With 2016 beginning in less than a week, we find ourselves both anxious and eager to start a new chapter in our lives. 365 new blank pages, all for us to make our own. However, some of us find ourselves thinking of this past year, reminiscing on the memories, laughs, and possibly regrets. We remember going into 2015 thinking, "This will be my year. My life is going to change," and now we're wondering if it lived up to its expectations. How can we ensure that the years don't all run together, finding ourselves graduating college, going alum, having to live in the "real adult world", and thinking every New Year's of how quickly all the "good times" faded away? How can we better ourselves and our lives in 2016?
1. Learn to love yourself
You are so much more than whatever you've made yourself believe you are. You spend so much time worrying about what others think of you, if others like you, that you forget that what matters most is that you like you. Stop telling yourself what's wrong about you, and remind yourself of all the reasons you're awesome.
2. Watch less TV
I freaking love TV. For every one of the resolutions in this article, I had a TV show GIF already assigned in my head. But there is so much more you could be doing with your life than watching Netfix in bed. Go for a run, learn a card trick, sketch a picture... or even (gasp) call your mom every once in a while just to check in, because you know she's thinking of you.
3. Stop trying to prove yourself to people who don't matter
I once heard the phrase, from 16 to 22, you meet a lot of temporary people. People who might think they're better than you, smarter than you, or prettier than you, or people that tell you that you aren't good enough. You feel like you owe these people something, but you don't. Acknowledging that you care about their opinions only gives them the power.
4. Figure out who matters
That frat boy who didn't text you back? The girls who talk about you when you're not around? None of them matter. Chances are, you won't remember their names in 10 years, and they may or may not remember yours. Stop getting hung up on their opinions of you. Your mom, who stays awake until she knows your home safe from the party. Your friend, who stays sober with you when you're a "sober monitor" so you aren't alone. Your boyfriend, who stays up all night tutoring you the night before your big chemistry test. Your big, who always includes you in plans even though you're socially awkward. These people matter, and these people are the ones who will be there when no one else is.
5. Find satisfaction in accomplishing little things
Sometimes, you fold the laundry or wash the dishes and feel no less overwhelmed by everything you have going on than you did before. Life gets so busy, and it's not uncommon for you to have a million things to do in a day. But you should be proud! You're getting stuff done! Somewhere someone is laying on their couch (probably watching TV, heh) and you're not. You're winning. Keep doing what you're doing!
6. Study
As someone who typically waits until the night before to study for tests, I understand the struggle. But you'd be amazed at how much your general understanding of the material- as well as your gpa- will improve when you start dedicating some time daily to studying, or even reading the chapter before you go to class. And of course, you don't have to be a college student to study. There is always something new to learn!
7. Read new things
Although this goes hand in hand with studying, the two aren't the same. We read so much for school that we've forgotten how to read for pleasure. Sometimes what you need most is a quiet place and a good book. You'll find that nothing eases your mind and calms your soul more than exploring a new world inside your head.
8. Cook new things
It's not that Ramen and pizza rolls aren't delicious; it's just that learning how to cook is valuable in many ways. Learning to cook prepares you for the future, when you're an adult (ew, I know), and it's a fun and rewarding activity. It's not something you have to do all that often, but it is worth it to experiment in the kitchen every now and then.
9. Learn how to say no every now and then
If you're anything like me, you have probably promised 5 different people you'd do something for them in one day. You're tutoring one friend in calculus at 6, then driving another to the airport at 8, and helping another dye their hair at 10. Meanwhile you're picking up the extra slack in your group project and volunteering to collect cans for the fall food drive. That is great, and totally stuff you should be doing! Just not all of the time, so much that you never make time for yourself. You don't need an excuse not to go out or do something if you're just not feeling it; if you're that important to them, they'll understand.
10. Love more
Love is difficult, I understand. Caring for people can be such an inconvenience at times. But love is so important and so necessary to live a fulfilled life. In 2016, you should embrace that you love people and tell them why. Give them second chances and go out of your way for them. Though it doesn't seem like it at the time, it is so worth it. If Taylor Swift says it, it has to be true.
11. Laugh more
One can never have enough laughs. We take things so seriously sometimes that we forget laughter is the best medicine. In 2016, make it a point to laugh every day. Every hour, even. Laugh when you want to cry. Just laugh until you have forgotten what you were upset about. Find laughter and joy in everything you do to make this year the best one yet.
12. Cry less
Speaking of crying, stop doing it so much. No one and nothing is worth your tears, so stop letting them think they are. Allow yourself like one good cry per month (if that), and all the rest of the time, find something to be happy about! Cook, read, laugh... whatever it is you do, do it.
13. Conquer a fear
It doesn't have to be something big. In 2015 as a freshman in college, I'm still terrified of driving in heavy traffic. My boyfriend (who probably won't even read this) is afraid of clowns and going to the dentist. You may have some weird, irrational fear that you've been letting get the best of you, but it's time to leave it in the past. Whether that means facing it head-on, or simply just getting over it, 2016 you isn't afraid of anything!
14. Stop living in the past
There is a lot you can't change in life, but dwelling on it only hurts you. It is so easy to get caught up in thinking about what could have been, or missing people who hurt you, but if you spend all your time stuck in the past, you're never really in the present. Believe it or not, that can hurt you even worse.
15. Stop living in the future
In the same way that living in the past distances you from reality, living in the future can be dangerous as well. It's so easy to worry about what is happening weeks, months, or even years down the road. (I'm a freshman and still find myself stressing about grad school one day!) But whether you're obsessing over whether or not you'll get married by 30 or just trying to make it through the week, take some time to remember the present in 2016. Otherwise, you'll look up one day and the future will be the present and you'll be wondering where it all went.
16. Make 2016 count every single day
In life, you'll have good days and you'll have bad days. You'll have happy moments and sad moments. What's most important, though, is that you don't let anything get you down. In 2016, do what you love. Don't look back. Stop caring so much about others' opinions. Stress less, read more. Laugh all of the time. Spread love and kindness and eventually you'll get some in return. Live in this upcoming year with no regrets, and make every moment of 2016 a worthwhile one.
