I know New Year's resolutions are cliché, and I also know that I am writing this towards the end of January. However, if there is one resolution to stick to this year, it is the mindset of living for yourself. Usually New Year's resolution lists can go on forever, from goals as small as working out each day to as large as starting your own company. These goals are great, but it is easy to beat yourself up if you fail. Creating a new mindset for a resolution is the way to go, because even if you fail yourself at times, you can pick right back up and learn from the failure.
2016 is the year of living for yourself.
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Repeat that through your head. It is something that we have all wanted to do for years, but life happens and we dismiss the thought. This year, that is not an option. Living for yourself does not mean being selfish, either. It means taking risks, experiencing life-changing opportunities, and achieving your goals no matter how small. We all have people in our lives that mean the world to us, and that will not change. We will just focus on improving ourselves on the side.
Living for yourself means...
Taking risks
Taking risks is scary, and it is easy to shy away and stick to what you know. Is there a job or internship you have been dying to apply for, but you do not think you are qualified? Is there someone you have been thinking of, but do not think you are good enough? Just go for it. This year is the year to take risks to get what you want. If you succeed, it will be the best feeling you have felt in a while. If you fail, the outcome of succeeding is worth that chance of failing.
Experiencing life-changing opportunities
Study abroad, accept a difficult internship, go on a trip to a new city. Do something for yourself that will change your life. Even though it seems scary, the scariest part is taking the initiative to do it. Once you are in the process of it happening, it will all be worth it. The life experience and memories you will gain is something you can carry with you forever.
Achieving your smallest goals
Achieving your smallest goals will come naturally when you live for yourself. This is something that will come throughout the process, and you might not even realize it. You will begin to subconsciously make decisions that will better yourself and mold you into the person you long to be.
Never saying no
By this, I mean never say no to positive opportunities. Even if it scares you, or if it involves doing something you never thought you could do on your own, say yes. You will be amazed by the connections you will make, places you will see, and the experiences that this will build.
Growing up, it has been drilled into our heads to stop holding back, take chances, and to put ourselves out there in the world. As for my fellow college students, it has been drilled into our heads even more lately. Living for yourself in these terms is something we have pushed aside, and each year have thought "this will be my year." Well, quite frankly, that year has not happened yet and you do not want to catch yourself running out of time. Tell yourself: "this will be my year."
