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Study Abroad Series: Goals

7:30:00 AM



By now you would have read this post and you will have read that I am going to be studying abroad (I leave in 2 months!) and while there is a lot to do until the moment I step onto that airplane, I thought I would start a study abroad series, as I will be there for four months after all. If you have any questions, comments, or things to ask, please feel free to tweet me or send me an email! I want this series to include YOU. So every Wednesday this month, I will post a new study abroad themed post! 
Goals Study Abroad

When I first had my orientation, they asked what some goals were before we set off on our new adventures. And here are my top five goals that I came up with. 

  1. To Be more Independent. at this point, I am definitely not even sure I can fly by myself. I know you just sit on an airplane and don't do anything the entire time, but still. 
  2. To visit as many places as possible. I mean, c'mon this was a given. I already know a few spots i'm headed to and I'm thrilled. 
  3. To come back with more than $20. Because everyone at orientation warned us that we would come back broke. It's all part of the experience right?? 
  4. To really enjoy it. Yes i'll be taking a lot of photos, and that's great I want to remember my time over there but I also want to have moments where I sit back and just soak it all in. It always creates the best memories
  5. To step out of my comfort zone. I'd like to say, I have a medium sized comfort zone, but I really don't and this whole entire trip is pretty much me doing this I would never do. I cannot wait. 

I know this list is short, but in all honesty, it was kind of difficult to write. There are personal goals and also professional goals, like making a great resume, and connecting with different people and creating links to use later on in life. I am so excited to go abroad, but I'm also nervous (which is the post that pretty much wrote itself!) Please make sure to email me, or comment below with questions you might have and goals you would make for yourself if you were spending 4 months abroad! 

I hope you enjoy this series and follow me on my adventure! 

Q: What would be your dream country to visit? 


22

Feelin 22

7:00:00 AM



For some reason, I've been having a hard time writing this post. Not because turning 22 is scary, or that I'm avoiding it. Just because, I really don't know how to write this post. 
I could write a list of things I've learned in the past year. I could write an entire post to summarize going from 21 to 22. It's honestly not that different. 
I can still legally drink. 
I can still legally drive in the United States. 
So, what is new? 

22 Lifestyle blog
I'd like to think that this year, I was more grateful. 

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I felt lucky. A lot. 
To be able to take a driving trip with my family down south. 
To be able to do something (announcement coming soon) that I have been dreaming of for a really long time. 
To go skydiving to end the 21st year. 
To be able to feel the sunshine on my face on the beach. 
To be able to come home. 
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 It might be because I've seen a lot of people pass away too young in the past year, and that all makes me think that you literally do not know when life is going to end. You just don't. So why not enjoy it while you've got it. 

I hope the 22nd year, is just as great. 
I hope that I will have time to read more books ( I literally read 3 this past year). 
I hope I discover something new
I hope I enjoy all of it, even if some bits are bad. 
I hope that with each post on this space, that I get better at writing. 
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 The hardest part about turning a year older, is that when you realize you really don't need anything and each year it must be harder to come up with a birthday list. Other than peanut butter cake, or red velvet cake. Life really is great. 

 What is your favorite birthday cake? What are some goals you have for yourself? 

Clean Eating

Tips for Motivation

6:30:00 AM


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Let's face it. It can be really hard to stay motivated. I have days where I just cannot seem bothered to move from the futon, or get dressed into anything other than a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. I was having a conversation not too long ago about how to stay motivated to get or stay healthy. It had me thinking about some tips I would give, and lead me to create some Do's and Don'ts for staying motivated in life and sticking to a lifestyle change. 

1. DO start slow. This is probably the hardest. Sometimes we quit everything all at once and ban foods right away when in reality, we really should be taking out certain factors first. Slowly getting rid of milk, or slowly making sure to not have a chocolate for dessert can be really beneficial in the long run. 

2. Do remember results don't happen overnight. I'm someone who immediatley wants results. If you start working out and have only worked out for an hour the first day, you definitely won't leave the gym having a six pack. That takes time. 
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3. Don't worry if you slip up. I always have to remind myself of this. If I accidently eat something milk-chocolate or something not so healthy, I can't beat myself up. That's not good and you'll end up feeling worse about it. 

4. Do write down your goals. Using a notebook or planner to plan out a daily goal to set like drinking 12 ounces of water or eating more servings of veggies or adding an extra 20 minutes to your workout at the gym can be really beneficial in the long run as well. Usually if you see it, you'll want to do it. Even if you put it off until the last moment. 

5. Don't go overboard. So you want to get healthy and be more active. If you work out a lot in the beginning and don't slow down, truth is you'll get burnt out. I learned that when I started eating clean in January. I was working out everyday and then I got bored with it. 
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6. Do set a relaxation day. It's good to keep going and achieve things but give yourself a break once in a while. It's good to just unwind and rest before getting back to the grind. 

7.Do make a public commitment. This can help a lot of people. No you don't need to be that person who constantly posts photos of going to the gym. But if you tell people you know that you're eating healthy and enjoying it, that can be helpful too. Because you've said it out loud and you have to stick to it. 

8. Join a Group. Finding friends with common interests will help you reach your goals. You're encouraging each other not to give up and keep going. 

9. Explore new recipes. This one is for those trying to stay healthy. Exploring new recipes and looking at what other people make, makes me so much more excited to cook and everyone has been loving what I've made so far!

10. Think positive. Getting into the mindset that something might be hard will actually make it hard. If you think about the new things you'll be learning throughout the process it'll make a better result! I strongly believe that positivity is a choice, even though it can be difficult sometimes. 
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*Bonus Tip: Start a motivational quote journal. I did this a long time ago and it was really helpful, now I use it to write the quotes on a whiteboard where I can see them everyday!

I hope these tips were helpful! What other tips do you have for someone who is having a hard time starting up a new project or lifestyle? I have been loving veganism so much so far, there are so many different recipes?! I can't believe it. I hope you're all having a great day! Make sure to leave a comment below! 

x Kenzie
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