But Do You Feel Alive?

Growing up today is hard. Becoming an adult is even harder. The worst part is, though, if you think you're doing it right. Stop what you're doing (which is reading my blog—thanks!) and look around you. Take your eyes off your phone screen or your laptop and observe the people around you for just a minute. What are they doing? Do they seem to be happy? Chances are, probably not. We live in a time when everyone is in a hurry, always something on their mind. No one takes the time to stop and breathe the oxygen we take advantage of. No one ever looks up from their phones to say hi to the person behind them in the Starbucks line. I walk around campus and no one looks up from their phones to say "hello" to the people walking past them. We can have thousands of friends on Facebook, Snapchat, followers on Instagram, Twitter, VSCO, but in real life we realize most of us are alone because we cease to live outside our phones.

Next time you're taking a walk either around campus, in the mall, or in the Starbucks line, say something to at least one person around you. Strike up a conversation. You never know, they might be your next best friend, or the love of your life. But I can guarantee that you will feel alive.

You only get one life to live and to live it right is to always do what you want. I read a quote once that said, "Find something that sets your soul on fire." Imagine that. What's one thing in your life that you're doing right now that sets your soul on fire? Probably nothing, am I right? We each need to live our lives to the most exhilarating ability. Every day is a chance at a new adventure. Change can occur in one second. Most of us are just too scared of it. Well... I dare you to live one day doing the opposite of what you would normally do. Take a different way to work. Stop at a different place for coffee. Go somewhere new for lunch. If someone asks you to go out late and typically you'd say no, say yes! This is how you set your soul on fire and I promise you will feel alive.

Are you happy with the life you live right now? If not, you have the power to change it. If you aren't happy in your relationship, end it. It's not going to get any better, regardless of what you keep telling yourself. I've been in your position where no matter what your friends are telling you, you're stuck convincing yourself that they'll change, just give it time. Things don't change. If it's not okay now, it probably never will be. End things and go buy a self help poetry book while you listen to sad music. I promise everything will be okay. Focus on yourself and guess what... you will feel alive.

Now I'm not saying end your relationship so you can be happy. If you already are happy, that's great. Sometimes the one thing that truly sets our soul on fire is a love story, even if it's our own. I know that explains me. I'm a sucker for a corny love story, especially if it's my own corny love story.

Ask yourself right now. Do you feel alive? If not, focus on the things you love. Branch out. Make new friends. Start new relationships. Try new things. And most importantly, ask yourself if what you're doing today makes you feel alive.