Blog Posts by Sarah McColl, Shine staff

Do visions of school-issued gym uniforms give you convulsions? Don't worry! We figured out a way to bring you the best of the back-to-school season without making you return (and, oy, some of us wouldn't want to go back there even if you paid us), How about a high energy playlist filled with autumn-y schoolyard vibes that you can listen to while revisiting the high school track and running the mile on your own terms this time? Frankly, that sounds a lot better than having to suffer through one more game of capture the flag.

1. "Rock 'n' Roll High School," The Ramones
2. "Be True to Your School," The Beach Boys
3. "Punk Rock Academy," Atom and His Package
4. "The Samurai in Autumn," Pet Shop Boys
5. "And I Was a Boy From School," Hot Chip
6. "New Friend Request," Gym Class Heroes
7. "Me and Giuliani Down By the Schoolyard," !!!
8. "Concrete Schoolyard," Jurassic 5
9. "School's Rules," Phoenix
10. "Autumn Almanac," The Kinks

With the job market the downer it is, there's a certain amount of pressure to stay in your current position even if you're not happy. But rather than fuming in your cubicle about your dissatisfaction, there are ways to empower yourself without sending out your resume. Here's how to put out your feelers, amp up your skills, and meet the right people so when the time comes to move on, you're more than ready.

GET SPECIFIC
The most low-risk way to think about your next career step is something you can even do at your desk: make a list. What is it about your job that you like? What aspects give you a sense of accomplishment? Which leave you feeling depleted? Are the hours great but the work soulless? Do you feel like you're helping people but the pay barely covers your expenses? Like your co-workers but find you have to work individually more than you'd like? Get specific about where there's room for improvement, so that when you see the qualities you're looking for in the next position

The thing that continues to really thrill and baffle me as we all figure out how to live a meaningful life is this: the way we feel about our lives is hugely affected by how we think about our lives. Meaning, you can make big, sweeping Real-Life Makeover changes not by dropping everything for a trip around the world, but by making different decisions and shifting your perspective on things a little (or even a lot).

So I was reading this article the other day that got me excited, one of those, "Think about this," articles that gets your motor running, kind of like Choose Your Own Adventure for grown-ups, only the adventure is your whole life. And since you guys loved thinking about your passions, I thought you'd love it as much as I did. Here's the deal:

Today you will receive two phone calls. The first is from some distant relative you've never heard of who lets you know that a $20 million inheritance is coming your way. But the money comes with a slight hitch: you have to use $10

Feeling like you have to be perfect--at everything from parenting to Excel spreadsheets--isn't an idea you somehow brought on yourself. Psychologist Ann L. Dunnewold, author of Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box, points out that the notion of striving is firmly entrenched in the American soil. "We live in a culture firmly-rooted in the idea of improvement. We want each generation to progress, and we feel it is our job as parents to provide a better life for our children." And because we also tend to view things in all-or-nothing terms "we think perfection is required to achieve that success." How can we cut ourselves some slack in the parenting department? Some experts weigh in.

ASK WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO YOUR FAMILY
Some of us spend time obsessing about details that don't matter to anyone else. Zen Buddhist priest Karen Maezen Miller, author of Momma Zen and Hand Wash Cold, suggests letting go of the idea that you have to be all things to all people. "Ask members of your

We've been talking a lot these days about the expense of the back to school season, which can give your wallet a hit even if you are buying super cute things. The list of school mandated supplies, as well as new socks and underwear for growing bodies can have you thinking that even public school is mighty spendy. These are the times when it's more important than ever to be grateful for the things that don't cost a cent. It's far too easy to get caught up in the flurry of we need this! we want that!, but when you look around at the stuff money can't buy, you realize you've got the important stuff covered.

1. That look your dog gives you. You know those sad, loving eyes? Heart-melting, right?

2. Kindness. Random acts make the world go 'round. Offering your seat to someone, holding the door, smiling--these are the things that separate us from the animals. And perhaps best of all, it feels as good to give as it does to get.

3. A library card. Hardbacks break the bank, and you're always

There is some kind Pavlovian reaction in us: heading back-to-school means plaid. And saddle shoes. And maybe a headband (that's plaid, natch). All of the items worn together might turn your daughter into an extra from a John Hughes movie, but just a few add the right touch of timeless goody two-shoes. And the '80s prep look is so utterly au courant, you might find yourself seeking out oxfords and pleated skirts in your own size.

More from Real-Life Makeover>>

• Does your child's backpack have the essentials?

• Back-to-school breakfast solutions

• How to keep learning (even if you're not going back to school)

The alarm clock Monday morning is nobody's friend. That early morning blare is our final farewell to the more relaxed tempo of the weekend. But there are simple ways we can put a little spring in our step even on the days we feel dog-tired.

1. DRINK WATER
Dehydration causes fatigue, so stay hydrated to stay bright-eyed. Caffeine can jump start your motor, but you don't want to over do it. Energy drinks and coffee can give you a temporary energy boost by firing up your fight-or-flight hormones, but when they wear off, you crash. Start your day with a glass of water, enjoy your daily cup of coffee, and then switch back to water.

2. GET SOME PROTEIN
If caffeine jump starts your motor, protein keeps things on an even keel by keeping your blood sugar levels consistent. Try some of these super fast protein-packed breakfasts.

3. USE YOUR NOSE
Citrus smells can perk you up, so drop slices of grapefruit, orange, or lemon in your water (bonus: you feel like you're at a super posh spa.) Suds

Last week I spent thirty minutes tackling a task that has been disrupting my daily sense of equilibrium for approximately three years: I organized the cords underneath my desk. And this morning, before blindly setting out in thirteen different directions, I sat down and organized my to do list for the day in my calendar. It took about two minutes. But both tasks gave me a real sense of direction and calm. Those modem and printer cords are not the boss of me! I am baking cookies this afternoon! I am in control of my life!

When summer's in its wind-down and September looms on the horizon, many of us turn our attention from the beach and the barbecue inside. And we're not just looking inside our homes, we're scrutinizing our lives. What's working? What isn't? What do we want to do differently? Fall feels like a fresh beginning without the holiday season hangover of New Year's Day. And while summer is a season of free-wheeling outdoor fun, fall tends to makes us more reflective and