Five Ways to Make Your Post Grad Apartment Feel Like Home

At 24 years old, I am at the stage in my life where I am always on the move. Between going to job A to job B, meeting with my boss to go over my day, the frequent wedding or family shoot, I generally leave in the morning around 9:45 am and usually don’t get home until damn close to 11:30.

Once I get home, I quickly shower and get ready for bed, only to lay awake for at least a good half hour, watching Always Sunny in Philadelphia, until my brain finally wears down and I can sleep.

Then I wake up and do it again.

Despite this, I sometimes get a day off. Those days, while fleeting, are my chance to enjoy my home (and time with my fiancée) for more than just a bed, but as more importantly, as a secure place that makes everything okay!!

Though in many ways, my home has become mainly a place to crash and my car has begun looking more and more like I live in it, the best part of those days off is having time to actually enjoy being in a place designed to make me feel relaxed and at ease.

Since many people, specifically people whom have just started in their careers, have adapted to this nomadic lifestyle, it is easy to forget to take the time to make your apartment feel like home, so when you are there you feel safe, secure, and relaxed.

Here is a list of 5 easy ways to make your apartment “home”:

1. Light: Lights is a great way to make your place feel more relaxing. From windows, to string lights, the options are endless, so make sure you brighten up your space and you will feel right at home in no time.

2. Photo frames: Photos are always a great way to bring a personal touch to your home. The photos are visually appealing and allow for you to reflect on good times.  Add a couple of cool frames and fun pictures  and you will be all set!

3. A designated spot to eat: Sometimes it is the little things, like sitting at the kitchen table to eat, that makes us feel connected to a location. It usually reminds up to slow down and focus.

4, Fun décor:

Little things like great throw pillows, an awesome couch cover, a few cute canvas prints, is all you need to make a space feel personalized.  Use your apartment to reflect who you are and do that with décor.

5. Netflix

Nothing says relaxing at home like curling up on the couch binge watching your favorite show with some wine and ice cream. So skip out on basic cable and subscribe to Netflix, there will always be something to watch!!

Remembering to Find Time for You

First let me begin by saying that I am currently writing this from a balcony overlooking the bay in Ocean City, Maryland.

I am on vacation and I have been enjoying the crisp waves, bright sunshine, buzzing boardwalk, and of course quality time with my fiancée and his family.

After three years, of nothing but work or school, this is the first time in a while I have had a chance to truly spend a whole week focusing on things other than work (not that I mind work, I truly love what I do, but a break was long overdue).

During the past few days, I have become aware of how busy I truly have been and how I never really took time, even during my “free” time, to do something that I wanted to do. 

I would work one job, shoot a wedding, and then go to the other job the next day. If I wasn’t working at either job, I was still working on my projects for my own personal business. If I wasn’t working on personal projects in my spare time, I was doing other things that needed to be done like cleaning, laundry, or cooking. The only time I wasn’t working (or in my case editing) would be when I slept.  My life has become Sleep. Eat. Edit. Repeat.

After almost a week in “paradise” I learned that hard work is important and is the only way to achieve your goals but taking time to take care of you once in a while is important too.  

During my time here in Ocean City, I have been able to see some amazing things by exploring a new area. It has been peaceful, truly relaxing, and exactly what I needed. I feel relaxed and know when I return home, I will be ready to take on the world.

I am fortunate to completely love what I do, but even so I needed this time for me. Sure, as a photographer I have my camera, but every shot I took during this trip has been for me, and me alone. 

So the moral of this blog post is, yes work is a part of life, but make sure you find time to do the things that will make you happy. The world would be a better place if every once in a while, a person did something for themselves, and not worried about getting ahead.

Love Being in a Sorority? There's a Way You Can Do It Professionally!

Sisterhood events, semi-formals, recruitment, philanthropy work. Sororities really offer some of the best experiences in college. But why let the fun end there? There are many ways to keep the exciting memories coming after the first four years. You can join the local alumnae chapter or volunteer as a chapter advisor or chaperone your chapter's dances. These opportunities can be very rewarding, but there is a way to have all of this AND get paid!

Have you ever had a consultant visit your chapter? Those positions are typically contracted full time jobs for recent graduates. I graduated this past May, and received a job right out of college as a Leadership Development Consultant for Phi Sigma Sigma. As I was spending my last semester going to my internship in New York City, attending all of my classes, participating in sorority events, and doing my homework full of reading, writing papers, and preparing for exams, I frantically searched for full time jobs. I started hearing about an opportunity to be a traveling consultant for Phi Sigma Sigma after I had already applied to countless jobs. Even though working for my sorority was not my plan for after graduation, I decided to apply and see what could happen. So far, being a consultant has been a unique and exhilarating experience!

For Phi Sigma Sigma and many other Greek organizations, qualifications include being a graduate in good standing with the fraternity, having strong written and oral communication skills, and having the ability to foster and demonstrate teamwork and cooperation. Being a consultant means motivating and inspiring others to make the most of their collegiate experience while fostering leadership and positive growth. 

In return for the hard work advising and educating members on chapter operations and recruitment, this position sharpens many professional skills such as project and budget management, conflict resolution, event planning, and public speaking. This temporary position is a great stepping stone into any field because of these invaluable skills. 

OK, now for the real perks of the job. Like the title states, this is an opportunity to be a professional sorority woman! Even though I am a representative from Headquarters, I get all the perks of sorority life. I attend fun events for various chapters like a Zumba class with froyo for a health and wellness event, and Make a Wish parties for philanthropy work, and even recruitment video shoots. Not to mention all of the great conferences and training sessions with the headquarters staff! Plus, I am always getting countless free Phi Sig swag. Most of all, I get to see the positive change I make on these chapters. I develop a bond with the sisters who look up to me.

If you are looking for an exciting adventure like this, now is the time to apply for next year. Ask your advisor or headquarters staff about work opportunities, and see what you can do to continue your sorority experience!

Don't Be Afraid to Be You!

              If I could be anything in the world no matter the pay I would like to be a teacher! I love helping kids and seeing their eyes light up as soon as they understand something they haven't before. I love being in the classroom and having an audience of young kids looking up at you while you teach them how to multiply numbers. I am beyond excited to say I am hopefully going to be graduating with a degree in Elementary Education this spring.
              It has been a long journey with struggles with my brain and my heart. According to my Papa, ever since I was younger I was destined to be a teacher, even though I may have denied it. I wanted to be where the money was but work with kids as well. Pediatrician was high up on my list because it pays well and I got to work with the one thing that makes my life matter, kids. I finally decided to follow my heart and I cannot wait to be in the classroom in a year and being surrounded by all of these beautiful little kids.
             Although your brain, your parents, or your friends may see you going in a different direction maybe where the money is, or maybe following in footsteps that doesn't mean you have to do it. You need to follow and listen to your heart. In the end all the money doesn't matter if you don't have a passion. Follow your dreams by listening to your heart!