I realize that saying I simply do not care about the Presidential election that will happen within the next year sounds very uninformed, unintelligent, and "first world problem"-esque. But hear me out before placing this label on my thoughts.

You see, I tried to care. I researched the candidates, I listened to debates, and I asked my father, friends, and grandfather what they all thought about our options for the upcoming election. And to be honest, everything I found simply disappointed me. While I realize that many, many people will disagree with me, I don't feel comfortable placing any of my hopes and aspirations for our country in the hands of any of our possible candidates. Despite my political beliefs, I've found something rather disappointing or off-putting about each of the candidates.

I've decided that instead of spending a lot of time and energy debating politics with other people who are so set in their ways, as am I, that the conversations end up being rather worthless, I will invest that energy in actually changing what I am in control of. If I want to help a certain cause or advocate for a social issue, I will do so independently of what someone else claims to believe. Because at this point, everything coming out of these candidates' mouths are empty promises and claims. We have no clue what will actually happen. So, to me, it makes the most sense to stop waiting around for change and to start living in a way that reflects what we want to happen. Live the type of life that you would like to see reflected in society. Maybe others will start to notice and be inspired. If nothing else, your small corner of the world will improve when you do things that you believe in, so long as they don't harm others.

Call me pessimistic or hopeless, but the state of our country currently does not give me an overwhelming amount of hope for the future. I would prefer not to wait around for a few months to see who ends up getting elected, then waiting even longer to see what they actually work to change. I've come to realize that regardless of political affiliations, there will be decisions and promises that I agree with and things that make me shake my head. Personally, it's not worth the stress of debating who is superior or pondering who the American public will trust the most to elect. I would rather change what I am able to help and make things better in any way that I can. If we all did that instead of waiting on a political candidate to do so, I think we could make some big changes.

I'm not trying to argue that the upcoming election lacks total importance and that I am completely disengaged from American politics. I realize there are a lot of serious issues at stake here. I also realize that our leader can only change and improve so much. Why wouldn't we want to do whatever is in our power to help with what we can? To put our own ideas into practice in making the world better in whatever ways we see fit?