summer of 2017.  Student conduct and orientation are some of the most critical times for any and all students at an institution, and they are experiences I am so grateful for.  I feel as if I better understand students, staff, and faculty, as well as parents and families and I can better serve all of these parties.

Lastly, I have put a considerable amount of effort over the last two years in defining what “healthy living” is for me because I know I am no good to my students and staff team if I am not taking care of myself (ACPA & NASPA, 2015, p. 17).  Some of this has been evaluating what truly makes me happy and doing those things in my free time, since there is so little of it as a graduate student.  I discovered this very early on, that between classes, reading, writing, working in two positions, commuting and trying to be involved at BGSU, there was not a lot of time to care for myself.  I like to think I have become a ruthless editor of my own life since recognizing, and more importantly, accepting this reality.  For example, my physical health, in terms of sleep and exercise, has a lot of power over my energy levels, attitude, and general confidence, so I start to skim for main ideas when I can see I might not get my eight hours of sleep. 

        I have also made self-care pacts with a couple cohort-mates that keep me and us grounded in caring for ourselves.  This is something I plan to continue into my career post-graduation as it has not only helped me, but I could also tell the accountability was helpful for others, and therefore better for our students and cohort.  I also began utilizing a habit tracker that keeps me within my goals for drinking water, sending good vibrations into the universe, not spending money, having a dish-free sink, actually doing every step of my nightly routine, and the list goes on.  Being able to see this on paper in front of me has helped motivate me.  However, the past month or so, I have also discovered my frame of productivity and what I deem successful had become unhealthy.  I felt I had failed myself if I was not able to check off every box.  On a macro level, I was missing parts of my life because I was so concerned with meeting all of my goals.  In December, I read a book, Everything That Remains, that details a person’s journey to living a more minimalist lifestyle.  In an experiment, he gave up making goals and it was not until I missed a month in my habit tracker that I understood what that meant (Milburn & Nicodemus, 2014).  Since, I have reframed what I define as productivity, success, and happiness in a day.  My habit tracker is just that: a tracker.  My plan for self-care is important, but if I miss one morning of yoga, my day is not ruined.  I share all of this to say it has also informed my daily practice.  Recognizing those conversations with students are the most important part of my day, and if I did not get everything on my to-do list done, it is and will be okay.  Furthermore, I should not punish myself by staying extensively past my hours to make up for it.  I work to evaluate these things so I can be a better me and a better support to my students and staff team.  The editing of my life, personally and professionally, is ruthless, constant, and critical.