I grew up a thin waif of a blond child. A hamburger or two would have done me some good but luckily, I was raised in a family of vegetarians- mindful and meditative vegetarians (read: no hamburgers).

I ate tofu and genuinely liked it. I played guitar and remember almost none of it. And I talked about my feelings all the time.

I did not, however, play sports. I did not work out or go out for “the team.”

Years later, after my second daughter was born, I was shocked to realize that I didn’t instantly lose the post-baby bulge. I also realized that wishing it away won’t work. I knew I needed to be a little more proactive if I want to get the body I’ll be happy with.

My husband and I often talked about joining the local gym but couldn’t justify the cost.

When we finally decided to enroll, I made sure that we were getting the most out of our gym membership. So, I started checking out the other group classes the gym offered. I loved yoga but my husband was quick to point out that “a little bit of cardio couldn’t hurt either.”

That’s when I discovered Body Jam.

The class was held at the perfect time of day –immediately after work. Because of that, I didn’t have to go home right away. It was actually good because trying to convince myself to leave my babies and my comfy couch to workout was not going to happen.

20-somethings who live in active wear

When I got to my first class, I took one look at the promo posters and was certain it would not be a good fit. I expected a group of fit, young people who had a huge budget for fashionable workout clothes.

Thankfully, the reality turned out to be the opposite. There wasn’t a 20-year-old in sight!

There were a handful of middle-aged mothers and a handful of in-shape retirees. Everyone was female, except for one gentleman who seemed to be a regular and exceptionally comfortable in the room.

The instructors turned off the overhead fluorescents and flipped on the cheap DJ lights. They cranked up the music -an incredible mix of hip-hop, reggae, and Latin I never knew I’d loved.

And then we danced.

By the end of the hour, every muscle in my body hurt and my mind was exhausted from the mildly complicated choreography. Despite that, I was relaxed and smiling.

Now, nearly four years later, I still go every week.

When I miss a class because of my kids’ schedules or when they get sick, my body is genuinely sad and I cannot wait to go back. Turns out this unconventional workout wasn’t so weird after all.

What’s your unconventional workout?

You’ll never know where you might end up fitting in. You’ll never know what you might be good at and you’ll never know where you might meet new friends.

You don’t have to do CrossFit and you don’t have to train for a 10K. You don’t even have to force yourself to play basketball.

But you should do something.

There are so many unconventional exercises out there. You just need to get out and move! No knee jarring, back tweaking, or muscle pulling required.

The post It’s Time To Find Your Unconventional Workout appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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If you are entering the mid-years of your life, you’re probably wondering about midlife crisis. After all, it seems pretty common.

Midlife crisis can happen to anyone at anytime. Some people experience it early while others struggle with it in the late stages of their lives.

Now, although common, it doesn’t mean that there’s no way for you to avoid it. Check out the tips below to help you stave off or mitigate a midlife crisis.

Believe that it’s never too late

A lot of people who are in their mid-life years panic when they start to take inventory of the things they wanted to do but never made time for. They feel that it’s too late to make them happen now.

It really isn’t.

You still have time to write a book, climb a mountain, travel the world or learn to do that thing you always wanted to. It may seem a little tough when those around you are younger. However, if you really want to avoid having a crisis, you need to accept that if you really want to do it, your age shouldn’t stop you.

Evaluate your priorities

Priorities change over time and for good reasons. It is okay to let go of some dreams and expectations if they no longer appeal to you. You haven’t sold yourself short if you find saving for retirement is more important to you than buying a Porsche.

Accepting that priorities change is important and healthy. Doing so will keep you grounded as you move into the new phases of your life.

Stop waiting for things

Now is the time to do something.

That doesn’t mean you need to be extravagant or do something really bold. It simply means that once you identify what you want or what you want to do, make a plan and get it done.

Putting things on hold or constantly waiting for things to happen can leave you feeling unfulfilled and more anxious.

A word of caution:

Doing the things you want and getting what you want out of life is important, but it needs to be done responsibly. Seek advice as needed so that your choices are good ones.

Deal with your regrets

We all have regrets. It is nearly impossible to get through life without wishing you had or had not done certain things. Take the time to get over them.

Take whatever rational measures that may help– apologize, reconnect and then let them go. Moving on does not make you a bad person.

Cultivate friendships now

If you don’t have a good circle of friends yet, then it’s time to make one.

The worst part of midlife crisis is when people feel like they have no one to turn to.

Friends give you a support system, a sounding board, and the happiness of companionship. Never underestimate the power of friendship.

Get or stay in shape

Never underestimate the power of health and exercise.

There is no need to explain the benefits of exercise to your body but you may not realize how important exercise is to your mind. Regular exercise keeps your mind sharp and helps to alleviate stress.

Depending on your preferred exercise, it can also provide an avenue for new friendships and achievements.

See Also: 19 Ways to Get Motivated to Exercise

In Conclusion

The second half of your life doesn’t have to be scary, depressing or full of crisis.

Understanding that life has its ups and downs and being prepared for them is important. If you feel like you are headed down the path toward midlife crisis, take a moment to stop and take stock of what you are feeling and why.

Use the tips above to get you through the process. If you don’t feel like you can get back on the right path, seek the help of a professional counselor.

For some people, a midlife crisis can be very complicated. It is possible that you may need help to get through it –a lot of people do.

The post 6 Things You Can Do To Avoid Midlife Crisis appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Studying is a crucial skill for students but it’s one that’s not explicitly taught in school. Instead, it’s something you have to figure out on your own. It can be a trial-and-error process to find exactly what works for you.

To help you out, here are a few tips on how to study effectively.

Take Your Notes by Hand

Typing on a laptop may be quick but writing out your notes by hand helps you process the information better. Since you can type faster than you write, you can probably jot down almost everything the lecturer is saying.

Writing forces you to choose only the important information. If you take written notes in your class, you’re actually getting a bit of a head start on studying. The same goes if you’re taking notes from a class reading.

Put away your laptop and take out your old spiral-bound notebook. Laptops can be distracting whether you’re in a classroom or inside your dorm. It can tempt you into logging into your social media accounts and checking out your friends’ profiles.

Study At Your Best Time

You may think you’re a master at cramming but you’re retaining a lot less than you think. Cramming is only good for remembering information short-term which you can lose quickly.

This means that if you have to recall the same information for a homework or test, it’s unlikely you’ll remember much of it.

Cramming also usually means giving up sleep so that you can study. This can have a negative impact on your health and memory. You may think you’re doing yourself a favor by choosing to study instead of sleep, but sleep is something that’s necessary for remembering things.

So, pick the right time to study and know when your mind is clearest. Take distractions into consideration, too. If you know you have a chunk of time before your roommate gets back from class and you’re alone, that’s probably a good time for studying.

Make Sure to Test Yourself

Testing yourself throughout your studying process can make information stick better. This method also makes it really clear what information you have to work on before the actual test comes.

If you’re studying solo, try making flashcards. You can also have friends test you out.

 

Eliminate Distractions

These days we pride ourselves on being able to multitask. Studying while checking texts and social media is pretty common.

However, distractions can definitely hinder your ability to recall information. Studying with no interruptions is the only way to ensure you’re retaining all the information you need.

And that’s not limited to your phone. Having access to the Internet when studying can also be distracting.

As a solution, you can install website blockers. This way, you won’t be tempted to open your social media accounts while you are preparing for an exam.

If your dorm is too noisy, try the library or a study room on campus. If you learn best alone, don’t invite friends to study with you. Make sure you’re setting up an environment that allows you to focus completely on your work.

It’s a lot easier to study like a pro than you might think. Try these methods and make yourself the best student you can be.

The post How to Study Effectively: 4 Ways To Study Like An Ivy League Student appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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It’s been a long journey for me to realize what life is about and how to be happy.

After surviving a physically and emotionally abusive stepfather, I became a rebellious teenager. I took things to the extreme. I was deeply involved in drugs and the wrong group of friends.

As a result, it took me 6 years to graduate from college. I was arrested more times than I can count and spent time in drug rehab.

Eventually, I managed to graduate. After that, I studied law and passed the bar.

Now, I own two businesses. I am an advocate of ultra-running, a healthy lifestyle, and inspiring others.

So, how did I turn myself around?

The answer is in these 12 important life lessons.

Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

If it wasn’t for the 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th chances that I have received from others, I would not be where I am today. Sometimes, it takes a few times to catch on so don’t deny others when they ask for a second chance.

Say sorry even if it may not be your fault

Although some disagree with this lesson, I find it is always soothing to both parties. If someone is blaming you for something, tell them you’re sorry. That’s all they usually want to hear.

Even if it’s not your fault, you’ll be making the other person feel better when you apologize right away. This can make the world a lot better.

See Also: 5 Ways to Say Sorry

Be thankful

Be grateful for who you are and what you have. Realize how lucky you are and enjoy everything and everyone in your life.

See Also: The Magic of Appreciation: How to Practice Gratitude

Keep an open mind

The world isn’t black and white and easily labeled. Keep an open mind to expand your experiences and enhance your life. Always be open to change because it’s the key to self-improvement.

Chase your fear

This is easier said than done.

If you’re scared to do something or think you won’t be good at it, it’s a sure sign you should be doing it. I learned this with public speaking, quitting my corporate job, and following my heart.

Getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to receive new experiences and reach fulfillment.

The past does not predict the future

If you looked at where I was when I was 17, you could never predict how “well” I would turn out. I was labeled a low-life loser and my life didn’t seem to be getting any better.

However, it slowly started to turn around when I looked inside myself and asked what I wanted and believed I could do.

Take 100% responsibility for your life

Don’t make any excuses for why things aren’t working out for you or why you aren’t where you want to be. You are the only person who is in charge of your life.

Don’t waste a moment blaming others as that’s just a waste of time. If you want to change your life, it’s up to you and no one else.

Laugh

We are on this earth for a very short time so enjoy it. Laugh and smile as much as possible. It’s the best feeling in the world.

Personally, I wish I could feel uncontrollable laughter constantly. When I’m in that state, nothing else matters.

Keep positive people around you

I can’t stress this enough.

Only people who want the best for you should be in your “group”. If someone is not enhancing your life, drop them immediately. It doesn’t matter if you have known them for 20 years. If they are not bringing you up, they are dragging you down.

Get them out of your life and watch how far you rise. You are better off alone than with a negative person.

Believe in yourself

If you don’t believe in who you are and what you’re capable of, no one else will. Know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be in life. Learn from the situation and know that there is a plan for you and you can do anything you wish. Don’t ever let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Get up early and make your bed

There is so much positive energy in the morning. It consumes me and sets the tone for the day. It’s crazy how I can get so much done before noon.

Don’t forget to make your bed, too. It’s a great feeling to slip into a nicely made bed after a tiring day at work.

Above all, love yourself and be kind to others

We all have a choice in how we treat others. That choice should always be to remain calm in all situation. Be love and kind and watch your world transform.

The post 12 Important Life Lessons I Learned The Hard Way appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Knowing how to achieve work-life balance isn’t always easy. We live in an age where technology blurs the line between our hours at work and at home.

In fact, 40% of Americans think that it’s perfectly fine to answer work emails at the dinner table if it’s “urgent”.

Now, the only problem with that is your boss might have a different definition of urgent than you do.

Achieving work-life balance isn’t about being rigid and inflexible with your 40-hour workweek. It’s simply knowing how to set boundaries so your work won’t end up ruining your life.

America Kind Of Sucks At Work/Life Balance

The United States sits at the 30th spot (out of 38 countries) when it comes to work/life balance. Nearly 12% of our workers are working more than 50 hours a week, compared to The Netherlands, which only has 0.5%.

People in The Netherlands spend 16 hours each day working on leisure and personal care. In comparison, people in the United States only spend a little over 11.

The average workday in the United States is also creeping up, logging in at 8.15 hours a day for full-time employees.

Because of that, nearly 60% of Americans say that technology has ruined the modern family dinner because bosses expect answers at any hour.

Other complaints American workers have include:

• 60% bad or overbearing bosses
• 39% work beyond normal working hours
• 39% experience inflexible work schedules or inadequate off time
• 31% struggle with incompetent coworkers
• 30% endure long commutes

Working Too Much Can Burn You

You need that time away from your job to rest, spend time with friends and family, and just generally recharge your batteries. When things get out of whack, you suffer not only at work but also in your life at home.

Those with poor work and life balance report missing important family events or even ruining family time by being distracted or unavailable. They also tend to lose focus even when they are physically present.

At work, you can lose productivity, too. You’ll feel fatigued and even experience poor morale and high turnover rates.

In the end, people who don’t figure out how to balance work life and home life could end up with higher blood pressure, a coronary heart disease, anxiety, depression, and even hormonal changes.

See Also: 10 Habits That Can Prevent Heart Disease

How Can You Regain Your Balance?

All that technology that is preventing you from separating your work life from your home life can actually be helpful in regaining your balance in life. Many American workers report that remote work, flexible scheduling, and paid time off can help restore that balance.

You can do that with the following:

• Negotiate for a flexible schedule. Nothing makes your job worse than having to choose between being there for major family events and paying your mortgage.
• Utilize that technology to work remotely from time to time. Being in an office is a great way to keep office stress at bay but sometimes, being able to cut out your commute and channel that time into other things can be a great way to restore balance to your life.
• Draw lines in the sand. It prevents you from being called into meetings when you need to rest and relax during those times.

See Also: 5 Ways to Balance Work and Family Time Even if You’re a Workaholic

How Other Countries Beat Us To The Punch

In The Netherlands, there is paid vacation and maternity and paternity leave. People have a legal right to decrease their hours without having to worry about losing their jobs.

In Denmark, workers get to choose whether to work from home and when to start their workday. There is a minimum of 5 weeks of paid vacation for all workers, too.

We have a long way to go to get to that and it starts with redefining work in America. Learn more about restoring work/life balance from this infographic!

The post Bringing Work And Life Back Into Balance In The United States appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Don’t be reluctant when talking with your doctor.

Be open and honest.

After all, the best family medical practitioners want to hear from you. They want to build strong, trust-based relationships with their patients and the only way that can happen is if the communication flow is as free and easy as possible.

Promoting an open, empathy-based communication with you is the way your professional family doctors put the “care” in “health care.”

Here are some ideas to consider when it’s time to talk to your doctor:

Be personable but get to the point

You’re busy but you probably don’t know anyone busier than your family doctor. If she’s really great, she’ll make you feel like you’re her only patient even though you aren’t.

When you sense your doctor is a bit busy, think “ABC”. Be “Accurate” and tell her exactly what you need to say. Be “Brief” and use as few words as possible. You also need to be “Clear”. Try not to muddy-up the message by being overly descriptive.

Be prepared

It’s a great idea to come to your appointment with a written list of questions and concerns. It’ll help both you and your doctor remain focused on the important stuff.

Bring a buddy

If you can, have a friend or family member come with you. Your buddy can take notes, think of new questions, and chime in with his own observations. This will enable you to focus all your attention on communicating with your doctor.

Don’t self-diagnose

It’s easy to gather information online but remember, you’re not the doctor. Let your physician make the diagnoses and recommendations. It’s also a good idea to have the doctor suggest resources so you can find more information.

Find out how to access your online medical records

Keeping track of your test results, treatment plans, and other specific information related to your care can help save time during your doctor visit. It can free up valuable minutes, which you can use to gather new information and insights.

Ask questions

Ask a lot of questions to help you understand your treatment and overall health issues. The best questions to ask your doctor are open-ended questions.

They can leave your doctor free to answer based on her knowledge and experience rather than just confirming or refuting your pre-conceptions.

Be honest and open about the “embarrassing” stuff

Sexual issues? Bowel problems? Even concerns associated with aging, such as memory loss?

Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about it. It’s unlikely that you’ll bring up a topic she hasn’t discussed before.

Inquire of the person, not just the data bank

How many patients do you think your doctor will see today or this week? Did you ask her how she’s doing or feeling?

Ask.

Really listen to her answer. Remember, empathy is always a two-way street. A better relationship means better care.

Ask how your doctor prefers to communicate

These days, many family doctors request patients to send an email before the actual visit. This can help save time. Some doctors, on the other hand, prefer a quick phone call before a visit.

Make the most of your communication when talking to your doctor. If you want the best health care, start by establishing a better communication flow. It can help ensure better care.

The post 9 Tips You Can Use When Talking With Your Doctor appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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The pressure to find happiness can lead to a sense of inadequacy and disappointment.

In fact, the pressure to be happy can make you unhappy.

Instead of forcing yourself, try Ikigai. It can get you out of bed in the morning.

In the culture of Okinawa, Japan, Ikigai (pronounced “eye-ka-guy”) roughly translates to “reason for being.”

In a 7-year study involving about 43,000 adults, it was found that those adults who were able to find their Ikigai were alive 7 years after the study.

This was even after taking other factors, like diseases, into account.

Ikigai is similar to “happiness”.

The difference is that even if you are miserable now but have a goal in mind, you may still feel Ikigai.

Have you ever been so absorbed in doing something that you forget to drink and eat?

What were you doing?

You may find your Ikigai in those moments.

If you can find out what you are good at, what you can be paid for, what the world needs and what you absolutely love doing, then you have your Ikigai.

Let’s break it down:

1. What you love: It’s going to be something that you do because you enjoy doing it. Make a list.
2. Be good at it: If you enjoy it, you’re likely to be good or at least decent at it. Make a list.
3. Can be paid for: For it to be Ikigai, you should be able to make a decent living off of it. Is there a niche for it? Make a list.
4. The world should need it: It should be something people find useful. Make a list.

By now you should have four lists.

Is there anything that exists on all four of them?

That’s a really good contender for Ikigai.

Also, consider the things on the “I love doing it” and “The world needs it lists”.

Are you suddenly going to start loving doing something that you don’t enjoy doing?

Not likely.

It’s easier to get really good at something you enjoy or figure out a way to make a living from.

Ikigai may be an answer to the Millennial frustration

I want my life to have meaning and consequence. On the other hand, I want to enjoy the lifestyle that comes with money.

Whether it’s Ikigai or what Chris Myers calls Enlightened Entrepreneurship, find your passion and then the medium through which to express your passion.

Ikigai isn’t about working harder and longer.

In fact, only 31% of Japanese say they’ve found their Ikigai at work, which means 69% of people find it elsewhere.

Ikigai is about feeling that your work makes a difference in people’s lives.

Unlike the English term “purpose in life”, it need not refer to dauntingly large or spectacular projects.

It doesn’t need to be grand or showy.

You can find your Ikigai in doing one small thing as well as you possibly can.

The post Ikigai: The Japanese Secret To A Happy Life appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Combine your goal of self-realization with the right actions. Start bringing your ideas to life by writing them down.

Stop searching for the truth and look deep into you as you already know the truth. The only challenge is acknowledging it.

Truths about life

I learned a lot from “Uncle Agbo” at Zion Nursery & Primary School Amagu. There, I used to serve him as the office boy. I ran all the errands without expecting a penny from him.

Then one day, he said this to me:

• No time is right for you to reach your goals more than the one you set for yourself.
Then, I went ahead to put these words into little action as I could at the moment. He always wanted me to be early to school but he never forced me. He only smiled each time I arrive early. Whenever I see him being so happy with me, I feel I am doing something good.

• Always show gratitude to the people who made a difference in your life, even if it is just by smiling. It won’t make you weak; it will make you the king of that moment and you will realize how encouraging that is for other people.

See Also: The Magic of Appreciation: How to Practice Gratitude

Always remember this:

Only love can heal the World. It’s not the one you receive, but the unconditional love you shower on people.

Life can be so difficult and challenging, but we can make it better. It must start with you. Look at your neighbor right now and just smile.

Did you do it?

Ok, ask your neighbor how he/she felt seeing your glittering face. Whatever the response is, accept it as a revamping factor to do more in the near future.

I faced a lot of challenges in the past years and decided to note these lines down for you. They will help you to be better this year as they are really amazing.

• Nobody will love you the way you want. Only you can do that for yourself.
• Nobody will push you beyond your limits. Your personal conviction will do it for you.
• Nobody can give you true and long-lasting happiness. It will come the moment you admit that happiness is possible and obtainable.

Do you want to live a fulfilled and abundant life like me?

Here are the things you need to do today:

•Start taking actions without fears.
•Take the risk.
•Plan for opportunities even before they arrive. They will always come around.
•Cheer yourself up even when no one is doing so for you.

Life is too short so do not give a single chance for distortion. Live every minute with the right mindset.

This article is an open platform for your thoughts. Whatever you make of it is what it means to you.

This is how the universe is. There are numerous spaces with unlimited opportunities but most of the time, we do not see them. It’s not because we are blind but because our comfort zone is like salt.

It is sweet and admirable and you could have tasted sugar, had you stood up and took the steps to change.

See Also: 15 Tips On How To Live A Fulfilling Life

The post Truths About Life: $1 Million Ideas Given For a Penny appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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So, you have spotted that perfect girl that makes your heart race every time you see her. You asked her out on a date and she said yes. Now, the next thing is to plan a perfect date that will impress her and get her to think some nice things about you.

One of your best options is a dinner cruise.

If you’re looking for an exhilarating way to see London’s riverside sights, then opt for a high-speed RIB cruise on the Thames River. In a rigid inflatable boat, soar past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and Shakespeare’s Globe while listening to a high-octane soundtrack.

Thinking about whether you ought to get an inside lodge or an overhang room?

Try not to sweat it. Galleries are extraordinary but inside lodges can be great, too.

If these things and planning a cruise for the first time overwhelm you, here are a few tips you can use.

Plan

You need to plan how everything is going to go. Women like men who are organized and know what they are doing.

You need to know what will happen throughout that day so that you do not disappoint her. This way, your woman can be relaxed when she is with you since she knows that you have everything under control.

Get some money

Figure out how much money you are going to spend on the date and make sure that you have enough. You can try saving up for a couple of weeks to get all the cash that you need. Remember to stop by the ATM before you leave.

Let her know ahead of time

You have to call her in advance so that she can plan and prepare herself. If you wait until the last minute to inform her of your plans, she might already have made other plans.

Let her know the date and the time that she should be ready. You can also let her know where you are taking her so that she’ll be able to dress appropriately. This way, you won’t embarrass her.

Send her a reminder on that date or the day before so she won’t forget.

Show up on time

If you are picking her up, show up at her door on time. Do not keep her waiting endlessly without telling her where you are. If you are going to be late, call ahead of time and let her know. However, don’t be too early as she might probably not be ready yet.

When you see her, make sure to tell her that she looks good. Most women spend a lot of time and money in prepping for a date. Show appreciation for all the effort she put in.

The drive

On your way to your dinner, you can talk in the car or you can listen to some music. If you want to listen to music, keep it classy and play some soft music so that you can relax and enjoy each other’s company.

At the date

Keeping things simple is one of the best rules in planning a cruise for the first time. Talk to your date and enjoy her company. Make sure that you are the one who pays. If she offers to pay, turn her down nicely.

The post Going on A Date? 6 Tips In Planning A Cruise for The First Time appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Most dorm rooms are really tight. Without the right strategy and failure to know how to maximize space in a dorm room, you’ll have a hard time fitting everything you need in your space.

If you are about to transfer or you’re redecorating your room, here are some great tips you can use.

Utilize the Storage Space Under Your Bed

Many students looking for more space to store their belongings will just stuff things underneath their beds. If you are like those students, consider getting more organized by using storage containers. They are effective in conserving and maximizing space at the same time.

Before you actually place your items in their respective containers, make sure to do vacuum packing first. It can take away the excess space your things will occupy, allowing you to keep more items in your containers.

Tip: Store your seasonal items you won’t need to clear up more space.

Use Your Dorm Room Door

If you are like most students who like to bring several pairs of shoes to college, you can get a shoe rack which you can hang near your doorway. Most of those shoe racks can keep around 9 to 12 shoes at a time, saving you a lot of floor space.

You can also get storage bins which you can attach to your door. Those bins can give you enough space to store your miscellaneous items.

Tip: You may have two doors in your dorm room. Use both of them to get more space to keep your things.

Keep Things On Your Walls

Using a small area on the wall for a coat rack will allow for more space. However, most college dorms won’t let you nail or screw anything into their walls. If that is the case, you can use sticky hooks which you can buy them from your local stores.

You can also find sticky baskets which you can stick to your wall. You can use those baskets to keep your keys, coins, or even small pens. The more organized and easier it is for you to find them, the less likely you’ll have to scramble for them when you’re running late for your class.

Tip: Tuck away your coats and jackets you won’t need for the season under your bed. Put them in your bins after they’ve been vacuum sealed.

Declutter Your Desk

Most students have desks that look like a bomb hit them. This is especially true with students who are in the middle of preparing for exams.

Now, how to keep your desk more organized?

Consider investing a desk lamp with little compartments for your paperclips, pens, and scissors. This can greatly reduce the clutter on your desk.

Installing a file sorter can also help. You can use it to store all of your files and papers. You can use the other drawers for your books and other miscellaneous items.

Utilize Your Sitting Area

If you frequently have friends dropping by, consider getting ottomans. They aren’t just great for comfy seating but they can also serve as storage boxes. Ottomans have removable tops which you can take off if you need to keep things inside the boxes.

In Conclusion

These are just some of the things you can do to maximize the space in your dorm room. If you are still having problems fitting everything into your space, sit down and go through each of your items. Find out which of them are really necessary to keep and which ones you don’t really need.

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