1/1/2020 4 Comments Grateful: Happy 2020!HAPPY NEW YEAR! I had a whole debate with my mom on New Years Eve about what the big deal was surrounding entering into the new decade. Now don't get me wrong, jumping into another year, especially a new decade is always a blessing in itself. It's amazing and it's exciting and it's a joyful time, because we made it! We are officially one year into the next chapter in our lives. But that's not what the discussion was about. It somehow turned into a conversation about what generation I'm in (Generation Z. All this time I thought I was a millennial!) and why it's so important to us. Even though this is technically not our first decade (shout out to my 2000/2001 babies!) this is the first one that we can remember and be a part of. This is the first one we can celebrate as sort-of adults. Some of us are in college now, starting new chapters in our lives and 2020 is finalizing how long it took for us to get here. It's kind of cool when you think about it. Long story short, I was confusing my mom with all my questions such as: "Is a century only meaningful at the start of every new century?" (but that argument went void after I realized 2010); or "Is it only meaningful because it's the same number repeated (20-20) But then I told her "maybe" since the next time this will happen it'll be the start of another century that I'm not sure any of us will be around to live through. (Can you imagine 3030? That's kind of cool. I wonder what the names of the generations will be by then). Anyways, all this talk about the true meaning of a new year and why it's so important just got me thinking about all the amazing things I've accomplished and lived through not only this year but in my entire life. There are so many people (artists and celebrities) that were my age and didn't get to make it this far-people's lives who were stolen from them, lives ruined as the government ripped families apart, as people found only despair and ended things on their own... I think every new year, every birthday, every holiday, every day we should find time to be thankful and appreciative of the things we have, the life we live because things can always be worse; but also because you're still here, you made it. I mean in these least dramatic and depressing way possible. I also don't write this with the intention of saying everyone should sit back and think back through their struggle and feel like it isn't valid because people are starving and dying or dead but for you to just take the time to appreciate the things that you can. So, what are you grateful for? I have a lot to be grateful for, especially in 2020. 2019 was...whew, it was a whirlwind. I went from senior year to finishing my first college semester. I went to Europe, moved six hours upstate, made lifelong friends, had an emotional break and...life couldn't be anymore confusing and insane but I'm so thankful for everything my experiences and the struggles brought me. I'm grateful for all the amazing times I spent with family and friends and for all the movies I watched and the novels I read. I'm just grateful because, at least for me, I made it out alive and man was it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. What does this mean? I like to think reflecting on the things you're grateful for and having a positive outlook on life helps you to appreciate what you have but also pushes you to aspire and work harder towards the things you don’t have that you may want. Or it may tell you that you need to take a break this year to sit back and breathe and continue to reflect on yourself and your life as you grow as a person. I know people have certain feelings towards having New Years Resolutions or goals or simply the saying "new year, new me" but I think you can call it whatever you want when you're simply grateful for the life you've lived and want to continue to find new and better ways to live it. Whether that means going on with what you've been doing because it's been working for you or if that means trying to find new and better ways to do the things you want to accomplish. Understanding what you have now helps you not to be blinded by the reasons for why you want the things you do. For example, if you want a new bag but have never been able to get it before, if you look around and see what's already in front of you, you'll appreciate the bags you already own and know that you don’t want that bag because that person has it and you don’t, or because that bag will suddenly make you ten times cooler (because trust me, it won't) but you want that bag because it’s cute and its the missing piece you want to complete your wardrobe. That way, when you get this metaphorical bag it’ll be worth more to you personally because of the meaning behind it. (Stay with me through the metaphor. Lol). Especially if it’s super expensive; maybe this bag will represent you owning your first designer item or the first thing you bought with your own money or something to signify your transition into adulthood. You know? But I think starting with what you have humbles and grounds you to recognize that you don’t need these things but you want these things. I think the reason why people are so bent out of shape over having resolutions and goals isn't just because they never get accomplished but because some of these goals may seem like the things that will somehow make our lives "better" and I think that's where we go wrong. For now I'm talking about the tangible things we want out of life (mental and emotional has a different set of rules) but I think the reason why our motivation to "eat healthier" and to "workout more" aren't the things we really need or want for our lives, they're just the things that society presents to us as "the better way to live" which again, is not the case. Let me explain: You want to work out because you want to be healthy but are you doing the things everyone else is doing to work out or are you really dedicating time to finding the workout that works for you? Maybe treadmills and weights aren't for you, maybe yoga is, but when you say workout, Planet Fitness and Soul Cycle are the first things we think of.
All I'm saying is, why do you really want these things because if they're really for you, you'll find a way to get them-but you can't look outside for the things that you want, you have to start with what you have and see where you can grow, not necessarily where you're lacking. Putting so much pressure to fill this void is going to be harder than just trying to add greater, happier, better things to the things you already have. In the case of my metaphorical purse, just define what it would really mean for you to have and to accomplish these things in the new year and do them at your own pace. This year I learned a lot about trying not to keep up with everyone's definition of success so that I could define what that really means for me. If that's something you've been struggling with, this is the great way to start. Having these things won’t make you a better or worse person but help you to achieve something personal for yourself. And that's all you should ever want and ask for. Don’t take for granted what you have because it can easily be taken away. Be humble for what you have because at the end of the day, these things that you may want are only things and be humbled by the experiences that get you to the places you are now because first and foremost, it's always important to remember to be human and to be a kind person and to value relationships because those are things that are always timeless. Also never forget how and where you started because I assure you, you're much further along than you think. Every day you're growing, so be proud of that. So, I know how hard it can be to make and keep resolutions and how motivating it can be to have goals. But if you just want to take the pressure off of setting expectations for an undefined future, I think you should take five to ten minutes to reflect and appreciate everything you have. Be proud of the person you are now, be thankful for the people you’ve met and the experiences that have shaped you and know that these things, these goals and resolutions, don't define you. They're only a part of who you are, shaping you into who you want to become. But remember that this is your life, so make these your goals and look inward to see what that means to you before you try putting them into practice. It doesn’t matter how you do it-whether that be writing it all down, venting to your best friend or you just having a moment with God, just remember to be grateful, because you’re here and it’s a new year. Peace and love into 2020! Arianna
4 Comments
Abisola
1/5/2020 02:17:08 pm
This was just, wow! I have never thought about actually sitting back and reflecting on the now. I spend a majority of my time thinking about the future and worrying about what I need to do better rather than being appreciative of all the things I have done right thus far. Thank you for this! :)
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Arianna
1/5/2020 03:15:43 pm
Of course! And I definitely can get caught up in the things in the future as well: things I should or could be doing better, but focusing on the now has always been a way to help me stay grounded and just be happy with the life I’m living.
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Bibie
1/5/2020 04:00:28 pm
Blew my mind. Basically appreciate the little things down to every second and every breath🥺 brilliant🤩 I enjoyed the picture slides too lmmaaoo💕
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Arianna
1/5/2020 05:02:33 pm
Thank you! ?
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AuthorI'm an 21 year old girl who lives in NY. I love to read and write and fashion is my life. Follow me to find out more! Archives
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