Well, this topic hits pretty close to home for me. Most of you know that I am a wife and mother, and that my kids are deeply important to me! I have now “launched” two boys into this big ‘ole world, and our youngest boys are now seniors this year. It’s hard to believe, and I could get really sappy, but I’ll spare you all my mama thoughts! But, it has really helped lately for my sons and I to soak up the weeks and months of senior year. Even though the pandemic upended a traditional senior year (and none of us know what this year will hold), savoring the days is so important. Here’s a few ways to get the most out of this precious time:
-Treasure the people closest to you: With all of our “circles” being smaller with various quarantine protocols or rules, it’s become apparent who we really can’t live without. The people closest to us, the ones who are there through thick and thin. As the other “stuff” falls away, we are usually left with the people who mean the most to us. Part of senior year means really enjoying and spending time with those people…take your mom to brunch, really listen to your siblings, take a road trip with your bestie.
-Slow down and unplug: Our phones can be awesome ways to keep in touch with our loved ones, but they can also be exhausting. Find days or even weeks when you can log out of social media and plug into some time by a lake or off the grid. It’s good for your mental health, and can help you re-prioritize during this season of your senior year. Especially when you can use that unplugged time to catch up with friends via FaceTime, or lay out in the sun having those conversations face to face with your siblings or parents. You will really miss them when you leave the nest, even if it doesn’t feel like it now.
-Take the photos: We all have camera phones now, and most of us carry them with us all the time, but don’t forget to have professional photos done to mark your senior year. Of course, I’d love to do your senior session (wink, wink), but no matter who you pick, you’ll never regret having your images in the years to come. Spend time planning your senior photo day, because it really only happens once, and you will love showing those photos to your children or grandchildren one day. Take time to choose your outfits, to think of creative items you may want to include, and to dream up how to make it your own. Don’t forget to also snag photos of you in your cap and gown, and with your best friends in those college tees before you all go your separate ways.
-Don’t stress: None of us know the future, and stressing over what may come your way during this coming senior year can cause unnecessary stress. Worrying and stress can really rob you of the joy of such a special time in your life. Keep an open mind, and know that your attitude truly makes a difference. Be flexible, teachable, and try to find the positives in whatever you are undergoing, and you will maintain the joy and fun in an uncertain year!
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