When I was 18 years old, deciding what college to go to was the biggest choice I’d ever had to make. For a girl who struggled with what outfit to wear on a daily basis, the immensity of the decision was paralyzing. This place would decide my future friends, future husband, future career, where I live. I was committing a whole 4 years of my life – a time period that doesn’t seem so long from 30 – but comprised a huge fraction of my teenage life.  It didn’t help that I was devastated to be leaving all of my best friends since elementary school behind. Why couldn’t we all go together again?

I didn’t get into my top choice, and was too offended by the waitlist suggestion of my second choice to even consider it. I had my pride! So, that narrowed the real contenders to three choices – ignoring all the safeties. The first decision was between city and country. I have been accepted to a college in the middle-of-nowhere Upstate New York. The beautiful campus, huge equestrian program, and promise of sorority parties pulled me. But after growing up in the country, the two NYC colleges beckoned with their bright lights, big city appeal.

I tortured my family and friends. I cried. I made lists, and still was no where closer to picking a school even though the deadlines loomed nearer. Then, after one particularly dramatic dinner with my dad, spent almost entirely agonizing over the decision, we got back to his house, and he pulled out a quarter.

“Well, you don’t seem any closer to deciding now than you were three weeks ago. So, let’s flip a coin. Whatever comes up, that’s where you’ll go.” I was pissed that he was simplifying my plight, but begrudgingly agreed. We said heads, I’d go to St. Lawrence, tails – Fordham. When the heads came up, I had a sinking feeling.

“So, are you excited or disappointed?” Dad asked. I had to confess, the coin toss was kind of a let down.

It turns out that my dad had never actually planned to decide based on a 50-50 chance. He just knew that regardless of what came up, I would feel a certain way. That would guide my choice. It was a clever trick to get around teenage indecision.

Now, in moments when I just.can’t.pick. I pull out a coin and see how the flip makes me feel. And, I’ve been living in NYC for almost 12 years now, and I couldn’t be happier with the choice I (finally) made.

Feel like you don’t have enough hours in the day? It’s probably the most common complaint from me and my friends. We live in a world where busy is a badge of honor. Doing nothing is seen as an indulgence, not an everyday treat. There always seems to be more things I need to do, or activities I want to do.

For my birthday this year, my friends and family put together a book of the things they loved about me, and one that came up over and over was that I do more than they think humanly possible.

And it’s true, I do a lot.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve hated being bored. When I have a whole day with no plans, it’s exhausting for me, not refreshing. I’d rather be do-do-doing. Which sometimes means I overschedule myself. So what do I do in those moments when I have too many activities, and not enough time?

I make my lunch hour the most productive minutes of my day. Instead of sitting at my desk and perusing twitter for the latest gossip, I run errands. I cross the items that would take up my after-work hours right off my to-do list before my day at the office is even done.

I need to buy a fan? That’s totally doable in 60 minutes. Pop over to a venue to pick up concert tickets? I’ll be back at my desk in under an hour. Have a quick wax? If that takes longer than 20 minutes I’ll be seriously suffering. Is it sleep you’re missing out on? A 30-minute power nap in your car can make all the difference.

I take a look at the stuff I have to get done, and I evaluate what’s possible in an hour or less. Cutting the running around out of your time reserved for fun and relaxation frees up your evenings and gives you the boost of energy you need to get through the rest of the work day with a little fresh air and speed walking.

Hi Friends, I hope you’re out enjoying a lovely 3-day weekend. If you’ve got time to kill before brunch, check out these links!

I want to decorate my whole apartment with this beautiful watercolor furniture.

These magical shoes can change color with the touch of an app. Take that outfit dilemma.

A fascinating podcast on how the government created residential segregation.

It’s so messed up that Tom Brady is being punished more harshly than all the murderers and domestic abusers in the NFL.

A cancer survivor designs the empathy cards she wish she had received.

Nonsense karaoke will never stop making me laugh.

A good reminder when you’re not quite where you want to be in life.

I’ve been trying to convince my friends into doing this for years. I would name our community Janny Panny Lane.

Some disturbing wildlife stats.

Yum, this recipe looks delish.

Way back in 2010, I started a tradition of creating a summer checklist of fun things for me and my friends to do. It all began as me trying to make being stuck in NYC for the long hot months of June through August with no pool in my backyard, or lake a short drive away a little more bearable. I was missing my summer breaks from college when I could retreat upstate or to Long Island. I was also pretty broke, and wanted to take advantage of all of the free things NYC has to offer.

I came across Vanity Fair’s Summer Guide, and pulled out all the things I wanted to do. The next year the summer list started with Book Report. By then I knew where to look, and what I wanted to do. So I started making my own (2012, 2013).

It’s become a highly anticipate email between my friends. At the beginning of May, they start asking when it will come out. When they tell me what they want to do, I put it on my google calendar and remind them when it gets closer, and show up (usually with a Nalgene full of wine in my purse). And by now, I’ve already knocked four items off my list. Enjoy! Summer is a lot more fun, when you pack it full of awesome plans.