It’s {slightly} past January first, but the “new year, new me” mindset is still fresh on everyone’s minds. For some, it’s the ever-challenging ‘Dry January’ – please don’t ask me or my friends how that’s going for us, I think most of us would tell you we failed by day three. To those still going strong on day twelve, kudos… kudos.
It really felt like there was more reflection at the turn of the year than years previously, likely due to the start of a new decade. Although, I couldn’t help but feel like things weren’t all that different. In the words of MSU’s College of Social Science Dean on the day of our graduation, we’ve seen “times of turmoil” erupt in the last decade… many that will not simply dissipate by entering into a new decade. Fashion trends were brought back from decades previously. Many found their political voices, and we entered into a period of years where the mindset has become this sense of isolationism from anyone who doesn’t think the exact way you do. I hope we strive to change that this decade.
While it seems like just another year ending and another beginning, I aspire to carry these twenty mindsets with me into the next ten years, and beyond.
- Surround yourself with people who make you feel whole; fulfilled; energized; loved. Negativity surrounds us on a daily basis, no matter the cause. Getting through that negativity is a delicate balance between knowing and recognizing when you need to be with yourself, and when you especially need to lean on the support of others.
- “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that not everyone in this world has been given the advantages that you’ve had.” First, understand. Second, find gratitude. Third, less judgment.
- I find myself either thinking, or saying out loud, that I have no time to do something. My Freshman year of college, I used to joke with my roommate, Lexie, that I wasn’t going to meet her at the gym because I had to do the dishes. “They’re piling up,” I’d tell her, as I walked back from class knowing I really just didn’t feel like going and exercising – the literal healthiest thing I could do for myself. We look back on this now and laugh all the time. This decade, don’t make excuses as to why something’s unachievable – accept your personal challenge to make moves, excuse-free.
- In the summer of 2019, I found myself in a months-long funk that felt impossible to see outside of the tunnel vision clouding my reality. It was only when I fully realized that happiness was never going to be a physical location, destination, or piece of geography, but rather choosing a feeling, could I then begin to untangle myself from the funk I’d felt so stuck in. I spent a couple months recklessly applying to jobs, even looking at total career shifts to positions about which I knew nothing. It was precisely when I quit applying for jobs that I knew wouldn’t satiate my eagerness to learn and grow, that an opportunity extended itself to me. In the weeks between stopping the job hunt, I realized something incredibly important. I felt lost, not because of where I was, not because of who I was, and not even because of who I wasn’t, but because I was engaged in certain aspects of a job that weren’t bringing me fulfillment. I found happiness in the journey, and that’s what strengthened my relationships with myself and with my loved ones. Don’t get me wrong, your work will not always be a string of joyous days with no stress, but you must ensure that it’s helping to serve you in one capacity or another.
- You realize very quickly the kind of leader you want to be – make sure it’s a good one. Observe the leadership styles of those around you, those who lead you directly, and those whom you can watch lead from afar. Ask yourself what it is that you admire about their leadership qualities. Ask yourself what it is you would change in their style of leadership. Begin to think about how you would react to adversities in a leadership role. Assess these situations as though they could happen at any moment, knowing that you too, will one day become a leader for the next generation.
- Vote. Honestly, this really doesn’t need explanation at all – but we’ve come to a divisive political climate. Do your research and don’t rely on that of your social media friends. Inform yourself, educate yourself, and then challenge yourself. Ask yourself why it is you feel strongly (or not so strongly) about the opinions you have {this applies both politically and non-politically}. Then, when the time comes to make your decision in the booths, you have made yourself aware of why it truly is that you’re choosing a candidate. Vote, because it gives you a validated right to express the opinions you choose to have.
- On a related note, don’t throw away the friends that may not agree with you – whether it’s a political opinion or not. You can unfriend them on your social media pages if you really feel like that will solve your issues, but one of the lessons I’ve learned about politics and political climate is that it’s important, and incredibly helpful, to surround yourself with people who hold a variety of viewpoints and opinions. This helps to challenge you and what you believe; sometimes, it may allow you to see something from a different perspective. It allows us to understand why others feel the way the feel; which may either reinforce our own opinions, or help us see another side to take an entirely new stance. Whatever it is, don’t be the person who only has Republican friends, or who only has Democratic friends – you’re doing yourself no good.
- Open your blinds. This isn’t metaphorical, or at least it isn’t intended to be. I swear, when someone goes to open the blinds in my home, I always reply with “sorry, I’m a vampire.” Stop being a vampire. Natural light is incredibly valuable to your health: natural light is good for the body’s Vitamin D storage, it’s a mood improver, it may increase productivity, improve sleep, and improve your overall health. Even if the sun isn’t shining, open your blinds.
- Practicing mindfulness – seems a bit over-broad – it’s not. Creating a mindful morning routine to wake up earlier and enjoy my morning, enjoy a workout, or enjoying a cup of coffee without having to rush to get ready and leave for work. Creating mindful reflection time before bed – lessening the screen time on phones, computers, and TVs to reflect on the week. Check in with yourself: what are your priorities this week? what do you want to do more of; less of? how do you want to feel this week? how will you achieve that feeling? what can you learn from last week? Practicing reflection helps to propel you forward into a pattern of success and learning.
- Live what you love. In everything you do. It may be easier said than done, but if we aren’t living a life we love. Show up for yourself this year and begin to live out your dreams.
Lastly, I’m linking an episode of Georgie Stevenson’s Rise and Conquer Podcast here, related to all things New-Year and bettering yourself this year. I took note of valuable goal-setting questions that will set you up for the success you want to achieve this year:
- Who do I want to be in 2020?
- What goals do I want to accomplish?
- Am I currently showing up as the person who would achieve these goals?
- What habits or changes can I make to show up as this person?
- What habits can I let go of that are not serving me?
- What excites me most about showing up as this person?
Happy New Year – I hope this decade brings you joy, prosperity, and exhilaration in all you do.
Xo, Amanda.
See original on A Million Little Things.