25 Things You Need for Your First Apartment

Hello, beautiful! In case you haven't heard yet, I'm super excited to be moving into my first on-campus apartment next semester.

I know it's still far away, but I'm already starting to prepare for my apartment by creating an inventory of what I already have and compiling a list of what I need to buy. During this process, I've come up with more than a couple of things I wouldn't necessary have thought of that are going to be absolutely essential to my first apartment.

On that note, I wanted to make sure to share with you 25 of the most important things you're going to need for your first apartment - things you probably don't already have, of course - so you wouldn't make the same mistakes that I (almost) did! Be sure to add these essential items to your packing/shopping list so you won't forget them :)

1. Pots and pans

In your first apartment you'll likely be doing all your own cooking, so you'll need a solid set of pots and pans to get you through. While a basic pot and saucepan will get you through, don't forget baking sheets, cupcake pans and more for those late finals week nights of stress baking.

2. Iron and ironing board

Showing up to a grad level class or important job interview with wrinkles in your blouse is a no-go. Avoid this sticky situation by bringing an iron and ironing board to your first college apartment. (And remember that you can also use a flat iron to smooth down pesky collars and sleeves in a hot minute!)

3. Welcome mat

While it's not absolutely necessary, a welcome mat adds a personal touch to an apartment that's probably been inhabited by dozens of students before you. Not to mention, it saves you from having to wipe up muddy footprints from the interior of your home...it sounds lame, but is actually v important!

4. Toaster

When you lived in a dorm, you probably used the toasters in the dining hall. Now that you're living in an apartment and fending for yourself, however, you're going to want to make sure you have all the appliances you need - including a toaster for morning toast and midnight waffles alike.

5. Microwave

Used to have one of those snappy rental mini fridges with the microwave on top? Yeah, me too! But living in an apartment means no more micro-fridges, so you'll want to provide your own microwave for all your speedy cooking needs.

6. Blender

Personally, smoothie bowls are one of my favorite breakfasts - so I couldn't imagine living without a blender. A nice blender like a Nutribullet will save you time by letting you bring your breakfast on the go. Plus, it will (hopefully) last long into your young adulthood years, even post-grad!

7. Dishes

Back in your dorm room days, you probably didn't do much eating in your room unless it was off disposable paper plates and plastic silverware. In an apartment, however, you're going to want to have a nice set of dishes around for eating nice meals and hosting company. 

8. Hamper

Organizing your laundry is a must in your first-ever apartment, especially if you share your room with a roommate. Having a hamper for dirty laundry shows your roommate you're put-together and committed to taking care of your shared space.

9. Cleaning supplies

Maybe the only plus side of living in a dorm was that someone used to do all of your cleaning for you. Now that the days of a shared bathroom are behind you, you're responsible for cleaning up your own messes and taking care of everyday maintenance in the bathroom, kitchen and more. 

10. Television

In a tiny dorm room, watching Netflix off your laptop might work for you, but in an apartment, you're likely going to be hosting house guests for movie nights, Bachelor viewing parties and more. A larger TV screen is therefore essential for the living room of your first-ever apartment.

11. Bath mat

Again, you're not sharing a bathroom with twenty other girls anymore - so it's time you start taking care of your personal space. Believe it or not, something as simple as laying down a bath mat can make a world of difference in making your first apartment feel like a home.

12. Wall decor

Bare walls are less than homey, and make your apartment feel temporary. Even if you'll only be living there for a year or even just a semester, hanging up some simple photographs, posters or even a simple tapestry can make you feel more comfortable in your new living space.

13. Toolkit

If your apartment is owned by the school, you might be lucky enough to be able to call in a maintenance request whenever a big job needs doing. However, even if you do live on-campus, you'll still want to keep a toolkit on hand for little emergencies, like an easily-fixable leak or a loose screw in your door hinge.

14. Towels

In your dorm room, you probably kept a grand total of one or two towels because you a) didn't have space and b) didn't have many people over. Your first ever apartment requires you to add a couple more to your collection, including hand towels and kitchen towels. Don't worry: this is secretly a good thing, because you probably won't be the only person using them anymore, and you'll have more space to store them! 

15. Soap dispenser and toothbrush holder

Okay, I know it's cheating to throw down two items in one, but both of these items count as bathroom furnishings and help to make your apartment feel a little more homey - not to mention organized. Nothing says sloppy like leaving your used toothbrush laying on the bathroom counter in a puddle of dirty toothpaste!

16. Alarm clock

You might think your alarm on your phone works well enough, but did you know that leaving your phone on overnight could be disrupting your sleep? To truly feel like an adult, invest in an actual alarm clock that will wake you up without tempting you to scroll through social media for the next four hours.

17. Hangers

You might not have had much closet space in your old college dorm. Chances are, you won't have tons of room in your new apartment - but if you didn't invest in hangers before now, you're going to want to take the plunge. Certain items, such as silk work shirts and dry-clean only items, should really be hung rather than folded.

18. Surge protector and extension cord

Personally, these items were prohibited back in my college dorms unless they were the approved ones given to us by the school...and I found I needed to sneak one in anyways because my laptop charger didn't reach my bed. I think it's safe to say you'll still need these items in your first apartment, too.

19. Measuring cups and mixing bowls

Two words: stress baking. Also, you won't believe how many times a recipe calls for a measuring cup or a mixing bowl. Don't be that girl scrambling to eyeball a teaspoon who ends up using a tablespoon instead! 

20. First-aid kit

Living on your own, you're responsible for yourself and your own health. If you need a band-aid, mommy isn't around anymore to bandage up your boo-boos - you're going to have to get used to performing basic first-aid on yourself. So, rather than relying on WebMD to tell you you're pregnant/dying of cancer, invest in a good first-aid kit - many of which will also come with directions on how to handle common problems.

21. Lamp

Most apartments, on-campus at least, will provide you with most of the furniture you need. However, you'll most likely find the lighting in your room isn't enough to keep you from straining your eyes during late-night study sessions. Prevent this common problem by bringing your own lamp with your own lightbulbs to your first apartment!

22. Throw pillows

Little decorative touches like throw pillows will make you and your guests feel more at home in your space. Toss a couple on your bed or living room, or even add cushions to your dining room chairs, to add a touch of TLC to your first apartment.

23. Trash can and recycling bin

In your apartment, it's your responsibility to preserve energy and go green. If recycling is important to you, you won't be able to rely on Mom and Dad to separate your plastics from your trash anymore - you'll have to take matters into your own hands. I 100% recommend getting a trash can with a recycling receptacle included to save space while saving the planet.

24. Coffee maker

I literally can't wait to bring my coffee maker (prohibited in the dorms) to my apartment next year! A Keurig or other coffee maker is hands-down one of the most important appliances a college girl can own. Plus, brewing your own coffee will save you tons of time and money in the long haul from skipping your daily Starbucks run! 

25. Shoe rack

Last but not least, a shoe rack might not be the most obvious or essential thing on this list, but if you love shoes like I do, then this will save you TONS of valuable closet space. Pro-tip: you can also keep a separate shoe rack by your door to keep muddy shoes off the carpet while impressing your parents.

What are you planning to buy for your first apartment? LMK in the comments below!

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What Getting the IUD is Really Like (Birth Control Update)

Hello, beautiful! I'm not usually one to share my personal stories on the internet, but back in November when I first started this blog, I wrote a post called Why I Quit Taking Birth Control Pills all about my journey off of hormonal birth control.

You can read the whole post by clicking here if you want the full rundown of why the pill and I just didn't get along, but in a nutshell, the hormones caused a collection of side effects that couldn't be solved by doctors. The hormones also dramatically worsened my anxiety and depression.

Finally, I just had to say "Enough is enough" and break up with my hormonal birth control. When I did, I thought I would never start a hormonal method again - but after nine months of painful, unpredictable periods, I began to look into my other options. That research eventually led me to make an appointment at my local Planned Parenthood to get fitted for the hormonal IUD.

So, I thought I would write an update on my birth control story to explain why I underwent such a dramatic change in my opinion of hormonal birth control. Fair warning: I'll also be discussing (in detail) what it was like to get the IUD inserted and what symptoms I've been experiencing afterwards, so if you're easily grossed out by blood, vomit (yup, spoiler alert: I threw up) and the like, this post might not be for you!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so please don't take this post as medical advice in any way! Every woman is different, so my experiences with the IUD and other birth control may not be the same as yours. I'm simply sharing my own personal story - if you're considering starting a new birth control method, please consult your doctor about what form of birth control is right for you!

Why I Decided to Get the IUD

At first, when I went off hormonal birth control, I felt amazing. After a month or so, my body returned to its natural state free of hormones. My mood and sex drive both improved, and I loved that I felt more in-tune with my cycle and its natural fluctuations. Although my first few periods off the pill were painful and unpredictable, I grew to appreciate and even sort of enjoy having a "natural" period, instead of the light "withdrawal bleeding" experienced when I was on the pill.

Since so many young women were also quitting the pill (and posting about it online) around the time I did, I felt pretty confident in my decision at first. Science was just starting to come out saying the pill could worsen depression like I experienced, so it even seemed like the medical community was backing me up. 

However, what I wasn't prepared for was how college changed my perspective on hormonal birth control methods, and birth control in general. When you start college, your future becomes more pressing than ever - and the stakes become higher when you choose to be sexually active. Not only do you have a lot to lose by becoming pregnant, but you also begin to get a sense of the financial commitment that undertaking (or ending, should you choose to do so) a pregnancy entails of a person. 

But perhaps most significantly, around the time I started therapy, I realized something extremely important that changed my perspective on birth control: I just wasn't ready to mess with something as serious as pregnancy. Between my anxiety, my busy schedule, my subpar GPA and my near-empty bank account, I could barely take care of myself, let alone a child. Suddenly, the threat of pregnancy weighed on my shoulders more heavily than it ever had before. 

Of course, social stigma, as usual, was also a factor in my decision to get the IUD. (Because when can a girl ever just make her own decisions without society getting involved?!) After I quit the pill, I relied mainly on withdrawal and charting my cervical mucus (gross, but effective) to prevent pregnancy - something that worked for me, but wasn't exactly a popular method endorsed by many of my peers. 

Part of the reason why I think I saw withdrawal differently than many other girls at school was that I am in a committed relationship with the man I lost my virginity to, whereas many college girls are just hooking up. There's not anything wrong with wanting to experiment in college, but it does take a lot of trust to rely on a method as sensitive and unpredictable as withdrawal - and that kind of trust is something you don't tend to find in a one-night stand. 

Anyways, many of my friends were shocked to find I didn't use a "typical" birth control method. As much as I hate to admit it, I cared what they thought. Previously, I thought what I was doing was normal, but their reactions inspired a fear in me that maybe I was being a little too careless; a little too risky. 

My therapist was actually the one who encouraged me to think more deeply about the IUD, saying that the IUD - which has only a fraction of the hormones as the pill (to put it in perspective, 100 Liletta IUDs = 1 birth control pill, according to my Planned Parenthood nurse) - probably wouldn't mess with my mental health as significantly as the pill. Once she told me that, I started to do some more research, and eventually made an appointment at my local Planned Parenthood to get a hormonal IUD inserted.

Getting The IUD Inserted

Getting the IUD inserted was not actually as simple as walking into Planned Parenthood and leaving with a device implanted in my uterus. For example, I didn't know that you couldn't have unprotected sex before getting the IUD inserted, because of the risk of a dangerous ectopic pregnancy (a life-threatening pregnancy where the embryo is implanted in your fallopian tubes). I also didn't know that withdrawal, my primary birth control method, counted as "unprotected sex" even if performed correctly. 

(Just a little side note on withdrawal: while it protected me from pregnancy while it lasted, in hindsight I would not recommend this as a primary method of birth control. Hormonal methods, while they can cause some side effects, are much more predictable and effective than "pulling out.") 

The nurses at Planned Parenthood told me I would have to wait for my next menstrual period to have the device inserted, so I rescheduled my appointment and came back in two weeks. When my period did not arrive as expected (thanks, Lexapro), I had to reschedule the appointment again and come back the following week. (Click here to check out a post from my new side blog Politibow about why my two failed IUD insertions are a political issue.)

So, about a month after my initial appointment, I walked into Planned Parenthood to have my IUD inserted once and for all. Before I get into the nitty-gritty details of my insertion - if you're squeamish, this might be the point where you'll want to click away - I'd just like to take a quick minute to thank the nurses and nurse practitioners at Planned Parenthood who saw me, educated me and took care of me over the course of that month. 

Getting the IUD isn't exactly comfortable (and I couldn't have been an easy patient), but Planned Parenthood's dedicated and friendly staff made me feel supported throughout the whole process. Especially since I came to the clinic alone, their bubbly humor, hard work and care helped me get through it stronger than I expected.

So, without further ado, from the moment I walked into the clinic to the moment I walked out, here's exactly what went down when I got my IUD inserted: 

• One of Planned Parenthood's staff members checked me in and had me sign some medical forms using a tablet. Then, I waited in the lobby until the nurse called me in.
• I got called into a pretty standard-looking exam room for my appointment, where the nurse went over my sexual history and confirmed the date of my last period, explained all of the important info about the IUD and made me sign some forms consenting to the procedure. She also took my weight and blood pressure before setting me up for the insertion.
• The nurse set up a heating pad and sheet on the chair, and instructed me to undress from the waist down and sit on the chair until the doctor came in. I followed her directions and took off my pants, underwear, socks and shoes. I also prepared myself for the insertion by getting out some overnight pads, a stress ball and a granola bar from my backpack. I ate my granola bar quickly (some women are prone to fainting after the procedure, so I wanted to be prepared), then sat on the chair and covered myself with the sheet. 
• I waited a little while, then the nurse practitioner came into the room wheeling in a table full of foreign-looking instruments, including my Liletta IUD. (Liletta is a three-year hormonal IUD - which might be extended to five or even seven years in the near future! Pray for me! It's comparable to Skyla or Kyleena, since they're all small IUDs approved for women who haven't had children.) The NP went over a lot of the same info as the nurse before her and told me when I asked that the pain levels "vary" from woman to woman. 
• Before she started doing anything, the NP wanted me to make very sure that the IUD was really the birth control method I wanted. I said I definitely wanted it, so she went forward with the insertion. 
• I lay back in the chair with my feet up on the stirrups and scooted my butt to the front of the chair. The first thing the NP did was insert two gloved fingers into my vagina while pressing on my stomach with her opposite hand so she could feel where my uterus was and approximate its size. Then, she inserted a metal contraption called a speculum - if you've never seen one before, they're basically medieval torture devices - while talking me through some deep breathing. The speculum is essentially used to crank open your vagina so the NP can see what she's doing during the procedure...which sounds bad, but is actually the easiest part of the insertion.
• The next thing the NP did was insert a metal instrument used to open my cervix for the insertion. She said a lot of people feel a pinch or a cramp when this happens, but the first time she did it, I didn't feel a thing (she later had to adjust it one or two times, and both times this caused a pretty sharp cramp similar to a period cramp). 
• Probably the most painful part of the actual insertion process (discounting the aftermath) was having my uterus measured with something called a sound. Basically, if your uterus isn't deep enough, the NP can't insert the IUD, so they have to confirm first. The only way I can think to describe this sensation is the worst period cramp I have ever had in my life; it was both excruciating and yet extremely localized. As one person put it online, getting your uterus measured makes you intensely aware of where the organ is in your body (which wasn't a good thing, at least for me!). However, it was over in about 10 seconds, and the nurse let me take a little break before she inserted the actual IUD. 
• The last step in the insertion process is putting in the actual IUD. I asked to look at it beforehand, and it basically looked like a little white tube attached to a long straw used to insert it (the arms of the IUD are folded in during the insertion, and don't open up until the device is actually in the uterus). All in all, this took the NP about 5 minutes, as she had to keep readjusting the cervical instrument and reattempting to insert the device. This felt about as good as having the sound inserted, but worse because it was followed with about 30-45 minutes of the worst cramps I've ever had in my life.
• I'll never forget the moment she said "It's in!" and I felt my entire body sigh with relief. The last step after that was extracting all of the instruments inside my vagina, including the cervical device and the speculum.*

*Before I continue on to what happened after the procedure, I'd like to raise a few points on why I think my insertion hurt so badly: firstly, I'm young, petite and I've never had children, which are all factors that can contribute to the relative ease of the procedure. Secondly, many doctors will give you an injection of pain medication to your cervix or a misoprostol tablet to soften it before the procedure; I didn't have either of these things. 

Just remember that the pain is relative, and someone with a low pain tolerance (like me!) is likely to report more pain than someone with a higher tolerance! (Plus, the way I saw it is that 30 minutes of excruciating pain is well worth three years of low-maintenance pregnancy protection.)

After The Insertion

After the IUD was inserted, I was in excruciating pelvic pain like nothing I've ever experienced before for about 30-45 minutes, which gradually subsided over time. The pain was both dull but extremely specific to my uterus - it's an odd sensation to describe to someone who's never experienced it before! I was also incredibly nauseous and hot after the procedure - the NP explained that this is a common reaction in women after the procedure because the cervix is linked to a major nerve. (But hey, at least I didn't pass out.)

The first 15-20 minutes were spent laying in the chair with the heating pad on my back and an ice pack on my forehead. Eventually, I had to ditch the heating pad because I was starting to sweat through my clothes; I was so miserable. 

Thankfully, a very kind nurse brought me some ginger ale, which I nursed until I decided I was ready to try sitting up. Almost as soon as I sat up, though, I was hit with the most awful wave of nausea I've ever experienced in my life. I threw up three times, dry heaving a bit between, and laid there moaning to the NP and nurse for about five minutes until I decided I was ready to go home. 

The NP and nurse gave me a bit of privacy as I struggled to my feet and slowly dressed myself. Moving actually made me feel better, but barely. However, I couldn't wear my sweater or my jacket because I was still sweating so much from the shock of the procedure. I staggered into the bathroom and did my business (the cramps put a LOT of pressure on your bowels, strangely), then the nurse helped me grab my stuff and walked me into the lobby to check out. (Thank God she let me bring the ice pack with me, or I probably would have passed out.)

On the train ride home, I closed my eyes and tried to rest while I let the ice pack do its work. Eventually, I stopped sweating and the nausea subsided. Even though the cramps still weren't great, both of those things helped me feel A LOT better. 

The cramps even improved enough that I could stand, and within 20 or 30 more minutes, they were about a 1 on a scale of 0 to 10. By the time my mom picked me up at the train, I was walking and talking with energy, and you would barely believe I'd thrown up little over an hour ago.

All in all, IUD insertion isn't an easy procedure, emotionally or physically - but given how short the symptoms were, I think it's worth the three years of pregnancy protection. (And I'm 100% certain now it's less painful than squeezing an entire baby through there.) My biggest fear is expulsion, which I'm at a greater risk for within the first couple of months after insertion, but once those first few months pass, I'll be set for the next few years!

Tips for Taking Care of Yourself After the Insertion

At the point I'm writing this post, it's been roughly 24 hours since my insertion, and I'm feeling loads better. Mostly, I've been experiencing bloating and tenderness - from the point when I got home to the first few hours of my morning I was completely cramp-free - but the cramps are starting to make a slow but sure comeback. (As of 4 days later editing this post, I can also say I've been spotting non-stop since the insertion.)

For anyone who might be thinking of getting an IUD, I just want to emphasize how important self-care is going to be for the first few weeks, and especially days, after your insertion. When I went into the procedure, I was expecting to be up and walking around with pep in my step within an hour, which definitely didn't happen. 

Even this morning, I'm not feeling as physically fit and mentally energized as I hoped I would feel - but that doesn't mean there aren't steps you can take to start feeling better. That's why the last thing I'm going to leave you with today is a list of tips for taking care of yourself after your IUD insertion. Please spread the word and share them with anyone you know who might benefit from them! 

• Rest up. It's easy to beat yourself up for not getting better fast enough, but resting is honestly the best thing you can do to minimize your pain and discomfort. As my doc told me, the more you move around, the worse you're going to feel. Just remember: no one expects you to run a marathon after having a tiny object shoved up your cervix!
• Wear pads or pantyliners. You're going to be ruining a lot of underwear the first couple months after your IUD insertion. Spotting is very common throughout those first few months, especially after sex, so be sure to prepare yourself by bringing a pad or liner wherever you go (including to your insertion appointment!). 
• Take painkillers. Trust me, I get the fear of relying too much on drugs, but don't be shy about taking painkillers after your IUD insertion - once the medication wears off, you'll start to notice the pain returning immediately. I've been taking one Aleve with breakfast and dinner starting the morning before the procedure, and it's helped a lot with the milder aspects of pain management (like the cramping and the swelling afterwards, though it didn't really help during the insertion). After the insertion, I asked my doctor how often I was allowed to take Aleve (disclaimer: I'm allergic to ibuprofen), and have pretty much been following her directions to the T ever since. 
• Use a heating or cooling pad. My microwaveable Hooty is a godsend for aches and pains; I use it almost religiously every month for period cramps, and it's been a huge help following the IUD insertion as well. However, sometimes feeling hot can make your discomfort worse, so you might want to use a cool rag simultaneously or take cool showers periodically to make yourself feel better. 
• Avoid putting anything in your vagina, including baths, for 3+ days. My doctor told me I couldn't have sex, take a bath or use tampons for three days after the insertion, but from what I've heard this number varies. In short, follow any directions your doctor gives you precisely, because the more compliant you are, the faster you'll heal!
• If it isn't inserted on your period, your IUD isn't effective for 7 days, so use a backup method! This isn't exactly self-care in the sense that it won't help you experience less cramping, but protecting yourself from unplanned pregnancy is a sign of respect for your body. So, be sure to use a non-hormonal backup method (like a condom) if you decide to have sex within that first week.

What has your experience with birth control been like? LMK in the comments below!

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How to Manage Anxiety in College

Hello, beautiful! If you're enjoying your last summer before college or getting ready to return, you've probably already had your first experience with anxiety. That feeling you got in the pit of your stomach as you were opening your first few acceptance letters? Yep, that was probably anxiety.

But when those butterflies cross the line into restlessness, fatigue, irritability or tension, they might be a symptom of an underlying anxiety disorder. While anxiety seems like something we only hear about from our guidance counselor, it's actually the most common mental health diagnosis in college students across the country.

If you've followed me since my days at Love, Haley Blog, you probably already know that I suffer from both anxiety and depression. Managing my symptoms as a busy college student hasn't been easy, but I have learned a thing or two along the way.

Whether you're facing a few worries or a full-blown anxiety disorder, what better time to prepare than summer, when the stresses of college are still in your distant future? That's why I'm bringing you my best tips on managing anxiety in college while it's still all sunshine and swimming pools! That way, the next time college anxiety gets the best of you, you'll be ready to grab it by the horns.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so please don't take this post as medical advice! If you have any serious concerns about your anxiety, please seek the help of a trained professional. And, of course, if you are in crisis, please call the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Therapy

I started going to therapy not long after I started going to college. Many colleges offer free or inexpensive counseling through their student health centers, like my school does, which is where I started before moving to my current therapist's office. Before that, I used TalkSpace - an app for confidential text therapy - to manage my stress, depression and anxiety. Both options were great because they allowed me to seek the help I needed without getting my parents involved.

Medication

I've been taking 5 mg of Lexapro every day for about a month now to help manage the symptoms of my anxiety. Lots of people view medication negatively, but since I've started it, I've noticed a huge difference in my mood and overall anxiety levels. While Lexapro doesn't fix all of my problems, it does give me more energy and reduces the number of panic attacks I have. If you think medication might be an option worth exploring for your anxiety, reach out to your psychiatrist or therapist, your primary care doctor or your school's student health center for more information!

Journal

Every night I try to complete a mini journal entry that includes my anxiety and mood levels for the day, my triggers, three things I'm grateful for and three goals I have for the next day. I try to do this either before or after I meditate, whether that's in the morning, the afternoon, the evening or late at night before I go to bed. Journaling helps me keep tabs on my emotions and track my anxiety over time, which helps me see how well my medication and coping strategies are working in real-time - and it can even be fun, too! 

Worksheets

Filling out weekly and daily anxiety worksheets helps me better understand my triggers and stay in touch with my emotions during periods of business and worry. My therapist recommended the Anxiety and Worry Workbook, which I bought on Amazon for less than $20.00. It's based on CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, so it helps you get to the root of your anxiety by changing the way you think. However, I'm also a fan of this free depression tracker by Writes Like a Girl and Lavender Life's library of printable mental health resources. 

Diet

Eating a healthy diet helps me stay on track with my anxiety because it keeps me from worrying about what I'm putting into my body. Making sure I'm eating healthy meals simply means one less thing on my mind! I especially love meal prepping for this reason because it helps me stick to a plan and keeps me from freaking out over what I'm making for dinner. In case you missed it, you can check out my last blog post, all about meal prepping, by clicking here! 

Exercise

Even though I rarely get to the gym as often as I should, I feel my best when I exercise for at least a little while every day. As Lena Dunham says, "It ain't about the ass - it's about the brain!" When I'm on the elliptical or the mat, I'm rarely worrying about the rest of my day. In fact, exercising helps me stay grounded because most of the time, all I can think about is getting through my workout! Plus, as Elle Woods helpfully pointed out in Legally Blonde, exercising gives you endorphins - and endorphins will not only prevent you from shooting your husband, but also keep your anxiety at bay.

Yoga

If you have anxiety, you know it can have just as many physical symptoms as mental ones. That's why yoga is one of the best ways I've found to manage my anxiety. Nothing relaxes my body and mind like yoga! I enjoy taking class at a local studio when I'm home and through my school's gym when I'm at college, but when I can't get to a class, there are plenty of free videos available on YouTube. Yoga with Adriene's Yoga for Anxiety and Stress and Yoga for Anxiety videos are both great, free options for reducing your anxiety levels with your yoga practice.

Meditation

I'm not great at meditation, but my therapist advises me to practice it regularly to keep my anxiety levels manageable. As silly as I feel doing it, I know it works, so I try to meditate for at least 5-10 minutes every day. Since it's such a great anxiety-buster, I've tried almost every meditation app in the App Store - but here are just a few of my favorites:

• Meditation Studio. If you joined me for my 2017 Whole Body Reset back in January, you're probably already familiar with Meditation Studio. For around $3.99, you can get access to hundreds of guided meditations geared toward all sorts of moods and conditions. 
• Calm. Calm is a free meditation app with the option for a paid subscription. I like it because you can choose your favorite background noises, like a waterfall or gentle waves, and meditate for as long as you like with or without guidance.
• Simply Being. Simply Being costs $1.99 and offers 5-30 minute guided meditations with a variety of background noises. The best part of this app is how relaxing and soothing the woman's voice is! 
• Stop, Breathe, Think. This meditation app has been my FAVORITE as of lately! After performing a quick "check-in" for your mind, body and emotions, the app recommends a meditation for you. After you meditate, you can then complete a second check-in and watch how your mood changes over time!
• Mindfulness Daily. This app isn't strictly a meditation app, but offers a 21-day program in mindfulness training. Additionally, you can take short "pauses" whenever you want throughout the day, as the app guides you through two short, mindful breaths to a relaxing background.

Apps

In addition to my meditation apps, there are a couple of other apps I currently used or have tried in the past to help with my anxiety. (I am also always on the lookout for new ones, so be sure to let me know in the comments if I've missed any of your favorites!) Here's a brief list of some of the best anxiety apps I've used:

• Round. This is an app I use to track my medication. Every day it gives me a reminder window from 6:30-7:30 (I take my medicine at 7:00 PM every night). When I take my medicine, all I have to do is slide the notification and tap the button! I can then view a grid of every day I've taken/missed my medication.
• Worry Watch. In this app, which costs about $1.99, you can log your worries in a password-protected journal. I love that you can write them down once and not have to think about them for the rest of the day. Plus, you can select if your worries came out better or worse than you expected, allowing you to visualize your own catastrophization. 
• Pacifica. Pacifica is an all-in-one anxiety reliever, where you can log your moods, rate your healthy habits, enter your thoughts in a diary and even calm down quick by listening to breathing exercises or meditations. 
• Happify. This app makes overcoming anxiety, stress and depression fun by giving you games and daily activities to help you bust your worries. I like to use it in bed in the morning or at night instead of scrolling through social media until I fall asleep! 

What strategies do you use to manage anxiety and stress? LMK in the comments below!

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How to Start a Capsule Wardrobe

Hello, beautiful! I don't know about you, but this year I packed wayyyyy too much for college. Like, way too much.

Maybe I had overestimated how much space I would have (it was only my freshman year after all...speaking of which, check out my list of 100 Things I Learned my Freshman Year of College here!). Or, maybe I overestimated how much I would need those random pair of shoes from July 2014. Regardless, by the end of the year, I had clothes spilling out of my drawers, all of my hangers were full and I still didn't feel like I was 110% happy with my wardrobe.

That's probably why sometime around January, I became really intrigued by everything to do with minimalism and reducing my wardrobe. After being inspired by Marie Kondo and KonMari, I did my first thorough clean-out of my wardrobe at school when I came back for the spring semester. Then, when I came home for the summer, I decided I was going to start investing in a durable capsule wardrobe to help me transition into adulthood.

I've only just started the process of creating a capsule wardrobe in my own life. However, I've already learned a bunch of tips and tricks I wish I knew before diving into this process. So, today I'll be sharing with you some of the things that have really helped me minimize my wardrobe and start creating my capsule! Let's get started :)

Step One: Purge your closet

Building your dream closet should be a marathon, not a sprint. Rather than impulse buying tons of cheap clothes you'll regret in a week, if you're unhappy with your wardrobe, you need to pinpoint the cause of the problem before it spreads. 

That starts with pulling everything off its hangers and taking a good, hard look at everything in your closet. And I do mean everything! 

Marie Kondo says you should hold every single item in your closet in your hands individually and ask yourself, "Does this bring me joy?" If it doesn't, it has no place in your wardrobe. The clothes you do love, on the other hand, will become the foundation of your capsule wardrobe.

You'll probably find that the clothes you love and wear the most all share certain traits, like a color scheme or flattering cut. Take note of this, because when you start buying new pieces, you'll want to buy similar items that can all be mixed-and-matched with one another.

Deciding which clothes to keep is the easy part. When it comes to the clothes you don't want, figuring out what to do with them gets a little tricky. I'll talk about this more in the next section, but as I was cleaning out my closet, I made three piles of the clothes I didn't want. Those piles were: 

1. To sell. Clothes that are still in good shape, haven't been worn much (or still have the tags) and aren't too gross (no used undies or socks, please) can be sold to consignment stores or on sites like Poshmark.
2. To donate. Clothes with less noticeable stains, scuffs or marks on them might not be in the best shape for selling, but places like the Salvation Army and Savers will still appreciate them.
3. To throw out. Don't waste your time selling or donating things with egregious rips, tears or stains that can't be salvaged, or nasty things like old underwear or socks. These can go straight into the trash! 

Once everything is sorted neatly into piles, you're ready to move onto the next step, which is....

Step Two: Dispose of your old clothes

...getting rid of the stuff you don't want! Once you see how big your piles are, tackling this step can seem overwhelming. I found that moving through it one pile at a time was key to my success. 

First, I started with the easiest step: throwing out any clothes I couldn't donate or sell, which was as easy as a trip to the garbage can outside. Don't get me wrong, this step is still hard - throwing away your clothes is like throwing your money in the trash. However, while I felt a little bad seeing how much stuff I was getting rid of, it's not like anyone would want my old sweaty t-shirt or torn-up period underwear. Still, I tried to throw away as little stuff as possible and opted to sell or donate as much of it as I could.

Secondly, I went through the pile of clothes I planned to sell and listed them online. I opted to make an account on Poshmark (follow me @haleymarie90712!), but there are plenty of places to sell your old mint-condition clothes, such as:

• Consignment stores. These shops are like thrift stores, but instead of simply donating your old clothes and being done with it, you receive a portion of the sales. Try Googling consignment stores near you - you might be shocked by the number of places willing to take your old stuff!
• Poshmark, which I use, is an app where you can sell your old clothes and check out other people's cool used stuff. Poshmark takes a small commission out of every sale, but usually this is only a couple of dollars - plus they pay to ship your items, which makes a big difference! 
• ThredUp. ThredUp is an online thrift/consignment store that will pay you for your gently used, on-trend items. Simply order a "Clean-Out Kit" from them and send it back with the clothes you're trying to sell! Items likely to sell quickly will give you a payout once they're sold, while more unique, slow-to-sell items will pay you on the spot. 
• Tradesy. Tradesy works like Poshmark and ThredUp, but with a smaller commission fee. Once your item sells, the company sends you a pre-made shipping kit complete with packaging. 
• MaterialWorld. Got old designer clothing laying around? Trade it in for gift cards at Material World! They love pricey, high-end brands like DVF, Christian Louboutin and more.

Since I decided to sell my clothes on Poshmark, I knew there would be a bit of a waiting period while my items sold. So, I went out to Target and bought a $5.00 storage bin that I could neatly store my listings in until it was time to ship them out.

With two categories checked off my list, I moved on to the third and final pile: clothes to donate. I simply put these items in a garbage bag and stored them in my closet until I have time to bring them to the thrift store. I'm planning to donate my leftover clothes to my local Savers, but you could try the Salvation Army, Goodwill or your favorite local thrift store. After that's done, it's time to move onto step three!

Step Three: Determine what you need

Step three, determining what you need, can be completed as you're cleaning out your closet or afterwards - whatever works best for you! I did it afterwards, so I knew exactly where there were gaps in my wardrobe and wouldn't forget anything important.

Your favorite clothing, which you're likely keeping, will become the basis for your capsule wardrobe. So, be sure to take note of what cuts, colors and silhouettes have begun to populate your closet. As I mentioned before, the main idea behind a capsule wardrobe is that all the pieces can be worn together! (Neutrals and navies will therefore be your best friend.)

Once you've gotten rid of all the clothing you don't love, you'll probably start to notice things you wish you had - the more I got rid of, the more I found myself thinking "Oh, this top would look great with a nice denim skirt" or "Man, I wish I had some tights to wear with that dress." Be sure to write down those thoughts, because those are the things you'll want to go shopping for in Step Four. 

Remember, a capsule wardrobe should be a fixed (and fairly small number) of items - Caroline Rector's original capsule was only 37 pieces! - so don't go too crazy. (In other words, if you don't think you'd wear something, don't buy it just because it made my list.)

If nothing jumps out at you as something you wish you owned or need to own, here are some staples you'll likely want to include in your capsule wardrobe...not a complete list by any means, but a good starting off point for anyone who's stuck! 

• Black blazer. A black blazer is the perfect work-to-happy-hour essential. Wear it with work pants in the office, and throw on a pair of skinny jeans to take it into nighttime.
• Trench coat. A classic tan trench like the classic Burberry coat is an absolute staple for any working woman. This light jacket works perfectly in temperate or rainy weather to protect your clothes from the elements in style.
• Striped boat-neck top. Favored by French women the world over, a classic striped top works well for casual and work settings alike.
• Dark wash skinny jeans. I love dark wash jeans not only because they hide spills better than light wash (just kidding! well, sort of), but because they can be dressed up or down depending on the circumstances. Light wash jeans just don't go business casual the way dark jeans do!
• Blue button-up shirt. The light blue pinstripe button-up work shirt screams "girl boss" more than any other item in a lady's wardrobe. Don't be without one by the time you hit 30!
• Black pencil skirt. A black pencil skirt belongs in the working girl's wardrobe for obvious reasons. If you don't own one already, GET ONE. Stat!
• Chambray shirt. I love the chambray shirt because it's a trend that will never go out of style. Wear it solo for a casual rustic work, or layer with a cashmere sweater and statement necklace for a work outfit with a bit of flair.
• Nude pumps. If I could only own one pair of shoes for the rest of my life, these would be it. 
• Cute scarf. A scarf makes the perfect layering accessory to take a spring blouse from work to play! Or, throw it over a skater dress in the fall to stay warm and cozy without looking matronly. 
• Rose gold watch. The rose gold watch looks gorgeous for work, special occasions or weekend wear alike. Invest in a high-quality one and it's the only watch you'll ever need to own.

Step Four: Start shopping for your dream closet

Now that you have a plan, it's time for the fun part to begin: let's go shopping!

Obviously, this step won't happen all at once. Unless you're lucky enough to have thousands of dollars to shell out all at once, you'll need to start making small investments periodically over a year or more in order to build your perfect wardrobe.

The best way I've found to do this is to wait until you receive a paycheck. Then, invest a small portion of every paycheck back into your closet. The way I think of it, investing in a wardrobe I love is an investment in my confidence, meaning I'll be more likely to earn my money back later by dressing for the job I want like a #girlboss.

The most important thing to remember as you're shopping for your new wardrobe is to invest in quality pieces that will last. Part of becoming an adult means leaving the days of cheap Forever 21 tops and H&M body-con dresses behind! Ideally, the clothes you will buy now will last you 5-10 years (or longer!), so start looking at retailers like Kate Spade, Ann Taylor, J. Crew and other high-end designers whose pieces will withstand the test of time.

However, there's a catch to shopping designer as a broke millennial. As I mention in my post 10 Ways to Feel Rich on a College Budget, you should never pay full price for ANYTHING! And, that includes clothes.

To save money on expensive staples, be sure to shop outlet stores for your favorite designers (I especially love Nordstrom Rack for your workwear needs). Stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls also offer great choices for a lower price - typically, these items are discounted because they have small, imperceptible defects detected by the manufacturer, but don't worry: these problems are usually invisible to the naked eye!

You might even want to check out some secondhand sites like Poshmark and ThredUp, which are just as great for buying as they are for selling! As a self-professed Poshmark addict (yup, I even got Ryan hooked), I've learned a thing or two on how to navigate the app in style. My best tip for shopping Poshmark? Try looking for the label NWT, which stands for "New With Tags" - even though these pieces are brand-new off the rack, they're often sold for mere fractions of their original price on secondhand retail sites. Also, be sure to haggle on EVERYTHING - never accept a first offer!

Altogether, these tips should help you build the capsule wardrobe of your dreams :)

Step Five: Supplement as needed

Building a wardrobe you love will take some time. However, over the course of a couple years, you should (finally) find that the gaps in your closet are all filled up!

At this point, you'll probably be wondering: what's next? For the most part, nothing. When it comes to a capsule wardrobe, less is more. You shouldn't be shopping until you truly need something - meaning one of your wardrobe staples either no longer fits or is broken beyond repair.

That means you'll want to start laying off the impulse purchases whenever possible. The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to invest in quality pieces that will last you a long time - not the kind of cheap, disposable clothes you're likely to buy on an impulse.

As a bit of a shopping addict myself, I know just how hard it can be to avoid impulse shopping. Thankfully, I've gathered a couple of tips to help us both avoid regressing into our old material ways:

1. Avoid stepping into a mall until you truly need something. In fact, unless you REALLY need to try the item you're thinking about buying on for size, opt to shop online instead of browsing around a hundred stores. Stores in the mall are literally designed to make it difficult for you to resist! 
2. Talk yourself out of buying something. Ryan does this to me so often that I've started to hear his voice in my head whenever I walk into a TJ Maxx. So, next time you find yourself trying on a dress or a pair of jeans you know you don't need, imagine what a close friend or family member would say about you spending money on it - I promise it's effective!
3. Download the Mint app. Mint is a money-saving app that allows you to safely link your bank accounts and create a budget. It also enforces the guidelines you've set up for your budget by sending you push notifications anytime you exceed it, making it a great tool for nipping impulse shopping right in the bud.

Would you be interested in starting a capsule wardrobe? LMK in the comments below!

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100 Things I Learned my Freshman Year of College

Hello, beautiful! As you may already know, I recently finished up my freshman year of college - woohoo!

Next year, I'm going to be a sophomore - not exactly an expert yet, but still better off than I was before. I'm so excited to leave behind my ugly freshman year dorm and live in an apartment with one of my best friends and sisters! (Did I mention she's a fellow blogger? Check out my roommate's blog by clicking here!)

As excited as I am to move into my sophomore year, I would feel wrong if I didn't acknowledge how hard it's been to get here. My freshman year wasn't exactly all it's cracked up to be. I expected to dive right into social life, be the life of every party and still somehow wind up with a 4.0 GPA.

Needless to say, none of those things happened. In fact, my first semester at college was some of the hardest months of my life. I struggled to make new friends and overcome my anxiety, and I felt like I wasn't having the "typical college experience." Second semester was a thousand times better than first - joining Greek life helped a lot - but that doesn't mean it was easy, either. I made the difficult decision to leave behind the paper I devoted most of my hours to, and I still haven't nailed the 4.0 GPA I wanted.

Obviously, my freshman year was tougher than expected. Thankfully, yours doesn't have to be - because I'm going to tell you all the secret wisdom I gained this year as a freshman at Boston University. I would say I left this year behind with equal parts lessons and blessings - and now, I'm going to share 100 of those valuable life lessons with you! Ready or not, here they are:

1. Living in a dorm isn't all it's cracked up to be.
2. You might not be best friends with your roommate.
3. You don't have to make all your friends on your floor.
4. Don't compare yourself to others - everyone adjusts to college at different rates. 
5. It's normal to feel shy sometimes - everyone does!
6. The risks you take that seem scariest are always the best investments.
7. Know your limits BEFORE you go out. Don't learn from experience.
8. Join things! It's the best way to meet friends with similar interests.
9. But, don't limit yourself to making friends in your same major or school.
10. It's okay to miss home sometimes. 
11. No one thinks it's weird when you cry. Especially not in the library during finals week.
12. Communicate with your roommate.
13. Set boundaries.
14. You'll have to work harder to make alone time, but you'll find yourself needing it more than ever.
15. Skipping one class quickly leads to skipping ten more - it's best not to start in the first place.
16. Get your worst requirements out of the way early. I did, and now I never have to take math again!
17. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
18. Take advantage of all the resources you have on campus, from the career center to health services.
19. Actually use your meal plan - don't waste money on groceries (or Chipotle) you don't need.
20. Finding out your lecture has been cancelled is the most incredible feeling in the world.
21. Roommate contracts aren't weird, and might actually be a good idea for some.
22. In the end, it doesn't really matter if you go random or pick your roommate. You can't really predict what they're going to be like either way.
23. You might not love your school right away, but don't confuse the normal adjustment period with needing to transfer.
24. Don't sign up for 8 AMs if you're not a morning person.
25. Think of your education as an investment rather than a hassle or an obligation - you and your parents are literally paying for the privilege to go to school here. Don't waste it.

26. Make a monthly budget, but realize you're going to feel broke and you're going to keep impulse-buying Chipotle no matter what you do.
27. Call, text and email your parents on the reg. You'll both appreciate it.
28. All the things you used to hate about your hometown will quickly become the things you miss the most.
29. Whatever you do, lock your door.
30. Don't leave your laundry in the washer or dryer, or people will literally just throw it on the floor. Set a timer and go get it as soon as it's done.
31. Speaking of laundry, if you don't put it away as soon as it's finished, it will probably sit in the basket for a week.
32. Same with dirty dishes. Wash them now, or they WILL pile up.
33. Always sit in the front few rows of crowded lecture halls. It will keep you accountable and motivate you to show up to class.
34. Also, actually raise your hand in class. It's the only way the professor will ever learn your name.
35. Even then, your professors probably still won't remember your name.
36. You will technically have more free time than ever before, even if half of it is spent walking across campus and eating meals.
37. Always wear flip-flops in the shower, if you care about your health at all.
38. In fact, college is just one big germ fest, so you had better start taking your vitamin C now.
39. Close friendships take time. Don't expect to grow close to someone overnight.
40. Don't try to replicate your high school friend group.
41. At the same time, keep in touch with your high school friends and teachers. Even if you hated high school, it's important to remember where you come from.
42. I don't care if you were your high school valedictorian - you aren't special.
43. Hold your head high, but don't be a cocky bastard, either. Everyone here is just as smart as you are. Everyone standing here went through the same admissions process to get here that you did.
44. Getting straight As isn't realistic for everyone. Put in the work, but don't stretch yourself too thin.
45. Repeat after me: Bs are NOT bad grades! 
46. When you make a new friend, get their number. Not following up is what kills college friendships.
47. Be careful what you post online - or at least make sure your future employers won't see it. (This is especially true for journalism and political science majors!)
48. If you thought Facebook was over, you're wrong - get an account, because this is how you're going to find out about literally EVERYTHING happening on campus.
49. Don't overthink your friend group. Lots of people don't stay friends with their group from freshman year.
50. Don't worry about what the juniors and seniors are doing just yet. You literally just got here - you have all the time in the world to land that internship, study abroad or do whatever it is you want to do.

51. If you're offered work study, TAKE IT. 
52. In college, you're going to be exposed to a ton of new people with tons of different beliefs and backgrounds. Get used to the idea that not everyone is going to be exactly like you.
53. You can't please everyone. Not even close.
54. Learn when to say no.
55. That being said, say yes to going out sometimes even when you don't want to. If you're tired or stressed, cooping up in your room will only make you feel worse.
56. Netflix and Amazon Prime are ESSENTIAL for college life.
57. Memorize and recite this phrase in every store you walk into: "Excuse me, do you have a student discount?"
58. Befriend an upperclassman - preferably someone in your major who can mentor you through choosing classes, picking professors, etc.
59. You should make an appointment with an academic advisor at least once a semester.
60. Nobody expects you to know what you want to do with your life, so don't put that pressure on yourself.
61. Changing majors once or twice is normal and, at most colleges, isn't even that big of a deal as long as you do it early.
62. There's no shame in bringing your stuffed animals to college.
63. Communal bathrooms will reveal pet peeves you didn't know you had.
64. Whether you're rich or poor, college will make you more conscious of how much money your parents make than ever before.
65. Speaking of which, never take college for granted. You are incredibly lucky to be standing where you are.
66. Stay active. It'll be easier to stay fit in your forties if you start adopting healthier habits now.
67. But, don't waste your time dieting. It's college. Eat the free pizza, lady!
68. If the idea of your future COMPLETELY terrifies you, then congratulations: you're normal.
69. Picking out the cutest dorm decor feels like a big deal when you first get into college, but halfway through your first semester, you'll realize it doesn't actually matter. As long as you can see yourself using these same sheets for the next four years, you're good to go.
70. Study using what works for you, not the tips your favorite blogger tells you you should.
71. About a week into school, you'll probably realize you brought too many clothes to campus.
72. Rolling under-the-bed storage containers are LIFE CHANGING.
73. Find a spot in the library you can call your own.
74. Forget how dating worked in high school. Everything you thought you knew no longer applies.
75. No matter who you're with, just be yourself.

76. There's no more "cool" and "uncool." Instead of trying to be popular, focus on finding a group you fit in with.
77. Even so, there will still be mean girls in college. Some things never change.
78. Don't bring anything you care about to a frat party. That includes shoes. And jackets. And dignity.
79. Your parents aren't always right...
80. ...but, sometimes they are. Learn how to tell the difference.
81. You WILL hit rock bottom. Probably more than once.
82. Take responsibility for having safer sex. Never depend on anyone to tell you what's safe and what's not - only do what YOU feel comfortable with.
83. Whether or not you decide to #GoGreek, don't judge your friends in Greek life. Most sororities aren't like what you see on the news. More likely, they're just a bomb ass group of boss women trying to have fun, make friends and develop leadership skills.
84. When your parents call you an adult, you've truly made it.
85. You might get a little emo during your freshman year - and that's okay. Things are changing quickly; you're growing up. A bit of a mourning period is to be expected!
86. Start thinking about your summer plans BEFORE May rolls around. The earlier, the better when it comes to summer jobs.
87. The one thing I regret the most about my freshman year is forcing myself to do things I wasn't passionate about so I'd have a more impressive tagline on LinkedIn/better experiences on my resume. Don't make the same mistake.
88. You might think people are done competing over grades, boys, etc. in college...they're not.
89. ^ Don't let these people drag you down to their level.
90. Room with someone you know if at all possible.
91. That being said, you might THINK you know someone, but you don't REALLY know them until you live together!
92. It's common to struggle with your mental health in college. Luckily, there's SO many resources to help you manage any challenges you may face!
93. Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether in school or in life or anywhere at all.
94. You are never alone during your freshman year of college. Even the people who seem the most put together struggle with the transition.
95. Call your mom at least once a month. Don't put it off - just do it.
96. Whatever you do, don't start a kiss list.
97. Never pay full price for anything.
98. There will be a thousand events on campus paid for by your undergrad student fee and you will never be able to go to them all. Don't let them guilt you about it.
99. Mute your freshman class on GroupMe. Just trust me on this one.
100. College is what you make of it, so ignore all the advice anyone has ever told you and focus on creating your own unique college experiences! 

What's the most important thing you learned your freshman year of college? Let me know in the comments below!

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My Favorite Health & Fitness Trends

Hello, beautiful! Like many of you, I just finished up my finals. I can't believe my freshman year of college is already over! More on that next week ;)

Though I haven't done a health and fitness post in awhile, I've actually gotten into a good groove when it comes to my fitness routine. I'm working out more often than ever and finally eating 100% vegan (with the exception of honey...I can't give it up) after wanting to try it for years. So, I think I'm in a pretty good place, if I do say so myself!

However, as we all know, motivation tends to be fleeting when it comes to fitness. For every day of cardio and kale there's a night of Netflix and cookie dough to balance it out. Don't get me wrong - you totally need days like that every once in awhile - but as important as balance is, a huge part of maintaining balance for me (instead of giving up and completely letting myself go) is staying motivated.

So, to inspire us all to keep working hard and sweating it out for summer, I'm sharing some of my favorite fitness trends of the Summer 2017 season! I hope this post will motivate you as much as writing it has motivated me. Sunshine and squats, here we come...

Aerial Yoga

If you haven't heard of aerial yoga yet, it's a cross between aerial dance (a type of choreography performed on silks, hoops, trapezes, etc. suspended in mid-air) and traditional asanas. Though looking at the ropes, they might seem a little intimidating, Yoga Journal says aerial yoga can actually ease your comfort level in challenging poses. Basically, in an aerial yoga class, you use a combination of low-hanging aerial silks and traditional yoga to decompress and unwind. Aerial silks are big in the BU dance community, so I couldn't be more excited to try this form of yoga this summer while I'm home! 

Live Instagram Workouts

In case you haven't heard, you can now go live on Instagram! Taking a cue from its parent company Facebook I see :) Some of my favorite Internet trainers, like Karena and Katrina of Tone It Up, are now taking advantage of the feature to bring unique, free fitness challenges and workouts to the table.  To sample what their Instagram workouts are like, you can follow along to past ones on their YouTube channel - and you can catch me up in the gym tonight working out to one of their 40-minute live workouts! (Speaking of which...should I film live workouts in the gym and put them on the Haley Marie Blog Instagram? LMK.) 

Meal Prep

I was never a meal prepper until I got to college and realized just how much money I was wasting on food. Next year, my roommate Arielle and I (check out her blog here!) will be prepping up a STORM in our gorgeous on-campus apartment! If you haven't heard of meal prepping, many fitness sensations have started cooking up a storm on Sunday nights and portioning out meals and snacks for the entire week ahead - finally, a trend that's perfect for the busy broke college girl on the go! When it comes to meal prep, cooking staples like quinoa in big batches and making it pretty with cute bento containers are key. Some of my favorite recipes to meal prep are Tone It Up's quinoa bowl (easy to leave out the dairy - can you tell I love K&K?), Bakerita's peanut butter acai bowls (simply freeze ingredients in individual baggies Sunday night and blend as you go) and Tuulia's creamy vegan lentil bolognese.

Probiotics

Taking a probiotic is something I've sworn by ever since my struggles with the pill (read more about that here). Now, I couldn't be more excited that something I know works from personal experience is finally going mainstream! Doctors nowadays are acknowledging more than ever how important it is to have a diverse, healthy gut microbiome. For example, many diseases are only able to take over your body after competition is eliminated, such as when a course of antibiotics kills off all the "good bacteria" in your gut - I learned all about it in my Infectious Diseases class this semester! Probiotics can be purchased from your local drugstore and taken daily as a supplement; however, they're also found naturally in many tasty fermented foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt and kombucha.

Micro Meditation

Doctors and therapists alike have known for awhile know that meditation benefits the mind, body and brain - yet many of us claim to be "too busy" to take advantage of this practice. Thankfully, health and fitness trendsetters have come up with the perfect solution: enter micro meditation! Instead of spending 10+ minutes meditating every day, micro meditations last only 1-3 minutes. However, with a regular daily practice, you can still reap the same benefits from micro meditation as from a full-length session! To try this trend out for yourself, I've been loving the Aura app lately. This app lets you log data on your mood and then recommends a daily micro meditation session. In just three minutes, you'll find yourself feeling more refreshed, calm and centered. Complete it in the morning or just before bed, then go about your day as usual - you'll be surprised at how quickly you can feel the difference!

Intuitive Eating

After years of suffering through squeezing into size zeros (NOT my real size) after an attempted "cleanse" diet, I couldn't be more excited to share that dieting is finally "out." Self-love is in now! And that includes intuitive eating. If you haven't heard of intuitive eating (some people also call this "mindful" or "normal" eating), it's a set of principles that basically boil down to this: eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full. Simple, yet it's actually shown to be more effective than fad dieting to help you lose weight! Back in high school when I struggled with restrictive dieting, the intuitive eating book Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat 100% changed my whole mentality around food - it's a great starting place for beginners who feel like they'll never break out of the yo-yo cycle of dieting. (I was there once, too!)

Acai Bowls

Acai bowls are springing up EVERYWHERE. They're delicious and nutritious, yet at some trendy cafes, they run for as much as $10-15 a pop. We're lucky enough to have a Jamba Juice that accepts dining points on campus, but my frugal tip? Make your own at home! That way you can save money but still reap the benefits for your body (and taste buds!). All you need is some acai (get a 4 oz bag for $15.00 on Amazon), some plant-based milk and your favorite frozen fruits. Blend them all together until smooth, and serve in a pretty bowl with delicious toppings. My personal favorite toppings include dairy-free chocolate chips, peanut butter, honey, coconut and sliced banana. Mmm!

Buddha Bowls

The bowl trend continues - and I think I know why. Long gone are the years of fancy, sit-down dinners. Now, it's all about quick, easy and healthy meals that can still be savored in a mindful way. The Buddha bowl is the perfect example. Chock full of tasty, plant-based superfoods, Buddha bowls can be customized in almost any way you please. They're so mainstream, you can even find frozen ones, like my favorite one from Sweet Earth (I may or may not have eaten three of these in the past two weeks), at your local Target or grocery store. If you're more in the mood to save money by DIYing, many awesome food bloggers have recipes I love, too - like this sweet potato chickpea bowl by the Minimalist Baker or this spicy barbecue polenta bowl by Half Baked Harvest.

What health and fitness trends am I missing out on? LMK in the comments!

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