2016 was hard. For me, it was probably the toughest year of my life -- so much changed and it's been hard to handle. I graduated from college, entered the phase of eternal job seeking, my high school best friend died, my current best friend is pregnant and due in literally days, I got my own apartment with the s/o and more. One year changes a whole lot. Next year will be no different. But amongst all of it, there are a few things you can do to make sure you're making the most of it.
1. Check something off your bucket list
Just one thing. Bucket list items are usually huge goals or hard to reach experiences, so focus on checking off just one. Need to save up some cash? Start in January; save a portion each week or month, depending on what you can afford. Need a group to do it with you? Organize early. Get together your friends or business partners asap so by mid year your goal can be reached. Don't neglect your dreams! You can't say "someday" forever.
2. Don't forget your health
Okay, so you don't have to do P90X an hour a day or eat strictly kale for the rest of the year. But you can do smaller, easier things to become healthier gradually. Cut out bad habits one at a time. Start with cutting chips. Then cut pop. After a few months, move on to fast food. Naturally with cutting the worst foods you'll have to start substituting with mildly healthier foods. Cut out cigarettes. Drink water. Take your dog on a walk. Even if these sound too overwhelming, start by educating yourself on health. Watch documentaries like "Forks Over Knives," "Supersize Me," and "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead." These have been my motivators in the past and I'm sure they could give you a push.
3. Think presently
By thinking presently, I mean more than putting your phone away and paying attention to your surroundings (but by all means, please do this too. Your friends and family will thank you.). What I mean is to stop waiting around on the future or dwelling on the past. We all do this in subtle ways without realizing it, ruining the experience we could be having today. For instance, for months before officially moving out of my parents' house, I refused to put any effort into decorating, fixing up, even cleaning my room. "Why should I? I'm going to be leaving soon anyway," I figured. But soon turned into weeks turned into months. So I ended up spending a lot of time in an atmosphere I neglected because I was waiting on my future situation. I could have taken care of myself and my surroundings more had I put more effort into the present moment instead of waiting around. Truthfully, you never know if you'll make it to the future you're waiting on, so you might as well do it now.
Don't let your past decisions affect your choices in the present either. So what you got a divorce two years ago; your new man wants to marry you and you want to say yes. Do it! So what you failed out of high school or dropped out of college; you can still make moves and be successful! Never doubt yourself because no one is the person they were yesterday. New year new me, right?
4. Start a tradition
Many of us millennials and the generation coming of age behind us have started to let go of our parents' traditions. Things like going to church on Easter, having female-only baby showers, cooking cultural meals from our heritage and plenty more have fallen off the wagon for better or for worse. And to be honest, traditions are pretty pointless and often help us to stay stuck in the past, exercising muscle memories of outdated festive hoopla. BUT they can be kind of fun. Traditions don't have to be some dreadful activity grandma forces you into. Make the most of 2017 by celebrating something you love in a way you want to celebrate it and plan to do it again every year.
It can be something as simple as throwing a friendsgiving party or a holiday-less family get together. Make it more 21st century: go to Pride every year, have a no-tech party, start a kindle swap with your fellow bookworms, or cosplay. If you want to hold onto some older traditions, keep them and change them to fit you. Hunting season? Invite the ladies. Great grandma's Christmas casserole? Make it gluten free/ vegan/ etc. Since we're dropping outdated traditions we should replace them with an improved update.
5. Choose your circle wisely
I've had a tendency throughout life to hold on to relationships for the sake of nostalgia, because I miss the times we had together, or because I felt obligated. Don't do that. It's never the same and it's never productive. If a relationship doesn't benefit you, make you happy, or fit you just right, ditch it. This goes for your friends, your significant other, your coworkers, your dad, anyone. It's hard to grow into the person you want to be when people in your circle are trying to be something too different or want you to be someone you used to be. Instead surround yourself with people you admire, who motivate you, and who will stick around through all the crazy changes we're sure to see in 2017.
6. Be kind
Seriously, the whole #petty, #nonewfriends thing is funny and all, but it's just that -- a joke. Don't let it become something you actually believe in. Be kind to each other and yourself. Yes the world is a cold place and people are heartless, but that's all the more reason not to become heartless yourself. Make it a goal in 2017 to have more empathy; be kind to the earth, to people of all backgrounds, to all things. Raise your children to have big hearts. You don't want to look back at the year and feel like you wasted it by being petty.
7. Make a list
I write lists like a crazy person and I would recommend it to every soul on the planet. The list that will improve your whole year, though, is a list of goals. It sounds cheesy but I promise it'll feel so good crossing items off that you won't care anymore. Write down your big goals (not bucket list big, but goals you could accomplish all within a few months) on a piece of paper and give each one a timeline. In six months, I want to buy a new car. In three, I want a better job or promotion. Put the list somewhere you'll see it all the time: your bedroom mirror, your fridge, your sketchbook. It's harder to sleep on your goals when they stare you in the face every day and getting them done will help you feel like you're always on the up and up.
8. Don't be too safe
Some of the best memories are made when you're doing something maybe you shouldn't be or you're being a little less than responsible. Of course don't hurt anyone or do something that'll ruin your life, but have some fun! Stay out real late with your sister even though you both have to work in the morning. Try psychedelics with your best friend if you've got the day off. Go on a date with the girl you met online. Really, loosen up a bit! It's great to always be on track but life should be enjoyed, not just planned and executed.
9. Do things that make you uncomfortable
The worst place to stay is in your comfort zone. Just because you know the ins and outs of your city doesn't mean you shouldn't travel. Just because you're cross-trained in every aspect of your workplace and know all the people who work there doesn't mean you're happy doing it all or seeing them every day. If you'd be happier somewhere else (anywhere else) then move on. Quit your job. Leave your hometown. Dye your hair. Try to get into sports. Start a hobby. Take a class. Everything that's new to you will be a little tough and a little nerve-wracking, but it isn't always a bad thing. Embrace that uneasy feeling and conquer what makes you uncomfortable.
10. Keep a photo album
I know I said not to get stuck in the past, but it's okay to visit it. Take lots of pictures throughout the year. Photos are timeless memories of little "nows" and should be cherished. Get them developed (is this too old-fashioned now?) and make it a scrapbook if you want to step it up. When the year is over, review and reminisce.
