This Wednesday, Jews all over the world celebrated Yom Kippur. This is the holiest day of the Jewish year, and it’s all about atonement and repentance. Rosh Hashanah is about ringing in the new year, whereas Yom Kippur is about deciding why it will be different. Here’s what I plan to do differently this year.
1. Using my voice.
I talk a lot, don’t get me wrong. I’m very opinionated and those closest to me know it. However, I sometimes don’t bother using my voice when it comes to disagreeing with someone or saying what bothers me. I’m done hiding my voice.
2. Making myself work under pressure.
We all procrastinate. We all say we’re going to stop procrastinating, and then procrastinate the process of stopping the procrastination. I usually procrastinate because I thrive under pressure, but that’s unnecessary these days. I know when I have the time to do things and when I don’t. I don’t have to work under pressure anymore. I can put that wasted time to creating, writing and relaxing.
3. Writing more.
We all have a way to relax. For some people, it’s working out, for others it’s reading or taking a really long shower. For me, it’s writing. Getting my thoughts written down gets them out of my head and makes me feel free. Writing gives me the opportunity to discuss with others who may not be near me. Writing has given me an amazing community here on Odyssey. I’m making more time for writing.
4. Opening myself up to more people.
When I first came back to school, I participated in Formal Sorority Recruitment. I was forced to talk to hundreds of strangers every day and open myself up to them. It was scary for me. However, I met some amazing people during the process and I can put those skills to use. One of my goals is to talk to more people in my classes, in the halls or at football games. I have nothing to lose, and new friendships to gain.
5. Pour more time into my passions.
This year, I’ve spent a lot of time learning new skills in writing, graphic design and video editing. While I feel that my skills are improving, I know that I could be spending more time exploring the programs. By spending more time reading up on creative programs and learning from professionals around me, I know I’ll become more confident in my skills and my ability to create more and better things.
Yom Kippur is all about change. Not everybody wants to change or feels that they need to. But college is about change anyway. It’s about growing into the person and the professional that you want to be and building valuable relationships along the way. My goals are in place to help me achieve that very goal and become the very best self that I can be.