1. Make a change and do something new. People will always tell you, if you don’t like the direction your life is going or the people you are around, change it and find new people. Change doesn't always have to be so dramatic, though, and it doesn't have to take place under the above-said circumstances. Say you've had your ears pierced since you were a child, but you have wanted to get a second hole or cartilage piercing for some time now. Just go get it. Even if no one else notices that you added an extra piece of jewelry to your ear, you will (and you will likely stare at it in the mirror and take strategically angled selfies to show it off from time to time). Changing a small thing gives you a boost due to the sheer fact of it being a change. The concept of change, no matter how small, can be the first step towards growth.
2. Take a step away from the news. You do need to be informed on what’s going on in your community, country, and your world as a whole, but don’t the negativity of the world bring your mood down with it. It's sad that most news sources spend most of their time either reporting negative incidents and tragedies or constantly twisting stories to glorify one group while demonizing the other. Often times, news sources target certain groups and fail to give true, unbiased reports on certain social issues. If you are a person who easily absorbs the negativity around you, take a break from the news channel and, instead, focus on being the good in the world that you wish to see.
3. Become better at school/work. As a millennial, you’re likely at a point in your life where you are working on yourself in more ways than one, possibly without realizing it. Some of us may still be thinking about or attending college, while others have already earned a degree and have begun building a career. Whatever stage of life you are currently in, you have to embrace it and continuously work on yourself. At our age, the pressure to excel in college and become successful in a field is constant. A good response to this? Join an organization, build up your resume, learn a new skill, and apply yourself. Instead of worrying about your future, slowly work on the things you don't feel satisfied with. Improving in just one area will show, and it can lift a lot of anxiety.
4. Indulge in the little things you love. Personally, I really love coffee. I don’t need coffee to wake me up in the mornings, but I just really like the feeling of reading a book, writing or walking around downtown with it in my hand. It's something that relaxes me. Even if you don’t feel that way about coffee, I’m sure you have something small that puts you in a good mood. Are you big on movies? When you have a little free time, just go down to the theater with your friends or even enjoy one alone at home. Get started on an arts & crafts project. Makeup junkie? Buy new lipstick. If you’re feeling particularly down, it might be a good idea to just indulge in the little things you find enjoyment in.
5. Cuddle a dog. I’m sure you've read countless articles and heard about those studies proving that pets, especially the furry kind, are some of the best stress relievers. I personally haven’t conducted any scientific research involving the matter, but I do have a dog, and I can concur that this is true. Your dog is like a fuzzy little companion that is basically ALWAYS happy to see you and loves you unconditionally. Petting and cuddling your dog is seriously therapeutic.
6. Go on an adventure. The trip may be spontaneous or planned based on your schedule, but you will be surprised how getting out and doing a little exploring can do wonders for the soul and mind. Traveling doesn’t always have to cost a fortune or take a chunk of your time. Why not take a day trip over the weekend to a close-by beach or maybe even go for a walk down a nature trail. You could even explore a historic city like Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC. Also, be sure to journal your adventures, take plenty of photos, or do absolutely neither if you would rather just live in the moment.
7. Realize you don't owe anyone anything more than you owe yourself. When you spend too much time trying to please others, you end up losing yourself in the process. Don’t let your mood, attitude, and views be affected by negative people who only see the glass half empty. If you base all of your happiness on another person’s (or group’s) actions, words, and thoughts towards you, you will never feel satisfied. The truth is, everyone will let you down in some way—whether it is big or small—because we are all human. However, letting the negativity dictate your life is where you go wrong. Find happiness with who you are, not with what other people think of you.
