Krista Lauren

A few months ago, I woke up to a horrifying screeching sound. It was nails on a chalkboard, and it was LOUD. It took me a second to realize that the noise was coming from my mouth. I thought that I had maybe been dreaming — until the same thing happened the very next morning. I quickly realized that the sound was coming from my teeth. Big yikes.

I have been grinding the hell out of my teeth lately. It’s definitely stress-related, but I was proactive enough to go to the dentist, have them tell me my teeth were, in fact, affected, and get a custom nightguard fitted right away. I may have not worn my retainers (Such a brat! I deserve my newfound crooked incisor), but my nightguard is a badge I will always wear with absolute pride and in terror of the screeching noise coming back.

Life is so short. We spend 40 hours a week working, 50+ hours a week sleeping — if we’re lucky — and a handful of hours doing chores and taking care of ourselves. Then, we get to figure out what to do with the time we have left. Breaks are important, but so are adventures. Spending time with friends and family is precious, and each year we collect a handful of stories and memories we will share for a lifetime.

It’s easy to give ourselves good advice, but it can be really difficult to put it into practice.

I have been very focused on work and studying lately. My index finger has turned a hideous shade of purple, probably from overuse. I have seven million ideas of creative projects I want to put into place after hours. I really want to travel, but that has been on the back burner. When did I become this person? I still feel like I have lots of good, fun time, but life is just flying by and I kind of want to hit pause.

Until then, I will be grinding my new night guard down (my orthodontist was surprised at how new it is, since I’ve already eaten some chunks out of it. Thank goodness that is not my teeth — get a mouthguard if you’re a grinding girlie too).

I hope to share some of my fun and creative projects with you soon. They’re what I think I am truly supposed to be doing. ❤