When you're in a season of life, whether it be summer or school or living at home or working, it's easy to fall into a pattern of repetition. Today ends up looking like yesterday did, and tomorrow will most likely play out like today did. But it does't have to be. Adventure is just around the corner. You don't have to be bored with your life or with your day. Stop reliving the same day, the same month and the same year. They've been lived out already, so go explore. Here's some ways that you can spruce up your life, either today or for the future!
Make more of an effort to make new friends. Making a new friend doesn't mean that you're getting rid of another. Creating new friendships can expand your network for finding a job, an internship or even a spouse (but really though). Don't underestimate the power of making a new friend - you never know who is going to impact your life for the long run.
Dare to try something new, something that scares you, something that pushes you to your limit. Get out of your comfort zone. It's great to be comfortable and feel safe, but we grow when we are pushed beyond the confinements of our "safety." Go try something new that you said you never would. Go out and adventure in order to grow into an even better version of yourself.
Go to that new coffee shop you've been eyeing for the past few weeks. OK, maybe you don't like coffee, but go try a new restaurant or ice cream place or something! Even though this seems minimal, we all have our "go-to spots" when it comes to food, but don't forget to eat somewhere new every once in awhile. Go study at a different spot than your usual or meet a friend at a fun and exciting new restaurant in town. Don't just stay inside your box with no outlet for new experiences.
Don't let yourself fall into the same worldly patterns. Be brave enough to be different in order to make a difference. We all have our own passions and would love to see actions get taken in order to make them happen. Why not take the initiative and get the ball rolling? Talk to people about how you'd like to change your campus, your town, your organization. But don't stop there! It takes one person to make a difference and, this year, that person can be you. Stop sitting back and waiting for someone else to make a difference. You have the ability, just be brave.
Surround yourself with positive, life-giving people. Too many times these days I hear friends complain about the way they're being treated in other friendships and relationships. College is such a wonderful time in that we get to have friendships that aren't just convenient. There is no reason to let someone be a constant downer on your life just because the friendship is easy. (Not saying that easy friendships aren't beneficial.) Go out of your way to know someone and that relationship will bloom. It's amazing what can happen when you surround yourself with joy.
Go to a concert out of town on a Thursday night. Why? Because you're young and you're free, and when else will you get to do this? Lastly, go to that concert in Austin or Houston on a school night! So what, you have an 8 a.m. the next morning and will be tired? You probably won't regret going unless there's a test the next day (not advisable - trust me). But get out of your college town and go be young and free for a night! One day of being tired in class isn't the reason to sit at home all the time.
So get out - go - adventure - live an unpredictable year. You have the opportunity to make a difference, a friend, a life-time experience. Stop sitting back and waiting for life to happen to you - make it happen! You're young with a whole life of stability in front of you, so take advantage of this freedom and expand your horizons. You never know how much you can grow until you start to open your eyes and live.
