It’s February already. Can you believe it?
It’s semi-depressing to me, really.
Time keeps going by more quickly (aka…I’m getting old).
I kind of need to focus here, though…only 11 more months to make this year the best one yet.
So here’s the list I’m using to make sure this year is awesome.
Because to tell you the truth, I’m not settling for anything less than that.
MAKE TIME FOR TRAVEL
If you’re looking for excuses to not travel, there’s plenty. Can’t take time off work… don’t have any money… the kids are in school. Traveling isn’t just going to happen magically, and again, you can always come up with 5 different reasons why you shouldn’t plan a vacation. 30 years later though, you’ll regret not taking that trip.
Traveling is an important part of life. I really don’t think this whole giant world was made so beautiful for it to not be seen. So go out there, and see something. Anything. Even if that means driving an hour away from home to stay at a little bed and breakfast you haven’t stayed at before.
De-clutter & Organize
You know that spare bedroom you have that’s become a storage unit? Go clean it! What’s the point of having so much space if you can’t even use it? You really can’t have friends and family come visit if you can’t move in your own home. So fix that.
Nothing makes me more anxious than when I look at my apartment and see that everything is thrown everywhere and there’s a huge mess. Sure, it resembles what’s going on in my brain, but it stresses me out to no end. When you take time to de-clutter and organize, you eliminate the things you don’t need in your life anymore. Maybe there’s clothes you don’t need. Maybe you’ve got 500 boxes you can throw away. You may even have some people in your life you can do without. So out with the old, in with the new. Make space in your life for things that make you happy.
Stop & Reflect… A lot
We get so caught up in our everyday routine that we don’t take time to reflect on what’s really happening. We just go and go and go and go and then we get burnt out. And then we rest a bit. And then, we repeat the cycle. Reflection is the key to growth, so if we want to make our lives the best that they can be, every once in a while, we need to stop. EVERYTHING. Just stop. And then think.
What’s working? What’s not? Am I happy? Am I sad? Why am I sad? Is there something I’ve been needing to do? Why am I not doing it? What could I be doing right now to make things better?
When you actually stop and ask yourself these questions, you get to know yourself a whole lot better. Otherwise, you just continue your routine- which you very well might hate and not even realize.
Make an Effort to be Social
This is big on my list this year because basically, I’ve become a hermit. I’ve got so much going on in my life that I don’t even have a minute to breathe. And when I do have a minute, all I want to do is sleep. All the time. Forever. Because I’m exhausted. So yes, I’ve become a bad friend and I don’t get invited to social functions all that much anymore. For good reason, though, because whenever I do get asked, I respectully decline. Go out to a bar? LOL, negative. My bed just looks too comfy.
But hello! I’m 23 years old! I need to be social. I need to make a better effort to continue developing the relationships that I have. I also *cringe* need to make new relationships. Make new friends?? Ugh that sounds so stressful. But I’ve got to. So this year, my man friend and I have made that a priority. We redecorated our place so that we can invite people over. Because we realize that without family and friends, life kind of sucks.
Find Something You’re Passionate About & Dive In
Purpose. You’ve got to have one. So if you want to make this year 10 times better than the last, try finding something you love and throw every ounce of yourself into doing that. Maybe it’s a social cause. Maybe it’s just opening up a book and reading. Maybe it’s learning how to cook. Maybe you’re lucky and it’s your actual job. Just find something that you enjoy doing. Find something that puts a smile on your face because you’re doing something good or something challenging- something that requires personal growth.
When you’ve got things in your life that you look forward to, the daily grind seems a whole lot more bearable. So try to find these things, and when you do, don’t lose them. Don’t forget about them. Don’t stop trying. Because there’s so much that we can look forward to in life…so many things that we can experience. It would be a real shame to waste our lives doing nothing.
So tell me…how are YOU going to make this year a great one? I’m curious.
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I love this, Kayla! I actually have a lot of the same goals this year for myself. My theme for 2014 is to be more mindful — to appreciate what I have and take time to reflect — like you mentioned.
I always have the goal of travelling more, but many of those excuses you listed tend to get in my way. I think this ties back into being mindful — of the world around you — and get out and see things!
Also, I totally relate when you say how easy it is to skip social interaction, especially in the winter! I identify as an introvert, but I am also new to my area and not having friends used to make me really upset. However, I never had the drive to go out and “make” friends because I had to put myself out there. But once I did I was so much happier. Now when I get invited out, I try to go so I can foster and deepen those relationships. Making new friends is tough — especially for us hermits! — but the reward is well worth it 🙂
I’m learning to be happy right now…and not when I accomplish this or that.
I’m going to adopt a kitten. 🙂
I’m going to take an all-girls trip.
I’m going to start writing my book.
Also I’m going to put some photo books together of my past trips.
Such a great roundup! A lot of these are definitely things I plan to do this year. I definitely need to work on being more social, like you said. I’m about the same age as you and have realized how difficult it is to meet people our age! Especially harder if I’m not putting myself out there. Also trying to find a cause I want to be involved with–like I said, I’m loving your list!
I plan on seeing more of the United States and Canada this summer! 🙂
i’m definitely going for travelling this year….and urm make my bed, wake up early each morning…and not snoozing my alarms more than 3 times hahaha….and to round up all you listed up there, I would seriously have to “stop and reflect” alot….about everything and spend more time for Him…to thank Him and slow down my complaining …..
How am I going to make this year a great one? By staying true to myself and my values, doing what I love doing. Being honest and making others happy – helping others and making them smile. Because life is never always about us.
#2 is literally just my life. I need to do that in every way: physically, with relationships, etc!
Thanks for this list!
I found this post from the HCBN email! I’m going to be following you in a minute too! 🙂
I love these tips — being more social is definitely on my list this year. I’m looking to schedule my time better so I can take the initiative and reach out to people to strengthen those friendships that sometimes get lost during busy months!
Agree on the travel! I love to travel. BUT! Sometimes it’s easier said than done, especially when you’re from a third-world country. I’m not making excuses, just saying. : )
AND! I come to realize that there are really some people who do not mind NOT travelling! I guess we all have our “priorities” : )
So how am I going to make this year a great one? I’m taking charge of my future! (Well, as much as I can. It’s still His will that will push through despite everything.) Taking charge of my career! Making my dreams happen! Let’s do this! : )
Reblogged this on Amiable Days.
Yes! Such awesomely great advice!
I love this article…great advice. Its so easy to get wrapped up in our daily work and constantly evolving objectives. Making time for me!
#4 is my big resolution for this year. I had the same problem and i made it my mission to just get out of my house more often. Even when i dont feel like it, or I’m “tired”, but especially if it’s out of my comfort zone.
P.S.: thank you for checking my blog and follow it. Really appreciated!
I think we all have these resolutions for 2014. And it’s good, because it makes us open to new opportunities and in turn, makes us grow as people. I’m turning 19 this year, yet I see people around me being the same people as they are when I met them. Not changing for the better. I actually lost some friends when I started growing as a person. But I’m happier now than I used to be when I was with them.
Don’t be afraid of change. Learn to embrace it and make the most out of it. 🙂