Happy New Year & A Prosperous 2016!
At the start of every year, you probably wonder the following:
- Who am I?
- What have I accomplished?
- What do I want?
- Where am I going?
- When will I have time to do the things I have to do?
We always face these same set of questions each year as we count down to the start of the new year. We like to think that we made some improvements in our lives, to feel that we have overcome our obstacles and have succeeded in achieving our personal/professional/creative goals. No matter what we have experienced, it always comes down to an existential examination of ourselves. We wonder about our identity and question our purpose, constantly redefining who we are and what we ought to be doing for the rest of our lives in order to create meaning.
As a young, single millennial woman in her mid-20s looking for a career change and a new lease on life, I’m always thinking about these things. This past year, I got uprooted from my previous position and reassigned to a new office as a result of departmental restructuring within my agency. I had broken up with my ex-boyfriend (who, now that I think about, never really satisfied my expectations in a romantic partner). I had applied and gotten into graduate school. I am now exploring different classes, familiarizing myself with a new industry (media & publishing), and meeting new and interesting people. The only thing that I need now is to stay the course. This is perhaps the trickiest part that many people, including myself, often struggle with: creating a balance to work full-time, study and manage creative projects, maintain good health, and maintain fulfilling relationships with family and friends.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve come to realize many things about navigating this stage of “emerging adulthood” — including such concerns about how not to freak out when you’re feeling pressured, how to save money (and still spend it like you can afford it), and how to make it through your first semester of graduate school. It’s not meant to be a generalized list per se, as everyone of course will have their own unique experience. You’ve probably heard some of them already, or have also had similar existential epiphanies. Maybe this list will help you, maybe it won’t. Either way, I hope you have a great new year, filled with peace, joy, success, fun, opportunities to learn, and the courage to make the changes you want to make in your own life.
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It’s never too late to get started on your dreams.
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It’s a sure thing that there’s never “a sure thing.”
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Love ’em or hate ’em, the Kardashians are here to stay (if you haven’t noticed already).
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Stop going on that dreaded Netflix binge.
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If you stop being lazy, you will actually get things done.
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Stop making a habit of having midnight snacks.
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Actually use your gym membership (especially if you’ve upgraded recently).
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Let go of those who drag you down.
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Start doing things you want to do and stop trying to please others.
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Actually organize (instead of searching for ‘organization ideas’ on Pinterest).
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Stop stressing over the little things.
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Budget your money so you can double your money.
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But remember to treat yo’self once in a while.
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Take care of your skin (even if you don’t have a Paolo to apply mint julep masks and cucumbers on your face).
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Manage your time more efficiently.
