It costs nothing to be kind

Everyone has a story. You never know what someone is going through. All you can do is be kind. It costs nothing.

Something that I have recently discovered about myself is that I really do not like making small talk with people. I would so much rather have deep conversations and really get to know people below the surface. Since I was a little squirt, I have never been one to associate myself in a friend group. I am more of a free flowing type of person who wants to be friends with everyone but also have a handful of best friends who know me like I know me. I say this because it took me a really long time to accept this side of myself. Just because small talk isn't my thing doesn't mean anything is wrong with me! I just know there is so much more to human beings than their appearance and your initial encounter with them.

Every person you meet is fighting some internal battle. We have to stop being so quick to judge and remind ourselves that we are all human beings on a floating rock! We all have feelings and we all deserve to be listened to. One of my favorite things to do is go on long walks with the people I love and have meaningful conversation. This morning my friend Sam and I decided to start our Sunday off on the right note and get some sunshine :) Our walk and talk inspired me to write this today and I am forever grateful for the people in my life who help me to be the best version of myself so shout out Sammy!

Here is a little mind dump:

- Sunday's can be really hard in college. Prioritize your peace and happiness. Clean your space. Do something that fills your cup. Fuel your body and soul with good food and good people. Tap into your faith. Manifest a great week.

- You can go out sober and still have fun. There have been so many weekends that I have avoided going out because I am worried that I will be judged for my decisions or won't have fun. Sometimes you need to push yourself and do the dang thing. Like I said in my last post on college culture, social anxiety is a real thing, but it is so important to challenge it sometimes. It will pleasantly surprise you.

- Be kind to people. Being kind is something that you can always do. Even if you don't LOVE or even like someone does not give you an excuse to be rude to them. When all else fails, use your heart to connect with people. When you have something nice to say to someone, TELL THEM!!! Even if you think its cringey. Embrace the cringe.

- You are never alone. There are so many people who are feeling so many of the same things you are feeling but don't want to be vulnerable. Lean into the gift of being vulnerable -- it will benefit you and so many others.

- Embrace your insecurities. If you shift your mindset from having "flaws" to simply having aspects of yourself that you struggle to love, you will realize that you do not need to change. Stop shrinking to fit places you've outgrown. You are enough just as you are.

- Lean into discomfort. This weekend I ran my first half marathon and I had a blast. With that being said the process of training was not easy and the race itself was a mental and physical challenge. I learned so much and am so excited to continue this journey of long distance running. It symbolizes so much for me in the grand scheme of life and allows me to feel so alive.

- Do things that make you happy even if it doesn't make sense to other people. Today this meant sleeping in, going to mass in solitude, and going on a long walk. Create one thing each day for yourself to look forward to, even if it is so super small.

- Don't let your anxiety win. The more you expose yourself to the things that make you anxious, the more you will realize that everything is going to be okay. Everything happens for a reason. Breathe. Control what you can control and let go of what you can't.

- A bad day, a bad week, a bad month does not mean a bad life. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on the positive my people. Easier said than done but you will not be in a negative headspace forever.

Everyone has a story. Just be kind. You are so loved.

Be fearlessly authentic. XO,

Mo