Five Tips to Live Your Best Life in 2021
Happy New Year, everyone! I know that heading into another year can feel like a huge undertaking. Everyone wants an amazing 2021 after the year that we just had. (I won’t say her name, but my feelings are below.)
Let’s roll back our shoulders, let go of the stress of those expectations, and focus on some solid, attainable goals. Here are five tips for living your best life in 2021!
1. Buy a planner.
I’m as guilty as anyone else in that I do everything on my phone. But there is a certain concrete-ness that comes with writing something down. In fact, it’s proven that you are 42% more likely to do something if you write it down. So head to Staples or your office supply store of choice, pick out something cute that matches your style, and write everything down!
2. Download a time-saving app.
Speaking of phones, they deserve a shoutout as the MVP of 2020. We talked to friends and family, went to school, and even did homework on them. Unfortunately, that means that we all may be suffering from a small case of phone-addiction. A time-saving app will block all of your usual time-sucks (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc.) and leave you a bit of time to reconnect with the real world or get some work done!
My favorite is Freedom, which works across phones and computers!
3. Pick an author.
With all of the reading that students are supposed to do, it’s not always possible to knock out dozens of extra books in a year. That’s why my advice is to pick an author that you’re interested in and start with one book. If you’ve read one of their books by the end of the year, mission accomplished! If you get caught up and end up reading four or five, even better. What matters is that you’re setting realistic goals and reading what’s interesting to you!
Some Black author recommendations for this year are Nnedi Okorafor, Octavia Butler, N.K. Jemisin, Angie Thomas, and Walter Dean Meyers.
4. Stretch!
This one is especially important when we’re not moving as much as we usually do. Stretching improves your mood and increases circulation. If you’re not playing a sport or getting out and about as often as you used to, this could be the mood-lift that you need. Get your family involved and have some stretch-time.
It’s good for your mental health too!
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Everyone needs a little support right now, so don’t hesitate to ask if you need something. You might be surprised by the resources your school, family, or IGA can offer. We got you!
Have a happy and productive new year!