Chapter 3...

That glorious time of year - we meet again. The time of the year when college and university students are wrapping up another victorious academic year. Personally, I could not feel more overjoyed to be where I am in this very moment.

Through various incompatible events that have occurred in the 2017/2018 school year - the opportunity to attend the Cult Gathering, down to the notorious Ontario College Strike, we pushed through with balance, confidence and positive attitudes. On that note, since the beginning of 2018 I have kept a few influential thoughts in mind - one being positivity.

I have grown to welcome all the obstacles and negatives that walk through the door and remember that everything happens for a reason. By keeping that in mind, I have pushed through some of the toughest situations I have faced thus far. Taking a moment to catch your thoughts and settle down on a plan to move forward while remaining optimistic, can be seen has deceiving or easier said than done - but it can be done.

The start of 2018 was a huge moment for me, as I promised to make myself the best version of myself I could possibly be, mentally and physically. Towards the end of a rough year in 2017, I realized a lot about myself and wanted to make some changes.

With summer approaching and second year coming to an end, I have decided to take this short break as a platform to launch off my goals for the year. During the next 3 months I will have more time to myself to focus on what I really value in life and where/what I would like to excel in.

With that being said, I have decided to generate a list of influential mental practices and goals that I would like to achieve for this year. Although there are many, I am confident enough in myself to believe that these are more than possible to attain.

Taking time to yourself

For starters, something that I have realized early this year and would like to continue is that “FOMO” isn’t real, but one thing that is – is time to yourself. I have learnt how crucial it is to spend time with yourself over anyone else. Just because your friends are all going out and spending money, doesn’t mean you are necessarily missing out. Use that time to do something productive that would be beneficial to you. Besides, as cliché as it is, its true – love yourself first. Taking more time to get to know who you are as an individual without the bias of others opinions is something we all need to go through in order to grow.

Schedule literally everything

Another goal I would like to set for myself is to get into the habit of scheduling literally everything. During the school year I keep consistent with being organized by having a calendar above my desk and an agenda marking all important dates with a list of my workload for the day. I would like to get into the habit of doing this with my daily activities like going to the gym, doing my laundry, grocery shopping etc. By doing so I can precisely practice time management and get into the habit earlier rather than later.

Be Appreciative

To sit here and reflect on my life through writing with a smile on my face is a blessing on its own. Sometimes we take things for granted because we are too busy focusing on the background noise. It is essential to turn off the all that noise and focus on the main event. Being appreciative of even the smallest occurrences in your life will help you be an all-around happier person.

No expectations

Going hand in hand with that last goal, I have been practicing this perspective since the very start of this year – living without expectations. This perspective has changed my mind set completely and is probably one of the most influential mental practices I have discovered. By living your life without expectations, it is harder to get upset as you are not awaiting anything. Instead you are taking everything as it comes to you, putting you in control of situations, as opposed to your predetermined thoughts influencing what should or shouldn’t happen.

Phone away

Although I am a proud AMC student and technology should be my holy grail, I would like to start keeping my devices tucked away during appropriate times, to amplify the moments I spend with the ones I love. I have woken up at the start of this year thinking about how time moves too quickly and is exceedingly valuable to spend with eyes glued on a screen when in a room full of people. Sure you can replay Jenny’s snapchat story later on, I’m sure she saved it – but you can’t replay the authentic time and feelings you’ve shared in present time. To me I have realized, that feeling of presence is more valuable than anything.

Write more

My program has helped me reveal my appreciation for writing. As a part of my business communications class back in first year, we were required to make a blog and were encouraged to use it in and outside of school. At the start, I was not too fond of the concept as I never truly believed I could be a good writer or that I would even have any interest in doing it. Coming second year, I grew into the habit of reading again, which enhanced my interest in writing and literature entirely. I would like to continue this practice and get better as I believe that it would be beneficial for me in my life and potential career. I would like to post a blog at least once a month from now on as a start.

Exercise

I am proud of where I stand in terms of my physical routine, and I would like really like to excel with it this year. In my first year of college, I made it my goal to get into the habit of going to the gym at least 5 days a week. I started off very strong and stuck to that, even exceeded by going more than 5 days a week. Since then, I now go to the gym consistently and follow a plan to reach certain goals I would like to achieve.

I would like to explore new routines and push myself to extremes this year. I would like to come out of 2018 feeling and looking my best as I believe everything comes along after that, loving yourself first and being comfortable in your own skin will help you glow and grow all around as a person.

Grow my network

People that know me will tell you I am a people person, and they are not wrong. I enjoy the pleasure in meeting new people, their stories, their hobbies, their likes and dislikes and everything in between. I have met some amazing people throughout my lifetime that have shaped me into the person that I am today, and I am so very thankful for them. But why stop there? The world is massive and crowded with a diverse range of personalities and faces that you are yet to meet.

This year I would like to grow my network as much as possible by attending as many events/networking events as I possibly can. I would like to expand my network in my career and in life in general, as I believe that every person you meet enters your life for a certain reason. I would love to find those people.

Put myself out there

Setting yourself outside of your comfort zone really teaches you how to deal with your stress and anxiety as it bubbles to the surface. You learn how to settle with your nerves and push through. Along with this you are also trying new things and allowing yourself to experience diverse situations.

Doing something that’s beneficial to you that scares you or that you haven’t tried before is probably the best situation you can be in. Always go for it and never think that you can’t do it because anyone can with the right mindset - let go and let it be. Tackle the situation with all your power and you will always succeed. Even if you fail, it’s a lessoned learned and you are still gaining something positive to bring along with you for the future. Besides, who says you can’t try more than once? You know what they say, practice makes perfect.

Breathe stressing won’t fix it

Multiple times I can say I’ve been brought to tears out of frustration during stressful events in my life. Something my mother always told me growing up is to just breathe, because stressing about it won’t fix it. By allowing yourself to calm down you are able to clear your mind and start from scratch.

When you’re stressed your mind is shifting a million gears at once, when in reality you need to step back and take things one at a time. Becoming flustered and frantic will only cause you more stress as opposed to clearing out your thoughts and thinking out a plan. Don’t forget to stay optimistic.

Focus on the little things (that matter)

Everything in life doesn’t have to be all sunshine and rainbows and glitz and glam. Focus on the little things that matter, like being polite, sharing positive energy and performing small acts of kindness. These miniature actions will make you and others surrounded by you feel good and feel valuable.

Feed your happiness

Lastly, but most importantly – feed your happiness. Surround your thoughts, your emotions, your time and your energy solely on things that make you happy. Whether that be through sketching, singing, running or writing, do what makes you feel nothing but better about yourself.

Find something positive that you enjoy and make it a part of your daily routine, use these as coping mechanisms in times of distress instead of steering down the wrong route. Express yourself and how you feel at all times, through your clothes, music, writing or however else you chose to do it and don’t fear judgement. Feed that energy and it will come back to you, what goes around will come around.

With all being said, I believe I am off to a good start. I have been giving these a lot of thought as I have been rearranging my values, to allow me to reach these goals and come out of this year proud of who I have become and am becoming. This is a lot, I know - but it’s just the start and I am intrigued to unravel what awaits me...