Candy for Breakfast

Anyone who has ever known me knows I have a huge sweet tooth. My friends have probably also heard me say the phrase, “I could eat candy for breakfast” and spoiler alert, I definitely have. I can still vividly remember the looks on my co-worker's face when I pulled out a bag of Nerd Gummy Clusters to snack on, at 9:00 a.m. One of the simplest joys in my life is opening a box of my current candy craving, right now I’m hyper-fixated on Haribo gummy bears, and enjoying them just as I would when I was a little girl. When I think about it, the first thing I look forward to each morning is having my vitamins, my gummy vitamins obviously. While my severe sweet tooth may not resonate with everyone, having a candy-for-breakfast mindset definitely could. 

As silly as it may sound, I’ve realized I strive to live my life with a candy-for-breakfast mindset, or at least my interpretation of what this mindset looks like. Living with a candy-for-breakfast mindset is like approaching each day with a rebellion against the ordinary. It's about indulging in spontaneity's sweetness and relishing life's unexpected flavors. Much like savoring candy in the morning, this mindset encourages me to embrace the joy of unconventional choices, find pleasure in the unpredictable, and make the most of every moment, creating a life that's as vibrant and exciting as a box of my favorite candy. It encourages a bold exploration of life's possibilities, embracing the variety of challenges and opportunities that come my way. For me, this mindset especially reminds me to find the good and growth in the sour or bittersweet moments of my life. Living with a candy-for-breakfast mindset means finding delight in the little things, appreciating the nuances, and choosing to view challenges as opportunities for growth. It's a reminder to celebrate the sweetness within ourselves and others, fostering connections and building a life that's both fulfilling and flavorful. 

This mindset has become especially prevalent in my life considering my time at UNC is quickly coming to an end. As I navigate the challenges and opportunities of my senior year, the candy-for-breakfast mindset encourages me to find sweetness in the unpredictability of the future and savor every possible moment with my friends. Like reaching into a box of assorted jelly beans, each day presents a new flavor – a new class, a new project, a new connection – and it's up to me to savor the richness of these experiences. I aim to celebrate the little victories and view challenges as opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. In doing so, I’ll not only graduate with a degree but also with a treasure trove of colorful memories. 

So, wake up to the day with the enthusiasm of someone enjoying candy for breakfast. Let the sweetness of possibility and the thrill of the unexpected be your guiding principles. In doing so, you might find that living with this mindset not only adds a delightful twist to your journey but also transforms the ordinary into a new experience.