Every summer I optimistically set out to read more. When I was a kid, I excelled at reading. My parents proudly saved my giant bookworm chains from elementary school and I always had way too many coupons for Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas (the reward for reading x number of books at the time). But now with the internet, I find myself reading less and endlessly scrolling more and more. When the internet (and life) begin to feel overwhelming, I would always choose a book to escape into. 

Well, it's the last day of May. It's been one crazy month. From my birthday right thru to Memorial Day there was truly never a dull moment. Unless you count all those days spent at work of course. I still feel a bit down but yesterday I went and made a change. I cut off a good 7 or 8 inches of my hair. That might not seem like a lot, but my hair was pretty damn long. Not only is it hot out (110 this weekend. Yikes.) but I just needed a boost to my self-confidence. So far so good.

Real Talk. For the past few weeks, I've been feeling like a Debbie Downer. It's a funk I just can't seem to get out of. Part of me knows some of it is being caused by general stress and life situations I can't always control. You know, those crazy life situations that wreak havoc on my anxiety. On the other hand, part of me knows that some of the feelings have been caused by my digital consumption. There is always something going on that is upsetting, plays into anxious feelings, or just becomes completely overwhelming. I feel like I've studied social media so much throughout my time in school that I should know better. There is something to be said about the effects digital consumption has on us especially when it comes to social media.

I am not a card-carrying member of Bachelor Nation. In fact, the only reason I began subjecting myself to this show is that my friends LOVE it. So I have given it a chance. There are typically two stages when it comes to watching an episode of any Bachelorette/Bachelorepisode. First, the "what is going on? What am I even watching?!" first hour. Followed by the "suddenly feeling really bad about myself" second hour. Now it seems counterproductive to ever compare oneself to reality television contestants but those slurpy, sloppy kisses start to get really...irritating. One's mind can't help but wander at that point, right? 

I go through phases. I like things then I obsessively love things. Then I dislike things and the process begins all over again. Whether it's my clothes, beauty products, or just general life things, the tide's are always changing. With the high being over 100 degrees almost daily, I've become obsessed with things that have a summer feeling.

It's hard feeling like I'm consistently in a funk. I previously shared a post about spring cleaning, and it got me thinking. If I spend so much time cleaning and organizing the places I inhabit (and even my car!), why can't I do the same with my life? Maybe this doesn't make sense in the slightest, but I started thinking about everything that becomes overwhelming within the span of one year. Some have to do with my digital space and others physical places. Either way, it feels like a breath of fresh air. So, here's how I'm currently spring cleaning my life.

I can't believe tomorrow is May 1st. My birthday is just days away. I feel a little conflicted about it. Obviously getting older isn't fun for everyone, but my displeasure comes from another place entirely. I suppose I'm just don't feel like I am where I wanted to be in life when I reached this age. But hey life happens and you just gotta roll with it, right? Since it's the end of the month, here's a link roundup of everything I have been loving around the internet and in life over the past month. 

It feels like the 90s just ended 5 minutes ago, but everywhere I look there's some trend or reference reappearing for better or worse. I've even seen articles about millennial's being affected by early on-set nostalgia because of this incredibly close wave of brands resurfacing or bringing back bygone products and mascots. Hamburgler Hipster Dad anyone? I know there are plenty of things from the 1990s I would love to forget about, but here I am reliving my youth whether I want to or not. So after a strange Double Dare-centric conversation with my sister, here are 4 fun things for optimal 90s nostalgia.

I have good news and bad news. The good news is Phoenix and Scottsdale is a prime tourist destination due to its good weather. Okay, maybe that becomes an inconvenience to everyone trying to get around town in a timely fashion. But the bad news is, this weekend it's going to about 95 degrees. Hopefully, we can push the days of 100+ days off just a little longer so we can spend more time outdoors. With this in mind, I put together a little list of my four favorite places to hang out. Some of them will let you beat the heat and one will let you enjoy a little time outdoors.