today’s journal entry: how can you fill your cup? what makes you feel emotionally full?

As I started this new school year, I was thinking on ways that I can do better than I did last year. Not just as a student, but also as a person.

One thing I came up with last year that I *really* want to work on is living intentionally. What I mean by this, is that everything I do should have a purpose.

It isn’t as intense as it sounds. Often, when we think of being “intentional”, we think of having to put endless effort, usually something that feels like work. It has that connotation. But living intentionally isn’t the same as leading that “hustle culture” lifestyle. Let me explain.

How many times have you sat down just for a moment to scroll because you were bored, and still found yourself there hours later? Was it actually restful? Did you feel better about yourself after?

Being intentional doesn’t mean working constantly. I think this is something I got in my head for a while, and it’s why I never got into it before. It also can mean that you take that break that you need. Not a scroll break. Taking a walk. Reading a book (or a blog!). Getting together with a friend. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can serve others – more on that in another blog post – and in doing so, I’ve had to also ask the question: how can I fill my own cup? What makes me feel full emotionally?

As the school year has been in session for almost three weeks now, I’ve tried paying attention to the ways I default to spend my time: playing video games, scrolling and watching Netflix are my big ones. Last school year I got into a browser game that really ate up my time not just outside of class, but inside too. Needless to say that game was the first to go. I am of the opinion that in moderation, video games can be good. Which is why my own boundary is that I’m not playing video games on my own, but with someone else. (Exempt from that is Forza, but then, I also don’t have my Xbox in my room when school is in session so I don’t use it as much). Minecraft and a podcast has been my evening rewind for over a year now, but even that has generally changed to hopping on a call with my boyfriend and playing together. I still listen to my podcasts on my free time! Scrolling was an easier-ish one to cut off than before. I use this app on my phone called Opal, the free version, and it actually does pretty good. I have a block on all of my social media apps all day, except for one hour. Opal has a feature that you can take a break for 1-15 minutes, which helps if I have to check something or post to my student group’s Instagram. Beeper syncs to Instagram so I still always have access to my messages. And Netflix? All I did was start going to bed earlier. No more night time Netflix 😦

I’ve been using this system for the first 2 full weeks and I’m excited to see how it goes in this next school year.

That’s all for this post, but I hope you come again soon!

The Bzziest Bee