Make this year about you.
That sounds scary, right?
The idea of focusing on ourselves and our happiness is scary. It involves us pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones and opening ourselves to new experiences, people and feelings.
It involves us taking risks when we don’t necessarily know the consequences.
I’m starting to believe that the unknown is what makes those risks worthwhile.
With summer in the rearview mirror and graduation (hopefully) ahead of me, I’m left reflecting on myself and how I want this year to pan out. I think back to my accomplishments and the risks I have taken to get there. I also frequently question what more I want to do and how I can make this year “my” year.
This also makes me wonder how many more risks I have to take to find a greater sense of happiness within myself.
The idea of taking risks doesn’t particularly thrill me. It used to frighten me, to be honest. I grew up rather cautious and found a pleasant sense of stagnancy in playing it safe. My parents were quite the opposite of me and were very attuned to the idea of taking risks. They believed that risk promoted growth and that even when there was failure, there was gain.
They are, today, still a paradigm in how I changed my narrative to being more of a risk-taker.
When I talk about making this “our year,” I’m talking about being open to the very concept of taking risks.
Take that class that’s totally unrelated to your major, but really interests you anyway. Say yes to socializing because as much as we all hate feeling like packed sardines around campus, we can’t help but want a friendly face or two to walk with. Push yourself to travel more, even if it’s just going to a different beach in the next town over.
Talk to that person that you like and get to know them, even if it means you have to be vulnerable with them and with yourself.
Take the risk of doing things for yourself for once and don’t worry about what everybody else thinks about it. Take the risk of believing that you truly are worthy of your desires.
Stop thinking of them as risks and see them as vital moves for your growth and happiness.
You are the most important thing in your life.
Aren’t you worthy of happiness?
Yes, it’s correct to assume that as I’m telling you this, I’m telling myself too. These are words that I need to hear just as much. The idea of taking risks still terrifies me sometimes, but if this past year has taught me anything, it’s that I am worthy of what I want in my life.
It’s not about thinking I’m the baddest bitch in the game, or that I’m more important than anybody else, or even that I’m special. It’s about believing that I deserve more than what I’ve given myself credit for. It’s about trusting that taking these “risks” won’t hurt me as I’m scared they will.
As I write this, I’m pushing myself to do more than just say that this year is going to be about me. I’m going to make it so.
And I hope you do, too.