How the F*ck do I Get my Sh*t Together?

Somedays, we feel like we’re on top of the world. The whole day is planned out: wake up, gym, classes, work, hang out with friends, sleep, repeat. On those days, it feels like we’re absolutely kill it. Other days, it can feel like we’re spiraling out of control. Never made it to the gym because important work assignments needed finishing. We’ve all had those days that physically and mentally drain us to the point where we need a whole nother day just to recover. After having our fair share of chaotic days, we found ourselves wondering “How the fuck do I get my shit together?”

1. Dress for Success

Dressing for success might seem like a cliché suggestion, but when you look good, you truly feel good. Studies have shown that the more confident you feel, the more successful you will be in your field, and who doesn’t want to be successful? Even if you don’t feel like you’re oozing confidence on any particular day, faking it will at least signal to others that you can walk the walk.

An important accessory to never ever forget is a dose of optimism. Having a positive outlook, regardless of the situation, shows that you are calm, cool, and collected. It’s just as simple as a smile and a quick “good morning” that can not only turn your day around but also someone else’s.

2. Planners and Calendars Save Lives

We live and die by a planner. Whether you’re an analog person with a hardcover planner or you’re a tech savvy person with your Google Cal, everyone should have a calendar with important dates. We are all far too busy to be mentally juggling work, school, kids, and important dates. The psychology behind planners is that writing down events frees up working memory, which makes it easier for you to focus on the task at hand. Additionally, utilizing planners and calendars act as an external memory cue and allows you to also plan into the future. What are the benefits of being able to focus and plan ahead? If you anticipate the future, adversity is less likely to surprise you and throw you off your game. 

3. Treat Yourself

This statement cannot be said enough: be kind to yourself. Life already tends to beat us down on our worst days, so there is no need for us to beat down on ourselves as well. Schedule days or times to take care of yourself. Self-care can look drastically different for everyone. For example, my idea of self-care is going to the gym and getting a good workout in. After the gym I always feel accomplished and ready to refocus. For other people, self-care can look like scheduling a massage, going hiking, or even taking a nap. Whatever form of self-care works for you, make time for it because your mental health is ultimately what matters most. 

4. Hydrate or Diedrate

Drink more water! Drinking water might seem like a no brainer and most doctors would advise you to do it, but let’s be real. How many people consistently drink enough water? Not many. It is recommended by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that the daily water intake for men should be about 3.7 liters. For women, it is about 2.7 liters of fluids daily. Without an adequate water intake, we tend to feel sluggish and fatigued, suffer persistent headaches, and even experience weight gain. 

If you’re not taking in enough fluids throughout the day, your energy levels could plunge, leading to lethargy and brain fog. Most of the time, people will combat this drowsiness with the caffeine of their choice, but water might be a quick fix. 

5. Practice Mindfulness

In times of extreme stress, try practicing mindfulness for a few minutes to refocus. Mindfulness is a type of meditation where you focus on being deeply conscious of what you’re sensing and feeling, without interpreting those sensations. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress. There are countless guided meditations on the internet that you can follow, so we highly recommend trying a few to find out what works best for you!