A lot of people hear the words "settle down" and feel a pit in their stomach. No one wants to feel like they weren't able to live their life or jump into a situation that's hard to get out of. Before you settle down and share your life with someone, you need to find out who you are and what you enjoy doing!
Below are ten things you should do before you set off to settle down.
1. Travel.
And I don't mean travel to your nearest city, either. Get a few friends together and go to a new state. Get your passport and travel to a new country. Learn about different cultures and embrace your own. Meet unique people.
Like Gandhi says, "Be the change you want to see in the world". Nothing will fire you up and transform you quite like traveling will. Not to mention that traveling allows us to take a much-needed break from our busy day to day lives!
2. Learn how to cook.
After all, you can't survive on Ramen and PB&J your whole life! Pick up a cookbook from your local library. Attend cooking classes. Invite your family over for dinner and blow them away with your cooking skills.
Plus, cooking shows you're responsible enough to fend for yourself. You can also control what you put into your body and avoid bad ingredients like sugar and fat that are found in boxed foods.
3. Organize your life.
Grab a journal and write down your thoughts. Tidy up your mind and get rid of things that make you feel bad. Organize your thoughts, your apartment, and your relationships.
Having an organized space to live in and work shows that you're responsible and boosts your productivity. You won't feel overwhelmed by the clutter and you'll get your work done at a faster pace. Plus, who doesn't like a clean workspace?
4. Do things on your own.
Go to the movies on your own. Go to a restaurant and enjoy your meal without feeling like a loner. Go on a solo vacation. If you learn how to depend on yourself, you won't feel the need to rely on anybody else!
There's something special about the sound of silence, you just have to be willing to listen.
5. Learn a new skill.
Take Jiu Jitsu classes and learn how to defend yourself. Take an art class and learn how to express your emotions in a creative way. Learn how to crochet or knit and make your own gloves, scarves, and hats. Learn a new language.
Plus, learning new skills keeps your brain sharp! Mentally demanding skills will improve your cognitive functions.Pick up a camera and take up the Photography skill. Even if you don't get the hang of it, you'll have fun!
6. Cherish your family.
Your family will always be there for you. Pick up the phone and call your grandparents every week. Ask them how they're feeling and if they need help with anything. Call your parents and see how work is going. Get together with your siblings and talk about life.
Your family will be there for you during your darkest hours and your brightest days. They won't sugarcoat things to make you feel better. They'll be honest with you and keep your best interests at heart.
7. Be in touch with your emotions.
Know why you feel the way you feel. If you're upset, figure out what caused it. If you're happy, figure out why. Being in touch with your feelings and emotions will be a skill that you'll use for the rest of your life.
Knowing why you feel a certain way empowers you to take control of your emotions and change them. Your physical body and your mental emotions are closely linked - changing one can often change the other. See Amy Cuddy's TED talk on how body language shapes who you are.
8. Quit your boring job.
Don't stay at a boring job for the money, regardless of whether or not you went to school for it. Don't risk your happiness for a paycheck.
Money only makes people happy to a point. Learn to run a business on the side. Take up freelance writing or web design, or open an online store. Try something with low overhead and a low startup cost (which also means it's low risk). You'll have more fun, have a chance at making some extra money, and maybe even find a new passion!
9. Learn to manage your money.
Open an investment fund and start investing in your future. Start a savings account and save up for things you want to do. Open a credit card and pay your debt on time.
A great book on this is "Money" by Tony Robbins. Getting a handle on your money will make you happier and give you the freedom to splurge on the things you love and cut the things you don't.
10. Learn to fully love yourself.
Because who's going to love yourself more than you? Be there for yourself when the going gets tough. Don't beat yourself up for mistakes that you make, learn from them.
A wise man named Dr. Seuss once said, "Today you are you. That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!". When you fully accept yourself nothing will stand in your way.
