Growth is Good

Monday brings new beginnings but it also brings to close yet another week here in London. It is crazy for my little mind to come to grips with the fact that I just completed my fifth week here. It feels like just yesterday I was stuck on the tarmac for four hours waiting to start my adventure. If you've been following along, you know I struggled with being away from home for a bit. But as I look back at the past five weeks, my independence and confidence has grown exponentially. Now, instead of looking at how much time I have left and being saddened by the "74" or "89" or "109", I am saddened by the amount of time I have already completed. 

When I look at the time I have spent here, it has been nothing short of amazing. I've seen things that people could only dream of seeing in their lifetime. I've eaten food and drank items which have blown my taste buds away. I've skipped around a magical city and flown off to another country. I am truly blessed to be here. 

Yes, I've struggled, but the things I have experienced here have truly covered up the bad times, just as I predicted they would. Sometimes nights get hard and you miss the simple comforts of home, but when you wake up the next day or a few days later and realize how little time you truly have here, it all comes into perspective. I believe this experience is causing me to grow as a person, in a way I never imagined possible. I have a much more positive outlook on life (I know, you never thought I had a negative one! I didn't really but sometimes slightly...). I've become more content just being by myself and spending a night in with a good book! 

Sometimes you need experiences such as this in order to forge forwards and complete the growth. I'm not sure I would've changed this much (in a good way, I promise) if I had stayed at home and in my little comfort zone. Sure, I am more than THRILLED to go back to SU in the fall but I'm content here. Learning, growing, changing, and becoming a better version of myself. 

I have also come to grasp the idea that taking care of your body is incredibly important. So many students my age forget to take care of themselves first and foremost. You only get one body. The things you do to it, what you eat and drink all has an effect on your body. These effects can be both negative and positive, depending on your actions. I made it a goal to spend my time abroad indulging some but also focusing on getting into shape. I truly value my time lifting in the gym and see it as my ever important "me time." If you're off on an abroad adventure or looking to in the future or if you're even stuck in a rut, please make time to work on yourself and understand the important of a healthy body. I never feel better than right after a workout and eating a few pieces of fruit or something afterwards. You will never regret that time you spent in the gym or the extra few dollars you spent on a healthier meal instead of McDonald's. 

Okay, done with my emotional, life-changing deep post... if that's what you even call this! 

Today, I went to class, grocery shopped, and went to the gym. Thrilling? Well, it's Monday. I'm very careful to make sure my school days are spent focusing on my academics. I don't want to be the girl who threw away her grades while she was abroad only to regret it when applying to law schools later on. The grocery store is one of my favorite parts of the week - as the variety is sooo cool and incredibly healthy! It's nice to have meals that can be quickly heated up but are also rich in nutrients! Class was interesting as always and I really love learning the history of London and the rest of the country. 

I'm off to do some work and head to bed in a little while! Happy Monday!