I was so ready for the new year that I took my assignment notebook on December 31 and tore out all of the pages leading up to January 1.
“New year, new schedule,” I told myself. Along with a new schedule, I created new truths for the upcoming year. Due to future circumstances that make it nearly impossible to find out where this year might lead, I’ve created a list to apply for the first six months.
I’m planning to be different by the time summer rolls around, so here’s some tips to focus on for now:
1. Take the tags off of clothes as soon as you buy them. Why? That way, on the first day of class, you won’t have a cute guy telling you that you forgot to take the medium sticker off of the back of your leggings.
2. Embrace each moment as if you would have chosen it. Unpredictable things happen. But when we embrace circumstances that seem uncontrollable, we can move through them gracefully and level-headed.
3. Love people. When we hold onto hurt, we lash it out onto others. One thing I learned in these first six days of 2015: It’s not worth it. No matter how mean, or frustrating, or annoying someone can be, when we choose to love, we find greater joy than anything else could bring.
4. Eat healthy. Last semester, I was eating approximately four meals per day because I was hungry all the time. I wasn’t eating enough protein or taking sufficient vitamins. But once I realized that taking care of myself by eating healthier is a key to my success as a student, I’m totally down for the challenge. It’s easier now that I moved into a cottage this semester, too, because I can make some of my own meals with two accessible kitchens.
5. Grow in at least one way. Whether it’s growing a couple of extra inches taller, buying a shoe size up, or kicking a habit that no longer serves you, do it. Dye your hair red (again) like me. Ask someone you want to get to know better out to lunch or coffee. Say I’m sorry, if that’s something you avoid. It’s amazing how a little growth in one area can change everything.
6. Forget everything you think you know and trade it in for the stuff you do know. Find out the facts, leave behind the rumors.
7 1/2. Choose a word for the year. I call this “seven and a half” because it will be one that will begin now, but take place the whole year. Choose a word based on an area you want to focus on – perhaps discovery, love, adventure, acceptance, or joy – and write it on your mirror, your notebooks, anywhere that reminds you what this year will mean to you. My word is restoration. What’s yours?
What’s your word of the year? Tweet it at me @hopesophie17. Questions or comments can be sent to sophie.guetzko@hope.edu. Happy “Spring” Semester 2015 (It’s snowing like crazy here.)