confetti kindness

a community of caring

Every once in a while, you hear a phrase that sticks with you, one that resonates so clearly it gives you that extra bit of insight into how you feel. Today, on day two (and a half) of Peer Adviser training, one of the board members described this community as such… “a community of caring.”

This was one of those phrases.

There is no other way to describe the group of people that also serve as “orientation guides” (another way of saying Peer Adviser…) for Northwestern freshmen and transfers.

We have had 2.5 packed days of info sessions and workshops and despite feeling sleepy at times, slightly hangry, and a little bit cold (why oh why is A/C designed for a man’s metabolism), I have had that warm feeling in my heart. The kind of feeling that only comes from being surrounded by people… people that well, actually care. Everywhere I seem to look, I see a friendly face, a warm smile, and a loving heart.

Tonight, we had a dance party because of course that’s what you do when you have over 200 people that have been sitting all day and are kind of (extremely) tired (#DDIDC) and about halfway through, my eyes were filled with happy tears. The past six months, I struggled with knowing who my community, my tribe was, who my people were. And I was confused. This was supposed to happen my freshman year, not in the second one! You see, it wasn’t that I was lacking friendships, I just didn’t feel like I had that “squad.” Which was tough. Everyone is looking for a place, not just surrounded by a few people, where they belong.

I also should tell you, I’m not new to the PA community. This is my second year peer advising. Yet, I didn’t realize how very special this feeling is and how much I need it/all of them until after being in that place of confusion and frustration last year.

But this evening, surrounded by a bunch college students dancing crazily to One Direction, I realized that I am so lucky that I do have it and these are my people. Ultimate #squadgoals.

So freshman, transfers, new students… wherever you are, if by some chance you are reading this, trust me. You will find your people. It may take a month, it may take a year, or it may even take two, but they are out there. A community of caring is waiting to take you into their ranks and unconditionally love you for exactly who you are.

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big news!

Drumroll please….

It’s time to change your bookmarks friends, Confetti Kindness has its own domain!

This was something I have wanted since the moment I started my blog. Who wouldn’t want their own domain? I told myself, if I keep up my blog for an entire year, I’ll invest in it.

Well, it’s been a year and WordPress was offering a special deal ( deals and domains, my favorite things!) so I did it. A major bonus is that there will be no more advertisements on Confetti Kindness, which puts a huge smile on my face. Nobody needs to see ads when reading about all things happy.

It’s a win for everyone (except for those companies trying to get you to buy another thing you probably don’t need) and makes me too excited to fill this website with more and more content.

Oh happy day, indeed.

one year

Happy first birthday to confetti kindness!

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by and, oh my, what a year it’s been.

This year has been a roller coaster ride, filled with ups and downs, new friendships, new opportunities, and a little bit less sleep. It was a hard year that I am undoubtedly thankful for. I grew more in the past 12 months and learned more about myself than I ever have.

A bit of that, has come from blogging and most of it is due to the people in my life who pushed, supported, and loved me.

So today, on this special day, I simply want to express a bit of gratitude to all that have had quite the impact on me this year.

Thank you to the people who encouraged me when I first started this thing. I was honestly overwhelmed with joy after my first post.

Thank you to all my friends who continued to support me as the year went on. Words don’t do justice to how much I appreciate you.

Thank you to my roommates; Sarah, Liz, and Isabel, who became like family to me this year (we are sisters after all ha). You listened to me when I cried, kept my ego in check (mostly @Isabel), and were there to cheer me on no matter what. I also sing more now because of you all and I don’t really know if that’s a good thing.

Thank you to my family for literally everything. I would not be the person that I am without you.

And lastly, a HUGE thank you to every single person that has read even one word that I have written. This little hobby of mine would be nothing without you.

Keep sprinkling that kindness. I love you.

(This was corny and cheesy, but I need to stick to my brand and I am a corny and cheesy person)

getting motivated

All you semester kids are done for the summer, but alas, here at NU, we’ve still got three more weeks. Except the weather is finally hot and the “schools out” instagrams are popping up on my newsfeed and I am READY for summer. As ready as I may be, Northwestern is not ready to let me go. I’ve still got tests, projects, problem sets, oh and those little things called finals. It’s hard to find the motivation some days, but I’ve put my favorite tricks together for staying happier, healthier, and more productive as the year comes to a close.

take a soul stroll.
Sarah (roommate) coined this term and I love it. With the warm weather and longer days, evenings, or even early mornings, are the perfect time to go for a walk. Getting some fresh air is a wonderful way to clear your head. An added bonus.. . you get a little bit of exercise which gives you endorphins and that is scientifically proven to make you happier. When you’re happier, you will do better work.

spend quality time with a friend.
Pencil in time with an honest to goodness, true friend. This always puts me in the best mood. Being the introvert that I am, there are days where I just want to just curl up in a ball and watch one of my favorite shows that have become like comfort food to me. Okay sometimes, but it never has quite the same rejuvenating effect as spending time with the people I love. True friends can fill up your heart with joy and warmth and get you back on the track of joy, ready to finish up all of your work. Remember, taking a break is 100% a-okay.

make a to-do list.
I love to plan. My planner is always filled with every little detail about my day, a habit I caught on from my mom. Making a to-do list helps you to recenter and refocus. There is no better feeling than crossing an item off a list. This is a simple way to push yourself to accomplish a task and make sure that everything gets done in these next few weeks.

listen to some happy tunes.
Music is a miracle worker. A good beat is the ideal way to push yourself through your work session (or your mind-clearing soul stroll). I’ve recently become obsessed with Hamilton. It’s definitely been inspiring me through my problem sets. Because if a “bastard, orphan, son of a whore and Scotsman… can grow up to be a hero and a scholar”, I can pass this test.

SLEEP
This is by far the most important one. You have a million things to do, I feel you. You won’t be able to do them if you are sleep deprived! There is not enough coffee in the world to make up for pulling an all-nighter. Go. To. Bed. The work will get done and you will be so thankful that you got some shut-eye.

You are going to CRUSH these last few weeks (@ my fellow quarter system friends). And if you’re done for the summer, these are also great tips for keeping things light and productive with your summer job/internship [hair flipping emoji].

comparison. the thief of joy.

As a high school graduation gift, my mom compiled inspirational letters and quotes from her most trusted family and friends into a book… Words from Wise Women (and one really smart guy)… that smart guy, my dad. Eighteen-year-old Renée was, obviously, extremely grateful and cherished the words that these women had shared with her, but didn’t quite realize how helpful and valuable they would become. Some days I’ve really needed these extra motivational messages.

One that has stood out to me every time I flip through them… “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

We live in an age where highlight reels are projected all over the internet. Scrolling through Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook can be fun and captivating… or it can turn you into the green eyed monster. Seeing the fun times that others are having causes you to question everything about your life. “Why can’t my life be like that?” becomes the thought running through your mind as you view the highlights from everyone else’s life.

That comparison, vastly enhanced by social media, takes away any chance for pure joy. I actually had to delete Snapchat for a while because of what it was doing to so many of my friendships. Is everyone hanging out without me? was no longer just the title of lovley book, it became a question that seeped into my heart and filled my mind with self-doubt and jealousy. Not good.

Comparison leaves you constantly wishing for something else. I wish I was more like ___. I wish that I had ___. It blinds you from seeing the very best part about yourself: the simple fact that you are you. Every quirk, every “imperfection” makes you a wonderful, unique human being unlike any other.

You can compare yourself to others all day long. And yes, they may be awesome, but guess what. So are you. Be confident in who you are. Find motivation from others, but never for a second doubt how ridiculously great it is for you to be you.

Big high five (or raise the roof… still have not figured out this emoji) to that.