For fellow students like myself out there, school is just around the corner. As I know many are not students, many are parents of students, teachers, professors, sale associates, advertisers... you name it. Basically everyone (in some way) is influenced by the start of school. This summer I took a lot of time to work on my personal growth. I am confident by the time school rolls around, I will be ready to start the school year off strong. I know starting over is often a theme for the "New Year", but sometimes life doesn't fit as ideally in our schedules as we originally hoped. That's okay! I strongly believe things happen for a reason, even if it is hard to see it that way at first. I took this entire summer to regroup my life. I have honestly not been happier for a really long time. Are you in need of a change? You don't need to wait until the "New Year." You can start today. Here are ten great ways to begin the school year with a fresh start:
1. Create New Friendships
As we change, our relationships change. Sometimes the people in our life are not able to grow with us. It is not because they don't care, we simply begin to go in different directions. Although it is important to respect this, it is also important to surround yourself with people who support your needs. As I have changed, I have had to end some of my friendships. I have realized certain people don't fit in my life the way they used to. It has been scary ending some of my friendships, but it was something I thought long and hard about. It is a decision I made with care. Although my life felt empty at first, it is amazing how many new people I have began to meet. Put yourself out there. Join a club, talk to the person at work you thought you would never have anything in common with, join a fitness class, volunteer for a cause you are passionate about. There are so many ways to meet new people we can relate to. It is a matter of giving opportunity the chance to reveal itself.
2. Create A Comforting Space
As I began to change, I found it a necessity to go through my things. As I mentioned earlier, I am a student. That means I kind of have two homes. I am fortunate enough to have a place at my dad's and a place at my brand new apartment. I took the majority of the summer to go through my childhood bedroom. I cannot tell you how many things I found that I forgot about. I cannot tell you how many things I donated. It felt great. My closet is now organized with storage. Not only did I take the time to do this, but I created a happy, positive space at my new apartment. Somewhere I can go that makes me feel relaxed and happy. Something that matches my personality. I was a bit ambitious and took on some projects. I found a free dresser in my neighborhood and fixed it up to use at my apartment - painted it and everything. I hung up Christmas lights on the ceiling of my room. I have my room decorated with gifts or sentimental objects people I love once gave to me. I light incense before I go to sleep. This is an environment I wanted to create to help me feel relaxed and something that made me feel like I could start over. Creating a personal space will be different for everyone. What's important is you created it for yourself - nobody else.
3. Create Something You Are Proud Of
Depending on how creative you are, this may be harder for some people than others. I am a very creative person by nature, so it is naturally something I embrace. Even if you are not creative, I dare you to push your comfort zone. Create something you are proud of. Plant a flower and nurture it to grow. Put it in a vase and keep it somewhere where you will be reminded of why you planted this flower to begin with. To encourage self - growth? To inspire creativity? Make it your own. Go to a "Painting with a Twist." Hang up your artwork somewhere you can admire what you created. Go to a local art class in your city. Color a page from an art therapy book. Creativity can take so many forms - be open to it. Be proud of what you are capable of trying and creating.
4. Get Enough Sleep Every Night
I used to roll my eyes at this one. I need so much sleep. If I don't get about eight hours a night, I generally feel tired throughout the majority of the day. It isn't fun. I had no idea how severely I was sleep depriving myself until I fell apart. If you are going about your day thinking about sleep, if things feel fuzzy, if you have no energy - you are not getting enough sleep! You can not live your full potential on a lack of sleep. Take care of yourself. If you want to move forward, nourishing your basic needs is key.
5. Explore New Passions
This can be a tricky one, but I think it is so important! The key to finding new passions and enjoyments is trying new things. Be open minded to trying something you may have never considered in the past. Go to salsa night at the bar with a friend. Take a kayaking class at your local state park. Through my depression, I found that I love to write. Although I know I was good at it in the past, I never though about expanding it into benefiting other people. Now I am here writing this article to you - because I want to help you live a happy and healthy life :)
6. Make a Jam Playlist
Yup that's right. Sign up for Apple Music.. Spotify... Tidal... whatever you like. Add a bunch of songs on your phone (or whatever you listen to music on) that make you feel good. Add songs you can listen to when you want to feel strong. Songs that make you want to get up and move. Songs that will help you start the day great.
7. Take Care of Yourself
This is like the sleep category. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take good care of yourself. Eat balanced meals. Do one thing you enjoy everyday - watch your favorite tv show on Netflix, go to dinner with a friend, taking a bubble bath, etc. Exercise everyday. Take the stairs at work. Join a gym. Bike to work. Walk in the evenings after work - whatever fits in your schedule that you are willing to try. Self - care is so incredibly important. Self - care are like your building blocks. They are the foundation to a happy and healthy life. They are easy steps to take - don't take advantage of your basic needs! Trust me, I learned the hard way.
8. Write Someone You Love a Letter
Yup. Who has impacted your life? Who is really important to you? Write them an old fashioned "snail mail" letter and let them know how important they are. Nobody seems to write letters these days (except for maybe me) and they are so personal and important. Hand written letters show compassion and genuine traits. I guarantee you - not only will this make you feel good, but the person who received the letter will be greatly touched. You will probably make their day... and maybe receive a response back.
9. Begin Prioritizing Your Life
What is important to you? Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Make baby step goals. Make one goal each day you would like to complete. This goal can be as big or little as you want it to be - as long as it is realistic. For example, your goal could be to put the laundry away. Your goal could also be to ask the cute girl out to a drink. Who is important in your life? Not sure what is important? Make a pros and cons list. If you take time to process your needs and what makes you happy, you will begin to see what needs to change, what is important, and what is not so important.
10. Begin Looking at the Positives Of Each Day
Positive affirmations. What is something positive about yourself that you believe? This is hard - I have trouble with it too. For example, I try to live each day to my best ability. These can be personal and whatever you want them to be - as long as you believe them. Having trouble believing positive traits about yourself? Start with something small. What have you done for other people? For example, I enjoy teaching piano lessons. A positive affirmation I could create would be, I am a role model. Teachers are leaders. Teachers are guides not only to learning, but to growing up and living a successful life. Another thing I enjoy is making a jar full of positive situations which have happened to me. They can be as small as petting a cute dog... to my best friend giving me a hug when I was upset. Anything that made you smile throughout the day. Put these thoughts on a sticky note and fold them up and put them in a jar. Write one positive thing each day. Not only will this help you think positively, but when you feel down, dump out the jar and read all the great things that happened to you. This helps me feel better about myself sometimes. I often forget what I write down for the jar, so re-reading these memories is very meaningful. It is amazing how many positive things happen on a day to day basis. We just need to look for them.
It is time to put yourself first. Starting over and making ourselves better people is a task we can all strive to complete everyday. We are not perfect - people are a work in progress. Don't wait for a season or a time of year to work on yourself. Start today. Start with thinking positively. Start with going to the gym. Baby steps are key to making changes. We all experience the need to start over in some point of our lives - whether it is in a relationship, a job, or life in general. Sometimes we need a fresh start, and that's okay. Put your happiness first. Put your health first. A happy and healthy life are completely attainable goals, I promise you. It is okay you can't see it right now. It takes time. Give yourself the opportunity and patience to grow. I believe in you.
