Card Essentials: Chloe Widner

Welcome back to Card Essentials, where Stanford student-athletes share the stories behind the items they carry with them every day, big or small. Stanford gymnast Chloe Widner walks us through the everyday items she can't live without - whether they be headphones, a book, or a special letter from home.

GoStanford.com: "What're you reading these days?"
Chloe Widner: "This is The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. I've actually only read a chapter as of a week ago, but my parents got it for me for Christmas and I've decided I'm going to read more this year! If I leave it in my room I just won't have time to read it, so I bring it everywhere with me! I'm trying to stay off my phones and screens and stuff, so this is helping me with that for sure."
 
GS: You HAVE to tell us about all the chapstick!
CW: "So I always have chapped lips as you probably guessed, so I keep three with me at all times! I keep each one of these in a different pocket in my backpack so they're just always accessible, too. I have two in my car, one on my nightstand, one in my locker.. they're everywhere! Everyone pretty much uses chapstick, but I think I have the most."

GS: So we see the laptop, iPad, AND planner. What's the system there?
CW: "So my planner is where I write down my schedule for the day, as well as my whole week ahead. I do all of my homework on my iPad - notes, actual work, you name it. My computer is usually any sort of work where I'm typing a lot, and I usually bring it to campus with me where my iPad stays at home. I like having all these things in different places because it keeps me on track no matter where I am."

GS: Is there a story behind the note you carry with you?
CW: "Last year my dad started writing me letters about once a month. We're both really bad at texting and weren't talking as much, so he started sending me these little letters to stay connected. They're so cute! This one is more special to me because he sent it to me right after I hurt my ankle last year. I was having a really rough day when it came in the mail, and it just made me cry once I opened it because it was a great reminder to keep things in perspective."
 
GS: Love the headphones!
CW: "So I DID get in a little trouble with these because they are blue, but I have to have these on me at all times. I bring these pretty much everywhere with me. Not sure you'd catch me without headphones. Music is super important to me and I always like to be listening to something."

Follow Chloe on Twitter and Instagram.