Stop and Smell The Roses: Ten Tips for Feeling Like Yourself Again
By: Reagan Pierce
We have all been there: the end of a long and grueling semester that has left you feeling a bit worn down. Or maybe a major life change has you feeling like you’ve lost your spark. It is in these moments that we need to slow down and look at the little things that bring some joy and rejuvenation. Stopping and smelling the roses; taking time to appreciate and cultivate little areas of beauty in our lives can help us get back on track.
I have certainly been there—in fact, I am in the middle of it right now! At 3 months post-partum, I am intimately familiar with looking in the mirror and not feeling like you recognize the woman looking back at you. As I worked through the change of becoming a mother and stepping away from the life I once had, I really needed to get back to the building blocks of my daily routine. As life fluctuated around me, I focused on controlling my controllables. These are a few little things that I did that have helped me slow down and better appreciate the newness and change in my life. But these are not limited to navigating life post-partum. By slowing down, controlling your controllables, and cultivating beauty in the margins, you can work your way back to feeling like yourself after any big life change.
Get your 8 hours.
As a new mom, sleep is a precious commodity and is not always available. However, when I was in college, I religiously went to bed by 10:30 every night, and it was a game changer. Not only was I more on top of my homework, but I had more energy and was able to better regulate my moods and emotions. Prioritize your sleep and your body will thank you for it.
Wash your face and get ready for the day.
This has been one of the best things I have done for myself post-partum. It is easy to allow yourself to slip into that depressive, bed-rotting, doom-scrolling cycle when you never make it out of your sweats. I love lounging in my pajamas as much as the next person, but there is something profoundly empowering in showering, putting on makeup, and wearing a pair of jeans that fit well. The days in which I feel the most “human” and able to accomplish the things I want to get doneand feel good about myself while doing it are the days I prioritize caring, ever so slightly, about how I present myself. You owe it to yourself to be the best version of you that you can be in this moment. Sometimes showing up for yourself means that you showered and brushed your hair; other days it means putting on a new outfit and blow drying your hair! Honor your body, but know that you will feel better if you at least wash your face.
Have a friend help you find clothes that flatter you.
After I had a baby, nothing fit correctly. I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but all of my clothes felt too tight or too big in the wrong places. My mom came out and helped me go through my closet and put together outfits out of the clothes that did fit. This not only saved me an unnecessary shopping trip but also gave me so much confidence that I could look good even if I was still working on loving my new figure. As women, our bodies fluctuate day to day (or even hour to hour). It is so helpful to have a friend help you figure out what looks good on you. What colors, shapes, hem lines, etc. look good on you and help to bring out and accentuate your natural beauty!
Buy a bra that fits you.
This is an incredibly underrated tip. I was shocked at how much my confidence grew once I went to get sized and got a bra that fit me and felt comfortable. Yes, it was an investment, but the quality and fit are so much better than what you will find in the loungewear sections at Target.
Honor your body with what you eat.
In college, this is much easier said than done, but do try and prioritize eating whole foods that taste good and will keep you full. Find a few fruits, vegetables, protein options, and grains that you like and can reasonably prepare on your own. You can then try different styles of preparing them to add some variety (i.e. kale salad, kale in a soup, and baked kale chips). Our culture is oversaturated with advice on diets and nutrition, so it can be overwhelming to try and eat clean without breaking the bank. Focus on improving a few areas of your diet and grocery list—a little improvement can go a long way.
Take a walk.
Movement is an essential part of looking and feeling your best. In my life, this looks like making time for yoga in the afternoon and taking my daughter for a walk.
Journal.
This has been incredibly helpful at different stages of my life. As I was navigating breakups, starting new jobs, or unpacking difficult life-changes, I found that journaling allowed me to work through and make sense of whatever it was I was going through. It has been an invaluable tool in learning how to articulate my emotions. It provides the space to process your feelings so you are able to move on!
Try a new recipe.
I have grown to greatly enjoy cooking and putting together meals. Trying out something new adds some variety to life and pushes me to learn new skills in the kitchen. From Tarte Tatins to cornish game hens to lemon tarts and everything in between, learning how to cook well will make you a better friend, spouse, and human. We all have to eat, so why not bring others into it and learn to really enjoy the process of making your food? I have loved exploring new cookbooks and trying to learn more about cooking in general. Mastering the Art of French Cooking and the Joy of Cooking are both great for beginners if you are looking to learn more about how to cook meals that are good for you and actually taste good as well.
Get together with friends.
We are made for community. There is a time and place for being alone, but it is good to push yourself to create the community and friendships you desire. Invite people to eat with you, grab coffee with a friend, ask someone to go on a walk. It is scary to take the first step in building a friendship, but your effort will not go unrewarded.
Spend time in the Word.
Faith is the foundation of everything. Bring your worries and insecurities to the Lord. Spending time in the Word can help ground you and prepare you to take on the day. If you are not pursuing the Lord it will be so much more challenging to get out of difficult seasons in life.
Life is busy. Your time as a student is incredibly hectic and demanding. Not all of us have endless hours in the day to perfect our physique or prep the healthiest meals, but we can find beauty if we are intentional with the margins of our day. Even when life is overwhelming, there are always moments of still in which you can try out just one or two of the things I have recommended. No one has the capacity to perfect every element of their life all at once. But we can all find 5 free minutes in our day to stop and say a quick prayer or 10 minutes to take a quick shower. Maybe you use two hours on a weekend to do a closet revamp and find outfits that fit you well so your decision of what to wear for the rest of the week is a bit easier.
Learning to slow down and prioritize the little things that will add a bit of beauty into your routine will go a long ways in helping you to feel more like yourself. As a new mom, I have had to learn to be realistic in what I can accomplish in a day while still fitting in the things that help me feel like me! I have learned that I am a better mom, spouse, and friend when I take the time to get ready in the morning. By prioritizing doing something that makes me feel more like me in the midst of changing diapers, breastfeeding, and cleaning (or in your case, writing papers, studying for exams, or cleaning your room) has helped me to appreciate the little joys in those mundane chores.
God provided us with an eye for beauty. I encourage you to slow down and enjoy the little joys of life! In taking the time to appreciate who you are right now and where you are at, you’ll soon be able to look in the mirror and love the woman smiling back.
Reagan Pierce | ‘22
Reagan is an artist, wife to Andrew, and mother to little Matilda. When she is not creating something new in the studio (or changing diapers), you can find her living out her inner Julia Child and attempting to master the art of French cooking, redecorating some new corner of her house, or meandering through the Meijer specialty cheese aisle.
