Yolo, Selfishness and Sleep.  As 2016 comes to a close, I am beginning to reflect on the lessons I learned throughout the months. Yolo, selfishness and sleep are three things I, and you, need to do more of in 2017! Here is why…

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1. Embrace the YOLO saying and experience life

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YOLO is an acronym for “you only live once.” Sayings like yolo, carpe diem, que sera sera and no day like today all convey the same message. Life is too short!

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Enjoying the present and not worrying about the past/future is harder than it seems. Every day you should ask yourself do you love your life? Are you excited to wake up in the morning? Are you really experiencing every moment?

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If the answer is no, then you aren’t “yoloing!” You don’t embody the carpe diem expression. Truly living every day to the fullest is the first lesson I learned this year. Often times I worry about the future excessively. I think about how I am going to pay for things, my career, grad school and etcetera.  I become so engrossed with my plans for the future I forget at the present! Does anybody else do this to? Both you and I need to “YOLO” more!

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In my effort to “live the moment,” I am deliberately planning more vacation trips and going out of my way to forge new relationships with people that I usually don’t associate with. Now, I am not going to take 8 shots with strangers or do something irresponsible in the name of yolo. I am, however, going to take any good opportunity that presents itself and ignore my nonsensical fear of the unknown.

 

2. Treat yourself because self-care is important

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It is important to love yourself. Honestly! The path to self-love is self-care. You, myself especially, need to kindle the relationship we have with ourselves so that we feel more connected to our bodies and the world around us. This is the second lesson I learned this year.  

One Saturday, I found my-self with a huge to-do list. I had to clean my house, go to grocery store, write a blog post, take pictures to go along with my post, make site updates and coach my team in a Dallas volleyball tournament. Just looking at my calendar made me engulfed with anxiety. So instead fixating on my list, I ignored it completely and took that day off. This was the best decision I made because the next day I was inspired and motivated to “get things done!” I was even more aware of my goals and path for the blog.

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Sometimes the best way to self-care is taking a rest by taking a day off. If you can’t take a personal day then I recommend treating yourself to a massage, a facial or a nice dinner! We all need some R&R. Pamper yourself and focus on those connections/goals that mean the most to you.

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3. Poor sleeping habits are dangerous to your health

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Sleeping fewer than 7 hours a night can really impact your cognitive skills and levels of productivity. Studies show that staying awake 17 hours is the equivalent to being drunk! Haha, this is the third lesson I learned this year.

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 I know for a fact that I have horrible sleeping habits. I am running on little sleep all the time. I know I am not the only one with this problem.

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In 2017 we are going to get better sleep!

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I am going make some changes in effort to achieve this. Sleeping a colder room, waking up with the sun and thinking happy thoughts are techniques that can improve sleeping habits!

 

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I hope you liked reading the lessons I learned this year. I hope you can relate! What did you learn? Leave me a comment down below. Can’t wait to make some changes in the New Year!

 

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Until Next Time,

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Tay

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“Your life is happening now. Make it amazing!”