By Allyson Joy
For seniors, the days of high school have drawn to a close. As the coming weeks and months unfold, new adventures are certainly on the horizon. As you wrap up life as you’ve always known it, here are just a few nuggets to take with you:
- Know who you are. This piece of advice alone can prevent unnecessary heartache. Without a clear sense of who you were created to be, mimicking others often results. This knowledge doesn’t always mean that you immediately know which profession to pursue, where to live after graduation, or how life will play out. It does, however, provide boundaries to operate in and a filter through which decisions are made. Discover who you are and live in this true identity.
- Understand where you came from. Transitions are an invitation to reflect on and see the past with more clarity. If your childhood was challenging or maybe even painful, this may be an excellent time to see a counselor and find healing ways to move forward. If your life has been positive, be thankful and carry that with you.
- Connect in community. We simply cannot heal or grow in isolation. Whether you are staying close to home or moving to a new town or state, community is vital. Community brings healing, helps us process life, allows for accountability, and provides a place of belonging. There may be times you would rather stay in bed or hide behind a screen but don’t. Make the effort to build a community and bring others along with you.
- Live well. Wellness is enjoyed when the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual parts are cared for. A healthy body that spends time being active and eating nutritious foods will only take you so far if your mind is polluted with negativity. Likewise, caring for spiritual needs while neglecting regular sleep or emotional needs is also unhealthy. Remember that wellness is achieved through balance and giving care to all aspects of yourself.
- Take the road less traveled. It’s too easy to get swept up in the current of mediocrity and cynicism. That path is wide and so is the destruction that can potentially follow. The road less traveled is narrow and may have a tougher terrain, but it’s also higher and has a far better view.
- Create margin. In other words, make space: in your schedule, home, and life. Not every minute of every day needs to be filled. Margin allows you to pivot when necessary. It also allows you to be more aware of the people and needs around you. In a culture where busyness is celebrated, go against the grain and create margin.
- Never, never, never give up. Anything worth having is worth working for. And usually, anything worth working for takes perseverance and often failure. Failure is not an indication that you are on the wrong path but may be a signal to try it differently. Never lose sight of the joy of doing hard things and never, ever quit.
