13 Little Ways To Live And Love More Fully In 2017
Do more shit you’re bad at. You could get good at it. You could still suck, but the point is the experience is humbling and hopefully fun.
1. The very second you start getting hung up on someone who rejected you, text your best friend.
Text them something you love about them, or a funny memory you the two of you share. Redirecting your attention to what is in your life, as opposed to obsessing over what could be, is far more productive and healthy.
2. Start getting up an hour earlier (even if you stayed up late).
Pour a big cup of coffee or tea, make a kickass breakfast, and get ready to start your day with an hour dedicated to you and you alone. Take this extra 60 minutes to throw yourself into what you always wanted to do, but never feel like you have the time. This could mean taking a walk outside, meditating, reading, learning a new language, or whatever is popping up in your head right now.
3. Listen to one new song a day.
You may think you know your favorite song, but the amount of music your ears have yet to be graced with is infinite. Check out a genre you wouldn’t normally gravitate towards and expand your musical horizons. If you don’t even know where to begin, check out Spotify’s Discover Weekly or Browse features.
4. Make the time to call or see your grandparents once a week.
If you’re fortunate enough to still have your grandparents, be sure to call them at least once a week, even if it’s just a quick call to ask them about their day or just stopping by for a cup of coffee. It’s not just good for you; it’s great for them, too.
5. Make every Saturday before noon tech free.
If possible, make sure every Saturday before noon is free of technology. That means no social media, email, TV, and the Internet. Be sure to get your friends on board, too! Go to a phones free brunch
6. Read one new story a day on a topic that fascinates you.
Become acquainted with the world outside of your own. Start following your favorite publications on Twitter or find an email newsletter (love you, Skimm!) to keep you up-to-date on the latest on current events. It’s not just because it’s interesting; it’s your responsibility to keep up, too.
7. Get (and use) a library card.
Technology is great and has revolutionized the way we live, but there’s nothing comparable to getting lost for a few hours inside your public library, exploring all the different sections and finding books that could change your life (or just transport you to a different one for a little while). Plus, it’s free! There’s truly no downside.
8. Do more shit you’re bad at.
You could get good at it. You could still suck, but the point is the experience is humbling and hopefully fun. Not everything has to fluff your ego. Sometimes, it’s solely for the sake of building other skills, like patience, determination, and commitment.
9. Find a cause you’re passionate about and get involved.
In case you didn’t notice the shitshow of a year that was 2016, there is plenty to be passionate about (and to get involved with) in 2017. Maybe it’s donating to Planned Parenthood, attending a Black Lives Matter meeting, or simply speaking out about saving the environment. Whatever it may be, don’t sit still. Move.
10. Make exercise a priority.
You don’t have to be the next Kayla Itsines or become a Whey worshiping bro. Just get moving the way you like, be it dance, yoga, or just a simple walk outside. Be sure to start slowly if you’re trying to work your way up to more rigorous exercise, too. You don’t want to burn yourself out or get discouraged because you can’t run a marathon in three days. Just take your time. You’ll get to where you need to be.
11. Talk (and listen!) to more kids.
They’ll remind you just how wonderfully strange it is to be alive and human with their unique perspective of the world around you. Plus, being a kid is hard. Often times, you aren’t taken seriously and as we grow into adults we often forget what that was like. If you can make a difference in a child’s day by making them feel heard and seen, it makes a huge impact.
12. Put whatever percent of your paycheck you can into savings.
Even if it’s only $25 you can hide away per month, make sure it lands (and stays) in your savings account. Starting to prepare for anything the future may hold, be it a vacation or a health emergency, will help you feel so much more secure.
Don’t have a saving account? OPEN ONE UP!
13. Give five sincere compliments a day.
Giving yourself a compliment quota will encourage you to be more engaged with the people around you and make others feel good (including yourself). It doesn’t cost anything to tell someone when you notice something nice about them, so go ahead and let them know! We all need to be lifted up every now and then, and you never know when someone might really need to hear the kind words.
