Lesson #1: Understanding You're Good Enough All By Yourself.
Now, I think that the recognition of this has come to me through going to college with no friends or roommates I already knew. I didn't know anyone and was not involved in any clubs/extracurricular's and this gave me a feeling of being "lost". But, through the help of constant prayer, attending church, and going to church-related activities I have somewhat found myself. At least the person I am on my own. Sure, this is my second year of college, but it has been a totally different experience than the first. I loved my roommate and we were instant "besties", we went everywhere together, did every activity and class together and I wasn't me when I wasn't with her; I least that's what I thought. But after being separated I have come to the realization that who you are isn't defined by your "bestie", your family, or even your significant other. Who you are is a totally different person, a person you have to find in order to be 100% happy with your life and your situation. At first, when not with my friends and not around my family 24/7, it was a constant "woe is me" and "my life is so difficult", but I've come to find that thinking like that only gets me down and makes me more sad than before. So here are some suggestions when you feel you can't possibly be happy in your situation:
1. Pray. Good, long prayer can bring clarity, joy, and most of all peace. It might not be a lot or for very long, but you can experience these things for a moment if you just pray.
2. Listen to uplifting music. A lot of people I talk to say they listen to music that expresses how they are feeling. And I'm not saying that's bad, but when you are not feeling so hot, listening to depressing music is not going to help. Hate to break it to you, but it's just not. Listen to music that makes you feel happy, light, motivated even. Anything to bring you out of this lull. Sometimes that one verse of "Top of the World" by The Carpenters can make all the difference. It has for me.
3. Go on a walk. Good exercise can also bring clarity to a situation, and it also separates you from the gloominess of your empty, dark apartment (or whatever the situation is that's making you sad...). Get some Vitamin D for heaven's sake! No one ever said a little exercise could hurt you, did they?
4. Read inspiring quotes, poems, stories, etc...Sometimes it just takes reading someone else's words to get you moving and thinking in the right and happy direction. I myself love reading LDS Conference talks or scrolling through Pinterest and the many LDS quotes that can be found there. If interested, go to: https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng
5. Clean something. I know what you're thinking, but don't stop reading! Now I'm not saying that you have to deep clean everything in sight, but choose something that might need a little upkeep (light dusting, cleaning the windows, re-arranging furniture you've been meaning to, and the like). Sometimes a little change or update is just the ticket we need out of our own Debby-downer thoughts. I always feel better after accomplishing something, anything, so that's why I'm including it.
In the end, these 5 things are purely what I said, suggestions. I'm not promising instant happiness or anything, but they have made me a little happier. I think if they give you an hour of "feel goods" or even 20 minutes, it was worth it. Anything to improve your day is a step in the right direction. And I have found that once I am simply happy, I have found the person I have wanted to become all along. The kind, funny, serving, HAPPY, and even grateful me! I hope that my rambling today has not totally wasted your time, and that you can get something out of it, if not the link to LDS.org. But who am I kidding, even if you got absolutely NOTHING out of this post, I did. I have figured out how to completely put my feelings out there, not caring what others think. So there. Have a wonderful day, and remember to smile, it feels better than frowning.
