Ben & Jerry’s changed my life. Okay, maybe not in the traditional sense — a pint never swooped down and saved me from the clutches of a snarling Grizzly or magically transformed my achingly off-key voice into the melodic Autotuned masterpiece of today’s biggest stars — but it shaped my perspective for a low-stress approach to college.
It all started with free Ben & Jerry’s day, which happens to fall on April 12th this year (it’s from noon til 8 p.m., so if you haven’t already, grab a cone! You can read the rest of this when you return).
Being on the broke end of the funding spectrum, I leap at the chance for free stuff. In fact, I leap repeatedly, so when my classmates suggested we hit up Ben & Jerry’s after lunch that day, I agreed. When my roommates suggested I grab it with them later that afternoon, I agreed. And when my new boyfriend (this guy named Nate — I think you’ve heard of him) suggested we swing by that night, I — you guessed it — agreed.
Realizing that this was a sure-fire way to expand my waistline, I opted for the sorbet on my third visit. I also decided, when that charming boyfriend of mine made a wisecrack as we were walking back to the dorms, that I’d lob it at his skull.
It was the most gloriously satisfying thud ever. More like a thwwwap or a plop, actually.
Naturally, an ice cream fight ensued, where we chased each other throughout the campus until we were both sticky with ice cream. I think some casual observers joined in, too.
Some may balk at my wastefulness (I had some reservations about chucking something as delightfully luscious), but in that fight, I gained a new perspective that has stuck with me ever since: life is too short to be taken seriously.
That argument with your roommate? Not worth losing sleep over. That exam you know you bombed? Don’t waste your tears.
Now, anytime I get stressed, I find an outlet – whether that means going for a walk, baking or yes, getting into a food fight.
If you’re reading this after April 12th and you can’t indulge with me this year, never fear. There’s always next year (and plenty of freebies slated for the rest of the month, which you can find here).