18. Let people know that they are valued and appreciated. | The Odyssey Online
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Student Life

Why We Can Spread Love, It's Contagious

The world needs more of it.

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Why We Can Spread Love, It's Contagious

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In our world, there is so much hate. There are so many reasons people feel alone because their perception is no one else shares their insecurities or struggles. People often post their best versions of themselves onto the media. That way, no one can see the imperfections. This makes social media a void where people try to make their lives appear to be perfect while simultaneously comparing their image to everyone else's.

Instead, we should think about using the media and our other forms of communication as a means in which to present our true selves. We should use the media to lift each other up, instead of having a silent competition of who has the better life. We should be posting about our honest journeys, and recognize that we are each on our own.

In addition, we should actively make an effort every day to brighten someone else's life. Not only will this give us an incentive to further continue our self-love journey, but it will create a chain reaction to spread more love.

How many times have you been out in public and seen someone you thought was really pretty, but didn't say anything? How many times has someone done something you thought was extremely admirable, but you didn't outwardly acknowledge them for it? How many times have you seen someone clearly struggling, and didn't think it was your place to help out?

It is always your place. Yes, there are boundaries. However, you'd be surprised to see how much a helping hand really makes a difference—how much a smile can make someone's day lighter, how much a compliment could assist on someone's journey to see themselves as more beautiful, how much empathizing can make people feel so much less alone.

We don't have to be in this alone; we can be in this life together.

That all being said, here are some things that YOU can do to spread more love and make the world a better place!

1. Make a post on Instagram/any other social media with a question like: "Who needs to hear how amazing they are today?", or "How is everyone doing?" (This is a great way to use social media in a way that actually makes the greater community feel closer, safer, understood, and open.)

2. Get off of your phone while walking in public, and make the effort to smile at someone.

3. When ordering food, make an effort to acknowledge the person making/serving you. They're humans, just like you!

4. Compliment someone instead of just having the thought to.

5. Hug someone. (But like, really hug them).

6. Reach out to someone that you know doesn't get out a lot or have many friends.

7. Let the people who are struggling know that you are there for them.

8. Surprise someone with their favorite candy.

9. Open the door for people!

10. Help the elderly bag their groceries.

11. Thank an important person in your life for everything that they've done for you.

12. Send someone a song or piece of art that reminds you of them.

13. Check in with at least one person, every day.

14. Ask someone if they are okay if they seem down.

15. Pick up the trash that you find outside.

16. Listen to someone if they just need a person to vent to.

17. Have a meaningful conversation with someone that you've always admired.

18. Let people know that they are valued and appreciated.

19. Make an effort to relate and/or empathize with people so that they know that they are not alone.

20. Tell someone you love them, every day.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

6 Unrealistic Expectations Society Has For Young Adults

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

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Well over four feet tall and 100 pounds in weight, many of us "young adults" of the world still consider ourselves children. Big, working, college-attending, beer-drinking children. We may live on our own, know how to cook noodles, and occasionally use a planner, but don't be fooled; the youthful tendencies that reside within us still make their way into our daily lives. From choosing to stay up until 3:00 a.m. playing video games on a school night to going out in 30 degree weather without a coat, we still make decisions that our parents and grandparents would shake their heads at in disappointment. So why are we expected to know exactly how to be a wise, professional, sensible adult? It's not that we're irresponsible (for the most part, anyway). It's that we are young, inexperienced, and still have the sought-after, enthusiastic mentality that we can do and be whatever we want, which has not yet been tarnished by the reality of the world. These are just a few of the unrealistic expectations that society has for young adults.

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1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

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Characteristics of the astrological signs, explained through GIFS.

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Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

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