Happy Groundhog Day!

As I was walking to class this morning someone wished me a Happy Groundhogs Day. I was very confused and then remembered that yes indeed it is February 2nd. Then I got a little sad. I haven't thought about Groundhog Day since elementary school. We would make little groundhogs out of brown paper bags and read a groundhog story and then we would watch the news to see if the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, had seen his shadow(Yes I had to google that).  And for those of you who didn't realize it was Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which means an early spring and big Yay for that!...hopefully this is at least a little accurate. 

It got me thinking about how fun elementary school was. It was a time of life where you celebrated things like Groundhogs Day, the 100th Day of School, the first day of March(which I don't remember why it was special but we celebrated it) and Columbus Day. At that time you weren't worrying about passing your classes or finding a job or hoping that somehow you could pay the bills. Your homework was one sheet of paper with addition problems on it. You had recess, lunchtime, detention for misbehaving and a desk that was just yours where you inevitably lost every single pencil, paper and craft supply that you were given.
Life isn't like that anymore. It is hard being an adult. And for me sometimes I really wish I could be a kid again. So take a moment to be a kid today. Read a fun groundhog story, color a groundhog, or draw one, take a step back to celebrate today. Happy Groundhogs Day!
#intheheadofbrie

Sincerely,

BriaunaLou

Winter Blues

Every year come January, I start to get really down. This first time this happened was my freshman year of college. It was really hard, but with a lot of help from many people, by summer I was in a much better place.  But that next year, I started having those same feelings and I realized it was Seasonal Affective Depression(SAD).

As I have studied and talked about it, I have realized that many people actually have seasonal depression or the Winter Blues. Every year there is a battle and every year, spring comes eventually and we bounce back, but until that happens it can be a real struggle. I, as much as the next person, knows how nice it is to curl up in a blanket in front of the TV with a bag of chocolate and only move as much as necessary. But that won't bust those winter blues. Here are a few tips that will.

Exercise every day. Whether that's yoga in the front room, hitting the gym or a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Get moving! Get your blood pumping. It doesn't have to be a hard core workout. In fact, it is recommend that you don't hard core workout in January to give your body time to rest. But do at least a little something.
Get some sunshine. Bundle up and take walk(two birds, one stone!). Sit in a sunny chair. Open up the window blinds. Soak up as much of that Vitamin D as you can. 
You hear this all the time. Eat healthy. Winter is a time for your body to rest and repair, it can't do that if you're feeding it junk. 
Add some color. Get some yellow towels. Put hot pink sheets on your bed, Put a green plant on the kitchen counter. Winter is very neutral. Mix it up with pops of color around your home. 
January is the start of a new year. What better way to start than to organize everything. Its cold outside so spend time inside decluttering your life. 
Be social. Do something outside your normal routine. Whether that's going to a basketball game or meeting friends at a restaurant. Get out, be with other people. 
Plan for summer. Make vacation plans you can look forward to. 
Get enough sleep. Its dark for longer, take advantage of that as much as you can. Let your body rest. 

Don't just survive the winter blues, knock them out of park. 
#intheheadofbrie

Sincerely,

BriaunaLou

To a New Everything

To start off the new year, I have some exciting news! I moved!!! I transferred up to Logan to attend Utah State University and I am pleased at peaches to be here, although that doesn't mean it hasn't been easy. Moving to a new town and a new university is one of the hardest things I have ever done. Even after being here almost a month it still doesn't feel quite like home yet, but I am going to do the best I can.
I look forward to a wonderful year! I am sure that there will be many hardships but also lots of good times! Here's to a new Everything!

Sincerely,

BriaunaLou

Being in Your 20's Isn't Easy

I have a confession to make. Ever since I turned 20, things have come up on social media (mostly pinterest) about things, that me being in my 20's, should do. You know the ones, 20 things every 20 year old should be doing, 20 mistakes to not make in your 20', 20 books you should read in your 20's, and 20 places you should go in your 20's. The lists seem to go on and on.  "So, random person on the internet, what should I be doing in my 20's?"
 For some reason these articles always catch my eye. Maybe its because they're actually really good articles or maybe its because some crazy person attempted to make a recipe for your 20's.  Some of the articles I just plain laugh at and others I love and write down and still others I read and think "Has this person even lived to be 20 yet?" Whatever the reason why, I have read a lot of these kinds of articles. I take away bits and pieces from everyone of them. I came across one today, that I actually agreed with every point they made and I thought I would share with my fellow 20-something year olds.
The Huffington Post August 27, 2015

20 Things You Need to Accept in Your 20's

1.You're going to be broke for a very long time. Stock up on Ramen and make the best of it.
2.The first time you fall in love probably won't be the last. There are different kinds of love and people that will come into your life for different reasons.
3.You will undeniably grow apart from your friends in some ways. You're going to move and get into relationships and careers that take up a lot of your time and rather than resent each other for that, cherish the time that you do have to spend together.
4.Nothing in your life is permanent. That's horrifying and invigorating all at the same time. You have to embrace change and accept that it is 100 percent necessary.
5.You're never going to look "perfect," but you're beautiful the way you are. Accept what you see in the mirror and stop trying to change it. You're young and vibrant. Own it.
6.You're going to feel alone sometimes. It's going to seem like everyone has their own lives and you are floating in the ocean all by your lonesome. That's OK. In the end, you can only really count on yourself, and you will become stronger from the moments you felt abandoned.
7.There's never going to be a time that you will not need your parents in many ways.
8.You're going to feel unappreciated, defeated and disappointed at times.
9.You're going to change your mind about things. You can't feel guilty about leaving a relationship, city or career if it's what's best for you. Changing your mind is what you're supposed to do.
10.The job market isn't what it used to be. Your college degree or work history isn't an easy ticket to success anymore. You are going to have to constantly prove yourself. Hard work is good.
11.The past is over. You have to let go of every "what could have been" and go forward.
12.It's not always going to be easy to be a good person. You're going to have to fight for what you believe is right and sometimes, no one will seemingly agree with you.
13.Not everyone is going to like you and if you think that it's possible to be universally liked, you will kill yourself trying.
14.You're going to misjudge people. Don't beat yourself up over trying to see the good in someone.
15.When you do find your person, they aren't going to be perfect. Your relationship or marriage will be hard sometimes. It isn't about thinking someone is perfect; it's about knowing that they are perfect for you. You need to marry your best friend, not your "dream" man or woman.
16.Your body is going to change. Whether its due to having children or not having enough money for a gym membership, you're not always going to look 20. I repeat from #4, you're beautiful. Your body is supposed to change, just like everything else in life does.
17.You're going to fall on your face multiple times. This could be from a relationship or job or really anything, but it will happen. You have to brush yourself off and learn from your mistakes.
18.Not everything will be like you imagine it now. You may not want to dish out the money you'd need to have your Pinterest Wedding or have the job you imagined for yourself, and that's OK.
19.Your core values will not always align with those of the people around you. But you need to stand by them.
20.You're going to feel like a different person after these years and probably know a heck of a lot more than you do now. It's most important that you remember who you are in your heart. Love freely. Move towards your dreams. Accept imperfection and realize that life will get messy, but it's a beautiful mess and it's all yours.

I loved this article. Someone had finally managed to put into words what I had been feeling about life and what all of these thousands of articles had to say. I love her final point that you are supposed to change and grow. Life is messy. Its supposed to be that way. And that is my piece for you,
 Embrace it! Love it!

Sincerely,

BriaunaLou

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lexi-herrick/20-things-you-need-to-accept-about-your-20s_b_5326281.html?utm_hp_ref=pt&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Its Been a While

About a year (wow, it doesn't seem like that long...) I started this blog as an assignment for a class. After that class ended, I stopped. Now I am trying to get back to it. So I guess we will see how this goes. I decided to change the name, although posts will still include some of the things it did before, but I felt this fit better for where I want to take this blog.  A little update. I am now 20 years old (okay, now thats crazy!), a junior in college and ready to share a part of myself with whoever might be out there reading.

Sincerely,

BriaunaLou

Winter Traditions

In my family we have more traditions than I can count. Some of my favorites are our winter traditions. Every year on the first snow of the season, anywhere from September to November,  we make doughnuts and soup of some sort. We always build a snowman. 

This year the first snow for me was different than my families, as I live 200 miles away. I still went and got doughnuts, though they were no where near as good as the homemade doughnuts my mom makes.

We spend hours every winter snowmobiling in the field behind our house and up the mountain. We all learned at a very young age to drive and my dad makes sure to take us every year.

One of our other traditions is cutting down our very own Christmas tree. This has evolved of the years as we have gotten older and more helpful. The day after Thanksgiving, commonly known as Black Friday for everyone else, we drive up the mountain and hike all over looking for the perfect tree. My dad then cuts the tree and we haul it back to the truck. We have had some very interesting experiences over the years as we have carried it up hills and over rivers. But it is one of our favorite traditions.

I am sure that these traditions will change and be modified as we get older and our family grows bigger. But traditions are what set each family apart. What are some of your favorite traditions? Comment below. #fourtoomanygirls #traditions #Christmas

Sincerely,

BriaunaLou

Finals Week

For those in need of a good laugh

Good Luck on finals! #finalsweek #fourtoomanygirls #collgelife

Sincerely,

BriaunaLou