~2016~
1. Reevaluate your financial priorities. Do you really need that $50 handbag? That $30 eyeshadow palette? Probably not. Focus on getting that big (or small) thing you’ve wanted for ages - budget wisely, start saving up. You’ll thank yourself later.
2. Let the past be the past. Hard times and bad relationships are a part of life. You win some, you lose some. Don’t let those losses be the end of you. Sure, we love to hate the ones who screwed us over but it’s such a waste of energy. Learn to accept the fact that you might have to share the same space with them sometimes (and if not, you’re squared away).
3. Drink more water. It doesn’t have to be eight glasses. Realistically, who’s got time to count? But have a glass with every meal, carry a water bottle around wherever you go, and maybe we’ll get there.
4. Be more organized. There are always going to be more deadlines, more bills to pay, more dates to remember. Your brain isn’t as reliable as you think (nor are the rogue sticky notes in your backpack or the scrawled reminders in the corner of your notebook page). Use your planner, make lists, set reminders in your phone so you won’t miss a thing (and regret it later).
5. Talk to your family more. When you’re in college, things are really exciting and new and fun and it’s easy to forget your extended family for a while. Call them every once in a while. Send cards on holidays (and birthdays, if you know them). Let them know you still love them.
6. But don’t rely too heavily on your parents. We’re prone to doing this, too, even when we have our own jobs and our own lives. I want to become more independent, stable in my own right. I want to be able to know that when I graduate and move on, I’ll be okay.
7. Don’t fall in love with everyone you meet. Sometimes it can be hard to not light up on the inside every time someone gives you the time of day or the attention you’ve been craving. But not everyone is worth the time or effort a relationship takes. Be careful with your heart.
8. Travel more. Whether it’s to another city or another country, get outside of your hometown at least once every few months. Explore. Be an outsider.
9. Read the news weekly. As someone who doesn’t read the news at all, weekly is a big step up. Don’t get everything from social media - chances are you’re not even getting the whole story that way. Turn on your TV, read a newspaper, download a news app. Whatever it takes to be more informed.
10. Learn a new language. Languages excite me. If anyone ever asked me what my favorite thing to study would be, it would be that. I have three languages under my belt already and want to continue to expand my knowledge.
11. Love yourself. It’s easy to put others’ needs before your own, especially if you have a big heart. Take a little time each day to focus on yourself. Put up a note on your mirror with an inspirational quote. Spend a little extra time on your appearance. Do things that make you happy.
12. Forgive yourself. We all make mistakes, but we don’t have to keep reliving them everyday if we don’t want to. Take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you’re only human. Keep going.
13. Be more open to meeting people. As an introvert, meeting people can be scary. You actively avoid new people at all costs. But I want to know people, share their experiences and share my own.
14. Take better care of my skin and hair.
15. Complain a little less. We all have things we don’t like about the world, ourselves, other people. But no one wants to hear it all the time. Try to be more positive, and say more positive things. The world will look a little brighter that way.
16. Do what you love. Don’t ever listen to the naysayers. Wear that red lipstick, listen to Justin Bieber, get on that plane. If it’s something that makes your heart happy and sets your soul on fire, who cares what they have to say?
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