Start saying yes to things you would normally say no to.
No, I’m not telling you to say yes when some random guy offers you a lollipop and nudges you towards his creeper van. I’m talking about finally joining that acting class that has been on your mind. I’m talking about saying yes to meeting new people, yes to new interests, yes to taking chances and yes to forcing yourself out of that comfort zone you’ve barricaded yourself inside.
Embarrass yourself (or at least just be okay with it when you do.)
Believe it or not, embarrassing yourself builds character. The best people are the ones that can navigate the stormy waters of this whole journey of a confused and stumbling young adult, and make it to the other side with confidence and love for themselves. Life loves to throw you in situations filled to the brim with discomfort. Take those imminent opportunities to better yourself.
Realize school is not your life.
School is extremely important (of course,) but it is not everything. There is so much more to this short life than locking yourself in your dorm and studying until your fingers are itching to yank strands of hair out of your head. You don’t get a second chance at this life, and the years will continue to pass by faster and faster. So go out and be the youngin’ you are. Your happiness is your top priority.
Put down the technology.
This is truly one of the biggest challenges of our generation. Take a second and think about when you go to a party. How many people are looking down at their phones versus how many people are talking face to face, no phone involved, with another human being? If you’re lucky you can maybe count more people who intertwine technology and actual conversation together to form a conversational dynamic of, “I’m interested in who you are and what you have to say, but Instagram needs me to like some pictures at this very moment while we are getting to know each other.” Put the phone down, take a deep breath and enjoy people without the security blanket.
Eat that piece of chocolate. Or cake. Or chocolate cake.
It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but life is too short to not enjoy food. Don’t let the body image problem that plagues our generation cause you to suffer as well. How little or how much “bad food” you eat does not in any way affect how wonderful a person you are. Stop restricting yourself and eat some dessert once in a while. A big ‘ole bowl of chocolate ice cream is the perfect remedy for anything under the sun. Failed your exam? Treat yourself. Broke up with your boyfriend? Ice cream still loves you.
It’s the little things that make the biggest changes.
