Believe in Magic

I'll be going to a ball this weekend, held by a local boarding school. While I'm incredibly excited to go, I know it won't be an actual ball. They'll be no floor length gowns, no white gloves, no men in dapper suits, waiting to spin you across the dance floor, a whirlwind of color.

Instead, I know I'll be greeted by strobe lights, dark dance floors and blasting music. Everyone will be wearing as little clothing as they can possibly get away with, and heels will be 7 inches high.
 In a way, I can't judge. I own skirts that don't reach my knees, and heels that send me teetering around my room. But oh, if I only had a chance to go to a proper ball. One with an orchestra and silk ball gowns, one with gentlemen and ladies, oh it would be lovely.

Since I know that I will not be attending any proper balls in the foreseeable future, (much to my chagrin) tonight I decided that physics homework could wait, and so could economics reading. I needed some me time, and I needed it now. I washed my hair with shampoo that smells like green tea, and conditioner that smells like chamomile. I tied my damp hair back in a ribbon, and put on tinted lip balm. I got dressed in my ankle length night gown, complete with lace trimmed sleeves, and buttons down the front. I cleared a space in my room, and turned on a waltz. I then closed my eyes, curtsied, and began to dance.

I usually try not to play pretend. Many times, it leads to me forgetting to be grateful for what I do have, and only focusing on what I don't have. But I'm not sure playing pretend always hurts. Tonight, it made me forget about derivatives and policies and dirty laundry and cheerleading and schedules for just a second. It let me close my eyes, and go someplace magical and wonderful. That can't hurt me, can it?

Honestly, I highly recommend holding a ball for yourself one day. Close your eyes, and imagine you are in a great hall. Sink into a curtsy, and sweep your skirt out of the way gracefully. Now place your hands on your *imaginary* partner's shoulders and you're off. Spin around your room, twirling this way and that, not worrying if you stumble or fall. You're flying. What if your hand hits to mini fridge? It just slipped past another gloved hand, belonging to another spinning couple. If you step on the laundry basket? A stumble do to thin air. For just five minutes, let yourself be a little girl again. Let yourself believe in magic. (It's amazingly refreshing and calming.)

I'm one to stress, and I've been exploring all different ways to de-stress and relax. While I do enjoy yoga and reading, I don't always have thirty minutes to set aside. Meditation? Sitting completely still is not one of my strong suits. I think tonight though, I stumbled across a perfect form of relaxation. Also, it stretches my imagination, which can never be bad.

I'm not telling you to live in a fantasy world, or convince yourself that you're Cinderella. But if you ever need to get away for just a moment, close your eyes, take a deep curtsy, and believe in magic.

Love,

College Girl