On Sunday morning, I started Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and could not put it down. Not only is it full of wild, entertaining tales of his life, but it has so many great life lessons inside. His approach to life was so inspiring because he talks about situations of chaos or unease, and how he knew at the moment that he had a chance to learn something. Every experience is like a challenge…. or more like an opportunity. Even if it’s something he didn’t want to do.
It reminded me of when I moved out for my freshman year of college and was not loving life— we’ve talked about this before. Before shit really hit the fan (my eating disorder) I was actually making the most of it. I felt like I was out of control and trapped, but I knew I wasn’t really. But I felt like I was, so I figured out little coping mechanisms. I would count the things I was grateful for while waiting for the bus instead of looking at my phone. I would talk to myself in my car like a friend when I was crying and wanted to go home back to my parents. I would spend time with my grandmother who I never had spent one on one time with, hang out with my cousins, and try to work through the discomfort.
When I was doing an internship in the Virgin Islands I felt trapped, and this time it was a little more applicable since I was literally on an island. This time was so valuable to me, because I had to learn to stick things out, and because this was the time that inspired my very first….morning routine. The daytime was the worst for me, I felt like I had nothing to lose, so why not work out before the day started? Then I realized I could make a nice cup of coffee and fancy oatmeal, and listen to a podcast. Then I realized I could do the same thing on my lunch break. And I learned one of the most valuable tools that I use to this day: my silly little routines help me romanticize my life.
Because here’s the thing: if you’re wondering how to change your life, ask yourself what you want your Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to look like, don’t just think about the vacations you want or your dream home, start by thinking about today.
Xx, Chloe
Here’s your song recc from my boyfriend: