Let REM serenade you as you read:
All right, folks. It’s December. We’ve almost made it. Yes, 2016 has been a wilder ride than any of us could have anticipated this time last year. Yes, it’s finals season at universities across the country. Yes, the stress of the holiday season is upon us. But, in all the craziness we have an opportunity, to end this year on a good note, and to make 2017 the best one yet (and by “best” I mean just less of a clusterf*ck — anything would be an improvement, seriously).
Instead of setting New Year's resolutions for myself and waiting until Jan. 1 to do anything differently, I’m going to try out End of the Year resolutions in an effort to go out with a bang and set up better things to come. No, I can’t change politics, I can’t get rid of finals, I can’t wish anxiety over the holidays away; but, I can (maybe, hopefully) change small things in my personal, everyday existence to make things simpler and remove any unnecessary, self-made stress. There’s enough going on to stress us out and occupy our thoughts, so there’s no point in adding to the pile. Here are some goals I’m setting for myself — I figure even if a few of them work out, it’ll be an improvement.
I will stop second-guessing myself.
No more hesitation over texts, Facebook messages, snapchats, whatever. No more waffling over what I do and don’t want to do when it comes to making plans. No more sitting around wondering and worrying over whether or not I said or did the right thing. No more wondering whether or not I can really pull of that cropped sweater with horizontal stripes after I’ve already left my room wearing it. Of course, I’m still going to think before I act and speak, but the pointless analysis after the fact, or the cyclical questioning beforehand, is out the window. Just do it, as Nike would say, and let the pieces fall where they may. Chances are, no text message that isn’t analyzed by three different people before it’s sent will be that catastrophic.
I will emotionally detach myself from the things that bother me.
Not the big stuff, but the everyday annoyances. Instead of flying into a rage because a suitemate left the lights on, or a professor hasn’t returned grades yet, or the servery food isn’t what I want on a particular night, or people are being obnoxious and loud when I’m trying to sleep, I will just. Not. Care. These things don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, and are not worth being actively irritated about. When you feel nothing, the annoyances no longer have power or control over your life.
I will speak up for what I want and need.
I’ll express my concerns for the holidays with my family (who I’m going home to in about a week and a half), in the hopes that we can work things out before I get there and generally avoid some sources of stress and argument altogether. I’ll claim my own space and privacy in my suite and be clear about my boundaries with those I live with. If something genuinely doesn’t work for me, I’ll respectfully say so, instead of bending over backward and causing myself unnecessary anxiety trying to accommodate.
I will ignore pointless emails.
I just cleaned out my inbox today, and it was great. 11/10 would recommend. Send all that stuff you never read to the spam filter, and feel your spirit soar.
I will stop apologizing for the things I like.
Even if I don’t apologize verbally, there are certain things I don’t let other people see about me. But this is so exhausting, and pointless. Yes, I have the Jonas Brothers on multiple Spotify playlists, and know all the words to the songs. Let’s just get it out there in the open and jam together instead of being embarrassed or wondering if someone will think it’s stupid. Yes, I still have stuffed animals. They’re basically just cuter, fuzzier versions of pillows, so get over yourself if you think it’s lame to be in college and still have a stuffed bear or two. In addition to not apologizing for the things I enjoy, I’ll stop pretending to like the things I don’t. Yes, second-cousin Sarah, I’d love to drink with you on Christmas Eve this year, but I’d rather a beer than a glass of red wine, please.
There’s too much crap and negativity and loneliness and anger in the world already. And I’m done. I don’t want it, and I don’t want to dwell on it. So, I’m not going to add to it, for myself or for anyone else. I want to end this year focused on respect, and kindness, and progress, and joy. So let’s all go take a bubble bath or something, calm down, then take on the world. The end of the year can be delightful, and it’s not something I want to rush through.
