The complications in our privileged society manage to be so prolific we have become accustomed to labelling them and tossing such worries away. Especially growing up. Those who drift away from childhood say they begin to comprehend the determination of Peter Pan to not grow up, or Squidward’s outwardly cynical attitude. Although we young people halfheartedly attempt to dodge adulthood and its responsibilities, the augment of occupying occasions is inevitable. I believe that with the growing heap of responsibilities and expectations, we lose a piece of ourselves in that mess. We become so busy we no longer address life to its fullest, excusing ourselves from doing the things we had originally aimed to accomplish with: “Not enough time.” At some point, in the midst of settling down, there is disdain for what we are doing with our lives. There is a missing sense of satisfaction; there is a missing sense of meaning. There is too much stress.
Of course, these farfetched observations do not support all. Many are content with their lives, others feel meaningless if they are not busy most of the time. Regardless, here is a list of but three bullet points, guidelines to follow so you may be reminded to take a good look at the world and think, Wow. I am so glad I am alive. This is what I want to do. So I hereby present you with a few simple steps to making your days worthwhile.
First off, identify your interests, your dreams. Stand for something. Channel your passion somewhere. You have to do that to know where you want to go from here, right? Personally, I find enjoyment in writing, reading, blogging and listening to music. I’d like to major in journalism and publish a book. I want to matter. However, if you interrogated me half a decade ago, I would’ve said that I liked art, painting, dogs, climbing trees, and baking. I’d have wanted to be an artist, or a veterinarian. And it’s acceptable to alter your aspirations as you grow. I encourage you to pursue what you relish at the moment. Get to know yourself better. It’ll aid you in making better decisions in life.
Second of all, don’t be afraid to have fun. Try new things. I did it. I did it with my friend, decorating the campus roads with chalk, pieces we found abandoned in a corner, and again when I joined the soccer team and told scary stories that were more hilarious than frightening with the team on the bus ride to a game. I did it when I burned macaroni and nearly scalded my skin upon the first attempt. And last year in May, when I discovered the joy in rolling like maniacs upon the field with my fellow peers. One of the most common regrets of elderly people is that they did not accomplish or do more when they had the opportunity. It is the lack of acting that they feel sorrow for, not an embarrassing, terrible, cringeworthy act done before. When four thousand people participated in a flash mob called the “No Pants Subway Ride” in 2009, they enjoyed it in silly giggles and discarded the judgmental stares. Good or bad, it was an experience.
Third, record your thoughts and your memories. Take photos. Write in a journal about your day. Keep in touch with old friends. I have journals from fourth grade that I still look back to. My language arts teacher has diaries from ninth grade, and she’s still writing. Anne Frank too, kept a diary of her days. Take photos too. You must realize the meaning of your life. Be aware of your past, but know the border that separates it from the present. Accept what happens. And then you can grow up, then old, and look back and see the younger you, acknowledging the accomplishments you made and the silver lining you saw of the cloud.
All in all, just make time. Step back. Breathe. Be aware of your choices, and make good ones. Allow yourself to step away from the moment and consider: Does this make me happy? Do I love what I do? Is this healthy for me? In the end, if your answers are all ‘yes’, then you must be doing something right.
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