Look! Another fantastic list of probably generic advice someone's going to enlighten us with again! Well hey I just felt like being a little inspirational today, so I thought I'd have some fun with my first my Take. I couldn't decide how I would go about this, so I figured what’s a better way to do it then by throwing it at you all at once! Please let me know what you think :)
Breathe
There's a reason they tell you to breathe when you're having an anxiety attack. Focusing on the inhale and exhale while getting enough oxygen to your body will help release that tension. Just like an engine, if it gets choked everything else will start acting funny, including your mind. Unless your mind is a little dirty and likes being choked, then I won't judge.
Learn a new skill
"Move out of the house and get a hobby, you're 45!" says my dad. Parents just don't get it am I right? lol Sometimes it’s hard to randomly find inspiration and pursue it with a passion. It’s like being thrown into an open world game told to complete the mission without being given it. So now you have the pain of finding a mission, having it be something you enjoy, are good at, and can sustain you, and complete it. That's kind of what life is like now that I think about it. That's what I think this generation is lacking, purpose. Being told to do nothing but what makes you happy without any sense of direction will leave you looking to quick thrills and empty worldly pleasure seeking. Life is made up of matter and what matters and it’s not about finding yourself, but making yourself, and you are awarded for what you produce, not what you think.
Sit up and stand up straight
Have you always aspired to be a troll under the bridge or just a really big fan of The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Then keep sitting there with your back looking like an upside-down Nike swoop and you'll get there in no time! Having a straight posture portrays confidence and good health. The only exception to this rule is when you're taking a No.2 because it actually kinks up your bowels. When you squat to do your job, it actually puts your bowels in the proper alignment. But I DIGRESS.
Eat Healthy & work out
This has been beaten to death. There are no exceptions. No, diet coke is not magically better for you...yes, I still see you drinking it. This is the only true method there is and ever will be. A healthy lifestyle reflects continuous healthy choices that will make you look and feel better. Also...drink water! You'd be surprised just how many people are dehydrated and how much of an effect it has on your long term mental and physical health. You all are thirstier than you think ;)
Be genuine and help others
Contrary to every depressed and angry edge lord that sole goal in life is to prove people are evil so they can feel more validated in hating life and themselves, people want to see society continue to become a peaceful place for others to achieve their own happiness. Its natural instinct to want the well-being of the whole herd. It doesn't even have to be a large act of kindness to be worthwhile because all it takes is one to have a tremendous impact on a person’s life, and you feel really good for doing it afterwards! One of the most defining traits of a good person is doing something for others without expecting reward or recognition. Don't think you can hide your true intentions either, people have an impressive ability to determine whether someone is being real or not.
Limit self-indulging activity
Whether it be video games, drugs, porn, porn, more porn, or anything where only you're the only one experiencing enjoyment will eventually turn into a habit which can turn into an addiction. There's some truth behind the saying "when drugs are your friends, no one’s your friend" because it quickly becomes your primary source of happiness and you'll begin to disregard everything else in your life to get it, which can apply to anything. Recognize how it takes you away from others and eliminates those key chances to make connections and relationships or find something worthwhile to pursue so by the time you realize how much time you've wasted from trying to get an empty feeling of achievement, you won't be filled with regret and self-pity. Want to watch some porn? Ahhhh that was a test. You failed.
Look up
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, its...wait you're not even looking, you're not my real dad! Whether it be looking at your phone or just being a shy turtle, you miss a lot of life when you're only looking down. Sometimes seeing the vastness of the world around you, even for a brief moment, will make your mind feel less crowded with all the problems you have in everyday life (On a side note, I also don't like when people say the universe is big and you're small so you're insignificant, I get what their message is but meaning is relative only to one’s own life and what happens in the rest of the infinite universe means little to me) Plus, constantly looking down will make your neck look like a turkey when you're older. There's the old saying " people look up for inspiration, down for desperation and if you're a cheater left and right for information"
Reduce social media and news
How many times have you seen something amazing happen right before your eyes and turn to the person next to you if they saw it too only to see their face buried in their phone? All these news stations and social media sites prey on your natural instinct to keep your attention on danger as well as your insecurities to compare your life to others, so you'll keep on coming back for more. You spin the lottery of social media scrolling for dank memes that maybe make you chuckle a little or posting something hoping you get a dopamine rush from the likes you receive from people you never really talk to. There's beauty in making a moment yours alone, not everything has to be shared to be validated. No wonder people feel so empty nowadays, validate yourselves. Also, unless you're really looking to make a difference and put the work into finding out the truth, be honest with yourself and admit you're constant attention to the news is not going to do anything but give you a false sense of expertise and make you more paranoid. Life's short, enjoy life.
Always challenge yourself
One of the most overrated pieces of advice you'll hear is to accept who you are. This is nonsense. You're not perfect as you are, and you never will be. This just breeds adequacy and weakness, and no one likes a weak person that's nothing but a liability and offers nothing to you or the world. You owe it to yourself and all those who believe in you to be the best version of yourself. If there is something you're doing that constantly gets unfavorable results, never default to thinking everyone else is in the wrong. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
Spend time with family
They're the only people you didn't have a choice to be with, but from the time you were born these people have been there with you no matter what. You'll quickly learn that friends come and go but family ties are not as nonchalant. It’s easy to take what’s already yours for granted, but one day you may find they're not there anymore and feelings of regret and guilt will flood you. There's a reason why you hear the biggest regret people proclaim on their death bed is that they didn't spend enough time with their family. Unfortunately, some of you may not have grown up with such supportive family which had a major effect on you growing up. For those of you this REALLY pertains to (not you angsty teenager that hates your parents because of nonsense) find it in yourself to be the bigger person and forgive your family, not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace. Recognize the toxic behavior it had on you, so you can make a difference when you have kids of your own.
Have a schedule/stay organized
Your life may be a mess, but does that mean everything has to be a mess? Out of everything on this list, this is probably one of the most important. How do you expect to do anything if you don't know what you day to day plan is? Having a routine and a way to track obligations you need to do will make it easier to plan for things you want to do.
Save up for what matters
I know buying a latte from Starbucks every morning may seem essential to keep the demons in your heart at bay, but when you look at how much these small daily purchases add up over the course of a year, you literally can't even. How many times have you wanted something that cost a little more than average but couldn't afford it because you ate out every day last week? It doesn't get easier as you get older because there's a high chance you will collect debt whether it be from college, a car, kids, or a house. What most people don't realize until it hits them is that there is still a majority of life left to be lived after the height of your youth has passed. In your younger years, having a plan to pay off debt and save in retirement may not be at the top of your priority list to put your money but its never too late to start. Future you will be glad you did. Start saving that change!
Spend time outside
People may often make the disconnect between humans and nature, but we are creatures of the earth just as much as anything else. The more aware you are of your natural disposition and come to peace with it instead of fight against it, the more genuinely fulfilled you'll find yourself feeling. This is more relationship advice than meets the eye. As a side note, you'll also be surprised how many people are deficient in Vitamin D because they don't get enough sunlight. So go out there and give the sun a nice hard look, its natural so it’s good for you. Trust me.
Smile
No, don't go around smiling at everyone and everything or else you'll terrify the locals. However, its a conscious effort to have a better mindset and maybe it’s just enough to flip your mind into more positive thinking. Or just try laughing without smiling, I bet you can't do it. Continuing to be a boring face in the crowd hoping something amazing will happen to your life only happens in those romcoms single women watch a lot and will eventually leave you disappointed, bitter, and alone. A random smile at a stranger may make their day, who knows what conversations and opportunities will come of it?
Conduct good hygiene
Why do you think no one wants to hang out with the grouch? I mean sure he's a grouch, but he lived in a trash can! Getting all that nastiness you've been accumulating on your body the whole day off you will make your smell better, look healthier, and feel cleaner which equates to a much more attractive and pleasant person to be around. Smells like a winner to me!
Dress like a professional
No one looks at a person who dresses sharp and thinks "wow, that person really doesn't have it together." One thing I hate that's come from this "do whatever you feel like " culture is that it takes standards and throws them out the window because chances are if people don't feel like doing more than they have to, they won't. Whether you like it or not, people first perceive you on how you present yourself in public. Look fab fam.
Sleep
Yea dude I've been running on 3 hours of sleep ever since I was 3! Trust me the bags under my eyes and my shaky hands are totally normal I feel grrrrreat...malarkey! While it's true that the level of sleep someone needs varies with each individual, the fact is the average person still needs roughly 6-8 hours to feel well rested and receive the full benefits. Some good tips are to stop using electronic devices and lay off the caffeine well before you hit the hay.
Travel
I like seeing new places and meeting new people from around the globe as much as the next guy, but in all my years of traveling I would be lying if I said that was the most important thing I got out of it. Some days it can feels like your world is caving in, but you'll be surprised to know that our world is a massive place with a circumference around the equator of about 24,902 miles (40,075 km) with approximately 7.6 billion people spread across the globe with some probably having a worse day than you. Having that perspective would make anyone a little more happy, or anxious, but mostly happy.
~Enjoy!
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