New Year, New We

First and foremost, HAPPY NEW YEARS CURLIES! We here at CollegiateCurls truly wish you had the perfect end to 2017, the most magnificent beginning to 2018, and an even better first week of classes!

If you have any sort of connection to social media, like me, I am sure you have seen numerous “no more giving to people who don’t deserve it”, “I’m living for ME this year” or my favorite, “no negative energy this year”. Every year we proclaim this “New Year, New Me” mantra where we set goals we hope to complete to become better versions of ourselves, and we are ALL here for that! But I want to challenge you to do something different this year. I want to challenge you to try making the world around you a better place – not instead of working on yourself, but alongside your own goals.

Before I really dive in, I just want to remind you once again that you should 100% focus on yourself and your career pursuits, school goals, financial maturity, and health! Those are things we should be working on every day. I am only suggesting that you also dedicate some of your energy into your relationships with others and fellow Earth mates. Here are a few things I want to challenge you all to participate in this year – for I truly believe that when we better those around us, we not only benefit the world as a whole, but shape ourselves into more caring and wholesome people.

1) FIRST, LET'S DO AWAY WITH THE "GOLDEN RULE"

We ALL know the saying “Do to others how you would like to be treated”. While this is rule has set the standard for our relationships, a professor I once had told me this is actually the “Silver Rule” and it stuck with me. He said the TRUE Golden rule was “To treat others how they want to be treated” and I’ll explain why this is a better way to approach your relationships. Sometimes the things we want and expect from others, do not perfectly match what others want and expect back from us. In short, this can cause rifts between two people who think their way of showing love/affection/care/whatever it may be is the “right” way. How do we solve this? This leads me to challenge number 2…

2) ITS TIME TO COMMUNICATE

How many problems do you have with others that have arisen from a misunderstanding or lack of communication? How many opportunities pass you by because you don’t speak? It is time that you stop thinking so hard about what you would say to a person in any given situation, and ACTUALLY do so. Your four years of college are at the cusp of true adulthood. If you have something to say, say it! If something is bothering you, let them know. If you want to ask someone out on a date, do it! (ladies, it is time to shoot your shots too). Don’t’ be afraid to tell someone you love them if you really mean it. If we cannot master the art of communication during college, then we are limiting ourselves to our own minds when the world is at the tip of our tongues. Yes, rejection in any form is uncomfortable, but discomfort is a necessity in growing.

3) LASTLY, ENCOURAGE OTHERS.

One thing I have tried to adapt into my lifestyle from 2017 is complimenting one person a day. And I try to direct them specifically at people I do not know. We all have experienced at least once how good it feels when someone you’ve never met before compliments you randomly. Whether for those in the gym, those who are trying something new with their hair, trying out a new style, why not give this to others? The best part? IT COSTS YOU NOTHING. Encouragement is free! There’s a stark difference between not tearing something down and building something up. One deals with not destroying, the other deals with creating and improving.

The key to this? DON’T BE AFRAID. This refers back to challenge 2 dealing with communication. Instead of thinking it, say it. This doesn’t just apply to compliments though. In 2018, we’re shooting big. We need to encourage one another as a COMMUNITY. When you see your sister starting a new org on campus, SHOW UP. When your brother is hosting a music release party, SHOW UP. When your kind of, not best friend, sort of acquaintance invites you to their art show. SHOW UP.

Let them know their work is appreciated, they are appreciated, and that what they are doing is important. It is one thing to verbally encourage, and another to physically embolden others.

We truly hope 2018 gives you all you’ve ever hoped for. Celebrate the ups, embrace the downs. Resilience is created by pressure and discomfort. Love your neighbor and the answer is coconut oil…for everything.

Stay tuned, this semester is going to be one for the books.

-K