The plate is just too small.

I have been in school for two weeks. In those two weeks, I have taken notes, received assignments and realized that I have a lot due on the same dates.

Outside of school, I like to have this thing called a life. (Apparently, my professors have never heard of them. I have assured them that they are normal.) My life usually involves friends, church, hobbies, this blog, family and my kitten Oliver. Since I have started school, I feel that it has become the meat, potatoes and vegetables of my life... But there are so many more things on my plate than just school!

I decided today that my plate is simply far too small.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as finding a bigger plate. I have to pick and choose what gets to stay and what needs to go. This is not easy for me. I like to be reliable and dependable. I like saying yes. Even when I know I should say no...

For school, I'm having a hard time keeping track of the seemingly million assignments I have to do, when they are due, etc. I have a plan to organize that. But right now, it's extremely overwhelming.

I feel like I'm constantly drowning in to do lists.

So for any of you who have felt completely overwhelmed by the never ending to do lists, please comment. I am open to suggestions. I need to find something that will work for me before I start smashing all the real plates in my house. Haha...

But seriously. Suggestions please!

76. Make a list of my favourite 25 qualities

Completed: March 8, 2011

As a woman, I feel as though I will never live up to the expectation of the society in which I live. To be thin, sexy, toned, successful, smart, tall, funny, talented, tanned... Just to name a few. It's a daunting list and quite frankly, unattainable for most women. No one rolls out of bed in the morning, with morning breath and bed head, being sexy. Does not happen.

I am tired of hearing the women around me complain about their appearances, then only a moment later turn to me and tell someone else how beautiful they are. Can you stop criticizing yourself for a moment? Look at yourself the way that you see any of the other women that you idolize instead of criticize. Being polite and respectful. Looking for the best. Overlook the fine details; the small things that bother you. See the big picture. Find things that you love about yourself, the same way you do with others. Do this repeatedly until you can look at yourself in the mirror and see someone beautiful. It has taken me a long time and a lot of self-discipline to be able to look at myself and generally have no complaints.

I have bad days like anyone else. When everything in my closet makes me look like I am just waiting to blurt out "MOO!" When my hair just won't cooperate. My nails are chipping. When I think it's probably best to crawl into a hole and put a bag over my head. Then there are the days that I want to put two bags, just in case the first one rips.

I have great news for anyone who has bad days too. You are still gorgeous.

I know that it's hard to believe.

You are your biggest critic. You would never look at another woman and think: her hairline is so weird. Her nail beds are so short. Her natural hair color is so dull. You simply accept her. You see eyes that light up when a great joke is told. You see her soft hands. You see her radiant smile. I don't understand why we can't look at ourselves with such a loving and tender eye. 

I encourage every woman to force herself to write a list of 25 qualities, inside or out, that you love about yourself. It really does help.