If you read How to Live Your Best Life All Summer 17, you know that launching an arts camp was on my to-do list. Arts Center for Engagement (A.C.E) Summer Camp is a place for children ages 7-13 to celebrate self-love and self-acceptance through the arts.
With the help of Enough Pie, local artists and businesses — I will bring the kids of Bridgeview Village together through storytelling, song and dance. Bridgeview, my old stomping grounds, is an affordable housing community in the Upper Peninsula of Charleston, SC. I know first-hand that there’s a need for more activities for the youth who live there, especially ones that don’t involve running outside in 100 degree weather. My mission is to change the game by encouraging them through creativity.
Who invented group projects? This is a serious question. I thought my group project days ended in college, but nah. My circles consists of artists, entrepreneurs and influencers. Translation: there’s always an idea for a collaboration being thrown my way.
While I appreciate my peers thinking of me when they have great ideas, the thought of working with multiple people makes me anxious. Group project deadlines, communication, and juggling multiple opinions and personalities can be A LOT on the soul.
5 Reasons Why Group Projects Are The Worst
Patience is a virtue I’m still mastering.
To set the record straight, I’m a team player. You know what makes me a good team player? Knowing my strengths and weaknesses. Patience happens to be a strength and weakness of mine. Sometimes I have it, sometimes I don’t.
Micromanaging is annoying.
A good leader is always appreciated–a bossy manager is not. Neither is feeling the need of having to be a micromanager.
I don’t babysit anyone over the age of 13. I barely want to babysit my nephews, let alone an adult fully capable of doing the work that needs to be done.
Which bring me to the next reason….
Ain’t nobody got time for that.
An assumed perk of group projects is being able to save time by sharing the workload. It only takes one lazy group member to ruin that for everyone. A
I just literally can not. I’m unable to can.
Those are the words I can use to genuinely describe the frustration of having your success being in the hands of someone else.
Do you despise group projects? What’s the worst experience you’ve had?
“I’m just trying to live my best life” is something I started saying heavily before leaving for Hangout Fest. My friends and co-workers love it just as much as I do. It’s probably because some of our “best life” decisions are questionable. Either way summer is almost officially here, and the only life I want to live is my best one!
How to Live Your Best Life #AllSummer17
Be consciously selfish.
It’s okay to say no to things that don’t benefit or interest you. This doesn’t mean to ignore your loved ones to sip sangria at the pool– at least not everyday. If your family is as big as mine, your calendar is already 50% booked with events. Make sure to make time for the fun and/or productive things you want to do.
Wear the bathing suit.
I know first hand this is easier said than done, but I also know that self consciousness and the heat don’t mesh well together.
Unplug.
If you didn’t Snap about it, did it even happen? Yes. Yes it did. Nothing says summer like a good drink-in-the-air picture, but sometimes we forget to live in the moment. Not to mention that a break from the 24-hour news cycle is good for the soul. Being on your phone too much takes away from quality pool and/or nap time. (Please note that I love a good drink in a float picture just as much as the next person.)
Don’t apologize for living the life you chose.
You’ve earned whatever you’re celebrating. What other people think of your idea of fun has nothing to do with you. Maybe your best life is washing your hair and reading a book–maybe it’s drinking wine out the bottle. If it makes you happy and isn’t harmful to yourself and others–DO IT. Worry about yourself fam.
Here are things I plan to check off my list to help live my best life this summer.
launch my summer arts camp.
This is the year I’m FINALLY beginning the journey of sprinkling art into the lives of Charleston’s youth. The 2-week camp launches in July, so stay tuned for more details!
Take a solo day trip.
A day to myself in a different city would be adventurous, even in a city I’ve visited before.
Attend (at least) 3 festivals
Hangout Fest is 1 out of the 3. Music Midtown is on my list, but I’d like to attend a food or culture related festival too.
How do you plan to live your best life this summer, and every other day of the year?
I remember the days when my summer reading list consisted of Babysitter Club and American Girl books. My, my how times have changed. Instead of reading to earn points for free pizza or colorful bracelets– I’m reading for the soul. Here’s a list of books I recently bought to enjoy this spring/summer.
Summer Reading List
Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This story is about a Nigerian couple who tries to flee to America *dramatic pause* post 9/11. The tone is a little more serious than the books I usually, but I’m always down for a dramatic, romantic adventure.
Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates
A few months ago, I attended a discussion of Between the World and Me without reading the book. The conversation was great enough to make me want to own the book as soon as possible. You’ve probably read enough blog posts about my nephews to know they’re a pretty big part of my life. They’re the main reason I bought this book. Read below to find out why…
“In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of “race”, a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men.” (excerpt from the Publisher’s summary)
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
I’m behind in all the shows, especially HBO’s Big Little Lies. Reading the book obviously isn’t the same as seeing Reese Witherspoon and Zoe Kravitz on my screen, but it’ll do. If you’re unaware, Big Little Lies follows an investigation of a parent who wound up dead at an elementary school trivia night. Naturally, the investigation gets a little messy.
Purple Hibiscus – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I love a good coming of age story. Purple Hibiscus tells the tale of a teenage Nigerian girl in search of freedom.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life – Mark Manson
For decades we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. “F*ck positivity,” Mark Manson says. “Let’s be honest, shit is f*cked, and we have to live with it.”
Ya girl loves anything that revolved around self-help and good vibes only, but life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. I can’t wait to read Ranson’s take on positive thinking.
“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.”
― J. Sidlow Baxter
The Importance of a Positive Attitude
Your vibe attracts your tribe.
No one likes to be around a Debbie/Donald Downer. If you have a negative outlook on life, you will invite negativity into your space.
Helps the inspiration and motivation flow.
When you feel good about your life, you’ll want to continue to do the things that keep you feeling that way. Even if it’s deciding to take the healthy eating route or discovering a new hobby, a little passion goes a long way.
Being optimistic helps us find the good in every situation. Positive folks complete tasks without worrying about what could go wrong. So if things don’t gi exactly how you planned, there’s still a lesson or experience to be had.
It’s healthier for you.
Nothing good comes from being constantly stressed, angry or sad. Everyone has bad days and gets into funks, but holding onto those feelings won’t help the situation.
Brings more positivity into your life.
A positive attitude is the gift that keeps on giving. It unlocks gratitude for what you already have, which brings more greatness to you.
Despite what you’ve heard, being a server is a tough job. As long as you’re sitting in our section, we’re responsible for your happiness and your lives–if you want to get technical.
Every time I try to leave the service industry, something keeps calling me back. Maybe it’s the money, maybe it’s the family atmosphere or maybe it’s the hundreds of memories the job brings. Every food and beverage job is different, but here are some things the server in your life will relate to.
7 Things A Food & Bev Server Will Understand
When you tell guests to enjoy their meal and they respond, “You too.”
#AwkwardAF
Table: *reads menu for 20 minutes* So what all do you have?
Me:
Explaining to your friends that lunch breaks don’t exist.
LOL, what’s a break?
Doing the math when a table leaves the total amount without specifying the tip.
Blaming the Back of House staff when you’re in the weeds.
Knowing “in the weeds” isn’t a drug reference.
I pinky promise it isn’t.
That moment when you’re ready to checkout, and remember you have side work.
Are you a food and bev server? Comment below with anything you’d add to the list!
