shape, then the other part of you says, "Hey, who cares?" and you grab another Oreo.



6. You dress-up to go anywhere to let the people in your hometown know you got your life together-
Whether it's going to the grocery store or even running an errand with your mom, that's a prime place to look fabulous for someone you want to see you in "Tip Top" shape (i.e. ex-boyfriend or girl you hate from high school). So you find yourself taking 1 hour to get ready to go to Wal-mart....it's ok.

But hey, if your ex-boyfriend gets jealous...then it was well worth the extra effort.



7. You become dysfunctional without your bestie-
A month without your girl is torture. Your mom isn't up on all the boy talk and siblings certainly aren't interested in hearing your gush about that guy in accounting (who they don't even know). Who is going to eat crappy Chinese with you and drink wine while watching a cheesy lifetime movie?

Chances are you are going to call your bestie at least 3 times (Twice probably in tears and then the other time to tell her about a ridiculous event that just occurred).



8. You realize all your friends are either engaged, married, or have a kid-
...and your just over hear...still waiting for a first date.



9. Your Friday nights are not ideal-
Whether it's babysitting, sulking in your bedroom in the dark, or watching a corny Dateline rerun with your parents, your Friday nights surely aren't as exciting as they are during the semester. You find yourself flashing back to those nights at the club where that guy asked you for a dance or you and your girls went for IHop after a late night on the town and gushed about all the hot guys you met that night.

And now...you are just trying to make sure the baby goes down for a nap....THRILLING.



10. Home really isn't home anymore-
The biggest thing you probably realize when you are home is that "Home" isn't really home anymore. All your friends have moved on and the entire town has transformed. But most importantly, you  have changed. You aren't the girl you were in high school. You have become so much more. You have learned so much. Suddenly, even your bedroom doesn't have the same safe & sound feeling.

Maybe...you have finally found a new home.


Photocredit: 1

Sunday, December 14, 2014

5 Reasons Why You're Forever Stuck in the "Friendzone"





Single girls make the best "good friends", but we struggle to break out of the person "He talks to about his problems". You find yourself creating more and more feelings towards this guy who used to just be a friend, and now you can't figure out...

 
 
"Why am I good enough to be his "good friend", but not his "girlfriend"?
 
 
 
1. Young guys aren't ready to settle down-

As unfortunate as it is, especially for us fairytale/dreamer girls, guys in the 21st century aren't thinking about marriage in their early 20s and maybe even their late 20s. So while you are over there fantasizing about what color tux he is going to wear at your wedding (which you have already created on Pinterest), he is trying to decide what bar to go to that night with his 'bros'.




2. They respect you-

 Along with not wanting to settle down, lets be honest, most guys (especially college guys) aren't really into the "relationship" part of being with girls (if you know what I am hinting at). With that said, the friendship that you have created and the genuine, important person they see you as in their life, has caused them to never want to put you into the realm with the other girl's they plan to pick up at the bar that night. You have standards, class, and they don't want to ruin that because of their predisposition to simply have quick 'one on one's' with girls.

It's sweet of them...actually touching. But for the girl falling hard...IT SUCKS to be put into a glass cabinet.




3. You put too many expectations on your crush-

 When us single girls get crushes, we put them in this special category, with giddy expectations. But what we fail to realize is, these guys are actually at a disadvantage. They don't know that you are holding them to all these unknown expectations. And with guys being rather unresponsive to OBVIOUS, "I have a crush on you" hints, they don't respond, then you get upset...and the vicious cycle repeats itself until you are heartbroken because he doesn't seem to like you.

Chances are...he probably doesn't know that you have moved him from, "good friend" to "crush". Therefore, holding all these expectations to someone who doesn't even know. Is almost an unfair advantage on your part.




4. They just "aren't that into you"-

It's a tough blow, almost as brutal as a real breakup. But unfortunately not every guy you like is going to like you back...it's fact. You have to learn to crush for a little while, give some hints, and if he doesn't reciprocate within a reasonable amount of time...put him back in the "friend" category forever and move on.

Don't try to change yourself to "make your crush like you" or get upset, trying to answer all the "What ifs". Just accept that you aren't "his one"...but you are someone's. And make "being just friends" good enough.




5. You haven't made moves-

I am still working on the answer to the life long debate, "Should you tell your crush you like them?", but you definitely aren't going to get anywhere if you don't drop some hints. Touching, smiling, even eye contact can be subtle (and easy) ways to let your "friend" crush know "you see him". Having more of a presence in his life (but don't stalk too much) will help too. If you have been simply "being a close friend" the whole time, hoping that he would initiate some hints himself, you are dreaming. Guys for one, never make the first move, and they certainly don't get read minds. Be confident and make some moves!

And hey, if you think you are up for it, maybe tell him flat out. BUT, be cautious and prepared for any answer...including an "I don't feel the same way" response and the possible effects that could have on your friendship.



___________________________________________________________________________________

The "friend zone" is a tough place to be. You for some reason aren't good enough to be their girlfriend, and it's exhausting trying to balance the surge of warm feelings you get about him while also trying to figure out what you are doing wrong.



Just stop thinking and let life take it's own course. You know what they say, "The best relationships start out as friendships".
 
So maybe you just need to be more patient and one day you might finally break out of the "friend zone".

Photo credit: 1


Thursday, December 4, 2014

The 7 Hardest Goodbyes You Have to Make at Graduation





Graduation is always fun and exciting. All the attention is on you. You have worked so hard, tirelessly, to get here. You can't wait to walk across that stage and complete a monumental moment in your life. But as soon as you walk off that stage, you have a lot of goodbyes to make, and it's not going to be easy.



1. The goodbye to your current life-

After your graduate, things will never be the same. Unlike high school, there is no more transition period. College was the last safety zone. The last chance to figure out who you are, who you want to become, before you are thrust into the real world. The scary one that everyone warns you of, that never seemed real until now. You realize that all the fears of surviving, in a new city, a new lifestyle, a new job, are all too overwhelming.

That cap and gown is the last piece of college you will ever touch and then, your new life begins. Wherever that may be.



2. The goodbye to your best friend-

This may be the hardest goodbye of them all. The person you met maybe during move in freshman year or during a hard class you stayed up late studying together for. They have been there for you. Through the bad breakups and the embarrassing nights out. They were always close by. Someone you could walk to the door of, and cry.

But after graduation, who knows where your lives will lead. Almost certainly, you both will begin different journeys...in separate cities, separate states, or separate countries. And maybe your paths will never cross again. For fate will decide.



3. The goodbye to the professor you'll never forget-

Maybe you haven't loved every single one of your professors, but there is that one. The one that really impacted you. Who made a difference in your life. Who pulled you aside when they knew something was wrong or encouraged you when you were right, believing in you. Sometimes Professors impact us beyond the classroom, and those are the best moments.

The ones who no longer treat you like a student, but a mentee...someone who truly cares about both your academic and overall future. Their advice is genuine, memorable, but most of all SO TRUE.


4. The goodbye to the person you'll never be with-

 Obviously crushes are meant to be a secret, or only shared with your closest friends, but it's no secret that they are about to leave your life...getting away forever. The person that you wished you had the chance with. Maybe you're the girl who got him through the hard class because of what he thought was your simple eagerness to always help, or you're the guy who has always been the girl's right hand man, but nothing more.

For those of us who are good enough to be "a good friend" but nothing more, saying goodbye is going to sting...bad.



5. The goodbye to the person that changed your life-

This is that one person in college. The person you owe everything to. They guided you when you were lost and helped you make some of the most important, critical decisions of the past four years. This could be a boyfriend, girlfriend, mentor, ANYONE. The only requirement  is that they  essentially shaped who you are now. Making you a stronger, more confident person, sure of what you are capable of. This person you now recognize was sent to you for a reason...and now their chapter in your life is about to end.

You aren't sure how to cope.



6. The goodbye to your college self-

You have learned a lot in the past four years. You have grown from a scared, unsure freshmen to a person you sometimes don't even recognize...in a good way. But just like you have changed in the past, you will change after this day. Graduation will propel you toward a whole new adventure, one far scarier then the one that has just passed. And again, you will change with every passing year.

You will always continue to grow and change. So realize that the person you are in that cap and gown, will not be the person you are 3 years from now or 10 years. Life changes a lot of things.

 _________________________________________________________________________________



If I have one piece of advice for you. Don't let anyone get away without saying goodbye. Closure is the best thing.

So hug tight and let no words left unsaid. Because every chapter within our lives should have a complete ending.